The Japanese Influence

In my last post I spoke of my love for Japan and its people.

I also love the art and the culture of this amazing country. It has influenced some of my art.

These are some of the ATCs I did some time ago. I've learned a lot about collage and layering since most of them. Still, it was a fine time to revisit them.

Thinking of Japan

I've written a bit about our experience with Japan and our friends. Rick discovered this beautiful country first, and made many friends on an extended Rotary trip about 15 years ago.

Miyajima

Through him, I met many Japanese friends, many of whom were part of our Sister Cities program. We spent wonderful evenings cooking together, enjoying fun times. We showed Yukari and Atsu our lake and introduced them to Northern Michigan. I think fondly of the things I learned to appreciate from them.

At the Pigeon River Forest in Michigan, with Yukari and Atsu

In 1999 Rick took me to Japan. After the first few days of culture shock and jet lag, I too, became entranced by this country -- exciting, forward-thinking, electric, and yet calm, beautiful and ancient. A place steeped in tradition, yet with technology that put America to shame.

Chigasaki (Mt. Fuji in the background)

I'll admit, Tokyo wasn't my favorite spot. Perhaps I was still too much in transition. It could have been I didn't understand the language or the ways of the country enough to feel confident.

But the wonderful party of Rick's friends we met with outside of Tokyo made me feel so very welcome, so much at home. Even though everything was new and very different, I could tell from our smiles that we were really much the same. And while we could not understand one another, those smiles spoke volumes.

At Apple Restaurant in Chigasaki

There was tremendous peace in Kamakura as we visited Diabutsu.

Daibutsu

The "Big Buddha" was so massive, magnificent. I feel quite sure that even if he was in the path of a tsunami, he alone would survive.

Rick, with Yuka

Our friend Yuka took us to see Diabutsu. She lives not far from Tokyo. I suspect she was far enough to not experience too much damage, although I am sure she would have felt the quake. I hope she and those she loves are fine.

Yamagata was high in the mountains, and it seemed like Shangri-la as we climbed higher and higher at Yamadera, a temple.

Yamadera

It felt as though we were at the top of the world.

At the top of the world

Along the way there were altars such as these.

I can't help but wonder how many more such altars will appear as Japanese honor their dead, killed from the debris of the earthquake or the ravaging and uncompromising waters of the tsunami.

Hiroshima Peace Park

Hiroshima could tell you a little bit about the dead. The Peace Park attracts visitors at every time of the year -- even on a cold and rainy February day.

The children from elementary schools throughout the country bring their paper cranes to the memorial -- asking for peace.

It was in Hiroshima I met Rick's friend Kiyo and her family and good friends, who introduced me to a wonderful dish called "okonomiaki" and rice balls. Once again, the smiles were warm, the laughter jolly and the companionship simply perfect. They are far from the epicenter. I hope their friends afar are all right.

(Several years later, Greg stayed with Kiyo's family for several weeks in the summer. When he returned, he brought Hikaru, who is holding the little girl in the photo, with him.)

The people in Shiga, Michigan's "sister state" (actually, Shiga is a prefecture) and in Otsu, Lansing's Sister City, are probably safe and worried about their friends and colleagues who live closer to the disaster.

Naoki and Kanako are probably quite secure in their home far away from Tokyo, Sendei and the other cities touched.

But we're not sure about the Shirai's. We went to a place where we could make our own soba noodles -- then eat a wonderful lunch -- with them. Since then, we've lost touch, but last I heard they had moved to Tokyo.

Fumio lives in a suburb of Tokyo, too. Rick met him years ago when Fumio was at MSU and his children and Rick's were in pre-school together.

We toured part of Tokyo with him during our visit and I treasure a deck of cards he gave me. (The Japanese are very big on giving gifts -- omiage, I think it is spelled -- oh-me-ah-ge.)

There is much in my house and in Rick's that reminds me of our time in Japan and our Japanese friends.

I think of them all the more these days as we see the terrible effects of the earthquake, aftershocks and the tsunami. While we are hopeful they are safe and have sustained little if any damage to their homes, we worry.

And yes, pray.

Praying Hands, Daibutsu

Masks -- Something Sweet

And you thought just because I stuck another post or two in there that I was done talking about masks!

Ah, you'll have to endure a few more mask posts over the course of the next year! And here is another.

Do you like this one?

How about this?

