"The Book Of My Life"

I just blogged...which I have not done in quite a while. Been in the midst of life's ups & downs, highs & lows. I just realized how good it feels to write. How I feel the heaviness lifted, like when I am at church on Sundays, when I pray to God day in & day out. I do not get to write any longer, as I do not have internet any longer.

A song came to mind & speaks of many things in my life, as songs often do. We all have a soundtrack to our lives & this is one song, in the playlist of my life. The lyrics truly speak to me...in many ways, maybe not all ways...but most.

Enjoy...



Sting
"The Book Of My Life"

Let me watch by the fire and remember my days
And it may be a trick of the firelight
But the flickering pages that trouble my sight
Is a book I'm afraid to write

It's the book of my days, it's the book of my life
And it's cut like a fruit on the blade of a knife
And it's all there to see as the section reveals
There's some sorrow in every life

If it reads like a puzzle, a wandering maze
Then I won't understand 'til the end of my days
I'm still forced to remember,
Remember the words of my life

There are promises broken and promises kept
Angry words that were spoken, when I should have wept
There's a chapter of secrets, and words to confess
If I lose everything that I possess
There's a chapter on loss and a ghost who won't die
There's a chapter on love where the ink's never dry
There are sentences served in a prison I built out of lies.

Though the pages are numbered
I can't see where they lead
For the end is a mystery no-one can read
In the book of my life

There's a chapter on fathers a chapter on sons
There are pages of conflicts that nobody won
And the battles you lost and your bitter defeat,
There's a page where we fail to meet

There are tales of good fortune that couldn't be planned
There's a chapter on god that I don't understand
There's a promise of Heaven and Hell but I'm damned if I see

Though the pages are numbered
I can't see where they lead
For the end is a mystery no-one can read
In the book of my life

Now the daylight's returning
And if one sentence is true
All these pages are burning
And all that's left is you

Though the pages are numbered
I can't see where they lead
For the end is a mystery no-one can read
In the book of my life

On Wing...

Always there in my life...
This dear, sweet, kind, loving soul.
A mother, a sister, a friend.
Every memory of family has you in it...my childhood, my teen years & up until now & always will hold your memory close to my heart. A silent, shy person who stood in the side lines, patient & loving. You may have kept to yourself, and may not always have had a lot to say over the years...but again, you were always there. My beautiful sister-in-law Debbie, much like you...I too do not have alot to say, but your kind & gentle ways speak volumes of the person you are & have always been. I was a baby when you came into our family. Your son & I raised like brother & sister. You took us to concerts, the circus, shared in family traditions with us (baking cookies, making gingerbread houses, dyeing easter eggs, etc.), driving us to school each day & letting us help you on your paper routes as kids :-),the memories are countless, as they are far too many to name. You may have only given birth to 3 beautiful children, whom I might add are all a reflection of your soul...but you mothered your two sister-in-laws as well, and any other child that entered your home. Your ways were undeniably the model of a kind & gentle woman, salt of the earth. I will ALWAYS love you my dearest sister...and hope as you make your journey into Heaven, that you take with you the knowledge in knowing you have touched the lives of everyone who was blessed to know you. I love you Debbie...more than mere words can say. May you have peace & feel the pain of your wretched cancer no more.

Today, the family was together for you...we smiled when we wanted to cry & tried hard to be brave for you, and your loving children.

Merry Christmas Debbie...I love you.

Dust In The Wind...

It has been a long, long while since I have departed from my forest...
Ophelia is still here, but with no internet access to speak of.

I will share a lovely song that most will recall Kansas version of "Dust in The Wind"...but I will share Sarah Brightman's version...which in some ways is nice...but in other ways, there is nothing like the classic, so I may post both. But then again, I cannot find a nice version of the Kansas performance...all live & poor quality.

Perhaps I will depart the dark & looming forest & come into the light of the outside world soon...until then, enjoy this.

Sarah Brightman
"Dust In The Wind"

Ophelia among the Trees...

J.W. Waterhouse "Ophelia"

Hello to anyone out there who may have been following my blog?

I have departed for now, and hope to return to my blog in time.
But for now, Ophelia has departed indefinitely.

This was a lovely place for me to journal online & now I must use actual pages.
I hope to begin drawing sometime again soon...if & when I do, I will post images here so that I may share them with my Blogspot friends.

Until then,
I bid you all a fond adieu....
~Jeanne~
AKA Opheliaaaaaa

Evening...

In a bit of a pensive mood these past few days...
I do not have much to blog about at present time, but still like to share at least a song.

As I said in last night's blog, the weather has changed quite a bit these past few days. We are beginning to see signs of Autumn weather...nice cool breezes, even if they come with a bit of rain, it is still a breeze without a major humidity factor. We will take what we can get here in Miami & I look forward to the cooler days where we can actually wear real clothing & shoes, rather than the Miami wardrobe of flip flops & t-shirts. Perhaps we can have more than 4 or 5 days of winter this year?

Here is the song I am sharing tonight.
The song is by Dead Can Dance "De Profundis"...



Enjoy & Goodnight...........

A walk in the pale moonlight...

I was outside this evening, just for a few minutes. I had hoped to stay outside a bit longer & thought of perhaps even writing a blog outside by the lake I live on. Of course, one thing led to another with dishes, laundry, straightening up the house. And to top it off, my little lakeside buddy (my sonny boy Luisito...my little Lovey) decided to settle down early. Sighhh...so there goes my lakeside companion. Funny how it is impossible some days to find even just a few minutes to just stop & smell the air & take a brief glimpse at the night's sky. My life is a bit busy and stressful these days, with very little time for just down time. I have been reflecting alot on writing & drawing & somehow cannot stop long enough to do so.

