Creativity Bootcamp - Day 13

Because it is so important to me that you continue on this journey that you have only begun, today I would like you to think about how you can continue to nurture your creative self every day. I want you to start by looking at your body of work from the last two weeks. I want you to look at how much you have improved or how your style has evolved ...or how you have begun to think outside the box…just within these two weeks. You are an artist and you create beauty! I want you to remember to be gentle and kind with your creative soul. I encourage you all to read this post from my blog in which I discuss treating our creative souls as we would small children; being kind, compassionate, and encouraging. I want you to remember that the possibilities of this world are wide open and that if there is a dream in your heart you can make it happen. You just need to believe that the hard work of getting there is all in your capable hands.

Please have your days work include the theme or concept of the word "Refreshing".

Creativity Bootcamp - Day 12

Journal Prompt:

It can be scary to think about dreams; really scary. I’m sure there are a few of you who are put off thinking about dreams right now…assuring yourself that you are happy right where you are. But today, I’d like you to stretch and think about one or two dreams that you have for your future. They can be about a place you’d like to travel, a job you’d like to have, a business you’d like to own, but don’t feel restricted by reality. Try and see if you can stretch more, believing that anything is possible, what would you wish for?

Now, as you think of these dreams {big or small} what might be some small baby steps you could start taking right now to begin clearing the path towards those dreams?

Please have your days work include the theme or concept of the word “Fundamental”.

Creativity Bootcamp - Day 11

Journal Prompt:

Briefly map out a timeline of your life up until this point. Make sure to note school studies, periods of happiness, life changes, major decisions, jobs, periods of happiness and comfort, etc. Now, looking back at your life, can you see how each of those points led you to where you are right this minute?

For instance, can you see ... how if you had never have done _____, then you would never have met _____, who inspired you to do ______, where you suffered _______, which ultimately made you _____, which turned out to be the best thing. And then because you had to ______, you started doing ______, and that’s how you got here!

Yours might sound a bit different, but the principle will most likely be the same. You are exactly where you should be. If you’d like to take this exercise one step further, attempt to take out one rather significant element and think of how your life would have played out differently without it. Now, can you see how this particular sequence of events {ie: your life} is “launching” you into your creative destiny?Please have your days work include the theme or concept of the word “Adagio”

Creativity Bootcamp - Day 10

Journal Prompt:

At the end of your day, think about the millions of sensations you experienced. Try to answer these questions…
Which ones stand out in your mind as being the most pleasant?
Were there any that were repulsive?
Did any bring back memories from your past?
Did any motivate you to do anything particular?
Did any of these sensations inspire you in your creations?

If you were to try and capture creatively any of these sensations, how would you do it?

Please have your day’s work include the theme or concept of the word “Mood”.

Creativity Bootcamp - Day 9

Journal Prompt:

There is no journal writing assignment today. {didn’t you all do enough writing this weekend???} Instead, I’d like you to create in a way that you haven’t for years - paint, color, doodle, sew, write, work with clay…you get the drift. Mix it up. Practice art for the simple love of art itself.

Please have your day’s work include the theme or concept of the word “Bold”.

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Wise Girl,

You know so much more than you think you know. You just have to remember it. There's so much wisdom in that amazing heart of yours that just needs to be reminded and listened to and encouraged to speak out.

Think about when you were a little girl. All of those hopes, dreams, and ambitions that were unique and wonderful and unabashed. What held you back as you grew older, from wanting or working for those tender dreams that grew through your soul from your first memories of having your own unique dreams?

Don't be afraid to be the person that you thought you might grow up to be, that person that you dreamed of being -- that amazing woman that you looked into the future to see when you were a little girl. Uncover those dreams again and believe in them. Shoot for what is deepest in your heart, and be the woman that you always wanted to be.

Scrap-A-Mia May 2011

In our information packs we were all sent either a piece of metal, card, felt or canvas, out of this we had to make our name badge for the event. I had canvas so I've altered it to make what you see, thanks Bernice for the beautiful birdies, I knew they would be used for something special LOL!  I have purposefully not shown all colours but I am in the Tumbled Glass group!

