iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

A few more collages for #ATCAugust from Mini Collage Collective. #artsky #collage

A collage of random scraps of paper with different patterns and colors arranged like patchwork.

A collage of a woman in a voting booth surrounded by words representing current issues facing voters in shades of ted, white and blue.

A collage of an arctic sea along with an iceberg in the background a turquoise blue burd diving straight into the water like a torpedo.

A collage patchwork of the number 8 of diamonds made up of two different competing colors of orange and light blue. The diamond cutouts are pasted on top of the card with a small effort.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Here are a few of my mini collages from the August Artist Trading Cards challenge from Mini Collage Collective. Each is on a 2.3 x 3.5 playing card and is based on a daily theme. See my IG for more art. #artsky #collage 1. Divide 2. Pattern 3. Untamed 4. Pause 5. Elsewhere 6. Hidden 7. Ordinary

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Third @writingbattle.bsky.social in the books! I've done 6 microfiction writing competitions so far, and while there are no prizes (yet), I'm getting much more creative and quick. I'm also a cutthroat editor. I look forward to sharing my work here soon. #writingcommunity

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Here's a brief intro and my little story for the inaugural @whimsyfiction.bsky.social competition. Enjoy! #writingcommunity

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Fun with mini minimalist collages! All on handmade paper. SWAMP, FRESH, Wild Side, Wild Art. #collage #artsky

A toad perched on the word swamp with a crown of white flowers on its head set on a gray paper background with torn edges.

A black pear with a tiny stem and illustrated white leaf overlaid with strips of lime green, electric blue, hot pink and white alongside the word fresh in pink letters set on gray paper background with torn edges.

An illustrated bird with a fat body, long legs and bug eyes facing left over a green background of a treeline with the moon shining over it and a block of mixed font and color text that says Take a Walk on the Wild Side above it on a light gray paper background with torn edges.

A red flower in the middle of a gray paper background with torn edges overlaid with a brightly colored bird perched on a white branch with the words wilr art placed on the side and top of the image.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

I somehow entered myself in 2 writing contests this past weekend. I feel so accomplished! I hope I did well. #writingcommunity #writingbattle #24hrshortstorycontest

A graphic acknowledging submission in a 100 word writing battle microfiction contest.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Self-portrait | Mixed media on paper | 12in x 18in Making this collage was part therapy and part indulgent nostalgia. No matter who this girl was at every stage of her life, I love her. I wouldn't be here today without her. #collageart

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Latest creation. Feeling adventurous and passionate about my future. #collage #artsky

A collage based on the color orange featuring worldly images of Egypt, Africa, Asia and a sense of travel and adventure. The top left has the words Great Escapes, the top right says What's You Calling, and the bottom says Wonder And Wander.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

This is maybe my favorite creation to date. It came out so much better than I even imagined. Collage is the outlet my brain needed that I didn't know I was missing. I wish I had discovered it sooner. #collage #artsky

A collage of a lake at sunset with a peach sky featuring a puffy white cloud over the black silhouette of a tree line. A butterfly hovers in the cloud, which is drifting behind a lighthouse made of books and featuring the word Adventure. In the lake are two fish jumping along a rocky shore.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

New #collage today. This one actually took me a few days. I don't want to say too much because art is open for interpretation, but it definitely has something to do with my disdain for the #patriarchy. #artsky

An abstract collage featuring women's faces looking in through a window at a woman sitting between two men with red eyes amongst a cityscape. The collage has a heading of Dreamers: An American Journey, and the sitting woman's eyes are covered with the words The Sound of Silence. The words The Mam are underneath them and a snake is weaving its way through the skyline.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

I'm obsessed with collage. I've always struggled to adequately describe the vividness of my thoughts, but then I discovered the magic of collage art. I feel like I'm looking at photographs of the inside of my head when I make them. I build them on vibes and emotions. It's deeply satisfying. #artsky

A collage of images in red with various words and phrases pasted over them.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Today's writing exercise was a practice in gratitude ending in writing a poem. I'm not a poet, but I don't think this is too bad. This mini writing retreat is amazing. I feel inspired again and have tools to help me write more and better. Feeling grateful. #writingcommunity #poetry #gratitude

A poem titled Grateful
Today I cannot see beyond the darkness of the world.
It closes in around me, but I'm the distance, there's a light.
I strain to see what shines so bright and cuts through the blackness.
It is love. It is beauty.
Echoes of heartbeats saved just for me ring out like church bells.
The warmth of arms holding tight and cozy blankets and hot, nourishing meals surrounds me.
I see the places I've been, near and far, like beacons guiding me through the storm.
I feel the emotional weight of a masterpiece filling my head and my soul.
In these hopeless moments, I find my solace in being grateful.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

