Sunday 30 September 2012

52 Weeks of Colour - Attention

Reflection
The answers are there, you need to ask the right questions....

Quote
A man has many skins in himself, covering the depths of his heart. Man knows so many things; he does not know himself. Why, thirty or forty skins or hides, just like an ox’s or a bear’s, so thick and hard, cover the soul. Go into your own ground and learn to know yourself there. ...Meister Eckhart 

Scripture
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus . 2 Timothy 1:13

Saturday 29 September 2012

Creating in Faith - Courage



Standing firm in our beliefs or stepping out when all around is shaky.  We can often think of other people who are courageous and brave when they go through a difficult time or make destiny decisions and can think of ourselves as cowards...., ‘I could never do that, go there, or create that’ we can find ourselves saying.  

If we take time to think back on our lives, we will begin to remember times we got through when we thought all was lost, when we had to carry the load, wipe the brow of a loved one, pace the floor waiting for results, or sell that piece of art.  We forget the victories that we have seen and how we had to muster our energies for what seemed like the very thing that would have broken the camels back.
 
When I think back at the start of my mums’ decline with dementia, I could never have imagined how I could have got through it and continue to get through, let alone find time to be creative.  I learnt to allow my creativity to be infused into my situation and got my mum to participate as well, using the art and creativity as a tool for expression and healing.  

This has allowed me to seek out my voice in my art and to just step out.  It also enables me to see mum express herself in a different way.  There will be many more difficult situations where it would be natural to be afraid, but we have to face them head on.  With God I have known not to have any fear, I know in those times where I felt I couldn’t go another step it was God that saw me through.

Think about a time where you found courage when you least expected it, how did it change the way you viewed your situation?.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13



If you would like to see how I made the book mark pockets check out the post Bookmark Pockets

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures in your art this week. Each week I will be sharing words, reflections, scriptures and the bookmark holder.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

Thursday 27 September 2012

Gratitudes - God


The love of God
Whilst man looks at my faults, God see’s the real me.  My faith has been both a strength and a comfort.

What are you grateful for this week?

Monday 24 September 2012

21 Secrets - Childs Play, Alma Stoller


I signed up to do 21 Secrets - Art Journal Playground, an online course organised by Connie Hozvicka of Dirty Footprints Studio back in January, and have only just got round to starting due to one thing or another getting in the way. 

There are 21 contributors and I have been spoilt for choice with where to start.  I decided to go with Alma Stoller, after having seen her Fabric bead designs.  Each contributor has been very generous with the amount of videos and pdfs that we have available.   In Alma’s course I have been making my own frames out of cardboard and recycled paper and they were really easy to make and very sturdy.


The oval and square ones have been my favourite and  the smaller frames really do look cute, once you start making them you won’t want to stop! 



My favourite technique was making the fabric beads, they do look pretty.  I will try a few variations with size and shape - you need a little patience with the sewing but they will look great in mixed media projects.


next on my workshop list is  Aimee Myers Dolich will be sharing how I get on soon, for now .......blessings!

Sunday 23 September 2012

52 Weeks of Colour - Light

Reflection
Letting the light in

Quote
In a full heart there is room for everything, and in an empty heart there is room for nothing. ...Antonio Porchia

Scripture
...stand and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes... 1 Samuel 12:16


Saturday 22 September 2012

Creating in Faith - Fears



I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears  Psalm 34:4



If you would like to see how I made the pockets check out the post Bookmark Pockets

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures in your art. Each week I will be sharing words, reflections, scriptures and the bookmark holder for that week.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!



Thursday 20 September 2012

Gratitudes - My Son


My Son
He is thoughtful, humorous and loving.... despite his messy room:)

What are you grateful for this week?

Sunday 16 September 2012

52 Weeks of Colour - Change

Reflection 
You are unique, a miracle – don’t ever compare yourself with anyone else

Quote
Men are not free when they are doing just what they like… Men are only free when they are doing what the deepest self likes. And there is getting down to the deepest self! It takes some diving!  ...D.H. Lawrence

Scripture 
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and comp[lete, not lacking anything. James 1:4



Thursday 13 September 2012

Gratitudes - My Mothers Joy


My Mothers Joy
She still has energy and despite the dementia she has a joy for life that really makes me feel grateful for my own..

What are you grateful for this week?

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Clearing the Clutter Challenge Revisited

  
Since coming back from holiday I have wanted to keep the clutter free environment going and thought it was time to renew my clearing the clutter challenge.  I started it in January this year and there are still quite a few things on the list that needed to be done.  Over the years I’ve collected quite a few products and then bringing stuff back from the holiday I felt a clear out was definitely in order here. When I got everything out it wasn’t as bad as I first thought.  I had recently had a make up clear out and just had the basics in the bag.

