There's No Place Like Home

Dorothy was right, "there's no place like home". And seriously, is there anything better than getting home from a vacation to a clean house?

My couch and I are doing some serious reconnecting.

Homeward Bound

Today we leave Dublin and arrive home later tonight. It'll be nice to set down a suitcase and set my feet back on home soil. We've seen a lot of wonderful things. Here's some "artsy" things that I liked.

We saw the play Wicked at the Victoria Apollo Theatre. Simply Amazing. And if you haven't seen it, you must. Changed the way I see the Wizard of Oz and particularly the Wicked Witch of the West. All of this time she was really one of the good guys. Aside from that we saw some cool street art like this

and this

and this

We walked a lot, about 10 miles a day. And my sketchbook is bursting with new ideas. Watch in the next few weeks for updates and new work.

Holiday Doll Updates

I submitted my blog post for CreateMixedMedia yesterday where I updated the status on my Holiday Dolls.  Watch for that in the next week or two.

Somehow I haven't gotten any paint on the white bedding.

I have been using paint pens, micron pens and thread to decorate the dolls.

 Here you can see I have made a few different bodies.

So far I think I like these the best. But trust me the others will not go to waste. Enjoying the challenge, you should try something different too.

Morning Run: The Regent's Park

Yesterday was rainy so today I had to run. Tucked my camera into my flip belt. (love my flip belt) and off for a run in the Regent's Park.

Thought I would like to share some of the images I snapped.

 I kept turning my head

and only seemed to see something more beautiful

than I saw before. Hope you enjoy them too. See all I would have missed had I not gone out? So inspiring.

Edinburgh, Scotland

We took a train north from London and have been enjoying Edinburgh for the past 2 days. Really cool, hilly city. Amazing how the castle just rises up from the gardens below.

 

Beautiful art galleries, museums, and architecture. Don't miss the vaults under the city streets.

 

We did The Real Mary King's Close yesterday and might do the Blair Street Vaults today. 

So much history and inspiration. Well worth the trip. And if you're a Floridian like me the temps are comparable to winter weather.

 

Artisans on the Ave: Lake Worth

Thought I'd share a link. A really nice write up on Artisans on the Ave, Lake Worth, FL. Betty and Linda are as nice as they say. No, even nicer! Thanks to Lee Hershfield for the great write up.

 

And this is John McCoy in the pic, if you ever see me swilling coffee from GORGEOUS tall coffee mugs, he's the artist who makes them. I collect his cups the way some people collect butterflies. 

British 10K Run

6 months ago I couldn't have run 6.2 miles in one go in front of 25,000+ people.

 

Normally I don't bring running shoes while on vacation.

 

This year I run for my health. And the sights.

 

And sure I know one day I'll kick the bucket...

...but the grim reaper will have to catch me! (ha) If you're feeling sluggish and down or the doctor gave you bad news, slip on your shoes and just walk (or run).

Working While I am Away From Home

I wrote a blog entry today for Create Mixed Media. It's all about how I needed to challenge myself to make an piece of art while away. We've been in Ireland and leave for England tomorrow. Every year it's the same. Sobbing as I clean my studio and know I won't be working for a whole month. But not this summer.

 I made two doll heads and body parts out of fabric. I have a ziplock bag full of needle, thread and embroidery floss. I took pictures of the pieces in our hotel room. They came with me and it took a little planning and making lists but I did it.

Making art is a passion. I love it. Live for it and maybe I'll make something that'll lead me down a new road. Watch to see what becomes of these little lasses.

July Calendar

My apologies for being late, I was on an airplane flying across the Atlantic so I had a valid reason. The 4th of July is my favorite holiday because of the fireworks. Have a wonderful month.