An Open Window

In honor of the last Poetry Thursday, my contribution is based on the random idea of "an open window", presented by one of the charming moderators of this site and a dear friend, Liz Elayne.

I can not adequately express how much I have enjoyed participating in this group. Although Liz and Dana have decided not to continue with the site, there will be a different poetry group going forward, and I will plan to be a part of it.

These exercises in poetry and prose have opened my eyes to quite a wondrous world. I am forever grateful for the nurturing and safe atmosphere with which the members of Poetry Thursday, and other visitors to this blog have encouraged me.

Thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart!
here, at my open window...

there is sky, and earth,
the sun behind rain clouds

stars shining bright,
even a rainbow

dreams that come true,
and some fallen by the wayside

laughter and joy,
even some tears shed

family, and friends
that I hold so dear

birds singing sweetly,
cool gentle breezes

beautiful flowers,
green leafy trees

hope eternal,
seasons that change

a tender heart abiding,
our love never ending

the making of memories,
possibilites, and new beginnings.

Enchanted

How appropriate... for after having watched the most enchanting movie this weekend about the life of Beatrix Potter that we might also receive a visit from several tiny guests.

The temptation was almost too great! I wanted to scoop all five of them up in my arms and kiss their little heads.

But somehow, I managed to refrain.

dreams and wishes

the heart weaves a web
of dreams, of wishes
as the light slips away
into a starry sky,
at the turning of time,
at the edge of life;
the soul never fades
it will always burn bright.

a faint light

When I graduated from college in my late 30's with an art degree, I purchased for myself a simple thin silver bracelet cuff with the wise words of Mr. Henry David Thoreau engraved on the front.

“Go confidently in the direction of our dreams! Live the life you've imagined.”

—Henry David Thoreau

This bracelet was not only a reward for myself, for having struggled through 4 years of schooling along with working 30 hours a week, but a reminder that I COULD indeed have the life I imagined!

I wear this cuff everyday... and everyday, I hold it in my hands, read those immortal words, and pray for strength and guidance on this one journey of mine. Confident and knowing all the while that I AM following my passion.. my true heart.. my bliss....



Today, I must stop and ask.. myself... why.. after all this time.. and with all the challenges I have faced... is change... STILL so hard?

I currently find myself in the middle of a big change... never fear it is nothing life threatening or tragic. This change is actually something that I have wanted, have talked about, and somewhat prepared for. However, this change is not exact happening the way I thought it might.

Funny... how we can find ourselves lamenting over a situation we wish we could make different.

Yet, I truly believe, deep down in my heart, that I DO have the ability to change most, if not all, of my situations for the better. But sometimes I pull back...

Is it because I am comfortable.. maybe uncomfortably so... foolishly playing it safe rather than change?

However, despite all the nay saying that goes on in this world and the moments I spend riddled with doubt or fear...I know I will survive and thrive... even through this little change.

it is these days filled with wondering
in the twists and turns of fate, of life

writhing in the sometimes violent downpours
and blinding waves of change

with silent prayers, asking for strength,
searching amidst the darkness, to find the way

swaddling a heart, tangled and torn,
left in the thicket of a languished end

and those final moments overflowing with
dry brittle leaves of past, bitter sweet memories

I walk forward....making careful steps onward,
in this one journey, brave and new from each battle

looking for that faint light
to appear on the horizon

it is there in the distant glow
that hope is waiting to take my hand.

New Treasures

I invite you to stop by my little shop to take a peek at a few new treasures I have to offer!

The Magical Moments of Art Unraveled

My Art Unraveled adventure started off with a BANG when Marylin and I joined an adorable friend, Annie Lockhart, for dinner on the eve before our departure to Phoenix.

Laughing and sharing stories, we chatted away as hours seemed to melt into minutes. Savoring each and every word of our conversations between the mouth watering bites from the delectable meal. Before long, it was time to say goodbye. Luckily, Annie brought her camera and was able to snap a picture of the three of us.

On Friday, Marylin and I set off on our journey to Arizona, overflowing with excitement and eager with anticipation. It was a beautiful day and an uneventful flight. The desert landscape was a breathtaking site to behold with muted colors and silhouettes of the surrounding mountains on the horizon, as well as more cacti than I have ever seen. Everyone we encountered was very friendly, which definitely made the searing heat much more tolerable.

Saturday was quite a whirlwind of activity, that started out with vending at the Art Unraveled Shopping Extravaganza. It was wonderful to see familiar faces, have the chance to catch-up with old friends and meet new ones. Plus, I received an added bonus when the lovely Mz. Kim Kwan stopped by to visit me.

