SNIPPETS OF LIFE

Me & Mr. J.


As I unwind after the first day back
to a
A Whole Lot of Crazy

I sit quietly on my bed here in the nest.
The only sound is my new little fan bringing in
some of the sweet air from the cool night

I don't really need the air tonight, but the sound
is soothing.

I confessed to that quirky habit birthed long ago
during the 5 plus years working third shift
and trying to sleep during the day.

This is the time I draw, blog a bit and think on what I love.
I looked around at my paper dolls and the many faeries
the books and magazines
and I am just happy.

And out of the blue
I suddenly remember a day several years ago
and the sweetest car ride
(there were many fun rides to nowhere in particular
before THE CAFE...and there will be again)
and
this conversation with Mr. J................

In the midst of chatter back and forth about this and that
and a few fun things that just tickle me and him,

I take a silent moment and my brain does a 'fast back and warp speed forward yo-yo thing'
that might make some dizzy.
But for me that is just how I am wired.

Noticing the pause he looks over at me and asks me what I am thinking...where did I go.

It's a question he has always asked.......
he has always been interested...from day one
(which was approximately 1,813 days ago)

I say "I am wondering if I will ever grow up......I mean, REALLY grow up."

With sincerity and the sweetest of smiley eyes he says

"I hope not."

NOTES FROM THE NEST
~

Here we are, another Sunday closes it's sleepy eyes

the lusciousness of being totally enveloped in all that I love
paint and brushes and paper everywhere

the air heavy with the perfume of orange, lemon, and grapefruit blossoms
cool and fragrant breeze coming through the windows.

Too soon, very soon, I will close everything up for months as the sun

beats down without mercy

and threatens to fry every precious thing,
especially my fair skin and sensitive eyes.

But for today,
it is glorious

and the laughter surely wafted over to the neighbors house
as Mr. J.'s eyes bugged out to discover

the kitchen counter covered with doll heads and
body parts.

....."Why are there dolls with heads off on the counter?" says he.

Me...."ummmm, new recipe?... (pause)

...Because sometimes a project calls for just a head," I explain
with a smirk but without looking up from the paint covered papers on the table.

Him, walking out of the room (eyes twinkling with the laughter he is trying to smother...."I don't EVEN want to know."

Me...laughing....."are you scared??....you should be."

Remember the Faerie Slipper Project?

This is a teeny, tiny, peek at the work in progress.

I cannot reveal too much as the final reveal will be on
April 19th. That is the deadline and it's fast approaching.

What you see here is a a portion of a glass fronted wooden box.

if you remember....

These silk slippers belong to the
Faerie Queen
who lives
in the gardens of Versailles ....

so a garden
themed slipper box was in order.

I promise I will show and tell more on the 19th.

It may be hard to part with this piece....very hard.

I WILL BE HERE IF YOU NEED ME




o.k, so maybe not physically there.

this is a copyright free image for you to use

HAPPY FRIDAY
HAVE A CREATIVE WEEKEND MY FRIENDS.

FRAGILE
~
Have you ever tried to rescue a moth
determined to come inside...
drawn to the light?

Have you cupped her in your hands
as gently as you could
releasing her
back to the safety of the night....

and once inside discovered the
iridescent dust of her wings
now sparkling on your fingers...

.....and contemplated
the fragility

...of life?

~ rella

SOMEONE WENT TO THE GARDEN AS THE SUN WAS COMING UP.

AS PREDICTED

You will always know when I am taking photos at night
because the lighting is a soft glow and not true to color.....
.....but I love it anyhow.

Taken bedside with my arted up lamp.......
here she is with a touch darker color wash.
Not quite brunette.......
not exactly blond.

At this rate my sis will be lucky to receive her NEXT April.

I need to move on.
...
At my desk today

I took a few moments to totally withdraw
and picked up a pencil and a small piece of watercolor paper I keep on hand
and I drew a sweet little gal talking up a feathered friend on a tree branch......

just a wee little thing.
Not much bigger than my cell phone.....
totally rough,
but if I don't draw every day, even for a few minutes.......well, I just am out of sorts.

