Each season evokes a certain feeling and with spring comes hope, a promise of life, growth, renewal, a freshness to be felt deeply. I missed last spring, this same day last year I flew home early to be with my Mom and spend her last week gently and lovingly guiding her from this life into the next. All that followed filled my life and I do not remember spring's arrival. This year I have found spring again, I am arriving into this spring with a new love to share my heart. My lovely daughters are finding their way into their own lives and futures. Life is one of constant change, movement, journey and with spring's arrival there is a youthful carefree sense of impatience. I am embracing the heady exuberance of spring, of possibilities and promise, of new paths to follow.

With this delightful season comes the opportunity to freshen the house with feathery chicks, soft hued eggs, delicate ribbons and nature's accents. The tablescape pieces I created for Homearts magazine make a lovely seasonal table setting. In this "Make it Green" column any kind of reclaimed bottle or container can be used as it is hidden in a cardstock embellished surround. The table pieces use Mrs. Grossman's very sophisticated laser stickers. They are just beautiful! Create some springtime! Follow the JOY! Debra, CEO!

(with Andrea Grossman at Mrs. Grossman's Sticker Company)

Spring has officially arrived and here in the Maritimes we like to celebrate with a little dusting of the white stuff once again! A light snowfall adds glitter to the colorful crocus! The latest issue of Homearts magazine just arrived in my mailbox, this bunny I loved making. I have to admit needle felting whimsical characters is my favorite craft! It is an easy portable craft, I have step by step instructions on my How To page!

STYROFOAM TM brand foam is so easy to needle felt with. Paper craft brads are ideal for eyes and noses. If you stick an eye in the wrong place you can always move it!

I am busy finishing up a couple big projects, the outcome you never know! I am doing my best work I can and the rest will be decided. All I know is to "Follow the JOY!" Debra

 It is FOWL FRIDAY! Fran here with Freda as we all know by now the dancing fool! She has been trying some new moves which have resulted in her putting something out of joint! We have been immersed this week in a heated debate with a couple of apparently adorable "chicks" that Debra has out for her so called spring decor. Just what we need more birds and eggs around here. Freda & I seem to be lacking apparently in the too cute factor. We think cute is vastly over rated. Sassy and smart is in, that's us well that's me anyway, Freda is a little iffy at times but does surprise me often with her in depth analysis of the agricultural news. She keeps me current on how many roosters are within a 100 mile radius.

Back to these chicks who are barely dry out of some very strange looking eggs and yet feel they know everything! The big debate has been of course "what came first, the chicken or the egg?" They hold the position of the egg coming first or there wouldn't be any chickens. Freda and I maintain the chicken came first or how could there be any eggs to begin with. It isn't like a reptile one day long ago laid its usual eggs and surprise,  a chick popped out of one. What ever anyone believes we all came from some where to start this whole planet and so did a chicken! We are working on tracing our ancestry to settle this debate with these chicks who definitely need a feather cut!

The only break we have had lately is when one of the in house felines decided to "entertain" the chicks. They disappeared and were found later under the couch a little dusty and damp but fine. Now they are back perched on the sideboard waiting for more chicks to join them. Personally I think the chances of those "eggs" hatching anything else would be a miracle! So the debate will continue while Debra is busy finishing a book proposal and several deadlines. Her studio is, what did she call it earlier this week "creative frolic", we are thinking it looks like a fabric explosion! Follow the Fowl! Fran & Freda!

Earlier today brought a lovely surprise! I was nominated by the talented artist Jen Goode  for the Kreativ Blogger award. Jen draws the most delightful whimsical penguins! The info on the award comes courtesy of Jen which came from the also very talented artist Tara Reed who nominated Jen!

Apparently the "Kreativ Blogger originated in May 2, 08 in a post by Huldas Verden as noted by Clay Garden author in this April 2009 post: Finally I found that it was started in Norway by a blogger named Huldas Verden." (courtesy Tara Reed) It definitely is a small world one that reminds us how close we are to each other, there are no barriers of distance and language. 

For this lovely award I am to:
1. Thank the person who has given me the award. 
     Thank you Jen Goode, both very sweet & talented artist!
2. Copy the Kreativ Blogger logo and place it on your blog.
     The pretty logo is in my sidebar.
3. Link back to the person who has nominated you for the award.
    1st line of post
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting. 
    1. Bunnies, birds & snowmen are my favourite characters to create. (big surprise!)
    2. I eat the same breakfast every single day. (boring I know!)
    3. My studio is either very neat or a creative chaos. (sometimes the door is open)
    4. I choose not to drive, preferring to walk or fly. (I hide my wings well)
    5. I have to work facing a window, sunshine is very inspiring.
    6. I dance around the house almost everyday to very loud music. (the cats scatter everyday too at the same time!)
    7. I love to play Scrabble. (my girls humor me & play with me on my birthday)

5. Nominate 7 other Kreativ Bloggers.
My choices are wonderful warm generous talented artists, designers & most important of all to me, my friends who continually inspire me!
Margot Potter-Amazing & inspiring!
Eileen Hull-Delightfully creative!
Candie Cooper-Charming & very cool design!
Tiffany Windsor-Spreading the love of Crafting!
Brenda Pinnick-A color genius!
Sarah Hodsdon-Inspired sweetness & cool creator!
Phyllis Dobbs-Fanciful, fun & generous artist!