52Q, Week 18 - What's on Your TO DO List?

LOADS & LOADS!

52Q, Week 17 - What's Your Superpower?

My superpower is without a doubt - my ability to organise, pure & simple, I'm a born organiser, give me a task, I'll organise to get the results! I love sorting & organising hence this mosaic of various bits of my craft stash!

Expectations!

This may be the reason why I have been disappointed in relationships with some  friends (and indeed some family) that I've had in the past. Everyone has a standard or expectation of behaviour they desire and when it's not fulfilled, this is when we start to think they've failed us!
Recently I have started to surround myself with like minded people, people who have the same beliefs without the hidden agenda, people who (I believe!) have the same tolerances and understanding as me  But it's taken me ages to come to terms with that decision & enjoy my  life.

There should be no guilt or shame in walking away from people who you feel have disappointed you, they may simply have no more to give you, indeed you maybe disappointing them in your needy behaviour. SO! cut loose those friends, send some to the moon, others to Starbucks and give yourself (and THEM) a break!

Thanks to Kirsty Wiseman for blogging about this!

My Little Birdie Published!

This little birdie (my little birdie!) was published on the Brave Girls Club webiste today, (and this is the 2nd time I've had a drawing published on there!) Sign up here for your daily dose of beautiful truths and in the last hour I got my 5000th visitor to my blog - awesome start to the day!

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Perfectly Wonderful Girl,

Are you carrying an old or new burden around like a heavy bag of rocks, letting it drag you down and hold you back? Is it a belief about yourself or someone else? Is it a mistake you made? Is it something that someone else did to you than you cannot overcome?

It is time to stop shaming yourself. It is time to start treating yourself with the kind of love that you treat others with. It is time to overcome it.

You are not your past, and you are not your mistakes. You are not what others say you are and you are not your limitations, your weaknesses, or your frailties. You are not the horrible things that others have done to you. You are not you addictions or your family or your dress size or your tax return.

You are a priceless, authentic, light-filled soul. No one has ever been created just like you and no one ever will be. You are worth more than you will ever know.

It is time to see yourself this way, with unconditional love, kindness, and forgiveness. Today, let go of the shame. Let go of it. It is time.

Brave Girls Club Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me

Dear Patient Girl,

You knew when you started on this path towards your goals and your dreams, staying on the pathway that's meant just for you, that sometimes the road was going to get rough, that things would not always be fun or easy, and that you were willing to sacrifice whatever it took to get there.

So why is it, gorgeous friend, that when things do get tough or boring, or when sacrifice is required, that we somehow forget and think that things must not be going exactly how they are supposed to be going, when we knew when we started that there would surely be days like this?

Don't let the tough times get you down. They are part of the journey, and they are temporary. Learn what you can while you are in those times. But most of all, be patient, and let yourself remember that you knew this would happen, and you knew that you could and would make it. And you will. And you ARE. It will be worth it.

The Postman Always Rings Twice!

My lovely hardworking postman rang the door bell today - that always means a package, today there were 2 packages one parcel from a great little shop on Etsy CreatingisFun where I got some amazing ribbons & buttons, they were shipped super quick and such beautiful items, they will be used in my collaged mixed media art work! All this for $20 and that included shipping - thanks Martha.

The other parcel was an amazing purchase on eBay, 24 Faber-Castell Big Brush Pens (Pigmented Drawing Ink) the pens are usually about £4 each, I got all 24 in a beautiful box with shipping for just £33.50 - what a bargain! These are the pens that Christy Tomlinson raves about and I can see a lot of use for them in my art work.

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Stunning Girl,

What does truth feel like? Truth feels good and peaceful and warm, even with the truth is a hard reality. Truth is peace, and truth is light being shed on darkness. Truth eliminates confusion and loves the beauty of life, in all of its forms.

