Bambi's

A little while ago you may have read a post I wrote about a young buck that I'd made friends with.

Seems like the word must have got out because these two beautiful bambi's decided they would check me out too.

I could spent hours watching them.  What I loved was how the little guy pictured below was so much more confident than his sibling.

It's funny how personalities show through even at this young age.

Aren't they the cutest (when they're not eating everything in sight that is).

Sketchbook Project - 2011 Tour

Have you heard of The Sketchbook Project? 

I hadn't until I stumbled upon the Art House Co-op website.

I found myself intrigued by the concept and before I knew it I was signing myself up.

Basically those who choose to participate are sent a blank moleskine sketchbook.  The idea is to fill the book with your artwork/journaling which you then send back for inclusion in an art project.

The sketchbooks are to be exhibited at galleries and museums as they make their way on tour across the country.  Once the tour is complete they will then be entered into a permanet collection at the Brooklyn Art Library, where they are made available for the public to view.

I should probably mention that I have never done any art journaling before although it's something that I am fascinated by and have always wanted to explore.  Over the last month I have bought a number of supplies but just haven't plucked up the courage to go for it.  Participating in this project pushes me way outside my comfort zone but I'm excited about the journey and what I may discover along the way.

Having said that, as I sit here anxiously waiting for my moleskine to arrive, I am left wondering if I've bitten off more than I can chew.  Then again if you don't take those steps (or leaps) forward how are you ever going to get anywhere.

If you're interested in learning more about the project you can find all the details on the Art House Co-op Website.

Snail Mail Shutter Pals Project

Over at the Shutter Sisters blog they recently did a shout out for people who wanted to participate in a Snail Mail Project and I did something that was quite unusual for me . . .  I jumped at the chance.

We all know how exciting it can be to receive personal mail in amongst all those bills so the idea is to exchange photos, letters, postcards or notes with the Shutter Pals that you get matched up with.

I was expecting just one Shutter Pal, but couldn't have been more excited when I found I had three.  I put pen to paper and now have letters winging their way to California, Minnesota and Canada and can't wait to learn more about these wonderful women in return.

Do you have a pen pal that you correspond with?

Photo courtesy of Chris Dyche

Purple Rain Mixed Media Art Canvas

Purple Rain 10"x8" Art Canvas

There's Beauty In Imperfection

All to often we get focus on our flaws but Mother Nature reminded me that there's beauty in those imperfections.

This little guy has a damaged wing but that didn't stop me from marvelling at how beautiful he looked, in fact it was his differences that drew me in.

Take a good look at yourself . . . you're not broken, flawed or ugly but beautiful, different and perfect just the way you are. 

Mood Of The Moment - Migraine

The dark clouds, the heavy rain

Brings with it a degree of pain

As the pressure builds inside your head

Almost to the point where you wish yourself dead

Then the clouds pass and the pressure lifts

And you soon find that your mood shifts

From a devil possessed to a human being

As you peel yourself down from off the ceiling

poem by Kathryn Dyche Dechairo

A Labor Of Love

For the past two years my mother has lovingly worked on a quilt for me and when I visited her in May I got to see the finished piece.

Wow, I was blown away by the beauty of it and all the little details that had been incorporated to give it special meaning . . . . .  like the celtic knot that is featured in the center (a link to my welsh ancestory) and the outline of a gorilla that is hidden in the stitching (for my love of apes).

Autumnal/fall colors are not my mum's personal color palette but you'd never know.  She incorporated all my favorites and it couldn't have been more perfect.

Here's my mum (second in from the left) with her friends Lynn & Jenny who helped her with the color combinations and machine stitching this amazing piece.

I'm sure you'll agree that she's a gifted and talented woman.  This is a piece I will be sure to treasure.

I love you mum. xoxox

New Mixed Media Art Canvas - Blades

Blades - Mixed Media Art Canvas

Close Encounter With A Deer Friend

The last couple of times I've ventured outside to take photos there has been a deer eating grass right at the side of our deck.

Usually when you make some noise deer tend to bolt but this little fellow doesn’t seem to get spooked at all.

He just hangs out in the middle of the yard watching me take my photos while I have a one way conversation with him. It’s the cutest thing.

He's full of character too and I had to laugh when I saw his parting shot to me.

In Need Of A Hero

This morning I realized that I needed to get some kind of protective sleeve for my laptop and found myself excited at the thought of creating one.

I had been a while since I'd done any sewing so it was fun to revisit my fabrics and pick out a piece that I wanted to work with.  I also wanted to make sure that the sleeve was nicely padded so started hunting around for batting.

Most of my fabrics are stored in the main part of the house but after searching several drawers, boxes and cupboards I finally realized that some of the bulkier items like the batting was in a pine chest of drawers down in our basement . . . . .

 . . . . sure enough, there it was. I was so excited.

Image by Nic Dyche

As I pulled it out I was hit with this horrendous smell and within seconds it dawned on me what it was -  uuurgh mouse pee!!!  I dropped the batting on the floor and freaked out even more when I saw a bunch of nesting material fall from it.  A quick glance in the general direction of the open drawer also revealed mouse droppings and more nesting material. 

