Last weekend we took a day trip to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. We’re about a four hour drive away, so every so often we get the itch and take a day trip up to Orlando.

I love Main Street. I wish there was more time for dawdling when we get there but everyone (including me) is always in a rush to move on to Tomorrowland or Adventureland.

We headed to Tomorrowland first. I used to ALWAYS go to Adventureland first, no question. But lately we’re finding we have more stuff to do on the other side of the park, so we are starting in the opposite direction. And it’s actually taking a lot of getting used to, silly as it is.

Then off to Fantasyland…

And then my phone battery kind of conked out…

This time, I didn’t bring my camera and instead took photos with my iPhone and the Hipstamtic app I have been so crazy about lately. While it was a joy not to have to carry the big camera around, and worry about capturing everything, the battery in an iPhone is not made for all day photography, so before half the day was over, my battery was shot, and that was with VERY conservative photo-taking. I would highly recommend bringing your phone charger with you into the park and using any breaks you take (bathroom, snack, meals, parades) and using one of the many Disney outlets around the parks to do a quick charge. Many people were doing that.

The other thing I didn’t love about it was it’s much harder to take a “quick” snapshot of things at Disney since everything and everyone is in constant motion. The Hipstamatic is certainly NOT precision photography or the least bit speedy.

But I got several photos I loved from the first few hours in the park. It’s definitely a creative process I want to continue exploring!

Gracie *finally* made the 40″ height requirement to ride Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain, so it was a big day for all of us since we didn’t have to split up. Thunder Mountain is one of my Tom and my favorite rides, so we were excited for her to go. She thought it was a bit fast and scary, but a part of that is because my mother was sitting next to her and was terrified, so she basically wrapped her hands around Gracie’s head for the whole ride so se couldn’t hear or see it and get scared. I think next time we’ll take her on it and let her *see* and *hear* the ride

Gracie *loved* Splash Mountains. She was mostly concerned about getting wet (she has bad eczema with terrible dry skin and everything affects and stings it, including chlorinated water), so she and I put on ponchos. The drops in the ride didn’t affect her at all, she was just nervous about the water. Once she realized she wasn’t going to get wet she just went nuts over the ride and even the steep drop at the end made her so happy. So now she’s excited to try it again.

And I can’t wait to go back!

I wanted to throw this image up before I forget- it’s a card I made a few months ago. I rarely make cards simply because I can’t think of ideas for them, but I wanted to do something special for one of Gracie’s friends who was celebrating her adoption day:

butterfly card

It was made with origami paper, black and cream cardstock, and several Quickutz, Cuttlebug, and Fiskars cutting tools.

———-

creative every day

I just signed up for Creative Every Day today. Here are the “rules”:

Creativity is meant in the broadest sense, so it doesn’t have to be something art related. Your creative acts could be in cooking, taking pictures, knitting, doodling, writing, dancing, decorating, singing, playing with your kids, brainstorming ideas, gardening, or making art in the form of collage, paint, or clay…or whatever!

You do not have to post every day! I know for myself that having to post every day for a year would be too much. You can post about your creativity in whatever form you like, whether that be once a day, a few times a week, once a week, or once a month. Do what works for you!

Definitely something I try and do anyway, so I was very happy to find an online gathering place for those of a similar mindset when it comes to creativity

Today I doodled. And I thoroughly cleaned and conditioned my paintbrushes (I don’t know if that counts, but it was nice to do…). And tonight I’ll work on my needlepoint while I watch TV. My grandmother taught me needlepoint when I was a little girl and I’ve had a needlepoint project going constantly for the last 25 years or so. I love to needlepoint, but I’m *really* bad at it. I lean on my canvas and leave knots all over the back and criss-cross strands of fiber all over the back of the piece. The front looks fine but the back of my canvases always look like a huge mess. I guess it doesn’t matter since I really don’t do it for the resulting object (usually a pillow or a tapestry), but for the process. I never do anything with the pieces I finish- I roll them up, store them in my closet, and start the next one. It’s just very zen for me (and a way to keep from eating candy while I watch TV late at night!)

