The Gypsy on Adventure

Meet Chrysti - get free stuff - and get to know a great artist!

If you don't know Chrysti, she is one of the most GENEROUS and KIND people I have ever met, and this does not surprise me in the least that she is doing some thing spectacular like this  "29 Days of Giveaways for you!" You can go to her blog here, to read all of it, but below I have little snippets for you. Chrysti and I met on line I think in 2004...maybe early 2005. I LOVED her art and I am SO lucky to own some of it in my collection. But her heart is what spoke to me.

This year in August during the ZNE event in Pleasanton I was able to meet her in person...it was like an out of body experience for me...I tried hard to stay grounded...and be in the moment...I was nervous and she was delightfully her! Just getting to meet her made me feel so much better and most of my anxiety went away! I wish I could have spent more personal time with her, but I am ever grateful to have met this lovely person in real life! She is GENEROUS, I have benefited from that generosity personally...and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her. She has an amazing heart...

I am looking forward to seeing her again next year and hope that you will find her as delightful as I do! She is the real deal! Human frailties and all!

from her... I dunno, I kinda love that the universe is so much bigger than all of us and yet we are all a part of it. No deed is too small. No life is worthless. All that we touch, becomes a part of us. Kind of amazing when you really think about it.

I’ll spare you a long, thought out analysis of it — and get to my point. The last few years have been amazing, but I have become SOlil things that took away from that time - and somehow, giving ( very overwhelmed creating my business, I began cutting out all the though always present in my head to do).. got pushed down to the bottom of the list. That proverbial ’tomorrow’ I’d do it on, never came. The thing is… I had no idea how that would also rob me of small joys, human connections, and even how it’d take away a bit of my hopeless optimism. Gotta wonder what all I’ve missed as a result of letting that slip.

So, upon discovering the 29 days of giving site - I decided to make giving ( of myself, and of things ) a priority again. I promised myself, I’d find ways to make it work within my world again vs. convincing myself that I didn’t have time. Really, we always have room for goodness in our lives, if we let it in.

It won’t end there either… but you’ll have to stay tuned to see what all is in store. True to form, I’ve altered the challenge a bit, and am doing my take on it.. as a permanent part of my life.

When small things do LARGE out of the realm things!

Many artists especially mixed media use ordinary scotch tape for transfering images into our work, and now...you see just how OUT of the ordinary tape is!

NEW YORK – Just two weeks after a Nobel Prize highlighted theoretical work on subatomic particles, physicists are announcing a startling discovery about a much more familiar form of matter: Scotch tape. It turns out that if you peel the popular adhesive tape off its roll in a vacuum chamber, it emits X-rays. The researchers even made an X-ray image of one of their fingers.

Who knew? Actually, more than 50 years ago, some Russian scientists reported evidence of X-rays from peeling sticky tape off glass. But the new work demonstrates that you can get a lot of X-rays, a study co-author says.

"We were very surprised," said Juan Escobar. "The power you could get from just peeling tape was enormous."

Escobar, a graduate student at the University of California, Los Angeles, reports the work with UCLA colleagues in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature.

He suggests that with some refinements, the process might be harnessed for making inexpensive X-ray machines for paramedics or for places where electricity is expensive or hard to get. After all, you could peel tape or do something similar in such machines with just human power, like cranking.

The researchers and UCLA have applied for a patent covering such devices.

In the new work, a machine peeled ordinary Scotch tape off a roll in a vacuum chamber at about 1.2 inches per second. Rapid pulses of X-rays, each about a billionth of a second long, emerged from very close to where the tape was coming off the roll.

That's where electrons jumped from the roll to the sticky underside of the tape that was being pulled away, a journey of about two-thousandths of an inch, Escobar said. When those electrons struck the sticky side they slowed down, and that slowing made them emit X-rays.

So is this a health hazard for unsuspecting tape-peelers?

Escobar noted that no X-rays are produced in the presence of air. You need to work in a vacuum — not exactly an everyday situation.

"If you're going to peel tape in a vacuum, you should be extra careful," he said. But "I will continue to use Scotch tape during my daily life, and I think it's safe to do it in your office. No guarantees."

James Hevezi, who chairs the American College of Radiology's Commission on Medical Physics, said the notion of developing an X-ray machine from the new finding was "a very interesting idea, and I think it should be carried further in research."

Article

ZNE ConvenZioNE

Ooooosh! I was SO nervous going alone but I had a GREAT time! I registered on time and went to lunch with Fanabella at an upscale little restaurant where we sat outside and enjoyed our time between the bee's and wasp's getting VERY close! I had a beautiful salad! Explosions of taste in every bite. I drove her back to work and then I went grocery shopping and to Fan's house and chilled out until it was time to go to the Amador Theater to see 1000 Journals! I LOVE the idea of this experiment and the book I have ... It was FANTASTIC! I wish she would sell DVDs of this film. I loved every minute of it and it was life changing! 

