Paragachi, Ecuador....walking through the hills of this mountain village was an amazing experience. I was able to meet the families that would pass down these quilts for generations to come! Dec. was a great delivery for Threading Hope, we brought 35 hand made quilts out to Ecuador. Thank you all for your donations.

Please check out www.threadinghope.com for the photo uploads and more details. It was a great trip!

Falling...

As December approaches we are coordinating efforts with a couple possibles for our Highwire and Threading Hope winter deliveries trip. Thank you to all those that have been donating quilts for us to take we have over 20 again...thanks to your nimble fingers!

Having our delivery last March to Malawi be such a success with donated quilts...I hit the ground running this summer in working on getting the word out to keep us busy with 3 trips a year. We are looking at South America this Dec. (if you have any contacts for needy and honest orphanages around the world, we are always looking for leads.) and in March my hopes are for Indonesia, Bali to be specific, and the summer of 2012 is still in the works.

If you know any quilters let them know of us at www.threadinghope.com! Thank you

Keeping the Momentum

September found me travel to Utah to take part in the Backroads - Tour Davita 25 day long adventure.

From working in the warehouse to driving the big truck back east, to setting up 35+ sleeping bags, rolling out thermarest pads and fluffing sleeping bags....what else can I say but wow!

If you ever wonder if you are capable of 25 days straight of work with zero days off and 5 days of 5:30 am call time and 9:30pm wrap ups...well I am here to say that it is wonderfully gratifying.

It was a great experience and wonderful chance to meet like minded travelers, where home is on the road! I was also lucky enough to get on the Light Blue team and work with two great guys, that may not have seen it happening but I was learning from them, and not just the routine for taco-ing a tent...but deeper for life...Thank you Steve and Aaron (team light blue pictured above)

Freed

It is with great trepidation that we awaited the release of a friend, Paul Waggoner, wrongfully imprisoned in Haiti. He was released and is now safe, though we can not know the darkness he has witness, he has not lost his depth of smile and hope.

Last June, I was able to work with Paul (LP) with MMRC, as I went with Threading Hope and Highwire to see BP (big Paul) my friend from Phoenix. the work these men do is amazing and worth nothing but respect, and I hate that it took LP's unfortunate incarceration for the world to view these men for the Hearts that they carry proudly to help those that can not help themselves! LP is big on work with orphanages and those that know me, know that is my focus as well, it was wonderful to see the complete focus on the children!
A favorite photo for me is the truth within his smile here with the children of Haiti, at an orphanage that he works with often...they are trying to steal his shoes :)

and the group!

It is said once you leave it feels like you don't belong in your old life...Haiti, and my time with MMRC crosses my mind often, I am very thankful that Paul was released and he is beginning to heal.

New light

The sound of fireworks radiates through my apartment window, on this Eve of New Years...there is not much that this day holds for me, one I have not much found excitement over. I do have to say that I am looking forward to 2011 and the changes and empowerment I will find this year in becoming true to the elements within me. My last year in the 20's is going to be full of change and adventure, blending travel with art and love, finding my footing in this ever changing path of balance.

The coming week holds much excitement with the Bridal Debut, and the showcasing of my new line, Wednesday Wedding. I have put out positive thoughts on where this weekend may take me, and will keep you posted after.

I hope you all find hope and fulfillment within yourselves in the coming year, and breaths of balance that you are at this moment where you are supposed to be.
Have a wonderful New Years! back to puzzle-ing ..literally, got a new one for Christmas and can not break away!

Heavenly Hats

Those of you that know me, know that I absolutely adore hats, and at times will be found wearing my favorite winter hat in the Arizona summers...quite odd some may say but there is a woman who has a passion for hats that I wanted to share with you all:
Her ETSY line is Sparkyjones from British Columbia. (www.sparkyjones.etsy.com)
and through her website www.sparkyjones.ca
She creates hand made accessories, with an environmentally conscious edge. Love this gray hat pictured here, and she makes it to order, so no more funny fitting hats, they are perfect for your noggin!

Earthen Child

During last month at the THREADS showcase in downtown Phoenix, I was pleased with the 5 orders I had to fill with Earthen Child, this let me know that it is a line people believe in! I am excited to have this line online, through the handmade indie store - ETSY. you can find my direct page:
www.earthenchild.etsy.com
You can also check it out on the web www.earthenchild.com, it has more extensive photos and is just plain fun. Thanks for believing in this line, and please feel free to tell everyone you know about it. :)

Community Night

November was great fun in the attendance of community night for Scottsdale Fashion week. I got to meet some new fun people in the fashion realm of Phoenix.