I went though the body products, it is always great to try something new and experience different scents, but I ended up having too many to use as I didn't throw away anything.  I cleared out the old products and got the basket below to keep the things I wanted to keep to hand and use more regularly, the other things were stored in a draw.  


I have the regular sized products I use and the smaller travel size for when I’m going away 

Scented candle supplies

After clearing the body products from the draws I found some lovely spa products, lush soaps and fizz bombs that I had brought.  The plan is now to make more fuss of myself and have regular special spa treatments with the products and scented candles. Next on my list to tackle will be my art materials!

 
This has been a great excuse in giving my creative self a little bit of extra TLC that it deserves!!
What is your favourite bath treats?




Tuesday 11 September 2012

Post holiday reflections...

It's been just over 2 weeks since we came back from our holiday jaunts and we were very fortunate to have been to not one but 2 destinations this year - Barbados and Menorca.

In Barbados we spent 3 weeks lapping up the sun, sea and sand and sights.

We visited family and friends and got all the vitamin D, and fresh food we needed.  For those who have had Barbados on their lists of destinations, I definitely recommend you get there if you can it is a lovely island.

Three weeks was just enough time to unwind and go to many places that we missed on previous visits.  The beaches are beautiful and we made visiting the beach and swimming an essential part of our trip.
Miami Beach

Dover Beach
We went along the Fish fry at Oystins - sampling the freshly caught fish and even took part in the Sunday night Karaoke at Dover Beach organised by Mr Mayer's and his wife (another really lovely couple who have a beach cafe there).  Me and Alan did what became one of our signature tunes - Three Little Birds by Bob Marley.

As flowers and plants are my thing I made sure I visited the Andromeda gardens, the Wildlife Reserve


and Flower forest and was able to feast my eyes on some beautiful plants and breath taking views.

I also used the opportunity to catch up with some of the local artists on the island and it was great to see them at work and also visit some galleries as well such as The Bridgetown Gallery at Sheraton Mall and NuEdge Gallery

We came back to England for a week to catch up and then flew out for a week in Menorca.

Ahisha and Malakai came with us and he was a joy to have on holiday - his first!  

We met some amazing people who made our stay even more than the blessing it was and we went on many of the excursions around the island....
Mike our representative from our resort showed us around Mahon and a visit to the local gin distillery where we sampled Pomada and a range of other liqueurs.  We visited Modas leather factory and were treated to a fashion show seeing many of their lovely designs.
Mike and Alan as we relaxed by the port

Mike proved to be a font of knowledge about the island, with his generous nature he went out of his way to ensure everyone had a good time.  We accompanied him on the Es Grau Nature walk, which backed onto a beautiful beach, in which the water was not only shallow but extremely warm.

Malakai enjoyed all the attention he got on holiday
with Uncle Sekani and his mum having a swim with his special ring

As in Barbados, Karaoke is popular, Ahisha and Sekani doing a duet

Alan and Sekani taking it in on the Yellow Catamaran - Mahon
breath taking views at Cala Galdana

A visit to Ciutadella and the caves at Cala Morell and a tour of Cala Galdana on Thursday which was our last day was rounded off by a visit Ferreries to see the Fiestas of Sant Bartomeu and the riders as they rode through the village, it was very exciting and was a lovely end to a fun pack break.
I have felt very fortunate to have been able to go away and my mind is now focused on working hard and developing the many ideas that I have been thinking about with my art, it has been great to be back in my studio.....
and getting acquainted with my supplies.  Over the coming weeks will be sharing what I am doing on the 21 Secrets course and also catch up with my contribution to Creating in Faith over at Motley Soul.


 Sekani is now back at school and attending the 6th form - a new adventure and one that awaits many young people who embark on the next stage of their learning, and for all those who have decided to return to study and our prayers continue to cover them for a sound mind and focus on all they have to do.

Blessings always!



Sunday 9 September 2012

52 Weeks of Colour - Growth

Reflection
Do not accept other people’s definition of happiness; carve out your own truth.

Quote
What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul. ...Jewish Proverb


Scripture
"God is not a man, that He should lie". Has He said, and will He not do it? Numbers 23:19.......

Thursday 6 September 2012

Gratitudes - Laughter


Laughter
Laughter can be infectious and can lighten and lift your mood...

What are you grateful for this week?
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