Wildberry Girl

Am I Dreaming??

2011-04-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

Well...I have just the most remarkable news to share with you! I mean, reeeeallly, exciting, change your life, kind of news and am going to bust my buttons if I don't get it out! Now, that is a scary thought! For the past year or so, I have been really stretching myself out of my comfort zone, artistically, that is. I have been a primitive folk artist for many years and although I still enjoy it, I was feeling like I needed a new dose of creativity and inspiration to give me a kick in the pants. So, I began to explore my inner child and invited her to come out and play and see what would happen...everyone who knows me knows that I really am just a big kid at heart, anyway. I am much happier living in my little fantasy world than being a mover and shaker in the realm of "reality." I love to see the world through rose colored glasses and love to approach life with a childlike heart and so, creating art from that place was very natural to me and my imagination went wild. I began to paint what I imagined..in vibrant color and whimsical design and my childhood fantasies soon took shape...mermaids, angels and fairies...children with pudgy faces and bright eyes that smile at the world around them. I have been having so much fun, exploring this new genre and it has been well received in the galleries that I am in..but, nothing prepared me for what has been a dream of mine since I can remember to come true and fall right into my lap, as if out of the sky! I was doing a primitive show with my line of furniture, dolls and signs and just happened to bring a sample of my new work...just in case. Well, good thing I did for a wonderful woman looked at my samples and asked me if I would be interested in illustrating children's books! I said I had always dreamt of doing just that and it turns out, she is a publisher and we are now in the works of my illustrating not one...but, A SERIES of children's books based on my characters! I am beyond the moon on this one!!! We have the first book already underway and two more to follow and I just pinch myself every time I think of what is to come and feel like I am dreaming...I have created a new website and blog to showcase this new art as it is quite different from my primitive designs and I hope you will check it out at http://www.queenbartistry.homestead.com/ and also take a peek at my other blog: http://www.queenbartistry.blogspot.com/ I will of course, be continuing my primitive portraits, furniture, signs, etc. and have some exciting prospects under way in the near future as we are looking into doing a catalog of our most popular designs...I will keep you posted..so, looks like bertie is going to be a very busy little bee and will be pinching herself for quite some time! I guess I really am dreaming as this has been a dream of mine that is finally coming true...how wonderful that I get to be fully awake during it all!!

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts

2011-03-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN AND TURN OFF MY PLAYLIST BEFORE YOU WATCH THE VIDEO SO YOU DON'T HEAR BOTH AT ONCE! There are just some things that you come across that you know in an instant, they were meant for you to see or hear at just the right time in your life. It is like they were ordained to touch you and bring you a message to hear...the challenge is in listening and taking the time to slow down and actually hear that still, small voice that is calling you. It is soooo easy to get so caught up in the rush and chaos of our daily lives...it is like we live our lives in fast forward. Imagine your frustration if you tried to watch a wonderful movie only in fast forward. Sure, you would see the general synopsis and maybe get an idea of the story line...but, the essence and depth of the message would be lost because you couldn't hear it. All you would miss..the emotion, the words of wisdom, the connection to the characters...the ability to relate and get lost in the story. It would be like getting a gorgeous birthday cake and only tasting the frosting and never getting to the decadent gooey chocolate center. Perish the thought! That is how we often live out our lives...we get to experience the outer layer, but never get to the core where all the blessing is because we just are not present enough or are sleep walking our way thru our lives. Busy, busy, busy...our jobs, our kids and their bazillion activities, our homes, etc... We need to wake ourselves up and then be still and listen...as this video so beautifully says...it is in those little seeds of life..the simple moments where we slow down and allow life to trickle over us where the miracles lie. I hope you can take a few moments to watch and really allow the message to sink in...and then go do something fun or wild or even just take a minute to look around you at all the beauty and know it was created for you...for you...all for YOU...make a moment worth remembering and be awake in your life...and you will hear that still, small voice again as it says, "you are loved." You would have to be deeply loved for there to be so much beauty and blessing created in the world to take your breath away. I often feel this deeply when I am gardening. The world could've been created in black and white and we would never have known any better, but, no. There are more varieties of colorful flowers, birds, and butterflies than I will ever be able to see and it makes me think that God must've been having a ball when creation was taking place. It is as if I can hear Him saying with total excitement, "Oh, look at this flower..this one is really going to knock her socks off!" All out of love for a child that He wants to fill with glee and when I take the time to look, I get it and am indeed, filled to the brim with glee...and joy...and awe. I believe that is the message in the movie of our lives and it deserves to be heard, for it is the only way that we can pass it on to our children and help others to be fully awake in their lives so they can hear it too. So, we need to put down the blackberries (and I don't mean the fruit!) and step away from the television and let our children go outside once in awhile leaving their video games behind and let that trickle of life just saturate us with simple moments of bliss..find a snippet of time and plant a seed ...you never know what might happen...you might just grow a miracle. Have a blessed week and love to you all!

