Dear Loving Girl,
Sometimes we have to love just for the sake of loving and without expecting anything in return.
So often, the relationships that mean the most to us go through ebbs and flows where it is not easy to love, but where it is essential. Very often the time when love is required the most is the time when love is 'deserved' the least -- or so it seems.
The power of love can fix almost any relationship, especially the ones that are wounded and difficult to love your way through.
Unconditional love is loving for the sake of loving, even when there is not a visible reward are outcome. Something powerful happens when we choose to forgive, and when we choose to forget about what we might get in return. And we just love with all our hearts.
Try it. You will see.
You are amazing.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Why Creative Journaling?
I watched a video by Andrea on WHY Creative Journalling? and then did a double page spread in my art journal of my take on it, it started out pretty similar to Andrea's but then veered off slightly and of course I didn't paint over mine!
Creativity 101
I'm doing Creativity 101 with the amazing Andrea over at ABC Creativity this is my "I Am Magic" page, listen to her mediatations they are awesome!
Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!
Dear Sensitive Girl,
Your soul is whispering something to you. Slow down so you can hear it.
You know what to do. Your heart is smart, and it is telling you in a million different ways. You can trust it.
You know exactly what to do; you really do. Listen to those whispers. They are leading you toward all that is good and right for YOUR life.
You are so brave. You are so wonderful, and you are so on track. Keep it up.
Your soul is whispering something to you. Slow down so you can hear it.
You know what to do. Your heart is smart, and it is telling you in a million different ways. You can trust it.
You know exactly what to do; you really do. Listen to those whispers. They are leading you toward all that is good and right for YOUR life.
You are so brave. You are so wonderful, and you are so on track. Keep it up.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Planned & Current Course & Project Activity for 2011
- Soul Restoration 1 - completed
- She Art Workshop - completed
- 365 Project - ongoing
- 52Q - UKS Forum - ongoing
- One Little Word 2011 Art Journal - ongoing
- Creativity 101 - ongoing
- Start Where You Are - ongoing
- Color Your World - 1st April for 8 weeks
- Building Your Visual Journal from the Page Up - 1st May for 4 weeks
- Soul Restoration 2 - 7th June for 6 weeks
- Creativity Bootcamp - 17th April for 2 weeks
- She Had 3 Hearts - 23rd May for 3 weeks
Just Be Yourself - A New Website for All Crafty People
Offering inspiring workshops and classes to equip the aspiring mixed media artist with the skills necessary to create their dreams!
Play Day with Grandsons!
Mondays are one of the days we get to look after two of our grandsons - the weather was good yesterday. GS#1 was not particularly well (12 days post-op for tonsils & adenoids removal and grommets being fitted in both ears), a little quiet and pale, but we did cook strawberry flavoured pink choc-chip cupcakes, he did rally a bit then had a 4 hour wait in A&E to dicover he'd had a bleed from his adenoid removal site. On the other hand - GS#2 is full of beans and NEVER stops at the moment, he even fidgets sleeping LOL!
My Craft Room
Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!
Dear Trusting Girl,
Sometimes things don't happen that we desperately want to happen. Sometimes they happen, but after years and years of patience and even not-so-patient waiting.
Sometimes the things we think we want most never, ever happen because they would impede the things that need to happen. Sometimes good things have to be set aside to make room for the best things. Sometimes it takes a lot of years to see those things and where they fall into place in our lives.
Trust the process. Trust the BIG YES that is waiting after rows and rows of hearing the word NO. Trust that things are falling into place exactly as they should. Trust the gifts of learning, of wisdom, and of love that are on the other side of what feels like disappointment. Trust that things are going to work out exactly as they should. And that they already are.
Just trust. Just be.
Life is on your side. It really is.
Sometimes things don't happen that we desperately want to happen. Sometimes they happen, but after years and years of patience and even not-so-patient waiting.
Sometimes the things we think we want most never, ever happen because they would impede the things that need to happen. Sometimes good things have to be set aside to make room for the best things. Sometimes it takes a lot of years to see those things and where they fall into place in our lives.
