* Mary Green's Glue Book Class, Finished

Today, I officially finished Mary Green's Vintage Glue Book Class.  "Finished" but never over, if you know what I mean.  Always, always new things to learn.  Thank you for a wonderful journey, Mary.  I had almost forgotten how much I LoVe Collage.  It's right up my alley with quilting, stained glass, and mosaics as it's all about 'putting pieces together', which seems to be something I adore.  If any of you have always wanted to try collage, but have not ... this is your opportunity.  Mary has laid out a beautiful class.  The content is complete, covering every aspect of the theory you need to deliver a great piece of collage from scratch.  She loads you up with great backgrounds, images, excellent instruction and off you go.  By the end of the class, you have gone through eight aspects of theory and practiced it.  The ninth class is about finding your own voice, creating your own style.  I like that very much.  So important we don't come away looking just like the teacher.  (OH, did I mention it's on sale at an incredibly low price for the month of June?)

The lessons were a great reminder for me.  I hadn't done much collage for a long time and at first it didn't feel comfortable.  By the time I had finished my twelve little pages, I had hit my stride, and found my own voice again.

The pages are not bound yet.  I've got them sitting under large heavy books so they will become flat.  I will dream up some binding.  The class has taught me I want to do more.  I want to do more regularly.  Perhaps joining Mary's monthly challenge is something I will look at, just to 'keep my hand in'.

I know I keep showing you these photos .. however, they are complete now.  For the record, here they are as they appear in the book.  When it's bound, I'll keep you in the loop.

Page one.  Mama makes the cover.  Interesting.

My parent's life was rich.  Hard work and hard play.  There was a balance.  I adore both these photographs.  Especially Papa carrying Mama on this shoulders.  "Special Delivery"

They were very different.  "She loved hats, he loved horses."  Together they were strong.  Together they were a team.  My Papa's last words to Mama when she was crossing over were, "Thank you for being my Partner ... for you were truly my Partner."  Yes, there have been some tears creating these pages.

I don't pretend to know how Women did it at the turn of the century on the prairies, in Canada.  They did.  Amazing!

My flower girl days.  Ah .. such great memories.  How I loved to dress.

We were a threesome.  Our little family.

Their wedding day.  A little out of focus as I said ... like life.  I could have chosen the clear photograph, somehow this seemed 'real'.  Photographs of when they were younger and a quote, which I believe suits their life so well, completes the last page.

REMINDER:  My 500th post is coming up in about TWELVE DAYS.  To celebrate, I'm putting together a little surprise give away.  I do hope you will join in.  I'll keep reminding you.   Did I tell you how much I love it you are all here?  I had no idea where blogging would take me.  

“Like the wind crying endlessly through the universe, Time carries away the names and the deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. And all that we are, all that remains, is in the memories of those who cared we came this way for a brief moment.”  Harlan Ellison