Last year, I cut out a number of paper butterflies that I made into collages. I never posted a photo of the finished project, so here are some I took with my iPhone (Hipstamatic app again) the other day.

butterfly collage

butterfly collage

butterfly collage

And then a very blurry photo of the collages together on the wall…

four butterfly collages

This week I was interviewed on Gina’s blog, Dreamland.

Gina, and her approach to creativity, is SO inspiring to me. I was experiencing a huge disenchanting funk earlier this year with everything that had always interested me creatively- jewelry, scrapbooking, painting, drawing, journaling, etc. I found Gina’s site and, for some reason, so much of what she did and said and shared reawakened my passion for creating. I read from the first post forward and it changed my approach to so many things, especially journaling and scrapbooking.

And, she has a great love of quotes, as I do

Here’s a little interview we did:

my interview w/ Gina

Definitely visit for the rest of the interviews- I found so many cool links via this week.

And hey- does anyone know of any sites like Illustration Friday, but that are *strictly* for new work? I wanted to start doing Illustration Friday this week, but was a little disenchanted that so many people just upload previously completed work right after the weekly prompt is announced in a mad dash to get into the gallery. I’d love to do something similar, but with folks who start creating *after* the prompt is revealed.

Yesterday, Tom and I went on a “date” (I call it that because it’s been a few weeks when we’ve gone out to do something without Gracie along with us) to see the Dale Chihuly exhibition at the Naples Museum of Art.

As always, the work was breathtaking. It made me come to peace with the decision I made a few years ago to not work in glass, simply because I know that what I’d like to do in glass I could really never achieve. I know that’s an odd sort of statement, but I’m pretty happy working in clay and paint and feel like I *might* be able to accomplish something lovely with more years of practice.

No cameras allowed anywhere inside the museum (I understand the no flash rule absolutely, but no photography in a museum?! As someone who worked in museum education, I think this rule is heartbreaking), but I managed to “accidentally” take a photo with my iPhone while I was checking for calls. (I know, I know, but I couldn’t resist.)

Dale Chihuly @ Naples Museum

Dale Chihuly @ Naples Museum

(Here’s some photos I took several years ago, of Dale Chihuly’s Persian Ceiling @ The Naples Museum, when I went there to write a review for a local magazine. These, thankfully, were taken with a normal camera.)

Dale Chihuly's Persian Ceiling @ Naples Museum of Art

Today is “Adoption Blogger Day”.

We Are The Truth – an adoption blogger day: To ensure the world knows about every successful adoption, on Thursday, April 15, 2010 blog about your adoption or the adoption of someone you know. Let the world know your truth!

I apologize right now because this is going to be a big, blathering mess. But I’ll try my best to articulate my emotions.

Our truth?

Our hearts, our souls, and our lives have been forever changed by this little girl. She came to us when she was nine months old but she has been with us- in our hearts and minds and souls- forever.

There is a quote in the adoption world that says “you didn’t grow in my belly, you grew in my heart.” I thought it was cliche until Gracie came home, and then I realized just how true it was.

Adoption was our first and only choice to build our family. Tom and I both knew, even before we came together as a couple, that our children would come via adoption. Even when our first agency floundered and we had to start the process from scratch, when we heard rumors that Vietnam might shut down their program, we never doubted for a second that Gracie was out there, waiting for us. We *knew* it and believed in it and trusted in it more than most anything else.

Adoption isn’t easier or more difficult than conceiving children and growing your family the “old fashioned” way- it’s just a different path. Instead of doctor’s appointments, there are fingerprint appointments. Instead of sonograms, there are referral photos. Instead of hoping to feel kicks from a baby growing inside you, you wait on baited breath for news from the orphanage. The bottom line is you wait and pray and hope until your baby can come home with you.

And the moment your baby is put into your arms for the first time is absolute MAGIC, whether that child came from your belly or from a land a half-world away.

She is yours. Truly and completely. She is your child. She is part of your family. She is part of your community. She is your heart.

We know there will be questions. We know there may be heartbreak and difficult discussions. We do our best to educate ourselves and constantly encourage discussion. We talk about Vietnam and adoption every day because it’s how we became a family.

It’s *our* story, our truth.

Adoption is no more or no less complicated that giving birth to a child. Parenting is a challenge, period. There will always be stories of heartbreak, sadness you can’t bear to imagine about *every* sort of family, not just those who had an experience with adoption.

