On a Roll...

Day 3 and going strong. How about you?

I do have to be honest though...these days do get away from me. Before I know it the time is getting late and I am like...I haven't created today!! 

My sweet Em had 2 basketball games last night in St. Joe so it was a late night for sure. Have you seen my Emma girl in action?? She started on the Freshman team and quickly made it on JV. That Emma is one Brave Girl for sure!! Love her. And THANK YOU to my friend Marcy. She took this amazing photo!!!

Okay...so we got home late and all I really wanted to do was head to bed but instead I went to my studio, grabbed my art journal and bag of pens and headed upstairs to my cozy bed.

 I was determined to do something!!

This is my first art journal from my Brave Girls class last winter. There are several pages painted but not written on.

Each page asks a thought provoking question...when I'm in the mood I will answer each one like I did here.

It's so rewarding to go back and read my journal. I have grown so much in my thinking. I am truly becoming the person I have wanted to be for so long.

So back to last night. I knew I needed to journal something...nothing was coming to me. 

Except ideas for a later time.

So I went with that and sketched out a few ideas for a "Pieces of My Heart" series I have in mind.

Each piece will be collaged and painted on a 6x6 canvas. 

This series has been running around my head now for awhile...last night was the perfect time to just get it all down.

Before I knew it Em came in, too and shared her idea for a canvas...

The coolest part...was I had told her I wanted to do one based on her and Maddie's friendship. Those two girls are like "Soul Sisters". 

Em and I began collaberating...I think she wants to make it herself which I am thrilled with. Anytime I can create with Em is good.

So that was my extent of creating...not much but yet I accomplished so much...I have a whole idea on paper for upcoming projects. Love that!

Here are a few Prompts for today:

1. Try a technique out of your comfort zone. {i really, really need to do this one!}

2. Paint a background on...

    *paper

    *canvas

    *wood

    *art journal

    *wherever!

Quote of the Day:

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."
Harriet Tubman

Stop by these Links:

1. Do you know Rebecca Sower? I have been a fan since the early 2000's and read her columns in Creating Keepsakes Magazine. Her blog is beautiful and simple and sooo full of Spirit and Truth. I don't visit her near enough. She is wonderful. 

2. Click on this for 30 ideas to jumpstart your journaling!!

3. The more organized I am the better I feel, the more I get done and the more creative I am. Here are 10 ways to help us stay organized every single day!

How are you doing?? Stop by my Words of Me Facebook fan page to share your projects, ideas or just to talk!! Have a wonderful day, girls:)

Day 2 Inspiration

Day TWO of our 14 Day Creativity Challenge...and just for fun I'm playing along with "What's on Your Work Desk Wednesday", too. It's been a very long time since I've done that.

Here's what I started working on yesterday...

Honestly, it's been forever since I've pulled my art journal out to just journal. I look at them often but never create anything. Really love that color blue...don't you?

So, literally the day FLEW by! Before I knew it I was making dinner and doing dishes and I still hadn't made it to my studio.

Feeling a bit frazzled I decided to just show up in space and start making something with what was lying around on my table....

I grabbed a sticky note and jotted down the words "Sometimes you just gotta put some paint down!" Then I opened a bottle of my favorite blue, squirted a bit out and went for it.

I decided that when I create art...any art it gives me peace. Just being in my studio with no noise, no television blaring gives me  peace. Soooo....I just happened to have a PEACE stencil nearby and put that in the middle of my page. A few rub-ons and a butterfly later and it's shaping up quite nicely.

While I was there I wrote a few positive affirmations on sticky notes {this is part of my Body Restoration class}and mosied around my space, soaking up all the goodness. Man, I love that space:)

Here our a few Prompts for Day Two:

1. Finish that project you've been meaning to.
2. Create a valentine for someone special {it's not too early!}

Quote:

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think.  Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called.  ~A.A. Milne


Links:


I adore Kelly Rae Roberts' work...just so inspiring. Here is a link to a piece I pinned recently. I think you'll love it!

A few months ago I found Angie and her blog "Om2Art". Her art is sooo peaceful and sweet. Check her out for some sweet inspiration today.



What are you creating today?? Be sure and stop by the WOMP Facebook fanpage and post your creations...share your ideas and thoughts!! Let's be creative!!


