Return to Squam

Wow ... looking back at my blog I

realize I haven't posted since my amazing

Maryland Sheep and Wool Experience!

Where did the time go?

I was busy preparing for my teaching at Squam 2016,

working as an Optician, and of course,

watching over my three little grandchildren!

Time does get away from me quite often lately.

Trying to find balance in life

between work, family and my teaching schedule.

Somewhere in there, I try to fit in some ART!

It was just a week ago that I attended and taught

at the amazing Squam 2016

at Squam Lake in New Hampshire.

I was gone for five incredible days.

To say it was Magical and Life Calming

doesn't seem to be enough,

it was a rare and generous gift!

I think it will be best to describe my experience

through my photos.

I grew spiritually, stretched my teaching wings,

had the sweetest roommate Kerry Lemon,

met new friends, deepened current friendships,

quieted my heart, tried new things, heard new poems,

helped others feel comfortable and welcomed,

walked along the trails in appreciation

and reconnected with my true self.

So here you go . . . Squam through my eyes.

A familiar greeting when I arrived

My Cabin ... Point Comfort

My view everyday from our bedroom

Mindy Tsonas's amazing Dream Catcher

My wish to come true

The familiar and beautiful Woven Heart

Walking the trails to class ... yarn bombs leading the way

My amazing classroom for three days

My Class Sample found a special spot

Students faced this beauty while they drew

We came inside the circle for reflections and insights

Students embracing the Zentangle® process

Some of their completed works ... so proud of their creations

 Beauty found along the trail

The gift of Peace along the trail (heart throb!)

 This beauty morning and night in our cabin

Fire in June ... hey I'll take it!

A treasured gift from Mindy Tsonas

Mini Workshop with Tierney Barden ... Paper cutting

My word was Squam

A different message each day before entering dining hall

Simple pleasures along your way

Working quietly to the sounds of nature

Mandala paintings drying before drawing on them

Creating a mosaic of our work from the day

Busy art tables

A small nature mandala demo

Jean was

 our winner of Louise Gale's new Mandala Book!

Thank you Louise!!! 

Emily won the class demo to take home!

Our students display of work at share table

 Creating a Squam Totem in Kat Stromecki's Class

It was so yummy!

My cherished totem to bring home!

 Found some quiet time on the dock for weaving

 How I love these two!

Mindy and Forrest

They worked the magic for everyone who attended!

How grateful I am to call them friends

Last night ... the Art Fair

Impromptu photo taken by Elizabeth

Oh how grateful I am to have these two amazing women

Elizabeth and Colleen

in my life!

Soooooooooooooooo

as you can see it was an amazing five days away from home.

Coming as a teacher was an even deeper experience for me.

Elizabeth thank you for your love and trust in me.

She has created a safe place for so many.

I hope each one of you will look into attending

just once in your life,

it will be a gift that keeps on giving.

This was a long post, but there was so much to share.

May your life be quiet and full of good things.

Trust in who you are and your own abilities.

Love yourself just a little bit more this week!

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

Letting Go of What Was ...

My dream added to a DreamCatcher at my beloved Squam

This is totally not an easy thing to do ... letting go!

Think about it, we get so comfortable with the way things are;

over and over, day by day, year by year.

Change is a very hard thing to embrace,

or at least it is for me!

I feel that 2015 has definitely been a year of change for me,

and I am trying to handle and live gracefully with each change.

I have had severe neck issues this year,

so I have had to stop my yoga practice (for now)

and that was very hard for me!

I have to question a little, who I am,

without my yoga practice?

I find that I am a little less in shape,

more anxious, and not as centered!

Letting go of what was...

I've been writing Poetry for years,
the dream to publish recurs over and over again,
I think reality is settling in,
my poems are for me,
they are private, personal and for me.
I think the dream of publishing is fading,
Letting go of what was...

2015 also brought a third grandchild into our family,

little Dylan is such a blessing,

but we have all had adjustments to make,

especially his big sister Annabelle Lily!

I now have three precious grand babies ...

all 2 years and younger!

Free time? Not anymore,

letting go of what was...

I learned that I can no longer weave on my 8 Harness

weaving loom, because looking down is impossible!!!

I took up Tapestry Weaving again,

and am happy when I am throwing one small pic of thread at a time!

So I sold my precious loom to a wonderful friend,

and "she" now has a new weaving home.
I wove myself one last chenille scarf,
treasuring each row thrown with my shuttle

Letting go of what was...

How I loved throwing the shuttle

I was able to purchase an upright Dryad Tapestry Loom

for myself 

(The story is a total God thing)

and it was delivered by freight last weekend.

