A BIG CHANGE . . .

In mid-September, I sadly lost my sweetheart Doug to his six-year battle with cancer. We did everything we could to get more time for us, but finally that proved to be simply impossible. After a handful of days at Spokane's Hospice House surrounded by family and many friends who came to say good-bye, he peacefully left us all.

After he passed, there were endless details to sort out and take care of sooner than later, including beginning the healing of my seriously broken heart. We were so close.

Blessedly, everyone has been kind and caring, but a side-effect of this was that I had to cancel all scheduled art events. I was however, able to make sure all my local venues had waht they needed to take them into the Holidays.

BEGINNING AGAIN ~ I am slowly but surely finding a little more balance with each passing day, but at this point, the only "Meet & Greet" still on my schedule is the mid-December Holiday luncheon / Marketplace at Manito CC. on the South Hill.

PRIVATE ~ This is PENDING at this time, but if you are a club member or a guest, I may see you there. More information is below on this page.

 

FALL INTO WINTER ~ God bless my sisters, Sally Mom and a handful of my sweet girlfriends, some pictured here (above). Sis Peggy and her husband Jeff hosted me and Sally Mom for Thanksgiving at their lodge Hayden Lake ~ such a gorgeous peaceful getaway and so kind of them. Blessedly, I have found that creating artwork has been good therapy, as it has always brought me joy. On Thanksgiving, I brought a handful of NEW art cards as hostess gifts for my mom and sister. Find these in some of the shops listed below.

• NEW • "Winter Magic at the Glover Mansion"
• NEW • "September at Shadle Park High ('60s & '70s)"
• NEW • "Walking to Woodrow Wilson School ('50s)"
• NEW • "Autumn Brilliance at Arbor Crest"

• IN-THE-WORKS • "Mary's House on The South Hill"
• IN-THE-WORKS • "Heavenly Holes-in-One"

 

IN-PERSON EVENT MAILINGS ~ Even though I'm working on a handful of commissions and art gifts for friends, there've been some huge challenges since Doug passed in September. I'm doing my best to make my way through these with help from friends and family. I am so grateful. With time, my balance will get better, and I'll feel stronger and more like myself. However, mailings are largely on-hold until next year and I've cancelled most public "Meet & Greets."

NEW ART ITEMS ~ Please look for a higher presence next year as I hope to be creating well into the future. Healing will happen and I am putting one foot in front of the other. Find NEW cards and my 2024 30th Anniversary Calendars at the locations shared below. I'm also doing some commissions, so please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Next year will bring several NEW jigsaw puzzles, so look for those once the snow melts in early Spring.

VIP LIST & YOUR PRIVACY ~ Eventually VIP (Very Important Patron) postcards will come your way via U.S.P.S. or onlilne. To be on the list, please contact me at 206.406.1409 (talk or text). NOTE: I only send a couple postcards per year. Also, your privacy is very important to me. I never share your personal information and your name will not go on a mailing list.

Visit my ORDERING page for all the details on items available on this website.

 

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH! ~ HOLIDAY "MEET & GREET" MARKETPLACE / LUNCHEON (PRIVATE)

• LOCATION • Interior of Manito CC Clubhosue on Hatch Road, Spokane's South Hill
• ABOUT THE EVENT • Holiday Marketplace Event celebrating the work of local fine artists, crafters and more at Manito CC
• DATE AND TIME • Wednesday, December 12th from 10:00 a.m. on
• PRESENTED BY • Manito Country Club • Special Events (ManitoCC.com) ~ also on Facebook • 509.927.9894
• FEATURING • Fine arts and crafts at the Annual Holiday Luncheon for members and guests
• UNVEILING • NEW "WINTER MAGIC AT THE GLOVER MANSION"
• MY AMERICANA FINE ART • Spokane & Inland NW framed artwork including Holiday, print / card gift packs,art cards for all seasons including a rack of golf-themed Christmas ones, a limited group of puzzles ~ and more.
• PRIVATE ~ MEMBERS / GUESTS ONLY • This special Holiday event hosted for its members by a private country club

 

THANK YOU to all who made this 2023 "Meet & Greet" (the only event I was able to do in 2023) so welcoming and successful after all the challengings that came with the loss of my sweet Doug in September. Doing this annual event was a true a leap of faith ~ and a highlight of my Holiday Season!

