The Art of Saying Nothing

My 100 day poetry adventure

I have always loved this watercolor of mine!

I am going to be not as present on my blog

for the next few months

I'll still be around just not as active with

regular postings.

Why you ask me????

I just wanted to share with you my latest adventure!

I have created another blog, but this one is different.

It is my very own poetry journey.
I will be writing and sharing my own works.

You can find me here:

 One Hundred Poems Journey

I have taken so many wonderful e-courses

this past year on writing and poetry, 

so the idea of having a book with my own poetry

and my photography has been sticking with me.
In fact the thought just doesn't go away!

I thought about publishing it through Blurb or Shutterfly,

two companies I have used in the past.

I wanted something more substantial.

I just couldn't ignore the inner messages

that kept coming from my own heart!

Then recently after reading a book entitled

"How to Blog your own Book"

by Nina Amir 

I decided to create a blog

with just my poetry and photographs.
As summer was approaching, 
I thought this was a perfect time to slow down,
develop a regular writing practice
and perhaps a blog was the way to accomplish this.

Then the idea of 100 days came to me,

this will be certainly be a discipline for me.

I am excited about creating
a daily poetry writing practice.

I think starting it at the beginning of summer

and 100 days later it will be the beginning of fall

is sounding like magic timing for me!
When I am finished, I will have
100 pages of poetry and photos!

So please stop by for a visit within

the next 100 days!
I hope I can grant you a small bit
of inspiration in your day.


I promise to still keep you up to date here
at Gentle Threads with my
creative adventures
Promise!
So much to do . . . oh so little time

Wishing you blessings and love

Donna Lee



Endless Possibilities . . . Connecting with my weaver self

This past week I was able to spend some time in my favorite place ever . . . The Outer Banks.  (did you think I would say anywhere else???)  My husband and I were able to to spend time in Manteo at the Tranquil House Inn, a beautiful and familiar friend to me.  We have spent many nights there over the years and I find it to be a place of rest and renewal of spirit for myself.  Vacation time away is always a good thing, but somehow this trip was different to me; I re-connected with my weaver self again and what I discovered was profound to me! I decided to share it with you today.

Down the street from the Inn, quietly placed on Budleigh Street, is a wonderful store called "Endless Possibilities".  I have shopped in there from time to time over the years, even woven there with a group of girlfriends over ten years ago. I decided to take a peek inside and see what was new or what had changed.  I had no idea what was in store for me, myself and I, not for one moment.  I rediscovered something about myself and I am still thinking of it.


Endless Possibilities began in June 2002 and has been thriving ever since.  "It is an innovative recycling project that utilizes castoff fabric from the Outer Banks Hotline (Crisis Intervention and Prevention Center) thrift stores to create woven fabric that is then transformed into beautiful handwoven items.  These items include unique rugs, handbags, totes, clogs and other items and are created primarily by volunteer weavers.  This creative process echoes Hotline's philosophy that everything and everyone deserves a second chance."  
                       (quote taken from their brochure given to me that day)

The Outer Banks Hotline is a nonprofit organization that provides a 24-hour crisis phone line as well as shelter, support services and advocacy to victims of domestic and sexual violence in the Outer Banks communities.  Their funding comes in a large part from the sales at their thrift stores.  How wonderful to see these two organizations at work with each other for the good of others.  My heart is so deeply touched by this, I hope that if you are ever in Manteo you will take the time to stop in their delightful store and see what is happening there.

Here is a peek inside the donation room . . . all these goodies waiting to be cut into strips to be woven into articles.  It was truly overflowing!  It did my heart good to see such goodness in all of these donations.

Here is a peek inside the loom room.  So many looms lined up waiting to be woven on by volunteers, again, even the looms have been donated by others to help this cause be a success.  I remember being here about ten years ago and it was as if nothing had changed! What fond memories I carry with me of that day in May so long ago.  When I first came into the store it was just to check it out and see if anything had changed since I had been there last.  The manager asked me twice if I would like to sit and weave for awhile, each time I said "no thank you", but then after seeing these looms threaded and ready, I wanted to sit for awhile.  The question was, which one would I choose???

I then found this loom and fell in love with the rag rug that was being woven on it, so I turned and said I would love to weave for awhile!  I stayed for a good long time, adding one fabric strip after another, the pattern I kept repeating in my head . . . one flowered, one tie dyed, one solid, repeat.  As I began weaving a sudden feeling of "this is where I belong came over me".  You see I have a loom at home and I haven't woven anything for years . . . truly years.  The loom is my studio is half threaded with beautiful fibers, but I never seem to be able to find the time.  I am sorry about that, my heart hurts when I think about it.  So sitting here, at this loom and weaving . . . those wonderful artistic feelings came rushing back to me; on that beautiful Manteo Saturday morning.

How good it felt to place my feet on foot petals once again. I had forgotten that wonderful feeling of pushing the treadles to create a woven pattern, my feet knew they had found their home again!  It all came rushing back to me, in that very instance . . . I knew I was meant to be there at that very moment.

