You never know how things are going to unfold, until they do.

Here we are in times of great uncertainty. But when I put this calendar together over a year ago, I didn’t know how true the statement I made for November would be. We are all finding ways to cope with the barrage of what is going on globally and locally, at least I hope we are. I took a wee break from the news cycle to recalibrate my being, and that was a very, very good thing to do. It’s not that I wish to bury my head in the sand, it’s that I wish to keep my grounding as the world around shifts in some extraordinarily troubling ways. 

Sometimes I ask myself, what would a wise mentor tell me to do right now? One of my long-gone, guardian ancestors or loved ones. I lean toward finding strength, courage and stamina from those who have gone before me. Their wisdom, and sometimes even their foibles will give me a good idea of how to weather a tough time. What I know for sure is, we can’t do any of this alone. 

So, here is one method of getting that wisdom from long-gone love-ones … write them a letter asking for their advice. See what comes up … because for sure, something will.

Whatever the days and weeks, months and years ahead bring to us, we all need to find the things that spark joy and connection within us. This is my wish for everyone. 

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I have fallen in love with The Flower of Life mandala!

And what a perfect thing to fall in love with at this time … the inter-connectedness of all forms of living things!

Yes, it is now appearing on many things … journal covers, boxes, pencil/pen holders … and a new, soon-to-be-announced item that I am working on.

Each of these pieces is the same pattern, but look at how they change! This has become a whole new sort of mandala meditation for me and an endless place of joy and focus.

As my creative world continues to shift and change, and I allow all possibilities to exist, there is a renewed commitment to sharing the good things in life with those who are open to them. 

Wishing you a wonder-filled November!

~sarah

Does the shift between summer and fall seem dramatic or sudden to you?
It often does for me. 

One moment it’s all hot and steamy, the next the rain falls and the temps change and the sounds and smells are
completely different.

I guess we really do FALL into this season!

For those who like to switch up their desktop images, here is the calendar image for October.
It is for you to enjoy. 

The image above is designed to use as your desktop wallpaper. Just click to download!

The 2024 Mandala Calendar is HERE!!

I wasn’t sure I was going to do a calendar this year, and then suddenly I got an idea that made it happen.

And here it is. “the gift of being present”. Inside you will be greeted with images of pieces of furniture and boxes that you likely have not seen. It suddenly occurred to me that most people have not seen the wide variety of furniture that I have painted over the years, so why not share some of my favourite pieces!
(It was very hard to choose; there are many more pieces that I really love.)

While looking through my collection of images, even I was quite surprised to see how many pieces I have actually painted!

Of course the calendar is FULL of great days to celebrate! January kicks off the year with a stunning 11 days of quirky things to acknowledge. I do love that the year starts with World Introvert Day, then immediately goes to Festival of Sleep. Yes, this is a good start to a year, for sure.

Each month offers a few words to inspire you.

Practical. Quirky. Beautiful.

You can purchase this lovely calendar HERE

From earlier this year, a fabulous cloudscape. I am so very grateful to live in a place where we have a vista and can enjoy the wonders of the clouds in the sky!

Last night I folded the interior pages for 10 new journals. Although this seems like a rather mundane task, I enjoy it.
Getting my hands into things is the best feeling for me.

Next comes the layout, cutting, scoring, folding and gluing the covers … and finally, completing the covers. It is a long process with many steps, but I do what I always do, and just take one easy step at a time!

Here’s to enjoying all the steps to the completion of your creative endeavours.

There is so much about the Fall season that I adore.
It’s when a big part of me comes to life.

I’ve always thought this is because I was a late fall baby … but now I realize there is a lot more to it!

In keeping with the rhythm of nature, the fall is when things have come to full growth and are harvested.
It’s the time when we prepare our lives for the winter ahead. 

Now, since I am neither a gardener nor a farmer, I don’t have anything to harvest, in the purest sense of the word – however, as a creative person, I think I really do. 

For the last few months I have had many, many … too many elusive thoughts, ideas and dreams rolling around in my head. I am hoping that they are ready to be harvested and be something to nurture me through winter. 

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These are the journals that came home from the show.
Most sold, which is such a delightful feeling!

While working on all of the journals, there were a few things I discovered. One was taking old/used tracing paper and making it into backgrounds using the metallic paints that I usually use to paint furniture. 

This has me started on a whole new world of creating background papers for things … and interior pages for the journal sections.

Oh yes, this is a whole new world of FUN about to unfold. Stay tuned. 

With a fresh batch of really wonderful papers, courtesy of my friend Simone, I am going to spend some time playing with new ideas and see where it takes me!

What new ideas are bubbling in your world? I hope there are lots and that they excite you.

It surprises me that each month’s theme for the calendar has proven so completely accurate through the year!

This last little while, I have spent quite a bit of time “not knowing”. 

And yes, it is an uncomfortable place at times, but also can be quite interesting. Surrender to what is, seems to be the only way for me to move through times like this. Also, spending a good deal of time just being quiet and letting things percolate. 

It has felt a lot like being on the edge of a new discovery … just this close …
but not being able to put your finger on it. 