I was able to meet a few people AND Chrysti found me in the crowd! Her boyfriend Carl was with her! I was SO excited to meet her!!!! She is so warm and genuine! I liked them both instantly! I was so glad that I was able to come (thanks to her) and my anxiety left. I had a really good night! On stage some ZNE members said thank you to  Chel for all her work, giving her special gifts including crown, septor and robe! The lighting sucked so my photos didn't turn out...

Saturday was up early, Fan was so cute, she had a snack bag ready for me, and we had some coffee together she made some biscuits but I can't eat that early in the am. I was so excited to hear SARK talk! I have enjoyed her books and the things I have seen from her. She inspires me, if not with her writing but that anyone can be an artist, can journal...with juicy pens and  thirsty paper! I was glad I brought my book for her to sign! She had a friend who is a Disney Imaginer give the intro and he SO reminded me of one of my guys at work! He has Professional Third Grader on his business cards! I LOVED him! I could SO see my friend Stephen doing this!

Then there was an hour and half of waiting for classes to start. I met 3 fab women, who couldn't figure out how to sign up for classes and so just came for the breakfast. They were Fun and funny! They live local so I am hoping to meet up with them again! I laughed a lot with them! So much fun!

Class...Ah class! Delightful, upbeat, messy and FUN class with Chrysti!! Freeing. There were 9 of us and it was a nice size for me, not too much going on that you couldn't keep up and some really great people in class! I enjoyed it! I especially liked using the molding paste! She did a large amount of information in a one day class! And the goodie bag...OMG...talk about generous! Inside mine was some FROGS!

Jazzy and Diva sat next to me, and I had a great time sharing in class...I loved every minute! We painted papers and they can be made into a book, she gave us the wire to bind them, like a technique book! I felt like I did a lot and yet did nothing...I feel like I should have done more...but that was simply not possible! Giggle We worked hard and fast! I was EXHAUSTED after class!

That day was AMAZING, getting to meet so many people of the same mind set, tattoo's showing, artist hair every where! Meeting special people who are teachers in this industry, amazing day!

Then dinner at Blue Agave! We had to wait too long for dinner and I got a bad headache, but the company and the vibe was so worth being there! I enjoyed it! We sat in the backyard of the old house and since I was driving I couldn't do a margarita, but I enjoyed the surrounding and the company! I ran into Bev and the photo with the 4 women are where I was sitting and enjoying their company! I had a GREAT time! I was so happy to meet them!

 

On Sunday I slept in, took a lazy shower and got slowly ready for the day, having breakfast and coffee with Fan and we talked until almost 3!!! I had to rush out not to miss the Vendor event. I got to see Chrysti before going home, she was talking to some one, and dork that I am, said "Why do I know you?" Duh! It was Shosh!!!! I was THRILLED to see her again AND I got to meet her hubby too! What a great day indeed! Although Aleen was sick and didn't come Bev was doing the booth for her. When I got there, every one was closing up, so I didn't have to spend any money! Giggle

I ran into Diva again and I got two of her tiara's! One small and one large! ooosh! She had some great stuff! She is such a dear! I really like her and I got to talk to her friend, who is going through the same thing as me, grappling with aging. She did the self-portrait class. I hope we talk again.

I don't even know how to thank Chrysti. She is AMAZING in internet friendship AND in real life! I adore her! She gave me some items for Lucy as well and I will be mailing them for her to have joy as well!

Preparation...and deciding on clothes!

No make up today...feeling like crap...anxiety...This too shall pass!  Nothing like breaking out! Yuck! I hate adult acne! I am a mess! You would think this would be a great opportunity and a lot of fun...so why the anxiety? I hate that I am experiencing this, but I am going to try to embrace it and learn from it. This has been going on since December and I am really tired of the flight or fight mode my body seems to be in...some thing turned the switch on and I am trying to turn it back off!

Most of my things are packed for the ZNE ConvenZioNE! YEAH! Only 2,808 steps today...I even went too Michaels for the couple of things I didn't have on her list, and I feel that I am at least ready and organized.  I am trying to figure out what to wear, and part of that is having grundge clothes that I don't care if I get paint and stuff on it!  AND I bought these cool totes! The straw one was $1.99!!!! Score! These are easy bags to carry to class! Excited!

I am so drained and exhausted that I am heading off to bed...I hope I can sleep...

Random Act of Kindness

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome" -Anne Dudley Bradley

Today during a really down time...I received a Random Act of Kindness from across the World! I squeeled with delight! Flickr Friends are the best!!!!  Meet Elisa!

When sadness and yarn p0rn collide!

Knitting Arts my all time ever fav yarn store is closing their doors...DEVASTATED!  But they had a sale today so I ran off to go get stuff for me and my girl friend Mary, she is in Nevada and wouldn't make the sale. And I had a great time in line with other women going through the same feelings I was having about letting go of our store!!!!

