This is not what I have in mind

when I envision myself tiptoeing through the tulips in mid-April!

We got an inch or two of the white stuff overnight.

I was outside in my snow boots, cutting off the blooming daffodils before they got zapped.

The snow should melt by the end of the day...but still!

I'm SO over it.

I've been loving copper lately, and have amassed quite a collection of copper baubles for jewelry making.

The last couple of days I've been putting together bracelets, earrings and necklaces using some of my copper collection.  

The whole time I was working, Lucky the Studio Cat was at his post on my worktable

- right smack in the middle of everything and in my way -

but I didn't have the heart to make him be lazy somewhere else.

So I used him as a photo prop.  He loved it!

Lucky the Studio Model

Awhile back I walked into Jo-Ann fabric store, armed with coupons and very dangerous.  I walked out with a Rit dye kit.  Well, I paid for it...then I walked out.  Can’t remember now if there was a plan for the dye, or if it was purchased just so the coupon didn’t go to waste.  Anyway, the dye kit sat on a shelf in my studio, unopened for months.  I thought about it once in a while, but usually after I was already elbows-deep into another project. 

Last week with a clean slate, I started working on a submission for a reader challenge offered by Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, and out came the dye kit.  I played around with different color combinations, adding a pinch of color here, a bit more water there.  I tore strips from different kinds of fabric and varied the dipping time.  No plan, just tearing and dipping.  Tearing and dipping.  I left the strips to dry overnight - and couldn't wait to check on them the next morning.

I'm really pleased with the vibrant colors and varied textures that resulted after the strips dried.  I've been working on the piece that I'll be submitting to the contest.  And just for fun, I also made this!

Hand-dyed vintage fabric adhered to an 8X8" canvas with vintage tacks,
free-form machine stitching and rubber stamp.

I've just about used up all the dyed fabric strips from my first batch.  Now that I sort of know what to expect, there are a few things I want to mess around with on my next batch.  Maybe try some patterned fabric, longer dipping times, variegated hues, maybe a jewel tone color palette...

I really need to get some different rubber gloves before I attempt this again.  I used my awkward heavy-duty cleaning gloves and couldn't feel a thing, making it hard to wring out the thin little strips.  I ended up using just my bare fingers.  Which stained my fingernails so bad I had to cut them super short.  Yeah, better gloves will be good.  Then I'll Be Happy. 

I fell in love with lemongrass tea on our recent vacation; been craving it since our morning yoga session outside the spa where we stayed.  We served ourselves from a large clear glass container with a spout.  It was love at first sip; I couldn’t get enough of it!  Right then and there I vowed to make lemongrass tea at home.    

There's been a lot of research about the health benefits of lemongrass.  It helps our organs remove toxins, aids in digestion, reduces symptoms of cold, flu and fever, and it even helps with menstrual problems, inflammation and acne, among many other benefits.  
Lemongrass will be part of my diet from now on.  I bought four small bunches at a local Oriental market for $1 each.  I'd love to grow lemongrass in my garden this summer, so I put a bunch in water, hoping it will sprout some roots.  

I had been wondering if the magical lemongrass tea would taste as heavenly,

when not under the spell of yoga by the sea.

Yep...sure does...

We are enjoying the season's

first fresh flowers

from the garden!

We spent the Easter weekend up north at our cabin, near where my husband grew up and still has family living nearby.  One evening as we were headed back to the cabin, we spotted two albino deer along the road, a mama and its yearling.  They must be used to cars slowing down to gape at them, as they didn't seem too phased by our watching.

Yesterday I snapped some photos of our niece Madison.

Isn't she cute?

Happy Easter Everyone!

Oh dear, almost forgot
to post the monthly mission card for March...

This Irish Wedding prayer was found at http://prayer-and-prayers.info/ .

* She Saw Shorn Sheep On The Seashore *

(Not really something you see every day!)

We're just back from our annual family Spring Break trip.

This year we journeyed to the British Virgin Islands.

Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVI

Each year we travel with my parents, sister and brother-in-law, and their three boys.

Our crew at The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI

I've always been drawn to the beach and water.  Even back in junior high, my sketches were of colorful beach scenes with palm trees and tropical sunsets.  I definitely embraced the mid-1980's "Life's a Beach" merchandising fad.  My Life Plan was to head south, chasing the warmer climate and laid-back lifestyle that Jimmy Buffett sang and wrote about.

To this day, a piece of my heart and soul is still in the tropics, even though my life's journey has -thus far- only taken me even further north!

Our annual trips come at the perfect time of the year, just when I'm about to lose my mind from months of self-induced hibernation.  After a long winter of being covered up, dry and flaky, my skin and hair soak up the moist humid air.  My fingernails grow at light speed and my hair develops a natural curl that needs no product or blow-drying.   I have tons of energy, getting fuel from the sun and a diet of fresh fish and fruit.  (Interestingly, years ago during a struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder, a doctor gave me instructions to eat foods that remind me of warm weather and summer - I think he was on to something there!).

Of course, it helps that on our adventures I'm surrounded by all my favorite peeps in a bubble of Auntie love...

...and creative inspiration is everywhere!

The Jumbies at Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVI

The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI

Handmade paper hats at our favorite gift shop, St. John, USVI

A sand castle we made from found objects on the beach!

Ready for me to move right in!

I even got to cross something off my Bucket List.

One night I slept outside under the stars by myself, on a boat!

Sunrise from the boat, Cruz Bay, BVI

I'm not giving up on my dream of living in the tropics.

In fact, on our trip my husband suggested I stay there - and offered to ship my cat to me.

Still not sure how I feel about about that...

hello
thanks for checking in

I've been on vacation for a week with my family.  Today is the first day back and I'm catching up.

The wash machine broke the day before we left so I'm waiting for the repairman to get here,

cleaning sand out of the crevices of our suitcases,

eating what's left of our snack bags from the plane,

downloading almost 2000 pictures that need to be edited,

giving the dog and cat lots of pettins and kisses,

fighting sea legs that make me feel like I'm still on the water,

wearing the lotion from the hotel, wishing I was back by the Sea with my peeps.

Self Portrait:  Two Girls Walking

I've always been a purse hound.  I love thinking about purses, looking at them, touching, smelling them (um, I'm also a smell hound, but that's for another post).

I'm rather particular about the purses I carry - sort of a purse snob, if you will.  I like brand name designers.  The purse must be pleasant to touch, never plastic or vinyl.  Well, I never say never…but as a general rule.  The inside lining has to be nice.  And it has to be easy to reach into.  Oh, and be super cute, of course.

I've spent much time at TJ Maxx in their handbag department.  Much much time.  That's my favorite place to browse for purses, besides thrift shops.  I don't usually buy anything, just touch, and maybe smell (can't help it).

Yesterday at TJ Maxx I bought myself this new pretty pretty.  It passed all the sensory tests.  I carried it around the store on my shoulder and it didn't fall off.  Plus it's my favorite color magenta!

 Want to see inside?  Ok.

I know...right?

So fun.

Our house is surrounded on three sides by a wide porch, but there is one spot on the railing that the mourning doves prefer as a perch to look out over the garden.  It's smack-dab in front of the main door to our house, where people and critters frequently pass by.  All the activity doesn't seem to phase them one bit.  Last summer was the first time I noticed this pattern.

So yesterday as I passed by the door, I was happy to see them back in the same spot!

For quite a while I watched them.

Perched in the usual spot, looking out on the garden, wishing things were blooming out there.

Oh wait, that was me...

Not sure what they were wishing for.

Um, guess they didn't know I was watching!

Today I went for a walk with a very happy black dog.

Pompeii, A Very Happy Black Dog

She and I walked at a county forest a few miles from our house.

It has lots of hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobile trails.

Nine Mile Forest

I couldn't believe that Pompeii and I were the only ones there.

No other car in the parking lot, no other person on the trails.

It's the first time that's ever happened.

I bet people thought it would be too muddy.

Yeah...well...they were probably right.

It's been awhile since I've been home on a weekend.

I've got the whole place to myself, it's a beautiful sunny day around 50 degrees.

Had my lunch outside on the porch, wrapped in a Snuggie, listening to the birds.

I've been puttering around in my studio, putting away the clutter and giving everything a good dusting.

Keep finding little pieces of paper where I've written quotes I like.  I'm a quote-gatherer!

Here's one that spoke to me today:

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

- Philippians 4:5

Lucky the Studio Cat

Last Sunday, I spent a fun day at the St. Patrick's Day Family Festival

held at my nephews' school!

Home of the IRISH!!

Loved the Irish Dancers!

I was a vendor there, and took along my handmade sparkly things, hats, and collages. 

Fun seeing Happy Heart Studio on the banner!

I got to hang out all day with my nephews, when they took a rest from running around with their friends.

And I loved being with the OUTSTANDING group of people who have kids that go to the school and attend the church.

It was a great day full of music, dancing, drinking, eating, playing, laughing,

and even a little shopping!

THANK YOU so much for supporting a local artisan!

PS - To my amazing nephew Nicholas who reads my blog and keeps me on my toes to post updates,

you were such a big help!

Thank you for helping me all day long and staying until the end to help me pack up...

you're awesome!