In Search of Spring

I think it was the Birdhouse Challenge designed by Karla and Beth called Bling Your Birdhouse scheduled for March 27th, that had me noticing birdhouses lately.




It was so nice to concentrate on something that reminded me of Spring.




We have had record snowfall this season. I believe it was November when it started and Oh yes, more expected tonight. So I set off with my camera this week to capture beautiful birds and birdhouses.

My bluebirds won't be back until Spring...I mean actual Springtime weather.




But, I found time to notice my little make believe ones and I took time to paint them too.



Well, by now you probably think I have gone completely mad when you realize there is no music on this post...just the lovely sound of birds chirping and doves moaning. It reminded me of my favorite bird aviary and I thought it perfect for those of us who long for Spring.

This week I took a ride to anything that hinted at Spring, which led to favorite nesting kinds of places, and wonderful Tower Hill Botanical garden. On a drive I often enjoy, there is a wonderful gazebo on a pretty lake. The lake is home to ducks, geese, swans, ducklings and even seagulls. As I drove by, I noticed there was a car parked in the middle of the parking lot and they were evidently feeding these feathered friends because the car was surrounded by all the ducks, geese, ducklings and seagulls.




They were all flocked near the car. A flickr moment if ever I saw one. I turned into the parking lot, parked my car and on foot, I carefully approached the birds so I wouldn't make them scatter and ruin the magic.




It was a mother, grandmother and two children. They had brought all kinds of food with them that birds would love. With smiles on their faces they turned to me and without speaking a word we knew each other. People who know when to stop and embrace a bit of magic. The mom looked over with such joy, look at all the fuss she had created and loving every moment which she had designed for her mom and her children.




I loved it, because it brought back wonderful memories of when I did similar kinds of things for my mother and my daughters. It was so sweet stepping into a joyful moment that she was pleased to share. She had no idea that it meant more to me than just embracing the photos, it was revisiting another chapter filled with beautiful memories.




I was welcome and I totally enjoyed myself. Here are the results of a flickr moment.



Now before I fly away, the music or should I say sound for this post is Spring Birds. I chose this sound because it brought back the memory of beautiful Hong Kong Park at their aviary standing on the landing pointing to all the birds with my mother, Sarah and Ashley. A moment so special, that the very sound of an orchestra a birds makes me cry happy tears. The kind of tears that say "I am so glad that I have this memory, but so sad that you will never be again." The kind of tears that burst without warning from some deep place within. When you are touching a heart memory and you want to embrace it for as long as you can before it vanishes into the land of memories.

I was in search of Spring, but thanks to that lovely mother in the park I was given something better...reminders of all the beautiful Springs that I have shared with my mother and my daughters. My mom is 81 years old and she is happy and healthy and we talk every day.

I set out to find Spring, and instead I found a wealth of Spring memories that I have been blessed with over my lifetime. I realized that once again searching for something outside, I found my bluebird right inside my heart. My mother always taught me to know when a special moment was happening and to stop where I was and memorize it. For this I will forever be grateful, because just like the gift of this unexpected reminder of another chapter, all my special days are written in my heart for me to play whenever I want to count my blessings and fly away to...Once Upon a Time.



Every time I write a post, I call my mom and I read it to her over the telephone. She always approves, after all she is my biggest fan. I realize this is very special and right this very moment, snow and all, I am standing still and memorizing today.


No matter what season you are enjoying, I wish you a bluebird wish to be reminded of all your seasons of blessings.

(Just a footnote, I think that Blogger might not be feeling well, comments are a bit quirky. So, comments might be a bit slower than usual. Lots of people have reported difficulties with their blogs this week...Not to worry they will fix it soon."

A Snow Covered Day in Historical New England

We had about eight inches of snow fall on Friday. The roads Friday night were really slippery and it looked like a blizzard. Saturday morning you wouldn't have even believed it had just snowed. The roads were completely plowed, and although it was a bit chilly the day was beautiful with a lovely white icing trim on all the places to admire, without slippery roads to contend with. I headed out for a ride to a lovely town called Sudbury.

The historical Wayside Inn is in a beautiful setting, especially with the backdrop of a snowy scene. The country roads all around the area are so beautiful. On the same road is the Old Grist Mill, which I and a million people have photographed in all seasons. As well as the Martha-Mary Chapel, which is so simple, yet magnificent on top of the hill.



I spent some time going inside the Old Grist Mill last Summer and there is a tour once inside.



