Connecting to the people of the world on Independence Day

Embrace your country for its wonderful diversity and beautiful culture. We have brought together people from all over the world to share in our freedom and prosperity.

I would like to share with you what was special to me about my Independence Day of 2008.

Where else can you walk to the

cottage next door and find that the

new owners are from a far off country

steeped in mystery and rich culture?

We are so lucky to have such

opportunities here in the USA.

I was blessed to have the opportunity

on our very own Independence Day to

have met a Tibetan family selling

some of their treasures brought back

from their native country.

Imagine my excitement when the girls

in the family set out for an after

dinner walk, only to see that the

neighbors had a table set out full of

interesting things for sale.

Well you know me; I just had to pop in

to see if they had any treasures that I

needed.

The treasures I found far exceeded anything that I could have imagined. The above picture is a prayer wheel used on a daily bases by Tibetan people. Inside the tiny wheel is a scroll of Tibetan prayers.
You are to spin the wheel three times as you say your prayers. It is worn and a little dented on the handle where it has been gripped tightly in hopes of prayers being answered.

I so covet things that have been owned and treasured by others. Especially something from such a mysterious and magical place.








This Buddha is made from a very heavy resin-like material. He holds a presence that radiates peace throughout the room. I can feel my breath slow and my mind quiet. I collect religious artifacts and statues of all kinds.








There is so much intricate detailing on this beautiful piece. It has a wonderful feel about it, that is so difficult to explain.
I will try to explain it like this; when you hold it in your hand you feel a sense of sturdiness with a perfect balance and rich texture, quite similar to the way I would describe the Tibetan people.










The family had formerly resided in Nepal which borders Tibet and India. They were so proud and eager to share their wonderful treasures with me. I was so inspired by the gleam in their eyes when telling me about their items. Each member of the family had something to share.
I later told Mr. Mya that I think as Americans we too often lose that pride and sense of place.






Tibet is such a beautiful country still so unexplored. They have such deep religious faith and traditions.
Unfortunately The Tibetan people are in danger of losing much of their culture to the take over of the western world. The western influences are so strong throughout the world that it threatens the diversity that separates our lives.









The Tibetans have lived a difficult life of high altitudes, persecution, and rough terrain. They are beautiful people with a belief system like no other. I wish I could be there to touch their hands and share their smiles.

Can you imagine the feeling that must

reside within these Monastery walls?

I would have to guess that it might be

somewhat close to the magnitude I

felt while visiting the sight of the Twin

Towers the year after 9/11.

The lovely face of these Tibetan

children gives me the feeling of

oneness throughout the world.

We are all God's children so alike but

yet so very unique.

The sight of these old shrines is breathtaking. It makes me want to travel the world, document the images and bring back her wisdom.













This picture is so powerful it brought a tear to my eye. I can only imagine what this women has seen and the wisdom she holds.













I wanted you leave you with my very own little piece of Tibet. My old Meme girl is a Tibetan Spaniel. These dogs were once kept by the Buddhist Monks to turn the prayer wheels and watch over the grounds from a perch high upon the monastery walls.



Thank you for sharing a very special Independence Day with me. I think that it was so fitting to make a connection with the world on the day we celebrate our freedom.

XO-Mya

I would like to thank my friends on Flickr for some of the beautiful images of Tibet and her people.

My Vision For You

Feeling inspired lately? What makes your heart beat quickly, or fosters your mood to create? Do you have a special place you go, a person you call, or do the images in your mind push your magic button?







Share with us the tools you use to bring out your inner muse. Who is she? Maybe she is lurking inside but trapped behind a stone gate. Open that gate and let her creative juices flow.











How about an inspiration or vision board? It is very easy to put together and if you are like me you have stacks of magazines that you just can't bare to throw out.
Put them to good use and search for images that inspire you. It can be a table that you would love to add to your dining room or a place that you have been just dying to visit.
What ever sets off that spark within your mind.







I use words and quotes to mix in with the images on my board. I glue images that I want to remain permanent and tack on those that I may want to change. If you don't have a handy magazine supply you can just as easily google or flickr for your muse.



I recently found a flickr group for inspiration boards. Check it out here. If you decide to use flickr then you can go here for a handy tool to paste in the url and make a Mosaic board of your inspirational images. Just paste and print, now what could be easier than that?

Sometimes inspiration comes from the muses all around us. Slow down, take a deep breath, open your mind, then open your eyes and really see!

Life imitates art (or vice versa) and sometimes your muse is no father than your own back yard.










Drop me a line and share with me your inspirations. Tell me about your favorite photos or an inspiration board that you would like to share.

Inspire me!

Thanks for your visit.
I hope you feel inspired enough to bring your inner muse out to play.

Follow your bliss!

XO-Mya

Pink Saturday; You scream, I scream, We all scream for Pink!

Welcome to Pink Saturday :)

Yo Baby!

What can I say, this picture says it all!

To see other blogs in the Pink today, visit my friend Beverly of HowSweetTheSound


Thank's for stopping by to say hello.

XO-Mya

Project of the week; Sand, Paint, Beg

This post is for all of you in the chippy paint fan club. Boy did I need you this past weekend. I picked up some fabulous finds at garage sales last week. Well, I thought they were fabulous but my family had other words to describe them. Below are some pics of my adventures with chippy paint, sand paper and Mr Mya.

Do you not think that this is so beautiful? Raise your hand if you love the worn texture and muted colors of this chair.
It reminds me of the ocean and leaves me with a feeling of serenity and bliss. I rescued her from a garage sale for $2 bucks. They were waiting for some time to paint her. The horror of that alone made me whip out my money and load her up immediately.

