A Little Something Beautiful

I have searched a lifetime to find A Little Something Beautiful Only to find it residing Within my very own heart.

I send out A Little Something Beautiful To my lovely daughters that helped with this book. To My daughter Amy You deserve a medal for all The hours spent editing this book and for working with me diligently, In order to make this project as lovely as it is. To my daughter Lisa I say a special thanks for her efforts To teach me how to use the computer for a website, face book page, and Designing fabric. Lastly, she deserves my Gratitude for my author portrait.

Blessings

A Little Something Beautiful At Belle La Vie

I went to bed with big questions for God. I wanted direction, focus, and clarity. I wasn’t sure which way to go, What to do, Or how to move forward. And . . . So I prayed. Not just a regular prayer. You know the kind . . . Where you ask for all the things you want, Like God is only there when you want something. No, I prayed for the clarity, wisdom, understanding. I also prayed for my path in life, and what I should be doing. Nothing seemed clear, and I was discouraged. I had been working on a project that was Becoming too difficult. It was something new for me. Most of my projects were easy And accomplished with joy. Not this one. It was like putting a puzzle together With some of the pieces missing. I wasn’t sure I should even continue with it. But . . . I believe in prayer. I believe in God. I believe that life is meant to be lived abundantly. And, I believe that there is a little something beautiful just waiting for me. Asking for guidance, I was expecting answers I was serious. Clearly stating I wanted an answer before morning. I finally fell asleep. Just before waking I heard these words … I do not know if I was dreaming or if the words were actually spoken. And, I don’t care. The words were real and reverberated within me. “I have written it in your heart.” Waking with a start, I thought about those words as I went about my day. First I did some research and found a lot of verses that referenced the heart. And I came to the conclusion that . . . I no longer needed to worry or wonder if I’m fulfilling my purpose. My path has been placed in my heart. Everything I needed to know was already there. It had always been there. I just needed to step forth in faith And begin to believe in myself And in the talents I had been given. I was ready to be the artist I had always dreamed of being.

It Has Been Written in My Heart Chapter One The Greatest of These is Love

There is something spiritual about being immersed in the joy of living an art-filled life. Beginning to create with intent and following your bliss becomes almost magical when you go “all in” and trust in your own unique God given talents. Letting go of the fear of failure and having faith in our own abilities gives us the opportunity to succeed in life beyond our wildest dreams.

Creating has always been an ancient act that traces back to the beginning of time. Cave dwellings attest to the fact that artists have been around for a long time, and they have made our world just a bit more lovely because of their quest to bring their inner vision to life. As humans, we are intended to create and make our dreams a reality. It is through our everyday life that we bring out the truth in our art that reflects our heart and soul. Where would we be without the artists of the world?

Moving to twenty acres in the midst of Iowa’s rolling hills was the beginning of trusting my own instincts and following my calling. All the puzzle pieces of my life found their place fitting together into one big beautiful picture. Falling madly, deeply, and completely in love with life, I began to view art from a new perspective. I found it in the ordinary, seemingly insignificant, little moments of everyday life.

I found myself learning to breathe deeply and taking a moment to enjoy the country atmosphere. Living this quiet life on the hillside has been where my art began to blossom, and I found my voice, my path, and my place in the world.

While advancing in the direction of my dreams, I found myself enchanted by a big old Country Victorian home. This home welcomed me with open arms and nurtured my artistic spirit, giving me the opportunity to stretch my imagination and hone my skills. In that process, it came to life with grace and charm. This is a story of celebrating a life lived bountifully, the manifestation of hopes and dreams, and finding your true self along the way.