Rambling at Cannon Beach

Love the sign... looks just like a woodcut.

I was dying to eat at this place... but we never made it. It didn't look very kid friendly either - but what a cute spot.. and the bill of fare - very tempting. That's the sign - Bistro - is the only name it had. Will try to find out if they have a web site!

We've just returned from a much needed, lovely trip to the beach and Portland, OR. It was great except for the fact that our car broke down as soon as we arrived in Portland (after about 6-7 hours of driving!) . We waited about an hour or more for a tow truck to come and take our sad car to the dealership and ended up renting a car so we could still get to our 'beach leg' of the trip. Who can tell what's going to happen in a day!?

I took about a million photographs that are all potential paintings :) Now, I'm thinking about school starting on Aug 31 (yipes! we're nowhere near ready). I've been purging in the house, de-cluttering and clearing space for a calm, serene dwelling in the fall and winter. Our little girl will be going off to her first year of pre-school (she's got a Sept birthday and will be one of the older ones). Naturally, this is traumatic for moi... she's my baby! But, I'm thinking I may sooth myself by partaking in a bit of nesting and paint the living room, dining room, bathroom and hallway. :) Been wanting to do this for about 5 years now!

Field Trip

Got lost in the country looking for an estate sale which is not hard for me because I'm directionally challenged! (blame it on the dyslexia!) So, we never found the sale (in search of ephemera, old linens.... rickety typewriters) but we did find a stellar perennial garden nursery. Here are a few scenes from our outing. It was set near a small little brook in the hills above Spokane. I love the bucolic setting. Nurseries inspire me to paint. Kathleen Elsey (a California Colorist artist) who won an award for a beautiful painting of a nursery. Visit her here.

More Needle Felted Christmas Ornaments

I'm finally accepting the award , Brilliante Weblog Premio, 2008 given to me (a few months ago) by painter, Paula Villanova...(http://www.meandmypaintings.blogspot.com/) Thank you so much, Paula! Your paintings are an inspiration to me.

So, now I get to choose my favorite blogs and pass on the awards to them... it was hard to decide! Here are some lovely blogs that feed me constant inspiration, you all deserve this award so celebrate it!!! (and don't worry if it takes you some time to accept the award!)

Beth - http://www.tangledskystudio.blogspot.com/

Mary Ann - http://www.maryannwakeley.blogspot.com/

Martha - http://www.marthamillerart.blogspot.com/

Jennifer - http://www.jenniferlommers.blogspot.com/

Celia- http://www.purplepoddedpeas.blogspot.com/

Kristin - http://www.moontea.blogspot.com/

Julia - http://www.miss-frugality.blogspot.com/

Here are the 'rules' of acceptance...

1. Put logo on blog

2. Add link to person who awarded you

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Add links to those blogs on you blog

5. Leave messages for you nominees on their blogs

6. Participation is voluntary, of course!

7. Have fun...honoring the bloggers who inspire you regularly

Purple Cone Flowers

The Purple Cone Flower purse (yep, that's me... probably the most of me I'll ever post!)

Here's a new woodblock I'm working on. I love these flowers, I planted my first last year. I did a purse inspired by them and now a woodcut. (the purse sold - I'll have to make another) I think I'll do a more stylized drawing and print on fabric. (Click on the pictures for more detail!)

Telephone Lady

Velma the force clerk

Luncheon party at ?? the Spokane Club? (love the hats and shoes!)

A retirement gift, a telephone, 1956

Party at the Hall of Doges at the Davenport Hotel - Spokane, WA.

Operator

The switchboard

Here are a few snaps from a great find at an estate sale. These images are from a memory book from Pacific Northwest Bell telephone company. I won't reveal the woman's name in case any of her family may recognize these photos... but they are so fascinating, I love the era! I will probably be using some of these for inspiration in my art.