Taken by the light

 (Image Source: Weheartit.com)

"The door was left ajar. Slowly, quietly, my wondering heart got closer and just like a moth, it followed the light..." Alina

Hello my dear friends, do you remember me? I have been gone for quite sometime, the truth is, I found my words repetitive, monotonous and boring. I seemed to have reached a crossroad and so I plunged into a sort of abyss hoping to collect and regroup.

So much has happened! Wedding planning and preparations, self discoveries (one is never too old for those) the learning of new craft techniques, and above all, the rush to find time to savour each day.

I'd like to share some of the most important events. My daughter's bridal shower. It was held at a restaurant by the Hudson River, the theme was the ocean and its treasures. Here she is, my sweet little mermaid...

One of the most exciting highlights of the party was the live Monarch butterflies. I ordered them from a butterfly farm and they arrived individually wrapped in cellophane envelopes. At the end of the party each guest was given one. I read this beautiful Irish blessing:

"May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun and find your shoulder to light on, to bring you luck, happiness and riches, today, tomorrow and always"

Then they were set free.

  Here is one, resting, and just like my daughter, getting ready to fly and seek new adventures...

 On May 27th we had a visit from Stork Kingdom.  Let me introduce you to Sophia Clarissa, our sweet niece. Such joy to welcome a new baby!

The baby sure is beautiful and cute but Abby is not worried, she knows she will always be our Number One LOL. How I love this puppy! No words here...

All these planning and festivities have reduced the amount of days spent at the Purple Caravan but I still manage to sneak away.

During the month of May there was a total Clematis explosion.

No matter how many days are spent on the porch, every afternoon when the sun begins to set and the light shifts, I can't think of a better place to be...

This season my time for decorating has been put on hold. However, I did find this table during a walk through the woods. It was completely covered by spiderwebs but I absolutely loved it. After a good cleaning it makes a great addition to the porch. What do you think?

I have also been busy trying to learn to draw faces and create Art Journals. These are a few of my attempts. I do plan to take classes but for now I find guidance and inspiration from so many amazing, talented women on the Web World.

 

Watercolors

Acrylic paint and watercolor markers

Color pencils and watercolor

Speaking of amazing women, I received this beautiful gift from my dear friend Olive. Such a kind, generous soul, she "hoped to make me smile." Not only did I smile but I also cried. Thank you Olive, you will never know how precious these are to me, not only because they come from you but also because they come from England! my dreamland since I can remember :0)

Incredible buttons, a book about London (in my dreams I visit all those places)  a photo holder shaped like those gorgeous "call boxes"

An  awesome mini album folded in a clever way, stamped, colored and distressed. I will  have a hard time adding anything to this. It's just too perfect!

Loads of ceramic buttons (I am only showing a few) I can't wait to do something with them! A felt heart embellished with pearls and charms, a charming mini quilt stamped and embellished with yet more buttons and ribbons. Treasures from a kindred spirit all the way from across the world. Dear Olive, thank you again. You are the best!

It will be quite hectic here for the rest of this month (the wedding is on October 7th) I am looking forward the "calm after the storm" lol so that I may have a chance to stop by and see what you have been up to.

Hope everyone's been healthy and  happy. Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs and sparkles,

Happy New Year

(Image Source: Bing)

New Year’s Reflections

Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and an old one ends,
We contemplate what brought us joy,
And we think of our loved ones and our friends.

Recalling all the happy times,
Remembering how they enriched our lives,
We reflect upon who really counts,
As the fresh and bright new year arrives.

And when I ponder those who do,
I immediately think of you.

Thanks for being one of the reasons I'll have a Happy New Year!

(Joanna Fuchs)

May the coming year bring you health, magic, and joy.

May the magic be yours

(Image Source: Bing)

My, oh my, where has time gone?! I can hardly believe it's been a month since my last post! I can only blame it on my new passion: mini albums. If you are a crafter/altered art "connoisseur" you'll probably know what they are. Mini albums vary in size and styles. Most of mine are constructed by folding a single sheet of paper in order to create pockets to insert tags, photos, and secret messages. Fun, simple and certainly addictive :0) I will try and add some photos to my next post.

It will be a bittersweet Christmas. Our son will not be with us this year. Mothers out there will know what I mean...however, our home is ready, shopping is done. As I wrap the last gift and turn down the lights I seek comfort in the things I hold dear...