Sitting on top of a hill overlooking the Grist Mill and on the same side of the road as the historical Wayside Inn you can't miss the Martha-Mary Chapel. This chapel was rebuilt in 1940 and the construction was overseen by Henry Ford. Today they host the most romantic weddings here, and people choose to have their reception at the Wayside Inn or put up a tent on the grounds of the chapel.



Last summer I took a ride to take some photographs and had the good fortune to be there on a day when The Wayside Inn was hosting a celebration with characters in period dress. I quickly peeked behind the trees to capture them walking through the woods.




Snowy days in New England seem so romantic in a more historical setting. Driving down roads with circa 1700 homes, old barns and fences made out of rocks truly congers up what we learned about in our American History classes. I have often wished that I had lived here when we were studying American History...it all would have come alive for me.




My favorite writers were all friends and many of them lived in the same town of Concord. No wonder they found so many great stories in this beautiful backdrop. The history of the Wayside Inn is fascinating to me and the thought of Longfellow staying here and writing the Tales of the Wayside Inn makes it even more special.

The Wayside Inn is probably one of the most photographed and painted buildings in Massachusetts. Searching through a Vintage shop one day I found this lovely painting in a rustic frame, painted by Lyn Proctor. I suppose a local artist, I have no idea when it was painted, but it so embraces the feeling, history and historical attributes.




Going on an adventure in New England, no matter which season always inspires me. Perhaps it is because I am not from here that I can always see the beauty around me with fresh new eyes, and not take it for granted. All that I know is that as much as I long for Spring, the snowy historical places make me remember my history lessons and feel thrilled with inspiration as I see what the great writers embraced. As the sun was setting and the shadows of the trees made the snow look a deep aqua hue, I was ready to take my inspiration home.

"We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing,
while others judge us by what we have already done."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The name of the song for this post is Winter Spirits. Perhaps Longfellow's spirit was enchanting me on Saturday, I only know that when I returned home, the beauty that was inside my camera reflected something more than a simple ride in the country.

CREATE CREATE CREATE, a linky, long post

I love to see Mr. Cardinal in my garden, but I would really like to see Robins ushering in the Spring.


There is a fire in the fireplace and a beautiful snow scene outside my window, lots of time to dream, create and explore in blogland.






This month as I long for Spring, I have been creating up a storm and traveling through blogland looking for inspiration. I have made a few purchases from Etsy and have some wonderful people to share with you.

When I purchased Stampington’s latest edition of The Art of Paper and Mixed Media I was in heaven.

Full of inspiration and wonderful things and then I saw this incredible artwork. Venessa Valencia creates the most magnificent and lovely things. I found her web site which is equally as delightful and called A Fanciful Twist. She has an Etsy Fanciful Twist shop that is so filled with gorgeous inspiration. I popped on her site last night just to see what this creative soul was up to and found a wonderful tutorial on making the most glittery shamrock for St. Patrick’s Day. Her blog, by the way is quite an adventure and equally as creative as her artwork.

Here is the lovely print that I purchased, and even the envelope it came in, was totally adorable...





I have been enjoying the whole concept of Etsy hand-made and especially shopping from people I actually know or know about. My friend Judy of JUJUZ BEADS has just added some lovely new bracelets.




My personal favorite is her little denim number called Denim Delight which would look great with jeans! My sister, Susan is knitting these A-dorable doggie sweaters. She is working on perfecting a little You Tube commercial where she will feature cutie Fiona as her star model. We three are very new to Etsy and I created a little ETSY STREET Mall on my sidebar called INSPIRATIONAL SHOPS ON ETSY STREET. The shops are created using my daughter Sarah's dollhouse that she made and decorated. I changed the colors to suit the shops, added a bit of digital bling and ta dahhhh, a mall was born. There is plenty of parking!








A lovely lady on Etsy named Sadie Lou who is Sadie Lou Who on Etsy, seems to spend so much time promoting everyone, stopped by and invited me to join a group she founded called The Cottage Street Team , which is a made up of wonderful artisans on Etsy who love Cottage style. That is where I discovered Julie from Pieceful Bits and found her lovely little Easter cottages, which I just had to have for Easter.





I signed up for Tersea Mc Fayden’s Sweet Bella, which continues to be filled with oodles of inspiration.
Here is a photo of the fussie tussie mussie I learned how to do through her tutorial on Sweet Bella:


I love tutorials and I find myself so enjoying the ones I find on You Tube. I must say that one of the most professional ones that I have seen done recently was done by my friend Wendy of Windy Angels. She created this magnificent art quilt on her You Tube tutorial. Here is the link to her tutorial.