Kim and I met last year at the glittery holiday event, Silver Bella. Not only is this incredible lady one Very VERY Talented Artist, she is just the sweetest person you would ever want to meet. It was GREAT to see her! Marylin even managed to snap a few pics of the two of us amidst the crowd of shoppers.


After a full day of vending, Marylin and I rushed back to our room to freshen up for the Art Unraveled Banquet. This was a fun evening of entertainment and general merriment. We were honored to be table hostesses and had the pleasure of being seated with the most pleasant group of indivduals, Mike and Shosh from Hannah's Dry Goods, Terry Berg, Mary Benton, Laurie, and a few others.

Sunday was a BIG DAY!!! Marylin and I truly revel in the teaching experience. And we could not have ASKED for a better class.... SUCH CREATIVE individuals... that delighted us with their enthusiasm and talent! Below are just a few pics from our fun and frolic.








Each artist created the most yummy pieces of fiber fused fabric and each house was such a special little treasure.. wonderful and unique... a reflection of the colors they loved, embellished with endearing emphemera, words, and pictures.

The cherry on top of our trip was having dinner on Sunday night with our dearest friend, Maija Lepore. It felt so good to have to time to talk and enjoy a meal. Maija is an INCREDIBLE artist! She is so humble about her talents. Maija is also extremely kind and thoughtful. She showered us with pieces of her beautiful art as gifts. Marylin and I just feel so blessed to have her in our lives.

The Art Unraveled experience was really quite special... filled with art, friends, fun and truly magical moments. Marylin and I are definitely looking forward to attending next year... and we hope you will join us!

Sixteen Years

On August 10th, my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. Although we were unable to be together on our special day, it did not keep us from spending time reminiscing about the past and dreaming about our future with one another.

This man with his infectious smile, gentle laugh, quiet demeanor, baby blue eyes, and blonde locks that curl when his hair starts becoming a little too long...... is truly my prince charming, my soul mate, my best friend.

We have experienced many struggles and many moments of sheer bliss. Neither of us could ever imagine one day, one minute, or even one second without the other.

Sixteen years has passed in the blink of an eye and even though my feelings for him have changed from that of a silly college student with a crush to much deeper, endearing, intimate affections...I will forever and always love him with all my heart.

This poem below is one of my favorites.

It, so eloquently, seems to capture the essence of this life we share as husband and wife.


she had looked for his coming as warriors come,
with the clash of arms and the bugle's call;
but he came instead with a stealthy tread,
which she did not hear at all.

she had thought how his armor would blaze in the sun,
as he rode like a prince to claim his bride:
in the sweet dim light of the falling night
she found him at her side.

she had dreamed how the gaze of his strange, bold eye
would wake her heart to a sudden glow:
she found in his face the familiar grace
of a friend she used to know.

she had dreamed how his coming would stir her soul,
as the ocean is stirred by the wild storm's strife:
he brought her the balm of a heavenly calm,
and a peace which crowned her life.

- ella wheeler wilcox

Living with Passion and Purpose

The almost daily downpours of rains subsided long ago here in Kansas, and I am left with only faint memories of our once lush landscape.

Nearly everything green has begun to give way to the typical hot dry weather wielding its force onto scorched patches of earth. The wind blows hard against all that dare to stand in its path as it races fast and furious along a route to parts unknown. And that brow beating sun has returned.

August...has arrived!

It is hard to find anyone out and about during the daylight hours, as the climate conditions seem a bit too harsh to linger out of doors for any length of time. Everyone is hibernating, like bears, inside the air conditioning with shades drawn, trying desperately to keep the heat out.

Tomorrow, I leave on an adventure to a place I have never been. It is a place with much harsher temperatures than we are experiencing here. Yet, I feel this well of excitement bubbling inside... knowing that I am traveling beyond my borders of the familiar and comfortable... to visit the unknown.

I go with a brave heart that is filled to the brim with passion and purpose.

This is how I always feel when I am getting ready to teach or vend. Knowing deep down to my very core that this is something I dearly love.

Drinking in these moments of being connected, savoring the opportunities to dip my toes in and wade around in the pool of kindred spirits that is constantly overflowing with creativity.

I always return from my trips exhausted with every bit of physical and mental energy spent, which is what happens when you thrust your whole self into something. But, I have never left without feeling as if my soul was nourished... and aching for just a little more.

Although happy to be home amidst the solitude, I often long to start again and re-live those blissful minutes and days of complete immersion in art and life.



