I am Harvesting My Blessings ♥

Wow I can not believe how long it's been since I've been on my blog! It's a combination of things but my confidence is motivating me to do much better at doing so. We are enjoying the beautiful autumn here. I hope you are taking in the colors, smells, and the feelings of fall too!
I am an autumn girl! Waking up to a crisp cool morning and seeing wisps of fog hoovering over the pond up our road is beautiful to me. I sat at the top of the long stairway on the front of our home enjoying it. There was just enough of a breeze to rustle the gold and brown speckled leaves on the aspens. I'm not sure there are words to describe the aroma of autumn ♥ The dewy leaves that have come to rest along the ground seem to leave a lasting impression on my heart before they crumble beneath the snow.

I always think I remember EXACTLY the fragrances of the leaves as they nestle together on the damp ground. That is until... the first breezes of autumn reach me with that aroma again. It is a blend of familiar memories and the realization that a new season has again come. There is something calming yet awakening about precious autumn. That warm feeling of nestling into a blanket while a crisp breeze dances past you. The comfort of my coat pulled close around me while both the wind and aromas of autumn swirl around my feet and race up to lift my hair as if to play.

So many times I will be driving and I feel compelled to stop along the road. As I walk up along the tall grass by the sloping field, if I'm quiet enough, I see several deer resting. One time in particular, I could see their ears turn so slightly towards me yet they didn't lift to run away. I could see the slightest details of steam rising from under the deer and the leaves nestled under the trees. Seeing them at rest has a comforting appeal to me. It is also reassuring to me that God has placed an awareness in each of us to prepare for what is coming. The new seasons that await us. Harvest, store, prepare for the new season ahead. He speaks to me in that way and I'm joyful that He loves me and awakens me to this.

These last several months have been a journey in faith, confidence, gratitude and hopefulness to me. Waiting to step out and place my work where it can be critiqued, enjoyed or even inspire is difficult at times. I think when I put a piece of myself and my feelings into what I do it makes it challenging. I know that when I've finished certain pieces I often wonder whose home will this go in. Will it add something special to their nest? Will they know somehow that I wanted them to have something that I made from my heart? I know that many things will be made, things will be sold and often those moments pass with no lingering afterthought. Perhaps it is just sold to someone who doesn't look that deep into these things and that's just fine too. It is what it is. I am yielding to my heart and just opening up. I've gained wonderful friendships and new paths are ahead for me. I am becoming acquainted with myself again and receptive and so tremendously grateful for the life I've been blessed with. I want to thank my family and my friends who have lifted my heart, encouraged me, shared with me and cared for me. I especially want to thank my friend and artist Vicky Ingwersen with Olde Homestead Barn. She has been such a joy to me, truly inspiring, very giving of her knowledge and support and for that I am beyond words in my gratitude ♥ Thank you Vicky~ I'm blessed to call you my friend.

Here is to my new season... my new beginning~ I will Harvest My Blessings and this is one of my latest pieces of art. Thank you for stopping by to read my blog.... Have a blessed autumn!!! ~ Dawn ♥

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AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL!!

America the Beautiful
Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
Melody by Samuel Ward




America the Beautiful
Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!

Folkart Wooden Shoe Forms

I'm on a folkart roll lately. During a shopping trip a few months ago, my husband and I found a few sets of wooden shoe forms. They were plain but I saw a great surface to add some personality to. Each of the forms folds into itself.
I love to look at ordinary things and think of how to make them unique. I'm scouring through my boxes and deciding on what to do next. Have a wonderful week ahead and keep creating!!
Blessings, Dawn

Happy Mothers Day Jessica ♥

I've always had such an emotional response to Mothers Day. I have had many many years of sweet Mothers Days. As this one draws near I have been thinking a lot about my daughter Jessica and her little girl, Ava. This will be the second Mothers Day that she's celebrated with her little one. This has really touched my heart. A few years ago, I wondered to myself how would I ever share with her all of those intangible things that are nearly indescribable about motherhood? How can I speak justice to that lift that her heart will experience when the nurse brings her newly born daughter close to her face to kiss? How do I describe the way her tiny body will mold to her arms and then turn instinctively towards her? She has experienced this already and it has transformed her.
How do I communicate to my daughter that mix of joy and apprehension when her child will press her face up against the bus window, looking for her approval and one last secret hand sign meant only for them? Those moments are years away but really only blinks when we turn back to remember.
The joy is in that unbroken thread that weaves gently around the cradle, the school desks, picnic tables, swings, sunday school, softly spoken and heartfelt night night prayers, her first love and to places in the future we won't see. I can rejoice that this beautiful experience will gracefully be a part of my daughters life~ a mothers life. It's not easy. It's not meant to be easy. It's not hard. It's not meant to be hard. It is quite simply a bit of heaven placed here entrusted to each mother.
Be patient....it goes so quickly. Be grateful....this blessing isn't bestowed on everyone who wants it. Be there to listen....there will come a day when no one wants to talk. Be strong....there WILL be waves you need to battle. Be gentle....there will be bruises to kiss and hearts to heal. Be YOU....show your daughter by example how to be all she can be!
This is dedicated to my Jessica ♥ I am so thankful to God for your beautiful life and the honor of being your mother. You are an answer to my prayers. Blessings to you, Sweetheart! Oh.... and one last wish.... Happy Mothers Day! Love, Mom

