"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can."
-Danny Kaye


August is drawing to a close and it is time for me to get back on track! I have lingered and enjoyed the days of summer long enough. It occurred to me that so many have never had a glimpse of Carpenter's Lake. My photo is a bit old, but this was truly my "front" yard! A mesmerizing vision of wonder that I had at my daily breath each day. This photo was taken about thirty years ago almost to the date. Like my summer visitors were contemplating a flight south for winter, I see my new season adventure as well, as summer begins her departure.

As most are aware, I have many designs featured in the lovely Abide Studio in Franklin, TN. Deborah, the owner, and an inspirational, vibrant, talented and amazing artist herself, runs this very peaceful and tranquil gallery. Thankfully, I have at least spent some of my lazy days of summer refreshing my part of her inventory!! I know I have urged you before, but truly, try and get to Abide Studio for a visit. She has beautiful pieces to see, not to mention the entire set-up of The Factory! I promise, you won't be disappointed.

Today, I discovered a new little spot of promise! Mesh Boutique in Murfreesboro, TN is one of the most awesome little boutiques I have seen in quite awhile. It is located about a block from the square, but believe me, it is popping with enthusiasm! I met both of the owners, Heather and Jenny, and this little shop is going places. A very eclectic style, almost completely filled with hand-made items even down to one of their staple products, home-made soap the girls make their selves, this boutique offers a wonderful unique range of gifts for any shopper! Mesh Boutique is celebrating their One-Year Birthday this Saturday. I know they will do fantastic, the entire place illuminates a halo of warmth! I am lucky to say that shoppers will find Marsch Inspiration pieces inside too as well as other delightful textile designers!

Yes, my lazy days are coming to an end, and my brushes are being cleaned....silk being cut...inspirations turning to concepts. A new season is emerging.


www.melissamarschwalblay.com
www.deborahgall.com
www.mesh-boutique.com

...you can also find me on facebook.com/Melissa Marsch-Walblay, and twitter.com/MelissaMarsch....

“Have I Told You Lately that I love you?
Have I told you there's no one else above you?
Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness,
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.”


You turn 16 today, it seems like yesterday you were born.
Memories fill my head

Zo-Zo always at your side
Oreos and Milk at bedtime
Pink cars and Witches on the porch
Daisy in the stroller
Spaghetti Night
Leotards and Tutus
Uniforms and Books
Sacraments and Graduations
First dates and Test drives

“For the morning sun in all it's glory,
Meets the day with hope and comfort too,
You fill my life with laughter, somehow you make it better,
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.”

I was blessed with an Angel…
as beautiful inside as out,
a heart pure as spring water,
spirit strong as the scent of t he rose,
a gentleness soft and forgiving as the willow tree sways.

“There's a love less defined,
And it's yours and it's mine,
Like the sun.
And at the end of the day,
We should give thanks and pray,
To The One, to The One."

If you were a color, it would be the vibrant shades of sunlight,
flowing colors of joy, happiness , intellect and energy…
You are the sunshine of my days….
Happy 16th Birthday Fielder….



"Have I Told You Lately that I love you?
Have I told you there's no one else above you?
Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness,
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.”…..Van Morrison

"She walks in beauty,
Like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes."
~ Lord Byron ~

As the lazy days of a carefree summer close, school schedules, and work routines return, I have been thinking of the most beautiful tranquil place I have ever seen. A place that the moment I landed I knew I was surrounded by raw beauty.

The sun is vivid making every plant shine, the ocean a blue wonder of shades lapping at the shoreline, landscaped by local survival with barely a glimmer of any commercialization, just the natural lifestyle make this a delightful place to see. Shopping is virtually a void, unless you happen upon the local art market or those wonderful huts selling the infamous “Mama Juana” , an intoxicating drink of “love”! No, this piece of heaven on earth is all about relaxation, beauty and serenity.

Nightfall brings about an exquisite color scheme comparable to one of the local peacocks loving the land! Gorgeous blues, violets, and perhaps a hint of deep green gently blow through the palms floating out toward the starlit sky. As the waves rock by, a subtle reflection of the moon dances along the water. This is truly a place I can go to in my mind and still hear the waves, smell ocean and see the colors!

I decided that I needed a trip “back” to this place. Last week I began pulling out the silk again….and I chose a peaceful jacquard. I then began playing with my blues and violets and realized that the varied hues along with the weave itself was creating the nightfall memories I have of Punta Cana. The colors blended dramatically to give that “palm tree sway” and the “ocean wave”. Guys….I dedicated this one to you and made it into a nice tie….kind of a get-a-way all your own!

Dominican Nightfall…..for a romantic trip anytime


By the way….you can contact me now at www.melissamarschwalblay.com

That Wonderful Someone

Written by Gertrude Burg
(As recorded by Patsy Cline 5/23/57)

That wonderful Someone
Who makes the stars all shine
Who fashioned the mountains
To reach to the sky
Who brings each tomorrow
Who hears every prayer
In sunshine or sorrow
If you call He'll be there

That wonderful Someone
Who makes the flowers grow
Who paints ev'ry sunset
With colors that glow
Look all around you
And these wonders you'll see
Designed by that Someone
For you and for me

That wonderful Someone
Who makes the flowers grow
Who paints ev'ry sunset
With colors that glow
Look all around you
And these wonders you'll see
Designed by that Someone
For you and for me


Today would be my Mother’s 68th Birthday. Mom always made Birthdays special and a day to honor. I have been thinking the past few weeks about some of my favorite memories of mom and possibly her favorite things.

She loved listening to Patsy Cline….making homemade cinnamon rolls…walking through the woods and finding a stray blooming flower. She enjoyed watching the clouds rumble over the lake, the white caps warning us of storms to come. She always had her Reader’s Digest nearby, with a page folded back for later reading. Mom was never a “prissy” woman. She never wasted money on frivolous things like manicures and pedicures. She “fixed” her own hair up until her mid-forties. Her wardrobe was complete, but one of quality…not trends. Mom could pick beans in the morning, can in the afternoon, and host a Homemaker’s meeting at dusk. At the age of 35 she went to college, completed her Bachelors, Masters, and Rank 1. Mom was strong, kind, funny, smart and she carried a beauty and grace that was timeless….much like her only scent….Chanel 5.

Last night I received a lovely message from mom’s sister. She too had been thinking of her and was reminiscing of a visit years ago when mom came to her home in Michigan. Her memory was filled of quiet days by the fire, good reading, wonderful dinners and a dance nearby. We all remember the same lady….

I started trying to pull something together that truly suited mom. I chose a lightweight Crepe De Chine Silk, transforming it into a feather weight open jacket. Mom loved something on her arms, and preferred a jacket style over anything that she would have to “struggle” to keep up with! A memory I have of her is when she and I went to Hawaii. She loved the weather, the sun, and the exquisite flowers. She could not get over the rich color of the ocean as it swayed in and out from the beach. I pulled greens and blues together to help form those rich hues she was in awe of and allowed them to spread like the waves onto the silk. The margins of each hue mingled just enough to favor a deep blue-green, breaking back into a dramatic tropical green. I realized then that this creation was also looking like the natural spring we used to drink from on the family farm. As the water pebbled down the side of the hill, the rich colors of the grass and trees reflected up from the crystal water. I guess you could say I brought it all back home.

Happy Birthday Mom!

“Woodland Waterfall”……a treasure to be worn by a true lady