Sundry Things

The trees here in Kansas have slowly begun shedding their leafy attire. I love watching leaves fall ever so gently toward the ground... drifting along the breeze, twisting, turning, cascading downward, and finally making a soft landing.

One of my favorite Autumn sights is seeing a street that is frosted, like a cake, with the spendor and beauty of colorful foliage.

Watching them FLY up into the air as I go zooming by in my car... tossing each bright leaf back into the sky, creating a somewhat snowglobe-esque scene in my rear view mirror, always makes me smile.

The days of September have come and gone in the blink of an eye. HOW does time pass so quickly? It seems as if I have been rushing through the moments at breakneck speeds trying to be prepared for the upcoming month.

And yes... spending or should I say stealing precious minutes, which are never as many as I would like, soaking up the essence of this Midwest fall.

There is a lot going on in October! As I have eluded to in previous posts, I will be traveling extensively over the next five weeks. I am excited to be off on this BIG adventure to cities and even states I have never seen, and also returning to a familiar place that is like a haven for me.

Everywhere I go, will put me close to the ocean, which is an idea I truly relish. I am very much a heart who hears the siren call of the sea.

I often wonder why I am so drawn to the water... couldn't be because most of my days are spent smack-dab in the middle of the country with no ocean in site for what seems like a million miles... could it?

This will be my first opportunity to enjoy being on the coast during an Autumn season.

I will also be enjoying the company of many friends that I normally only have the opportunity to see once a year or converse with via email. Now, some of them, I will have the chance to visit with, possibly even twice in the span of only a couple of weeks. Plus, I am so thrilled to be meeting new people and forming new friendships.

Amid the various packing and class preparations for my journeys, I have been carefully pouring lots of creative and artistic effort into some very special treasures that I had to share with you.

Inspired by a recent zine swap I participated in, hosted by Alma Stoller, I have printed copies of my petite 4"x6" book filled with bird artworks and poetry.

I am SO PLEASED with the results! Each book has eleven original poems and accompanying artwork printed in full color on bright-white heavy linen paper. The outside brown craft paper cover is hand painted with gold leafing to accent the book title and tied with a vintage ribbon. A small charm is attached as a modest invitation to the reader. For now, I have only a few copies listed on etsy ( I would like to THANK those who purchased a copy of "Small Glimpses"! Currently, I am sold out, but will have additional books available on or before October 25th, so please keep checking back).

My next treasures are a small collection of hand painted fiber pendants. I am VERY EXCITED about these necklaces, so lovingly created and decorated with the most exquisite beads and pearls, even old pieces of vintage jewelry, inspired by my love of nature, and my 2007 weekly fiber journal artworks.

I am having such a hard time chosing my favorite!






This Tuesday, I will be flying off to Art and Soul, having the opportunity to be lost among the heavens for a few brief hours. Keeping company with my thoughts, star gazing, and daydreaming along the way.

WELCOME Poetry Thursday!

This week, I am honored to be the host of the traveling Poetry Thursday!

I invite you to share your poetry by leaving a comment on this post to direct people to your blog.

This weeks (completely and totally optional) idea is "utopia". Since we are living our lives at such a frantic pace with more to-do's than ever before... what is your idea of a place or even a day that is perfect?

Next week's host is Liz Elayne at http://www.bepresentbehere.blogspot.com/.

I look forward to reading your poems! Happy Poetry Thursday!

SEW Wonderful!

Look what the Postman delivered to my door.... the Premier Issue of Sew Somerset!

Inside is a very nice article by Somerset Editor, Amanda Belle Nolan, about our Fiber ATC Yahoo Group Project/Swap/Exchange, "Playing House".

The fun fiber art pictured showcases a few of our members beautiful interpretations of Hearth and Home. So be sure to pick up at copy today... you won't want to miss this great publication!

The lure of Autumn

It is a busy time preparing for next month when I will be gone more than I am home...
however, the subtle changes outside are
calling..
beckoning..
and trying their best to lure me into abandoning the tasks at hand.

