I started my BJP a little early(over the xmas holiday) because I was so happy to get all the snow we were getting. It was so beautiful. A Christmas just like the storybooks talk about. A white pristine blanket of snow, fluffy, sparkly and cold. I loved it so I got all my white, clear, and blueish beads about and started working eagerly. Well, that didn't last long because it then got so cold and icy here in MN. We have had a horrible winter so far, along with the rest of the country. So I lost my energy and I believe it shows. But I'm OK with that. Its pure survival here. The fabric is a swatch that Robin sent me. I thought it was perfect for the piece.

August

With August I wanted to get all things I love in one scene. I still think of Yellowstone because it has mountains, water, flowers rock that all just fit together. Sometimes there is turbulence, sometimes there is calm. But there is always beauty. We have to stop and put some space between ourselves and the object so we can possibly understand it and not be so afraid. If we can remov ourselves from the muck we can see beauty. Im thankful for this. Im at a very early stage of understanding this so my writing isnt totally clear but Im moving forward and with this I can feel "The Sunlight of the Spirit".

July: The Wren

Though I like the theme of my July piece I couldnt really figure out how to portray art wise so I feel its rather childlike. I decided to leave it though since simplicity is kind of my subject matter. I had a pair of wrens that were kind enough to nest in my front yard. We really had to readjust our front yard activities to avoid their house and not disturb them-believe me they let us know if we got to close. I became very vigilant every day to check on their progress. I saw how hard they work to raise a family. My ultimate thrill was going to be watching the babies fledge. One morning I went out with my coffee to watch and to my surprise they were all gone. It was totally quiet. I was really disappointed but also thought about how I was able to stop and listen to their song which is very powerful for a small bird, hear their chattered scolding, and just get out of my head for a time. I feel really honored that they chose my yard. I really learned from it.

June 09

In keeping with my theme of feeling the "Sunlight of the Spirit" I was feeling huge respect and appreciation for rain, something we here in St. Paul have not had much of. I eventually decided to do a piece in green representing all things in my garden-fragrance, flowers , foliage and growth. As I was beading I started tuning in to feelings inside of me that felt calm, quiet, content, satisfied . ..It was strangely unfamiliar but felt it was very important to stay with it and not be afraid . So this piece is called GROWTH because I do in fact notice a change.

May 09 My May piece was an experiment for me. This tulip was in my garden this spring. It was one of the last tulips to bloom. I just loved the colors of this tulip. It just grabbed me with just the right shade of pink with just the right shade of yellow. I was just captivated by its beauty,stunning. I took pictures of it one day and became aware of how by looking at it I was able to think about just the flower, nothing else. I had a quiet mind for even a couple minutes. I have to work hard at being mindful so if it happens without trying I better pay attention. I decided I would do my May BJP on this tulip.. Because of this tulip I was able to feel the Sunlight of the Spirit . For this Im grateful. I dont usually like yellows so I had to shop for just the right yellow and just the right pink. I painted my fabric with the colors I needed and had a beautiful pink and yellow ribbon that I found in my stash of ribbons. Its not a tulip but a representation of something beautiful.