Think of a time when you knew FOR SURE, for sure for sure, for SURE that you were experiencing truth. Think of that feeling, that peace, that knowing.

When you are in a place where you have very difficult decisions to make, especially during those times when BOTH decisions mean something very very good or BOTH decisions mean something very very difficult, remember the way that TRUTH feels.

Live your truth. Speak your truth. Embrace your truth. CARRY YOUR TRUTH with you and try your VERY HARDEST to never let anything or anyone sway you away from your truth. If your truth is hard to find, seek it out. Do whatever it takes to hold hands with your truth.

Your truth is one of the only things that is truly yours. You have your truth, you have your story, and you have choice. Please use them all wisely.

You are incredibly brave and absolutely beautiful. Don't ever forget it.

Brave Girls Daily truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Bright-as-the-Sun-Girl,

Sometimes we give in to some kind of explainable pressure not to be as amazing as we truly are. Sometimes we hide. Sometimes we apologize for our successes or cover them up so much that no one will ever know they ever existed, or that they exist right now, right this minute.

We know, even if only a little. We know our incredible potential, and yet we hide.

Your light is as bright as the sun. Don't hide it. Imagine if the author of your favorite book, or the writer of your favorite song, or the designer of your favorite dress decided to hide her bright light, let herself feel ashamed of it. Imagine all that the world would have missed out on.

We are all born with a gift that is meant for human-kind. Some of them are gifts that are meant for just one person; sometimes just for our family or close friends. And then there are the gifts that we have to offer each other near and far, the gifts that make the world more beautiful and true and good and fun and hopeful and wonderful.

Please don't hide. Please don't hold back those gifts. Please please please -- you are the ONLY one with those exact gifts, and no one will ever be blessed with them again if you don't decide to bravely give them. It's all you, babe.

And don't ever ever EVER apologize for your beautiful divine nature, for your fabulousness, for the things about you that shock and amaze and leave the world in awe. YOU are a gift -- shine shine shine.

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Overwhelmed Girl,

Do you have the completely irrational belief that so many of us have? That you can be everything to everyone, especially to those that you love? Do you believe it's your job to keep them all happy, to help them with everything that they are struggling with and to then go out and save the world in your free time?

Do you over commit and then beat yourself up when you under-deliver?

Are there a million things on your list that were really really important that you didn't even get to because you got caught up in doing things that weren't nearly as important?

OK now, take a deep breath. Now take another one. One more.

Remember that you are wonderful. You are loved. And phenomenal friend, amazing woman, you are a human being. You DO have limitations and it is totally okay for you to say no sometimes. Lots of times. In fact, it is essential.

When you don't stop to rest, to think, to recharge, to remember, to restore, you end up grouchy, tired, uncreative, angry, and numb to lots of life. You are a sparkling beautiful girl and we need that sparkle. So STOP today and make a list, prioritize it, be realistic. Say no to at least three things today. Practice.

Say yes to yourself, to joy, to rest, to being 100% present to the things that matter most to you, instead of a tired and diluted version who has too much to do to ever do her best at ANYTHING. Don't lose yourself while you are trying to be everything to everyone.

If at all possible, only have enough on your plate that you can do your best at everything you do. Your life will take on new meaning and happiness.

Just practice. This is a hard one, but so worth it. Hang in there! You are loved!

Creativity Bootcamp Days 7 & 8

Journal Prompt:

Today and tomorrow, set aside roughly 45 minutes to yourselves to sit down and complete three full notebook pages of stream of consciousness writing. Don't think about what you should write…just write. And if you don’t know what to write about, just write “I don’t know what to write about. Maegan has me doing this stupid activity. ...What does she want me to say. I’m tired and I have a million things to do…” Before you know, you’ll be getting to the good stuff. But here’s the kicker…once you’re done, throw them out. I do not want you to go back and read these pages…ever. They are merely an emptying. Enjoy.

I did write both days - loads and then I stuck the pages together and then completed art work over them so no-one would ever get to read them!

 Please have Saturday’s work include the theme or concept of the word “Hidden”.

