365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 188 - 194

Day 188

Reflection

Treat yourself like the treasure that you are.

Quote

Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul...

W. Somerset Maugham

Scripture

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us...1 John 5:14

Day 189

Reflection

Let go and shine, like the star you are becoming

Quote

I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit.  ....Dawna Markova

Scripture

..the Lord delights in those who far Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love...Psalm 147:11

Day 190

Reflection

Take the time to sit back and really enjoy the blessings in your life

Quote

Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, “Grow, grow.” ..

The Talmud

Scripture

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice..Psalm 97:1

Day 191

Reflection

Love is the key, how will you show yourself that love

Quote

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive...

Harold Whitman

Scripture

And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased..Hebrews 13:16

Day 192

Reflection

It’s your time to let love in for you

Quote

All is procession. The universe is a procession with measured and beautiful motion...

Walt Whitman

Scripture

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God...Matthew 5:9

Day 193

Reflection

Amazing blessings will start to unfold into your life

Quote

I believe the lasting revolution comes from deep changes in ourselves which influence our collective life.  ....Anais Nin

Scripture

For He will give His angels charge concerning

Day 194

Reflection

Bless yourself with honesty, be gentle

Quote

The position of the artist is humble. He is essentially a channel...Piet Mondrian

Scripture

For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways...

Psalm 91:11

Try Something New for 30 Days December 2011 Challenge

December sees a new month and new challenges to be had!  I really want to make changes to every aspect of my life and starting out with small changes will eventually become bigger changes.  You can see how I got on with the November walking challenge.

The challenge I have set myself this month will be to write a minimum of 100 words a day.  The overall aim is to write a selection of childrens short stories combined with my mixed media art work in it. This is something I have always wanted to do, and thought why not for one month - again giving myself small chunks a day at a time see how I get on, I might find that I absolutely love it, or find that it was great for a month and its not something I want to continue. 

One of my favourite childrens books is by Ezra Jack Keats I still have a copy of The Snowy Day, he used a combination of gouache with collage in his work.

I was inspired back in 2010 to look at how I could combine my work into stories in a similar way.  This is how my decision to write started out....never took off and changed direction slightly:

• In 2004 I decided that I wanted to write childrens books, I never did, all I did was write a list of 45 possible titles, not sure why, but felt compelled to, I was determined to write......

• 2006 - I updated the book in January and promised myself that I would start at the end of the month.....
• 2007 saw me reviewing my goals ....and
• 2010 February after looking at why I hadn't started I realised I didn't want to write childrens books but childrens short stories and combine my love for mixed media.

So in December 2011 I have been nervous about committing myself, but you have to jump sometime!  I worked out that even doing my morning pages I write close to 1000 words if not more on occasions. So I will start, the main aim being not to complete the 45 story titles but to enjoy the process of writing and creating the art. If you don't start now when will you start, there is no time like the present!

If you would like to join in and give yourself a challenge this month leave your link below so that we can visit your blog and give you support and encouragment.  I will be leaving update posts each week to share how I have been getting on and look forward to visiting your blogs to see how you have been getting on.

Update - Week 1 and 2

Art Every Day Month (AEDM) and Try Something New Challenge Week 4 Update

Today sees the end of two challenges that I have been doing, the Art Every Day Month (AEDM) in my Mixed Media Art blog and Try Something New for 30 days here on this blog. With the AEDM the main thing was to do something creative every day and  I have thoroughly enjoyed taking part. 

Spending time with our creativity takes practice and discipline and over the course of time you see the value of spending getting to know yourself and how you work even if it is for only 5 minutes.   I still plan to visit the other artists that took part over the month there is so much inspiring work out there and a big thanks goes out to Leah Piken Kolidas for hosting AEDM as well as other challenges.

Making time for 'me' and and achieving goals were the reasons why I wanted to start the challenge Try something new, I realised there are so many things we say we are 'going to do' but the time passes and before we know it the years have passed us by.  It feels like yesterday that I committed myself to walking 20 minutes a day but it was 30 days ago, that's how fast time is flying....

...we have no guarantees about tomorrow, what are you going to do with your today?

I now know how easy it is to get myself up and out and enjoy walking, I have also found ways to be flexible and fit around my schedule and though we have come to the end of the month it is something  I will keep up, alongside creating daily.

For December I have decided to do another challenge for 30 days, something that I've always said I would do but didn't find the time.  I will be glad for others to join in.  What have you always said you wanted to do?  Make it a realistic challenge that you can stick to, break it down and set yourself up to look back at the end of December and see that the challenge is completed!

You will be able to leave your blog link details in the main section so that we can visit you and give you support and encouragement during the month.  Would love to hear your thoughts on challenges that you have done!

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 181 - 187

Officially half way through these, only 178 images, quotes, scriptures and reflections to go!  It's been very rewarding, I hope you are still being inspired.  Stay blessed as you go through your week

Day 181

Reflection

Forgiveness is the key

Quote

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike....John Muir

Scripture

...with God all things are possible..Mark 10:27

Day 182

Reflection

It will get better

Quote

This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind…. Let it be something good....Unknown

Scripture

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him..Psalm 18:30

Day 183

Reflection

All is well, all is at peace.

Quote

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.  ....Kahlil Gibran

Scripture

I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you...John 14:18

Day 184

Reflection

Can you believe it, you’ve come a long way

Quote

Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete. If you’re alive, it isn’t...Richard Bach

Scripture

By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy..

Hebrews 10:14

Day 185

Reflection

Smiling is contagious

Quote

There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day....Alexander Woollcott

Scripture

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His loving kindness is everlasting...

1 Chronicles 16:34

Day 186

Reflection

You are beautiful inside and out

Quote

People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering.  ....St. Augustine

Scripture

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it...Hebrews 13:2

Day 187

Reflection

Take the time to nurture the dreams that live within you

Quote

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes...Marcel Proust

Scripture

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe...

Proverbs 18:10