Yes, I Think You Can Dance!

Oh Sweetness!

Two more days of Summer School, and today is the last day of classes! I can't believe it's almost over! Have you ever gone into a haze of autopilot taking you through days and weeks to get to the other side? Well, that's almost over!

In two days, I will be able to recoup, regenerate, get things done that, and have some fun! Stay up late! Catch up on movies, and friends and LIFE!

So to celebrate and since this is Monday, I will share with you my favorite performances from this season's So You Think You Can Dance.

This piece (danced by Jeanine & Jason and choreographed by SYTYCD alum Travis Wall) gave me goosebumps!



This Hip Hop piece was choreographed by Shane Sparks, and was the best Hip Hop dance this season! Jason has since been eliminated leaving me to wonder who the heck is voting?




Happy a happy week everyone! :)

**These videos are property of FOX.

Wrecking in Swamp Lands

As the thunderstorms shake the earth, I ponder on why I love storms so much. They crackle with passion and release. Release of tension. The bursting of saturation. The rainbow of peace.

I have been absent from my blog, as I have reached my own saturation point. Swamped with duties, and living in a haze of tiredness. Trying to rest as much as possible to counterbalance the stress.

I have been in self-preservation mode.

I have missed so many of the amazing events in the blogosphere, but most importantly, I have missed each and every one of you. I have some serious catching up to do, and come Thursday, I will be buzzing around your blogs, taking in the honey of your words, and leaving some gifts of words and wishes.

In my wrecking journey, I have done little. My mental energy was used up in the everyday, and my creativity has been used to survive this.

But I have done some wrecking. Nothing earth shattering. But here it is none-the-less.

(click on images to enlarge)

I was on the phone for what seemed like hours this week with banks and other companies I do business with. Plenty of opportunity to doodle! And where better to doodle than in WTJ! :)



I took some of my carrot sticks that I was snacking on while watching So You Think You Can Dance and dipped them in ink, making these drawings. Then dipping them in watercolor. I giggled a lot through this process, making sure I separated the drawing carrots from the munching carrots. A mix-up would have been yucky!



Finally, in much need of some energy, I wrote myself some positive thoughts to carry me through the last stages of summer school. The color that seeped onto these pages from others, makes these messages even happier.

To see what the others in the marvelous Wrecking Crew have been up to go to the magnificent Jamie Ridler's Next Chapter Book Club here !

I hope you are all doing well, and I will be back soon to celebrate your achievements, marvel over your talents, commiserate with your frustrations and rejoice in the blogosphere that has brought all of us together! :)

Don't Just Sit There!

Nine more days and my Vacation begins!

LORDIE!

This past weekend went by in a haze as I was mostly feeling under the weather and moderating my rest with other things I needed to do, like grocery shopping and laundry. I had the chills and a headache kept coming and going. I was expecting it to go into full-blown flu/cold, but I got no other symptoms. I guess I am just drained. So I napped a lot...

You have to re-energize somehow!

I had a delightful chat about Juicy Creative Life with Connie of Dirty Footprints Studio which you can listen to here !

It was absolutely lovely to talk to Connie. She is brimming with life and warmth and openness! I am so completely honored to have shared the unveiling of her new name and concept for her radio show and her blog! Connie rocks it like there has never been any rocking before! :)

I'm at summer school right now, and though I would love to hang in the lovely blogosphere, duty calls.

And in case you forgot, Monday is time to DANCE! Sing along with me..."do a deer..."

ENJOY!





I love the clapping at the end and that so many bystanders got into the act.
Have a great week everyone! :)

Interview This Wrecker!

What a week! It has been a challenge getting through it, and I am feeling the effects.
I'm a bit under the weather, which is a major signal to slow down.

But before I get into all that... I have an exciting announcement to make!

Connie from Dirty Footprints Studio is interviewing me live on air tomorrow at 3 pm Eastern!
So, if you have the time and want to listen in or call in, join the fun!
The link is posted on her blog.
If you don't know Connie,
you should check out her deliciously creative,
amazingly energetic and
abundantly inspiring blog!

Now on to the wreckage.

This week I was caught in the rain without an umbrella.
So what did I use to cover my head?
The journal of course!

(click on images to enlarge)
My camera is disappointing, or it might be the user, so it's difficult to see the water drops.
The journal was drenched.... And now it looks like.....


THIS!
It can't and won't close. And it's water logged, but I still love my little journal!
I took some time to paint in it and have some fun, to balance out the heavy work week.


Evidence of my creative endeavors on this test page!
I am going to glue this paper towel I used to clean my water color pens.
But there's more!



I took some veggies that were wilting in my fridge, and I made some stamps!
Pepper and carrot impressions!
But I couldn't leave it at that! NO!


I wanted to paint it. Give it some color! FUN! :)


I took a peaceful moment to glue a page from a magazine.
It's actually two pages that I turned into a collage.
There are some powerful messages here! :)


I embellished my office supply page with things I found in my classroom desk.