I need for the roller coaster to come to a stop, so that I might get off! I was never really a fan of roller coasters & somehow feel like I live on one most days.

Might step outside my front door & at least smell the air...and keep my ear to the door for my sonny's call.

But on second thought, between the gecko's & the mosquito's, I may just stay in. Although, what a waste of a lovely stormy autumn night. The air is crisp with the rich smell of the earth & rain from this evening's rainfall.

Maybe before I turn in, which may be a while from now, as I seldom sleep anymore...I may say goodnight to the moon & the stars & promise them to visit with them perhaps tomorrow night.

Goodnight...............

And a lovely song to lull the world to sleep......

Cocteau Twins
"The Itchy Glowbo Blow"

Sending out an S.O.S.

Just a video tonight...
a classic to some.

Sting's acoustic performance of the hit song by his old band The Police ~ "Message In A Bottle"



♪ I'll send an S.O.S. to the world......
I hope that someone get's my message in a bottle ♫

Rainy ☂

Feeling kinda stormy & tired tonight...
Going to sit amongst my unfinished works & decide which one to work on.

Got my galoshes & raincoat on...gonna fight off the storm that is brewing inside.

Maybe, just maybe I will finish something tonight.
Goodnight.....

A rain song...
Only one I can think of?

Before, After & In Progress...

Since I mentioned in last night's blog, that I have a difficult time coloring in my pen & ink drawings... I decided it might be interesting to show my drawings with & without color. So tonight I collected all of my works, before & after (since I always make copies before I color them in, just in case of mess-ups!). Now, mind you...I have done this all within the past hour. :) So I broke out the old camera & took pictures of them all...and even my in progress works. I do not usually show anything until I feel it is finished & to my liking, but I will throw caution to the wind & show them anyways. I made a little slideshow...hope you like! My In Progress Cello Girl & Little Elf Girl are a few of the unfinished works. Enjoy...

And a song...goes quite nicely with the slideshow!

The Art Files

Just something to add to the Art Files...
I have been working on this one piece lately that I am rather fond of. It is rather dreamy, well at least to me. I am not sure what type of background to draw? Should I draw a sunset sky, a forest, clouds...I never have been much of a background person. But it is very ornate already. With my usual vinelike filigree, draping fabric & my favorite use of colors...very earthy jewel tones. It is a drawing I never colored in. As it always feels like a sin to deface a black & white pen & ink drawing with color. But I do know that it takes on a whole new life once the color is added. I somehow like to stare at the black & white version & imagine the possibilities, rather than adding actual color to the piece. But I suppose that it would be incomplete? So I do, as I know I must, which is color it!

The subject matter is rather romantic, a man & woman embracing...She with a delicate veil draped over her, twists in her long wavy hair, and she is seemingly an instrument of sorts...a violin or a cello since she is upright. I thought of perhaps adding a bow (for him to play her)? She is his muse, his instrument and they are to play in unison together, in perfect harmony. There is draping fabric hanging from a nearby tree & she sits upon a table in his embrace.

I will finish it soon! I was going to try to finish it tonight, but became a bit distracted & lost track of time.

I must be off to bed soon & may wind down a bit by drawing a little before I turn in for the night.

I will post images just as soon as it is completed. I am working on this one & The Elf simultaneously.

Goodnight...................

and a song to add as well

Me & my lovey...

I just came across this photograph from when my son was around 6 months old...almost 2 & a half years ago now. It is amazing how fast he has grown up! I just wanted to share the photograph.

His name is Luis (named after my father), but I call him Lovey, my little monkey.

Night & Day

I haven't seen this video in years!
I love just about any version of this song...as I grew up with parents who listened to the classics. I learned to appreciate the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole...the list goes on. But U2 is one of my classic bands, from my era, "one" of my many favorite bands.

A beautiful song...beautiful lyrics & they seemed to add their whole new twist to the song.

Enjoy!

U2
"Night & Day"

Among the fields of gold...

A little Sting for a quiet evening...
Well, Sting...much like Cocteau Twins is good for any day or night.
I have been a Sting fan for as long as I can remember. He is a story teller extraordinaire with a voice of silk. I can post songs for days, but tonight, just this one.

So, sit back & relax...maybe light a few candles, sit & watch the delicate flicker of the flames.
I supplied a few here.

Tragedy is afoot!

And just because...
Because it is so very cute!
I am posting a video by, Tim Burton named "Vincent". It is an animated short he made in 1982, about a boy who fantasizes he is the ooky spooky screen star Vincent Price...also narrated by Mr. Price himself!

It is very cute!



And I just love the little black animated kitty!
Reminiscent of the cat in Nightmare Before Christmas.

Pre-Raphaelite Fancy!

I found this beautiful video of the fine art of William Bouguereau, one of my many favorite Pre-Raphaelite period artists. It is rather interesting the way they morph one painting into the next...and rather eerie at the same time. I am not to fond of the song they used to accompany the video, but I suppose opera is suitable for the subject matter. :)

And now that my little one fell asleep early, I am going to try to polish my nails & work on a drawing or two!

Here is the lovely video...
Enjoy!



Bouguereau had such a way of capturing the essence of his subjects...you can see the twinkle in their eyes and almost see into their soul. Ahhh...to be blessed with such talent!!!

Oil Of Angels

It is raining an ocean tonight, the streets filled with a days worth of rain in a matter of hours. As Cocteau Twins is always fitting for any mood, it is especially perfect for a rainy evening.

