Virtual Coffee Tuesday - The Lovely and the Not-So-Lovely...

Wow! It's been a week already?! Where do the days go???

I know a week is a long time in politics - especially this past week with all the phone-hacking-NoW-Murdoch-police-bribing scandal developments, but it's a long time in Blogland too...

It's been a real up-and-down week in my patch...

So, to start with 'The Lovely' of the post title... I got this beauty in the post last week from the lovely, talented Jo over at Gemheaven

It's a style she calls a mermaid's purse, but this one's extra-special to me, as I provided the stone...

Since the stroke, I haven't been able to wear my gorgeous carnelian Da Vinci ring and it's been languishing in a cupboard for four years... Then earlier this year, I read on Jo's blog how she does custom work and often refashions stones... Isn't she clever??? And aren't I clever to reuse and enjoy an old favourite?

And I want a pat on the back, or at least for you to raise your coffee mugs...

Ta-da...

Now, I'm not going to show you my art cupboard... ah-hum... but I do have a tidy desk and space to make things :)

Here's a couple of close-ups...

My favourite photo of Marilyn by the wonderful Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt. I know his shot of her standing over the air vent in that dress is the more famous, but I love seeing the bookish side of her more:)

And the tools of the trade :)
A little bit of card that says, 'aspire to be' - can't remember where it came from... and a  miniature by the multi-talented Cathy Cullis which reads 'another deep day'... just to inspire me and remind me what is important...

And a wonderful set of gouache paints, which I never got to use before the stroke... It's a medium I've always wanted to try, and yesterday i did...

I did a page in this wonderfully recycled journal made by artist Julia Reyes. I love it's grungey look and the fact the pages are made of paper bags :)
I didn't feel at all 'precious' about spoiling it, as I made this collage yesterday...

(you can click on the photo to get a clearer look)

And so to the Not-So-Lovely part of the week...

I have been feeling rather under siege... vulnerable... threatened... I don't feel I can talk about here, but I can show this page... made while i just let the images come as i rifled through my stash of collage materials...

It certainly isn't fine art, but it is a raw and honest expression of how bombarded i feel...
and I am proud of the fact that, for once, I didn't worry about making a 'nice' picture... I just immersed myself in the process and was truly surprised at what came out...

So, how are you?
Has it been a good, or not-so-good week?
Have you made anything?
Expressed yourself?
Or just laid back and had fun with the kids... :)

Our kids break up for summer on Friday - finally! And hopefully, we're off to see the last Harry Potter film on Friday night to celebrate...

And do join the others over at Amy's!!