Friday, October 30, 2009

Captive...or captivating?


That is how I feel about my work space...I often feel like I am held captive and not able to enter this most treasured space, due to the clutter, and overwhelming amount of work I feel I need to do creatively (that is kind of a strange statement, isn't it?)...so sometimes I do not go to this place and in turn, my work and creative soul suffers.
On the other hand, sometimes I am captivated by this corner of my world, all my own, amongst disarray that I let be, I create (the disarray that is, and I create an array of wonders as well) however, the balance is not a balance, it flows uneven and sporatic and I do not always care for that. So, I feel focused to get my creative zone in order and begin to put the pieces in place for myself and what I envision happening. Of course, life has an amazing way of getting in and taking over at times, alot of times, especially with wee ones to tend to unconditionally and husbands who need tending to as well, then home, dogs, business, you get the idea.

So this weekend I go in to the depths of the creative clutter I have emassed and so, take a look, at this pre studio and then I will follow up with a post studio shot to compare.

What are you lovelies doing this weekend? You know, you can drop me a comment, I really like to hear from you.

Have a marvelous Halloween and may it be full of surprising tricks and lots of treats!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

knitting, orbs and other such wonders

All photos in this post by the amazing Mike & Allie

As my grandmother taught me way back when, I now have taught my daughter the art of knitting. My grandmother was originally from Ireland, transplanted to Canada and would come to sunny California every year for 6 weeks, during which time she would bake scones, knit, teach me to knit, and basically just be a granny from the old country, she always smelled so good (like the smell of fresh wool) & her hands as sun warmed and roughly arthritic were always somehow quite soft, I remember. I felt the time overdue for my gal to learn this most amazing skill and she has taken it to it wonderfully, I am happy to report.

There is something very soothing in knitting...I remember my granny would sit quietly in the sun or whilst watching tv and all you could hear were the tap tap tapping of her needles, a very comforting sound to me as a child. Now, I knit all the time, there was a spell in which I did not, and I missed it. So I watch as my wee lady knits and enjoys this precious handspun creativeness.

I have been busy in the studio, here is a small glimpse of some of my recent work...I am excited about the upcoming show and seeing how my work is recieved...




Monday, October 26, 2009

Tis the season

Here is what was happening in these parts over the weekend...began with pirate fun for the wee mans 4th b-day...arrrrrt pirate hat making on the patio...

...followed the next day with pumpkin fun in the sun,, great to walk around and check out all the shapes and textures of all those lovely pumpkins even the ones now wilted and a bit rotten on the ground...



hay maze, horse rides

chasing and petting animals

I love this time of year, don't you?

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Oh the wonders




Came across these pics today, from a past visit from our dearest friends over a year ago, and could not help but post/share...they were here again with us recently (pictures to be posted soon), we had such an unreal time (then and now)...it is always a wonder and yet bittersweet when all your dearest folks live so far away, you see them, share time, create memories, have more fun than you do any other time, with anyone else uniquely, and then they are gone again...so sweet, and yet, so sad...such is life and makes us love all we have even more. As far as having best friends as photographers, well, we'd love them anyways, but they send us the memories of times to be truly remembered and so we do...and love every bit...of them, their treasured friendship, the memories, the wonder of it all...so precious...here's to you Mike & Allie...we love you more than words...

Keeping up


These days at times I just seem to feel like I am skipping one step forward and three steps back...it's busy this life and although it's all good, somedays just seem harder to keep it all together. It is part of the reason I have not been here so much lately...I am getting ready for the show and with the holidays upon us and some wonderful upcoming ReDesign jobs , the days slip by and much too quickly at that. So, I just try to enjoy, take it all in, do the best I can, try not to get stressed and hug and kiss the wee ones any chance I get (not to mention try to think of new and different things for healthy dinners!), as well as give time to myself (Yoga, quiet tea time at dawn).

It was not until I had children that my creative soul truly emerged completely, I am not really sure why, maybe from a desire to have something that was all my own (seperate from being a mum and wife), or because I finally slowed down enough to hear those voices which told me to be true to all that I love, even my creativeness. For whatever reason it feeds my soul on a whole different level and although it is a balancing act at times, I always emerge filled and content, even when I am overrun by dinosaurs and dogs.


Have a great day!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Gettin ready...



We are in full swing preparation for Halloween around the corner and there is some definite fun and excitement in the air around these parts...going on walks to check out neighborhood decorations and ghoulish sights, planning the costumes and getting the materials, eagerly anticipating our school Halloween festival, which is always a treat (and few tricks). This is a wonderful time of year...what are some of your favorite things about this time of year and Halloween? I love to hear from you so don't be shy!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Music to my ears...always...





Ahhh music to my soul, I listen, dance, create, sing, swing, self-enlighten, gain strength, encourage me heart...oh my the list really does go on...check a glimpse for yourself...and see if you too feel it...how can't you?
I have been listening to M.Franti for over 10 years, love the music, the man (I am married and love my man, although he loves M. F. too...is that confusing?) so it only makes sense to put him where my love shines here..hope you enjoy. What a ray of sunshine, to put it simply.
If you click on the actual video, it brings it up bigger so you can see more of Cherine too.
Have a music-filled, wonderful weekend!
Still Lily

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Where the sidewalk ends...


