.~Sale into the New Year with Wisteria.~

Wisteria Catalog

Yesterday I stopped by the library and scored a handul of Better Homes and Gardens magazines.  This am I have been perusing a list of suggested websites from thier December 2010 issue.  The Wisteria Catalog stopped me in my tracks!  There is a lot of web window shopping to be done here.  I surely have my work cut out for me. 

Look at these quaint Little French Sailboats

Patchwork Passport Cover

My friend Jane would just love this.  She is a quilter and a world travelor.



.~Friendship.~

.~A New Year Ahead.~

.~Meet Liilian: Prima Folk Art Ballerina.~

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.  I may not reach them, but I can look and believe in them and try to follow where they lead" ~ Louise May Alcott

This is one of my most favorite sketches,  I know on the original sketch, I named the character Daisy.  But it really never was her name.  Her true name is Lillian.  And she is my alter ego.  Not that I ever wanted to be named Lillian because I love my name. I think the day I sketched this it was summertime and I was looking at a field of wild daisies and that is why named her that for the time being.

But obviously, her name is Lillian.  Anyone can clearly see that.

To continue the story about how Lillian came to be, is that my mother - Lareen Fender - was a a very  talented dancer and continued on to become a very famous ballet teacher.  As a child, I thought how amazing it would be to become a famous ballet dancer, but alas I just didn't have the gift for it.

But I did try to dance.  I did take ballet lessons.  I did take jazz and modern dance lessons as well.  And I was ok at it, but I just didn't have the gift to become a famous dancer. What I possibly do have a knack for is folk art.  So chances are that I might have become a famous folk art ballet dancer.  But seeing as ballet is more suited to the classical folk, I am not quite sure that folk art ballet would have ever taken off.

But if it did take off, I think Lillian would be the one who would have been the Prima Folk Art Dancer don't you think?  Look at that perfect folk art body and attire!

.~Mr. Saturday Night.~

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Lent Me Entertain You!"

Although Elul takes place in August - Septemeber, this seems like a fitting post as we go into a new year.

"With the beginning of Elul, one awakens to teshuva—repentance—turning back to the path. Hearing the shofar helps to make for such an awakening. Elul is a period of preparation. It involves "introspection, review of the year, and preparation for repentance." Selichot, or penitential prayers, are said the Saturday before Rosh Hashanah, for a minimum of 4 days beforehand. On the first night of Selichot, prayers are said at midnight. This intensifies the approach to the "Days of Awe," the ten days encompassing Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.1 "

"So perhaps Elul can be seen as kind of a Jewish Lent. It is a time of anticipation, meditation and penitence, leading up to the greatest days of the Jewish year, especially the Sabbath of Sabbaths—Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This is similar to Christians anticipating Resurrection Sunday, whether in a formal sense (Lent), or a less formal reflection on the season. As a Jewish believer in Jesus, I feel the parallel keenly."
From The Website Jews For Jesus  by Eric Verby

.~Cheep Skate.~

"A cheapskate has a balanced, honest and dignified approach to money management. It's someone who doesn't spend more than they earn or let money and material possessions rule their thoughts and desires. A cheapskate does not buy on impulse,"
 ~ Mary Hunt

.~Owl Together Now.~

I have a cajillion sketchbooks laying around everywhere! 

One day I hope to compile all my little sketches in one book.

In the meantime, I am just posting them on my blog.

It is fun to see where my ideas originate from.

And it is even more fun to watch them come to life in a painting or a textile piece.

.~ Half Lost.~

"I sat staring, staring, staring - half lost, learning a new language or rather the same language in a different dialect. So still were the big woods where I sat, sound might not yet have been born."  ~ Emily Carr

.~Great Soul's.~

.~ My Cowboy.~

Look at that face -

Just look at it,

Look at that fabulous face of yours.

I knew first look I took at it,

This was the face that the world adores.

Look at those eyes -

As wise and as deep as the sea.

Look at that nose -

It shows what a nose should be.

As for your smile, it's lyrical -

Friendly and warm as a summer's day -

That face is just a miracle.

