New Unmounted Holiday Stamps.....

Hard to believe the holidays are just around the corner! I have some wonderful new designs from my rubber stamp line that I recently listed on ebay. These are special, Christmas inspirational phrases that are wonderful for card, tag making and holiday altered books etc! I have still been busy preparing for my first small show this weekend. I love the festivities of an art and craft fair! Its a little crazy getting ready for one though! So many details, so many ideas, and only 24 hours in a day!!! I'll take some pictures and let you know how it went!

Moment of Silent Prayer.....

My heart is so heavy for all of the families that are experiencing such devastating loss in California. My brother and his family are safe thus far and I am so grateful. I'd invite anyone who stops by today to offer up a prayer for those who are facing this tragedy. God hears are words. God's heart grieves for His children who are hurting. Though we may not understand the why of such loss...His love and mercy are neverending....

Dear God....
Please wrap your arms around those hurting today. Bring them hope and healing and provide for their needs. Help them to see you in the comfort of friends, in the embrace of their children, in the provisions that are offered. Be near as they grieve and the tears fall. May their hand be held by a caring soul as they express the worry, the fear...and the anger. Provide a safe place to rest. Give them strength to handle the days ahead. Protect the tender hearts of the children. And please God....bring any further devastation to an end. Amen.

May our hearts be grateful today for even the tiniest of our blessings!

Congratulations Treva!

Joi de la Vie
Originally uploaded by Solitaire Miles

I wanted to thank everyone for all your encouraging comments and notes this week and for stopping by and joining my little drawing! I tried hard to stay up til midnight last night to officially draw one of your sweet names but I crashed! So dear Treva, this morning I reached in my little basket and your name was in my hand! You are the winner of the art blessing card set! I hope to hear from you soon ok!

I have been busy this week getting ready for a couple upcoming local art and craft shows I will be participating in. This will a first for me so I am excited to see how it all feels and a chance to share my work in person. Today its time to clean out the studio! I find I work and fuss and slowly build up a good dose of creative chaos around me. But inevitably I reach a point where I sit down with only a tiny patch of work space left visible and I can't think! So hopefully by tomorrow my Muse will return and have room to sit next to me!

The artwork is a wonderful piece by Digital Artist and Jazz Vocalist Solitaire Miles and you can check out a fabulous collection of her work at flickr!

Art Blessing Giveaway........

Spent a special evening last night with a very courageous group of ladies who bear some very deep wounds in their hearts but are bravely facing them. It is such a honor to share some of my own story with them, share my artwork and invite them to explore their own feelings through expressive collage. It brings me such joy to watch the evening unfold as images, words and feelings emerge for each one and offer them a release to emotions that were once held captive...and maybe even nudge them a little further towards their own healing.

As one of the ladies was looking through one of the many notebooks of my artwork, there was a particular piece she felt drawn to that she thought would speak to a friend of hers who was going through a very difficult time. I told her I would love to just send her the print. The artwork was in a plastic sleeve and we then both realized there was one extra print already sitting behind the one she was looking at. I smiled deep inside. I love it when God offers these moments. I knew it wasn't a coincidence. That print was waiting quietly in that notebook for a year or so now just for this moment..and for this sweet soul.

I was reminded of my love for just blessing others with art. Its easy to get lost in the selling and I have been missing taking time for the giving. I have a mental list of special friends and loved ones that are long overdue for a handmade package. I want to make time to bless again. So in honor of this promise to myself, I'd love to have a little giveaway and just say thank you. Thank you for stopping by, for words of encouragement and for blessing me. This is a set of five greeting cards, each with a print of an original art card collage of mine (click on the photo for an enlarged view of the cards). If you would like to be in the drawing for this set of cards just leave your name and email address in the comments and I will draw a name on the evening of Saturday, Oct 21st! Hope you'll join me in the fun!

Trust your heart.....

"Journey...As long as we have hope,tomorrow awaits...Trust your heart"

I love creating pieces that open to reveal layers of reflection and soulful surprises. I have been wanting to use this vintage locket that has been tucked away in my treasure box and it was perfect to open and whisper the words, "Follow your heart" inside this shadowbox. This original altered booklet/shadowbox was listed on ebay today!

Art and Soul Reflections...