Our truth is that our adoption was a complete miracle because we found *our* Gracie. And she found us.

Here are my snapshots from the trip to Naples Botanical Garden on Easter Sunday. Not nearly as cool as Gracie’s, but this time I was trying to find things that would translate into good drawings…

natalie stamp

Pssst…. Simply Said… is giving away a personalized Letter Girl stamp. I *adore* Gina’s work and her blog, so I thought I might share.

Tammy at daisy yellow passed on “Honest Scrap” to me. Yay- thank you!

The rules are I have to list 10 honest (and interesting, but that’s up to you) things about myself and then pass it on to seven other bloggers.

1. When we got married, my husband changed his last name to mine.

2. I’ve only had maybe three or four cups of coffee in my entire life. Blech. I’m absolutely a tea person, and when I’m not drinking hot tea, I’m drinking iced tea. It’s really all I drink.

3. I always try and make friends with animals. Friends’ pets, birds in my backyard, lizards on the lanai, frogs in the pool- whatever. I just try and let them know I don’t mean any harm.

lighthouse at Montauk

4. I spent a lot of time on a fishing boat on Long Island as a child. My parents had a little sport-fishing boat that they kept docked in Montauk, NY and every spring, summer, and early fall, we’d pack up the car after my dad got home on Friday nights and head East. We’d spend the weekend camping out on the boat, and head home every Sunday. It was fun when I was a kid, but as a teenager… not so much.

5. My grandmother (my mother’s mom) lived with us my entire life. She passed away a few years ago and it was literally like losing a sister.

6. Even though I’ve resigned myself that it probably will not happen, a part of me will always want to be a museum curator.

7. I don’t eat much, so when I do eat, it has to be food I really enjoy and *want* to eat.

8. I absolutely love flowers and am desperate for a garden, but I am just SO bad at it that I don’t even try anymore out of mercy for the plants.

9. There’s a bag of Sour Patch kids on my desk, which is my latest candy obsession. I like candy. I like it *a lot*. I don’t eat much of it, but there’s stashes of it all over the house.

10. I hate talking/interacting in the mornings. I’m not any good at communication until I get my swim done.

Okay, now to pass it on to other bloggers (half of which don’t read this, but I admire them, so I’ll tag them for that reason):
1. Meghan @ ellison.livejournal.com
2. Jenny @ jenniology.livejournal.com
3. Mar @ islandlearners.blogspot.com
4. Mel @ nightowlmom.blogspot.com
5. JooJoo
6. Gina Lee Kim
7. Asja Boros

To celebrate Easter, Tom, Gracie, and I decided to take a trip to the Naples Botanical Gardens with my parents. We’re members, but we don’t go often enough. We had a wonderful afternoon. The weather was nice, and the Gardens weren’t very busy so we got to explore and take it all in on our own pace. I really love it there. And my parents enjoyed it so much, they became members, as well.

We forgot Gracie’s camera (an old one of mine) at home so I gave her my iPhone so she could still take photos. She used the “Hipstamatic” application. When I synced my phone, I was so surprised at how *wonderful* the photos that she took were. She usually takes really great photos (especially considering that she’s only four years old!) but these were really so interesting, at least to me.

[And she REALLY loves her new shoes that her grandparents let her pick out, which is why there are so many photos of them ]

Here’s some of the photos she took:

Last night, right before bed, I caved and bought the Hipstamtic App for my iPhone and these are the first few photos I took.

A view from my pillow- the dresser and the bird cages (including my poor little sleepy birdies who want me to turn off the lights!) and a photo of one of my kitties, Chester P. Arlington, who snuggles with me every night.

Happy Easter, if you celebrate! I hope everyone out there has a perfect day.

I lovelovelove this dress. Perfect for spring. Makes me wish for a garden to wear it in

Flora Series Dress

Flora Series Dress

Flora Series Dress

Today, my beloved kitty Delilah – my best friend, my little soul mate, my little everything – turns 13

She came into my life in the summer of 1997 and she has been by my side through graduate school, meeting and marrying Tom, moving to Florida, building and moving into our house, and growing our family (two other cats and a baby!) She has been constantly patient, kind, and *so* loyal. Her love for me has never wavered. She’s ben my rock and my comfort and I’ve never know anyone (feline or human or other!) like her.

