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

Attending Workshops ... Learning all the time!

Day One work

Last weekend I traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia
and attended a weaving workshop
with Tapestry Artist and Teacher Joan Griffin!
It was an amazing time of learning for me!
Her studio was beyond amazing,
with inspiration and color everywhere!
I soaked it all in like a sponge!
My iPhone was clicking away
and my photos were taken with Joan's permission.
They continue to inspire me since I have returned home.

 Fiber Stash

 Amazing Colors and Organization

Her Tapestry Bobbin collection

Charlottesville is exactly three hours away from my home,
so her workshop was certainly within reach for me.
She only offers her workshops a few times a year.

The night before I left, Virginia Beach had snow,
and the night I returned home,
Virginia Beach had snow again!!!
Charlottesville is north of us, and they did not get snow!
I felt like the traveling mercies were definitely watching over me!
I was meant to be there!

We learned how to warp a copper pipe loom,
(something I wanted to experience and work on),
we talked about fibers and warp setts.
I learned how to weave my tapestry with the front facing me on the loom,
I had been weaving my work with the back facing me on the loom.
It was good for me to experience both weaving styles.
Every weaver has their own preferences
We studied color, different tapestry techniques, blending fibers,
design, creating a cartoon, inspiration
and so much more.

Demonstrating warp setts

Joan shared her incredible design process,
showed us examples of tapestries hanging on her wall,
and what it took to design these beauties.
She shared her tapestry library, her thoughts, techniques and her own resources!
We listened to beautiful music while we wove . . . it was pretty magical.
I remember saying while we were weaving ... "others are out working on their
Saturday, and here we are weaving together, listening to beautiful music and
enjoying this very moment."
The experience will remain in my heart for a very long time!
I have even found the wonderful piano station she shared with us,
for my own personal use at home.

 Every design concept thought out carefully

One of her beautiful wall tapestries

(more can be viewed on her website)

 All of Joan's tapestries are nature inspired

Joan lecturing about her design process

I am a firm believer that workshop experiences,
whenever available to me,
are a must.
Of course, cost, travel, time always have to be considered.
Workshops teach us to travel out of our comfort zone,
learn new things,
meet new people,
learn to stretch ourselves creatively,
and along the way in the process
we are adding new things to our own creative toolkits.

Joan opened her studio to us so warmly . . .
we had access to all of her amazing tapestries,
her incredible large tapestry loom,
her fiber stash
and so much more.
Thank you Joan for a great experience!

My workshop space

Demonstrating a cartoon behind the warp

 Joan lecturing and sharing ... we were eager to learn

Class samples to ooooh and ahhhhhh over!

I came home and brought the copper pipe loom home with me,
to finish up my project.
I enjoyed it so much it didn't take me a week to complete
my class sample.
Now I will always have a reminder of a wonderful
weekend away to learn!
I'm ready to begin something new right away,
while all the info is still fresh in my brain.

My finished sample before cutting off the loom

I never want to stop learning new things,
meeting new teachers and seeing how they work.
Something way down deep
keeps stirring me to grow, to learn,
and always seek more!
Workshops are a great way to seek out knowledge,
and grow from each experience and instructor.

I am totally in love with the Tapestry Weaving process.
I began this journey over 35 years ago,
abandoned it to pursue other arts,
and now I have come back full circle!
I'm learning, growing, designing and
getting comfortable with it all.
I know now that this Tapestry journey
will take a long time to perfect and I'm ok with that!
I have no regrets for the time I lost, only an eagerness to learn more.
I feel like I am finally home again.

Counting steps carefully

I know when I am teaching my Zentangle® workshops
to others, I want them to have a wonderful experience.
To take away a desire to create more when they leave me.
Whether taking a three hour workshop, a weekend long,
or even a week or two . . .
Don't be afraid to try something new,
learn from your instructor and classmates,
grow  ... stretch your mind and your heart.
I love learning ... don't you!

Have a blessed week!
Reach out to a long lost friend!
Do something different along your life path this week!

Sending Love, Light and all good things to you
Donna Lee

Where we Create . . . finding our own special place

Happy lights are a must!

I have always thought

that where we create our art

is as important as

what we create.

