You Say it's Your Birthday!

Two years ago at Lynne's Taos workshop I found out that Lyn Bleiler (wonderful artist, writer and event coordinator) and I share a birthday. And it's today! The two of us had planned to celebrate during a week of mixed media pleasure with Lynne Perrella, surrounded by glorious Taos, but not to be. Happy Birthday to us anyway!

And, a very Happy Birthday tomorrow to wonderful artist, True Colorist and intriguing writer Marylinn Kelly.

February is the month for birthdays!

Life on the Coast

Just a few seagulls on Moonstone Beach in Cambria.
Enjoy your weekend!

Not Off to Taos

Today I was supposed to fly out to Taos, New Mexico for a week long workshop with Lynne Perrella. But early yesterday morning we received word that New Mexico is in a state of emergency due to extremely cold temperatures and running out of natural gas. Luckily in time for everyone to be contacted and to cancel before people ended up stranded or anything. There's talk of rescheduling, I'll keep you posted. In the meantime - I have a whole lot of unpacking to do.

From the Bookshelf

This book is filled to over-flowing with wonderful images of collage - from traditional cut and paste to cutting-edge digital. Randall Plowman invited 40 masters of the art of collage, including Cecil Touchon, Jonathan Talbot, Lynne Perrella, Lynn Whipple and James Michael Starr to be part of this lovely compilation. Each artist presents eight pages of their work along with a short bio/artist statement at the beginning of their section. Eye candy galore and very interesting to see the myriad of techniques and ideas that fuel this creative art form.

More Pages

Here are a few more pages from the current journal.

I'm still quite enamoured with the small, chunky size,

and looking forward to using it next week in Taos.

Cigar Box Wednesday

Tiny, little ceramic figures and dolls. Some French santons, some toy store baby dolls, even a vintage army man or two.

Until they find their way into an assemblage,
it's just fun to run my fingers through them!

2-count 'em-2

Two years of blogging! During which time I have managed (other than a week in Taos taking a workshop) to blog every day. Thank all of you who have joined me along the way. From Cigar Box Wednesday to Cemetery Saturday, from Atomic Lemon to Life on the Coast - what a ride!
Thank all of you who have joined me along the way. Lots more to come.

Monday Brunch @ a French Bistro

It's daughter Bronwyn's last day here in California, she flies back to Missouri tomorrow. We're having brunch at Panolivo French Bistro in Paso Robles with a dear friend, before we drive her back to the Bay Area. Is anything better than a huge bowl of cafe au lait?! Tres magnifique!

Life on the Coast

Hope you're this blissed out on your weekend!
California Sea Lions enjoy the harbour docks in Morro Bay.

Cemetery Saturday

Back to Edinburgh for a walk through Greyfriars' Kirkyard at the southern edge of the Old Town. There are many crypts and mausoleums around the walls of the graveyard. Tales and rumours of hauntings abound here.

The infamous 'Bloody' George Mackenzie was buried there in 1691. The 'Mackenzie Poltergeist' is said to cause bruising, bites and cuts on those who come into contact with it and many visitors have reported feeling strange sensations. A number of deaths have taken place in the churchyard as well. We came through unscathed, but didn't linger over long either!

A statue of Greyfriar's Bobby, the loyal little dog who grieved by his master's burial site is set directly opposite the front gate of the graveyard.

A plaque commemorates his life.

All photos courtesy Bronwyn Ember