Or this one?

Perhaps you'd like to wear this one to a masked ball!!

And if you did, someone might bite your nose off!

You see, these are all made from chocolate!

All of these masks -- and the sculptures on which they are displayed -- were crafted from chocolate for the MSU Museum's annual chocolate party. In addition to having vendors from area candy shops and bakeries offer samples of everything, ranging from mousse to turtles, fudge to cupcakes, truffles to scones -- and everything in between -- a number of pastry chefs create these chocolate sculptures.

I confess, I love a good cooking contest. "Next Food Network Star" is my favorite show on TV and if I happen to turn on and catch "Chopped," "Worst Cooks in America" or "Iron Chef," I am a willing captive. One I always find amazing are the cake challenges, where everyone is working to a theme.

Well, this theme worked big time. I can't tell you who won -- we didn't stay that long.

(After all, all that chocolate can be a bit too much! Really, it can!)

Then there is the panic of "what if I run into my Weight Watchers leader?" (Of course, she'd probably think the same thing!) And I'd probably grab one of those masks, put it on my face and just keep walking!

But it was a delightful event, and I had to share these beautiful creations with you. After all, you deserve something sweet! Or even a rose!

I really need to find some of that metallic looking powder -- beautiful!

Jeanie, Gypsy and Using the Good Stuff!

There's a Blog Party/Challenge going on over at Karla's Cottage. The goal is to share things you've made using your "good stuff." Check out Karla at the badge below for all the participating links and Karla and Mrs. Staggs for fun prizes!

You know what I mean -- It's using something that may be terribly personal, maybe more expensive, or one of those "one of a kinds" that seem irreplaceable in every artist's stash.

This cuts across creative lines. For the artist it may be that expensive or rare bit of lace, a piece of original ephemera or that unique embellishment you'll be hard pressed to find again.

For the knitter, it's a pricey yarn or one so beautiful you almost can't bear to knit with it -- what if you mess up? Or maybe those buttons you bought while traveling.

For the cook it's that special vinegar or seasoning. Wonderful in every way -- and how in the world can you find a replacement?

So, while the Gypsy was sitting here --

-- and often sharing his "best side" with me as I prepared this post...

..l.I was sitting here (which looks a heck of a lot better than it did a half hour ago!), playing with the good stuff.

And yes, it was with anticipation, enthusiasm and trepidation.

First up -- the few really lovely millinery flowers I have. Some time ago I bought this hat at an estate sale. I bought it for the flowers, though I confessed I liked the hat, too.

That said, pulling from this hat was a bit of a "gasper" for me. End result? Embellishments for a couple of projects and most of the hat stays intact!

I've had this little angel head ornament for ages. Prettying him up like this was not an original idea -- like so many of the best ones, it is a riff on the wonderful work my friend Jane F. used to do ages ago when making unforgettable and fabulous holiday ornaments. After I bought two of her angels, I found one that was the same to serve as a base. A little bit of gesso, a few of my flowers, some antique ribbon from France and a vintage pearl... the result!

Speaking of "the good stuff," this frame is not (by price, anyway). But I haven't found one like it since at the box store from where it came. Some lovely paper, a little (ok, a lot) of gel medium, and I was very happy.

Dare I deface Dad's bible? I think it was his -- it's the tiniest book -- maybe an inch-and-a-half by two inches that is selected verses, designed for a child. I found it in his things. (Actually, I think dad beat me to it as the front and end pieces were scribbled on in pencil!)

At least I cherished it and prettied it up with some bits from that hat and a bookmark from antique French ribbon and another pearl

My aunt, Grace, was a treasure so it seemed fitting to use a treasure on her -- again, antique French ribbon, a few more of those flowers, and a mold I've been sitting on from European Papers.

Finally, long a "work in progess" or UFO (unfinished object), this cigar box.

I left parts of the box showing through -- it had lion graphics -- and used a cat motif. After lots of layers of paper, gesso, sanding, more layers -- you know the drill -- I added some of the French ribbon, a hummingbird (and inside, crown) charm, some beads made by a friend, the last of my metal corners and a button from a bracelet of my moms. I lined the inside bottom with some paper (again, last of the kind, and who knows where I found it).

Now it holds my "REALLY" besties -- some of the postcards and advertising art I have from France.

I'm looking forward to seeing how lots of others use their besties, so check it out over at Karla's!