Oh! How I Love The Rain!

 It's a really cozy evening, and it's raining outside. It reminds me of the humid, cold rains back home in New Orleans. I really missed the weather and atmosphere there, but I can deffinently say Ankara is like a home away from home for me. Currently I'm listening to music tracks by The Hush Sound, and Iron and Wine.
 Today I didn't really get as much done as I was hoping to, though I managed to do the finishing touched on one piece of a set of bead embroidered earrings. I hate that I'm so ADHD when it comes to sitting down and getting work done. One moment I've got everything spread out on my bed, I've go the creative juices flowing, and I have my tea and cola both next to me with a snack so I can stay glued to my work.

  Next thing I know I'm half-way through a project, unfocused, and thinking about something completely different that I'd like to do. Most of the time this means cleaning up, leaving the project incomplete, to go off and be bored elsewhere because I had the sudden urge to do something else which was unatainable. Therefor, I end up pulling out my work again, just to wash, rinse, and repeat.

 So, when I accomplish something and it turns out exactly how I imagined, it's a completely rewarding experience. I realized I do best just by forcing myself not to leave the project until it's complete, whether it takes 30 minıutes, 7 hours or 12 hours. Yes, I've gone, at the least, on an 8 hour, no break stretch with bead embroidery.

 I don't know what I feel like making tonight, but it will come to me. Either I will work on some new obscure project that's rain inspired, or I'll finish those darn earrings!

The Trip To My Awakening

 A little over a year ago I left my home in New Orleans, Louisiana to come visit my Turkish husband and his family here in Ankara, Turkey. It was only meant to be a 6 month visit until we managed to both arrive back to the USA together, but fate took another turn. Though we have the unfortunate delay of returning back to my country I have to admit it's been a major learning experience, which has given me the time for personal growth which I had never experienced before.

Since I have been in Turkey I have visited some remarkable places that have deeply moved my soul, and influenced me in life-changing ways. One can sense the history in the architecture and landscapes, feel the loving connection during the warm embraces of family and friends, and for those quiet moments when I'm sipping my tea on the balcony while watching the sunset hit the mountains and reflect gold off the buildings, I can feel a certain peace in my heart that makes me thank God for this life. Turkey is magical, mysterious, and en captured my heart.

I never took the time to stop, and focus on what could possibly enrich my life in a different way than the obvious. My life is already rich because of my faith, my husband, my daughters, and my family, but I mean in a way that gives me depth as a person. I never before stepped outside of the familiar, never stopped to learn a new skill or art form, and never took the time to look around me. I never saw the world for how truly wondrous it is because the world always seemed so small from my window. Silly huh? I didn't realize how vast the world was until I left my own doorstep, my own state, my own country, and even my own comfort level.

Now I know what I was lacking. I learned so much since I have come here, and gained so much from the skills I developed. I never pushed myself to better myself, and expand my mind until I came here and saw what the women could do. This is where the creation of Crimson Petal Couture all begins...

A Tsumami Kanzashi and Bead Embroidery Piece I created.