Spring journal pages and a studio "fluff"

On this chilly Monday in late April, spring journal pages help warm my spirit and studio.

This "TWEET" page was inspired from a parcel received from Pam Garrison, a favorite artist of mine.

My true love and fascination with COLOR were the impetus for this page.

Keeping on the "sunny side of life" grounds me and gives me peace.  It isn't always an easy proposition, but an important goal of mine.

Whatever my circumstances are, I always try to focus on the abundance in my life.  Gratitude chases away most negative thoughts... it really works.

Songs and lyrics are another point of inspiration in the studio.  I love the verses in "Fields of Gold".  

What could be more important than LOVE??? I cannot think of anything...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this boy Buttons... what a perfect pal he is!

I was away with some art pals a few days ago.  Packing art goodies to go away always puts me in a tailspin as to what to take... what to leave behind.  What was left behind this time was a MESS!!!  So today was spent "fluffing" my little art studio... so that I could at least see my art table again...

I thought I'd better snap a picture before I get buried again!  

Buttons likes to hop up here and sit while  I work, especially at night.

 I now have it clear for him!

Why is staying orderly so hard???

Vintage suitcases are always a fav of mine....a great storage for all kinds of things, too.

Here's hoping for a wonderful week... 

take a little time to  D  R  E  A  M ...

Although a bit later than usual here in my neighborhood, spring has arrived in all its glory!  My hot pink azaleas have never been more beautiful.

 I was away for a few days last weekend, and when I returned my yard was ablaze with color.

The bird feeders have been jammed with some new and old visitors, even though the worms are more plentiful in the yard.  

They all flew away when I went out to snap some shots, but I was able to catch a few sweet birdies from inside my bay window.

I haven't had the "heart" to blog in past weeks due to the passing of my beloved cockapoo, Gabe. 

At 14 1/2, Gabe had been the dearest companion and friend... a true furry "soul-mate".

We've  been the best of pals, through thick and thin... always my sweet, sweet boy.  He had a wonderful life, and was among the greatest of gifts ever.  There truly is no greater friend.

My baby Buttons and I both miss Gabe terribly, but we are gradually moving toward a "new normal".  

B has gotten some brand new squeaky toys, and extra chewy treats!  He looks sad, but I think he is pretty happy with this new toy... just a little sleepy after playing so hard.

After a bath, he decided he was quite ready for a tummy rub from his mom. Maybe a nap would be even better...  So sorry for the lack of modesty. Ha!

Words cannot express my gratitude for all the notes, calls and messages of encouragement sent to me at this most difficult time.  The new birth of spring is an ever-encouraging reminder that there is always hope and joy to come.  My heart has broken, but I will have the sweetest memories to sustain me always.  Family, friends, faith... even art are such a comfort.  Watching the birds soothes my soul.  I got an email from one of my favorite boutiques the other day with this beautiful logo on it.  I just loved it!  I just adore birds and all they represent.  Happy spring!  

Happy Easter Weekend

I am SO HAPPY that winter is over and spring is here (even if it doesn't feel like it yet).

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Getting ready for Easter

Oh, how I love the Easter holiday and all that it means to me.  I'm getting out a few favorite spring touches to lighten the heart.  This little guy is a "fav", as he adorns my table each Easter season.  The bunny placemats make my little glass breakfast table a happy, happy space.

Early this morning, while making my coffee, I stopped to look out my garden window... sooooooo thankful for the sun, after such a gloomy and cool Palm Sunday weekend.  What a blessing to see the sun peeking up on the horizon.

I'm still finding time to fill my Ponderings visual journal... it's getting fatter, even though I'm not even into the final signature yet!

I'm hoping to get outside as soon as it warms a bit... to pinch the pansies and fluff the flower bed.

This season has given me a lighter step, with renewed joy in my heart.  I love this darling artwork from  Susan Branch.  Have a wonderful week!

First Day of Spring-Eve

Just finished making a hand-made birthday card for a dear friend.  I am still loving some of the new dies I recently acquired.  I have a real love for anything relating to "home".

The billowy clouds are tiny, gathered puffs of tulle.

After a cold, rainy, raw day yesterday... the sun is out in all its glory... still a bit nippy, but a balm for my soul.  My "happy street" is basking in "First day of spring-eve".  Enjoy your last day of winter!

Springing forward...

"Springing forward" on this early March weekend sent me to my journal to mark the event in pastel shades of my favorite colors.  I adore using molding paste through stencils and masks... the look makes my heart sing...  The fabulous new Ranger Tim Holtz distress paints were used to give the look I wanted.  I can tell I will need to get a few more colors in these, as they blend so well and are permanent when dry.  

I have been working some this week in my aforementioned PONDERINGS 1 journal.  My first page is a simple layout with a "library card" theme.

Last Monday was  my day to go have my 2012 taxes completed by my accountant.  After lots of looking at all the figures, the final verdict was... I have to pay a little to the federal government, but will receive a refund from the state... so I came out "almost even"... but a little to my good... whew....  So I came home and made a page to commemorate the day... with a little "tax monkey" and some clear pockets holding the plusses and minuses. 

Birds are always a theme in my work. so I loved sketching and writing about the darling birds that live in my yard and eat from my feeders.  I had a piece of bird-themed wrapping paper as the inspiration here.

This page even included a tiny packet of the seed I give to my bird friends.  I love the analogy of the seed... so much abundance begins with the tiniest seed.

I find adventure comes my way when I open my heart.   Adventure can take many forms, but is a large part of what makes life worth living.  May you open your heart and have a week full of adventure.

Ponderings 1

As February comes to a close, I had a big burst of creative energy this week, making a new art journal. 

I am far from a professional bookbinder, but I had such fun learning a new binding stitch~the double X.

I started with a vintage book that I picked up at a local shop.  My pals Kristi, Susan and I were shopping one Saturday before Christmas and ran across a couple of great old books.  Kristi spied them first, and of course we had to grab them to use in an upcoming project. 

Kristi and I are both taking the fabulous online class from Mary Ann Moss... TICKET TO VENICE.

The class cranked up right before Christmas, and with all the hubbub of the holidays... then Valentine's Day and other projects....  I just got inspired to jump in this week. As I anticipated the change of seasons soon, I felt the urge to create something funky and new.  This is really a fun class... such a value for the money... and it's ON SALE through today!  Even at regular price, it's a fabulous value.  

The text block for my book is filled with all kinds of different  papers, some thicker and some thin...more about that later. 

 I can't wait to fill it... for now it is not very thick, but that will change over time... I've ordered more bookbinding supplies, so I'm sure there will be additional "ponderings" to come...

Tomorrow, March 1st, is the beginning of "meteorological spring"... sounds good to me... a nudge to fill my new book with all kinds of visual bliss.  Welcome spring!