Memories of Portugal

These pages are filled with mementos and memories of different days, times and thoughts !  A pocket is filled with bits and pieces of memorabilia. . . . . . This journal reflects only a small part of this amazing journey !!

Day 9 - Time to Go Home

How could the time have passed so quickly ??  Here it was, time to go home !!  There had been hurricane warnings for the east coast, so we had been concerned about flights being cancelled --fortunately, all was well that morning.  Luis picked us up at the hotel and taxied us to the Lisbon airport with plenty of time to get through passport checks and customs.  I didn't have my paints and cosmetics packed to suit the security check point in the bag that I had intended to carry on -- away I went back to flight check-in to check the bag --  the alternative was to have them take all of those things away from me.  Frustration set in -- it was another long day of travel  -- home never looked so good.

Day 8 - The Last Day

This was the day to finish our projects - our last day to be with all of our new friends !! We spent time putting finihing touches on our Navigator's Journals throughout the morning.  Another lunch at the little cafe next door to the studio, then back to the studio to clean up, pack our belongings and then it was "show and tell" time.  Micheal critiqued each of our creations noting things about each one and each artist -- seeing things that we did not even think about.  Margarita and her husband treated us to dinner at a beautiful Portuguese restaurant later that night -  the end of the evening was filled with tearful farewells to all.  It was likely we would never see any of these artists again -- some would keep in touch, some would not.

Day Seven - The FADO

This was another full day at the studio working on our creations and learning techniques from Micheal.  His use of watercolor paints was a real learning experience for me.  We again had lunch in the little cafe next door -- had some free time late in the afternoon and we wanted to do a little more shopping so hopped in a taxi and took off to Cacais where the streets were lined with wonderful little shops. Then back to the hotel for a bit of rest before we were taxied to a local Saturday night treat of FADO entertainers.  I had never heard of Fado singers and after returning home, entered the word to search on the computer.  It was a fascinating education !!  Our fish and steaks were grilled in the fireplace in the same room where we were seated.  I loved the smiling 12 string quitar player !!

Beach Baby and Rock Star

I made these "wall hangings" for Christmas gifts for Tammy and Bob.  I had seen a fabric "shell frame" in Ruth Rae's book, "layered, tattered & stitched, A fabric art workshop" quite some time ago and knew when I saw it, I wanted to use that photo of Tammy playing in the sand on Virginia Beach and create a similar piece.  I had collected shells and sand at North Myrtle Beach when I was there to visit in 2010 and they were a perfect addition.  After finishing the piece, I knew I had to make something for Bob, too.  Since he is learning to play the guitar, the choice for the theme was obvious.  The guitar pick came in a box of miscellaneous things I purchased on Ebay. The muslin and lace are coffee stained on the beach piece and I used denim for the rock star piece.  Ruth used organza, but, I used fine netting on the front to hold everything in place. They were fun to make, although, my sewing skills these days, leave a lot to be desired !!

Peppermint Paddy Snowman

Theresa McFayden had a little tutorial painting a snowman on canvas for Christmas time.  I thought "I can do that" !  I took a few liberties as I didn't have all of the same supplies to use in creating this little guy.  I had two 5"x7" canvas boards on hand and used them.  This is one of them -- the other was already in a box and in the mail when I remembered that I should take a photo.  This one went to my good friend, Sharon, as she loves snowmen.  I covered the canvas with a print out of Joy to the World music and gessoed over it.  I cut circles for the snowman and the tie out of old book paper to insure that I would have the size correct for the size of the canvas,  then painted with acrylic paint.  The hat and feet were freehand, a lot of dry brushing for hi-lighting, then modpodged and sprinkled glitter glass to finish.  The dots around the outside are done with a "seam marker" dipped in black paint.  I think he's kind of "folk-artsy".

White Christmas full of Buttons

Sometimes, inspiration leads to frustration !! What I expected to be a fairly simple ATC Christmas ornament to construct became an all day affair yesterday !!  I modpodged paper and lace to a card, glued ruffled lace in a triangle for the tree shape, then layed vintage and new white buttons out onto that shape.  After much ado, I was finally happy with the layout and glued them down.  I especially like the vintage button at the top -- it was "one of one" in my collection of white buttons.  The tiny satin bows were also frustrating, even with the bowmaker.  I may redo the NOEL label.  I am happy with the hanger, however.  Fine silver wire wrapped around the handle of a small paint brush to produce the "springy" look proved to be the easiest part of the entire project.  I added a few seed pearls with a touch of glue to keep them in place.