Work Desks and Suzi Blu

It has just been too, too long since I showed you my Work Desk and linked up with Julia at Stamping Ground. Thanks to my friend Kay for the inspiration today!!

Here is what my desk looks like right now...

All kinds stamps and paint to use on my Index Card a Day Challenge.

I also went through a few weeks ago and re-arranged my work desk. Love it so much better now...more room {well, when I keep it cleaned}.

My friend Andria from Drawing Near sent me dozens of images, phrases and mail art goodies a few weeks ago. This "Be Creative" piece is from her.


Thanks again, Andria!!!


I picked up this little gem in Springfield a few weeks ago...

Have you seen this?? It is amazing!! Oh, that Suzi Blu is a talented girl.

Here is a peek inside...

Suzi goes through and teaches you how to create amazing girls for all your mixed media projects.

This is one from the book. Isn't it gorgeous?? Each of her girls has a different look....all amazing!! Along with the book you get a CD so you can see Suzi's process. This was a GREAT deal at $25!! Purchase it here.

Here is my first attempt...

I have a WAYS to go but I am on my way!!


I hope you've enjoyed seeing all I'm up to. Be sure and stop by Stamping Ground for more fabulous desks:)

What are YOU working on???

You're How Old?!

We've had bad luck with our kids - they've all grown up.  ~Christopher Morley

Reality has sorta hit me in the face...

My children are no longer little.

They no longer hold my hand

or fight over who gets to sit on my during movie nights.

I am no longer the center of their universe.

Each one of them is

becoming an adult.

My son, Jackson is a Senior

this year. 

I say it

yet can't quite get my heart to believe it.

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children.  

One is roots. 

 The other is wings. 

 ~Hodding Carter, Jr.

I do believe my husband and

I have done our best

and given Jacks 

what he needs to 

make it on his own.

Anyone that knows my son

knows he is fiercely independent.

He always speaks 

his mind and has

an opinion.

This summer

Jackson is Cadet Teaching

at the same Elementary School he 

went to.

Every morning he

gets up at 7 so he can 

get to "work" by 8.

He spends the morning with

40 or so kindergarten kids

and LOVES it!!

After graduation he plans

on attending Northwest Missouri State University for a year

then going on a mission for our church.

When he comes back he'll be back in school

and hopes to graduate with a teaching degree.

Ahhhh, my kids 

are growing up....

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"

So much inspiration!!

Creativity doesn't always just happen. Your muse doesn't always want to come out to play. Sometimes we gotta work at it, feed it, inspire it...

Welcome to our Summer Art Challenge 2012. Here is the inspiration I gave you Monday...

Create something with these "Men Calling Cards" as your guide. How did you do??


Here are the projects I made...

Last March I purchased a 24 pack of tiny canvas's from Micheal's. They were on clearance and even though I had no idea what I would do with them at the time I knew I couldn't pass them up. The minute I saw these calling cards in 2011 Somerset Gallery magazine I knew what I would do...make a bunch of mini Brave Art pieces using mostly vintage girl images...

These were so fun to create....

I intend on using these small canvas's again and again.

This project also inspired me to use a star stamp over and over again for a background. It was perfect for the vintage-looking index card.

After stamping the star a dozen times or so in golden yellow I stamped over those using rustic brown...gives it an ages appearance.

Speaking of Index Cards....I am having a GRAND time creating an Index Card a Day. 

Daisy Yellow offers prompts each Friday to inspire you on your journey.

So far I have been making my index card at night...after the craziness of the day. It is so relaxing.

This one is my favorite so far...

Check out this awesome Challenge here. It's not too late to start.

And check out all the backgrounds I have ready to use over the next few months. Again...this was all inspired by the Men Calling Cards.

A close-up.

I encourage you to take 30 minutes out of your day and just make backgrounds like these. You may be surprised at how good you feel!!

Okay...on to our NEXT Challenge!!

I LOVE this...

The funkiness of it, the lettering...

and the borders. I love borders!!!

You can find this project starting on page 89. These beautiful pages were created by Linda Harre. You can find more of Linda's work here.

Remember....take this project and make it your own. 

Maybe your inspired by the borders {like me} or her use of altered magazine images. Maybe you like the lettering or colors. Take anything here and create something!! If you'd like to share be sure and post in our facebook group.

I leave you with my creative kitty...Oreo.

Enjoy your day!!!

