December views

It has been very, very cold in this neck of the woods...so we have been passing the time doing quite a bit of this...



And this....



And I've been whittlin' up these like nobody's business...I'm not sure why it took me so long to discover how fun these are to make...and nothing is cozier than a handknit sock...well, other than having a big, squishy golden retriever to keep you warm. :-)



And I might as well throw in a couple more pics, since I skipped so many days...





I hope where ever you are you're keeping toasty warm...and for more December views or to join, feel free to click here.

(Come sit with me...and toast your tootsies.)
(One of my original designs...I made this 'Disco Snow Diva' top for my daughter.You know...just a little shameless plug.:-)



(We love to trim our holiday tree with natural and handmade ornaments. This garland was a family project from last year...crafted while watching a movie and munching on popcorn.)

December Views begin...

(click to enlarge)Dusk falling on the prairie...This was taken the other day, just outside of the tiny hamlet of Madden, Alberta,which is about a five minute drive from my home.

(My favorite necklace by Jen)
I've been having a restless...shifting in my bones kind of feeling. I want to tell this girl in the mirror what to do next...I'm just not sure what to say to her yet. You would seriously think that after almost 41 years, I would know, right? Well, okay...perhaps not.

The other day I casually tossed the idea of a career change at my husband. I told him that I thought it would be something that I could be really good at. It's something I could meld my yoga teaching with. Jon just smiled, and agreed that it would be perfect for me,and that was it. I've just been sitting and mulling it over. It is one that would mean going to university...and I imagine a pretty heavy duty work load. It would mean major changes for our family if I went for it...especially since we have a son who will be graduating high school in the spring, and who also will need help with whatever he chooses to pursue.

I grew up in a family where one person's pursuit of their creative dream really caused hardship for everyone else, so I am especially sensitive to how my choices impact the ones I love.

I am nothing,if not true to my ways. I'm pondering the logistics of it... because I know there is a way. This is what I did for a long time before I went to school the last time, but in the end I just leap and went for it. So,in my heart of hearts...I know where this is leading...right, dear Universe?

(My latest painting...but I'm stuck on the name. Any ideas? :-)


And I guess I don't worry to much...it's hard to when you feel so damn grateful for every moment of every day...I treasure days that are filled with love and light...colour...music...movement...laughter...and the steadfast belief that things will just be as they are meant to be.

What is causing you to stir and dream today? I'd love to hear...

Peace & Love...

Good Morning Sunshine...

(I shall preface this post by warning you that it's not all that exciting. :-)

(Baby clothes I made from vintage linens.My daughter outgrew these long ago.)

How are you? I guess I've been in one of those funky, transitional places. I've felt quiet...very quiet. But things are shifting. Especially creatively. You know that old ebb and flow...well, most definitely the tide is coming back in I am happy to say. I have been working like a wild woman around my home trying to get a handle on our clutter. I love how the moment to create space, you can breathe a little easier, don't you? (That sounds like the kind of line a yoga teacher would use. :-)

So last weekend it was the basement. We took five bags of fabric, and clothing to a local charity shop. Then on Wednesday I tackled my laundry room/ sewing room...and yesterday my studio. Another few bags of donations. Oh ya!

I am falling in love with my space all over again. I find this important because I both work, and live here. (Okay, let's just say I'm home a bit too much.) All this work has freed me to begin the oh-so long list of winter re-decorating projects that I've made...although I guess I will scratch off painting my studio robin's egg blue after my husband reminded me how fun it is to paint over red.

My favorite spot in my house right now is our dining area just off our kitchen. The footprint of the original kitchen was about 5x11...basically a closet. When we renovated we couldn't really expand the space any other way except to add on. So the actual working part of the kitchen is in it's original location, but we added a dining space/entryway. The garden doors flood it with light. It's furnished with cheap or free furniture and antiques...and my art...and a couple of weeks ago I strung coloured lights all along the perimeter. So, I thought I'd just share a few pictures on the gloriously sunny Friday...



One of my favorite things is the stacked antique butter boxes for shoe cubbies. The rustic benches were built by Jon using scrap wood, and the laundry room door is a salvaged front door from a house here in town.



Now I'm thinking that I could use some lovely Fiesta ware...in about eight different colours...Hmmmm...maybe one day. In the mean time, feel free to come by for tea anytime.

Hope you have a beautiful weekend...xo

From An Autumn Afternoon...

