Spiritual Renewal

I was in for an amazing gathering of women!

This past weekend I was able to attend

the Women's Retreat (IF Gathering)

with my Trinity Church.

It was held at the beautiful Westin Hotel

in Virginia Beach

and I spent the night with my longtime

spiritual sisters and friends

Debbie Bailey and Donna Irwin.

What is a retreat if you don't get a night away

of fellowship, laughter and jambes?

The gift of long time Sistership

Our 13th floor window view over Town Center

The experience was filled with

laughter, tears, worship music,

guest speakers, delicious food,

testimonies and sharing.

It was so good to fill my spirit,

renew my heart once again,

and be with like minded women.

My Spiritual Peeps for the experience ... such beautiful women and life stories here!

Life has been so full of busy "stuff",

family illness and the death of my aunt for me.

I've been working, trying to meet deadlines,

feeling overload and over commitment lately.

I haven't had much time to do my writing,

and very little time to do my art!

You know we all get to that point, 

over and over again.

For me this retreat just allowed me to PAUSE ...

for just a short time and focus of my spiritual walk.

It was just what I needed at this moment.

Trinity Church came to my life several years ago,

when I was leaving a church that hurt me,

disappointed me and did things I didn't agree with,

they rocked my spiritual steadiness a bit.

I am so grateful to be in a place 

where I feel safe again,

safe to worship,

safe to share my talents and my life.

It is good to feel healthy again!

Thank you Trinity Church,

you have my heart!

I came home restored, renewed and focused.

Something I was certainly needing

and I am sure I can say that about all the women

that were in that gathering with me!

As women we need to come together,

re-focus, share, laugh, dance and sing!

It is good for the soul!

Life isn't always easy 

and it is so good to hear from other women

their life experiences.

If you get the chance to attend an IF Gathering,

I urge you to do this!

It was my first time and I can't wait

to attend again next year.

What an amazing team and organization

of faithful and insightful leaders.

Their lessons, testimonies and stories were powerful.

Thank you IF for your amazing presentation.

My friends

I do hope you will live the rest of your week

in love and in peace.

Know there is a loving God in this life,

who cares about your every moment,

your precious heart

and all that is about you!

You are amazing just the way you are!

I am truly grateful we are friends

and we are here together!

Donna Lee

Thoughts on Social Media

 Yearning for some sweetness these days!

 Wow it has certainly been a whirlwind of emotions

on Social Media ever since this political season began!  

I am not sure how I feel about it all just yet.

When I first came onto Facebook,

it was a way to reach out to my artistic friends

I had met at art retreats I had attended,

That was many years ago for sure.

I love being able to communicate long after

the retreat had ended.

It really was when Facebook was something special!
I still enjoy connecting in special groups
with my FB friends
and being able to see what is happening in their lives.

That part is still fun!

Instagram came along and I was hooked (I still am!)

It truly was the reason purchased my first iPhone;

because back then it was the only way to get the Instagram App!

Photography is something I love,

and Instagram was a way to share a photo

and a quick description of what

I was walking through in my life at the time.

Now there are so many users,

and Instagram has definitely changed.

I believe it has become even more commercial

and that saddens me.

Facebook has become a political nightmare!

It is where anyone can say whatever they want,

at any time, with no regard,

I don't enjoy it anymore,

and frankly ... it scares me a bit.

I find myself staying away each and every day.

Too many outspoken opinions,

our world is in unrest.

There seems to be so much anger

and discontent in our nation presently

and it sure doesn't seem to be calming down at all.

I want my old Facebook back ...

a place where I could see what my friends were up to,

a place where I could post ...

"Hey my blog post is up"

 "Hey look at this picture"
"Hey this is how I am feeling today ..."
"Hey this is what I want to share today!"

We are running so fast these days,

we aren't taking the time to be considerate of one another,

slow down on the highways,

be kind to each other in the grocery store,
we are forgetting common courtesy 

and I could certainly list so many other ways.

We are too busy looking down at our phones

in our hands

not paying attention to the beautiful world 

happening around us.

I'm pretty close to saying bye bye to Facebook,

not Instagram, just yet.

I want a slower pace of life,

I want to a kinder and gentler nation,

I want to respect my President,

yet I am having a time even liking him.

I want people to slow down,

look at me in the eye with a smile

and just say good morning.

I want to hear myself think.

How about you?

Social Media can be a good thing

and it can also be very dangerous.

Think carefully how you are using it,

how it is affecting your well being.

Perhaps we all need to lay off of it a bit

and just return to the simpler things in life.

