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!