New work ...So what do you think

The first two pics are closeups of two pieces that will 24 inches by 28 inches when done ...aprroximately.

For as long as I can remember I have collected fabrics to do a series of houses...and now is the time to start using some of it...no more sitting on things and not using them.  As goes for all the trims I have collected in all of my travels.  When I used to go to PA with my parents to buy antique books for our bookstore or before that when we would go to estate sales I would search out and hoard old lace pieces, and trims. I became so known for my obsession people would find them for me.  I have some very very old pieces hand made that I absolutely love.But anyway the trim on the house windows is some of those antique trims.

They look perfect on the windows.

The other two pics are some 5 x 7 inch postcards that I am starting to make using my house theme ...the purple one is a thank you card for my Aunt Jane, my mom's sister and the other one the house of music I will be adding to the etsy store for sale.

I have some others in the works ...some truly funky fabulous houses ....

Check back often as I will be staying on top of posting things.  I got a digital camera for Christmas to replace the one I lost last year.  So will be easier. 

Christmas was quiet ....my youngest daughter made a painting for me with all my favorite things, dragonfly, kingfisher, raccoon and favorite words ...in the center she put my favorite photo of John and I on my 50th birthday ...it is truly special.

Dreams

Dreams can fly away like a dandelion wisp in the west wind only to land in a bird nest and be devoured by a hungry baby bird ....

or they can be a Blue mountain shrouded in fog waiting for the sun to shine and show the way to dreams coming true through hard work and faith .

So you say what do these mean....don't take life lightly , stay grounded and work hard and you will see your dreams can come true ...if only you believe.

Does it seem like the year is almost over to you

I am sitting here thinking about all that this year has entailed and while most of it sad for me ....I still  had my moments. 

working the farmers market in Manteo and enjoying all of the fresh summer produce that we were able to get.

Adopting a new kitten who makes me laugh even in pyscho kitty mode. 

Camping in the mountains with my daughters , the dog and the cat. 

Taking my girls to Hiddenite to try their hand at mining , the way I promised them 11 years ago.

Getting to see my beloved friend Sandra and her family on the way back from the mountain trip and seeing the beautiful place she lives .

getting my etsy shop finally opened and making a few sales.

Cleaning out my storage unit to part with a past i don't need to think about anymore.

So I can create a brighter future....and make almost all my dreams come true.

GOD bless us all next year and may all your dreams come true....

Some of my other Talents

I decided to show some of the other things I love to do...The Teddy bear is a 6inch high made out of rayon that is as soft as a chinchilla....his friend was a already made stuffed elephant ....He was made for a swap a few years ago.  I created all of my own patterns and taught how to make them to people for about 5 years.
I can make bears from 1 1/2 inches tall ....to 36 inches tall and love making them .  Unfortunately I live in a area that does not understand them or appreciate them.  I used to work two huge Teddy Bear Shows up in maryland every year and had a blast.  

The Seaglass or Beach glass Jewelry has a fondness for my heart....I liken seaglass to life ...it goes into the ocean broken and damaged considered trash by everyone and then one day many hours and years later it has been smoothed and rounded  by it rough and tumble travels in the ocean.  It washes up on the beach and someone blessed with finding it will love and appreciate it ...because it is a rare find and maybe just maybe it will be made into a piece of jewelry that will honor its hard times and travels ....and it has gone from trash to respect.

This is why when people would bring me their treasures I would never drill a hole in it only wire wrap them
...I would do pendants or mermaids from it ...and even made brooches with seaglass ...never doing anything different to the seaglass ...no  glue..   So I learned to work with what I was given.  It is a great thing.

Happy Moments...come and gone.

10  years ago today I met the love of my life ...my John through a classified personal ad. 

When we went out that night we both knew it was love at first sight, 

I miss him more than words could ever express now as I did when I lost him in April. 

But I am finding my new life with out him and that means getting rid of things
I just spent this week moving the contents of my storage unit I have had since september of 2005 , everything to reopen my store and fabrics galore to create with.  But I will be parting with it all starting next week.

Amazing once you resolve things have to be done you just do them.