In January, I signed up for a free online writing retreat. I finally decided to start it because I need inspiration to get my writing flowing again, so today I did the first exercise - GREEN. The prompt was "Last night I dreamt of a forest," and I had 10 minutes. Pardon the errors. #writingcommunity

Written text that says, "Last night I dreamt of a forest. It was dark, but not like night - shadowed by the towering trees choking out the sun. The ground was soft from the previous night's rain, soaking the dried leaves and needles. I was glad I wore boots because the spongy earth caked them with mud in the bare spots. I could hear rustling in the branches as a gust of wind caused me a chill. My jacket wasn't warm enough for the cool damp air in these woods. I wasn't sure where I was going or what I was looking for, so I took my time feeling the forest and noticing every tiny detail. There was thick, soft moss growing on the rough bark of a tall tree. A fallen trunk was home to tiny mushrooms and assorted insects. I narrowly missed walking through a spider web as I ducked between a narrow gap in the trees. The forest became close, as if the trees were gathering around me. The previously chilly air was now warming. My too light jacket was now too heavy. My boots, covered in mud over the..."

Written text that says, "...toes were weighing me down. Despite the feeling of being closed in, I chose not to panic. I took as deep a breath as I could manage and felt the green of the woods fill my lungs. I was swallowed by the earth and became a pile of moss."

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

EAT, PRAY, LOVE x DARK MATTER Did 46yo Evelyn make the wrong choice 20 years ago? She discovers a way to find out, but is that life really better, who's going to get hurt on her journey of self-discovery & how far is she willing to go to get what she really wants? #bluepit📖 #A #SP #W #thriller

A collage with a pale blue background featuring pictures of the Eiffel Tower, the Rodin statue of The Thinker, a scrap of paper with handwriting saying, "how far would you go?", a dark street lit only by two street lamps, a shard of mirror with a forlorn woman's face in it, the back of a woman standing in the middle of a winter road, the Cloud Gate sculpture in Chicago, two hands grasping one hand in a forceful and supportive way, and typed text that says, "The hardest thing about the road not taken is that you never know where it might have led," attributed to Lisa Wingate. The time of the image is dark and a bit sad.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Post something beautiful to combat the awful. #GrandMarais

An orange sunset and sea smoke on Lake Superior in Grand Marais, MN

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

I created my first vision board tonight, and it is an incredibly accurate image of my inner life and my hopes and dreams. I made it at a local wallpaper shop as part of a new year, new beginnings book event with other women in my community. #visionboard

A vision board collage featuring a background of different swatches of wallpaper with bold patterns and many quotes and words cut out of magazines.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

This mood board is very different from what I would have created a year ago. I've gotten a lot of clarity about my story in the past year. This is how I want my readers to feel. #BluePitHype #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

A collage featuring pictures of the Eiffel Tower, the Thinker in the garden at the Rodin Museum, a dark street with two streetlights, a woman's hand holding a shard of mirror with reflection of part of a sad woman's face, the back of a woman standing in a winter street, the Cloud Gate (the Bean) sculpture in Chicago reflecting on wet ground, and one hand being grasped by two hands. There's a torn bit of paper on the top right with handwriting text saying, "how far would you go?" and typewriter text on the bottom right that says, "The hardest thing about the road not taken is that you never know where it might have led." By Lisa Wingate. The whole image is in a muted blue green with some photos in black and white.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

We are insignificant specks in a vast and mysterious universe. And yet we're significant enough to be here - earthlings hurtling through space on this giant rock. How are we honoring the privilege of being? I choose meaning through creation and service. #northwoods #darksky #stars #existentialism

A picture of the night sky with thousands of stars above a line of winter trees.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Four Christmas movies to know me by...

The cover for the movie A Christmas Carol starring Alistair Sim. The background is gold and the movie title is in large white letters over a picture of Scrooge dressed in a top hat, red scarf and green coat holding Tiny Tim on his shoulder, who is dressed in a blue jacket and pants with a red scarf and cap.

The cover of the movie It's a Wonderful Life. The background is blue with the title in large white and gold letters over the picture of a family. The tall, thin father has brown hair and is in the middle looking down at his wife, who is hugging him. She has an angelic face and is looking up at him smiling. He has a little blonde girl hanging on his shoulders, a little blonde boy under his arm and a little brunette girl smiling up at him.

