Diane Phalen

HAPPY 2012!

2012-01-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

I can not believe it has been since September when I last posted on my blog. It was such an incredibly busy time for me. I had shows every weekend all the way through Christmas. I was totally exhausted after it all. I now am just enjoying some time to paint in my studio and organize my life once again!
I always enjoy the Christmas season and am sorry to see all the decorations and lights come down. It is fun to watch all the Hallmark Christmas movies! Now I look forward to my February Birthday, my Mom's February Birthday and Valentine's Day!
Pennsylvania is just now coming into the cold of Winter. There is still no snow on the ground. Ski season has not even really started... and this year I finally dusted off my skiis to hit the slopes! Well at least the ice skates will get some use! I am enjoying my less frantic pace and getting out to Country line Dance with my friends again. Hitting the gym more often too along with everyone else!!!!
I hope you enjoy the beginning of a New Year with much happiness, good health and good friends and yes creative projects!! Check out my web site for my show schedule that starts in March!!

September 11, 2001-September 11, 2011

2011-09-11T05:53:00.000-07:00

Remembering ten years ago on a beautiful sunny morning tragedy forever changed the world. Everyone was affected this day and no one ever forgot where they were when the news came to us. Today we remember all the lives that were lost and those who grieve them. Remembering all who came together to help and lost their life in the process. Never to be forgotten. "God Bless Us and Bring Us Peace."

Happy Birthday, Dad!

2011-09-06T04:43:00.000-07:00

Today my Dad would have celebrated his 89th Birthday. We always had great Birthday celebrations for him, being that his Birthday always was Labor Day weekend. I miss my Dad so very much and those many celebrations and picnics at my sister and brother-in-law's great house in the countryside. "Cheers Dad!" Today I celebrate the great Dad you always were!!!

What a weather!!

2011-08-29T04:59:00.000-07:00

August is ushering out with a bang!! We had quite the weather pattern! A 5.9 earthquake on the East Coast and then Hurricane Irene! This week promises lots of sunshine to dry out! The hurricane was not as bad as expected but it sure rained and the wind howled. I was actually glad when all the trees behind my home stopped moving. Lots of noise and leaves, branches, and anything not tied down was moving! Flooded creeks and roadways made for a weekend to stay home. i was glad not to have a show and spent the days cutting fabric, putting together cards and bookmarks for my September shows.
I also did several sketches from my photos of the beautiful harbors in New England. Wish I was still there!

August already!!

2011-08-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe August is here and almost over....with Labor Day right around the corner. I just returned from New England where I exhibited at a show in Lowell, Massachusetts and the World Quilt Festival in Manchester, New Hampshire. While away and in between shows I got some much needed time to hike and become inspired by New England. My days off it rained....buckets, actually!!! but ventured to Rockport, Massachusetts where I got inspiration for Harbor vistas and the quaint fishing boats and shacks that make up this gorgeous seaport town.
I loved walking by the ocean one day and seeing butterflies in a beautiful nature conservancy. The butterflies were attracted to my camera and landed on the lens while I was taking photos. Saw lots of beautiful gardens too! I enjoyed a short time off and enjoyed also the 2 shows I was there to do! Enjoy the summer...it is unfortunately disappearing to cooler days in preparation for the soon to appear Autumn colors. Autumn will be wonderful too in all its glory!!!

Summer Days!

2011-07-17T06:50:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing. I love the warm, sunny days and find myself outside in the sunshine whenever possible! I just finished my favorite summer show the Kutztown Folk Festival held here in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. It is a great show with beautiful arts and crafts, all my favorite Pennsylvania Dutch foods, and a barn of stunning quilts. The show lasts nine days and we were fortunate to have good weather this year. The usual heat and humidity but it is summer after all. Much prefered to the cold of winter.
I am busy getting ready for my show in Hershey, PA that begins on July 28. Cutting lots of fabric and loving my new Autumn collection.

Remembering my Dad

2011-05-20T02:32:00.000-07:00

In Loving Memory of
JOHN M. BEGINNES
September 6, 1922 - May 20,2010
It has been one year since God called you home. Not a day goes by that you are not missed, loved and thought of. In my memories of you I feel your love forever surround me. You are missed by your loving family.

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T07:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Moms out there!! Especially to my own sweet, gentle and always kind Mom! She is the most important person in my life, my best friend and she knows me the longest!! It is a beautiful sunny day here. I will spend the day with my Mom at festivities with my family. Celebrate Mom!!