I have been busy posting new items on Etsy... Dragonflies

If you know anyone that loves dragonflies...check out some of my recent listings on Etsy. I created a clasp that is a dargonfly that is so versatile you can wear it to the front , on the side or to the back.  I had many customers when I had my beadstore and gallery ask me to  design jewelry easy to get on.  So I designed pieces that fastened in the front.  I match them up with crystal and semi-precious stones in fun and very wearable combinations. They are all  created using Jewelers stringing medium and I guarantee everything I sell.  I  you like the clasp but need different colors just email me ...I have more beads than most people as I have all my stock leftover from my bead store.

Have a great day

Works in Progress

Just wanting to share some of the works in progress hanging on my design wall right now.

the Chicken well look closely to see what it is made of.

The lady face is one of my Soul Face series I created it from some scraps a friend sent me.

What would you name her??

The dragonfly is a piece I created while I was away on my trip to the mountains.  I used leaves from the ground in our campsite  and hand sewed them to the gray felt fleece background. The dragonfly is cut from batik flannel ...I love it because the texture and colors are vibrant.  I love working with batiks...I could do it all the time and choose to ignore my other fabrics I have spent years collecting but don't think they would appreciate it ...lol.  This will go on the wall next to my Hope piece I made last year at this time.

Start creating even if it is only writing a piece of Haiku on you dinner napkin or plan a great practical joke on a friend ....or better yet in this season of miracles  Commit a Random act of kindness.

I have been knitting hats and scarves for our Christmas family its not much but its something and at least I can do that.  My girls are adding things to their box we will mail off Tuesday.

Blessings and Happiness to us all.

Wishes and Dreams..start today to make them come true

I read Debbie Macombers Book "20  Wishes" a while back and it made me think so I made a list.

Slowly but surely I will try and work through the list. 

In October one wish came true that was made 11 years ago camping in the mountains of North Carolina with my amazing daughters.  Even tho we were there for reasons none of ever expected.  We still had times together to remember why we are Mother and Daughters .   Something that had gone by the wayside I think even when we were working together to run our beadstore.  We were so busy making the business work and people happy.  Then the oldest literally found her boyfriend and eventually husband and now she is off on her life, but still close enough.  The other moved back in with me and I thank GOD for her because she tries to help me get through the days.   A month before this trip my daughter and I adopted Gezzy who you have seen pics in other posts.  He was also on my list

What this is about is now to the end of the year I want everyone who reads my blog to get out a piece of paper ....make it fancy gorgeous paper...and make your list of 20 wishes.  Then on January 1 make a promise to yourself to work through that list ....live it , love it, dream it , be it.   YOU are so important to this planet and the people around you ...but you have to be important to yourself too.

So remember who you are and how special....No one else can make those dreams come true for you ..

LIFE IS GOOD ...start now in this season of miracles to work towards yours.

GOD BLESS

Give Thanks

In this day and time so many are in fear of what their lives will become ...

It is important for us to all remember how loved we are whether we are told every 5 minutes or every month ...we are loved and with Faith and Hope and endurance...we will find the means to regain what we had or to find something so much better.

So tomorrow no matter the worries...leave them in a golden box on the door step and tell all those in your life how much you love and APPRECIATE them.

A true life is extended in understanding and expressing gratitude.

GOD bless you all

I did it ..got my etsy shop open

I finally got my self motivated and going and just finished posting some Fabric Postcards on my new ETSY store.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FairyGodmotherArts

If you have never seen fabric postcards they are great little pieces of art that you send through the mail. Its so much better than junk mail or bills.

Its like sending a SMILE.

They are usually 4 x 6 inches give or take a smidge and can be mailed as they are or put in a clear envelope. They cost regular first class (44 cents) to mail.

And once they arrive the receiver only needs to put them into a frame and wala they have a beautiful piece of art just because you thought of them.

What do you think ...??? REALLY???

I keep finding myself going back to this type of work ...simple in style, handstitched not perfect...raw edge applique ....then its all hand quilted. I love the look and the texture...and its me....but in the fancy art quilt world would it have a place or do I need to work towards something else. Would this ever be accepted??? Please please please help me. be very honest

I love these Photos

Sometimes it is the simple things in life that can inspire you to do better or see beauty or hope or faith . From a foggy mountainside to a simple bowl of gourds in a old log cabin reaching for the sunshine of a window of handmade pane glass.
See i could have just written the description bowl of gourds in window.

