I have been busy clearing out, cleaning, de-cluttering and decorating all at the same time. It has been years since I really had a clear out. I did a mini challenge last year or was it the year before, called 'clearing the clutter' and I overwhelmed myself with what I wanted to do, I wasn't realistic about what I had and what I could do. I tried to clear a major area every day and the reality is that some of the areas needed a whole month to themselves.
Having learnt the lesson (not) we decided to clear the whole house, decorate all while I was moving my mum into new accommodation and clearing her flat of items - many of which had been there for over 30 years, and I had grown attached to. My mums move is sorted, still sorted out some of her paper work, she is in a smaller flat adapted to her needs, it is light and spacious, and was the right move for her at this time.
With the place being upside down it was difficult to keep my blog up, my phone broke, my computer crashed and it was very weird not having access to the internet, you really realize just how much you rely on technology. Rather than get anxious about it I looked at it as a bit of a break and time to reevaluate direction, but also prioritize what was important.
I have been creating and trying to keep up with the creative courses that I signed up for. With everything happening at once I was forced to also pace myself differently with the courses, you can't paint in dust and with drilling going on.
I started a book binding course last week, which gets me out of the house one day a week for the next 5 weeks. It has been a long time since I did a course I had to travel to. But it has been really great, there is only 4 of us so the pace is good, we cover quite a bit in the 3 hours. I will show you what I have made next week - I have made two sewn books so far. I am finding the course very therapeutic and it is great learning the techniques and being able to get feedback straight away. I think it was what I needed at the moment. Eventually I want to be able to create bound books filled with memories of my mother and filled with stories that normally get forgotten so that generations to come can be inspired by her journey.
For now back to the clearing as the dust settles, tomorrow I will share some images and get back on track. Do share what changes you have had to make as you move into a new season.
Wednesday 9 April 2014
Saturday 5 April 2014
Gratitudes and Celebration Journal - Week 39 - Your best
You deserve the best
for your life
Gratitude's and Celebration Journal |
When you think of your life what one thing do you think that
you have done that brought out the best in you that celebrated who you really
were?
What is your best and what do you think that you deserve out
of life?
You get out what you put in and why wouldn't you want to
make it your best effort. Why would you
want to give half measures – you would only be cheating yourself so If you are
going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. You appreciate when someone else has done a
good job, how far would you go to make sure that your efforts came from a place
of giving without expecting anything in return. Wherever you are, whatever you
have, If everyone in the world did one act of kindness it would make a big
difference around the world.
I am
grateful and celebrate today that I have something I can give whether through
my words, art or physical, and I can make a positive difference in the life of
someone else.
What will you do to improve your circumstances and bring a
blessing into the life of another? Make
a list of 12 things and start doing something every month, then increase it to
weekly, then daily, a smile cost nothing
to give but can be priceless to the recipients life.
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Saturday 29 March 2014
Gratitudes and Celebrations Journal - Week 38 - Peace Inspires
Gratitude's and Celebration Journal |
Peace is possible in
your inspired life
We can sometimes be surrounded by the noises of life that we
forget what peace is like. From the moment we get up, the alarm clock, the radio, tv, the clatter of the breakfast dishes, slam of the front door, rev of the
car, interacting with others, chatter, laughter, dogs barking, cats meowing, cows
mooing, birds tweeting, foxes....(well you know what the fox says:) and it
never seems to stop!
It seems as if there is always something going on, some
crisis to avert, problem to be heard and sometimes all you want to do is shout
‘Peace, Be Still’.
You have to make time to be still, to sit and just listen to
the stillness, be calm, to wait and allow your body to find its natural rhythm,
as it repairs, restores, refreshes and inspires. You
need to understand what your body is telling you and take action provide the
remedy. You have to give yourself the space to unwind and reflect and just be
at one with God.
Finding those pockets of inspiration |
I am grateful that I
live in an environment where I can take time out to be still, and I celebrate
the renewed me that is present when I have enabled myself to be at peace and to find those pockets of inspiration.
What can you do differently to create a sense of peace for
you? Have a blessed weekend! If you want to see how I made the journal (click here) Blessings!
Labels:
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gratitude's journal
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Gratitudes
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Peace
Wednesday 26 March 2014
New art - Courses Update
I have been busy in the studio working away on a variety of courses. What I realized early this year was that I signed up for too many courses. It is so important to keep moving forward and learning new things, but if you don't give yourself enough time to process what you are learning it can become stressful, falling behind and getting yourself in a stressful state.
What I found happened to me was that I just stopped. I had lost sight of why I was doing the courses as I just tried to churn out images in an attempt to keep up, and also keep up with the events happening around me in my life.
I decided to change my mindset, I have slowed down and have been taking my time, having given myself a breather and got on with things like moving my mum into a new home, I have come out the other end excited about the new work that I will produce over the course of the next year.
I am very pleased to share with you some of the pieces that I have done over the last couple of weeks from Soul Food and Life Book courses, I will also be sharing over the coming months some larger paintings that I will be working on for the Bloom True - Flora Bowley Course It is a 5 week course, with access after the course for 6 months, the next course starts May 12th – June 14th, 2014, so go on the waiting list to get more information.
