Walking Labyrinth

While vacationing in Delaware, I found Lavender Fields and a wonderful
Walking Labyrinth.  

Here I am in the center of it feeling absolutely happy!  Can you tell?

 And below is my lovely daughter in deep thought...always...a Philosophy Major.

For more on the Labyrinth and the beauty of Lavender Fields, visit 

http://lavenderfieldsde.com/

More beauty of the vacation is this terrific cactus that bloomed
just for us on our last day.

It hangs inside the outdoor shower next to the pool, 

and we were careful all week long not to disturb the buds.

Voila...it bloomed for us on our last day! 

And here is my very own personal REHOBOTH BEACH PATROL...

Oh my darling daughters just loved putting those t-shirts on!  

I think the only reason they humored me was so they can say,

"Remember when Mom made us where those goofy shirts?"

I definitely created a memory!!!  And isn't that what

MOMS DO BEST???

Light Verse...

Behind the work of any creative artist there are three principal wishes: the wish to make something; the wish to perceive something, either in the external world of sense or the internal world of feeling; and the wish to communicate these perceptions to others.


These are words found in an introduction by W. H. Auden in The Oxford Book of Light Verse.  This book was at the book sale, and as I check daily at the book sales for some great treasure, I found this.  It speaks volumes to me.  I plan to use copies of these words in my next altered book project.  


Currently, I am working with newspapers and magazines...and have even made some new labels out of brown paper grocery bags.  COOL!

SPRINGTIME...HOORAY!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG in the Hudson Valley.  The blossoming trees are so beautiful.  After such a mild winter, I wonder if we will actually have a full spring.  Spring is my favorite time of year, for it is when all 3 of my lovely daughters were born.  I only hope that we are not plunged directly from this special time into full blown 80 - 90 degree days by the beginning of May!  For it is the promise of new life, the budding on the trees and surprise shoots and blooms peeking out in the garden, that give hope when we need it most.

While visiting the gardens of my friend Nina, of Happy Herbs Soap who can make anything grow, I found inspiration for making a new garden space in my rock bed.  Where I live, I have limited sun and more rocks than I know what to do with.  Yes, I have a rock wall that lines the entire front of my property.  When I try to plant anything, it is always a chore because of the large rocks that I encounter while dig...dig...digging.  The rock wall gets taller and taller each growing season.

I am hopeful...every Spring I am hopeful!!!

HAPPY SPRING TO ONE AND ALL!

Winter in the Northeast

Well, it is 60 degrees this late February day here in the Northeast.  And we are all enjoying this wonderful, mild winter.  Especially after last year and the 3 feet of snow in one storm days...  The crocus and the daffodils are already peeking out.  Hopefully they will not be damaged by the freeze that is expected this evening along with a bit of slushy mess.  It won't be long now!

BE STILL MY BEADING HEART...

Found great inspiration today...http://treasures-found.blogspot.com

Check out the Earrings Everyday Love Fest... http://earrings-everyday.blogspot.com/

You will be inspired, too.  I promise!!!

More Doodles Unleased

Arty Tea Party Project...Doodles Unleashed workshop with Traci Bautista

It was fun to watch everyone get started.   Some of the ladies had a very hard time stepping outside of their comfort zone and just "LET GO".  Now, I will make a photocopy of it and cut it up to use on other projects.   This was great fun.  Creative Art Play...

Visit the Talented Chics of the Arty Tea Party at http://artyteaparty.blogspot.com

And if you want to see what Janet is doing while she is enjoying the mild, midwest winter, visit her at  http://janetsartplay.blogspot.com/  She, too, has taken the online workshops with Traci Bautista via Strathmore Artist Studio.

HAVE A GREAT CREATIVE DAY!  Aloha ~

Where's the snow???

This is a picture of a few winters ago...here in the northeast, we have had some very strange weather.
At the end of October, we had a freak blizzard that crippled the entire area, downed trees, leading to power outages for a couple of days.  Quite bizarre.
And just last week, the end of January, there were kids out in 55 degree weather in shorts.  Now that it is February, the chill goes down into the 20's at night, but right back up again today in the sunshine to around 40.
So, in order to feel the winter that many here wish we had, I am posting an old photo.  And honestly, I wouldn't mind a nice big snowstorm.  The soup is on, and game day plans are underway...

Nina is at Rosendale Winter Market today with her Two Crows...Hope she is having a fine day!  Her "winter's spell" incense crows are keeping me company today as I sort and organize while waiting for the Super Bowl.

Friday Fill-Ins

And...here we go!

1. Go ahead, there's some paint for you, too

2. A new car, I'll get that soon!

3. Don't worry, BE HAPPY:)

4. The cat is in charge for the day.

5. Pretty much of what's happening with me is peaceful.

6. It's okay with me.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to movie night, tomorrow my plans include art play and Sunday, I want to watch a GREAT SUPER BOWL!

Want to play Friday Fill-Ins...go on...you can do it!!!

 Friday Fill-Ins...

Creative ArT Play...

It's a bright cold, snow covered day here in the Northeast.

A great day for "CreAtiVe aRt pLaY".

I joined an online workshop with Tracy Bautista at

Strathmore Artist Studio and though, I had a different 

idea in mind, this is the end result.  

I will continue to play with this at our next

ArTy TeA PaRty on Feb. 2 at Kelli's house!

Lots and lots of layers!

I'll make a copy of it, cut it up and use for other projects:)

Give it a try...It's GREAT FUN!