Please have Sunday’s work include the theme or concept of the word “Woven” {which by definition is something that lends grace or beauty}

Cyber Bullying

Good morning to you all in the land of blog
Easter is a Time of year where I always feel that we need to think or do something for others, so here is my chosen subject.

In this day and age sometimes we forget that bullying doesn't just take place at School, that it does actually continue into the adult life also. With so many Social Networking places on the world wide web these days, there is now a wider forum for it.

I thought that I might over the Easter period ask you to think about the impact that this has on people and support me in highlighting it's existence.

There is a site which highlights this issue - please visit and show your support CYBER BULLYING is NOT ACCEPTABLE - FULL STOP!!!!!

Holiday Service!

Normal service will be resumed shortly after the Easter break, I am spending time with my family in this beautiful weather we are having!

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Overwhelmed Girl,

Do you have the completely irrational belief that so many of us have? That you can be everything to everyone, especially to those that you love? Do you believe it's your job to keep them all happy, to help them with everything that they are struggling with and to then go out and save the world in your free time?Do you over commit and then beat yourself up when you under-deliver?

Are there a million things on your list that were really really important that you didn't even get to because you got caught up in doing things that weren't nearly as important?

OK now, take a deep breath. Now take another one. One more.

Remember that you are wonderful. You are loved. And phenomenal friend, amazing woman, you are a human being. You DO have limitations and it is totally okay for you to say no sometimes. Lots of times. In fact, it is essential.

When you don't stop to rest, to think, to recharge, to remember, to restore, you end up grouchy, tired, uncreative, angry, and numb to lots of life. You are a sparkling beautiful girl and we need that sparkle. So STOP today and make a list, prioritize it, be realistic. Say no to at least three things today. Practice.

Say yes to yourself, to joy, to rest, to being 100% present to the things that matter most to you, instead of a tired and diluted version who has too much to do to ever do her best at ANYTHING. Don't lose yourself while you are trying to be everything to everyone.

If at all possible, only have enough on your plate that you can do your best at everything you do. Your life will take on new meaning and happiness.

Just practice. This is a hard one, but so worth it. Hang in there! You are loved!

Creativity Bootcamp Day 5

Journal Prompt:

As you listen to the music of your past, begin to think about what your hopes and expectations for life were when you were young and the world was wide open

Please have your day’s work include the theme or concept of the word “Depth”.

Dear Soulful Girl,

From the time that we are very young, we are confronted with the challenge of knowing how to deal with very good things happening to OTHER people, but not necessarily to us, at least not those exact things, and rarely at that exact time.

Jealousy is a vicious beast that can steal our own joy away, and we are best to put a stop to it just as soon as we become aware of those kinds of feelings welling up in our hearts.

You see, what we often do is compare our 'worst' parts to everyone else's 'best' parts in life, creating a situation that has no good ending. Comparing hardly ever has a good ending, as a matter of fact.

A great tip for a happy lie is to always be happy at others' good fortune, young-looking genetics, or big breaks in life. Avoid comparing your situations, houses, husbands, diamonds, jeans size with anyone else's. Jealousy goes away when we practice gratitude for the blessings in our own life, and when we celebrate the blessings in other's lives. There are not many acts of love greater than being genuinely happy for another's good fortune when our own luck is down.

Be happy. Just decide. You are just right, and you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

52Q, Week 16 - What is the Truth?

Quick & Simple I'm afraid! Too much going on at the moment, family coming too stay, Creativity Bootcamp to do, some sadness now and more to come, tough times!

Creativity Bootcamp Day 4

So today, I’d like you to go out into nature {or on the streets if you’re a city dweller} and seek inspiration. I’m not asking you to gather ideas for creative projects, I want you to simply take a camera outdoors and photograph things that speak to you on some level…any level. Take as many pictures as you’d like. If you’re like me, you might have ...to eventually make yourself stop and go back inside to take care of other things like your children or dinner. Try not to aim for perfect shots; don’t think about composition, don’t sweat the focus or the lighting, etc. Just take some random snapshots of anything that you find visually appealing and at this point don’t analyze why…just shoot.