But I couldn't I had to tell you why that bowl of gourds was so special ...just like we are special maybe some of us are not where we want to be right now ...but eventually the sunshine will make it in the window and we will see in the light where we are suppose to be going and how to get there. The sunlight will let us see the door and the person who will carry us to our next step in life ...maybe outside or maybe to a garden where we will be planted to create new things and ideas.

and the last photo is of the Oconolauftee but you look and you can see the reflection of the sky deep in the water reaching out.

So enjoy them...and see past what you see and see the real purpose and meaning.

Have a day full of blessings

I love the mountains they inspire me

I want to share some more of the photos I took maybe they will inspire you too...The mountains of North Carolina are so glorious any time but especially in the fall when the colors are dramatic and vibrant...this year being the best I have ever seen. Here are some fun photos that might inspire you ...my hubby laughed so hard the first time I took pictures of the chickens at the farm museum ..but I grew up around My great granma's farm and the chicken house and a mom who used to have her kitchen full of chicken stuff I just love them. this is a mom chicky and some babes.

the other pics are of a leaf on my car windshield reflecting the sky and the old fence at the farm museum.

Enjoy and have a great day

More Beautiful mountain pics

more pics from the mountains

As you look at the pic of the mountains and see the amazing colors you see why I love it there so much...the fall colors were amazing...and brighter than I ever remember seeing them. The blue ridge smoky mountains has a aura about it I have never seen in all the other mountains I have experienced.

The other pic is of my two sweet daughters the one in the yellow sweater is Laureta the oldest at 28 and the other is Larisa who will be 22 next month. Larisa is Gezzy's mom. I was so glad to have been able to have them along on this trip and Laureta is like me when it comes to taking photos always looking for something artistic.

a couple more pics from the mountains

see even leaves smile about the fall....this little guy I found laying on the walkway at the farm museum.

the other picture is of the Oconaluftee river a very sacred river to the Cherokee...

It is said wherever there is something touched by the river it is then part of the Cherokee Mountains. I always take crystals and special beads to wash there...and bring home stones and river rocks from there to share

Travels of Gezzy and Winston

If you have ever considered traveling with your pets it can be good the one photo is winston and gezzy sharing the bed platform we made in the back of the van for them to travel. as you can see they were very happy traveling in the car. We kept gezzy on a harness and lease the whole time. the shot of gezzy at the farm shows him wearing his hoody that Larisa got him at her work ...its meant for a small dog but he loves wearing it.

The only downfall we have is campgrounds do not like dogs over 30 pounds so it took us a day to find one ...but when we did "FLAMING ARROW" in Whittier was awesome . beautiful view every morning and the kids loved sleeping in the tent with us. Gezzy would take turns snuggling with each of us and winston would take turns stealing our blankets.

We went to Waynesville a town that has turned a area of little shops in a art district and the kids gezzy and winston were a big hit...the gallery owners loved meeting gezzy and accepting his visit with grace as did all the others around him.

It is a wonderful place to visit and spend some time...I met Color Pencil Artist Teresa Pennington there in her gallery and her attention to detail is amazing. She created the 75th anniversary print for the smoky mountains park.

Retreat and growth

As most of you know my beloved hubby passed on April 27th. My girls and I and our new kitten and my dog took a trip to the mountains of North Carolina to spread his ashes. In a place he loved and spent many wonderful times with both of his families the one before me and the one after.

Tuesday was a rainy day ...and it seemed all my tears came back to me that day we would have been married 7 years.

My oldest daughter had never been to Cherokee before even tho my girls and I were headed there 11 years ago but the car didn't make it.So it was a promise kept to them that I made in August of 1998 and kept this year. I will be posting photos of the trip and if you have never seen the mountains of North Carolina in the fall they will make you want to go.

One place we visited that John and I loved is the Old Farm Museum that the NPS has it is old farm buildings rescued and moved there so others can see how life used to be. the strange and funny thing was this year a sculpture had been added to a barn there of a old man ...well not really the whole man ,,,his beautiful blue eyes surrounded by glasses, fuzzy gray eyebrows and fuzzy gray mustache. Looked so much like my hubby it caught me off guard. Don't know how long it has been there...but was just eery having him watching. and the thing is this was one of the places I felt John's presence most ...and missed him the most.