I made a sign!
Life is infinite possibilities.
Enough so that we each can live our own way.
And isn't that amazing?

Last but not least, I am including a photo of the page I sent to Kara, aka Mother Henna!

This page was inspired by the workshop that Kara lead entitled "Find Your Own Hero".
I fell horribly behind and will be picking it up again when I am on vacay in 11 days!
I digress.

This is my Super Hero!
And who better to give it to than the woman who inspired the journey!
Thank you Kara!

If you have not checked out her blog, please visit!
Not only is her art and words infinitely touching, blessedly real, and remarkably inspiring,
she runs some juicy workshops!

My Super Hero.

That's it for week 7 for me!
Check out other wreckage, on our wonderful Guru, Jamie Ridler's blog, here!

Jamie a driving FORCE of creativity, leadership, and ongoing inspiration. I consider myself so lucky and privileged to have crossed paths with her. When I am in her presence or reading her thoughts, I feel a light emanating from her. A light that envelopes the world.

Jamie, if you're reading this, I thank you from the bottom of my being! Blessed be. :)

Invitation to Ascend

1. To Bring You My Love, 2. Coffee made with Love, 3. Love

Ascension
by Genie Sea

Like fire your voice beckons me
In your glow I melt
Warmed by your regard
Restored
To the woman I have been.

Like the air your breath enlivens me
In your breeze I fly
Currents of your love
Awaken me
To the man you are.

Like the sea your words dampen me
In your tide I gush
Lush under your fingers
I linger
Water under the moon.

Like the earth your flesh receives me
In your soil I slide
Nourished by your roots
Entwined
In the vines of our mingling.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my wish.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What do you wish to invite in?

Join others in their wishes at Jamie Ridler's beautiful new online digs.

click here --->Wishcasting

Skating by

It's Monday. I am so ready for a vacation. I have 17 more days until I can honor my own clock. Spend my days and nights without thought of the time or the day. I am a nocturnal being. I can stay up late every night. I love naps. Short bursts for refueling and then going again.

My weekends have been full with social gatherings which are awesome, yet also require an expenditure of energy.

I'm also working on two segments for a textbook series, and it's been harder for me than I thought because the people I'm writing for are extremely picky and demanding without being organized.

The decision to do summer school was one of necessity for me, and it's not as bad as I thought really, but there is so much energy one person can expend without getting depleted.

I am keeping my eye on the prize. The renovations to home and garden. Like a mantra, it will take me through these days, and take me to the other side of this tunnel.

And since it's Monday, it's time to boogie. Got roller skates? :)



How's that for energy? Have a great week everyone! :)

Baby Got Wreck

(click photos to enlarge)

It was a beautiful Saturday morning! What better time to walk over to my neighborhood art supply store for some goodies? I had me a journal to wreck and some artistic experimentation to do! I always feel like a kid when I walk into art supply stores. The increasing garbage on our streets couldn't even deflate my exhilaration!

I got glitter glue, water color paint, and water color pens... I also got me a coffee! This is how my WTJ Art picnic for one began!

Ready for the results? teehee!

I poked a hole in the cover where I scratched a heart on it and sewed the heart on the cover. I painted the heart red of course! I embellished it with a smiley face button and made this bead bookmark which I have had to reinforce since. It was a big thrill just popping a hole in the cover of a book. Intentionally!

And since I was poking holes, I grabbed the first few pages and drilled holes in them, then laced an amber necklace I made through them.



Then I colored! I got the watercolors to work! I just splattered color with abandon, with no real intention then painted patterns. I added some stars that I give students and rocked the coloring page! :)

I moved onto the sticky page, dripping honey and sticking gum on it. I added some glitter glue for effect! Then I started throwing random things on there like tissue paper and string. To my delight, a lady formed with the instruction bubble for her head wearing a dress with a train, a bustle and a bouquet. See her?

I went back to the thick/thin line page! I am finding I don't like blank pages any more. LOL! So I reinforced the lines and added a little Picasso-esque scribble. Then I splattered one side with color. I will be painting both sides! :)

Before Father's Day, I found this in the newspaper and cut it out as a homage to my daddy. So I added some watercolor to the page. I kind of like the effect. :)

I wrote and drew with my left hand...

The writing was harder than the drawing for some reason.

I tossed cherries at the target! The squishy ones I didn't want to eat!

I got out the markers and scribbled wildly!

Then I got my nail polish out! Dun dun dun!

Drip! Drip! Drip! (I was so excited the pic is blurry! hehe)

SMOOSH! :)
I love the shiny effect. :)

And what's an artistic picnic without some sewing materials? I had some mending to do, so why not? Whoop!

So I added some tassels and beads! And tried my hand again with my water color pens!

Last but not least I sent off my swap page to Kara aka Mother Henna
WHOOP!
I will be posting it next week when hopefully Kara has received it! :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
This whole experience has popped open so many areas in my life.
I decided to strip my coffee table and repaint it. It's all blotchy and scratched. Instead of getting rid of it, I decided to revamp it. Why not?
I'm totally overhauling my garden. Chopping, unearthing, simplifying.