Here are a glimpse of 3 pieces that I recently finished....
Going to the party |
Palette Love |
Sweety Pie |
If you would like to see the complete image you can check them out here at my mixed media art site
Labels:
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Sunday 23 March 2014
Material Mondays - Crochet and textiles Art Show
Crochet... |
Flower and button details |
It is made using wool with specks of silver thread, I created 2 flowers one using the grey wool and the other using white as contrast.
Grey and silver thread running through the wool... |
Flower button |
Flowers waiting for a new lease of life |
The Creative Stitches and the Fashion Embroidery show will be held at London, Excel on 3rd - 5th April 2014, and the tickets are £8 in advance and £10 at the door, but it also gives you entry to the Hobby Crafts show at the same venue. It will be a great way to hear some inspiring talks, see new techniques and connect with others, if your going, let me know!
Friday 21 March 2014
Experiments in Collage
I have been part of the course run by Randal Plowman called 'Experiments in Collage', which has sadly come to an end. I have learnt quite a few new collage techniques that I will take forward within my own work. Here are some of the collages that I did on the course.
Seeing the world through fresh eyes |
We spent 6 weeks looking at different approaches to collage,
Essential Play |
Trying different techniques and seeing what we liked the best.
It's a Mans world |
I really enjoyed adding painting effects and drawings within my collages,
Admit One |
And using images printed on tracing paper.
The Secret |
Trying to step out of that which feels comfortable to being outside of my comfort zone, and then bringing it all together.
As the course has finished around 16 of the participants from around the world decided to make and send 5"x7" collages to each other, I am still working on my set to send out and should complete them over the next couple of weeks - I'll post the collages when I have done them and let you have a peek . I will also be able to show you some of the collages that I receive from the group.
I thoroughly recommend this class, why not do something different that will take you out of your comfort zone. Check out Randal's website to see when the next one is running, and do remember to share what you get up to!
Labels:
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Try something new
Gratitude's and Celebration - Week 37 - Each Step you take...
What are the dreams you have been allowing to stir in your
heart. There are so many things that you
are naturally gifted with and often you find your self falling into things,
seemingly by coincidence.
Imagine what
life would be like if you had a plan, if you made an effort each and every
day. What are the dreams you have for
your life, where do you want to be next year, or 3 years time. You have to be an active participant in your
dreams and work on achieving all the little milestones that's how positive change
happens we have to do something, so let us continue to dream, dream big, take
action by taking a step to realise those dreams.
Each step you take leads you closer to your dreams |
What dream can you take action on today? As this week draws to a close have a blessed weekend! If you want to see how I made the journal (click here) Blessings!
Labels:
art
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Celebrate the Little things
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celebration
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Gratitude
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gratitude's journal
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Thursday 20 March 2014
Soul Food....Surprise package!
I got a surprise package in the mail a couple of weeks ago, I was blessed to win the February prize draw which consisted of a set of stencils from Artist Cellar
The stencils are from the Cathedral Plans series and Old World Map series, can be used as a mask or as a stencil and are made from quite a hard wearing plastic. I have been playing around a bit using gesso, a fairly thick modelling paste and working on fabric.
Here is a sneak preview of a few books that I have been altering.
Stencils used from the Old World map series by Artist Cellar |
On this book, which was from my local pound store I used fine poly-filler. After it had dried I had to sand it down slightly before painting.
I haven't finished with them, but I like how they turned out so far. I also used the same stencil on some fabric to see how it would look. I decided that I will be using it for a lesson with Susana Tavares who is showing us how to make a fabric Art Doll
Stencils used on Fabric |
There are so many more techniques that you can try out with the stencils, they are very durable and wash out with warm soapy water, can be used on their own, or with other mixed media tools. I am looking forward to sharing some of the ways I get to use mine. What new techniques have you been trying out?
Labels:
altered books
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art doll
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gesso
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Mixed media
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resources
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Soul Food
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stencils
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techniques
Sunday 16 March 2014
Moving Home....Adapting to needs
One of mums many ornaments! |
This weekend finds me packing boxes, not of my own home but that of my mums. Her needs have increased and we needed to find a place that had a lift or easy access for a wheel chair. I was thinking with my practical head, and I got the boxes and tap and other packing materials ready. As I have been making my way around the rooms I see that this job is far bigger than I expected it to be. I didn't realize that with every item that I pick up I would be confronted with memories, and times from my childhood, some sadness with the losses, knowing that change has to come.
Moving unearths many things.... |
Hands off! Some of dads prized glasses |
Jugs and glasses fill the cabinet |
Egg cups we used as children |
Looking around my mums home I am reminded of many things of
my past that as children we used, the egg cups above had a lid to keep them warm, mum would make us egg and soldiers that we would dunk.
Soda Stream, one of the earlier kinds! |
Soda stream – this is one of the older versions that my dad
would use and we would have sparkling drinks, we used it quite a lot in favor
of the fizzy drinks you could buy in the shops.
