Art Eases Long Distance Friendships

I wanted to show you a little something I made to make myself feel better, a collage of photographs of my friends near and far. 

Moving to the other side of the country, even part time, is a big deal. My friends at home want to know "when I'll be back" and as I forge new friendships in Seattle, I hear "You're leaving so soon?" 

I wanted to make an art piece that would let me take my friends from around the country out West with me.

I had seen options online offered by photo companies. They will build a similar collage from submitted photos, but I thought I would give it a try myself. I supplemented my heart with images of things I love (my roses, antique dishes, sentimental vistas) and I am so happy with how it turned out.

My process, in a nutshell, was to:

• print images in "contact sheet" size
• arrange images in a heart
• glue each photo to a piece of mat board, cut to the size of my frame
• slip it into the frame
• pack it carefully for the move across the country
• hang it in our new apartment where I can see it often

I hope that each and every person in my collage makes the trip out to see me in Seattle. Boy do I have some things to show you!

Needlepoint Sandals

I have to tell you about something really neat that I am working on...needlepoint sandals. They have a Dr. Scholl-style wooden base and I am stitching the flowers in shades of pink, apricot & green with a vibrant orange background - so cute! They are made by a company called Birds of a Feather. 

The link takes you to the one I am working on called "Summer Sandals." I started this project in a class taught by Shay Pendray here in Michigan and I have been taking my sweet time stitching them. 

 The plan is for them to be complete by June, so if you see me this Spring...look at my feet!