A Break Through... relief

At long last, a break through. I guess we all go through creative blocks. I have been in one that has been HUGE! I mean, GIGANTIC like Godzilla. I did not have words, nor photos, nor interest in making jewelry, not even much interest in cooking anything fun. It's the end of a black year and a year that has been filled with mostly shit. But in the past week, I have rediscovered some old friends and gotten closer to people who have been in my life for years. Also, I have thrown off a gigantic weight. That feels AMAZING. I guess once the weight was gone the creativity began to flow. Unfortunately it did not come in time to make all the presents that I wanted to make for Christmas, but there are loads of birthdays in 2012, so I promise to catch up. It feels good to be back.

Here is something that I put together in the past 15 minutes. My fingers just flew as it came out of my brain. I had all the pieces in my bead box and sitting on my work table. The photo in the locket is hard to see (it's hard to photograph photos that are behind glass, let alone slightly magnified glass) but it is a photo of some old fashioned roses and is made with the vintage process called Van Dyke Brown. On the flip side is an image of a gargoyle on Notre Dame in Paris.

The next few days will be busy preparing for Christmas and a trip to the East Coast. I'm not sure if I will get to post again, but there will be photos from the trip and hopefully there will be snow.

Whichever holiday you choose to celebrate, I hope that it is a spectacular one.

Bring It On Autumn!

For two days I have been cold. It's that time of year where I sit and work in denial that the weather has in fact changed from summer to autumn. Yes, it's November but in Northern California that doesn't always mean that we are wearing our sweaters and wooly socks. Sure, it's chilly in the morning but by mid-day we are back to flip flops and short-sleeved shirts. But as I said, the past two days have been cold. Wooly socks, cardigan, and warm cups of tea to keep my fingers warm as I work on the computer.

As the sun was setting this evening, I decided that it was a risotto kind of night, maybe with some sage and kabocha squash. It's my favorite and I had a bit in the freezer leftover from something or other. Stirring the risotto would warm me. I love standing at the stove and stirring risotto. It's so meditative and I usually pour a little extra wine, some for the risotto and some for me. Meditation, wine, and warm, comfy rice one a cold, rainy night. Bring it on autumn!

Happiness is Halloween in Napa and a Warm Puppy

I love Halloween but I haven't dressed in costume in years. Halloween in San Francisco's Castro District became a bit of a drag when it got so crowded that crossing the street took 30 minutes. It became scary the year that people started shooting at each other.

I decided this year it was time to get back to celebrating Halloween. I wanted to go out to a proper party and have some proper Halloween fun! I wanted something that wasn't a bar but that had lots of dancing and some cocktails or wine - so adults only. Most importantly, I wanted to go someplace where everyone would be in costume. A winery in Napa offered exactly what we were looking for: a pagan costume ball! Perfect! There was dancing, a photo booth, lots of food and even more wine! The winery even turned the wine cellar into really scary torture chamber and haunted house! The owner of the winery, Dario Sattui,  greeted everyone at the winery's castle doors, and directed us through the castle to the festivities. He was dressed in a tuxedo, reminding me a bit of Lurch from the Addams Family television show. There were over 700 costumed party-goers dancing their behinds off, having a grand time! I can't wait for next year's party!

We decided to stay in Santa Rosa, which is in Sonoma, so we could go to the Schultz Museum on Sunday. I loved the cartoons when I was a kid, and still chuckle at the strip when I catch them in the newspaper. The museum is great, though it is more about Charles M. Shultz and less about the cartoon characters. There is just enough for kids though, even the kid in me. 

 

 

We stayed in an old hotel in the Railroad District of Santa Rosa. It's a really lovely place. Hotel La Rose is perfect walking distance to lots of shops, restaurants and a fantastic coffee shop, Cafe Aroma that served a delicious Voodoo Chai latte - a chai latte with a shot of espresso.

We drove through Napa Valley on the way home to the SF Bay Area. We stopped at a few places to taste wines. It was a slow day and the  workers at the wineries were happy to see us so we got extra pours of delicious wine. Weekdays off season in Napa are the time to go.

The sunlight on Monday was glorious all day. Just as the sun was starting to set, it was most gorgeous as it came through the grape vines at Twomey Winery. It was one of our last stops of the day and they let us wander through the grapes without supervision. They even let us pull some from the vines to taste. I think they were sauvignon blanc grapes. Tasty It made me realize that California's beaches aren't the only place that offer a gorgeous sunset.

