I am one of those people who does not like to get up early in the morning and leap about getting the day begun. I need my slow- to- awake- mornings, lingering in bed over breakfast and a television show. I like to slowly come alive and begin thinking about what the day holds. I'll get up early and enjoy a day that has a quick, early start but it is definitely not my choice. Sundays are even lazier for me because the local paper is thrown into the mix and of course, it has to be read before I get up. Time is so sweet that I hate to rush a new day into reality. I always have a gazillion things to do but amazingly enough, all those things wait for me to get to them. Nothing starts on its own. Everything in my little Lois world waits for me. I keep wishing I had little elfin fairies around to do things for me but I don't. My life waits for me in the morning like a cat curled at my feet; she will  sleep until the creative adrenaline begins its coursing journey through my very soul.

In a turquoise mood yesterday. These will join all the new beads in the Turquoise case
in the lobby right below the lapis and around the corner from the amber.

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about a zillion and three different things. The frailty and shortness of life, finding time to be creative, showing love to family, understanding my teenager. patience and care with customers, to name just a few things. It seems like spring would be a time of renewal and rebirth, a cleaning of cobwebs and soul but I find it a time of introspection, a time of turning inward before going into the light, warmth and color of spring.

Turning older, deciding again, just as I did as a teenager myself, what kind of person I want to be. We are forever and always, the Phoenix rising from the ashes and reinventing ourselves. I am artist and jeweler. Mother and wife, friend and companion. Did I achieve anything I thought I would so many decades ago when I was a teen myself? Have I grown into the woman I thought I would be?

Yes. I am strong. I am a good friend. I spend the majority of my days being creative and helping my customers find their muse. I am love and light. Aging in place with wisdom and joy, a small, infinitesimally small, blip in the grand universe of life.

Now, I need to figure out what this day holds for me.

Tonight was gallery walk in Port Townsend and it was my first walk alone in the gallery without Dale as a partner. I was dreading being alone in the space between patrons but as I sat and looked around the  
gallery; I realized how much I liked seeing my work grouped together. I am still amazed that the work was something that was so of me, from me, for me. I liked hearing the comments from gallery walk participants of how much they enjoyed seeing my paintings all together. The space feels inviting, filled with color and warmth. It is truly a luxury and indulgence for me to be able to rent the space for my own pleasure and artwork. It stretches the budget ferociously but I have to do it to feel like myself. To fulfill a passion that I have had since I was a child and wanted to be an artist.

Tonight is the trunk show of all the beady treasures purchased in Tucson this year. I think I shopped carefully and bought beautiful beads at great prices. I am excited to see the reaction on my customers' faces this evening as they look at the classroom fully displayed with beads. I actually ran out of room before I could get everything out. See you tonight anytime after 5:30 until 7:30. Yay! A bead event!

Just finished doing the Washington State University sponsored show, Sew Expo, at the Puyallup fairgrounds. The show was busy, really just packed full of people all in a pretty good mood and seemingly happy to be there. It must work the same for them as it does for me; shows and being surrounded by other creative people just inspires me! I could not stop my brain from designing in my mind's eye, all the things I can make and do with all the wonderful supplies at the show! I can only hope that my display of beads and charms does the same for others.

Here are some show pictures to browse. Maybe next year you will be there!

My banner, handmade of wool felt and machine stitching.

My handsome hubby-bubby.

The booth display.

Cool doll made by Reeta in the booth next door.

Beads!

Reeta's display.

Crowds!

Ages!

Nearly a month has passed since I last wrote on my blog. I have no excuses, really, none. I just get so wrapped up in the day to day living of a life that when I sit down to work on line, I can think of nothing to say - sometimes. Anyhow, I am here. Still making things and hanging out. Still lusting for a dog and still getting over my miserable Tucson cold.

I am on a journey exploring fiber and fabric, sewing by machine and hand. Making banners, small quilts ( the first time in at least 20 years! ) and combining all my loves in jewelry pieces.

Here is a photo of one of my silver plated resin frames with needle felted roving in it. This is the first experiment. Naturally it includes a spiral and more ideas are swimming in my head. Where will this new journey of metal and fiber and sewing lead? We will just have to find out!

IN all the hustle of planning for the Tucson show and all the busyness that comes with working towards a big event, I decided that I needed part of a day off. Telling Phil I want some time off away from the house means to him a trip to Costco. It is one of his favorite places. As for me, I can take the newspaper and sit in the snack area and have a very berry sundae. Shopping in a warehouse store is not my idea of an adventure but I do love me some quiet time in a noisy place.

Driving around Sequim I was able to take a few pictures. I love how pretty the countryside there is. Especially the parts that have not become covered with urban sprawl, all big box stores and chain restaurants. My ex in laws settled this town after arriving from Indiana and Pennsylvania in covered wagons. I often wonder what they would think of their old homestead now if they saw what I see as corruption of a once fine landscape of farms and wild open spaces leading to foothills leading to the majestic Olympic Mountains. The mountains remain as strong and beautiful as ever, calling me into their white veiled winter. Following here are some pictures from my day out.

So much rain that the barn roof is moss green with moss!

Glacial rocks? Rock cache?

Bush covered in moss.

The Olympics looking like the jagged peaks in a child's
drawing.

A green, green farm field in winter's January.

The road to the peaks.

Brush by the roadside.