Creating in Faith - Belief

Whose report do you believe?  It can be far easier to accept a negative comment and spend time mulling over in your mind how someone could say or think that about us and we spend days going over the conversation even delving to the depths to ask ourselves what is wrong with us. 

When someone says something encouraging or complimentary do you find yourself going over this in your mind, agreeing with the positive comment about your life in the same way as the negative?  The chances are you don’t. We have all had times when somebody says something nice about what your wearing and before you say thank you start to put yourself down and say “this old thing, I’ve had it for years” you feel uncomfortable when people say good things about you and for every positive comment you can probably find 100 negative ones.    

Last year I did a course called Crafting my best life, and one of the exercises was ask 5 people (friends and family) what they loved, valued and admired about you.  I initially had difficulty with the thought of asking these questions, you know that they care for you but sometimes you get lost in the well of ‘stuff’  and can’t see the good things that others see and think about you.  I was really touched by the response and have put these reminders in a place for times when I forget my strengths and can only see my faults, for those times when all seems like it is lost and I get lost in the ‘stuff’ because I know that these times will pass for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

Despite what you feel about yourself there are others that wished they were in the same room as you, could receive a smile or kind word from you, and who are really inspired by you and your creativity and find you a blessing. 

As you go about your day to day this coming week think about 3 things you love about yourself and 3 things you admire and place these in a prominent place and look at them every day.   How can you express these in your art journal or another creative way.  Please share your thoughts   Blessingsx

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight...Proverbs 3:6

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.   John 3:16

Gratitudes - Loss

Loss

It’s a weird one to be grateful for or to see as a gift. When we suffer loss we are minded how precious our lives and our relationships are.

What are you grateful for this week?

52 Weeks of Colour - Friendships

Reflections

Some friendships do not last as lifetime 

Quote 

And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more. ...Erica Jong 

Scripture

...be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 2:1.......

Creating in Faith - Trust

What do you do when someone abuses your trust, how does it make you feel and what actions can you take to prevent it from happening again? Does forgiving mean that you allow them the space to change and back into your life? Do you constantly wonder if and when they will do it again, or do you keep them at arm’s length? How far does your trust go?

When we are young we have limited power to prevent some of the hurtful things that can happen, but as you grow up you begin to get a sense of yourself can exercise your power to decide who to allow into your space. Last year I took Melody Ross’s Soul Restoration workshop and it looks at the restoration of you, comparing your life to a house and the action of clearing out your space - deciding who to let into your home, through the front gate or even who just walks past the gate and says hello!   The post man delivers letters through your letter box he doesn’t come in the back door, put the post on the table, make himself a cup of tea while searching through the cupboards to see if you have those chocolate biscuits he likes....(well mine doesn’t).   We decide and should have control over the atmosphere and energy we surround ourselves in especially in the space that should be our sanctuary – our homes!

 How many times have you been hurt by someone you thought cared for you and you let back into your life only to have them stomp and trample over your feelings. We DO have to forgive and the bible says in Ephesians 4:32 “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”  I feel that the benefits of not having negative energy and abuse in my personal space and surrounding myself with supportive people far outweighs the value of the relationship I could have with someone who really doesn’t care about me.

We have to use discernment, the bible tells us to “speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord” Ephesians 5:19, but you can’t do that if your cussing and carrying on. At the end of the day you can’t have a relationship without trust, and as you go about the coming week, think of times where you knew you should and can make different choices, based on the different levels of trust needed for the situation.  Blessings...

If you would like to see how I made the book mark pockets check out the post Bookmark Pockets

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures and reflections in your art this week.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

Gratitudes - Patience

Patience

I once asked for patience and got a series of situations that really tested me to the limit.  I came out knowing I was stronger...

What are you grateful for this week?

21 Secrets - The Art of Texture - Christy Tomlinson

I've always loved using texture in my work and Christy's workshop encourages you to play and experiment with different textures including modelling paste.

Poly filler used with glitter and water soluable pencils

I experimented slightly and found that poly filler - the fine one works really well, and I got to use some of the stencils that I hadn't worked with for quite some time.  Here are two different examples from journals that I used the poly filler in.  The one above uses water soluable pencils and glitter and the one below also combines acrylics, stencils as well.  I do like how it raises the surface and will be using it more in my work.