The cover of the movie While You Were Sleeping featuring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. The background is the L platform in Chicago with a train coming. A blonde man wearing a blue shirt and jeans is lifting up a smiling brunette woman wearing a white top and brown skirt.

The cover of the movie Scrooged starring Bill Murray. A skeleton hand in a Santa sleeve holding mistletoe is coming from the top hanging over the word Scrooged in red letters. A man with a huge open mouth smile, crazy eyes and spiky brown hair is holding a lit cigar and wearing a green bowtie with red stripes.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

I just finished reading an amazing book. For anyone who loves rocks, science and philosophy, like me, I highly recommend reading Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks by Marcia Bjornerud. Beautifully written. #booksky #geology share.google/zuhov73PtM3C...

A book cover with a white background and the title Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks by Marcia Bjornerud with a column of rock shaped images in differing colors and textures.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

As long as the House is back in session, Democrats need to push for swearing in Adelita Grijalva and vote to release the #EpsteinFiles. #Congress #shutdown

A black box with blocks of yellow that says The House is Reconvening. Swear in Adelita Grijalva. Release the Epstein Files. Contact your representative today.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Got back yesterday from 11 days in #paris and am so grateful for this experience. I went through a lot of emotions and self-discovery on this trip, and I wasn't ready to leave. Recovering today from walking 73 miles and over 110k steps. Can't wait for my next adventure!

The word Paris in giant neon pink block letters next to a large cut out of a heart with a reflection showing on wet ground at night on the roof of the Montparnasse Tower

The grand staircase in the Palais Garnier opera house featuring a high ceiling with a central skylight surrounded by an elaborate painted mural over a gallery of wide white stairs, ornate bannisters, chandeliers and carved stone arches. Tourists are scattered on the stairs.

A vaulted Gothic ceiling of a church with golden arches, chandeliers and walls filled with stained glass. Tourists are scattered around the room.

The Thinker by Rodin is a bronze statue on a high stone pedestal in a garden surrounded by pruned evergreen shrubs and backlit by the setting sun with orange hues shining through trees.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

This is day 9 of my 11 day solo trip, and I'm a little lonely. As a super extrovert, it's hard being alone for so long and not sharing some special moments. Today I'm at the Eiffel Tower, and there will never be a time when I'm not awestruck by its beauty. #paris #eiffeltower

A woman with short brown hair and black rimmed glasses smiling with the Eiffel Tower at night lit up in the background.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Since it's #Halloween I thought I'd share some pictures from the Catacombs I took this week. This is a must see attraction for anyone interested in history and the macabre.

A wall of bones and skulls with the skulls making an arch pattern with a cross in the middle.

A wall of bones and skulls with the skulls and bones configured in a layered horizontal pattern.

A barrel shaped column of bones and skulls arranged in a horizontal, alternating pattern.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Off on my next adventure! I left my heart in #Paris on my last trip, so in a way, I'm going home.

A collage that says "If I don't come home from Paris..." with an image of a woman in black riding a scooter, half the Mona Lisa's face, several jeweled crowns and the Louve.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

I saw an incredible new musical last night - Revolution(s). Book by Zayd Ayers Dohrn, music & lyrics by the great @tommorelloofficial.bsky.social The last time I felt this way leaving a musical, it was RENT in 1997. I sobbed through the whole second half. If you're in #Chicago, see it. Link below.

A picture of a lit match on a white background with the The Goodman 100 and Revolution(s) printed around it and a yellow box with the word Playbill in the lower right corner.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

I ran a 5k for the first time this weekend and survived! Up until a month ago, I had never run for more than the bus. It was 85 degrees on Oct 4th, and I'd never run outside, so I had to walk 2/3 of it, but I finished in the middle of all participants. It's never too late to try new things.

A screen shot of a participant's 5k race stats showing a chip time of 46:12, gun time of 46:29, pace of 14:54, overall placement of 162 out of 298 and placement in the females age 40-49 of 35 out of 64.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

For anyone who doesn't know, #Chicago is a beautiful city filled with talented, warm and passionate people. It's not perfect, but it's most definitely not a hellscape in need of military intervention. We don't want or need the dickwad in charge to send troops here and terrorize us. Leave us alone!

People marching towards trump tower in Chicago on a sunny day with someone giving the middle finger to the building.

A ferris wheel lit in neon purple along a backdrop of a city skyline at night.

