I'm going for a poke around my garden, won't you join me?
Download Shelley's.stream (to listen: right click to open in new window)
Here's wishing you grace..
..beauty..
..new life..
..hope..
..joy..
and abundance.. this spring!
I hope your life is filled with sunlight and flowers.
xoxo
So here's how it goes: set out on a walk with a bag, and collect as many acorns as possible. The ones with their "hats" on go in your bag. The "hat"-less ones go in your pocket.
Notice the autumn changes in your neighborhood.
Take photos. Have your five-year-old take better, clearer, more poetic photos than you.
Notice the length of your shadows, and notice how cold it is when the sun dips behind the mountains.
On your way home, stop by a neighbor who loves acorns, especially the ones in your pockets without their hats on.
When you get home, pick the best of the acorns, and dust them off a bit.
Acorns + a small brush + Elmer's glue + glitter = Magic.
These will be going on the table for Thanksgiving! And speaking of acorns, a sneak peak of new work on my desk...
Every year I forget how slow summer is.
The shop slows down, work slows down, it seems as if no one is on the internet. Is it me?
Our neighbors come by with fruit from their trees. We can't even begin to eat all of it.
Even our nibble-y friends aren't visiting as much. Our flowers are beginning to come back as a result, especially the pink petunias, which were a favorite. That makes Beau very happy.
I've been going for walks lately, in the evenings, and there are blooms everywhere: mimosas, jasmine, oleander, honeysuckle, lavender, lilies. And happily, by the time I get home it is cool enough for a fire. And all I want to do is curl up with a book.
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And speaking of books, thank you for everyone who left a comment for my book/print/bookplates giveaway! I have many new book suggestions that I'm excited to check out. My winner is: Carolyn, congratulations! Please shoot me an email with your address and I'll have your goodies in the mail.
"We don't have to feel helpless. We can help. Our small actions together will ripple outward." -Kelly Light
Love, Mixed media on paper, 2.5 x 3.5 inches
If you are a fan of Illustration Friday, you will already know this: Artist Kelly Light is doing a wondrous thing. She is uniting artists from around the world to help the animal victims of the Gulf Oil Spill. Kelly's blog, Ripple, is selling small pieces of art for the teeny tiny price of $10.
Muted, Mixed media on paper, 2.5 x 3.5 inches
The two non-profit organizations benefiting from Ripple are The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and The International Bird Rescue Research Center. You can purchase a piece of art if you donate to one of the organizations and email the confirmation to Kelly. The artist then sends you art directly to you.
To peruse all of the beautiful work available, or to find out about creating art to benefit Ripple, visit here. The pieces in this post were made by me and will be available for $10 apiece once they are up on the site. Please stop by, it is such an important cause.
Quiet Accomplishment, Mixed media on paper, 2.5 x 3.5 inches
Yesterday was lovely. Beau woke up at 6:30 (ouch) to find her easter baskets, and the rest of the day was full of naps, chocolate, and a long walk. Perfect.
