sea dream studio

2012-01-29T20:55:00.001-05:00

I am so blessed with good friends!

2012-01-25T22:12:00.001-05:00

Just reminding myself.

~♥~

sweet liberty

2012-01-18T21:40:00.003-05:00

Ahhh, what a joy it is to have a mild winter!

I am doing some major decluttering at my house.

Not only does my house feel lighter and brighter,

but so does my spirit! It is remarkably liberating

to free oneself of too many things!

I am, thankfully, mentally in the right place

to let go the emotional attachments I have held

for many things. I realize how they

have weighted my life!!

I still love pretty things,

but I can love less of them!

My real treasures are in the photo above~

my beloved family.

I also treasure my sweet, true friends.

I feel so free and blessed!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2011-12-07T18:53:00.001-05:00

It is appropriately chilly and Christmas preparations are well underway.

My shows are done and now it is time to finish up my shopping.

My Sailor son will home in two weeks!

I'm so excited to know that soon all my children

will be together.

That is the best gift I can imagine.

~♥~

2011-11-29T15:59:00.001-05:00

https://www.facebook.com/events/228068070595826/

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2011-11-26T21:07:00.001-05:00

My Christmas decorating is done!

Now I need some shopping elves.

My Sailor son will be home for 10 days!

I am so excited to see his sweet face.

Life is good.

~♥~

some days you need some magic...

2011-10-13T23:45:00.003-04:00

2011-10-11T08:34:00.001-04:00

2011-10-07T17:27:00.003-04:00

2011-10-07T12:41:00.001-04:00

My son is a Sailor. Graduation was amazing. We had a few hours

with him over 2 days and then he flew to Charleston, S.C.

He will be there for 2 years attending Nuclear Power School.

I miss him more than ever now...

2011-09-27T11:40:00.001-04:00

2011-09-22T09:31:00.004-04:00

Love others like your dog loves you...

just sayin'...

2011-09-07T00:43:00.004-04:00

I ♥ the mail carrier

2011-09-01T01:19:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful thing is the mail,

capable of conveying across continents

a warm human hand-clasp.

~Author Unknown

The Navy teaches you things, lots of things~

like an appreciation for the U.S. Postal Service.

In these days of instant communication, the thought of waiting

for a letter seems rather quaint, but when a loved-one

is in boot camp, letters becomes golden.

So far I've gotten two~ the form letter

and a nice 3 page letter last Friday.

It was so good to "hear" my son's "voice",

to see his new "military handwriting".

He is doing well and says parts of boot camp

are FUN!! And some parts suck.He has made some friends and is learningto deal with sleep deprivation.He misses us.

Today he started his 4th week and graduation

on 9/30 doesn't seem so far away anymore!

I am so proud of him. He is working hard

to become a Sailor, but...

he is still my boy, my sweet son who remembers

that his mom likes to know where her babies sleep.

So, this made my day.

~♥~

signed, sealed and delivered...

2011-08-09T21:13:00.000-04:00

No, I was not as sad as I look in this photo, I promise!!

Yesterday was the big day. My son did his final swearing-in

and boarded the plane to Great Lakes.

He was able to text me and even called from the airport.

And then at 12:32 I got "the 3 second" call.

He sounded strong, wide-awake (I'll bet!)

and the teeniest bit nervous. I said a few encouraging words

and told him we love him and that was that.

Mostly I am relieved that he is there safe and sound.

I know he can handle boot camp.

Yes, I miss him terribly, but I am refusing to give over

to sorrow when there is so much to be grateful for!

This is what he wants to do! Qualifying for Nuke School

is an accomplishment in itself. I am so happy for him

and I have confidence in the US Navy.

This is what they do~ they take boys and girls

and make them men and women and United States Sailors.

It is an honor and privilege to serve.

Today begins the wait for "the box" containing

his clothes, the form letter where we can write him

and the next call (in 3 weeks hopefully) and the first letter.

If he can do boot camp, I can do Navy mom!

Having the support of loving family and friends,

the amazing US Navy family and a strong faith

comforts me and reminds me to focus on the good.

So~ I give the Navy my precious son with confidence

and gratitude and a fervent prayer that these

8 weeks go swiftly and without complications.

HOOYAH! Go Navy!

~♥~

The Navy is breathing down my neck...

2011-07-28T22:31:00.000-04:00

So, now we are down to 11 days until our son ships out...

which is actually 10 days because he has to be at the recruiting

office at 3:00 the day before, then on to a hotel for the night.

We can take him out for dinner that night as long as we stay

very close by (preferably in the hotel) and have him in

his room by 10:00pm.We will go to MEPS the next

day to see him do the final swearing-in

(the "no turning back, you're in the Navy now" one)

and then say good-bye. Some parents go to the airport and

hang out, but unless our son requests this, I think I'll pass.

I can only take so many farewells.

Things seem surreal. It is hard for me to imagine him gone,

despite the 10 months we have known this date.

I am very excited, proud and grateful for this opportunity

for my son, but it is bittersweet.

I don't even know what to do these last days.

He seems quiet and a bit withdrawn. I know this

is not unusual and is part of the separation process.

I have the business of organizing an "Anchors Aweigh"

party to distract me. Then come the good-byes

and the long wait for communication from boot camp.

What a ride this has been...

and it has barely begun!

birdies...

2011-07-13T19:12:00.001-04:00

I love trying new things so I pulled out my paintbrushes and acrylic paints today

and attempted some birds on fabric. I am not much of a painter,

but is was really fun. I am going to keep at it and also try some

nests, seashells and flowers. My head is full of ideas!

I hope to incorporate painted elements in my jewelry creations.

I am so grateful for the gift of creativity.

~♥~

Come shop!!! ♥

2011-07-06T15:07:00.001-04:00

♥ Please drop by my Summer Shopping Open House this Sunday, July 10th

between 1:30 and 4:30. I have created lots of new one-of-a-kind jewelry designs,

including sea-inspired pendants, bird-nest rings and vintage luxe bracelets.

Treat yourself or pick up a gift for someone special. ♥

2011-07-04T10:06:00.000-04:00

♥It is a great privilege to live in this amazing, FREE country.

I am grateful for all who have created,

nurtured and defended our freedom and to those that continue

to devote their lives to service to our country.

My hope is that God will continue to bless

not only the United States,

but this beautiful world that we share

with our brothers and sisters. ♥

♥ Happy Independence Day!♥

remember...

2011-06-23T22:06:00.000-04:00

"Sing your song. Dance your dance. Tell your tale."

Frank McCourt

summer...

2011-06-23T00:43:00.001-04:00

Ah, June~ and today is the first official day of summer.

