in the studio: a day of play.

i love pulling out buttons, bra clips, vintage earrings.

buttons, buckles, and more.

i love creating space for the work of my hands.  

i love making the space beautiful. 

i love reaching into jars and finding something that's been tossed away and turn that object into something new and amazing.  i love these spaces of quiet where my hands and my soul speak.  i call these moments creative rest because my hands add restful pauses to days filled with thoughts.  my inner workings quiet and focus. i am given a chance to be fully who i am: integrated. whole.  i use my voice as i create. i am not silenced by the ones who need to shout.  my silence in these moments is my voice.  i choose what i am saying.  i choose what i am doing. 

i use my hands to create.

i behold the goodness.  

i create spaces for myself and others to find the creative voice, the creative spirit.

i create space for wisdom to be present & quiet so that wisdom can be heard.

i create space in order to live fully as an integrated person.  

they're not just vintage buttons, buckles, bra clasps.  they're each a story and a purpose and a desire.  

they are meaning.  they are voice and expression and life.  

life stories: creative spark seen and felt.

creative vessels from art+spirit gatherings.  i am overjoyed to witness the work of so many discovering and sharing their creative spirit, creative spark, and creative voice.  it's truly an honor.

and i love sharing a few scenes of the work of my hands.  i delight in using my hands to create as i live a creative life.  there is a time and place and space for sharing.  thank you for receiving my work and stories and life musings here.  i am so grateful for this space and the opportunities for sharing my creative spirit.  now to get myself into gear as i dream big and think big.

life stories: mindful change ((reposted))

life stories: mindful change was originally published on 28 October 2009.  

i'm beginning to think that if we each spent 10 minutes (or more) a day in still, mindful meditation we'll change the world. that change will begin within each of us, and the possibilities are limitless... i'm not the first to think such thoughts, but i join in the belief system that exists.

as i remove myself from social media, as i quiet our home with no sounds other than those natural "home" sounds and the sounds from outside, as i breathe deeply & sit still, there's something that takes shape from within. there's an inner stillness & awareness that wakes up within me and speaks to the world, the universe around me. there's a loss of time and space and an new creation of presence.

each moment that i spend still, quiet, focused, mindful i find myself using fewer words. i find my comprehension & thoughts focusing and i am in love with the ability to speak well. i am in love with the ability to be centered and positive.

what has surprised me are those moments of recognition where sarcasm, once practiced, is not so present. i even read & hear sarcasm in others as complaint rather than humor. [friends, i'll still love you, but i may distance myself from some of those tweets or comments on facebook.] you likely won't know. i'll just bid you blessings and peace.

when another friend called this week and spoke of my status updates & desire to be at a table with me, to sit and be in a thoughtful, well-intentioned conversation, i was humbled. during our conversation, memories of what i read that day that weren't so thoughful or well-intentioned (says the inner critic) poured into my mind. my conversation with this beloved friend wasn't as focused or centered. my mouth opened with questions and concerns. i said OUT LOUD some of my gut's instincts over recent days. i'm not sure if it "felt" good to be unburdened and share these thoughts with this kindred spirit or not. there's no guilt or regret, just questions of why so much welled up within. what i do hope is that we have the same desires each time we speak to want to be with the other person at table, sharing a meal or coffee together. to know that when we are low, there are folks who can help us to retain our balance. to know that we can first sit in a quiet stillness, listening to the sounds of our breathing, acknowledging our own thoughts that come into play as we sit and breathe.

we have so much potential inside of us. we are full of infinite possibility. (says one of my mini mixed media) while i am not attempting to share fortune cookie-like comments, i do feel full of good things. i want to express those good thoughts & share my life story. if negative thoughts or emotions come, i don't ignore them, but send them on their way. there's no room, no space left for them.

as my loving husband told me last night, "your mind is on other things." and he's right on target: my mind is on other things. mindful, thoughtful, peaceful, loving things. still in recognition of illness, death, and sorrow. much of that is spoken of in conversations with family & friends & those in the bereavement support group. i am in tune with that reality as well. awareness is so much of what brings that mindfulness through the creative spirit. then i can create & pray. i can be mindful that life is good, even when it's not.

good tunes

Find more artists like Brett Dennen at Myspace Music

i'm in love with this song. where ever i am, what ever i am doing, it brings my soul joy. blessed.

life stories: trees of trummery lane

a lovely walk. taking in the beauty of this white landscape. breathing in the good air. talking to the trees.

life stories: sacred spaces

the studio was blessed this week by the work of some amazing women. i'm thrilled the first creativity circle was such a good mix of creatives and such a meaningful experience. we'll enjoy the future together, certainly.

after the creativity circle, i swept. with the sun streaming on my sunny shoes, i had to capture the image of this creative act.

and the story of sweeping the day before. i do love the spirituality of sweeping, which was preached in sermon on sunday. i am pleased the topic of the sacred in the mundane resonated with so many. i'm glad there were many who said they would start the week in this way, too.

the space is looking so good. here's the table i found at class & trash (love the place!). i'll go back to see if i can get another table, as we need more room for any others to join the group. perfect for 6, but we need more table space for sure.

and another creative act shared here and on calledtocreate. a little gallery of my wears. not all are presented at once, but the gallery shop gives me a space to see what i do. i'll rotate for variety + to keep items from sun damage. for the space is bright and wonderful!

creativity circle registration is open!

you've expressed energy and excitement, said the time is ripe, and now it's time to commit to the journey. are you ready to explore your creativity among a group of kindred spirits?

third tuesdays*, beginning october 2010 from 9:30-11 a.m.

in the artist's studio, 2nd floor

Lewis Ginter Recreation Association Building

3421 Hawthorne Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222

street parking is available

*december 2010 will be second tuesday.

