The Oregon Coast Should Be Mandatory
[ weekend polaroids © Andrea Jenkins ]
I have a feeling that even if my history wasn't rooted on this coast it would still be magical to me.
Anna and I took a little adventure this past weekend to Manzanita, Oregon (northern Oregon coast) and met up with twelve other women from around the country for a little rest and relaxation. For us that means really good food, walks to town & on the beach, conversations about work & life, and lots and lots of photos.
This year Kelly Rae brought some canvases, collage materials, and paints along with her. She had planned to work on some personal projects after most of us had left. Instead she brought them out and we had a collage/painting summit. Collaging & painting with my hands alongside Kelly Rae and the others resulted in serious inspiration.
I am thinking that my canvas is in-progress (it's nice & big : 20x20). I loved the process of building the layers of papers and texture and paint but I think I may add something else/more of something. For right now I am just letting it rest.
Anna got loved and loved and loved some more. I think a few of them even whispered wonderful thoughts on living a life full of creativity into her sweet little ears.
[ photo © Karen Walrond ]
Everyone needs a group of friends like this. A group that can get together for creative support & to see you for who you are inside & out. I am feeling very thankful.
Much love to Jen, Kelly Rae, Andrea, Andrea, Tracey, Jen, Jen, Katherine, Brene, Myriam, Karen, and Alex (and we missed you Mati).
FOR LOCALS : A new Come Play Eugene creative get-together is set for September 12 & 13 (including our now annual adventure to the Coburg Antique Fair). All the details here.
That's a beautiful photo of you and Anna - it brought tears to my eyes. I am wishing I had more photos like that of my baby girl and myself.
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sounds like a wonderful weekend! And what a great way for Anna to be exposed to art and creative, open-minded women! love it!
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what a Gorgeous picture of you and Anna!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Wow Ali. Your post made me smile. Going to have to check out the links to your creative friends. Anna is beautiful in the pink lemonade color combo.
Bises, D
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I'm ready to go back. Now. Anna was the best little roommate that I've ever had!
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Anna and you both look beautiful in that picture together. I am a little envious of your time on the coast! I love the way your collage turned out!
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Beautiful photos! I am a fan of the Oregon Coast. We took many weekend trips down there when we lived in Olympia. It was always one of my favorite places to go.
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how fantastic to have such an inspirational getaway! looks like you had a wonderful time. can't wait to see the finished canvas.
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Where 'o Where did you get Anna's outfit? It's adorable!!!
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Wow, looks like you all had an incredibly creative and inspiring weekend. I might have to plan one of these. And the photos of you and Anna? Incredible. What a beautiful little girl, with eyes as stunning as her brother's...only blue! Would love to know where her little outfit comes from.
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Sweet pix of you and lil A!
Love that pix!
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So wonderful for the soul - nothing like great friends.
Anna is adorable, just like Simon - you guys make good babies.
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Keep the pics of Anna coming! What a sweetheart :) Just curious--do you/did you use a bumbo for Anna? I didn't with my boys (not even sure if it existed then), but was wondering if it would be good for my little girl. And one final note--so glad that having a little one doesn't stop the creativity from coming!
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Ali:
I love, love, love your canvas and how you are letting it "rest." The pictures of you and your daughter in golden hour light are glorious. And you are so right: we need friends with whom we can create and dream and play!
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glad you could get away for some fun and creativity:) Anna is so sweet as always!
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The photo of you and Anna is adorable !!
Sounds like a perfect gathering.
Wonderful times.
Bek xo
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I have a friend who lives in Oregon and says the same thing about how wonderful the Coast is. I plan to visit very soon, as I must experience this magic in person. You guys had one heck of a LoveBomb!
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i couldn't agree more. my husband and i recently moved to missouri from eugene and although we miss SO many things about home we miss the coast most. we spent 5 days in manzanita last week and all i could talk about was my dream of owning a house there someday. to spend time at the oregon coast creating with fabulous friends would be that much more amazing!!
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The coast is my favorite place in all the earth (as I know it). Such a blessing to spend time with like-minded friends and recharge your creative juices. Looks like Anna might be a dancer.
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How lucky you are to spend the weekend with such wonderful women and one beautiful little girl!!!
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We just got back from a vacation on the Oregon Coast. I almost cried when I came over the crest and saw the ocean for the first time...truly a place that feeds my soul (and that is just being there, I can't imagine what having a group of friends to be creative with on the Oregon Coast would be like!!)
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Ali...so much fun. That photo of Anna right below your canvas is gorgeous & would be great blown up on the canvas with some wings behind it & the word Angel. Loves...
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this is lovely!
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I love Manzanita! I love all the handmade signs for each family living on the block. So cool! Did you visit Salt & Paper? One of my favorite stores!
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The Oregon coast is definitely the best! Anna is adorable. I was wondering where you got her dress? It is fabulous!
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