I love, love, love this time of year.

I love the Texas heat, the long days, the beautiful mornings

and the slower pace of summertime.

My son leaves for Navy boot camp in 48 days and this

has lent a sense of urgency to these days, though.

I am trying prepare myself to say good-bye.

You can read about this journey here!

http://sonandsea.blogspot.com/

I am finding some time for creating, using lots of seashells,

and working in summery hues.

Mostly I am savoring these fleeting days.

"Summer afternoon... to me those have always been

the two most beautiful words in the English language."
— Henry James

hellloooo!!!

2011-05-17T22:56:00.000-04:00

No, I have not been abducted!

I'm here, enjoying SPRING and getting ready

for my son's high school graduation and departure

for U.S.Navy boot camp.

I am finding time to do a bit of digital designing.

Graduation is a week and a half away!!

Party preparations are underway.

And spring is here! Oh, how I love May!

It is my birth month and my second favorite

after June.

I hope you are enjoying this lovely time of year, too.

May is a beautiful gift.

~♥~

I remember...

2011-04-25T11:33:00.000-04:00

I've been working on a scrapbook for my graduating senior. While I do digital design

almost daily it has been way too long since I worked on any traditional scrapbooking.

Lo and behold~ I REMEMBER how! I am loving working with paper and scissors and

real photographs! I am making this book on a 4" x 6" format and it will be

a hybrid creation~ a mix of traditional and digital pages.

Now that I have rediscovered paper scrapbooking

I think I will embark on more projects including books in this

smaller format for all of my kids.

Of course, scrapbooking skills are not the only things I'm remembering.

My worktable is covered in sweet memories. My children's sweet faces

are smiling up at me across the years. How time has flown!

I am filled with gratitude and wonder for the life we have had.

These visible markers remind me to cherish EACH day.

~♥~

2011-04-07T12:10:00.000-04:00

awakened

2011-04-05T08:53:00.002-04:00

Does spring awaken your spirit?

It certainly does mine.

In my studio, I find myself

drawn to the colors of the April landscape~

tender greens, soft pinks and sea-tinged aquas.

The sun falls on my work table

in gilded streams. Things SPARKLE!

And I am filled with gratitude

for this time of year, this day,

this very moment!

~May your day be lush

with spring's wondrous gifts.♥

2011-04-01T14:05:00.000-04:00

beautiful words...

2011-03-24T11:51:00.000-04:00

from... a holy experience

"1. Life is not an emergency.

Life’s a gift.
Just Slow.

2. Now is not a forever grace but amazing grace.

Do whatever it takes to wake to wonder right here.

3. Sometimes the slowest way is the fastest way to joy.

{Slowest=fastest to joy}

4. Laughter is the cheapest, holiest medicine.

Preschoolers laugh 300 times a day. Aim for double that. Tickle someone, (yourself!), if necessary. This is good!

5. Motherhood is a hallowed place because children aren’t commonplace.

Co-laboring over the sculpting of souls is a sacred vocation, a humbling privilege.

Never forget.

6. Homemaking is about making a home, not about making perfection.

A perfect home is an authentic, creative, animated space where Peace and Beauty are embraced.

{Perfect does not equate to immaculate.}

7. A pail with a pinhole loses as much as the pail pushed right over.

A whole life can be lost in minutes wasted, small moments missed.

8. Believe it: I have all I need for today.

The needs of our day are great but our God is greater and we call Him Providence because we believe: He is the One who always provides.

{And when God provides, He should be praised, and if God always provides, shouldn’t praise always be on the lips?}

9. Slow. Children at play.

The hurry hurts the kids.

Time’s this priceless currency and only the slow spend it wise enough to be rich.

If we had to actually buy our time, would we spend it more wisely — spend it more slowly?

{God’s Word never says Hurry Up. God words only whisper: Wake Up.}

10. Love is patient.

Parenting’s this gentle way of bending over in humility to help the scraped child up because we intimately know it takes a lifetime to learn how to walk with Him.

Patience.

Love always begins with patience."

art is my band aid

2011-03-22T17:35:00.001-04:00

The world is very troubled these days. My heart is heavy

as natural disasters, wars and

nuclear meltdowns are the order of the day.

I turn to art, my refuge, and find it is merely a band aid, not a cure.

Still, I am grateful for the respite that creativity offers.

When I create I find myself in a quiet, prayerful, meditative state.

I listen to my heart. I talk to my God.

I hope you have a safe harbor in these troubled times.

I hope.

Always.

Prayers needed...

2011-03-11T09:49:00.002-05:00

Today I am taking a break from my rambling to encourage prayers, donations, good vibes... whatever you can offer to those affected by the massive earthquake in Japan this morning and tsunamis following.

There is reassuring news from our Naval facilities in Japan.

The tsunami waves are just beginning to be felt in Hawaii where many of our sailors and their families are located.
If you are looking for a reputable agency to donate to for disaster relief,
I recommend the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

out of hibernation!

2011-03-09T09:46:00.001-05:00

Hello birds and blooms and tender green.
Spring is teasing north Texas. The early trees are blooming, but it is chilly today.
My creativity is fed by the longer days, the pale flowers and the promise of warmth.

I think I have become a jewelry maker. This is what I am drawn to the very most
these days. I am loving incorporating old and new, fibers and lace, wee collages
under glass and painted elements. My worktable is a collage itself... there are holy
cards, vintage beads, feathers, shells, fabric, jewels and on and on.

I am working on digital projects, as always. I am even scrapbooking a bit~ working
on a graduation book for my son and starting his US Navy scrapbook. Some of it is digital
and some traditional scrapbooking. It feels good to return to this after a long hiatus.

Hope spring is near for you also. ♥

a mother's journey

2011-03-02T12:31:00.002-05:00

I have started a blog to chronicle my journey

as a Navy mom. I hope you will join me

as I traverse this new and challenging sea.

It is a journey that started with one simple question~

"Did you ever think about joining the Navy?"

son and sea

snapping out of it...

2011-02-28T15:29:00.000-05:00

February is a long month despite it's fewer days.

We have had snow and temperatures in the 80s.

My palm trees are ice-nipped and the neighbor's cherry tree in blooming.

I am so very glad that this is the last day of this, my least favorite month.

I have a confession. I've been in a little funk... a bit sad and lethargic.

I hate feeling that way. It is contrary to all I believe about thinking positive

and moving forward. But, I had a wee epiphany! I had a very sad moment

about my son leaving for US Navy bootcamp in a few months. Afterwards

I realized that this is what has been making me sadder than usual.

