Thank you!

See you next year!

Merry Christmas

We had a nice, peaceful Christmas.  Many Blessings and wishing peace and harmony for the new year.

It takes a village

As most of you know I am a certified Dream Coach.  What does that mean?  It means I assist, encourage and inspire people who request the assistance in identifying, pursuing and manifesting their 

Dreams, goals and desires.  In order to be a champion of others dreams, you might ask how I have achieved my own dreams?  Well it takes inspiration, desire, design, mindfulness, creativity, faith and the assistance of a village.   What does a village mean in this day and time?  Well for me it means my community, friends, family, unknown supporters and the Angels (both in Heaven and on Earth).  I have manifested and am living out one of my long term dreams.  Living in a colorful beach cottage filled with handmade and artisan furnishings and accessories.  Today I am sending out a heartfelt THANK YOU to Laurell and Mitch James of  'This little Cottage.'  Laurell a kindred Spirit and her husband helped me walk out my creative dreams in my little beach cottage.  I would not have been able to realize this dream without them.  They helped me renovate the house, make the furniture and accessories, maintain the space and oversaw the transformation.  

I was suffering through a very debilitating illness at the time and it took a couple of years for me to really enjoy my 'Dream Cottage.'  While I was recovering and wading through the pain and confusion they along with the rest of my village helped 'hold the vision' for me.  For this I am forever grateful.

So, I advise and encourage you to remember it's not just 'You' who creates your dreams alone, but also the support of your village.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year may all of your Dreams come true!

Happy Holidays

I couldn't decide which one I liked the most so, I'm putting them both out there.

Sunday Morning

I had fun this morning finishing up some unfinished projects.  Finally got my sewing machine out of the box after two years. Love my finished projects and uplifted my Spirit listening to Bruno and Macklemore in the studio today. 

Last Fiber Arts Open Studio of 2014

I had a great time teaching Jennifer Johnson how to crochet. She wanted to make some last minute Christmas gifts. So, proud of her she caught on right away and got a lot done.

Neon Weaving

This Friday Weaving Fun Funky Neon Fabric.

Fiber Arts Open Studio

Had a great morning at the Fiber Arts Open Studio @ Blue Pelican Gallery.  Jeanne finished her gorgeous knitting from last session.  We decided to make it a poncho instead of a shawl .  Love it.  The brilliant colors and texture do not convey in the picture.  She also made a nuno felted scarf.  Love the Monet inspired roses she created.  Join us next week for more 'fibery' fun!

Fiber Arts Open Studio

Come join us this week for more 'fibery' fun!

Date Change

This week only!

More Yarn taster Throw Knitting

This week at our Fiber Arts Open Studio at Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarnwe continued to work on our Yarn taster Throw. We had Jean who is visiting from Nova Scotia join us. She is an artist and rug hooker who showed us this fantastic rug she is working on. She is learning to knit our yarn taster shawl. I can't wait to see it completed. Come join us over the holidays for more 'fibery' goodness.

Fall into Spring Shawlette

Finally finished my Hobbitat/Fall into Spring Shawlette I began in July at Blue Moon Rising. I love it, love it! I think this is the finest (meaning not big and bulky) project I have created. I can't stop touching it and the border is awesome! The yarn color is so rich and the small double crochet stitch turned a rustic shawl into an elegant piece of art.

Hand spinning for Yarntaster Throw

We had more fun this week at our Fiber Arts Open Studio at Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn. It was show and tell. Suzanne and Linda Sue were showing off their beautiful 'Yarntaster Throw' projects. Linda Sue wanted a refresher on Hand-spinning so she and I played with fleece and the spindle. Join us next week to see what other fiber projects we start.

Fiber Arts a Open Studio

Jennifer Johnson and I had a great morning at our Fiber Arts Open Studio Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn knitting, chatting and discussing strategies for manifesting our goals and Dreams for the coming New Year. Come join us every Wednesday from 10:00-1:00pm.

Halloween Circa 2006

Crafty Diva Cottage Halloween circa 2006. Crafting with kids in Prescott, Az.

Yarn taster Throw

This week at the Fiber Arts  Open Studio at Blue Pelican Gallery we worked on our Yarn taster Throw.  Lind Sue another Blue Pelican Gallery instructor and Jenn joined me for this project.  Teaching about color, texture and fiber choices and enjoying the process.  The theme for the day was 'Let Go' of tradition and allow new concepts to come in.  But, most of all enjoy the process.

More Felting - Fiberarts Open Studio

We had a great time at this weeks Fiber Arts Open Studio at Blue Pelican Gallery.  We had Rita and Pat both visiting OBX from Ohio.  We had a great time sharing stories and exploring the expressive arts process with fiber. Look closely and see if you can find hearts and paisleys in the ladies scarves.  Both women will be sporting these beautiful pieces around Ohio.

Felted Scarf Project

We had a great time today at the Fiber Arts Open Studio at Blue Pelican Gallery Gifts & Yarn making silk felted scarves.  Making this type of fabric is like creating a fiber painting.  You use the same elements it's just with hand dyed wool roving, a silk scarf, yarn, ribbon etc.  My oldest daughter Courtney joined us today since she was in town visiting and made this video short.

Here is a step by step photo collage of the process.

