A couple of weeks ago I started a BIG thing.  After many, many years of waiting, I finally made it a priority to start watercolor painting lessons.  I can’t believe that it took me so long to make this happen, but now that it has…I’m totally ready and feeling super-excited!

Here’s a look at some of my new tools and supplies.  So far these tools feel uneasy (in my hand as well as in my mind since it’s hard trying to get a good grip on some of the new concepts.)  However, I hope that after some more lessons and practice, I’ll soon start to feel more comfortable with this challenging medium.  I love the moment when you first recognize that something that used to feel awkward all of a sudden begins to feel easy and natural, and I know that reaching this point usually requires a lot of practice and patience (of course your heart needs to be into it as well.) 

Here are some recycled mini-bottles that I prettied-up.  They’re for storing different salts that will be used to add more interest to my paintings.  It took about 5 minutes to turn a couple of plain bottles into something a little more special and happy looking.   I’m sure that every time I see/use these bottles I’ll get that smiling from the inside feeling. 

Embellishing little bottles makes me happy, and looking at them brings me more happy.  Taking watercolor painting lessons makes me happy.   Big things, little things…I love’em all!  How about you, what things bring you joy?  BTW, I’m learning the classical style of watercolor painting.  Already I feel the urge to mix things up, and it’s tough fighting this instinct.  However, once I’ve finished learning things by the book, I plan to let go and dive right in…I can’t wait, even though I feel I must, but only for now.

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Featured in the latest issue of Somerset Life (Oct/Nov/Dec) I created my own seed packets using wax paper, parchment paper,  paper scraps/ephemera and other odds n’ends.  This project came about soon after I received some store bought seed packets from generous Ellen in the mail…from mail to magazine, this was such a fun and unexpected occurrance (I love it when ideas just pop up in your head!)   And speaking of unexpected things, this project made its way onto the cover…thank you Stampington for this sunny surprise! 

Inside this same issue of Somerset Life you’ll find another project of mine which uses recycled materials (shopping bag handles, old buttons or the extra ones that often come attached to new clothes) to create bracelets and a cuff.  I love making something new using something old!

The how-to instructions for both of these projects are included within the articles.   And within the article,  “A Seed Packet Surprise” you’ll also find the how-to instructions to create my “grow” necklace.  Happy creating!

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I think that by now most of you have noticed that I frequently like to use positive words and imagery in my artwork.  This habit has come about honestly, through experiencing many years of  life’s not-so-perfect moments.  One of my more challenging moments happens roughly once a year.  It is during this time that I feel most fearful or confused, yet simultaneously grateful beyond measure. 

Every year when I visit my endocrinologist (or when I go in for MRI scans) I’m issued a temporary bracelet during registration.   These check-ups relate to a benign brain tumor that I’ve known about and have been dealing with since my teen years.   Having lived with this condition for so many years I’ve slowly grown accustomed to it, and it has become a part of normal everyday life for me.   And thankfully, my everyday life is good.  One of the main reasons why I’m doing well is because I’ve been receiving regular treatment (taking medication and showing up for annual check-ups.)  And for many years now,  everything has remained pretty much under control. 

The reason why I’m bringing up my medical history is because I’d like to share a little more about where I’m coming from…why I like to think positively and how this perspective ends up in my artwork. 

Living with my not-so-sunny medical condition has taught me the importance of looking harder through the cloudy skies to find sunshine.  And after many years of practicing this skill, I’ve noticed that there are bright spots everywhere – there is a good side to every situation and it’s all about how you choose to look at it.   

Life is full of many wonderful things, from the tiniest grain of goodness in simple things like hot buttered toast, to bigger and more meaningful things, such as how lucky I am to have a happy home which I share with my loving family.   Bill and Brook bring me so much joy that I frequently walk around feeling like my heart is about to burst from all the happiness that I carry around inside.   It’s impossible for me to contain this kind of happiness, which would explain why Bill and Brook are often the inspiration behind many of my art projects. 

Before Bill and Brook entered my life my situation was completely the opposite.  I felt lost and alone (I had started living on my own since my mid-teens) and I was a MESS.  And it was roughly around that same time that I found out about my brain tumor, which felt devastaing to try and deal with both emotionally and financially.  Back then I didn’t have any financial support so going to see a doctor was not possible.  And I also didn’t have any money for medication, giving me no choice but to try and mentally block out the whole tumor situation.  In order to survive I had to pretend that I didn’t have this condition, which was actually really hard to do when there were several strange hormonal side effects to deal with.  After many years of struggling (when I had practically nothing, including my health) I managed to land on my feet, thanks to a few kind people who helped me out… it’s very scary to think about where I might’ve ended up if it wasn’t for them.   Anyway, fast forward to now…my life is completely the opposite from where it was during my teens and twenties.  Thankfully, I’m in a position to be able to afford medical care and for this one giant blessing alone, I feel truly and immensely grateful.   

