Parisian inspired vignette

Halos in progress

A little Elf Help

Have you ever read the little Elf Help books? These are miraculous and wonderful little gems written for children. And adults! These little books are profoundly simple in their grace and wisdom. I've given them as gifts and kept many to be passed along when others may need them. There are numerous Elf Help books written specifically geared toward scenarios, such as how to handle grief, loneliness, depression etc.

Some titles are:
When your Grandparent Dies
Sad isn't Bad- A good grief guidebook for kids dealing with loss
When Mom and Dad Divorce
Help is Here for Facing Fear
Saying Goodbye Saying Hello - When your family is moving
Be the Star That You Are- a book for Kids who feel different
When Bad Things Happen- a guide to help kids cope.
and many many more.

When I visit the Abbey near Mt. Angel I'll pick some up. Check them out. They are very inexpensive and available at Amazon. I love having them around reminding me of the incredibly wise truths each of them embody.

Yours Traditional and Updated

Red and white mixed with primitives make a comfy, welcoming tree. Visitors coming into your home for the first time, when using this look will instantly feel like old friends such is the power of traditional and country casual mixed together. (And, is that mirror gorgeous?!)

bending but never breaking

Our space is limited but I wanted to create a little bit of an entrance feel using the tree as an arch of sorts. This tree isn't quite finished in this shot, there is more ribbon creating more of a drapey effect and a few other additions that have been done. I'll capture updated pictures for you soon and post this and other trees remaining.

Awash in Color

Christmas is such a bright spot in most of our lives. The vibrant colors against the white flocking make this a tree with some energy. Glittered Crowns, Shoes, Chairs and Grand Pianos are on this tree as well as many other fun things like opulent Lime, Fuchsia and Orange matte metallic swirly ornaments. Click on picture to see closeup of just one color example of each of the Chair, Piano and Crown. For those of you planning to be in our area (So. Oregon; Roseburg/Myrtle Creek) Nov. 6 & 7 is the highly anticipated Christmas Open House hosted by Belinda Legg/store owner. (I will almost certainly be there too! Come by and say HI!! It would be so fun to see all our friends that can make it! If you'd like to buy anything you see here call Belinda- she ships out all the time. Store number is 541-863-4466

For those that can't make it- I'll be sharing more about the store here so you can be there in spirit! It's great to share common passions with you all.
Take care all. I'm elfing again today and will be back with lots more photos of the trees in their entirety soon.

A little Vintage, a little Deconstructed

I love deconstructionism design although this only has a small touch of that apect. Lately, when decorating trees I've been simply streaming cool old ribbons down the tree in a very haphazard way. Communicating to the customers that applying ribbon or streaming beading cords is effortless. Trust your own instinct and feel it. This is about your joy, bringing Christmas into your home your way.

Joy to the World, Joy to Me!

Peace on Earth
Goodwill to Men
Merry Christmas everybody
it's that time of year again.

For me anyway!! This is the time of year I begin decorating for a wonderful little shop called Treasures of the Heart. This little store will soon begin it's winter wonderland visual transformation. As always, there are several trees being decorated, (there would be more if the shop were any bigger.) It's amazing how many trees we can actually squeeze in but we remain undaunted in our delight and desire to add "just one more tree." for the sheer love of it all. That's just how it is- always pushing the space!

One of the themes of the trees is a Vintage Christmas- a personal favorite (if there is such a thing!) I'll post pictures of displays of some of the vignettes a little later on. The rush is on to be ready for the annual Treasures of the Heart Christmas Open House Nov. 6 & 7.

For the first time, I'll be decorating trees off-site. Decorating trees in the store itself has become an enormous logistical challenge while working around customers and furniture etc. Each decorated trees will be brought in as completed. Final decorating of the entire shop will commence when all trees are set into their final destinations within the shop.

