I'm just sayin'...

Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.

~William Barclay

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/shackleton/

a little dream for a cold day...

Like most of the rest of the country, the Dallas suburbs are in a deep freeze.

Our skies are clear and as blue as a mountain lake, but the wind is howling

and it is so very cold! So my thoughts stray to this scene... the coast of beautiful

Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. I know that today it is in the 80s there (it

always is), the water is calm and the sand is white. I have walked this beach... and will again.

It eases the chill of this winter day to remember the quiet beauty of this place

and to know it is there, warm and tranquil and I will return to this enchanted place.

I will.

perception...

What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly.
~ Lao-tzu

Ah, how we perceive the world so colors our journey.

And can we alter out perceptions with attitude?

I think so. It is, in fact, the only thing that we hold

any real sway over in this life.

Perhaps I do not choose my path, but I do choose

the song I sing as I go.

life goes on...

No matter what, life does indeed go forward.

Today has been a day of reflection.

I am thinking of Tina's family and how they are coping

with their unimaginable loss.

And I am considering how important it is to live your life well

and fully and to be in a state of appreciation

for each day. All of our experiences bring us

to where we are at this moment. Regret is futile.

I am grateful for my life, for the sad and joyful moments

and all of the uneventful days that are a joy themselves

with their beautiful, reliable ordinariness.

And I am grateful for the people who touch my life.

Life goes on~ as it should, boldly and recklessly, reverentially and with predictability.

It goes on, unfurling before us like a pathway in a dark forest

or a wide swathe of beach that skirts a turbulent sea.

We have no other way to go, except with open hearts,

forward, always forward.

Farewell, dear one...

Tina Wright, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend and artist passed away early this morning after a brief, fierce battle with cancer. Tina was a precious person, so full of life and joy. It is nearly impossible to imagine her gone from this earth. If you are a praying person, please remember her family at this time.


And, when he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of Heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night And pay no worship to the garish sun. ~William Shakespeare

back to reality...

So the holidays are basically over and soon we return to real life. My kids have Monday off of school, so they are still in the laid back mode. Christmas is packed neatly away and my new studio space is almost ready. And it is January, my least favorite month. But, I am no longer a person who hates winter. I have decided that it is absurd to despise an entire season, so I will look for silvery shadows and the stark beauty of bare branches against a winter sunset. I will move my studio and fix it just right. And before you know it the trees will get that sweet, fuzzy look and the days will grow longer. Spring comes early in Texas. Thank you, Mother Nature!
Hope 2010 has begun well for you. Stay warm and dream sweet flower-filled dreams.
xo~Dale

au revoir 2009!

Well, this has been one helluva year! It has been chock full of good times and trials! I lost several months to a broken kneecap. Creatively, it has been a good year, but I have high hopes for 2010 to be even better! My new studio space promises to be an inspiring place for me to create!
I have made a tentative peace with winter, so the next few months should be more bearable and, as always, I look forward to warm days and I swear by all that is holy I WILL be at the beach this year!!!!!!
Have a fun, safe New Year's eve and may 2010 be a bright, new adventure for all of us!
xoxo~Dale

contrasts...

I am a lover of sunshine, of aqua seas and swaying palms. I love warmth and sand and azure skies... but I am making peace with winter. Even I must admit that a less vibrant landscape also has a certain beauty. Winter is quieter, slower, all tucked in, waiting.

I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show.

~Andrew Wyeth
I cannot say I prefer winter, but I am appreciating the merits of this season of reflection.

And of course...
O, wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

old man winter

Amazingly we are having our second little snow storm in one week here in the Dallas suburbs!

Our pansies have been sweetly "sugared" and that marvelous hush that comes with snowfall has arrived. Our snow will be gone tomorrow, but it has been so pretty to watch the big, cottony flakes dash against the windows while a fire burned in our fireplace and a pot of chili simmered on the stove.

Hope things are cozy wherever you might be.

Stay warm.

xoxo~Dale

and a good time was had by all!

