ReArt -- One Person's Trash Is Another's Treasure

A new guilty pleasure. I was recently introduced to one of the greatest creative centers in Oklahoma. Rink Gallery is a Vintage/Antique Mall, Art Gallery, and Creative Resource center all in one. Last Sunday I meandered my way through the over 100 booths. I met some artists and got a ton of ideas for my creative ventures. I went in with the idea to browse and not buy anything and left with a cart of fun vintage items. I also had a lot of fun taking pictures of the vintage treasures.

While I was hanging out at the "Rink", I met Stephanie with Reuse Oklahoma. She told me about the great craft nights and the swap-o-rama-rama. The Craft Squad meets every Thursday and exchanges supplies as well as ideas. Reuse Oklahoma collects donated art and craft supplies, donates them to the artists who use them, and the items are sold to support the endeavor. Needless to say, this is the greatest place. I am hooked. Here are a few of my favorites.

Mixed Breed



Fuglies

Easter....come and gone

Easter has always been my favorite holiday and this year was no different.  I love spring, new growth, tulips, colored eggs....really, I love it all.  I love all of the pomp and circumstance at church and, of course, I love the egg hunt(s).  One of my favorite memories is of my grandmother getting the latest bunnies that skate, skateboard, hop, dance, whatever.  Each of us (five cousins) got one every year and we would race them.  It sounds silly, but it was an impromptu tradition that stick in my memory.  Another favorite memory is the elaborately decorated table my mom and grandmother would set using one of their many sets of china. This year was in charge of the table.  It was small, but I think it turned out well.

This year, a new beginning of a different sort.  I am going to be an aunt, again.  My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are expecting their first little one.  Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!

InspiRED

What is the saying?....when life throws you lemons, make lemonade.  Well, I am not into lemonade at this point, but a tall glass of ice tea sounds good.  There are times in my life when I feel completely uninspired.  I have finally learned how to deal with this......submerge in some of my favorite things.  So here are of few of my favorite places real and cyber.

Red Cup

Sealed with a Kiss

OKC YMCA

Madelintosh

Creative Mom Podcast

..........just to name a few.

Fashionably Late

I have never been on time....especially since I had my two little "party favors."  Better Late than never, Right?  I am always up for a good party.  So, why not the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom.

If you are new to my blog.  I started my blog about a year ago.  I didn't know exactly what I would write about....thus the name.  I usually post about art, craft, design (i use that term loosly), and knitting.  I have started a new "project" that focuses on children and spirituality.  It is very much a work in progress, but you can find it at Colors of Creation.

  

Currently, I am a stay at home mom of two boys.  Married to my lovely husband.  I love to write, knit, blog, dabble in photography, and I aspire to be a "real" writer some day.  I am not sure what I mean by that.  I have a master's degree in Religious Education and I love to study and write about religious history and spirituality.  

If you stop by, please feel free to comment.  I would love to hear from you.  I have a fun Giveaway going on too.  

365 Pictures of Me

I have read, here and there, about 365 Days on Flickr.  I think it is a great idea, but it seems daunting to me.  But, as I search and search for a picture of myself for screen icons, etc, I realize that I have very few to choose from and even fewer that I like.  

I am the primary photographer for my household.  I love to take pictures.....candids mostly, but I love recording what we do.  The problem with pictures of me is that I do not look the same in my head as I do in pictures.  I think that part of the problem is that I am getting old....and maybe a little issue is that I have had two children in the past three years.  I know I will regret seeing pictures of myself at this precious time.  I love looking at pictures of my mom as a young mother. She looks so happy and young.  

So, I think I am going to give myself a birthday gift this year.  I am going to take a picture of myself everyday that I am 30.  My birthday is April 14th...so, I have a little time to plan.  I will try to share some.  Above are a few to get me started.

Bohemian Spirit

Recently, while at my favorite hang out, I met Amy, a local artist who owns Bohemian Spirit.  I had been in her studio/store two locations ago and was a little overwhelmed by the massive quantities of vintage goods.  We were the only two in the back room of the Red Cup and began chatting.  She told me she was moving to another location and I told her that I was looking for some things to take my summer cabin back to it's 40's/50's glory.  She told me to stop by and she would see what she had.  Well, it was worth the trip.  I found a wonderful bed spread several valances and a couple of sets of curtains.  They were all perfect.  I purchased a couple of additional items including three hanging lamps.  Any guesses on how much I spent?  $20.00! Deal of the century.  I can't wait to get out to New Mexico and get some pictures of the goods in action.

When my passions collide....

I love it when I get that tingly feeling that "something was meant to be."  I have a lot of passions this day.  When I say passion, I am not being over-expressive.  Obsessions might be a better word. Anyway, as you probably know, if you read this blog, I love to knit.  I started knitting about two and a half years ago.  Very seldom do I take to something like this....but, I LOVE it.  I have to knit everyday or my day is just not complete.  

Let me set the scene.  I started knitting and the first thing I did was purchase knitting books to feed my book obsession.  Then I started blogging to feed my writing obsession.  The blogging led to podcasts which to me to the CMP.  Amy on the CMP knits and then thus I began listening to knitting blogs.  I took several weeks last summer in the mountains just me and the babies so I ran out of knitting blogs so I googled writing blogs and thus discovered Writers on Writing by Barabra DeMarco-Barrett.  I listened to almost all of her back episodes...and there are a lot. She talks about her book Pen on Fire so I bought the book and read it.  Now, I keep up with her Pen on Fire blog.  

So, imagine the excitement when I logged on to Ravelry today and glanced at the list of new groups.  I saw a group called Knitters Who Write.  I decided to check it out.  I almost turned away and then I decided to check out the moderator.  Her website is knittingonfire.blogspot.com....and I thought, what a rip off.  (I know, I know...the name of my blog came from the title of the book, but what can I say.)  She totally ripped off Barbara's book title.  I read on, and it is Barbara DeMarco-Barrett.  I am such a dork....I know.  But, I am a fan, what can I say.  I shot her a quick message and added her as a friend and the group to my ever growing list.  

My universe seems to all be coming together now.  :)