Join Me for a Final Cup of Coffee

Please Join Us

After 3 years in Kuwait, the time for me to leave is coming soon.  I am doing one more showing of my artwork before I leave for the summer.  Please join me & my friend Sylvette Moujaes, Product Development Manager of Press Designs, for a coffee & showing of our work on June 5 9am - 12pm in Salmyia.  Sylvette will have new stationary items in her Press Designs line.  I love her products - they make perfect gifts from Kuwait.  There are designs inspired by Kuwait & everything is made here in Kuwait by recycled/repurposed materials from their sister company.  

Press Designs

I'll have my vintage inspired jewelry, new mixed media canvases & limited edition photographs I have taken during my time here in Kuwait.  It's the first time I'll be selling my photographs in a public forum.  I'm wondering why it took me so long to have them printed in larger scale & matted.  I'm quite happy with the final product.

Nerissa Alford Designs

I hope you will join us on Tuesday for some coffee, finger foods & good company. 

It's Been Awhile...

but I've been keeping busy.  I've been running around like a crazy woman, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I took an art day & finished a few canvases.  These backgrounds have been waiting to be used.

We are on countdown mode for our time here in Kuwait.  It's been an amazing 3 years here - funny when we got the assignment all I could think of was "it's only 2 years - just get through it".  To say this assignment was life changing is no understatement.  My kids have experienced more than some do in a lifetime.  They will probably be some of the most well adjusted adults when they get older - heck, sometimes they handle things better than I do now.  My husband has gone above & beyond contributing to the mission here.  I am so proud of him!  Me, I've found many sides of me I didn't know existed.  I've had the chance to wear lots of hats here - some I've worn with more grace than others, but I'm grateful for the opportunity.

One of my favorite shots in Kuwait. This is a mosque tower taken at the Radisson. To me this photograph represents my time here in Kuwait.  It's titled Friendship.  

The hardest part of this life is having to say goodbye to friends.  I've made life long friendships & it will be hard knowing I won't just run into them at our next function.  Up next, a visit to the states for me & the mini-men then off to our next adventure in Turkey!

For those Wondering

I FINISHED and I've finished a 10k since then & I'm signed up for my next half marathon.  Yep, it's been too long since I've blogged. 

Set

Ready

in love with this shot - thank goodness for the iPhone - tunes & pics

Perfect run weather yesterday.

The course.  Quote: "It looks kinda long..."  Haha, it is 13.1 miles!

I had a perfect last long run yesterday.  I've been dealing with jet lag, so it hasn't been a problem getting up to go run.  I am lucky enough to call a few places home & yesterday I experience my childhood neighborhood with new eyes.  I was never a runner (well, okay I ran track in grade school, but it was much shorter distances).  It was a complete joy to run freely around the neighborhoods.  The knee has been feeling strong & I have a few good runs under my belt.  Hard to believe the race is 5 days away!

When You Wish...

upon a star

I cannot wait for our trip to the states.  While in Florida we'll be visiting that magical place & I'll hopefully be running my first half marathon.  I have patellar tendinits "jumper's knee" & hope it will heal in time to allow me to run.  Training for this marathon has been quite a journey for me.  Every weekend I completed a long run I would be so amazed that I did it.  I have not been a runner for quite some time (think grade school).   My short runs are 2-3 miles & I've run as far as 8 which is my personal best.  I can't believe that I'm a runner!

So for now, I'll sit & wait.  I've trained enough that I know I can finish 13.1 miles & finish in the allotted time.  It is so huge that I actually believe I can do it.  That Bus of Shame has been such a motivator to keep me training & hopefully it will be behind me.

New Year & a Clean Slate

Breathe, Love, Share Digital Journaling
Currently a student in Jessica Sprague & Nancie Rowe Janitz's Digital Art Journaling 

It's been forever & a day since I've posted.  I have a list a mile long of posts that I never got to.  I've decided to forgive myself & Let It Go!  Sometimes I wonder if blogging is the correct vehicle for me.  I spent so much time & energy on the minutia of protecting my work via digital editing - scaling the photos down, putting a watermark... Sometimes it took away the joy of posting & sharing.  Since we're so far away from loved ones, I posted all the time on FB, which also has potential issues, but still not to the extent of how often I'd love to share my work.  I guess I'm going to have to figure this out!

WIP Background in Traci Bautista's Doodles Unleashed Class
FYI, it's a FREE class & Traci is Awesome!
Acrylic paints, india ink on 8x10 canvas board

I am currently taking a few classes on-line.  I need to learn to pace myself.  There have been a few times I've gotten in a pickle & not finished a class.   Ha ha, something else to add to "the list" - I don't do resolutions, more goal setting if you will.  I stumbled upon Michelle Ward's current crusade - Make a Tada list.  I am so on that & hopefully it gets posted as another Jan blog post & not a few months down. 

I promise to not be a stranger on my own blog!

Happy New Year!  This was Kuwait on New Year's Day

Love & Lucky 13

I had a bizzar last week full up life's ups & downs.  I never posted this & I want to, so better late than never!

13 years ago I married the love of my life.  I always talk about fate & God & how we were meant to be.  After graduating from college I picked up & moved to Mobile, AL for a new job & life.  I didn't know a soul.  I even laugh now because the job I turned down was a buying job in Miami, FL.  Anyone who knew me back then would have pegged me for the Miami job.  But 13 years, 2 boys, 2 dogs 7 states & 2 countries later I love you as much now as I did when it all began.  Thanks to my hubby I never turned out to be a broke bitter single gal with a bunch of designer shoes chewed up by my untrained dog.  I love you sweetheart!

Join Us at the Trashion Show

Last year I attended this show as a judge, spectator & whatever else they needed me for.  I'm happy to say the 2nd annual Trashion Show will be tomorrow night at the Holiday Inn Salymia.  All proceeds benefit women in need here in Kuwait.

I'll be working with Trash to Treasure again this year as a photographer.  I have not had any sort of sneak peek of the work & cannot wait to see it.  My volunteer work has been more behind the scenes & unfortunately has been placed on the back burner of late date.  I hope to one day be as involved as I used to.

The pictures that follow are from last year's event.  The last photo is of my good friend Cheryl Spessert.  She was one of the visionaries that began Trash to Treasure.  She is no longer in Kuwait but she will be at  the event in spirit.  

Come out & see the show Tuesday November 1st at the Holiday Inn Salymia at 7pm.  Tickets are available at the door.