There are times when you are strolling by an artist's work and everything in your soul moves you to stop and take in in every word, color and image. Such was the case for me as I was blessed to come across the work of Kelly Rae Roberts at the Art and Soul vendor night. Although we spoke briefly, I felt an instant kindred art connection. Her warmth and genuine spirit spills across her canvas and you know that each piece is truly an honest reflection of her heart's desire to encourage the sharing of our life stories in truth and authenticity. Having both shared the experience of working with those whose hearts are weary it is no wonder I was so drawn to her work. This was a print I came home with. It was so hard to choose!!! I hope to own an original one day (you know... for the incredible room I dream of having that is filled with original work from all the artists I love..heehee). Be sure to take a peek at Kellyrae's blog and her Etsy store is filled with her treasures. It is a place you'll want to visit often!


Played with my new soldering tools and wanted to share an art pendant I finished yesterday. Its always a cool phase when a new technique enters your artistic palette. I love to combine ideas from other mediums and explore how they will blend and weave together. I still had to breathe deeply and exhale while trying to solder jump rings but alas I conquered those little devils! More pics of the piece can be found on ebay.

"Trust the open door.............Surrender"







"Crossroads......Open the Window"

Another treat was getting to meet artist Paulette Insall at Art and Soul. I am always in awe of those who are gifted in the art of painting. Her work touches my heart and when I saw this piece I knew it was to be near me in my studio. You can find many of her beautiful creations in her etsy store. The word "Crossroads" resonates deeply with me on so many levels lately. I sense I find myself at one but still not clear what it all means for me and where it will take me. I find events like those of the past week stir up many questions inside...spiritually, artistically and emotionally...about my own story and life journey...the kind of internal wrestling that takes time to find the answers to. In the meantime I will look for the open windows and see what possibilities might be whispering my name.

Whirlwind Week....

Vendor night at Art and Soul 2007 in the Great Northwest!

What an amazing event filled with such talent, inspiration and "to die for" artwork! If only I could have won the lottery before stepping through the doors!

What a genuine Sweety Claudine Hellmuth is!


"The Unfrayed Edge" workshop with Claudine! Such a relaxing experience and so many new ideas and ways to play with acrylic paints!


"Mr Roger's Neighborhood" Glass Soldered House with incredibly talented Sally Jean Alexander! I was pretty tickled with my project. I finally learned how to solder!

Sally Jean and Mr. Sally Jean (aka hubby Brad) were such a a delightful team helping us even when we got frustrated soldering those itty bitty jumprings (haha)!


Canvas work inspired from Claudine's workshop!


Tea time with the dearest of friends!



So much to share as I just returned from attending the Art And Soul 2007 retreat! To say Art and Soul is an artistically inspiring event would be the understatement of the century! So many incredible artists, amazing workshops and attending the Vendor's Night is about enough to send any creative soul into an artistic frenzy! It truly takes a week or so to process the event and all that was shared and experienced! I have attended the Art and Soul Vendor's nights in the past but this was the first year I was blessed to be able to take a couple workshops and expand my creative horizons. The warmth and spirit of creative encouragement throughout the whole event was a joy!


The highlight of the week was spending girlfriend time with my long time dearest friend, Christina, who was visiting from the East Coast! Kindred spirits bring such depth to our lives, knowing where our hearts have traveled and dreaming where they might yet go! We were joined by another kindred heart friend, Jaron, to indulge in our favorite pastime of afternoon tea! I sense that the events of the week will usher in a time of reflection and quiet times pondering what I've seen, words spoken and shared and new insights gently ruminating in my heart.

"Hope Sees A Star" Benefit Auction.....

There is a wonderful benefit Auction "Hope Sees A Star" (sponsored by the mixed media artist group ZNE) that has begun today in honor of two beautiful young woman who lost their lives this last year. Stevie McMoyler (daughter of artist Gina Gabriell) and Brianna Grant (daughter of artist Iva Wilcox) each lost their battle with illness and the artist community has shared in their grief and mourning. You can read more about each of these amazing young woman here. This auction will help raise funds for a memorial in their names. Many artists have contributed an array of heartfelt artwork so be sure to stop by and take a peek. The piece pictured is an original collage, "Love heals the wounds of a kindred heart" that I contributed and can be found here! May your day be richly blessed!