everyone needs a bit of romance

The Poetry Thursday prompt for this week was to write about a "river". This subject started me thinking about the idea of two lovers strolling hand in hand, alongside the water's edge, perhaps stopping to have a picnic lunch under a large shady oak tree.

I admit... I am very much a hopeless romantic, but doesn't everyone need a little romance in their lives?


longing for a quiet place
where they could just be

wanting it to be perfect
like a fantasy

he laid the blanket down
upon the grassy knoll

while she fussed with sandwiches
in a basket worn and old

sharing stolen glances
and wondering what to say

next to a lazy river's edge
two lovers enjoy the day

To Inspire Your Creative Muse

I am pleased to announce the launch of Fibre&Stitch, an exciting new Mixed Media Arts online publication published by Sue Bleiweiss alongside a very talented team of artists.

Available quarterly beginning in September 2007!

Published 4 times a year, Fibre&Stitch is packed with a wide variety of articles and projects covering all types of mixed media techniques. Not just for the Fibre Artist, Fibre&Stitch explores Paper Arts, Collage, Machine and Hand Stitching, Art Journals, Wearable & Decorative Arts and much more.

Written to appeal to every level of artist and crafter, there is something for everybody in each issue of Fibre&Stitch, from in-depth full colour technique articles to quick and easy make it and go projects.

I am honored to be a guest author for the premier issue. So, I invite you to visit www.fibreandstitch.com to learn more about this publication and to subscribe.

Happy Memorial Day!

Between sudden bursts of showers and several downpours, I have been playing in the dirt over this holiday weekend. I could not resist sharing these photos of just a few of the lovelies that were planted to brighten my garden.

I also had a very nice visit from some unexpected guests.



Happy Memorial Day!

here I stand...

I live on the edge of a small city among the urban sprawl. My street sits next to a large farm with cows roaming around the pasture. It is peaceful, and serene with a somewhat rural feel about the neighborhood. Even though, I am less than five minutes away from any type of shopping you might desire.

Living next to these grassy fields, I have many opportunities to enjoy the bounties of nature.

Over this past weekend, I was taking a break from a day of household chores to enjoy the gorgeous weather outside. I had just sat down when a pair of the lovely barn swallows came to entertain me with their beautiful dance. It was enchanting to witness their graceful movements and rhythmic flight.

And I wished I could join them.
if only I were taller
I could reach you

but here I stand... heavy,
and bound to this fragile self

if only you would see me
as a tender heart surrendered

but here I stand... humbled
amidst your faultless virtues

if only I could give you
a round existence, worn remembrance

but here I stand... longing
for more songs and stories

if only you were nearer
these hands would love, keep you

but here I stand... lingering
as you cross one life's earnest path

betcha CAN'T GUESS!

Yes...that's RIGHT!...gray skies and raining

AND WHAT IS THIS... OH NO.. say it isn't SO!!!

Not only clouds for today, but rain forecasted for the rest of the week and possibly the Memorial Day weekend.... *sigh*

So... I did the ONLY THING a GIRL could do!

Buy some nice BIG YELLOW Sunflowers to keep her spirits bright.

Happy Tuesday!

Glad Mondays

Feeling a little sad that the weekend is over, I thought I would gather a few treasures from around the studio this morning, and create a small vignette on my desk.

This brightened my spirits, and reminded me to enjoy every day, even Mondays.

Color Thinkin' & Weather Dreamin'

Over the last several days the weather here in Kansas has been absolutely PERFECT; gentle breezes, blue skies, fluffy white clouds, and cool temperatures.

THIS is an EXTREMELY RARE occasion!

Normally, by the first of May, we are experiencing HOT summertime temperatures, strong winds, and brow beating sun. But since the middle of April, we have had the unusual circumstances of day after day, week upon week of gray skies with lots and LOTS of rain.

Because of the gloomy outdoor conditions, surprisingly, I found myself craving the color yellow. Silly, right... that someone would actually CRAVE a color. Honestly, I don't think it is as uncommon as one might suspect. Although, I have no actual facts to prove my point.

Nonetheless, in an effort to satisfy both my color longings and a sincere wish for nice weather, one of the weekly fiber journal artworks became a tribute to yellow. Of course, I added a few accents to compliment this cheery little color sampler.

Here's wishing you all...Bright & Sunny Yellow Days!




OH! I thought you might enjoy a close-up of my little yellow songbird.

standing still

As the days become warmer, I especially enjoy the brief moments at daybreak just before the sun begins to rise. These fleeting minutes inspire both my poetry and art.

before I awoke
they were singing
each note resound
against the cool damp air

with a new day
peaking over the horizon
like a child playing hide and seek
wanting to be found

asking to be heard
their music resonated through me
I could not help but smile
so I listened

standing still, knowing
they would again beckon
hoping I would remain
if only for a moment

always remember...