I know he is doing the right thing. He is going into an elite field where

he will receive wonderful training. He will be safer in an aircraft carrier

than many who serve in the military. He is bright and determined.

I am very proud of him.

Still, my heart is aching.

But, spring is in the air and I am blessed beyond measure.

I am shaking off the blues and embracing this day!

Life is too short, too dear to give over to sadness.

2011-02-17T15:56:00.000-05:00

Life stands before me like an eternal spring

with new and brilliant clothes.

~Carl Friedrich Gauss

coming soon!

2011-02-14T10:45:00.001-05:00

We had snow last Wednesday and bitter cold, but I am elated to say
that it is going to be in the 70sthis week in the Dallas suburbs!!!! JOY!!!
I feel spring waiting in the wings, preparing her beautiful

floral costume! I also feel my spirits lifting! Lest I start feeling too
triumphant for surviving winter,I remind myself...
we have a few more weeks of potentially wintery weather, but for today~

I am so grateful for the sun and the little harbingers of spring in the air!

My creativity benefits from this change of seasons! I have been
making some pretty new pendants and bracelets for my shop.
I need to complete a few more before I list them, but you can see

some of my jewelry here... http://www.etsy.com/shop/seadreamboutique

I hope spring is on the horizon for you, also!♥

I ♥ Phil!

2011-02-02T08:40:00.000-05:00

Punxutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow today!

EARLY SPRING! YAY!

Yes, I am willing to put my faith in a fat rodent.

It is 15 degrees in the Dallas suburbs and icy, so yes, any little thing

that indicates spring's approach sounds good to this mermaid!

Hurry! Hurry!

Silly me!

2011-01-24T23:25:00.003-05:00

It seems I am so slow to learn! It is utterly silly

that it has taken me so many years

to learn life's most basic lessons.

But I have learned a few... like the value of listening,

and letting go, the incredible truths one can hear in silence.

I have come to appreciate the powerful gift of understanding

and the peace that come from kindness.

And amazingly,I feel no obligation to explain myself.

I know who I am.

I think this is called

"being comfortable in your own skin."

What a glorious realization!!

It makes life sweeter and I greet each day

with an open heart. I still have much to learn.

Silly me! I'll never be "done."

I intend to relish this beautiful journey,

to continue to listen to the universe,

to appreciate its amazing benevolence .

~♥~

2011-01-12T00:07:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I wonder how it would be to travel back in time,

not just to another place and era, but to a feeling.

Imagine a snowy afternoon, near twilight, the sun

smoldering at the very edge of the day.

Imagine a breathless feeling, a knowing

that life is such a golden gift,

a treasure so dear the knowledge

of it nearly ignites in your chest.

Imagine the beautiful weight

of possibility, the sound

of silvery runners over the snow.

~♥~

Winter days are for dreams,

for small excursions of the mind

when the world is cold and quiet.

a winter day...

2011-01-09T21:07:00.001-05:00

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

What a lovely day... church, lunch with friends and a beautiful snowfall.

I am a summer gal, but even I can appreciate a day like this.

My daughter and I went to an abandoned barn and took lots of photos.

It was so magical.

There are blessing everywhere...

even in the snow.

~Stay warm~

~♥~

perspective

2011-01-07T13:45:00.000-05:00

Everyone knows that things look altered when viewed from different perspectives.

Even a thing you have seen countless times can appear utterly different

when you approach it from a changed direction.

Sometimes the shift can be internal, a quietening of the inner voice

that allows the universe to whisper in your ear.

Today I was blessed with such an experience.

I heard such a whispering, a gentle, but insistent urging.

What a gift, this new and clear perspective.

I am grateful that life never fails to teach me new things,

thankful for the blessing of a listening heart.

~♥~

just do it!

2011-01-03T14:44:00.002-05:00

happy, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

I AM a happy person. I am so grateful

for my life. I have a wonderful family, dear friends

and the gift of time to pursue creative projects

in my sweet studio.

But, sometimes I find myself wishing too much.

There are aspects of my life that could be better,

things that are within my grasp. I commit myself

to less wishing and more doing in 2011 and beyond.

I will never give up dreaming, but I want to give my dreams

wings and a voice.

I vow to dream with purpose

and use my dreams as inspiration for every day life.

I will dream with faith, trust and eyes wide open

that I might see the path before me. I love this journey,

even when it takes me far from where I planned to go.

I wish you a joyful journey this year!

~♥~

The gift of a new year

2011-01-01T23:59:00.001-05:00

Life is good! Here I am nestled among my big babies!

I am blessed beyond measure.

I choose to look forward with hope and gratitude.

I am ready for this new year.

I wish you peace, joy and love.♥

presents...

2010-12-23T10:27:00.002-05:00

At Christmas, all roads lead home. ~Marjorie Holmes

Today I am finishing up with gift wrapping and cookie baking.

The house smells like Christmas, looks like Christmas, feels like Christmas.

I feel the season's gentle benevolence descend

like softly falling snow.

♥

And best of all I am looking forward to the most treasured gift

of all~ my sweet children gathered here for Christmas eve

and Christmas day!

I love the laughter they share, the bright noise of them together!

Everything else will fall away, the trials of life

will dissolve like snowflakes meeting a candle flame.

Joy will fill my home when those sweet faces

gather here.

♥

There is no present greater than love.

♥

join me~

2010-12-17T10:32:00.001-05:00

Come one, come all! Have a beverage

and shop to your heart's content!

I have lots of lovelies!

Great for gift giving or a treat for YOU!

heroes among us...

2010-12-07T11:22:00.002-05:00

Today is Pearl Harbor Day.

I am reminded of those who lost their lives on that fateful day

and the many days of war that followed.

Heroes comes in many guises. I am blessed to know

a few. My husband is one. He does more for others

in a week than most people do in a year.

And my son is a hero, too.

Here he is on the day he signed his

contract with the U.S. Navy.

He will leave for basic training in August, 10 days shy of his 19th birthday.

He is going into the Navy's highly regarded nuclear propulsion program.

I am so proud of his decision. He is a kind-hearted and determined young man

♥And he is a hero to me. ♥

Remember and hug the heroes in your life today.

shades of winter

2010-12-06T08:19:00.007-05:00

It is a marvelous feeling to realize I have no more shows this year. While I love creating, love staging my creations at shows and adore meeting shoppers and fellow artists/craftspeople, truth is these shows are exhausting! So, I am basking in the lovely post-show glow and contemplating surviving Christmas and winter.

As you can see I am in a frosty, wintry sort of mood.

I am fond of this color palette, the blanched sky and bare branch.