A Christmas Inspiration!

2010-12-18T08:04:00.000-08:00

BEFORE YOU LISTEN, PLEASE TURN OFF MY PLAYLIST AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE! This is what Christmas is all about to me. I give it to you as a gift, in the spirit of love and hope. It seems like the world has lost the magic of Christmas and become deaf to the message of "Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards Man." Let us renew that hope and pray for a world that is in need of good news. May the magic of the season..the lowly manger that holds the most precious gift the world has ever known, be born anew in our lowly mangers...our hearts...and may we feel it deep and radiate a light that touches the dark places of this world and leave a mark of love. May you all have a blessed Christmas!

Welcome to the Practical Magic Blog Party!

2010-09-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings on this festive night for us lovers of "Practical Magic"! Please pardon my tardiness in posting as I have had a rather "blood around the Moon" kind of month! I had the best of intentions to create something wild and wonderful for our celebration, but crisis after crisis seemed to get in my way. I do have something to share that I think will bring a bit of atmosphere and magical glow to the evening and I hope you like it. For this evening, I am sharing one of my spiced lantern designs that I do for my "Wildberry Gatherings" business. For anyone who leaves a comment or becomes a follower of my blog, I will put your name in for a drawing for this lantern! I create these lanterns by handcutting my original design and then using several techniques, I cover the mason jar in my special witchy blend of spices and then coat it in pure beeswax. When lit with a tealight, it gives off a wonderful scent of spices and honey and I would love for it to brighten your Halloween or just any day you feel like letting your inner witch out to play! As far as tonight goes, I have to say that my favorite part of "Practical Magic" is definately the house and garden. If I had my wish, I would live in that very house, grow herbs in that very garden and look out from that very island....and so on and so on. I am a huge lover of vintage and victorian and wish I had the courage to dress like the aunts..I just loved the entire feel of the movie and found my eyes could not take in all of the wonderful details enough...that is where the pure magic was for me. Now that Autumn is upon us, I am so looking forward to decorating my home for the holiday and will be so inspired by reading all of your posts and just soaking up the creativity and enthusiasm that this party has generated. I wish I could've done more for tonight as I am blown away by the things you all have shared...I will be posting some more "Practical Magic" inspired designs throughout the month and I hope you will check back. What a great idea this was and I hope it becomes a yearly event!! Blessed Be and may all of your "witches" come true!

You Are Invited!

2010-08-15T19:09:00.000-07:00

I have exciting news! After many, many, too many to count hours of working on a new design for my more whimsical artwork, I have done it! I have a new look, a new name and a spankin' new attitude! I hope you will check it out, leave a comment to let me know you were there, and I would LOVE, LOVE , LOVE it if you would become a follower to my blog. Just scroll down on the sidebar and click the follower button. I will be still posting and keeping my Wildberry Gatherings site for you to enjoy and will be forthcoming with some exciting designs in my art and furniture line..so, thank you for staying with me and don't forget to fly over to: http://www.queenbartistry.homestead.com/ for my website and to really get a feel for what I am all about: http://www.queenbartistry.blogspot.com/ to read my blog, "Queen B. Attitude"!

I Believe She's Amazing Flash Mob - Toronto Eaton Centre

2010-07-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

BEFORE YOU WATCH THE VIDEO, SCROLL DOWN AND STOP MY MUSIC COLLECTION FROM PLAYING OR YOU WILL GO CRAZY!! :) Now that that is out of the way, I just had to post this as a big thank you and hug for all of the phenomenal women who have influenced my life lately. I have not felt this full of hope and expectation and inspiration in..??? Well, maybe ever! I dedicate this to Kelly Rae Roberts in gratitude for her wonderfully inspiring "Flying Lessons" ecourse and to all of my fellow flyers, who are taking wing as we speak. This video's message.."I BELIEVE!" is so perfect for what we have learned recently and for what we are sharing with eachother on our journeys to live an authenticly creative life...our dream come true. What I see in this video is that WE are the dancers...no longer spectators, looking on, but actively moving, reaching for our stars and sending out our energy to impact the world with love and light and magic. .In a world full of so much sadness and stress, our dreams and creative imaginings are more important than ever..we may never know how many lives we touch or draw into our circle by being who we were born to be, but we can be sure of this...the world will be a better place...a more colorful place..a more creative place...for it is being infused with the positive life force of hundreds of amazing women with wings!! ..may this give you a little added lift in reaching your dreams and soaring to your greatest height!! be blessed!

