Grads, Dads and Charms!

Well, the day finally arrived with my son graduating high school and as expected I was in tears several times during the ceremony. It was a lovely graduation and a true milestone in our family. Much of my family made the trip from various Southern California cities to watch the first child, grand-child and great grandchild accept his diploma!
The next day my middle child graduated from 8th grade. She sang the star spangled banner and received honor roll, mathematical excellence and voted most likely to succeed by her class. Another memorable evening indeed!
For Father's Day the girl's served their dad breakfast in bed and looked the other way while he played 'World of War Craft' for much of the day. I compared it to my taking back to back art classes which is one way I have celebrated special days ( birthdays, Mother's Day) in the past.
I sent in my "Things with Wings" charms to my friend Michelle in Southern California. This is her fourth such swap. I always enjoy designing the charms and it is always fun to see how each person interprets the theme. I made a fairy charm with shrink art that I attached to a shell charm and also an owl on a button with a glittery foam base.

Crazy Computers and ATCs!

It just died on me Thursday so there it sat until my husband came home. He is a super tech guy and although he was tired took on the challenge with gusto. I was away that evening at an ATC meet-up in Pleasant Hill with many friends from My Daughter's Wish. An amazing mixed media and paper store that closed it's doors early this year. We meet at Michael's the first Thursday of each month and bring our cards to trade. My friend Daniela, a teacher and design team member from MDW, has kept the group together. Challenging us each month with interesting themes and fun projects.One of my favorites was an atc card made from a thick (1 1/2 inch thick) block of wood.

This month's theme was Mythological Creatures! We had a 3D Medusa card, a dancing mermaid, a siren, a gargoyle and a collection of othermythical creatures. Everyone puts so much effort into their creations every month and I feel fortunate to be part of such a wonderful group of artists.

Happy Memorial Day!

This year we spent Memorial Day with our family, a family reunion with folks traveling from all over: Hawaii, South Dakota, Oregon and Las Vegas. What made it especially wonderful is we were able to spend it with a real hero, my father in law, Daniel J Myers Jr. A man who dedicated a great deal of his life to serving this country. After graduating from West Point he entered the military as an officer. He fought in two wars, The Korean War and The Vietnam War and earned many distinctions for bravery and valor. Earning for himself the high military rank of Colonel . I am thankful for his service and that of all who have served in the past and present. Thank you for keeping our country safe and our people free. God Bless You!

Please Vote!

In was fun today because at the polls I ran into so many of my son's friends voting for the very first time. The young men, that I remember crying at the gates as we left them at school for the very first time, casting their votes for this democracy we call America. My son went with me but is still a few months shy of eighteen. He said he was looking forward to the next election when he would be able to vote. It is hopeful to see youth out to vote trying to make a difference in their futures and that of their country. It is one of the great privileges of being an American citizen and also one of our best efforts to keep us a free nation for generations to come. So please go out and vote!!!

Mermaid ATC's Postal!!!

I want to thank all the participants in this wonderful swap! The artistry and attention to detail was fabulous! I mailed a group out yesterday , one today and I will send the last out tomorrow. I try to mix and match them the best I can so everyone gets a bit of variety. I hope you enjoy your cards and thanks again for your participation!

Mermaid ATCS Due This Week!

Just a quick reminder that all mermaid atcs should be to me by this week-end. I have received some really amazing cards this year. All are wonderful, some whimsical and others artsy! Even one singing mermaid in a box! Thank you all for the amazing effort and creativity you put into your beautiful cards to share.

A Family Trip to the Coast!

I just got back from a family stay on the California coast. We went to spend Spring break at Seascape Resort in Aptos, California. Only 1 hour and ten minutes from our house but a world away from are usual routine. The weather was beautiful and I was able to really relax. We had a beautiful 3 bedroom villa with a "deluxe" ocean view. I don't really know the difference but they assured us it was even better than a "full" ocean view when we booked it. I guess, as well as seeing the ocean from our balcony, we were able to view it from every room this time. The best part was sharing time with the kids and also being able to relax while they ran around the resort. To the pool, the restaurants, the health club they freely roamed while hubby and I just sat on the deck reading, sleeping, sunning and/or making atc cards ,lol!. Then we all went down to the beach to read, play in the sand and relax. One our last night we enjoyed a campfire down on the beach with all the S'more fixings. A great time was had by all and now we are ready for the final 8 weeks of school before summer and two graduations!!!