The skyline of Chicago lit up at night with a field of wild grass in the front.

People marching down Michigan Ave in Chicago carrying signs with an American flag off to the left.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

I visited a new exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago this evening, called After the Age of Dinosaurs about the rebirth of the earth after an asteroid destroyed nearly all life, including the dinosaurs. This and other pieces were created for this exhibit by Chicago based artist Jay Ryan.

An illustration of a blue-green river and lush forest scene featuring animals of the water, air and land amidst plants and clouds.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

I finally saw The Warning in concert last night, and it was a dream come true! This is one of the most talented bands I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot. I can't wait to see them again! #thewarningarmy

A concert stage lit with blue and green spotlights featuring a giant banner that says The Warning and 3 women playing rock music in front of a crowd.

A young woman with brown hair wearing a silver tank top playing a base guitar on stage while lit with red light.

A young woman with red hair wearing a black tank top playing the drums on stage.

A young blonde woman wearing a white tank top playing a lime green guitar and singing at a microphone as she looks off to the left.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Day 3 with this pestilence, and it's awful. This is what I get for having too much fun in a crowd over the weekend. Stay safe and wash your hands. Maybe still mask up sometimes. #covid

A black background with white and gray letters that says Covid still sucks in all caps.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

I bought this book that came in a kit with materials to do a couple of the projects. However, I selected my own colors and added in the outline stitching. You can see in the picture from the book what their version looks like. I've had to edit the colors in most of the patterns in this book.

The cover of a book that is yellow with a white banner at the top that says cross stitch creations and a red banner below it that says fine art with a subheading that says 12 patterns from the world's finest masters. There's a picture of a cross stitch loom with a giant wave and the authors' names at the bottom saying Josh Lohman and Rhys Turton.

A page in a book that is a light blue background with a banner at the top that says Project 12 The Great Wave Off Kanagawa followed by a picture of a cross stitch of this work of art that's a giant wave in the ocean and a box at the bottom of the page that says artist: Katsushika Hokusai, pattern by: Lord Libidan, stitched by: Sherona Bauckham.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Reading Turning to Stone by Marcia Bjornerud and came across this profound gem. In a time where we're on the verge of social cataclysm daily, I find it comforting to know that the Earth has its own plans for destruction and rebirth that have nothing to do with us. #booksky #rocks #cataclysm #rocks

A passage of text from the book Turning to Stone with a sentence highlighted in green that says, "In other words, to be an Earthling means learning to live with the inevitability of cataclysm."

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

After three years of working on this sporadically, I finally finished it! #crossstitch #thegreatwave

Cross stitch art of a giant blue wave crested with white foam over a peach colored boat being tossed on the water. It's an interpretation of The Great Wave Off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

I spent the past week in this little paradise, #GrandMarais, MN, and now I have to go back to my life. I came home to a real shit show on every front, and the peace I experienced on this trip was annihilated. Why can't my artistic interests come with a living wage and health insurance?

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Quote with your favorite villain. I couldn't decide

A middle aged white man with reddish hair wearing a tan shirt and brown jacket smiling in a room with blue curtains and a punching bag in the background. Mayor Wilkins from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

A close up of a middle aged white man with reddish hair wearing a black jacket and staring slightly to the left with a serious look. David Robert Jones from Fringe.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

#ValKilmer was my first great love. I saw him for the first time in Willow at the age of 11. I spent the next 11 years of my life worshipping him, idolizing him. It was only when I met my first "real life" love that my obsession diminished, but he always held a place in my heart. Thank you Val. 💔

A movie still of Val Kilmer in Willow with long dark hair wearing a golden suit of armor and holding a sword in front of a stone archway. One of the most handsome men in the world.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

I made this in January after visiting the Field Museum's exhibit on cats where you could make your own angry cat meme.

A woman with short brown hair and glasses wearing an orange sweater is looking angrily right and pointing at a picture of an angry white cat sitting at a dining table with a plate of vegetables in front of it and someone's hand resting on the back of the chair behind it.

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Michelle Patterson @auntieshellie.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

#Severance might be the best show ever made (don't be jealous #Buffy). Seriously, everything about it is brilliant - acting, concept, set design, cinematography, musical score, directing, sound editing, I could go on. If it doesn't win every award, then the awards shows are worthless. It's so good!

A close up of a man with blood on his face standing in a white hallway with red lighting with the blurry silhouette of a woman in the distance. Still shot from Severance.

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