I have been taking a break from Poetry Thursday over the last several weeks as I prepared for this journey. But, I must say that I have missed it sorely.

So, in my absence I would like to leave you with this...


upon these shores of cracked sinewy brown earth
shimmering gold waves lap and dance in rhythm
for the wind knows how to keep perfect time

soon there will be only a memory of what was
for harvest is nigh; then we will stand
in a sea of nothingness... remembering

how the swallows played among the amber furls
foraging for their evening supper
and the locusts would serenade a setting sun

this world bent and swaying to life's earnest demands
yields to the wanderlust of day to night to day
with the hither and yon of the seasons marching onward.

Did I EVER Mention...

Marylin and I are EXCITED and HONORED to be teaching at some INCREDIBLE artist retreats this fall.

We have been burning the midnight oil preparing for our workshops. Packing this and that... calling each other to report the latest bits of progress we are making with our careful preparations. Wanting everything to be PERFECT and WONDERFUL for all of our students.

We laugh and dream about the enjoyable days we will soon be spending with other talented and creative individuals. Not only do we have some Ultra Fabulous Class Packets loaded with lots of freebies and helpful information, but we have also created a few extra special goodies that I just HAD to share!

It is so much fun for us to see each student as they come to class, usually giddy with excitement and anticipation. They sit down in their chair, and began to realize that this heaping mound on the table workspace in front of them is full of fun treasures for them to keep.

Their eyes instantly light up, much like a child on Christmas morning, and they start to smile with a grin that travels across their entire face. It is a true Kodak moment!

OH, did I EVER mention that we adore spoiling our students...

Every artist taking our Fiber Fusion House Journal Workshop will receive one bright luscious piece of hand painted fabric. Each one lovingly crafted from plain simple yards of muslin. What a wonderful punch of color this will add to each student's adorable abode.

For those individuals participating in our Fiber Fusion Extended Journal Class, they will receive a single bird stencil image which is part of The Red Door Studio Stencil Songbirds and Songbirds in Flight Stencil Sheets. A sweet bird silhouette is the perfect embellishment for these beautiful landscape journals.

And last but not least, a special little treat that is neatly wrapped and tied up with pretty ribbons.

Well... I don't want to give away TOO MUCH, so I let this one be a surprise!


I invite you to come join Marylin and myself for several GREAT workshops that are both fun and unique.

We will be teaching at Art Unraveled in Phoenix, AZ. on August 12, Art and Soul in Portland OR. on October 2nd - 3rd, Art Fiberfest in Port Townsend, WA. on October 19th, and Quilt International in Houston, TX. on Oct 31 - Nov 2nd.

I promise you will have a WONDEFUL day creating art!

Late Summer

As the days begin to grow shorter, it is the time of the year when the locusts perform their rhythmic serenade every night at dust. The sunsets are warm and glowing with hues of deep yellow and fiery orange, and the lightning bugs entertain us with a slow minutia around the flower borders of the garden.

A new season is right around the corner. You can sense it presences drawing nearer as the leaves on the trees, once bright green and new, are giving way to deeper tones of olive with hints of golden highlights.

Fall is my favorite time of year with cool breezes, a slight chill to the mornings, the harvesting of crops, rich colors, and beautiful autumn skies.

And in these last days of summer, I am left with feelings of longing from my quiet moments of thoughtful reflection.

Of course these are valuable minutes which are stolen from the time when I should be tending to a nagging list of to-do's. But I can not help... but to slowly sink into my favorite chair in the living room during the twilight of the day and watch the sunset dance across the floor.

2007 has been an incredible year, with so many wonderful memories and more to come. The people I have met, the friendships made... renewed, the experience and opportunities I've had, the remembering of smiles, laughter, and words... oh....yes..the meaningful, sincere, heartfelt words exchanged,......all of this has been unbelievable!

Such priceless gems that I am so utterly grateful for and humbled by. To each of these precious pearls of love and friendship and connection, I hold tight... carrying every one so close to my heart that I think it might burst.

But I would be remise if I did not admit that there is so much more I want to share and do.

I am excited by the possibilities of new workshops to offer for the coming year, the completing of 52 weeks of fiber journaling artwork, and the overflowing creative ideas for more art and poetry, maybe even a few other surprises.... just maybe.

I continue to dream and hope that all of this is making a difference,... is helping me find the path that I should travel.

I, too, like the last days of summer... feel the presence of a new season for my life, enveloping me, taking hold, beckoning to me to have faith and believe, asking me to throw my arms wide open and embrace these changes,...

reminding me that these past weeks and months were only a beginning....