brave little pomegranate

the seeds of a pomegranate are so intensely beautiful... hard to capture.

Did you know that the pomegranate is a symbol of prosperity and ambition?

Of course the Greeks have a sorted past with the fruit... 

from secret poison, death and fertility. 

The pomegranate is still used as a house warming gift, a wish for abundance or compassion in the afterlife.

I feel a connection to the pomegranate. I am in the middle of a transition with the direction of my business. Making tough but exciting changes. It has been hard to share with even the closest of friends or family. 

There is doubt if my new ideas will work or even make money. That doubt seeds itself into my head.

At the heart of the pomegranate is a seed and all around it is a glowing sweet juice. I want to be a brave little pomegranate and show the world of my ambition and abundance will follow.

snow day play

a eclectic mix of candles make for a beautiful dinner by soft light

i love how the lights are perfect color spheres.

blizzard... the old "jiggle the camera" trick

electric tree. simply beautiful

Two days of snow days. No power. Lots & lots of heavy snow to shovel. 

It is fun to just enjoy the moment.

I'm in love... part two

My hens-n-chicks and I are having fun finding just the perfect and quirky pot. Thrift stores, yard sales, your best friend can all be cheap and wonderful places to look. And remember the hunt is half the fun, the other half... planting of course.

I had to have this green planter, and the white one is so stunning.

Baby doll heads... either you love it or it completely creeps you out.

Sea glass looks so beautiful in the sun, especially after a little watering.

Simple. One of my favorites. Like a miniature zen rock garden.

I love how the ruby color pops... an complete accident that it's in a recycled wine bottle.

aha moment

I've been sitting on a few things for the past year.

Percolating and mulling.

It amazes me that sometimes when I ask the universe huge questions... 

she answers in mysterious ways. Mostly, the answer has been quietly staring at me, just waiting for me to notice.

I was reading an old copy of Oprah's magazine 

and a few of her words in her closing page made me say 

"Yes!"

"The wonders that we're capable of have nothing to do with the 

measurement of mankind, the lists of what's in and what's out.... 

the real deal: Whose life did you touch? 

Who did you love, and who loved you back?" -Oprah

making a vision board

A vision board is a way of manifesting your dreams 

into reality.

To bring focus to what you are seeking... sounds so new age. 

But there is solid truth to doing this project. 

I remember watching old movies where the cops plastered the wall with photos and string yarn between the connections. 

I've always been fascinated by the visual beauty of such a wall.

You don't need a kit or anything special to make your own vision board. You need a base... something to put your ideas on (see below). This will be your visual journal. Put words, photos, colors... whatever calls or whispers to you. 

These are clues to bringing your vision to life!

I found an old bulletin board, which works great to use thumbtacks and is portable. You could use foam or matte board, a pretty picture frame with cardboard inside, instead of the glass. A metal tray to use with magnets. Another inexpensive idea, a small shallow cardboard box. Trim off the flaps and hang it on the wall so you have a shadow box. You can even put your vision ideas on all the sides. What a great little shelf to put three-dimensional things that will inspire your vision into reality!

vision board

My word for the year 2012 Clarity

 

 

The start of my vision board... a bit daunting.

 I have decided to do a vision board. I also call it my deepest wishes.

The word I choose for 2012 is Clarity. Along with passion, confidence, focus, listen and open-mindedness, talking about my need for Clarity, sheesh!

Jen Louden sent me an email that resonated with my idea to do the vision board. She said choose a word that will be your goal, focus if you are starting a new project, career or just want more of what you are missing. The purpose of a vision or wish board is to put your hearts desires out in the open. 

I have a dear friend that wants to start a NIA studio, but something is holding her back. She too is creating her own vision board. She will probably put photos of the idea studio from size, to lighting and music. Even the inviting scent that we entice you to exercise and energize your senses. Every detail and dream will go on her board.

My hope is that my dream will come true. (hers too!) 

I'll keep posting the progress of my vision board.

I'm in love

I've always been fond of helping things grow. I've fallen hard for hens and chicks. They are a succulent or more technically called, Sempervivum. 

I have over ten varieties, which is just a drop in the hat.

Easy to grow and fun to find the perfect container. 

Top photo shows recycled wine bottles, a sea shell and a slow moving snail.

My favorite is the old pipe which I paid all of $1.50 at a thrift store. 

Found out later that is worth $15!

I try not to spend over .50 cents for a pot, unless it's really calls to me.

  Unique ideas are jello molds and muffin or bread tins. A little baby cradle is a perfect resting spot for a tiny chick, complete with bits of blue robin egg shell.

Once you have found the perfect container or pot... time to accessorized. 

My son loaned some hot wheel cars, in action of course. 

Marbles, tiny birds, smooth drift wood or colorful pebbles.

Use cactus mix soil and don't over water. FUN!

creative retreat port townsend

The second annual creative retreat was held in Port Townsend, Washington. 

My creative sisters of JuPaCi (joyful • purpose • create)
spent a long weekend of bliss.

highlights

• long walks along the beach in search of the perfect stones
• soul searching talks over coffee or wine
• artwalk  • savory meals •
a private encaustic lesson from the fabulous and talented Theresa Stirling

 

My favorite thing was that we set creative goals for ourselves.
Each of us are growing is such different ways. So beautiful!
We are each doing a vision board to see our goals come to life!

We are responsible and supportive to each other throughout the year. 

This bond is so strong.

I LOVE THIS!

(next year Colorado)

 

pumpkin art

I cannot take any credit for this work of art. 

My lovely and talented friend Amy with  

Backyard Harvest created this fun pumpkin. 

She is also our (CSA) Community Supported Agriculture guru, 

along with a small group of volunteers. 

I had to know how to do this! 

 It is called pumpkin scarring or pumpkin writing. Magically huh? 

1. You'll need a pumpkin that is small and green, about the size of a baseball and the skin is still tender. It must still be attached to the vine! 
2. Get your Exacto knife or any other sharp knife and pierce the skin. Not super deep and just even cuts, enough to get the pumpkin to ooze. 
3. Step back and watch it grow into a work of art!

s i m p l y   a m a z i n g.

repurpose school desk

Many of you know that I LOVE to repurpose EVERYTHING. 

My husband found this old school desk at a yard sale for $3. 

I doubted its potential. 

Once we got it home the art of restoring it started. 

I am sorry that I can't show you what it looked like before. But it was 6 inches taller and had that lovely fake wood grain laminate top. 

Complete with gum, pencil marks, tape and my favorite pink glitter.

My dad took a blow torch and heated up the laminate and scrap it off, leaving behind a few nicks which I think adds to the history of our little school desk. But the most surprising was what was underneath. A beautiful maple wood that reminds me of an old door. Just a bit of sanding and natural stain, followed by a matte polyurethane finish.

I love that you can tuck books and magazines into the desk slots that still have the place for your pencil!  Now if only the desk could talk.