{ artful handbag workshop - sneak preview video}

N E W   W O R K S H O P  R E A D Y   T O   A I R - S N E A K   P E E K   H E R E !

Recycle those old t-shirts here! In this workshop we will create a colorful, roomy ARTFUL HANDBAG full of pockets, including two button pockets, two open top pockets, and two over sized pockets that easily accommodate large supplies due to the nature of the fabric. We will dye, cut, sew and create unique embellishments. We will explore the simple art of tap dyeing, challenge ourselves to create words through "doodled stitching" and put together a mini book for artwork, photos, mementos and more. We will even create a BONUS drawstring sleeve pouch! A bag that will speak to who we are, through color and construction, it can easily be arranged to suit your own personal style! The end result? An ARTFUL HANDBAG. A keeper of art or beach supplies, a carry all for babies things, a new take on the old messenger bag!

Artful Handbag Sneak Preview from Rae Missigman on Vimeo.

{there is no medicine like laughter...and a healthy dose of friendship}

You might remember that recently I vowed to {LIVE} a great deal more

and  {BLOG} a great deal less.I have been faithful to this self made

promise and I have reaped the rewards. 

To have a few {GREAT FRIENDS} is to be considered fortunate. 

To be able to leave the door open to your {SOUL}

when you are in their company is a {BLESSING.}

I know this good fortune.

I am this blessed.

I, once again, found myself in the company of not one, not two, but {FOUR} cherished friends last weekend.

I was, once again, {LOVED & UPLIFTED}.

I was, once again, {TREATED WITH KINDNESS & UNDERSTANDING}.

 I was, once again, {RESPECTED & LISTENED TOO}.

I was, once again, {RESTORED}.

{AND WE CREATED}

I consider myself to be {BEHOLDEN UNTO GOD}

for the gift of these women I call {FRIENDS}.

I am blessed beyond measure.

I am loved without condition.

Each woman brought to the table a gift fit for a king.

One brings a gift for creating beauty. A beauty that shines. A beauty that makes the others smile. Creations that bring joy and inspiration world wide.

One brings the gift of compassion. A deep and real love for mankind. A gift for seeing the good in everyone, everything. An ability to make one feel worthy...even when we feel we are not.

One brings the gift of insight. A knack for seeing and knowing who we are, even when we doubt ourselves. A gift of direct and unwavering love. A keen sense worth. She is a steady pipeline that connects us all to one another.

One brings the gift of optimism and laughter. A bounty of charitable thoughts and ideas. A superior mind filled with creative & loving ideas. An all encompassing spirit of good and possibility. 

And when I sat across the table from these women and their gifts I realized something.

While each woman might have placed their own sweet boon on the table, their one ingredient ready to be added to this wondrous and rare recipe of kindred friendship, their was something else...

...I looked around and  I realized that each one of these extraordinary women had taken on the

collective gifts of the others. 

When at first I thought a single woman brought creative beauty to the table -  I now realized that each woman had brought the gift of creative beauty, but in her own dynamic way. The same for compassion and insight and optimism.

These women were indeed kindred spirits ... and I was among them. 

Uplifted and strong. 

 Dedicated and devoted. 

I was the fortunate one; adding to the pot, my own strength of creative beauty. My own cup of compassion. My own pinch of insight. My own dash of optimism.

And in the end? When the weekend was over and the time came, once again, to part ?

Well it was bittersweet. Like any great meal, I left feeling satisfied.

Full, yet hesitant to leave the table.

Sad that our time together was to be suspended....{FOR NOW}.

And so I have the next gathering to look forward too.

My appetite will grow in the interim and I will be ready to partake in the banquet of

love and laughter and creative inspiration. 

I will come to the table hungry with expectation...

...ready to feast on the joys of {REAL FRIENDSHIP}.

God is so good to feed my {SOUL} in such a way.

I am so very {BLESSED}.

I {LOVE} you all.

{I never thought I would love a rainbow this much}

Anyone who knows me will tell you this

{ I LOVE THE COLOR WHITE}

...and so it is rare that I find a real connection with things of vivid color. 

Don't get me wrong. I do love color. I love to dye wool and see all the shades that can be created. I love to see my garden abloom and the sky at sunset.

It is just difficult for me to mix a lot of color and love it. Was difficult.

Recently I was introduced to one of the most talented women I have had the occasion to meet. {ROBEN-MARIE}. She is so over the top creative and so inspiring.  I love everything that she does...and she does it with color. {LOTS OF COLOR} She mixes it, smears it, rubs it off and adds more. She swirls it, circles it, stencils it and blots it off. She is a {TRUE MASTER OF COLOR}

She has inspired me to get in touch with color again. Since meeting her I have dyed some of the most beautiful swirly colorful wool I have every dyed. I have made some of the most luscious mail art. I have dyed and painted and stained and stenciled and {ALL OF IT WITH COLOR}

Please go check out her blog and all her {AWESOME TUTORIALS AND VIDEOS}

{I just dyed this batch of muslin and monks cloth today... along with some yummy marbled wools...I even decided to keep the paper towels & stray strings from the clean up!}

It is all so random & beautiful.

{JUST LIKE ONE OF GOD'S RAINBOWS}

{friendship, art and deep belly laughs}

REAL friendship . A gift so rare that those in possession of such a thing cling to it with a fierceness likened to that of a Mother to her child.

I have been blessed with such friendships. A tiny gathering of hearts that uplift me. Support me. Love me. 

My time within this circle of companionship leaves me feeling restored, fulfilled, strengthened. I can be my whole self. Good and bad. I will not be judged, only comforted. I will not be chastened, only emboldened...

...and so it is an even rarer treat to get time to CREATE with these women.  Most recently, 72 hours of connected occasion. Stories, {some with tears}. Creations. Plans and promises. Laughter. Not just the proverbial "catching up", but a kinship. A bond strong enough to shun even sleep for fear of losing just one moment of time spent together...

...These are special, special  women. They listen. They cheer me. They listen some more. They steel me. They do not disregard my dreams for rambling wishes. They ignite a desire in me to grab the reins and move forward...not at a trot, but a full gallop. They are along for the ride. The long haul. When I look to my left, to my right, they are there. The wind whipping through their hair, as it is through mine...because we are charging ahead. Full steam. Together.

And at the end of the day? They make MORE TIME STILL.

We pass around the art, swaying with fatigue, and sing each others' praises.

Cohorts in creativity - they raise my spirits, elevate my heart and induce in me, soul reviving deep belly laughs. They COMPLETE ME.

{ you ALL know who you are...and i love each and every one of you.}