are you as excited as i am? themes in the first three sessions include: safe places, strengths within, and centering practices. we'll create art for the every day and you'll have the experience of art and the art itself to carry home. each monthly session is $25, which includes use of art supplies, art materials and coffee, hot tea and a light snack.

as a SPECIAL for those who register for the creativity circle through 2010, you can receive 3 for $50 and a special creativity kit. you need to register by october 15th for this treat. i believe in this space and the incredible work that can take place. i want those who feel a stirring to come, experience, and create.

as a creativity circle participant, you'll be able to attend the open studio times during the month where you can be in the studio with your own project and create among others.

the creativity circle will continue into 2011. much is in store! there will be art+spirit workshops, holiday gift making workshops, and 7 week art+spirit sessions (meeting weekly). as these are scheduled, i'll give you the heads-up.

to register, simply email me and we'll go through the process. i look forward to hearing from you! space is limited.

hello, autumn

happy equinox! enjoy these images just as i do of falls gone by. each has a story of our family traveling in the mountains or around our block to behold the goodness that fall brings. the

crispness in the air, of tree silhouettes.

i look forward to using the fresh apples presented to me yesterday, a true taste of what's to come when we go and pick from the tree. i look forward to lots of running and walking on this good earth. i especially look forward to the new colors and changes within our daily steps as we create new paths, new rhythms as a family.

hello, autumn. welcome.

speaking through the creative spirit

over some of the previous posts, i've hinted about feeling a little more silent through the blog over these summer months than in the past. i've been living in spaces that feed my soul. life here is lived outdoors, sometimes with the macbook, sometimes with the camera, always with eyes wide open, ready to receive what is offered. ready to offer love and peace as i am able.

i can't help but love those solitary moments with my son, with our green grass (yes, green again) and with our play time together. for walks, for dancing spirits, for life lived with my loves. i have a desire to bottle up these times and hold onto them, only to realize they can happen every day, no need for bottling.

i can't help but have a sense of peace, of wholeness with these moments where i am fully present to myself and to witnessing their presence in my life. my heart is full, my hands are working, and my joy is growing. i am full of ideas and energy. i feel restored by the summer, the heat, the water, the sand. i feel restored by the break and the return to rhythm all at once.

there's so much to say about this summer: about walks, hikes, visits with friends, stitches, veggies grown and received, meals prepared, retreats and workshops scheduled. about conferences, quilts, paintings, and love.

there's much to be grateful for and much to feel connected to.

of course, there's so much in store. with the return of fall and school, there's always something new to share.

creativity circle:

opening the window

of your creative soul

this fall i'm announcing the creation of a sacred meeting space for others who want to open the window of your creative soul through my creativity circle. we'll meet once a month (space is TBA). each session will have a small registration fee that covers the use of space, snacks, and materials. Through the creativity circle, we'll offer guidance, guided imagery, introductions to creative expression, while investing in each other's creative passions & adding a little inspiration to each other through a space of safety and support. we'll explore together and sometimes even get a little messy. the best part is that there is something to share: from the work of our hands together to carrying that to other hands (some little) and sharing artistic expressions with our young ones. other creative hands are being invited to participate in leadership & guidance. registration will begin this month. the group will be limited in number. if this sounds like something that will feed your soul, please let me know. if something within you says, Yes! Yes! Yes! then you should say so. If you're not in RVA, i'll be developing an online version of this community that can bring creative exercises & encouragements to you!

yes. there's much to be thankful for: for the days and years leading to this moment. for the moments to come. for the hopes and dreams of many and for connecting to creative souls in this space.

life stories: a new color

a new color story to share. market treats coming to the etsy store with a BIG Ol' shop update! it will take me a few days to get it all up and running, but well worth the time and effort.

a good word worth sharing: Joie Magazine

Read the premier issue of Joie online. I've contributed a little work of art in the mag. enjoy!

life stories: a day at the beach.

if only every day could be a day at the beach.

sand play fun (taken on hipstamatic for iphone).

a sweet friend's cute little toes in the sand.

(taken on shakeit for iphone).

sweet sandy fingers and toes.

(taken on camerabag for iphone).

and a taste of a little more diggin in the sand. a delightful day together.

(taken on hipstamatic for iphone).

simple moments. treasured moments. shared among friends and the imaginative spirit.

tree of life: celebration.

tree of life: celebration. here are a couple of new pieces completed recently that are now available at the Farmer's Market or one of these days if they make it onto Etsy. so much of what i create ends up leaving my hands to the market and then travels to a happy home before the online shop ever sees it. if you see something you like, let me know & i'll put in that extra effort of uploading. i love creating these, especially the custom additions that are requested. makes it so much fun aiming to please others. enjoy!

preserving is good balm for the soul

plum preserves are the best.

the color is amazing. simply lovely.

canning using one of my aluminum pieces from my grandparents' home

connects my hands to theirs. a long tradition of canning in our family

brings me to this moment, to this jar.

and to keep the final scoops in a little jar for immediate use,

placing all the skimmed foam on top,

ready for some plain organic yogurt. mmm...

a fresh, beautiful bounty...

life stories: delighting

today i'm finding delight in:

really, really pink toes.

yummy coconut macaroons.

(some are for sharing, i promise!)

time with my sweet one & his little toes. may we each find delight, take delight, and offer delight to others these sweet honey-suckle filled days of summer.

the work of our gardening hands: lavender

the lavender is harvested and added to a pitcher made by the hands of my friend ana.

one plant.

stems standing tall.

surveying the harvest of only a portion. you can hardly tell they've been cut. each stem is lovely, each blossom. these will be used in a few ways: in laundry bags, dried & in vases, and in strawberry jam (if i'm not too late!)