My End of the Year Post!

The Christmas Season is

fast approaching.

Less than a week to go and I'm still

scampering to finish it all!

The tree is decorated,

most of the presents are wrapped,

the Christmas cards were mailed

and yet I feel so unfinished!
Let's not even mention
NO holiday baking yet!

The holiday season can zap us of

all positive energies if we allow it to.

I'm afraid I got in that rut a few days back.

The quiet time disappeared,
the list kept growing longer and

there was always 

"one more thing to do"

I am a creature of habit,
a fault of mine I know ...

I need my quiet time,

my creative time

and 

my weaving time!
Boy do I crave an afternoon nap!

I don't like the feeling of being

out of sorts.
I feel unsettled when life keeps doing life,
and I can barely keep up,
especially with a holiday
right around the corner!!!!!

I was able to complete my holiday ornament,
it is a keepsake reminder of our 
OBX Thanksgiving vacation this year.
I spun the flax,
wove the small tapestry,
I mounted it to a small piece of driftwood I found along the beach,
and finished it off with a keepsake shell,
I look forward to pulling it out every year in the future,
a sweet reminder of time with my precious family,
all under one roof!

So I am slowing myself down, 

enjoying this last week before the holiday

flies into our home!

I can't wait to share the holiday

with family,

and this year we have a new name

under the tree,

our Zoey will turn 7 months old on

Christmas Eve!

So there is another stocking on the mantle,

and more presents under the tree!

Zentangle® has been my creative choice lately,

it is portable, calming and reminds me

to slow down and breathe,

during a most busy time of year.

I am especially proud of this little

3T tile, full of Paradox tangles.

As I was finishing the very last space,

I decided to leave it blank

and entitle it

"Because Life is Unfinished"

What do you think?

I look forward to 2018

and sharing more Zentangle classes

with others.

I'm working on a day long retreat soon!

Not sure of any details yet, but it looks promising!

I am excited to warp my empty Mirrix Tapestry Loom
with a Tapestry Diary Project,
it will be a form of weaving discipline for me.
Weaving a small section of something,
each and every day in 2018!
I will be re-visiting my online weaving courses
with the amazing Rebecca Mezoff,
and deepening my weaving practice. 

So for now I am taking a break on the blog,

2018 promises to be new and refreshing

as I enter my Eighth Blog Year!

I love sharing what creative

moments are happening in my life!

Till then,

Happiest of Holidays

to you and your family!

Embrace the warmth and love of family,

reach out to long lost friends,

take care of your own self

and contemplate the true

spiritual meaning of the 

Christmas Holiday,

(hint ... it's not about the presents under the tree!)

Love to you all,

you have my heart

Donna Lee

Sometimes . . .

Sometimes . . .

I just want to shut myself off from the world

Stay in my pajamas ... all the day long

Take a nap in the middle of the afternoon

Not talk to anyone for hours and hours

Read a scrumptious book from cover to cover

Stitch for hours uninterrupted

and watch what unfolds on the linen piece

Sit at my beloved Tapestry Loom

and weave and weave and weave

while watching the image come alive

onto the warp

Sometimes I just don't want to think

Sometimes all I want is to just sit 

quietly alone

Breathing in all the thoughts

that pass me by

(For they are all life nuggets of knowledge)

Trying to absorb life as it touches me

Sitting quietly in prayer and meditation

listening to what God has in store for me

Sometimes life is just moving

too quickly

It is hard to grasp all that is thrown at me

I'm trying to get this life thing right

I want to never turn on the television

and hear all the heart breaking 

turn of events.

I turn the ringer off my phone ...

just to grab a moment of quiet

for social media can drown me 

only if I allow it to

Sometimes I want to take long walks

in the outdoors,

breathing in the beauty that surrounds me;

forgetting the "stuff" that is furiously chasing me.

It feels good to be outdoors

for nature is God's true gift to us all

it is where I truly slow down

to pause and listen.

Nature is free and a gift to us all

Sometimes seems like a heavy word 

at times

then at other times it is the 

gift of hope and possibility

How are you feeling today?

