Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day.....

It is a good thing that you are not here to hear me sing this. It has been a rough few weeks of allergies and my voice is gruff and raspy. However, this is a wonderful day and great gift from God. It has spurred a mass of ideas. My brain that has been gone for about two weeks is now humming away like a behive on a hot day. There is so much that I want to do now to find the time and all the needed things to accomplish them.

When I walked outside this morning to feed the birds, it was delightful. The air was crisp with a hint of winter still there and it was so fresh. I just stood there looking at the baby blue sky inhaling. The clouds were like wispy cotton puffs just leisurely floating by and all of this started me singing. Being very grateful to be alive and able to appreciate all the beauty that surrounds me, is an amazing gift. What a blessing!

My brain has come up with a new piece of art and now I am on the look for a large fancy key. In a box that I bought from an auction, there was a bag of keys that have been cut into pieces. What I want to do is use these keys for the background and then paint the large key that I'm looking for bright gold and that will be raised in the center. What do you think symbolizes? I don't normally share my own ideas about the main idea of my art because I like others to come up with their own "story" about the art itself. If you have any thoughts on this idea, I welcome your response. Receiving input from others inspires my creativity.

This past weekend, I went to a Pampered Chef Party and had lots of fun. The food was super yummy and being out of the house and spending time with other women was refreshing. It was like springtime for my soul. Sometimes, it is forgotten how important just being out and about is. Cabin fever can set in without realizing it and I get into the rut of just going along; day after day after day.....

With this weekend and today's weather, I am ready to move forward and greet the world. To be creative and productive and to embrace what comes to me whether it be great, good, or not so good. What is placed before me is there for a reason and hopefully I will learn from it.

To all my readers: go forth, greet the day, embrace the happenings for what they are and broaden your thoughts, your creativity, your brain power, and grow!

May God bless you with an abundance of love, peace, good health, and JOY.

How do I create with so much going on

Greetings, Much has been going on in my life for a long time. Family matter weigh heavy on my heart, health issues need to be addressed, and yet I find the creativity within me is still pouring forth. How does this happen? At times when you would think that the mind would be so bogged down with "STUFF" that nothing creative could possibly surface.

This is an easy answer for me. I have full trust in the Living God to see me through. He is always there for me and has helped me to come up with some unique ideas. I was stuck in a rut and only rehashing old ideas that I did not want to work on. So, I asked Him for help. Then there was the "aha". No big AHA, just a quiet aha. There was a soft gentle voice speaking to me. One of the things that I heard was "hands and color". This led me to scan my hand and alter the colors. Then I thought where to go from here.

What should I do with these hands. I must say that I love all the color; but where do I go with them. There were a few ideas, as helping hands (physical therapists), loving hands (mothers), working hands... There was another "aha". Working hands was the answer. I am going to make a piece of art with hands of many colors and many occupations. It is a work in progress and is taking longer to put the idea together than most. I feel good about this one; hopefully, something unique and bold.

I have a friend who asks me what does each piece of my art mean. For most of my pieces there really isn't a meaning from within - no hidden deep realities. Does the hands piece have a hidden agenda? NO, my art just is. I find from talking with people viewing my art: that each person finds their own "meaning" from the art. Little children can tell me whole stories about a piece of art. It is a joy to watch people explore my art at the shows and to express their opinions. I even enjoy listening to those who don't care for my style of art. Listening to the public opens my eyes, heart and mind to other possibilities. Listening to God helps me to handle all that is happening in my life. God bless you all.

SNOW and CREATING

Once again, it snowed on a Sunday night into Monday morning. As I listened to the news, people were griping about the snow. "It's March already. It shouldn't be snowing." I beg to differ. If you live in Maine, I would have to say, "Get used to it." It can snow into April.

Snow can be a pain in the patooty for some. However, I have been blessed that I am an artist. Since I don't have to travel to work, it is wonderful to stay home and create. My work table faces the big window in the living room. I was able to watch the snow and the birds raiding the feeder. I also get to watch my cats watching the birds.

Perhaps, I should use that as a piece of art. Make it look like a window looking outside with the cats inside. Hmmmm, nice idea. Maybe one day.

I have been creating and using my new Pazzles to make words and die cuts that I normally wouldn't be able to find. Purchasing the Pazzles (an electronic die cutting machine that hooks up the the computer.) has been a wonderful addition to my supplies. It is an expensive tool but it is paying for itself. No longer will I "have" to purchase dies or die cuts. I can make die cuts that can not be found elsewhere. Will I buy dies and stencils for my BigShot (personal die cutting machine)? Yes, because there will be dies and stencils that I enjoy working with. Dreamweaver Stencils and Spellbinder dies are two of my favorites to work with.

Using the Pazzles to create a die cut from a picture was much easier than I thought. Now I can also use my photography to make die cuts. I am having way too much fun.

Enjoy hearing from all of you. Take care of yourself and may God watch over you.