Before we trip on over to Iceland, I wanted to let everyone know that my friend's sister will stay in Wichita with the three children until school is out on May 17. She and I will make sure they have everything they need until they move to California (CA) later in the month. It's the only possible way for all three children to stay together and to have a loving and supportive home. Although it will be very difficult for the children to say goodbye to their friends, by moving them during the summer, they can acclimate to their new environment and meet new friends before school starts in the fall.
They also are young enough there should be no serious trauma from moving. After all, two of the three would have changed schools in the fall anyway, so they probably would not have gone to the same school as some of their friends. The difficult part will be getting through the loss of their mother, which will take time and constant caregiving. My friend's sister and I are looking into support groups in her area of CA.
Now let's talk art. When I started this page, it was to add a few final images I found about Iceland.
However, after looking at the background, I decided it also fit Gill from Gibby Frogett Craftations' idea of grunge, this month's theme, along with elegance, at Art Journal Journey.
I was surprised when I read that Reykjavik was famous for its nightlife. I enjoyed the image of the colorful homes and roofs.
Of course, no visit would be complete without riding a famous Icelandic horse, brought to Iceland by the Vikings.
Seems the Blue Lagoon pops up in every review of Iceland, too.
Now for the details. This page began on watercolor paper that I used to spray some hearts on. However, after looking at the page, I decided it would make a good grunge background for Art Journal Journey. So I got out some paints and went to town, then added the images I mounted on colored card stock.I thought I would also share some photos of tulips I took around my neighborhood while out walking one day in April.
Thank you for visiting today and thank you for your continued support of my art and your continued loving comments about my friend's children.
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17 thoughtful remarks:
I am sure all will be well for the children, it's good they have a loving relative there to care for them. The tulips everywhere look gorgeous. The Iceland page is great, love he grungy background. By the way, the tree/vine you admired on my blog is a wisteria. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie
Thank you for the update on the children Elizabeth. It will take time for them and everyone else to adapt to the loss of their mum but they will bounce back I'm sure.Great that you are still involve and helping with it all
Wonderful journal page with a great grungy background and beautiful picture of Iceland.
Enjoyed the weekend
Love Chrissie xx
Wonderful pages. It is also great that your friend's children will be able to stay put to the end of the school year. Everything else is upside down for them - I'm sure it will help them to have stability of place for a few months.
Glad there is a plan in place for the children. It's the best of a bad situation for them.
I have always wanted to travel to Iceland, but am very unlikely to ever do so, and I have enjoyed visiting through your great pages. Thanks Elizabeth.
Between you and her sister, sounds like your friend's children are in good, loving hands.
I never would have thought of Iceland having a vibrant nightlife. Guess those Vikings like to party hardy. I like the oranges and blues in your page.
And a lovely showing of tulips in your yard and neighborhood.
It sounds really good for the three! Good that they have their aunt and you are there for them as well!
I love your fabulous iceland page for AJJ! Great to see you linking to Gill's theme! Thank you!
The tulips are beautiful!
Happy day Elizabeth!
oxo Susi
Thank you for the update on your friends children. Such trauma for them. I am glad they have a good, safe place to live and can stay all together. They will need each other.
It is good that the children are going to stay together with their aunt. You have been so supportive to the family, they couldn't have had a better friend than you, during these traumatic times.
Its a great journal page and I loved the photos from around where you live.
Spring seems to have truly arrives.
Yvonne xx
Thanks for the update Elizabeth - such an awful time for the children - thank goodness they have such a caring friend and aunt to help them through this and support them.
Iceland was very interesting and I love your page and fabulous cool grungy background - thanks so much again for joining at AJJ.
And lovely to see your neighbourhood too - loved the tulips especially.
Gill xx
Wow. I think those kids are lucky not to be thrown into the social system and so lucky to be able to stay together. That is important. Its still got to be so hard for them. What a sad situation. So many lives changed in such a sort period of time. A friend of mine decided a year or 2 go to take in foster kids, and now they too are in California, and she is waiting to see if they will come back to her and then maybe she will adopt them. Its sad situations, isn't it? But I am so glad to taker a fun little trip back to Iceland. Especially since right now I'm not exactly on the go for a couple more weeks. Good to relive my fun times last summer. Hope you are well and holding together with all your own stresses right now. Hugs-Erika
There's a lot to love in this post, elizabeth, first and foremost, the kindness and generosity of your friend's sister, to be able to stay and preserve some small degree of normalcy for the kids till June. One loss like this is a lot, but when you think about it, it sounds as though it wasn't that long ago they lost their dad in the divorce, either. To lose their friends will be another big one and pretty hard but easier, I think, with the time and preparation.
I love the photos and the flowers and your page. It does indeed fit the grunge concept and works very well!
Cheers!
It's such a blessing that the kids have people willing to put them first. It's a devastating loss, and it's good to hear there's support for them.
We had tulips at one of the houses we lived in, but I've never planted them. Seeing your photos makes me want to try them in a pot.
Wishing all the best for this little family. Life sure can be challenging.
Love the Icelandic pieces, especially the one with the Viking Horses:)
Those tulips look as colorful as an Easter egg hunt. So cheery.
Have a wondrous weekend, Elizabeth.
Hugs
No matter what it will be a big change for them, but at least they will stay together and they are young.
Lovely hillside with the tulips! :)
Bless those children -- are they coming to the Bay Area?
It is so good that your friend's children have a loving home to go to and they are sure to settle in well although I do hope you can find a support group to help in the process! Just as a matter of interest - how long are the Summer holidays in the US? Schools here have a week(sometimes 2) at the end of May into the beginning of June then carry on with school until the middle to end of July and then go back to school in the first week in September. Your Iceland page is fascinating - wonder what the high energy night life is!! Great grungy background! I love seeing all the Spring flowers in your neighbourhood! Take care, Hugs, Chrisx
I will go with you where ever you want to go - your posts are so much fun and I do enjoy following you!
sandy xx
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