Today I wish you a day filled with love for your fellow man,

Peace in your heart and soul,

Quietness and Rest whenever you can grab it.

Thanks for being here and reading my thoughts,

it means the world to me!

Donna Lee

Journaling with Heart

My latest journal keeping my attention

I have been Art Journaling for eight years or more

and I totally love the process!

It is where I can be myself,

record my thoughts and dreams and experiences,

it is mine and no one else's!

I do see that my techniques have changed over the years,

and my journals are becoming

even more personal, refined and fine-tuned.

I purchased the sweetest journal (pictured above) 

from Anthropologie (my favorite store ever!) last year,

and I have been working in it recently like crazy!

When I was at Squam 2015, two years ago, I had the pleasure

of taking an all day journal class with the amazing

Colleen Attara,

it was entitled "Turn the Page"

and my journaling changed from there on out!

We were to bring a book, any book and we would learn

that day to transform it into a magical place of the heart.

I warn you ... it is a truly addictive art!

I completed that book recently,

carried it back to Squam 2016

to show it to Colleen and let her know

how much her guidance meant to me.

 It is filled with moments, ideas, love and so much more.

I was truly saddened when I filled the last page!

What a treasure I now have!

It is filled with my life's journey!

My completed journal

I began working in my Anthropologie journal last year

when I traveled to Providence, RI

and spent sweet time with an amazing group

of creative sisters.

I have been working in that journal ever since.

These journals take time to fill and work within,

I am in no rush to fill them, I want them to

grow and grow.

Each day I write a poem, an idea, personal thoughts

and so much more.

In fact just today, my little Grandson Grayson

drew a page of art for me to cherish forever!

My little artist Grayson's addition

With each page, my heart is attached to the journal

even more.

The pages begin to fill with all kinds of wonderfulness!

I sew, glue, use washi tape, draw, watercolor,

tear magazine images, transform pages, build pockets, Zentangle® borders,

draw Mandalas, record my hopes and dreams  ...

How this one looks today!

When someone sends me a love note in the mail,

I save it.

If someone quotes something amazing I don't want to forget,

I save it

If I attend an amazing workshop or retreat, 

I always bring it with me,

filling the pages with ideas and notes I never want to forget.

I've learned to play with my art, collect pictures,

change the pages,

add "stuff"

making the pages a wonderland of my own little world.

Here are a few pages I would like to share with you ...

So if you haven't had the pleasure of working on a personal journal,

I encourage you to just begin.

Go find a journal that speaks to you ...

literally jumps into your hands,

or buy an old book and convert the pages,

just find one and begin.

Make it personal, make it yours ...

don't forget to write things that are important to you!

Moments you don't want to forget,

Record your heart feelings,

do some sketching,

save special mementos,

just begin!!!!

I promise you it will be worth it

and as the years pass you will have recorded

your life ... your amazing life.

What a treasure it will become, I promise you!

Donna Lee

Random Donna Lee thoughts . . .

My Beaded Cuff Project

I promised myself in 2017

that I was going to create

only the things that spoke to my heart

whether in painting, weaving, drawing or writing.

It seems that Tapestry Weaving

has been taking most of my time lately.

Time seems to be such a precious commodity,

so I am trying to manage it wisely,

create beautiful projects that speak to my heart

and slow myself down a bit!

Here it is mid February

and it just feels like things are going at such a fast pace.

I've been caring for family needs; they always come first.

So if there is ever time leftover to play it is a gift for sure.

I haven't taught any Zentangle® classes yet this year,

I needed to take a small hiatus after the holidays!

I feel as though teachers need to fill their personal well,

in order to give to students what they need

don't you agree?

I know I am a day late, but here is

a small heart creation for you to enjoy!

I have just had a micron pen in hand

and creating and drawing for the love of it.

Happy Valentines 2017!

My Beaded Tapestry Cuff is coming along,

I can't wait to put it all together,

promise to show you at another date!

I am in love with weaving with beads!
I wrote a blog post for Mirrix Looms
about this project ...
you can find right here!

This weekend I went to the hardware store

and I bought a lot of galvanized piping

to create a new loom,

I found the link here . . .

and so wanted to try it,

one can always use an extra loom right?

I plan to blog about it later,

when it's all put together!

Tapestry weavers are amazing

and willing to share with each other.

I wanted to share this Mandala painting

I was able to create for my co-worker Janel

for her new home ... for her Harp Room.

It came together beautifully,

the entire time I painted it I listened

to Harp Concertos!

I really love the way it turned out!

