Joy Hall

Blessings!

In Search of "College Joy"

Just jumped over to Diane Knott’s blog and was forced to relive a multitude of bad experiences.  I too went clothes shopping yesterday!

I use to love going clothes shopping.  What happened?  Well, I’ll tell you what happened! When I look in the mirror I want to see “college Joy” but instead I see…

wife to one,
mother to two,
caregiver of 2 cute but bossy dogs,
maid to "a much too big" house,
car line waiter,
hockey mom,
grocery buyer,
toilet scrubber
laundry lady
and on and on and on

AND LORD IT SHOWS!

So, thank you very much, Diane.

Thank You

I get so excited when I receive product samples with my art on them.I just don’t think I will ever get passed that place.

Saturday Morning

In an interview I saw with Chris Gardner (author of "Pursuit of Happiness") he made a statement regarding becoming successful.  He said to find something that you enjoy so much that at night you just can hardly wait till morning so that you can do it again.  I was watching this while perched up on pillows in bed.  Funny thing, I had just had that same thought!

I love what I do and long to be in my studio.  As soon as the sun comes up, I crawl out of bed, do the necessaries (make coffee of course) and head for my bright and cheerful studio.  However, on Saturday morning I do things a little differently.  I still get up before anyone else in the house....still make coffee....but this time I take that cup of coffee into the sun room and snuggle up in my comfy chair.  IT'S MAGAZINE TIME!

I do eventually end up in my studio, but now with fresh ideas.  Unless I'm facing a strict deadline, I use Saturday mornings as a time to create and work on something totally different than I have been all week.  I try to get out of my comfort zone.  It's a time to design for me, and only me.  It feels good!

Yippee, tomorrow is Saturday!

Something Beautiful

Today my mailbox offered me a lovely surprise. Inside was my dear friend Diane Knott’s gorgeous book she co-authored along with her most talented daughter, Holly.  I am not a quilter (however, I am very skilled at purchasing them!) and I would adore being able to purchase any of the quilts presented in this book. 

Holly has done an amazing  job translating Diane’s heartfelt paintings into beautiful heartfelt quilts.  To start each art quilt project, a picture of the quilt shares a page with Diane’s original painting and a lovely message in which she shares her inspiration. Again, the way Holly has translated the images into the quilts (and then shared instructions on how to do this) is remarkable.

I also have to praise the publisher.  The quality of the paper is stunning and the layout was executed beautifully in an easy-to-follow and yet pleasing to the eye fashion.

                        Thanks Diane and Holly for sharing your talents!

Renewing Your Springs

Several years ago I purchased a candle with the name “Guest House” on the box.  It was a beautiful little box (I’m such a sucker for good package design) that I was drawn to it immediately, before even smelling of the candle.  Actually, I probably already had an image in my mind due to the name and the packaging.  The candle had an unusual scent.  With each sniff I was transported to someone’s lavish guesthouse in which I was “the guest”.  Ah, how nice that would be…no school car lines, no hockey practices, no doctor’s, dentist or hair appointments, no trips to the grocery story and on and on and on….

Of course the candle (and packaging) went home with me, along with all the accompanying products in the “guesthouse” line…bath salts, soaps and such.  Knowing that the odds were against me actually getting away to anyone’s guesthouse, I decided to create a little getaway of my own.

I headed for our hardly-ever-used guest room, stripped it down and did a total redecorate.  I purchased bedding that made me feel calm and relaxed and yet invigorated at the same time.  I filled shelves with books that I had not read, but wanted to, magazines that I normally wouldn’t buy (Travel, Gourmet, Italian Vogue), and jazz and classical CD’s.  I finished the room off with a big, comfy chair, a great reading lamp, and plenty of paper and pens for journaling.  I now had my own “guest house” to recharge my batteries and renew my springs.

It is so important for us to take a little time each day to catch up with our selves.  Life moves at a pretty fast pace.  A “guest house” like I did is not necessary…that is just what spoke to me.  Any place in which you feel peaceful and meditative will do the job.  The important thing, is just to DO IT!

Lost in a Half-Drop Repeat