This feeling of gratefulness affects the way I see everything.  For instance, below is a bracelet that I’ve been wearing for several years.  I love its message, and wearing it reminds me of where I’ve come from…in a good way.  With one quick glance at this bracelet I am able to zoom in on how important it is to embrace all that life has to offer.  I am reminded that time in this world is precious, and I don’t want to waste any of it by allowing any opportunities to slip by.  Wearing this bracelet also gives me the courage to go for the gusto, but at the same time I know that I should choose wisely since it’s important to try and keep my priorities in the right order.  Priorities like spending time with family and friends, spreading good messages through kindess or making art…these all belong on the top of my list.  Finding a balance and keeping it is key.   And remembering to see the glass as half full helps too!

Thank you for listening…thank you for making me feel that it’s okay to share this deeper side…thank you for being a part of my journey.

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Clouds of ribbon

A collage

with hope.

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I created these mini paper jars using Jenny’s cute and clever Little Miss Mason stamps.   If you’d like to learn how to make these, the instructions are available at Studio Crescendoh.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend…I hope it’ll be filled with many happy thoughts and bright, shiny stars.

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What can you create in ten minutes or less?  For some quick and easy stamped card ideas check out Take Ten magazine, published by Stampington.   

Inside this current issue of Take Ten you’ll find my holiday inspired project using stamped letters and vintage embroidered letters. 

I used recycled materials to create my trio of dressed-up containers.  And BTW, the examples shown above cost less than ten bucks, containers and all! 

As you already know I’m a huge fan of repurposing containers, tin cans being a favorite.  Here’s an altered one that’s all about layering polka-dots.

Everything about polka-dots makes me feel sunny…what about you, what brings you sunshine?

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Over the summer I created a  jewelry line which is now available through my website.    There you will find feel-good items such as these.  I’m always looking for ways to keep positive messages close…jewelry seems to be a natural fit. 

And if you’re looking for essential stationary items, Lisa recently opened Annabel Gray, an online store that offers a well selected (and well priced) array of staples such as these.

The Kraft boxes are perfect for storing and shipping my jewelry.  And I love not having to run out to the store to buy them.  Online shopping is definitely a big time saver, which leaves me with more time to spend in my studio.

If you would prefer to buy jewelry in person and you also happen to live near the Boston area, please visit Five Crows.  This store currently carries my work along with many other local artists, making this a convenient and diversely pleasing shop stop.

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I love, love, love transforming paper grocery bags into something fun and unexpected.   And luckily, this common material also happens to be free, giving me yet another great excuse to create, create, create.

In the newly released issue of Somerset Apprentice you’ll find a birthday cake inspired gift/card pouch which I created using a paper grocery bag for the base. 

And within my cake pouch, I tucked a handmade card along with an altered paint brush, which simulates a birthday candle.

Within the article, titled “Patty Cake…Paper Cake”, you’ll find the complete directions to create your own version of a paper cake pouch…come to think of it, wouldn’t it be fun to come up with a wedding cake design?  Hmm, I’m pretty sure that I still have a few extra paper bags left in my stash, definitely enough to whip up a dreamy-white, frosted delight.

 In addition to the directions, you’ll see a quote from me that pretty much sums up the marriage of two of my favorite inspirations (friends/loved ones and cake!)  

And speaking of friends and loved ones, over the holiday weekend we brought along one of Brook’s buddies with us to Maine…here they are, fooling around with their shadows.  

The simple pleasures of childhood are very often free…free in all senses and measures, both in dollars as well as in spirit.

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Thank you all for participating in my giveway as well as for sharing your personal ideas of inspiration…I really enjoyed learning about what moves you to create.   Each and every one of your comments brought on good feelings of connection…thank you.  And BTW, it seems that almost everyone of us is inspired by nature which isn’t exactly a big surprise, but still…it’s so good to know that we have this in common. 

The winner for this giveaway is…Vicki!   Kindly contact me with your mailing address and I will send a package your way in a day or two.

And Happy Labor Day to you all…I hope you get to enjoy some outdoor fun in Mother Nature’s ever-inspiring playground.

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Over the summer I met up with Susan for some coffee and conversation.  This was our first get together and it was fabulous.  It was fabulous because Susan is fabulous.  She’s full of light and good energy…everything about her is dazzling.

After meeting up with Susan I strolled over to The Beadin Path (a great place in Freeport, Maine, to buy jewelry supplies.)  As I shopped, I noticed that shades of purple kept popping up into view…making me wonder if this was brought on by lingering thoughts of Susan.  Perhaps being around her passionate vibe was guiding me towards these dreamy gems.

Here’s something that I created with Susan in mind.  Her energy is deep yet delicate and totally inspiring.

Playing around with purple is new for me and I was surprised to discover how much I enjoyed it…so much so that I created another necklace, which I’m offering as a giveaway.   BTW, I think that purple will be big in the Fall, and I’ve been looking for the perfect shade of grape-colored lip gloss to wear with my sweaters and boots (can you believe it’s almost time to dig them out?) 

If you’d like to win the necklace below please leave a comment to this post by next Sunday, September 5th at 5:00 pm.  I’d love to hear what makes you feel passionate or inspired.   Whatever it is, I hope that you reach for it often.

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