Christmas was marvelous, sweet and WHITE! Yes, here in north Texas we had S*N*O*W!!

The storm arrived just after midday on Christmas eve and it snowed all afternoon and evening.

While I am not fond of winter so much, it was pure magic to have a white Christmas!!

Now several days later a few white spots linger... waiting for more, perhaps, as the old wives' tale says? Our forecast hints of ice on Tuesday. We shall see...

I have had a lousy cold and have yet to rip down my decorations as I am prone to do right after Christmas. I may start in a bit or leave them until tomorrow. I am not one to leave them for long after the holiday has passed, but this cold has me feeling a bit listless.

Hope your holidays were magical!

Stay warm! xoxo~Dale

after the Christmas pagent

I require no wonders beyond the sea
and Eridanus. The bright embellishment
of sons and daughters renders me winged,
sustained. I breathe a song of gratitude,
a quiet carol of comets and coquinas.

I have made my peace with this babe’s
briny tear, this tilted barn,
this nova’s beam. In these I hear
the chorus of man, the hunger
for hope, ever hinged on salt and light.

For me, it is enough to cup a wet star
in the palm my hand, to feel water
rush and ebb like time. I have tilted
the faces of my children upward, planted their feet
in spindrift. They will find their own miracles.

GREETINGS!

It is Christmas eve and the weather forecast is calling for S*N*O*W!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have never seen snow anywhere near Christmas!!!!!!!!!! I am as excited as a third grader!!!

JOY TO THE WORLD!

It is a beautiful, warm day here in north Texas. I have cookies to bake and then Santa is welcome to come! Gifts are wrapped and under the tree! We are almost ready!!

I am feeling extra-joyful today as friends of ours are having an adoption dream come true as I write these words!!! I am so happy for them!! It is a Christmas miracle for cetain!!!

And another great joy is that my son is off work for 3 days and can join us for all the Christmas festivities!! What a wonderful thing to have all of our children with us!!

Hope these last days before Christmas bring you some special joys, too!

xoxo~Dale

Ah, down to the wire. I have cookies to bake and some house cleaning to do.

Shopping is DONE and all wrapped up!!!

Come on Santa!!

It snowed and snowed,

the whole world over,

Snow swept the world from end to end.

A candle burned on the table;

A candle burned.
~Boris Pasternak
Doctor Zhivago

"Art is running away without ever leaving home."
Twyla Tharp

In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow,

In the bleak midwinter, Long ago.

~Christina Rosetti

Okay, okay... no snow here in north Texas, but it's pretty chilly and it feels like Christmas for sure. I am nearly done with my shopping and gift wrapping. I've ordered my tamales for Christmas day and mailed my packages. I feel remarkably un-stressed.

My husband is working on plans to relocate my studio downstairs to our never used dining room. We have used this room as a little sitting room and a place to keep the piano that no one plays anymore. The kids have taken piano lessons over the years, but none of them fell in love with playing, so there sits the piano. It is a lovely instrument, ordered from the factory for my husband's grandmother a thousand years ago. I love it, but it is time for someone to have it who will play and enjoy it.

The husband will be putting in some French doors and then I just need to move about a ton of supplies, but I am very excited. This room has great morning light! And I can avoid the stairs, which my knee (that I broke last spring) will appreciate. Merry Christmas, to me!

Hope your holiday preparations are going well. xo~Dale

Two weeks!!

Oh, my~ the Big Day approaches! Today, despite the nearness of Christmas, I am taking a little break from Christmas shopping to tidy my studio space. I'd post a picture, but I have more self respect than that! ;) After several shows and the usual Christmas crafting frenzy things are pretty crazy.

The husband and are going to power-shop on Saturday and git-'er-done! If I can find the shop above I think I can finish up pretty quickly!

xoxoxo~Dale

No snow here... but very cold, well for Texas, that is.

I had a busy day and a fun evening out with girlfriends. I am exhausted from laughing!

What a beautiful thing it is to have friends that wear you out with humor!!