We read this all the time and so I wanted to share...just to share.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.


Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
~Shel Siverststein


Have a simply lovely evening.
Still Lily

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Hippie Witchie...


If you know me, then you know that Halloween is my very, most, super duper favorite holiday of the year, and I mean that.
I have always loved it and all the wonder it brings...the weather changes, the sun sets earlier, there is Fall in the air, color of the leaves, decorating the house and Oh, Oh, the prospect of dressing up is just so delightful, I cannot stand it!
As I watch my wee ones grow I see so many wonders through their eyes as well and this year particularly with my little gal, I saw me....opening Halloween boxes, putting on wigs, hats, scarves, shoes, all dress up fun out in the open to enjoy. I saw me as I once was a bit afraid of a skeleton head but still liking it and the mysterious fun it brought when used to decorate. I saw me in the giddy laughter of looking in the mirror to see how it would be to have long, black hair and big eyelashes.


This is the wonder I find right now; in the traditions loved so dearly, just naturally and the fun to be had together.

Monday, October 12, 2009

It's heartfull...



That is what happens, our hearts become full when we connect...with old friends and comfortable times, familiar folk and just that whole wonderful feeling of people you love and cherish so dearly.
As I also wrote about here.

This weekend was wonderful, house full of children, music, good friends, food and just some great times. Thank you to our lovely friends for filling our home with more wonderful memories, laughter and love. Here is Otis and Otis the musician...thank you for the great time, all of you!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Sand and Earth...


Let us remember, at times, to dig our feet & hands into the sand & earth, let our toes & fingers feel the grit, be one with it all...
remember from where we find strength, grounding, solitude...


I watched a flock of pelicans float on the wind and never wished & longed so deeply that I could fly too.
To be up there, one with the wind, so simple, yet so divine.

I walked to the edge
looked down
looked out

there it was

I stretched out my arms
and reached long
to find I could fly
all along it was there

waiting to be released


Have a splendid day!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Men & boys...

Sometimes it just becomes undeniably clear that men are really boys in big body suits...Oh my what a sight, my man FZ heading out to sea with our wee guy SZ to surf the waves, or at least learn a few tricks out there in the swells.
It was simply gorgeous this past weekend, water so divine, waves big at times but just right at this point when these two guys headed out.
There is really nothing quite like seeing a boy and his Dad just doing their thing. One more wonder as I like to say and so happy to share.


Have a great evening...and if you ever feel like dropping me a wee comment, I would love to hear from you (as well as make sure my comments work since I have had some problems over the past months).

Toodaloo for now.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Gratitude

Often, I have to stop and remind myself to be grateful. Yes, I know that may sound like a no brainer, but really how many of us are truly grateful regularly? I try to be, however, life gets going and we sometimes get into the groove of things so much that we neglect our gratitude for all that is around us; people, nature, ourselves. Yes, by ourselves, I mean that we should be grateful for all we are and that which we do.

This past weekend, I found myself, while camping, being aware of so many things for which I give gratitude. First, it was a rainbow right above our site, then the sunset that followed was framed in the most amazing clouds and fire burning sky. And upon turning from the sunset, I was staring straight up at the full moon! So bright and strong in the sky.


Gratitude washed over me like the tide rolling in and filled me with such happiness and love...I am inspired to share with those that I am thankful for. Never let an opportunity to express your thankfulness for someone in your life go by. And while you do so, remind yourself how wonderful you are as well and how thankful you are for you!

Let us remember to stop in our busy lives and give thanks for both small and big wonders around us.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Home away...

Signing off here for le weekend and sending out relaxing, creative and insightful vibes for a lovely few days off to all.
Heading out to the seaside for some camping down time in our home away from home...so many fun little tidbits of wonder to be had...the sounds of the ocean drifting us off into slumberland, crisp, cool mornings with hot tea to warm the soul, teaching further our lovely wee lady to knit, watching her teach her friends to knit, SZ building soldier forts in the dirt (it is just ingrained in these little guys I tell you)...oh the list goes on and on.
All wonderous, that I can say for sure.
There is something so amazing about this time of year in California. Fall is upon us and the air is so clean and crisp, days warm up but there is the undeniable feeling of change all around. Summer has passed and I am always ready when this time of year arrives.
The beaches are quiet and the breeze has shifted. It would appear however, that the Santa Ana's are also upon us, seems a bit late, and so the fact that they blow everything out to provide a crystal clear horizon, the pending fire hazard which takes a hold of our lovely state is also looming when these winds arrive.

I can't wait to experiment with my camera and deliver some great photos next week.
I am also taking a new journal and beginning the process of...well, writing again.
Here is to a super fantastic weekend and make sure to stop, look, listen and breathe it all in.
Tata for now.