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You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.  - Dr. Seuss. - See more at: http://sayingimages.com/love-quotes-best-images-with-quotes-about-love/#sthash.fhQNnYQB.dpuf

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.  - Dr. Seuss. - See more at: http://sayingimages.com/love-quotes-best-images-with-quotes-about-love/#sthash.fhQNnYQB.dpuf

"yԾu knԾw yԾu'яe in ℓԾ۷e wんen yԾu ĉąn'イ Բąℓℓ ąรℓeep Ъeĉąuรe 

яeąℓiイy

 iร Բinąℓℓy Ъeイイeя イんąn yԾuя ʠяeąмร"

-Dr. Suess

I was reading something from a friend today about how much she misses her husband who has been deployed for a VERY long time.  My husband is gone right now, but not deployed and will be home soon. Her post made me think back to all the times he has deployed and that overwhelming feeling of missing and longing for someone.  I can only explain it as if you are drowning. It sounds horrible but it's like you feel that if you think too hard about how long it has been since you have seen one another, you can't catch your breath. It's crazy and difficult. And it becomes even more difficult when a return date is uncertain. At the same time, there is a sense of pride. "Little things" like a surprise email, phone call or internet chat can make your day, your week, your month.

So for all you Lovers out there, missing your Loves, I hope you find the strength for another day, week, month.

When they come home after so long, it is out of this world amazing! Like a dream you never want to wake up from. A feeling of safety and wholeness embodies you. A reunion that movies can only wish to capture.

So stay strong Loves, keep your head held high, and keep your eye on the "prize."

With much strength and love, 

♡ ąℓexąnʠяą

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.  - Dr. Seuss. - See more at: http://sayingimages.com/love-quotes-best-images-with-quotes-about-love/#sthash.fhQNnYQB.dpuf

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.  - Dr. Seuss. - See more at: http://sayingimages.com/love-quotes-best-images-with-quotes-about-love/#sthash.fhQNnYQB.dpuf

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.  - Dr. Seuss. - See more at: http://sayingimages.com/love-quotes-best-images-with-quotes-about-love/#sthash.fhQNnYQB.dpuf

Little matters

The little things in life matter. Little things like a phone call from an friend. My husband learning to make a heart over the internet during one of our online chats. And a neighbor coming to introduce herself and welcome us to the neighborhood with a bumpy chocolate cake that was absolutely divine! So today, I put a little time aside to give thanks for the little things, and one way was by making my neighbor a flower brooch and a handmade card.  It was so sweet to see her smile and look genuinely happy to receive it.  Always does a soul good to make others happy.

The little man and I spent the rest of the day taking our visitor "Flat Stanley" on a tour of Kailua. Got some good photo ops of him. We even took him to the supermarket to buy some treats to send him back with.  Had some lunch, put in a workout DVD and reluctantly (VERY reluctantly) did that and then it was already time for the girls to come home from school.

It's been a quiet yet productive day. Getting little things done that have been waiting to be accomplished.  

Just wanted to write, to keep up with my goal of writing every day.

Enjoy some pics of Flat Stanley below! 

Until next time, have a creatively blessed day!

♡ ąℓexąnʠяą

 "Flat Stanley"

Karma

“Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at the moment.”
― Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose 

Rocks on rocks – that's essentially a cairn. But more than that, they are known to be traditional waymarkers that help guide the way. These mark my path now, my path to a new beginning and a new way.

I have had a few days of reflection. Mom and I discussed this before she left.

Sometimes we wonder why we keep running into the same road block. I'm not sure if it is a Buddhist teaching, a spiritual belief or what...but I know that when we keep facing the same issues time and time again it is because we need to reflect on our selves about what we've done, or how we form our thoughts, or maybe even what insecurities we have that we need to work on or fix.

I had an issue weighing heavy on my heart for a long time. I never had the courage to confront it but after my latest experience, I realized that I needed to confront it, to make amends if I could and maybe this is why my road blocks keep being of the same nature.

I thank God for beautiful people, people with kindness in their hearts.

It is because of people like this that we can learn the way to move forward.

This is my reflection and I truly believe it was my karma full circle.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, your understanding and most importantly, your forgiveness.

I hope everyone takes a moment to reflect. If you keep running into the same sort of road blocks, maybe there is something from your past that you need to make right as well.

Until next time, have a creatively blessed day! 

♡ ąℓexąnʠяą

* Cairn description was taken from: http://brooks-range.com/brblog/2011/04/what-is-a-cairn/ *

In the Blink of an Eye

This past month has flown by in the blink of an eye. My heart is heavy today. My Mom took off on her jet plane last night to return back to her normal life in New England.  What a treasure it was to have her here with the kids and me for the past month.  We laughed a lot, and made wonderful memories if even just memories staying at home. We saw some sights but I told her I couldn't show her everything so she will be forced to come back again before we leave.  Isn't it just amazing how wonderful times can pass before us so quickly. I'd like to say I treasured every moment that she was here and I anxiously anticipate when she comes back again and hopefully with my Dad.