That, and a somewhat amazing lemon dessert are enough

to send me blissfully off to dreamland.

I think I'd like to dream the picture above...

xoxoxo~Dale

Making peace with winter...

So, here's the thing... Dallas winters are not exactly picturesque. Take today for example~ cold, grey, drizzly... So dreary. And yes, I know it is actually still autumn, but close enough! It is a challenge at times to find beauty on a day like this, but I am grateful for a warm, cozy home, the endearing sight of my palm trees bravely enduring the cold and sound of our birds chattering and singing. As the daylight fades my house begins to fill with returning family members and the gloom recedes as lamplight and laughter takes its place.
Maybe we'll have a real snow here this winter. There have been a few in the 25 years I've lived in Texas. It could happen. I have hope... and 2 sleds in my garage to prove it!
Stay warm, my friends...
xoxo~Dale

Wanderlust

Wanderlust, originally uploaded by ookami_dou.

I love mornings. They are filled with possibilities, that beautiful feeling of being on the cusp. And I love ships. Being aboard an oceangoing ship is almost like having wings. One is untethered to dry land and the vast ocean unfurls with its seemingly endless and uncharted prospects.
Need I say that I love this striking photo from the mid 1920s? Imagine the glorious feeling of leaning over the rail of this liner (the Columbus) as the sun rose over the sea. I can smell the salt air and feel the teak beneath my feet as I step into the world of the photographer.

"I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain."
~The Shawshank Redemption

Isn't that what we embark on every morning?
May your journey today be one of discovery and beautiful moments of grace and gratitude.
xoxo~Dale

I need wings!

Marie Antoinette winged avatar, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

My errand list is a mile long today. I could use some pretty wings to carry me from place to place! It is a beautiful, but very chilly day and there's a chance of more snow tomorrow. Welcome to Texas~ Land of Weather Extremes... On Thanksgiving we were in shirt sleeves... go figure...

I need to figure out my display for this weekend's show. I have my vintage silver trees out and a sweet pink one for my ornaments. I think you can have gorgeous items to sell, but if you don't display them properly people just walk right by. I normally snag all sorts of pieces from my home decor to use in my show space. It's a lot of work, but fun!

Well, I am off to bundle up and start checking things off that to-do list.
Hope you have a beautiful Thusday. Spread your wings and FLY!
xoxo~Dale

Snow!

Guess what we woke up to in the Dallas suburbs this morning? Yup, snow! It was a gorgeous corn flake snow, big fluffy flakes that swirled down like little ballerinas! So pretty!! And best of all, it was gone by 10 am. Now it is crazy cold!!!! Feels like Christmas for sure!
I worked in my studio today and am just about ready for my show on Saturday. Hopefully this chilly weather will remind people that Christmas is just around the corner and they'll come out in droves to buy my wares!
xoxo~Dale

the halls are decked!

Thanksgiving was so nice. We went over the highway and through the woods to grandmother's(and grandfather's) house by the lake. We had exquisitely beautiful weather...balmy, in fact! The guys got to play and watch football and the gals worked on some crafts that I brought. Glitter was flying! And of course, we had a marvelous feast. All of my sweet kids were present and that is always a happy thing for me! I am thankful for so much... family, friends and this beautiful life!

Saturday was spent decorating the house and I AM DONE! The house is twinkly and bright! Now on to shopping which I hope to finish soon.

I have a show this weekend, so I am busy making a few more creations. I never start on Christmas projects early enough. I am always in denial that summer is over well into November!

I have lots of pretty shop and blog banners in my Etsy shop, so if you need a new look please visit me here... Sea Dream Studio Etsy shop .

Happy Monday, my friends!

xoxo~Dale

good times!

So last night my pals and I went to the midnight screening of "New Moon". It was so fun being in a sea of happy teen girls and grown ladies. So what if I got home at 3:00 am and there was a fierce storm raging and I got maybe 2 hours of sleep! We had a great evening!
I've had a great day, in spite of the CRAPPY weather. And it's Friday so... it's all good!
Hope you have a splendid weekend! xoxo~Dale

I'm just sayin'...

