Sunday, March 6, 2016

Finding my inner artist...with Melissa Marie Collins

Today I had the absolute pleasure of spending the day at Delve MIY in Cedar Rapids with my quilting friend and artist, Melissa Marie Collins.



Melissa and I had a connection long before we ever actually met in person.  It was her fabric "The Healing Tree" that I had used in one of my quilts that was so meaningful to me.   We met at Quilt Market shortly after and I sought her out so that I could share my healing story with her...and she shared her story of creating the healing tree....  An opportunity for me to thank her for her creation...and validation for her that what she created and sent out into the world served the exact person she had hope it would.  It was truly a beautiful and emotional exchange  that neither of us has ever forgotten.


Melissa  invited me to come down and spend a day with her in the studio at Delve MIY to learn some of the  painting techniques that she uses to create her designs.  

Delve MIY, owned by Stephanie Brandenburg, is in the restored Cherry building in the New Bohemia District in downtown Cedar Rapids in an area of the city that was hit hard by the floods in June 2008.  The building houses several artistic businesses including photography, ceramics and a yarn and floral shop. The hallways are filled with art from local artists.






  One step inside Delve MIY and it's a true explosion of art and color.  The fabrics are gorgeous and inspirational and mingled with an eclectic blend of antiques.  It's absolute eye candy in every direction you look. 









To learn more about Delve MIY , Frond Studios and their designs click here. You'll find a link to their website there as well.

Today...I did some drawing...some coloring...and some painting...tapping into my inner artist. It truly felt like I was on a scavenger hunt, finding clues and messages along the way in support of my journey to find Joy again.



Just to make sure we didn't take ourselves too serious...
we ended our art session with a bit of a Mardi Gras themed bubble fest....and lots of laughs.



Before leaving Cedar Rapids we took a quick walk through the NewBo City Market which houses multiple vendors offering homegrown items and a multitude of ethnic foods fixed fresh right before your eyes.




and then a quick walk through Brewhemia a local cafe and bar who's walls were boasting art from none other than Delve MIY.  It was there that Melissa ran into a lifelong family friend, sitting in his favorite spot at the bar reading a book.  Melissa casually asked about the book and picked it up and opened it to this page....another message for us today.




We grabbed some dinner before I left Cedar Rapids and I swear to you we ate the best sweet potato fries in the world.  In the world, people!!  These can be found at Bata's Restaurant.  If you love sweet potato fries...you must go...and please take me with you.

As we were seated in the restaurant, and talking about how meaningful the day was for both of us...I looked up and this was my view from the table.....a beautiful message to carry home with me...
and one I wish for all of you as well.






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