Here is another Cocteau Twins video...someone made.
Somewhat of a colorful video, or just plain nice to look at, to daydream to.

Cocteau Twins
"Oil of Angels"

"Until"

I just found this song, and much to my amazement, I have never heard it before today? I am a huge Sting fan & also have seen this movie before & never heard the song in the movie? It is quite beautiful, so I thought I would post it here to share.

It is from the Film "Kate & Leopold"
The song is by, Sting
"Until"

Also, I have added the lyrics below...since I thought they were so very beautiful...



"Until"

If I caught the world in a bottle
And everything was still beneath the moon
Without your love would it shine for me?
If I was smart as Aristotle
And understood the rings around the moon
What would it all matter if you loved me?

Here in your arms where the world is impossibly still
With a million dreams to fulfill
And a matter of moments until the dancing ends
Here in your arms when everything seems to be clear
Not a solitary thing would I fear
Except when this moment comes near the dancing's end

If I caught the world in an hourglass
Saddled up the moon so we could ride
Until the stars grew dim, Until...

One day you’ll meet a stranger
And all the noise is silenced in the room
You’ll feel that you're close to some mystery
In the moonlight and everything shatters
You feel as if you’ve known her all your life
The world’s oldest lesson in history

Here in your arms where the world is impossibly still
With a million dreams to fulfill
And a matter of moments until the dancing ends
Here in your arms when everything seems to be clear
Not a solitary thing do I fear
Except when this moment comes near the dancing’s end

Oh, if I caught the world in an hourglass
Saddled up the moon and we would ride
Until the stars grew dim
Until the time that time stands still, Until...

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic!

I just found this looking for Police songs! :)

Too cute! Had to post it!!!
Linus singing The Police song "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"

Pink!

In a bit of a pink mood...

I grew up listening to Pink Floyd, had the older hippie brothers who played it often. I was young & learning to appreciate all kinds of interesting music, not necessarily from my own generation. I had no money of my own, but that was okay, as my big brother had plenty of music for me to listen to! I would come home from school & carefully go through his record collection & play them one by one. Pink Floyd was one of those bands that had a very transcendental sound like the few I posted here & then the scary one's like that of The Wall soundtrack. None the less, my brothers had alot to do with my appreciation of music in my early years. My brother Joe played guitar & sang around the house, although I doubt he really realized anyone was listening. My brother Bob, actually took me to all kinds of concerts! My very first even! It was Kiss...and tickets were I think $10 -$12!!! Far cry from that of the ticket prices of today! Anyways, again...I digress! :)

I come from a long line of creative & musical people in my family, and I suppose we all have our very own soundtrack to our lives...

Here are a few of my favorite Pink Floyd songs!
Enjoy & good night!


SeeqPod - Playable Search

Freshly Sharpened Pencils...

Nothing like a new pack of coloring pencils to brighten a day!

Last night I sharpened each with a precise tip & scribbled a bit in my sketch book. Even though they are the same brand I always use, there is something special about them being new & fresh. They even smell different than my old pencils & somehow feel as if they are charged with ideas & inspiration, perhaps blessed? If I weren't so gosh darn tired from my long dental appointment day, I would commence to the drawing now.

I will bring them with me this week in my travels, perhaps I might find time in my busy days ahead, to scribble a few strokes here & there? Until then, I hope they will not feel too abandoned.....

And a little diddy to add...
The Cranberries
"Dreams"

After the rain has fallen...

image courtesy of Glitter Graphics.com

I was going through my sketches tonight...and trying to see which one I will try to pick up & begin working on? It has been a very long time. I have not drawn whole heartedly since my Ophelia drawing. I have dabbled here & there amongst my craft items, working on my jewelry making & paper crafting. My last post regarding to anything truly artistic, was of my jewelry items. I post here & there about music, as this is what inspires me artistically.

I used to keep a daily journal years ago & drew randomly between journal entries. This is one of the reasons I began writing here...not quite as private as a personal journal, but still venting & expressing. Among my pages I drew, pasted flowers & leaves to the pages, wrote poetry, stories, and simple day to day thoughts. It has indeed been a very long time since I have kept a private journal...but for now, I have my blog here. I have a blog I like to visit from time to time, she is always posting this, that & the other thing! Quite a busy little mousie! Her work inspires me, and I thought I might say that here, as she deserves the credit. I relate to her use of colors, and love the way she uses mixed media combined with her beautiful, ethereal works.

If you have a minute, pass by her blog...
http://allnorahsart.blogspot.com/

I digress, what I was getting at was...I am going to pick up a fresh journal & begin keeping an artistic record of my day to day nonsensicles. A journal that is of the physical plane, that you can touch & see & quite possibly smell the pasted petals...without an internet connection.

Clearing the clouds away, dusting off the cobwebs, & sharpening my rainbow of colors............
Weather is weather & the rain should be all inspiring, as rain is quite beautiful & some of the loveliest of showers follow with a rainbow.

I can imagine the chirping of the birds now & the glistening of the earth's treasures after the rain settles & the sun emerges through the darkness...everything glistening with the shimmer of each water droplet, as the sun catches each with it's rays.

The Parting Clouds...

The clouds are parting, and the sun is creeping through. My mood is still a bit stormy, but I am coming out of the shadows a bit. The crafting last night seemed to help, as it always helps lift my spirits when I express myself creatively. The one thing I am sure of, is that I can control how the weather affects me, knowing when to pack a rain coat & umbrella, and what roads to stay off of (metaphorically speaking of course).

I suppose it is an artist's perogative to be stormy at times, but I try not to let it get the best of me.

