T Stands for Masscribes Annual Spring Brunch

On Saturday, 13. April 2019, Masscribes, the Massachusetts and Rhode Island calligraphy guild, held its annual Spring Brunch in the Fellowship Hall of the United Church of Norwood. The brunch is a chance to socialize with old friends, meet new friends, feast on eye candy, and delicious food.

The tables were covered with brightly colored tablecloths

Members filled out a name tag. 

You are here.

Seasonal wishes.

Goodies

Appetizers, sandwiches, salads, chips, dips...Calligraphers know how to eat!

Beverage service: coffee, tea (hot water was in the white carafes), juice, and water

A show and share table where members could showcase items they were working on.

A White Elephant table where members could sell supplies or items they no longer use.

Those that had taken the Coptic Stitch Book workshop in December or had a hand-made book were asked to work in their book over the Winter. This table was for the Winter books display. I brought my Wabi Sabi book and the Gratitude Journal sample. Nan also came to the brunch. She used her book as a travel journal on a trip to San Francisco with her daughter.

More books to look at. You had to wear gloves in order to hold and turn the pages of the book.

There were also books for sale to benefit the Masscribes scholarship fund and books that were free. I did pick up a copy of Julia Cameron's The Artist Way

After wandering around the room chatting with old friends, making new ones, looking at the artwork, or browsing books and supplies, it was time to eat. I had some chick pea curry, salad, crab rangoon, and falafel. I also had some of the cookies I baked.  And a wonderful visit with Nan.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

Happy Mail

Recently, I participated in a mail exchange hosted by Tiggy from Scotland. Back in the early to mid90s when the Internet and home computers was still sort of new, many calligraphers stumbled up a Listserve called Cyberscribes. Someone set up a chat room, and a bunch of us would hang out talk calligraphy, laugh, cry, the whole gamut that friends do. There were all sorts of art exchanges, ATCs, envelopes, small books. As the group grew and technology change, the listserve and chatroom became obsolete. No matter, many of us kept in touch by e-mail, exchanges, and meeting each other in person at conferences.

Then Facebook happened and with posts and messages, it's almost like the old listserve. Tiggy must have been feeling nostalgic so back in March asked people if they wanted to participate in a one on one exchange. You send something to one person, and they would send something back to you. The exchange would take place during the month of April.

I was partnered with long-time friend, Langley, from British Columbia in Canada. So I was tickled blue when her package arrived. An envelope covered in stamps, a pretty blue envelope beautifully addressed, and inside a very cool, clear pocket pencil case stuffed with fun goodies. Tiny brushes, a pretty notepad, small index cards, a lovely note, some erasers, and a couple of small, hard plastic, pouches to keep small papers from getting crushed. The pencil case fits perfectly in my tool tote and will keep me organized at workshops.

Thanks again, Langley. The pencil case is very cool, but your friendship is a real treasure.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

The bunny came to visit.

Mama Cardinal left the nest. I think her babies have hatched though because of the position of the nest, I can't see into it. Papa Cardinal comes to the nest several times a day. He's too quick to catch with a camera, but I did see him feeding Mama some seeds.

Some tulips add a pop of color to the daffodils

A few leaves have sprouted on the hydrangea. If it ever stops raining, I can trim back the dead stalks.

Another daffodil. We have lots because the bunnies and chipmunks don't like daffodil bulbs. The do love  tulip bulbs which is why there are only a couple of tulips in the garden.

Grape hyacinths peeking through some day lilies. The hyacinths must have grown wild or had help from animal friends as I never planted them in this area.

The leaves on the Japanese maple popped.

A daffodil with an orange center.

Some purple and white violets

On the backside of Ink's garden, the lily of the valley make an appearance. I thought these didn't survive transplanting from Red's garden or the Winter as last week, not a single shoot was poking up through the ground.

Trees in the woods starting to leaf

Two little dandelions. In years past, the backyard would be carpeted with dandelions. It's been wet and cold most of the Spring. We've only had 7 days of complete sunshine. Maybe wet and cold has put some plants behind schedule.

How does your garden grow?

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

This idea came from a Facebook meme:
Over 10 days, post your 10 all time favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.

Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order:me favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.

Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order:

The Great Waldo Pepper (1975) Robert 😻 Redford

If you haven't seen this movie, is available to rent at Amazon and YouTube.

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Himself and I went to see Captain Marvel. Everyone was at the opening of Avenger's Endgame so there were very few people in the theater. And just like Divers and Sundry told me, I really loved the cat in the movie. After the movie we went out to dinner.

2. I started the morning glory seeds from the Reggie morning glories from last year.

3. Misplaced my journal, but after a hunt found it with some help. Still looking for an Altoid tin of sewing needles.

4. Had fun experimenting with making paste paper with laundry starch

5. Found another 42 in my blog Labels widget. Went out to dinner with a friend and attended a meeting.

How was your week?

Throwback Thursday and Second on the Second

While trying to look for a Throwback Thursday and Second on the Second topic. I found this post from August 2015

From 1997, a fun piece I submitted to the Fall issue of the Masscribes newsletter.

It's your turn to play. From Elizabeth: Now it's time to share your Second on the 2nd.  The rules are quite simple and everyone is welcome to join the fun look back.  All you have to do is bring back a post that you are especially proud of, or perhaps one you shared before anyone knew your blog existed.  Any post, any genre, any artistic endeavor is acceptable.  Join hosts Bleubeard and Elizabeth to see what else is being served up the Second Time Around.

Wordy Wednesday