R-Patz and I rocked the "New Moon" premier.

What can I say?

He's got good taste! ;)

ready...

Oh, what a beautiful day! The sun is pouring in through the window and my sweet birds are singing! I highly recommend birds in the home. Their songs and chatter are magical! Sometimes it seems like I am living in a tree!
Today I awoke with a marvelous feeling of peace and a realization of so many wonderful possibilities! I am filled with creative thoughts and plans, but thankfully they are not accompanied by the near frantic feeling that often is their twin. I do not feel the usual pressure to "work" in my studio, but instead there is a beautiful surety that I will create as my heart and hands lead me. I feel as if I am perched on the rim of something beautiful...
I hope your day is rich with dreams realized.
xoxo~Dale

live it up!

How remarkably un-blue I am, considering it is November. Fall usually seems so sad to me, but I have adjusted my attitude a bit. I am honestly trying to appreciate these days. Falling leaves and harvested fields will always make me a bit melancholy, but I aim to conquer this season. Winter is certainly not my favorite either, but at least it is getting closer to spring.
I have lots to do today to prepare for Saturday's show. I am making some holiday items so today's forcast is glittery with a chance of faux snow!
This is a week of letting go for me, for accepting things I have no power to change, for finding the beauty in an autumn's day.
Hope your Monday is filled with swirling leaves and joy.
xoxo~Dale
ps~ the picture above is a snippet of a sparkly winter blog banner that is available in my etsy shop.

After an utterly dreary, wet October, November has been a delight so far! Warm days, slightly cool evenings and clear skies have made the past week such a pleasure. And nice weather was an especially appreciated blessing in a week of trials.
Our family has had house guests for the past three months. A friend and her son stayed with us as a result of marital problems. We had so hoped to help her gain confidence and attain a better financial posistion so that she might move forward in her life. Sadly, she was lured (again) by the promises of her husband and this weekend she and her son left to return to him. I am really sorry about this situation and feel a bit like a failure, that we were not able to encourage and help her enough to feel like she could escape her crappy husband.
Ah, well... we tried very hard and that is all you can do. Time to move on.
On the plus side, I have more time for art. I am busy in my studio getting ready for a show this coming weekend. It is a one day show (whew!) and INDOORS so I am not at the mercy of the weather!
I am looking forward to a productive, peaceful week. We'll see what the universe has in mind for me! ;)
Hope your week is beautifully creative!
xoxox~Dale
~And here's a peek at my work table...

November!!?!

How on earth did it get to be November?? I think October's dreariness and rain made me start to think it would never end, but November has arrived and the first two days have been glorious! I am inspired by the sunlight!

We had a fun weekend. Halloween was great and I'll post some photos soon.

I am finishing up some housework and then diving into some art projects.

Happy November! xoxo~Dale

Halloween Greetings

Halloween is here and it is NOT raining! Yea! It will clear and a bit chilly for tonight's trick-or-treaters, but dry!! After the monsoons we've had this month, that sounds wonderful!
I have a graveyard (complete with fog and creepy sound effects) to construct today. Should be fun and just scary enough to spook the little ones.
I have to work on costume... a fallen angel, zombie, something-or-other that lurks in faux graveyards. Will (my youngest) is also a zombie/reaper, so if you come by my house prepare to be terrified!
Hope your Halloween is fun, safe and a tad horrifying!
xoxo~Dale

Friday has dawned cold, wet and gloomy... but it should be nice tomorrow for all the trick-or-treaters! I am down to just one kid dressing up. I miss those fun and chaotic days when I was making 4 costumes and pulling little ones in a wagon around the neighborhood. Ah, well... things change. It will be fun to hand out candy and see all the cute costumed kids. I have some gauzy wings and am thinking of being some sort of a haunted angel... we'll see...
I am off to run a few errands then I am planning to dye some lace, embellish some peat pots and throw some glitter around as I wait (patiently) for the skies to clear.
Hope your Friday is bright and spangled with moments of joy!
xoxo~Dale
ps~ The photo above is of one of my favorite places on the planet... Tortola, BVI. You should go there. It is positively beautiful...

