Come...Make a Difference....World Gratitude

 

please cut and paste:
www.worldgratitude.com
into your browser to go to their site.

Pen Making

 
 
 
 

Going from square chunks of wood to beautiful pens......fun to do.........once everything is glued up (first 2 pics).......then I get to turn the pens (no pic).....it's amazing how beautiful the patterns in the different woods can be. The close up picture is a pen made from olive wood from the Holy Land.

I will be putting some in my etsy store......
if I have any left at the end of the day........these pens are flying away as fast as I can make them.

Photo Friday - Weekend

This is my entry for Photo Friday's prompt
"Weekend". It is a path to discover time for
fun, a path to discover new things, a well worn
path to wherever you would have the weekend
take you. Have a great weekend!

Inspire Me Thursday - Swirl

This is my entry for the Inspire Me Thursday
prompt - Swirl - it is a mixed media painting that
I did last year.......she is swirling, the colors and flowers
and circles swirl around her.
She is caught up in a swirl.................
A happy swirl...........

March Vision Board - Dream Board

And We Have Snow..........

This doesn't seem like much to many of you living in other
parts of the country.......but we have snow......for the first time
in a couple of years..........and it's a really pretty one with the
kind of big fat flakes that you can hear as they hit the ground.
When we lived in Michigan....we had tons of snow....but that
was 15 years ago........so...........when it snows here.....it's an
event.

Photo Friday - City Life

This weeks prompt for Photo Friday was
"City Life". Here's my photo of one of the world's
busiest cities.....New York.......the city that
never sleeps...........the big apple................Times
Square............Broadway...............need I say more?

Lake Kedron

It's the end of February............
the trees are slowly awakening and their
small buds are beginning to make an appearance.
The daffodils and crocus are out and joyously splashing their vibrant yellows
and purples against the still dormant grass. The lake is
full of life and water.....which is wonderful because this time last year
it was down so low that the dock wasn't even in the water. This week
the blue in the sky and the blue of the lake seemed postcard perfect.
The air was warm and the breeze was gentle. It seemed like spring was here
for good.....but tonight, for the first time this winter...snow is predicted.
Maybe an inch or two....welcome to winter in Atlanta.

This and that

My mind is scattered and so this entry is kindof scattered also.
It's a little bit of this and that from life.

Books that I am reading .....
St Mary Magdalene,
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures,
The Gnostic Discoveries, and
The Miracles of Archangel Michael
and a few others just for fun.

My new Vision Board is colorful and creative and
activated.

I am excited about going to Sedona to take a Karuna
reiki class.

The journaling class that I am teaching next
week is full and is going to be awesome.

The Valentines that I received from the Artist
Collaborative at Mother Henna's blog were wonderful.
It was such fun to make 20 Valentines and trade them....
just like in elementary school.

I haven't decided what to give up for Lent this year, but
I have a few ideas.

I am trying to purge my house of unwanted or unused
stuff. I filled 4 bags today....hopefully tomorrow there
will be many more. It always feels so good to get it out of
the house and into the hands of others who might use it.

I love looking at all the cool art on ETSY.


Have you seen Jennifer Jones' new Mermaid
dolls at her Buttuglee Creations? They are so
much fun.

A quote for today:"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost,to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." Eleanor Roosevelt

Blessings and Peace

Photo Friday - Pets

Photo Friday's prompt today is "Pets" and I have
been blessed with some wonderful ones....here are
2 of my favorite pictures.


This is Zoe.
She was such a wonderful dog... always protective
of our family and a gentle soul. I miss her.

This is Charlie on his first day at home. He is now 2 years
old. He is a SweetHeart....and he can always make me laugh.

Celebrating my heART

My 20 cards for the Artist Collaborative at

http://www.motherhenna.blogspot.com/

A hand carved stamp, stamped, hand colored and painted on white paper...

attached to a square of red paper.....black ink around all edges.....quote (author?)

"All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."

A chocolate kiss is attached to the left hand bottom edge.....cut from hershey kiss foil

and hershey kiss labels.

Inside says "Happy Valentines Day".

The back of the card has my business card, date, and the card number in the series of 20

(ie 1/20.........20/20)

The card is 5 x7. Each one has been placed in an unsealed envelope for protection.

Celebrating my heART

I have just finished making my 20

limited edition Valentine art cards for

an artists collaboration that is hosted

by Kara (Mother Henna). I am not going

to post my pics at this time, just in case

she would rather do it first on her blog...but,

I'll post here very soon.

Bits of Wool Christmas Giveaway

Bits of Wool is also hosting a great Christmas giveaway.
Please click the Christmas wreath or the link below
to go to her blog.
I wish I had found her site earlier....her blog is a fun read....
and I could have linked this giveaway up earlier!

http://bitsofwool.blogspot.com/2008/11/christmas-giveaway.html

Katie's Magic Cottage

I wanted to share this with everyone..........David and I made this cottage for our niece who is 3 years old............We have had so much fun making it......painting it......making things for it.........It has been such a magic Christmas present to ourselves as well as to Katie. I can't wait for her to see it.

Christmas Tree

Christmas ornaments from Christmas Past.....ornaments from my Grandmothers' trees....ornaments that my girls made when they were much younger......ornaments my mom made........one I made in girl scouts.......ornaments from when I was a kid. Memories.............lots of memories.

Journaling Christmas - photos from today - (prompt #8)

Find Christmas in your Heart. Find JOY.

Blessings to all.....it doesn't matter your religion, your age,

your nationality, how big or how small you are, what

size you wear, or the color of your eyes.........

May peace be with you

this season........

now and always.

Journaling Chistmas - to do lists - (prompt #7)

Thinking of all the things that need to be done before Christmas can be daunting.....I'm going to try to liven things up by doing an ABC List................just to see if I can............

A address the envelopes for the Christmas cards

B buy presents

C candy canes....get a bunch!

D decorate the front door of my home

E enlist the help of the girls for making cookies

F find the perfect present for each girl

G gifts for extended family

H hang some mistletoe

I invite friends over for dinner

J jackets for homeless

K kiss David

L list needed baking/cooking ingredients

M make a big grocery store run

N notice angelic moments

O only do the things that really celebrate Christmas

P presents look pretty with fun trimmings...buy trimmings

Q quiet time....remember to find some

R relish the family time

S secret Santa gift

T Toys for Tots donation

U unpack the tree decorations

V vacuum, dust, and clean house

W wardrobe - what to wear on Christmas day

X X off the items on my to do list

Y Yorkshire pudding - is this the time to try and make it?

Z zeal -keep up the zeal without burning out
and there it is.....my ABC to do list for this Christmas....I had better get a move on.

