Messy Bob

Do you see my profile picture up there on the top, right of my sidebar? That was my hair roughly one year ago. This is my hair now. It's taken me ONE WHOLE YEAR to grow my hair out this far since I wacked it off in the Whole Wide World music video. I think I can safely say for the first time that I have a bob haircut. A messy bob at that. And I think I kind of like it.

Birthday Giveaway WINNERS!

Well, folks. I've got to hand it to you. You wrote some of the craziest but also some of the most brilliant fortunes for me. Looks like I'm going to have a a killer year in 2012 according to your predictions.

Thank you all SO MUCH for participating. It pains me to only choose 5 winners because there were so many worthy ones. Alas, I had to narrow it down to these clever people:

Tiffany Winder
Anika
Johanna (from New Zealand)
Michael Bahnmiller
Kathy Lynn Rylee

Congratulations!!! To claim your prize, email Brittany Jaynes at brittanyjaynes @gmail.com with your name and address, letting her know that you won and we will mail you your copy of "Anchor."

Thanks again!

Birthday Giveaway

Happy Birthday to me.

I'm giving away some party favors.

All you need to do is predict my fortune for the year 2012 in the comments section below.

The 5 most amusing fortunes (judged by me) will win an autographed copy.

I'll announce the winners on Friday morning.

Ready, set, GO!

Rock the Casbah

I know. I've written about it already. But now, you can see me talk about it on video with my co-hostess, April Meeker. Lucky!

We are holding a luxurious getaway in Marrakesh, Morocco from October 6th-13th which includes 5 workshops on bookbinding, collage, jewelry making, marbleizing, and learning how to tap into your creative well. The price for the retreat is $3,100 and can be paid in 3 installments between now and September 1st. The price is all-inclusive (except for air fare) and includes your stay at Peacock Pavilions, all meals, the workshops, trips to the souks, the beach, belly dancing show, camel rides, henna tattoos and more. See the link on my side bar that says "Casbah Creative Retreat?" Go ahead and click on that for more details. You can also email April Meeker at secondsisterdesigns@yahoo.com to discuss payment and any other questions you may have. Can't wait to rock the Casbah with you!

Poor Man's Valentine Craft

I wanted to be all domestic this Valentine's Day and do a craft with my boys to showcase how artistic and hip they are. But alas, my dream of putting my best foot forward for the sake of my little blog readership was smashed to smithereens when my boys bailed five minutes into the project. Apparently they had some really important games to play on the iPad and they couldn't be bothered with cardboard hearts and glitter. The nerve.

So, here is the honest truth: I didn't want to spend any money, so I looked to the garbage for inspiration and I found it in a pile of cardboard boxes. Here is how to make my Poor Man's Valentine Craft:

1. Cut heart shapes out of cardboard boxes with a razor blade.

2. Spray them with glue.

3. Dump glitter on them like you did in kindergarten.

4. Shake off excess glitter.

5. Feel free to mix the glitter, again, like you did in kindergarten.

6. Hang hearts with colorful yarn, string, twine, etc.

The end.

Hint: To avoid glitter getting everywhere, spray your hearts with a clear lacquer at the end. Allow to dry, then hang them.

Happy Valentine's Day, everybody!

Art Retreat in Morocco

I'm going to Morocco in October. You are invited. Seriously. And I don't mean that you are invited to watch vicariously through my blog. You really are invited to come along. My friend April Meeker and I have a bad case of wanderlust and a love for all things artsy and exotic. So, we're hosting an art retreat in the alluring city of Marrakesh. We're calling it "Casbah Creative Retreat." I wasn't kidding when I told you that this was my year to fill my creative well.

Warning: looking at the photos of Peacock Pavilions (our resort) may increase your heart rate by about 150%.

Behold: This could be your room. The extra bed could belong to your best friend, your sister, your mom, or perhaps . . . your Moroccan lover.

The Atlas Salon

Your bathroom? Yes.

Your dinner. (Stop drooling on your keyboard).

Don't think you're leaving Marrakesh without a henna tattoo.

All photos from www.peacockpavilions.com

What is included in the price of the retreat? Five different workshops on creativity (collage, book-binding, jewelry making, writing and a class on tapping into your creativity by me), a guided tour of Marrakesh, shopping in the souks, authentic Moroccan cuisine for all your meals, a trip to the coastal town of Essaouira, henna tattooing, movie at the outdoor cinema, camel rides, belly dancing, spa treatment and your room and board at Peacock Pavilions.

What is NOT included: air fare, spending money and tips to staff.

The total price of the retreat is $3,100. If you'll be joining us, you can email April Meeker (secondsisterjewlery@yahoo.com) to make your first non-refundable deposit of $1000. The next payment of $1000 is due May 1st. Your final payment of $1100 is due by September 1st. There are only 10 spots available. Actually, make that 7. We've already had 3 guests sign up.

For more photos and information about the retreat, check out these links:

http://suaviloquy.blogspot.com/p/morocco-creative-retreat.html

http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/my_marrakesh/

www.peacockpavilions.com

A Season

I've spent a good part of January in quiet reflection. I'm experiencing a season in my life where being withdrawn from the crowd is all that really appeals to me. No shows. No tours. No lights, camera, action. Just me and the coos of a squishy little blue-eyed baby.

I recognize this season. Considering the periods of creativity in my life, there is a time when I gather ideas and sow seeds. In time, those ideas come to life and yield fruit. Next, the anticipated harvest rolls in, spilling forth a ripe cornucopia. I reap that harvest until there is no more, and thus enter an inevitable state of exhaustion where I know I must go within and rest, lest I perish. And thus, I rest.

Drop by drop, I fill a creative well that has run dry. A stroll through an art exhibit. Drip. A walk through powdery, new snow. Drop. Twenty minutes spent with my nose in a juicy essay. Drip, drip.

At the start of the new year, I pondered what lofty goals I should aim for. But all I kept coming up with was a blank stare. I've gone to the piano, feeling my way around the keyboard for a hint of an idea. Nothing. I've opened my laptop to write a blog post about a dozen times. Each attempt felt so labored, it hurt. Emails have come filing in with requests for performances and charitable fundraisers. "C'mon compassionate self! Throw me a bone!" Turns out, even my compassion needs a break.

Am I selfish? No. I'm just empty.

This year is my year to fill the well. Hello classic movies, jaunts to the museum, visits to the library, spontaneous vacations, art projects and newly acquired hobbies. Now and then, I'll share with you what I've been filling the well with and I'll be looking to you and your blogs for inspiration as well. Drip, drop. Pitter-pat. Sploosh.