Big Love

love

........

it's always bigger

than I think

Drawing - No.2 pencil on paint and gesso-ed surface.
2.5 x 3.5 inches

Play Anyway

Today.
Today I played.
Just played.
I played even though my inner critic was present.
I played even though my inner critic hissed at me,
"This is waaaay too CUTE...this is been done before...don't you think the cuteness is nauseating?"
"What makes yours any different...can't you think of anything new to do? You aren't going to actually post these, are you??"

Ha!
I played.
I heard but I didn't listen.
I posted.

LOVE!

Scribble-y Heart

a dress of plaid

to set off

her

scribble-y

heart


Artwork - Paint, gesso and pencil scribbles on
canvas paper followed by collage.
(Gasp! I just realized I have been blogging for one year!)

Bittersweet

I remember this from when I was a little girl. I loved it!
The feeling it brought was a combination of peace and the need to cry a little bit.
I still love this.

Wallpaper Book

My grandma presented me with an old wallpaper book she has had since the early 70's.
I immediately fell in love!
It kinda surprised (and maybe worried) my grandma at how ecstatic I was over the book.

I am not sure what I will do with the book and the endearing sample pages within.
In the mean time, I will fawn over each page trying to decide if I am brave enough to use the actual pages or if I will color copy them.

My favorite? THE RED GINGHAM!
Dreamy.

Quiet Friday

All the way to Heaven is heaven. - Teresa of Avilar


This moment is all we have...

and it is ENORMOUS. - Natalie Goldberg (I think.)


Photos - Okay, regarding garlands: somebody stop me!
My daughter and I bought some Rainer cherries last night at our local, weekly street market.
They are delicious! And I think their color is amazing.
Drawing - A pseudo, Scandinavian quail??

Something Good

There is a part of us that longs to know

that even what's weakest about us is

still redeemable and can ultimately

count for something good.

-Fred Rogers
Life's Journey According to Mr. Rogers

Drawing - Created this morning.
Photo - My sunflower in all its glory as of today.

Love Grows Here

My sunflower is ready to bloom!

Yesterday, I read something that made me wake up a wee bit.
The thought of the reading was what if it is not about letting stuff out but rather letting something in - let love in.
Simple. Let love in! The rest takes care of itself.

"The healing we so desperately seek may already

be embedded within the wound itself."

-Wayne Muller, Learning to Pray

Changes

Yesterday was closing day for my mom's business.
After 15 years, that chapter is closed.
For the past 4 years, I have worked for my mom.
Honestly, I don't know how I feel.

But for today, I find this to be true.
Kindness.
Use it. Share it.
Don't save it. Don't spoon feed it.
Show the world your authentic kindness.

"Wherever there is a human being,

there is an opportunity for a kindness."

-Seneca

Photo - Through all the changes of the past few weeks these garlands have kept me coloring and playing. They bring me great joy. I can't seem to get enough of them.

Crow Dream

Last night, I had another bird dream.
This one included crows.
I looked up to see a muster of crows flying
over head just out of arm's reach.
Then...he flew by (sans the crown).
In the dream he was much cuter,
but this rendering will do.


Look at everything as though you were seeing it

for the first time or the last time.

Then your time on earth will be filled with glory.

-Betty Smith, Author

White Dove

Last night I dreamed of a

White Dove.

It landed on my head.

Coloring Page: If you want to color, click the image and print. Enjoy!
(Original drawing is 2.5 x 3.5 inches.)

Calm & Storm

There are some things you learn best in calm,

and some in storm.

-Willa Cather

Photo - I made another garland over the weekend from an empty Cheez-It box. The coloring of her face was inspired by Woodcutter of The Wood Pile. When Steve colored one of my coloring pages, he used flesh tones and pink cheeks. I thought it was sweet.

Ready for Weather

She is ready for the weather because she
knows she no longer has to carry the river.

The Winner

The names went in a bowl.

I held the bowl over my head and stirred the papers
with my fingers. My daughter happened to come by asking,
"What are you doing??"

I was picking the winner!

Dreamfarm Girl

Thank you very much to all of you who left comments.
I appreciate it!
It warmed my heart to read your summer activities.
You all helped make my heart hold more gratitude for this hot season I often dread.
Thank you!!

Garland Gift

I will start with acknowledging that the brown carpet is less than tantalizing. Okay. Done.

Over the years I have come to love simple things I can tack on my wall. It brings enjoyment but there is no lifetime commitment and it doesn't need a nail!

This garland was made over the holiday weekend.
An empty cereal box was calling to be creatively reused, so I cut it apart and started coloring.

It contains:
two birds
two acorns
three hearts
nine leaves
and I would like to give it away!

If you are interested in receiving it as a gift, leave me a comment on this post sharing your favorite summer activity. (Or you can email me if you prefer: email link on profile page.)
I will put all the names in a hat and draw one out.
Voila! It could be yours.

Thank you.

(The garland is approximately 5 feet long. Colors are a bit more vibrant than they photographed.)

Yellow Door

Anyone can be passionate,

but it takes real lovers to be silly.

-Rose Franken

Photo: More back alley treasures! Taken Monday while on a walk.

Bread

"Why the hurry, dear child?'

Sometime you have to slow down to hurry up.

Yesterday, I baked bread with my daughter.

Simple. Messy. Lovely. Tasty.