Decorating Complete

The Santa Invasion

24 New Hours

I read this first thing each morning. It is my mantra, my prayer and my intention each and every day! Happy Thanksgiving!

Animal Council

I called this meeting to  let you all know that..........I am the Boss!

When An Artist and Engineer Collide

My father was a typesetter by trade and created some of my favorite pictures. This pathetic gold frame just didn't cut it!

Supplies cut and ready for assembly. We chose birch wood. I love the grain.

I could have left the natural color but the original idea was a dark stain.

This is more like it!

My husband is a genius........enough said!

Summer Moth

You never know what colorful being you might find hanging out by the door! This moth is exquisite.

Getting My Farm On



One of the highlights of summer was my trip to The Woodinville Lavender Farm. I answered an ad on Facebook for volunteers for harvest. What a great learning experience. www.woodinvillelavender.com



This farm is located amongst the many boutique wineries in Woodinville, WA. Beautiful colors!

The owners live on the farm and opened it to the public last summer. Amazing lavender products are offered along with classes for making sachets, essential oils, and several other yummy items!

I had to get over my fear of bees very quickly! Another bonus to picking lavender is it gets infused into your clothes, shoes, even your hair.

I confess, my lavender does not look this nice. I have to get to work!

I failed to mention how easy this morning really was. The owner, Tom, cuts the lavender and then hands it to us to bundle. We gather the bundles, put them in a wheelbarrow then hang them to dry. No bending required. Thanks for saving our backs Tom.

Nothing completes a farm like a farm dog. This sweety was taking a snooze after we ate our lavender infused ice cream, bars. No one spilled any, so he gave up and went to sleep. Sorry my friend. Maybe another time!

Time Out in Nature

After a HOT hike through the trees, past waterfalls, and a few bugs we came upon nirvana!



There is nothing better than mountain air to rejuvenate yourself.



The snow acted like an air conditioner.........heaven!

A much needed rest! Time to jump into that lake........

Lake 22 is a must-do-hike! Mt. Baker National Forest.

Nothing Says Peace Like A Michael Franti Concert

Nothing says summer like a concert at The Ste. Michelle Winery. No one better to start off the season than Michael Franti. Peace, Love and Joy wrapped up in some hip-hop, reggae, and jazzy-rock! I love his message just as much as his music.....I did not want the night to end.



Grab your blanket, chairs, picnic dinner and a bottle of wine (or two)



Of course my sister buys the last t-shirt available!

Michael takes the stage and it's instant energy.

I realize this picture is wrong, but just turn your screen so you can see it. Michael in the audience.



I know, another bad one. But look how close I am. I actually touched his arm! He love his audience.



Beautiful place when the sun goes down. All good things must come to an end.....but why?




Make sure you catch one of his concerts and please check out his website.www.michaelfranti.com

Olioboard

For those of you who love to decorate, you must check out www.olioboard.com. Click on or download a room and pick from thousands of pieces to transform your space. Just a warning for you.....it's a little addictive. Once I start I stay on for longer than I'd like to admit.  You can follow me Olioboard under A Spot of Color. Here are some of my favorites.

I love this space. I would have decorated every room if I were able to. When you finish decorating, Olioboard allows you to view the pieces that you've used......and the price!

This room has great spot's of color and lots of texture.

I could spend many evenings relaxing on this deck!

Beautiful Reminder

I love Ted Talks. This morning I watched one that made me want to share with the world. It should be one that every couple watches before giving birth. It should be one that every parent see's several times as a reminder about what's important, and it should be one that everyone with a heart and the motivation to make this place a better one watches!

http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_love_no_matter_what.html


My wish is that we can let go of perfection and embrace the imperfect.

The Connection

100% of the total cost of this Karma Mat will go to the dedicated recipient. www.aspotofcolor.etsy.com

    The following is a post that I wrote on my website this morning.www.aspotofcolor.com

I believe the connections you make with other people are the biggest blessings in life. When I met Annette I knew she was someone special. She hugs you with an enthusiasm that makes you feel so welcome into her life. I knew this was a women that I was lucky to meet. After being treated for breast cancer, I asked her what her diagnosis meant to her and this is what she wrote,

 "My philosophy or personal mission, if you will is: I help other people to help themselves to be as healthy as they can be, so we can all live productive lives while we are here on earth. This is one of reasons I believe I had to go through this cancer thing, so I could really understand what people go through with this, so that I can be of service and help. That way I can live out my mission and believe in my own worth. I have found positive aspects from all of this, and I have always known there were lessons in this adventure. My life before diagnosis was life, the same, staying positive and moving forward, and then a series of events led me to where I am now, on a new path and a new life - totally..."                              I hope to be a part of Annette's life for many years to come!

Thank you for showing us how to live a couragious life!