I created my new blog banner in these muted, solemn shades.

My latest creations also feature these hues.

But I will soon return to the sweet pastels and bright colors that I adore.

Stay warm, my friends. Spring is sleeping now,

planning her sweet and vibrant return. ♥

it is upon us...

2010-11-30T12:03:00.004-05:00

Well, try as I might, I could not stave off the arrival of the cold.

Yes, by many standards, Dallas has mild winter weather, but we DO have

cold and wind and last year... the dreaded S-word fell on us with a vengeance!

I am not so very fond of bare trees and howling winds.

Tell me, what mermaid would be?

BUT~ I am feeling very creative!

I've been making lots of pretties and that always

warms my heart.

I have a show this weekend.

Here's a peek at some of my wares...

Stay warm~

How did that happen?

2010-11-20T12:37:00.003-05:00

November? LATE November... wha???

Last thing I remember is being poolside with a lime flavored beer

and now the chilly winds of November are making flurries of colored

leaves. Times waits for nobody and no thing! But, as these days pass

in shades of pewter and gold, I will remember that springtime will

be on the other side.

Autumn means show season. The photo above is a snippet of my setup

for a show last weekend. It was a good show! I am in my studio today

preparing for the next one. It is a grey, cold day and my studio is warm

and glittery. It's all good.

Hope your weekend is cozy and filled with things that make you smile.

show time!

2010-11-12T09:31:00.002-05:00

I can account for absence! The above photo attests to my whereabouts.

I've been feverishly preparing for this weekend's show.

I've been chained to the table in my studio/sweatshop, nearly buried

under a heap-o-sparkles! Good times!

I will be at First United Methodist Church in Plano this weekend

hawking my wares. Just look for a cloud of glitter!

xo~

in flight

2010-11-01T11:16:00.002-04:00

Halloween is the perfect time for a bit of time travel.

I sort of believe in time travel... I WANT to believe in it,

so I guess I do. It goes well with glitter and I like the clothes.

My friend Jana (on the right) joined me for a wee trek through the ages.

What a magical night. Hope yours was, too!

self-contained...

2010-10-26T17:17:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I think I have the soul of a gypsy. I imagine a tidy wagon with lanterns

and beaded curtains. A wee home that traveled at my whim. I think of mornings

that would hold no clue as to where I'd be at sunset.

In real life I am anchored by love and family. It is a sweet tether and I am grateful

for it. But dreams are good. They allow us to soar on gossamer wings and break the bonds

of time, to dwell in castles and gypsy wagons. Never deny yourself this small pleasure,

for sometimes dreams are the balm our hearts require and the inspiration of

beautiful things. ♥

Hello, dear ones...

2010-10-15T14:52:00.005-04:00

Such a lovely day... Makes me long to stroll in the forest in my crown.

But, as fate would have it, less fanciful pursuits have taken precedence

over my desire to wander.

I am having a wee little soldered pendant class in my

studio tomorrow, so I am making preparations (checking my

liquor stock... I anticipate some rather thirsty pupils).

I am looking forward to creating some new pendants.

It has been so long since I have soldered.

My head is a hive of ideas!!

Happy, creative weekend, my friends!

so far...

2010-10-05T09:47:00.002-04:00

Well, it is October 5th and I have not been defeated by autumn yet!
It is still pretty here in the Dallas 'burbs, though chilly in the morning and at night.
Last night I dreamed I moved to an island... off the coast of ALASKA.
Not cool, Mr. Sandman. You sense of humor is not working for me.
I have some shows coming up, so I need to chain myself
to my table in the studio.
But I am thinking about taking photos at the old cemetery in McKinney.
It is a beautiful day. I am off to make it mine!

October... sigh...

2010-10-01T15:19:00.003-04:00

So the melancholy season is upon us. I realize that many are endeared to this season, but I am not. It is not for mermaids. We crave warmth and balmy breezes, endless summer...
But, thankfully, it is still warm here and the horrid decay and decline of autumn has only just begun. Mostly I notice the shorter daylight hours, which tend to make me rather sad.
I'm only the teeniest bit blue though. I am making some lovely things and that always makes me happy.
I am thinking that an autumn like the scene above (Tissot's enchanting painting ~"The Picnic") might be rather nice. I like the languid air of it and everyone is so nicely dressed. Yes, this sort of autumn picnic would suit me quite well. I think, perhaps, I might forget winter's approach for a time were I to enjoy such an outing. I think I will gather my wrap and my tea service and a few dear friends...
Or maybe pizza and a movie. ;)

choo choo...

2010-09-15T10:37:00.003-04:00

Ah, so what do we have here?
Why I do believe it's the Drama Train!
And guess who is not buying a ticket??
That would be ME!
Why is it, my friends, that some people
are so enamored with life's dramas?
As for me, I like calm, clear seas
with a beautiful, peaceful view of the horizon.
I understand that we all have problems and unpleasantness
in our lives, but the attraction and devotion
some feel for misery eludes me.
I believe our thoughts have tremendous power.
I choose to give that power not to despair, but to joy.
We all have trials and sorrows not of our making, but I choose
my response. Sometimes I am sad, but not for long.
I choose to see this world as benevolent
and rife with possibility. And I am grateful, always,
for this beautiful, heartbreaking, tender gift of life.
So, I will let the Drama Train leave without me.
♥

I swear on this monkey's fuzzy head...

2010-09-12T17:33:00.002-04:00

I have not forgotten this blog or my millions of loyal readers!
Life has intervened. School is in full swing, so much of my time is spent
nagging my kids about homework. I've found a few moments for some
art projects and, as always, I am busy with digital graphics work.

I am happy to report that I have been victorious in my battle with Fry's Electronics
and after an eight month siege I am the owner of a marvelous new laptop! My patience,
persistence and knowledge that I was in the right have prevailed. JOY!

I am ignoring the signs of fall. Actually, I plan to ignore fall and winter outright! I am going dwell
in a mental summer henceforth. So there...
And in that spirit I am off to enjoy some sunshine and an icy Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus~ summer in a bottle!
Join me, okay?
~♥~dale

I don't like green eggs and ham...

