Love and Struggles

I've gotten hooked on inspiration deck cards, thanks to my friend, Jessica Brogan of Austin Texas. I just sent off a new set last week. This time, like the last, there are participants from all over the world. Can't wait to see what my new deck looks like.

Now I am working on a new set with more of a personal connection. This new set will be a donation for a silent auction. My friend's son committed suicide last year. I can't imagine. Ty and his family struggled for years with his mental illness.  This experience has given me new insight and a sense of urgency to help bring mental illness and the call for help for people who struggle everyday. Last year Ty's parents organized a memorial gathering. This year an event is being organized to honor Ty's memory and to help NAMI make a difference in peoples lives. Peace in the Park will be a gathering of friends with food, fellowship and a silent auction. Many of our artist friends have donated work. Proceeds will benefit NAMI Minnesota in memory of Tyler Thoresen. If you'd like to join us...please email me for details.

Saturday April 20, 2013

A Labor of Love for Unbelievable Loss

My heart aches. The unimaginable loss of a child. Unbearable pain. The Sandy Hook tragedy touched us all, reaching into our souls for any way to understand how this could happen. Asking questions about how to prevent it from ever happening again.

My artist friend, Jessica Brogan, initiated a way for a group of artists to send caring wishes to the family of the victims. We hope, in some however small way, these cards will help the healing. Each artist made 26 cards. The artists sent their 26 cards to Jessica and she collated them, making a set of 26 different cards, one from each artist, for each set.

I hand stitched a small heart onto a wool felt bag for each set.

May love be the powerful force in everything we do. Sending our love to all those who have faced loss and heartache. We stand with you. Sending prayers for healing. Sending peaceful wishes.

Peace  Comfort  Hope  Love

Something New Emerging

It was fun to see what emerged from the beds at the back of our new yard. I suspected they were peonies...and joyfully anticipated their opening. They did not disappoint. They are a stunning deep magenta color. And they smell great! My Grandma Rosenau's trellis is a fitting back drop, don't you think?

There won't be a lot of hard scape changes to our garden or yard this year. (I do miss my rock walls and lovely landscaping from our "old" house but new adventures ahead!)

I have taken little snippets of sedum from "old house" and they have rooted nicely.  Carrying forward something from my past into the "new".

When we bought the house there was no indication that there were any living plants in this spot. This is a beautiful ruffle edged fern living just outside my studio window.

We'll live with what we have here and decide what changes to make next year. I was anxious to get out a few annuals and plant the succulents I got for my birthday. Here is the results. They make me happy...I hope you will enjoy them as well.

Succulent garden with Asian lady.

Some of my all-time-favorites...Black and Blue Salvia, Sedum Ogden and Golden Thread.

Which is the point of my post. A few friends have commented how "brave" it was to make a move like we just did. It never occurred to me that it was brave so much as a new adventure.  And after all...it wasn't like we moved to an area we knew nothing about. Our life style no longer fit with living in the country so far from family. We love living in the city and are still adjusting to having so many things so close.  I have always wanted to live in the city. Thankfully my hubby, his sense of adventure in place, too, graciously agreed to leave his three-car-plus-two-car-garage-workshop for a three car with a tight driveway. I look forward to navigating our new life together.

If you don't like something in your life...you have the ability to change it. So be brave. Say what you want...speak your dreams. Go for it! Live fully!

I couldn't resist posting this pic of my hubby anticipating the adventure. How to get a Dart down the narrow driveway. He makes it work and I am grateful for his sense of adventure and willingness to try something new.

Make Art and Be Inspired—Inspite of Yourself

That's the beauty of the internet. A connection to like-minded people. People you didn't even know would become your friends. It all started with a post on Facebook...an invitation to participate in an Inspiration Deck swap . Inspired by Christine Mason Miller’s latest book, Desire to Inspire, Jessica Brogan put out the call.

