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

Finding time to just play

Just a small vignette 

Sometimes we just need to find the time to PLAY!

The holiday rush is over, 

thank goodness the Election is over,

the voting, the elections, the inauguration, the news comments.

WHEW ... it sickens me to absorb and watch it all.

Never have I been more disappointed in the political system.

Facebook became a political place to throw up

our opinions on each other ... it just isn't the same anymore!

I don't enjoy visiting FB as when I began so many years ago,

I am torn to stay or leave,

 because I love keeping in touch with my creative friends,

and my family members all over the country.

So for now I have to pick and choose the parts of FB I can accept.

I also believe that creating art is a most beautiful thing,

I am renewed every time I am able to create something!

I also know we don't always have the energy to create elaborate works

all of the time . . .

sometimes we just need to get our hands dirty,

pick up a paintbrush and just play . . .

to calm the soul

and soothe the nerves.

Art heals every time!

I took an e-course with the amazing and fun Jane Davenport years ago,

through 21 Secrets ... (an online course with 21 different teachers!)

She was fun, vibrant and so full of creative exuberance!

If you don't know yet, she has an entire line of art supplies

in Michaels now.

So I purchased one of her watercolor sets, and two of her 

water brushes,

I wanted to try them out.

The colors are vibrant and fun!

My new palette of colors to play with

So I began creating some fun little watercolor flower pots,

added some ink with my Micron Pens, size 02

and created some fun mini 5 x 7" vingettes.

I am always seeing fun things on Instagram

and on Pinterest,

so these little watercolors were inspired by what I saw,

and embellished my way!

I think watercolor and ink is such a fun medium.

Flowers are so fun and easy!

While I was creating these fun little works,

I decided that they would be

"Pay it Forward" gifts.

I plan to write a small message on the front

and leave them in fun areas

for someone to receive.

So watch out Hampton Roads ... a fun artwork is headed your way!

I love to do that with my Zentangle® works,

this time it will be with Watercolor cards!

Here are a few I have created . . .

Each one is a little different

The very first one I created,

I sent to a friend ...

I created a card and sent to her

while she was resting after surgery.

Soooooooooo ...

my message to you is 

find the time to just play,

with crayons and coloring books,

(they are certainly a hot craze these days),

sketch in your sketchbook,

(don't be perfect, just draw what you see!),

play with your set of watercolors

(I know you have some stashed somewhere),

pull out your beads and make a bracelet 

(We all have a little container of beads)

Just play for the fun of it,

don't overthink it,

relax and just enjoy the play.

We need to escape 

from the noises we are filling our vessels with.

They can certainly take over if we let them.

So tomorrow morning,

I plan to leave my first little painting,

right where the sugars are ...

at my local Starbucks

with a message saying . . .

Just Breathe.

So as January of 2017 quickly comes to an end,
I faithfully wrote a blog post every Wednesday,
I enjoyed NOT teaching any art classes after the holidays,
and I am totally loving my year long e-course
with Elizabeth from Squam,
the MAGIC of MYTH
It was a gift I gave to myself and it is off to an amazing start!
I promised to be good to myself this new year,
and that is exactly what I'm doing!

Be well, be happy, be creative
and please find time just to play just for the fun of it,
you won't be disappointed!
I promise!

Donna Lee