Pineapple Mouse Light

I wanted to do something with a pineapple for a light for awhile. Since I didn't have the patience to try to figure out a little fabric mouse, I decided to paint two of them. They are peeking out of the two holes they ate through. LOL! I want to thank Vicky from Olde Homestead Barn for giving me some ideas for my leaves. I think they turned out very nice.
It's my first attempt at this light so I was doing everything kind of trial and error. I hope it makes you smile. Again thanks to my friend and artist Vicky ... www.oldehomesteadbarn.com/ You are an inspiration to me ♥
Blessings, Dawn

Spring Has Sprung

I thought I'd post this photo of the Mothers Day gift I made my mom last year. It may give you an idea for a handmade gift. Mothers day is in 6 weeks so it's plenty of time to come up with something special and lasting. I love flowers but they don't last unless you give some for the yard.
This is a trio of paper mache boxes that I painted in spring colors and with little painted embellishments. The bottom two boxes can be utilized for storage. The top box is filled with soft delicate greens, tiny flowers, and a small electric candle light with a silicone bulb. It has an on/off switch inline so you don't have to plug and unplug the light. Be sure to seal the boxes well to help when you dust it lightly. I think it makes a wonderful accent light for little vignettes. Maybe it could be placed on a night table or inside of a display cupboard.
If your mom likes a particular flower you could incorporate that into the display or a particular color to go with her decor. Inside you could tuck a handwritten note or some vintage family photos for some added memories.
Happy Spring and Have a blessed Easter ♥ Dawn
1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

I have had this wonderful wooden hinged basket lid for a long while. The basket was tattered and is being used to store craft items in. After looking at it and never quite being sure what to do with it I decided to paint it. I woke up about 2 in the morning and drew out my idea. I wanted to do something a little special for the horizon so I added a pineapple. This is my own design. There are a few things I'd do differently the next time I paint this but I'm pleased that I did it. Sometimes those moments early in the morning are the most rewarding. I don't know that anyone else will think it would look nice in a home but I'm looking forward to working on more things like this.
Have a blessed week and thanks so much for looking!!
Dawn

Spring Memories

I love love love to look through the local secondhand stores for unfound treasures. One of the big thrills for me is to find something that invokes special memories. I remember moving things around and seeing these small rainboots in our Goodwill. I quickly picked them up and flashed back to wearing similar rainboots as a little girl.
I remember waking up before school and hearing the rain softly tapping the windows letting me know that I would get to wear my favorite boots. I'd grab my brown lunch bag, my shiny raincoat, my most favorite bubble umbrella and splash my way up the street wearing my boots. During the brief walk to my school on days like that I don't recall hearing the dogs barking, friends voices as they raced hurriedly to school, or really even thought of the day ahead of me. I was insulated a bit from the biting wind that swirled around me snapping the bottom of my raincoat against my legs. I'd watch the condensation form on the inside of my umbrella and wipe a spot to see thru as I walked. It's a wonder I didn't walk into mailboxes or stumble face first into the ditches lining the road because I would study the drops of rain as they slid gently down the umbrella. I thought how lovely it was that something that I believed fell from heaven landed precisely on me. It felt special.
The smells as it rained are still a special memory for me. How would I describe that precious fresh aroma that danced through the air during the rain and give it justice? The newly damp smell of the rain splashing onto the gravel and as it wound between the rocks had it's own unique smell. The unmistakeable lift you would feel as you walked past a yard full of newly blooming lilac bushes and freshly mowed grass. It fills your heart♥ It was a simple time and I look on it so fondly. I'm grateful that despite the many many years since I slid my eager socks into the rainboots...I still smile at the beads of rain streaming down the windows. The fragrance of lilacs even now gives me such joy.
I wanted to share this idea for a display with each of you. I added some pretty flowers inside of each boot. I also want to rejoice and eagerly welcome the spring that is just around the corner. I wish many beautiful new spring memories for you all!!
Blessings, Dawn

Handpainted folkart closet doors & switchplate

I had painted a switchplate years back and had the perfect place for it in my master bathroom. After realizing that I had limited space to paint what I wanted to on the walls, it came to me that I should paint the blank closet doors. I based them in an very light warm yellow and then went to work painting in the panels. I saw a perfect frame for each panel so I gave it a black frame and a medium sage green for the "mat". The panels are not as detailed as I would like so they may be repainted at some point. It seemed like the perfect place to add a little bit of personality on the doors. They are so often overlooked.
I hope you enjoy this and that it inspires you!
Blessings, Dawn