Just a little light sanding and she was perfect!
The detail in this chair is so beautiful.







I don't know how old but she is built like a brick house, very sturdy. The perfect chair for a shabby cottage look.







This chair wasn't a bargain but very solid oak and I had a plan for him. All it took was a little light sanding and he was ready for a coat of paint.

I went for Casablanca White in an oil base. Oil paint is harder to work with and so expensive but the finished product is worth it.










After two coats I sanded in a few areas to give him that vintage look. I love things that have a past life. They just seem to have a certain romance about them.

Here he is in all of his glory.

I added a little seat cushion so he

could be used as my new desk chair.

Don't tell Mr. Mya but the old desk is

next in line for a Casablanca make

over.

Okay, now this was the big one. The fabulous find that got me so excited. Matter a fact I was so excited that I forgot to take before pics. In the middle of dismantling the little cottage dresser, I remembered.

Now first off I have to thank Mr. Mya for helping me with this project. He stepped right up and well kind of took over. Now this is where the begging comes in. I told you my family does not share my love for the whole chippy paint romance thing. Mr. Mya was so good at fixing the loose legs and drawers and a little too good at sanding. I wanted to leave some of that cottage blue, sanded lightly of course, on the legs and drawers. I loved the way the different layers of paint from underneath came through. It was magical too me. Mr. Mya didn't agree. It looked like junk to him.

Isn't this just gorgeous as is. Raise your hand if you think so.
Now don't be too sad for me he got tired as the day went on and I did get to keep one fabulous drawer lightly sanded. I also just sanded the handles and little embellishment, love it!










This is the finished piece. Don't you just love it? It is so cottage chic or cottage shabby, however you want to look at it.








It is funny to think that what one may find beautiful another thinks it is old and junky looking. So far I am the only one who loves this piece. Well at least in this house. But that is okay she is all mine and I keep her in my studio.
Thank you Mr.Mya for all your help but don't be too upset if someday I take a little sand paper to those legs that you so carefully made Casablanca White. Just lightly sanded ;)

Thank you all for stopping by

and be sure to let me know what you think of

my projects.

I would like to let Mr. Mya know that I

am not the only member of the chippy

paint club.

Have a very happy and safe holiday

weekend!!!

XO-Mya

Arte Y Pico Award

You can imagine how excited and honored I was to have won an Arte Y Pico award from Kathy of JustBeingCrafty
Thank you so much Kathy you made my week!

Here are the rules:1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name of and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.4. The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.Now comes the hard part. Choosing the five that inspire me.


1. Karen of Cider Antiques
2. Polly of Counting Your Blessings
3. Sabina of Barefoot in the Orchard
4. Beverly of How Sweet The Sound
5. Kelley of Teacups and Ponies

Enjoy, you girls deserve it!



I just love all of you sweet blogging friends out there in cyber space.
Who parties more than our blogging community, even if it is only virtual.


Thanks again Kathy you are almost as sweet as my little princess.

Thanks to all who commented on my Mad Tea party. I will catch up to you very soon, I promise. I tried a little furniture refinishing this weekend. I'll post pics this week to see what you think of my finished products.

Take Care
XO-Mya

Mad Tea Party and Pink Saturday

Welcome to my Mad Tea Party. Our hostess for today is the lovely and talented Miss Vanessa from AFancifulTwist .
Take the link to A Fanciful Twist and visit the fabulous Tea parties from all over blogland.
Congrats Vanessa on your 200th post! Thank you for hosting

In honor of Pink Saturday I have made everything Pink. Well almost eveything. To visit other Pink Saturday posts go see Beverly from HowSweetTheSound.
Thank you beverly









I have a little cafe' table all set for you with yummy pinks and greens. We will have Delicious cakes and sweet tea.










The Mad Hatter will be joining us today and she is mad about you, simply mad. Come on in and join us because things are getting curiouser and curiouser.
.









I hope you brought your party hat.
Or perhaps you can borrow this one.
It is available because
the mad Hatter is sporting a new hat.















Here is the key to a secret garden that is filled with wonderful tea and treats. I have set a place at a table in the garden just for you.












Step through the magic door and you will find the enchanted garden. Hurry and Take a seat there are a few special guests that are waiting there for you.













Here is our colorful table in the enchanted garden.
The pink chair is just for you.
Pass the tea, please.












Alice will be joining us. I have crowned her as the tea party princess. Looks like Alice and the Queen of Hearts have been shopping at StudioPink again. Poor Alice is still looking for the white rabbit.










Be very careful because her Imperial Highness, the Queen of Hearts, has just arrived. You know when she is around sometimes heads will roll. She is feeling quite magestic in her crown from StudioPink
Of course this queen of hearts is far too sweet for that.











I think we found the white rabbit at his very own special table.
It looks like either Twiddle Dee or Tweedle Dum has joined him. Be cautious of the magic mushrooms.










Here is Alice telling her friends that if she had a world of her own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be as it is because everything would be what it wasn't.











I wouldn't! You remember what happened to Alice










Here are some special cups for you to choose from.
You can never have enough china,
you know .








Perhaps you would prefer this one?












Be sure to get a yummy pink cupcake before you leave. Chocolate, chocolate, with pink frosting and happy stars.













The Mad Hatter would like to wish a very Merry Unbirthday to you.





Thank you all for sharing this Alice in Wonderland kind of day with me.

XO-Mya