Life has a way of opening up to you . . . if you will only pay attention to it.  You must be ready when opportunities come knocking at your heart.

This beautiful sign was hanging above the loom room; a gentle reminder for all of us! It reminded me that I truly am a weaver and I LOVE the art that it is.  That is why I originally named my business and blog Gentle Threads!  It was good to be back in the presence of fibers again. I felt like I was being called back, so I wouldn't forget.  Last month while attending the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival I was reminded of that as well, I can't ignore these moments.

Endless Possibilities . . . what an awesome name for a shop.  I began to think about that while writing this entry; there is so much I still have to do, there are so many endless possibilities in life, my life . . . how about yours? So I am grateful that I happened to pop in Endless Possibilities while on vacation.  It taught me so much, renewed my weaving spirit and helped me to remember that there is a little weaver girl inside, and a painter girl, and a poet girl, and a knitting girl, oh so much more!  Life is one beautiful adventure isn't it??

When I was taking the Poem it Out E-course with Liz Lamoreux recently, she had given us a writing prompt of "A new voice or perspective . . . let something else speak for you".  I happened to write a poem from my weaving loom's point of view (looking back on it now I get goose bumps!).  I decided to share this with you today in closing . . . it says how I feel.  Poetry is hard to share, but this time I feel the moment is just right.

Her weaving loom says . . . 

i am sitting here in the corner

waiting to be used

waiting to be loved again

i have been half threaded

for oh so very long

i look over there

in the corner of the room

and I see donna

at her art table

playing

her paint brushes

and her art supplies

have taken her

attention and focus 

away from me

one day she will return to me

i know it, i feel it

i am still here . . . 

waiting oh so patiently

one day she will want to hear

my beautiful beater clanging

flowing in a rhythm

one day she will hold my shuttle again

passing through the over~under threads

repeating the sound over and over again

creating a piece of handwoven cloth

right before her big blue eyes

i ask myself

how is it she has forgotten?

don’t disappear from me

come back to me old friend

we’ve been together

for oh so very long

your weaving loom

your companion

your fiber friend

4-24-12

Think about your own endless possibilities and please remember that when life comes knocking, open the door and let it in.

Donna Lee

Poetry Thursday

Returning home

Here I stand . . . 
My grandfather built this walkway
Such a sense of connection


I recently took a trip to New Jersey
on the Amtrak
(my first train ride ever)
to visit my family
and connect with special friends.

It would have been my daddy's
82nd birthday
on May 19th
and I wanted, I needed 
to feel close to him.
So I went to his home town
in Little Ferry, New Jersey.
I spent precious time with my
remaining family,
laughing, giggling, taking pictures,
remembering special times.
I took a walk to
my Nanny and Pop Pop's house
on Henches Place.
So many feelings rushed to my heart
I was grateful to be there
at that exact moment
remembering what was.
I knew this was one of those life moments . . .

Life Moments

they come when you least expect them
times in your life
when you know
you just know
this is a special time

a time that is unlike any other
a time you know you will never forget
a time when your heart races
a time when you feel your
heart pounding outside of your chest
I call them life moments

my heart stood still at the house
on Henches Place
that still small voice inside
spoke to me
quietly saying
you are here
thank you for coming
we love you here
little Zeppieri girl
you came home
just once more
never forget
this very special life moment

Thank you Jennifer Belthoff
for a beautiful weekend
and delivering me to my family
that very special
Sunday morn.

Who I am . . .

Little Donna Lee

I haven't written on my blog in a few weeks.

Somehow the topic or the words 

just haven't seemed to be there for me!

I wondered why

no rhyme or reason

just couldn't write my blog.

I recently finished my course

Poem it Out

with 

Liz Lamoreux

and I will tell you,

it was compelling and life altering!

The words did come,

in fact, they poured out of me

in poetic form.

I loved it

what an amazing five weeks it was,

I encourage you

if you ever get the chance

take it

you will not be disappointed.

So I guess I was writing,

just not on my blog.

Then I read a wonderful article

on blogging today from

Goddess Leonie

you can find that here

It taught me some

wonderful lessons.

Blogging is personal and sacred,

It is about opening up my heart

to the world,

letting you see within and

sharing my innermost feelings.

There are no rules to follow.

So on this Mother's Day weekend

I think about my mommy,

Elsie Mae Coltrain

and the little girl I was 

growing up with her,

(that's me in the right corner of the photo)

The classic middle child

who was always the

quiet good girl,

in her own little world,

reaching for attention,

not always getting it.

Blonde haired and blue eyed,

always the good little girl,

nicknamed Lee Lee

by my mommy.

I lost my mom a few years ago to

her journey through Dementia. 

A wretched and life sucking disease,

but through it all

I loved her 

and was still her Donna Lee Lee,

loving her right through every moment.

I learned so many life lessons

walking through that journey

and I see the world differently

now.

