Being Still

I am not the greatest at planning. I am a very "fly by the seat of my pants" type of person. I am constantly inspired and switching gears and trying new things, which is great for the artist in me...but for the business side of things, not so good. Or for the wife and mother that I am suppose to be. I am working on it, but I feel I will always be working on it. Why do laundry when there are new things to try out, paints that need to be used, flowers that need to be planted or games that need to be played...

I tell my friends I am the one who is always in the grassy field chasing the butterfly or the rabbit or the squirrel or a combination there of. Not a bad thing, but not always productive.

I wish sometimes I could focus better, BE STILL and hear what my instructions are, before I think I have it all figured out. Maybe that's my lesson, maybe you are trying to learn the same one.

I do notice I have an easier time focusing when I do have some quiet time, when I make the time to BE STILL and listen to God, the universe or whatever. When I slow down and BE STILL. Nature and sunshine help me a little, but taking time to create in my journal what is going on in my life is the best way for me to refocus and see what has my attention right now and see if it's what I should be focusing on or not.

This morning I challenge you to take time and BE STILL, journal about what has your attention and refocus if you need to.  

New Name, New Adventures and the Radio

I find it amazing how a few simple words and throw your world into a spin. (Not a bad spin, just a new one). Midday Connection on Moody Radio has asked me to be on their show May 23! This will be my first radio interview talking about creative art journaling. I am super excited about this opportunity! I can't wait to share what I have learned from creative journaling and I hope to share some tips on how to get started yourself (if you haven't started already) or share some tricks for those of you who have been doing this awhile.

I also have some teaching gigs coming up  (2 next week for some small groups)! And a BIG one coming up on June 9 (more details to follow). There's even one booked for the end of June in Texas! Very Exciting!

Lastly with all the changes I want make it easier for you guys to find me on the web, so I have a new name that I will be working under. Artful Story, TP Design was already taken and I wanted something that spoke to what I am doing now. My awesomely talented sister in law is designing my site for me you can check out her other work here. When the site is done it will link all my pages together ie, my blog, shop, art and facebook. I am super excited to have everything altogether!

So that is about it here. Hope you all are doing well! I'll keep you updated as things change come up. Thanks for being on this journey with me.

Handmade Friendships

So I have some pretty amazing friends, I would hope everyone had friends like mine. My friends always seem to know what to say to bring me out of a slump. They are amazing at encouraging me to dream bigger and wider then I would set for myself. This of course is great by itself what's even more awesome is that each one of them is creative and inspires me to live and create with more...well with more love for what I do. I am pushed beyond the bounds of myself everyday because of these women.

I have one friend who never ceases to amaze me in how she combines vintage items with everyday common beads and wires to create some of the most stunning pieces of jewelry I have ever seen (I even have the privilege of owning a few of my favs from her). Her creativity has always stunned me and, even though I have never told her, intimates me as an artist. I wish I could see things the way she does, see beyond the 2 dimensions of a page, but I struggle. Thankfully I struggle, because if I didn't what would I learn from her?

Sewing is something I do, not well, but I try. I know someone who is amazing at putting together fabrics and creating the most amazing clutches, purses and bags (someday I will own one, a custom one) She can see how the stitches can enhance a bag's personality or bring out a pattern that may not even really be there. She can free-form stitch like no one else I know, creating an image by guiding fabric through her machine with no guides. She also has the greatest no fear personality I have ever met. I hope to have her confidence one day.

Have you ever had a friend who has no idea just how amazing they are? I have several, but one in particular who is an amazing artist. Yes she is an artist, she doesn't know it yet, but she is. She is one of the few people who can think and create on a page as well as off. She creates environments in a room that can take your breath away. I have learned candles are essential for creating intimacy and the more the better, feathers are amazing at softening, and turquoises is a universal color that looks good on everyone! She inspires me to be me, to live generously, and to love those around you with all your heart.     

I won't mention names here, because I know each of these women would deny that they do any of these things, although one is getting much better at saying thank you, but ladies you inspire me. And one day, when I grow up, I want to be you. Thank you for your friendship, your talent and sharing with me and others your love of what you do. I would love to know who inspires you...post them here.

