I Heart Macro - It's Sunday!!

Today's post is about Beautiful Memories.

It's about Before and After.

It's about Death and Rebirth.

It's about the Obvious and the Hidden. 

As always, click to enlarge the photos

Wilted, "Rusted" and Wrinkled

My rose bushes got a bit of a 'hair-cut' last week.

There's currently no beautiful roses to look out the window and see, but I've got MEMORIES.  These memories evoke soft, peaceful, happy and beautiful feelings.

Fresh, Vibrant, Soft

Then there's "Rust" MEMORIES.   These memories evoke sadness, loss, fright, and perhaps a bit of longing, too. Longing for what once was,....

Burned, Rusted

Even when the obvious beauty has been removed, there's hidden beauty beneath what once was,...

Heavy, Strong

I'm linking up today with I Heart Macro over at
Studio Waterstone - won't you join me?

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Rusted, Rose Colored Memories

Cheers,

~Shel~

Useful, Salvaged

P.S. ~ You have to admit, the rust would make for a very cool color palette, don't you think? ~

Macro Sunday - Unexpected Beauty!

Welcome!

Cabin in the Woods

It’s “girl’s weekend” at the cabin and what a beautiful weekend it is!

The weather has been heavenly - especially compared to what’s happening in Phoenix right now.

Since I was going to be at the cabin when it was time to post for "I Heart Macro" this week, I decided I'd capture some pics up in the mountains for posting.

I set out on a walk in the woods and found beauty in many things; even things that were burned. 

Burned Log - Do you see the "Turtle"
peeking out of the charred wood?
How about the "Heart" on his nose?

Between some of the burned trees that lay on the ground there were bunches of little flowers and their colors were lovely and the grass has come in so green from the rains – it was amazing!

There was even beauty over at Grandma Emma’s cabin.  It is still very sad and I choke back tears each time I'm there, but I chose to be open to seeing beauty this time and I felt a very calm and comforting feeling come over me when I walked up to where the cabin once stood. There was something very calming, almost soothing, about standing in the midst of all the rubble.

Remains after the Wallow Fire

Silverware



Beauty really was still present.  There, among the chaos of shattered glass, twisted metal and charred remains, was a key.  I took that as a sign; a symbol if you will, of a new beginning. Keys unlock doors. Doors lead to the future and the future can hold whatever you want it to – the choice is yours!

Here's to finding beauty in all things!

"Key to the Future"

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Beautiful Meanings!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Be sure to hop on over and check out all the cool pics for "I Heart Macro" over on Studio Waterstone's Blog. Lori Plyler puts together a really cool bunch!

Blessings!!

Turquoise and Wood
MiShel Designs Necklace
From the 2009 Collection

Chrysoprase Beaded Wrap Bracelet

The cooler temps and rain coupled with the smell of the pine trees is going to be a welcomed change from the excessive heat of the Valley as I hang out with my sis and some girlfriends this weekend.



When I’m up in the mountains, my design style turns more rustic; sort of fall-like, which is good since fall is right around the corner.

Gathering Spot

I love sitting on the porch drinking coffee with my sister in the morning or swinging on the porch swing in the evening while sipping wine and chatting with my friends,….all the while enjoying the beauty that surrounds the area.

 



The Famous Tree House

Amazingly (miraculously, actually!!) there are still tall pines surrounding the cabin and although you can see reminders all around from the devastation of the Wallow Fire that burned so much of the area this summer, there’s bits and pieces of beauty, new life and hope.



"Grandma Emma's" Cabin
Burned in the Wallow Fire of 2011

Although the loss of some things can be devastating, the opportunity for rebirth and for growth lies beneath the ashes and reminds us that “within every adversity, lies the seed for equal or greater benefit” (Napoleon Hill) and if you’re willing to look close enough you will see the hope of a new tomorrow!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Beauty, Baby!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

The Beautiful White Mountains of Arizona

Summer Time Fun!

This is shaping up as a summer of many “Firsts” and a few “Done that Before” scenarios!

List of 1^st’s:

• Evacuated from a forest fire (Wallow Fire - Largest Wild Fire in Arizona’s History)
• Had our son, who’s a bit under-age, drive more than 15 miles on a state highway (due to being evacuated from the Wallow Fire)
• Drove a truck w/dogs in the cab (I’m more of a cat person!)
• Taught someone to macrame (after just being taught by my sister!)
• Tried deep-fried Twinkies (They sucked! The deep-fried peaches were better!)
• Filled Sandbags to help with flooding from the Wallow Fire in Eastern, AZ

• Bought penis shaped tequila bottles with my two of my sister-in-laws
• Slept in the RV all by myself
• Found an awesome stash of cool vintage beads and buttons in a really neato Antique Store in Kansas while in the middle of a massive down-pour!
• Met Nic, Logan’s “Twin Brother From Another Mother” who live in Germany
• Taught my sister-in-law to make beaded wrap bracelets
• Spent the 4^th of July in Kansas
• Missed the 4^th of July parade and fireworks in Nutrioso
• Took a lesson from my sister on how to tile/grout a shower

List of “Done that Before”:

• Drove through Oklahoma and Texas on the way to Kansas (and would prefer those two states be taken out of the drive all together – they’re the worst!!)
• Visited Mike’s sis and Bro-in-Law in Kansas and had a ball!!
• Hung out w/my sis eating popcorn while watching movies and past episodes of Glee
• Drove between the Hindman/Drachman cabins a million times!
• Had a glass of wine with Mary on the cabin porch
• Walked the path to the tree house a ton of times

• Slept in the RV with the hubby and son
• Packed way too much for all of my trips
• Beaded on the cabin porch
• Celebrated Logan’s birthday in the mountains
• Sat quietly on the cabin porch and enjoyed the birdies and the wind in the pines

Hope your summer is shaping up to be one of your best ever!

Drop me a line and tell me what some of your “First's” and “Done That’s” are this summer!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Interesting Summer Fun!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Beautiful Land!

 

Many of you have sent messages because you have seen the little Animoto video I have here with my MiShel Designs models who were on location in Nutrioso and Alpine, AZ.

I appreciate your kind words and prayers for all those affected by the Wallow Fire here in Eastern, AZ and I wanted to let everyone know that, although we were evacuated while staying at my Brother-in-law and sister's cabin in the Nutrioso area, we are all fine.  Thank you for all the kind words and well wishes for everyone affected by this awful fire.

I will be putting some new designs up in my Etsy shop later this summer with proceeds going to help the people who have been mis-placed from their homes and I'll be sure to post this information here on my blog and on Facebook and Twitter as well once they're up.

Again, thanks for your emails and messages and please keep the people of Eastern Arizona and all those who have homes, land and family and friends in this area in your thoughts and prayers. Also, please hold close in your prayers all the fire fighters and those involved in fighting this fire and protecting everyone's homes as well - they are doing the very best and it hasn't been an easy fight!

It truly is one of the most amazing and beautiful places I've ever seen  in my life and although it is going to look very different for quite a while, I'm sure that somehow, someway, some time from now, it will again be the majestic and amazing place we've all come to love and cherish!

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Beautiful Places filled with Hope and Happiness!

Cheers,

~Shel~