Tuesday 28 February 2012

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 272 - 278

Maturity
....Comes over time. As children we cannot wait to grow up, pretending that we are older.  When we do get older with all the responsibilities we appreciate when we were without a care in the world, we tend to the aching muscles and the not so 20:20 vision as we peer over glasses to read the fine print and we talk to the younger generation about the things they need to appreciate as they go through their season to gain maturity...


Day 272
Reflection 
What matters most right now in your life?

Quote 
As artists, we must learn to be self nourishing. We must become alert enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them- to restock the trout pond, so to speak. ...Julia Cameron 

Scripture 
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him  2 Corinthians 5:21


Day 273
Reflection 
What is not working right now in your life?.. you can change it 

Quote 
A fine artist is one who makes familiar things new and new things familiar. ...Louis Nizer 

Scripture 
Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11


Day 274
Reflection 
It’s time to focus on what really matters most 

Quote 
When I dare to be powerful… to use my strength in the service of my Vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.  ...Audre Lorde 

Scripture 
And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee  Psalm 9:10


Day 275
Reflection 
You have a choice, don’t let doubt creep in and tell you otherwise. 

Quote 
The grace to be a beginner is always the best prayer for an artist.  ...Julia Cameron 

Scripture 
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord He is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. Deuteronomy 4:39


Day 276
Reflection 
It is time to make a change in those areas of your life that are not working. 

Quote 
Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!  ...The Queen to Alice in Wonderland 

Scripture 
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven  Matthew 5:3


Day 277
Reflection
It is never too late to make a change 

Quote 
Art validates us beyond what anyone else can do for us.  ...Anne Copeland 

Scripture
You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13


Day 278
Reflection 
It may seem hard at the time, but you can stand up for what you believe it. 

Quote 
One looks at life as a gift, a painting of lights and darks, each defining the other, not a series of good and bad things. Giving thanks, and often, frees the spirit and makes the heart secure......Fay Bohlayer 

Scripture 
Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

Monday 20 February 2012

365 Days of Colour - Flower for the day 265 - 271

Laughter
Is sometimes the best medicine we could have.  it can bring relief to a tense situation and also massages the internal organs, what better way to give yourself some much needed love

Day 265


Reflection 
Some doors are meant to be opened, walk through them, stop trying to break down the ones that are closed 

Quote 
Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it. ...Bertolt Brecht 

Scripture  
Truely, truely, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life..John 6:47


Day 266

Reflection 
Make a place for your dreams, and cherish them 

Quote 
You can’t be afraid of stepping on toes if you want to go dancing. ...Lewis Freedman 

Scripture  
Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.. 1 Corinthians 15:57


Day 267
Reflection 
Your blessings are waiting for you 

Quote 
A path is only a path, and there is no affront to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you.  ...Carlos Castenada 

Scripture  
And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.. Ephesians 2:22

Day 268

Reflection 
You are a beautiful work in progress 

Quote 
Art seems to me to be a state of the soul more than anything else. ...Marc Chagall 

Scripture 
...there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God..Romans 13:1


Day 269

Reflection 
Some things we cannot change, but we can change our response to them 

Quote 
Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps. ...David Lloyd George 

Scripture  
My grace is sufficient for thee:  for My strength is made perfect in weakness.. 11 Corinthians 12:9


Day 270

Reflection 
Peace is possible in your life 

Quote
There is no better opportunity to receive more than to be thankful for what you already have. Thanksgiving opens up the windows of opportunity for ideas to flow your way....Jim Rohn 

Scripture  
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.. Proverbs 28:13


Day 271

Reflection 
There are so many wonderful things in your life right now and they are meant for you to enjoy 

Quote 
Art is the triumph over chaos. ...John Cheever 

Scripture  
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised)  Hebrews 10:23



Monday 13 February 2012

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 258 - 264

Fun
When was the last time you really had fun, let go and allowed yourself to enjoy the moment?  Think of three things this week that will bring the fun back into your life.

Day 258
Reflection 
When you feel like quitting, reach out to your support network

Quote 
All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward. ...Ellen Glasgow 

Scripture 
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, not mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.. 1 Corinthians 2:9



Day 259
Reflection
Don’t allow the past  to keep you from moving forward

Quote 
Everyone wants to ride with you in the limo, but what you need is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. ...Oprah Winfrey

Scripture
...he who trustsin the Lord loving kindness shall surround him,..Psalm 3210



Day 260
Reflection
You can have a joyous life 

Quote 
Art has many avenues; love is carried through many vessels. Your oceans are your colours, your ship is your brush and your treasures are in your heart. ...Moncy Barbour

Scripture
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.. Luke 6:37


Day 261
Reflection
The future is waiting for you, don’t be afraid to live in your present

Quote 
Trust in yourself. Your perceptions are often far more accurate than you are willing to believe.  ...Claudia Black

Scripture 
God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him...Hebrews 6:10


Day 262
Reflection 
You can get up again and flying like the eagle 

Quote 
I want to thank anyone who spends part of their day creating. I don’t care if it’s a book, a film, a painting, a dance, a piece of theatre, a piece of music. Anybody who spends part of their day sharing their experience with us. This world would be unliveable without art. ...Steven Soderbergh

Scripture
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27


Day 263
Reflection 
Go on, let go!