Journaling Christmas - A Tale of Two Christmases (prompt #6)

It was the best of times……….it was the worst of times……I guess I’ll start with the worst Christmas……We had invited all my husband’s family to our house for Christmas….His parents, three of his four siblings and their significant others, and their children. Let' s just say after much planning, cooking, and shopping........it was not even close to the Christmas that I had imagined....... I would go into detail ....in fact I did...... I just deleted it......because some things really are better off unsaid......and why stir up old hurts when they have been forgiven........Now….for the best Christmas………I have been blessed with so many wonderful Christmases that it is really hard to choose……I think all my very favorite Christmases were when the girls were little…..nothing is so wonderful as when experiencing the wonder of Christmas through our children’s eyes……there was one extra special Christmas…… it was the Christmas that I was 7 1/2 months pregnant with my first baby……….the Christmas service was the Nativity story………and when Mary came in riding on the donkey, so pregnant….and then giving birth to beautiful Jesus……….it was extra special to me because of the new life I was carrying within me…..I felt so close to Mary…..and marveled at how she must have felt………and how wonderful that night surely was.

Giveaway at Oodlekadoodle Primitives

Please check out Sue's blog....she has such an awesome giveaway going on! Just click on the link below and see all the goodies.

http://oodlekadoodleprimitives.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html#8732755922232977382

25 of my favorite things about Christmas - in no particular order

1. Christmas trees with lots of lights
2. ornaments from when the girls were babies
3. the smell of cinnamon
4. baking cookies in the kitchen with the girls laughing and dancing and everything is covered with sprinkles and flour
5. Christmas Eve Candlelight service
6. the eyes of small children when they see Santa
7. making ornaments with seeds and peanut butter for the birds
8. filling stockings for family and for people I don't know
9. snow
10. The Nativity
11. seeing angels in unexpected places
12. unexpected people becoming angels
13. Christmas music
14. Carolers
15. Christmas displays in toy shop windows
16. time to relax by the fireplace with a cup of tea and family
17. old Christmas movies
18. candy canes, sugar cookies, and pumpkin pie
19. the expressions of people opening gifts
20. buying tons of candy canes and giving one to everyone that I meet
21. when everything is wrapped and under the tree
22. hot chocolate with candy cane stick straws
23. "Silent Night" and "Oh, Holy Night"
24. David's eyes when he is watching the girls open presents
25. One gigantic birthday party!

Journaling Christmas - Counting down the Days

When I was still living at home with my parents (quite a long time ago).... every year we would put up the Advent calendar that I made when I was younger. The background was white felt and on it was a green Christmas tree.....there were circles (with numbers embroidered on them) running down both sides of the banner........we pinned small Christmas ornaments on each number....... and, every day a new ornament was placed on the tree. The first ornament was always the Angel for the top of the tree and the Nativity scene always found itself nestled under the tree on the 25th. Each day the anticipation would grow and grow until we would almost explode with excitement....I still can't believe that Mom and Dad (well, mostly Mom) would let us get up early and I do mean early Christmas morning (I'm talking 3, 4 am) to check to see if Santa had filled our stockings. (My children, much to my mom's dismay, weren't allowed to step a foot into the den until a decent hour (at least 8:00) "D ...and everyone had to go into the den at the same time.) Now, this year "Journaling Christmas" is my Advent calendar. Each afternoon, after I get Shelby from school, I take my time.....dancing through the memories in my mind....being led in directions and into days past that I haven't thought of in a while......these journal prompts are such a blessing. I have promised myself that I will do this daily...and so far, so good. I am very thankful for this new kind of Advent calendar.... this one will help me to think and feel and soul search....and remember....kind of like the ghost of Christmas past....put to paper. I think that's a keeper!

Journaling Christmas - Daydreaming about the Perfect Christmas

Daydreaming about my perfect Christmas…..I believe that a perfect Christmas for me would be one that started with the Christmas and Holiday cards being mailed out on time. That I could find, make, or purchase one perfect gift for each member of my family. The house would be lightly decorated….with candles and greenery….a Christmas tree with handmade and vintage ornaments….. the smell of cinnamon. There would be plenty of sugar cookies and pumpkin pie. We would adopt a family and surprise them a few days before Christmas with all the Christmas trimmings…Food, presents, a tree……stockings filled with small surprises….and an early visit from Santa Claus. On Christmas eve, one of my favorite ministers would provide a most meaningful sermon….after which we would return to a warm home full of good friends and extended family….to the scent of Christmas cookies and the sound of laughter…there would be a wonderful glowing fire in the fireplace and snow silently falling outside creating a magical wonderland. There would be a knock at the door and a bundled up group of people would be singing Christmas carols…and we would invite them in for cookies. After a wonderful evening, as we get ready for bed, I turn on the television and hear the words that a giant wave of peace and goodwill has surrounded our planet… all the wars have ended……all children are warm and fed….and everyone is safe and healthy and loved…Then, I would say a prayer of thanksgiving…for all of our blessings……for joy in the world…..and then, I would fall into a totally blissful sleep…only to be awakened hours later by squeals of delight and the smell of cinnamon rolls dripping with icing.

Journaling Christmas - Christmas cards

I love looking through old Christmas Cards….I never have the heart to throw any of them away…even the ones with just signatures….each it’s own time capsule, holding memories of people and places and times past…signatures and notes from people that I love that have passed on, causing me to pause and say a prayer on their behalf….causing me to remind myself that life is short and to live in the moment. The cards with pictures and newsletters make me smile at how clothing styles have changed, how our houses and homes have changed, and they make me wonder what the world holds for my children….What will things be like when they are my age? I love shopping for Christmas cards, reading all the different sentiments…seeing all the ways, rhymes, and reasons that the Holiday season presents itself to different people. I love to read them all…the funny and the religious. I have bought both in seasons past, but as I get older, the ones that I am drawn to purchase are the ones with Mary and the baby Jesus, Nativity Cards, and cards with Angels. Those with sentiments of love, hope, and joy ring true to my heart. Now, I must confess, I am not the best at sending cards, I have good intentions, sometimes spending weeks creating my own, or writing little notes in the ones that I buy, and then they sit there for a while, maybe get pushed under a pile of junk mail and then it’s almost Christmas and I notice that…oh…. my…goodness….I haven’t mailed them yet. I am sure that there have been years that my cards were the last to arrive. I do try….and then all the Santa things start piling up and my to do list gets out of hand, and cards are usually lost in the rush. This year, my intentions are honorable; and hopefully writing about how much I enjoy receiving cards, will entice me to go ahead and address those envelopes, get the pretty Christmas stamps, and send those lovely, warm, joyful greetings to all my friends and family…..and if I’m late, well, hopefully all those people will still know how much that I love them and how much they mean to me and will enjoy the cards…even if they are late.

