Evening walk

Sunset is my favorite time of day for taking photographs, the light is so magical it shines is a way that makes everything seem special. One evening at an Artful Journey I got to spend an hour with DJ Pettitt walking around the grounds of the Presentation Center. With cameras in hand we were both looking for those perfect shots. It was wonderful to see the world through new eyes and such a wonderful pair of eyes those are. One of the things I learned to see was the world of reflection, something I had been missing before. And oh what a beautiful thing it is, one must be still to see it but once you slow down it opens another whole world.

My book

Spending 3 days with the same instructor, in the same classroom that is open 24 hours a day is great. It is nice to be able to stay put, not to rush around and know that you have the time to start, come back to and possibly finish a project. DJ Pettitt is a wonderful instructor, she would give a demonstration at the front of the class and then spend time going from table to table answering individual questions. I was one who had many. She also checked back in after hours to see how people were doing. The book cover was created using a photograph that was applied to water color paper. Paint and gel medium was used to create "painted" look. The water color paper also took on a leathery feel with the many layers of gel medium that were used, fortunately the weather was warm and things dried quickly. The binding technique is easy and one that I will remember and use again. Lynn was my table mate putting up with my moans and groans as I learned the book making process. She lives near by and we hope to get together to continue with what we learned.

An Artful Journey

It has been a while since I've posted, I've been busy and away. First to Artful journey and oh what a delight. This is my 2nd experience with an Artful journey and I was not disappointed. Summer time in the mountain hills of Los Gatos is warm, sunny, the mornings full of misty fog the blows off the hill sides, the evenings rich with golden light. I spent my nights in the little cottage of ST. Claire, my room nestled in the tree tops. Days and evenings were spent in a class room in the Pueblo building with DJ Pettit making one of her fabulous books. Yes I did get it done! I will write more about that on another post. The garden was one of my favorite places protected from the family of deer that roamed the grounds. Flowers hedged the garden path, grapes over hung in the arbors, squash were in full bloom and wind chimes sang in the wind. One tree (a magnolia I think?) had blossoms as big as my head! I spent 3 days doing nothing but being creative, thinking creative and being around creative people. All other thoughts fled my mind for those 3 days and it was such a blessed rest I came away energized and relaxed all at the same time!!

Getting Ready

I've been following my list and packing my supplies for my artful journey adventure. I leave Sunday for a 3 day workshop with DJ Pettit learning her book making technique. She also will have photos transfered onto fabric and will teach us how to paint them, other painting techniques will be taught also. If you go to her blog you will see examples of the book and her work it is wonderful. Gentle Whispering Hues. An artful journey is organized by Cindy O'Leary and I attended last Feb. I had a wonderful time and saw DJs work then. It was at that time that I decided I had to take a work shop of hers. I'm looking forward to spending 3 days with creative women in a lovely place surrounded by nature and open space. It will be good for my soul.

Blue

"Hold on to your divine blush, your innate rosy magic, or end up brown. Once you're brown you'll find out you're blue. As blue as indigo. And you know what that means,. Indigo. Indigoing. Indigone." tom robbins.

Gone

Lilylovekin April 1, 2002- July 7, 2010.

My heart is broken.

Restless Days

Everyone is holding there own in the Lilylovekin home. It was a quiet 4th of July. Fortunately our dogs do not get freaked out about fire works and so there was no distress over the loud noises last night. I am a little lost being home with all this time on my hands and a wander from room to room trying to find something to hold my interest. My journal pages are half full, my closest has spilled out into the bedroom as I try and sort through things I no longer wear, a book moves from room to room as I pick it up reading a page here and there. Nothing keeping me interested too long. I am heading to An Artful Journey retreat with DJ Petitt in two weeks to take a 3 day class, learning her painting and book making techniques-even this holds little thrill for me. I'm sure once I get there things will be better, I love what she does her work is beautiful. I spend much time sitting under these grapes that are growing out on our deck, the warm breezes of the summer are sweetly fragrant with a gentle perfume and it is a peaceful place to be. I find although I am restless I am not worried about it and know it will pass.

Dreamy days

Dreaming is what I do much of these days. The temperature has been warm and it feels like summer. It is light out until late, not getting dark until after 9pm. Those wonderful long lazy summer days. Sitting out on the back patio one hears lawn mowers, bits of conversation, the broken voices of radio or tv-it floats through my mind and almost becomes meditative. We had planned to be camping this weekend but Lily is too sick and weak to be away from home. My husband says he will know when the time has come but it is not yet so we continue to love and care for her. And dream is what I do, dream of days past and dream of days to come. My heart it full of love and thankfulness.