Just B R E A T H E

Lately life has been coming at me hard and fast...and that is not necessarily a bad thing but it could be overwhelming at times.  I want a lot out of my life so I work hard, sometimes harder than I should perhaps but that's okay with me.  It's funny though how hard work may not seem to be paying off then wham!  Opportunities open up and you are swamped and even a little confused as to what direction to go in.  In times like that I am learning to B R E A T H E, and just take it all in before I make decisions...  

This weekend was really a blur of activity and decision making so I made myself slow down and create something, anything.  For me, creating is therapeutic, I think so much better/clearer when I am crafting...maybe because I am more relaxed and feeling zero pressure, who knows.  Whatever it is though, it works for me. 

 Here are two weekends worth of therapeutic crafting.  I hate to say it but "two birds with one stones comes to mind".  Have a fabulous day!

CHERIO!

There's No Place Like home

My brother's girlfriend went to the Bahamas recently and shot these exquisite pictures. They really made my day.  I live in Atlanta now and even though I love it here, I miss home. I miss the laid back lifestyle, the food, the music, and the ocean......especially the ocean.   Like Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz, "there's no place like home." I feel you girl.

When I was a little girl I would take my fishing line and spend hours sitting on these rocks trying to catch a fish.  I loved to feel the little nibbles on my line, even though I could not see the fish that was doing the nibbling below the waves.  It was always fun to imagine it was a huge fish although I never did catch a fish more than eight inches long.

In my family, there are five of us and we were all aquatic creatures almost as soon as we could walk.  This is my little brother in the picture, he is a very experienced diver and fisherman as is my dad and older brother.  As good as they are though my mom is probably the best at fishing.  That woman is no joke.

If you have ever snorkeled before, there is something magical about being under water.  It's like a whole other world.  The colors are so vivid and beautiful and there is so much life, tranquility and peace while you are down there.  Time seems to stand still.   I used to spend hours diving and swimming, I never tired of it.  Ever.

Sunsets in the Bahamas are spectacular, each one is different and more amazing than the last.  The only thing that can make it more amazing is watching it with the one you love.  My husband and I spent many evenings watching the sun go down.  These pictures brought all those cherished memories back.  It's amazing how precious the little moments are...the ones that we think are not so important at the time.  Like sunsets, dancing with someone special, dinner with friends, a reassuring smile or pat on the back....

So, here's to beautiful memories and enjoying life.  Take time to smell the roses, like right now, and if there should come a time when there are no roses to smell, you will still have the memories.  Forever.

Cherio

Imperfectly Perfect

As Paula Dean would say, hey Y'all (in my best Southern drawl impression.....which is pretty bad).  How was Christmas?  Hope you had a blast, hope your family didn't drive you mad.  Okay, I know, too soon.

Well, Christmas for me was quiet and relaxing which gave me the opportunity to do what I love best.  Craft!  I had a ball I must say and I learned a lot. 

 I am a relentless nit-picker perfectionist when it comes to my own work and while that has it's benefits, it also comes with drawbacks as well.  Last weekend I had a mini-melt down.  I was experimenting with new materials and everything seemed to be going well then all of a sudden I realized why I was not quite satisfied with the piece.  I was playing it too safe.  I was afraid I would mess it up. Eureka! Then, my lightening fast mind reflected (5 minutes later) on all the pieces I did that I loved and got rave reviews for, most of them already sold.  They had spunk, style, daring, and in your face swag!  Why? Well, because I had thrown caution to the winds.  And when I did, my work took on a life of their own, they became something better than perfect. They became expressive......people felt something when they saw it. And that is what I want most of all.

So with this being said, it's on like donkey kong!  Expect to see this new attitude manifested in my blog.  This is a life lesson that is not just about my Art, it encompasses everything and I couldn't be happier to see where this takes me.  From now on am holding nothing back.  You may be shocked, inspired, confused, amazed or even motivated to pray for my sanity but I promise you, you won't be bored!

Cherio!

Calm & Relaxing Beach Decor

There is something about water that just puts me in a whole other space no matter how I feel at the time.  Whether its the visual of pregnant droplets on a leaf or the pitter patter of rain outside my window, its like a tiny slice of heaven, at least to me.  And so, it came as no big surprise to me upon researching the benefits of water elements in the home that water can indeed add healing properties to a space. 

The very sound of running water has been proven to reduce stress in a person by releasing endorphins that create a calmer mood.  And, a calmer, more serene space can lead to a more productive and happier environment for everyone.  Who wouldn't want that?  If you think about it, tropical destinations with beautiful white sandy beaches and clear water are the most popular destinations around the world. Why is that? Its because the the average person dream of living on the ocean front, near to a lake, or some large body of water.  I too would love to be on the beach right now if I could.  Since thats not possible at the moment, here are some of the tips and tricks I employ to bring the calm and serenity of the beach to my home instead.

1. Beach Finds
I love adding beach finds to my decor.  Whether its sea shells, beach glass, drift wood, sand or even interesting rocks, it makes a stylish statement if done right.  Beach finds are so versatile you can display them in just about any room of your home. If you are not confident in arranging your finds, get a glass jar, or vase in a shape that you like.  Tip: The simpler the better.  Put the shells and found treasures in there and you are done. Arranging your finds on a dish is also very attractive in a space.

2. Beach inspired Photographs and Paintings 

Another look I absolutely adore is a series of pictures of the sea in its various moods or one huge piece of Art depicting the ocean.  Its so relaxing to look at and the colors are just breath taking.  If you prefer to have paintings of shells or fish, this also works just as well, since your brain will automatically think of the ocean and the beach just by seeing corresponding objects.  How amazing is that.

3. Desk Top Water Fountains and Fish Tanks
A friend of mine bought me a desktop water fountain, and I loved it!  It was only about four inches wide and five inches tall but it made my day every day just to have a little piece of therapy in the middle of a chaotic day. Its definitely the gift that keeps on giving.  If you are able to get one of these its the best.  Another popular way to bring the beach to your home is through fish tanks.  Not only is a fish tank great to look at, you will also literally add new life to your home.  In my my opinion its these personal touches that makes a house a home.


4.  Hard Cover Books and Transparent bottles

This is the last tip/trick but not the least by far.  Being a glass lover myself, I think pairing the smoothness and transparency of glass with the simple angular shape of stacked hardcover books is just divine. Furthermore the books  because they are on beach related topics often have photographic compositions on the front that can add to the look you are trying to capture.  I loved this look so much I even created my own beach glass mosaics from sand, beach glass and shells. Hopefully this post will inspire you and motivate you!. Sometimes the most precious and beautiful things in life is right at our finger tips. It is our Inner peace and calm that allows us to focus on what's most important to us.  So, here's to peace and relaxation!

All beach photos were taken in Long Island, Bahamas.

Hello World!!

Hello everyone, I am so excited!! This is my very first blog post and I couldn't be happier to meet new friends, learn and explore.

I am an Art addict/creative spirit and I have been this way since I could remember, lol, no complaints here. There is so much beauty in the world and in this blog we will discover some of them together. As an Artist I love to challenge myself to do things that are "out of the box". Here are a few pieces of some new beach glass mosaics I have been working on.... I love beach glass, who knew discarded glass overtime could be so beautiful.