Do you take the time to slow down,

to listen to your heart soul

and what it is saying to you?

Sometimes I wish we could meet face to face

and share a cup of hot tea together,

sharing our thoughts and desires

with one another.

Feel free to leave them here in the

comments if you like,

I'll be here.

Donna Lee

Living the Woven Life

Threads are a part of my daily life

I have just finished a one year position

as part of the Mirrix Looms

Social Marketing team.

I must say it was quite an honor to work

with Claudia and Elena.
An extroidinary Mother and Daughter team.

I learned a lot about marketing,

social media and how to even use a new

blog software called Hubspot.

Everything in life is a learning experience,

is it not?

I wanted my last blog post for them

to be one that was heartfelt.

I believe I accomplished that ...

I entitled the post

"Living the Woven Life"

and I spoke about how it is to be

a Tapestry Weaver today,

what it involves

and how it is to live a life

creatively each and every day.
How to slow down and
truly enjoy the weaving process.
For me, it is a gift to have returned
to this art form, and I am grateful.

Rather than state it all here

I would love for you to visit their site

and read it,

even if you aren't a Tapestry Weaver,

I do believe you will enjoy the read

and apply the thoughts to other parts of your life.

You can find the post HERE . . .

My handwoven pouch giveaway 

I wanted to do something special for Mirrix Looms

and I created this handwoven pouch necklace

and wrote two blog posts about how it was

designed, created and woven.

At the end of this month,

a lucky winner will get this pouch,

full of love and inspiration tucked inside.

In a previous blog post of mine,

I wrote about the joy of giving to others ...

you can read HERE ...

It's certainly been a heartfelt week for my family and I.

I lost my precious Father n Law,

who suffered from ALS with strength and dignity.

 Emotions are flying right now,

and trying to put into words how I feel can't be done.

How important it is to live your life well,

to be content with where you are at this moment,

to treat others with consideration, love and respect.

I promise you can't go wrong if you do.

I am hoping that your week is filled with good things,

and happiness finds you at every corner.

Donna Lee

Much Needed Simplicity . . .

Current needlework project

I feel the extreme need at this time in my life

to live with a more simplistic pace.

I have been in a major pursuit these past few weeks

to purge out my studio, clean, simplify,

get rid of unneeded "stuff"

and simply concentrate on what

gives me a sense of pleasure,

a sense of peace

and a calming of my heart.

Our lives can get so complicated

with saying "yes" to more than we should,

working, family demands, "television",

time wasters (social media for one!)

difficult relationships

and so much more.

So for me, and I only speak for me,

I choose to say change needs to happen.

I started in my studio . . . donated books to the library

that I no longer interested me,

gave away art supplies I no longer wanted,

threw away clutter and yes even old art projects!

I asked myself the tough question . . .

"What do I really want to do with the little free time that I have??????"

I only kept what would make me happy.

I now enter my art studio with a sense of

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I have scaled down my art supplies,

looked at my "talents"

and decided just what it is that makes me happy,

and concentrate on those arts.

Let's face it, we all want to do everything, right??

We can't ... art adventures cost a lot,

require a lot,

and we just can't do everything that we see out there.

I do believe social media has made it harder for us,

we are seeing what everyone is doing on a daily basis

and we want to jump in and tackle it too!

I fell into the trap too, believe me!

I always return to my weaving ... can't wait to play with this one

So for me I want to continue my passion

for watercolor painting and sketching,

tapestry weaving and my needlework.

There will always be a Zentangle® pen in my hand.

Trust me, there still isn't enough time to do even that!

I actually have three or four needlework projects

going right now,

I love the stillness that holding the linen and needle gives me.

My current needlework palette

My life is full and as I am reaching for 60 years young

this summer,

I want my life to be rich, rested, fully engaged

and loving what each day brings my way.

As you know I have three grand babies (right now)

and soon number four will be here!

Annabelle and Grayson are old enough now

to come into their Grandmommy's studio

and play,

all the while I hope I am instilling in them

a love for being creative.

