What is Darling Bird Studios?

Darling Bird Studios is my graphic/print design studio. I continue to be given so many unbelievable opportunities to work on amazing projects that are perfectly suited for my love of pattern, my passion for design and my creative vision. Darlin' Works highlights past projects and ones that are currently in the works.

In addtion, 2009 ushers in a year where I will also be collaborating with a small group of local women artists who are working to help each other and others fashion our best lives as creative birds, women, mothers, daughters and wives. This new, exciting endeavor will provide the first opportunity for this small group of artists to showcase and sell their creative goods. I am looking forward to the coming year and all it has in store!

*jodi

a lesson on flying. . .

I have been in such a strange place about posting to my blog for so long. I don't think I am ready to put it into words what I have been going though, fighting, experiencing, learning about myself and about deep desires of my heart. BUT, I didn't think that I could honestly have a blog about being a bird who is truly learning to fly without posting a link to a lesson on flying that was recently written by a sister fledgling who continues to inspire. . .She wrote to me a couple weeks ago and sent this photo she had just taken. The whole of it seems to have drawn itself somewhere deep inside of me with a sharp needle. I can see so much of me in the image that it is almost too much to bear. . .but, at the same time, I can't seem to take my eyes off of her.

Please take a moment, if you haven't already, to read
her entire post entitled:

"You Will Fly Again"

Thank you so much, Melody.

Here are some of my very favorite products that I was given the opportunity to create for 7gypsies® in their latest summer release!

Click on Darlin' Works to see detailed images of the artwork for these fun Journal Kits that are hinted to below. . .

Who do you love?

I've written so much these past few months about blessings. Casey, Blake and I are so truly blessed. Our families and friends are so supportive, encouraging and loving. Even when we do something or make some kind of decision that seems crazy, they're all there waiting to load the moving truck, beat us to our destination with ready hands to help us unpack, make mini trips on the weekend to play with our super animated 4-year old so we can get in some extra hours in at the studio, or even be willing to watch him once-a-week so we can be part of a life-transforming, year-long program.

I'm so lucky to have people in my life that are so easy to love. It's amazing to me that there are so many people in my life that inspire me to love more or better just by being themselves, and then there are so many of these same people who I love that are just unquestionably inspiring. And, really, how lucky am I to have my very own sister who is all of these things?

Danielle you are simply inspiring. . .

We caught each other on skype the other night. It was so good to see her beautiful, shining face and to hear the unmatched adventures of her weekend in the country she and Dave are now calling home – so far away, but every time we connect, other than the fact that they undoubtedly would have been on their way over to join us for our chocolate fondue were they still only a few miles away, it was as if they were talking to us from next door.

She told me her story and I was amazed. Amazed at how she has completely embraced all that life is offering and sometimes throwing at her in new home of Ecuador. . .

Click HERE to read her truly amazing story from this past weekend and maybe you and I, together, will be crying those crazy, happy tears that come when you feel yourself cheering someone on to do something where the person's faith and God's faithfulness have to collide to make it happen.

I love you, Danielle.

What if ?. . .

I've noticed these past few weeks that I continue to be challenged with these questions I find myself writing down and wanting to remember. Some, I can't get off my mind. Some, that have sparked transformations in the way I think and want to live. Some, that I haven't quite pin-pointed an answer yet. . .

Here's one that I heard this week and have been carrying around in the pocket of my heart working to imagine what my answer might be. . .

(click on the image to view larger)
What if ?. . .
What if we just started to be who
we seem?

What if we were just true to
the bone?

If what we want people to think we are like is at 100 decibels, but what is true is at about 70 – what if we became just straight out the 70?

What kind of impact would that make on our own minds and over-worked hearts?

What kind of impact would that kind of living have on the people
around us?


Would we possibly even be inviting some kind of healing to take place if we began to allow ourselves and the people we encounter to go where everything is real? . . .What do you think?

Must Read!

Maybe if I read as much as my sister or my aunt or Brenda bird, this statement wouldn't be so easy to write. . .but rarely do I read a book that is this life transforming.
I'm telling everyone I know to read it! It's unbelievable and wonderful and tragic, and healing and beautiful and full of strange and wonderful truth! What an amazing book.

I don't want to "spoil" any part of it, so let me direct you to the website where you can read the back cover, the forward and the first chapter.