Journal Prompt:

Now I’d like you to look at your photos. There’s no need to print them…looking at them on the computer will work fine. Think about what specifically motivated you to take certain pictures. Was it something small and unique about your subject? Was it the color? Was it how certain elements came together and played off of one another? Get detailed. Think about it a lot…as if you were trying to tell a child what made that beautiful. If you were to go back and attempt to re-take the pictures, capturing only the elements that you were drawn to, how would you frame the shot?

Please have your days work include the theme or concept of the word “Garish”.

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Lovely Girl,

Are you suffering from destination frustration? It's quite amazing that we often really really really let ourselves believe that 'someday' we will get 'there'. Someday we will have it all figured out, someday we will have the perfect day, or the perfect body, or the perfect year, or the perfect family, or the perfect marriage. And then we hold on to that belief and we wait and wait and wait for the happiness it will bring, and work and work and work for it, making us blind to all of the things that are gifts in the every day.

The fact is, we never really do get 'there' and have it stay 'there' for any length of time without the same amount of work that it took to get 'there'. The journey just continues until the day we die. This is why it's so important to understand that it's all about the journey. It's about using your best china every day, and saying the words in your heart every day, and treating every day like it might be the last day and not waiting any more.

Because really, the only destination that we truly have control over is our mindset. And that can happen NOW. So why wait? THIS IS YOUR LIFE. TODAY. RIGHT NOW.

Make the most of it. See that you already are someONE wonderful even though you might have been tricked into thinking that it's all about being on the way to someWHERE wonderful.

You are there because you are you.

And you are so loved.

Creativity Bootcamp Day 3

Journal Prompt:

Name some of your biggest creative buzz kills, including a person or two, and disarm them!

 Please have your days work include the theme or concept of the word “Process”.

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Terrific Girl,

It's so important to seek out the beauty that life has to offer, or life can get quite unappealing.

It's so important to look for the good instead of the bad, and to see all of the wonderful little things all around you rather than letting yourself feel annoyed by other little things that really aren't important.

Try to find peace, and then remember that feeling and seek out whatever it takes to get back to that feeling when you seem off track or uneasy. When life feels dark, just step into the light. One step at a time. And before you know it, the darkness is gone.

Every day there are a million choices competing for your time, your brain space, and your commitment.

Go where the peace is. Go where the beauty is. Go where the good stuff is. Most of it is just a choice. Use the gift of choice wisely!

You know this stuff. Just remember to remember it!

Enjoy your day,

Creativity Bootcamp Day 2

Journal Prompt:

Do you shy away from calling yourself an artist? If so, what do you think makes someone else an artist and not you? What are some ways that you can start today to outwardly reflect your inner artist? Name three people who you would be comfortable sharing your creative work and projects with. Do you share your artistic goals with family members, if not, why not?

I looked at definitions of FLOW and wrote them down, I did my journaling, some is not shown as it is too personal. BUT I do consider myself an ARTIST!

Please have your day’s work in your chosen medium include the theme or concept of this word, today's word is "Flow"! I always think of water when I hear the word flow, going with the flow, lots of little fishes going with the flow, but some little fishes going against the flow like me at time!

Free Workshops For Life, YES I said LIFE!

Just visited The Land of Lost Luggage website which is amazing and I'm so excited one lucky person is going to win FREE online classes for LIFE with Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen, YES I did say FREE, that's any class that's already happened and ALL future classes, that's an amazing price worth hundreds if not thousands of $ (depends how long you live LOL!) visit them to find out all about them and what they do!

Check out the YouTube video for more information!! Their workshops look really amazing and I have my eye on one in particular (Complex Collage) that I plan on signing up for! Check out all the workshops they do here!

One Little Word 2011 Art Journal - April Page

My April page - experimenting with a website and my own online shop!