Where could I ever find words to say

The way that it makes me happy

Whatever the time or place?

I'll find in no book

What I find when I look

At that face.

~ Andrew Lloyd Webber

.~Holly Birdie by Woolin Rouge.~

Holly Birdie

By Woolin Rouge Designs

Designers Sylvia Gauthier

Traci Suzanne Marvel
Available For Purchase in my Etsy Store

I could not be more excited that the Holly Birdie Table Ensemble is Now Shipping!  To purchase the pattern please  Check with your local quilt shop or contact the Bigfork Bay Cotton Company

toll-free at 866-245-5718.

.~Reindeer Effect.~

The Reindeer Effect

4" X 4"

Fine Art Print

Purchase Here: Racytay's Etsy's Shop

Discovered a wonderful fine art photographer this morning.

Take a look!

.~Snowbirds.~

So hold her closer when she cries, hold her closer when she feels. She needs a hand to hold, someone who will never let her go again. And hold him closer when he tries to hold the tears back from his eyes. Don't say goodbye. Anonymous quotes



.~Lia Lane, Cowgirl and Spirit.~

Painting By Lia Lane

Website: Lia's Beeswaxed
Read Lia's Artist Interview
 by Creative Apple Fine Art Photography

On November 30th, 2010 I was sitting at my kitchen table with Cowgirl at my feet.  While scratching her ears, I was soothing my soul by conversing with fellow artists in the Etsy Chat Room.  On this magical night, I met a most amazing artist by the name of Lia Lane. 

Her artwork immediately caught my heart.

I chatted to Lia about Cowgirl's challenges with cancer and  her upcoming operation. I let her know how precarious the next couple of days would be. Just as I was signing off, Lia caught me and told me that she wanted to gift me with a painting.  I was so amazed at her generosity.  I told her that I would so love to trade art for art.  She picked out Sweet Medicine and Passing Through.  I was thrilled.

On December 2nd, 2010, Cowgirl and I walked into the waiting room at the Mountain Vista Veternarian Clinic. As soon as we opened the door there was a most beautiful black cat named Spirit waiting for us. 

My mouth dropped as I immediatley flashbacked on Lia's painting. (By the way for those who do not know me, I have red hair like the girl in the painting.)

Sadly Cowgirl did not survie the operation.  Her cancer had taken her over.

But isn't this a most amazing story?

It depicts exactly how I feel right now about the loss of my Cowgirl.

And I think that Spirit the cat was there to help Cowgirl cross over.

Lia thank-you for your giving heart.

I will treasure this painting always.

.~Ode to Elizabeth Edwards.~

Dear Elizabeth, You fought a valiant fight with such grace.

Thank-you for teaching me lessons on nobility.

Sending out prayers to your family and loved ones.

You are the one who is at Peace now.

They are the ones who are suffering.

ox Traci Suzanne ox

.~Remembering Ann.~

Thinking of my friend Ann today~

.~Be Still My Heart~.

Life is beautiful.

.~ Dreaming of Summer.~

.~Viola.~

Violas are one of my most favorite flowers.

.~Coffee Table Book Ideas.~

This would be a fun book to write also. Such a dreamer am I.

.~Bedding Set Design.~

I took another photograph and manipulated it on http://www.picnik.com/.  I think this one would make a great bedding set with the top part being the sheets and the bottom half being the bedspread.

.~Rug Design.~

I created this image on http://www.picnik.com/ from a photograph of a horse.  I think it would make a really amazing rug.

.~ Artist Within You.~

"Think not of yourself as the architect of your career but as the sculptor. Expect to have to do a lot of hard hammering and chiseling and scraping and polishing," ~ ~B.C. Forbes                                                                                                  

.~Splendor in the Grass.~

I find such joy gazing into ffields of wild grasses. 

When the wind blows through, a symphony of  colors are tossed about.

Oh so lovely.

.~ Take Stalk.~

What a beautiful fall afternoon.  Cowboy, Cowgirl and I took a walk around the property.  Just a perfect day indeed.

