“If there's something that you're dreaming of then may it all come true, because you deserve it all...HAPPY BIRTHDAY.”



Sometimes real life seems like a story...the kind you see on TV or read about in a silly novel.....

The date was November 28. He strutted into the quaint little shop, a mysteriously dark, well-groomed man, who had the demeanor that might lead one to believe he was a connoisseur of imported cigars and fine port. She was busy rearranging a display, eyed him with amusement and intrigue, said hello yet kept on working. He then confidently asked if "she" was working. With a cautious smile she said yes, she was the lady in question. He proceeded on by saying someone had said he should stop in and take a look around. She welcomed him and kept on working. He mingled about the little shop, but finally, rather frustrated, came back to her and pulled out a piece of paper. He confessed he was there because of this letter. She quickly read it. Shocked by the words....(general message was that "he" should stop in this shop and meet "her"), she quickly gained composure, laughed and said she supposed she should be flattered and moved away. He feeling just as silly, thanked her and left.

Like any good story, it did not end here. A few weeks passed and their paths cross again. After a few laughs of the first introduction, they begin to exchange e-mails for a bit then he returns to the shop to ask to meet for a glass of wine after she closes. She had found him to be quite intriguing and interesting by now. She a laid back, tolerant, bit dis-organized lady loving the art world and all it offers found herself captivated by this man's sense of self discipline and structure.

After she closed up her little shop, she went across the street to a romantic little restaurant, the place she had chosen to meet. After waiting around thirty minutes, he finally called her. He began sounding irritated and annoyed on the phone, then clarity came through...she laughed..."Mr. Has it all Together" was at the wrong restaurant!

The years have been slipping away, their friendship flowing like good lyrics to an old love song. His love for adventure is met with her desire for a tropical, remote beach. His desire for serious conversations is compromised by her silly teasing and funny wit. They equally share a love for the lazy citrus punch from the perfect Gin and Tonic, and Mary J Blige confessing her love in "Be Without You", and a beautiful, spiritual sunset as it magically dances down to kiss the ocean good night.

My story...it could be something one found in a bottle drifting along the beach...

Happy Birthday Terry...may all our sunsets bring you love and happiness....

"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Matthew 28:1-10


I wish each and all a blessed Easter. I hope you have found a re-newed Spirit of Faith.

My designs have been plentiful this early Spring, with my biggest demand the Chiffon Open Front Jacket. This one is titled "He Is Risen" . This particular piece is sold, but I can paint these in virtually any color or color combination. They are open, airy, light-weight, and a great piece to say 'welcome warm weather'!

"No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, for to His Angels God has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways. Upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."
Psalm 91: 10-12






Do you believe in Angels? I know if I stop and just listen, or look, I will see the ”hand” of an Angel’s work. Angels are pure spirits created by God. The Old Testament includes the belief in angels, a name applied to certain spiritual beings or intelligences of heaven, sent by God as the ministers of His will. Angels are messengers from God, to help show us our way in need.

My Lenten Journey is more than half way over, and I feel my Spirit renewing itself with each day. Too often in life we allow the mundane activities and the ordinary to block our perceptions and outlook on life. For some of us we stop believing, stop hoping, and we struggle harder. I have dug deeper this season focusing on my surroundings, my blessings, and allowed myself to accept and recognize the signs of God all around.

I have countless times that I have felt the presence of an Angel, or known that God’s will had a hand in the outcome. Some may argue that it is merely coincidence, but your know the old saying, “Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous." Albert Einstein

Over the past couple of weeks I have seen some beautiful clouds, twice at times that I needed a burst of faith, a sign of strength. The first ‘angelic hello’ was on the day that I was heading to visit the cemeteries where my Mother and Grandmother are. I was taking them new flowers to welcome Spring. A day filled of melancholy for me, but also a day that reminds me of heartfelt memories of our time we had together. As I drove along with my daughter, we both remarked that the sky was dreary, almost as if it were mocking the task at hand. The closer we came to our destination, the sky began breaking, the dark stratus clouds opened up into more of a cumulus formation allowing the sun to shine through. The sight was spectacular, like a picture one might see. As the clouds rolled it warmed my soul, for a brief moment the clouds’ outlines resembled angels out flying, saying hello.