I am always grateful for taking Louise Gale's
Mandala Painting Course years ago,
I learned so much and still use all of her techniques.

Spending any time creating Art is a gift!

Don't waste a minute ... time is precious.

You have a lot to say . . . so SAY IT!

You are Unique

there is NO ONE exactly like you.

Thanks for dropping by

Donna Lee

Poetry ... Words in Motion

Woven Meanings . . .

There are threads of many colors

woven to a certain beat ...

over, under, over, under.

They are gently combing in the woven fiber,

to create a beautiful and intricate design.

Simple rhythms become life's gentle beating

I am a Tapestry Weaver

taking the time to weave

each and everyday;

coming full circle after many years away.

Inching slowly up the warp of the loom

A beautiful fabric is forming before me

Tapestry weaving is teaching me daily,

guiding me to a slower pace of life.

My fingers guide the weft fibers

along their woven way.

I have returned home here . . .

here just sitting at my loom.

This loom in my studio is a hundred years old.

 I often wonder where she has been,

and who wove here before me.

It might be something I will never know.

So for now I will channel it's weavers before me,

cherishing each and every woven row.

Woven Meanings

applied to my daily life journey ...

The sturdy Warp I weave upon

is the foundation I walk with each day.

The Threads of many colors and textures

are the experiences and people along my life's way

Donna Lee

always searching for creative wonder!

Good Morning February!

A recent watercolor play of mine

Today we woke up to a new day,

a new month,

the second month of our new year!

I love beginnings don't you?

This is a great time to stop and re-group, again!

Your January is gone,

you made all kinds of promises and goals for yourself,

how did that go for you?

One month gone . . . ask yourself if you are still on track???

If you were honest with yourself, 

you would probably say NO you are not,

like me!

My January was filled with creativity,

caring for family,

emotions about our nation's future,

a bronchitis slow down for days,

reconnection with friends

and so much more.

So here are a few thoughts running through my head . . .

Election years create turmoil...

I'm exhausted from it all

Creating Art is healing for the soul ...

spending time in the studio is a gift

Spending time in quiet is much needed ...

I just need to hear myself think

Leaving the television off is a good thing ...

The news is so biased and negative

Staying away from social media is an even better thing ...

I'm tired of Facebook ranting for sure

My Grand babies love is the best gift ever ...

their smiles and hugs are just what I need

Not always expressing my thoughts out loud is good for me ...

it is definitely a form of discipline

Watercolor painting is soothing and gentle ... 

It grants a certain kind of peace within

I am a bit overwhelmed with what is happening around me ...

I feel like I'm losing my grounding a bit

I know I need to surround myself with positive souls ...

 Stay away from emotional vampires

There is so much beauty in our world ...

You just have to look for it to see

So happy beginning of a new month today!

May you step a little lighter

Smile at a few more people along the way

Find time to love others

and

be good to yourself as well.

Take the time to give yourself what you need right now!

 Watercolor version #2

I'll be here next week for sure!

Donna Lee 

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

Celebrating Life

Breakfast in the Cabin

This past weekend I celebrated my 40th Anniversary!

January 15, 1977 I married my surfer boy

and we have been together ever since!

Yes there are always bumps along the way,

but ours have been pretty easy bumps!

We traveled to the Blue Ridge Mountains,

I wanted to stay in a cabin near the mountains,

and my hubby made all the plans.

We stayed at Steele's Tavern Manor

and it was everything we wanted and more!

Our cabin was situated on a beautiful pond,

with cows in the background,

beautiful blue herons

and a peaceful path to walk.

 Our beautiful home for three days

 It's just about the simple things that thrill me!

 Our cottage by the Pond

 Josie enjoyed our Anniversary trip too!

 Hearing the sounds of MOO in the mornings across the pond

We traveled into the town of Lexington,

with its quaint shops and rich history!

We ate delicious food

and visited nearby attractions for the day!

What a charming town!

You know I had to hit every gallery

and art shop there was!

 The buildings were so charming!

We entered the Blue Ridge Parkway,

but it was such a cloudy day we couldn't see anything,

it was a bit disappointing but we made the best of it!

We even decided to turn around,

(mountains, fog and me aren't a good combination)

It was a bit scary to say the least!

 Here we go!

There was so much inspiration around us,

we made the best of a rainy misty day!

I was totally intrigued by this stone wall,

it will become a tapestry for sure!

 Tapestry and Color Inspiration

 Geese by the waterfall

 Jimmy and Josie (my two J & J's)

I carried my Hokett Loom with me for

some tapestry weaving,

and the surroundings outside were so peaceful

and relaxing, I enjoyed having my loom with me

early mornings.