Amazing what you find....

I have been cleaning my studio...and finding things I can part with and things I wish had remembered I had all along. So be prepared next week I will be going crazy creating some wonderful new treasures. Its amazing what you hold on to thinking one day and then one day you realize you won't probably use them...

I Will start creating wonderful things next week.

And the picture is of the new assistant ...Gezzy a little boy kitty my daughter adopted Sept 26, from our local no kill shelter. He is 7 weeks old and spoiled rotten...but really brightens the days around here.

Artrageous Kill Devil Hills NC

Today was a great day at Artrageous ...it threatened rain...but it gave up and the sun came out...met lots of great people and saw some really cool stuff the kids did ...they set up things for the kids to create with and posters to paint for the following year auction...some of them have been known to go for hundreds of dollars

Tomorrow night is the auction and it is always a great time to be had...good food and artists and patrons together.

Latest works

The bottom piece is entitled THE LADIES , it is a watercolor of three sea nyphms done on 110 pound water color paper and then I "matted" it by quilting a border on it(it has a fabric back and label on it) with sea theme fabric and embelishing it with a favorite yarn that looks like flotsam to me ...and shells... This was created and will be auctioned Sunday night at a annual Art Auction for the Dare County Arts Council...tomorrow I will be at the 20th Artrageous which is family event that is the day before the auction the kids always have such a blast. We had always done them and had such a great time until I had to spend my time with John.

The top piece is a special gift I made for a friend of mine whose life took the same turn as mine a month later and we are both going through a transformation.
She had mailed me a little gift bag of leftover retro fabrics from some placemats she had made ...and challenged me to create something with them...Well it took two years But I did and it contains exactly 40 pieces one for each year for the Birthday she celebrated yesterday. The beackground is made of 29 pieces cut in 1/2 inch strips by 6 inches wide woven in a basket weave and stitched to interfacing.then the flowers were cut out and applied...I think it turned out pretty cool and she just called a few minutes ago and said she loved it. the funny thing is when I went looking for something to create for her for this special day this little bag which I didn't remember just sat there and wouldn't take no for a answer. I love being possessed by fabric

Enjoy my work please and I always love any kind of feedback positive or negative it is the only way I can grow .

Have a day full of blessings and enjoy the weekend I know I will...

A day at the fair

Yesterday I spent the day with my two daughters working a local art show here in Kitty Hawk. Its always a fun time with entertainment and good food and nice people.

I have posted three photos of my booth, the last one contains one of my visitors a local pirate.

As you will see I do many things, the back wall contains many but not all of my art quilts, then in the front of that is the jewelry I make...and to the right of that is some more jewelry and other art work I do, to the left is my seaglass jewelry surrounded by some of my photographs that my youngest daughter surprised me by getting enlarged and framed to sell. I will post some photos of my newest work tomorrow when I get them taken.

Then there is a picture of my fabric postcards that I make to sell, and I did sell a few most people have never seen them before but really thought they were cool and what a great idea, to send art in the mail.

but the most unusal thing that happened was Feline Hope our local no kill kitty shelter was set up across from us...and my daughter who has been bugging me for a kitten or puppy kept bugging me. I kept saying no , we already have 3 cats and dog, they brought in some gorgeous fuzzy gray babies(like maine coons) and well Gezabel(jezebelle, but we always have to have our own spelling) just said she had to come home...and she did .. I will post a pic later ...My daughter and I are very happy to welcome her...She joins Sniglet, Stuart and Missy Moo.

Have a great day and blessings to all of you as we go into Fall a season of abundance and harvest...Harvest well and prepare for the season to come but enjoy and give thanks.