Ten minutes is all it takes.
It's like a breath of fresh air.

So my point is, if you love to do something so much you are totally driven,
grab whatever time you can

to see it through every day.

Even if it's only 10 minutes....

You owe it to yourself.

I may even color it in......
how else would you notice there is a climbing rose in the corner of the cottage??

GOOD NIGHT

SUNDAY'S NOTES FROM THE NEST

A PRECIOUS GIFT

Back in September, JoAnna of Moss Hill Studio,
sent me a very precious gift.

One of her sweet altered dolls she made in memory of my sister Jenny.

JoAnna had been through a very tough time of her own
at that point and in the midst of her battle,
she tookthe time to make this wonderful piece
that I have treasured since opening it.

I did not share it then as it seems I held things closely
for those many months.

It was as hard to speak of the many cards and gifts
as it was to utter the words of what happened to our family.
I could only do so in small doses.

This weekend, however, I was reflecting
on the many wonderful people I have come to know over the years.

Most of these friendships have formed through my art groups.
We have been a family
and when one is suffering and hurting,
we all know it and feel it.

Many have suffered tremendous loss.

Dear Maija...Lisa......JoAnna
all saying goodbye to their Mothers.
Truly one of the hardest things for a child of any age.

JoAnna lost her dear Mom a month ago
and as I was thinking on that I picked up this beautiful gift she sent when Jenny was killed.

It brings me comfort and a feeling of hope every time I look at it.
I just love it.

So I wanted to share it here..........one of many thoughtful and precious items sent during that time. There are others........and I will share them in time.

JoAnna has been creating and actually selling her work
for many years and you have to be quick if you want something
from her ETSY shoppe or on Ebay as they go so fast.

But head over and visit her if you don't already know her.
Drop her a note and tell her Rella sent you.

I love when you are thinking of someone
and you pick up the phone and call her

and she says "I just sent you an e-mail!"
(but you are not at your work computer to get it)

and you talk and talk and catch up
(because it's been a little while)

then you go to your mailbox and find

and little art prezzie that she sent you.

I love when that happens!!!

THANK YOU LYNNIE FOR THIS WEE WHIMSY HOUSE

O.K......
so now that we are all creeped out over the critter capers.............

Let me move on to the drawing.


Once again I attempt to produce a non-brunette piece.

I show this step to you because it is more than likely that I will change it.

I have nothing against blond (I want to put an 'e' at the end of this word!) hair
but I cannot seem to go there with my pieces!!

So here she is before the salon visit.

And you see the papers I am playing with for inspiration for her clothing.

Even though her hair is just preliminary......I am thinking my dark paints will make a visit.

I NEEDED A LITTLE SUNSHINE

We have been battling a problem in this area.

One that gives me the creeps and makes me nervous

One that has cost us over a $1,000 now

desert pack rats

did you shiver.......because I cannot even type it without every hair standing on end.

There are a few types in the desert.

Old town Scottsdale and Phoenix have to put up with roof rats.

Bad, bad, very bad.
They eat the citrus and head into the house under the roof.

Here we have pack rats. AND THEY EAT WIRE........

ESPECIALLY CAR WIRE!!!

well, they don't eat it, they just like to chew it off
and take the insulation around it back to their nest.

We have one car in the garage...sweet little Blue. Older blue convertible Miata that needs special love.

Mr. J. has his car in the driveway.........I have mine in the driveway.

Several months ago his car needed $800 worth of rewiring because they had gotten up into the car and stripped the wires.

This past Monday my right driver's side blinker went bonkers and stopped working. I did my drive to Checkers to get the light and be independent thing...........only to be told that I could not possibly do it myself.

so I brought the car into our very trusty garage in town.

Out the guy comes with piece in hand and tells me. "Rats"...........

They are still working on the car because it's more involved then they first thought.

