Creating in Faith - Relationships and your Creative Journey

How healthy are your creative relationships?

Our relationships can take many forms and we have to nurture them, how are you nurturing the relationship that you have with yourself.

We can often be faced with remnants of the negative aspects of relationships of the past and these can spill over into our adult life and then impact on other relationships that we may have.

The inner critic often gets a lot of exposure as having the biggest impact on all of our relationships, but we have to look at ways in which we can work with our inner critic

In this podcast I examine some of these relationships especially the creative ones and look at ways in which we can find harmony

Review - Paperless Post

I was asked to do a review on a company called Paperless Post, and to see what I thought about their services, and it couldn't have come at a better time, because of the service that they offer.

I have been in between homes in London and Barbados and with birthdays, anniversaries and more often coming up I am always looking for a way to remember to send that card for that special person, and stay in touch with friends and family.  Often I have used social media to say Happy Birthday greetings, but receiving a card has always been my preference in this fast paced life.

Paperless post seems to cover two areas in one sweep with their online Invitations, Cards and Flyers.  It is much more special receiving an electronic card rather than a one line message on social media and you can send greeting cards and more via their site.

They are also great for those planning an event and need to send out invitations locally and around the world, and you are able to track whether the card has been opened.  So for those planning weddings and parties you can get a better idea of numbers and following up on your invited guests - all you need is their email address.  You can receive cards as well, and send a reply from your account and keep track of who you have sent a card to.

Paperless Post partnered with designers and lifestyle brands, delivering millions of cards around the world and have an impressive range of designs that you can alter to your own specifications, whether it is the colour, text, backgrounds, and the inside of the envelope.  You can also upload your own designs, and as an artist I love the idea of being able to upload my work and send as a greeting card.

A drawing I created and will upload as an online card

You can send a standard online card for free, for additional functions you will have to purchase coins to use to edit the cards and get a selection of online envelopes. You can purchase 100 coins for $20.  You can create a standard card with text details and envelope for around 6 coins, which is about 1.2 cents per card!!.  If you are sending out invitations and in volume then you will need additional coins which you can purchase to meet your needs.

Flyers are another thing that I am always creating and you are also able to create online invitation fliers that you can post on social media, or send to your mailing list and receive a response to you invitations and keep track of the attendees.

For those of you who still want to send a printed card you can do so.  Paperless Post have a print partner called Paper Source, they have a minimum order quantity of 20.  But you are also able to print your own cards using a design and templates they provide you can do it yourself and add your own spice to the overall look, and is great if you are on a budget.

One of the things I like most about Paperless Post is that I can schedule cards to go out to loved ones.  I can design all the cards for the birthdays coming up, or just send a 'just because' card and then schedule them to go out for specific dates, and they have access to the cards immediately.  So what you waiting for, check it out and let me know how you get on.

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

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The Relatives Came - to Barbados!

We had a lovely time when my sister and her family came to stay with us a few months ago and I've been so caught up with different things that it is only now that I can get a chance to share some of that time spent.  Their visit reminded me about the book that I used to read to my son entitled The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant  

It is a gorgeous book that tells of a family setting out in their car to visit relatives and spend time with them over the summer, everyone shares the space and makes room for each other.  Cynthia has written quite a lot of children's books and more recently - Little Penguins.

They are both available on Kindle and Hardback and would make lovely gifts for children.

When we were children we would spend time weekend at our cousins, the furthest we went was to visit cousins in Manchester, and I didn't go on a plane until I was 18, unlike now where most children have been on a plane by the time they are 2 years old.  We all look back with fond memories of the times we had and the feeling of not having care in the world.  It is very different now as our kids don't meet up nearly as often and connect more via social media, but you can't beat spending time in person with the folks!

Anyway, my sister and her family came to stay with us and it was great!  We spent time going out and about, relaxing in each others company and laughing.

I indulged over those two weeks. 

 Here is a very delicious yet rich treat I had - Carrot cake at the Waterfront Cafe  it was absolutely delicious, they also do a yummy bread and butter pudding (both of which I shouldn't eat due to the intolerance to wheat and dairy, and I may try to create an alternative on my Raw Foods Fusion Blog).

We walked on the Boardwalk and saw the sun setting.  

You will never get tired watching the sunset, 

and it seems different each time, so beautiful, and we get to enjoy it every day!

We took a drive down to the Crane, again so nice to be by the sea!

Graham Hall Sanctuary was on the list, while the sanctuary part is closed they have a cafe and the grounds are beautifully maintained, and during the afternoon the monkeys move across the lawn to nearby trees 

 It is a lovely place to visit!

Saw the pre cropover celebrations in Broad Street

They had to leave the day of Cropover, though it has changed quite a bit when I first saw it many years ago. I miss the more elaborately designed costumes.

Anyway, they got a taster at least.  One of our final visits took us to the Flower Forest - and I have some amazing photos to share with you.

After the fun and laughter the hugs and the 'see you soon' it was time for them to return to London, the time went so quickly, we tried to value each moment, and continue to remind ourselves that we are not promised tomorrow. Our trip to the UK followed, but I'll share that in another post.

I will also be sharing lots of the images of each visit on my Destination Barbados Blog (under construction at the moment) which is all about my time here, the ups and downs of relocating, there will be lots of imagery as I soak up the beauty of the island......I hope you can join me!