How Do You Wish to Bloom?

2010-07-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

Ok..I am busted. In my last post, I promised to be a good blogger and that was in...well...January. I know that is lamer than lame, but in all honesty, I have spent the past few months doing some really important work in finding out just what it is I want to say and share with you all. I have taken some time to do some really intensive personal reflection and have come across some really phenomenal women who have helped me in that journey. I share with you, one of those women...Jamie Ridler of Jamie Ridler Studios and she is a mentor in sharing how to live a creative and authentic life..It is her question that is the subject of this post. How do I wish to bloom? It would be easy to say that I wish to bloom with vibrant color and strength. I would love to attract many bees and leave them feeling nourished for having met me...and those statements would be true. But, I can feel that I want more than that and it has taken me until recently to discover why. For most of my life, I have felt that I just did not fit in...I was a wildflower in a garden of roses. I have often felt that I was just really trying to grow in the wrong garden or conditions...I needed more water and sunshine than most. I wanted to take more time to grow than the rest..I wanted to drink in the sunshine and let it warm my face for longer than was allowed. I was not really a good flower in the garden..I felt rebellious or inadaquate most of the time. It felt like I was always stretching to reach that elusive sunbeam, just out of my reach. A perfectionist, my blooms were just not as good or good enough or plentiful enough and I spent way too much time comparing my color and strengths to those around me. I have had people in my life, well meaning people, who have told me that I am too much of a dreamer. I have been told that to think that I can be an artist for a living is not realistic. I have heard, "Sure, everyone wishes they could stay home and be creative all day, but that is not reality." How many times have I been told to just go get a job??? Granted, reality means bills and responsibilities and I can't just piddle along day to day having a party, not getting serious about getting my art out there...after all..a flower's bloom can't be appreciated if it is seen by no one! I get that. But, miraculously, after some 50 odd years, I can say that I have had an epiphany...and I say to those who say that living the creative life and following my dreams is not a reality..."Bull Hockey"! It may not be THEIR reality, but it is MINE. In fact, I doubt that their "reality" is even theirs, at all. It is probably the reality that has been thrust on them by those who say so in their lives. This little bloom has realised something and it feels darn good. I AM A CREATIVE BEING. I WAS CREATED TO EXPRESS MYSELF CREATIVELY. Boy, that feels good. Whenever I have not been my true self and have tried to be a rose, instead of a wildflower, I have been miserable and have felt like I did not belong. But, here is the revelation...I am the one planting MYSELF in those gardens..and another revelation...being different does not mean I do not belong! I can bloom among roses, wildflowers or weeds...It is my choice and no one elses. How others see me does not change who I am. My dreams are important and are ordained by the One who made me. That does not mean that I will not have my struggles and days of significant wilting, where I wonder when the next drink of water is coming from. But, what it does mean, is that I can release myself from trying to fit that square peg into a round hole. How freeing...and I have come to know that I am not a bloom that is meant to stand alone, either. I have joyfully discovered that there are many wildflowers out there and bees, too, who are like me and I have been fed creative and inspirational nourishment from their example. I thank Andrea of ABCcreativity.com for her phenomenal inspiration and daily affirmation that I am worthy of all good things and that God supports me in living out my creative dreams. I thank Kelly Rae Roberts for her vision of sharing her positive energy and support of others on their quest through her "Taking Flight" ecourse... and Jamie Ridler, who is so committed to helping others find their authentic life and live it. I have been a bee, drinking in their life giving nectar and have been so recharged. I encourage all of you out there, yearning for more in your lives..more peace, joy, laughter, moments that are real and intimate, to explore the possibilities and check out what these women have to offer. As for me, how do I want to bloom? I want to bloom with all the intensity and energy that I have to give...with a gratitude for all that my Creator has blessed me to be..uniquelly me. I may not ever be the prize winning speciman of my species...I may just stay in that garden and bloom and die to bloom again...each time, stronger and smarter and hopefully, attractive to bees who can take some inspiration and use it in their lives. It doesn't mean I don't still have to stretch myself to reach that sunbeam..there is work ahead, for sure. But, I am not alone...I am surrounded by those who are here to support me..I am watched over by angels and a God who is in my corner and most importantly, holding the water can, knowing just the right moment I need a drink. I am in a garden of the most wonderful flowers and we are all different and valuable. It is the array of multi colors that fuse together to create a beautiful, one of a kind, work of art. The bees we attract not only take pollen from us, but spread the pollen from others to us...so, in all things, we are blessed. So, the journey ahead is one full of hope and I plan to share each moment I can with you, in hopes that you may leave refreshed and inspired to ask yourself this question... I ask you...little flower...How do you want to bloom?