52Q, Week 15 - What Makes Me, Me?

Self explanatory really!

Creativity Bootcamp Day 1

Journal Prompt:

I want you to write yourself a letter. In this letter, assume that all of the wishes you had hoped for coming into this course were met. Include mentions about the generalities, specifics, little wishes and big dreams. Please also include how awesome you did in the course, how you met and exceeded all the creative challenges... you were given, how you looked your soul in the mirror and smiled at what you saw. Most of all, tell yourself how brave you were for having participated.

When you are finished writing your letter, fold it up and put it away somewhere (Mine is in the pink envelope!). We’ll dig it out later, but I ask that you do not re-read your letter for the duration of the course.

Your daily creative prompts will contain a single random word chosen from the dictionary. Please have your day’s work in your chosen medium include the theme or concept of this word, today's word is SCARLET!

I used the word SCARLET as an anagram - there are 224 words you can make from it, I used 17 (as today's the 17th April) and used them on the pages, I chose one word beginning with each letter to share what I wanted from the course. I doodled with the other words and used 3 types of watercolour medium.

Great Trip to see the Grandsons

We popped up to the Midlands today to see our other Grandsons, as Toby is 4 on Monday so we took the birthday cake I made and his present (Mobilo bricks & people) and the Easter Eggs for next week. We don't get to see them so often but it's a pleasure and great fun when we do. Today we went out for lunch  to a local pub and then a quick play in the park as Toby had been so good during lunchtime. A good journey there and back, beautiful weather, what more can ask for?

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Insightful Girl,

You already know the answers to the questions that are eating away at you.

You just have to trust yourself enough to really listen and be brave with your decisions.

You know oh-so-much-more than you give yourself credit for. You have a good heart and powerful intuition, and you really do know the right way to go.

That doesn't mean it's always the easiest way to go, but the easiest path never was the most fruitful path, and you are one of the courageous souls who seeks the best fruit.

Trust your gut. It has never led you astray.

You can do it. You are a Brave Girl.

Creativity Bootcamp - Getting Started!

 The start of my journal - course outline and materials and list of participants (still growing in number I might add!)

Creativity Bootcamp - About to Start!

Click Here

A group of 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 girls (I'm one of them!) are about to embark on an intensive 2 week course on Creativity , called Creativity Bootcamp. One of the girls I am doing it with is Bernice and you can take a look at her blog to see what she's doing! The course we are doing was run last year, we are just doing it for free this year as a bit of fun, there is a new course this year but there is a cost.

A brief explanation by course designer Maegan Beishline is: -

"an intensive two week course designed to deepen and enrich your creative spirit. You will be asked to perform outward projections of creativity as well as examine your inner creative soul. Just as with trees, new growth requires that your roots deepen and expand. You are asked to choose one artistic medium in ...which you will work in daily. It is to the benefit of this course that you stick with one particular medium. Each day you will be provided with an inspiration point, a topic to ponder, a journaling prompt, and a theme for your day's creative work. If you have chosen writing as your medium, you journaling exercises should not count for your day's creative work. The prompts are challenging and, at times, a bit abstract. I urge you not to get caught up in the literal translation of a particular word and allow your natural creative instincts. Also, it is helpful not to think to much about any given prompt. Let the universe guide you just a bit…I promise, an idea will come to you! There are no right or wrong answers to the prompts. They are all about your personal interpretation! So let your imagination soar! "

So we start on Sunday 17th for 14 intensive days, going to be a bit difficult for me as I have my parents staying with me for 3 nights, but heck, ART comes first YES????

The most difficult bit for me was picking just  ONE artistic medium, (I love so many - acrylic, oil, mixed media, scrapbooking, beading, sewing etc) BUT after much deliberation and many changes of mind I've decided on a water based medium - namely WATERCOLOUR! So I have my gorgeous Nina Campbell journal to write and play in starting Sunday. Watch this Space!