I can only resist for so long, then I find myself yielding to the temptation...
wandering out of doors...
soaking up the beginnings of Autumn.

serene quiet days and falling leaves
rain coming down making puddles in the street
a hush resounding, I can hear my heart beat
laying in wet grass, cloud gazing, daydreaming

tender thoughts carried away upon a cool breeze
my box of treasure filled with sweet memories
the moon and stars rushing toward a new day
each precious moment slipping away

the year grows shorter, harvest is nigh
brilliant colors paint a deep blue sky
the time draws near, excitement in the air
the reason clear, for a changing season is here

if only I could give you

oh, sweet poetry of memories,
see here how the long day fades
leaving the sun splintered like a rainbow
with fiery colors streaked across the heavens
and these dreams, which are the wings of my soul,
will carry the heart towards tomorrow
for this path of discovery is the journey of me

The Deepest Blue

Lately, I find myself star gazing a lot...

mostly looking toward the heavens during the early morning hours, since I like to begin my day before the sun starts to peek over the horizon.

The flickering lights dancing in the distance sky always inspire me.
watching the stars sail across an ocean of deepest blue
crossing horizons of the world below

the moonlit path and mighty wind carry them on
to safe harbor far from the tempest storm

and every ship, the bowels filled
with weighty cargo of precious hopes

drifting along on an open sea
riding the waves of a universe

and all its possibilites...

Waiting to Exhale

Have you ever felt as if you were waiting for something, a miracle of some sort... to happen

However, you were not sure when or where it might occur,
but you knew deep down inside that it would come.

And when it finally arrived, everything would be ok?


It was raining this afternoon, a steady misty rain accompanied by a brisk northern breeze.

I could not help but throw open the windows to let it all in, but this wasn't enough...I went outside and stood there in the yard, letting the wind, the water caress my face.

And I felt renewed.

Read Not My Verse

My husband and I spent our Labor Day weekend visiting with his parents. My adorable in-laws live in Missouri just north of Kansas City on a large piece of land filled with mighty timbers, glorious wildflowers scattered hither and yon along the roadside, a rustic pond that shimmers like the facets of a diamond in the sunlight, field grasses that sometimes tower over me, and all manner of wildlife, large and small, coming right up to the back door.

It is a place I have known and explored for over sixteen years. There is a peace here and the surrounding scenery always keenly heightens my senses.

Over this long holiday weekend, the entire family had the pleasure of taking a side trip over to a very small rural town just west of their home. Every year there is a large flea market that happens and if you go on the last day, which we did, there are MANY bargains that abound.

One of the treasures I discovered in my adventure was a book of poetry, Old Missouri, by John F. Lee. I was immediately drawn to this of course because it was poetry, but found that the author had signed the book.

Mr. Lee had also left a note inside for the gentle reader, which made his works more endearing.

I am sure the original owner was very proud to receive such a book with Mr. Lee's personal message, and so am I.

I have been quite delighted reading these poems every night before bed. His descriptive words and eloquent phrases remind me of all the flora and fauna, subtle rolling hils and lush little valleys of the landscape surrounding my in-law's home.

One particular verse captured my attention that I thought I might share...

Read not my verse to merely pass your time,
Nor yet for the liquidity in rhyme.

If precious gems of thought you seek to find,
Look well into your heart and soul and mind.

All beauty, love and art you'll ever see
Come from your inmost self, not folks like me.

The messages I bring are very old;
They have through many ages been retold.

I bring no message new, no thoughts divine;
I seek to voice the feelings of mankind.

The yearnings of your heart and soul are real;
No words of poet can measure what you feel.

Why dream of future worlds when you depart
When blessing is in your living heart.


- John F. Lee

An Ode to the Changing Seasons

It is raining here today. A welcomed relief from the hot summer days that have been bearing down hard upon the plains.

Fall is here. You can smell it in the air, and see its presence in the smallest ways.

A friend and I were conversing just recently about the difference between summer and fall. I was quite captivated by her description..."Though I love both seasons, fall feels busy to me in such a different way than summer. Fall is all about schedules and planning and sit down dinners.

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for the happy-chaos and spur-of-the-moment activities that seem to define summer days to be over with for a while. I'm ready for a bit of orderliness and structure. "


Her words inspired me...

summer waits upon on my stoop,
lingering to say a last goodbye

fall is ready to tidy up this mess
from these precious days gone by

wind, rain, and storm clouds too,
singing such a sad, melancholy tune

as I sit silently watching them work
cleaning up the summertime room.

Fibre and Stitch

I am please to announce that the premier issue of Fibre&Stitch is now available and HOT off the presses. I was completely thrilled and very honored to be part of this on-line zine's launch by contributing an article on the integration of mixed media elements.

Editor in Chief, Sue Bleiweiss, has done an outstanding job of providing an issue packed with lots of punch. There are wonderful techniques and super projects throughout. If you haven't yet subscribed to Fibre&Stitch, you are missing out!