Lately, I feel as if I am caught up in quite the whirlwind of life. So many of us experience this nowadays, we rush around busy with the hustle and bustle of daily activities,... going here and there, always trying to squeeze one more thing in before the day ends only to fall into bed exhausted.

But last night, I needed a break from my to-do's, so I sat down in the comfy chair near my worktable and started browsing through my pastel journal. This is just one of many art sketchbooks I have, and like most of my creative journals, I still have plenty of empty spaces yet to fill.

I would have to say that it is one of my very favorite books. The spiral bound pages are slightly oversized at 11 x 14 and made of brown craft paper which is an ideal background for pastels.

I had never worked with the pastel medium until I was required to use it in several drawing classes during art school. From the moment I began experimenting with these soft chalk-like sticks, I was hooked! I LOVED them... everything about them... well almost, they are a little messy, but the intensity of their colors on any surface is INCREDIBLE!

So I thought I would share a page from my beloved book that was just what my weary soul needed... a reminder that I should take a few moments to stop and smell the roses... even if they were only from a page in a journal.

glimpses of the heart...

little pieces, and tiny bits
of fabric,

paper,

paint...

stitched together,
woven tight
in a tapestry called my life,

bound together
like a present
neatly tied with string

little pieces, and tiny bits
small glimpses of my heart

QUITE a character!

I thought I might share a fiber journal page I completed a couple of weeks ago. Life has been so hectic that I have not had a chance to post some of my latest pieces, so I thought I would try and catch up.

This particular artwork happens to be from the week of April 16th. It was a difficult time with the passing of our precious little pug, Zoe.

My husband and I spent many moments during those first few days reminiscing about her silly ways, and constantly commenting on how she was QUITE a character!

I am sure you all know what I mean by this. We all seem to have them in our lives... you know the types... quirky, interesting, frustrating, shake your head and wonder about them kind of people.... or pet in this situation.

Our Zoe was JUST that... stubborn, adorably cute, quirky, huggable, very much her OWN little ball of fur. We said her name MORE than any of our other pet's names because she was always up to something. But despite our frustration at times, she made us smile with her antics.

After painting this tiny bird, I was immediate reminded of our sweet dog. My little creature just seemed to have that sort of character-esque personality.

Every time I look at this piece, I smile at the idea of trying to tell some silly story hoping that the tale might coax a stubborn bird to sing.

This particular page is much more whimsical than any of my previous journal work which seemed perfect for capturing our Zoe's true spirit.

outside my window

Today, I am making a trip to Atlanta on business. I must leave home in the wee hours of the morning and will be returning late this evening.

I have to admit that I am a bit of a nervous flyer. Although, I like the speed with which an aircraft can take me from here to there. I am not a big fan of take-offs, turbulence, landings, small bathrooms, or cramped seats. I suppose this encompasses almost everything about the flying experience.

However, there is one thing I do enjoy... I know hard to believe.

I love looking out the window at the wondrous world below. I can quickly become quite lost in my own thoughts when I see the endless sea of billowy clouds just drifting and floating along their uncharted path. Oh, the joy I feel when I catch glimpses of the earth beneath this fluffy blanket. The ground looking very much like a puzzle right before you toss the board over, and start trying to reassemble the pieces of the picture you so recklessly scatter.

So for Poetry Thursday, I thought I might share a little poetic verse about this vast beautiful scenery outside my airplane window.


right here at my window
captivated I sit, simply staring
as billowy wisps drift into view

I am floating among islands
amidst an ocean of blue
humbled by this peace

they usher in morning to evening,
exchanging day for night
with utter praise and delight

such comfort given with no hesitation
swaddling the earth below
right here at my window

a little of This & That

Happy May Day Everyone!

I thought I might share some fun and fabulous surprises I received in the mail yesterday.
This very whimsical card and oh so... adorable fabric bracelet is from the VERY TALENTED Mz. Syd McCutcheon. She wanted to help me celebrate my birthday IN STYLE. Not only is this fun to wear, but it is SUPER soft around my wrist. I LOVE the colors and the flower is just TOO CUTE!


I also had the SWEETEST postcard from my friend, Maija Lepore. It had one of Pam Garrison's lovely illustrated photos on the front with the NICEST note on the back from Maija .

Now HOW could my day get ANY BETTER with these treasures in my mailbox just waiting to be discovered!!!

BUT... the cherry on top was the May/June issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors tucked under all of this.

Here, on page 62, are the BEAUTIFUL quilt wall hangings from the 2006 ArtFiberFest Quilt Swap. Our hostess was the FABULOUS, Shari Beaubien. She did an INCREDIBLE job of coordinating the participants, and working with the magazine to get our pieces published.

Be Sure to pick up your copy of the magazine and check them out!