Wha...whaaaa, I'm woke, I'm woke already....

....wipes the long sleep from the eyes. Sits up and takes a long stretch accompanied by a long overdue yawn. Scratches here an there as thoughts come into focus. Mmmm, the covers are so warm, do I have to leave them?

Oh come now, this is a new year. You haven't been here since October? Get yo' self up and start the New Year!

Okay, okay, I'm up I said! Geez! Hey, ya got any coffee over there? Mind if I have a cup?

There ya go. It's a strong one, but I think you need it.

You're right, how did you know? This is a good cup, and the best part of the day.

Oh hey guys! MIA Deb here.......Welcome to the New Year. Thank you all for continuing to hang out over here now and again with me. You have been missed. I am grateful to you all. Your support means much to me.

May you have a prosperous year.

May it be filled with comfort.

May you bring joy to others.

May you receive Peace.

May you cherish your time, in the moment.

What ever you put your energy into, make it worthwhile.

May you give from your heart and not
expect anything in return.

May you come to know YOU better than
you did yesterday.

May you love yourself more than you did yesterday
and pass it on to others.

May you bring to this world a new light
for yourself and others.

May you be blessed, and know that you have what it takes to achieve whatever you want. And not let yourself or others tell you otherwise.

Namaste
Deb

Yeah, so about that Kreativ Blogger Award.....

...um, well ya see, I kinda got one, twice. No, it wasn't a mistake. Two different people gave them to me. The first one was the beginning of April from Julie Mitchell over at When the Spirit Moves Me. And the second one was yesterday from Carol, over at Art Muse Dogs. I didn't feel deserving of the award so I never posted about the first time. Apparently someone out there in the cosmos thought different and brought it back and left it here at my doorstep again. I cannot deny it now and have to graciously, with embarrassment accept this award. I'M NOT USED TO THIS!

Carol and Julie are both creators of Spirit dolls and I visit their blogs often. What an inspiration they are! They have ignited the fire in me to pick up my doll making again. Years ago, all I did was make dolls. I will bring some of them out of their slumber, take some pics, (hopefully not blurry ones) and post them here soon. Julie and Carol have given so much support and inspiration to many of us out there. Thank you both so very much.

So is it 6 or 7 things that gets posted about what I love, like, wish for, like to create, inspire me? Clueless Clara Bell here......Well then

I love my daughter, Aiyana who is the most wonderful, most beautiful, friendliest, gracious, loving person in my world. I was given a second chance to do it right and I did.

I am inspired by the sights, sounds, smells, tastes of the world around me.

I am thankful for the Breath of life....breathing's good, yeah?

I am blessed to have a few brain cells left over after a life of sex, drugs, and Rock-n-Roll. 70's throwback. My drugs today are a strong cup-o-Joe and Coca-Cola (in the red can, thank you).

I am so happy to have met so many of you who spark my creativity and inspire me through your creative blogs. And those of you whom I know and love dearly outside of blogging.

I love fried Spam sandwich's (crispy around the edges) with mayo on white (wheat these days) bread. Ha! Didn't see that one comin' did ya?

I am grateful to have been given a chance to see life through new eyes. To come out of my shell little by little. To feel affirmed for who you are and not what you look like or where you came from is pretty amazing to me.

And now, I want to pass this award on to those who have sparked ideas, inspirations, some "OMG! How did they do that?", eye candy to make one drool, "Gosh, I gotta try that!", and give generously blogs.

The Vintage Moth

The Graphics Fairy

Both have free images for you to use in your art. Thank you for your hard work.

Spirit Journey Designs

'cuz she makes awesome jewelry that I drool over. Amazing work!

Spark your Imagination

OMG! I wanna be like her when I grow up! I've been lurking her site and her Flickr page for some time now.

ODD Imagination

Ya know what? I just recently happened onto this blog and was so overcome with awe that there was no question but to become a Follower. Those hands work magic!

Ink Stains

You want tutorials and lots of inspiration laced with serendipity? This is a place to go. I have learned a lot from this blog.

that Cheeky Urchin

For a bit of whimsy and a lot of color. Check out her work at Flickr.