This statue is one
that my dad got and has been in the family for years, not sure where he got it
from, it is funny that the things that were so precious for one person might not be so for another and when you are gone you can't take it with you. I am going to make up a memory box
out of things that would trigger a memory that could be a talking point to
spark my mums memory, for some of them it will just have to be the photograph!
We turn a corner and I busy myself again with wrapping up glasses and plates and seeing what can find a new home, this week will definitely be a busy one and every now and again an emotional roller-coaster, but also provide comfort as we remember and take stock of our lives.
What will this week hold for you?
Labels:
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dementia
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moving home
Friday 14 March 2014
Gratitudes's and Celebrations - Week 36 - Shine
When you enter a room something happens, the particles of
energy that collide with your energy begin to vibrate and a spark is
lit.......
We have all been created to interact with each other, to
collaborate, support and encourage. That
spark within that lights up a room, shifts the energy and inspires, we all have
it whether you have realised it or not, you matter.
Have you experienced the times when you have impacted positively on a situation or circumstance. Imagine what a blessing you could be if you used your talents, gifts and abilities and shone that light in the lives of others.
Have you experienced the times when you have impacted positively on a situation or circumstance. Imagine what a blessing you could be if you used your talents, gifts and abilities and shone that light in the lives of others.
I celebrate and I am grateful for the Holy Spirit which
lives within me, a gift from God. How
will you let your Spirit shine?
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Wednesday 12 March 2014
Memories of Home - Reflections
Last week saw the last of my series 'Memories of Home' I had made a series of houses, some made from card and others created on wood. It was a great way to look back at childhood memories and share some of them. My son also got to see another side of the child I used to be.
Each week I took a word which would be the starting point to launch from and I shared a memory, some of them had been long forgotten.
I enjoyed sharing the memories, some of which were of times me and my brother had spent on our adventures as children, thinking about him and the good times though still difficult at times seem to lessen the sting of his passing. Speaking about him some how keeps his memory alive and feels right, I can't believe at times that he is gone.
When my dad died mum would speak of how they met and how she secretly liked him all along, I found that even after 20 years of him not being with us I still felt the emotional pain.
The more she talked about him the more I remembered and it didn't hurt so much. I still wish he could have seen his grand children and that they could have had more time together.
Now I have finished the series I have been thinking what to do with the houses and want to turn the into some form of book, along with the memories shared and can be passed down to grandchildren and be the stories that are shared and not forgotten - I will let you know how I get on.
I encourage you to take the time to reflect back on your own memories, you might find that they might hold the key to moving forward.
Wooden house collage |
As I made the houses I found I related to them more, and each began to mean more to me and became more a part of me and my stories.
I have found Memories of home has been a way to capture some of my stories, the ones that had been forgotten, and as we get older and family get together's fall to the wayside it has also been extremely important to me as my mothers memory diminishes. What experiences and memories have you been capturing and what special ways have you been able to share them?
Labels:
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Tuesday 11 March 2014
Soul Food - New work and Zen Doodles
I thought I would share some of the work I have been producing from the Soul Food course I have been doing....
In the session led by Heather Santos - 'letting go of perfect', I used a piece of art that just didn't seem to be working and creating a new painting. I drew an outline of a figure I wanted to use and then went about adding the necessary paint.
It has been great so far to be able to work with such a vast array of creatives, in a supportive and encouraging environment. I would definitely do both of these again and have collected a few boxes that I would love to alter. I am finding my pace and looking forward to sharing more as the weeks go on.
Finally, do you doodle?
I was fortunate to have one of my Doodles featured in the book Zen Doodle: Tons of Tangles. Well, North Light Books are producing another book called Oodles of Doodles and they want you to submit your doodles or tangles to the Zen Doodle competition by March 14th, there is no entry fee so get a move on! Check out Create Mixed Media
You can also enter in the following ways:
email them at info@createmixedmedia.com
Instagram — email them at info@createmixedmedia.com via your Instagram account
Pinterest — tag them in the comment @CreateMixedMedia
Twitter – tag them in the comment @CMixedMedia
In the session led by Heather Santos - 'letting go of perfect', I used a piece of art that just didn't seem to be working and creating a new painting. I drew an outline of a figure I wanted to use and then went about adding the necessary paint.
I was pleased with how she eventually turned out.
Sarah Hand showed us how to make paper mache shadow boxes
Shadow Box |
Finally, do you doodle?
I was fortunate to have one of my Doodles featured in the book Zen Doodle: Tons of Tangles. Well, North Light Books are producing another book called Oodles of Doodles and they want you to submit your doodles or tangles to the Zen Doodle competition by March 14th, there is no entry fee so get a move on! Check out Create Mixed Media
You can also enter in the following ways:
email them at info@createmixedmedia.com
Instagram — email them at info@createmixedmedia.com via your Instagram account
Pinterest — tag them in the comment @CreateMixedMedia
Twitter – tag them in the comment @CMixedMedia
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