Imagination...part of nuturing creativity

Imagination 1. the faculty of imagining, or of forming mental images or concepts of what is not actually present to the senses.
2. the action or process of forming such images or concepts.
3. the faculty of producing ideal creations consistent with reality, as in literature, as distinct from the power of creating illustrative or decorative imagery. Compare fancy (def. 2).
4. the product of imagining; a conception or mental creation, often a baseless or fanciful one.
5. ability to face and resolve difficulties; resourcefulness: a job that requires imagination. 6. Psychology. the power of reproducing images stored in the memory under the suggestion of associated images (reproductive imagination) or of recombining former experiences in the creation of new images directed at a specific goal or aiding in the solution of problems (creative imagination).
7. (in Kantian epistemology) synthesis of data from the sensory manifold into objects by means of the categories.
8. Archaic. a plan, scheme, or plot.

I decided to post the dictionary meaning ...and I highlighted the two that mean the most in the art world and to artists...but also to people in general...alas if only they would get it.



4. the product of imagining; a conception or mental creation, often a baseless or fanciful one.

I love this ....and why ...because it tells us ultimately there are absolutely no boundaries. It means we can take our creativity to levels that surpass what we were taught. That is why so many artists have difficulty in real life, our brains are wired to go against the norm ...and if we allow ourselves to take yellow, purple and orange fabric and design a giant bird sculpture that makes us happy...it is not baseless??? it is based on the essence of our soul. But I like the meaning because people who NEED permission to experiment and think outside the box sometimes need that in a formal manner. Hence written down.. its the rest of us who mothers told us not to go outside in our fancy Easter dress and play who ended up making mud pies while in that dress because it had rained the night before and well it was just there so we had too. despite the repercussions.

Don't create in perfection... nothing is Perfect...you shouldn't strive for perfection because all it does is hinder your imagination. Let your soul dance in whatever medium you love... When I first started taking pictures from my little 110 camera to my argus twinflex...to my pentax and even today with my digital .. I have always loved taking pictures of things and shapes and textures. I have pics of old trees...or flowers or just my mountains .. I love my mountains. But I don't attempt to take pictures anyone but me would approve of in real sense. And I love them ...

examples of those are on the last two blogs....

So Imagine everything and fear nothing, let your soul have control and you will be magnificient.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Origin:
1300–50; ME < L imāginātiōn- (s. of imāginātiō) fancy, equiv. to imāgināt(us) ptp. of imāginārī to imagine (imāgin-, s. of imāgō image + -ātus -ate 1 ) + -iōn- -ion

Nuturing Creativity Part two......

There is another level to creativity that the school systems have chosen to ignore for the most part around here ...when they cut the art class funding and said it was not a functional or necessary class...

But they were wrong and are wrong...Art instills a complex thinking process you cannot acquire from any other class. It teaches you that you can take red and yellow paint and make orange....so what else can you mix to make what???

the teacher gives them a sheet of paper and crayons ( love the smell of new crayolas) and tells them to draw the world ...some will draw a house with a cat and a dog and their family....that is their world. But some will draw space ships and stars and aliens things that don't exist in our realm ...but does in theirs. but both have unleashed their imagination the most powerful gift we are given ...it allows us to do so much ...Imagine where this world would be if there was no imagination...we would still be in caves...eating raw dinosaur ....but no someone had to invent the wheel , and someone saw a spark and knew it could cook food or do something great. So those art classes give the kids the chance to learn how to problem solve using the imagination they nurture and build...and that with all the other stuff they learn puts them in a place in this world that they can do anything.

We take pieces of functional fabric meant for clothing or traditional quilts and paint with them creating a piece of art that absorbs your soul when you look at it...

Have a day full of imagination''

Nuturing Creativity

This started as a simple request on Quiltart a group I belong too and took off so I want to share it here...the writer just takes control of me now like the artist.

Nurturing creativity

I was one who was born and when I was 4 years old my dad (I think he probably would have started earlier) started me painting and drawing I am not talking stick figures, but still lifes and animals and then later cartoon characters...every year I got Art supplies...and then as it my life progressed It was just always there. My Nanna spent one year making those placemats out of sequen waste and Aunt Lydia's rug yarn...where you wove the yarn in and out and then stitched the pieces together,

or spray painting mayonaise jars and other jars we saved then while they were wet we would roll them in Silver glitter. We made them for gifts and to give flowers away to people who needed a day of smiles.