Created for me by Deja New
(in the Outer Banks)

There is always a sense of wonder

that comes over me when I enter

my little studio,

I feel at peace and excited

about what is about to happen

and

before I know it,

hours have passed

and I have totally been in the moment.

 Painting completed currently on my easel

My forever treasured Flora Bowley piece

My studio is my third bedroom

(which used to be my son's bedroom)

I took it over the minute he moved out and bought his own home!

(He always jokes me about that ... I was moving in before he totally moved out!)

My Daddy and I painted the walls while listening to our favorite

Frank Sinatra music

and slowly but surely,

all of my art stuff was finally in one place!

I will always carry a happy memory of that day,

just me and my daddy fixing up my art studio!

I treasure it even more now since he has passed away!

My yarn cabinet!

Inside yarn stashes

There is my weaving loom and all the fibers,

an art table for painting,

a book shelf for my large library,

a daybed for resting and reading,

carts, cabinets, lighting

oh my .. The feeling that comes over you,

when your room becomes a place of your very own ...

A place to step into at anytime
and know good things will happen there!
Oh My

Meet my "Gracie"

Every studio has to have an Ikea cart, right?

My studio has evolved with time,

new tapestry loom moved in, old one moved out

my paintings and artwork on the walls,

more books bought,

mementos from retreats

and gifts given by precious friends,

always precious reminders of a great experience.

My Donna Lee created especially for me 
by the amazing Mindy Lacefield

My photo frame created at Art and Soul
Catherine Anderson's technique

D is for Donna

Having a creative space is so important,

and I realize not everyone is able to have

a room of their very own.

Try to carve out a little corner,

somewhere in your home,

to fix it up and make it your own.

Make it as special as you can!!!!

"Bloom" by the amazing Mandala artist Kathy Rose
(Of course it has little dragonflies all over it!)

Window adornments for gazing

Every studio needs a creative library

My prayer flags by Lori Portka :)

Hope you have enjoyed my photos,

I wanted to share my special place with you.

What a joy it is to walk into my creative space,

feel the creative energy,
shutting the outside world away for just a little while

and work on something that is calling me!

Share with me your studio stories,

I would love to hear about it!
Here is one of my favorite pieces from my studio ...
Remember to always
Scatter Joy 
whenever possible!

My smudging feather created by Mindy Tsonas

Donna Lee

Participating in Love Notes

Photo Postcard created by Jennifer

I keep in my planner for daily inspiration!

Let me start today by saying just how much I love 

Jennifer Belthoff

and how I adore her Love Notes Project!

I have been participating since she began,

(I have missed a few rounds)

but I participate as often as I can.

Everytime I jump in,

I gain so much out of the three week experience!

Jennifer created Love Notes

to connect others

from all over the US and countries abroad!

Each time (about four times a year)

participants grow and grow.

We begin by being connected with one writing partner,

we reach out to each other

and the magic begins.

Jennifer gives us a writing prompt to contemplate

during the week,

and then we send a postcard  . . .  a love note in the mail,
responding to the writing prompt.

It is not overwhelming, just post card size!

It lasts for three weeks ... three different writing prompts.

Don't we all love recieiving a bit of love and attention??

The postcard can be purchased or created

(I always choose created by me!)

In the past I have Collaged, Zentangled®, Watercolored,

used Mixed media and more.

I love creating my three in a series,

so my partner has something to keep!

My current set of three postcards for this go round!

Week One mailed out

Here is one of my favorite past cards I created:

Created a Zentangle® postcard my last go round!

I love the experience . . .

of reaching out to someone,

of writing something and sharing my heart thoughts,

of getting my hands into my art for a purpose.

 I love supporting my precious and dear friend Jennifer.

She has taught me that my words matter,

that I am important,

and that connecting with others can be a gift.

The link is on my side bar,

click on it and visit Jennifer's site.

Step out of your comfort zone . . . 

the next time she is offering this project just jump in!

I promise you will love it

and

you will have three wonderful love notes to keep

and look back at them with fondness.

You will remember the connections you have made

each and every time you participate!

If you are lucky like me . . .

you may actually get to meet your partners

face to face

Now that is a fun experience!!!

