Quote of the Day-

I have bursts of being a lady,
but it doesn’t last long.
- Shelly Winters

(freebie image from Dover Publishing.
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Book Club Collages

Two from a series of book club collages that Kerry and I made this week.

a word to the wise

You know I love coffee. I love all types of coffee, but my favorite is a non-fat Latte, no flavor. I occasionally order this small indulgence from a local Starbucks. I usually order "Grande Skinny Latte."
This is all wrong!
A friend recently told me, as a little trivia tidbit, "Did you know that if you order a Grande Skinny Latte instead of a Grande Non-Fat Latte, you will pay 30 cents more for your coffee?" I was horrified! Skinny, Non-Fat, what's the difference? 30 cents for a word that has been ingrained in us by all those Starbucks baristas: Skinny.

So, into the Starbucks I strolled. Knowing the secret, I ordered, "Grande, non-fat Latte, please." Sure enough, my coffee was just a bit less expensive. So, I asked the question, "Is a Skinny drink really more expensive than a non-fat drink?" The barista was stupefied. "Well, it shouldn't be....let's see." So he pushed the "Skinny" button on the register. "Yep, it sure is."

Hmmm.... So, if I have 1 Starbucks a week and order the wrong way, I am spending an extra $15.60. That's not too much, but it could buy me a few more coffees!

Just a word to the wise.

Around town

I try to be observant. You know, that whole "stop and smell the roses" thing. Sometimes I miss things, sometimes I catch something.

Kerry and I frequently take walks to Waneka Lake. It's a nice, long walk that provides a fair amount of exercise. The lake is pretty and not too far away. On one of our walks this winter, I noticed this in a vacant store front:

Ok, look a little more closely....

The store front is available to rent. Perhaps the owners believe that a little St. Joseph, so often used for good luck in home sales will also provide good luck in rentals. Snopes.com even has an article devoted to St. Joseph with complete instructions for how to use St. Joseph to your advantage. While home sellers and Realtors advice varies, many trust the good fortune this little plastic statue can bring.

But, in this time of down turned markets and slow real estate, what's the harm in believing in a little extra good luck?

and another...

This is an 8 x 8 collage. Again with a word. I used a vintage postcard from Bryn Mawr a vintage letter, paint, a flashcard, paper, and a metal hinge.

Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace. - Buddah

another collage...

This one is on on a 4 x 7 canvas. I used paint, rub-decals from 7 gypsies, a vintage train ticket, reprodution images, and metal hardware.

Make some mistakes...

Kerry and I are always looking for new art adventures. In addition to launching our new webstore (see below) are are venturing deeper into the world of collage. Who knows, we may even put some of our new collage items up on our store. For now, I'd just like to give you a quick sneak-peek. This is one of my mixed media collages.

It is on a 8 x 8 canvas. I used a vintage letter, reproduction images, antique buttons, paint, mod podge, handmade and other papers as well. As always, I like to incorporate words into my work. I used the quotation "Those who don't do anything, never make mistakes." I like the sentiment. It challenges me to take some chances, maybe I will make some mistakes. Hopefully, the chances I take will lead me to more creativity and fulfillment.

Although I sometime find it hard to know when to stop, I am calling this piece complete. I think I like the final result.