Day 54 ~ Kai-fly!

While my friend Marney's foot heals from surgery, I thought that I would cheer her up with a butterfly of her favorite little man: her 2 year old son Kai. He was born in Hawaii and named for the ocean. He loves ocean creatures, so I gave him Octopus Garden wings! I colored them with crayon, using my least dominant hand, which is a way to access your inner child. While coloring, I listened to the first album I ever owned: The Beatles Abbey Road, and of course: Octopus Garden!
Kai is dancing in this photo. I am including a link to the song Marney, so he can cheer you up with a little jig! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pQCwtVpXso

Day 53 ~ Recharge

I find that I am very sensitive to chaos and the pace of the world today. On the first Sunday of every month, I do my own little retreat. I turn off the phone, tv and computer and I do a juice fast. It's amazing the ideas that come when I disconnect from all the technology and reconnect to my spirit.

Day 52 ~ Infinite Hope

I have been trying to come up with a solution for the days when I don't feel like making a butterfly. I feel proud that I have been at this for over 50 days in a row now. Sometimes I sorta feel like quitting, but I am determined to continue! I decided that I could make use of quotes that I like and cut butterflies from nice paper to keep it really simple sometimes. This is handmade paper with flowers and leaves in it. On the back, I wrote this quote:

"We must accept finit disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." ~Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Day 51 ~ Anne Marie Karlsen

Today's butterfly was inspired by stained glass artist Anne Marie Karlsen.

Day 50 ~ Aloha Dreams

I have a long-standing dream of visiting the islands of Hawaii. Even better, I dream of going there in celebration of writing my first book. I recently took part in a Mystery Mentor project through Artellaland, and I received a wonderful care package from my Mystery Mentor yesterday. She created this postcard that was so perfect for me! (see photos below of her creation) When I look at it, I am reminded to keep reaching for my dreams.

I decided to turn today’s butterfly into a collaborative piece between me and my Mystery Mentor. I used the hula girl she created of me, and then I made wings out of pictures from a Hawaiian travel magazine. One wing is Hawaii’s surfing Mecca: The Pipeline. The other wing is the volcanic lava flows, which I have always been fascinated by.

I want to take a moment to thank my Mystery Mentor. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. Thank you for your kindness and compassion. Thank you for seeing me with believing eyes.

Here is the postcard she created for me:

Most people who know me well know that I LOVE Tom Waits. My Mystery Mentor found a way to work old Tom into the postcard too. He's saying: "Pardon me Ma'm...Your book is awesome! May I have your autograph?" I love the bird on his hat, don't you?

Day 49 ~ Paula Swenson

Today I had the distinct pleasure of working with Paula Swenson, who is the assistant to Marney Makridakis of Artellaland. We had a nice chat, and I was fascinated by the life she lives. She and her husband sold everything and have been traveling the world teaching English as a second language. They are currently in the Czech Republic, and their next assignment will be in Italy! What a life! I would love to do something like that someday!

Day 48 ~ SARK!

Since the winter session of Sark's Dream Boogie began on Feb.1st, I thought that I would honor Sark with a butterfly. I finger painted the wings, and had an absolute blast doing so! That kind of joyful, childlike creativity is so much a part of the spirit of Sark. The photo of her was taken at a workshop I attended a few years ago. At that same workshop, Sark made us name tags with tie- died ribbon. I used a bit of that ribbon to create her antennae for this butterfly.
Words can't begin to express my gratitude to Sark (AKA: Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy.) I've learned so much from her books, classes and work shops, and if I had to encapsulate and concentrate the most important lessons, I would have to say that she gave me the courage to experiment boldly with creativity in all areas of my life. I am considered to be a bit of an "odd duck" and "a black sheep." In the past I felt unacceptable, but now I wear these quirky titles like badges of honor and fly my freak flag with pride!

On the back of the butterfly I wrote one of my favorite Sark quotes:
"You are seen. You are known. You are loved!"