Our home is now circled with (close your eyes if you love rats) decon rat pellet trays.
They have completely taken one whole tray...gone...vanished
the second one I put out is completely empty.

Maybe they just love it and it doesn't bother them at all!!!!

ARE YOU JUST GETTING THE WILLIES????

The people at the garage told me they get a lot of business

because of rat damage.

????????????????????????????????????????????

this is a beautiful town.........

clean.......

.....affluent...
(not sure how this working gal got passed the gates)

........gorgeous.

this is a lovely neighborhood.

clean, tidy.........
(you've seen the trash cans lined up perfectly at the end of the driveways
..December post)

Now, before you begin to wonder "what about the cat?"

You've seen the photos of the pampered one.

But she is an inside cat and truthfully, I could not bring a cat indoors and pet her if she ate rats.

Just can't do it.

It's either a war on the rats or move...........I don't know where, really.

So as I am freaking out and waiting for my car and my bill ( update $211) I walk outside to take in the fresh air and blue sky and sunshine.

and over on the lemon tree I see the sunshine is peeking through the leaves

and leaving a beautiful heart in the trunk.

..........and for a few moments

I forget the rats

and remember that life is good.

LAST NIGHT'S DRAWING

I started her last night and gave her a light wash of color this morning.

This is how I begin.

Notice once again, I cannot help but get her eyes to at least 50% done.

I simply cannot move forward until her eyes are looking out at me.

Having no formal training, I can imagine that an instructor would shake her/his head and
be just exasperated with me.

I cannot follow rules of any kind.

And it works. For me, anyhow.

I must see her eyes and the rest then reveals itself.

Now, keep in mind that from here to the finished point she may take on a completely different look.

Shading, hair, more color to the eyes. The one sure thing is that she will not look like this in the end.

A few times I have become very fond of each 'personality' along the way.

I am hoping this will be for my sister's birthday the 10th of next month.

She labeled my girls
Japanasia.

and has lovingly whined that I sold my last one
(Songs of My Heart)

before she saw it...

...and then fell in love with the postcard print I sent her.

Had I guessed she would love it so I certainly would have wrapped it up and presented it to her.

I persuaded her that it is in a very loving home
and that I would make her something of her own.

"Gulp!"

Not tooooooooooo much pressure.

There is an ease in artwork when there is no goal,
no intended purpose other than the joy of creating.

I will keep you posted on the progress
and whether she will be Sister Worthy.

Fabulous instruction from the Paper Studio here in the Valley

Cindy co-owner of Paper Studio ....fab place to shop online and in person...has several youtube video instructions. I wanted to share this here and encourage you to visit them. We are so lucky to have a few special places in the greater Phoenix area. But shopping online is so wonderfully easy peasy. Between The Paper Studio and Stampotique (they will be the on site store at Art Unraveled for the second year) and my addiction to Paper Whimsy ......sigh.......I may need another job to finance all the things I would like to order!!!

So, take a look at this little instruction and all of theirs....and shop, shop, shop and create!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNY WREN
XOX

I BET YOU THOUGHT I WAS NOT DRAWING AND PAINTING

It is true that I am engrossed in the faerie slipper project and the Theater Troupe project

but the obsession to draw is still alive and shouting at me.

This is a desert faerie -watercolor-that I am working on.

It's coming in stages.... evolving in it's own time.

I feel I need to work in acrylics more. Watercolor seems so.....I don't know....fragile.
I love the more ethereal feel to this medium
however, there is like zero room for error
or saving if you happen to drop a bit of water where you don't want it to be!!!

AND..........................

Today little lambie got her name........... Lotti.

Many thanks to Cindy Dean who gave me several 'L' names
and got me thinking today.

When you say this all together you will smile........Little Lambie Lotti.

TAKE YOUR LAMB TO WORK DAY


I didn't think I'd be the only one to honor this day.

But there she was........the only little lamb

held hostage at that crazy desk

Apparently I have the ONLY lamb that can type.

O.K..........SO, HAVE YOU EVER DONE THIS??

