Gratitude ... Day One

Gratitude Day One

The Love of Family

I am starting my 30 day Gratitude Project today

for there is so much in this life

to be grateful for!

I took the time to quietly list thirty things
I was grateful for during this month of November,
I cut them up and put in my favorite pottery bowl,
each day I will pick a gratitude moment out.

I decided I would post each day on my facebook page

my thoughts on gratitude.

I will also share my own personal photography,
(for I am truly grateful every time I have my camera in my hand)
you can find me here each day
https://www.facebook.com/donna.z.wynn

I am also participating in Louise Gale's

30 Days of Gratitude

check it out here

She is such a beautiful soul!

I have learned so many things from Louise.

It's not too late to begin.

The love of family

is such a precious gift.
Cherished times with
extended family is awesome,
and always never enough time to be together.

How blessed am I

to have such an incredible

family life,

and recently the birth of my

precious new grand daughter!
For she is another extension of this gift.
For there are truly no words
to describe how I feel.

Love and family is a precious gift

for that I am truly grateful.

Donna Lee

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Serendipity for a Day

Beach treasures and my chosen word

This year I wasn't able to attend the full Serendipity Retreat

in the Outer Banks

because my daughter n law's due date

was at the exact time the retreat was happening. 

But as luck would have it,

Annabelle was born two weeks early ...

So I was able to come for the day and take one class,

fellowship with cherished friends

and have a tiny Serendipity experience,

it was a most perfect day!

There is always something so magical

about the Outer Banks,

but add in the retreat experience

and it becomes hard to put feelings into words.

I took a writing class with Amy Tingle and Maya Stein,

Writing the Collective:

Transcending Creative Solitude

It was a small intimate group

and I so enjoyed spending the day

with kindred writers,

being motivated to write from the heart,

to share my feelings,

being inspired to write

for the entire day.

I remember thinking to myself

I could have been working,

instead I am in this magical place

writing all day long!

This class was a gift in so many ways,

it opened up feelings I had kept buried deep inside,

for they found their way onto the page.

It is sometimes difficult to write

the hard stuff

all the while so good for you

 to share with others sitting in a room

feeling safe and secure.

One of the exercises we did

was to walk the beach,

find three white objects

and return to the room.

We were to then write

a word or phrase on each item,

we put them in a collective bowl

and we were to pick from the items,

not our own ...

I chose Amy's word

Fortunate

We then found a corner outside

and wrote and wrote and wrote

using our chosen word.

We then shared our writing out loud

with each other

and it was awesome!

Thank you Amy and Maya

for showing me how to express

myself in different ways.

For guiding me to reach inward 

and to write deeply.

You two are amazing

and inspire so many of us,

you always have my heart.

Thank you Michelle and Jen

for creating such a beautiful 

retreat environment.

I am sure those who attended the

four days

were filled beyond measure

You are both beauty and light!

We need your insights and love.

How Fortunate am I

to live in such a creative circle,

to have wonderful

friends and peers along the way.

Serendipity was a gift for me,

if only for a day.

I am filled and refreshed, 

I am hopeful

and I am truly inspired

to keep walking gently each day.

I attended my first retreat

four years ago in the OBX,

it truly changed my life for the better.

While driving home 

from Serendipity the other day,

I realized just how far I had come

in that time, 

how much I had grown,

all I had accomplished artistically,

how I still cherished the friendships

 that were built then.

I knew just how much I liked who I had become

and for that I am truly grateful!

Donna Lee

Sending Love and Art in the Mail

Some finished Mail Art

I always love when I learn something new!

I am always on the look out for a new technique,

idea, e-course, or anything new I can try.

I truly believe we can get caught in a creative rut.

Don't you find yourself going to your art table,

and doing the same thing over and over again?

I recently signed up for an art workshop

"You've Got Mail Art"

with 

Roben-Marie Smith,

she is always amazing and I am never

disappointed in her courses,

she shares everything with you

and always gives 110%.

 The best part is that you

have life time access to the class!!!

There are so many lessons and techniques

in this course,

but I jumped to the cardboard mail first,

couldn't wait to get those postcards cut

and painted with gesso!

I love the way they turned out 

and I truly can't wait to make some more!

They are 9 x 6 1/2" 

so they are truly a little piece of artwork.

I used gesso, acrylics, pen, colored pencil and my fingers

I added one little message ...

I used a rubber stamp I recently purchased

"Life is about using the whole box of crayons"

Front Cover for mailing

"To the Amazing ..."

Now I am off to the post office to see

how much it costs to mail these precious babies!

I created four last night and they are all spoken for.

I can't wait to get back to the studio 

and create a few more of them,

what fun this project was!

If you would like some inspiration sent your way

I will be sending out more love soon ...

let me know if you would like to be on the list

for future productions!

I will draw out four lucky readers!

It might just be YOU!

I believe we all need a little treat in our mailbox,

it just makes us happy

right?