Belinda is a great buyer and working with the wonderful things she gathers makes my decorating work just that much easier. Always a collaborative process, but a very real part of my work for Treasures is to edit and make style direction decisions for the trees, spaces & vignettes in the store. I love the work. Still, Christmas is my favorite time of year. And, I'm very happy it starts in Oct.!

When this shop is done, there is another shop to do (you will not believe your eyes with this one either- altogether totally different styles than Treasures of the Heart!) After that, local in-home Christmas decor commences. Typically a few "regular" decor jobs will pop up and, usually Krylon will place a big order with a due date of end of January...so you can see- starting now works really well. Oh yeah, almost forgot, teaching a few classes will be in the mix too.

Christmas comes but once a year, make it last! Merry Christmas everyone!!

Figuratively speaking, that is

This was another shot taken for Cloth Paper Scissors Studios Fall 2009 and was mentioned in the text. Wanted to share it with you now as it was referenced. In thiw latest issue you will see my space here at Cathedral of Dreams. Copy to your browser bar the link below to buy or it's available at Borders, Barnes & Nobel and Amazon.


http://www.interweavestore.com/Mixed-Media/Magazines/Studios.html

United hallelujahs

This is one version of Hallelujah shared by an old classmate on facebook by Espen Lind, Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes and Holm. Amazing. Collecting hallelujahs...I think I can do that.

The view from here

There is something about a warming view when there is a chill all around. This little electric fireplace doesn't emit heat but for some reason it does seem to warm me and make me feel ever so cozy. It makes little crinkling noises just like a fire would, I love that. This sound is inventively created by a slowly spinning metallic brush sweeping against a bumpy plastic shield behind the "logs". The surrounding mantle and hearth is fiberglass made to look like stone, sheer whimsy. There is something so innocent, so childlike, in it's invention. I think I love these because they seem to reflect the warm heart of the creator.

The Christmas tree is up and decorated because there is precious little time to create a tree for ourselves when Christmas is at hand, due to my work. I love Christmas so, decorating a tree early- well, that's OK too. And, well, maybe that's the real reason why it was up in August. . .can't say for sure. Christmas warms my heart all year.

Workings of the Heart

Everyday that I write to you is from my office space and now, this space has been published in the latest issue of Cloth Paper Scissors Studios. I haven't yet received my copy. But I am excited to see what actually made it into the mag, there were so many shots taken. More shots will be posted as time goes by anyway. Things are always changing and everyday brings a new perspective, super inspirations and magical possibilities. Moments are always waiting to be transformed by your miraculous imagination. I've decided to become a slouth as I try finding the opening by which a new heartfelt perspective can be realized.

Life is awesome and always such a surprise awaits us. Our imaginations have the power to set us free and enthrall us. I want to be ever mindful of that gift we've been given.

I had to let you know

Halo, My Friend, Halo

I've grown fond of seeing myself and others with Halos, although in this particular instance there is a nimbus reflected above Mary. These nimbus's are typical of much religious iconography and depict the aura of deity surrounding a person on this earth.

There is a saying above the hallway at the entrance of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa: "The Risen Christ has just entered here". Another wall saying at the St. Benedictine Abbey near Mt. Angel, Or. says: "All guests are to be received as Christ". (part of Chapter 53. The Rule of St. Benedict) Both of these sentiments implore us to find in each other the deity and wonder of God as creator in every individual.

Living in Mt. Angel left an indelible mark. A small & fun, but telling little sign may be that I always seem to place a handwritten halo over a person's name on an outgoing letter. It's such a small thing but something I like to do. O to you.

All Heart and Hope

I've been learning so much about the power of my imagination for my own peacefulness, contentment and joy. I'm reminded again of my friend Lauren and what she shared with me one day about the truly profound, and seemingly often overlooked, lyrics of "The Rainbow Connection." Thank you Lauren.

Have you ever really listened to these words? I hadn't until she pointed out the absolutely stunning beauty with her clarity.

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
or- so we've been told and some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.


Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star? Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it,
And look what it's done so far
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see? Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers, and me.


