I love you today because ....Day 21

I love you today because....

You did a good piece of work

When was the last time you congratulated yourself for doing a piece of work, or had a celebration for how far you come in completing a part of the journey.  We have to celebrate the many milestones that we get through along the way as this is an encouragement in the tough times and keeps us going.

Show some love

Make a list of all your achievements and celebrate just how much you have done!

Share some love

Make a point of appreciating those around you and acknowledge the work that they do.

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

I Love you today because - Day 20

I Love you today because....

You showed up today

Showing up and being present in your life is important as our lives were not meant to be static.  There is more to your life than the life you are currently living.  No one else can live for you or take responsibility for you.  You have to make a decision to take ownership, and then you can really living your life.

Show some love

What has your spirit been saying to you about your life.  See where you can make an adjustment to be more present.

Share some love

Spend some time with an elderly family member or friend of the family and ask them about their lives and really listen to what they have to say...

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

Fresh Linen - Memories of Home

Welcome to Memories of Home, if you would like to find out more information about the series, Click here

Being in a supportive environment is important to our growth as individuals, not everyone has had that opportunity and as adults we try and create an environment that will nurture and bless our children and indeed ourselves.

When we were little we had what was known as an 'airing cupboard, which housed the hot water cylinder for the boiler.  It was quite a large cupboard and would warm up from the heat radiating from the padded cylinder.  My dad fitted three shelves in the cupboard and this was where clean bedding and towels were kept. When you opened it you would be met with the sweet aromas of the washing powder and the fabric conditioner which would caress your nostrils and make you think of tropical islands, .....ok, maybe not the islands but they always smelt great!

It was great to use a towel that had just come out of the cupboard after a bath as it was always warm and gave you a cozy comforting feeling.  With the bed sheets mum would always iron them before placing them in the cupboard and whilst it isn't a practice that I have continued I definitely feel the difference sleeping on ironed sheets!

Mixed media on wooden panel

What was your favorite memory as a child, take time out if only for 10 minutes to think about recreating those special moments this week. I hope you continue to join me on my journey over the weeks, as I share my mixed media houses and look back to the memories of home. I look forward to hearing about some some of your own memories. Blessings and peace to you!

I Love you today because - Day 18 and 19

I Love you today because....

You have a thirst for wisdom and knowledge and you are following your dreams!

Our brains are more complex than any computer that has been created.  There is never a time that you will ever know enough, there is so much in this world to learn about, so much to experience and insights to gain.  There is something new every day that you can learn that will take you that step closer to your dreams - you are never too old.  It takes courage to step out and make a decision. When your feeling off course you will find ways to get yourself back.  Nurture and spend time on walking towards your dreams, you’ll get there – what are you waiting for, make a list and get to it! 

Show some love

Thing about 1 thing that you've always wanted to learn and take steps to realize that dream

Share some love

Become a mentor, pass on a skill and share your experience with others.

I love you today because - Day 17

I Love you today because....

You are a gift to this world

When you were born there as a celebration.  In your uniqueness you were formed and fashioned, every hair on your head accounted for.  Your life has a purpose and there is a plan, you were meant to be, not an accident, or mistake, but a gift!

Your a gift to this world - Pen and Ink sketch

Show some love

Recognize the gives you have yet to uncover within and take a step

Share some love

As you go about the day, try and see the gifts that dwell within others

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

Gratitude and Celebrations - Week 32 - Your blessings are waiting for you!

Gratitudes' and Celebrations Journal

We are constantly surrounded by blessings and they come in the most unusual packaging.  If we look past what you expect a blessing to look like you will be pleasantly surprised.

Your Blessings are waiting for you

I see the blessings as the very things I would miss if they were not there.  The sound of the birds singing and tweeting as they fight for the seeds in the bird feeder, the feel and sensation of the suns rays on my skin even on a cold day.  If you have ever over come an illness you are thankful that you are able to do something that was previously difficult.  

I would obviously not over look a large windfall or selling every piece of art work I have created, but if and when they do come I will be grateful for the many other little things that present themselves and makes any day one to be grateful for.

Mixed media

What are the blessings that you have within your midst that you should be talking note of?

What have you done so far with the day that you have, How can you identify the many blessings in your life  today? I would love to hear from you and share what you will be doing. As this weekend draws to a close have a blessed week If you want to see how I made the journal (click here) Blessings!

I love you today - Day 16

I love you today because

You deserve a hug

When my son was younger and I used to ask him for a hug, his little arms would wrap themselves around me and he would squeeze, we called it a squeezy hug.  Hugs are something we could all do with every now and again.  Hugs are an essential part of our emotional development.

You deserve a hug - Mixed media

Show some love

Cross your arms in front of you and reach each hand as if you are trying to touch your fingers behind your back and hold for 30 seconds.

Share some love

Give the first person you see today a hug

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

I Love you today because......Day 15

I Love you today because....

Your not afraid to cry

We cry for a number of reasons, we are happy, sad, frustrated, unhappy, tired, relieved, unsure, lost, proud, thankful, grateful, and inspired.  There can be so many other reasons why we cry and your not afraid to share that emotion.

Your not afraid to cry - Pen and Ink and Promarker pens

Share some love

The next time you feel the to shed a tear, let it flow.  It is a strength and a natural release.

Show some love

Show some care to others today, be extra receptive to their emotional state.

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

I Love you today because....You have an Individual Style

I Love you today because.....

You have an Individual Style!

I have already told you  that you are unique, there is not another like you.  Has you delve deeper into what you really like and what in your life you will understand and listen to your true voice.  Don't compare yourself to anyone else, be yourself and celebrate your own individuality.