Thank you for sticking with me, my little Digby. I love you so much!

-sorry for the crummy photos- they were taken today with my iPhone -

I have been drawing and painting steadily the past few weeks.

This was one of my first drawings, which I called “July Flame” (after the Laura Veirs song of the same name

I drew this on a 11×15″ piece of 140lb watercolor paper, using my black Pigma Microns.

I was too scared to paint it (yes, I know…), so I scanned the drawing, and then printed a copy out on a smaller (and lighter) piece of watercolor paper, and then I painted using my beloved Dr. Ph. Martin’s Radiant Liquid Watercolors. These aren’t “my” colors at all (I tend to stick to blues and greens) but I wanted to capture the feeling of the song, which is named after a variety of peach. And I wanted it to feel like summer, and for some reason the colors came together the way they did.

When I first completed it, I hated it. But now I’m reconsidering…

But, I have to admit, regardless of the outcome, I REALLY loved making this.

I *love* this. There’s not one kid there who isn’t completely into the music and the lyrics. So amazing.

I also love their rendition of “Under the Milky Way” which was one of my favorite songs from when I was a teenager. *sigh*

Check out their blog at ps22chorus.blogspot.com for more songs.

I don’t know exactly *why* I need it, but I desperately want to get some Japanese Washi Tape.

I would like a giant box full of multiple colors, designs, and widths. I’m sure I could figure out *something* to do with it all. At the very least, just looking at it makes me happy.

washi tape

washi tape

washi tape

washi tape

I LOVE this dress. I love the colors, the patterns, the detailing, the shape. So perfect for spring.

I love all the colors it comes in, but especially these two…

victorian maiden dress

victorian maiden dress

victorian maiden dress

victorian maiden dress

I’m happy because I received my latest order of tea from Adagio this afternoon! I always feel so excited when there’s new tea to try.

Today I received samples of:
Black Dragon Pearls – pearls of tea: sweet and smooth with a touch of earthiness
Oolong Jasmine #5 – tea infused with jasmine flowers
Oolong #8 – oriental beauty tea from Taiwan
Ti Kuan Yin Oolong – tea from the Fujian province of China
Wuyi Ensemble Oolong – smoky tea from coastal China

plus a full size of Darjeeling #22 (which they have renamed “Summer Darjeeling”), which I have been enjoying immensely since my sample size arrived a few weeks ago.

photo by David George

So far my favorite teas are:
Irish Breakfast
Candy Apple
Yunnan Jig
Vanilla Oolong
Darjeeling #22
Lemon Soleil

I also enjoy:
Candy Cane (mixed half-half with vanilla tea)
Chocolate Chip (mixed half-half with vanilla tea)
Cream (mixed half-half with vanilla tea)
Oriental Spice

I LOVED the Rooibos Jasmine, but haven’t had it in a while. I had a horrible cup of Cocomint Rooibos and it was so disgusting it put me off Rooibos tea altogether. I can’t bring myself to brew a cup of the Jasmine, even though I loved it so much. I know that sounds weird, but I still can’t get the Cocomint taste out of my mouth. Blech!

So, these are my version of Zentangles. I know they really have nothing to do with Zentangles besides the fact they are relatively abstract and have a pattern, but… oh well!

These are the first few I did. We were practicing drawing circles and ellipses in my formal drawing class, so I borrowed that idea and doodled these one afternoon. They are rough, I know… but when I started them, I really didn’t know what I was doing, just started doodling circles. I planned on watercoloring them, but I’m sort of going back and forth on them. And yes, I did use a compass to help with the giant circle outline and the larger circles. They take several hours to complete- anywhere from two hours to several days.

Gracie calls them “moon drawings” but while I was drawing them, I started thinking about cells and water and bubbles and things being *absorbed* and there you go.

I’ve completed several more (including a starfish and sea turtle and am working on a fish, all comprised of little circles). Maybe I’ll post those later.

I’m just having a very hard time with devoting so much time to these drawings and have them be absolutely useless. I need to get used to doing art for the pleasure of it, rather than because it will serve a purpose. I really do enjoy drawing these.

When I win the lottery, I am going to buy one of these…

desktop jellyfish tank

Maybe I will buy two.