Click on the link below. You will want your own copy – it's so good!

www.theshackbook.com

If any of you have already read it, I would love to know your reaction to the book, (without spoiling anything for anyone else of course). . .

So Lovey. . .

Here are some papers that I got the chance to create for Chatterbox™

for this month's call for love. . .

Check out more designs at darlin' works by clicking HERE.

Seriously!

I was serious when I wrote I cannot wait!

We finished the INSPIRING BIRD/S/ Interview almost two weeks ago and it is sooo good! But, while I'm waiting for it to get mixed down by my oh-so hard-working, busy mix-n-master engineer husband, I'm trying to decide if I give you any of the back-story to their interview now or unveil it all at once with excerpts from their blog and the podcast interview?. . .

The real privilege comes in the fact that the couple is my sister and my brother-in-law whom I love dearly and love learning how they continue to let life take them on amazing journeys.

Truly, I cannot wait for you to hear, be inspired and discover how the last last half of 2007 is just the beginning of their next adventure. . .
I'm still recounting every word and relishing how it has inspired me!
So check back soon!

Wait till you see & hear what's next!

I have two of the most inspiring people I know lined up for Darlin' Bird's next INSPIRING BIRD(s) Interview!





An amazing couple who has embarked on a two-year adventure overseas and are here with me this week. They have agreed to the interview to let us in on a little, "not-yet-disclosed" tid-bits of their last five months of escapades and experiences that is sure to inspire! WaHoo!

I cannot wait!

The Power of a Blessing (Part III). . .

Almost two years ago – the day after my 31st birthday – I received a letter. And in the letter it said that when I talk or listen to someone, I am to look them in the eyes. It said that with my words, I have the power to bless and I am not to curse. And at the bottom of the letter it said, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."

I think when I first read the letter the words "bless and do not curse" weren't really registering with me, except that on that same day the person who had given me the letter had said. . ."Think about a person with which you have tension. A relationship where nothing seems to work to make it better. Now, for the next month, when you get up and eat breakfast, when you eat lunch and when you sit down to eat dinner, pray a blessing on that person." He went on to say, that it didn't have to be a long, drawn out prayer, but a sincere desire for God to lavish all that is good upon that person, and then wait to see what happens.

How have you personally witnessed the power of someone using their words to bless and not to curse?

Click HERE to read more. . .
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Memory Retrieval. . .

About a month ago I wrote how I am involved in this Bible study called "Believing God" by Beth Moore. We are 8 weeks into the study and it has been unbelievable. Some of the things that I have learned have not only been unbelievable but very challenging. . .alot of "sifting-out-the-old" has taken place, and in some cases, has just begun to take place.

I read something last night as I was working to "catch-up" in the study after a couple of crazy weeks here at the Miller house and a visual picture of it just keeps circling and circling in my head. Moore wrote, "Listen carefully, Dear One: you have not gotten this far in your journey with God without His footprints planted all over your path and without His fingerprints all over the doorknobs to every new season." She is having each of us, as we finish up the study, work to remember our lives. . .write it down. . .document just how you can see God at work in every turn, every new season, every alleyway of your personal journey.

I have divided my life into 5ths and am looking at every 7 years as I answer the interview questions she lays before us in the study. I am remembering things that I have been able to relive and cherish, I am also remembering things that my mind has worked very hard to forget, but all along the way are God's hand prints. As a result, I am being challenged to respond to the fact that He never took His eyes
off of me. . .

The very first interview question she asks, "Did any kind of wonders surround your birth?" I know there were. I worked to remember the story I had been told and I couldn't stop thinking about the wonder-filled birth of my own little baby not too long ago. I was also remembering the amazing births that were happening all around me at the time of my son's birth. And just recently, a friend's son was born in a movie-worthy style on the interstate, in rush-hour traffic. . .

. . .unbelievable!

I'd love to hear your stories. Did any kind of wonders surround your birth, or the birth of your child?
*jodi

I Want To!

Have any of you read my fellow creative bird's latest post? She poses a question that I know has been stirring inside of me. . .I think I even used the word in my explanation of "What is Darling Bird Studios" in my very first post. . .I want a revolution!

Brenda's Post, "You Say You Want a Revolution. . ."
Click the words above to read her beautifully written piece.


What does the word: revolution mean to you?

