Artful Blogging

Hard to believe that the summer is quickly slipping away, and August 1st is nearly upon us. With the debut of this new month at hand, I also have a debut and some exciting news to share with all of you.

In among the pages of Somerset's newest publication, Artful Blogging , you will find artistic images, heartfelt stories, endearing memories, and even bits of poetry from beautiful, and amazing individuals.

I could not be more thrilled or honored to be part of this magazine. I am sincerely touched by the talented artists who share their whole hearts with us online, and so pleased with how the staff at Stampington has thoughtfully presented each blog. This is an outstanding publication, and I would highly recomend it to anyone.

Even if you aren't into blogging, you will definitely want rush to your nearest bookstore or favorite news stand to check it out!

Drum Roll... PLEASE!

Thank you all.. for stopping by to visit! I have truly enjoyed reading your sweet comments and well wishes.

Celebrating this milestone with all of you has been FUN!

I do want to announce the outcome of my birthday give-away.


If you ladies would contact me, I will have your treasures in the mail early next week.

WOW! A Blog Birthday AND 100th Post!

Hard to believe that it is my Blog's 1st birthday.

BUT WAIT! The Red Door Studio Blog is not only celebrating a birthday, BUT also... it's the 100th post.

Now, I could not have planned the two events to coincide if I tried... but by some miracle they are indeed happening at the exact same time!

SO, to celebrate in grand fashion I am having a blog giveaway. Toss your name into the hat by leaving a comment. You will have one week. Then on Saturday, July 28th, I will have my darling husband choose three numbers.

I will be giving away the artwork shown below, which is a small bird painted on fabric, and two sets of songbird stencils.

THANK YOU ALL SO VERY VERY MUCH for stopping by to visit! I am constantly filled with gratitude and joy by the friendships and connections I have made through this experience.

Empty

holding tender moments of a fading memory,
and wondering if you will ever return
or at least remember, where it all began

there were no goodbyes
for you were anxious, and ready
to be part of a bigger world

my heart aches, longing for a second chance
casting a tearful gaze toward the heavens
and wishing we could start again

all the while knowing, this was your true beginning

A Miracle at My Doorstep.

We’re told that miracles are all around us, but at times, I must admit it is hard to see them. So often, it is the ordinary or what we consider, the mundane, which holds a plethora of incredible happenings. Yet, we turn a blind eye; too busy rushing around with our busy lives to really take a good look at our familiar surroundings.

However, there are occasions when life presents us with enlightened moments, we stop to take notice, and are reminded that in noticing the little things, our lives are richer and more fulfilled.

Currently, there is a miracle, (well... actually three), that is taking place right at my doorstep.

Last fall my husband and I planted the most beautiful Lace-Elm tree right in the middle of the front yard. It was very majestic with the tallest limb reaching almost 25 feet.

Our weather has been very erratic over the last nine months. All of this has caused us to wonder if our trees and plants were going to survive the mountains of snow, unexpected freezes, and heavy downpours. Our yard has definitely been affected in some ways because of these changing climate conditions.

My darling husband has diligently tended to our poor plants, carefully pruning after every weather shake down, in an effort to keep the healthy parts of our outdoors thriving. However, when he had to trim at least one-third of the branches from our tree in the front yard, I just cried.

Even our beautiful Lace-Elm, that had already started to bud with a multitude of soft green leaves, could not endure the harsh conditions of an unexpected heavy frost in late April.

But little did I know that this severe tree trimming would later allow me to witness a pair of Robins, who constructed a nest that was nestled right at the base of our Lace-Elm in order to raise their babies. Their little abode was within full view.

I have immensely enjoyed the company of this Robin couple, chirping away as they gathered the remains from the barren harvested wheat fields, borrowing little findings from our grapevine wreath decorated with silk flowers hanging on the front door, and gathering other odds and ends from the surrounding landscape.

We never even noticed all of this was taking place right in front of our eyes until one day my husband was mowing near their nest and our visitors let him know he was a little too close.

Over the weeks, our Robin friends have allowed us a few peeks at their impending family. We, like the happy birds, have also felt a little like expectant parent, watching every day for three miracles


Nowadays, Momma and Daddy Robin are furiously foraging for food. The fledglings are growing quite big and every once in a while hubby and I are still able to get close enough to have a look at their progress.


I know they will be leaving soon, and I am a little sad about this fact. But I also know my heart is completely filled with joy and delight when I think of the moments I've spent watching three little miracles at my doorstep.

EVOLVE

About a month ago, I was contacted by an artist who wanted to purchase a custom garland from my etsy store.

She was excited to have one to hang in her studio, as she had seen another artist do.

When she wrote to inquire on price and shipping, she also told me that she was trying to decide on the perfect word for her treasure. Almost a week or two weeks later, she wrote to tell me that she had been pondering this idea of a word and had come up with "EVOLVE".