BBC - Wanted in Paradise - Trip to Barbados

Wanted in Paradise - Me, Alan and Sekani as we visit one of 3 properties on the island

Wanted in Paradise - Our accomodation

Last year we had the opportunity to take a trip to Barbados with the BBC to see what it would be like to live there. You can see the post I wrote HERE 

The Wanted in Paradise series follows 8 families around to see what goes into the decision to relocating to another country, and we went to sunny Barbados.  We explored the heartache and soul searching that goes into making a decision in a search for a better quality of life.

You can see our program HERE

Wanted in Paradise

We met lots of people and found out lots of information to help us inform our decision. For those of you that are familiar with my blog and my story as a carer you will know that I look after my mother who is suffering from dementia, so thoughts of relocation will have to be thought through with great care.

I have always thought my ideal will be the ability to stay in both places when the weather is at its' best - 6 months in the UK and 6 months in Barbados, obviously my work - art and creativity have to be able to be flexible and in an ideal world I will have an gorgeous studio like the artist I met - Janice Silvia Brock

The program aired on Thursday and there were lots that we filmed that wasn't included, people we had talked to and family members who had given their point of view.  I guess that there is a limit in an hour to what can be included and you would probably need a whole new show to fit every thing in!

Overall I felt that it gave a flavor of the decisions that we had to make the difficulty of the very thought of leaving family and friends behind to embark on a new place to call home.  Take a look and see how difficult the decision was and what we eventually decide.

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

R is for Relationships

We had the private view for the Art and Healing exhibition which brought together a range of artists, art psychotherapists and clients.  My painting is about the relationship I have with my mother as her carer, but the other relationships we have to have to fit the role that we perform at any given moment.  My painting sums up for me how I compartmentalise and manage the many roles in order to have some continuity with situations and relationships that can seemingly change from one moment to the next. 

It was great to see so many people come out and it was a lovely surprise to meet for the first time fellow blogger Hilary from Positive letters, Inspirational Stories   We have been connecting online through our blogs and it was great to meet her in person.  I have really enjoyed her blog and it is also very informative.

The relationships that can develop from connecting on line is something quite special, and my journey as a blogger has been made richer by the many friendships I have been able to make.

Painting for the day

Each day I will show a completed piece of art or journal page hope you enjoy today's

Blog Love

I am sharing some love with those who are also taking part in the challenge, it's not everyone whose blog starts with the letter R, but a few of them for you to start with....

Rhonda - Laugh Quotes

Refractions and Reflections 

Row does A-Z

Rainbow Hues  

Rossandra White 

 

Gratitudes - Relationships

Relationships

No man is an island and maintaining relationships is important, so too is renewing old acquaintances...

Friendship

I said goodbye to a dear friend on Saturday 26th March, Barbara,  who unexpectedly passed away. She was the one I referred to in the post Balance and taking time out for friends, I’m so glad we spent the whole day together talking about our art, exhibitions, favourite artists, new techniques, faith and generally what was on our heart.

We have known each other for over 30 years having gone to college together studying a secretarial course. We came out after two years ready to face the world as PA's. Whilst this was not our passion we committed to it. Our paths throughout the years ran parallel at so may points.....

We sung together, trying to fulfil our 17 year old heads the dreams of forming a group with college friends Vilma and Juliet, hoping to tour the world. We trod the boards together, joining a group to write and perform our own community opera called Bloodties, and we toured many theatres.

We were at each other’s weddings. I remember when she first introduced us to her now husband, Phil in our 20’s we all hoped that one day we’d meet men like him. Our children were born and played together and she was blessed to have 4 beautiful daughters and a son. They have all been blessed with many wonderful talents waiting to be unleashed into the world

We shared our work environment for around 3 years literally side by side in the same organisation as executive PA’s sharing our experience, knowledge and much laughter. We shared our love and passion for art together. Barbara took the step to leave the organisation to pursue a degree in fine art. We always talked about wanting more time to be creative, having more space and inspiration but we encouraged each other, and she graduated in 2010. I was very proud of her as I attended her graduation show. We talked about collaborating again on an exhibition together later this year.

We shared our faith together. Barbara had an insight to the word of God that would touch your heart in the very place that it was needed. She had so many books within her waiting to be birthed; she had a unique wisdom and understanding. I saw her preach for the first time two weeks ago, and it was definitely a word for the season.

She touched many people’s lives over the years, both young and old and was a friend who I never imagined knowing after 30 years – (that seemed like a lifetime) - but time passed anyway...there were so many other things we were encouraging each other to do. This experience so brings home to me how precious our lives are, we don’t have any guarantee about tomorrow, so what are we going to do with our today? How many plans we make to see friends, catch up, or things we say we want to do, places to visit, but we put it off saying ‘I’ll do it tomorrow or next week’ and allow stuff to get in the way with our promises to ourselves being pushed further and further into the background.

I’m so glad that our day spent together was spent talking about our passions for art and creativity, our goals and dreams, in laughter and love. I value the years we have known each other and it has made me reassess all the other parts of my life that I have no guarantees about, everything I say I want to do, from my art, travel, adventures, to sending that card, making that call and spending more quality time with my family and friends. I will make the time and space for each, not putting it off or being distracted, but being in the moment, living in the moment and appreciating each moment, in balance.

My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost friends and loved ones. To Barbara’s family who I adopted many moons ago as my own, that they find the strength and courage to get through what seems like a very dark place, and find the joy and laughter that follow the tears as they ponder on the memories, Barbara’s grace, understanding, kindness, talent, humour, those laugh-out-loud moments, the way she encouraged and the way she loved.......Stay blessed!