This has been a lovely surprise to be nominated and to be able to nominate some of the incredibly talented artists that I am so grateful to know! Follow the JOY! Debra, CEO!

Inspiration is defined as a "stimulation of the mind or emotions to a higher level of feeling or activity."  We see it happen all around us, the generosity or character of someone like Mother Teresa inspired millions to be more caring and selfless. Music inspires emotion often expressed through the joy of movement, dancing. Loving inspires lives to connect, to change, to make a difference. 

Inspiration & Creativity. The artist captures feeling, the message on canvas and the audience is continually inspired to feel deeply when they experience the piece. It is all about the emotion, the quieting of the thoughts and the falling into the feeling. The ordinary is transformed into the extraordinary. Those are the moments that infuse life with excitement. "Life is not measured by the breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away." 

With my work, what exactly is that feeling, I would describe it as a mix of imagination and excitement. Something I see inspires an idea for a new design, a kind of "aha" moment and an impatience to try it out immediately! Sometimes just doing nothing, letting the mind wander brings all kinds of ideas. In the mornings the view outside my window in the dappled sunlight is always inspiring, a tiny lively world lives in the branches of the apple tree. With each season the colors, the shapes change and it is constant source of inspired delight. It is barely spring here so the branches are stark in the sunlight, silhouettes are striking. The early morning finds many small birds flitting in the branches. Their energy is catching and the scene is one to be captured perhaps in a pillow design. Always Follow the JOY! Debra, CEO!

March is International Craft Month and there is all kinds of crafty goodiness happening. Over at When Creativity Knocks  a new webisode, Linda Crofton shows Ana & Megan a fun way to embellish wooden bangles, DIY Bangles from Indus Trading Company. Tiffany Windsor hosts Cool2Craft , live interactive web TV. On yesterday's episode her sister Heidi showed how to emboss with glue. Her projects were beautiful and resembled lovely watercolor pieces. She used chalks to achieve the effect. Tiffany also hosts another show Favecrafts, a blog talk radio show, link on my page sidebar. There is also a very cool group on Facebook, Craft it Forward  where crafty people are signing up to send and share a handmade project to the first five people who comment on their post. Hundreds are signing up!

Crafting is huge, it is hip and cool. Making stuff is rewarding and relaxing. The web allows huge connections between crafty and creative individuals. We come together to celebrate our common interest, our passion, the love of creativity! On the weekend I had the best time crafting with two sweet little girls five and seven. Their delight in using scissors, markers and glue to make a variety of colorful projects made it a very fun experience. I came home with a friendship bracelet liberally sprinkled with rhinestones and the promise to never take it off. They advised me to shower with my arm sticking out of water.

Last spring I taught needle felting at the BC Sewing & Craft Show. One little girl came also everyday for the demo time. Here she is with a very proud smile and a very cute chick! Follow the JOY! Debra

It's Fowl Friday! Fran here and as usual Freda is doing her own thing, dancing to Mama Mia this morning! Way too early for Abba personally but Freda is a big fan! Speaking of being fans we are the biggest fans of the most marvellous Ms. Margot Potter!  At CHA summer show we got a chance to meet her in person wearing of course one of her gorgeous tiaras. She is stylishly cool, writes awesome books on beading and crafting, is a fabulous Mom, talented performer, writer and all around one of the smartest, generous, honest and wonderful young women these two chicks have ever met.

 

Travelling with Debra does have its perks even if she doesn't let us order room service, we do get to meet some very cool creative people! Margot is on the top of our list. (ps. Freda hasn't washed her beak since Margot held it in this picture. Of course you can guess why she really was holding it, Freda is one chatty chick!) Follow the Fowl Fran & Freda!

This week with several International Women's Day events happening locally I have been out exhibiting my Design & Creativity business. I have been asked many times so exactly what do you do. My short answer is I am a Professional International Author, Licensed Designer, Consultant & Creativity Coach in the Craft & Sewing Industries. I have also been following discussions this week around the topic of defining who we are and what we do. "Designer" is a very broad term which has to be narrowed and tailored with explanation. My experience and knowledge allows me to be flexible and adaptable, creative in working with my clients to give them the best support and results. I enjoy my work very much and the people in these industries are wonderful, it is a creative community but I also am a professional who earns a living in this field. The dilemma that is arising more and more is we are asked to do more work on spec, give more work away for free and if we don't there is a creative enthusiast who for the thrill of being published will. I do believe in sharing the love of creativity but I, we also need to be valued for our expertise and time. I am very fortunate to work with amazing editors and manufacturers, it is challenging times for everyone but working together and being a Creative Eternal Optimist! I believe we are moving in very interesting directions. The world needs more creativity, meaningful playtime! This discussion also brings up the question, How do you define yourself? Take some time to consider and be amazed at who you are. Always Follow the JOY! Debra, CEO!

One of the most colorful and interesting people I know is an artist from BC, Canada who goes just by Violette. She lives in a magical house that is a rainbow collage of creativity both inside and outside! She has a new book Journal Bliss which is filled with ideas and techniques to creating your own delightful, color filled personal journal. Her book reaffirms that we are all artists and writers with our own individual style. It is just about picking up the colored markers, pencils, crayons and just start! Her book will get you inspired to "journal your own Bliss". What happens through journalling is you find your true self and your bliss even if you thought you might be blissless! We all have moments of true joy, putting it down brings more awareness and more moments. It is all about the play! Always follow the JOY! Debra, CEO!


 Photo courtesy of Amazon