Art is Good

It has been a crazy week at the Ackman house. My sweet Em had her tonsils out last Tuesday and she is STILL having the hardest time. I have been worried so I called the Doctor today. He reassured me that in this type of surgery Days 7, 8 and 9 are the worse. Oh my poor girl. How I miss her like this!!

Along with Em's pain I have had so much myself. Darn it!! Tuesday I spent the day in bed....till nearly 4 o-clock. It was miserable. My neck was in crazy pain which caused a migraine. UGH. Then the migraine meds made me sick. It is one vicious cycle. Today was my massage and helped me so much. Things should be looking up!!

Despite the pain I have been keeping up with the Index Card a Day Challenge on the Daisy Yellow blog and will begin working on the Summer of Color Challenge later today. Also I have my own Art Challenge to show you Thursday!! Lots of creative stuff going on.

Here is some Brave Art I made a few weeks ago. This one hangs in my studio...

I really LOVE this one!!

I created this one for the Fibromyalgia Craft Show I participated in a few weeks ago.

We ended up giving it to Em's friend for her birthday...

It was hard to let this one go...it is one of my favorites.

Be sure and stop by Thursday...I will be posting my take on the Summer Art Challenge as well as sharing another NEW challenge for the weekend.


Do you ever get massages?? 

Summer Challenge TODAY!

Today is Day One of our Summer Art Challenge-2012. Join me as I create my way through last summer's Somerset Studio Gallery. Here's how it goes...super simple!!


1. Every few days or once a week {it depends on time} I will be posting a project from this magazine for inspiration.

2. The goal is not to create the exact same project {although you can} but rather to be inspired and   create something of your very own.

3. I will be posting MY project when I post the next week's project...make sense?? If you would like to share YOUR projects please post in our Mind.Body. Soul Face book group. 

4. That's it!! Simple, easy, inspirational and no pressure.

Here is Project #1,,,

Found on pg. 56 &57

The project is called "Men Men Men-Mrs. Guker's Courtship Cards". Each card was created on a tag using cardboard. Each card measures 41/2 x 6.

The artist is Cathy Ward. You can visit her blog at here.

Remember you can create cards just like these or take an element that inspires you and use it in something of your own. Working on other Challenges this summer like me?? Then why not use something from here to inspire you in your other Challenges??

Look for me to share my creations by Thursday of this week. Can't wait to see what YOU created, too!! Remember to post in our Facebook group here.

A few GOOD memories to share with you today....we have already created so many this summer!!


Me and my girl Marilyn. Did you know I collect Marilyn everything??

Osage Beach

Daddy and Ems being silly...

Osage Beach

LOVE icees with my girly!!

Osage Beach

Soooo proud of Jacks!!!

$2500 State Champ!!

What GOOD memories have you made so far this summer???

Freeze Pops and Shakes and Pain-Oh My!

The past days my life is filled with popsicles, milkshakes and mashed potatoes. My dear little Em had her tonsils removed Tuesday and continues to feel miserable. Bless her heart. I do not like seeing my girl in pain.

During one of her marathon sleeping sessions {the pain meds knock her out} I finished cleaning, sorting and organizing my studio. Ahhh, it feels so good to have it done! Now I'm ready for all those art challenges I'm taking part in.

I have been in so much pain the past 24 hours. My neck and face pain has been almost unbearable. It hasn't acted up like this since last May. Oh, how I wish it would go away. When I'm like this it hurts to move, eat, keep my head up. Ugh. I've scheduled a massage for tomorrow morning. This will help tremendously.


I leave you with a piece of my Brave Art.

Never mind searching

 for who you are. 

 Search for the person

 you aspire to be.

  ~Robert Brault

Who do YOU aspire to be??

Summer of Art

There are sooo many artsy things I am going to do this summer!! Really looking forward to the "Index Card a Day" Challenge on Daisy Yellow blog. Have you ever heard of Daisy Yellow?? I just found her a few weeks ago and love this woman!! So talented and inspiring!!! Go here to find out more about this fun challenge.

My friend Kristin's "Summer of Color" Challenge begins Monday!! It's amazing what you can create when motivated by color.

Be sure and stop by for MY Challenge that begins on Monday, too.

I intend on creating my way through Somerset Studio's Gallery magazine from last summer and would LOVE for you to join me!!

If you'd love to play along with me all summer long I would love to have you.


Here's how it will work....
1. Every few days I'll post a project from the magazine.
2. You can re-create the project exactly OR take something you love about it and create something totally different...this is all about sparking creativity....so go wherever the muse takes you!
3. I will be posting my creation along with the original.
4. We will be using our Mind.Body.Soul. FB page to post our work if you want to play along.


