Kathryn Costa - Collage Diva

A Fence with Cool Shadows

At first glance, this fence...

with it's pretty pattern caught my eye.

But what I found even more intriguing were the shadows the fence cast.

Naturally, I can't help but to think about this analogy to meeting people. I've been embarking on the online dating scene and my headshot is capturing a lot of interest. My hope is that these suitors can see the depth beyond the twinkling eyes. The suitors who ask the good questions will grab my attention and have a shot at getting passed the fence.

Here's hoping that you have a great weekend!

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Do you have a bee in your bonnet?

When my photo buddy Claudia and I go to Portsmouth for a day of snapping photos, we end our outing at this German cafe called, "Kaffee Vonsolln." We rest our feet, warm up with coffee, and maybe indulge in a little treat.

My sweet tooth seems to be gravitating to lemon these days. The intense lemon flavor sends me whirling. I'm not bashful about enjoying my food. The other night I was savoring the most heavenly lemon meringue and well, let's just say I gave those around me a "Harry Met Sally" moment. I didn't bang my hands on the table as the character Sally did. The other difference with Sally and me is I don't fake it! Nope, I tell it like it is. Life is just too sweet not to savor it, don't you think?

As you enter the kaffeehaus one is greeted by this mural. I'm not familiar with the story behind this girl with a pensive look. I suppose I would be looking rather serious if I was surrounded by bees. 

I was thinking about this mural and the bees while on my morning walk. It dawned on me that I keep myself really busy with BIG projects. I think it is better to be busy like a busy bee for it keeps the bees from getting stuck in one's bonnet.

How about you? Do you have any bees in your bonnet? How do you keep from getting stung?

Hmmmm a little lemon and honey sounds like a good treat and will power me through my long creative "get to do" list.

I hope you have a sweet day.

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Funky Door

Now how cool is this door?

I remember passing this door a year earlier and feeling dismayed by the awful heavy colors.

I love how it looks all scratched up. I'm sure this is just their "messy middle" and a fresh coat of paint will be making an appearance.

 I'm so happy I caught this stage!

There are hints and evidence of what color this door has been. Look at that blue! Oh wow and the yellow, red... what color would you paint this door?

Cheers to a colorful week!

Namaste,

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Spread a little love today.

For the last couple of weeks, I've been feeling a pressure in my chest and I knew exactly the root cause. I was sharing this with my closest coworker and she said, "it is called guilt." I teased her for being so Catholic and knowing all too well the signs of guilt. I have always had a challenging relationship with my mother. I love her and care for her deeply but have had to put up what I hope are healthy boundaries. I can't share too many details in this post, it is just too public of a forum. The last thing I want to do is to hurt this woman who has given me so much. So then, let's focus on what we did on Sunday. My mother loves to go out to eat. We ordered some of her favorites starting with the whimsical looking crab rangoons pictured above.

Shrimp is one of her favs and I love lots of veggies so the steamed dish pictured above was a great choice.

My fortune spoke of what I hoped to do with our visit - share some of my happiness.

We stopped over to my place where I spoiled her with a mountain of rubber stamps. A dear friend of mine was clearing out her HUMONGOUS stash. Knowing how much my mother loves to make cards, I jumped on the opportunity to help my friend unload and brighten my mom's day. It was so darling to see her like a little child sorting the mound into neat piles as she checked out each stamp design. 

I watched her as I drank my tea. My heart was smiling and my tea tag affirmed how I'll continue to live my life - guided by my heart.

Today is Valentine's Day and this singleton will be spreading love all over Bloglandia by sprinkling blog posts near and far with lovely comments. How will you be spreading love today?

xoxo

Kathryn, Collage Diva

PS - I have a wonderful post on my True North Arts blog this week about love. It is sure to fill you up with that warm and juicy glow. Love to you all!

Do I have your number?

On my walk around Portsmouth I snapped a few shots of the numbers marking the age of buildings...

...or a house number.

Ah the number 9, this is a dear number. When I taught graphic design at a high school I was in room 9, but my students and I referred to the space as studio 9. Later when I left my teaching post and started a web design business I called it Studio 9 Design. The name carried such fond memories of those two short years of teaching.

62, now this is a good number and a good age. It is interesting to note that many of my favorite peeps are 15 - 20 years older than me. 