Trust the process. Trust the BIG YES that is waiting after rows and rows of hearing the word NO. Trust that things are falling into place exactly as they should. Trust the gifts of learning, of wisdom, and of love that are on the other side of what feels like disappointment. Trust that things are going to work out exactly as they should. And that they already are.
Just trust. Just be.
Life is on your side. It really is.
Monday, 28 March 2011
"Life is a great big beautiful mess........"
“Life is a great big beautiful mess and we are unique and amazing creatures who are making our way through this mess, leaving footprints, fingerprints and hand smears all over the place.” Kaere SchmidtDon't you just love that quote from my fellow Brave Girl - Kaere? Take the time to read her blog, she has an amazing take on life and such a way with words.
Brave Girls Club - Soul Restoration Experience
DO YOU WANT TO -- Change your life?
- Get to see some amazing videos?
- Meet new people?
- Learn new techniques?
- Share experiences?
- Visit active forums?
- Increase your self esteem?
- Get a bit more arty?
Then it's a really easy choice, just sign up for Soul Restoration 1, it will be the best $99 you've spent in a long time and it's an investment in YOURSELF!
Read all about it here, SR1 starts 5th April 2011
If you want a chance to win one of the remaining 8 FREE places being offered on the course then visit the Brave Girls blog to post a comment for the opportunity to win!
What did I get from the experience?
An amazing experience I shared with many Brave Girls, I made new friends, took part in swaps, met new people, amazed myself at how my life can (and did) change, took stock of where I was, put the past in the past and focused on what I WANTED for the future - simple YES?
YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF!!!
Sunday, 27 March 2011
52Q, Week 12 - What are you grateful for right now?
The fellowship of my Brave Girlfriends from the Brave Girls Club that I chat to online, they are my rock at times, you can't always turn to family, it's not fair to burden them and sometimes they don't understand, as you need to be outside looking in.
The little birds are the Truthtellers!
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!
Dear Fabulous Girl,
Enthusiasm is a beautiful thing. It's a power, of sorts, that can illuminate the most tedious task and the most dull day. No matter what you have to do, do it with enthusiasm. Have a smile on your face and be excited about it!
Not only will this make the time fly by; it will also inspire others, it will make you feel great, and it will attract more beauty and truth into your life. And who couldn't use that?
Turn up the music, take the bull by the horns, and get the job done. And enjoy every minute of it.
You are phenomenal, and don't you ever forget it!
Enthusiasm is a beautiful thing. It's a power, of sorts, that can illuminate the most tedious task and the most dull day. No matter what you have to do, do it with enthusiasm. Have a smile on your face and be excited about it!
Not only will this make the time fly by; it will also inspire others, it will make you feel great, and it will attract more beauty and truth into your life. And who couldn't use that?
Turn up the music, take the bull by the horns, and get the job done. And enjoy every minute of it.
You are phenomenal, and don't you ever forget it!
Friday, 25 March 2011
She Art Girl 9 & 10
Girls 9 & 10, long time developing due to lack of time and being on a Retreat, but they're here!
Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!
Dear Brilliant Girl,
You are so incredible, and you are doing such wonderful things! You have so much more you want to do, too, don't you?
Sweet friend, when making plans, or making goals, or making lists, try to plan some time for setbacks, even expect a few "failures" along the way. This is NOT negative thinking; this is good planning and it will keep you from getting the wind knocked out of you.
There are so many times that we are humming along, doing great, checking things off on our list, achieving our goals one after another -- and then WHAM!!, something happens that spins everything out of control, or just gets us off track, or makes us too tired, or distracts us.
Many times, these inevitable parts of life's journey make us feel like we've failed, or like we maybe were on the wrong track, or like something is conspiring against us.
Amazing girl, this is just part of life -- plan for it. Plan for hurdles, expect difficulty and don't be surprised at unexpected surprises. Just stand up, dust off your knees and elbows and get rolling again.
Wipe away the tears if necessary, but DO NOT QUIT.