2010-08-30T15:54:00.003-04:00

Actually it is winter I don't like. And here it is the end of August. The days are getting shorter and nearly everyone I know is giddy at the mere thought of autumn. Alas, I am not giddy or even slightly glad. In the autumn everything dies and it gets cold and dark and dreary. Why would I like that?
But I do like boots... There's that.
I would joyfully live where winter is but a fairytale. I dream of burning my winter clothes in a glorious pyre! Dried leaves and bare branches do not delight me. I need sunshine and salt water and long, long days.
So, there is my little rant in anticipation of the bleakness to come.
For all of you autumn/winter lovers~enjoy! You may have my portion!
Me? I am building a boat that can carry me to the West Indies...
or perhaps I'll take up curling...

back to school

2010-08-26T10:25:00.003-04:00

Between my own school years and my kids' (ages 14 to 25 now) the school calendar
has ruled most of my life. Summer is too short. School holidays are treasured. Days are
arranged around school hours. Even now, with a senior and an 8th grader I like to be home when my boys arrive after school. There is homework to oversee, papers to sign and stories of their days to be heard... and cherished.
Always, at this time of year, I am reminded of how quickly the time has passed. Gone are the hectic mornings of getting 4 little ones dressed, fed and off to the school bus. Things are calmer now and I have the gift of time to savor these days. Someday the school calendar will not be of my concern. I will miss it.
For now, there are breakfasts to make, hugs to give and time for gratitude for this life that is often beautifully ordinary.
~Dale ♥

not so fast...

2010-08-21T00:13:00.003-04:00

School starts here on Monday for my 2 younger boys. Summer has flown by.
I wonder what it is like to not have the school calendar run your life...
It really is still summer until late September and here in Texas it stays
warm long past that time, but after school starts the lazy days are but a
sweet memory. I will miss the kids being home during the day, but it
will be good to plunge into all the projects I had set aside for the summer.
And some of those projects involve seashells and sand, so I will hold onto
to my favorite season a bit longer... ♥

good Mojo...

2010-08-12T10:09:00.011-04:00

Even though I am a bird owner, there is something about caging a wild and beautiful
creature that sits uneasy with me.
Our endearing parrot, Mojo, has gorgeous (unclipped) wings... vibrant green with a deep aqua underneath. When he flies around our home (he has a specific pattern or two that he flies) you can feel the power in those glorious wings as he passes over. It is amazing how much he churns the air.
We rescued Mojo and we love him. We try to give him the best life we can. He has a huge and splendid bowfront cage and we let him out as much as we possible. He has lots of toys and gets plenty of attention. He seems happy and healthy. He talks a lot! He would most likely not survive in the wild, so we try to make his caged life a good one.
I feel blessed to know this enchanting bird, to hear him speak and see him spread his wondrous wings and fly.
xo~Dale

hot, happy days...

2010-08-05T17:24:00.003-04:00

I am so loving these beautiful, hot summer days!
Yes, it is the 100s, but I still love it!
I am busy making jewelry and graphic design creations.
And savoring every sun-filled day!
Tomorrow my sis and I are going to visit some
of our favorite haunts in search of treasures.
Every day is a gift for which I am so very grateful!
Hope you are also enjoying these fleeting summer days...

♥graphics love♥

2010-07-31T01:07:00.002-04:00

I have the best "job" in the world! Graphic design is like playing
with magic!! I made myself a new Etsy banner tonight after working
on custom orders all afternoon. I think it reflects my longing
for the sea.
I am off to dreamland with a grateful heart. I am so thankful that art
and creativity are part of my life.
~sweet dreams~ ♥

happy days...

2010-07-29T10:13:00.002-04:00

Oh, how I love summer!! I feel like every day is a wonder!
Now, this doesn't mean that all is perfect in my world,
but sunshine and long, warm (some would say HOT) days
are a balm for my soul! I am savoring these beautiful days.

I have been working on some earrings and I want to keep
every pair I make!! Silly me! I've also been doing LOTS
of digital work. This medium continues to enchant me!
I feel like I am making magic when I enter this amazing
and nearly unlimited world of creativity!!

I hope your days are filled with sunshine and fulfilling endeavors!
xo~Dale ♥

Divas Do Dallas

2010-07-23T12:23:00.003-04:00

My fun and creative pal, Jana, is hosting a weekend of shopping,
pedicures, pool side hi-jinks, food, drink and general mayhem and
I was lucky enough to be invited! I am looking forward to lots of glitter,
laughter and mild mischievousness!!
I made all the gals sea shell tiaras and oceany themed pendants
(with help from my sweet daughter) since the theme is Diva Island.
It should be a great weekend!
Hope yours is equally fabulous!
xo~dale

home...

2010-07-18T01:07:00.002-04:00

It is good to be home after a few lovely days on the Gulf.
Despite news reports to the contrary, Galveston seemed to be oil free.
We were blessed with glorious weather, though the water was rough.
There were red flags flying to warn of a strong riptide.
There are still plenty of reminders of Hurricane Ike,
but Galveston is a scrappy town and it has made a vigorous comeback.
Still, it is sad to think of the landmarks destroyed
and mostly, of course, the lives lost...
My son and I had a marvelous time with our friends.
It was so good to be by the sea again.
It is where I belong...
xo~Dale

2010-07-15T09:21:00.002-04:00

My son and I are having the BEST time ever on our little vacation!
We have played in the Gulf, spent a day at beautiful Moody Gardens,
taken a sunset cruise and enjoyed the company of good friends.
I could gladly stay right here.
My spirit is always so peaceful when the sea is near.
It is my heart's harbor...

Galveston...

2010-07-12T23:10:00.003-04:00

My youngest son and I are enjoying a few days at the beach with friends.
There is always such a peaceful feeling in my heart when I am at the coast.
I find myself grinning and loving life!
The sound of the surf, the salty breeze, the beautiful landscape~
this is my soul's harbor...
I am so grateful for these days...

ah, summer...

2010-07-08T12:14:00.005-04:00

I am so loving these hot, lazy days of summer. This is my season, my most cherished
time of the year. I am enchanted by the music of lawnmowers and cicadas, the glint and
gleam of fireflies, the beautifully quiet mornings and the brilliant late sunsets.
I have made an uneasy peace with the other seasons,
but it summer that I adore.

In these midsummer days I am not pushing myself. Yes, I am creating
when the spirit moves me, but only then. I need this restful time.
That being said, I am enjoying working on some jewelry pieces.
I am loving combining textures and colors in new way.
I love the feel of glass beads, the character inherent in snippets
of vintage lace.

I am enjoying some fabulous summer reading. I have a wonderfully
tall stack of books at my bedside. It always makes me feel joyful to think
of all the adventures waiting for me between the covers of those books.

I hope your summer days are also filled with the small joys exclusive to this most lovely season!
xo~Dale

Sweet land of liberty...

2010-07-04T18:44:00.006-04:00

After a week of rainy days, the sun is out just in time for the Independence Day celebrations!!
It is a beautiful afternoon and I am reflecting on the great privilege it is to live in the United States. No country is without flaws, weaknesses, room for improvement, but the American spirit is a fine and noble thing.