Music helps as well, to soothe the savage beast...
The video is not by the artist, but a fan.

And of course, it is another Cocteau Twins song...
"Oomingmak"



"It is a painter's palette of colors...quite beautiful!"

Stormy...

If a mood can be like a storm, then today I am as cloudy as the skies above. My soul feels gray & although there is no lightning nor thunder...I feel a rumble from the mood within me.

Last night, I felt the rain coming on, and today woke with such a gloomy mood, and then came the storm outside. Perhaps I can purge the mood like the clouds purge the rain?

I will try to play with my craft things a bit, to try to soothe myself a bit. Perhaps the mood will pass soon? Until then, I will draw, cut, paste & whatever else that may help me.

Here is a beautiful video...

The song suits my mood & the video is lovely.
It is edited scenes from one of my favorite movies,
"The Lord of The Rings"

♪ Moving Right Along ♫

This song has been in my head all night! :)
I was singing it to my son while I gave him his bath tonight.
Just thought I would share a moment from my youth!!!



The best road trip buddies ever!

Kermit & Fozzy Bear of The Muppets!
"Moving Right Along"

Movin' right along in search of good times and good news,
With good friends you can't lose,
This could become a habit!
Opportunity knocks once let's reach out and grab it (yeah!),
Together we'll nab it,
We'll hitchhike, bus or yellow cab it!
(Cab it?)

Movin' right along.
Footloose and fancy-free.
Getting there is half the fun; come share it with me.
Moving right along (doog-a-doon doog-a-doon).
We'll learn to share the load.
We don't need a map to keep this show on the road.

(Hey, that song is sounding better Fozzie.)

Movin' right along,
We've found a life on the highway.
And your way is my way,
So trust my navigation.

California here we come, the pie-in-the-sky-land.
Palm trees, and warm sand.
Though sadly we just left Rhode Island.
(We did what?!)
(Just forget it.)

Movin' right along (doog-a-doon doog-a-doon).
Hey LA, where've you gone?
Send someone to fetch us, were in Sasketchewan!

Movin' right along (doog-a-doon doog-a-doon).
You take it, you know best.
Hey, I've never seen the sun come up in the West?

Movin' right along.
We're truly birds of a feather,
We're in this together and we know where we're going.
Movie stars with flashy cars and life with the top down.
We're storming the big town,
(Yeah, Storm is right should it be snowing?)
(Uh, no I don't think so...)

Movin' right along,
Do I see signs of men?
Yeah, "welcome" on the same post that says "come back again."
Moving right along, nice town!
Footloose and fancy-free,
You're ready for the big time...
Is it ready for me?

Movin' right along,
Movin' right along,
Movin' right along,
Movin' right along

The Days of Vinyl & Roses...

Up late, playing with music again...
Something to listen to when I am at work tomorrow.
A very strange blend of songs, if a playlist could be like a chick flick, this would be it! If that makes any sense at all? I can remember the days of records, when making a mix tape would be like a life's mission! Hours spent carefully picking each & every song from a pile of records, making sure to stop & start the tape before the record went to the next song!!! The making sure that skips & scratches did not ruin the perfect mix! Now it is click, click click & TA DA!!! Mix disc or playlist extraordinaire!!!

Enjoy!
I picked all 45 songs.
I love that flash player site!!!

Mix Tape...ala Jeanne



Good night...off to beddy bye.

The Golden Butterflies

As I was driving home today, as the breeze blew in from the approaching storm...I saw three lovely golden butterflies! They came floating in on a cloud it seemed, like angels on wing! They came to me bearing news of my very long lost butterfly friends. They told me that they were safe & sound, living way up high above the clouds, awaiting the passing of all of the imminent storms approaching on the horizon. They made sure to messenger news to me of their return, with the help of the golden butterflies, so that I may be able to be inspired with hope, faith & inspiration and may be able to draw once more.

Even though the rain continues to fall, I can see the lovely rays of sunshine beyond the storm clouds.

I will draw again soon, I am sure of it! They say a rainbow is the promise of hope...and I think I see one now!

Perhaps they were Angels?

Coceau-Coceau-Toooo!!! A Cocteau Morning!

At work...
Having a Cocteau Twins morning.
Just wanted to share a beautiful song, along with a very ethereal video someone made.

The song, much like most of their music, is very dreamy & almost transcends you somewhere else.

Hope you like it as much as I do!
Enjoy!

Cocteau Twins
"Essence"

Siouxsie Sioux

Another music video to post...a bit at a loss for words today. But still felt the need to post something, as music seems to always come to me. So here's one of my favorite 80's bands, and I will say "ONE" of my favorites, as I do have so very many favorites!


Siouxsie & The Banshees
"The Last Beat of My Heart"

Enjoy...and Goodnight.

My Son, My boy, My cheeky little monkey, My heart...

Just a little something frightening to share...
This past Sunday, when we went to Mass, I saw a glimpse into the future & man, oh man...was it scary!!!

