Stepping Gently

 A window view in Washington, NC

Summer is such an amazing time,

there is so much to do,

a relaxed feeling each day,

beautiful sunshine,

vacations and mini getaways,

hot temperatures

and an awakening of the spirit.

People seem happier

and

more relaxed to me!

There are gatherings with family,

vacations and times to slow down from the norm.

More books are read for sure

and 

many more naps in hammocks, right?

Even my Josie Grace finds time to chill

It is already mid August

and I find myself wanting to step gently

for the rest of the summer.

My tapestry camp is over

(and I looked so forward to that!),

we were able to sneak in a day trip to the OBX,

it was our first trip this summer :(

Finding time for a little play at the ocean

We have had so much going on

with our family this summer,

and we are learning to appreciate

each and every day and moment.

Stepping gently has taught me so much.

I look at the wonder around me

and appreciate all that I am seeing!

Here are just a few of my favorites:

My birthday is fast approaching and I will be 60 years old!!!

It will be on August 21st

and I must say it is a very special day this year,

there is a full eclipse!

I call that pretty special don't you?

So in the meantime,

I will continue to look at my surroundings

with a keen eye of appreciation

for all that I see,

I will step gently and quietly,

calming my heart and my spirit each day.

It is so important!

I am totally smitten with my new

Midori Traveler's Notebook,

and am recording my thoughts,

dreams and desires inside the pages.

I'm sketching, writing poetry,

collecting quotes and so much more!

It goes everywhere with me,

and it feels so good in my hands.

Have you heard about them?

They are all the rage for journalers these days.

Here is a link to the one I purchased!

(There is something yummy about red leather!)

Last, but NEVER least ...

I am weaving a little bit each day,

making my time at the loom special.

I have committed to weaving something each morning,

and I must say it starts my day off perfectly.

Weaving always calms my spirit

and I can get so easily lost in the process.

I am still trying to finish up

my woven sampler I started

at Tapestry Camp a few weeks ago,

I'm not rushing at all,

just trying new techniques

and working them out.

My new Lani 8" loom is portable,

and I am enjoying weaving time

outside on the deck!

Weaving row by row and learning along the way

My finished sample of techniques

Dear friend stop and pause,

if only for a moment.

Enjoy this season of fun and play,

relax your spirit,

find time to step gently . . .

Look at the beauty around you

and embrace what is right in front of you.

Don't be too busy,

distracted by your phone in your hand,

put it down,

embrace a slower pace.

Summer is a gift we are given,

what are you doing with it this season?

Donna Lee

Returning to my Spinning

A treasured keepsake I found in Providence, RI

Perfect prop this morning!

It has been years, literally years,

since I have picked up my spinning!

I returned to my wonderful 

spinning wheel just last week

and I am falling in love with it

all over again!

I have had a Schacht Matchless Spinning Wheel

for ten years

and it is brand new!

It had become a piece of furniture

in my living room

that I dusted and polished every now and then!

Oh my ....

Say Hello to Rapunzel

I knew it was time to try and work with her again.

My granddaughter loves to play with the drive band

and spin the wheel around!

I want my wheel to be more than just a toy!

So I decided I was going to sit at the wheel one afternoon,

grab some fleece, oil the machine and

find my rhythm once more!

I sure did!

I truly had forgotten how wonderful

spinning your own yarn was.

A practice bobbin full of yarn

My whole desire to return to spinning

was to create my own unique yarns

for my Tapestry Weaving.

I have the fondest memories of

the Southeastern Spinning Guild

here in the Tidewater Area

(I'm talking about 20 years ago!)

We would rotate homes, bring our wheels,

fill the house with laughter, chatter and the sound

of wheels going round and round.

I had forgotten about that for awhile

and remembered while writing this post!

Oh the friendships that were formed back then.

Now it's all gone ... how we lose touch with others!

Life moves on and we forget!

I did learn a lot during that time,

and I do know that your spinning rhythm

doesn't disappear ... it returns with practice!!

For my birthday I purchased the amazing

Jenkins Turkish Drop Spindle.

My Tapestry teacher Rebecca Mezoff

had demonstrated and shared hers

and I wanted one.

There is quite a waiting list to get one,

but I finally got mine.

I have been playing with her and

the beautiful rainbow dyed fleece that

came along with it.
It was  60% Merino Wool and 40% Bamboo blend
from New Hue Handspuns

I am taking Rebecca's Little Looms class
right now online
and I am spinning these fibers to create
a small tapestry.
I want to see how my yarns weave up!
Can't wait, but first I need to spin up a fiber stash!