It is still a land of great opportunity.

These fine words engraved on the pedestal of The Statue of Liberty
remind us of who we are...

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me.

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

~Emma Lazarus

Now that is something to believe in.

finding joy...

2010-06-30T21:50:00.002-04:00

Life is no picnic. There are so many woes, personal and in the big wide world, still I find joy is in great abundance. Today I picked tomatoes, read a bit, spent over 4 hours at Fry's trying to get a computer issue resolved. Okay, the computer thing wasn't delightful, but I remained pleasant and in the end I think my attitude helped. I think my problem will soon be resolved.
I am grateful for my life, my family, the wonderful comfort I take from creative pursuits. Those joys ease the stresses of life. I never, ever want to become blinded to the good and beautiful in this world.
xo~Dale

A+

2010-06-29T17:19:00.004-04:00

All of my Paper Cowgirl students got an A +, not to mention extra credit and a bucket of gold stars!
What a delightful group of gals! We laughed, glued and chatted non-stop. Three hours flew by!
What a privilege it was to "teach" these creative, arty girls! I am blessed!

frivolity just around the corner!

2010-06-22T00:16:00.002-04:00

Today my sis and I FINISHED class kits and sacks-o-swag for Paper Cowgirl! Yippee!
Tomorrow we will be doing some prep for vendor night and on Thursday we head down to Waxahachie! Good times, laughter and BIG FUN are sure to ensue!
As much as I am looking forward to PC,it will be a relief when it is over. I am ready for some lazy summer days... some time to enjoy my family, to read, relax and create at a more leisurely pace.
My youngest son had his birthday party today. I really cannot fathom how my baby got to be 14!!! ~sigh~
I am off to dreamland...
xo~Dale

June... ahhh

2010-06-14T10:14:00.003-04:00

Oh, how I love this glorious month! Yes, I live in Texas and it is hot, but I don't care!
June is the best month to me... I wish it lasted all year! And it does in the Virgin Islands.
I really should live there.
Oh, well, anyway here I am in the Dallas suburbs enjoying this beautiful day. Paper Cowgirl is in less that 2 weeks and I am making preparations for my mermaid class. Sequins and seashells are the order of the day.
I am determined to appreciate every minute this lovely time of the year. It is a beautiful gift to be alive
xo~Dale

More Cowgirl Swag!!!

2010-06-02T22:17:00.002-04:00

Okay, Paper Cowgirls... just finished and listed some really fun
and sparkly limited edition Paper Cowgirl pendants in my Etsy shop!
Get'em while they're hot!
You know you want to roll up into Waxahachie
with one of these babies glinting in the Texas sun!
You will look FINE!
Trust me... if there's one thing I know, it is ACCESSORIES!!
xoxo~Dale
Go fetch 'em here!

Calling All Paper Cowgirls!!

2010-05-31T15:31:00.004-04:00

Paper Cowgirl Altered Art retreat fast approaches and I have just stocked the shelves of my Sea Dream Studio Cafe Press Shop with lots of wonderful items featuring the brand-spanking-new PC logo above. You'll find everything from shirts to stickers to ball caps with this sassy cowgirl logo with 2 wording choices. AND... COMING SOON~~ Paper Cowgirl pendants in my Etsy shop. I will be listing those no later than Wednesday, so keep an eye out!

Yee Haw! See you soon, Cowgirls!

xo~Dale

hello weekend!

2010-05-29T09:12:00.003-04:00

Even those of us who don't have "real" jobs love weekends! After an insanely busy week I am ready for some downtime. My sis and I are thinking we might make a visit to the bird store.
I LOVE seeing all of the gorgeous birds! If Mojo (my Quaker parrot) was a bit less nippy we could take him. Alas, he is a tad naughty, so he must stay at home.
The weather is wonderful... hot, but I prefer hot to cold. I LOVE summer and yes, know it is still spring, but it sure feels like summer in Texas right now.
Hope you have a great weekend!
xoxo~Dale

small joys...

2010-05-20T01:40:00.002-04:00

Lately I have found so much peace and joy in small things... a hug from my 17 year old son, a found feather, time to create, a pastel sunset...
My days are sweetly sprinkled with small, but beautiful treasures. I am busy, but that is a good thing. I am glad and grateful to have a life that never, ever bores me! Instead I am busy~ with family, friends,creative projects, good books, my parrot... just living and appreciating all of life's gifts and lessons that come my way.
I wish the same for you!
xo~Dale

next, please...

2010-05-11T15:35:00.002-04:00

Whew! Art Fest was fun, exhausting and possibly my last outdoor show. The weather is just so crazy here and I can hardly believe that Sunday was actually chilly! It feels good to have this event behind me and now it is time to look forward to Paper Cowgirl in June. I need to prepare class kits and goodie bags and some special things for vendor night!
Yesterday was my birthday and it was a sweet day. My daughter took me out to lunch and we shopped at bit and laughed a lot. The evening was crowned with cake, family, friends and sweet gifts! It was enough to distract me from thinking about my age! ;)
Actually, I am using this birthday to inspire and propel me toward my dreams! In some ways I feel brand new and on the cusp of something very good!
xo~Dale

Watters Creek - Spring Art Show

2010-05-07T10:00:00.001-04:00

Watters Creek - Spring Art Show

Posted using ShareThis

2010-05-07T09:56:00.002-04:00

Hope to see you at Watters Creek ART FEST this weekend! My sis and I, along with the amazing Jana, will have our booth filled with one-of-a-kind jewelry creations, altered art & assemblage pieces, seaglass treasues and my handcrafted flower hairclips, headbands and brooches! ♥♥♥
There will be lots of great activities including live music on The Green and a sidewalk chalk art contest (my daughter won this at the fall show). The weather is going to be great, so join us if you can!! ♥♥♥

I write a bit...

2010-05-01T00:01:00.003-04:00

yield

A year is an arc, a swath cut
deep into the earth. Mud and ice,
clover, violets, dust and dew
occur within. Days fall, a steady rain
of pebbles down the steep sides,

grit so fine it chafes the lungs,
rocks as jagged as hasty lies.
I have walked from June to June,
barefoot and sweetly shod.
No matter. The stones still bruise.