 This is how it started out

I'm not sure if I am finished yet

52 Weeks of Colour - Choice

Reflection

Make the most of the time you have 

Quote

No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place. ...Zen saying

Scripture

Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,... Col 3:23 

Creating in Faith - Faith

We have faith about things that don’t even require us to even think about and often take them for granted.  Unless you have a respiratory problem you know without a doubt that you will inhale and exhale and that all the functions of the body will take place without very much assistance from us.  Depending on where we live in the world we know that night will follow day, and the seasons, as unpredictable as they have been will follow some sort of order.....

We have faith that God is working in our lives.  We know that there is a God who never fails, who carries us in times of need, and waits on us in times of plenty.  We can think back on things that really tested our faith and when we thought we couldn’t take it any longer an answer comes, though at times it might not be the answer that we are expecting!   

There have been times in my life where my faith was tested through ill health, death of loved ones and confusion and I know that there will be many other times where I will have to stand on his word, and I look back and wonder how I got through it.  It is in these times where I have to learn to step out in faith, knowing that despite the circumstances or what is being said I will not let go, and it is that mustard seed faith that will see me through.

In what ways can you think of where your faith has been tested? Produce a journal page which speaks to you about your faith   What scriptures around faith have you found to be encouraging?

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

If you would like to see how I made the book mark pockets check out the post Bookmark Pockets

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures and reflections in your art this week.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

Gratitudes - Grace

Grace

In those times when I feel I can’t go on, it's the grace of God that keeps me going...

What are you grateful for this week?

21 Secrets - 15 Minutes to Sanity - Gina Rossi Armfield

In the 15 Minutes to Sanity workshop Gina encourages us to take the sometimes limited time we have and use it in a different way.  15 minutes to sanity is all that it takes to set you on the road to creativity.  By preparing our pages before hand and using prompts and selected materials, it enables us to snatch back the much needed time and create in our journals.

I enjoyed this workshop as I was able to just focus on doing what I could with the time I had.  I started preparing pages some time ago as this in itself can be a theraputic activity, especially at those times where you are not able to sit down and do a journal page, but playing with the materials on the page is definitely well worth doing.  The page is inspired by a poem I wrote - a piece of me still remains, looking at our memories, the photos that we collect and wondering what remains when we pass in the minds of others.

Here is my page before I started....

This is how it ended up.

52 Weeks of Colour - Attention

Reflection

The answers are there, you need to ask the right questions....

Quote

A man has many skins in himself, covering the depths of his heart. Man knows so many things; he does not know himself. Why, thirty or forty skins or hides, just like an ox’s or a bear’s, so thick and hard, cover the soul. Go into your own ground and learn to know yourself there. ...Meister Eckhart 

Scripture

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus . 2 Timothy 1:13

Creating in Faith - Courage

Standing firm in our beliefs or stepping out when all around is shaky.  We can often think of other people who are courageous and brave when they go through a difficult time or make destiny decisions and can think of ourselves as cowards...., ‘I could never do that, go there, or create that’ we can find ourselves saying.  

If we take time to think back on our lives, we will begin to remember times we got through when we thought all was lost, when we had to carry the load, wipe the brow of a loved one, pace the floor waiting for results, or sell that piece of art.  We forget the victories that we have seen and how we had to muster our energies for what seemed like the very thing that would have broken the camels back.

 

When I think back at the start of my mums’ decline with dementia, I could never have imagined how I could have got through it and continue to get through, let alone find time to be creative.  I learnt to allow my creativity to be infused into my situation and got my mum to participate as well, using the art and creativity as a tool for expression and healing.  

This has allowed me to seek out my voice in my art and to just step out.  It also enables me to see mum express herself in a different way.  There will be many more difficult situations where it would be natural to be afraid, but we have to face them head on.  With God I have known not to have any fear, I know in those times where I felt I couldn’t go another step it was God that saw me through.

