Sorry for the long absence, was missing in action, and felt snowed under with work, courses, and a whole host of other things that can sap you time. I decided to give myself the time that I needed to reflect, and review.
I just did this mini video to remind myself that the many gifts and talents we are blessed with are to share with the world, despite how we are feeling in the moment there is always someone who is feeling worse and we are called to try and inspire and encourage each other. I hope you are having a blessed day what ever you are doing. After much mist and a chilly start here in London the sun has come out, so I will be going to get my quota of vitamin D and get back on track.
Got lots to share over the coming weeks, will be resuming posting the rest of the 365 days of colour, been doing a few courses to share, new art work and more! The video below was so easy to put together it would be great to see your efforts....
GoAnimate.com: Water Cooler moment - Be a blessing by Realityarts
Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!
Thursday 15 March 2012
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
Day 273
Day 274
Day 275
Day 276
Day 277
Day 278
....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
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?
Labels:
art
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Balance
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Beth Nicholls
,
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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....
Labels:
Birdwatch
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Parakeets
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Videos
,
Walking Challenge
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
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
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
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!
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.
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
Labels:
Massage
,
Pampering
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Relaxation
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Rikyu Health and Beauty
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well-being
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?
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!
Source: yayeveryday.com via Vanessa on Pinterest
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!)
Uploaded by user via Katie on Pinterest
I think I've found it give or take the colour and the posters and wall space.... (Sekani....come here and look at this! :)
Labels:
30 Day challenge
,
Bedrooms
,
Clearing the Clutter challenge
,
Teenagers
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
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 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?
Labels:
30 Day challenge
,
Birdwatch
,
Clearing the Clutter challenge
,
Garden
,
RSPB
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