You are doing this. You are capable, strong and amazing.
You can do this!
Do it with a smile on your face -- enjoy the ride!
You are so incredible, and you are doing such wonderful things! You have so much more you want to do, too, don't you?
Sweet friend, when making plans, or making goals, or making lists, try to plan some time for setbacks, even expect a few "failures" along the way. This is NOT negative thinking; this is good planning and it will keep you from getting the wind knocked out of you.
There are so many times that we are humming along, doing great, checking things off on our list, achieving our goals one after another -- and then WHAM!!, something happens that spins everything out of control, or just gets us off track, or makes us too tired, or distracts us.
Many times, these inevitable parts of life's journey make us feel like we've failed, or like we maybe were on the wrong track, or like something is conspiring against us.
Amazing girl, this is just part of life -- plan for it. Plan for hurdles, expect difficulty and don't be surprised at unexpected surprises. Just stand up, dust off your knees and elbows and get rolling again.
Wipe away the tears if necessary, but DO NOT QUIT.
You are doing this. You are capable, strong and amazing.
You can do this!
Do it with a smile on your face -- enjoy the ride!
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!
Dear Brave Girl,
We always have at least 2 choices in each moment...and these are 2 of the most important choices we will ever make, even if 2 is a tiny number.
We can always choose to LOOK FOR WHAT IS RIGHT...or we can choose to look for WHAT IS WRONG. Can you see what a marvelous and compelling difference there is in these 2 perspectives? One of them builds up relationships, brings hope and creates new ideas and joy. The other tears down confidence, feeds fear, keeps us stuck and makes us feel miserable.
Try it, dear friend. Just try it, especially if you feel stuck in a situation or relationship that feels all wrong. Just look for something that is right inside of it. There are ALWAYS gifts to be found in everything, even if those gifts are simply the lessons that we learn from difficult situations and people.
And one of the most beautiful and light-filled things you can do when you are faced with a difficult human being, is to go to the ends of the earth to find something beautiful and true and right about that person, and then do everything you can to SHOW that person what is right about them, instead of reminding them of what is "wrong". This experience will change both of your lives.
Miracles truly can happen when we focus on what is right and do our best to just learn from what is wrong.
You can do it. You are so amazing. And you are so loved
We always have at least 2 choices in each moment...and these are 2 of the most important choices we will ever make, even if 2 is a tiny number.
We can always choose to LOOK FOR WHAT IS RIGHT...or we can choose to look for WHAT IS WRONG. Can you see what a marvelous and compelling difference there is in these 2 perspectives? One of them builds up relationships, brings hope and creates new ideas and joy. The other tears down confidence, feeds fear, keeps us stuck and makes us feel miserable.
Try it, dear friend. Just try it, especially if you feel stuck in a situation or relationship that feels all wrong. Just look for something that is right inside of it. There are ALWAYS gifts to be found in everything, even if those gifts are simply the lessons that we learn from difficult situations and people.
And one of the most beautiful and light-filled things you can do when you are faced with a difficult human being, is to go to the ends of the earth to find something beautiful and true and right about that person, and then do everything you can to SHOW that person what is right about them, instead of reminding them of what is "wrong". This experience will change both of your lives.
Miracles truly can happen when we focus on what is right and do our best to just learn from what is wrong.
You can do it. You are so amazing. And you are so loved
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Busy Day!
Been very busy today - taken loads of my craft items to two different outlets, here's hoping they sell and I can gather some much needed cash. I have been working on 3 collage pictures and I've finished two, one has base almost ready but needs to dry overnight. Also been sorting out setting up the business, sorting out banking and getting receipts in order and onto Excel spreadsheets for accountanting purposes. I have another outlet to deliver to next week so that's positive, probably need to find at least one more outlet, as the online craft websites aren't doing anything for me.
Tomorrow I have both grandsons here, GS#1 not too well after his operation last Thursday, he's now on antibiotics and refuses to drink much, so Nana is going to use the reward system (AKA bribery!) to get him to drink and take his meds without too much fuss, I imagine I'll be shattered after just one day, I don't know how his mum is coping, she's off to college tomorrow for a rest!
Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!
Dear Phenomenal Girl,
It is normal to feel worried about the future, but with that in mind, please remember that while it is normal for those thoughts to cross your mind, there is absolutely nothing good that can come from dwelling on your negative or scary worries about the future.
Do what you can do today, and then let it be done. When you wake up in the morning, greet the day with a smile and decide to do all that you can do in that day, and let that be enough. Because, you know what? You can’t do anything more than ALL you can do, and to worry about anything beyond that will only bring you misery and frustration.
Remember that there was a time that you worried that you wouldn’t make it through the next day, and you always did -- you are here aren’t you? Wouldn’t it be oh-so-much more wonderful to live each day to it’s fullest, doing your very best, and then let it go? Everything will work out in the way it should -- and all we can do is all we can do, and we CAN do it with a smile, with a spring in our step, and with hope in the future if we choose to do so.
Let the worries go. It is gonna work out, beautiful friend.
It is normal to feel worried about the future, but with that in mind, please remember that while it is normal for those thoughts to cross your mind, there is absolutely nothing good that can come from dwelling on your negative or scary worries about the future.
Do what you can do today, and then let it be done. When you wake up in the morning, greet the day with a smile and decide to do all that you can do in that day, and let that be enough. Because, you know what? You can’t do anything more than ALL you can do, and to worry about anything beyond that will only bring you misery and frustration.
Remember that there was a time that you worried that you wouldn’t make it through the next day, and you always did -- you are here aren’t you? Wouldn’t it be oh-so-much more wonderful to live each day to it’s fullest, doing your very best, and then let it go? Everything will work out in the way it should -- and all we can do is all we can do, and we CAN do it with a smile, with a spring in our step, and with hope in the future if we choose to do so.
Let the worries go. It is gonna work out, beautiful friend.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
ABC Creativity - Weekly Intention
Let go some of the stress, relax and organise my time better, I'm feeling emotionally exhausted!
Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!
Dear Unforgettable Girl,
You were not meant to fit in. You were born to stand out.
Embrace that part of yourself. It is so important.
Don't ever let anything, anyone, or any time in your life convince you that you have to change. We have everything inside of us that is good and perfect, and we need to be restored, not changed.
Be your phenomenal, incredible YOU.
There is no equal. You are the best you there ever has been.
You were not meant to fit in. You were born to stand out.
Embrace that part of yourself. It is so important.
Don't ever let anything, anyone, or any time in your life convince you that you have to change. We have everything inside of us that is good and perfect, and we need to be restored, not changed.
Be your phenomenal, incredible YOU.
There is no equal. You are the best you there ever has been.
Monday, 21 March 2011
Penally's Retreat Weekend - FABULOUS!
Fabulous food, fabulous venue, fabulous hospitality, fabulous people, fabulous classes, fabulous prizes, fabulous challenges - I think you get the idea, it was a fabulous weekend!!!!!
Here are the pictures of the LO classes we did + 2 extras I did, + 1 Grunge class (Fridge Sticker) + 1 Make & Take (the mirror).
I'm Back!
Well I'm back, sorry not done too much posting during last week, it's been a really, REALLY busy week. I had both GS's on Monday, took GS#1 for hospital app on the Tuesday, then picked up my new iPhone 4, GS#1 had surgery last Thursday, I had GS#2 to look after, my best mate arrived on Thursday and we went to a Scrapbook Retreat on Friday until Yesterday. We had a great time and I will post pictures of my completed LO's (I promise!) as soon as I get to unpack as GS#2 is here for today whilst his mum looks after GS#1. PHEW!
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!
Dear Super-Smart Girl,
Did you know there's a part of you that is even smarter than your brain? Did you know that the wisdom that comes from this part of you will get you through all of life's bumpy roads, and the smooth sailing roads, too?