HAPPY HERBS SOAP GIVEAWAY

Nina, of Happy Herbs Soap is hosting

 her first blog giveaway!  Visit her @ http://happyherbssoap.blogspot.com to enter 

and read all about how to fight the winter blues!

Art Journal Page

When trying to keep up with the blog and creative play, all while working and being a domestic goddess..well I found myself at 9:00pm diving right into this piece of paper.  It just took me away.
It was inspired by Roben-Marie, and what I really like about this page is, that my youngest daughter sat quietly watching me, and just said..."I'm so loving how you do this."  It made it all so special!

Hot Fun In The Summertime

Another lovely tea party at Dear Sweet Nina's Two Crow Cottage. 

                                 A creative day all around.                                          

Nina's grape arbor just whispers...

"Come, come into the garden...come see what awaits!"

 

      

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Cheer!  Nina is the BEST!

Check out more at http://artyteaparty.blogspot.com/

http://happyherbssoap.blogspot.com/

My Inspiration

Have been missing in bloggin' action lately.  Not sure why, or where I've been, but I know that I must return to my artistic side, and writing here.  College graduations, recitals, all beautiful events that make me happy and busy at the same time.  So, as a member of Roses On My Table, it was just what I needed to find inspiration in the Kindred Sprits Project for Betty.  Here are my pages for Betty's Book...

This is part of collaborative book by the members.  This is the front of my page.



And below, is the flipside.  As it turns out, so many participants in the project will make not only 1 book for Betty, but 3 books.
All unique, beautiful and full of get well wishes for our artistic friend.

Check out all the other pages, and other projects on Roses.  It's truly inspirational.
rosesonmytable.com





I am looking for inner peace and inspiration to continue on my artistic journey.  If you have any ideas or tips to help me along, please do share. I need a creative kick... Thank you!

TIME FLIES WHETHER YOU'RE HAVING FUN OR NOT...

Well, Spring has Sprung...and so much is going on!  Oldest daughter graduated from college...and I am desperately trying to get back to some form of art.  I need "ME TIME"...

Perhaps I will get out my copy of "Artistic Mother" for some inspiration.  And I can hardly wait to go to the next "Arty Tea Party" at my dear friend, Andrea's.

Yes, Spring has Sprung!!!

JOY!!!

Cabin Fever

This winter is dragging on.  Last week we had a 60 degree day and the ice mounds dwindled down to just 2 feet from about 4 or 5.  Now we are back into the deep freeze again.  I do love the snow, but the solid ice and the dirty, yucky frozen slush can just disappear!!!

POOF...BE GONE!

Enjoyed a nice long weekend off with the family.  Got absolutely nothing creative accomplished, however!  Need inspiration for a new project...

Any ideas???  Do share...

I LOVE WINTER...I REALLY DO...BUT...

I truly love the snow and all its pristine beauty.  There is nothing more peaceful than walking outside at night through the woods when the snow is falling.  There is not a sound. Something very therapeutic and cleansing about it all!!!
And since old man winter seems to want to keep dumping all this glorious white stuff all around us, I am forced to focus on my art studio space.  Purging and finding the proper homes for all the items that have been pushed aside as I search for just the right piece of fabric or the perfect button to add to a project is becoming quite the chore.  And since my altered book projects, 3 of them in progress, are at a standstill, I will share some of the ones that I have completed!  The beginnings of the "Creative Chaos" in my home!

My favorite things...books...I suppose that is why I work in a library!  The used book store has so many possibilities.  And I know the books I have chosen to alter, enjoy the new journey they have embarked upon!   Several are now on display at  a 1759 Revolutionary War Farmhouse for a Valentine's Day Open House.  They invite the visitors to touch and become immersed in their new journey.  Once I get "my space"organized, I shall get back to the true passion of my artistic side!

THINKING SPRING!!!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful!  Those of you in the northeast know what I'm talking about! 
Enough said about that!

And since we have no place to go...we sew, we sew, we sew:)  Made some cutesy valentines today!
Tomorrow's another day!  Hope we have no place to go again so I can play some more in the studio!

Did you check out Nina's cute little crows?  http://www.etsy.com/shop/happyherbssoap LOVE THEM!

WINTERSPELL...

More snow today...and my woodstove is doing its job! And you all must go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/happyherbssoap and get some of Nina's WinterSpell incense...It is so enchanting!  I need a new batch already, as it has been burning nonstop.  SWEET!  Too bad I have to leave it soon to go out into the cold!

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

Ok, here is my favorite impromptu journal page, from last spring.  This came about by a book I received from my children for Mother's Day, The Artistic Mother.  It is made from an old bookcover, with gesso, acrylics and water soluble crayons; topped off with some rubber stamps, paper scraps, vintage trim and an old family vacation photo with a hanging heart that tells it all!

Here is:  MY FAMILY: FOREVER BONDED!

I decided to post it after following the Journal Journey on Roses On My Table.  And since my art journal has some experiments gone wrong that are not really post-worthy, this is a better choice.  Also, Betty's last post/giveaway from her blog jumpstarted me. 

Visit Betty at http://bloubell-alteredexpressions.blogspot.com/

And you can find Shona Cole's book, The Artistic Mother on Amazon...

Let It Snow...Man

Well, it's a good thing we love the snow here:)  Another 7 inches or so, no school, no work...a wonderful day to play in the art studio!

The wood stove is burning hot~and so is Nina's incense.  Candles are lit all over the house as the wind picks up.  IT'S ALL GOOD!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!