My little Dylan will get there shortly!

I want to enjoy every minute of their little lives!

 Annabelle weaving at the loom in her Cinderella Dress

Grayson creating a masterpiece in my art journal

So for now I choose to slow down,

enjoy life as it comes each day,

never dreading or wasting a moment!

In order to do that ... I need Simplicity

in all that I do and in all that I AM!

Summer is here,

my fourth grandchild will be here in a matter of weeks,

my n-laws are aging and need my help,

demands are everywhere I turn.

Finding those quiet moments will be difficult,

but oh life is so rich right now!

I truly believe that not having as much,

or doing as much

will walk me through the busy times.

This week I ask you to take a look at your own life,

what can you purge away?

Look for moments to live simply,

it may just be cutting off the awful news everyday.

Think of just one thing you can do

to simplify your life.

Choose only the things that satisfy your heart,

calm your spirit

and

let you just breathe.

I promise you won't regret it.

My three munchkins and hubby,

life doesn't get any better than this!

May your life be full of joy and grace,

may you walk with a lighter step this week,

may your find ways in your own life

to live simply!

Donna Lee

Yogiknitgirl

Wisdom

Wisdom comes in all forms . . .

I found this tree recently and had to capture it with my camera.

I remember standing there for quite some time

just marveling at it's beauty.

Each limb carried such history,

it's roots were strong and mighty.

It was still hanging on to the leaves of summer,

yet it was gradually beginning to change

and let go of some leaves.

It stood there as if to say,

"Come Donna Lee and sit with me awhile"

and so I did!

Ask yourself when was the last time you just sat

under a tree, breathed in the fresh air

and heard the sounds of nature singing to you in the background?

I didn't bring my paints, or sketchbook, or Zentangle® with me,

I just sat in the presence of nature,

and it was so calming.

Sometimes I feel like I always have to be doing something.

It makes me wonder what I have been missing.

Even in creating Art, we might not see the beauty

happening around us.

I am grateful for this tree, what a wonderful

lesson I learned that day.

As I re-read my past blog entries,

I am consistently reading a theme of 

quiet, slow down, breathing it all in,

a need for calmness and rest.

I believe we are all searching for that in a small way.

I have entered my sixth year blogging,

I honestly don't know where the time has gone.

It has taught me to share my feelings,

get words onto the "virtual" page

and I now have a wonderful journal

of the past six years.

I have published my posts in book form,

I will always have a record of my thoughts and dreams

written here.

There is Wisdom in our lives,

our past experiences,

our art, our friendships, our families,

just in our day to day life journey.

Each experience is a stepping stone, 

guiding us along our own way.

I am grateful I have recorded mine

through this blog,

for she is a familiar friend to me.

Just like friendships,

sometimes we stray apart, 

time slips away from us

and then we come back together,

just picking up where we left off!
(Usually on a Monday morning)

Where do you find your own wisdom?

Where do you seek your comfort?

I would love to hear about it if you care to share.

Walk lightly as you step into this fall season.

Look at the beautiful changes nature is handing to us 

at this very moment.

Wasn't the Harvest Moon spectacular?

I sat under it for hours the other night,

just soaking in it's beauty!

Donna Lee

Pressing the Restart Button! (already)

Me ... Myself and I

I have been thinking a lot lately ...

about so many things.

Where I want to be, what I want to accomplish,

the Pounds I am gonna lose, the Art I am gonna create, the Tapestry I want to weave,

the Poetry I have yet to write and so much more!

The new year is here and we are already into its 3rd month!

I look back in my journal to re-visit

my goals and dreams

I've slipped a bit ... haven't you?

I started out doing great then life happened!

Work, family, commitments, health,

raising a puppy and so much more.

I feel I am a bit hard on myself,
but I thought I would be doing better at this point in 2016.

Whenever I am overwhelmed,

a trip to the ocean is always my Restart Button!

This past Sunday afternoon was my time to restart! 