Your gut -- that deepest place of knowing that's nestled right next to your beautiful heart is the place where your most important thinking should be done. Your brain should be taking orders from your gut and your heart -- not the other way around. You know so much more than you think you know.
You ARE SO MUCH MORE than you think you are.
You are so much braver than you think you are.
You are so much smarter than you think you are.
You are so much more wonderful than you think you are.
So -- start thinking with the smart parts of you. You can never go wrong.
Did you know there's a part of you that is even smarter than your brain? Did you know that the wisdom that comes from this part of you will get you through all of life's bumpy roads, and the smooth sailing roads, too?
Your gut -- that deepest place of knowing that's nestled right next to your beautiful heart is the place where your most important thinking should be done. Your brain should be taking orders from your gut and your heart -- not the other way around. You know so much more than you think you know.
You ARE SO MUCH MORE than you think you are.
You are so much braver than you think you are.
You are so much smarter than you think you are.
You are so much more wonderful than you think you are.
So -- start thinking with the smart parts of you. You can never go wrong.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
New Phone!
OK, so I caved in and got a new phone, I couldn't resist after seeing my DD playing with her new acquisition, so I am now the proud owner of an iPhone 4 (16GB)
How cool is this, FB, Flickr, SKYPE, email and so many free apps! I have wasted so much time getting to grips with it that I haven't done a SheArt Girl today LOL! I did sweet talk the guy in the Apple store to transfer my contact numbers from my old phone to the new one though and it saved hours and hours so I can use those hours to craft LOL!
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Monday, 14 March 2011
DD's Birthday!
Today is my DD's ?th birthday, she went to work and we had both our grandsons, blog readers will know that GS#1 loves to cook and we were to cook a birthday cake as a secret for his mum. Yesterday the cat was out of the bag as he misbehaved and his mum said, if you don't behave you won't get to cook tomorrow with Nana, to which he replied, Oh but I have to! we're making you a birthday cake, bless him, he kept the secret (at under 4yrs old) to within 12 hrs of the event! It was his choice to make a chocolate sponge (I wanted coconut) and here are the pictures.
And this is mum with loads of candles and the blowing out!
Sunday, 13 March 2011
I Love My New Glasses
I'm loving my new frames, I went to Vision Express 10 days ago for an eye test and found I needed a new prescription - therefore new glasses. I found these interchangeable sides for my base frame & lenses from Bene (exclusive to Vision Express).
As I wear my glasses from the moment I wake to the moment I turn on my CPAP machine and I love bright colours this was the solution I needed, the ones I chose are from top left to top right (anti-clockwise) Blue/Brown Polka Dot, Hearts, Peacock Feather, Geo Pink, Mosaic, Oriental, Ethnic Floral & Cake Ribbon. So 8 pairs of interchangeable frames, over 60 designs to choose from and from just £10 a pair, that's very reasonable - shame the lenses were so expensive, but I just couldn't resist!
Saturday, 12 March 2011
One Little Word 2011 Art Journal - March Page
March's page is all about my experiment with "She Art Girls"! I signed up for Christy Tomlinson's 3 week on-line "She Art Workshop" and the experience has been amazing. Christy is an amazingly talented woman, a very generous natured artist who explains techniques in so much detail, the videos are great to watch (and there's loads of them!) her work is beautiful. I urge you to sign up for the next class which starts 11th April 2011!
PS. If you do sign up, please mention my name or send Christy an email to say you got the link from my post :)
PS. If you do sign up, please mention my name or send Christy an email to say you got the link from my post :)
Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!
Dear Goodhearted Girl,
A difficult fact of life that we must learn to accept is that not everyone has the best intentions. Some people make mistakes, but others act in flat-out intentionally terrible ways that hurt and threaten to destroy us.
Not everyone has your best interests in mind. It is sad but true.
Brave Girls love everyone anyway, and forgive everyone anyway, but also protect themselves from destructive people and situations. Brave Girls stay in the light and make brave choices that keep them out of darkness. Brave Girls get back up when they have been hurt, and they move forward to help others who have been hurt, too.
And you are brave. You can do it.