Here's to New Beginnings!

2010-01-04T14:05:00.000-08:00

2010! A fresh new year ahead of us, a pristine clean slate, just waiting for some new entries..what a wonderful feeling! Looking back on the past year, I have already had my sentimental indulgence as I recollected all that 2009 held for me, good and bad. I am blessed to say that in remembering, I had many occassions for smiles...recalling the sweet memories of times spent with precious family and friends..of adoring hugs and kisses from the little lights of my life, my granddaughters, Emily Ann and Madison Grace. I gave thanks for the blessed moments of celebration...Maddie's first birthday, where she had her first taste of sugar and fit as much cake into her little mouth as was possible! Then, there was Thanksgiving and the gratitude for family, as we sat around our parents dining table that has been handed down to my brother since their passing.We shared a fine meal, amidst much laughter and a bit of tears as we raised our glasses to toast the extraordinary mother and father who are so dearly missed. It is at those times that I give thanks for a grief so deep that I can weep after all these years. It is the evidence of a love that was just as deep and a blessing that will never grow old or die. The past year had several of those kind of moments..a time for tears at losing those I love and cherish so much. But, to never have tears to shed would mean not having much of a life to speak of...and I would not want to be spared the tears if it meant being spared the gift of their presence in my life, no matter how brief or long. So, after all of these smiles, tears, laughter and reflection, I have come to this conclusion... I have been truly blessed and in the coming year, I feel a passion and actually, a responsibilty to give back for all that I have been given. In that spirit, I have decided to require more of myself to live a life that is truly present, truly grateful, truly creative and passionate about the gifts that have been bestowed upon me. This stage of life has a life force all it's own and I feel like there is a fire burning from within..I guess it is time to take those hot flashes and put them to use and transfer them from body to soul! Look out world!! I think that should help create a more interesting blog..one that has more than 4 entries a year! I am sure there are not many out there who continued to follow after that pitiful representation, but I hope to win you back. I have had many people ask me to share what life is like at Wildberry Cottage and have expressed a desire to get to know "The Girl Beyond the Gate"..me. Well, my hope is to take you to the cottage and to my other home, "Daylily House" in Ct., to share the things that make my life so magical...perhaps a treasured recipe, or family tradition, a decorating idea or picture of something that inspired me...a craft or art project or just a simple joy that might bring a smile to your face. I plan to share who I am and hope you will be inspired to share who you are with me, so that we may share our journeys together. So, let us begin...may we all embrace the coming year with hope, gratitude, creative vision and a passion to live large! Happy and brightest blessing to you all and welcome 2010!!

Hello, Dear Friends...

2009-10-12T20:38:00.000-07:00

Well, a ridiculous ammount of time has passed since my last posting. Honestly, the reason for that was that I could not seem to face my last entry about losing my wonderful dog, Brady. The grief over losing that precious friend has been deeper than I ever imagined. But, I am ready to move on and want to share the blessings of this life of mine. There is so much to be thankful for and Brady will always be a part of that for me. I want to thank all of you dear friends who offered kind words, support and compassion to me after his loss. What a precious gift you have given me. We are not alone on this journey of ours and it means so much to know that there are those willing to walk alongside and share their joys and sorrows. Truly..you blessed me beyond measure!

So! Time to go forward to as a favorite song of mine says,"Live your life with arms wide open. Today is how your book begins..the rest is still unwritten." In that spirit, let me attempt to begin another chapter and bring you up to speed a bit on what is going on with this wildberry girl. The little granddaughter in my previous post is over a year old already and a miraculous joy in my life! I get to just play three times a week and have her to myself while my daughter works...how fun is that? She is a little imp, overflowing with personality and smiles..I never imagined that being a Gramma was going to be such fun..I get to have the best of both worlds..a little one to watch learn and grow and also, my "big girl" granddaughter, Emily, who is now 8 years old and so much fun to be with. We love to talk about fairies and angels and she has a thousand questions! She lives far away, so I don't see her as often, but she is always in my heart. I find this stage of life to be such a creative and powerful time. It is as if all of my creative energy and passion for life has multiplied and taken on a life of it's own. I find I know myself more than I ever have and I feel comfortable in my own skin. It is a nice perk, amidst all of the hot flashes and the endless little surprises that come with this age of mine. My hair is about 50% grey now and I just can't bring myself to dye it..I like it. It seems like a rite of passage or something. I don't feel like I want to look younger than I am...with joy and laughter, let the wrinkles come! To me, they are evidence of a life filled with emotion..proof that there is life in these bones and the story has just begun a new chapter! Well, I suppose that this all sounds so lofty and grand and I am just so in control of my life and at peace with all around me..ha! Give me a minute or two and when the next hot flash hits, we will see how I do..all I can say is, "Thank goodness my husband doesn't read this blog or he would probably tell you a very different story!" But, for now...for tonight...all is right with my world. My children are safe..my grandchildren are happy..and I have a warm roof over my head on this chilly New England evening. A cup of Chai Tea before going to bed and we can call it a day to truly be thankful for.