Many of you know I live in Virginia Beach, VA

the ocean is about 25 minutes from my home,

and only 5 minutes from my work,

yet I still can't find the time to get there!

So this Sunday was a gift.

Taking in the beauty at 1st street

I just needed to sit still,

walk quietly and breathe in

the beauty, the sound of the waves,

and feel the brisk chill in the air.

I needed to STOP and I did.

Sometimes we don't recognize when we need those moments,

and we just keep pushing forward,

Sunday was a gift for me,

a much needed present to open.

I have a thing for writing words in the sand,

things that matter to me.

I photograph them and make cards.

Here was the message that came this time . . .
It seems to be right where I am in my creative life these days.
I am totally immersing myself into Tapestry weaving
loving every moment I can spend at the loom.

My message to myself that day

We all need to stop, recharge, restart.

Don't be so busy that you don't recognize those

moments in your life.

Trust me your spirit will let you know,

and your precious body will give you signs

when you need to begin again.

Refresh yourself, take moments to do something different,

be still and quiet,

meditate on all good things.

When you look around there will always be

a gift from the universe

reminding you ... You got this!!!

This was mine

My reminder

So the week has started anew

and I am feeling much better about things.

I needed to pause, to think, to re-arrange

the thoughts in my head.

When we are clear headed we

can tackle just about anything ...

even the ups and downs of raising a 7 month old

labrador puppy ...

named Josie Grace

(the love of my life)

Chillin oceanside

Have a very blessed week

Slow yourself down

Breathe in freshness

Treat yourself to something new

Remind yourself

"You got this thing called life"

Donna Lee

Living Poetically

There is a poem in all that I see

I have been in love with reading and writing and poetry

for as long as I can remember . . .

I was never great at math and science,

but I excelled in the Arts,

English and Literature!

(No surprise there)

Life has a certain way of distracting us

from doing the things we love the most.

(for me it was always writing)

Throughout the years I was

filling journals, scribbling poems,

reading and writing about my life.

I was also raising a family, working,

creating a life, 

so my writing didn't always get priority.

When I began care taking my parents

through their life taking diseases;

I found myself returning to the page.

I would write about the experiences I was going through,

it just felt good to get it all out.

I began writing poetry more seriously,

and the words were flowing at just the right pace.

I enrolled in several online courses, 

took writing classes at retreats

(instead of art) with some amazing writers

and I began to feel as though I had my voice back!

I am so grateful to those writing pioneers out there ...

they are truly amazing. Encouraging others to put pen to page.

I learned so much, something just for me from each and every one of them. 

Dare I mention them here, hoping I don't leave someone out ...

(just click their name ... I have linked you to their magic)

Jennifer Belthoff, Elizabeth Duvivier, Jenna McGuiggan,

Mary Beth Bonfiglio, Liz Lamoreux,

Amy Tingle, Maya Stein, Jen Lee, Lauri Wagner

Chris Frasier, Christine Mason Miller, Michelle Ensminger

In 2013, I wanted to write a poem a day,

for exactly 100 days.

 I wanted to add my own photography to each poem,

it was a true labor of love and I learned so much.

The discipline of that experience

I will forever carry with me.

They are simple poems and from my heart

you can find them all here . . .

http://100poemsjourney.blogspot.com

Now I have become the newest

Vice President of the Southeastern Region

for the Poetry Society of Virginia

and I am super excited

to be spreading the poetic news of Virginia!

I am honored, excited, humbled and ready to get working.

Poetry is a gift to all

It changes lives and when shared can be a gift to others.

I am totally in love with words,

writing them, reading them and sharing them.

How about you?

I would love to hear your poetry and writing experiences!

I leave you with this thought . . .

Look at all the beauty around you day to day,

take the time to write about it . . .

Treat yourself to a sweet little journal,

jot any thoughts or feelings 

you might come up with throughout your life,

who knows it may just become a poem one day!

Life is an open door ... don't be afraid to just step through!

Donna Lee

This I know . . .