Journaling Christmas – weather -

"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones I used to know." Really, I'm praying for a White Christmas, just like the ones I used to know. Growing up in the mountains of Western North Carolina, we got all kinds of weather, cold, sometimes warm, rain, sun, and then every once in a while snow. There is absolutely nothing like waking up on Christmas morning to a blanket of beautiful, white, pristine, magical, wonderful snow. When my girls were young, we lived in Michigan for a few fabulous years…and we often got snow there….but, we usually weren't home on Christmas….we were visiting family in the south. That's okay because we still had some of the most awesome snows. Michigan is a great place to live if you like snow. The snows there were soft and did not pack well….they were usually deep and fun to sled on and we did make some wonderful igloos (well more like lean tos), snowmen, and snow angels. We have been living near Atlanta now for about 14 years, and I really miss Christmas snows. It doesn't snow often here, but when it does, we make the most of it. Knowing that they usually don't last too long, we sled, make snowmen, and whip up some snow ice cream. We'll stay out until our noses are red and our hands are tingly….then maybe, just maybe we'll come in for some hot chocolate or hot tea with peppermint. It would be a most magical Christmas for me if it would snow on Christmas Eve. The holiest night, wrapped in a blanket of snow…..the quietness…and the peacefulness….staying up late by the fire and watching the flakes silently falling, what a Christmas that would be…………..and then on Christmas day, the kids (of all ages) can go and make some more holiday memories.!

Journaling Christmas

Lyrics to Faith Hill's beautiful Christmas song...

Where are you Christmas, why can't I find you?
Why have you gone away? Where is the laughter you used to bring me?
Why can't I hear music play? My world is changing...I'm rearranging...
Does that mean Christmas changes too?
Where are you Christmas? Do you remember?
The one you used to know? I'm not the same one...
See what the time's done..Is that why you have let me go?
Christmas is here....everywhere. Christmas is here if you care...
If there is love in your heart and your mind...
You will feel like Christmas all the time.
I feel you Christmas, I know I've found you...You never fade away...
The joy of Christmas, stays here inside us....
Fills each and every heart with love.
Where are you Christmas....fills your heart with love.

And, this is one reason that I am journaling Christmas this year. It can go by in such a whirlwind of constant motion. ... a flurry of shopping, gifts, parties, food........I need more. But, not more of those things.....I need to feel Christmas. I need to remember Christmas. I need time to reflect....time for realizing the absolute joy of it all. I need time for the awe and the admiration....time for meditation....time for quiet reflections. I need to feel Christmas and I need to see it in other hearts and faces.

So, starting now, today....I will keep a daily journal about Christmas. In this journal, I will reflect on Christmas' past, present, and future. I am going to slow it down and relish every moment..... and in doing so....I am taking back Christmas....so are many others....wouldn't you like to join in too?

The Great Christmas Give Away

What fun! Angelina's Trinkets is hosting
The Great Christmas Give Away. She has
many artists listed on her blog that are
giving away their beautiful artworks. What
a great way to get into the spirit of giving!
Come and join in the fun.

I will be giving away
this mixed media art quilt. (I have the quilt leaning
against the background, so it looks uneven...in reality, it
is much more symmetrical.)




This quilt measures 6 1/2 x 8 1/2".
The words are "Everything Grows with Love".
The stitching is a combination of hand and
machine stitching. And, as with all my art,
it is infused with Reiki....unconditional love.

If you would like to be in the drawing for this
mixed media art quilt, just leave a message on
this blog entry with 1. your favorite Christmas
Memory...and 2. your email address so I can get in
touch with you.... Drawing will be held on Christmas Eve.
Good Luck....Best Wishes.....and Blessings

Visions and Thank you(s)

The Vision Board by Joyce Schwarz is out now and it is getting good reviews. I would like to thank Joyce for putting my artwork "Gratitude" in the book. It was quite an honor, being asked....and even though none of the artists in the book were paid, or will be paid, being included was exciting. I would also like to thank Leslie aka Funky Art Queen for highlighting my work on Etsy, because I am sure that it was because of this that Joyce saw my art......I would also like to thank Kara aka Mother Henna for her amazing blog and for sharing her life and for her love of surfing the net and the inspiration that it brings and to Suzie at Suzie's Sacred Space for giving me a place to develop my visionboards (dreamboards) and share others visions and dreams as well. These three ladies were my first blog friends and they are very special people. And, I have been blessed by meeting some amazing artists while working on this book. I especially would like to thank artist Jayne Pierce aka zjayne for her kind words and her inspired art. Please take a minute and visit these ladies' sites...you will be blessed.....by both their art and their words.........

Parasailing

Such fun................................

Soul Coaching - Day 4

Becoming a Sacred Observer...... It is so hard to not try and fix thing for my girls. I know they have to deal with their own "stuff"....and really at their ages they need me more as a sounding board than as a "fixer". But it is so hard..just being a sacred observer, as they bring their issues into my life. Do I think, somewhere in the back of my mind, that I am better at caring for them and dealing with issues than they are? Why do I need to hold on to the "Mommy can make everything better" phase? I can not always make things better for them now, but I hope that I have provided them with the tools that they will need as they deal with things on their own. I, of course, will always be here for them....but, it's their time to fly on their own. And, really, it's my time to remember how to fly....to remember the person that I am.....and begin to be.

Many syncronicities today....not the least of which, my youngest daughter (she's almost 17) had a really bad day at school ......God does keep giving me lessons to practice on until I am able to learn it by heart.

Soul Collage Cards

New Art and a Christmas Bazaar

I've been busy getting ready for a Christmas Market Place and Bazaar. I've made Reiki infused Scrabble tile necklaces and bracelets.... Prints from my art that is in The Vision Board ... book by Joyce Schwarz......and original mixed media pieces. My art room, dining room, and kitchen all look like a storm has passed through. What a lot of mess. A fun mess, but a mess none the less.

I realize what a great blessing it is to be able to have time

to do all these things that I love to do. To be able to lose

myself in art is such a great thing. ... It feeds my spirit and

blesses my soul....It keeps me centered and it lets me

fly.......What a divine gift art is.

My Vision Board - October 2008

A Must Read

If you get a chance, please read this book and let me know what you think. Wow. Very moving.

busy, busy, and new website and blog!

I have been away for a few days, haven't I. I had a hijacker on my computer....it's called the cometcurser....well, I almost did start cursing....after days of trying to get things back to normal (btw no such hope) I had to get a new computer. That's the short version...it's much cleaner than the long version. ha



Also, I have a website up and running (kindof)..... http://www.sagesevenvisions.com and a new blog... www.sagesevenvisions.blogspot.com there's a fun contest at the blog, so please check it out.


