Most Grateful

dearest friends... thank you so much for you sweet blog comments, kind emails, and wonderful phone calls. I am one lucky girl to have all of you!

I apologize for being a bit mysterious in my last post. Unfortunately, I can not share all the details, but please know that what happened last week is merely a bump in the road, and not life threatening. I have so much to be thankful for.

I thought I might share with you my weekly journal artwork. This piece is a small way of expressing my gratitude. I hope you like it.

"sow the seeds of
gentleness,
true kindness,
honesty,
and joyousness

for life it what
we make of it...

reap a harvest
of happiness,
and virtue

for the world without
reflects the heart,
the soul within

seek the quiet pleasures
in this place
full of sunlight,
and beauty"

I called... and You came

It has been a rough and bumpy ride this week, full of the up and down moments of life. I often surprise myself when dealing with difficult situations. I am always determined to be brave. Then by carefully listening to my heart and trusting my instincts, I try to decide on the best path to choose.

During these times, I am most fortunate to have so many people around me who race to my rescue. They give freely their wonderful love, support, thoughtful advise, and encouragement. So, THANK YOU dear friends... for listening and offering your truly kind and uplifting words.

in the ZONE....

This weekend was all about sifting, sorting, packing, laughing, talking, sharing, dreaming, and jamming to some great music. Marylin came to visit, and we spent both Saturday and Sunday preparing for our upcoming workshops at Artfest and Valley Ridge Art Studio.

Like two silly school girls at a sleepover just having fun... Fun... FUN..., we combed through yummy fabrics, shimmering ribbons, breathtaking sheers, vintage papers, fun silk flowers, colorful buttons, charms, beads and gorgeous dried botanicals.

We stayed up until the wee hours on Saturday night and still jumped out of bed with a spring in our step the next morning. By Sunday afternoon, we had gathered and assembled the MOST WONDERFUL class packets.

BUT WAIT!!!!! THAT'S NOT ALL...

Now, I don't want to give away the surprise, but this is just a sneek peek at something special Marylin and I have made for each student. We are truly looking forward to seeing everyone very soon!

for My Valentine

I am a hopeless romantic, always believing in the fairy tale... breathlessly waiting for the storybook ending.

Even though life can be tumultuous, I continue to gaze through rose colored glasses, off into the happily ever after sunset.

Such feelings color my world, and jade my views. Love clouds my vision, and makes me believe in the power it has to fill a world with hope.

My art often reflects the sentiments of the heart with a palette of dreamy colors and romantic subjects. So in honor of this special day, my weekly journal artwork is a tribute. It is adorned with images such as delicate lace, a tiny painted bird, beautiful handwriting and home. This piece expresses all of my amorous feelings for a place where my heart belongs and true love abides.

Happy Valentine's Day!

ALL you need is LOVE!

Dear Friends...
For those of you that might not know, I am the moderator of the FiberArt Trading Cards Yahoo Group. This is a gathering of artists who share a love of trading cards, and a unique vision to make meaningful, creative, and of course fiber related art! Although we are using mostly fiber materials, our work may also incorporate the use of different mediums.. collage, assemblage, and mixed media.

Not only do I have the fun of coordinating exciting swaps/exchanges and projects for this group, I also have the pleasure of working with some VERY VERY TALENTED fiber artists. Seeing their work, up close and personal, is a WONDERFUL perk of being moderator!!!

This beautiful "LOVE" Garland is the swap piece I got to keep from our most recent exchange. It is the creation of the INCREDIBLE Mary Stanley.

The theme for our swap was "Heart to Heart". Participants were asked to make 4 to 6 FiberArt Trading Cards. Each card had one letter, several letters, and/or images on it and cards were strung together to create a garland. Our art celebrated all the sentiments that come from the heart.

Pictured below are the other TRULY OUTSTANDING garlands created!!!

by Carina Karlsson


by Heather Simpson-Bluhm


by Kathy Read


by Lori Seavey-Christian


by Marylin Huskamp


by Syd McCutcheon

A Friend is the present You give yourself

My trip to New York seemed to be over in the blink of an eye. I had a wonderful time checking out the latest and greatest products and trends at the New York Gift Show, talking with Sundance Catalog artist, Clare Goddard, and seeing interior designer, Jonathan Adler up close and in person.

While in Manhattan, I also had the chance to visit trendy Soho shops, funky boutiques of the Village and Upper West Side, and the posh stores of Madison Avenue. But meeting with fabric artist extraordinaire, Alma Stoller, was a highlight of my trip.

On my last day in the Big Apple, Alma and I had the opportunity to have lunch at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. During our meal in the museum cafe, we discussed our love of fibers and mixed media. She told me how she came to create zines, and I talked about my job as a product designer/illustrator.

After lunch, we dashed off to the Impressionist gallery and spent time enveloped in the atmosphere and artworks of Van Gogh, Monet, and Degas.
As we stood together in front of my favorite painting, Van Gogh's Cypress Trees, soaking in every nuance of this breathtaking masterpiece, Alma pointed out details that I might have missed without her careful eye.

Our time together felt somewhat surreal and was over all too quickly. Before we parted, Alma gave me some of her beautiful handmade fabrics, beads, and the most cherished gift of all... friendship.