tUtU's AnD BuTteRfliEs

For some reason, even amongst some speckled plants with a health issue or two in the yard and garden, seeing a kaleidoscope of butterflies fluttering about makes all seem vibrant, lively and healthy. The night before last, my daughter and I noticed all of the different ones partying down on our butterfly bushes and decided the next day we were going to try our hand at capturing a few. (I had my eye on this gorgeous yellow and blue number!) So, what I thought was going to be a quick cast or two turned into a very determined, competitive challenge that lasted pretty much most of the day! They were everywhere, but they weren't staying in one place for very long! My first attempt left my daughter extremely disappointed...and the little "mini-me" all of six years swiftly took the net out of my hands and said, here, "let me do it". The best part was that she had thrown on her ballerina tutu because she thought it made her look like a flower, which would, of course attract the butterflies! Very clever. We ended up with one larger butterfly with tattered and torn wings (not from our doing, mind you...we were very careful with the net!):) The other six or seven were smaller little numbers. (The prized yellow and blue beauties continued to escape us the entire day....better luck tomorrow!) We set up camp for them in this cute butterfly bungalow which is more or less a little mesh tent (a great way for kids to observe them up close). We laid out a scrumptious buffet for our fluttering friends that included tasty flowers, leaves with drops of sugar water, and an orange slice, so they should be most content during their overnight stay. My daughter had all of these great questions that I was only able to answer after a bit of online research......where do they sleep, how long do they live, what do they eat, what flowers do they like the most, do cats like to catch them, what's the difference between a moth and a butterfly? Interesting stuff that I can say her and I now know a little bit more about. Our butterfly hunt led to an afternoon of one nature adventure after another. We built a tree fort of sorts out of branches and challenged ourselves to creating artwork to adorn the interior walls using only what we could find around us. It's the kind of fun most of us forget to have on a regular basis, yet it's the best way to recharge our creative batteries.

Cheers to chasing butterflies and refreshing playtime in the great outdoors!
michele.

oN thE roAd and BaCk HoMe aGaIn

We just got back from spending a few days in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina with our friends from Cutters Productions. Sloan Rutter invited me to share a few projects on her show, Paint, Paper and Crafts and we had a great time! It's fun to be able to work on someone else's show once in a while. There are always things to be learned and interesting people to be met. Mischelle from The Angel Company was there sharing some of her altered book kits along with her friend Mabelle from WhimsyAndSTarsStudio. Inspiring gals who love their jobs and all things creative! (Check them out whenever you get the chance) It was a quick trip and Chad and I only had a short amount of time to check out the sights, but if you're ever in that area...I do recommend dinner at Watt's Grocery on Broad St. in Durham -- Awesome local food, and whenever I can score a cocktail with 'fresh squeezed' grapefruit juice, all is good in the world! Not sure Chad was too keen on the fried okra, but I thought it was mighty tasty!

Cheers to creative television and fresh squeezed juice!

michele.

ShoUt oUt FoR cEnTrAl IoWa aRtiSanS

SPREAD THE WORD! GET ON THE HORN! DON'T BE CHICKEN!
"talent is always conscious of its' own abundance and does not object to sharing"...unknown
Simply Michele, Inc. (Van Meter, Iowa) is looking for quirky artisans/creative individuals who love to share, for our Courage to Create Television Series, and by quirky we simply mean ‘original’, interesting personalities or lifestyles. We’re looking to feature people who absolutely love what they do creatively, and are fearless when it comes to experimenting and exploring mediums and techniques to deliver something unique. Accepting all creative mediums and ideas, be it food, paint, fabric, wood, metal…creativity comes in many shapes and forms and we want to see it all! We’re looking for artisans/creators who like to have fun, who like to teach and have fresh, creative ideas they’re excited to share.
The program dedicates two segments to the artisan that will consist of interview bites, tips and techniques they’ve discovered or learned and a project demonstration with yours truly. Shooting will take place where the artisan works, be it in their studio, their garage, basement or kitchen table.
Our focus is to always inspire, to motivate, and educate. Artisans can be doing their work professionally or simply for personal fun.
For this round, individuals must live in the Central Iowa area or be willing to travel to our studios at their own expense. Interested artisans should submit a brief 411 on who they are, what they do, and some visual support such as photos or a website.
To submit online, click here.
To e-mail direct: studio@couragetocreate.com
By phone: 515.996.2600
By mail: Simply Michele, Inc, P.O. Box 259, Van Meter, Iowa 50261
We resume shooting in September, so get a move on!
Cheers to fresh ideas and fearless expression!
michele.