Royal Wedding

2011-04-29T16:17:00.000-07:00

I just know that everyone had to take a peek at the Royal Wedding today in England. How can one resist...every little girl's dream to marry their Prince Charming. I was among the early risers to watch the magic unfold on television as I did 30 years ago when another beautiful woman, Diana married her Prince. We all want the Fairy Tale, I am still waiting!! It was fun to see the pagentry unfold and lose oneself in anothers beautiful dream come true. For a moment in time it was a joy to forget the woes of the world. I enjoyed myself watching, as I am sure millions of others did too. Congratulations William and Kate...go forward and make your dreams come true! May magic happen for us all as we all want the love story too!

Spring is arriving!

2011-04-27T05:43:00.000-07:00

How wonderful to have some warm days and not have to turn on the oil heat! My dogwoods are starting to bloom and the beautiful pinks on several of my trees are stunning. I hope everyone had a great Easter! It was a warm sunny day and I spent the day with my Mom and family. Mom prepared a wonderful, traditional Easter dinner. Everyone really missed Dad this year and we can not believe he is almost gone one full year already. Time seems to go so fast.
I have a family of foxes in my backyard. I love watching the babies play with each other. There are 3 babies and they are growing fast.

Easter is almost here!

2011-04-19T06:16:00.000-07:00

Easter is on Sunday! It is late this year which is a good thing as the flowers are finally just arriving with their beautiful colors and sweet air filled fragrance. I spent last week in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I was working at my friend's gallery located in the midst of Amish country. I loved hearing and seeing the Amish buggies go by the front of the gallery. We had lots of rain while I was there. April showers bring May flowers....there should be plenty!!!! The countryside was beautiful. I saw many Amish children playing outside and the young boys were fishing on the tiny creeks that meander through the farm fields. The fields were being plowed with teams of horses for Spring planting. Always wonderful to see the beautiful farms. I must go back soon to paint!!

April Fool's!

2011-04-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

I awoke this morning to snow falling outside my window. The calendar says "Spring" the weather says otherwise. I called my Mom to see if she needed help shoveling snow...I told her we had 8" here in Allentown...she gasped in surprise until I said "April's Fool"!!!!! We only had a dusting as did she, in nearby Bethlehem!! I took her to lunch and we laughed about our April's Fool snow! Daffodils and crocuses are in full bloom and the temperatures promise to be in the
60 degree temps next week.
I enjoyed my shows in Pigeon Forge Tennessee and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. So much fun to meet and talk with everyone!! It has been a cold winter and I know you too are eager for Spring and the pretty flowers it will bring.

Spring Teaser!!

2011-02-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

The sun is shining, warm breezes caress and melt the mounds of snow. Coats are tossed aside for bare arms and enjoyment of the beautiful weather. The calendar says February but this spurt of warmth says otherwise. It was fun to have a taste of Spring. We know it can not last, but how welcome it was...if even only to tease us for a day or two!! I took my Mom to lunch and we enjoyed the day. It is fun to see grass again. This morning I was treated to a rare sight...a beautiful Blue Heron in my pine tree. We startled each other and off in to the sky he took...such beauty!! I am getting ready for my show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee only 2 weeks away. It was pretty great not to have any shows for a 2 months. I enjoyed working, creating and not having to travel from home. Tomorrow we are back to the cold and wind...but thankful for this February treat and Spring tease!!!

Another Birthday!!!

2011-02-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

I can not believe another Birthday is here! I woke to a gorgeous sunrise and a beautiful day. Took my usual walk to my bird feeder to feed my friends! They come in droves, juncos, woodpeckers, cardinals, chickadees, wrens, bluejays and 50 huge crows along with countless squirrels. They make so much noise I have to occassionally knock on the window and tell them to quiet down!! I spent most of my special day with my Mom. We went out for a pizza and quickly went back home to get out of the cold!! I spend a lot of time talking with my Mom so today was a usual day for me... but still very special because I enjoy her company so very much.
The day is going by so quickly. I am so grateful for all the Birthday wishes from friends and family. Grateful for another year of life, grateful to the wonderful parents who gave it to me through their love together. I wish the day would not have gone by so quickly!!

Happy 2011!

2011-01-04T05:15:00.000-08:00

A New Year is here! This year I was asleep before the magic hour! I did so many Christmas shows and was sick all of the holiday season so.... sleep seemed best instead of parties! Next year I will greet it in style...I hope! I did not make any resolutions either LOL! Life is good and busy!! I am hoping for the next two months to paint, create, ski, and smell the flowers... or I guess with Winter watch the birds at my feeder! I also hope to figure out how to post photos. I have not had time to figure it out, with the busy show season. I want to wish all of you my family, friends and collector of my art a Happy New Year filled with Love, joy and fun!!