Sand finds its way into my bed.
Sun and storm pursue my share
of sky, duel above like lazy gods.
In these twelve months graves
have blossomed, flat as fungus,

spread their spore-like, rotten
flowers, an unavoidable plague.
Joys are harder to define,
closer held. I dare not speak
of them. Gems so precious stir

the greed of trifling deities.
A year is a song, the descant
honed and smooth. I hear it
in the ryed wind. It swings
like a blade, closer, closer.

art and flowers

2010-04-26T00:24:00.003-04:00

April is flying by! I have a big show in less than two weeks, so I am very busy!
My sis and I are creating some pretties. Jewels and paper snippets, feathers and glitter~
we are up to our necks in projects! It is delightful "work", though and I feel blessed
to have an arty life. Creating makes my heart sing and takes me to a place
where I am peaceful and filled with hope.
And we planted flowers this weekend...
another yearly task that makes me smile.
Spring is so wonderful! I take joy in these lovely days.
And I hope you are finding your own place of peace and joy.
xoxo~Dale

Hello world!

2010-04-15T21:46:00.002-04:00

I can't believe how long it has been since my last post. Perhaps I went to Paris
to browse the flea markets or maybe I went on a cruise to Tahiti...
Ah, well, gentle reader I hate to be boring, but truthfully, I have not
strayed from my suburban abode. I am here, working away on pretties
for a 3 day show in early May and Paper Cowgirl in June. And, as usual,
I am busy with digital design work.
Of course, I am loving the beautiful weather. Spring is so delightful.
I will post some photos soon of some of my new creations.
I hope you are enjoying a creative and joyful spring!
xo~Dale

~S~P~R~I~N~G~

2010-04-06T08:39:00.003-04:00

Ah, springtime has arrived in the Dallas suburbs and not a minute too soon!
I am loving the warmer temperatures and the beautiful reawakening of the landscape.
On the weekends that lovely sound I adore fills the air...
the suburban symphony of lawnmowers... beautiful!!!
I so need to live where there is no winter, as it seems bound and determined to kill me.
I always feel like I am emerging from a battle when spring finally arrives.
So, enough of that... suffice to say, I am very glad for longer, sunny days!
I hope your little corner of the world is sunny and bright!
xoxo~Dale

It's on!

2010-03-26T00:14:00.006-04:00

Yep, the sign-ups for Paper Cowgirl are underway!! If you are the artsy type please check out the class offerings for "The Best Little Art Retreat in Texas". The dates are June 24~27.
I am so excited about the class I'll be teaching... Queen of the Sea. There are some really amazing artists teaching at this retreat AND we always have frosting shots! What more could you want?
There are only 20 participants per class, so if you are interested, don't dawdle!
We'll be having a hot time in Texas come June!
And by the way~ little ole me created the Paper Cowgirl graphics!
xo~Dale

Éirinn go brách!

2010-03-17T10:06:00.004-04:00

Green greetings, my friends!
St. Patrick's Day has dawned all bright and glorious
here in the Dallas suburbs. It is spring break and
my two younger kids are sleeping in and my house
is deliciously quiet!
I feel so glad that spring is nearly here!
As usual, winter tried to kill me, but I am almost ready
to say I have survived!
Hope your St. Patty's day is fun and perhaps you will find
a pot-o-gold at the end of the rainbow!

on dreams...

2010-03-12T12:13:00.001-05:00

Sparklette Isabelle, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

What is the worth of dreams?
How do we place a value on something so ethereal?
My dreams guide my steps in ways both bold and subtle.
They define and inspire me.
Yes, I am a dreamer.
Aren't you?

2010-03-07T17:48:00.009-05:00

Oh, where have I been?? Lost in the world of art and everyday life.

I finally decided on and completed the prototype for my Paper Cowgirl
class. I was in a creative cramp or something!! I am so excited to be
teaching at this fabulous art retreat for the 3rd year!
We will miss our dear, sweet Tina, but she will be our cowgirl angel.

If you are interested in signing up for Paper Cowgirl, please visit here
starting tomorrow. There are so many talented teachers this year. You're
sure to find a class or two that suits you.

And here's a peek at my project... Queen of the Sea~~~~

Yes, being the Queen of France was wonderful, but what Marie Antoinette
really longed to be was King Neptune's consort. The magical realm of the sea
spoke to her soul. Now you can grant Marie's wish by creating this enchanting shadowbox where Marie reigns as the Mermaid Empress of the Deep.
This 10" x 8" assemblage is displayed under glass and is lush with glittery shells, pearls
and sea flora and fauna. Participants will learn a flower-making technique
that can be applied to other projects.

Joining me are these fabulous gals~~~

Chantel Johnson - Inspirational Tag Book

Joanna Lewis - Feathered Friend Collage

Jennifer Stewat - 4th of July Banner

Deb Taylor - Covered Journal

Jennifer Babcock - Altered Bird Trinket Box

MendyMitrani - Digi Class

Ann-Denise Anderson Victorian Boots

Angela Berger - Shabby Classy Necklace

Laverne - "pocket" book

Cindy Gilstrap - La Petite Boutique Altered Canvas

Corrine Clark - French Paper Shoe

Sandra Feazel - Beeswax/Painted Canvas
Lisa - Mixed Media Tags

What gloom??

2010-02-26T17:47:00.002-05:00

self portrait, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Ah, this is a day for dreaming...
I have been in my studio making pretty things and ignoring the grey, grey skies. My work table is strewn with faux flowers, pearls, lace and rhinestones. My thoughts are happy ones of seaside memories~ like the astonishing night sky at Cape San Blas~ an endless spangled span that made me know that someone steers our journey with a loving hand.
Winter is still here, but buds are dreaming of the springtime sun, waiting until their season... soon, soon...

homemade springtime

2010-02-24T19:10:00.002-05:00

Winter lingers and so I have taken matters into my own hands.
I am making piles of fabric flowers, heaps, small mountains.
Meanwhile this dreary season is getting a little old.
I am ready to kiss it good-bye.
Seriously, enough!

some days...

2010-02-18T10:50:00.004-05:00

Do you ever feel like a dog in the back of a pickup truck? I do...

I wonder who's driving? Is he drunk? Where are we headed? Is there a map or a plan?

And why are we always so perilously close to the ditch?

Well anyway our snow is gone. Winter is still here. The foot of snow was pretty exciting, a real novelty here in Texas, but soon we were ready to retreat into our bubble domes.

And now I am thinking how nice it would be to travel to a sunny clime
and check into a swanky motel with a pool and an ice machine...
and maybe a futuristic antenna.

Or maybe a sea voyage is in order. I can be packed in an hour.

But I'm staying close to the lifeboats!

Everything feels a bit unsteady and I refuse

to go down with the ship!

Gotta' run! My ride's here.

We'll probably just go for a ride around the block,

stop for a hotdog and a Coke...

and look for signs of spring, like robins and tulips

and pink cars!

