Funky Art Queen

Desiderata I just felt the need to revisit this poem today.  I first heard it years ago when I worked in Activity Therapy at the State Hospital.  One of the teachers that trained me to teach classes was wheelchair bound and one of the most positive people I have ever met.  His name was Jim Potter....I wonder where he is now?  I was always amazed at how positive he was all the time in spite of his disability.  He could have been so negative and sorry for himself....instead he was an inspiration to every one around him, including the patients and employees at Big Spring State Hospital.   This poem was a part of his curriculum for the Stress Management Class for the patients. He read it with the greatest emotion and feeling and then the group would discuss the meaning of the poem. It touched me so and I have revisited it so many times.  I used it in my son's graduation from high-school scrapbook.  I have hung it in many places to remind me to...

I have started a new blog that is more about you and less about me!  I wanted to start a blog that would inspire you creatively!  I wanted to have a blog that would have inspiring interviews with other artists.  Art tutorials are a must along with lots and lots of creative jolts.  So, I opened the blog...." Creative Sunshine " last night.  I already have interviews lined up with some great artists and I have so much I want to share.  I truly hope that I will inspire you and motivate you.  So without further babble....I have to invite you to come and follow me on "Creative Sunshine".  It is new...just a baby.....so come back daily and watch it grow up.  I can't wait to share my latest interviews with some awesome artists and craftsmen. I am going to have a giveaway tonight so please stop by and you get extra chances for sharing I will still maintain this blog so don't leave me!  Remember this blog is all about me and what I am doing. ...

I was surfing blogs and I found this really fabulous blog....and I discovered " Jamie's Wishcasting Wednesdays" .  Today is Wednesday! Wow, I actually arrived on time to something......Today's Wishcast is ..... What Do you Wish For Your Family?  I will answer this challenge in a list format. Peace in their hearts Safety and Security A Passion for Life Someone to love Someone to love them Something to be passionate about-a hobby The knowledge that I, Lesley Chandler loved them more than they will ever know.  What do you wish for your family?

I'm already missing my blog and blog friends, what was I thinking? Don't know! I'm just meant to blog I think. What is wrong with me~!??? I just think I'm going through this whole, "I suck" thing since my book was rejected.... pity party....etc. and that is so not me. But, on a positive note, it has caused me to look closer at where I'm going with my creative life. I'm becoming more and more aware that life is about the journey and not the destination. Oh, I have heard that all my life but I'm finally getting it. My greatest joy comes from the creative process, talking about creating, and listening/seeing/reading about those who live the creative life. Today, I heard the best podcast on Craftsanity #39 about Laurie Bee ( a purse designer in Seattle). She talked about how in the beginning she loved so many crafts but she knew that she would have to narrow down to one subject or thing to be successful. Anyway, if you get a chance to listen to it,...

I ran across this wonderful and whimsical artist several weeks ago when her work was featured on Etsy. I have enjoyed looking at her work and I know you will too. Meet Catherine Reece from Northern California. She is a creative woman who has been working in clay for over thirteen years. She was kind enough to let me interview her for this blog. Please enjoy. Tell us about who you are, what do you want to say as a statement about you? My name is Catherine Reece and I live in Dublin, California (just east of Oakland). I am married and a mother of two kids. I have been professionally selling my pottery for 8 years. I was waiting for my husband to graduate from design school and find a job while i worked and played with clay. Over a few years I began to build a small business selling my pottery. MY husband didn't find the job of his dreams and so he joined my in the studio as my partner. Now we make our living as artists selling pottery.I think I am still trying to figure that out. ...

OK, I know.....I promised some Christmas decor photos but this is much more interesting. So....hubby calls me into the living room this evening to see something on television.....(he always does that and I'm always slightly bothered but glad when I see what it is he wants to show me on tv). He was watching " Texas Country Reporter " which is a wonderful little show that comes on every weekend. It is a kind of documentary by of unique individuals and places in Texas. One of the stories tonight, was about a lady named Lola Stephens who has a little cajun kitchen in Austin, Texas called " Nubian Queen ". SO WHAT.....you might say. But her story is so awesome. She is truly a one woman show. She is the cook, the waitress, the cashier, and the dishwasher at her little kitchen. But that is not the most impressive part of her story. While she is serving her patrons at the front door, she is feeding the homeless out the back door of her restaurant. She even closes on S...

I received the above piece of art from my dear friend Donna from Fort Worth. She and I have been conversing via email for a while now and we have become quite good friends. She made this collage by using a photo of me when I was a baby. Apparently, she swiped it from my Flickr. It is so cute and personal. Can you see her fingerprints throughout the piece? Thanks Ms. Donna. You are my friend and muse. Another muse/friend of mine sent me a little special something last week. My friend Marah from California sent me this last week. I feel very spoiled and blessed with friends. I don't know what I would do without my friends. They influence and inspire me so much. Marah is the one that gave me the kick start to get to doing workshops and I have been so fulfilled in doing them. She saw something in me that I did not see. Plus, this is a personal gift because she knows I love my books. So, she sent me a bookmark ( a very special one at that) Thanks Marah! You are my friend and muse.

Meditation JuJu Doll If you are like me, you are so busy about this time. The holiday panic is landing on you about right now...oh my gosh....I still have some shopping, baking, and wrapping to do! So, I thought this JuJu would be a good reminder to us all to stop and take time for ourselves. Happy Sunday. Have a nice relaxing day! Oh and I wanted to show you the girls. I have dusted off a shelf and displayed them in another area of the house. They were a little crowded in their last home. So, they are all together again. I did not make the catrina or the fabric doll in the back...but the rest are my little creations. Happy Holidays From All Of Us!

I found this great story at a great blog I discovered today called Simply A Musing -go and check it out. I wanted to share this story I read on there with you. I was given permission to share this by the author of that site. The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?" Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?"...