Yesterday my second “hello” from above came through. A day of dreary skies prevailed, but then while driving through an exploding rain storm and furious winds, the sky once again began clearing, the sun flooded through the clouds opening up an array of colors as it prepared to set. I had stressed over a situation but knew my fears were calmed at that moment and all would be fine.

Today I am showing one of my very first designs. This camisole is not for sale, but I do take orders on it. I title her “Angel” because while painting, “She” just formed, just like the images we see in the clouds, but with this image I was able to capture her. This design is much more detailed, yet free flowing and never have I “captured” a duplicate angel. Each one is unique and beautiful in its own way. I hand paint them, manipulating the paint a bit more than usual, and of course allowing some free flowing too. I do not use any form of resist, merely my own small touches of paint. Once I see the Angel forming I try to redirect the flow to capture her. Much more time, work, effort is involved therefore I do charge more and only take orders. My Angel has a “face”, but they often are ”faceless”, and merely the image of her. You may decide if you want her face prominent or merely her graceful image.




"Angel".......$150

"Create in me
a clean heart,
O God,
and renew
a right spirit
within me."

Psalm 51:10






We have entered into our Lenten Season. Yesterday I found myself sitting in church listening half-hearted to Father speak. I was there to receive my ashes and begin my own 40 day journey. The past few winter weeks seem to have tucked in so many days of sadness, and my heart just wasn't feeling uplifted, rather a part of me felt my journey had begun a long time ago!

The entire Mass I held a printed out worship booklet for use during Lent. I kept finding myself reading the front over and over...it was Psalm 51:10. The words "clean heart" and "renew spirit" just kept jumping at me. Lately I have found my inner soul to be dampened by so much sadness. A dear friend has recently found out she is on the front line of battle against Cancer...another friend recently lost her sister because she felt her life to be not worth any journey. I literally know of five beloved pets, the type we call "family" including one of my own, to die. So much news of heartache I read and see in the media each day just kept adding to my heavy weight. And cliche' it might be, but even the recent weather has been more of glum than of sunshine.

My creative side has been zapped with my lack of spirit. I have been trying to pull out color, to find that special inner peace in my designs. Last week I began mixing oranges and a bit of fuchsia, the result was a rather muted tangerine. I think it would be correct to say I was not feeling it!

I awoke this morning around 4:00 a.m. My brain kept quietly saying Psalm 51:10. I silently reviewed the past few weeks of sadness...the suffocaters of my spirit. I thought about how hard returning to the Church is for me since the loss of my Mother...how seeing my friend receive her first treatment of chemo this week refreshed those hidden dark feelings, how incredibly angry I get with myself when I internally think my life is not so great, then see a plea to reach out and help someone who would love to live in my shoes. Insomnia overcame me and I just kept searching within to figure out my plan to shake things off, to 'renew my spirit', to 'clean my heart'.

As the early morning sun began to peek through my blinds, a sight we have not seen much of this winter, I saw my color. The dim 'orange' danced around the corner of my blind as it tried to say hello. Like my own creation, (or concoction!) I could see flickers of pinks, yellows and vivid orange. I knew I had my inspiration...this color was meant for the heart...to be worn at the heart. I selected my softest silk and went for the camisole design. Regardless of the day, it will warm the spirit...you may decide to keep it virtually hidden with a mere peek of color...or go bold and say "Good Morning" to all, either way, in any light, you will catch a glimpse of the morning sunrise.

The purpose of Lent is to be a season of fasting, self-denial, Christian growth, penitence, conversion, and simplicity. Sometimes we must dig deeper though, as Father said yesterday, it is not always the giving up of that candy bar...but the strengthening of the spirit...the changing of the soul. I hope this Lenten Season gives all a 'clean heart' and a 'renewed spirit'.