There I was, minding my own business, when from the row behind me, I felt someone looking over my shoulder? It was a beautiful little girl. :) She was curiously staring at my son, with almost a puppy dog look on her face?!? Ughhh!!! I know that look! I'm a girl, we all know that look! Well, as the Mass commenced, she got just a little braver, every few minutes, creeping closer & closer...until!!! Egads! Their eyes met! LOL :-) At first my son did his usual, "BABY!" whenever he sees anyone under the age of 10, he says "BABY!" Well, then they seemed to become curiouser & curiouser about one another, the staring became silent & then he reached for her dress & pointed out her flowers & hearts on her dress. Then, he was teaching her how he counts...1! 2! 3! 4! (as she corrects him when he shows the wrong amount of fingers). Then she covers his mouth when he did a raspberry at her & angrily glared at him. Then, she commenced to remove her pretty purple bow from her perfectly combed hair & again, came the puppy dog look! Egads! As she swished her little dress back & forth while turning her waist, they reached for one another & touched hands & they seemed smitten!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My first instinct was to grab him & stop this madness!!! But knew I was just being silly. :)

Well, not too scary, since they are only little toddlers & far from dating years. Perhaps it was the fact that she was one of a clan of 8 or 10 children! Her parents obviously have very little interest in television & you tend to want what you know growing up, which if it is a big family, then a big family is what you will want.

Well, as this whirlwind romance came to an end, since Mass was over...She blew me away, because she blew him a kiss with a sad look on her face, as her Mommy whisked her away!!! And not one kiss, but two kisses she blew! Awwwww...

So, I saw my son grown up, married & with a huge family!!!

A very scary thought!!! But I suppose it will come sooner than I will ever be ready for. I just pray he will be a good, kind man who would walk across fire for his loved ones.

And of course, that he will never forget his Mommy. :-)

There is a song called "My First Child" by Nil Lara ( a Miami artist ) that brings tears to my eyes almost each & every time...ever since the very first time I heard it. I cannot find a sound clip to post...but the lyrics are worth looking up. And look for the song as well, so you too can get choked up.

Here is the last verse of the song:

You're my first child,
I'll lose you someday,
To some other love...........

And, completely unrelated to my blog...
a lovely song to share.
Sarah Mclachlan
"Angel"

Butterflies......

One of my favorite scenes from Tim Burton's "The Corpse Bride"...
The scene when Emily's unfinished business is done & she is finally free.





Tonight I went for just a small walk to take the garbage & felt a nice cool, tropical breeze blowing (It was not as humid as usual).
Almost walking & stargazing weather...well, it was definitely a beautiful night & I stopped to take a brief glimpse at the stars in the night sky & feel the tropical breeze blowing against my face. My eyes scanned the sky for the moon, but it seems it was still asleep.

Goodnight starry, starry night......
Here's a nice song from the 80's to listen while staring at stars!
The Church
"Under The Milky Way Tonight"

The Sundays on Sunday!

After posting yesterday's lovely song...
I realized that it was not Mazzy Star, but The Sundays! (Much to my embarassment... I hate posting wrong information)
I corrected it!

Well, it made me remember just how much I loved The Sundays.
So! For a fine Sunday morn...a little Sundays!
A nice little playlist of Sundays songs "Summertime" being one of my favorites amongst them.
The lyrics are quite sweet too...



and a pretty, pretty painting by, Maxfield Parrish


SeeqPod - Playable Search

Wild Horses

Just a little slideshow I made...using the beautifully breath taking images from renowned horse Photographer Robert Vavra.

Along with a lovely little ditty...that seemed ever so fitting.

The Sundays rendition of:
"Wild Horses"

Life of a Butterfly

Here is one of the nicer Butterfly videos I managed to find...

It's a time lapse video of the Life of a Butterfly...from caterpillar, to cocoon, to birth, to a father & child bidding farewell to their new winged friend!

I thought it was such a sweet ending...



Fly away little butterfly! Spread your wings & take flight to a land of undiscovered heights!


Here is a link for the Franz Porcelain Company:
To view lovely butterfly jewelry! For all you butterfly lovers out there!
http://store.franzcollection.com/section1.html

Wishing...a photograph of you

Just found this blast from the past video!

A Flock of Seagulls
"Wishing"



I saw them a few years back when they did an 80's tour with the likes of General Public, Missing Persons & Berlin!
It was a very cool show...that really took me back to my teenage years.

Just Sharing :)
Hope you liked it!

This & That!

Hello!

I finally got around to taking pictures of my latest creations!
I have seriously been slacking in the creative department these days...

I have spent random moments & Craftsy Saturday's making these little Bobblety Bits & Whatcha-Ma-Whosies!
I used alot of glass beads, as they do sparkle plenty!

I hope you like them!

I will post the Gothic Victorian styled cuff bracelets just as soon as they are finished! I am making them with black velvet, black vinyl lined with lace & Victorian/Antique styled beading & cameos.

For the Fabulously Goth at Heart!

I just may make matching purses to accompany them?

Here are my finished pieces:


These are made of Glass flowered beads, as well as Amethyst colored glass & Gemstone beads


Here is a close-up of three separate bracelets, each made with toggle closures


Cobalt blue & faceted glass beads with toggle closures, also matching earrings & adjustable choker


Murano style glass beads with daisy design & Coral Gemstone beads


Murano style green toned glass beaded bracelets with matching earrings...each stone unique! With little stars & flowers...each stone a work of art! That I wish I could say I made the actual BEADS!


And another Murano style glass beaded bracelet & matching earrings in blue tones...these even prettier than the shades of green! Each bead holds a rainbow!!!

And I wouldn't finish a blog without a musical lovely attached!
The Cocteau Twins
"Blue Bell Knoll"

A leap of Faith...

And another one...
Just a bit on the tragic side.
A scene from the film "City Of Angels" with the beautiful song by, The Goo Goo Dolls "Iris"



As the Angel, Seth answers:
"I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss of her mouth, one touch of her hand...then an eternity without it...one."

Just beautiful...but so very tragic.