Show some love

That thing you want to try perhaps it's been weighing on your mind for a while, go ahead and try it with confidence - you never know how it will turn out.

Share some love

Become a mentor, sharing your experience with someone else and pass on the love!

In The News.....Art Exchange - Creative Reminiscence

Age Exchange - The Cente for Reminiscence Arts

For those of you who are keen to look at how you can use creative reminiscence in your work the course run by Age Exchange is a good one to do, facilitated by Linsay Royan we were given a great overview of the use of reminiscence within care environment and came away with lots of ideas and links to resources that could enhance any session, or as a carer ways in which you can engage the person you care for. 

It was surprising how effective the workshop was, and how many memories that can come flooding back when you see objects from your childhood - standard things that you either played with like the skipping rope which all generations can relate to and other items which pass down the generations. Funnily enough I still have a game called Jacks also known as (Knucklebones) from when I was younger, which you only seem to see now in memory boxes.

My Jacks from teenage years

I have also shared in my Material Mondays the crochet hooks that my mother used to use when I was a child and which I now use in my own projects.

Material Mondays - Crochet Hooks and Wool

Those who attended the course also got to pool resources and share ideas that they have found effective.  The Age Exchange venue is a great place to visit, founded in 1983 works with older people to improve their quality of life, which impacts on their health and well being.  They provide a range of opportunities that related to reminiscence using art projects, exhibitions and more.  They have an inter-generation program that has been doing a lot of work with schools, colleges and universities sharing their expertise in reminiscence, which is important for the younger generation to stay connected to older generation and see the wisdom, knowledge and understanding they have as valued members of society.

The 2 day course was well organised and informative and gave me a wealth of ideas to take forward with my own work as an artist and as a carer for my mother with dementia.  I do encourage you to check them out and see where memory lane takes you!  

Do let me know if you are working within Arts and Health, and perhaps you want to join my free Arts in Healthcare network which is updated with events, news and you could even highlight some of your own work

I love you today because - You carried on

I Love you today because

You carried on!

There have been times in your life that really knocked you for six, you could have crumbled in dispair, you could have given up, but you faced these times with bravery and now you can look back at those times as you reflect and see the gives that have come out of the ashes.

Pen and Ink 

Show some Love

Recognise that things will happen that are not within your control, but there is always something no matter how small that you can do.

Share some Love

When we focus on helping others who are having a bad time

our problems take on a new perspective.

Books - Memories of Home

Welcome to Memories of Home, if you would like to find out more information about the series, Click here

Being in a supportive environment is important to our growth as individuals, not everyone has had that opportunity and as adults we try and create an environment that will nurture and bless our children and indeed ourselves.

I have always loved books, which was fostered as a child at primary school, with one of my favourites being 'The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe and Secret garden'.  We were encourage to bring a new book home every week and there would be new adventures for me just waiting to be explored and it allowed me to escape the school bullies if only for a little while.

My dad also had a love of westerns and thrillers and we had books in stacks dotted around the home as a normal part of the course.  I went on to encourage my son to read from an early age, telling him stories and allowing him to look at the pictures and make up stories of his own.  There was the occasional time when I would fall asleep mid-flow while reading him a story and he would lay there looking at me with amusement until he succumbed to the sleep and took pleasure in telling me in the morning. 

I keep offering to make it up to him now, but he says he’s too old for stories and we try and take time talking about the day.   I’ve have now turned my joy to writing and illustrating short stories and maybe one day someone will take my story off the shelf and read it to their child.

Mixed Media House collage on Wood

What was your favourite book growing up as a child, what are you reading now and how will you take time to encourage yourself to take time out if only for 10 minutes. I hope you continue to join me on my journey over the weeks, as I share my mixed media houses and look back to the memories of home. I look forward to hearing about some some of your own memories. Blessings and peace to you!

I love you today because....You are amazing

I Love you today because  

You are amazing

You are amazing, fearfully and wonderfully made.  You have an abundance of gifts, talents and abilities each waiting to be unveiled each waiting to be a blessing....go for it!

You are Amazing - Pen and Ink, Promarker, and watercolour

Show some love

Today is the day to appreciate your life, do something creative.

Share some love

Use one of your gifts today to be a blessing to someone else

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

I Love you today because ...You made two ends meet

I love you today because

You made two ends meet!

You have a way of looking at things and not immediately see the problems but you look for the solutions you take a breath and give yourself time to think.  You know the saying well 'When life gives you lemons', you make lemonade with a hint of spice!

Show some love

Make a list of 10 things you have achieved, including big and small

Share some love

Look around for something you have 2 of and give one away!

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below

29 Faces Challenge - End of the first week....

I have been taking part in the 29 faces challenge on my mixed media art blog and thought I would share with you the faces so far:

They are a combination of collage and painting and pen and ink, along with the other art that I have been doing I am trying to push myself to try different things.  It has been great visiting other blogs and seeing what other creatives have been doing.  Hope you enjoy and visit my mixed media art blog to see what I am getting up to there!

Day 9

Day 8

Day 7

Day 6

Day 5

Day 4

Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

I love you today because - You worked things out

I Love you today because....

You worked things out

Things are not always easy or even straight forward at that, but when it comes down to it, you do what you can. Knowing what your strengths are as well as your weaknesses enables you to move forward and make wise choices... you don't have to know everything to work things out.

You worked things out - pen and ink sketch

Show some love

Take the time to identify your strengths and take some regular time out to work on your weaknesses.

Share some love

Be the solution to a problem in someone else's life

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below