Elena

Elena Bright Shapiro - gone too soon from this earth, but never gone from the hearts of those who knew and loved her dearly.

Crystal chandelier above the dining table at my friend, Brantly's house in Winston-Salem, NC.

There were crystals hanging in every window in the house to catch the light as it filtered through all day long and cast rainbows around the rooms.

Each rainbow was a reminder that dear Elena brought joy to all she knew and the colors made it possible to see the love that filled the rooms throughout the house.

...and the pond in the backyard with the gazebo nearby that is now surrounded by the 21 tulip bulbs planted on her birthday......Biby's idea to add one each year on her birthday. A beautiful tribute.
Love always to Brantly, David, Biby and Sam and everyone else whose lives Elena touched.

These flowers are sitting on my kitchen table and I am in the Kansas City airport waiting to get on a plane to Raleigh-Durham, NC. I am going to visit my friend, Brantly and her family.....

This Saturday would've been the 21st birthday of her darling Elena, who was killed in a tragic accident September. I know that there will be many tears, but I also know that there will be laughter and stories. Brantly and I have known one another for many years - shared all kinds of adventures. It is unfortunate that this, too, becomes a journey that we are sharing.

It is a choice, but there is life after the loss of someone you love. The smiles and "pure joy" do disappear for a while, but they also DO come back. I do not believe that our dear ones "leave" us. I think they live in our hearts forever and we can "feel" them when we need to.

There is nothing easy about any of it, but I have seen different choices that have very different outcomes. "One Day at a Time" has become a bit of a cliche, but literally, it is exactly what we must do to walk through the difficult challenges in our lives....oh, and the occasional smile...

I love you, Brantly and am looking forward to being with you for these next few days. 

productivity

Just a few little images from the cards I have been working on. It has been fun, I must say and I am enjoying the results.

I can't wait to see how this little "elf-y angel" turns out! So far, so good, I think....cute!

I am liking this little elf, too. I'd love a pair of pants like hers! ... and those shoes!
Now, this one needs a LOT of help. I may need to start over here...so much of it does NOT work for me, though there are some redeemable parts, certainly. Maybe a little less "outfit"...whew! I think that a waistline might help! And the arch is not what it needs to be... sigh ......
Still, all in all it has been a very productive few days in the studio - yippee!

xo

A Nice Day

I have not been feeling very creative the last few days. Haven't felt much like posting anything that I have been doing. I looked at photos of things and was uninspired. So, this post is just my brain doing its Stream of Consciousness blabber....

It has been a long few days - a little bit of an emotional roller-coaster. I have actually been up in the studio most of this week, which means that the rest of my life has been on hold and my neck is rather sore. I seem to have forgotten how to multi-task in my "old age" and it just continues to frustrate me...grrrrr!

One bright spot - Julie and her husband, Mark, were in town last night and this morning and it was wonderful to see her! We had dinner last night at our kitchen table (!) and breakfast this morning at the Teahouse. From there, they left to drive to Tucson, AZ and I went to the Farmer's Market and walked through this tiny shop, "ONE of ONE" that I truly enjoy. I always find great inspiration there. 

Today, I struck up a conversation with one of the owners (Melissa) and by the end of it she had lent me the most beautiful books about an artist named Charley Harper - WONDERFUL! They are her personal copies and she was so generous to lend them. I will try to get some decent photos and post them in the morning, but try to Google him - his artwork is fantastic. When I got home feeling sooo good, I went to the mailbox and there was the book, "Ring-a-Ling" that I had ordered two weeks ago! Happy Day!

My horoscope yesterday said that I needed to get rid of old ideas and do something NEW! I think I might just be ready to do that! FINALLY! Tomorrow I will finish up the Christmas cards that I am working on, get them out the door and come Monday, be ready to start on something completely different and FRESH! I can hardly wait.

Now, I am off to bed to (hopefully) sleep very soundly and awake tomorrow to a beautiful blue sky filled with sunshine. It is time to "FALL BACK", so I will set my clock an hour back and get an extra hour's sleep in the morning.....sigh....Good Night.....

small elves

I started working on some little "Santa Elves" and thought I'd share them.

I think that they are headed in the right direction, but not quite "there" yet.

I hope that the image in my head is actually possible...

little mushrooms

I've been working on some little felt ornaments the last couple of days.

Here are some mushrooms in process....

..maybe I'll finish 'em up this evening.

peppers

Aren't these beautiful? They are from our garden. 

We had a mild freeze last night, but things seem to be ok.

It did snow, but supposed to be in the upper 50's again tomorrow and the rest of the weekend.

We have been spoiled with Indian Summer here...glorious SUN!

xo