Blessings

Host: HollyAnne Although our gathering was small, it was brightened by Barbara's amazing Blessings, as shown below. During our meeting, we worked to make little blessings from recycled materials (egg cartons, plastic bags, old school supplies). I tried to set constraints, such as a time limit or a specific inspiration, but my scaffolding wasn't organized enough to give the creators the support they needed in order to successfully make something within those limitations. There was also a good amount of eating and chatting :)
 * Theme: Blessings**



Host: Barbara Saturday, April 20th
 * Theme: Blessing Balms (as Artist Trading Cards)**

Barbara had created a number of really interesting blessings  using old plastic bags (see also images above). She explained this process, which included bags, parchment paper, and ironing. Also, she had created a bunch of " artist trading card"  blessings that needed to be completed with some sort of exhortation on the back. Jan, Barbara, and I worked on these, using collage, rubber stamps, and other decorations. Our process was, first, to brainstorm responses to the aphorisms and clever sayings that Barbara had collaged onto the cards. (Actually, the cards started as spontaneous paintings by Barbara that she had laminated previously and then cut up into trading-card sized rectangles (see above left).


 * Trading Card Blessings:**

Laugh! It's good for you! You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

Once we had brainstormed responses -- interestingly, Jan tended toward the philosophical, Barbara toward the practical, and I toward the poetic -- we collaged, stamped, and combined sayings to complete the cards. It was great to discover an old friend, the J . Peterman Catalog , which provided great text for the backsides of cards.

Now we need to figure out our next step. We discussed a possible afternoon of visiting various spots to drop off the cards and find spots to leave the other blessings -- bookstores, coffee shops, etc. It would be fun to do this together. What about next weekend? Saturday, May 4th, in the afternoon? Let's say we meet at a coffeshop at about 2 pm? Barbara, are you up for it?


 * Blessing Balms:**

In early May, Susan, Barbara, HollyAnne, and Jan took to the streets (actually Westheimer Avenue near the Empire Diner) and delivered Blessing Balms to hardware and grocery establishments, a school, residences, and a passing driver. It was great fun -- something combining the mischievousness of childhood with fairy godmotherliness. (Please add other photos!)

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