Tapestry weaving is such a quiet art,

I fall more in love with it each and every day!

Weaving by the pond

I believe we must celebrate life in every way 

that we can.

Celebrate the monumental steps in your journey,

celebrate even the small daily wins!

Make the most of the time you are given,

each and every day.

There is so much goodness out there,

if only you will see!

I am truly grateful that I have a

passionate heart.

I have been through some tough stuff during

this lifetime,

but each time I came out on the other side,

stronger, wiser and willing to lead others,

from my own experiences.

Life is all about what you make of it.

Early morning coffee and quiet

So make the best of where you are in your life

at this very moment, 

enjoy the simplicities

that this life can also give to you

and please . . .

don't waste a minute of it. 

I challenge you to celebrate your life,

with all it's complexities

and joys that come with it.

We can learn so much about ourselves

when we get away,

slow down and listen.

I think that is going to be my theme for this new year.

I had a beautiful getaway

and now we are back home and digging into routine once more.

It was truly awesome to get away,

alone and together!

May your week be full of good stuff!

Donna Lee

Grateful for Snow Storms

I baked a Homemade Applesauce Raisin Cake 

Virginia Beach had its first snow storm for 2017

They called it Blizzard Helena

We got about 8 - 10" of snow

and for Virginia Beach

that is pretty amazing!

I was in the house for four days,

didn't drive or go anywhere . . .

I must say it was like heaven.

How blessed I was to slow myself down,
and have more time than I knew what to do with!

So thank you Miss Snowstorm

for giving me the gift of rest.

You always think you have more time than you think,

and oh the many projects you will get done while house bound.

I did a lot at first;
then just gave into the easy feeling of doing whatever I wanted!
It was pretty magical for sure.

I cleaned closets and cabinets,

re-organized my make up,
baked yummy foods,
took lots of naps (yes I did!)

threw away unwanted "stuff"
and so much more.

I even started a new stitching project,
A needlework case by Beth Twist,
I love her work a lot!
She is coming to Tidewater in April 2017,
to teach her first stitching retreat for
Dyeing to Stitch
(my favorite needlework store here in VB)
and I want to complete this before her workshop!

My newest project

I began a new Tapestry on my

Hokett Loom I got for Christmas.
Twining was my first layer,
it takes some patience to get it right!
Tapestry Weaving is definitely not an art
to dive into if you don't have the patience
to slow your little self down!

The warping process is so important

I was inspired from a watercolor card

I purchased in the Outer Banks

by the amazing Chris Haltigan,

I love her work!
I had the privilege years ago to have
a private painting lesson with her,
she is amazingly gifted.

My tapestry inspiration

Anything can be inspiration for a Tapestry Weaving,

I had found mine!

I am taking the Little Looms class 

by Rebecca Mezoff,

so this would be my class project.

I matched my wools using

18/2 wool from Weavers Bazaar,

made my warp sett at 12 pi

and began the process.
I am excited to see the outcome of this piece.

Just beginning to weave

I decided that I wanted to challenge myself and

 weave a mini tapestry,

one a month for the year of 2017,

(my own version of a Weaving Diary)

I would like to create small tapestries,
each the same size . . .

that was inspired by something I saw

on my daily journey.

I would like to journal about each project, or write a poem 

and at the end of the year,

have some pretty sweet little tapestries to keep!

Let's see if I can do it!
It will be a true discipline for sure!
I was inspired by my own Tapestry teacher Rebecca
who wove a tapestry "a day"
while she was an Artist in Residence
this past year,
WOW her work was amazing.
You can catch it here if you would like to see her work ...

I had an idea many years ago that I would

write 100 poems, one a day for a 100 days,

and use my own photography to go along with the poem,

I did it, published the book for myself

and created a blog while doing so,

you can still find it here!

So my friends, I can definitely

create a small work of tapestry art each month,

right??????

My word for the new year is DEEPEN,
so I decided to remind myself of that
while playing in the snow . . .
that is a totally serious word to live up to this year!

Playing in the snow

I found this sweet twig in my front yard,
slowing being tossed about by the snow and wind,
but not getting buried by the snow.
It was a sweet reminder for me ...
There is beauty everywhere, if only you will look for it.
It wasn't getting buried by circumstances, only standing strong!

My photo moment during storm

So here is to the rest of your week!
May it be filled with moments of rest,
love, discovery and happiness.
Me and My girl Josie wish you all the best!

Just us Wynn girls playing after the storm

Until next time,
Donna Lee