There is a voice in the Universe urging us to remember our purpose for being on this great Earth. This is the voice of inspiration, which is within each and every one of us.

~~Wayne Dyer~~

What is your inspiration? For me, it is family, friends and the eternal beauty of nature. Of course, I love the sea and it never fails to stir my soul, but the love and companionship of family and dear friends is my spirit's favored balm.

Creativity springs from deep within us. I think we are made with a yearning for beauty.

I take utter delight in color and composition regardless of the medium. Most days I find myself drawn to creative expression. I feel so very blessed that art is an almost daily part of my life. It enhances my journey and slows me down so that I can appreciate and savor this beautiful life.

I wish for you a day filled with beauty and creative joy!

xoxo~Dale

goodness...

Ah, Friday! The sun is gleaming (cold, though) and my daughter is pretty much well from her bout with H1N1. What a nasty bug!! So far no one else is ill!! Yea! Thank goodness for Lysol and hand sanitizer!
I am busy with digital work. Above is a snippet from a fun steampunk banner I just listed on Etsy. I am so blessed to have a "job" that is absolutely FUN and creatively fulfilling!! It honestly feels like magic when I work with digital graphics. I think of myself as a modern day alchemist!! ;)
I hope your weekend is filled with magical moments!
xoxo~Dale

bad piggy!

Ah, well... looks like the dreaded swine flu has visited our house. My daughter, Kate (20), was diagnosed with N1H1 flu on Friday. She is doing okay, even seems a bit better today. Luckily she has not had any of the respiratory symptoms. Our house reeks of Lysol and hand sanitizer! We are all being super cautious and Kate is basically in lock-down. Her bedroom and bathroom are on a little hallway upstairs and away from the rest of the house, so she is resting in her "cell" with me waiting on her while holding my breath!!
The past week was spent watching the &*$#*%$ rain (until Friday) and recovering from my art show. It took me several days to thaw out!! I did get my summer clothes put away (so sad...).
Hopefully I will accomplish a lot more this week. My friend Jana and I are working on a joint venture~ a new Etsy shop featuring our funky shrines, Frida art and other things Mexican!!
It has been wonderful to have some sunshine here after what felt like a month of gloom!!!
God, I hate fall and winter... Sorry, all you cold weather lovers~ It just doesn't work for me. I will be cold from now until April.

channeling Frida

So, Jana and I survived our first day at the Watters Creek Art Show. It was CRAZY cold, but we had mucho fun!!! Tomorrow it will be SUNNY and warmer!!! YEA!!!! Our booth looks good and we are looking forward to a great day! Jana's cutiepie daughter, Chloe, was our helper!!

And she provided us with live entertainment!
Here's Frida/Jana in all her glory! xoxo

Chloe and I glittered the floor (street) of our booth.

My boots has sparkly soles!!!! YEA!!!

Our ofrenda!!!!!

And here's little ole me. You can't see the icicles hanging off of me.

I was seriously frozen... but HAPPY!

Life is GOOD!

xoxoxo~Dale

Watters Creek - Fall Fine Art Festival

Watters Creek - Fall Fine Art Festival

Posted using ShareThis

making sunshine

The weather report is rather daunting this week... rain, rain, rain. It MUST be gone by Friday afternoon when the art show that my pal Jana and I are in begins. I am putting that request out into the universe (and one for world peace while I'm at it). In exchange I will not moan (much) about the horrid grey skies and cooler temps.

Above is my new business card that I whipped up for the show. I have LOTS of items for this show and I should be pricing them right now. I really don't enjoy that part, but it must be done.

I have shrines and collages, jewelry out the wazoo and all sorts of crazy creations. I am so excited about our booth design which is a Day of the Dead ofrenda. I think it will be fun and perfect for the season.

art attack!

