A Place To Blossom

Welcome.  I am so happy that you stopped by.  Today you are invited into my studio to sit and relax with  a cup of tea while I share with you a heart warming project that I am working on with a wonderful group of loving and caring women in a group called W.H.O.A.-Women Helping One Another - www.whoadesigns.com -a women's creative networking group founded by Jenelle Van de Mortel - where artistic women empower one another to achieve their dreams, goals, and passions - then reach out to help Women in need.  It's a place where creative dreams are supported, resources shared and success stories abound.

Let's join Bentley, my  Studio Assistant, in my studio to share with you the inspirations for the A Place To Blossom project.  W.H.O.A. in collaboration with the Scott Newman Center reaches out to women who suffer from substance abuse/domestic violence. Last year W.H.O.A. was involved in an art journaling project for the Mom's attending  the Scott Newman Rowdy Ridge Camp.  

This year W.H.O.A is involved is involved in art projects for the Moms as well as decorating the Mom's cabin.  Our vision for decorating the Mom's cabin was to create a joyful, warm and inspiring environment where the Moms could relax, heal and be inspired in a joyful and colorful cottage environment filled with handmade items created with love by W.H.O.A. members.  I teamed up with the super talented Lydia Reza, to lead the volunteers in decorating the Mom's cabin.  Lydia is a super talented artist, quilter and Manufacturing Sales representative for the gift and home industry and has a great eye for design and bargains.
Lydia is a quilter and her original plan was to reach out to volunteers to donate 50 handmade quilts to put on the beds which turned out to be a little ambitious for us to pull off. Plan B - provide hand embellished throws for the beds that would be a gift for the Mom's to take home.  She found fleece throws on sale at Joann's - two per package for less than $6.00 each - a great bargain and half of them were already decorated with charming prints. 

I took 25 of the throws and Lydia took 25 of the throws.  Since I do not sew we decided that Lydia  would create fabric quilt type appliques to sew on the half of the throws and I would paint the other half with paints. We will reach out to volunteers to help with the projects. Below are samples of the lovely quilt appliques Lydia is creating.  

I have a feeling that Lydia's studio is filled up with fabric and throws as mine is filled up with paint and throws.

We are using flowers as our inspirations to create " A Place to Blossom".

I have a good start on my painting project!

This photo shows one painted quilt and one printed quilt.

Stay tuned for more updates as the throws are only the beginning of our decorating project.  We will be having work parties with volunteers to create art and positive signs, hand made wreaths and silk flower arrangements.  If you are interested in finding out more information about W.H.O.A.  please contact Jennele Van de Mortel at www.whoadesigns.com.  Lydia has a delightful blog and can be reached at www.lydiasaysblog.blogspot.com


Dear Readers thank you for stopping by. I love hearing from you and sincerely appreciate your visits, e-mails, comments and those who follow my blog.  I read and cherish each and every comment and am sorry I do not always have time to leave you back a comment.

Have a lovely week.  Blessings, Erin

"If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me.  Psalm  139.9-10