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I want a revolution! I want one to start in my own heart, my own mind, my own life and then I want to see if it can catch fire and spread. The word revolution has a sort of "dangerous-ness" to it, a "rebellious-ness". . .and the rebellion I want to have happen inside of me has an upside-down-to-this-world, right-side-up-to-the-kingdom kind of character. I want more than this world can offer and I want to see it happen in my life and the lives of the people around me now. One of the coConspirators at the Church@Pen spoke about his ministry at the penitentiary and challenged his listeners to: "Pray dangerously, and then pray for the courage to handle however God chooses to answer that prayer." I want to encourage, pray, speak, write, draw, paint, design, forgive, teach, help, love. . .dangerously, boldly - so when it reaches, touches, lands it can be felt. . .I want a revolution!
*jodi

What is JOY?. . .

Susan touched on it a bit in her PODCAST. . .She is BLESSED to have JOY in her life. We talked a little about how it is different than happiness. It's more sustaining than happiness, yes? What does it mean for you to have JOY in your life? What is the source of true JOY?
Is it the same for everyone?. . .

Casey and I are in a class that meets every Thursday night. Tonight the instructor asked, for part of this week's homework, "What is robbing you of JOY and what can you begin to do this week to combat that robbery?" I want to search this out some more. Just what is the definition of true JOY? I would love for you to share your insights. . .

JOY seeker,
*jodi

Let This Bird Inspire You. . .

Are you living out your dreams – your heart's desire? When was the last time you thought about that childhood dream that you tucked away into the folds of your every day clothes, but that you still hold close and still hold dear?

Today is a very special Tuesday. I am so thankful to be given the opportunity to share with you someone who is making so many of her heart's desires a reality in more ways than one. She has an inspiring story about how she overcame obstacles and faced life head-on with her dreams, her family and as a result is making those desires a REALITY in her life.

As I usher in the second ever INSPIRING BIRD interview, let me introduce you to a creative bird who is talented and driven – a visionary and someone who is allowing the possibility of creativity to enhance every part of her life. . .

Everyone, I would like you to meet:
Susan Fedore!

After 14 years working in design in the apparel industry, Susan is pursuing the craft of design with a more hands-on approach and has started her own clothing line: .:UNA:. Read and hear in the interview and podcast attached below, how her dreams, choices and drive have landed her in the middle of this exciting endeavor. . .and be inspired!



click HERE to read and hear entire interview. . .

Be Inspired. . .

I am so excited! I am just wrapping up all of the details for Darlin' Bird's 2nd ever INSPIRING BIRD interview with someone whose every feather is full of talent and inspiration! I can NOT wait!

While I am working to type up what I hope to be the perfect intro to the interview that is to launch on Tuesday, check out another creative bird who also is working to build an inspiring community of what she calls, Art Slammers. . .click on my darlin'doodles page to see how a girl named Lu is taking flight!

This is My Life . . .

What is faith?. . .
I am being stretched, expanded and turned inside out with my idea of "active" faith. I'm in the second week of a nine week Bible study "Believing God" - by Beth Moore. It's more than believing in God, it's BELIEVING God. Casey came in the other night and said that it looked like I was in school again. . . I know! and I can hardly wait for tomorrow's lesson. . .
My motto for the day: "God can! And if you think He can't – you're being deceived!"
Moore wrote something that I underlined yesterday. She said, "I am utterly convinced that God is bigger than we will ever stretch our faith to conceive. . . Anything attainable by human understanding is a mere shadow of the reality."
. . . I want to be stretched to the outermost limits my faith can conceive!

The Power of a Blessing (Part II). . .

I keep thinking about Brenda's INSPIRING BIRD interview. Brenda's words about a blessing were so eloquent. I listened to her podcast again this afternoon and she was so right.