Along with these fabulous challenges I have several pieces of art to create for customers as well as get ready for another craft show in September.


Busy
Busy
Busy!!!


Oh, did I mention that I am working 6 weekends at our local creative place..."The Art Experience"? This Saturday is my first day...can't wait to see what we do!!


How about you?? What challenges and art projects have you got planned this summer?? Please share!!!

Say a Little Prayer for Em

Hey, Girls!! How was your Holiday Weekend?? Ours was fabulous!! My sweet cousin Jessica got married Friday night and my family was able to be there. It was a time of sweet family memory making....LOVE IT! Lots of photos to share later in the week.

I am still working on my summer schedule. I didn't realize I had already made so many commitments.

My sweet girl is getting her tonsils out Tuesday morning.

She has been so tired and sick for the past few months. As much as I hate the thought of her having surgery...I know she will feel so much better.

This week I am finishing up my studio cleaning.

Looking forward to art journaling, doodling and working on some pieces for customers.

What creative projects are you working on this week???  Please share!!

Cleaning, Art and a Decision

Summer is in full swing in the Ackman household. Not the lazy days of summer mind you...but the CRAZY days of Summer!!

We are headed out again this weekend. My sweet cousin, Jessica is getting married Friday night!! Jessica is one of those beautiful souls...love her and am looking forward to her special day:) We are headed to Springfield, Missouri in just a few hours and will be there until Sunday. Looking forward to more family time with Dave, the kids, my Mom, cousins and Aunt. Soooo excited!!!

I made time for ME yesterday. Spent a few hours in my studio CLEANING!! I really should have taken before pics but was too embarrassed. Seriously...a MESS!! I always enjoy going through my supplies, sorting and finding little bits of inspiration. So relaxing to me.

I made these ATC backgrounds a few weeks ago...

Instead of my usual acrylic I used watercolors. Love the softness watercolors provide.

I have a grand plan for these cute little cards....inspired by my blog friend Andria from "Drawing Near". I hope to work on these in the next week or so. I will keep you posted!!

In the past 2 weeks I have had so many orders for my Brave Art. It is humbling, really. Several of the projects involve using objects rather than canvas. I am looking forward to putting my ART on other mediums and will share as I go.

Oh and one more thing...

Yesterday I made a proclamation to myself and my family. I am done beating myself up over my house, the laundry, etc. I spend most of my days picking up and cleaning. To be honest...I am tired. I have dreams and goals and art and a LIFE to create!! 

So as of NOW I am letting go of my high standards of cleaning and cleaning and cleaning and just going to be happy. So what if a few things are out of place? It's all good!!

And one more thing....

After spending time cleaning my studio and looking at all my work...

I realized I need studio hours!! 

Yes, I do!!! Sooooo, this weekend going to decide my times and post on Monday. Just making this one small decision feels like a huge step towards my creative dreams!!

Well, I am out of here. Off to family BBQ's and weddings and playing cards and sharing time with some of my favorite people.

So how about you....do you have studio hours?? Please share how YOU make time for your dream!!

This is the Life!

Happy Tuesday Girls!! I hope this post finds you happy and enjoying the first days of Summer!! The sweet photo above is my family at "Pirate Cove" mini-golf course in Osage Beach, Mo. We spent last weekend there and had a fabulous time!

Spooky pirate!!

Aren't these gorgeous?

We made the trip to support our son Jackson. He made it to the State Finals for the Optimist Club Speech Contest. We were so excited to get away!!  This is us having dinner at JB Hooks on the Lake. The contest was the next day.


I am proud to tell you that my son took FIRST PLACE!! 

He won a $2500 college scholarship!! We are so proud of Jackson!!!


Today is this sweet girl's 15th Birthday!!

Em at Dogpatch in Osage Beach

My Em is 15!! How in the world did this happen?? I remember her 1st Birthday like it was yesterday. Love you, Ems!!!

The rest of our week is filled with Soccer and traveling to Springfield for my cousin's wedding Friday night. Lots of fun going on this week.

I am looking forward to art journaling again very soon. And I am looking forward to my Summer Art Challenge!! I hope you'll join me starting June 4th.


What trips are you taking this summer?? Please share!!!

Happy and Refreshed

I am back!

I am refreshed,
happy and ready to go!!

We had an
absolutely
WONDERFUL
time!!!

So much to share and show you.

This was my very favorite
part of the trip!!!

See you all soon!