The other imagery that came up recently was, a box of words spilled on the ground, hundreds and hundreds of words. As I stare at them, I know they can be arranged to make a million different messages …
but I remain stuck on how to do that. 

MY ANSWER … go back to working with my hands. Do things like fold paper for journals and figure out how random pieces of cover stock can be turned into beautiful journal covers.

And work on mandalas.
This always seems to be the one that grounds me and makes me feel “put together” again. 

It’s good to know what makes you feel whole … and to spend time not knowing!

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I am getting ready for a show/sale at the end of the month, and I find myself preparing in a completely different way this time.

Instead of focussing on volume of things and thinking that I have to “mass produce” things, I am taking my time and working in a very calm and lovely way.

I have set down ideas of what is reasonable for me to accomplish and am enjoying the process of creating in this very intentional way. Perhaps this will encourage me to do more shows, I don’t know. 

And … while working on some new small mandala plaques, which I chose to do with coloured pencil, I discovered a whole case of pencils I forgot I had.

YIKES and HOORAY.

The small joys, as it turns out, are really quite big.

And now it’s time for me to return to the hands-on, studio side of my world and commune with some soon-to-be journals!

May your drinks be cold, your pencils sharp and your mind open to what is!

I am discovering just how much happens when you slow down …
it truly is expansive!

Time to think. Moments of important pondering. Empty space in my head. 

These are all things that I am more in need of now than I have been in awhile. It turns out, there is a lot going on in my head, some of it feels really, really important, but I haven’t made time to BE with those thoughts, as others take over quickly. 

This past week I took a day of pondering, where I had no expectation or need to think about income or how that might happen. I needed time to clear away the debris rattling around in my noggin, and try to let the “good” stuff align into cohesive thought.

It was a lovely day. I need more days like that!

Alas, I am no closer to fomulating the rattling thoughts into anything that makes sense outside the boundaries of my cranium, but at least I know that stopping for a day is a good decision and something to incorporate into my life much more often!

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If you haven’t taken the opportunity to explore these four wonderful poetry connections, I emcourage you to click on over to house of appleton and read all about them.

They are all a deep and rich reading experience.

As we shift into this new season of what I always refer to as chaos (no structure whatsoever), I wish you all the delights that you can handle!!

May the sun bring many blessings, 

The seasonal shift has been dramatic in many ways. 

I’ve known this all along, but every once in awhile it’s good to remind myself to treat
ME as I would a cherished friend. 

As many things are shifting with a certain dramatic overtone, I remind myself to be gentle during times of transition and tension. We are never meant to stay static, but sometimes the shifts we are required to make are larger than anything that feels in a comfort zone. 

Last Thursday, in the middle of the night, our neighbour’s house burned to the ground. We were wakened by another neighbour, when the house was already fully ablaze. It was terrifying for everyone. All human occupants of the house escaped, a cherished pet gerbil perished.

There was no time to do anything, they could only get out. 

As all of us stood around watching things unfold, we were faced with the vulnerability and helplessness of a natural disaster. We stood, looking out at all the trees that surround us, and felt blessed it was not August, when the damage would have been so much worse. Counting blessings in that moment was all we could do. 

Yes, we are officially in FIRE SEASON now, and it is rattling me in deep ways. How do I deal with my own helplessness? Perhaps my father’s words come forth now … plan for the worst, hope for the best.
So I plan and prepare.

Although I stayed calm that night, I have not slept well at all since. The smoke from fires burning hundreds of miles away permeates the air here and I am constantly reminded of the danger. 

So, I will treat myself gently as I would a good friend and guide myself back from the feeling of being helpless, to a place where I feel prepared for the inevitable and unexpected realities of life.

Photo of Diana Hayes
by Ramona Lam

house of appleton is thrilled to announce Language of Light,
poems by Diana Hayes

You may wonder how I can go from talking about vulnerability and helplessness, to introducing you to Diana’s beautiful new work … but the transition is natural.

Language of Light is a tribute and honouring of  Frances Mary Hayes, Diana’s beloved mother and best friend. Within these pages you feel the depth of love and loss, how Diana found navigated one of the most difficult journey’s of our lives.

After she passed away, I found myself unprepared for what death and grief required of me. To navigate this barren field, I sought far-away places and ancient traditions––for solace, for healing, for soul-connection. These journeys took me to the Temple of Good Will and the Fulni-ô ceremonies in Brazil, to Meteora, the Oracle of Delphi, the Corycean Caves, and Skala Eresou in Greece. I was assisted by a blind monk at the Buddhist stupa in Pā’ia, Maui. Ultimately, it was poetry that lifted the veil for my inconsolable heart and revealed the indisputable oneness of our true nature. ~ Diana Hayes

This book is a LIMITED EDITION of 80 copies.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE and ORDER

My profound and enduring thanks to Diana for asking me to be a part of this project. It was such a rich journey and to now be able to share it with the world, feels tremendous!

May the connections you make to yourself and others this month, be rich and deep and life-affirming!

Wishing you a wonder-filled June.

~sarah