The muse is erupting... if they do that??

So I always say that I make jewelry because I have a toddler and making jewelry is quick and easy - and painting is, well, ... messy.

But these days I see faces and art everywhere... in the way snow falls,
the sunset on a cold day, the loneliness of a snow-covered lawn chair ...

the light hitting the plaster on the ceiling above my bed.. it's getting really hard to refuse

this muse...

what if we could combine elements of all these photos? I ask myself...

and then carry on my way.

(ahem, can you say that? refuse the muse...)

I have reams of landscape photos, reams and reams of them, that I could/should be using for painting inspiration, but alas... this is as far as I've gotten.

anyway...

I even have an artsy friend who calls and emails me to see when I want to get together to draw,

or paint.

REALLY.

Could it BE any easier?

But do I do anything? ...no... I say in a very little voice.

One of these days, when the fence is finished (it blew down last week) and my toddler's been quelled, by toys and cookies, then maybe,

just maybe...

I'll pick up my sketchbook & one of those pencils I have stashed everywhere around the house

(seriously, I have them in a tin on the shelf above the toilet! I mean everywhere)

and answer this muse's call...


..before she's forced to hit me with a shovel or something!

what's on my mind

So I've been a little all over the map this morning and it's only 8:00am!!

One thing that's really on my mind is creating things. When I'm all over the map, I'm usually in the midst of creating a LOT of things! So creating is this morning's theme.

One thing in particular that just gets stuck in my craw is how really nice people look sad when they talk about creating things!

A lot of people attribute making things and crafting to talent. This big scary remote notion that has to do with something outside themselves that they cannot control. Are you one of those people? Do you feel left out of something potentially fun and fulfilling.

Well, if you ARE one of those people, listen to me very carefully.

Let that silly ole notion go!
It has nothing to do with you.

There are so many things happening out there that are fun and wonderful and feed your soul and have nothing to do with some intangible inborn notion like 'talent.' I say if you have fun, great ideas will pour from your finger tips and give your heart a happy dance! So why not, try?

:D

A wonderful art supply business based out of the Seattle area, Daniel Smith is having a sale to commemorate Van Gogh's birthday on the 30th of March! And really is there any more inspiring artist than Vincent Van Gogh!

You've seen this image a thousand, million cajillion times and it still inspires people to create all sorts of new things!

But have you seen THESE THINGS :D They're FANTASTIC!!

Van Gogh Pony - Handcrafted Gourd - $40 TheWillies.esty.com

Hand embroidered Starry Night Brooch - $140 waterrose.etsy.com



Hand painted Messenger Bag - 65 angiediazconcept.etsy.com

Hand Print Mold Wall Art (baby & child) - $95 audreylaynecombs.etsy.com

Starry Night Felt Merino Wool Cuffs - $20 - a pair elsjeboer.etsy.com

What can you create?

I bet you can think of wonderful things! Grab your morning beverage, your idea list and start flipping through the Daniel Smith online catalogue to see what would supply your creativity!

Have fun :D

Whiskey Creek, BC

Woke up this morning with a hankerin.
A hankerin for home.

For spring sunshine on mossy Douglas Firs, snow glistening off Mt Arrowsmith and to visit a happy goat family on their roof top home.



So many fantastic shops and sights to see.
I love it there! You can peruse all sorts of curio shops and hike the water falls at Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g181779-d597002-Reviews-Little_Qualicum_Falls_Provincial_Park-Parksville_Vancouver_Island_British_Columbia.html

or drive out and see the gentle giants in MacMillian Park

http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=macmillan+park+vancouver+island&fb=1&gl=us&hq=macmillan+park&hnear=Vancouver+Island&hl=en&view=map&cid=8727054595011631680&iwloc=A&ved=0CDAQpQY&sa=X&ei=NiJ1TbzQIpeqigOBl42YAQ

previously known by it's more apt name Cathedral Grove. A real Cathedral!



you can go too!

http://www.vancouverisland.travel/

Superstition... true or false??

Today, it feels TRUE.

The Queen of Wands
This is from the Shadowscapes Tarot. Isn't it lovely?

An intelligent and savvy businesswoman who commands loyalty and intelligence in those around her. A woman who will not be fooled. Female enterprise. Confident and generous woman. Sensual and passionate female energy. Lover of life and those willing to explore it with her. A feminine leader able to lead the masses. A woman able to see big picture and delegate accordingly.

So I got this reading today. I have gotten this card before in my life, of course, but today was the first day that it felt true.

And my eyes glisten with wonder... warmth grows in my breast, I was feeling this way before I got this card and the 'confirmation' if that's what it is makes me feel...as if I'm at home in my life.
Is that over-stating it?

Perhaps.


But I am just that kind of superstitious woman...

Resolutions and Obituaries

My Grandmother passed away just after Christmas.
She was far and away one of my favorite people.


It's true.


It's funny that that statement is true, because these last few years, I didn't see or speak to her very often.

I got caught up in the drama of my own life - all very valid and very dramatic ;0

Except...

in retrospect.

Her celebration of life service was held on the 4th of January. So hot in the middle of resolution territory, I was reading over my favorite person's obituary.

And it really is like the high school counselor said: What do you want your obituary to say? How do you want your life to be? What do you want it to look like?

And now when I find myself overwhelmed with dishes and diaper changes, trying to squeeze a shower in, finally, at 10:30, I am reminded that this is not the way I want my life to read.

I can use the excuse that everything takes time, God is in the details (or is that the Devil?one of them lurks there anyway) or I can 'Do more, to Be more'.

So here I go. Off to the shower...at 10:05.

Baby steps :D

My TO DO LIST is overwhelming ME!!!

Have you ever had that happen? I walk around in a daze; all the things I should be doing whirring around in my head all of them taking too long to accomplish, when I have soooo many other things to do!!!

So I start them all and finish none of them and then I consider the philosophy of life: is doing what life is about?

Is that what we're here for or is that, I'm loathe to say, a puritanical view of life. It's been over-quoted, in my opinion but those puritans their pervasive and their effects are long reaching...

WEll, I'd better go...I'm getting wound up already...


Are days really opportunities for new beginnings or another day stuck in the mud?

whheewww... deep breath...

It's Melting, It's melting

Over here, east of the mountains (Cascade, that is) we've been hit by a storm. A big one! And Cold....brrrrrrr





And just when I thought we wouldn't be able to get rid of the snow





sploosh, drip, splash

it began to melt!


[Insert dance of joy here]

I hope that things are wonderfully joyful where you are!!


Dances of joy for all!