I am truly letting go of what was and embracing new!

It's gonna take us some time to get used to each other

So here she is:

Her name is "Gracie"

Change isn't always easy ...

Even in my day to day workplace,

so many leaving, new faces coming 

 Letting go of what was...

Friends come into your life,
some stay for a long time,
some stay for just a blink of an eye.
I am grateful for what I have learned,
the giggles I have shared,
the experiences we walked through,
 Letting go of what was...

My hubby and I recently got a puppy ...
she's nine weeks old
little Josie Grace
my free time isn't what it used to be
but oh it is so worth the sacrifice!
Letting go of what was...

How about you?
What is it you need to let go of today?
What changes are coming your way?
Embrace them,
you never know what beautiful growth
can come out of it all!

Wishing you a week of grace, love and awareness!

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

My Squam Experience

Rockywold Deephaven Camp

Holderness, New Hampshire

I returned home exactly a week ago

from attending Squam Art Workshops

and I am still processing the journey that unfolded

there for me!

How do I put into words just how I feel 

about what I experienced at My Squam . . .

knowing that I can't possibly express

 exactly what I want to share and give it the justice it so deserves!

I don't think I truly can ...  BECAUSE IT WAS MAGICAL!

I am still processing all that I experienced at Squam last week,

and I don't want this feeling to end.

I want to remember all that I did, all that I learned,

all that I experienced and remember the wonderful people I met.

I have attended two Squam by the Sea journeys

and Squam in the City last fall,

but nothing compares to the "original" Squam

at Squam Lake in New Hampshire.

It was by far the most beautiful retreat experience for me!

I decided to share my favorite photos 

from my Squam experience last week ...

I am touched beyond measure that I was able to attend, 

to teach a Zentangle® class

and share this drawing process with 40 attendees! (WOW!)

I was happy to be a small part of an amazing group of people,

close to 200 attendees!

To be close to Elizabeth, 

(founder and creator of Squam Art Workshops)

who will always have my heart,

and Forrest Elliott, Mindy Tsonas and Nina Gilbert

(her outstanding team)

what an amazing job they did!

Enough said ... here are my pics

Hope you will enjoy and get a feel for my five days!

Opening night adornment

Yarn bombing everywhere

Walking the many paths

Yarns by Shalimar yarns for a tapestry

Isn't the packaging adorable!

Another art fair treat I brought home

Me and Mindy united (photo taken by Elizabeth Duvivier)

How I adore this beautiful soul!

Elizabeth reading my favorite poet Mary Oliver

in our magical writing class

Ice beauty during the Art Fair

The beautiful heart showed up everywhere

Story time with author Clara Parkes

I purchased her sock knitting book!

My art fair treat from Maya Made

New sock knitting bag

Always have to take at least one selfie!

Connecting with Susan

My Love Notes Project partner

My altered book class with Colleen Attara

Knitting in my pj's by the fire

The perfect venue for my Zentangle® class Friday morning

Best class helpers ever!!!!

Creating a class Mosaic of finished work

The BEST class helpers ever

How blessed was I!!!

Awesome and attentive class

Sweet Nina concentrating

My Instagram that day

Cabin Artwork created by

Elizabeth and Forrest

(Wished I could have brought home!)

Morning peeking through ... ready to start each day

Creating a nature mandala before class

Writing class venue

"Writing your own Myth" class with Elizabeth

Facing the blank page ...

Dream Catcher created by 

the beautiful Mindy Tsonas

for all

Adding my dream to the dream catcher

Attending a natural remedy workshop

Always inspiring words to be found

My writing sisters ... we shared a lot together

My Keens walked many a step

Anxious to get into the Art Fair on our last night

Yes I am Yogiknitgirl and I LOVE Ravelry

So fun to meet the gang in person!

Saying goodbye to Squam Lake the last day

Being greeted on Wednesday arrival

The dock at our cottage

The view from our room

The beautiful woven Heart there to greet

Best Roomy ever!

Inspiration during Altered Book Class with Colleen Attara

My view while writing on a Saturday morning

So much inspiration here

Gathering for a group photo

(photo taken by the amazing Forrest Elliott)

Daily inspiration adorning my cabin bedroom

See what I mean??????
If you ever get the chance to attend a Squam
please give yourself that gift!
They are magical, soul refreshing,
loving and safe.
So much goes into the making of such an experience
and I am filled to overflowing.
I will step lightly for awhile,
take care of my soul
and be ever so grateful
for what I took home with me!
Thank you Elizabeth, Forrest,
Mindy and Nina!
xoxoxo

Along the pathway at Squam