I even got a number for a get together with Dora who was behind me! That was worth the 1 hour 45 minutes in line! Giggle...she was the first person to approach me when I walked in with that deer in headlights look, and tears in my eyes as I was trying to sort through the yarnie goodness...

It was REALLY hard but I got some really good deals AND I got almost $100 off from my purchases from my punch cards I had been saving!

Here is Mary Stash if she wants it:









AND here is my stash...

Surprise Mexican Fiesta Lunch

Today was the surprise gift and luncheon for Lucy! It was hard to get up this morning, I didn't sleep much last night with the tattoo, just amped up and a little burning when I moved my arm, but nothing major. I got up early like 6:30 and had some lemon tea, showered and got things together. No anxiety today!

It went off well, I got there by 9:30ish made coffee and enjoyed a cup before Lucy arrived.

It was a great day! And I could tell it meant a lot to Lucy. I think every thing went well. She was so surprised about the story of the wallet! When we bought it was LAST May in SLO and she had no idea!

We were going to do a fabric book but we started the Habu scarves with Lucy's roving and my Habu, and it took too much time. If we had all spent the weekend like we had planned it would have been all done...but things changed and we all left.

 

      

Flickr Friends Rock! And loosing some weight!

I love my friend Bewitched on Flickr! She found all of her Kiddles from childhood and I had commented on how I had adored them in my childhood and had them all, and that I don't have one thing left from my childhood due to some issues with my mother.

Then yesterday she surprised me with an altered kiddle just for me!!! IN a box that she painted especially for me! Man she made my entire week and I have to place her in a place of honor that I can see her all the time! Bewitched healed a small sacred wound that was still inside me buried and it feels good to have some healing! Yes, art can heal!

And awesome of awesome! I am finally loosing some of that medication weight! YEAH!!!!

 

Circling the Wagons

We in the knitting world are Circling the Wagons for one of our favorite color artist, spinners, magic fibers gal! Holly from HollyEQQ needs us to step up to the plate and what a great way to help some one out, by being able to buy beautifully made items and fibers! So if you need some great art or some fun yarn or fibers check out the listings!

Go over to Sandy and Sheep here and there are 3 pages of things donated so far!

I was so gung ho on the circling of the wagons I got this lovely!!!! It is called Holly's Ocean she lives in Florida and like me LOVES the beach!  It was created by Deeb's who I LOVE her work and have wanted a piece of art from her, so I got to be selfish AND help a friend! What a great way to feel good!

Art Heals...

Ah...breathe of fresh air! Re-set! Sheer bliss! Art friends, food, celebration, and making collaborative art! There is just some thing about this group of women that brings the best inspiration out in me!

I almost did not go because I was in such a funk. I am glad I went up Friday night and shared in making the Halloween Shrines! We readied our boxes before hand...(For me I was going to make a shrine MONTHS ago and started with the orange and gold! Glad it was ready for me during a time I couldn't do anything creative!)

The first thing we did after I had a mini melt down...I am so emotional lately. We went to a fantabulous yarn store in Capitola! OHMYGAWD the art yarn in there...I swear to you this fiber is my new crack! I am addicted! I didn't buy ANY yarn!!!! I resisted! But I did buy some wood needles are you ready for this SIZE FIFTY!!!! Oh I can't wait to do some thing fun with them! I am going to do combo stitching! Size 17 and size 50 for a combo look!  The place we went is called The Yarn Place. LOVE it! Next time I have some extra cash I am going!  I wish she had a better website...the photo on there doesn't even show you just how yummy it is!

We brought our Halloween stuff with us and then we each worked on each others Shrines! It was a frenzy of madness! Just look at our table! Snort But we had lots of community things to share and our own touches as well. Each one may have the same items but boy did each shrine turn out differently! It is amazing to me when collaboration happens...and this time it was over the weekend that we worked on it...not a MONTHS long thing to wait for...which I think was great...instant art to bring home!

We stayed up late playing with the shrines...and finished them all off this morning! Oh so much fun. Bev is learning how to knit and I was finishing up my pink shawl...I just have to bind off now and I will post photos! How exciting for Bev! She found this ribbon yarn in the dollar store! Yes ONE DOLLAR!!!! Unbelievable! It is a cute scarf so far! And the ribbon is forgiving and she doesn't have to worry about splitting stitches on this stuff, but the best part for me are the colors...I love the colors of this ribbon! Nice! And now that I see these ribbons worked up I am so doing mine! The orange!

Then we of course celebrated the September birthday girls and had a grand celebration with a carrot cake and fruit tart! Lavished them in gifts and squealed with delight! That is always a fun thing to do right? Gifts! Celebration and food!

In order left to right, Bev's, Beth's, Lucy's and mine the tall one.

We had some lunch today a little more cake and then I took the long curvy road home before the storm hit! I got to two towns away when the sky turned black and the rain poured down! It was good I left early. What a grand day and I am now trying to focus enough to finish my shawl!!! LOL