All of us under its spell,
We know that it's probably magic...


... Have you been half asleep? And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name... Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?The voice might be one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm s'posed to be...
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers, and me.


I can't believe how faith coupled with imagination creates a breeding ground for miracles and coincidental magic all the time. It really is some phenomenom I'm experiencing. It's first in the imagination....Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it,
And look what it's done so far.
What would have happened if the rainbow concept had never been thoughtof, expressed...never having the notion of looking ahead with hope and expectancy? Can you imagine that?

Make a Spiritual Gift

And, here's another beautiful gift that arrives without expectation or motive. It's simply a gift of kindness. This lovely gift made it's way into my little hands from a new friend from Kansas, Christina. I know for a fact this woman is facing some challenges in her life but realizes that joy and love are for those that live life and share their bounty. She is a woman of faith being challenged to receive more in the guise of something less savory.

You'll be seeing more of this gift soon. Her precious "Courageous Prince" mixed media included in it gave me goosebumps (and if you look really close. . .)

Have a happy day.

The Loving Cup

Cathedral of Dreams

I'm so grateful for having been given the imagination to perceive new outlooks. Thank God, grace has it's way with us and mercy steps in to save us from our own perceptions and limitations of life and dreams.

It's becoming a practice, whenever I get a little rush of worry or fear throughout my day, I immediately replace it with faith and trust and hope. I'm learning to refuse to judge myself, I just let the emotion move through me like a little breeze needing to blow. It seems I'm only able to do this when I have time and space around me. Then I'm more able to remind myself the realities of my faith, being consistent. In being more consistent a faithstyle habit is forming. A peace I've never known is becoming a supporting reference in my life.

Thank you to Laurie Cleveland for the beautiful gift of this loving cup. She practices leaving fear behind and walking in faith also.

Through the fine lens of Love and Care

Have you ever gotten a gift and when you looked inside it was sortof disappointing, not really something you'd expected? We all probably have at one time or another. A friend likes to tell a funny story about when he was a kid. Each year a birthday card would arrive with a check from an aunt. One year, however, he opened the card and there was only the card. And, much to his own chagrin now, he announced loudly- hey! where's my check!!??? He tossed the card aside, without reading, and walks away sulking. In his comical retelling he feigns opening the card, looking inside. In a state of shock he shakes the card and blows in the envelope, hoping against hope a check will magically appear. We have laughed over this story more than once, the humor so evident in the ridiculousness of his response. And, yet, there is a built-in expectation response at play here.

I thought of this story yesterday and it made me think about how each day opens up. I think about my life's choices and turns made that have brought me here. I think about my own living in a state of frequent disappointment and how that brought about low grade depression for too long as result. The things we are conditioned to expect as children shade our expectations so effectively and too often barely allows us to see what's actually in front of us.

So, yesterday, when I finally found my gardening apron with my clippers there were some old gloves in there as well. And, all I could think of was, "Oh great. These vinyl gloves are crumbling and disintegrating. What a mess! & I don't want to deal with this around all this wet paint...all I want to do it clip back the flowers so I can continue painting this side of the house." But, it wasn't crumbling gloves. Inside the apron were old flower deadheads that had broken into tiny bits of flyaway.

In fact, those gloves were just what I needed at that moment but I'd been so fixated on my need for finding the clippers and staying on course with painting that the old gloves were automatically seen as the annoyance. So, what did I need the clippers for? Trimming back a small rosebush . . .

That's What Friends Do

Love is not:

jealous,
envious,
boastful,
arrogant,
selfish,
rude
or irritable

Does not demand it's own way
or hold grudges.
It's never glad about injustice.