 

 

 

 

ACE HARDWARE ON SOUTH MONROE STREET & 9TH AVENUE

• ADDRESS • 906 South Monroe Street, The Lower South Hill, Spokane, WA 99204
• PHONE NUMBER / WEBSITE • 509.624.7711 and AceHardware.com ~ See the website for dates and times of operation
• OPERATED BY • Ace Hardware • Justin Sexton (Store Manager), Stace and Arlene Heston (Owners)
• MY AMERICANA FINE ART • Card rack with 90 different art card images that revolve with the seasons (Landmarks, Historic homes, Schools, Churches, Parks, Kids, Pets ~ and more), magnets, NEW 30th Anniversary Edition Spokane 2024 Calendars in 3 editions (Landmarks, Schools and Parks), NEW collage-style jigsaw puzzles, magnets and more
• SEASON FEATURED • FALL INTO WINTER (+ HOLIDAY)
• ABOUT THE SETTING • This setting (once Jones Drugs where my sis Peggy worked in the 1970s), has been the place for DIY-ers for decades on the South Hill. It has everything, including friendly, helpful associates. When Doug and I renovated our 1937 Craftsman on our return to Spokane in 2011, we were here nearly every week until our 8-month+ project was finished. Even though we moved to Moran Prairie in 2020, they're still our "go-to" hardware store. Highlight ~ When the ACE team discovered I was an award-winning artist with 250+ Inland NW (Spokane) images in my collection, they've been my best customer for over 10 years, offering the largest collection of my artwork items in Spokane. Thank you, ACE!

 

THE FRIENDLY UPS STORE ON 29TH AVENUE & SE BLVD IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS

• ADDRESS • 2525 East 29th Avenue, Suite 19B, The Upper South Hill, Spokane, WA 99223
• PHONE NUMBER / WEBSITE • 509.624.7711 and Store1296@theUPSStore.com ~ See the website for dates and times of operation
• OPERATED BY • The UPS Store • Jim Robinson (Manager and Owner)
• MY AMERICANAN FINE ART • A card rack with over a dozen of art images that revolve with the season (Landmarks, Historic homes, Schools, Churches, Parks, Kids, Pets ~ and more) and NEW 30th Anniversary Edition Spokane 2024 Calendars in 3 editions (Landmarks, Schools and Parks)
• SEASONS FEATURED • FALL INTO WINTER (+ HOLIDAY)
• ABOUT THE SETTING • This UPS Store does a BIG job in its small corner location by Safeway. In addition to handling dozens of tasks for small businesses in Lincoln Heights, the team does a magnificent job of creating fine canvas reproductions. They are my "go to" place for high end prints that look very much like the originals they're created from ~ perfect for clients who want the look of original art at a moderate price.

 

RIVERFRONT PARK'S CAROUSEL SHOP & THE ICE RIBBON ENTRANCE

• ADDRESS • 507 North Howard Street, Riverfront Park in Downtown Spokane, WA 99201
• PHONE NUMBER / WEBSITE • 509.625.6600 and My.SpokaneCity.org/parks ~ See the website for dates and times of operation
• OPERATED BY • Spokane Parks and Recreation • Cheryl Sieveke (Manager of both retail areas)
• MY AMERICANA FINE ART • Two card racks ~ one at each location with dozens of art images that revolve with the seasons (Landmarks, Historic homes, Schools, Churches, Parks, Kids, Pets ~ and more)
• SEASONS FEATURED • FALL INTO WINTER (+ HOLIDAY)
• ABOUT THE SETTINGS • The glittering carousel is one of the main and oldest functioning attractions in Spokane's Downtown District. Operating for years at Natatorium Park, it reopend on the end of EXPO '74. Closed again briefly during COVID, it's open again so both locals and visitor can enjoy it ~ especially families. Riders can still grab a brass ring! Near the carousel is the entrance to Riverfront Park's unique ice ribbon, one of only two on this side of the Mississippi. Skating is a year-round activity as roller skates take over ice skates in the warmer months.