Think about a time where you found courage when you least expected it, how did it change the way you viewed your situation?.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

If you would like to see how I made the book mark pockets check out the post Bookmark Pockets

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures in your art this week. Each week I will be sharing words, reflections, scriptures and the bookmark holder.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

Gratitudes - God

The love of God

Whilst man looks at my faults, God see’s the real me.  My faith has been both a strength and a comfort.

What are you grateful for this week?

21 Secrets - Childs Play, Alma Stoller

I signed up to do 21 Secrets - Art Journal Playground, an online course organised by Connie Hozvicka of Dirty Footprints Studio back in January, and have only just got round to starting due to one thing or another getting in the way. 

There are 21 contributors and I have been spoilt for choice with where to start.  I decided to go with Alma Stoller, after having seen her Fabric bead designs.  Each contributor has been very generous with the amount of videos and pdfs that we have available.   In Alma’s course I have been making my own frames out of cardboard and recycled paper and they were really easy to make and very sturdy.

The oval and square ones have been my favourite and  the smaller frames really do look cute, once you start making them you won’t want to stop! 

My favourite technique was making the fabric beads, they do look pretty.  I will try a few variations with size and shape - you need a little patience with the sewing but they will look great in mixed media projects.

next on my workshop list is  Aimee Myers Dolich will be sharing how I get on soon, for now .......blessings!

52 Weeks of Colour - Light

Reflection

Letting the light in

Quote

In a full heart there is room for everything, and in an empty heart there is room for nothing. ...Antonio Porchia

Scripture

...stand and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes... 1 Samuel 12:16

Creating in Faith - Fears

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears  Psalm 34:4

If you would like to see how I made the pockets check out the post Bookmark Pockets

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures in your art. Each week I will be sharing words, reflections, scriptures and the bookmark holder for that week.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

Gratitudes - My Son

My Son

He is thoughtful, humorous and loving.... despite his messy room:)

What are you grateful for this week?

52 Weeks of Colour - Change

Reflection 

You are unique, a miracle – don’t ever compare yourself with anyone else

Quote

Men are not free when they are doing just what they like… Men are only free when they are doing what the deepest self likes. And there is getting down to the deepest self! It takes some diving!  ...D.H. Lawrence

Scripture 

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and comp[lete, not lacking anything. James 1:4

Gratitudes - My Mothers Joy

My Mothers Joy

She still has energy and despite the dementia she has a joy for life that really makes me feel grateful for my own..

What are you grateful for this week?

Clearing the Clutter Challenge Revisited

  

Since coming back from holiday I have wanted to keep the clutter free environment going and thought it was time to renew my clearing the clutter challenge.  I started it in January this year and there are still quite a few things on the list that needed to be done.  Over the years I’ve collected quite a few products and then bringing stuff back from the holiday I felt a clear out was definitely in order here. When I got everything out it wasn’t as bad as I first thought.  I had recently had a make up clear out and just had the basics in the bag.

I went though the body products, it is always great to try something new and experience different scents, but I ended up having too many to use as I didn't throw away anything.  I cleared out the old products and got the basket below to keep the things I wanted to keep to hand and use more regularly, the other things were stored in a draw.  

I have the regular sized products I use and the smaller travel size for when I’m going away 

Scented candle supplies

After clearing the body products from the draws I found some lovely spa products, lush soaps and fizz bombs that I had brought.  The plan is now to make more fuss of myself and have regular special spa treatments with the products and scented candles. Next on my list to tackle will be my art materials!

 

This has been a great excuse in giving my creative self a little bit of extra TLC that it deserves!!

What is your favourite bath treats?

Post holiday reflections...

It's been just over 2 weeks since we came back from our holiday jaunts and we were very fortunate to have been to not one but 2 destinations this year - Barbados and Menorca.

In Barbados we spent 3 weeks lapping up the sun, sea and sand and sights.

We visited family and friends and got all the vitamin D, and fresh food we needed.  For those who have had Barbados on their lists of destinations, I definitely recommend you get there if you can it is a lovely island.

Three weeks was just enough time to unwind and go to many places that we missed on previous visits.  The beaches are beautiful and we made visiting the beach and swimming an essential part of our trip.