Just an artistic note! Tonight I actually took out my drawing pad & coloring pencils...but still, no butterflies.
I will draw again soon...I plan to.
But planning to, when I would rather be inspired to?
Planning never works, it just happens or it doesn't...unfortunately.

Maybe from your dreams...

Here is a beautiful scene, from the movie "Just Like Heaven" (named after one of my favorite Cure songs)



How do I know you?
Maybe from your dreams..........

Like Tears From a Star

"I posted the lyrics once, but just found the video & always like sharing."

Sting
"Fragile"


Tomorrows rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay...

On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are...

The Notebook

Here is the scene I was looking for a few days ago, to add with the Billie Holiday song...from the film, The Notebook.
but now when I see it again, I am glad I found the Jack & Sally version.

But! This is very sweet!
Nothing sweeter than a lovely simple moment shared.
No music required...just love & a little bit of imagination.



This movie was beautiful...to say the very least. Young love, the pain of lost love, then that love found once more, and then an everlasting love, the kind that bears all things...to the end. Growing old & gray with one another & giving all of that love without measure, & receiving that same love back 10 fold in return, until the end of their days. Until death do they part...and if they part together, even better. To meet once more in Heaven.

An idealistic kind of love.
The kind that Fairytales are made up of.

And I do know, that in all Fairytales, Cinderella & Prince Charming still have bills to pay & troubles ahead...but everyone wants a Happily Ever After...everyone does.

Elegia

A very strange little video I found...
The name of the video is "More"
Written & Directed by Mark Osbourne

With Music by, New Order - "Elegia"
( one of my very favorite New Order songs of all time )


Bizzare...right?

Teardrop

More ramblings...
In the form of song.

A beautiful song that was long a favorite of mine...years & years before becoming the "House" theme song.

Massive Attack
"Teardrop"
ALSO with vocals by, Liz Fraser of The Cocteau Twins

Sugar Coated Dewdrops...

Still not out of my creative funk...At least I "thought" of drawing today, even if I did not.

I still have yet to hear of my butterflies return?
As this saddens me, I am sure...actually, positive that somewhere out there in Positively Lovely Land...there will emerge from their cocoons a new family of butterflies, perhaps to make wing in my direction to land outside my window. I will leave sugar water droplets & a sweet nectar filled bloom along the window sill.

Until then, I send out a song...a call if you will, to my little winged friends.

Come back little butterflies! Come back!
Leave behind your husks & take wing!



This Mortal Coil
"Song to the Siren"
vocals by, Liz Fraser of The Cocteau Twins

"Some Kind of Wonderful"

As I sit here watching one of my favorite 80's films...I thought I might share (I like to share) :)

I found one of the scenes on YouTube!

I can remember where I went to see this film, back when I was 17. Kind of a nostalgia flick for me. As the 80's will always be a time I wish I can go back to...especially after celebrating my 41st birthday!!! Egads! :-?

Here's one of the scenes from the movie "Some Kind of Wonderful".

If you haven't seen it before, it is a definite must see amongst 80's films. :)

Synopsis...(two best friends, knuckle-head guy doesn't get it, until... he does!)

Just a very cute scene!

~Characters Keith & Watts~

I'm a big dork for chick flicks...a romance addict!

Looking at the Moon...

I was listening to Billie Holiday tonight, with headphones which is always nicest! (Or I can imagine, with headphones, a sunset sky, with the windows drawn open & a cool autumn breeze blowing in through the window, curtains blowing softly).

Anyways, I looked for the lovely dancing scene from the film, "The Notebook", but I couldn't find one I loved.
But then! I found this!!!

Edited in such a beautiful way...
Here is "I'll Be Seeing You" by Billie Holiday
~ with accompanying video from Nightmare Before Christmas (strangely enough) ~

The ever loverly Sally & Jack!


Sighhhh...
And oops! The clock just struck midnight...Ophelia is 41!
Happy Birthday to me...

Perhaps I might add the lyrics for the full effect?
"As if Billie Holiday's voice is not enough?"

Okay! Here they are...
Enjoy!
~Jeanne~

"I'll Be Seeing You"
by, Billie Holiday


I'll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through.

In that small cafe;
The park across the way;
The children's carousel;
The chestnut trees;
The wishin' well.

I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day;
In every thing that's light and gay.
I'll always think of you that way.

I'll find you
In the morning sun
And when the night is new.
I'll be looking at the moon,
But I'll be seeing you.

I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day;
In every thing that's light and gay.
I'll always think of you that way.

I'll find you
In the morning sun
And when the night is new.
I'll be looking at the moon,
But I'll be seeing you

Songs to stare at the ceiling to...

~ Painting by, J.W. Waterhouse "Ophelia" ~

Here's another song list...
This one is hot off the press! I just finished making it.
It is a rather strange blend of songs, but still...all songs to sit in a quiet room to listen to & relax.

"Songs to stare at the celing to..."

So dim the lights, sit down someplace nice & comfy with your beverage of choice, perhaps grab a favorite book, journal or sketchbook...whatever brings you tranquility, and just really take all of the music in.

Of course, these are songs "I" like & thought would make a nice playlist...I just hope some of you out there may get a bit of enjoyment from my diverse listening choices.

Enjoy!
~Jeanne~

Late night music to share...

~Painting by, Mark Ryden "Night Visit"~

A bit of late night music to share...
(There's two songs at the bottom that don't show...you can scroll down to them)


I promise I will have something creative to share soon!!!
(in a bit of a creative funk lately)

This is a beautiful commercial.

Every time I see it, it brings a tear to my eye. Ohhh...sappy little old me! :)

Just sharing...