Artful Road Trip

Yesterday my friend Suzanne and I rode the ferry to Ockacroke Island.  A great little artist community with fun pirate history.  We hadn't been there since 2009 when we did the craft show there.  Not much has changed the ferry ride was as relaxing and wonderful as I remembered.  I love the smell and feel of the salt sea air blowing on my face?  The wild horses were out, people were riding beach bikes and trikes, driving around in golf carts.  Very 'islandy' !    I hadn't gone art gallery shopping in years.  I'm over the shame of having to use a walker.  So, I found my own rhythm and enjoyed the beautiful day.  I loved going to the marina and watching the sailboats.  I so adore driving the back winding dirt roads of the village and stopping at the fun art galleries.  The best of all was eating tacos at the food truck.  The best tasting mexican food I have eaten in years.  Then bringing Thai food home on the ferry and eating it two hours later and it was still warm.  The views, the water, the sun, the sites and the smells of a wonderful artful road trip.  My creativity cup 'runnith over', I'm content and full.

Fiber Arts Open Studio

We had a great Open Studio today sitting on the porch at Blue Pelican Gallery.  It was perfect Porch sitting and knitting/crochet fall weather.  We had lots of visitors and on lookers, from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Colorado and Conneticut.  We had a new knitter Denise from Tennessee join us, Melissa who works at Blue Pelican Gallery learned the double crochet stitch.  Regena finished her hat and looked great wearing it.  Suzanne finished her 'Yarntaster' throw in her vortex color way.  We had a request for needle felting which we will do next week.  Keep in touch.

Nala's First visit to the Beach

Today was Nalas first visit to the beach.  She's ridden in the car numerous times and people watched out the window, but has never set foot on the sand and water.  Most of the time it's just the two of us. This time Samantha was with us.  I move too slowly to walk her on the leash by myself.  So, now that we weren't alone she could get out and play.  She had a blast!  She  also helped a man who was mourning the loss of his own dog.  He and his wife had come down from PA to throw her ashes in the ocean where she had played so much.  Wow, it was a honor to help him along.  I've just gotten over my long grieving period so I know how it feels.  I'm glad that Nala and I could be of service and Samantha took away some Life lessons about compassion.  As Nala's leash says 'Life is Good.'

Morning in the Studio

Morning in the studio.  Planning next year's garden.

Fiber Arts Open Studio

We had a great morning at the Open Studio.  The theme for the day was 'focusing on the Now'.  It seemed to be a topic that we all resonated with.  Here are the great projects that the ladies were working on.  So Gorgeous!

COME JOIN US NEXT WEEK..

New Yarn at Michaels

(Just Spreading the yarn love). We all know that I need new yarn like a hole in my head.  But, maybe I do need a hole in my head.  That's another story.  Run don't walk to Michaels to get their new Issac Mizrahi yarn.  Bulky, colorful, good texture and on sale for $4.99.  Finally, bright colored yarn that's reasonably priced for people on a budget or not.  I called my eldest and her best friend (who are on budgets) and they went a gathered a stash.  I can't wait to see the projects they create.  For crafters who do not frequent yarn boutiques, Michaels has great supplies for this fall.  Very elegant and fun collection.  Here's my stash, I had to accessorize with the lime green knitting needles.

First fiber arts open studio

Today we had our first Fiber Arts Open Studio at Blue Pelican Gallery in Hatteras.  The rain and flooded roads didn't dampen our spirits.  A few women braved the water and came down to meet us and sit and knit.  We had a great time meting new people and talking to customers who are vacationing on Hatteras Island.  You never know who you might meet.

Suzanne, learned how to increase (knit 1, Yarnover) for her triangle shawl.

Regena is learning the knit stitch and the purl stitch to make a hat.

Jenn (owner of Blue Pelican Gallery)  learned to weave in her loose ends to complete her projects.  Plus, her lovely cowl neck scarf sold today.  Same time, same place, next week join us from 10:00am - 1:00pm at Blue Pelican Gallery.  I will reveal our Studio project for October.

Fiber Arts Open Studio

This is the new project I've been working on. Come join me for a wild, wooly and whimsical time at our weekly 'Fiber Arts Open Studio' at Blue Pelican Gallery, Hatteras, NC Wednesday's 10:00-1:00pm.

Musical, Meditation, Morning

Little did I know that when I set my intentions to 'find my own rhythm' it would be such a challenge. Phone calls, alarms, truck noises etc. All burst into the morning silence. So after I got back home I decided to stop on the porch and just 'be' for a minute. Listening to my own musical, meditation, morning.

Taking time to smell the sea

Yesterday and today have been topsy turvy.  Little and big things have been challenging and irritating.  I have a lot on my to-do list this week and I didn't need more interruptions.  I'm trying to find my rhythm in my new environment.  The old chaos tries to slip into my peaceful setting.  I let it for a few minutes, then I shoo it away.  No more holding onto negative thoughts and feelings.  'Shake it off.'  Well on top of that my daughter forgot something and I had to take it to her to her at school.  I was definitely grumbling and shaking inside.  I decided to 'Shake it off.'  On the way home I stopped and smelled the roses, observed the lighthouse, colorful cottages and pulled out my umbrella and stool and smelled the salty sea air.  How's that for finding a new rhythm.  'Pat's back'!