Words spill out...

Although I have been a part of Poets & Painters for over a year, it has only been recently that poems have begun to spill out of me. This, combined with facilitating my second course of The Artist Way, where risk-taking is encouraged, culminated in me declaring that I wanted to stand up and read my poetry in public. Well, last night at Rabbitfoot Records it happened. It was exhilarating and exciting and it all started with this poem...

All That You Need

by Shari Sherman

The day breaks
I barely have my eyes open before
I am chasing Time by the tail
What does the list say?

I have to be There
But, oh please, please just let me be here
With my cup of coffee, hot against my lips,
I notice it's sweet bitter darkness

I grab for things before they
slip from my mind
Do I have everything I need?
I can't go back.

I am listening, but not to myself

Wrapping the words around me
I notice You are strikingly open
a tiny fracture, enough for a tear to trickle out
if you swallow your breath, it won't get any bigger

Shedding niceties
Extracting embedded habits, identities, and expectations
I notice the beauty in tender, raw moments
beauty, beauty, Beauty!

You are listening, but not to yourself.

Something outside of you is trying to communicate with you
You are strikingly Open
just a tiny fracture
and that is all that you need.

Here's to risk taking, being supported by others on the path, and especially letting your creativity flow freely. 

Until next time, Lovebeams to you!

A Hanukkah Twist

Happy Hanukkah to all of my Jewish friends and family! As you may have seen in my last post, I created a branch advent calendar for The Craft Shack's display at the Leu Garden's Holiday House. Well, since we celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah in our household, I decided to make one with a Hanukkah twist! Instead of 24 days, I crafted this branch calendar to represent the 8 nights of Hanukkah. I am so happy with the results!

Each night after lighting the candles and saying the blessing, my daughter clips one of the little packages down and opens to reveal a gift. 

 This was super simple to make. Just find a smallish branch that you like. I usually keep a little stash of branches to be used later for projects. Then gather 8 gifts...for example, I've included some candy, nail polish, lip gloss, and a gift card (for the 8th night!) Then you simply bundle wrap the items in muslin, old book pages, and brown craft paper. I used stamps to number each package and then tied them to the branch with string! 

I'd love to hear if you give this project a try, either the Christmas version or the Hanukkah version. It certainly is a lovely addition to the holiday decor. 

Until next time, Lovebeams to you!