Be Creative

Such a simple thing

*Updated... Had to get my walk in this morning. Elizabeth Wray that said... Cute Cards! I would love to win one! My New Year's Resolution is to become more healthy. You won the card give away :) Send me an email with your mailing address and i'll send you your card! Congrats!

Reach out and make someone's day. Take a second of your time and a fraction of your energy. I bet all you have to do is smile at them... maybe for some it may be a little harder but give it a shot.

I'm going to make a point to do this everyday this week and maybe everyday this year?

PS... How do you like the new blog banner?

PSS...photo taken on vacation summer 2010 in Portland.

Beach Day

I'll meet you here...

 

5 Things

 

5 sweet things i'm enjoying and looking forward to right now.

1. the 80 degree weather we are having this week.

2. cousins and a sis in law visiting, we'll be spending some time at the beach for sure.

3. brand new just released papers for the April kits.

4. friday can't come too fast, i'll get to get my hands messy with my friend Steph.

5. the arrival of my cousins from Ukraine at the end of the month. i'll get to meet baby Lev!

Quick Post to say Hi...

Sick girlie in my house that needs lots of mommy's attention. So while I have a few minutes I thought i'd stop in to say "hi" and share with you a new favorite quote. Makes me think about something I always tell myself... "Sometimes you have to get out of your own way!"

 

Enjoy your day!

Contemplating...

 I'm thinking these few days between Christmas and New Years are my favorite week of the year. I love to reflect on the past year and make big plans for the new year coming.

I spotted this plate in my favorite eye candy store a few weeks ago and I haven't stopped thinking about these words since.

Why not???

The big day is almost here... 5 days to go

I've been noticing around the blog world that blogs are being updated less and readership is down. Can't be because we are all so busy getting ready for the holidays could it???

I'm going to keep it simple for the next few days and do my version of December Daily with you... I'll share a simple photo a day of our countdown to Christmas...

 

Wrapping gifts, making tags, felting hearts, oh my oh my! 

24 Rules for Life

This weekend Niguel left her sketch pad open on our craft table and I read one of the most beautiful things she has ever written. I immediately asked her if she had read or saw this somewhere and she said "nope, I made it up from things i've learned" Can't believe she's 12!

If I knew just one of these things at 12 my life and my Moms life would have been alot easier. Later on she made it in to a mini book, yep she's crafty too!

 

1. Be who you are. Don't be anyone else.

2. Nothing is impossible.

3. Whatever people say, still be you.

4. Give and you'll receive.

5. Be what you want to be.

6. Your time will come.

7. Listen to those you trust and take it to heart. Listen to those you don't trust too, you might learn something.

8. Go to school. Be smart. It'll get you far.

9. Love.

10. Be Happy.

11. Make Peace.

12. Learn.

13. Set your own standards.

14. Try.

15. Experiment.

16. Help Others, Help yourself.

17. Believe.

18. Have Faith.

19. Love Yourself.

20. Laugh.

21. You are beautiful, nomatter what anyone says. It comes from within.

22. Stand up for what you believe in.

23. Trust

24. Respect.

I just can't wait to see what this girl does with her life. Hope you have a great day!

Kindness and unknown dreams

Well here it is... my newest endeavor... I'm so happy to announce that my cards are now in not one but two boutiques. I gotta start with some photos...

 

It really is amazing how this all came together. This experience has really taught me that when you open your heart to accepting that opportunities will present themselves.

Here is the play by play on how this happened...

Earlier this spring I was considering taking an e course... I read about it at least 6 or 7 times. Then on one of my trips to LA with Steph she told me she was taking the course. Later that day I found myself right in the middle of the most amazing ecourse by Kelly Rae Roberts.  Flying Lessons was the most amazing resource... Not only did kelly share all her secrets with us on how to create a successful creative biz she was hands down the best cheerleader EVER! Kelly not only has built herself an empire of a creative biz, she is so authentic and up front, in your face about being in this business with integrity and honesty. Each day I felt like I could take on the world. During the course it was hard work to just keep up all the reading and interacting with the amazing creative souls that were on this journey at the same time. I finished up the course and set to work on a plan for my creative biz and where I wanted it to go.

