The Greek story of Eros and Psyche (heart and soul) written in 2nd Century AD is a complicated tale of love. It weaves together jealousy, deception, marriage, sacrifice, feats of strength and moments of weakness. The original beauty and the beast, in the end love triumphs and Psyche and her lover Eros (also known as Cupid) are united for all time. In this collage, I kept the classic palette of the sculpture and included a few of my photos reflecting the beauty of nature. It was one of the first pieces I did without text. Sometimes the power of the image is all you need. Just like love. This is the 3rd in a series of featured collages. View the 2nd. View the 1st.
Here’s a great way to make romance come to life. Create a visual representation using the time honored art of collage. You can do it on your own or invite friends to join you and make it a collage party. Supply the glue sticks, mat boards and magazines. Calendars, photos, book marks, greeting cards, ticket stubs … you name it and it can be re-purposed into your new work of art. It’s so interesting to see what the finished product will look like – sometimes it can surprise you and take a totally different turn. Be sure to date your collage and snap a photo of it for a keepsake. Put the finished artwork in a place of honor to inspire your dreams and to help you keep a festive heart. I’ll be featuring some favorite collages that I’ve created over the years. This one I call Bliss which demonstrates the soft, sweet, sparkling elements of authentic love. 
You don’t have to be a book lover to love these stories. Powell’s Books shared a sweet collection of real life romance experienced by their customers as told by the couples themselves. If you’ve ever been to The City of Books you’ll have an even better understanding of how love can bloom in this iconic bookstore filled with charm and funky character. 
It’s that time of year again. Every Valentine’s Day, Steve Smith, a favorite Portland tea blender, releases its signature 
I love getting holiday greetings from my couples. The love glows right through the envelope! It makes that special day snap right back in view along with all the smiles and sweetness of the occasion. Whether its newlyweds celebrating their first Christmas as husband and wife, or couples marking their fifth – it’s wonderful to be able to share in the love again. I’m also happy to see the tradition of snail mail greetings is alive and well. Keep those much appreciated cards coming all you lovely Mr. & Mrs’s. Note: Featured card just arrived from Nona and Jeromie Hunter. 
“Jane was a perfect officiant for our wedding! She helped figure out the little details of the ceremony. She exudes such a peaceful, loving, and joyful energy that made our ceremony perfect for us. Thank you again Jane! Love, Greta and Neil”
Marriage is all about blending. Ideals, perspectives, personalities, lifestyles … leaning into each other and complimenting each other’s unique attributes. And speaking of blending, I’ve always loved the idea of using special tea blends as wedding favors. It’s easy to create an attractive gift package to place at each setting or display in a “take one home” basket. Caution: Be sure to gift a tea that’s trusted and not from an import warehouse. 
A FESTIVE HEART 