Showcased the Arizona Cardinal's gown again, man it is too weird that with the NFC champs signatures and being made out of official game jerseys, and comes with certificate of authenticity, and it is 100% for Charity...it stumps me as to why this gown is still hanging in my samples closet...please forward www.dl-couture.com to anyone you know who is a true Cardinals fan!

Susan G. Komen for the Cure 10-10-10

Susan G. Komen 5k run in downtown Phoenix, AZ on 10-10-10. It was a wonderful turn-out and meet lots of amazing survivors. I ran in honor of my aunt Denise who kicked Breast Cancer in the butt and is still kicking my butt at cards. Love you Denise!

The run was great, and a needed challenge to remember to continuously push myself. I also listed the collector Breast Cancer Awareness Bunny on my ETSY site (www.danelllynn.etsy.com). I am only making 10 of these and 15 % of the sales goes to Susan G. Komen

Thank you to all those that donated to the Race for the Cure. I really appreciated all the donations and was able to raise 325.00 thank you again.

Designer of the Year

Last weekend dl-couture participated as 1 of 10 finalists for Scottsdale Designer of the Year. I was able to create three new looks in 15 days, and had a blast pulling 14-16 hrs days for a week...but the reward, three great gowns that have reminded me how much I love creating. Although celebrating a designer of the year award did not happen that evening, celebrating the creative process with family there to support me did. And as a great philosopher has stated, "winning is not everything, but the effort to win is." - Zig Ziglar This is so true! I hope you enjoy the picture of the new looks!

IDOP

International day of Peace came so quickly, I could not believe that it was Sept. 21st again and Threading Hope was getting the invite to lead the parade with our quilt again. We were honored to walk with Chairman Ned Norris, of the T.O. Nation. It was a day full of great conversation, enjoyable visual and auditory treats with a drum circle of African drums being played by a group from Tucson. We have been invited back next year to lead again...will wait to see where the wind has blown me, a year confirmation of anything is difficult. :)

Greenmum

Came across a great site today:
http://greenmumsblog.wordpress.com/about/

a wonderful blog that is full of energy and insight. A great go to for all our environmentally moms and mums out there! Thank you Tracy and Nick for such an informative blog.
I especially like the idea of creating your own adventure under the activities and craft section.

long break

I have been distant from the blog world for a bit, and needed to find my bearings in life a little. I take humanitarian trips into third world countries to do work with children but it is also a reality wake up for me yearly. Not that I forget how wonderful life can be but occasionally I do forget the simple beauty.

Recently I returned from Haiti where I went to teach art to children (www.dl-highwire.com) and deliver quilts to children and families in need (www.threadinghope.weebly.com). It was a very moving trip and a hard vision to return to our modern world. The stresses seem, well a lot less stressful, when in the grand scheme, do I really have a reason for the stress.

The joy in a child's eye when you give them art supplies, the simple gift that holds hope, creativity and pure joy is what this backpack carries. I have been asked if I think my art lessons make a difference, and the beauty that is expressed and the hope in the children's eyes are my answer. I may not be a doctor to provide that type of aid, but art has a power to transend borders and break through language like no other!

Upon my return many of the children I saw were babies, and at home many friends and family were having babies, and my heart began to create. The new Eco friendly children's line under dl-couture (www.dl-couture.com) is Earthen Child, made of sustainable, Eco friendly materials and made in the USA by hand. please visit www.earthenchild.com, we are in the early stages of growth but are happy to share, and also our store is through the online handmade cooperative ETSY. www.earthenchild.etsy.com. This is currently under construction but you can expect new listings and profile by the end of the week.

Overflow

Another month has come and gone, and now I have moved to another new place in Phoenix, AZ. It is a great little Tuscan apartment. I have my work space set up and have been hitting the local museums so of course....more ideas, like I really need to have more on my plate. It is already a platter and overflowing.
I have gone back to jewelry making and made a great little wire wrap necklace, and am working on fashions with commissions for a Scorpius Dance theater, and Morgana Wallace's wedding gown.
I have new ideas daily for books that I should write, so I will jot them done in my book idea book and then of course get wrapped up in other projects, there are so many options, it is so true that you can be anything you want...the hard part is narrowing down and focused concentration.
I am also working on my Masters and working in a school for Children with Autism.
life is full, but that overflow is what makes it an adventure. I love that my life is never dull!

Silent Teacher

The silence that lingers in one's mind can cause some of the deepest feuds that we carry with us, it can also be the greatest teacher and looking glass into who we truly are.

One of the best things, in my opinion, is silence and to focus on the myriad of synapses firing. To take away all worry and confusion that life throws our way and to sit back with the burn of your eyelids -due to lack of sleep- the churning of your stomach -due to confusion and anxiety- and listen...internally to what your mind has to say!

