Live Life or Take a Picture of It? Hmmmm....

"Life is always walking up to us and saying, "Come on in, the living's fine," and what do we do? Back off and take its picture."

~Russell Baker

This is my wonderful family in the remains of the Rock of Cashel, in what was once the Cathedral. Cashel is located in South Central  Ireland, just East of Tipperary.  Cashel was a relatively large church or cathedral soon after 1101, and was still used by the Church of  Ireland until 1749, when the old site was abandoned. It was taken into State Care as National Monuments and conservation work in 1875. In 1975 major restoration began taking place.

It is truly a beautiful and majestic place to visit. One can understand man's reasoning for tall "cathedral ceilings" standing in this structure; makes you want to look up;)

So, I'm off to live today (at my shop), and I just might also take some pictures. Peace.

Today: Partly Sunny With a Chance of Awesome!

"Plant your garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers." ~Veronica A. Shoffstall

Take a walk through artist, Charis Moblo's "garden" and find inspiration at every turn. Charis has created art for many years which has been displayed in galleries in Grand Rapids & Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Cleveland, Ohio's Little Italy neighborhood, an art lover's dream walk.

As long as I've known her (about 30 years), she has inspired me with her whole being, because she exudes such a beauty from her soul, and it shows in her artwork, no matter how small the piece.

A few of her cards...

Her sentiments seem to grab you & make you feel a connection...

Her decorating skills have always blown me away, she creates the most amazingly warm abode space I've ever had the pleasure of visiting...Here is her dining room, with samples of her little purses.

Here is one of the many inspiring signs she creates to remind us of our own joy...

For a long time she created these and many other incredible "Story Book People", each with a different story to share.

And now is creating a different kind of "Story Person", fun, quirky and lovely ones at that!

A couple of her awesome shoulder bags...

Another view of her dining space with daily inspirations on the chalkboard...

Visit with Charis and her art and you will be a changed person!

Please Visit Charis' FaceBook Fan Page and find out how to support a "Starving Artist"@

http://gl-es.facebook.com/group.php?gid=50293718079

Scenes From a Back Yard...

"By all means use sometimes to be alone.

Salute thyself;

See what thy soul doth wear."

~ George Herbert

Just re-visiting some beautiful, sunny, backyard moments from a few years ago. I love my yard and spending quiet time there taking pictures of those that choose to come a callin'. Anxious to see who comes this year, but will enjoy all the stages. Embrace the "April Showers", remember that it brings May flowers!

Word Perfect?

"...It was that sweet moment between wake and sleep when the dream has only a foot in the door that the day and its duties have left ajar. I wanted always to remember that sweetness, that moment, and knew I could not rise to write the details down-...because the slumber was tightening around me. And I was searching for a word, one word that I could keep and remember till the morning: one word only: a key, a password by which I could return to this moment just long enough to make a poem, a purse made of words to keep the treasure of it in." ~Thomas Lynch

Bodies in Motion and at Rest: On Metaphor and Mortality









I love this sentiment: "a purse made of words to keep the treasure of it in."  Awesome. And since I couldn't find a "purse" to show, here is an excellent artist who makes handmade journals- even better to keep your words in. She is Miz Katie, a mixed media artist who paints people, cities, and the characters in her head. She has originals, reproductions, handmade books and professional prints.  I found her beautiful artwork on ArtFire. Please check her out:

@http://www.artfire.com/modules.php name=Shop&seller_id=11838&op=new&body=1
http://www.mizkatie.com
http://mizkatie.etsy.com
http://www.facebook.com/mizkatie
http://www.twitter.com/mizkatie

And check out some Thomas Lynch words today.

Blessed Be! The Grouting Is Complete!!

"When you possess light within, you see it externally. ~ Anais Nin

Three shades of grout: White-Halo, Tan-Wings/Face/Hair, Black-Sky. I added some "Shimmer Powder" into the black and white grout, so I'll see if it worked after it is dry.

"People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within."

~ Elisabeth Kubler Ross

Now to work on the frame....A bit of sanding, antiquing, painting the backside and hanging hardware (I'll leave that to my capable significant other, because he loves to do everything in his power to please me!) Did you remember that this is April 1? Ok, well, almost everything in his power. All he really needs to do is smile at me.....

"A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home."~ Author Unknown

Have a wonderful weekend 

and don't forget to Show off 

your Streak Free Facial Window! 

What's Happenin' In The Studio!

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures."

~Henry Ward Beecher

Starting Tuesday, April 6: Oil Painting Class,

Choice of 3-5 pm or 7-9 pm.

Learn Great Techniques for Landscapes, Flowers

Come and Paint Your Soul Today!

Don't Forget To Stop & Notice The Sea Glass!

"And since you know you cannot see yourself,

so well as by reflection, I, your glass,

will modestly discover to yourself,

that of yourself which you yet know not of."

~William Shakespeare

Welcome to JOYful D*Sign! 

A Place to Wander Among the Sea Glass & Dragonflies &

Beautiful Jewelry Creations, Kaleidoscopes & Magnets too!

These are just a few of my favorite things, there are so many more, you will want to check it out for yourself.

Teal Green Seaglass Pendant- Sea Serpent

Teal Seaglass and Crystal Boomerang Pendant

Victorian Sky Dragonfly Earrings

Feeling Like Fall Leaf Earrings (My absolute FAV)

My wonderful new friend, Denise, lives in Lake Worth, FLA,

which with its incredible access to the ocean must give her ongoing inspiration. 

In fact, that was my old stomping grounds years ago. I got my Interior Design Degree from PBJC (Peanut Butter & Jelly College), now named Palm Beach Community College, for obvious reasons.

My husband and I spent a lot of time at the Lake Worth Public Beach, where on my first visit, saw an enormous pair of stingrays swimming under the pier. That was the beginning of my love affair with Florida. We moved to Michigan when we wanted to be closer to family. Because, folks, weather isn't everything, it takes a second to having the support of family.

Anyway, please take a walk on Denise's "Beach"@

http://www.facebook.com/DJoyfuldsign

http://twitter.com/joyfuldsign

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