I kept thinking about what she said about a blessing being about grace, and it's true. All the things that I came up with on my list of "I AM SO BLESSED to have _________ in my life" were things of grace and mostly, more than anything, it is a list of people I have in my life that are a blessing to me. I read recently something about the words "mercy" and "grace". It said that grace is something that is given to us that we don't deserve and mercy is something that is withheld from us that we do deserve. The people who I am so thankful to have in my life are gifts that I have received that I have done nothing to deserve. I have done nothing to deserve their friendships, their wisdom, their knowledge, their understanding, their steadfastness, their inspiration their forgiveness, their acceptance, their love, their openness. Quite the contrary, I often time have said and done things in all of my humanness that would seem to have earned quite the opposite. So then, it would appear, that these blessings are also gifts of mercy. Gifts from a merciful God who can see me, all of me. . .not just the good parts of me, but the unspeakable parts, the wounded parts, the weak and dejected parts, the parts I don't want to own up to. . .and yet He says, "I love you so much. I accept you for who you are and in my love for you I am going to bestow upon you people that you will love and they will love you. They will be an extension of my love for you while you are here on earth. . .a tiny, little taste of the love that is in store for you. . .gifts for you to experience until the day you experience, in full, the love I am for you." Beautiful people who love me and forgive me, accept me and encourage me – who are there for me when I least expect it – who are praying for me when I didn't even know to ask – who believe in me at my most desperate and discouraging moments – who, despite my self-involvement, work to truly know me and invest in me and in all that I am striving to become. Beautiful people. . .undeserved gifts. . .powerful blessings. . .merciful grace.

I love you very much and am so thankful that you have been given to me in this life.

truly blessed,
*jodi

i am so blessed. . .

As I am sitting here writing "The Power of a Blessing (Part II)", I want you to be thinking and answering this. . .

I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE ____________ IN MY LIFE.

As you think about these things in your life that you count as a blessing, these things that are a part of your life despite hardship and difficulty that you are so thankful for, begin to toss around your internal definition of what this must mean a blessing to be and you will be prepped and ready for my next post.

In the meantime, I would love to hear from you what things you are so blessed to have in your life.

Here are just a few that are on the top of my list. . .
I am so blessed to have Casey and Blake in my life.
I am so blessed to have music and art in my life.
I am so blessed to now have freedom from constant
worry and anxiety in my life.
I am so blessed . . .

To be continued. . .
*j

The Power of a Blessing (Part I). . .

As I have been meeting and talking with my beautiful friends and mentors on the idea of a blessing, I asked the same questions of each wise bird. . .what is a blessing? and in what ways are blessings powerful?

Each of their answers reminded me of truth I've learned about blessings in the experiences of my own life – some, very recent experiences. And some of their answers allowed me to discover new truths that I hope I will be able to internalize and apply to my life from here on out. I can't wait to share all of it with you.

With all these inspirations and stories I have collected, I've decided to divide "The Power of a Blessing" post into three parts. Today I am introducing the series with Darlin' Bird's first ever, one of many to come, INSPIRING BIRD interviews!

The intention of these INSPIRING BIRD interviews is to introduce you to a creative soul that will no doubt inspire. . .and, hopefully, encourage each of us to discover, or rediscover, or even just remind us of the creative potential we all have to live out our hearts' desires,
this day.

So, let me introduce to you. . .
Brenda Pettinger!

Brenda has been a darling friend of mine for more than 13 years. She is a writer, an artist, a teacher, an observer and lover of good, a friend, a sister and an inspiration.

In the interview below, I was so struck with Brenda's answer to the question about how and when it was that she realized her heart's desire. Plus, click on the link at the end of this post entitled "Inspiring Bird Podcast 1" to hear Brenda's inspiring piece she wrote based on an assignment she gives to her students at BSU, (see "This I Believe" on NPR's site). Also, hear how Brenda defines a blessing and in what way she, specifically, has been blessed. It's so powerful.

Read and hear all the good.
May you be inspired. . .and blessed this day.

click HERE to read and hear entire interview. . .

This is My Life . . .

Yesterday I just wasn't myself. I think we all three have colds and I had a little less patience than usual. Finally, about 4pm, Blake and I came to an agreement. . .that if he was naughty, I would ignore him; if he was nice, he got hugs, kisses and tickles (why hadn't i thought of that at about 9am?). At the end of the day, I got the dearest email from my friend who reminded me that I was just having a bad day, and not to use it to judge ANYTHING by. . .except maybe that I needed more sleep, which was for sure.

So after reading her email, I decided to go around my house and take pictures of the things that remind me of my life, my life that is – whether I am having a good or bad day.

On Melody's blog she is calling for her readers to submit photos and reminders of their life. So, this is my submission. This is my life. . .


I love – LOVE – grilled cheese sandwhiches. If it's on the menu, I order it. And thankfully, I have a personal chef. . .Chef Casineezi, who makes the best grilled cheese ever and I got a grilled turkey and cheese yesterday for lunch.
. . .my studio. I work on one of my creative mentor's desk. She sold it to me for a steal and it reminds me of her everyday. I have surrounded myself with little things that remind me of my life while I work. . .

