When push comes to shove, it's all about love

When push comes to shove, it's all about love, in any possible way it manifests in each of our lives. Love is everywhere and in everything right where we are.

I try not to get bogged down in the process of Lent but my nature, being what it is, seems vulnerable to it this year. My life seems to mirror the seasons, and this season of spiritual renewal with all it's subsequent deaths and resurrections, is no different. Soooo glad Easter is near. I can feel the beginning of a shift.

+ Aspiring to a birds eye view is to rise above and make small life's niggling negatives. I have created more sorrow for myself when allowing thoughts of pettiness to creep in. This isn't to say we aren't allowed to defend ourselves, if necessary, or become angry. Not at all. (In fact, learning how to properly and powerfully manage our anger is great thing to learn.)

Easter is considered a highlight event for the church, Christmas running neck and neck. This holiday and lenton season embodies the full story of a traditional faith, the need, the sacrifice, the gift created as a result.

May your week be blessed beyond imagination.

Blessings To All

These two very short videos capture the prayers requested for water I use in my artwork. This water came downstream from a place I've dubbed Buffy's point. (To read more about this see July 26th and July 29th posts: "River of Dreams" & "Buffy Point")

In this water I believe Buffy's innocence and dreams still somehow reside. May the hope, love, grace and indefinable mercy of God make itself known.







This water was collected just outside my little town at the little spot most locals know as the singing bridge. We call it the singing bridge because this bridge has long grooves in the surface so that a humming sound will accompany you as you are carried across.

It has become important for me to fuse my faith in God's love toward all mankind with my work. Water is such a gift, not just used in many spiritual applications but also for sustenance and cleansing. It really is mysterious and miraculous- how lost we would be without it.

See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them and God himself will be the action feast.

See yourself Sainted

Dear to my heart "Happy Valentine's Day"

Wishing everyone a nice Valentine's Day.

Cathedral Frame - Close up.

This beautiful frame is available from French Palace Boutique. (see Lookie linkie sidebar)
Isn't it pretty? Love this frame.

Practising my figures.
This was originally cream with pink roses (pictures below) and belonged to my mother. I decided to rustic it up to this result. The column is the same finish even though that's been changed for this exact photo above.
There are additional design plans and will show you what happens with her in a future post. Some of mom's story will be evident. Excited to get to work further on this.

And, oddly enough, I have an unrelenting notion that a deeper and decidely different approach to my work manifests real and positive help for my mother made possible through the mindful and deliberate use of materials.

sometimes things can look so sad before they're done.

Making Impressions

Today I felt honored beyond imagining to be an American. Barack Obama was sworn in surrounded by an enormous community of fellow Americans. I'm so impressed with the creative possibilities of tomorrow. Everything has creative potential.

My dear friend Cindy is so creative in nurturing her kids. I learn so much from her and am in awe a lot of the time. Seeing loving creativity in various areas of life, raising children, leading a country, teaching, etc. always impresses me.

The impression here is made by placing a votive candle holder with a decorative metal cross attached to it into sand. But consider a key, silverware handle, anything with a 3 d decorative element i.e. a flat curtain rod finial. Even a stencil forcing sand evenly through the letter opening would be interesting.

Finding light in unexpected places

I'm heading to Eugene for 3 days to assist someone choosing a new home. I won't be posting while I'm gone but will make up for my absence with fun pictures when I return. While gone I plan to visit my dear friend Joy Morin. Amazing woman, talent like you can't believe, sweet and oh so irreverent. Always fun and literally, always a joy.

Last night I stopped by my friend Laurie Cleveland's shop- Laurie's Antiques in Roseburg. We've been working on a project and we're very excited to show you what we've been up to but we have to wait for something first!

Be sure to look for Laurie's link to her awesome collection of fabric curtain panels, bags and more at frenchpalaceboutique.com The fabrics are to die for gorgeous. You won't find anything like these anywhere in the United States, she has them specially made in Europe.

Look what Ty and Amanda created

Is this good design or what?

This picture was coincidentally taken on the anniversary of my dad's death.

I can see so much of my dad in his little face, the bright eyes filled with

love, that was dad. Gabe is the sweetest and happiest little guy.

Where will love lead us?

Toasty impressions

This toasted bread became part of our thanksgiving day dinner. We have much to be thankful for. I'm so happy to have found a way of communicating my work as it inspires me. Thanks for looking and listening.

a little nod to kindness and God bless the fighter

There is something wonderful happening/happened/now is. Years ago I felt generally antagonized. &"choosing" my battles was something I couldn't really consider, it just seemed like a cop out (though it was a nice thought.) I figured all battles needed fighting and so I did. At one point I realized I'd been blessed to be able to stand up for myself, that somehow injustices were being righted and that was very nurturing somehow. But after a time I grew to realize there was something being lost also, that I had not noticed before.

I guess I foght for so long I kindof figured out that what I was fighting was no longer there. . . and perhaps, perhaps ?, they were only shadows to begin with. Life is continually evolving and sweeter goals come into view.

Let's all go down to the river

Soap, Mary and Me

I've kindof become a dork for religious kitch and iconongraphy. Time spent in Mt. Angel and it's neighboring St. Benedict, a little monastery town on a nearby hilltop, is probably mostly responsible for this.
I came across this little dispenser in a cute little shop in San Luis Obispo, Ca. a couple of summers ago. I think I love all that it implies and how it reminds me to always aim for my best- even when doing the dishes.

Sometimes I feel more relative to those not professing a faith than I do with those that do. After years of spiritual abuse (none intentional I'm sure) I just couldn't see how I could ever "go there" again. Traditional church
. . .well, that simply was just not going to work. Still something inside of me longed for a return. But. . . what return could I make? "

Turns out, for me, Mary was a real good place to start.

peering in and a whole lot skittish

the view from my window