And now we begin our countdown until my husband comes home. Every day without him seems like an eternity.  I love that I met this man in High School and I still get butterflies thinking about him. I look forward to getting back into our family routine with him.  And our son, well, he talks every day about how much he misses Daddy and I think this boy will faint when he sees Daddy step off of his jet plane!

So today, I have music playing to fill that quiet void I feel. I've been more creative today than I have been in the past few months.  I've finished 1 order, started another order and started another art tote bag. I've sat with the little guy to draw a little, answered emails....have been too easily distracted by the electronic thing called a computer.

Before Mom left, we talked about ways to spark creativity. She told me of a challenge to write 10 pages a day. Well, 10 pages is an overwhelming goal for me so I've made a goal of at least writing on my blog each day...if even just a quote or a lyric to a song that speaks to me.

"How've you been

It's just the usual here

And days are feeling like years

And every day's without you"

http://youtu.be/30RGX_A9drs

have a creatively blessed day!

♡ ąℓexąnʠяą

A turning point for business

I've become increasingly frustrated with Facebook. The constant changes they implement that effect the views and interaction not only on our personal pages but also our business pages. I'm a firm believer that a business page should remain a positive atmosphere and a blog is a place to share daily experience, feelings (sometimes negative) and basically an online journal that is OK to be public. So I think I've decided that I should try to steer myself away from FB and do more with my blog and my websites. 

Facebook has been a great starting point for me, it has helped me achieve one of my first goals to get Quatapoch Jewel off and running. I've gotten so much support from family and friends, and for that I am truly thankful! I've also made mistakes, some of which I could go back and undo.  You live and learn in the business world. 

I'm not saying any of this with a heavy heart, and my facebook business page will still exist though I am going to try to post less on there and utilize my more professional means each day.  And I know that those of you that truly want to watch Quatapoch Jewel grow will follow along.

My journeys are steering me in many directions, which is exciting! Exhilarating really. I'm excited to pull myself away from negative forces and continue this fabulous journey.

So here are the areas you can follow along:

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/quatapoch/

Blog: http://threadsandpencils.blogspot.com/

Websites: http://www.quatapochjewel.com/

Sales: http://www.etsy.com/shop/QuatapochJewel?ref=si_shop

Instagram: http://instagram.com/quatapochjewel

My Mom is leaving tonight. My stomach is in knots, I feel sad and I can say from experience that when my heart is heavy I usually have some pretty intense creative days. So I'm hoping for that this coming week. And then my children and I will start out count down until my husband gets home! Life is never dull.  

So until next time, have a creatively blessed day!

♡ ąℓexąnʠяą

Time Warp, 10,000 hours

The 10,000 rule says:

  It takes 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become an expert.

So I'd like to start off by saying I am working toward that goal with everything I do. It's fun to go back a few years to see how far that practice has already taken me. I have many many more hours to go before I can officially be called an expert in any of the creative ventures I take on and I'll probably add more to the list of things I want to attain expertise in. 

Lucky for me, I have a wonderfully supportive and encouraging husband who is my sounding block, my honest critic, and my biggest supporter. Sometimes he looks at me with a raised eye brow when I tell him of a new adventure I want to try, other times he is the one buying the supplies I need for a new adventure. 

Here is a look back (well, as far as I have documented pictures) at how my little slice of creative heaven has unfolded:

JEWELRY

knotting techniques

circa 2009

circa 2009/2010

February 2013

February 2013

 

 

JEWELRY

beading techniques 

Sept. 2011

Sept. 2011

August 2012

February 2013

SEWING

My mother in law taught me to sew in high school and since then I've been practicing on and off, learning by trial and error and done lots of reading of sewing books and blogs. I never did understand the professional art of finishing a job until a couple of years ago and I'm happy to say, my finished products have come a long way. I think I would cringe if I ever saw one of my earlier works on anyone but my girls (who still do not know the difference, they just like the pretty colors)

Circa 2009

circa 2009

Handles were pretty horrendous too, glad I figured those out!

February 2013

November 2012

February 2013

Clothing design has always been a dream of mine and it still is. Maybe when I grow up I'll finally fulfill that dream but until then, I'll keep practicing!

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

circa 2009

clothing didn't fit properly, either too tight or too boxy

Aprons now have better form, soft ruffles instead of the pinched pleats I would do by hand as each piece made it's way below the needle. Proper hardware for better fits.

Fun twirl-ies and feminine ruffles!