.~My Cowgirl.~

She is so reflective these days.  I think she knows her days are numbered.  She lives in the moment.  Appreciating every passing minute to its fullest. That is the way we should all live.

.~ Soul Survivor.~

“He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his soul’s estate.”

                                                                                       ~ Henry David Thoreau



.~Advice On How To Handle A Bully.~

v. bul·lied, bul·ly·ing, bul·lies
1. To treat in an overbearing or intimidating manner. See Synonyms at intimidate.
2. To make (one's way) aggressively.

"There are always people who get their kicks by tormenting someone else. They enjoy insulting or teasing others, because they themselves are insecure. They are obviously completely jealous of something you have - your looks, luck, or friends and family so just think, "Wow, that's a compliment!" They get pleasure out of watching the person who they have insulted or teased squirm, feel uncomfortable or cry. Their main purpose is to get a reaction out of the other person. This despicable breed are known as "bullies". They look for a comeback, they expect it, so don't give it!"   ~Exerpt from WikiHow

`~A Beautiful Day in Montana.~

.~ Tummy Textiles.~

We would load up the yellow Cutlass Supreme station wagon and pick blackberries during blackberry season or spring onions during spring onion season. For us, food was part of the fabric of our day.

                                                                                                                                      Mario Batali

.~Gossip Girls.~

One of  my most favorite artists of all time - Debi Hubbs - asked to interview me for her Gossip Page.  Was I thrilled?  Oh my yes! To read the interview click here: Artblooms Interview
Make sure to check out all of Debi's beautiful artwork!

.~Love Defined.~

"Love was a sacred garment, woven of a fabric so thin that it could not be seen, yet so strong that even mighty death could not tear it, a garment that could not be frayed by use, that brought warmth into what would otherwise be an intolerably cold world. But at times love could also be as heavy as chain mail; bearing the burden of love, on these occasions when it was a solemn weight, made it more precious when, in better times, it caught the wind in sleeves like wings and lifted you."

                                                                                                                             ~  Dean Koontz

.~.My Wish For You.~.

"In the name of the best within you, do not sacrifice this world to those who are its worst. In the name of the values that keep you alive, do not let your vision of man be distorted by the ugly, the cowardly, the mindless in those who have never achieved his title. Do not lose your knowledge that man’s proper estate is an upright posture, an intransigent mind and a step that travels unlimited roads. Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it’s yours.”

~Ayn Rand

.~ Three's A Charm.~

 

 Great News!  Suzanne Ruhlman, Director of Retail Sales at the Sundance Resort emailed me yesterday to let me know that three of my giclee framed prints sold!: Aloft and Alone, Hallelujah and Venturer Highway. Three down and fourteen to go! This will help pay off WSU's vet bill.  I am so very happy. 

Just so you know, if you are interested in any of the prints you see on the slide show, you can order them framed directly from Sundance:

801.223.4250 or if you just want the print you can find it in my etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sundancer  Most all of them can be found there.

If you don't see the one you want, send me a message or leave a comment. 

.~Nature's Microphone.~

.~Two of My Favorite Things.~

I have been drawing this scene ever since I was a little girl. 

 Mountains with the sun behind them.

  I have sketch books full of this theme, and I never tire of drawing it and/or thinking about it.  

My dad nicknamed me "Sunshine."

My mother said as a child I would tell her that I heard the mountains calling my name.

 Put the two together and wah~la...this photograph.

.~ You're Invited!.~

I was taking a little walk and came upon this lovely bunch of flora that seemed to be having a little get together.  Nature sure knows how to throw a party.  And the thing is nature always provides you with an open invitation to its parties.  You just need to show up.  No RSVP required.

.~ Hallway to Heaven.~

One of my most favorite views at the Sundance Resort.

.~ To The Morning.~

To The Morning

(Ode to Sundance Man Dan Dream Catcher Mountain Cottage 30A)

This photograph was taken from the balcony of a little Mountain Cottage I was staying at while visiting the Sundance Resort.

What a great thing to see when you first wake up!