A difficult fact of life that we must learn to accept is that not everyone has the best intentions. Some people make mistakes, but others act in flat-out intentionally terrible ways that hurt and threaten to destroy us.
Not everyone has your best interests in mind. It is sad but true.
Brave Girls love everyone anyway, and forgive everyone anyway, but also protect themselves from destructive people and situations. Brave Girls stay in the light and make brave choices that keep them out of darkness. Brave Girls get back up when they have been hurt, and they move forward to help others who have been hurt, too.
And you are brave. You can do it.
Friday, 11 March 2011
52Q, Week 10 - A Film that Inspired You!
OK so I changed the question slightly - it should say "Name 5 movies that inspire you creatively! but hey could you give me an answer to that? So I thought about what film I'd seen that had inspired me - so this is my version of week 10.
The Last Holiday - the star (Queen Latifah) gets to do all the things she never did before when she's given just 3 weeks to live. The reminder that life is for living!
Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!
Dear Joyful Girl,
Joy is good. Did you know there's a difference between happiness and joy?
"Joy is untouched by circumstance."
You see, happiness is sometimes fleeting. Joy is a state of mind; that no matter what happens, no matter how much we had planned on a different outcome, that we will always center our lives on what is RIGHT rather than what is WRONG. We will trust the moment and the unexpected gifts that every moment holds. We will trust the moment and the unexpected gifts that every moment holds, even the scary, strange, and unexpectedly difficult moments. Especially those moments, actually.
Even Oprah said it perfectly:
"What I know for sure is that you feel real JOY in direct proportion to how connected you are to living your truth."
Living your truth means listening very closely to the very quiet voice that is constantly trying to get your attention. Living your truth means being very very still and seeking truth and beauty and goodness and small miracles all the days of your life. Living your truth means being exactly who YOU are, in spite of who and what others around you are. Living your truth is a joyful life, a path that no circumstances can every rip you off of.
Joy can be felt anywhere, at any time, in any situation. This is the truth.
Go forward in JOY, Brave Girl!
Joy is good. Did you know there's a difference between happiness and joy?
"Joy is untouched by circumstance."
You see, happiness is sometimes fleeting. Joy is a state of mind; that no matter what happens, no matter how much we had planned on a different outcome, that we will always center our lives on what is RIGHT rather than what is WRONG. We will trust the moment and the unexpected gifts that every moment holds. We will trust the moment and the unexpected gifts that every moment holds, even the scary, strange, and unexpectedly difficult moments. Especially those moments, actually.
Even Oprah said it perfectly:
"What I know for sure is that you feel real JOY in direct proportion to how connected you are to living your truth."
Living your truth means listening very closely to the very quiet voice that is constantly trying to get your attention. Living your truth means being very very still and seeking truth and beauty and goodness and small miracles all the days of your life. Living your truth means being exactly who YOU are, in spite of who and what others around you are. Living your truth is a joyful life, a path that no circumstances can every rip you off of.
Joy can be felt anywhere, at any time, in any situation. This is the truth.
Go forward in JOY, Brave Girl!
Thursday, 10 March 2011
She Art Girl 7
Angel - started and finished yesterday while stressing about my DD, she stopped me bingeing whilst I was worrying about my DD's health, she was/is in a lot of pain at the moment!
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Brave Girl SR Blog Hop Winner's Doodled Birdie!
Well here's Connie's (AKA YaYa) doodled birdie, she said her three favourite colours were - orange, green & blue, so he's doodled in 2 shades of each colour!
He's flying over to Oklahoma City as we speak to roost at her house, hope he makes it safely LOL!
He was fun to do, I'm selling doodled birds now which will be great fun as they are all unique as people love different colour combinations!
She Art Girl 5
I think she's a cutie, I love the richer background colours and I used more rub-ons (as I got my order from Merly Impressions) which really like!
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Monday, 7 March 2011
ABC Creativity - Weekly Intention
This week I intend to focus on getting back into healthier eating habits, I've slipped a little (not a lot!) so need to get focused again!
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