. . .childhood tea parties and Grams.
On a recent trip to Seattle, my mother-in-law gave me a "just for cutes" prize for my studio, what a sweet darlin' bird.
I think this was a magazine ad for Nike, but everytime I read it reminds me of the little voice that is in my head when I am working, designing and creating. I read it almost everyday. "Make it real!" the voice says.









When I was a sophomore in high school, I drove 50 miles to my grandma's with an art assignment to make a site-specific sculpture. She, my grandpa and I worked all weekend to make the coolest, sculpted belt ever! I wore it to school a lot in high school. Now darling belt rests on the hips of my studio mannequin – lucky gal!


Chef Caseineezi making his speciality. . . Casineezi Bologneezi. Deelish!
yep, this is my life.
Not to mention, the many stacks of magazines I have to go through for inspiration and leisure.
That's right, check out the dates on some of them. . .

me too, pooski.
See the dirt? That is our yard – front and back. This is a part of my life that I am hoping soon changes into a beautifully, landscaped photo. Maybe we'll save some of the playdirt for Buzz and Blake in the back, but just a little mound.
Aaaahhhhh. Where I end my day almost every day. My little darling bird that reads with me at my cushy rocking chair before I go to bed. This is my life. . .

Desires of the heart. . .

I was writing an email to my friend about what I was wanting to accomplish for a design project I am working on and it must have been late. . .I must have been tired, but I just kept writing and realizing things that I truly wanted for myself deep within my heart. She wrote her list too and I know that we can help each other reach each other's goals. I want to know your dreams too and maybe we can all help each other make our hopes take flight.

I want to be crazy creative in all that I do each day

I want to know and be sure that all I create is falling in line with my personal gaol to
SEE
and I want to believe and know that whoever comes in contact with what I have created feels the intention of that message too

I want to design beautiful books

I want to help Casey's work be successful

I want to be able to spend some time each week, training myself to do creative things I've never attempted to do before

I want to build a network of creative birds who can help each other to spring board their ideas into successful realities

I want to go on walks with Casey and Blake each evening after dinner

I have a list of people I want to write letters to

I want to learn how to cook at least 3 unbelievably delicious signature meals that I can whip up any time - that are just mommy dishes.

I want to be able to design whatever Boise First Community Center needs help with anytime

I want to start a book and study club with the book "Power of a Praying Wife" with a group of women who are learning and want to learn how to make prayer powerful in their lives and families

I want to be able to take Blake to the free movies on Tuesdays, library story time on Wednesdays, art classes at home at least twice a week, to the park, flying a kite, riding a bike, driving to Grandma's, meeting a friend for a play date

I want to be able to read and study the Bible every day

I want to be able to work with my amazingly creative friends all over the US to create unbelievable works

I want to have friends over for dinner all the time, at least once a month

I want to be able to nurture friendships in ways that make me the best friend ever

I want to be a prayer warrior. I want to be able to see a stranger from across the street, grocery store, restaurant and know at that instant what they need for me to pray for for them. I want to have the boldness and gentleness to say to someone I know needs prayer, "May I pray for you?" no matter where we are and who they are.

I want to be debt free

I want to be able to go to Italy with Casey someday

I want Blake to have a baby sister or baby brother – or both!

I want to tell anyone who is hurting or lost how much Jesus loves them

I want to be creative and rich in spirit

I want to be able to pay my bills with no worries

I want to be accessible

I want to be approachable

I want to be inspirational

I want to be faithful

I want to be hopeful

I want to be a promise

I want to be a possibility

I want to be living out my full potential

I want to be a part of what you are wanting to do

I want to help encourage

I want to be infectious

I want to fully and completely trust Jesus and seek His Kingdom first

I want to sleep

I want to be the best mom in the world

I want to be the best wife in the world

I want to have a group of women who are my support team and hold me accountable

I want to go watch a movie in bed with Casey right now instead of work

I want to know what you want deep in your heart for your life and family, and I want to know how to help you make them a reality

My friend Melody posted her list on her blog too, check out what she and her readers desire in the depths of their hearts and if nothing else, we'll all have a better idea of how close our dreams are to each other's.