I found this poem written to me

by a precious and wonderful

mentor of mine,

Judith Stevens,

written in 2006.

I lost it for awhile and then recently found it,

just when I was supposed to find it.

I have decided to share it with you today,

it just seemed right.

Poetry and writing has always been

a part of my life.

I think blogging comes right along with it.

It is who I am

and who I want to be . . . 

Painting my Story . . .

I have been taking Mindy Lacefield's class

Paint your Story

and I am having such a fun time.

What a gift I have given myself.

It is hard for me to share

my little doodlings

and drawings,

but here they are.

Exposing your raw artwork

can be intimidating to oneself.

I am learning to play

with my seven year old

 inner little child,

I think mine has enjoyed

coming out to play.

We are learning to play with faces

drawing, watercoloring,

expressions, markings,

different personalities,

what fun this is for me.

We are creating Pin Boards with Pinterest

here is a link to all of my Pinboards,

(I could write a whole blog post on just

the fun of Pinterest and how addicting it is)

I am marking, drawing, painting,

doodling, writing with my left hand,

and having so much fun.

Mindy is an incredible teacher

and I love her very much.

I first met her at Squam by the Sea

in October 2010,

we have continue to connect

over and over again,

what a beautiful and creative

spirit she truly is.

I have a lot of her beautiful artwork

in my studio, to give me 

inspiration

over and over again.

Collecting words for future paintings

Some of my favorite words 

that speak to me

I have created a list of over

a hundred words to use 

 again in my own artwork.

I encourage to you try this exercise,

you will be amazed at how the words

just come to you.

Marks and scribbles

with just my

Pitt pens

Marks and scribbles with my

watercolors

You know I have to get my watercolors in there

somewhere.

I recognize that this is an extremely

creative time in my life,

writing poetry from the heart,

playing with my inner baby girl,

Painting my own story,

I am deeply blessed . . . 

to have the time, the resources,

a beautiful studio to create in,

creative friends that inspire me,

and the desire to create all that

is deep within me.

Can't wait to see what comes next

this week in Mindy's class.

If you EVER get the chance to take this,

I strongly urge you to do so.

You can have Mindy right in your

own home, you don't always have to travel

to these amazing art retreats,

(even though I highly recommend you experience that too)

This week:

Be creative

Write Poetry

Take pictures of the world around you

Write a note to someone you love

Learn something new

just express your beautiful self.

Expression from the heart

52 Photos Project . . . The Golden Hour

Last night's clouds before sunset!

This is our final week of 52 Photos Project

and I wanted to make this my blog post for the week!

What an amazing experience it has been!

I purchased my Canon Rebel T1i

just one year ago on Ebay 

(my first ever Ebay purchase)

 and I couldn't wait

to jump into taking photos.

I had the pleasure of first meeting Bella

at Squam by the Sea

the fall of 2010

and I had been reading about her

photo project online,

I decided that was exactly what

I needed to do.

This 52 Photos Project with

Bella Cirovic

has taught me so much!

Each week we had a theme,

we were to try to capture a photo with that them

from our everyday lives.

She had interviews, stories and so much

inspiration to guide us along.

She did an amazing job

and I tried to be as faithful as I could.

You can see some of my 

52 photos on my Flicker site

here

I got 45 out of 52 . . .  

Not too bad

for a new photographer.

So the last theme for this week's project was

"The Golden Hour"

that beautiful time as the sun

is setting

before it disappears.

I reached into my photos taken

this past year and decided to share some with you.

The sun setting is so beautiful.

Bella is starting her next 52 Photos Project next week!

I am jumping right in,

won't you consider joining us??

I took this photo in the Outer Banks a few weeks ago

on the sound side in Duck

Took this photo just before sunset in Corolla, NC

Another cloud photo in my own 

Virginia Beach Oceanfront

one evening

Sunset on the Beach in the OBX

It doesn't get any more beautiful than this!

My favorite of all photos

At Serendipity Retreat

October 2011

This is the photo I am most proud of

I think I am getting the hang of it

Poetry on a Sunday Morning

Stepping forward
(of course with hot pink shoes)

I have been in love with my Poem It Out E course . . . haven't done much painting lately,

 just reading, writing and absorbing the beauty and the magic of words.

How wonderfully perfect to be taking this course with Liz Lamoreux during April,

 since it is National Poetry Month.

I encourage you to re-visit poetry

if you haven't been with it in awhile.

I have loved writing for so very long

the yearning to write is always

tucked way deep inside. 

So I decided just to share a small poem of mine with you this morning . . .

this beautiful Sunday morning . . . 

Writing Poetry

Thoughts from my heart

spilled on to the page,

scary and cleansing

both rolled into one.

Putting pen to the page

writing freely from my heart,

no holding back

no holding back.

I find myself at peace

with myself being here,

the words continue to come

they say to me . . .

you are safe here

you are treasured here

you are loved here.

I think I will stay here

for awhile.

Donna Lee