A few holiday decor photos, my 12 days of Christmas Socks Challenge, gifts from family, and a blanket I finally finished. Also, I baked a Strawberry Sour Cream Pound Cake.
Mini Holiday Photos & What Not
Category: Creative Confetti
Poem: On the Verge
I am exhausted from being a daughter, a mother, a teacher, a preacher, a sister, a friend, a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear
A sounding board, a punching bag, a punchline, a woman, a black woman, an adult, a spiritual being having a human experience, can you hear?
I don’t care what you need from me, I don’t have it to give
Take your blame, take your shame, take my name out of your mouth
I could care less than a damn what you are talking about
Is that harsh? And so are your demands on my time and my mind
I have lost myself and the rage is making me blind
I am on the verge of depression
Miles from a much-needed therapy session
I’m having thoughts about wishing I never existed
Thoughts of why I ever enlisted
To come to this place called earth
Whose idea was it for a rebirth?
I’d scream my head off if I didn’t need it
But I’ll just say I am fine and you’ll believe it
Because nothing can ever be wrong with me
As if you are the only one that needs to be free
Free from responsibility and tasks and drama and reality
I am going to escape this place and dive into fantasy
I’m packing my bags. DO NOT DISTURB. DO NOT WAIT until I get back
Solve it or seek a professional as a matter of fact
I’m on the verge, the verge of change and evolution
I am on the hinge of a permanent solution
I’m going to cry a river and set sail
Inhale, exhale, and wail
by Nicole Jackson
Christmas Cheer
Busy Bee
I’ve been pretty busy. I crochet and it’s that season of festivals and holidays. I wanted to check in and show you some of my work. I hope all is well with you! I had a show last week and it was a success. I have a show this week and I believe it will be a success as well.
~Nikki
Women History Month: Alma Thomas
Alma Woodsey Thomas was an American artist and educator whose distinctive color field paintings recall the techniques of Pointillism and Abstract Expressionism while representing an altogether independent artistic vision and body of work. The Georgia native spent most of her life in Washington D.C., where she taught art at Shaw Junior High School for 35 years. Thomas was actively involved in the local arts community, and become associated with the Washington Color School. Thomas powerfully refused to accept discriminatory labels and restrictions on her work and herself. Although she chose to let her art carry its own message, Thomas was nonetheless a groundbreaking and influential figure, and at the age of 80, she became the first African-American woman featured in a solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1972.
Source: artsy.net/artist/alma-thomas
Whatever Wednesday: Lost and Found in The New House
I forgot to post yesterday so here is my Whatever Wednesday. You never know what you are going to get when the house you move into is like a box of chocolates. While there were things that were left here for me by the previous owner, that was and is a friend of the family, there were things simply not taken. They didn’t need them and didn’t want them. So here are some of the things I found.
A compact turntable/speaker and stereo with a record player. It actually works! However, the compact turntable/speaker does not work.
Many cooks will agree the glass pots from back in the day are some of the best pots to have. I found dessert dishes and a vintage serving tray that I use daily! I also left was the soup and tray set. It is lovely and I can’t wait to use it.
I also found slides of amazing vacations to places like Morocco, Mexico, all sorts of overseas tours and places here in the United States. There were old photos and letters. I hope to find some family that may want the photos and slides so I boxed them and put them away. I just couldn’t toss those. The mother and sisters that lived here were the best neighbors one could have. Actually, mostly everyone that lived and live on this block are amazing neighbors. I think the two sisters left were actually half sisters. Things are more complicated than I am willing to share and some matters are private and shall remain that way. So, I will keep these photos in hopes to find a family member that want them.
~Nikki
Art on Mondays: Inside the Mind of an Abstract Artist
I have decided to start something I hope I can keep up and that is Art on Mondays. I will post a photo of my art and a link explaining the what it means to me. I will talk about the creation of the art, what I was thinking, feeling, or listening to keeping it under 5 minutes! I won’t post every Monday but, I hope to post at least twice a month.
Here is the link to this piece of work. Just click and the link will pop up! Enjoy!
~Nikki
A Little Fall Decor On A Dime
When I decorate for Fall or any season, it’s usually something I got on clearance last year for the following year, something I already have and things around the house moved from other rooms. I also set a limit on what I am going to buy, if at all, anything during the actual season. My splurge this year were the black and white pumpkins. I also frequent the Dollar Tree and other dollar stores. So, here we are this year with my fall decorations on a dime.
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I did some black , white, and gray in my den area. I thought it was interesting to have those colors for fall. My center piece below, is a mixture of things around the house and ribbon from Dollar Tree. The clear and metal piece is actually a necklace! The wood block is from the At Home Store and was $4. I added a splash of color here.
This is just a tray I actually use
with a candle, another wood
block from last year and
a cute shoe ring holder given
to me as a souvenir. I kept it
simple because I use this tray!
In the downstairs bathroom I added more color using Dollar Tree and Target pumpkins, flower picks from Tuesday Morning, and artwork I’ve had for a decade stored in the closet.
Finally, this fall decor below is on my patio near the entrance. You actually enter my condo from the patio do it’s the place of most traffic.
I’m happy to say I kept it simple and creative!
~Nikki
DIY with What You Have Spring/Summer Wreath
A bamboo wreath from Dollar Tree, which I already had.
Leftover twine and tweed-like ribbon from a “cowboys & girls” themed party, tape, butterfly ornament and flowers picked up on an essential run to Dollar Tree.
I tied three pieces of twine together like a long rope and wrapped it around the wreath, then securing both ends with tape. I did the same with the other twine ribbon.
The bamboo wreath has slithers of space and after I cut the flowers I stuck them in those spaces. It took some maneuvering and rearranging them to get the look I wanted. It took about an hour and a half to finish. As usual, it may not take you as long. My hands were a mildly achy during this task. However, I was determined to finish. I try to make my spring wreath one that can be used throughout summer. It saves on money, time, and work.
~Nikki
Last Friday Confetti: Gerald Chukwuma Art & Single In Memphis
The amazingly, creative, mind blowing artwork of Gerald Chukwuma is on display in my city, Memphis, TN. at Art Village Gallery. The show was entitled Out of Africa: The Art of Fashion and was put on by the creative being, Khalifa Kofi. There was a fashion show, a live body art painting, and artwork on display. I cannot wait until she puts on more shows and to see the rest of what she has in store for us.
Ephraim Urevbum, is an artist and owner of ART VILLAGE GALLERY. We met her last Friday night and what a beautiful being! I can’t wait to bring my daughter to the gallery. As most of you know, both of us are artists.
After the show, a friend and I walked across the street to Spindini’s for dinner. We didn’t know they had a live band that was playing some of the smooth jazz classics. The lady that was singing had a beautiful voice. I ordered the B.B. Queen cocktail and got the pizza I was craving. As two single ladies in Memphis, there was plenty to chat about. But, also plenty of other things to laugh about! There is plenty to do in Memphis and it’s time we all broaden our horizons and enjoy it.
~Nikki
Nikki's Confetti Life 