Photos of My Layout in "Re-Bound"

I got an unexpected surprise this week when I received a copy of my friend Jeannine Stein's new book Re-Bound: Creating Handmade Books from Recycled and Repurposed Materials. I have a project that is featured in the gallery section of the book -- page 112-113! It's the first time my work has been published in a book!

My contribution is a book I made as a keepsake of my 40th birthday. I used an old ledger as the front and back covers of my book, and vintage fabric for the binding. I used the birthday cards I received at my party as the pages inside the book. I thought it would be a fun way to keep the birthday cards and commemorate the occasion.

I was thrilled and honored to be a part of Jeannine's book. She is truly one of the most gifted artists I've ever known. I met her in the very first art class I took in California, and we became instant friends. She's been a huge inspiration to me ever since. I look forward to seeing what she does next!

The Second Act

It's been over 2 years since I posted anything to this blog. I considered deleting it entirely, since it's already gone to seed, but somehow that just didn't seem right. I've been thinking a lot about where I am in life, what I want, and where I want to be. I've recently reconnected with some long buried dreams which are taking me in a different artistic direction from where I've been going with my greeting card business. My focus has shifted to singing and performing, and I'm working on a one-person show.

As I was thinking about what my new focus might mean to my card business, it occured to me that this blog could be a space where I bring all aspects of my creative life together in one place for exploration. Whether it's posting about my handmade creations sold under the banner of my card business, or writing about the workshops I'm taking or the shows I'm performing in. It's all part of my artistic expression, all aspects of who I am.

I can't seem to articulate the thoughts that are running through my head at the moment, but I feel like I'm on the brink of some significant shifts and positive changes. As I embark on the second act of my life, I want to nurture the seeds that I planted in the first act, help them to grow, bloom and thrive. Maybe this space can somehow play a role in that. I guess time will tell.