A Sad Day at the Cottage

2009-01-21T22:44:00.000-08:00

I want to share with you about a wonderful friend of mine. We are truly blessed if God allows us one friend in our life who shows such loyalty, unconditional love and selflessness as this friend. Not all of those friends He blesses us with walk on 2 legs...some walk on 4 and have a wagging tail. I have been blessed by such a friend for over 12 years..in that time, he has given me so many memories of joy and taught me more life lessons than I can count. His name is Brady and on Thursday evening, he is going to be leaving us to live a life, free from pain. We were chosen by him and we were chosen for him by God. We were moving to a new town in Maine and met the dog warden. He asked us if we were looking to have a dog and we said that we were. He said he had rescued a dog from neglect and abuse..one that had been so starved that he didn't think he was going to be able to save him, but he did. We said that we were really set on having a Golden Retriever..he said that this dog was a Golden Retriever and that he was 3 months old. We went to see him and were stunned when this huge dog came around the corner and knocked the daughter we had promised a dog to, down with his kisses. We knew he was for us. He grew to be 120 lbs of pure love and devotion. He saved my husband's life when 3 Pitbulls came into the yard to attack my husband who was on blood thinners at the time. Brady chased those dogs off of the property at only one year old. He was a genious and taught himself to sled down snowy hills on a frisbee. He loved to open Christmas presents, but never hurt the gift inside. He never needed a leash as he never wanted to leave our side. He loved snowballs and would catch them to eat. He accepted 2 new friends when we adopted 2 kitties from a shelter and let them have his bed from the very first night. Never showing a jealous bone in his body, he adopted them too. As he aged, his health began to fail and he developed hip problems. He now needs help to come in from the snow as he falls and can not get up. So, as our final gift to him, we are going to groom him with the pride of a showdog and give him lots of treats..I am making him a brand new bandana and we have spent many hours just loving him and telling him we will see him again. The vet will be coming to our home, so that Brady will never have to leave this property. I know his spirit will live on here as we grieve the loss of his beautiful smile and adoring eyes. He goes on ahead and I can just see him, running with grace and strength. I believe with all of my soul that heaven could not be what God has promised without him being there and so, I have told him to wait for me and listen for my whistle..it may be awhile before he hears it, but when he does, he knows to come to me and knock me down with his kisses. Afterall, he will be a puppy again and I will be young and strong enough to catch him. I pay tribute and honor to this special friend who has the deepest soul shining through in those eyes. I am heart broken at the thought of a world without his incredible life force. I don't know what I ever did in this life of mine to deserve such a gift. My life has been richer, sweeter and more profound for knowing him. I hope he can feel the same and take all the love I have for him with him as he falls asleep. Thank you God for choosing us to have the privilage of this tender and gentle soul..please help me to live without him. Goodbye, old friend...until we meet again.

Welcome to the world, little one!

2008-08-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought life could not get any better, I am given another blessing! Her name is Madison Grace and she is my second grandchild, born on July 21st! She weighed in at 7 lbs. 3 oz. and she is absolutely gorgeous! What else would a proud Grammie say? Now I have two precious little lights in my life and life truly is good! I want to thank the Lord above for bringing Maddie into the world with no complications and for protecting my daughter, Emily during her difficult labor. It is definately a sign of how life comes full circle when my baby has her own! All I know is that between the birth of this little angel and my wonderful visit with my first granddaughter, Emily, I JUST CAN NOT STOP SMILING!

My little Sweetie Pie

2008-07-22T23:00:00.000-07:00

I just had to share this picture of my beautiful grand daughter, Emily. She is such a little sweetheart and I am getting to have my first visit with her at my home in Maine. She is going to bring a party dress and we are going to make some tea cakes and treats and have a wonderfully old fashioned teaparty in my garden..complete with dolls and teddy bears, ofcourse! I can't wait to show her all of our beautiful wildlife and before she leaves, I have promised to make a fire outside at night in our stone fireplace and we are going to sit out amongst the fireflies and owls and toast marshmallows to our hearts delight! I can't wait!!