(Kananaskis Country,AB Sept.26,2009)

...and what is it exactly,
I wonder out loud,
that beckons this forest
to prick up her ears,
and listen to our secrets so
wholeheartedly?

on this most flawless day of sun and sky
dreams rustle...
then fall from the trees,
and land at our feet.

I pick up two or three...
unprepared for how perfectly concrete they feel,
in my hands.

I touch them wistfully...for just a moment...
then I pass them to you,
to be tucked in your pocket
for our safe-keeping.

(Our Path,Sept.26,2009)


Peace and love to you...

Softly...In the Early Morn...

(Just Before Mornings Light,Pencil and Charcoal, 2009)

There are certain promises
That can be
Only barely whispered
Before we stumble into the light of day...

You know...Just in case you forgot...

(Tegan~Pencil/Charcoal/Acrylics, 2009)



We all deserve to be heard...
To have a hand to hold...
And arms to fall into...
At the end of a long day.

We all deserve to be treasured...
And adored...
Never told to be quiet...
Or worse yet, ignored.

We all deserve to have someone...
Honour our tears...
Someone who knows full well our strengths
And accepts our short-comings.



I was just feeling especially appreciative of my *someone* today...:-)

Love & Compassion...

C.

Random Joy...

('A Fairy's Dream'...today's work in progress.)

I am so very thankful that I continue to feel inspired to paint and draw...




My Bee Balm is in bloom! These flowers always make me smile. They kind of look like little court jesture hats, don't they? I also finally found some time to frame some photographs from some lovely photographers...

(Northern California Windmill by Denise Andrade)

I did an art exchange awhile back with Denise...and chose this print of hers. It is so hauntingly nostalgic...and it took me awhile to think of how I wanted to frame it. I took this old window and made a little shelf on it with crown moulding...added flowers...and a starfish, of course...:-)

(Click to see these wonderful prints larger.)
Then there are these prints of Maddie's. I became completely enamoured with her work awhile ago...they just drawn you into the story...I simply matted and framed them...then layered the frames over a vintage window screen. These two framing projects totally made me love my livingroom again...:-)

And then there's these...



And last by not least...My sweet Cootsie...feeling his joy...



Whew! That felt good. It's been pretty heavy around here lately...and it was nice to just revel in a little capricious fun...

Hope you are having a wonderful evening...

xo

Okay...a little late...

(Bewitched,2009)

but I was waiting to pin down my kiddies to draw names. Sooooo...Rhianna drew Dar's name...and Joe drew Bohemian Mom's. If you lovelies could let me know which print you would like, and send me your address I will send them too you right away. :-)

My love and thanks to all of you who entered...xo

Shades of Grey...and a Give-Away...

As I type this the sky is turning ever darker...I've already hurriedly pulled the laundry from the clothesline, and now comes the hush. You know the hush that comes before a late summer afternoon storm hits...that strange hush before the wind picks up...and those clouds start booming and cracking. I love it...but my sweet Daisy girl is not a fan to say the least. She will be my constant companion until this is over.
('Morgaine' Pencil/Charcoal/Watercolor on paper. 2009)

This past week felt a bit strange. I find the weather most definitely effects my moods. Most of the past week was dark...dreary...and very wet. So...ya,I found myself in a wee bit of a funk. My creativity loves a little funkiness. It's been ages since I've just picked up a pencil and paper just drawn. I started and I haven't been able to stop. My sketchbook has been going everywhere with me...I. LOVE. IT. :-) I also love that I have a whole week off to play...catch up on some projects around the house...shop...and camp! Yes...it'll be a busy one...

(Fiona,Pencil on watercolour paper. 2009)

But for now...off to finish today's work.


*Oh, and now my favorite part...I am happily giving away an 8x10 print of either 'Morgaine' or 'Fiona' to two of my commenter's. I will draw the names next Sunday evening (the 16th). You can click on any of the images to view them larger.(And if your interested, the originals are available in my Etsy shop.)

Hope you have a fabulous week...xo

*Update...You can also now chose a print of 'Melody'. I just finished her last night. :-)

Boom...Boom-Shacka-Laka...laka!!

On this most sunny of Sunday's I have been cruising around my garden...and the mood is quite jubilant, I must say. Everywhere I turn there is blossoming...and ripening. There is dancing and humming in every little niche...

The sunflowers are doing a little shimmy-shimmy shake as they reach evermore towards the sun...




Honeybees drunkenly drift from bloom to bloom...I know the feeling...:-)



Everywhere there is the sparkle...



...and shine...of the quintessential summer's day.



Oh yes...and then there's this...



Can you dig it...?:-)

Happy Weekend...xo

Today...

