Yesterday my friend picked me up early in the morning (7:45 am!) so that we could be the first ones to scope out a local flea market.  Take a look at my lucky finds!  Also, notice this perfectly worn chair that I picked up on our way home (impromptu stop at a yard sale.)  Can you believe that I paid just $4 bucks for this chair?

Here’s a closer look at where the rest of my twenty bucks went.

I love how these few sparkly elements look against the “I can’t believe my luck” chair.

I found two other goodies that were part of my twenty dollar spending spree and they’ll be posted later this week.

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One of my favorite ways to unwind involves the simple pleasure of playing with paper – nothing too serious, just playing with paper.   It’s amazing to me how spending just a little bit of time, making little things, makes me feel BIG time HAPPY!  (Are artist trading cards still in?  Ah, who cares – I had fun doing these!!)

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What gets your heart pumping and piping?  How does that certain person or thing get to you in that good way, so deep within you that you just can’t live without him/her/it?  And when you have this magic  in your life doesn’t everything around you sound like music…feel like music…make you ALIVE with music?   So ALIVE that every single sense is heightened –  taking everything that’s outside and bringing it in – towards the center, the heart…where there is music.  Sweet, sweet music.  Let your heart sing…sing out LOUD!!

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Last week I ventured out for a breather – a chance to take in some fresh air…some fresh inspiration.   Check out these adorable little purses I found in my all time favorite shop, Nesting on Main.  As soon as I spotted these I knew they needed to come home with me.  

This coming Saturday, October 3rd, from 10am-5pm, Nesting on Main is hosting a block party.  There will be music as well as other festivities to enjoy.  And when you enter the door of this little shop with BIG inspiration, you will instantly feel as if you’ve entered a place of paradise…a haven for artists!

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Hello Autumn!  Inside this newest issue of Somerset Life you will find many amazing projects that will surely spark your imagination.  From pumpkins to glittery holiday decorations – it’s a feast for the eyes.   A definite treat!

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I woke up this morning craving a grilled cheese sandwich to have with my usual cup of coffee.

I love how combining three simple ingredients (butter, cheddar cheese, wheat bread) add up to something so melt-in-your-mouth-scrummy. 

While I was waiting patiently for my sandwich to grill to perfection (when the bread gets all toasty and the cheese begins to ooze) I took this opportunity to finish my gel medium image transfers.  So there I was, happily hunched over the kitchen sink, peeling the paper backing off to reveal my images, and drinking coffee while chatting with my husband.   What an ideal morning!

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This past weekend it was windy, windy, windy!!

And the water was toe-curling cold!!

But I was HAPPY anyway! Happy that the sun still shines and happy that it was still mild enough to be wearing shorts and flip-flops.  

As October approaches and winter nears, I know that soon I’ll desperately miss the feeling of warm wind whipping through my hair.  I’ll miss being able to run barefoot along the ocean’s edge, and I’ll most definitely miss the longer hours of  sunshine.   However, no matter how miserably cold and bleak the weather turns, I will still be happy and smiling as long as I have this guy next to me. 

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Soon it will be needle felting season again and I’m sure that I’ll be busy making more birds.  This year I plan to experiment with different bird poses by possibly placing them inside of something.  We’ll see.    Anyway, here’s a look at a couple of my past pieces.  

And here’s a fabric book that I made to display a collection of vintage bird cards.   To create semi-transparent pockets for the cards I used recycled tea-dyed dryer sheets. 

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I used a quote by Elliston (cut from a vintage kitchen towel) to make this simple pillow.  Devoid of unnecessary ornamentation, the timeless message “How beautiful a day can be – when kindness touches it” comes across as the central focus.  Whenever I use strong words or imagery in my work I always try to minimize the other elements.   This way all of the attention goes towards my main objective – to highlight what’s most important.   And in this case, these words of wisdom from Elliston can definitely stand on its own.

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I noticed these bird tracks while at the beach (on the same day that Mac was frolicing with his new buddy) and they really got me thinking.

Sometimes I find myself walking in all directions, anxiously pacing while contemplating my next steps.  This first photo shows tracks from a bird who appears to do the same thing!  As I struggle over deciding which course to take, my internal dialogue moves rapidly along like this:  Am I tired of the scenery?  If so what am I looking to change?  What am I really craving?  Do I want more adventure, some more spice in life?  Or am I just looking for a way out, afraid to deal with what might be going on?  If I take a chance by trying something different, will it be as good as it is now? 

After going through these thoughts one-by-one, frontwards and backwards and over and over again, I ask myself one last question “why not just walk a little and see how it goes?”   Simple right?  So onward I go, hoping for the best.

For some their paths might look more like this (clear, straight and uncomplicated.)   Everyone’s path is different and there’s no right or wrong way to go.  I think what’s most important is that no matter what it looks like in front of us, it’s good to keep moving…keep reaching…keep learning – feel what it’s like to really live. 

Can’t wait to experience more of this path – whether it be crooked or straight, I’m ready!

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