Perhaps a drawing to share in a few days or so?
Or maybe will post some photos of my most recent beading & sewing projects.

Until then...

I found this image a year or 2 ago...not sure who the artist is?
It's cartoon me! :)
Except I don't smoke & not super waify!

In a Depeche...Mode

~photo by, Me!~

Much ado about nothing tonight...
Feeling rather tired tonight & decided to listen to music instead of the drone of the television.

I began listening to song after song by Depeche Mode & thought I would share a bit of my listening pleasure here. I could post many a Depeche song, as they are one of the few bands from my teen years, that stood the test of time. And their music, like fine wine...gaining an added distinction through the passing of years.

Their lyrics are just as nice as the melodies...at times, they speak to you. If you have a moment to linger, look them up at your leisure.

Enjoy,
~Jeanne~

Craftsy Saturday!

Today while taking inventory of all of my crafting items, I find my mind swarming with ideas & projects! As I sit here in my rather organized mess (oxymoron) :) I am trying to slow down the whirling tornado of ideas & trying to focus on just one idea. As I dig through this veritable clown car bag of tricks, I am finding pieces of projects of yesterday's, yesterday's! I am finding add-ons for current ideas & wanting to pick-up old projects & complete those as well?!?!

Ohhhhh!!!!! Where to begin?!?!

My head is rushing! But HARK! What goes there?!?!?! Some old Jute cord from a macrame project I never started...ahhh! I think I will soothe my mind a bit to the numbing twisting of cords to create perhaps a lovely plant holder? :) I sit here holding the ring at my toes, as I begin my series of knots. I am taken back to my childhood, when I first learned macrame, when I was maybe 10 years old or so? :) I went macrame crazy back then, much to my mother's benefit! But it has been literally decades since I did anything of the sort. Well, I am glad to say...it is just like riding a bike! You never forget!

I will do this for a while...I think. Or at least until my head begins to swirl with yet another dozen ideas & I hop to the next.

I did however focus long enough to create a bracelet someone commissioned me for today.

Off I go! Back to my project!

Putting my idle hands to work...for the long weekend ahead.

Craftsy Therapyyyy!!!

A Dark Lovely to share...

In a bit of a oogie mood...listening to The Cure, Cocteau Twins, Sting & other moody music...how ever-so tragically Gothic of me. While I surfed the internet gazing at dolls I can clearly not afford...I came upon these Dark Lovelies to share.

This is the reason I love this film...
Sally & Jack in Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas".

Sally's Song...


And the finale...

The Elf

Last night I started a new drawing...

She is a little elf girl, friend to all butterflies in the forest.
She is only a rough sketch as of now, as I am trying to capture a certain essence of charm in her face.

I do have a lovely idea of lollipop flowers & spirally, whimsicle trees, as well as my usual framing...this time with swirly Dr.Seuss-like style.

Perhaps the leaves on the trees will be pink or purple?
It doesn't really matter, so long as it is truly as make-believe as possible!

I will post her once she is completed!

A little bit of night music...

(this lovely painting of Sleeping Beauty was paitned by Henry Maynell Rheam in the late 19th century)

Tonight, I sat down to draw & hours later, one distraction after another...I sadly have nothing done.

So I sat and listened to music, which usually helps begin the creative flow...but, all I ended up with is a small playlist that I thought I might share.

Just a few pretty songs...


SeeqPod - Playable Search

Now off to bed...with prayers of a restful sleep & much inspiration on the horizon for the morrow.

Oh where...oh where have my butterflies gone?

I'm looking for my butterflies!
Has anyone seen them?

The last time I saw them was in a daydream a few days back or so. They usually flutter amongst the posies & have tea with the hummingbirds everyday at noon! I am truly alarmed at their most recent disappearance, as the last time they went missing they did not return for quite some time!

Perhaps they are lost in the land of oogie's where everything nonsensicle & negative lives? In the past few days I have ventured there & was lost in the darkest recesses of the swirling vines & branches.

I have filed a Missing Butterfly Report with the head of the forest & he assures me that they will have an all points bulletin out for they're hasty return.

Until then, I wander with my heart in my hands in hopes of their return.

I will dabble & tinkle amongst my bobbles & bits for now...perhaps the glistening of the lo-ver-ly colors will help signal them home.

Sighhhh....

Please, oh please return to me most hastily my little winged friends, I am not myself without you!

Fragile

"As I sit down to begin creating, thoughts of this song come to mind, as the rain falls outside my window"...

One of my favorites by, Sting


If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one
Drying in the colour of the evening sun
Tomorrows rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay
Perhaps this final act was meant
To clinch a lifetimes argument
That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could
For all those born beneath an angry star
Lest we forget how fragile we are

On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are how fragile we are

On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are how fragile we are
How fragile we are how fragile we are

Bits & Bobbles! Bobbles & Bits!

I am posting some of the lovely glass & gem stone beads I have been playing with this past week! I Just wanted to show how beautiful & vibrant the colors were. I fell in love with them when I saw them, as I often fall in love with alot of arts & crafts bits & bobbles & whatsie whoozit's!

I managed to make a double stranded necklace for my sister, as well as two bracelts to match for her Birthday this past weekend. She put them on immediately & left all the boxes & wrapping, so I guess she liked it?

Here is the best photo of the necklace...unfortunately, I didn't remember to take pictures of the bracelets.



And here is a velvet & leather-lined corset choker I created for myself last year. (It also laces up the back! A reproduction of a Catherine Coatney)-boning & all.



As well as the glass lovelies I purchased for creating other gifts!


Amethyst, Lapiz Lazuli, and various sized multi-colored Murano style glass beads.

