Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Still Standing.....

Just a song to share with you today that has been speaking to my heart. Usually its a simple message, even one line in a piece that will pull at your soul and have something for you. I have been taking time to slow down, listen and make room in the coming days for the next steps in my own journey. Some steps are difficult and shadowed in the unknown. They require solitude and quiet inner conversations with God to ready the mind and body and prepare the way. Maybe thats where I am.....still standing....waiting....resting from the doing....preparing for what comes next.....

Be sure to pause the music playing on my blog on the lower right sidebar before you begin the video........



"Shadowfeet"

Walking, stumbling on these shadowfeet
toward home, a land that I've never seen
I am changing, less and less asleep
made of different stuff than when i began
and I have sensed it all along
fast approaching is the day

When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
When time and space are through
I'll be found in you

Theres distraction buzzing in my head
saying in the shadows it's easier to stay
but I've heard rumours of true reality
whispers of a well-lit way

You make all things new

When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
Every fear and accusation under my feet
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you

Monday, January 26, 2009

Spirit Jumpers!

It is so inspiring to me when artistic souls with a desire to reach out to others dream up creative ways to bring encouragement to those who are going through difficult life circumstances. I recently became part of a new project called "Spirit Jumpers". Meagan and Stacey have developed a place for anyone who would like to be availiable to send small gifts or tokens of hope to those who are battling cancer of many forms. I have had several family and friends who have gone down this emotionally and physically difficult path and thought this was a place I would love to offer the outflow of some of my time in the studio. If you know someone who could use a "spirit jump", you are invited to contact Stacey and Meagan and submit their name which will be linked up with one of the participating "Spirit Jumpers" who will then send along something to uplift and encourage them in their journey. If you would like to contribute as a Spirit Jumper, donate items or small gifts you can also visit the website for information on how to join in. We each have so much to offer. It can be the smallest gesture for a hurting soul that can give them the strength and courage to take the next smallest step or to hold up their faith and hope for another new day.

Friday, January 23, 2009

One World One Heart Giveaway!

PhotoI so enjoyed participating last year in this world wide blog event started by Lisa "Oceandreamer" Swifta! If you are new to 'One World One Heart" you can find all the details here. Its an opportunity to be introduced to a wide array of wonderful sites and enter some beautiful giveaways as well! I finished an altered journal today called "Soul Peace" that is my offering for this event. This 6x8 journal is accented with jewels, silk flowers, embellishments and lovely ribbons. If you would like to be entered in the drawing please include your name and contact info in the comment section and I will be happy to throw your name in the basket! This event ends on February 12th and at that time I will draw a name and the winner will be notified!



I also invite any of you who are new to my blog to visit my website where I hope your soul will be invited to take a moment to breathe and listen to whats stirring in your own heart. I will be listing new work on my website beginning next week and hope you'll stop by!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Giveaway Winner!




Sweet congrats to Lisa Plummer whose name I drew to receive the art blessing giveaway for this month! Check out Lisa's beautiful blog for lots of wonderful inspiration! Thank you so very much to everyone who participated and for taking the time to leave such encouraging and heartfelt comments. I am sure it won't be long before another giveaway appears!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Weaving threads.....

Had a relaxing time at the "Inspiring the Soul" conference here in Vancouver this weekend. Enjoyed meeting up with old friends and new, connecting over similar passions to share our art to encourage and offer hope to woman.



I am sensing a changing of seasons approaching again when I might need to hold loosely to my plans and be open to changes in focus, if only for a time. I find I keep thinking I need to get "back to" the days when I was pumping out artwork right and left, listing frequently etc. But that is not the door that keeps beckoning. It just seems there are shifts all over in my life that are calling me to slow down, intentionally invest in family and significant relationships, prioritize and consider new opportunities, even those that might be outside of my cherished art world! One aspect of my creativity that has been whispering my name again is in the form of writing. I am quietly moving in that direction although I am not sure where it will take me...but not going no longer feels an option. I am also opening up to the idea of working outside my studio for a couple days a week for someone else. The challenge for me has always been not to completely cease and give up one activity to begin another but to keep a gentle balance of both in my world at the same time. Like the weaving of a tapestry, aspects of my creativity need to be woven in alongside other new threads that might get introduced. It is part of who I am and what helps me breathe. Balance and giving voice to all aspects of who I am is a lifelong endeavor.

So even though I will continue to create and offer work for sale, I am more than ever wanting to create and give. I guess I'd rather see something I have finished be in the hands of someone I know it would encourage then in my inventory. Thats how this all began...through giving away creative hope to those who were struggling. I just want more of that in my life again. There is, however, a constant tension between the reality of needing to earn a living through my creative gifts and the desire to give away and bless with the creative gifts. So I must keep weaving with both threads while leaving room for new ones to be introduced...and release the need to know ahead of time what the final tapestry of my life will look like. Holding too tightly to anything, if it needs to be released and transformed, is not healthy in the long run. I guess that is what trust is for.

So today don't fear if you must make adjustments. They might be temporary. They might even bring you blessings and open doors you hadn't even considered. Trust releasing the plan you might have been clutching too tightly. I encourage you though, amidst the letting go, to keep weaving the threads of your passions and dreams amidst the other threads that may unexpectantly enter your life. Even if their creative colors arn't as domininant for a season, your life's tapestry won't be complete in it's richness and depth without them.


"Set free the soul...Release your inner voice....Surrender to the journey...Embrace your story"

New Altered Art BLock which can be found in my Etsy store.

Be sure to peek back in late tonight and I will announce the winner of the art blessing giveaway!

Monday, January 5, 2009

New Year's Art Blessing Giveaway: Destash!


Mixed Media Treasures Giveaway!
I have been going through my studio trying to make room for new ideas and directions this year and thought I would share a box of goodies for the collage artist! Giving just seems like a truly "ripple effect" thing to do. So many are struggling with just making ends meet these days. I wonder just what resources are really available between us all. And if those resources were released from hearts and hands willing to let them go and received by those whose needs were waiting to be met....the inequity and imbalance that seems to exist in our own communities might shift. I know this art offering won't save the world today but I offer it in the spirit of hope. What we each can give away are like seeds in another's life that might grow and multiply in ways we cannot even anticipate! Sometimes it is just so simple. There is so much we already have that is waiting to be released to another! So if you would like to be entered in the drawing just leave your name and info in the comment section below! I will draw a name to receive all of these items on Monday, January 12th!

If you would like to mention this giveaway on your blog and provide a link back to this post, let me know and I will add your name twice to the drawing! It would be fun to see this giveaway start a little ripple in the creative community.....what can you assemble from what you already have and give away? I'd love to hear your inspiring ideas!