Thankful

 “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them” John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American family and friends. As long as we remember to say please, thank you and appreciate all that is good in our lives it sure does make a difference in this fast paced modern world we live in. 

Thanksgiving has always been my favourite holiday, it can be a beautiful day, quiet and simple and uncomplicated as simply taking time to be thankful for all that is good.

Plymouth  was our home for many years. The things I love about the region include being able to smell pine and salty beaches at the same time, fresh seafood, sandy beaches, quiet forests with unexpected encounters with nature at play, the many little local artists and markets and shopkeepers, going to school and hanging out with kids with names that connected us to history.   The Plymouth Plantation is a fantastic adventure to visit to get a feel of life for the pioneers and appreciate their accomplishments.

 

This photo was taken on one of the beaches at Plymouth not far from the famous rock.

 

Psalm 71:14

"As for me, I will always have hope."
Started working on the calendar and schedule for the next few weeks and realised 2013 is almost over. It has been a blur of all kinds of events around here but focusing on the future and appreciating all beauty that does surround us. Sharing a photo for fans of Sky Watch Friday from the beautiful north coast of New South Wales were we could almost call this a room with a view.
Putting the finishing touches on a new workshops as well, including this gift card holder for the holiday season based on a jumbo tag with lots of special little details.

The class is part of the My Creative Classroom offerings, lots to choose from for all kinds of crafters. Have a wildly creative weekend friends!

Sharing a video clip from time lapse photographer Louie Schwartzberg and TEDx on the topic of living with gratitude that can't help but make you smile.

 

It is that time of year .... the holiday music has started.

Hopes & Dreams

"There is a world where hope and dreams can last for all times."Ariel

Happy Sky Watch Friday my friends, click the link to see what bloggers from all over have found in their skies to share this week.  Have been busy with a few projects the last few weeks, taking up new roles with the Craft and Hobby Association Designers Group and launching new on line workshops including this one on textures called Bricks and Stones.

Whatevers is a challenge site hosted by 3 creative friends Cat Scanlon, Vicki Chrisman, Nat Kalbach,  to celebrate found photos and the stories that could be told.    My creation is Charles and Chelsea which started here  

This edition is titled the colourful world down under.

Dearest Charles,

We have been motoring across the countryside and our timing could not have been better, the desert wildflowers are in bloom everywhere.  The hills are a rainbow of bright vivid hues of every colour.  Catherine has been sketching the many pretty flowers.  Tomorrow we are travelling on the city of Grafton for their famous Jacaranda festival in a blaze of purple.

Write more when we get there! 

Chelsea

 

Found photos of weddings, babies, or young people going off to war are often for sale at jumble stalls and antique centres.  Rich with details of fashion or landscapes that have changed and vintage automobiles, but sadly with no voice to tell their stories.  Do you ever wonder, who are these people and what is their story? Click the link to the Whatevers and see how some of collaborating creatives are taking their stories, everyone is welcome to join in.

The flowers on this page are cut from Catherine Scanlon’s Art Journal Coloring Book.

Possibilities

"There are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.”  H. E. Fosdick
Ordinary days, ordinary walks, and ordinary moments, you never know when they can turn extra special on you and one of the reasons why I like Sky Watch Friday, it is great fun to see what bloggers from all over the world have found in their sky to share with us this week.

Have been busy creating new tutorials for My Creative Classroom, Shadowboxes for an early start on holiday gifts and mixed media quickie tutorials. The stamps on this card are from Catherine Scanlons's new collection with Art Gone Wild.

Welcome to Country

"My hope and prayer is that everyone know and love our country for what she really is and what she stands for.”  John Wayne

Being who he was, everyone would know what country John was referring to, but I hope we all feel the same about our own little patch of the earth. There are so many beautiful places to be appreciated and protected.  View of the horizon looking towards Nightcap National Park.  Click the link to Sky Watch Friday to see what bloggers from all over have to share this week.
 

Happy Days

"Happiness,
not in another place
but this place
not for another hour
but this hour”
Walt Whitman 

Celebrating spring in the tropics, all the trees are bursting with flowers and the birds are enjoying the sweets of the season.  Click the link to Sky Watch Friday to see what bloggers from all over have found in their sky to share this week.

 



Today

"Today I shall behave as if this is the day I shall be remembered." Dr Seuss
Walking unspoiled beaches like this, we leave trails, foot prints, hopefully no rubbish, and simply enjoy the show that nature provides us.  Click the link for Sky Watch Friday to see what bloggers from all over the world have found in their sky to share this week.
 

Courage

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to ones courage" Anais Nin

Love these quiet salty marshes full of nooks and potential adventure.  Sharing a vacation photo with friends in Sky Watch Friday the biggest and best linky party celebrating the simple joys of watching the sun go by.
 

Light

In the right light at the right time, everything is extraordinary, Aaron Rose

How very true, a pretty afternoon and view can turn spectacular with a change of light.  Am sharing a photo from one of my favourite beaches showing off a pretty play of light off encroaching clouds.  Click the link to Sky Watch Friday to see what 100s of bloggers from all over have found in their sky to share this week.

Putting the finishing touches on a new mixed media workshop for My Creative Classroom. 

Blue Sky Afternoons

click to enlarge

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life, it turns what we have into enough and more"  Melody Beattie

Am grateful to have taken time out to travel, enjoying beautiful blue sky afternoons, spending time with family and friends.  This cool weather vane is typical of the New England and Maritime regions and sits a top the Loring Cranberry Warehouse.  This beautiful old building is for sale,  you can click the links for a walk through to appreciated and the interesting crafted details.

Adding a link to the Sky Watch Friday party with 100s of bloggers from all over the world sharing their view of the horizon.