Been busy with art, life and enjoying these lovely days! I have a show coming up in about 2 weeks. My friend Jana and I are teaming up and our booth is going to have a theme... a Mexican ofrenda for Day of the Dead! I am making shrines and having so much fun! I am feeling super inspired! Hopefully this burst of creativity will last and see me through the fall and winter months that are not my favorites!

Lots of flu here in north Texas. It is pretty awful. So far we are all well. Keeping my fingers crossed (and sanitized) and hoping we can skip this illness!

Well, off to dreamland. Nite nite blog friends! xoxo

making art!

Oh joy! I have FINALLY gotten back my art groove! I am in a creative frenzy getting ready for a show in October. It feels so good to be creating again!! I am making retablos and shrines and Day of the Dead things! FUN! Glitter is in the air!

The weather is PERFECT and I'm off to a wine tasting with some girlfriends tonight.

Life is GOOD!

so it begins...

So today is the first day of autumn and it feels like it! It is grey, rainy and chilly... all the things I do NOT love about fall. I need soup and a blanket and a wake up call around or about April 1st. I can't help that I'm a sunshiney gal. It's in my DNA. Clouds make me sad. I hate the cold. I like flowers, not dead, bare branches. I know many, many people adore the fall, but fall and winter tend to seem like one really long, cold night to me.


Yes, the colors are pretty and I like winter clothes... boots and sweaters are fun, but if I could live on a sunny island year-round that would suit me fine!


But, at least I live where the winters are somewhat mild and I am grateful for that. Today, to combat the gloom, I am working on some colorful, fun art projects and making tortilla soup.


It's all good...

Hope your first day of autumn is snuggly and sweet...

xoxo~Dale

a week of RAIN!!

So, a loooooong week of grey, wet days is inspiring me to make some ultra-cheerful banners! I am hungry for color and joy!! I KNOW the sun will return, but I am beginning to feel like I am living in the novel "The Road" (great book~ read it!)...

On a more sunny note, I did actually stroll into my studio and make some pretties on Tuesday! It was wonderful to get back in the glitter groove! I think I'll make a mermaid grotto today... Sea thoughts always cheer me!

Well, I am off for another gallon of coffee. Hope your Thursday is filled with light and joy!

xo~Dale

Sweet Cowgirl Tina

Cowgirl Tina, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

My friend Tina is a dear girl, a sweet mom and grandma, a terrific artist and one of the organizers of the fabulous Paper Cowgirl Altered Art Retreat. Tina has such a kind and generous soul. To know her is to love her!
This week Tina has been diagnosed with cancer. This is heartbreaking news, but Tina is one tough cowgirl! Across blogland prayers are being offered and support systems being formed to help Tina and her sweet family through this trying time. Jan of The Polka Dot Barn http://polkadotbarn.blogspot.com/ is organizing a fabulous gift for Tina. If you want to check it out and participate just pop over to her blog for the details.
You can also leave an encouraging comment for Tina here... http://tina-wright.blogspot.com/

If you are a praying person, please keep Tina and her family in your prayers.
take care~Dale xoxo

Mojo and the Blessed Virgin

Mojo and the Blessed Virgin, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Even the Beloved Virgin could not resist Mojo's charms. He time traveled to the ancient Holy Land to receive Her blessing... and a sacred wafer.

Oh that bird! He is a rascal. as I write, he peers down at me with his wee round eyes. I am smitten!

Hooray, for the long weekend! No real plans, but certainly we'll be poolside at some point.

Hope your Labor Day is restful and fun!~
xo~Dale

Mojo hobnobs with Marie

Mojo hobnobs with Marie, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

My parrot, Mojo, is a time traveler. Here he is with his beloved Marie Antoinette. This lovely painting hangs in Versailles, where Mojo often visted to the delight of the young Queen.

Yes, I love my bird. He is a constant source of amusement! You'd love him, too... I promise! He is pretty irresistible!

We are having a spate of incredibly beautiful weather here in north Texas. It is quite inspiring. Mostly it inspires me to lay around by the pool... ;)