Welcome Spring!

Today we celebrate the first day of Spring!  

Welcome birds, butterflies, and buds bursting into bloom.

(How's that for alliteration?)

A Mid-March Walk

On Monday my first IVF cycle was cancelled.

I was incredibly discouraged.

One setback seems to follow another.

I needed to take a walk.

There's nothing like a power walk to clear my head, 

energize my body, and nourish my spirit.

I brought my camera along

and captured some early Spring colors.

I documented some other interesting sights
from my neighborhood as well. 

(Who would have guessed 2 aqua cars live 
within a mile radius of my home?)

Spring is almost here.  

And with it hope for new beginnings.

New creations.  New blooms.

There's always next month.

  

I'll keep walking until it gets here.

Thank You

Here's a huge THANK YOU to special people who've made my life sparkle brighter in the past few weeks.  In no particular order:

• Last week my crafty soul sister, Emily, wrote a beautiful piece about me and my art on her blog, www.eclairecreations.com.  She has really nourished my creativity while I've lived in Atlanta. I  will for sure have Emily and Crafty Chick Night withdrawal when Brian and I move in several months.

• I was incredibly honored to be interviewed on 2/25 by the Hip Tranquil Chick herself, Kimberly Wilson.  She will be posting the interview as a podcast on her blog, Tranquility du Jour, sometime this Spring.  I will be sure to pass along a link when it's ready.  Kristen Leigh introduced me to Kimberly and her work.  Thanks girl!

• My parents have been generous with their love and support beyond my wildest expectations.  I am forever grateful.

• My mother-in-law, Gwendolyn Williams, has commandeered virtually everyone she knows to whisper fertile prayers for me into God's ear.  Thank you Miss Gwen!

• Three people support me everyday in person or on the phone: Marilee, Julia, and Brian.  I am so blessed.

• And finally- to my friends who email me, write to me, call me, pray for me to reach my motherhood dreams, and leave the sweetest comments on my blog and facebook page- your kind words and love lift me higher.  

Brighten Your World

I recently discovered artist Rachel Awes.   

I just love her work and think you will too.

Her work is inspirational, whimsical, and colorful 

and makes my heart happy. 

Be sure to visit her blog: www.allididwaslisten.blogspot.com 

and her etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/rachelawes  

Don't her paintings and quotes brighten your world?

Everything Will Be Okay

It was a rainy night several months ago, when my friend, Kristen, and I stumbled upon this sign.   If you've been following this blog for any length of time you know just how much I love finding positive reminders in unexpected places.  And they always seem to come just when I need them most.  So serendipitous!  In case you need a reminder too, here it is: 

Click, Click

A perfect way to start the day.  

Tea in my ruby slippers mug
and a reminder that my power is within me.  

I just need to click, click (or sip, sip.)

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day isn't just for those in romantic relationships. 

 It's a day to remind everyone you love that you are so happy they are in your life.

I had a lot of fun making these Valentines.

I sent them to several special friends and family members

so they don't forget how much I love them.

I also mailed them to my frequent blog commenters, because I just LOVE reading your thoughtful responses.  (If you frequently comment and didn't get a Valentine, be sure to email me your mailing address so you can included in special gifts in the future.  If you are a loyal reader but do not comment, be aware that I only know who is reading by who leaves comments.)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

An update. (And yes, even more glitter.)

It's been a while since my last post.  Since then, I've been focusing on taking extremely good care of myself.  Lots of yoga, meditation, visualization, tea, acupuncture, and even wheat grass shots!  I'll do just about anything to become a fertile Myrtle.

Here's something else I've been up to:

Getting crafty is always nourishing to my soul.  And I love making Valentines.  My two favorite colors are red and pink AND I have an excuse to use hearts with abandon, be extra girly, and use glitter.  (Although I'm pretty much doing that the other 364 days of the year too.)

  This year making Valentines was even more special as my sorority sister, Tracy Duncan, mailed me the above glitter heart set.  It was an unexpected gift in the mail, and it brightened my world.  

(Thank you Tracy.  Delta love and all of mine too.)

You'll have to come back on February 14th to see my Valentine's creations!  Although, some of you just might be getting one in the mail.

Keep Your Chin Up

I love quotes, and the following three recently found their way to me during a time of grief and healing.  It amazes me how the Universe communicates with each of us all the time; we just need to be listening for the messages.  I've posted these quotes on the desktop of my computer, under the file name Keep Your Chin Up.  I've also printed them out and pasted them in my datebook, so I can read them often and absorb their messages.  They've given me some peace of mind, and my hope is that they will provide you with the same.  


This first quote found it's way to me via a friend's Facebook post.  (Thanks Val.  I felt like you posted this just for me.)
With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift.  Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing.  You get to choose....everything that is happening is supposed to be happening.


This next quote was pasted (of all places!) on the wall of the ladies room at a restaurant.  
Sometimes in order to move forward, you need to let go.


And this final quote was written in a book of quotes I've been keeping.
Happiness grows in direct proportion to your acceptance.


Please send me quotes that have helped you during difficult times.  Your post might be the words that someone needs to hear, right at that very moment.

the good heARTed

I feel so fortunate to be featured on the good heARTed website.  It's a community of art and craft run by the very talented artist and web designer Heather L. Murphy.   Heather has hand-selected fine artists, photographers, and crafters that all have good hearts.     

You can check out my good heARTed page by clicking here!

And, if you are looking for more inspiration and creativity, be sure to visit Heather's beautiful blog.