Happy New Year to Me

So yesterday was my birthday and for the first time I am actually looking forward to a new year with new possibilities and new adventures. I don't always have the best birthdays and I think I figured out why, I have far too many expectations going into the day. When things don't magically go the way I dreamed they would I get sad. Don't we all though? So this year I looked at my birthday as a gateway to all that the next year holds for me. I have a lot of things that will be coming up this year that are new adventures and I am super excited. So instead of putting too many expectations on one day, I looked at yesterday as the door finally opening to my next chapter.

Such a better outlook. Because of this I had one of the best birthdays that I can think of to date! I had delish coffee from Starbucks (free, which of course makes it better), a wonderful time with a group of women I adore and thank God for everyday, lunch with a beautiful long time friend, scores of posts on my facebook page from friends all over the country, and a wonderful afternoon with my family swimming and working out and eating (this goes without saying of course)!

I also had a friend look up the meaning of my name, which I would love to share with you here:


Your inherent meaning for your name is -- palm tree (this one I already knew)

Your spiritual meaning of your name is --- Victorious Spirit!!!

Your scripture for your name is Micah 5:9
Your hand shall be lifted up over you adversaries, and your enemies shall be cut off. 

How cool is that! I love this meaning and I am blown away by how fitting it is right now in my life when I have started to truly work on being who God created me to be. So for all of you who blessed my life yesterday with well wishes and continue to give me wings with your support and amazing words of courage thank you. I truly believe that you are gifts from God. I have been re-reading a book called Coming Home to Your True Self by Albert Haase and in the book Haase talks about Mary and how she "was a woman totally aware that everyone she encountered was a God-bearer". This struck me so deeply that I don't think this way at all, and yet it is so true - so this year, I am going to work on seeing God in all those I encounter, my friends, my family and especially those who just have a moment in my day to day life.

Be blessed friends...and I can't wait to start my new year with you.

First Class

So my first class in my studio went off without a hitch. We had fun, made a mess and I loved every minute of it. My class did too. I made a couple announcements at the class that I can't quite make public, but they are big and I can't wait till I can share them with you. Until then I leave you with some of art that was created by my students. Hope you enjoy!

Zombies for Christmas

 

So I have been dying to share these with you, but of course I had to wait till my brother and his wife opened them for Christmas! Since Christmas is over and hopefully these are comfortably sitting on their couch or bed and I can share!

My brother, while he says he is easy to shop for, is the hardest to shop for every year. I want to get him something special not just an action figure (which is what he asks for every year). I personally try to let him know he means more to me than just an action figure, and for once I think I may have done pretty good.

He and his wife love zombies, The Walking Dead is one of their fav shows right now. And while zombies are "in" right now and zombie stuff is easy to come by, I still wanted to get them something unique.

 

What is more unique than his and her pillows with them as zombies! My son helped me paint the backgrounds and then I went in and added the faces. There are extra details too like buttons for eyes with red thread and when the paint dried I sewed them up with a black and white herringbone fabric on the back.

All I have to say is if I knew how easy it was to make custom pillows before this I would have been making them way earlier than this.

Enjoy!

New Year, New Me, Same God

I am in awe sometimes by how quickly something can go from an idea to being a new way of life. I started journaling last year and not just journaling but art journaling. It went from something to do to a must do. A new line of communication was opened between me and God and I began to share it with others. New paths were opened for them as well and a small movement was started and began to slowly grow. Now I can't wait to get in my studio and start a dialog with myself and with God. With the growth that I have seen as well as others that I have been sharing with I figured it was time to take this show on the road. (Well at least expand my horizons.) So to start this year off I will be teaching a class here in my studio!

New Year, New Me, Same God

This class will give you a start into what art journaling is about while setting the tone for your 2012 year. You will be focusing on a few words that you want your year to be about, while pairing them up with scripture, worship songs, colors and textures. If you have been journaling before you can still take the class and learn some new techniques and be in community with others. Limited spaces are available for this class so sign up soon.

This one time class will be on January 22, from 1:30-4 
Here at my studio in Skokie, IL
Cost is $20

If you are interested in attending please RSVP by messaging me here or at tpdesign01 (at) yahoo (dot) com. If you need more info please email me soon.

I can't wait to start the new year off with you all!