WORDS FROM THE HEART

Whether it's a thank-you card from Kellene ...

 

Or a note from Gerardo that shows he "gets" me ...

Or sincere words of support from my amazing staff ...

Or a letter of appreciation from a reader ...

 

Or a simple expression of friendship from an artist ...

 

Written words expressed from the heart are the gifts I treasure most. They inspire me, make me laugh, jump for joy, fall to my knees with gratitude, and provide me with the strength to get me through it all. 

Words.

They cost nothing. 

But when expressed from the heart ...

They can be everything.

DREAMING IN STITCHES

Hmmm ... wonder what this could be ... 

Or this ...

Or this ...

Tune into the premier issue of Art Quilting Studio (in June 2009) and future issues of Belle Armoire to find out about these dreamy works of art.

CHANEL No. 5

Back in high school when I discovered Chanel No. 5 for the first time, I remember thinking "That's HOT!" and I knew I had found my signature fragrance.

 

Over the years, I've experimented with many other fragrances but I have found that I never really feel like myself unless I'm wearing Chanel No. 5. 

My favorite potency is the actual PARFUM, which is the most concentrated form of any fragrance ... it's more vanilla-ish and decadent than the EAU DE TOILETTE, and other less potent forms. (And layering the forms in different ways is also very nice.)

The thing I love about any fragrance is that it smells slightly different on each person ... thus allowing one fragrance to have MANY signatures.  

EDITOR'S LETTER • LFE • AUTHENTICITY

Dear Readers,
In 1987, the French released a two-part epic film — the first of which is titled Jean de Florette. It is a tragic story where two French farmers (Cesar and Ugolin) are so greedy and so unable to tolerate the success of protagonist Jean (played by Gearard Depardieu) that they relentlessly identify and destroy each and every path that might lead to Jean’s happiness.

Early in the film, kind-hearted Jean passionately expresses his grand plans to the younger scheming farmer, Ugolin. By moving away from the city and into his newly inherited country home, Jean explains that they will happily “be one with nature,” and have opportunities to “plant seeds of authenticity.” Ugolin is found scratching his head because he takes the idea of “planting authenticity” very literally. So he ends up asking the older scheming farmer, Cesar: How and where does one find seeds of authenticity that can be planted and grown?

It is a telling scene because Ugolin’s question reflects those who have yet to learn that neither love nor authenticity can be bought or stolen. Rather, they are commodities discovered and cultivated not with cash or credit, but with sincerity of the heart and fortitude of the mind.

In this issue of Somerset Life, we visit once more with farmer and animal lover Katherine Dunn as she continues to share stories of her fascinating life (page 34). Like the one hot summer day years ago, when her beloved picked cherries from a cherry tree just for her, with which she baked a pie from scratch, just for him. The birth of true love leads Katherine to eventually discover that pies are portals for hope as she bakes and delivers them with her loving donkey Pino by her side, to infuse lives with expressions of kindness like none other.

Within the second part of the epic film, Manon of the Spring, we find that Jean’s daughter, Manon, survives against all odds as she grows up — truly at one with nature — into a beautiful young woman who has inherited her father’s caring heart and strength of mind. As Manon discovers the depths of the injustices inflicted upon her father by the farmers and other villagers, her rage to seek justice upon the entire village almost leads to a larger tragedy. Thankfully, Manon is persuaded by another principled character that to truly win — even in the face of injustice — forgiveness and love need to be her path. Manon triumphs.

To grow a plant, we dirty our hands as we tend to the soil and water it regularly. To be well-read, we take a seat and invest the time to read our books. To bake a great pie, we cut the apples and roll the crust. To enjoy love from our sons and daughters, we patiently teach them how to tie their shoelaces, help them with their homework, and offer our shoulders to help dry their puppy-love tears.

Indeed, seeds of authenticity and love aren’t for sale or pillage. Thankfully so … because these commodities remain equally available to anyone and everyone with the wisdom and courage to discover them.

Authentically yours,
Jenny Doh
Editor-in-Chief & Director of Publishing

[This letter was published in the Spring 2008 issue of Somerset Life.]