Quote 
You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition....Alan Alda

Scripture
...The holy Scriptures...are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.. 11 Timothy 3:15


Day 264
Reflection 
The doors are opening, are your ready to walk though 

Quote 
How can a man’s life keep its course if he will not let it flow?  ... Tao-te Ching

Scripture
Truely, truly, I say to you , he who believes has eternal life..John 6:47

Sunday 12 February 2012

A Bit of Play

 
Art and Creativity are essential for our health and well-being, I have been spending a lot of time in my art journals - making them and creating some smaller pieces of art
With the course that I have been doing since January nearly halfway through run by Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls, it has been getting me to look at the very heart of my business, the why, who, what, where and when.. 
What I am reminded of for the week to come is that ALL of me needs to be taken care of, the business is essentially the heart of me and what I want to express into the world.

We have had a range of inspiring contributions and there is an amazing amount of talented and supportive participants on the course.  I have been doing a lot of searching, developing and writing and know that when you do feel off, or out of sorts you need to listen carefully to that still voice, it can be a reflection of the change that needs to happen or that is currently taking place..

We have to be gentle with our hearts through the change!
Remembering that all parts of us need to be cared for.  I was blessed to have a massage last week, this week I will be doing some more walking, talking lots of photographs, spending time with family and tending to my overall health so that I can continue to flourish and be the whole person I am called to be. 

Remembering that you are blessed - stretch yourself, what are you going to do with your week? 





Friday 10 February 2012

A Walk in the Park...

Took a stroll in the park this morning.  Had about 3 inches of snow fall last night, there was a lot of ice covered by a new layer of snow so it was crunchy to walk on.  The only only other people who ventured out were some joggers and a couple of dog walkers and me! 



There was such a peace about the place, it reminded me of scenes from Narnia in the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
 

Scenes enticing you to venture in and take a peak 
I also had the joy of seeing a group of Parakeets.  I was informed by a guy walking his dog that they have been resident in the park for many years, it was great to see their bright colours on such a cold day,
and the blue skies reminding me of summers yet to come....

Monday 6 February 2012

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day - 251 - 257

Well-Being
There is much research done on exactly what 'well-being' means, whilst being more than feeling happy it's about our overall contribution to our personal development, our community and the society at large. We can all make a difference - even if it is just one person in this world, what about making a difference to your own life.   With all the snow we've had here in London we are hard pushed in seeing flowers that are so gorgeous, doesn't hurt to imagine your sitting in the sun as you enjoy them.  
Have a blessed week!

Day 251

Reflection
Honesty, peace and love is what your life needs right now, you deserve no less.

Quote 
People who have not been in Narnia sometimes think that a thing cannot be good and terrible at the same time. ...C.S. Lewis

Scripture
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness  James 3:18


 Day 252

Reflection
The sacrifices were worth it, you came out whole at the other end

Quote 
He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough. ...Lao-tzu

Scripture
The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth...Exodus 34:6


 Day 253

Reflection
You can do it, you know it, everyone else knows it, are you ready?

Quote 
Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new. ...Brian Tracy

Scripture
All the paths of the Lord are Loving kindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.. Psalm 25:10


 Day 254

Reflection
Take a deep breath!

Quote 
It is better to create than to be learned; creating is the true essence of life.  ...George Niebuhr

Scripture
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1


 Day 255

Reflection
When we come through the pain we can look back at the gifts we had along the way

Quote 
Where you stumble, there your treasure lies. ...Joseph Campbell

Scripture
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer; believing, ye shall receive...Matthew 21:22


Day 256

Reflection
Are you ready to live your life right now

Quote 
Creativity is… seeing something that doesn’t exist already. You need to find out how you can bring it into being and that way be a playmate with God. ...Michele Shea

Scripture
Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty..Job  5:17


 Day 257


Reflection
Your life deserves your attention

Quote 
Creativity can be described as letting go of certainties. ...Gail Sheehy

Scripture
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away...Matthew 24:35


Sunday 5 February 2012

Massage - Pamper yourself!

                                                                               Source: rikyu.co.uk via Amanda on Pinterest

Spent some time on me last week out of the busy schedule and had a massage.  It was so nice to be able to stop for an hour and just relax and think!  When was the last time you spent some time on you?

I have been going to a delightful massage therapist called Emi Hojo for around a year - off and on.  She is welcoming, encouraging and having studied massage myself, she definitely has a great technique.  For such a small woman she can definitely work those knots and unworked muscles and give you a great deep tissue treatment.