And with that I say, thank you all for your hard work. 1000 Blessings of Good Karma to you!

And I believe in Angels too

I was talking with a friend last evening that I had not seen since last October catching up on our lives. Wow, so much has changed for the both of us since then. She's moving into new realms with her music career as a healer and reaching for the world. Totally embracing it all. New doors have opened for her in many areas of her life. I am so proud of her!

Last we spoke, we were both on the verge of "something" and all was not clear then. But from our conversation yesterday, we saw that there have been positive and major movements in both our lives. Yeah! Without getting into the details ('cuz it would be pages long) the assurance of our Spirit Guides were in full swing all along. And some of them are Angels.


You may or may not know but in 2008, every month came with major changes for me. And I did not like it or know how to handle it all. A year of grieving and loss. I kid you not, from January through December. It was one of the most difficult years in my life. It's been about 19 years since something like this has happened. So I guess it was time for another one? Didn't see that one comin'.

I can now look back on it, thank the gods and goddesses. I now see how my Guardians, Angels, Protectors, Ancestors, Sisters, and Mother helped me through those 365 days. And still they help me. It is a year that will never be forgotten. I am humbled, grateful, blessed, and much more aware of my Spirit Guides now. In full force they come to help me. So friggin' caught up in the circumstances that they went unnoticed for a time, and they were knockin' hard too. But when I sat to quiet myself in my art, that's when I realized with clarity what was happening. Healing was taking place all over me, inside and out. The flow changed and I was on another path. With this shift, or transition as I call it, my Guides would visit often and comfort me. They are helping me with my grief, acceptance, letting go of things that I had no control over and taking leaps of faith.

It is best that I stop here and show you one of the pieces born out of that tragic year for me. She is called The Fiery Angel. Born out of the ashes you might say. Her creation started in April and completed in May of 2008. She sits in a shadow box that is 9x15". Found objects, vintage jewelry pieces, Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Mother of Pearl, handmade papers. Because she sits under glass, it is a bit hard to see her. So here are some pics before she was set inside.

Inspiration....how it found me today

In the small things there are amazing Big occurrences happening all the time. You see, it takes the small things to make the big things happen. I am inspired today by the sounds of the raindrops that slowly came into my hearing as I opened my eyes from a nights sleep. How soothing they sounded. I lingered in bed a little longer. As the thoughts of what to do today started to take shape, I could hear the sweet songs of the birds outside and wondered if they were playing in the rain. What a beautiful thought.

And on to the day at hand. Well, it could be a leisure one.....yeah, it will be. There are paper dolls to make for a Doll swap. I have been gathering small items for them. There are also Prayer flags to make. Hmm, how do I get those together? Small thoughts and images are gathered in my head, forming bigger images of how they are going to look. But I have to get out of bed now. I feel the need for coffee and breakfast in my tum.

Traipsing through some of my favorite blogs these last few days have given way to inspiration. *eats breakfast, sips coffee* Not so much in making/creating something, but writing. Aw jeez, I went there. Couldn't help it, it comes out like this sometimes too and I write. *not one of my mad skills*

I am inspired by the bird songs that I hear outside my window and the tenacity that those little creatures have to make it through each day. No matter what happens, they still bless us with song. I am inspired by the flowers that are budding on the trees, exploding with the colors of Spring. My car is covered in the tiny pink blossoms that have fallen upon it, reminding me of a float that one might see in a parade. I am blessed with the burst of colors that the trees are giving. The morning rains have stopped for now but I know that what was given has done so much. Washing away the old to bring forth the new. Spring is just under the surface, waiting to be born anew. I am inspired by the little things.

Also by the thoughts and creations of others as I said earlier. After reading some of the posts, something inside lead me to write these thoughts.

To Julia,

May the grounds where your feet tread be safe from all harm.
May you find the happiness that was lost.
May the plants and trees provide comfort and shelter for all.
And may the animals who live there abide in love and peace once again.

To Carol,

Follow your footsteps along the sand.
Let them bring you to a place that is peaceful and calm.
Wash your soul in the mists of the sea.