---

Wedding Wine Box

I just finished a wine box for a couple getting married in a few months. Even though I'm not invited to this event, I feel like I've contributed to it somehow. I really think my side job should be match maker because I love LOVE!

I wrote their vows on some music sheets. My favorite is I promise to encourage you, inspire you and to love you faithfully.......



I rolled it up and sealed it in a bottle!






I attached a guitar pick with the date of their wedding.




Have a Love-Filled day!

Ride with Reg...a Give Good Project

The first time I donated money to a special cause was when I was nine or ten. I am a nature nerd as some of you may already know because of the endless pictures I post of animals and scenery. I desperately wanted to save the Mountain Gorilla and decided to send my $25. It felt good. I felt a rush of excitement because of it. But it quickly passed and I went on trying to save the rest of worlds animals.

For the past year I have been trying to figure out how I want to give back but have been overwhelmed by it. I decided to start small, but meaningful. What I realized starting at age nine was that giving has felt a little empty. I realize giving is not supposed to be about me, but I want to feel that full circle moment. When I give some money I want to know who specifically is receiving it, what treatment has been tried, who has it worked for and who hasn't it worked for? What goat have they purchased, what well have they dug and for who? Do you understand where I'm going with this?

So.......for me........I started the Give Good Project. It may seems small and not very glamorous but it resonates with me in a gigantic way! It's very simple. 100% for $100. I sell a piece of art or donate money from color consulting and %100 of the $100 goes directly to someone living in a Big, Brave Way. Living with cancer, losing someone they love, fighting their way out of poverty, raising kids with little means, taking care of their aging parents, shelters for animals, I can keep going. Let me tell you about my first project.

Reggie Chan lived a Great, Big, Beautiful Life! A lover of nature, an amazing athlete, and beautiful human being. The perfect recipient of something Good! Sadly Reg left after 18 months with brain cancer. He even was able to make it snow for us one last time this season ( remember that crazy snowy morning last Friday?)

Karma Mat in memory of Reg and the road bike he gave to my son!www.aspotofcolor.etsy.com

Giving Good makes you Feel Good Do Good and Be Good

Do you have someone that could use some Goodness in their life. I would love to collaborate with you. Please check out my new website www.aspotofcolor.com  

Do I Have a Chalet for You!

They're not all Chalets but they are some incredible places to call home.

Ski Chalet in Zermatt, Switzerland

Jade Mountain in St. Lucia (You would not be able to remove me from that pool)

Penthouse in Zermatt, Switzerland (Can't you imagine yourself looking up at the stars at night in this space?)

Chalet in Rhone-Alps, France (I want that white chair in the corner)

The Redwood Cabin, California ( I can picture my son living here)

I am an interior geek! This is what I do on Saturday mornings........with coffee of course.

Happy Heart Day

I'd like to share some love today with a few simple suggestions. Listen to some Sade, sip some wine and indulge in a little chocolate, or a lot, I'm not going to stop you.

Sade - Love Is Found (Official Music Video)www.iviewtube.com/v/.../sade-love-is-found-(official-music-video)Sade - Love Is Found (Official Music Video)www.iviewtube.com/v/.../sade-love-is-found-(official-music-video)Sade - Love Is Found (Official Music Video)www.iviewtube.com/v/.../sade-love-is-found-(official-music-video)

My favorite line in this song, "My Eyes Already Like You"

You can't go wrong with any wine from Mark Ryan Winery

Too beautiful to eat.....but I would do it!

Let's Bring More Love!!!!!!

Art & Stone

I've had a love affair with tile for some time now. It started about ten years ago when we laid our first bathroom floor. When I say we I really mean my husband. I watched with enthusiasm and supported the effort with cheering and a sandwich when requested. Since then we have finished many projects for ourselves and others but I was in tile Nirvana when we came across Pratt & Larson Tile and Stone in Bellevue, WA. We spent hours looking and feeling, I know weird, for hours. Now completely obsessed I have learned a lot about the owners and it is an artists dream. I won't recap but encourage you to go to their website and discover for yourself. www.prattandlarson-wa.com

This tile looked exactly like wood straight off the beach

My mind raced with plans for these two pieces

This was my favorite. I could not stop touching it. It would be an awesome back splash for the kitchen. But, hold on, it was a $80. a square foot! Soooo worth it!

New Website

I feel a little bit professional now. Finally I created a website and hopefully it will be the central spot for all my creative craziness. What I am the most excited about is my Feel Good Be Good Do Good part of business. I hope to bring a little bit of happiness to people that are going through such a difficult time. The process is simple. Each piece of work is dedicated to a specific story. When you purchase the art, you get something but most importantly, the recipient gets the profit. I can't wait!  www.aspotofcolor.com

                         “It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving"
                                                               Mother Teresa


                       “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
                                                             Winston Churchill