Tonight and tomorrow I am going to visit everyone's blog...I've missed hearing your stories and seeing your art. Really and truly..............

Please come and check out the contest..... www.sagesevenvisions.blogspot.com Invite your friends and neighbors and everyone....It's my first contest and I would love it to be fun fun fun!

The Vision Board: The Secret to an Extraordinary Life

I have great news that I need to share.....One of my pieces of black and white art is going to be in The Vision Board: The Secret to an Extraordinary Life!!!!! This is such a huge deal for me....and for you all too. The book is absolutely awesome. There is info on how to do vision boards, as well as art and vision boards from people all over the world....talking about gratitude, vision, abundance....

Go to http://www.ihaveavision.org/ or to http://www.visionboard.info/ and take a look.

Do you see what I see......

Even though they don't do it justice...........
I just had to share these photos!


God's little surprises are everywhere.



It was 11 am on a late summer day, the sky was slightly overcast, the
land was thirsty from lack of water, and what do I see? One hundred sparkling
diamonds among the dark green juniper. Each diamond reflecting the lights
and colors from all around my yard. Each shape unique, each size different, each
holding tiny secrets, like crystal balls.
What do you see??.....when you see a tiny spider web low on the ground...amongst the
shrubs, covered in morning dew.....even though it was late in the morning and all
the dew had long disappeared? A tiny miracle.....a gift that grabs you and slows you
down.....a sign of fairies and magic.......proof that God is everywhere.
Blessings!

Bluebird of Happiness

www.funkyartqueen.blogspot.com hosted a "10 tiny things" contest a little while ago and my prize came today. What a wonderful surprise....inside a little white box, a little blue bird of happiness was making its nest....a little blue bird to make me laugh and giggle.....a little bluebird to remind me to lighten up so I can fly. Thank you so much, Lesley.

(Visit Lesley's blog......www.funkyartqueen.blogspot.com She has lots of fun, funky, and colorful art over there.....you'll be glad you did.)

My Black and White Picture Trail

Tuesday Ten Tiny Things Challenge - hosted by Funky Art Queen

My ten tiny things include a pair of milk glass hands given to me by a great aunt. Inside the hands are symbols of all the little blessings that happen everyday....things that we can see when we slow down enough .......to see that everything and everybody creates all the time, whether we witness it or not....creation is happening.....to see that stars are shining brightly everywhere......from the heavens, from the sea, from the flowers........to see that love is meant to be shared and that the more love you give away the richer life is for everyone....to see how healing is a matter of using our own intuition and energy (and medicine if needed) to take care of ourselves.....and to see the beauty in all things, no matter how large or how small they may be....and most importantly to see that God's blessings are everywhere.....all we need to do is ask and we shall receive.

Dreamboard August

Quite a bit of my board this month is comprised of words. Words are always so important, so strong to me. I feel the need to take better care of myself and think more about being healthy and energetic and making good food choices. Also, I find myself feeling more and more spiritually connected and wanting more....see the picture of "me" holding a giant plug and wanting to plug it into the earth and spirit. ... More living in the moment..... More confidence.... More money. ... More art. .... As always, pictures of babies and little girls having fun run throughout the board.....and there is a huge "I believe" and "live in the moment" and "magic maker". Words to believe as well as ponder.

The real kicker is ...tonight we ordered Chinese and my fortune was....You will soon find more adventure in life. Synchronistic, I think.

Kindness

watercolor on paper


Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!!!
and




"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness.
Every act creates a ripple with no logical end."
Scott Adams

Friday Fill-Ins #85

1. The last meal I had at a restaurant was a delicious Stir Fry Chicken and a decadent Chocolate Mocha ice cream pie for dessert... both of which I split while having a great conversation with my daughter. yum!
2. Seeing the kitties and puppies up for adoption at Pet Co and knowing that someone did not take care of their pets (and have them fixed)....that is something that I intensely dislike. I want to take all those kittens and puppies home with me.
3. The full moon is fun to picnic under, charge crystals with, and swim naked during.
4."With the grace of God" is one of my favorite expressions.
5. Sometimes it's best to just get away from it all and just veg out for a while.
6. Momma Mia is the best movie I've seen so far this year!
7. And as for this weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to curling up in a good, soft chair with a great book, tomorrow my plans include surprising my parents with a 50th anniversary party and Sunday, I want to surround myself with all my art supplies and create.

New York City - shows and shopping

Ashley and I had a fast and furious trip to New York. Three days of shows and shopping...we never made it out of Times Square.....Saw Wicked, Young Frankenstein, and Legally Blonde....wonderful musicals!! Shopped lots, window shopped lots, had henna applied to our hands, ate tons of good food...had a blast. Ashley has worked all summer and it was a great break before school starts on Monday.

It is such fun to have only one girl at a time on a trip...we get to know each other better, and make our own fun memories, don't get me wrong...trips with the whole family, David and all three girls are wonderful, but the ones that I take just with one at a time are extra special to me. Time to talk and see what wonderful women they are growing up to be. One on one..... Time to laugh...time to remember...time to see each other in new ways.... time to know how truly blessed I am. I have 3 wonderful girls and although I miss them being babies, I am awed and amazed at what wonderful people they are, how intelligent, how healthy, how loving, how beautiful, how strong.....and I am thankful that God allowed me to be their mom.

Listen for the Music

Are you listening? Can you hear it? The music of your soul is calling to you....stop and listen....The Divine is calling to you....Sing along, dance along.....fly.... it's all up to you......Stop, be still, listen........it's time.........Blessings to all.

Friday Fill-Ins #83

1. If I could travel back in time, I'd go to visit Picasso, Monet, and other amazing artists.

2. Give me quiet moments and meditations or give me children giggling.

3. I am listening to my inner child at the moment, and she wants to play.

4. Somewhere, someone is thinking that they'd like to run away and join a circus.

5. I'll always be grateful for my family, my life, and God's love.

6. My idea of a good time includes being outside, with crystal blue skies, nature trails, a variety of food, and good friends.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to releasing the past, tomorrow my plans include cleaning up my home, and Sunday, I want everyone to come home safely, get a good nights sleep, and wake up the next morning to some new adventures.

Trapeze - Ballet in the Air

These are 2 of my babies...........I went to visit them last night to see them flying high on the trapeze....and....it was awesome..............



It was like watching ballet...in the air.......almost heavenly.....the light in the warehouse studio was coming in in such a way that they looked like they were swinging on sunbeams.
Renaissance women.......................