 

THE GIFT SHOP AT THE NORTHWEST MUSEUM OF ARTS AND CULTURE

• ADDRESS • 2316 West First Avenue, Browne's Addition, Spokane, WA 99201
• PHONE NUMBER / WEBSITE • 509.456.3931 and Northwestmuseum.org ~ See the website for dates and times of operation
• OPERATED BY • The MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts and Cuture)
• MY FINE ART • An assortment of Inland NW (Spokane) card images including over a dozen of the Campbell House' interior and exterior ~ NOTE: Since 1997, I've had a diverse selection of fine art items in the museum's gift shop ~ 24+ years of working with the MAC group.
• SEASONS FEATURED • FALL INTO WINTER (+ HOLIDAY)
• ABOUT THE SETTING • One of the most revered settings at The MAC is the restored Amasa Campbell House. The Tudor-Revival mansion was donated by daughter Helen Campbell Powell to house the Cheney-Cowles Museum after the death of her mother Grace Campbell. Although nearly finished, some final work on the guest rooms' wallpaper is in progress at this time to honor its 125th birthday. Visit the museum's website for details on this year's activities. Read about the wallpaper project in the Spokane Preservation Advocates July 2023 Newsletter UPDATE found on my WELCOME and BIOGRAPHY pages.

 

FAMOUS ACTOR / CROONER BING CROSBY'S CHILDHOOD HOME, NOW A MUSEUM SHOWCASING HIS MEMORABILIA

COMING DECEMBER 9TH • SEE BELOW! THE BING CROSBY FILM FESTITVAL, BING CROSBY

• ADDRESS • 508 East Sharp, The Logan Neighborhood, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA 99202
• PHONE NUMBER / WEBSITES • 509.313.3064 (Questions), 509.313.3847 (Volunteer Opportunities) • Websites SearchGuidesGonzaga.edu website for dates and times of operation, BingCrosbyAdvocates.org for details about the museum and to volunteer
• ADMISSION • Free of charge to the public with complimentary parking behind the Crosby House
• CURATOR / ARCHIVIST • The Bing Crosby Advocates and Stephanie Plowman • Curator Crosby House Museum and Archivist, Foley Library
• MY AMERICANA FINE ART • "BING CROSBY CRAFTSMAN" ~ Fine art cards of a Winter portrait of the Crosby House with history on the back
• ABOUT THE SETTING • Bing's dad and his two uncles built the house on Sharp in 1911 where it's remained for over 100 years. The first floor houses 200+ items in the Bing Crosby Collection, including his Oscar for "Going My Way." This is a "must see" for folks who not only love Bing's contribution to entertainment, but also appreciate how much Gonzaga meant to him. Highlight ~ In 1937, my dad, Joe Simpson, and nine other Gonzaga Pep Band musicians were invited to visit Bing for a week in Hollywood to see if any were interested in big time entertainment. My dad chose to finish college and law school, teaching night classes at the law school after WWII, but spending this magical time with Bing was the thrill of a lifetime for him!

 

BING CROSBY FILM FESTIVAL AT "THE BING" IN SPOKANE'S DOWNTOWN DISTRICT • ALL DAY, DECEMBER 9TH

AN ANNUAL DECEMBER CELEBRATION ~ With Spokane's most famous son at the 2023 Bing Crosby Holiday Film Festival, Saturday, December 9th at the Bing Crosby Theater, 901 Sprague Avenue, in Spokane's Downtown District.

Featured were two screenings of Bing Crosby's hit musical "White Christmas" and a special presentation of movies from Bing's own private collection by Robert Bader, curator of the Bing Crosby Archive.

Bing Crosby Advocates hosted this day-long yuletide tribute, which will also included a screening and commentary of Bing's 1941 musical "Birth of the Blues" and live performances by The Zonky Jazz Band and The Big Bing Theory, G.U.'S a cappella group.

For more information on Bing Crosby's legacy, please visit BingCrosbyAdvocates.org.

 

 

 

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