I've been cruising on a couple of online dating sites in the last three or so weeks. It has been an interesting experience and I've read profiles of a wide range of characters. It is clear that many of the guys out there are looking for something different than I am or our interests and lifestyles are not a match. Quite simply they don't have my number. I'm not dismayed. There are a couple of interesting prospects who look promising. I'm finding with each interaction I am learning more about myself and gaining more clarity as to what is important to me. Nothing is wasted on me - I'm gleaning lots and I'm grateful for every a-ha, ha ha, and oh yeah.

So how about you? What numbers do you see in your environment? Do you have a lucky number? Do you have a special someone who has your number?

Namaste,

Kathryn, Collage Diva

An Awesome Awning

While walking down one of the streets in Portsmouth, this awesome awning grabbed my attention. I think it merited a stop and few clicks of the camera, don't you?

I moved in on the subject.

I moved in a little closer.

I walked underneath and fell in love with the shadows adding an organic pattern to the geometric forms of the awning.

It is a delight to share my finds with you dear reader. Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to say, "hi." I love it even more when I hear from you.

Until tomorrow...

Namaste,

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Window Finds & Delights

I don't always think to photograph what I see in store windows. Last weekend while hanging out in Portsmouth, I snapped a few window shots.

A darling shop called "Serendipity" is filled with fun, affordable gifts.

Some stylish ladies caught my eye in another shop window.

I wonder what she is thinking?

"Do I have to sit here all day looking at this same spot?"

Such is the life of a mannequin.

"But darling" this mannequin implored, "you look absolutely divine."

"Don't think about it so much" this one yapped.

It was nearing time for me to rest my weary feet.

Two more shots before I go...

...today I'll leave you with this thought, "I use to think I needed to be asked to dance."

Well, if you still feel you need someone to ask you, I'll ask.

Won't you dance? Come on now, Dance! Crank up some funky music and get your groove on!

It is the best way to start your week.

Until tomorrow,

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Laundry Time

I spied some laundry on my walk around Portsmouth.

This person hung up a nice collection of blues and pink. My laundry line would be full of black clothes with an occasional striped shirt.

Speaking of which, it is time to go throw in another load.

Have a lovely day!

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Lobstah Buoys

This delightful sign is so very New England...

...as is this wall of weathered and worn "lobstah" buoys. (click photo to see enlarged)

When I took these photos, I thought of the people who visit my blog who live in one of 75 different countries and of the people who live in different states around the US. This my readers is a classic New England seaside scene.

The lobster buoys are brightly colored when they are used so the fishermen can find their traps.

It is fun to share images from where I live and visit for others who may never venture this way. (click photo to see enlarged)

Enjoy!

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Embracing the Cracks

Maybe you'll think I'm cracked for loving these shutters. They are old, worn, and full of character. My dad would look at them and think, neglected and flawed. He is the guy who was the uber perfectionist and super critical. I remember showing him some gorgeous handmade paper and he regarded the fibers as defects and pulled out a piece of copy paper and heralded it as an example of perfection. 

It was that moment that I stepped back in my mind and realized that my dad didn't know everything and had a very different view than I did. Neither one of us is wrong, just different. I think I was in high school when I had this a-ha moment. Now look at the detailed shot of the shutter pictured above - how could one not look at this and think, "cooooool!"

As a young girl trying to win my dad's approval was tough, especially when my nature is to gravitate to things old and cracked, funky and expressionistic. I would describe myself as a recovering perfectionist. In the last 8 years especially I have LET GO of striving for something that really, basically doesn't matter. My time in Colorado really helped to mellow me out. Returning here to the East Coast, I sense a cultural difference. I'm not caught up on material things and "looking perfect" as I see so many people here do. I was chatting with my chiropractor last night. We are fairly close in age and both grew up here in NH and lived out west for a number of years and have returned. We chatted about the cultural difference. "What makes us different?" I asked him. "We seem more laid back and we laugh more." He noted that our priorities are different, we are not caught up on the material stuff.

I see the beauty in our flaws, our cracks, our vulnerability. Rather than striving for perfection I would much rather embrace the cracks and crack up while doing it.

Well, I think that is enough rambling about imperfections. Now when my dad passes judgement, I respond playfully. It is great to no longer feel injured or offended when someone doesn't see things as I do.

How about you dear readers? Have you embraced your own cracks? I hope today you'll find lots of moments to crack up. Life is so much more fun when we are laughing.

Cheers,

Kathryn, Collage Diva