Wishing you strength to get through the day

Happiness in all things

and

Love enough to share with others

Donna Lee

A new phase in my creative life

Meet Annabelle Lily Wynn

I wondered what I would write about

on my blog this week.

It has been pretty busy around here,

as you can see!

Then I knew I wanted to share my good news

with YOU!

Our first grand child came two weeks early,

and we are all thrilled beyond measure.

She came into the world on her own time.

In just a blink of a moment,

when she was placed in my arms

for the very first time,

I knew my life would be changed forever!

I have already started a poem,

I keep revising the words ...

I will know when it is complete.

I have water colored some mini designs

for the nursery wall,

 of course knitted some hot pink ruffled booties,
and I can't even imagine how many
photographs I will be taking!

So you see, even having a new addition

to the family

there will always be avenues for creativity!

I can't wait till she is old enough to get

a paintbrush in her hand

and have some creative time at her

grandmommy's house.

I am filled with joy

beyond any measure,

for I know my life is truly blessed.

She is beautiful and healthy

and we have been given a treasured gift.

I look forward to showing her creativity in her life,

playing with paints, crayons, markers and so much more.

Teaching her that she can be anything she wants to be,

and guiding her to never be afraid to express herself

in whatever way she chooses,

for she is truly a special little spirit.

Welcome to the world

my little one

Annabelle Lily Wynn

(sounds like a fairy tale doesn't it?)

Donna Lee

aka Grandmommy

Creative Process

creativity happening here

Creative Process ...

We all have one,

a routine we create in order to start working

favorite items around us

music playing in the background

candlelight

incense

our favorite apron on

our special workplace

meditation

As I was creating a small Zentangle this morning

I took a look around my studio ...

it was filled with my favorite things

and I realized that I truly love my space.

My studio is filled with stuff,

my stuff

all beautiful reminders from friends 

and past experiences.

They all fill me to the brim with happiness

Oh yes I do have a beginning ritual

I perform before beginning any art project.

My candles must be lit,

I can smell my sage incense burning gently

I love my studio window to be open

so I can hear the gentle beginnings of the day,

I have a small meditation bell

tied to my work lamp,

I hit it before I begin

for I love to hear the small ringing sound

gently fading away

and I know it is time to begin.

If I am lucky and have the time,

how I love to begin by reading a poem

from one of my favorite poets,

it just seems to ground me.

It takes so much to get started

and when in the creative process,

"the bubble", the "zone,

it takes so much for me to stop.

 Enjoying the process

is such an awesome thing ..

I wonder

what is your creative process,

what does it take for you 

to stop living the day to day stuff

and come to your art space and work?  

To just begin ...

I'd love to hear

Donna Lee

(It feels so good to be back in the studio creating again after my little heart detour)

Matters of the Heart

Recently I had a "Heart" scare,

there was an abnormality on my EKG

during my yearly physical

and a whirlwind began. 
One day, while driving to work,
I was given scary news and in that moment,
that scary moment

everything changed in the blink of an eye,

for now I truly know what that means.

I have spent the past week

trying to understand it all,

getting through all the medical tests,

seeing a Cardiologist and having 

a procedure done

in the Heart Hospital.

This was definitely time evaluate my life ...

where I have been

and where I certainly wanted to still go!

I have always lived my life

in the fullest way possible,

trying to grab the most

of whatever I could.
I love experiencing new things.

Always knowing or hoping

there was plenty of time

to do the things I wanted to do.

I found out what I needed to find out,

I praise God for the good answers

and how I can certainly live with

my precious little heart!

For now I know it needs to be cared for.

Each day is a blessing

and you realize it when you think,

maybe ... just maybe,

it could be taken away from you.

I trust in each day,

I trust in a mighty God

and

I am grateful that 

there is such an incredible

support system in my life!

Never have regrets of what

you didn't do yet,

get out there and do them!!!

Try something new and exciting.

Recognize when life is throwing you a curve,

and certainly learn the lessons

 you need to learn when you hit a brick wall.

This post really isn't about creativity,

it is about cherishing what matters most.

It's about loving and caring for yourself,

and when you are whole,

inside and out,

that will come through 
in every endeavor you choose.

I found this page from my journal

from a recent e-course I had taken,

somehow it matters even more today.

Trust ...

Donna Lee

Ten thoughts on a Saturday

Life is full of goody moments

Slow down and enjoy the present

Sometimes we hit a brick wall

Savor quiet times

Always be grateful

You are enough

Checking in with yourself is always 

a very good thing

Be aware of what is happening

around you

The ocean can give healing

to the soul

Think of others

not just yourself

Donna Lee

Emerging She

I recently was in the Outer Banks
for yet another
peaceful and creative long weekend.
I spent so much time writing and creating art.
One early morning, I decided to create a Zendala face.
 Recently I had seen one similar on Pinterest
and it caught my attention.
I wanted mine to be different than what I had seen.
I was anxious to try out the Zentangle round tiles.