"Love would never be a promise of a rose garden unless it is showered with light of faith, water of sincerity and air of passion." ~Author Unknown







Valentine’s Day is upon us. A day of love, or a day to express our love to that special person. I remember as a child we would anxiously await my dad getting home from work, then he would scoot us into his car, and away we would drive into town to “Dennis & Akers Drugstore”. We would wait in the car as he flew inside. Every year it was the same process, he would come back out, hand my brother and me a small heart shaped box of assorted chocolates and one large box to my mother. All three of us would be delighted! A simple joy, a simple token, yet those heart shaped boxes held a ton of love, respect and we knew it.

Throughout the years I have celebrated so many Valentine’s Days. I have had lavish gifts, dancing bears at my door, nice dinners out, and even once, in the seventh grade a small penciled noted on notebook paper that just said ‘Happy Valentine’s Day”. You know, looking back through the years, that small note is one of my most cherished. It was simple, but from a shy guy, it meant everything at the time.

I am not one who thinks Valentine’s Day is all about big expectations. I’m about the small gestures…those tiny pieces of the heart being tugged at. Let’s face it, anyone can take us out to a nice dinner, BUT, how about digging a bit deeper into the thinking…I love romantic dinners out, but hey, with the right setting, Mc Donald’s brought home can be romantic! We hear people advertise hot, bubble baths, and guys…for some of us, that with a few candles, great music….perfect! Honestly, it is the gesture , the thought, the creativity…

So…for all my guys that love reading my blog, I have a recipe to help make Valentines’ Day a bit more unique and special. Don’t fight long lines and waits at some noisy chain restaurant…stop by a quaint bistro style and get dinner to go, bring it home, light the fire, pop in something like Teddy Pendergrass, and eat by the fire tonight! Draw a wonderful bath, nice wine or cocktail, (perhaps a chocolate martini with peppermint)..then finish with handing her an original hand painted silk wrap….

I have been trying endlessly to capture a bit of romance this past week. I think I found it! I have feather-weight, butter soft silk that is cut in a generous 44” x 108”. The perfect size to wrap all around you! The perfect shawl for an evening out, veil for meditating, parero at the beach, or just tied around the bust for a summer top! In that luscious Red…it is a seductive hug….ladies, you will love it!


Valentine…….$90


***more can be found at:
www.deborahgall.com
www.meshboutique.com
www.seagrassspa.com

In honor of dad, I painted this velvet scarf in delicious shades of red. The perfect piece on a chilly, snowy, beautiful February day. I got my reinforcement as I drove home yesterday evening and saw not once, but twice a herd of deer feeding in fields with the sun setting low and hints of red glowing over them. The snowy fields, beautiful deer, muted red and gray sky….yes, February is a month of a rich red….a warm feeling.

“Red Velvet”…..$50

“There's something like a line of gold thread running through a man's words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it gets to be long enough for you to pick up in your hands and weave into a cloth that feels like love itself“….John Gregory Brown



Today is my dad’s Birthday!

Birthdays….special day for that special person. My mother used to tell me that she knew she loved my dad when she made him a Birthday cake the first year they were dating. She told me he looked like a small child when she presented it to him. Because of her I cannot remember a family Birthday without the “cake” being the main attraction.

I was leafing through old photos recently and came upon this picture of my dad’s Birthday back in 1997. Surrounded by his “girls”, (George-David wasn’t here yet), he was in his element! I had brought the girls their Valentine gift early, the infamous “Valentine Barbie”. The overall theme for so many of his early “Papaw” Birthdays….Barbies, hearts, the “best” movie ever playing over and over, “101 Dalmatians”, and of course, cake. As you can tell, the “girls” ruled!

