Lensbaby Alchemy

Alchemy ~ any seemingly magical power.

One part beauty + one part "Radiance" necklace + one part velvet cape + 

one part rainy day light + one part Lensbaby =

magic captured.

Lensbaby 2012 Photo Story Challenge

Captivating

A summer rain brings refreshing coolness and leaves sparkling drops on every surface.

These raindrops hold fascinating reflections -

an image within an image, a world within a world.

They captivate and lure me in.

"There is a road from the eye to the heart that does not go through the intellect."

~ Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Today, my choice for the Photo Heart Connection is the second image.

Hope your summer is filled with captivating images and experiences!

P.S. Since summer is so busy, I have comments turned off.  

You can always reach me by email, if you like.

Vacation

I'm enjoying some summer vacation fun and hope you are too!!!

P.S.  I've got comments turned off, as summer is so busy.

Summer Rolls

Summer has been rolling along in its typical speedy fashion.

I've been enjoying company, kayaking, and cookouts,

biking, walking on the shady side of the road, and chillin' on the dock,

an elaborate beading project, a simple baby quilt to gift, and photography in my garden.

Hope you're staying cool and enjoying some special summer moments.

Today, Im linking at Kat's, The Photo Heart Connection, 

with a favorite photo from last month (the third).

This summer, I'm also participating in her, Liberate Your Art 2012 Postcard Swap.  

It was so much fun to be part of this project last year.  

Check it out.  There is still time to jump in!

P.S.  I've got comments turned off, as summer is so busy.

You can always reach me by email, if you'd like.

Bead Heaven

Recently, I traveled to Milwaukee, WI to attend the annual Bead and Button Show 

and Bead Dreams Exhibition.

The Bead Dreams Exhibition included a group of amazing beaded pieces from around the world.

I was very fortunate to have my necklace, Tudor Splendor, juried into this exhibition.

Besides the inspiring jewelry, there was also a huge vendor mall.

It was like dropping into bead heaven!

Needless to say, I now have plenty of new, beautiful cabochons and beads

 to use in my jewelry and textile work.   

I'm feeling kind of like a magpie, as I eye my new stash of glimmer and bling :)

Hope you're basking in the warmth and sparkle of summer!

P.S. I've got comments turned off, as summer is so busy.

You can always reach me by email, if you'd like.

Asilomar Magic

My time teaching textile surface design for Empty Spools Seminars was an amazing experience.

I had the most wonderful, enthusiastic students.  Thank you so much for attending my workshop!

The weather was perfect, food was excellent, new friends were made,

 and the Asilomar grounds and coastline count as gorgeous in my book.

Thanks Suzanne and Gayle for including me in your seminars.

When not teaching, I tried to capture a bit of Asilomar's magic.

There was rolling surf and rich color to soak up.

Some folks spent time flying kites,

while others ditched their flip flops for strolls in the chilly ocean.

The tide painted interesting pictures,

and some random ones, too.

I trailed new acquaintances.....

but they wanted solitude.

And, then strolled up to the dunes.

More photos to come.

Hope your summer is off to a great start!

P. S. I've turned off comments today, as summer is so busy.

You can always reach me by email, if you'd like.

Away

I'm away from my desk, teaching a textile workshop for Empty Spools Seminars

 at Asilomar in CA.

Hoping you're having a great Memorial Day Holiday!

Catch you when I get back.

Theodore's Wisdom

Unfolding - quilt detail

Our daughter came home from college for the summer with a quote she wanted to share with us.

"Comparison is the thief of joy"  ~ Theodore Roosevelt

This quote certainly gives one reason to pause and think!

In how many ways has comparison touched our lives, and not in a good way?

All of us have probably compared our looks, intellect, talents, or material possessions 

to those of others, at some time or other.

When thinking about my own life, the competitive quilt shows 

that I've been involved in the last eight years first comes to mind.

Although I have a whole box full of prize ribbons -

along with prize money, they are the signs of success in this game -

I know all too well the joy stealing element that comparison can bring.

For me, true joy lies in the creative process and

 no one can tell me if I've succeeded in my vision for each piece,

as only I know the answer to that.

So, Theodore's wisdom now hangs, magnetized to our fridge,

along side family photos and other stellar quotes...

reminding me to hang on tightly to my joy and 

ward off the grasping hands of comparison.

Wishing you joy in all your creative endeavors.

See you again in a couple weeks.