(My pink Schwinn Cruiser...:-)
It has been a day of joy...A little sitting out on the lawn in the early morn, sipping coffee, listening to the songbirds...bare toes tickled by the dew damp grass. A little shopping with my honey for new art supplies and a little fresh inspiration...a little meandering about town with my little girl (who is quite suddenly turning ten next weekend, and not so little!)

It has been an afternoon of sweltering heat...a hint of mugginess...telling me that mama nature should delight us with a beautiful light show tonight. I find summer thunderstorms so romantic...

It has been an afternoon of wandering through my yard looking for those little bits of ordinary magic that I sometimes forget about...those little hidden nooks where maybe fairies choose to dwell...



Little places where the light dances...



Oh, and I'm almost finished this...



and working on this...



I've been all about watercolours lately. I'm loving them!


Yes...it has just been one of those rare,perfect days...



and I hope you are having a perfect day today too...:-)

ox

Simply Happy...

Today, I have two of my nieces here. They came into the living room when I was taking this picture...




'Auntie Celeste, why are you laying on the floor taking pictures? That looks fun.' Why yes, honey, yes it is...:-)

As I come here this morning, I have to say that honestly, it doesn't take much to make me happy these days...the chippy green paint on an old screen door hanging on my living room wall...smiley kids...the sweetest husband (who is at work running on less than three hours sleep because he took me to see these guys. There was a wee bit of swwwooooonnnnn-age going on...:-)

And speaking of swooning...



Jon is almost done our greenhouse...I couldn't be happier with it! This weekend we will be putting the stone on the foundation, an I hope to have the interior and exterior painting finished.

I also finished a painting I was working on for a local kids recreation centre fundraiser auction...and I just sent her on her way...



I did something new with this one. I used real flowers...which prompted another little niece to ask me...'Auntie Celeste, what are you doing with those flowers?' Cooking them in the microwave, of course. :-) I think I may have to forewarn my sisters-in-law to keep an eye on their flowers...and microwaves...

Then I had a very sweet lady ask me to please consider teaching a girls yoga/art camp next summer...(Which coincidentally, I'd been pondering for quite awhile anyway.)

All in all it's been a beautiful...NOISY(seriously, kids...could you turn it down a notch.) crazy, busy week...and I am most definitely looking forward to revelling in a quieter weekend.

What are your plans? Whatever you do I hope it is something that brings you joy and nourishes your soul...

Peace and love...
xo

Today....

(Mantra Necklace by Liz)

Simple and true...

(My first Cosmo of summer...)

Hi there! How are you? I came here tonight feeling a little funky...and then I thought of this...

(Dar and I at in her neighborhood antique store...out of focus...:-)

A couple of weekends ago I did something that was a little monumental for me. Okay...to be honest I kicked fear in the ass. I am forty. Yep...4...0. Anyway, I had never, ever taken a solo road trip. You see, I grew up in a family that never owned a car. Getting a licence...a car was never something I ever really thought about...until I was 30. I finally took the plunge, and got my licence...although I still didn't drive that much. So skipping ahead to these past few months...and this shifting (or mid-life crisis?) I've been feeling.

Some people buy sports cars...get tattoos...or end marriages when they hit this time of life, but me...I just wanted to hit the open road sooooo...lllloooo. I kissed my worried husband goodbye, popped in some tunes and started singing at the top of my lungs on the way to a city I didn't know...to meet someone that I've never met in person.

So what happened? Nothing short of pure joy...I have come to not believe in coincidence. I believe that the people and circumstances that come into our lives for a reason...I believe that kindred spirits are drawn to each other.

After navigating my way through Edmonton's crazy busy Saturday traffic following Darlene's (excellent :-)directions I arrived at her sweet cottage, which is nestled on a charming street canopied by the most gorgeous elm trees. From the moment we met, I felt an instant warmth and familiarity. She is one of the most beautiful, genuine people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting...and she has an equally lovely family. Her sister-in-law Suvarna was visiting from Vancouver, and the three of us had such a fun afternoon lunching...shopping...sharing...

It was such a happy day. I came home having connected with a friend. I experienced how being brave doesn't mean doing something without fear...I just didn't let the fear hold me back from doing what I wanted to do.(Huge step!)...and I came home with a couple of trinkets from the Anthropologie store to boot.

What's next??? Being the Wonder Woman that I am...it will have to be conquering my fear of flying. It's kind of funny that I would have this fear...especially because I have been accused of living with my head in the clouds on more than one occasion...:-)

Love and light to you...