Autumn is beautiful!

2010-10-21T15:46:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful autumn we are having! The skies are so blue with the oranges, reds and yellows of fall! The leaves on the trees turn these magnificant colors before they drop and swirl to the ground. It means they are dying in their final dance of the season. I never thought of it that way as death being beautiful. This year I have experienced many deaths first my wonderful Dad passing away in May. Several friends and relatives have passed after my Dad. With each death I have experienced a growing or knowing inside that can not be explained. When everyone comes together to share our grief and then to tell our stories of the loved one that meant so much to us you realize how important it is to live our life with purpose, joy and gratitude. Gratitude to the people in our life and gratitude in each day we are given to live our life. When our loved ones celebrate our life in our final moment may it be to remember that we lived our life well and hopefully made our presence here to be remembered as joyful, and loving.
Today, I had a job to do of replacing the wheels on my trusty cart I use at my shows. This cart has been with me since I first did my first show almost 20 years ago. The wheels were flat and I found myself dragging each load in, pretty much carrying it instead of wheeling it in!! I had to go to my Dad's work bench that he had in the cellar of my child hood home and try to find the proper tool to get the wheels off. My Dad loved his tools and kept many everywhere. I took one off his work bench that was sitting there by itself. I also armed myself with many others from his surrounding tool boxes. At my home I used his WD-40 that he swore by...and used the first tool I had found sitting out in the open. It fit perfectly...as if my dad had put it out for me!! When I looked at this "Socket wrench" inscribed in the handle were his initials JMB. Thank you Dad...even in death you are watching over me.

Autumn Arrives!!

2010-09-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

The first day of Autumn arrives today! Already the geese are honking overhead! I love Canada Geese and always listened for their call ever since I was a child. When I lived in Oregon I missed hearing them. Now that I am on the East Coast I run outside every time I hear them. Sometimes they fly so low I feel almost as if I can touch them! This is my favorite time of year. I love the fall colors, pumpkins and beautiful countryside! I wish the fall was not so short lived!

September 11, 2010

2010-09-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

Remembering all the people who perished on September 11, 2001... 9 years ago today. Bless all the people who worked at the twin towers in NYC, all the firefighters, police officers and civilians who came to their rescue on that day. May we bow our heads in prayer for all the families that lost someone they loved that day. Within our hearts find love for one another every day.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

2010-09-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

Today, September 6 would have been my Dad's 88th Birthday. He was born in Jessup, Pennsylvania. We always enjoyed his Birthday, especially since because it fell on Labor Day weekend. My sister would have a picnic in her back yard. We have lots of photos of Dad enjoying the sunshine with his Birthday cake. He always enjoyed his gifts but especially enjoyed being surrounded by his family. I miss you everyday Dad...but especially today...Happy Birthday to the greatest Dad!!

Where has the Summer gone??!!

2010-08-19T06:17:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that it is almost September. The summer has flown by with shows and hot, humid days. I am so looking forward to Autumn with cooler days and nights and the arrival of the beautiful fall colors. It is my favorite time to create and paint. I already have been busy with sketches for new paintings. I have a few weeks between shows and am so happy to be back in my studio once again!
I continue to miss my Dad and can not believe that 3 months have gone by since his passing. Memories of summers we spent as a family on camping trips, and adventures come to mind often. Missing him is part of my every day. I am blessed to have my Mom and we are together often, she is an inspiration to me. She still finds the time to cook and bake and I am often given dinners and goodies to take home. I hardly find the time to cook any more. I miss it as I loved preparing meals and experimenting with new recipes.
I still am having trouble posting photos to my blog. I need time to figure it all out. I hope everyone is enjoying summer and looking forward to the new season and new projects! Happy Summer!!! Love, Diane

Where has the time gone......

2010-06-06T15:53:00.000-07:00

I could hardly believe so much time has passed by since my last post. It just goes to prove that yes, time does go too fast. Summer has arrived again and the months between were filled with living, painting and yes extreme sadness. My wonderful Dad passed away on May 20. I am still raw with emotion in missing him. What a great Dad I was blessed with! I was so fortunate to have such a blessing in having him in my life. He taught me so much and always believed in me being an artist. He always gave me so much encouragement and love. My Dad lived a full life of 87 years. He was a WWII vet and so proud of his Army service. The stories he told have special meaning every day. I remember him with tears and also smiles in memories that unfold daily.
I had a favorite Quilt show this weekend in my hometown of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Colonial Quilters put on an awesome show of beautiful quilts. My Mom came to the show and had a great time. She had not been to a show in a few years. So, Mom will you start Quilting??!! She use to love to sew...so maybe inspiration will be found. I know that several quilts triggered some special painting ideas. We will see!!

