Day 278 Me & My Mollies (you won't want to miss the movie at the end:)

My chosen theme for blog posts during the remainder of 2009 is that of 'being thankful'. The topic of gratitude in reference to the people in my life would not be complete without introducing you to the women who initiated me into the family of digital life.

Meet Mo Jackson. Mo is a digital artist extraordinaire and has a humorous and playful spirit that is the heart of who she is in the digital scrapbook community. I 'met' her in 2005 after long years of an unrequited desire to create digital art. I was not a photographer and had no experience in photoshop what-so-ever. By 2006 i desired to own a good camera for the sole purpose of having more pictures to choose from when creating digital art. 

 Mo hosts a small on-line community of digital scrap-bookers that has been dubbed 'Mo-Land'. She creates digital 'doo-dads' in her own unique style including beautiful papers and scanned items like vintage lace, ribbons and old photographs. The members  of Mo-Land then use those digital doo dads  to create digital scrapbook pages. I used her art in creating the images you see below.

Below you see an example of the kind of work i created for the moland community. As you can see i learned the subtle art of attaching my head to a younger, more fit, high-heeled body when needed for an  artistic creation. Each and every one of the items on the page all the way down to the staples and wallpaper was created digitally by Miss Mo. 

Part of what made the community experience so compelling was the feeling of family that formed within the boundaries of Mo-land'. We functioned like a little town. Mo was the mayor, and distributor of doo dads. Her cousin Jo was the resident trailer park queen who's adventures were a regular theme in many a scrapbook challenge. There was Queenie , Minnie Mo, Minnie Mo's Daddy, Tink and Coco and whole host of characters with unique and delightful personalities that formed the Mo Jackson on-line family.

Peggy who you see below was the Senate, Secretary of State and  House of Representatives all in one. She was the virtual 'President elect' who's role included organizing community activities, throwing birthday parties and giving out awards earned in the community for service and creativity. 

Judy is a prolific creator of fabulous art. In Mo-land a day never went by without her posting something for us all to enjoy. We continue to share jokes and stories via e-mail to this day. 

You have met Kelly  many times here on my blog. She has become one of my dearest friends over the years. Every time i travel to Chicago there is Kelly, driving out to see me and to spend time with Olivia. She always arrives bearing gifts and hugs and love. We have shared the love of photography and gone on photo outings together. I will be seeing Kelly again on Monday next week while i am in Chicago :) 

Tracy has is one the funniest people i know. She is smart, has a quick wit and will never leave a conversation without making you laugh out loud. I have loved Tracy from the very first time we 'met' in Mo-Land

There are many other wonderful women with whom i made friendships while living in Mo-Land. There's jan who is blogger of many years, loving to entertain her visitors with the antic of her Yorkies.  There is dear Rosa who is a long time blogger and who became an important guide and mentor to me as i entered into the new world of blogging two years ago.  

I will be forever grateful for the online kinship i have with these women. This is one of many stories i have to share about the grace of friendship. It is very exciting to realize that the experiences i describe in this post happened for me because i did something unexpected. I stepped out of my comfort zone and opened myself up for an unknown future. That future land of possibility is now my present life here with all of you! 

If you click on the link you will see a fabulously fun Slideshow of girlfriends. You'll want to turn on your volume in order to hear Frank Sinatra serenading you while watching.

love, robin

 

Comments

[JudyG]

oh my dearie, how did I miss seeing this. I am ever so thankful that you found your way to Moland and into my life. Your words of wisdom and your creativity never cease to both amaze and amuse me. I'm so thankful to be able to call you my friend.
xoxo
JudyG

[Rosa]

Robin, you never cease to amaze me. I've been MIA and am trying terribly hard to catch up. Wow. What I have missed. I love your Ode to Mo. I am so thankful I met you in Moland. No better place to meet such a fantastical person such as you. <3 I am loving your friends video. Again, beautiful, just like everything you touch with your talent.

[Toni]

Yeah, I want the body, BUT I really, REALLY want those shoes!! Looks and sounds like you've had tons of fun in Mo Land.

[Hubby]

You and your girlfriends are a wonderful example of Darwin's Theory of Evolution. I have seen you and your friends increase in confidence and skill as you adapted to new art forms. Everyone has advanced so much in their artistic vision and creation of beauty.

[Marilyn]

Thanks for sharing your friendships, they are so precious.

[kath]

Yes, I agree with Margie, how did you end up with that body? We are, of course, as only sisters can be, insanely jealous.

I love this post
xo
Kath

[margie]

all of this - fabulous. i love it and want to learn it. however, and i say however with great emphasis, why are you the only sister that got that body and why haven't you lent me those shoes. xoxo laughing hard. still.

[rhayne]

You have the most amazing circle of women around you Robin. And OOH LA LA!!! What a hot bod!!!!!
;)

[Charlotte]

I should have visited here before I sent you an email. Enjoy your visit with your daughter and her family. Maybe we can catch each other when you get back in town??

[Marcie]

It sounds like such a magical place and community. Online communities are a wonderful gift...such a wonderful way for like-minded creatives to connect. Thanks for sharing..

[pennyshilling]

Love your blog re Moland and the special frindships created there Robin. Sure miss you in Moland ...hope you come back for a visit real soon.
xxox Debbie

[elizabeth]

Thank you for sharing Mo-land.

I think I need that skill .. the one about attaching my head to a splendiferous body. It sounds awfully handy. Tee-hee.

[peggy]

I think creative souls just manage to find one another...maybe it's just instinctual that we gravitate to shared creative outlets. Whatever it may be, I know that I have met some of the most amazing and influencial women of my life through online creative persuits and I am most thankful for each and every one of them fore they have shaped the art and focus of so many of my endeavors. But most importantly they have been there for support and encouragement during the not so creative times of my life. Though miles may separate the body, the heart spans the miles. And in seconds we are there. We hear the voice, we see the smile, and deep inside we know. That friends remain a part of us always. We all adore you too Miss Robin. ;)

[Christa]

Love the blog post on Moland Robin.. you are certainly missed there!! I love seeing your layouts too. Your photography over the years is superb as well as your photoshop skills.. thanks for your delightful blog and hope to see you back in Moland soon.. XOXO Christa

[Leah]

That wasn't really you doing the housework?
What an inspirational group of woman, and how lucky we all are to have the ability to discover such special people.
Hope you have a fun time in Chicago :) Will miss you!

[Kelly]

It is such a joy to visit your blog and see all the wonderful things you have to say....and it's even better when you are saying some of those wonderful things about me!!! Thank heavens we found Moland and such a special friendship!!! Love you....see you Monday!
Kelly

[jeanie]

This is terrific. I musst link to some of these folks and check them out. I so love this world of Blog where we meet kindred spirits, learn new things and make great discoveries every day. Rosa (I think the same -- didn't click) is where I found you! The six degrees get smaller, don't they?

I need to learn how to do that head-on-skinny-body thing. Before Christmas. Well, maybe next year! Thinking of you and the great fun you'll cherish with those you love!

[Florence Muma]

Thanks for sharing Mo-land, I too feel very enriched by the friends I have met in the blog world. I also like your description of the "grace of friendship" that is a wonderful way to state some beautiful friendships that have been made over the years. Thank you and I thank you for your friendship and getting to know you. Hugs Florence