Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Week 85 - Hope

Hope is something that I can never tire of writing about as it makes it way through our existence.  We hope and wish for better things to come, we look at our day to day and are grateful for that which we receive, it gives us a new dimension to hope.

I can think of many times through my life where I have hoped for a different outcome, wanting so badly for things to go my way, and not understanding the eventual outcome.  My hope that my mum would make a miraculous recovery and the dementia to disappear, or that my brother would be healed from Cancer and live to see old age with his big sisters, while chasing around after his grandchildren, but I have had to reassess the hope that I had with the present I now see.

Hope caused me to look at things in a different light and perspective.  With a slightly different eye and as painful as it sometimes was, situations didn't always play out as you intended them to.  When I looked from an objective perspective it enabled me to see where there was room for change that would allow me flexibility and growth.

I have learnt so much through illness and death of those people around me that I love and thought would be here forever, and I now see the world with new eyes, still hopeful, not taking it for granted, but expectant.  As you reflect on aspects of your life what key things are you learning?

I am grateful for life's lessons, for the hope that we have within us that can change the course of our lives.  I celebrate the life that we need to make more of and those wishes I made as a child and the ones that have come to pass.

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Quote Wednesday - Chodron

To be fully alive, fully human and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the next...Pema Chodron

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life! 

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings!

Material Mondays - Mixed Media Necklace

It has been a while since I posted to the Material Mondays and I thought I would kick off with something that I had great fun in making.

Mixed Media Necklace

It is a mixed Media necklace that uses broken pieces of jewelry, embellishments, beads and things and then is wrapped in fabric and then painted and is very light to wear. I have been finding it so refreshing giving new life to some of my favorite pieces of jewelry that had previously broken.

I hadn't done any jewelry type projects for a while so this one satisfied the mixed media side and wanting to do something slightly new.

I have a few different things that I will share with you for the Material Mondays that over the course of the months I have either been itching to try or have started and they got shelved.  I think we all have those times where we create and either get bored or distracted and start on something else, I can't be the only one.  Sometimes I really have to reign myself in so that I can get a project complete.  At the end of the day you have to be happy with the way you work and I think that I have found my pace.

Do come back for Material Mondays to see what I share next week.  You can check out some of the previous projects HERE.  I am hoping to get some videos going to show you how you can put your own pieces together so stay tuned!

I would love to have your comments, and if you haven't already subscribe to my blog make sure you do so that you can be alerted for any new posts.  Blessings!

Quote Wednesday - Stephen Covey

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.....Stephen Covey

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life! 

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings!

Word for the Week - Philippians 1:6

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...He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.... Philippians 1:6

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

New - Recycled Projects Returns - Cardboard Bookcase

Welcome to a long overdue Recycled Project, and I look forward to sharing with you things that I create out of the things that we would normally recycle and give no thought to.

I will be doing a mixture of Art and Creativity and DIY projects that take my fancy.  If you want to see some of the previous projects you can find them HERE and there are a few more dotted around the blog which I will be gathering together into one place - though that's for another time.

Cardboard Bookshelf

I recently finished this bookcase, I am really proud of myself for making it.

It has truly been a labor of love and quite challenging at times but I persevered and here we have it finished, painted, distressed and ready for the purpose it was built. 

It started off as empty cardboard boxes, I got the basic plan from a youtuber HERE, with my limited Spanish followed along then went and added my own flair

Putting it together was fun

I added a shelf on top and a draw for smaller books

  

I made the feet out of masking tape tubes after they had been used on the structure

After covering most of it with paper, I decided to make some paper tubes and decorate the bookcase with these

At the home stretch with painting, sealing and then embellishing with a gold rub-on

My bookcase is ready, this is how the draw turned out

I couldn't decide whether to leave it in the bedroom or the studio which it was originally made for.

It is great to see something that would have been thrown away become so useful.  There are some amazing things that you can make with cardboard, and I will be sharing more here on the blog.  I will also be putting together the video of the process of making bookcase and I hope you give it a try.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think!  Watch out for other creative makes!

Quote Wednesday - Albert Einstein

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds...Albert Einstein

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life! 

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings!

Word for the Week - john 15:7

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you..  

John 15:7

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Quote Wednesday - Wally Amos

It doesn't matter how many say it cannot be done or how many people have tried it before; it's important to realize that whatever you're doing, its your first attempt at it....Wally Amos

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life! 

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings!

Word for the Week - Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.. Isaiah 43:2

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Quote Wednesday - Henry Ford

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.. Henry Ford

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life! 

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings!

Word for the Week - Isaiah 33:6

He will be the sure foundation of your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure... Isaiah 33:6

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Gratitudes and Celebration Journal - Week 84 - Change

Gratitude's and Celebrations

Changes have been in process, and it is a funny thing, when you try and imagine how circumstances will turn out they never quite fit with how you imagine they would.  The one thing that I have learn over the years is the need to stay flexible and not be too ridged.

Changes come in different packages

I have had a busy week and I will be sharing about the events of the Barbados Alzheimer's Association tomorrow with more images, and look at what I have been doing with them a bit closer.

I was able to share about my experience with dementia and creative activities to a range of different people at the Barbados Alzheimer's Association Seminar called 'Remember Me', and got to give them a glimpse of what can be done using creativity and reminiscence.

Talking about Art and Creativity for Dementia at BAA

I have had to see my self in a different light, one where I can offer support in a new way and be a blessing to others.  I don't have my mother to look after, and every thing that I learnt caring for her I can share - both the ups and the downs and the many bits in-between!

 

BAA Open day - 'Remember Me'

We all have much to share about the changes in our lives and we have to step into those changes boldly, looking for the opportunities to make a difference in someones life.

I am grateful and celebrate the changes that come and the things that we can learn from each one, how ever big or small! 

I feel that each experience actually prepares us for new adventures and we have to make sure we have all the tools that we need to move forward, gathering them along life's journey and helping us to see things from a different perspective.

I am grateful to still be able to share my creativity and my art and know that someone somewhere is being blessed,  just as you too can use different means to share your story, I encourage you today to reach out and share your story in a different way - shining your light for all to see!

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something creative!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Quote Wednesday - Arianne Huffington

We are not on this earth to accumulate victories, things and experiences, but to be whittled and sandpapered until what's left is who we truly are....Arianna Huffington

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life! 

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings!

Word for the Week - Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword... able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart... Hebrews 4:9

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Quote Wednesday - Oprah Winfrey

Breath.  Let go.  And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure....Oprah Winfrey

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life! 

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings!

Word for the Week - Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.. Ephesians 2:8

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Word for the Week - Psalm 68:5

A father of the fatherless....is God in his holy habitation ...Psalm 68:5

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?