My "Graduation" Gift - Creative Thursday

I came back weary from the exhibition (my work will continue to hang in the Gail Harker Creative Studies Studio throughout the summer)about ten days ago and found both these lovely flowers...


and an envelope from Mommy & Daddy. The Professor added his gift to this and this week's Creative Thursday was born. My dining room could be reclaimed from the studio...



a hide-away studio wall would replace the chaos in which we have lived for the two years of the course.
The first challenge was to empty the contents of the above room into the living room, the Professor's office, and hallway of our snug digs...



some of the pieces found new homes elsewhere, others were re-purposed...



the glass shelves were reconfigured into a lone tower...



and two trips to our closest IKEA location, across the border in Canada by the way, took place. I found a smokin' deal on some laundry storage and bought what I thought would be enough. HA! Always trying to "make do" cost me the second trip, a 3 1/2 hour fiasco in record heat without air conditioning to purchase two more units...which were sold out, so I quickly bought three of the smaller units and the necessary drawers. As counting has never been my strongest suit, I will have to make yet another IKEA run.
But I have recovered my dining table and will be able to have friends and family over soon...



once the drawers are purchased or at least the curtains made and hung.
I am terribly pleased with my handiwork and feeling like a "real artist" now. Thank you, Mom & Dad.



But mostly, thank YOU, Professor. Your patience with the disarray of the past couple of years, encouragement not to give up and unflagging your support got me through. Your example of re-creating yourself has been my standard. Thank you for your courage and your love.