Love is:

Patient,
Kind,
Always protects,
trusts,
hopes,
perseveres

It rejoices in the truth
Love never fails,
Keeps no record of wrong
Love Lives on

The Gospel according to philosopher Lauren James.
My dear friend, Lauren James, is a truly amazing person and everyone who knows her deeply respects and admires her. See her on post (scroll down) June 16. Lauren is so global minded and progressive but also knows and appreciates the bible on a level most people can't even imagine, myself included. We have been through some pretty high water together and made it to the other shore. Her understanding and insight in my world is golden. So, in this post today- she is my "guest" blogger! As we discussed modern expression of certain phrasing in these scriptures she remained the final say as to it's truest intent. My first concept of forming an easy to read list of what love is, and what love is not, laid the basis for this. Thank you Lauren, for sharing your insight and passionate care in these interpretations.

Prayers of the people

This is my new little prayer candle block. It's set up in the living room and my way of reminding myself to pray for those I've told I will! You can see strips of tapes with names written. These names represent the people I am now praying for as a result of my online travels. I will be adding strips with new names over top of these. . .as time goes on.

Prayer is such an amazing concept to me. It truly is miraculous. I've found that when I surround any problem with prayer, the energy in it, of it, changes. Significantly. Quietly. Often very quickly. A bigger space is somehow created for unusual change. I've seen it happen far too often to think otherwise. And, believe me, I've been stuck in long stages in my life that were filled with raging disbelief, anger, incredible feelings of being misunderstood and invalidated. And, being told to be positive, for it's own sake, just seemed like a lie to me and an oppressive tool. But bringing prayer and a dogged determination to love is different. I just think it takes a loving creator to build what we've got here. Love seems to be the only thing that endures, and produces life. Anytime I can, through love, give any life producing benefit, then I am assisting in a miracle.

Held

I saw this cross at a church I frequently attend in Rogue River. There is wire covering the shells, holding them in place. The wolves were an unexpected element that seemed right for the day. Sometimes this is how it feels when we're left alone with our sorrow and fear. Wolves circle about in their primitive urges, but they aren't malicious persay. My own ignorance about the extent of God's love makes me feel like there are wolves surrounding me, when really there are not.



click on picture for shells and wire detail
Thank you Nancy Nibblett. The most awesome sunday school teacher ever!!

Falling slowly into you dear

I'm feeling a new wind blowing even though I'm a little reluctant to post anything other than summer things. Summer just never lasts long enough. Lately our August breezes are bringing a decidely September feel. O the coming season of Fall...leaves will soon swirl to the ground, children will be in school learning new things, and people will enjoy homes without the worry and noisy distraction of keeping safe & cool.

I love fall for all it's beauty and for this reason I may be rushing things a little. Still, the loveliness of fall is starting to weave it's magical mossy little fingers around and through my heart compelling me to fall in love with it all over again. And, I am. I am.

Distill

"Distill"
This has been my word lately. Perhaps I could distill the definitions...:)

1.to subject to a process of vaporization and subsequent condensation, as for purification or concentration.
2.to extract the volatile components of by distillation; transform by distillation.
3.to concentrate, purify, or obtain by or as by distillation: to distill whiskey from mash.
4.to remove by distillation (usually fol. by off or out): to distill out impurities.
5.to extract the essential elements of; refine; abstract: She managed to distill her ideas into one succinct article.
6.to let fall in drops; give forth in or as in drops: The cool of the night distills the dew.

verb:
7.to undergo or perform distillation.
8.to become vaporized and then condensed in distillation.
9.to drop, pass, or condense as a distillate.
10.to fall in drops; trickle; exude

Sea of Mercy

If I could only swim it's tide,
be washed upon it's waves,
and feel the grace inside,

feel the grace inside.

If I could only know no judgement,
find my sweetest peace,
wander to the shore,
and find myself in the sea.

If I could only feel the cloudy lift,
revealing a little blue sky,
Somehow the water would find me,
wash me and give me an alibi.

The lessons of my past,
wouldn't be so sad,
spilling out to tell on me,
and point to all I never had,

the promise of my future might be left for me,
If I could only swim the sea,
engorge myself in the mystery,
. . .the sea of mercy.