.and then at age 10 I discovered fabric and beads and jewelry, My other Nanna bought old pieces at tag sales so you see I didn't stand a chance, and omgoodness a sewing machine, my mom's 1956 singer she had gotten for a wedding present that year...what a miraculous machine I could take one piece of fabric and another piece and this machine would stitch it together...and I could make things,,,like stuffies or teddy bears or pillows., whatever, I never did get good at clothes..not adult clothes , I made all of my chidren's christening gowns.

I went on to be a student teacher at age 13 for a summer,,,with a fabulous art teacher and she could make anyone's blossom of creativity bloom and that is me now I love teaching people they can be creative.

High school led to taking carpet remnants and cutting them in pieces and created a 4 x 8 foot landscape mural for the entrance of the High school...they picked me they knew I was crazy enough to do it and so I picked 3 friends and dragged them into that craziness but it turned out great...I also took every art class I could ...but some of my art teachers were different and wanted me to stick to the rules ...have you ever heard of anything so silly ...rules in art...A real artist (my opinion) pays no attention to rules just like the mural made out of rug scraps.

So you see I never stood a chance not only do I have to create I have to drag everyone else I can kicking and screaming into letting their blossom of creativity to bloom and never look back. That is why I loved my bead store I could teach people to do that and I miss it...but now I have a dream to go bigger ...a art school where you can go and let that happen no matter who you are or the $$$ you have.

Wow sorry ...but you can see my heart took over...So Just create ...do or make whatever let your heart and soul guide you

Balance and abundance

I was talking to a friend yesterday a young mother and she has two children one who is 3 and the other under a year...she was talking about how much she loves knitting and but finding time to allow it is a problem. She wasn't complaining just stating the facts and it reminded me of when I had my children my first will turn 28 this friday ...yes eekkkk...how did she get so old while I try and stay young, well at heart anyway and lately even it has it old days. My other daughter will turn 22 on December 28 and my son (the bonus prize) will be 21 in March. Ok so when the last two were born life got very interesting. the strange thing is I don't remember that much of them as the two babies...I remember bring Drew home and Larisa climbing out of the crib a few days later and then it seems the next thing I remember they were both running around learned how to program the VCR better than I could ...and we were working on my business of making collectable teddy bears to get ready for the big shows. Now my thought is as first oh my gosh I don't remember my kids growing up, but the truth is my heart does ...it was the balance that we had to accquire with 5 people in a small house...that life just simply and smoothly progressed (don't get me wrong it was far from perfect) Ny kids could go outside and run around and enjoy life I didn't have to worry I knew every square inch of that land I had done the same thing. this house was where my mother and her sister were born where when they needed more room granpa would go get wood and build on another room, just cutting a hole in the wall and there was a room ...no hallways. so everything was connected. I grew up there in the summer as soon as school was out and learned how to can vegetables, weed gardens, plant flowers and share...share the abundance.

Almost every sunday or at least two sundays a month we had sunday dinner there and usually once a month at great granma's house where there were 9 still living, they were a farm family....everything raised by them for them...extras they sold or bartered...and if the person needed but didn't have something to barter or buy, GreatGranma would share her abundance.

All this created a understanding in my mind and heart that sharing and working with others creates a balance...

So now as I learn how to find that balance again after losing the love of my life and finding my way through this point in my life ...I know now I have to share my abundance.

God gave me more talents and the want to share them then I will ever use in my lifetime...SO once again I feel the need to put my place where I can share it and teach again...so the balance has to come in and help me find the place to share my abundance. and I will so this is my goal ...to create finally the arts and craft school I have wanted for 10 years since moving here to the Outer Banks and today I felt if I wrote this goal down it would give me the incentive to make it come true.

ANd thanks to the 3 main strong women in my young life , and all my great aunts and uncles that were there on those sunday dinner visits and family gatherings many times if we all go together there were over 40 of us ...and how even when we let the cows run loose on Route 1 highway one fourth of july ...no one got mad it was just their way to maintain the balance and the freedom to enjoy it.

I have more to write but will wait ...till tomorrow ...

But Will leave you with this ...to acquire your balance learn to share your abundance

I used a pic of dragonflys on a art quilt I did when John first got sick ..because if you look at them you wouldn't think they could fly ...but they exude Balance