I completed my first skein

and am now on to the next!
I ordered more from this company
and got this luscious Periwinkle blend!

How I love this masterpiece of handcrafting!
From the hand carved spindle
to the hand blended fibers.

I have always loved art forms that call to me.

Tapestry Weaving slows me down enough to think,

Spinning teaches me patience and finding my rhythm,

Knitting fills my heart with pure joy

and

Zentangle® teaches me to enjoy the process

more than the final product

through meditation and centering.

Life is so fast paced,

especially at this time of year!

So when I have the chance to do something creative,

I want it to be fulfilling

and relaxing for my spirit.

How about you?

What art forms do you like to do,

and why do you spend time at them?

I would love to hear about it.

May your week be filled with joy,

remember to slow yourself down

whenever you can

and take in all the beauty that surrounds you!

Donna Lee

Mandala Artwork

"She searches to find herself

in all kinds of places

Yet here on this page

it feels just right

it feels safe"

She found herself again ...

for it has been too long

(Created 2-28-2014)

Whenever I find myself restless

I return to my Mandala Artwork.

Each one is different,

each one has it's own identity,

each one speaks to me in a different way.

My journals are full

of different designs

and I don't think I could ever pick a favorite one,

because when each one was created 

 at a time I needed clarity,

understanding and vision for something

that was going on in my life.

I always found the guidance.

so each one carries

significant meaning.

Mandala Artwork

has taught me to slow myself down,

listen to my instincts

and follow my own intuition.

I have worked out problems,

thought about so many things

and most especially

calmed my heart right down

during the process.

I am excited to be embarking

on a new e-course with Louise Gale

Mixed Media Mandalas

in April,

taking my artwork to a totally new level!

Louise is such a beautiful soul,

what a gift it will be to study

what I love most 

with an amazingly talented artist!

Please come and check it out!

She also has Mandala Mondays on her blog,
this piece was inspired from her
and I wanted to try out my new
Mixed Media Art Boards
by Strathmore

I have always been drawn to circles,

to patterns, to creating,

to painting with bold colors

and

my mandala artwork

reflects all of those creative choices.

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart"
William Wordsworth

I think if I were asked to give up

all of my creative adventures 

and just choose one thing I would keep,

it would be this.

Thank goodness that choice will never have to be made!

May you find yourself at peace this week
May you always find happiness and joy
Think about complaining LESS
May you jump into rain puddles
and experience adventure!

Donna Lee

Renewal at Springtime

What a beautiful time of year it is right now!

Everywhere you look there is beauty all around.

We are witnessing new growth, new blossoms

and what was dormant is waking up.

Life is such a gift

each and every day

So many times we simply take it for granted.

This spring is so amazing

that it got me to thinking 

(You know I do that a lot!)

I am soaking in this idea of Renewal

What a perfect time of the year it is

to let go of what has been bogging us down,

renew our hearts and our spirits,

thinking of only things that make us happy

and to practice gratefulness

for not only what WAS, but what is!

We are given the gift of spring each and every year.

I think this year was a little slow in getting started

but it came around,

bringing along with it the promise of

new things to come,

color, new life, happiness,

and the shedding of what was.

My favorite time of day is early morning.

It is when I choose to write and create

each day.

I am blessed to have birds return to our backyard

(my private sanctuary)

each year.

Just hearing the familiar sound

of birds singing their songs

I ask you . . . how can anyone be grumpy?

Don't let spring just pass you by,

take the time to renew your mind, fill your spirit

with only good and amazing things.

Each and every morning we wake

is a chance to say to ourselves

"What will I do with my amazing and wonderful

life today?"

Don't take a moment for granted!

Look around you

Soak in the colors, the textures,

the sounds of this season.

There is so much beauty

all around YOU!

Reach out and touch this life.

Seek out moments to be happy,

to be creative,

to be alone with your thoughts,

to write something 

(even if you never have before!)

Try something new.

Don't be bored and unhappy

Spring is here!

When I look at the beauty of flowers,

which come the same time each year,

I can't believe the intricacy of each and every petal,

the colors that God has created

and the variety of flowers.

It is so amazing to me!

This is my favorite . . . Primrose

I know there is certainly a watercolor painting

in there somewhere!

Renewal in Springtime

a chance to be reminded that there are

opportunities for growth,

happiness, and stepping forward.

I plan to take the time

to stay refreshed,

slow myself down this season,

write some beautiful words,

read some incredible poetry and books,

paint some watercolors

Just taking the time

to renew my spirit,

my heart and my home.

Join me won't you?