Traveling along in the car and you are overwhelmed with dry chapped lips.
(especially living in the desert when see the humidity is like 6%)

You know there is a lip balm stick in your bag sitting on the seat next to you.

You are a good and careful driver

and you KNOW what is in your bag
so you reach over
without taking your eyes off the road....

and you feel for your lip balm.......your fingers discover the familiar shape

and you continue to keep your eyes on the road

and you pop the top off and bring it to your lips

only to discover you have just applied your glue stick to your lips.

Well, have you???

Lambie (still not named) and I went to my sister's tonight.....

someone (me) needed her hair done.

When I pulled my head
out of the sink and turned around...

look who was watching the whole process
VERY closely.

Sis is pretty funny.

SHARING MY DAILY OM

I hope this touches someone as it is a powerful message.

March 11, 2008
Nothing Big Required
You Are Enough

Most of us have the feeling that we are here to accomplish something big in our lives,
and if we haven't done something that fits the bill we may feel as if we are waiting.
We may feel incomplete, or empty, as if our lives don't yet make sense to us, because they don't line up with our idea of major accomplishment.

In some cases, this may be because we really are meant to do something that we haven't yet done.
But in most cases, we can let ourselves off the hook with the realization that just being here, being ourselves,
is enough.

As we live our lives in this world, we share our energy and our spirit
with the people around us in numerous ways.
Our influence touches their lives and, through them, touches the lives of many more people.
When we strive to live our lives to the fullest and to become our true selves,
we are doing something big on an inner level,
and that is more than enough to make sense of our being here on this planet at this time.
There is no need to hold ourselves to an old idea in the back of our minds that we need to make headlines or single-handily save the world in order to validate our existence.

We can each look within our hearts to discover what is true for us,
what gives our lives meaning, and what excites us.

We can release ourselves from any pressure to perform that comes from outside of our inner sense of purpose.
Staying in tune with our own values and living our lives in tune with our own vision is all we need in order to fulfill our time here.
Our lives are a process of becoming so that we cannot help but concrete;
being who we are, responding to each moment as it comes,

we can trust that this is enough

A SWEET NEW MEMBER OF OUR NEST

Seriously, could YOU resist this face??

Well, either could I.


This wee little lamb was just pleading with me today as I ran to the market to pick up another can of illy espresso.
(I seem to go through that mere 12 oz can that will set you back double the price of a whole pound of any other coffee and I only make a small 4/pot each morning........but that is another story all together.)

Anyhow, I passed by this little thing, a mere 2 1/2 inches,
and I just smiled inside and out...

but I kept going.

I mean, it was lunch hour and I was on a mission.

But I could not get her face out of my head, so back I went. ......

and picked her up.

Well, geesh, that's like putting milk out for a stray cat.

You both know the ending to THAT story.Look at her..........I mean, are you NOT just giggling??

So here she is, home with me. The faeries all gather about and the whispering and flitting about have been non-stop.

We are waiting on her name. I'll let you know.

NOTES FROM THE NEST


I've been busy here in the Nest.

Two projects in full swing.

The theater that I mentioned before and another which has me just as jazzed.

In the Paper Whimsy group I am participating in a very special project.

Faerie Slippers!!!

Wee little 3" slippers.

It is an 1X1 exchange and a contest

to be judged by the very creator of the idea and pattern,

Annette Emms.

The winner of Best of Show
receives a copy of the Embroiderer's Guild magazine,

Stitch,

which had a fantastic article featuring Annette's slippers.

It's so wonderful to pull my trusty sewing machine out
and jump back into
an arena I stepped away from for so long.

For the slippers I found gorgeous Dupioni silk at Joggles.
It's a pale pink.

Since I am in the Marie Antoinette mode with my theater,
I decided the slipper theme would be the
Queen Faerie of Versailles who, of course, lives
in the gardens of none other than herself 'Marie Antoinette'.

I machine quilted the silk to a felt base
then cut the slipper tops and soles.