Daydreaming about Hawaii

Tonight I'm wishing for a month in Hawaii.........One month with no tv, no phone, no cell phones, and nothing that has to be done........... One month of quiet pleasures, warm sand, and bright blue skies......... One month to snorkel, to float on the water, to lay in a hammock and feel the ocean breeze...........One month with no problems, no worries, no stress............One month to eat fresh pineapple, fresh fish, but no poi........One month to play, to create, to center, to balance, to love.


One day hopefully....but,
this will have to do for now...beautiful pictures that I took on our vacation to Hawaii 5 years ago. Wow, what a wonderful place. Beautiful...just beautiful.

Friday Fill-Ins #80

http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/ #80

1. Oh, I can't wait until I have a day just to do nothing.

2. Arizona Green Tea is the first thing I see when I open my refrigerator.

3. I never leave home without my keys and my purse.

4. If I were a condiment, I would be salsa, because salsa is colorful and full of yummy stuff.

5. Piling dirty dishes on the counter instead of putting them in the dishwasher is really high up on my list of pet peeves.

6. The last thing I thought of before I went to bed was blessings and peace.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to talking to my sister, tomorrow my plans include driving 4 hours to Asheville to babysit my 3 year old niece, and Sunday, I want to drive safely home, pick up Shelby, and have a great nights sleep.

Photo Friday - Spiral

Healing Spirit Art Dolls

I've been making Healing Spirit Art Dolls today.

"Joy" is infused with Reiki that sends energy and healing love to your Solar Plexus Chakra....your creativity center....in her pouch she carries a carnelian gemstone....and next to her heart, she has a rose quartz....

"Crystal" is infused with love and healing Reiki energy that focuses on your Heart Chakra. She will help you open your heart center and allow love to flow through. In her pouch, she brings a piece of rose quartz for you to meditate with.

"Ti" will help you work with your Base Chakra, as she is infused with Reiki love and healing for this chakra. She will help you as you learn to establish healthy strong roots on which to grow. She comes with a piece of hemetite that has been cleansed by smudging and is charged with healing and strength.........................................................

Each Healing Spirit Art Doll and their gemstone has been cleansed by smudging, dedicated to be used only with loving energies, and infused with Reiki.

................................................................................

I have made Healing Spirit Art Dolls for friends, but until now I have never sold them. I'm going to list them on etsy tomorrow ....I believe that they are supposed to go to their forever homes with friends that I have yet to meet.

It's all about Love

High Flying and Skydiving

Para sailing is such fun....I can't wait to go again...but until then, I can check it off my "been there; done that" list. For my birthday in 2006, I went skydiving...also such a rush, such a thrill....and to think that only a few years ago, I was completely terrified of heights. I think Eleanor Roosevelt was so right when she said to do one thing everyday that scares you.

Beach Shadows

The beach was lovely last week and all five of us made it over safely...it was wonderful to just be together... The days were beautiful...the skies were that amazing, clear blue that makes everything seem almost surreal.....the sand...so hot...but, near the water so much fun to sink my toes into. We ate a lot of great seafood...Did all the beachy stuff....and we all went para sailing. Fun...fun....fun....I love to be up high in the sky...flying....it's magical... (I'll put up a picture as soon as I can find the cd-r.) As usual I took tons of pictures (thanks to digital photography)...and some people gave us a couple of odd looks when I started taking these pictures...my girls shadows.....well, I think that they are awesome......... (they still need to be cropped...)

Beach shadows....our shadow selves......shadows, shadows, shadows.....leads me to think about how well do we know the people we love and really how well do we know ourselves? It seems to be a lifelong adventure...this learning.....It's challenging sometimes and joyful the next. How far deep inside can we go...how about how far outside can we reach? Sometimes, everything is smooth and calm like a gently flowing river...... Other times the whole of life seems discombobulated

...one huge jigsaw puzzle and I'm missing a piece.......Sometimes. when it seems like I'm saying the same things over and over....and either I'm not projecting it right... or no one is listening...........that's when I tell myself that buried deep within it all there is this great lesson to be had....I'd just really like to have that mysterious key.....now.

(Maybe it's patience that I need to learn.)

Time Shifter

Time Shifter is a mixed media painting that I have been working on. It's a different look than my other pictures, but I think it works. I would love to know how others feel about it. Thank you (in advance) for your input. (acrylic paint, inks, markers and pencil on canvas board)

Photo Friday - Movement

These are my photos for Photo Friday - movement. Seems like my family is always (and has always been) moving.

Inspire Me Thursday - Finding the Art in the Everyday

Beauty and Art are Everywhere, Everyday.....especially if you have eyes that really see. The small, seemingly insignificant ones are especially awesome.....so remember to slow down, and look around you, you may be surprised at all the wonders that you will see.

Creative Catalyst - The one life lesson that I want to teach my children

Creative Catalyst #14

I want my girls to learn to see God in everything…. In every flower, in every storm, in every smile, and in every move that they make. They should know that God is everywhere…all the time. I encourage them to speak to him constantly as they go about their day……in all times and in all ways…in fun, in sorrow, in joy, in thanks, and in need. It’s such a great lesson to learn and hold onto the fact that God made each one of them perfect… perfect in every way. And that no matter what happens in their world, that they are beautiful, and special, and unique, and creative, and loved. God did this for them. God did this for each of us. (Why is it so hard to remember?) In learning these things, it is my hope that they will be happy, self confident women who are caring and loving and nonjudgmental. That they will make the best of what they are offered, that they will be healthy and centered, that they will love with all their hearts, and that they will make the world a better place. In learning and remembering this lesson, the light of love will shine through their hearts and surround them…. the light of love will shine through them and reach out to others…..and they will know, really know, that God will forever hold them safe in his hands.

Photo Friday for May 30 - Minimalism

Photo taken at St. Andrews, Scotland

Inspire Me Thursday - for May 29 - Purple and Orange

Inspire Me Thursday - Purple and Orange

My earliest memory

Creative Catalyst 11 - What's your earliest memory?

When I was about 3 years old, we lived on an Air Force Base in Symrna, Tennessee. I remember my dad coming home in the evenings....the blue black sky of late evening creating a halo around his head....the dark blue officer uniform, the cap....touched by the light of the inside of the house.... made the medals shine. In my mind...the picture is very vivid...not moving...still...a moment paused in time. Just Dad, his uniform. and the blue black night.

Inspire Me Thursday - Whimsy - for May 22

A Poem for Inspire Me Thursday - Whimsy -


mashed potato islands
surrounded by gravy lakes
and dotted by green pea trees

mixed up together
in a twirly, swirly concoction
ready to be eaten
in one gigantic bite

such is life

Inspire Me Thursday for May 15 - Crayons

It was so much fun playing with good old Crayola crayons again. The memories that they bring back...wow....so, I did a landscape of the mountains around Asheville, NC....where I grew up. Thanks for such a great prompt.