.~Amazing Graze.~

This is one of the very first phtotographs that I took with a camera my dad bought me over 15 years ago.  It was a Pentax K100.  I developed the film and printed the image myself.
I remember the moment I clicked the camera, It was so quiet in that little grove, you could hear a pine cone drop.

.~A Love Letter to The Sundance Resort.~

I Left PEACES of My Heart and Art
               at the Sundance Resort
Have you ever had a dream come true?
I did.
My dream?
To have my art displayed at Sundance and to be able to spend more than a couple days there so I could bask in the experience that the resort has to offer.
Guess what?
I have 17 of my photographs for sale hanging on the walls of the Foundry Grill waiting area.
They will be available from September 1st - November 30th.
Guess what else?
I spent three entire days and three entire nights at the resort.
Yes I did .
And the experience literally - repeatedly - took my breath away.

There is something about Sundance that ignites my creative spirit.

It’s as if I am given a permission slip

to use my mind,

to process ideas,

to open up my heart.

to absorb, to reflect, to remember, to share.

It is an environment that evokes awe and wonder, laughter and love.

The Sundance experience is a natural stimulant; an energy booster.

Is is nourishment, spectacular, unique.

Equally as magnificent as the surroundings, is the genuine concern that each and every employee has for the guests.

I could not help but tell each staff member I met how kind they were and how wonderful they made me feel.

Their reaction?

They’d thank me for acknowledging them, but look at me as if to say,

“why yes, of course, that is what we do here.

We are here to make you feel wonderful.

We are in the wonderful business.

That’s what we do!"

When it came time to leave,

I snapped a picture for my scrapbook of my photographs hanging on the walls of the Foundry Grill.

Tears spilled down my face.

I was so happy and yet so sad at the same time.

So sad to be going, but so happy for the experience.

Driving out of the parking lot of Sundance, my heart was at peace.

I knew it was time to go.

How did I know?

I don’t think I could live through one more day of having my breath taken away.

I don’t think I would have survived it!

Thank-you everyone at Sundance for helping make my dreams come true.

I left there with my heart stirred, my spirit lifted and my head full of new dreams!

I can’t wait to share my Sundance experience with everyone who will listen.

And if they do choose to bask in the experience of Sundnace as I did,

I guarantee

They will never, ever be the same.

Daily Herald and Sundance

Chase Larson from the Utah Herald wrote a great article about me!
Take a look!
http://www.heraldextra.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/article_379c300b-ec86-559e-a546-d956865e30df.html

.~A Dog's Life.~

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learnsomething from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'
So live like a dog:
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY

.~ Prayer to the Heavenly Father.~

Dear Heavenly Father,

You know the desire of my heart to have Cowgirl be healed of bone cancer. I ask now for Your healing touch. I know that You are able and that just like in Bible times, you can heal Cowgirl.

I believe in you.

oxoxox Traci Suzanne

My Etsy Store: Sundancer's Art Adventures

Cowgirl's vet bills are growing daily.  I would like to invite you to my etsy store to see if there is something there that might catch your heart.  All proceeds from the sale of the items in my store are going toward her treatment.  I thank-you with all my heart and all my soul. 

.~My Rifle, My Pony and Me.~

Here are the lyrics to one of my most favorite songs:

The sun is sinking in the west
The cattle go down to the stream
The redwing settles in the nest
It's time for a cowboy to dream

Purple light in the canyons
That's where I long to be
With my three good companions
Just my rifle, pony and me

Gonna hang (gonna hang) my sombrero (my sombrero)
On the limb (on the limb) of a tree (of a tree)
Coming home (coming home) sweetheart darling (sweetheart darling)
Just my rifle, pony and me

Just my rifle, my pony and me

(Whippoorwill in the willow
Sings a sweet melody
Riding to Amarillo)
Just my rifle, pony and me
No more cows (no more cows) to be roping (to be roping)

No more strays will I see
Round the bend (round the bend) she'll be waiting (she'll be waiting)
For my rifle, pony and me
For my rifle, my pony and me

.~Down to Earth.~

For Sale in My Etsy Store

Traci Suzanne Marvel