Diana F images to follow soon. I'll be dropping the film with the photo shop tomorrow.

Lessons, Good Friends and the Hypnotic Lure of Sunshine on a Chilly Morning

This morning I wandered outside for my usual stroll through the garden to wake up and get some morning air. The air this morning was really brisk but the sun was so beautiful and golden. I pulled the kitchen door shut, but not tightly, just enough to keep the chilly air out of the house.

As usual, I grabbed my phone in case there was something out there worth photographing. I saw this beautiful blue watering can against the wall and the warm sunshine made it glow nicely. So, I snapped.

Next snap, these beautiful flowers. I loved these flowers. They reminded me of the end summer and the arrival of autumn.

The sunlight really was beautiful and I was enjoying the morning outside. My long list of things to do waiting for me at my desk didn't matter. The fact that I hadn't even eaten breakfast or had my morning coffee didn't matter. Look at this light! Glorious! I could spend all day out there. I realized that should have brought my Diana outside with me. So,I walked back to the house to grab my Diana and that's when I realized that the door that I pulled to keep out the chilly morning air had locked completely and I was locked out of the house, in my pajamas in the backyard. My nose had started to run and my toes were cold. Yes, the sunshine was gorgeous, but why do I do these things? I should know better than attempt to function before coffee. I got excited by the sunlight in the backyard and off I went like a magpie drawn to something shiny, again.

 

At least I had my phone with me. I called a friend with a key. She was able to leave work and come to my rescue. Thank goodness for that warm sunshine. My toes were nearing numbness. The warmest spot was by the back fence where the kids who live on the other side had smacked their baseball, again.

   

Here is a typical Northern California backyard view - tropical tree, citrus tree, fence and blue sky. Yes, I was pretty cold at this point and was trying to keep myself busy while waiting for my friend with the key to arrive.

My friend arrived just as I snapped this beautiful fuyu persimmon. I have been watching this fuyu ripen from a green and bitter fruit to a beautiful orange and sweet fruit. I think there is a Japanese Buddhist lesson about the persimmon changing from green and bitter to orange and sweet meaning how man is born ignorant but grows to be wise. I have learned my lesson today. Don't just carry my phone on my morning stroll through the garden - always carry my house key.

Cashmere Socks and Summer Berries

It was below 50F degrees when I woke up this morning - the first time this season. I had trouble getting out of bed; I even grumbled at the alarm clock. Autumn is on our doorstep and banging on the door.

As I wandered the garden drinking my morning coffee, I was greeted by these delicious gems of summer. They were smiling brightly and reminding me that while I was wearing my warmest cashmere socks on my frozen toes, the sun would get warmer by noon and that summer had not left us just yet.

Those little gems were delicious in my oatmeal.

They were perfect fuel for today's creative projects - more InDesign and some jewelry.

My Brain Hurts

During this year, I wanted to take the time to learn Adobe's InDesign. I have made a couple of books through Blurb.com with some success, but I have often thought that my books would be better with improved design skills. In an attempt to improve my skills, I registered for an on-line course. This is my first course that is entirely on-line and I am realizing that there are some subjects that I can consume and digest rapidly and some that take me much, much longer. I didn't expect it to be easy, but it has become quite a struggle. Maybe I am too old? Nah, I refuse to accept that excuse. Maybe I am too slow for something so technical? Perhaps. It is pretty technical. I am learning a new language and software while stretching myself artistically. Whatever it is, my brain is pretty exhausted. I can't wait until winter when I take a course in hand-made books.

Mission Santa Clara Cemetery

I have been playing with my Diana F quite a bit lately and trying to replicate some results. It might be tough to do as I am not terribly scientific in my approach and my camera is a plastic toy, not that I mean that as a negative statement, it is just slightly unpredictable, and my film is expired. But, I am persistent, I choose similar subjects, similar light and use the same film, Velvia 50. My subjects are all statues. One of the best places with plenty of statues near me is the Mission Santa Clara Cemetery. 


Today I brought my Diana F and shot off a roll. I also tossed my DSLR into my bag, just in case. Here are some photos from the cemetery. The film goes to the developer this weekend. I've got my fingers crossed that I have some success. I have also come to realize that cemeteries are really wonderful places to work when you need some peace and quiet.