New Year's Peace

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I received an amazing assortment of beads from Lisa Lodge (our lovely hostess) to motivate my creative spirit for this winter-time challenge.  For the past couple of months, I have been working on developing bead embroidery techniques and skills  and so out of this vast array of wonderfulness I choose these beads that I felt would best support my fledgling abilities in this area.

All of these beauties were also in my kit, some actually finding their way into my finished piece after pictures were taken.  They are a wonderful addition to my stash and will no doubt be stars in projects later this year.

Into the Forest ~ my inspiration:

Early morn on the first day of this new year, I found myself alone again, deep in the forest near Mt. Rainier Washington. I was searching for peace and hope . . . I had been sad for far too long.  It was cold and silent as I made my way along the winding forest path, but I felt welcomed there and more alive than I had in many months.  While much of the world slept, how blessed was I to witness the dawning of the year?  And in the stillness of this dawn I re-visited a humbling truth . . . this precious gift, filled with new possibilities, adventures and challenges would only be what I would choose to make of it.  All I needed was what I already had ~ strength, courage and wisdom.  The forest floor was mossy wet beneath my knees as I knelt in thanksgiving and praise witnessed only by God and the silent yet ever present tenants of this sacred place.  I had found what I was searching for and my heart was slowly and softly opening to welcome the warmth of peace and hope once again. 

  New Year's Peace

Gorgeous silver stag focal ~ Green Girls Studio

To all my amazing and inspiring fellow artists . . . I wish you a year filled with peace and hope, and the courage, wisdom and strength to make the most of all your possibilities.

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Janine Lucas, Esfera Travel Blog

Jasvanti Patel, Jewelry by Jasvanti

Shaiha Williams,   Shaiha's Ramblings

Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion

Janet Bocciardi, Honey from the Bee

Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales

Elizabeth Engriser, Bead Contagion

Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things

Catherine Yvonne King, Catherine's Musings

Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles

Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs