Life

Life.

Over on Creative Every Day, a site I am following this year the July theme was Life.

July was certainly filled with all of the aspects of life.  July felt like everything in my life was magnified.

My artist friend, Claire passed away unexpectedly.

My sister Shayne and my adorable nieces came to visit for some San Francisco sightseeing and sister fun.  Such joy and exuberance.

Our dear 89 year old father had a fall and is still trying to recover.  He remains in a nursing facility.

My husband's friend of many years died suddenly in a diving accident.

We camped in Big Sur - so stunning!

We sold over 20 pieces of art through Rob's studio (see www.buelteman.com) Woo-hoo

The fog hid the sun day after day....

My sons called and emailed

Cancer was diagnosed in 2 friends

I  had more migraine days than I have for had in years

I made jewelry, lunched with friends, walked my beloved pug

Rob was featured in American Photographer (Aug. 2010) highlighting his black and white work 

We bought 2 used cars, one was a lemon and must go!

We fought about important things and stupid things

We kissed & made up

And through all of the beauty, terribleness, sorrow, concern, laughter, silliness, tiredness, good times, bad times, crazy, busy, life of mine - it is my life.

I am grateful for every moment and breath I take.  I am acutely aware all of this could end any moment.  I love life and I'm in awe of the whole thing- Life!

Twisted Sistah

My favorite weekend of July was my weekend in San Luis Obispo at Diana Frey's artful studio.  Diana is an amazing mixed media jewelry artist and so much more.
The Twisted Sistah workshop was a blast.  We poured Resin, soldered links, wrapped and wrapped and wrapped wires and gems.
All of the women were inspiring and fun.  Diana always gives her students 110% of her knowledge and energy.  Thanks to all for a wonderful weekend!

I'm almost done with my Twisted piece and will share pictures Tomorrow!
XOXO

Time out

This week I committed to blog every day.

Where was I the last 2 days?

In bed with a migraine.  Here are Uma The Studio Pug and I .

We took a time out.  But we are back and I will be posting more later today.XOXO

In The Fog

This time of year always seens like a slog.  The San Mateo coastside is always in the cold, drippy fog and it feels like the sun will never come out.  I bundle up and walk the studio pug anyway and enjoy the cool breezes and swear at the gray!  

But actually there is a lot of color in the dying grasses and dark shadows cast by coastal cypress.  The tops of the hills are missing.  It feels a little like the ceiling has fallen in.

The last of the rattlesnake grass is scattering in the wind.

Soon the open space will be filled with Queen Anne's Lace.

It's a favorite sight this time of year.  Thousands of lacy umbrellas fill the meadows.  It seems so dreamy with the fog and drizzle.

Tonight I am off to the Beading Frenzy for a class on leather bracelets wrapped with gems.  Should be fun, I will share tomorrow right here!

Remember I'm making a Post-A-Day this week!

I promise to show and tell all the lovlies I've been working on.

XOXO

July!

Howdy dear blog friends.

How could it be the end of July and not one post?  I've been a busy bee this month. 

I'm making jewelry, journaling, I've gone to a weekend jewelry workshop and have been visiting my dear dad in the hospital.  My sister and nieces came for a visit, too. July has been full of surprises both good and bad. Health matters, we bought a very used car and through it all I have been carving out bits of time for me. Relationship seems to be the word of the month

This week I promised to blog every day- NO MATTER WHAT!

My program here seems a little iffy today in the formatting, but I will include some recent photos.

On the left is my work tray from the Twisted Sistah Workshop I took in San Luis Obispo with the lovely and incredibly talented  Ms. Diana Frey.  I will write more about that this week.

There seems to be a list making it's rounds through the blogs, I've tracked it through several links.  I think it started in The Simple Woman's Daybook..

Here is my list:

For Today

Outside my window... The Trumpet Flower bush my dearly beloved gave me for our anniversary is blooming

I am thinking... of taking a nap

I am thankful for... my life

From the kitchen... a huge green energy drink my dear one me made for lunch

I am wearing ... pink crops, ugg boots and polar fleece

I am creating... a new relationship with my blog

I am going... to the store for food & prescriptions

I am reading... Stephanie Lee's Semi-precious Salvage

I am hoping... My migraine goes away

I am hearing... silence

Around the house... it's a cold, foggy, windy, coast of northern California day

One of my favorite things... chocolate chip cookies with my morning coffee

A few plans for the week... BLOG!!! also a quick beaded bracelet class tomorrow night and best of all, help hang my dearly beloved's photographs for an upcoming show that opens Sunday!

XOXO Julie B.