Miami Beach

Dover Beach

We went along the Fish fry at Oystins - sampling the freshly caught fish and even took part in the Sunday night Karaoke at Dover Beach organised by Mr Mayer's and his wife (another really lovely couple who have a beach cafe there).  Me and Alan did what became one of our signature tunes - Three Little Birds by Bob Marley.

As flowers and plants are my thing I made sure I visited the Andromeda gardens, the Wildlife Reserve

and Flower forest and was able to feast my eyes on some beautiful plants and breath taking views.

I also used the opportunity to catch up with some of the local artists on the island and it was great to see them at work and also visit some galleries as well such as The Bridgetown Gallery at Sheraton Mall and NuEdge Gallery

We came back to England for a week to catch up and then flew out for a week in Menorca.

Ahisha and Malakai came with us and he was a joy to have on holiday - his first!  

We met some amazing people who made our stay even more than the blessing it was and we went on many of the excursions around the island....

Mike our representative from our resort showed us around Mahon and a visit to the local gin distillery where we sampled Pomada and a range of other liqueurs.  We visited Modas leather factory and were treated to a fashion show seeing many of their lovely designs.

Mike and Alan as we relaxed by the port

Mike proved to be a font of knowledge about the island, with his generous nature he went out of his way to ensure everyone had a good time.  We accompanied him on the Es Grau Nature walk, which backed onto a beautiful beach, in which the water was not only shallow but extremely warm.

Malakai enjoyed all the attention he got on holiday

with Uncle Sekani and his mum having a swim with his special ring

As in Barbados, Karaoke is popular, Ahisha and Sekani doing a duet

Alan and Sekani taking it in on the Yellow Catamaran - Mahon

breath taking views at Cala Galdana

A visit to Ciutadella and the caves at Cala Morell and a tour of Cala Galdana on Thursday which was our last day was rounded off by a visit Ferreries to see the Fiestas of Sant Bartomeu and the riders as they rode through the village, it was very exciting and was a lovely end to a fun pack break.

I have felt very fortunate to have been able to go away and my mind is now focused on working hard and developing the many ideas that I have been thinking about with my art, it has been great to be back in my studio.....

and getting acquainted with my supplies.  Over the coming weeks will be sharing what I am doing on the 21 Secrets course and also catch up with my contribution to Creating in Faith over at Motley Soul.

 Sekani is now back at school and attending the 6th form - a new adventure and one that awaits many young people who embark on the next stage of their learning, and for all those who have decided to return to study and our prayers continue to cover them for a sound mind and focus on all they have to do.

Blessings always!

52 Weeks of Colour - Growth

Reflection

Do not accept other people’s definition of happiness; carve out your own truth.

Quote

What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul. ...Jewish Proverb

Scripture

"God is not a man, that He should lie". Has He said, and will He not do it? Numbers 23:19.......

Gratitudes - Laughter

Laughter

Laughter can be infectious and can lighten and lift your mood...

What are you grateful for this week?

Gratitudes - Weeding

Weeding

Weeding in the garden can be quite therapeutic - making room for new shoots, that burst of colour and wildlife is really fulfilling.....

Gratitudes - Artist Community

Artist community

I have met some lovely people online who share my passion and excitement for creativity, looking forward to future collaborations.....

Gratitudes - Relationships

Relationships

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

52 Weeks of Colour - Shine

Reflection 

Let your light shine 

Quote

The most important thing is that you love what you are doing, and the second that you are not afraid of where your next idea will lead..... Charles Eames

Scripture

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.  Isaiah 32:17

Gratitudes - Books

I love to read, sometimes there doesn’t seem like there is enough time to fit in all the books, I often end up reading more than one book at a time..

52 Weeks of Colour - Passion

Reflection

Passion - Look out for the miracles today

Quote

Work of sight is done. Now do heart work on the pictures within you. ....R.M. Rilke

Scripture

For He will give his angels charge concerning you to guard you in all your ways...Psalm 91:11

Creating in Faith - Faith

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

If you would like to see how I made the pockets check out the post Bookmark Pockets

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures in your art this week. Each week I will be sharing words, reflections, scriptures and the bookmark holder.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

Gratitudes - Piano

Piano – my son is very talented though doesn’t realise how much, when he plays it can be a very soothing and healing experience.