PHOTOGRAPHY

A friend of mine let me follow her around to try photographing my girls, but my pictures were dark and in major need of editing but at the time I felt so proud and excited about the photo shoot. Funny how you can look back and wonder "What was I thinking?!"

October 2009

Dark and gloomy despite the beautiful girls and vivid colors around!

and now:

February 2013

What it boils down to is that I have come quite a ways in the past few years but I still have a LONG LONG way to go. Practice will hopefully make perfect some day but I'll enjoy the practice, the process and the discovery that I'll experience on my way to it! Don't give up, don't let others talk you down from doing something you are passionate about but find your own way too.  Be unique, it's what makes the creative discovery fun and enlightening. Be inspired but never copy because you might be copying others mistakes and you certainly wont be finding your own way.

So until next time, have a creative blessed day!

♡ Alexandra

The wind

 I hope the Tibetan Green Flag of Love blows in the wind for you today:

"An inspired form of giving, 

love breathes life into the heart 

and brings grace to the soul."

And may the Orange Flag of Tranquility blow equally in the wind for you today:

"The peace that comes when 

energies are in harmony, 

creates relationships that are in balance."

Feet in the sand, sun at my back

Another wonderful day in paradise. Whipped out my sewing machine yesterday and put together a chevron bag with a large peony flower and a coordinating wallet. It was nice to hear that strong machine churning its gears again. Loving my new sewing set up and looking forward to a lot more days of creativity ahead.  This will be going to the Navy Spouses Club in DC for their annual spring event. I plan on adding more items to the event but it was nice to get off to a good start. Plus, it has such a nautical feel to it with the yellow and Navy blue.

Today, we decided not to stay indoors. There was certainly a strong wind blowing, which helped move the clouds away and let the sun shine down on us in all its glory.  We spent a few hours soaking in the ocean breeze, playing in the sand, chasing crabs and avoiding jelly fish.  I loved watching the ocean waves roll in one on top of the other. Mesmerizing and beautiful! All different shades of blue with each wave.  This day is exactly what I needed to push me to create something again.

I was reading excerpts of a book yesterday, about running your own business and it stressed how important it is to get out when inspiration or energy is lacking. Go site seeing, or window shopping, explore, something to get your creative juices flowing again.  How lucky to be in a place where this is all possible.

As I was watching the waves roll in I decided that I need to start carrying my drawing book with me. Especially if I want to see my art journal unfold the way I wish for it to. I was so inspired by my Mom's art journal that she brought a long with her. She pulls it out whenever she has an idea or sees something that she doesn't want to forget. Definitely a wonderful habit to form.

So much on my mind that I want to do, new things I want to try, can I please have more hours in the day to do it all? I think there is so much I want to do that I make myself tired just thinking about it. LOL.

Well, I'm off to watch the kiddos play in the pool after they finish their homework. Until next time, have a wonderfully creative day! (or night!)

Refreshed, Renewed

These views are worth all the hassle of moving!

too many boxes!

Up until our furniture arrived, the days here in Hawaii seemed to be longer than usual. Wonderful to get back to slow days, soaking up all the hours, being able to accomplish a lot...or just a little.  But last week, Tuesday to be exact, at promptly 8 a.m. the Aloha furniture we were using was whisked out of the house. Thirty minutes later, 350 pieces whisked into the house. Thankfully, my Mom is still visiting and she handled every meal and the kids while I unpacked our life ferociously. Stacked box upon box, moved furniture to just the right spot, filled dresser drawers with clothes, bookshelves with beloved readings, and toy boxes with long awaited toys. It took 2 1/2 long days of hard work, but by Friday morning the house was completely set up, cozy and feeling like a proper home.  During my 2 1/2 days of unpacking I thought to myself how wonderful it would be to not have to do this every 2-3 years. But then I'd unwrap a long lost picture, be in awe of something I thought I misplaced here again in my hands for my viewing pleasure. So, all in all, moving has it's up and downs and for now I'm going to relish in the ups of having this house put together just the way I like.

My little art and jewelry making desk is set up in one corner with 4 large breezy windows and a mountain view. My sewing desk and area is set up in another corner with 4 large breezy windows and a pool view. How blessed I feel! I suspect many long hours and creative ventures coming soon. I was able to sit and work on some beading projects over the weekend. We stayed home because the little man was under the weather with a fever. Amazing how you can instantly miss the spunk of the little ones when they aren't feeling so well.

Having not been able to get out for a few days, today we took advantage of the little guy feeling better and we went exploring after stopping by the post office quickly. We were able to steal a couple of hours of sunshine before the rain and mist set in. We drove up and around the winding mountains with breathtaking ocean views, and found some great pull off areas to get some breath taking photos albeit using the iphone yet again. Remind me to keep my camera in the car for unexpected adventures!  So enjoy the photos and the views until next time,