Sending love out to you today,

Donna Lee

Still Renewing in 2016

A beautiful bowl full of Kale

I have been working sincerely with my word for the year,

"Renewal"

consciously walking with my word each day.

It seems to fit perfectly for where I am in my life right now!

My collaged word for the year ... a gentle reminder!

Health and Diet of course are part of my Renewal,

and I want to feel better, look better and take better care of myself.

Today I attended a 

"Salad in a Jar" workshop,

at my friend Pam Spell's home.

She is a Juice Plus consultant,

and I am beginning a 30 day challenge today
so having fresh salads prepared for the week
was perfect timing for my journey.

We were asked to bring 4 Quart Ball jars,

a salad green  of our choice

and one salad item to share with others.

Pam spoke of health and renewal,

how important it is to eat fresh foods,

and to have beautiful color on our plates
and to care for our bodies as we age.

So many choices

The table was filled with such beauty,

and we went round and round

creating our own salad designs,

what fun!
I tried to make each salad creation a little different.
There was so much to choose from:
Fresh Quinoa, chick peas, cranberries, chia seeds,
rasberries, oranges, pumpkin seeds,
cabbage, tomatoes, peas, corn, carrots,
different olives, broccoli and more!!!
OH MY!

Salad ingredients everywhere!

The colors popped!

I created five wonderful salad jars,
there was laughter, fun, creativity and so much more.
I was able to connect with friends I hadn't seen in a long time,
of course we had to grab a photo!

Carol, Pam and me ... high school connections

What a fun and amazing way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Thank you Pam for your generosity, sweet spirit and for planning this event.
I know I will continue to create salad jars in the future!

My first salad creation

I guess Creativity isn't always about having
a paint brush in my hand!
Creating beautiful works of art with food is fun too!
Even better . . . it is taking care of my body and health!

They were starting to add up ... each one was different!

We were all pleased with our creations,
we went home with more than we brought for sure!
Tonight grilled chicken with one of my creations,
if you get the chance to attend one of these workshops,
I strongly urge you to join in the fun!
You will not be disappointed!

Showing off our creations

New Year, New Beginnings,
Renewal
that word just keeps popping up in my life!
Take care of yourself,
make healthy choices,
eat fresh and colorful,
drink lots of water
and get as much sleep as you can!
I certainly am off to a great start

Donna Lee

Renewal ... My Word for 2016

My first art journal entry of the year

My first blog post of 2016! 

May I first take the time to wish you well in this new year!

A time of new beginnings,

letting go of what wasn't working,

stepping into freshness,

where everything is new and hopeful!

As I look back on 2015,

I find it was a bit difficult for me.
I eagerly anticipate 2016
and bringing along a new beginning for me.

I recognize that I wasn't at my best.

My health took a slow turn, 

my neck issues kept me from my yoga practice,
and I missed it very much.

I didn't write as much Poetry . . .
and I yearned to put pen to page.

I was definitely creative,
I accomplished a lot artistically,
I taught so many art classes
and even attended a few awesome art retreats.
I made some wonderful connections too!
(filling up my own creative well)

I learned so many new things,
I'm learning to focus on what I am good at
and what truly gives me a sense of peace when I am creating.

 I found my way back to Tapestry Weaving,

which I am most happiest about.
I'm slowly working through
Rebecca Mezoff's online course.
I even brought my new "Gracie"
Dryad tapestry loom into my studio
(freighted here from Pennsylvania)
we are still getting to know to each other!

A few of my favorite moments

As I began the "Word of the Year" process,

I gently wrote down every word that came to mind,

over the process of the last few weeks.

I then scratched out some,

added a few more,

some remained on the list

and some went away, 

because they no longer felt right.

Renewal

became my word.

It was perfect in every way.

I want renewal in the things I love the most in my life.

It is time for me to choose those things that matter most,

let go of time wasters, people drainers,

commitments that rob me of my joy.

Time for a new and creative year,

renewing what stirs my heart and soul!

I look forward to seeing where this all leads.

Do you have a new word?

Have you committed to something new this year?

What are you letting go of?
What do you need most in this new year?

I wish you a year of love and happiness

and all good things.

Reach down deep, find out what makes you stir,

follow your dreams,

listen to your still small voice,

trust yourself and step forward or away!

Love,

Donna Lee