The colors! The colors! Ohhh...the pretty, pretty colors!

Just sharing! That's all for now, over & out!

The creative flow...

Just stopping in to stay on track with myself. :)

After managing to finish two works, now I find myself with a lack of time once more. I will try to stay on track, focus, make time & keep my hands & my mind busy with beading & possibly moving onto yet another "unfinished work". I have plentyyy of those! But only a few that I am inspired to continue on until their entirety.

Now, the beading project is for gifting, as someone I know...is having a Birthday tomorrow! I guess if you're reading this, you now know that you are getting a custom gift. :) But, as sisters & as artists we both share in the love of creative gifting.
At least I can speak for myself when I say, "I love creative gifts", as they are made with love.

So, off I go!

To work on my big sister's Birthday present!

My gift to you Juju-bee...filled with much love.

Ophelia follow up...

I just finished my "Ophelia" drawing and rushed to take pictures of her, just so that I might get her up tonight!
The colors did not represent as well as I had hoped. I will re-shoot her this weekend and then post fresh images.

But there she is........
"Ophelia"
(I posted her below)

"Ophelia"

I have been working on a drawing for quite some time now. I started her a while back, originally she was done in sepia colored pen & ink until water became the end of her. I then had to transfer her to new paper, where she would now take on an all new feel. I decided as I was transferring her, that she would look lovely in color. Named after the character "Ophelia" in Shakespeare's Hamlet...she is floating in a lake (a close-up) with flowers floating amongst her golden locks. She is taking a while since I have stopped, started, lost time & then started once more (the story of my artistic life). And because she is in coloring pencil, the detail takes a while to gently add color to create the feel I am looking for. I feel as though I am working in slow motion, but I would rather not rush her, as I know rushing an art piece ends disastrously, as I have found in other rushed pieces for art shows.

The past few days, I am working solely on her...since I finished my little Angel girl in my last art blog. I was tempted yesterday to pick-up another work in progress to step away from her for a while, but then knew I would probably not pick her up again for days. (I know me!) So I will diligently continue on in hopes of finishing her before the weekend or at least, by the end of the weekend.

I will not be happy until I am done! So, I am off now to work on her once more.

There are so very many versions of Ophelia out there by artists everywhere...hoping mine will be just as nice.

I will post images as soon as she is complete.

I know why the caged bird sings...

Just feel like posting this...as I have always found this to be a very moving poem
by "Maya Angelou"



A free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and floats downstream till the current ends
and dips his wing in the orange suns rays and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage
can seldom see through his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

And a song to add, for a moody Sunday night...

I had hippie brothers :)

Finally!

Tonight I managed to finish one of my works I sketched out & never completed!

I just had to stop in here, to record the moment when I am feeling a sense of accomplishment.
Not sure how my technique measures up, as I have been out of practice for quite some time?
And not to mention she is in soft pastels, which is usually not my medium of choice.

She is done, she came out of inspiration a few years ago & her golden locks I envisioned turned out the way I had hoped (except, maybe more detailed strands), her wings & dress of indigo blue.

I will photograph her later today, and hope she represents well.

Found this line in a card,
but it seems fitting for this drawing..........
"No matter what you're going through, Heaven's watching over you."

I posted the pictures:
The photos are shown to the right...the little Angel girl.

Clearing the cobwebs of my mind...

Today i went digging through my artwork, trying to find anything & everything I have yet to complete.

I was quite astonished as to just how many pieces I started, inked & moved on!

I used to dedicate alot of my time to drawing, on breaks, after work & on my days off. I spent alot of time loitering with my "one ticket to a comfy chair- (aka cup of Joe)" at the inevitable coffee shop, drawing & listening to my choice of moving music; whatever the mood was at the time.

I look back at just a few years ago, and I am amazed at just how much time I spent creating. I would be in the middle of one drawing & be imagining the next. It suppose this is why I have so many incomplete pieces? If I could have just focused long enough on one thing & then move on to the next. All the time, the time I spent daydreaming, scribbling & just pouring my ideas onto paper. Now, oh how I wish I could find the time to complete some of these & perhaps begin new ones.

Lately, infact in recent days...I find myself coming up with ideas, images, colors coming together swirling in my head. Could it be?!?! Could it possibly be a creative inspiration coming on?!?! I better dust off my pens & organize my thoughts & get them down as quickly as they flow through my mind & onto paper. And if I feel the rush slowing down, I will pick up my coloring pencils & watercolors & begin to fill in the missing colors of my unfinished works!

I will take advantage of my idle time between Mommy-ing, household responsibilities & the inevitable "LIFE"...and squeeze in just a wee bit of creative time. Perhaps begin writing the children's books I always dreamed of writing? I don't know, but anything will be better than nothing. And notating it here will drive me to actually making it happen!

I have a few solid ideas, or perhaps I should not make it sound so methodical, but that I will let the daydreams flow onto my paper once more.

New Blogger...

Greeting & Salutations,

This is my very first post here!

I found this lovely site through the amazingly beautiful publication called "Artful Blogging".  After looking at this magazine in the store, I felt compelled to buy it & inspired while flipping through it's pages.

I am not one to really share my thoughts & views publicly, as I am rather a shy person.

I do however love to journal, and I thought I might give this a go?

So, just as soon as I have some special thoughts to share. I will post some lovelies.

I posted some of my art pieces here to get started.  Although most are rather old, as being a fairly new mommy, I find it difficult to narrow down "Me Time" to work on new creations.

But just as soon as I do, I will post them.

Thank you for visiting my page...

~Jeanne~