CLEARLY MICHELLE

Michelle Ward's line of wood-mounted holiday stamps for Stampington & Company has been a long-standing favorite of mine. 

Recently, Michelle released a smaller version of these wonderful designs as Clearly Impressed stamps for Stampington & Company. I've had a blast creating with these smaller sized images ... the results of which you'll be able to see in the December issue of Take Ten!

Happy (almost) holidays. :)

THE POWER OF ART FOR GOOD

Can the power of the art we create become exerted for good?

Can it feed the hungry? Can it comfort the sick? Can it build a house for the neediest among us? 

Yes it can. 

(Artwork courtesy of Rebecca Sower, who is leading by example, of how to exert the power of art for good ... and showing that incredibly, the work of an authentic heart inspires others to follow suit.)

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH ...

 

Looking at this photo of Lance Armstrong helps me get going. I have always been in awe of how when the hills are the steepest, Lance can mow through them like no other. 

I also gain inspiration by thinking of Cathie Black's story. A renegade in the world of publishing who has overcome many uphill battles and in spite of the steepest of hills, always found a way to recover and move forward. Her book titled Basic Black is a wonderful read for anyone who needs tips on conducting one's life with strength, focus and determination. 

Which makes me wonder ... when the going gets tough, who inspires you to get going?

JUDY, RUTH, KELLENE, & THE ACCIDENTAL CRAFTER

Today I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Judy Wilkenfeld, who came with Ruth Rae to visit our office. It was a rare treat to see Judy's AMAZING work live and in person ... a sight to behold.

Here is Kellene also being completely blown away by Judy's work ...

But the sweetest moment was when Judy — upon seeing Bruce Adams — expressed to him how very much she enjoys reading his column (titled The Accidental Crafter) in Somerset Studio. Of course we all love Bruce's column here at Somerset headquarters but it was a special moment to hear such praise from an artist all the way in from Australia.

Stay tuned to future issues of Somerset Studio to see the amazing work that Judy brought into our office today ... and of course tune into EVERY issue of Somerset Studio to read the cleverly crafted and always hilarious column by The Accidental Crafter. 

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED

"There's nothing you can do that can't be done. There's nothing you can sing that can't be sung. Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game. It's easy.

There's nothing you can make that can't be made. No one you can save that can't be saved. Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be in time. It's easy. All you need is love, all you need is love, all you need is love, love, love is all you need." (Lennon/MCartney)

(Artwork shown here is by the tremendously talented Jen Osborn. You can find details on this LOVELY piece, along with hundreds of other AMAZING projects in our newest Somerset Holidays & Celebrations publication ... on newsstands now ... wherever magazines are sold.)

JANA SAYS: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP

For some years now, I've worked with an amazing person by the name of Jana Holstein. She is one of my most seasoned staff members and is the Managing Editor of Somerset Memories, Somerset Digital Studio, Somerset Workshop, and the upcoming new title called Somerset Apprentice. She's also our all-around dependable cleaner-upper of assorted last-minute editorial snafoos.

Her motto is to "never, never, never give up." Isn't that GREAT?! Such optimism and can-do spirit. Unbeknownst to her, there have been many times I've looked to her determination during challenges to proceed in like fashion and never, never, never give up. Her strong writing, her charming way with people, her organizational skill, her ability to never take herself too seriously (i.e., professional humility), and her ability to recover and move forward in times of challenges are attributes that endear people to her.

Here's one of my favorite signs she has posted in her space ... a reminder to all of us that we ought to think before we speak (or in this case, think before we push the "reply all" (or "send all") button). 

Every time I see the sign I crack up thinking of all the (in hindsight) funny episodes of blunders made via electronic communication. And I enjoy laughing out loud with Jana about all the (in hindsight) funny office-related experiences we've gathered over the years. If you are a creator of works that might fit for the titles Jana manages, feel free to shoot her an e-mail at jholstein@stampington.com. You'll be in for a treat as you get to know this TRULY remarkable person.