Happy 26th Anniversary

Yesterday, May 15, was my 26th wedding anniversary. Twenty six years ago, at the age of 21 years and 6 months, I got married. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding. I remember how he looked at me as I was walking down the aisle…. a mixture of sheer panic and deep love….then the vows, a little bit of dancing and a little bit of rain….. a new life starts.

Thinking about this, I see the loving, playful, intimate times, but I also see the challenging times. The births of our 3 daughters, each with their own special entrances into the world, each one completely different and yet the same…… and the total awareness of the preciousness of life. …only seemed to make us pull even closer together. The "new" mommy and daddy years….fun, amazing, sometimes tiring and overwhelming, we made it through those years, only to see them starting out as adults, and yet always our babies. We managed to make it through the lonely, painful, hurtful years of my depression…somehow. I don’t know how we stayed together, but we made it through. But life was always good, even the bad days….but now it’s so much better. We love each other…I think we love each other more, so much more now than we did at the beginning. His laugh, his touch, laying in his arms, snuggling on the sofa, holding hands, everything….He is my home, my safety net, my biggest advocate, and my greatest supporter. Our girls tease us about being so affectionate...so much in love..….but they know that this kind of love is hard to find. It takes many prayers, many dates, and some syncronicity of events for this to happen. It is a gift from God….and I thank God everyday for this gift.

Inspire Me Thursday - Doors

Doors - entrances into the unknown

This is my post for Inspire Me Thursday. (Thurs. May 8)

Doors.....

These pictures were taken in St. Andrews, Scotland and in Oxford, England.

I have always been fascinated by doors...especially old doors....or old entrance ways...

They seem to beckon to magical, forgotten places.... Calling me to exciting adventures,

mystical experiences, and fanciful journeys. They are like presents wrapped in glittering paper, waiting anxiously to be opened and explored.

Beautiful Strawberries

Two of my most favorite times in Spring are ....... when the beautiful daffodils spring forth from the deep sleep of winter and surprise us with the vibrant yellows and oranges that suggest sunny and warmer days ahead...... and ..... Strawberry season. Yes, I just picked up a crate of fragrant, sweet, bright red strawberries from a local farmer. Oh my goodness. They are so incredibly good. Time to start making strawberry jam, and strawberry shortcake, and strawberry pancakes, and the list goes on.....................my kitchen is going to smell awesome. I took this picture, trying to capture the experience, but until our computers also allow scent to stream forth, I guess just a picture will have to do. Wouldn't it be cool if we had wonkavision...you know, from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I could just send the strawberries out and you could reach into your computer and sample some for yourself.

What A Cute Little Guy

Saturday, this little guy sat on under the seat of a chair on our patio for about an hour. ....looking forlorn and lost.....and possibly a little grouchy. I started getting concerned about him and about the fact that Charlie (my puppy) couldn't get into the backyard to run off some steam. So, I called around. Finally, the nice lady at the Wild Bird Center....after getting a "look" at him through my eyes....suggested I think of him as a teenager. You know, the one who is thinking....."Hey, I'm big enough to do whatever I want to....so, I think I'm gonna fly right out of here." The only problem was that he didn't take into account the fact his mom kept telling him that he should take it easy and wait a while before spreading his wings. So, he didn't get very far. The nice lady suggested that I grab a drink and sit back and watch him through a window....that his mom and dad were probably very close by and were out looking for him. And, sure enough, within 10 minutes, a very brave mom, came looking for her baby, and she brought some sustenance...a nice, big, wiggly worm. She fed the worm to her baby, hopped away and came back two more times. Each time bringing a small insect to the hungry little "teenager". Well, that was about the time that I had to go and take my teenager to her weekend job. So, I had to leave......and by the time I returned that little guy was nowhere to be found.....BUT...that was not the end of the story. On Wednesday, after cleaning my labyrinth, I returned to the patio, and guess who was waiting there for me.... That same, cute, little, guy....a tiny bit older, and less downy looking feathers, but it was him. He was hopping back and forth on the doorstep, flying up into the windows on the door....trying his best to get in. I decided to sneak inside the house and watch. Guess who came to find her little one....yes, the mommy came back. I don't know how, but she got him going and they left together. I believe I saw the daddy in the trees beyond the fence. He probably was singing words of encouragement the whole time...you know how those dads are.

Inspire Me Thursday - Envelope

Hopefully better late than never.
Here is my acrostic poem about envelope art.

Eclectic
Narrative
Vehicle.
Exposing
Lyric
Opportunities.
Panoramic
Expectations.

PhotoFriday - Cold

This is my post for Photo Friday - April 18 -Cold. Rocky Mount, VA. These kids were really cold when they came inside. Good thing that there was hot chocolate.

Reiki Drum Class

The Reiki Drumming class was taught at the Infinite Light Healing Center at Peace Place on Jordan Road in Sedona, Arizona. Micheal, the instructor, is a great teacher (as well as the founder of Reiki healing drum sessions). I am amazed at what we learned in the 2 day class....and we had time to study, practice, share, and giggle...too much fun. I recommend that if you have never had a Reiki drum healing session, find someone in your area ......it feels amazing...and it works.

I spent a couple of extra days looking around Sedona and the surrounding area. It is such a beautiful place. .... Brilliant red rock formations and glorious blue skies....it took my breath away.
On Monday night, we went to the Chapel of the Holy Cross and attended a Taize service. The energy and love in that space was palpable. The Taize chants seemed so familiar. It was just a wow moment. Now that I'm home again, I'm gonna break out the watercolors and pastels and start painting...Sedona was inspiring and I got some really good pictures.....so, art room....here I come.

I'm Back.......

I've been in Arizona taking a Reiki drumming class. It was awesome. Please check back this afternoon for pictures and a new blog post.

Far From Home - Photo Friday

When I went to Guatemala on a mission trip, it seemed so, so, so far away from home. It was a wonderful experience. This is one of my very favorite pictures from then.

Labyrinth and Peace...Inspire Me Thursday

The labyrinth that we built in our backyard is what

I think of when I think of peace.

Labyrinths have been used for centuries for prayer, meditation, personal growth, and spiritual growth..... For peace... Reaching peace and holding it in your heart. Walking the slow circuitous path, entering into the center, breathing, and relaxing. Listening to the trees and birds. Talking to God,to my spiritual teachers, to Mother Earth....Feeling held, hugged, surrounded in a knowing peace. Feeling my toes sink into the sand and watching the sun as it sets behind the tall oak and pine trees...sending sunbeams through the branches..little angels of light. I'm cradled in the richness of it all. I can open my heart safely in this circle. I can feel peace and love.... and send peace and love to the whole world. To me this is a sacred place...a quiet place.... a listening place, and a healing place.....a place of Peace.