Happy Thursday! xo~Dale

wake me up!

2010-02-12T09:25:00.001-05:00

snow!, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Certainly this vision of white madness is a dream! I live in the Dallas suburbs... um, that would be in TEXAS... think drought, cactus, sunshine, HOT! What is this fresh hell that has befallen us????
Actually, it is SNOW! Record-breaking snowfall... nearly ten inches! How do you Yankees bear this all the time? It is cold, wet and cold.
But, so very magical and pretty and quiet. My daughter and I went to the old cemetery yesterday and took some photos. I'm fairly certain we walked over some folks, but it was not on purpose. The snow was already quite deep. It was beautiful there... and yes, quiet!
My palm trees are frowning at me and my parrot... he's in a mood!
My school-aged sons are in an altogether different sort of mood. Jubilant, I believe, is the word!
And we inch one day closer to spring.

hmmmm...

2010-02-11T08:51:00.002-05:00

Is this mermaid weather?? I think not.
My palm trees are very sad.
My parrot is very sad.
My kids (who had to go to school)
are very sad.
It will be 85 in Tortola today. The Sir Francis Drake channel will be calm and impossibly blue.
But, even this mermaid must confess that a snow day had a certain quiet charm. It is a fine day to spend in my studio. And it is one day closer to spring.
xo~Dale

winter Monday

2010-02-08T12:05:00.002-05:00

winged, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Today is a typical winter day in north Texas... grey, cold and wet~ one of those "not fit for man nor beast" sort of days. I am unlikely to venture out into the gloom. I can't think of a thing that would lure me, except for a conveyance ready to transport me to a sunlit, seaside locale.
Even my sweet birds are quiet today. I doubt my feathered friends, with their tropical origins, are too very keen on this weather either.
I am going to play in my studio today. I need color and light, some beauty, the quiet joy that creating brings.
"Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life. ~ John Updike

the cure...

2010-02-03T10:27:00.002-05:00

So, I am thinking I have found the remedy for what ails me... a sunset dinner on a lovely beach.
I can hear the gentle surf and feel the powdery sand beneath my feet.
In reality, I'm actually feeling a bit better this morning. I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel!
I am feeling the need to drag myself into my sweet new studio and play with some vintage lace and buttons and glitter. I think that is a very good sign! Maybe I'll even get dressed! LOL! No promises, though. I have a very cute new nightgown that looks enough like a dress to carry me through the day. ;)
And to heck with that silly groundhog and his dire predictions for 6 more weeks of winter. Here in Texas we do our own thing. Bee Cave Bob (a rather handsome) armadillo did NOT see his shadow and we are expecting an early spring!! read all about it here
So, today I am dreaming of buttercups and hyacinths and a candlelight dinner on this beautiful beach.
Hope your Wednesday is peaceful.
xo~Dale

blah...

2010-02-02T17:48:00.002-05:00

You know, I really am a very positive person. I look on the bright side, but I am really getting beat down by 2010. Right now I am sick with my 3rd cold since Christmas. Good grief! I realize that a cold is nothing to whine about, but I really do want to feel better!
On a positive note, my studio space is looking adorable. As soon as I feel like creating something I'll be in there working away. I have spent the past 2 days on my sofa. My youngest son is sick, too. Poor kid.
So, my blog is very boring right now. Hopefully I'll be well and back in the swing of things soon!
xo~Dale

be happy

2010-01-27T22:26:00.001-05:00

be happy, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Why not?
Life throws so many wacky things at us, tries to kill us, seems to delight in our misfortunes... but, that's the way it goes. So I have learned to seek silver linings and ignore (as best I can) the inevitable turd in the punch bowl.
So far 2010 has been a series of calamities, garnished with some truly heartbreaking events for me personally and also in the world. But through it all I have seen the most amazing evidence of love and compassion. And that is a beautiful thing.

making progress

2010-01-18T20:41:00.002-05:00

Today I worked on my new studio space and it is starting to come together!
I still have lots to do (and a piano to sell!), but I've made a lot of progress.

I am so grateful for this place where I can create.
Tomorrow the kids will be back at school so I hope
to make great strides. If you're in the neighborhood
feel free to drop by and help me move some more supplies! ;)
xoxo~Dale

I love parrots

2010-01-18T10:12:00.001-05:00

I love parrots, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

I only have one, my quaker parrot, Mojo, but I think parrots are amazing!
Mojo has a great vocabulary and a very distinct and engaging personality. I love his chatter, his "quaker squawk"~ not so much! But between Mojo and my daughter's sweet parakeets (Alice and Conrad)
our house is filled with birdsong and sass. And it makes me smile!

It is a beautiful morning here in suburbia. I am moving my studio downstairs and it is coming together! I'll be glad when the "heavy lifting" is done and I can start to pretty it up! I am looking forward to working in this great space that is flooded with delicious morning sunshine!

I am so grateful for this day. I am thinking of Martin Luther King and his work and message.
Hope springs eternal!
Love one other, my friends!
xo~Dale

just breathe

2010-01-14T23:11:00.002-05:00

just breathe, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

My studio is in limbo right now. I have a piano to deal with before I can move in. And I hesitate to embark on any projects until I am in my new space. But I really need to create. I need to go to that quiet place inside where the world retreats a bit and I begin to feel peaceful.
Making art soothes my soul in a way that is so natural and sweet that it feels nearly preordained. There is a feeling of clarity, of rightness that I find to be one of the truest joys of my life.
My heart breaks for the suffering in Haiti, for the family of dear Tina, for all of the brokenness in the world.
And that is why I need a moment to make something beautiful, to remind my heart that flowers still bloom by dusty roadsides and mothers hold their babies like the wondrous gifts they are. I need to think about love and hope and the kindness that binds us all to one another.
Tomorrow I will create and be filled with gratitude for the privilege of knowing my heart's safe harbor.
xo~Dale

sunrise, prayers and money...

2010-01-13T09:02:00.007-05:00

It is a beautiful morning in suburbia. But for the people of Haiti this day is one of despair as they are faced with the aftermath of a 7.5 earthquake. Please pray for them and if possible donate to the American Red Cross international relief fund

Also musician Wyclef Jean's blog has a link to donate to his Haitian Relief organization through your cell phone...
http://wyclefjean.wordpress.com/

This extremely impoverished island nation was still rebuilding after being hit by 4 major hurricanes in 2008. Their infrastructure is sketchy. Housing is ticky-tacky and the people struggle in the best of times. This is a tragedy of major porportions. Even the money you might plan to spend today on lunch, a new blouse or a manicure would help. If you live in the United States the odds are you are living a better life than these people.