Photo taken at Historic Adam Thoroughood House

Life truly is a precious gift

Creativity is time well spent

Grandchildren are an incredible gift

One should always live by their principles

Follow your heart ... it knows where to guide you

Seek stillness ... it is good for the Soul

Connect with like minded people

Nature is a gift from God

Quiet and stillness should be an everyday occurrence

Learning something new it's good for you
Candlelight is beautiful

Reach high and far

Writing your thoughts down is healing

Music is soothing

Listen to your inner voice ... there is always truth to be found

Yoga gives life . . .  it connects mind and body

Be grateful for the friendships in your life

I love writing on my blog

I am grateful you read these words

Blessings to you today!

Donna Lee

Entering ...

How I love photographing doorways!

I have begun a watercolor journal

of just doorways,

one of my favorite Pinterest Boards

is Doorways and Windows,

check it out here.

There is so much beauty all around in architecture

I found this beautiful door while

walking the streets in a little town

in Washington, North Carolina

on a beautiful Sunday Morning.

The door was locked

so I couldn't enter up the stairs that you see,

so I just enjoyed the beauty

I had found that morning.

It certainly got me to thinking 

about Entering ...

in life we enter so many things,

we come and we go in,

we gain admission to something new,

we create new beginnings, 

we step forward,

we participate in new things,

settings or groups,

we step into new opportunities

that come our way,

when we open ourselves up

to learning something totally new,

we allow new feelings to enter our hearts,

we enter into agreements,

we participate or share in the spirit of an occasion,

we begin to consider something new

Entering the unknown can be scary,

yet it can also be very exciting.

We can learn and grow from new experiences,

if only we will take the time

to recognize how we feel,

Learn what we need to while walking through it

with courage and strength.

I know for myself,

I am Entering a new season in my life,

(yes it is September and a new season!)

I am cutting my hours at work 

to just three days a week,

and I am excited about what will be in store for me.

I have another grand baby due in about six weeks,

My artwork is blooming,

My Zentangle practice and teaching are moving forward,

My Poetry writing is strong,

there is so much for me to practice

gratefulness.

I am also Entering the unknown,

retirement is not too far down the road 

for my hubby and I,

that can be scary and exciting,

I can't wait to see where it all leads.

So for now,

I will live each day with anticipation, faith and strength,

not knowing what is in store if I open a new door

and enter in.

I am willing, I am ready, I am present

Donna Lee

My Documented Life

January 1, 2014 I began my journey

with 

A Documented Life Project

as we are approaching mid August

(way past the middle of the year),

I decided to share some more of my journal pages.
My original post was January 8, 2014
when I had first begun this project,
you can find it here!

This has been a wonderful experience 

and I encourage you to hop on over to the

Documented Life Page

and be totally inspired!!

The creators of this adventure are

some beautifully inspiring women,

and each week they come up with 

more and more ideas to keep our journals 

filled with creativity!

Thank you to each and every one of them

for helping and guiding us along the way.

My journal has become a record of my life,

events, ideas, thoughts, poems, photos, art

and so much more.

It is never a chore to work on it,

only pure creative joy!

It has become my friend and companion!

With each and every passing week,

my journal becomes more a part of me.

I look forward to recording the moments of my life,

remembering and documenting.

The fact that I got to create art along the way,

makes it all the more special!

Sometimes I just sit in my studio,
glancing back at the pages

and see just where this year has taken me.
How soon we forget little moments in our lives!

I decided to share some of my favorite pages with you today!

It feels like I am opening up my soul to you,

journals are so very private.

What fun this project has been,

I know many of you have been participating

right along with me

and each one of our journals will be different,

in their own beautiful way.

I feel that I am connected with so many

others through this project!
We even share our work on a private Facebook page,
keeping us all connected together!

I don't think it's too late to jump in,

or I sure hope they offer this project again in 2015!

My journal is growing with each and every passing day,

it just feels good to hold it in my hands,

this is an amazing effort

and something I will treasure for years to come!

Wishing your Wednesday to be full of

love and creativity

and happiness in all things!

Donna Lee