Joy & Bliss on Day 5

Yesterday was a creative one for me. Not only did I finish the wedding piece I showed you but I got the chance to hang out at Maryville's very own Art Experience. I have so much to share from that but am saving for another day:)

I was so looking forward to Friday...lots on my to-do list then dinner and a movie with my husband. A treat we've been doing without lately. However...life and all it's challenges has gotten in the way and we must deal with some ugliness today. *sigh*. In spite of that I DO have gratitude in my heart and want to share a bit of that with you today.

I am linking up with two sites today...Joy Jam and the Bliss List. Be sure and stop by to tell these gals hi. They are great.

1. I find peace, joy and bliss in my daily prayers. I am seriously so thankful for my Father in Heaven that is here for me every single day. What a relief to know I am not alone! {and neither are you}







2. Living on an extremely tight budget has taught me to enjoy the little things even more. It's been fun splurging on a Sonic drink during Happy Hour then driving around for 30 minutes or so to talk. Em and I do that about once a week and I love it. She really opens up and shares her day with me.

3. The fact that American Idol is back for Season 11 is enough to bring me joy. Hearing inspirational stories and great singers is why I love that show so much. Steven Tyler helps a bit, too. Talk about Bliss....:)








Speaking of JOY and BLISS...CREATING gives me both of those feelings!! How are you doing, girls? Are you making the effort to do something creative?? Here's a bit of inspiration to keep you moving through the weekend...Enjoy!

Prompts:

1. Take a favorite stamp or two, a stack of cards or tags and try to use the stamp in various ways. Somedays this is what I need to get my mojo grooving right along.

2. Read a creative magazine or book that's been sitting on your shelf awhile. I have a whole creative library right at my fingertips. It seems when I go back and re-look at them I always find something new to try.

Quote:

Duke Ellington

"I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues."

Links:

1. Here is another blog with free blogger backgrounds. They have a very vintage/edgy feel to them.
2. If I looked cute in this hat I would so buy this...darling!
3. I need all the support I can get these days and Brave Girl's Club gives me that!! This piece of art is speaking to me right now.

Linking up with Joy Jam and Bliss List.

Happy Weekend, girls!!

Happy Creating!!

Sneek Peek-Joy Jam

Happy Friday!! I am feeling absolutely amazing this week. And a BIG part of that is because of how I've eaten for the past 6 days.
As a part of my New Year's Resolutions I am following the "Eat Clean" plan by Tosca Reno. 

Now Tosca is just like me {and maybe just like you!}.When she was 40 years old she was fat and frumpy...look at her today...WOW! She is 52 years old and in the best shape of her life.

Tosca says that 90% of what we eat determines how we'll look and feel...90%!!

The past 6 days I've eaten 5 to 6 small meals a day and taken out all the sugar in my diet. I feel fantastic!! I will be sharing more of this plan, recipes and what I eat next week.



So many things are bringing me JOY...I am linking up with "You're Heart Makes a Difference" and spreading my joy all over blogland!!

This little family of mine brings me JOY every single day!! This is us on New Year's Eve...oh what fun ringing in 2012 with this crew!! We had our bubbly and Times Square on TV and we were set:)

This sweet girl of mine is so JOYful.

She is silly and funny, too. Whenever someone's down Em will start talking in a goofy way or dancing around, spreading her light everywhere she goes. People just naturally gravitate towards here goodness. I want to be just like Em when I grow up!



The abundance of warm weather and sunshine this week has brought everyone in my small town so much JOY!! It's January 6th and my windows are open!!










And finally...my NEW and IMPROVED studio
 is bringing me joy and making my heart sing...

Here's a sneak peek at one of my shelves and a few of my favorite things....

Be sure and come back Monday for a complete tour.

What brought you JOY this week??

  Stop by for Friday's JOY JAM!!

Heart JOY

Oh happy day!! It's Friday:)

I am linking up with "Joy Jam" today...what a great way to end my week...remembering all things that brought me JOY.

Remember I told you I had one more story to share  with you from my first show I did a few weeks ago? Well, I do and it touched my heart so much...I don't think I'll ever forget it.

So, I'm at the show. Ladies are stopping by, checking my work out. Some are buying and some just smile and tell me how much they love my work. As I finish wrapping up a sale I look up and notice a middle aged woman, somewhat disheveled looking, gazing intently at each one of my pieces. She never looks up...her eyes go from one piece to another. I can see that she's really getting my work. My words and images are speaking to her heart.

After several minutes she looks up at me and hands me a dollar bill. Puzzled, I tried to figure out what the dollar was for...she didn't have anything in her hand but my business card.

"That's my business card, Ma'am...you don't need to pay me for that."

"Oh, yes I do. You see I love your work but I can't afford to buy a piece so I'll just take this so I can keep it with me and remember these words."

Holding the card close to her heart, with tears welling in her eyes she gave me the dollar and turned to leave.

"Please don't stop what you're doing. It's so beautiful. People need to see your work."

If this had been my only sale of the day it would have been enough.

Thank you dear, sweet, kind lady for making my day and bringing JOY to my heart.

This man right here loves me. He gets me. He is my very best friend!! Dave you bring me JOY:)


We never thought we'd be able to have children. We tried for 4 years to have our son, Jackson. After tests, tests and more tests we found the problem and got pregnant!! What a JOY my life has been because of Jacks!!

Two and a half years later my sweet girl came along...Miss Em!

This is Em on the left with her friend Conner after the High School play a few weeks ago.

I think the greatest thing that has given me JOY this week is phrase...

I don't know about you...but it seems like I need to forgive myself daily. Each day something needs a fresh start. What a great JOY it is to know that yes, I can start today.


So what brings you JOY? What gifts have you noticed in your life this week??