Take comfort in your thoughts, even when others think you are crazy and your logic a bit twisted...that could be a hidden complement, who really wants stoic thoughts that are often broadcast loudly...take the odd bits and relish them, embrace your uniqueness, and enjoy the thought of who you are, even when you feel so lost and void of connection.

I write this to everyone who may be forgetting the reason we must also celebrate our truest selves, don't forget the beautiful gift you are this holiday season and let your uniqueness shine...

to me that is the holiday spirit...letting ourselves out, and letting others embrace who we are...even if it is just your cat...

Happy Holidays!

Feastless Flatware Bowl

I had such a joy creating this welded bowl of recycled and vintages silverware. The only flatware used is spoons and forks for this little 6" bowl with a 8.5" opening.

I have listed this on my ETSY store site and each one is custom made at the time of order.

The joy of mixing the hard and soft of fire and metal was exhilarating. I also made a Charlie Brown style Christmas Tree and will get that on here and ETSY shortly. I just need to create a latch system to ship the tree and storage brake down.

This bowl works in almost any home and if you would like I can make a medium sized bowl and a larger one. They are truly functional art!

Thankful

As Thanksgiving has come and gone I often am reminded, like tonight of the variety and power that life has to offer. As I sat by the fire reading my latest find and listening to the power of the rain hitting the earth and spatter down off the gutter-less roof, how beautiful and calm life can be. How immense the world is and the hidden joys that force your senses to remember why it is you take a chance at this thing called...life!

And now as I write I am joined by my best companion, one that crosses boundaries of species. I sit and write with breaks every couple words to reach down and pick up the "twisty tie" that Sebastyan brings to me...this is her favorite toy to play fetch with. And the boundaries she crosses...well did I mention that she is a cat, and yes she really does play fetch, a game she learned as a kitten when I would open my mail. The sound of ripping paper is a trigger and if you roll it into a ball she enthusiastically jumps, and runs and is very fond to forget that she is not a dog...and I love that about her.

I must say honestly that the surprises of life and the constant change, even though at times scary, is truly what makes it worth living. Constant comfort and fear to try new things I hope to always keep at bay, I love the adventure!

New to Blogging

It amazes me how hesitant I am about opening up and letting the literary need flow out onto paper/screen in cyberspace. I love to write, I am a passionate writer...yet blogging has been a learned challenge. I hope to remedy this from this post forth!

recollecting the vision of Morocco:

As I exited the flight, there was a round man standing at about 5'5" holding a small white sign directing us to the VIP section. My shoes made a quite clink as I walked, step over step to a secluded door. I hesitantly handed over my passport to a man who quickly walked out of the room leaving us to soft leather couches and green tea brewed with fresh mint and much sugar. ( a wonderful daily occurrence throughout my ventures in Morocco as tea is tradition, and those who know me, well my soul is not complete without tea to say the least).

The small tubular glasses that the tea called home warmed my hands and my heart and within minutes I felt a comfort and almost, as the saying goes, at home. The delicately engraved silver tea pot with a 6 inch long spout came to refill my disappearing liquids. The smell of slow brewed tea leaves can not pass through your olfactory glands without causing an unintended smile, and yes they are contagious, and the tea pourer knew precisely why a smile crossed my face at that moment...and then I understood the custom of tea to strangers. It crosses the language barrier and causes warmth between cultures with no use of words or heavy explanation, just a simple sip will do!

I hope you get the chance to enjoy a great cup of tea today, I am off to have one!

Orphanage in LaAyoune

There is so much that occurred in a small 9 day period in Africa, so I will write about pieces or my blog would become a book!

Down in South Morocco in a city called LaAyoune we were lucky to meet with many people, their La Wal (above what we call Governor) and many people that were victims from the Camps in Tindufu, and hospitals, and then the orphanage of "abandoned children."

A lot of the work I do through Highwire and threading hope is in orphanages and hospitals so it was great to get to see the children. The orphanage itself is amazing clean and well organized, I was so impressed...and of course the child was so adorable. One little girl would not let me go staff had to come and pull her away...ouch to the heart strings.

This trip was amazing and had days full of hard to hear reality that we documented, to days full of hope with excitement from the Kings foundation for my art projects and quilts to come to the country again and help the people! I hope to be back there again within a year and start my work...there are over 202 orphanages...lots to do!

Morocco's Wonders

I am working on resting and re-acclimation to life at home. I had a wondrous trip to Morocco and met many amazing people, and there was also chance meetings like the one I had with the Women for Democracy, from Seattle, and we met at a woman of parliament's house in Morocco, life is full of great surprises.

will fill you in on greater detail once my mind fills back with complete thought is not fogged by exhaustion.