                                                                                   Source: rikyu.co.uk via Amanda on Pinterest

I had promised myself last year that I would have a regular massage each month, but good intentions gave way to neglect and then the thought of 'you couldn't possibly spend time on yourself what are you thinking'.

With 3 months of challenges behind me and ones that are continuing I was reminded that it is the small things that you do on a regular basis that will improve your health and well-being, so going for a walk for 20 minutes, spending time creating and getting a massage on a regular basis as well as anything else that can improve your fitness will have an overall positive effect.  I definitely recommend  Emi, take a look at her website Rikyu Health and Beauty, and think about treating yourself, you won't be disappointed. After the treatment I lay listening to the bird song and waves in the dimly lit room, and after dressing was given a delicious rose tea to send me on my way.
    Source: rikyu.co.uk via Amanda on Pinterest
As well as the monthly things you can do for 'you' think of the daily activities you can treat yourself to that do not cost anything.  You can go sit in your local park, wander round an art shop or gallery, go to a cafe, soak in the bath with your favourite products....the list is endless  With February being a short month think of other ways you can incorporate a 'just for you' activity on a daily basis and enjoy the end results

Monday 30 January 2012

Photographing Art work - Clearing the Clutter Challenge Day 30

 
This has been quite a month of photographing, writing and posting and still catching up, and one of the major tasks I have been putting off is taking new photographs of art work and uploading them on the website.  I have many pieces of art work and crafts for sale and the only thing holding me back at the moment is how they are presented.   Decided to take a bit of time on this and next week it will be on the top of my list and I will give myself the time and space to focus.  

Started the course Hello Soul Hello Business earlier this month and it is really getting us to think about the what and the why of our businesses, and I have gained new insight into where I want it to go.  In February I will be taking a break from the 30 day challenges, life can sometimes be one big challenge and need to just consolidate everything else that I am doing and get down to the meat of the course, and follow up on some of the things I unearthed over the past few months....also want to get back to some journalling, have been doing some as I have been clearing the clutter, will be sharing some of the pages soon.

I also want to play around with some digital art, itching to start doing some work from Susan Tuttles book - Digital Expressions to see what I come up with.  So with this it's good bye January, and hello February! Do share what will be new for you in February?  Do you have a course or book you want to try?

Saturday 28 January 2012

Clearing the Clutter Challenge - The Teenagers Room










   












What to do in my son's room, there are a few options, not sure he would appreciate all of them..though he would get the leg space he needs in this one!  
 

This one might work without the extra beds and suspended from the ceiling, but with more leg room he's still growing and his legs currently hang over his current bed (help!)

Might be forced to use the two palms in the garden to recreate this, there is lot of storage space out there, not sure if  he would enjoy sharing his room with the wild life! But I would get my studio (Lol!)


I think I've found it give or take the colour and the posters and wall space.... (Sekani....come here and look at this! :) 
Source: Uploaded by user via Kaye on Pinterest 

Now maybe a new look for my room is due......
Source: bhg.com via Natalie on Pinterest                                                                                                                                                                

Friday 27 January 2012

Clearing the Clutter Challenge - What's happening in the Garden? Day 27 and 29

Well, what can I say, nearly the end of the challenge and I have been quite on it (for most of the time).  I know we all have that part of the house, or our space - somewhere that needs clearing, organising or just plain dumping.  Wanting to make a fresh start and catch up with yourself.  I have unearthed many delights I forgot I had.  I will be posting for previous days to let you know how I got on.

Today's challenge was to sort out the garden and I have combined this with day 29

Its amazing what the wind can do, we have 2 New Zealand Cordyline australis palms in our garden I planted about 8/9 years ago, didn’t realise that we would be constantly picking up the fallen leaves, but they do look glorious in the summer with their lovely smelling flowers. When you open up the kitchen window you get a whiff.. 
 
Once fallen I have been using the leaves to tie plants together, when you split the fallen wet leaf they are quite strong and you need scissors to cut them width ways.  I haven't come up with any creative weaving ideas for the Cordyline Australis.... here is more information about the plant if your interested... .  They have also been useful as ground cover to protect the roots of some of the plants, I haven't yet tried to dry them and use them in an art piece....
 
The back of the garden got quite a bashing in the high winds. I have been thinking of converting the shed into an art space, at the moment it has a lot of things that also needs sorting, but thats for another day!
 

The other thing that needs work is the plum tree, it should have been cut back at least 2 summers ago, so we will be cutting it back this year. Hopefully we'll get a better crop of plums, though the birds have fed off the ones we couldn't reach.

Speaking of the birds I hung some fat balls, I love hearing them sing and thought I would take part in the RSPB big garden Birdwatch this weekend. It is an opportunity to see which ones are coming into the garden.  The RSPB also suggest ways in which you can make your garden or space more bird and wildlife friendly. I am hoping to get some pictures of the birds that are our regular visitors, and may be inspired to get some ideas down for the shed come studio! What outside jobs have you been putting off?






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