The cake ritual was always the best though. After a wonderful dinner that mom would make, usually steak and potato, we rapidly cleared the table. The cake would be brought over. She always made his favorite cake, Red Velvet. Decorated with the help of the “girls”, candles would be stuck everywhere. Now the fun would begin… once lit, we would just sit back and watch! I think we would sing “Happy Birthday” at least a dozen times while each girl would try to blow out the candles!! Over and over again we would go through this ritual. Some years mom would even have two cakes….a ”child” one and a “dad” one!! Her last year to share his Birthday she had two cakes. The girls were a bit older, but George-David was the perfect age to enjoy this ritual. One cake held the “hunting scene” but the second one was adorned with a small train holding candles just for George-David. I am not sure who had more fun, the kids or dad! Even present time was fun…I truly do not think he actually opened his own gift by himself for about a ten year stretch! His grandchildren were always there ripping the paper away! I believe that was the actual gift in his eyes.

Yesterday, we gathered to celebrate his special day. The dinner was light-hearted and easy. I cheated terribly on his cake, store bought Red Velvet, but sometimes the ‘gathering’ means more than the details. Dad’s life has been a constant change, constant growth. His spirit and strength have never failed though. His grandchildren still enjoy visiting him, teasing him and hearing his stories. Today he is 72. Still hard headed, funny, stubborn, and would drop and do anything for anyone at a moment’s notice. His idea of a perfect Birthday…his family there to share it, perhaps that nice card and remembering years ago. That is my dad…

Happy Birthday Dad….I love you!

"Dogs are miracles with paws." ~Attributed to Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy



I am going back in time today, to August 22, 1996. The day is still as vivid as yesterday. My youngest daughter had her very first ballet class. It was the day before her third Birthday, she was finally big enough for dance! The anticipation got the best of her though, and to her dismay, she found herself locked to the bench, to shy to move and participate. After the class, we ventured off to lunch. As she nibbled on her chicken nuggets, little tears kept peeping out and she worried that 'Miss Martha' was mad at her for not dancing. Being the eve of her Birthday, and a mom who hated seeing her girls sad, I did what most parents would say was the ultimate "NO"! I scooped her up and walked across the street to the pet store. Of course she immediately found a puppy. A blond Pekingese and Poodle mix to be exact. She cuddled, loved, kissed her, and I began to panic. This little puppy though brought strength to my Fielder, because when I said we needed to go and to please put the puppy back, she kissed her again, told her things would be ok, then flatly said good-bye to "Daisy". Shock filled my body, so much so, that by the end of the evening, as she played with her sister and our much loved sitter, Amity, her early Birthday present arrived home, "Daisy". This was the beginning of a 13 year love, companion, and best friend.

Daisy, I think back to all you endured, the endless "dress-up" days, the too-many -to-count stroller rides, the amazing ability to eat anything and everything those girls tossed, dropped or left on the floor. Your docile charm to hop in the bath tub so they both would enjoy the bath more. You never complained while being packed around the house as if a child, instead of the beautiful canine you were, nor did you ever leave Fielder to sit in 'time out' alone. You were my saving grace oh so many times.

On January 21, 2010, you left our family, and flew on to Heaven. We knew it was time for you to go, but miss you terribly. This morning I awoke and so many things began coming together for me. Before Christmas I started working on a new style of jacket. The fabric is different, a blend containing rayon but I found this blend to take my dyes and paints much differently, I never know what the outcome will be, (much like puppies from mixed breeds)! The style is a Kimono like cut, hence I named this jacket, "Butterfly".

...The Butterfly...a beautiful symbol of a spiritual evolution, a sign of the soul passing on.

My jacket has a whole new respect in my eyes today.

This style of jacket is great to hide any figure flaw, the fabric is light and flowing, and looks great with anything. I am taking orders on these jackets, and to view and see more information on this new design please visit my website and hit on "shop". In honor of Daisy though, for being the beautiful spirit she always was and will continue on to be, I will donate $10 of each sale to the local Humane Society....our pets are so much a part of our own soul.

www.melissamarschwalblay.com