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Gutsy Girl,

You are doing such good things, such beautiful, wonderful, and important things. Do not feel bad that you have limitations and cannot do everything you want to do, or that you make mistakes that set you back or decisions that aren't all that you hoped they would be.

You are doing enough. YOU ARE ENOUGH. You are just right, and you are doing your best. When you have done all that you can do, let yourself BREATHE. And remember that rest, relaxing, and solitude are just as important as all of the other incredible things that you do with your life.

You are such a gift to the world. Take good care of you.

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Gorgeous Girl,

It's a big life in a big world with big possibilities. One of the wonderful things about all of this is that what might SEEM like the end - is actually the beginning.

Change is hard and endings are difficult and saying goodbye is painful. But it is all part of a big life in a big world with big possibilities, and every change, every ending, every goodbye is a step toward new and exciting things.

Every change, every ending, and every goodbye is also proof of incredible experiences that if nothing else, taught us more about ourselves and others.

We can also look back and be thankful, no matter what happened or how we 'thought' things might turn out. Things always turn out exactly as they are meant to.

As the old saying goes, "Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened," and know that happy and amazing things are ahead for you. Your best years have not even happened yet!

My New Venture is Born!

I've been busy the last week, sorting out a Domain name, a website and an online shop for my new venture Pippa's Pieces where I'm selling my art & craft direct.

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Super Smart Girl,

Never let anything steal your soul. Never let anything blow your light out.

Be willing to walk away from things that feel wrong. Know that you have the ability to be a light in the darkness, and don't allow the darkness to dim YOU in any way.

Choose to put your energy in places where you want to grow more of what there already is, and don't put any more energy in places that you have outgrown or that you want to be free from.

Life can be good and joyful and light-filled and wonderful. You get to choose EVERY DAY where to put your energy -- every single day.

Choose wisely, beautiful girl, and life will unfold in beautiful ways.

I've Been Busy!

I've been a bit quiet and and a bit off colour recently but I have been crafting, here's the pictures to prove it, made 2 upcycled frames for my shop and a mini book for a present.

The mini book is black & white, with shades of caramel, ginger & silver grey, there are 6 mini tabs, 3 mini mini tabs, 3 large pocket inserts & 2 medium tags. The base for the book is 7 envelopes + 2 chipboard covers I cut.

 The 2 upcycled frames have handmade flowers on them.

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear lovely girl,

So often we find that our individual experiences in life may not have been as beneficial to us as they were for others. Life works in such a way.

We all have our own journey to travel, an individual journey that is meant for us. But we also get to live through things that are not so much about us at all. Sometimes our trials, or our blessing, or our lessons, are actually meant for the people whom we surround, or who surround us.

It's important to remember that people are watching the way you handle things in your life. They are learning so much from you and your strength, your grace and your wisdom. It's important to remember how much we can help each other along their way because of what we have learned and what we remember.

It helps make sense of things, too, when we can recognize our ability to be a miracle in the lives of others, in a way that we never could have had we not traveled the path that we have each traveled.

Isn't that beautiful?

Have a wonderful week!

Brave Girls Meeting!

Bernice, Emily and I all had opportunity to meet up today for lunch and a chat. We met at Old Down Country Park and went for lunch in their restaurant. It was great to meet up with them both and Bernice had bought us some beautiful little birdies on a chain that we can either wear or use in our craft work, very sweet.

A great time had by all and plans to meet up in the future were made!

Chepstow Pink Scrappers - Tracie Hudson Classes

Amazing day out with the Chepstow Pink Scrappers, great to catch up with Tracie Hudson again (a very talented lady!) and work with gorgeous papers like Sassafrass Lass & Kaisercraft, loads of lush papers, loads and loads of embellishments - we did 3 LO's and Tracie says there is enough left over to do another 3 LO's and a mini book, now that's what I call value. Lunch was great, company was great (the girls made me very welcome as a newbie) weather was hot & sunny and we could watch over the river at Chepstow, such a beautiful place.