I will know the sea of mercy,
when it's passions find my feet,
I will step upon it's waters,
and find my sweet relief.

I will feel it's healing hand,
and though I did not earn it,
be carried there by another man,
and throw myself in it.

I will walk upon it's waters,
to show it can be done,
a multitude beside me,
all waiting to come,

Swim the sea of mercy,
I will find my soul within,
part of me,
comes back to me again.

colette george c 1992

Buffy Point

This picture from the other day was taken very near a place where a young local girl died in the river resulting from a car wreck. I didn't know the little girl personally although my son did. The picture preceeding reflects a brighter perspective but this morning I was feeling a little more grief for Buffy and her family and friends. There are always little commemorative things along the highway but it just seems so little can be said or done at times to signify the loss of someone so young and full of promise. I picture a mother and father's heart breaking. I imagine the grief of losing a daughter would only seem magnified by a loss of the enjoyment of the river as sanctuary and repose. (It's been mine for so long and I suspect many others around here.) I have a friend that was also involved in a sniper shooting at a river north of here. The river had always been her sanctuary but after that she just didn't feel safe. Horribly tragic since she is one that had turned to, and found, great solace in the river for so many years until then. It grieves me to this day for her.

River of Dreams

Taken yesterday about 10 minutes away from home. This picture is shot from the bridge just past Buffy point. (May she rest in peace.) Love this spot and about a million others along the way up Cow Creek. We've been spending so much time in the pool we thought it was high time we took Pearl to the river!

Removing labels...

Anyone identify with label removal? Writing the latest set of instructions for Krylon right now and as I was reviewing some of the pictures for references I came across this picture. There just comes a time when removing labels is necessary. If we want to paint a masterpiece we've got to start off clean and begin to add the brush strokes of our lives.

Watershed moments

After posting these pictures may just have to head back out there! And, we got the pool up!!! YAY!! I'm now nursing a sunburn but it's all good and I don't have a single complaint. Life is good. I told someone the other day that I felt like I was on drugs; my body was so light and my legs were so rubbery. weird. This was simply because I was so relieved that June (well june and a half) were over. It was just too much. It's good to think about what's realistic to take on and get real with my schedule.

See yourself Sainted

What I'm dreaming of. . .

I'm dreaming of being in the water right now, can hardly wait to dip my toes then fully immerse myself in the river. I've made a vow to myself that I'd do that this week. When I was a kid, like so many others around here, we'd spend so much time outside fondly holding leaves and branches in our hands. We'd drag them behind us making tracks in the dust. We'd pull moss from trees and catch little frogs or bugs for the wonder of their tiny little worlds. I'm missing those slow uncomplicated moments. I'm also reminded of how dirty we were at the end of each day convinced that most of our dirt was a tan until mom proved otherwise. I remember being barefooted so much that the skin between my toes would crack and that I could run on rocks and hot pavement and not feel the heat too much or the sharp points from the rocks. I do remember, however, getting stone bruises- those were no good.

ahhhh. the good ole summertime. The river takes me back, as though I'd never left.

this is from my book-a project called "A walk along the Oregon Coast vacationscape"

Grandma's sweet little June bugs!

Gabe celebrated his first birthday June 26th. (Hazel was born on the 5th, & we'll be doing this next year with her!) Gabe's little cake was so cute with little bees trailing all over it in the Winnie the Pooh theme. Our local Rays made them both but Gabe's little cake was made with less sugar and with a banana filling. They also dialed down the sugar in the frosting with real whipped cream. Thought that was so neat since he eats only blended fresh fruits and veggies that Ty and Amanda prepare. I wanted to share that new option with others here.

Hazel has no idea how much she is being protected here!!!...Ted is holding Gabe back from climbing right in there to investigate his first little cousin, this little person of interest! Gabe loves to grasp and squeeze things right now- not good for Hazel! ^g^

Analogy of a butterfly

Undaunted by the party: Granddaughter Hazel.

And look- she already has the remote. She's a true George.