Holbox Island, Mexico

Buenos dias, mi amigos...

My family and I are in Mexico right now, staying on a beautiful island off the coast of Cancun, called Holbox Island.
There are 17 of us, including our youngest daughter's in-laws. 7 little goddesses and 8 adults.
We had to fly from San Franciso to Los Angeles to Mexico City to Cancun. From there we got on a bus for 2 hours and then at
10 PM we boarded a boat to finally reach our destination. What an adventure!

It is so beautiful here. The water is truly turquoise and the sand is white and fine. The sky is bright blue with big white puffy clouds. We walk miles collecting beautiful sea shells.

We are in heaven, for sure. What a wonderful way to end the year and to begin 2009.

The internet connection is not so good here, so I can only share one photo with you today.
This is what we came across on our beach walk yesterday........a dolphin skull...! Wow!
I so wanted to bring it home with me....but I held myself in check and left it where it belonged....resting on the white sand....on the deserted shore of this island.

Peace on earth...goodwill to all

Christmas Windows

I was visiting The Paris Apartment blog and was blown away from these photos of Christmas windows! Thank you Paris Apartment for sharing these. They are so beautiful and magical. I am transported!

Cigar Box Shrine....the beginnings....

I do love creating Shrines.
This one will be included in a silent auction with the proceeds going towards the education of the children of Oaxaca.

I found a different looking cigar box and adhered metal findings to make legs on the box. Using apoxie sculpt and abalone shards, I have embellished the inside so that the lid remains upright.
The figure that I used is Our Lady of Guadaloupe made of brass, which I bought in San MIguel de Allende.
I've added antique trim and beads to it, and angel wings.
She will be placed within the box. Today I must do something with the outside of the box.......I just love creating Shrines.

The glow of 45 years of friendship....

My beau ( yes, after 41 years of marriage, he is still my beau ) joined us last night.....and yes...my friends loved the ornaments that I created for them. We had a lovely evening. Life is good.

Creating with bits of my heart.....

Some of my most favorite treasures came together today, creating two ornaments to gift to two dear friends....bits of my heart I gift to them. We have been friends for so long.

two egg gourds...words torn from an 1882 handwritten French journal... crackle glaze... rhinestones... brass bird findings... vintage religious medallions.... antique keys.... wire leaves.... antique beaded trim.... gold metallic lace.... and black ribbon with tiny white dots....

Voila!!

Jack Frost has left his touch upon our fields....

Worth Your Time

I found this video on Lisa Gatz's blog That Creative Place. The truth that it speaks touched me deeply. I hope you will give yourself the gift of watching it.

I completely agree with Lisa's comments:

Two quotes that really resonated in my core by the Video's producer and writer, Jan Phillips:

"As I am changed by the art that passes through me, and the process of becoming, so am I changed by the creations of others. Having felt the truth of your cobalt blue, my red will remember and its voice will be clearer."

"Time is all we have. One lifetime, under this name, to produce a body of work that says, 'this is how I saw the world'"
Worth your time

A day in the city, to see Phantom of the Opera....