Although, she felt that it was more spiritual than artsy, this was where she knew she was in life currently.

I INSTANTLY fell in LOVE with her idea... of "EVOLVE", and immediately pulled out my webster's dictionary to look up the definition.

I worked over the follow days to turn her request into a beautiful reality.

I was very pleased with how the finished garland turned out, and honestly, had a hard time parting with it. However, I knew this was her gift to herself.

But, oh, how I wished I had been there when the package arrived, just to see her face when she carefully unfurled the garland to gaze upon "EVOLVE" for the first time.

I wished with all my might that she too was as inspired and moved by the finished piece and her choice, as I was with making it for her.



I have not stopped thinking about that word. And, I don't know if I will ever be asked to make another "EVOLVE" garland again, but her choice guided me to not only create a lovely and inspiring visual reminder, but to write the poetic prose I am offering today as my contribution to Poetry Thursday.

It has caused me to stop and think,... examine my life,...perhaps also giving me the chance to "EVOLVE".


drifting in and out of prevailing moments,
these velvety hues that color my days
soft and longing..

this is a changing season for my life
timid and wondering, yet....
trusting I will find my way

believing in the discovery of a path for these feet to wander,
leading to a door where the key, safe within
the abiding of this heart, will unlock the world

Magical

Where to begin... how to convey all the special moments spent in rural Wisconsin visiting a magical place during the day called The Valley Ridge Art Studio.

And at night, spending joyful evenings filled with stories and much laughter among friends old and new.

So many details to share, I don't want to forget anything...but I digress.

I was one of 14 individuals, fortunate to participate in a class hosted at Valley Ridge by the lovely Kathy Malkasian. She is the proprietress of this wondrous haven nestled amidst lush, rolling green hills, surrounded by farmland as far as the eye can see. A scene which is not unlike the familiar landscape of home, here in Kansas.

Kathy and her husband, Bill, provided a weekend of inspiring scenery, opportunities to commune with nature, sunny days, cool breezes, and delectable gourmet lunches served on an outdoor veranda.

The class, I attended, was taught by one of the dearest souls I know, Ms. Nina Bagley.

She, so unselfishly, shared her expert knowledge of jewelry making, provided the most wonderful hints and tips to make our work beautiful, and forever entertained us with her wit and graceful southern charm.

These are two of the pieces I made in class. They are so precious to me.... for I have dreamed about how I had hoped to transcribe bits or verses of my poetry along with images from nature onto lovely charms that could be spun into treasures.

Small tokens that I could give as gifts to beloved friends and family. My days here with Nina have made this wish a reality.

Now I must introduce you to a couple of the most endearing women, I have ever met. Little did I know, when I spied them seated across a crowded restaurant on the evening before our first class that both my husband and I would have the pleasure of their company throughout the rest of our days in Wisconsin.

I was immediately at ease and instantly felt such a strong bond of friendship with Kim and Julie. We spent hours at dinner with the two of them along with my dear friend, Shari, reminiscing about the days in class, sharing our lives, and being quite entertained by Julie's habit of using sugar packets as visual props for all her tales.

It has been a long time since I have laughed so hard. Even my very shy husband was chiming in on the conversations and laughing right along with us.

I miss these girls so much and can hardly wait until we seeing each other again this fall!

This beautiful lady that is smiling back at me is none other than my darling friend, Shari, whom I was thrilled to discover in late December of last year that she too was planning to attend this very same class. Our discovery lead me to book reservations at the very same bed and breakfast in the quaint town of Mineral Point.

It was wonderful seeing her again and having the chance to really talk with each other on our daily commute across the 28 miles of rural roads. We had the best discussions about our exciting opportunites and challenges as budding new workshop instructors.

And last, but certainly not least, I had the incredible honor of meeting an artist that I have long admired her work from afar. Geraldine Newfry was a completely charming and beautiful person. So humble about her talents. She is such a true craftsman. Her artistry is breathtaking. I loved getting to know Gerri and also look forward to seeing her again in October.

As you can see this was quite a journey, and one I will not soon forget. These memories like precious jewels are safely tucked away in the abiding of my heart.. forever.

Incredible Happenings Continued!

Once again, I am so very honored to have the opportunity to share an article, web interview, with the readers of Cloth, Paper, Scissors Magazine.

A VERY special thanks goes to Patricia Bolton for the incredible job she did capturing the essence of that special bond, I have with my mother-in-law, Marylin.

Not only is Marylin one of my best friends, but I have the added pleasure of teaching art workshops around the country with such a talented fiber artist.

This web article is like the "icing on top", and to be included in a publication with some of the best artists we know humbles both of us.

So, thank you, Pokey, and thanks to all our wonderful family and friends who are supporting us spiritually and emotionally on this - the experience of a lifetime!

WE ARE TRULY BLESSED!!!!