happy 4th of july...

sunrise 7/4/2010

enjoy a photo tribute to our flag...click for closer view

all photos by Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva taken in past year

indie day 7/4/2010

flag at jekyll island 7/3/2010

flag at sunrise with big moon behind 6/28/2010

flag with shuttle launch 7/2009

overcast day flag 11/2009

flag at sunset 7/3/2010

happy birthday america - 7/4/2009

taking wing...soaring

this week i started taking flying lessons...no, not those normal one involving aircraft, control panels, maps, auto pilot and fuel...special flying lessons of the sort where i am learning to soar...my heart open and my own uniqueness on display...

let me back up for a minute...i suppose that this could very well involve aircraft, control panels, maps, auto pilot and fuel...for who but myself is at the controls of my life and business? who but i charts the course of my daily life and business? who but the world around me fuels my creativity?

you may believe that i already know how to fly...and, at times, i may even have reached my dreams here in Cre8Topia...but one can always dream bigger...right?

so i find myself heading into the wind with hundreds of other would-be flyers...here...with kelly rae roberts as flying instructor extraordinaire...

Cre8Tiva & i will be sharing our experiences as i go through flight school the next 5 weeks...my expectations are really big:

1. increase awareness of Cre8tive Compass Magazine, Blog & Radio Show 1 & 2
2. learn to monetize my blog & etsy
3. establish new and meaningful connections

all photos by Rebecca E. Parsons taken on Amelia Island, FL

is your imagination out of focus?

Art and Soul Radio's Musing for the week...

One of my favorite writers, Mark Twain said “You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” What helps you bring your imagination into focus so you can really see what is?

My musings on the quote: mindfulness...it takes practice to live fully in the moment and be present in your life...fully and mindfully experiencing all your senses, often will unleash vivid imaginings and delightful bouts of creativity...

it rained during my morning walk along the beach...i noticed other people scurrying off the beach...i stayed and felt the drops hit my arms and face and clothing...they were neither hot nor cold, yet the breeze from the ocean cooled my skin and felt good...

the soft rain added a fresh, clean fragrance to the salty sea air...i breathed deeply...it tasted salty on my lips as an upward curving of the corners of the mouth indicated pleasure...



the drops made a soft tapping sound as they fell on the ocean and sand...i stood and listened to the rhythm of the rain as it mixed with the sound of the waves as they moved toward shore...

i searched for a rainbow...there was none...however, i noticed the patterns the drops of rain created in the shallow water near shore...i tried to capture the circular shapes as they expanded and grew into one another...i took several photos as i watched the ever-changing patterns form and reform like an infinite kaleidoscope...knowing these patterns will find their way into my art...



when the rain stopped i noticed two feathers floating in the water...they created intricate dance patterns as they bobbed about...twisting and turning...growing close then separating...i watched this performance for quite some time until a large wave washed them from my sight...

mindfulness takes time and a commitment to yourself...i made such a vow years ago when i moved to this tiny island in the atlantic...i would take a mindful, prayerful meditative walk by the sea every morning as long as i was able...at this moment i am able...

CreaTive Retreat 2010...

i am back home from a month-long teaching tour and retreat in the mountains of north carolina...

i taught 3 classes

and was even able to sneak in a class of my own with Martine House, fiber artist...called Fiber Fun Surface Design...i learned so much that will add to my painted purses class next year

a magic cloth piece with water-soluble stabilizer, found stick & leaf, beading

detail

sampler piece with dyed silk, manipulated tyvek, gold foiling, cording, free-motion embroidery, beading

sampler piece with dyed silk, manipulated tyvek on mesh, gold hot glue embellishment, machine embroidery, beading

painted/manipulated tyvek, tyvek beads

cording & free-motion embroidery on purse, silk cloth with machine embroidery & found feather

sampler piece on rusted cotton, beading with found objects

i promise more photos of the classes and the mountains to come...

inspired by the sea...

melissa at the inspired room dot net has asked bloggers to share what inspires us...well, of course, you would know that i am inspired by the sea and everything that shows up to greet me on my morning beach walk... i will share a photo essay today so you can see what i see...and be inspired...

'majesty' amelia island, fl 2/19/2010

how could you not be inspired by this scene every morning? it is the perfect place for my meditative time  that launches my days...

my path to the ocean

i may find a feather at sunrise

or see a gull soar against a firelike sky

i may stroll with a great blue heron

or see a pelican fish for breakfast

or dolphin's splash

i sometimes catch a couple watching the sunrise

or the birds watching the sunrise

i find a heart in the sea foam

or a heart rock

or beautiful nature's vignettes

get close to a tiny bird

 catch the sun rays on the boardwalk as i leave the beach

chance in his snuggie & i in my LEGWARMERS?!?!?

snowflakes in florida this morning ...you must be kidding...i understand that those of you to the north are  snickering in you ugg boots at this point...weeelllll, this is the thing....we don't have the insulation or the clothing for this... do i see legwarmers?!?!  (a little deviation from my usual sunrise photo)

yes that's me, at sunless sunrise, in legwarmers (thank heaven i still have my dancing apparel from the 60/70s)...sweatpants over my pj's...t-shirt/sweater/sweatshirt/pashmina...earmuffs/scarf...(no bra, i burnt that in the 60s but i am reconsidering that action this morning...it could be a warm fire starter) you can see the dead banana tree and sad palm in the background....

that's sir chancelot in his snuggie...he is either under the bed covers or smack in front of the quartz heater...if you try to move him he snarls big time!!!! moi?? i am embracing a cup of jasmine tea or raman noodles for warmth...

of course, i have a fireplace that has NEVER seen more than a candle's flame...and i don't have any logs anyway, nor do i know where to get some......i think i will be baking the majority of the day today and tomorrow...the oven seems to knock the chill from the great room area with it's bigggggg open expanses of windows and high ceilings...cookies anyone???

25 Words Of Social Media Wisdom Project...

earlier this year i did this project with Liz Strauss...see my words (slide 26) and the words of others below...

25 Words Of Social Media Wisdom Project

View more presentations from Liz Strauss.

here is my original post...

morning ritual at the beach...

i am filled with joy and peace after my morning ritual at the beach...this is one reason:

my first glimpse of the sunrise this morning...

a couple was taking pictures with their cell phone...i captured them...

the breathtaking awe...

i often take these little snaps of beach treasures i call nature vignettes....i take them as i find them with no arrangement by me...here are some from this morning: click to enlarge...