I first did a watercolor wash with a subtle metallic color,
I then sketched a small face off to the side
and then began zentangling,
I wanted the piece to evolve as it should.

I slowly began to start with Zentangle designs

I kept letting her evolve as she spoke to me

The process became so beautiful and relaxing

Now try to imagine her being created with a

gentle breeze and the ocean waves
roaring in the background!

"Emerging She" finished!

The entire time I was working on this project,
a poem was forming in my head
I love how art and writing are intertwined!
I'd like to share it with you . . .

Emerging She

Who is this she I see emerging
slowly making her presence known
every now and then something
new and magical begins to emerge

Life carries with it a pattern to follow
we learn this as a little child
we grow, we seek
and then we become

We continue to walk through our lives
living out day to day moments
childhood growth, teen adventures,
schooling, marriage, children and more

Slowly she continues to emerge
at times being tucked back inside
being told stay put ...
this just isn't your time

So she patiently waits, listens and watches
for the perfect moment to appear
when she knows she is needed and wanted
ready to be fully embraced

Emerging She I like who you are
you have found your true voice now
free from the stresses of what others might think
walking through your life with arms open wide

For you see I am Emerging She
I've lived my life well
now I am changing and tweaking
my life along the way

Emerging She
patient and strong
loving the woman I now have become
I wonder which way she will lead me along?

(written in Corolla, North Carolina 9-15-13)

Today I Will Write

A writing affirmation

I have always been in love

with the writing process.

I love words,

I collect them,

I breathe them in,
always wanted to put pen to the page!

Recently I had the pleasure
of taking a writing course at our
local writing center
The Muse
in Norfolk, Virginia.



It was my first visit there
and I wanted to see what all the
happy comments I had been hearing
were all about!
It was a Saturday morning
workshop entitled
"Creative Lab"
It certainly sounded 
like it was just for me!

I learned so many wonderful brainstorming ideas,
inspirations and activities
to spark the creativity inside of me.
I learned also how to apply
the ideas to my artwork as well!
How much fun it is to sit around
a large table with eight creatives
and brainstorm together
about the creative process.

I took away with me a wealth of resources,
ideas, creative exercises and handouts
to pour through
over and over again.

What I learned also reinforced
within me
that I am getting it right!

Some of the information I had heard before,
maybe presented differently
but with the same message.
I knew I was already applying what I had learned,
this was reinforcing those creative lessons!
That is a really good affirmation!

It is good to step out of your comfort zone
and try something totally new!
I have always leaned toward art classes
and learning a new art technique.
Coming to the Muse
(love that title!)
was a totally first time great experience.
One of my classmates was a student
in my first
Artful Spirit Workshop
talk about a small world!

We are all connected in this
beautiful world of ours,
through poetry, through words,
through art and learning,
through internet and social media,
it's all there
if only we will see.

Try something new!
Look for opportunities
to stretch your creative wings just a bit!
Get out there and share your own talents
with others,
see where it will lead you!

Donna Lee

Woven Thoughts of Mine

 A Meditative Process

It feels as though I have been a weaver for my whole life.

When my son Curt was not even a year old,

(he is now thirty three!)

I remember taking him to my mother's house

so I could take a two hour weaving class,

for six weeks.

I fell in love with the process then

and I still love it today

all these years later.

I think that weaving is such a gentle art,

I even named my Blog Title

"Gentle Threads"

because I believed in the magic of weaving,

the intertwining of fibers,

creating a beautiful cloth.
I wanted the title to reflect my life.

My loom prepared for weaving

Now it means even more to me,

I relate it to the creative process,

whatever medium I choose,
and how to live my life.

You see I believe you and I weave our lives
 in and out day after day ...

in the relationships we are building,

in family love, how we treat mankind,

with our talents, our wants and desires.

We are constantly weaving with

our hearts and the process it takes

us to get where we are going.

I weave with words

when I am creating my Poetry,

I weave with pictures

when I am capturing an image

in my photography,

I weave love and attention to detail

as I take care of my

optical patients,

I weave with romance

when loving my husband,

I weave with love and care

when watching over

my four children,

I weave magic into my art,

creating beauty along the way.

The view from my loom bench ... inspiration everywhere!

For you see I have realized that 

weaving is a part of my life and yours,

we are weaving something

each and every day.

It doesn't have to be with fibers!

I am lucky to take it a step further

and create woven cloth

at my loom

my constant companion

for oh so very long,

it's where my best thoughts come to me,

it is truly where the magic happens.

A view from the back of the loom

So just pause for a moment,

and think about exactly what it is

that you are weaving in your life today.

Is it love and compassion,

or worry and strife?

I sure hope it is all the good stuff,

cause anything else would be a waste,

WEAVE SOME MAGIC TODAY

You can do this!