There was a class offered at my favorite shop nearby. This wonderful place called Ink About It. We learned how to make shaker cards. I was so pleased with the results. I am working on designing shaker cards for Easter using the techniques I learned in class. I love this shop and the people that work there and the staff that teaches are incredible. I always leave with a lovely new product, oodles of techniques and so much inspiration.




Our local art store has been featuring these adorable mini canvas and easels. I have been painting miniatures for my Etsy shop. I call these mini originals, which are painted using acrylic paint on linen canvas.






I trim the canvas with satin ribbon and include this sweet little easel. I also have created tiny miniatures prints of some of my original paintings, which I have adhered to these baby canvases.

I have been designing new ones this week, and I will add them to my shop soon.





Everyone is anticipating Spring, especially those of us that are still experiencing snow. Bling Your Birdhouse Challenge is being hosting by Karla and Beth on March 27th. An opportunity to decorate a birdhouse and enjoy a fun swap. This Monday Karla from Karla’s Cottage will be having a tutorial to give you ideas on how to decorate your birdhouse. Karla has been working on some wonderful Spring things for her Etsy shop. I purchased two glittery doves sitting in glittery teacups. I can't wait to receive them in the mail.



You will find the link and logo for Bling Your Birdhouse Challenge on the top of my sidebar. Have a peek it looks like so much fun. Expect to find mine on my post for March 27th on A Scrapbook of Inspiration.

Here is a little mosaic of my sister's Etsy products, featuring her little doggie, Fiona.





Well, I am inspired to create some mini original paintings of birdhouses as I sip my coffee and look out the window at our snow globe.



I always love listening to this kind of music when I create because it seems to lighten the mood. I chose Blossom Season for this post because I wish it were Blossom Season. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you leave with inspiration and lots of ideas. If you are having a snowy day like we are here in New England...grab those crafts and dream about Spring blossoms.

The Letter

As I walked through one of my favorite shops in Concord called Nesting On Main , my attention immediately went to the stacks of old letters. They were in baskets, on tabletops and in interesting containers in the back room. I purchased a few to use in some canvas designs and to entertain my imagination as I fancied the stories that might be behind these little treasures.

Is there anything as thrilling as going to the mailbox and receiving a letter from a friend or loved one? Letters are an amazing gift. Little treasures to be read over and over again. They are written in such a short time, yet they live forever, as evidenced by this letter written eighty-two years ago. We can carry a message in our bag or place it next to where we enjoy a cup of tea. Wherever we stash these little beautiful keepsakes, they are a welcome sight that lives and brings us back to another time, or delights our fancy knowing what others are doing in their lives today.



All over the world these precious papers are stored in special boxes. Lovers sent letters in envelopes marked S.W.A.K. (sealed with a kiss) decorated with lipstick kisses during WWII. I am sure that this tradition continues today in letters to and from Iraq and Afghanistan and other parts of the world. Letters that children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will cherish for a lifetime because it records their family’s history during such a vulnerable time in their lives.



Beautiful envelopes hosting intricate design and boasting postage with equally beautiful graphics have been sent for centuries. Letters holding memories that deserve to live forever:
Vignettes of life,
snippets of adventures,
invitations to dinners, parties,
and holiday gatherings,
announcements of births,
weddings and family
events.




Pieces of memoirs held in place by embossed raised monograms and closed with sealing wax. Pens and inks of every color and design created little masterpieces for a friend or loved one to hold. Romantics placed letters underneath their pillow at night to feel the closeness of the distant lover. Letters were placed into Hope Chests for the betrothed, jewelry boxes and desk drawers, night stands and books. Boxes filled to the brim with letters were tied in ribbons and heart strings. At Christmas a letter was tucked inside the greeting cards to update the addressee of the sender’s adventures.




The letter, a cherished memoir to read from a vintage store, or old love letters sent to you long ago, or a dear note that your little one wrote to you. These are such sweet reminders of how important words and expressions of feelings are to all of us.





A small package of history and love to cherish. Sweet memories to hold in your hand or place in your pocket or perhaps underneath your pillow. Words that strung together stories of a person’s life...too important to discard. Works of art,..the art of lovely words and sentiments we all love to read.


The song for this post isTime After Time