I quickly shut the drawer in case the critter was still inside and raced upstairs taking the steps two at a time (you can just picture it can't you).  Even now, typing this, my skin is still crawling at the thought of it (shudder).

I can't wait for my husband to come home so that he can clear it all out for me (my hero).  It's devastating to think all that material is ruined but there's no way I could even look at it now.

Emotional Rollercoaster

I often find myself on an ‘Emotional Rollercoaster’ and, as exhilarating and fun as it can be, there are moments when I'd love to be able to push the 'stop' button and get off.

Just Stop Photo Print by Chris Dyche

There are times when its as though I’m on top of the world, a place where anything seems possible, I feel talented, special, motivated and inspired, then the next I find myself plummeting to a place of fear, self doubt, and all the makings of my own pity party.

How do you stop fear and self doubt from creeping in?

No one can have any kind of party (pity or otherwise) without cake so I'll leave you for now to go cut me a slice.

Raindrops Mixed Media Art Canvas

This new piece was inspired by rain on a window pane, a new personal favorite.

Raindrops Mixed Media Art Canvas

Deer Mixed Media Art Canvas

Deer Mixed Media Art Canvas

I Love You

Photo by Chris Dyche

“I Love You” can be the hardest words to say

Particularly when you know someone’s going away

But sometimes it’s the silence that can say so much

Especially when combined with a loving touch

Poem by Kathryn Dyche Dechairo

Are Birds Afraid Of Heights?

Have you ever wondered if birds are afraid of heights?

Artful Blogging

Artful Blogging never disappoints and after reading the summer edition I came away with some new blog favorites.

Jeanne Oliver (A Bushel & A Peck) talks about the freedom she found through writing and sharing her thoughts.  When I first started blogging I was nervous about how much of myself to 'put out there' and share.  Jeanne's story has encouraged me to strive for greater heights and to ultimately soar.

If you're looking for some great advice on all aspects of blogging Beth Schaleben (Show & Tell) and Shona Cole (An Artful Life) deliver just that.  I'd also recommend checking out the photos on Shona's blog, they're magical.

There are times when I find a feature really resonates with me and this was true of Lucy Sweetland's (A Black Pepper).  Like Lucy I moved countries and loved reading about her fearlessness and ability to truly embrace change.

Terri Fischer (And Her Head Popped Off) has the most amazing way with words and Kim Klassen's story could be my own (Kim Klassen Cafe).

This publication contains so many great artists, these are just some of my personal favorites, which are yours?

Liberated After A Decade Of Dust

This weekend marked a momentous occasion . . . . . my bike, which for close to ten years had been relegated to the deep dark recesses of our garages, was finally liberated.

After a good dusting down, reinflating of tires and a quick check of the brakes my husband and I headed to a bike path near our home and started pedaling. 

Let's just say it wasn't only the bike that was a little rusty but it was a great couple of hours and I don't know who was more happy to feel the sun . . . me or my bike!

Once my muscles have recovered I just might be tempted to do it again.

What haven't you done or seen in the last ten years?

Sunset Tree

Sunset Tree by Dyche Designs

Making New Friends

I recently got together with two amazing women at a  coffee shop in downtown Leesburg (Shoes Cup and Cork).  You may be a little confused by the 'Shoes' sign . . . the building used to be a Shoe Repair business before it was transformed into a great coffee house.

I first met Yvette & Kristi through the Virginia Etsy Team.  After corresponding for a time online we agreed that it would be fun to meet in person.  Two and half hours later I found myself walking away with a spring in my step and the feeling that I'd just made two new friends.

Yvette Perri is owner of FineHeart and creates the most beautiful handmade necklaces, bracelets and earrings incorporating stunning materials such as gemstones, fresh water pearls, paua shells and Swarovski crystals into her work.

Kristi Krug Quill is the owner of Barn Owl Primitives and specializes in unique custom signs. 

I think you'll agree that her love affair with letters is evident.

Both of these talented artists offer custom pieces so don't be shy in contacting them. 

If you're thinking about meeting with other artists in your area I can highly recommend it.  Don't forget to stop by the Virginia Is For Etsyers Team Blog to learn more about other Virginian artists.

A Sticky Situation

There are times when the most bizarre things seem to happen to me . . . . . .

Those of you who've been following my blog a while will know that I made a trip to the UK about a month ago.  While I was there I hired a small rental car to get out and about.

The thing with rental cars is that it takes a while to figure out all the buttons and gadgets and get everything set up the way you like it . . . . hold that thought.

What most of you may not know about me is that I'm not really a girly girl.  I'm not one to drool over shoes, handbags or the latest fashions and I hardly ever wear any makeup.

On this one particular day though I decided to push out the boat and wear some lip gloss.  I was feeling pretty good about myself as I got into the car, that was until I turned the key in the ignition.  There was a huge whoosh as the air vents came on full blast bringing in a gust of air from outside and with it a load of muck.  You can just picture it can't you?  My lipgloss was like a magnet to this stuff and all I could do was laugh as I sat there picking all the bits of debris off my sticky lips.

Note To Self - don't wear lip gloss while venting outside air!

Please tell me I'm not the only one this kind of thing happens to.  I'd love to hear your stories.