Autumn is Here!

2009-10-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

How did it get to be Autumn already. The summer flew by! I have been extremely busy with shows, painting and fabric. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Winter Fabric Collection with Elizabeth's Studios.
What a beautiful autumn Sunday! I listened to the geese honking overhead from my studio while creating an Autumn painting with a beautiful stone grist mill, stone house and all of autumn's finest. pumpkins, flowers and of course an autumn quilt. Enjoy Autumn!

Beautiful Quilts, color galore!!

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I have been trying all afternoon to load my photos to you from my 2009 shows. I have a stunning array of photos taken from Quilter's Heritage Celebration, the Vermont Quilt Festival, Quilt Odyssey in Hershey, Pennsylvania and even a peak at the Sister's Quilt Festival in Sisters, Oregon. I am still unsuccessful at getting them on but determined. This computer stuff is hard work. I am enjoying a excemptionally beautiful Saturday. My first weekend with no show. Wow, a real weekend. It is the perfect summer day. Warm sunny beautiful!!
I had a great time at the shows and am looking forward to sharing quilts with you that were awesome in their color combinations, quality and unbelievable artistry. I promise to stop teasing you!! I will figure this out!! Happy weekend of summer!!

2009-08-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

I have returned from Oregon......

2009-07-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

I just finished the Sisters, Oregon Outdoor Quilt Show...what a great time I had. It was a busy week of signing my art at the Sisters Drug & Gift Store. They were so wonderful to me as were you, my collectors of my art. I had a great time talking and visiting with you all. I plan to be back in 2010!! I have photos from the show and am planning to post them soon!! I have so much to post and must admit I have not had a spare moment since before Memorial Day. Summer is a busy time for me lots of shows!! I had 3 days to enjoy Oregon after the show. I really enjoyed seeing Sisters, after the show. I was able to also visit for the very first time the high desert and revisit Mt. Hood. I was sad to leave Oregon. My next show is in Hershey, PA!!

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Beautiful Quilts from the Quilters Heritage show in Lancaster Pennsylvania. What a great way to welcome Spring!

2009-04-23T03:12:00.000-07:00

Spring is coming!! Soon I hope!!!

2009-03-11T07:14:00.001-07:00

Since my last post in January I have been very busy painting and getting ready for my first show of the season in Lancaster, PA. I love this show in the heart of Amish Country. I am planning on sharing photos with you of this year's Quilter's Heritage Show (for more information see my web dianephalen.com) I hope to visit some of my favorite back roads and snap some photos of the beautiful scenery to share too. I am eagerly awaiting spring! I am craving warmer days and seeing the daffodils and beautiful spring flowers. I will talk with you soon!!

2009-01-30T06:17:00.000-08:00

I know my blog needs to be updated!!! It seems as if nothing has happened since September!! I have been busy with shows and even did a Christmas Market in my hometown of Bethlehem, PA. Now that the holidays are just a memory I am painting every day. I just completed 5 new paintings and am working on a commission painting for The New England Quilt Museum. So there will be new posts soon...I promise!!! Meanwhile "Happy Quilting" I will be back soon !!

2008-09-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share with you some of the photos that I took while on my wonderful trip to the Ukraine. I am still new to this "blogging" so my postings need some rearranging. I am learning. I am more comfortable with my paintbrush then my computer...so bear with me. I just have to share what I saw in Kiev, Ukraine. This city is so beautiful. It is called "the holy city" as you can see by the many beautiful golden domes of the churches. kiev has been called the eternal city and also the "Mother of Russian Cities". Please enjoy!!

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Beautiful blue skies welcomed me to Kiev, Ukraine. When I first viewed the golden church domes I was overwhelmed with awe. There are many beautiful churches with these breathtaking domes. I know that I must paint this beauty soon! Enjoy my first view of this beautiful city.........

Beautiful churches in Kiev, Ukraine

2008-09-18T14:37:00.002-07:00

Stunning Quilts

2008-08-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

I hope you enjoy the beautiful quilts from Quilt Odyssey 2008 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The quilts were so very beautiful. I loved the bright color combinations.

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Beautiful colors

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Stunning Quilts...popping colors!!

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Coming soon...

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Welcome to my blog! Check back soon for new posts.