Soldered Charms

These are some of my new soldered charms. I have posted a few
on www.AmberCoffey.etsy.com and will be posting more tomorrow.
I made 26; each has a copy of either a photo from my travels or a copy of my original artwork. These pictures are printed on vellum for a nice translucent quality. No two charms are the same. Let me know what you think.

I've also been cleaning up this house of mine...you would think that it would stay clean, but every time I get it straightened up, I find a new project to start, or the girls are home and are "making themselves at home" if you know what I mean, and I do actually have to make dinner sometimes, which I wouldn't mind...esp if someone else would clean up after. So, yes, we eat out a bit. And then there's the laundry....yuck. So, enough about that. I do what I can and then......back to art!

I am really into art journaling and I love to help others find this wonderful emotional outlet...It is amazing looking back at old journals to see where I have come from...My friends who think that they "can't" do art journaling, because they aren't "creative", have been scarred by others judging what they do and.. that is
a bunch of nonsense...Everyone is born Creative. It's our birthright. I think, an easy way into becoming creative in your own eyes is to start art journaling. I mean it's really easy to open a magazine, find pictures and cut and paste. Then, little by little, maybe some paint, or crayons, or markers. Maybe a little writing about how the day went. How you feel. What's going on...your grocery list. Anything goes. No rules. Then all of a sudden, without warning it becomes fun to them. They look forward to those few minutes
each day to relax and "make a little art". It is so rewarding. I have taught a few art journaling classes and it always surprises me how timid people are at first...looking at that blank page...but once they get going, they really get into it. A whole new world has opened up!! Another creative soul unleashed!

Reiki Infused Art

Reiki and Art...........
I have been painting and creating collages with the intention that
Reiki's unconditional love and healing energies will infuse each piece as I
work. Reiki and art actually have a lot in common. Beautiful art is made in a state of relaxed meditation. Both activities are rich, so rich, in spirit. As it is, each stroke of the brush or pen is channeling blessings into the artwork. Each
paper that is collaged and each embellishment that is placed is working toward a common purpose. It is possible to place specific affirmations and/or intentions into each piece of art. This practice has dramatically increased my ability to focus and channel Reiki. I am grateful and blessed for each piece that
I am able to work on. I hope others are blessed by this art.

Photo Friday - emotions

this is for the Photo Friday - March 28, 2008 challenge - emotions

Inspire Me Thursday for March 27, 2008

Inspire Me Thursday...Happy 2nd birthday.

Here is my mixed media sculpture honoring the number 2. It's made out of a wire armature, covered in plaster, mounted on a wooden base. It is painted and tissue papered and embellished. These are so much fun to make!

travels

Fun New Art

I've used Zentangle idea and gone further and added images first and then the embellishments. I've been doing this stuff for years, but the Zentangle idea helped me see this as something more than just doodles.
These are so much fun to work on. I'm matting them with bright red, blue or purple on top of black. They are looking really great. I hope to have a finished piece for Whimsical Wednesday!
On some of the pictures, I am doing light watercolor washes. I can't wait to get them all put together. These are just works in progress. I just wanted to share, because they are such fun.


Let me know what you think. Thanks for looking!

My Kitchen

This is my kitchen...when it is clean..

...clean and kitchen doesn't always go together in our house. I mean it's clean for cooking and eating, but it is usually very messy with books and mail and art projects....dog toys, shoes, sometimes socks on the floor. Food, drinks, snacks, on the table and counter. It's a home...our home. The center of our home, really. The "hub of our happenings". And truly, Life happens here. Homework and backpacks. Coats and pocketbooks. Pens, pencils, and paper. Magazines and recipe clippings. Books and study papers. But, it is also the place where laughter happens. Dancing as we cook. Singing and sliding and being silly. It's where the Christmas cookies are made. It's where the comfort of warm lasagna and hot bread oozing with melted butter warms our hearts as much as it does our stomachs. It's where friends and family meet for a cup of tea and a chat. It hears our blessings, prayers, sorrows, and joys. It surrounds us with an energy of warmth and familiarity...of love and protection... and good food, good times, and clutter...good clutter.

Energy Medicine 5 day Hilton Head

The 2 Ellen's Group - March 6 - 11, 2008

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Donna and David

Energy Medicine is for everyone. Check out the Innersource website at

http://www.innersource.net/

and some great videos on

http://www.youtube.com/

just type in donna eden

The 5 day intensive class was absolutely awesome. Donna and David are wonderful teachers and their styles really complement each other. The Teaching Assistants are great. And the energy dance and poi ball classes with Titanya were really freeing and fun.

Our group's TAs were the 2 Ellens! They were full of information and really helped us to integrate and practice all that we learned in class. They also had helpful tips and inspiration for each of us. Energy Medicine makes so much sense. It feels so natural and it really works. I have been practicing and sharing with friends and family and I am amazed at the results. I can't wait to take other classes.

Lauren at St. Andrews

A beautiful, cool, summer day in Scotland. We toured the area and the school. Ate a delicious vegetable pasta. Had coffee at Starbucks. The photos that we took that day are gorgeous. Deep blue skies, deep rich greens, and a beautiful, rocky beach against the ocean.

This is my WWWednesday art piece. (posting late..oops) It is an acrylic painting on Yupo paper. I used Golden Acrylics. I cut strips from the sky and attached to the bottom area of the piece to pull down some of the color. I had never worked on the Yupo paper before, but I liked it. It is easy to correct , add, or change the picture whenever you want. It's a totally different feel than using watercolor paper.

"Guatemala" Art Quilt

"We are made wise not by the recollection of our past but by the responsibility for our future."

Guatemala

I spent the day yesterday going through my photos from Guatemala. It has been a year since that trip, and it has taken me this long to be able to organize and write about it. We traveled there to have Vacation Bible School with the children at a church in Momostenango and to start a lunch program with that church. The people and the children there were kind and gracious. They allowed us into their lives and shared food and work and smiles with us. They gave us the opportunity to grow and to love, by allowing us to play, sing, dance, create, and share meals with their children.

Their lives are so different there...so different from mine. Many children, small children live on the street and are hungry, cold, dirty, needing love, and to be a part of a family. Lots of families in Guatemala are broken ones. Many men turn to alcohol and this leads to domestic violence. Children sometimes feel safer on the streets than in their own homes. It is heartbreaking.