And that, my friends, is just the beginning!

For more Adventures in Wrecking, please visit Jamie Ridler's Next Chapter !

Sweetness the Moon

(click to enlarge)

Tonight, the Moon will show us her beautiful face. Her sweet milky smile will light the corners of the night. Flowers will sway and branches will reach up to feel her sweet caress. And we humans, will feel her presence in the sky, and in our blood.

We celebrate the gifts of the Moon, as she guides our footsteps with her far-reaching lantern. Many of us gather, here, online to celebrate together with our generous hostess, Jamie Ridler who, like the moon, shines her grace on us.

This month, I ask Sister Moon to help me turn my garden from the Amazon jungle it has become into a graceful oasis. My digital collage has all the elements I want to have in my garden, so that I might find joy and solace there, and invite others to come celebrate with me.

Join the Moon spinners and their intentions here.

Give yourself the gift and take the time. Look up. And drink in her blessing. :)

And the living is easy...

One thing I love about summer, is everything becomes more relaxed.
Stress melts away.
The weather is beautiful, even when it is raining.

I love it all!
Longer days.
Lovely breezes.
The sun.
The lush greenery and delicious scents of summer.
The patios.
The barbecues.
The back yard get-togethers.
Sitting on the porch in the evening.

Even during a garbage strike.
Even if I am working summer school.
Nothing seems to get to me.

So when someone complains about the weather (you will find those any season), I smile and say, "It's not snowing. It's not dark at 4 pm."

I can open up all the windows and let summer into my home.
I can go out in flip flops.
No boots. No coat. No layers.

You gotta love it!

And you know what else there is to love?

Monday and Dancing!
And do I have a treat for you! Enjoy! :)



How adorable is he?
Shake it babies! :)

Portrait of a Wrecked Journal

I was a bad girl!

So this week at Wreck Camp...

I wrote a word over and over...
And made it fun because I didn't want to feel like I was in detention.

I was the "bad" student being defiant and writing this all over the board.
"I will continue to doodle in my book."

So THERE! :)

I ripped a page UP into shreds and then made bows with them. Pretty. Pretty.

I carelessly and gleefully stapled a page together... and doodled all over it. :)

I refused to write negative comments, but drew a picture and pointed to all my body faults.

Then blotted them out!

I have had enough of negativity. It tastes nasty and has no nutritional value.

Then, I took a pair of scissors and with a wicked grin CUT several pages!

Then, in total defiance while giggling merrily, I took a black marker and let it go all over this page while I jumped for joy!

Want to see what my fellow Wreck Camp members are up to?
Go to our Camp Councilor, Jamie Ridler's Next Chapter blog here and find out! Weeeee!

Feed the Love

(click to enlarge)

This mosaic represents this week's wish.

1. Creativity, 2. Happy Girls Under a Rainbow, 3. Friendship, 4. I guess this is love, 5. Study of a small girl with a prize Scottish terrier dog, c. 1935 / by Sam Hood, 6. The Kiss, 7. Alegria!, 8. Welcome to wonderful Vancouver 2010, 9. Holidays Timetable

Happy Canada Day
my fellow Canuckers!!

A hundred and forty-two years ago this wonderful country became official. This country that epitomizes self-effacing humour, a zest for life despite the elements, or even because of them, an immense and unique creativity, an acceptance and celebration of diversity, a commitment to global peace-making efforts. And let's not forget hockey, despite the fact the Stanley Cup hasn't made it north in quite some time. Oh! And Tim Horton's coffee. All Hail to the Crack King of Java!

What makes this day even more special is that it falls on the weekly celebration of wishes, hosted by the effervescent, ever-gracious and lovely Canadian, Jamie Ridler ! Today, Jamie asks us a timely, as usual question:

"What do you wish to nurture?"

So today, with Tim Horton's coffee steaming at my side, I ponder, and the answer comes willingly, happily, bounding in like a satisfied puppy from a day of frolicking at the beach.

I wish to nurture all that my country stands for.
I wish to nurture creativity,
collaboration,
diversity,
friendship,
compassion
and embrace the world with love.

I wish to nurture the smiles
and glow
on people's faces as they accomplish something
they thought they couldn't.

I wish to nurture the warmth of camaraderie
like a steaming cup of hot chocolate on an icy day outside.

I wish to nurture the sparkle of a perfect sunny day
like clinking glasses on summer patios,
toasting life and all its rich possibilities.

I wish to nurture people's success and discovery.
Nurture the child-like wonder and amazement that we seem to lose as adults.

I wish to nurture clasped hands in support and humanity.

I wish to nurture love.
Unconditional,
joyous,
accepting,
giving,
compassionate,
creative
love.
One that buoys
and strengthens
as we move forward
into a future filled with possibilities.

Yeah baby. That's what I wish! What do you wish to nurture? Speak up!
And join the ever-growing circle of Wishcasters here!