Here is one slipper top in the process of having the lace and beads applied.
This will take some time and I have only begun. But take a look.
click on the photo and you can see it closer
and the sparkle of the swarovski crystal beads

Remember..........this is only 3"!!!

I may have a hard time giving them up..but I am sure the slippers I receive in the exchange will be glorious.

Drapery Fabric and Frou Frou
for the Theater Troupe Project

Two and a half hours of pure bliss later

I have a collection of delicious, silky fabrics (The yellow piece is
dotted with sparkly little rhinestones) and lace

along with two glittery birdies with glorious long tail feathers,

a few tassels and I am ready to start my project

The small moleskine is ready to collect thoughts and the drawings of what is in my head and document the process.

WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO

AN EXCITING INVITATIONAL
TO BE PART OF A THEATER TROUPE

The amazing and talented CATHERINE MOORE

has gathered a group to join her
in a theater making adventure

and I am on board
and having a blast

The first step was to decide what to transform into the 'theater'

I looked around the nest and had many possibilities

but on a tour of the local Ross, I found this sad little cabinet.
Well, sad to the casual observer, but I almost squealed out loud when I came upon
it in the clearance isle.



Hinge twisted and door missing the knob.


Marked down to $8 plus change. I knew instantly this was perfect and I didn't want the door on it to begin with!!



Up to the counter I go, stepping outside my usual nature, I ask for a larger discount as CLEARLY this was in sad shape. (amusing myself as I had nothing to lose......I was buying it regardless)

Another 20% later I am practically skipping to my car.

Home with my find I head to the tool box to gather my small Phillips to get that door off.
Not a difficult feat.


Take the drawer out.........turn upside down.

PERFECT.

And that is how it started.

CAN YOU JUST IMAGINE IT???

I have more to show you later
fabric and frou frou

such fun.

And you thought I was just hiding in my nest
day dreaming..................

well, I guess I HAVE been.

A QUESTION:
(followed by my own personal opinion)

Has anyone else noticed the newest (Jan/Feb) Somerset Studio cover is, well, flimsier is the only word I dare to use in this public forum.

I notice things like this. When there is a change, even subtle, I take note.

And somewhere along the way of my life adventure I heard that if you cannot say something nice, don't say anything.

I am taking a little liberty here and will revise the sentiment.

Alongside my question/statement of my personal observation ...I will say something that could be perceived as nice

Has anyone else noticed how GORGEOUS the cover is on the magazines Artful Blogging and Somerset Life?

That is how SS used to be.
Substantial.

Perhaps the 'new children' get the best party dresses and the 'older children' are getting hand-me-downs.

Or something like that.

Disclaimer:
the thoughts published here are simply my observations
and in no way intended to cast disparaging sentiment toward our beloved publishing company that brings us many, many, many, many artful publications. Clearly the huge collection in my Nest proves my own love (addiction) to aforementioned publications.

WHILE I WAS AWAY FROM BLOGLAND

Like colorful Autumn leaves, ideas have been swirling and twirling around in my head.

What kept me away:

The trip to California to spend time with my niece

and then

the fabulous visit from two of my chicks to help out at the cafe for the annual Balloon Festival.

Happy the Festival is over, sad the chicks are gone.

During my absence here, my brain has been in overdrive

with possible projects and two (now three) collaborative endeavors.

That is the wonderful thing about being away from the Desk with Drama........I can think and dream.

Like many of you, I save fortune cookie fortunes.

I confess that if I head to Pei Wei, I take more than one cookie at the self serve station...JUST FOR THE FORTUNE (although they really are delicious)

I love them.
It's crazy.

I DO plan on using them in a project (of course) some day. This one (pictured above) is this week's new acquisition.

All I can say is:

I'M COUNTING ON IT!!!

I've got lots to do today around the Nest..........but I will be back.
I just wanted to pop in and say a few things and let you know that I am back and thank you for checking in while I was away.

Oh, and the aluminum protective caps were a huge success.

We had many laughs with them and put them on several times during the day.

The laughter saved us.