We were about to put our house on the market. We had just found a new house and put in an offer. I knew my life was gearing up to be crazy busy but I wanted to do it in the worst way. And so I committed. I got right busy getting my cards ready and backgrounds painted. After all...I had a little over a month before I needed to send off the cards and how long could it take me to do just 52 cards? I was "in"...

Backgrounds painted...verses set up on the computer, and then it seemed I just couldn't get back to the project, no matter how much I tried. Things needed to be cleared out so we could take pictures for the listing. The pod needed to be packed, there was a showing we needed to get ready for. The movers would be coming tomorrow. At any rate, I found I was an artist without a studio and an inspiration deck sans the "inspiring message".

Sometimes you just have to do the work, 

to discover what it is inside that needs to be revealed...whether it be to yourself or to someone else. 

Since I couldn't find the verses that I had printed off I made some new ones and set to work to finish the inspiration deck. It felt good to do artwork in spite of not having everything perfect or even available. It felt good, like it was exactly where and what I was supposed to be doing. It was a good lesson. I don't need all my supplies—just a few plus a surface to work, a light and some glue. Must remind myself that things need not be perfect. You just have to do the work.

A collaboration of kindness and inspiration. 

So glad to be a part of it. 

Special thanks to Jessica for all the hard work. My deck has arrived and I am happy for the creative connection to women all over the country! Each week, I can flip my deck to a new inspiration. It's amazing how many times those words are exactly what I need to "hear".

So if you were a part of the swap. THANK YOU for being part of my life, for being on my desk. Thank you for the inspiration and the connection. Be inspired...Inspire others. Cheers!

Great Piece on a Great Shop

This past week, the people from Channel 12, cable TV in Maple Grove did a piece on Stonecrop.

You can see the video and read the great article here:

It's long been a favorite shop of mine and was recently voted 2012 "Best Gift Shop" by readers of the Osseo-Maple Grove Press. Check it out...and you'll see why.

I am honored to be a part of the shop as an employee and one of the local artists. Kathy has been graciously carrying my wares since I first started creating. I am looking forward to being a part of the upcoming trunk show on Saturday April 14 from 10 - 2. Stop by and say HI!

A Good Day

I went to my job at Stonecrop knowing it would be a busy day, with lots and lots of new product arriving daily. But today, was different! Today, the product that arrived was mine. Many of you have been asking when and where you can buy my cards. You can now find them at Stonecrop in Maple Grove.

There are seven designs available. Each one is blank inside and can be used for a special occasion card or just to simply send a note to a friend. The cards have been well-received on just the first day! Thank you to my licensing partner, It Takes Two!

Also available; desk treasures (lovely, tiny glass pieces with encouraging and uplifting messages—Great to give or to buy for yourself) marble tiles, Lotus Blooms T-shirts, leggings and socks.

I am grateful to the owners, Kathy and Jim Buley for the support and opportunity they give me and other local artists. There are over 20 of us represented in this great little shop! There are so many treasures available here. Whether you're looking for a gift, live plants, jewelry, a little something to spruce up your home or a whole new look, you'll find something unique and beautiful at Stonecrop. I hope you'll stop in soon.

Opportunity

I am excited to announce I have a new license! I received 6 card designs, "hot off the press" yesterday. They will be available soon. For the last few months, I have been working with It Takes Two. I have known about them for some time. Over the years, I have sent many of their cards with heartfelt messages and simple, beautiful graphics.

I like the company. I like what they represent and I love the acceptance, professionalism and the great feeling that I got from the minute I walked in the door. Started in 1984 by mother and daughter team, Georgia Rettmer and Kimberly Rinehart, the company just turned 25 years old.  I love that they are right here in Minnesota! I am in great company and look forward to "the ride." Thank you, Kim and all! I hope it's a great adventure for all of us!

If you have a shop that sells greeting cards and would like to offer my work, let me know. I'll pass along your shop information to It Takes Two or you can contact them directly.