Family, friends, trinkets, mementos, gathered while taking a walk and discovering a small, tucked in a corner little shop right off the beaten path.

I want to wish each and everyone a special season filled with love and inner peace.

May the magic be yours!



Note: I have tried to leave messages on your Blogs but for some weird reason I've been unable to! Please know I am not ignoring you, I may have been busy with the mini albums but never too busy to drop by and see what you guys are up to!

Giving Thanks



(Image Source: Bing)

We usually go through our days wishing, striving, pushing for more. There's nothing wrong with that as long as that drive doesn't prevent us  from enjoying the view, from recognizing when we can't push anymore, from stopping here and there to enjoy all we have done.

On this Thanksgiving Day I am blessed to have a very long list of things for which to be thankful. My husband, my children, my family, my friends, my dear, sweet Abby, my home, my freedom, my health and so much more.

In addition to being Thanksgiving Day it's also my 32nd wedding anniversary. One of the biggest things for which to be thankful!

Just wanted to take a moment and wish each and everyone a beautiful day and magical season.

Belated Wishes

My wishes for a Happy Halloween for you, my magical friends, is a bit late. We were part of the many thousands without electric power. For almost 48 hours we suffered the damp kind of cold that while it's not freezing, will chill every bone. I have to add my voice to the many who claim  never to have seen anything like this in October. Saturday morning this was the view from my window

Autum leaves shining brightly under the soft falling snow...

No one, not even the fairies or the jack-o-lanterns could have imagined the surprise Mother Nature had in store...

The day went by quietly, but towards evening the terrible sound of the cracking branches filled the air. One by one they started to fall. Standing by my window I watched helplessly...

Morning came and we were able to step outside. It was hard to take it all in. Even Abby seemed to be taken aback by the chaos and destruction...

Tears were shed, but we were okay and that's what really mattered. Needless to say Halloween Day was a bit strange but with our precious, dear Abby, who can stay sad? She was a trooper and allowed me to dress her up. She even posed patiently for the photographs!

Such a good little witch! LOL

And so, this is it for now.  Please accept my belated, but very heartfelt wishes for a Happy Halloween. May the season's magic continue to be yours!



Amber days

"The foliage has been losing it's freshness, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first grey hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many"

(Oliver Wendell Holmes)

Autumn's luminosity is re-grouping and re-assembling. The sun is getting ready to go on holiday and while it's still quite warm there's a touch of "something" in the early morning breeze.

(Image Source: Magnolia Pearl)

I, too, have been re-grouping and re-assembling. I have stood still and listened to our home's new sounds. Less footsteps, shorter showers, a pantry door that's not opened every half hour...small, subtle changes with such big impact...

Stormy days filled with wind and rain, a frantic rush to hold and capture a dying Summer.

(Image Source: Pinrest)

Long walks, meeting with friends, the glorious feel of holding a cold glass of wine and watch the sunset.

Going shopping, curling up with a good book. Meditating, eyes closed, slow breaths, wondrous walks deep within, opening doors and discovering new chambers that shimmer with a light that's startling new.

(Image Source: Google Images)

I've been sort of quiet, moving about softly, afraid to disturb an inner ripple that came as a result of outer and inevitable changes. I've felt cushioned, enveloped in an aura that has made my senses sharper, keener.  In my heart, tiny fairies play songs only I can hear...

(Image Source: Weheartit.com)

  The end of Summer at the Caravan has been spent

choosing curtains and dressing up the makeshift sofa...



watching Abby enjoy the sunshine, mesmerized by the love and loyalty I find in those amazing brown eyes...

Enjoying afternoons in which the dying sun made every special thing even more special...

Summer is gone. Gone too, is the tinkling song of the ice cream truck. Autumn is here. As the light changes, so does the mood of the house... sounds are muffled.  Everything seems to be getting ready for the coming colder days...
 

Beds look more inviting...

Gorgeous leaves everywhere...

Cooler nights spent in my craft room ("studio" sounds a bit pretentious to me :0) creating a birthday gift for a dear friend

A stylish little witch to celebrate the season...

I love altered art. Mixing paper with fabrics, sequins, ribbons and discarded items. Altered art reminds me of ordinary days. A mixture of sounds, feelings, colors and textures. New experiences laying the background for new ones...

Time marches on. Plans are made, birds and  squirrels run about busy. Searching. Building warmer nests. All around, the cycle of life is asking to be heard, to be seen. Let us stop and listen!