 

A Surprise Package

A package arrived today from a dear friend and "Brave Girl" with a heartfelt thank you letter inside with 4 beautiful hand made cozies to put my tea on, 2 packets of beatiful bird stamps and some die cut birds & birdcages! I was most surprised and delighted.

It was strange but so touching that she sent these particular hand made items for 4 reasons: -

• I love TEA
• I adore that shade of pink
• Breast cancer is a cause close to my heart (the material has pink BC bows on it)
• I collect coffee cans(small coffee cups or demi-tasse cups)

Thank you Teresa for your beautiful gift, I was so touched it made me very emotional!

Excited!

So excited, just purchased a domain name (I managed to get the one I wanted!) and I'm in the process of setting up an E-SHOP, I imagine it will take me a bit of time to get things designed, sorted out and uploaded but I'm  sure it will be worth it and I'm really pleased as it kills any possible profit to pay outlets up to 40% commission to sell my products. I will post more soon, just off to order business cards etc now I have my website!

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Unique Girl,

Everyone has a different journey. So different, in fact, that new lessons can be learned every single day from each other's journeys. Your friend's journeys are different from yours. Your children's are different, too. Your parents also went on an entirely different journey than the one that is meant for you.

That is why it is so important not to compare, criticize, or complain. We often have the tendency to compare the worst of what we are living through with the best of what others are enjoying. Everyone has the exact path, with the exact battles and the exact joys that are meant for them. We all learn in different ways, and we can all learn so much from each other, too.

So, live YOUR life. Love YOUR life. Make the most of YOUR life.

And whenever you have the chance to meet another fellow traveler along the road of life, lend a helping hand whenever you can. An encouraging smile or a kind word or two. Be happy when good things happen to others and show compassion when difficult things come along. Remind those you know that ALL of it is good. All of it.

All of it is meant for growth and our ultimate joy.

Keep being the fabulous YOU that YOU are.

Brave Girls Club - Apron Challenge

AWESOME - I'm on the video in my apron (2:01), there are some amazing aprons on here, made by amazingly talented ladies!

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Irreplaceable Girl,

It might feel like the progress has stopped, like things have been stuck for a long time, or like they might not ever go past where they are now. But, beautiful girl, if you are working towards the life you yearn for, or even just focusing your attention on what it will take to get there....things are happening to get you there that you don't even see.

Don't lose hope now...you have come so far, done so much, and created such beautiful pictures of it all in your head. If there are roadblocks along the way, just go around them, move them or find another way.

If your heart is telling you the way to go...GO! Even if it seems impossible, or terribly difficult, or futile. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy...and the way something hard-earned feels and tastes has no comparison...it is worth it!

You can do this...keep up the great work and remember that tomorrow is a brand new day to wake up with a new attitude and a new commitment to do whatever it takes!

You are so loved!

52Q, Week 14 - Last Good Book I Read

Enough said!

Commissioned Bird

Spent last night working on a commission for a local outlet, I think it's quite sweet as a birthday present for twin girls, I think personally I would have had two birds facing each other with a name underneath each one and their birthdate in the middle in a bigger frame, but what the client wants the client gets LOL!

Brave Girls Daily Truth - A Little Bird Told Me!

Dear Fabulous Girl,

Every day you have the chance to be a tremendous blessing to someone else, in ways that you may never even recognize.

Even if you feel like you don't have a lot to give, or that you don't have the same kinds of things to give that others have, you definitely have gifts to offer that cannot be found anywhere else.

Share what you know. Treat others with kindness. Put yourself in another's shoes. Turn an unfortunately situation into a wonderful one. Thank someone with a thankless job. Do your best to really really really SEE another human being and go out of your way to show them that you SEE what they do, who they are, and what THEY have to offer.

When you give, no matter what you have to give, your life takes on new meaning, and you can't help but have an incredible day.

Thanks for everything you do, everywhere you go.

#Reverb11 - April

What's Blossoming?

My new business is well and truly blossoming, virtual shops online, outlets locally and now researching some outlets futher afield, just getting this years accounts sorted for the accountant and very excited.