However, meeting the men and women at the church and working with them to feed the homeless and hungry children, working with them to teach and to love a new generation of families, and seeing them work so hard to improve their lives and the lives of others, was one of the most rewarding and awesome experiences of my life.

You know, we all want the same things, really...a safe place to live, good food on the table, healthy and happy families, time to play and nurture and love our children and each other , and a peaceful and loving world to live in.

Jackson Pollock

I want to thank everyone at Inspire Me Thursday for the video on Jackson Pollock! Everyone should go and see this man in action at http://www.inspiremethursday.com/ . They also have a link which invites you to make your own Jackson Pollock piece of art. Such fun!!! Go and play!!

It's Wednesday!!! Wonderful, whimsical, Wednesday!!

I've been working on charms today. The pictures are either photos that I have taken during my travels or copies of artwork that I have created. They are soldered using leadfree solder and some have extra embellishments (tinned copper wire, charms, glass beads, etc.).
This charm has a photo from St. Andrews, Scotland and is embellished with tinned copper wire and the word "believe". The photo is printed on vellum and is translucent. The photo is much clearer in real life than my scanner made it look. It is a nice clear picture.

"A Good Place to Meet"

8 x 10 " mixed mixed media collage "A Good Place To Meet" Papers, text, stamps, crayons, paints, oil sticks, watercolor pencils I have been traveling through many wonderful, magical, creative, and incredibly artistic blogs today. Many of them have one common idea...to make themselves better artists by challenging themselves (and others) to delve deep inside themselves and produce art regularly, whether it be daily, weekly, or hourly. No matter what...just something...an atc.....a painting...a poem.... a sketch....to keep those creative ideas flowing. This is such a great idea. I am going to challenge myself to make and post something new each week.....Wonderful Whimsical Wednesdays.....and the art I post will be on sale (on etsy) I am also going to start a list of art and journal prompts, so anyone who would like to add to that list...please do. Blessings!

Inspiration for Today

Inspiration for today....by Patanjali (c. first to third century bc)

When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds; Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties, and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.

May we all be blessed with such a gift, now and continuously.

Charlie

mixed media art spiral

This is my life.....and life is good

Searching for the Sacred Divine Feminine

At this time in my life, my mind, heart, and soul is unceasingly searching for more. Answers to questions asked and unasked are continually tugging at my heart. I feel the need to be silent, to pilgrimage to sacred places, to find the me that is yet to be found. The me that has been held at bay by the wonderful life that I have, by the children that I have been blessed with, and by the husband that I adore. I need to find the me that is connected to the universe in ways that until this time have been locked inside of me waiting to be released. I am blessed by the life I have and I reach expectantly towards the Sacred, knowing that it is time for the old me and the new me to converge into the whole me.

Recycled Realities - My Art

Your Inner Color is Blue

Your Personality: Your natural warmth and intuition nurtures those around you. You are accepting and always follow your heart. You in Love: Relationships are your top priority, and this includes love. You are most happy when you are serious with someone. Your Career: You need to help others in your job to feel satistifed. You would be a great nurse, psychologist, or counselor.

What's" Your Inner Color?

Artistic Musings

I try to write, sometimes, wondering if it's worth the time, wondering if I should be doing something else, more productive, wondering if many other people feel the same way. I start. I stop. I start again. and this may go on for some time. The same thing can happen when I am painting, or collaging, or creating mixed media pieces. The inner critic can be brutal, don't you think? Is it the pressure to leave my mark on this world. Where did that come from? This pressure? Isn't it enough that I am me? I see things, and hear things, and interpret things in my own way. Art makes me happy. It helps me to find me. It helps me to forget there is such a thing as time; and helps me to relax and really be...here...now. It helps me to see the beauty in all things. It helps me to take trash and make treasure...both literally and figuratively. I think it is the best part of me. What is it in me that makes it hard to stop doing things that really don't matter; when what makes me happy is here for me all of the time. I need to give myself permission on a daily basis to go and pull out the paint, paper, glue....bits and pieces; and have me speak to them as they speak through me. God knows I am old enough and have the ability to say, "go..create...be happy". So........"go and create and be happy"........so everyone will see the happiness pouring out of my soul and then others might feel happy and empowered also.

Graduation

It has been quite a month so far. A time for learning and for self reflection. A time for remembering and transforming. A time to search my soul for truths. My oldest daughter just graduated on May 14 from the University of Georgia (cum laude with honors - proud mom). Two seconds ago she was a baby. Small and soft and smelling of breast milk and the lovely baby scent that is like perfume for the soul. As she searches for her lifes calling; I, too, feel that I am searching. I am searching for me, my soul, the real me deep inside, the part of me that is my God part. I am searching for like minded women, and having found some, have begun to create a sacred circle; a secure place for us to evolve. What I need, I still don't have all the words for, but I do know that the biggest, strongest ones right now are "Create" and "Love". It isn't that I don't have these things in my life, I do, I am blessed by much love. It's that I need to reach out and reach in for a universal kind of love that seems to be much more available as I mature and grow. There's a deep place inside that needs the joy of creating....of having more "babies" and of watching them grow. Maybe I'm that baby...or maybe my art is that baby...or maybe everything that I touch and learn to nurture is that baby.

Matchbox treasures

These little matchbox treasures were made for Art and Soul trades. I only made 6 of these, because I haven't traded them before. I wrapped each with handmade papers and then stamped them and embellished them with a little white rose. Inside the "hidden" drawer, each has a different message. These 2 happen to be "listen" and "faith", both of which you need to be true to yourself and to be the wonderful artist that you are meant to be.

Handmade Charms Necklace

This necklace has amazing handmade charms made by wonderful mixed media artists from around the United States. Most of the charms are from the (2nd) Hampton Art and Soul charm swap. I am hosting this swap and it is such fun going to my mailbox each day. I have been overwhelmed by the artistry.
Everyone's going to love the charms!

Art and Soul swaps - ATCs

This is an ATC for the swap. The image is printed on photo paper. Cut out. Glued to another complimentary paper. Cut out. Mounted onto beautiful papers that are collaged with vintage french text and handstamped ("It seemed like a good idea at the time.") I love the photo of the girl with the hen and nest of eggs. This ATC can be understood on a variety of levels!

Altered Spoon Swap

I have never altered spoons before, but it was lots of fun. This one I wood burned patterns and words; then I dyed it blue and wired semiprecious stones with copper wire into patterns on the front.
I altered other spoons using semi precious stones and copper wire. Each one has its' own look and feel. Three of the spoons are stamped and dyed and wrapped with copper wire. Colorful fiber and charms and stones hang from the top of each spoon. To me they speak of magic and wonder. Magic wands for the kitchen.