Towards the end of the course I received an email from cindy the nicest gal from Pennsylvania. She was opening a new store after being in business at her previous location for 20 years or so. She got my name from one of my card customers (Gina - who is her sister in law). I haven't seen Gina in at least 3 years but I think of her so often. Cindy was amazing... She wanted to carry my cards... she said i've seen your work send me anything... So I did just that.

Then a few weeks later I was teaching my monthy card class and commented on one of my customers necklaces... Julie burst out in conversation about how this was her new line of jewelry. In all the years that I had known Julie I didn't know she made jewelry, or pillows, or shirts or that she was this go getter business woman. She encouraged me to call a local boutique here in our town. She told the store buyer about me... she met me for a breakfast meeting and she shared her story and gave advice so freely. Julie reminded me that there is room for everyone to do what they love. That there is no need to hoard knowledge and keep your connections secret. She shared so freely and I am so thankful...

After about a week I had finished my doubt talk and mustered up the nerve to call Abi. Abi is the buyer for Willow Manor. I have shopped at Willow Manor for over 11 years. It is my go to boutique for the perfect birthday gift or baby keepsake. Abi is a master at merchandising, her store is second to none of seen. She was so helpful and upon seeing just rough sketches she ordered a whole line of cards. I was so thankful to her and she shared that one of her biggest pleasures was using her experiences to help others just starting out! I even confided in Abi one of my far fetched dreams, that i'll be working on next year. She again poured out advice and excitment for my idea

Giving giving giving... This journey was teaching me so many lessons and helping me store away that doubt that I was feeling about myself, my art, my creative business and my creativeness in general.

So for the next week or so I worked on sketching out some art that I would embellish with 3d elements to make these cards. I wanted them all to be my original art. Soon after I had drawn, cut, pasted 16 designs I worked on sentiments for each card. Then I hit the wall big time... because I lacked the skills needed for the next step....

That's where Rachael comes in. My friend Rachael is a graphic designer. She can do the computer drawing and converting that I can not do. And guess what Rachael was just getting started with her tactile crafting. So we bartered... in exchange for converting my art I would give her card kits and help her get started putting them together. While we worked together on the converting the designs and putting together card kits Rachael shared with me her creative dreams and I tried to encourage her the way that others had been encouraging me. I hope that Rachael opens up her designs to the public soon and when she does... I'll be sharing her links here.

A week ago I delivered my cards to Willow Manor and the next day I stopped in to see them all on display. I stood there pretty much thrilled with what I had accomplished and full of thanks for each and every person that helped me.

 
I'm excited for this new adventure, to see what legs it takes. I still can't believe that this has all come about... a dream I never knew I even had. 

 "In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us." Flora Edwards

I hope that all the kindness that i've been shown comes back and touches these people ten fold.

Have an amazing weekend!

Wednesday Already?

This week seems to be in hyper drive... When browsing through photos to blog today this card caught my eye. The words, lots and lots of them over and over... It must have been inspired by the way things run through my mind.

Today feels a little like a skipping record. Work, shower, clean, love kids, procrastinate, procrastinate, procrastinate, procrastinate. Of course it would help if I got off the computer. I've been getting lost to often in linky world.

You know I watched an episode of I Love Lucy the other day... man what a life. Simple I tell you... a one room apartment, house wife, no cell phone, no computer. OK I know it is TV, but still, imagine your life with the above arrangement. And GASP! We'd still be alive...Of course without the internet i'd probably not know any of you and I would miss that. Just sayin' that we create so much of our own chaos. Must work on that.

Hope you have a great day and enjoy the card inspiration.

Smiles!

Seeing Things Again

 
Looked out my window the other day and saw this sign in my yard. It's been there a long long time. Like since the girls were little. But you know how sometimes something that has been around a long time just starts to blend in to the background and you don't notice it as often. But when you do notice it you are flooded with thoughts of how special it is.

This week has been full of those experiences. Just doing ordinary stuff. Fully being aware of nurturing a family and raising good daughters.

So here's to taking in the constants in our lives and recognizing them.

Enjoy your day!