AND stop by "What's on Your Work Desk" today for more fabulous desks from all over the world:)

14 Day Creativity Challenge Begins!

It's Day 1 of our 14 Day Creativity Challenge...Whoo Hoo!! Are you up for it??

Now I am sure as you are reading this you are thinking...


"Leslie, this sounds good and all but seriously I have soooo much to do! There is NO way I have time to create something everyday."

I beg to differ, sweet, brave girlies:) You see I am just like you. I have a gazillion things to do every. single. day.

I get up at the crack of dawn {5:15} every morning to study my scriptures. At 6:35 I leave for my church where I teach Seminary till 7:30. Then it's home again for a quick bite then back in the car so I can get to the gym. I am training to run a marathon you know;)

I have laundry
and dishes
and pets to clean and feed
and floors to sweep
and mop
and vacuum
and stuff to put away
and errands to run
bills to pay
kids to pick up and take here and there and everywhere
and meals to fix
and posts to write
and DREAMS to live!

WHEW!

But I know that when I take time just for me it makes my day run a little smoother. Makes me a little happier...less stressed.

The goal of thie 14 Day Creativity Challenge is just to create. Not to reinvent the wheel, girls. The idea is to just get you to show up in your space or at your creative desk.

Showing up is half of it don't you think?

Each day I'll have a few prompts or ideas to help you along as well as inspirational quotes and links to other creative gals. Now remember...the prompts are just here to give you a bit of a nudge so to speak. You do anything you want...they are just here if  you choose to use them! Or you can save them for another time.

Oh, and remember...you don't have to finish a project each time you create! If you only have 10 minutes to paint a background then do that!! The idea, again...is just to show up and do something:)

Prompts:

1. create a list of art projects
2. go to your space, look at your supplies, see what you have. Make a pile of stuff that inspires you and start a journal page with that or layout. Whatever your medium is.

Quote of the Day:

~ Ideas must work through the brains and the arms of good and brave, or they are no better than dreams. ~  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Creative Links:

1. Show off your Work Desk on Wednesdays. It's fun to see what others are doing around the world!! 

2. My friend Megan is soooo crafty! Be inspired by her cards and scrappy layouts AND look for her in a magazine near you...she is being published everywhere this spring!! 

***Girls be sure and post your projects, thoughts and your own quotes or ideas on the Words of Me Project fan page on Facebook. Let's inspire one another!!! 

**Also...tell your friends!

**Oh, and there will be a sweet prize at the end of this challenge!!

Have fun!!!

A Little Challenge...

So my last post I shared with you how my MOJO had taken a hike and that, after a month it was slowly coming back. Well, you know what?? I want it back 100%. And the very best way I know how to get it back is to just put in the time...

The creative time that is!


‘The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself.’  Alan Alda

Like Alan Alda says...I want to leave my city of comfort and go into the wilderness of my intuition. 

I want to take all those ideas running around in my head and get them down on canvas or in my art journal or scrap with photos of my family.

Art is what I love.

It fills me up like nothing else.

So, I have decided that starting Monday, January 23rd to create everyday for 2 weeks.

Everyday I will journal or paint or scrap or draw...something.

AND I will share it here with you.

What to know the best part??

I want YOU to join me!!

I know, I know...there are about a dozen e-courses going on out there right now...but all I'm asking is just 2 weeks of your time! 

January 23-February 6.

“There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.” — Edward de Bono

So, will you join me? Come on, girls!! Let's get our creativity on!!!

Oh and don not worry!! You do NOT need to post your work unless you want to:) The goal is to JUST CREATE!!!

You girls are awesome:)

Mojo is BACK!

It is only when we silent

the blaring sounds of our daily existence 

that we can finally hear the whispers

of truth that life reveals to us,

as it stands knocking

on the doorsteps of our hearts.  

~K.T. Jong

 

 

 

 

It had been a month since I had created anything. 

I would try and try 

to paint

or scrap

or journal...

but nothing would happen.

My mojo had dried up.

 

It was depressing.

I mean, I LOVE to create.

To play

and explore

with paint

pens

ink

and glue.

Finally,

at long last

I was able to spend an entire day

in  my new space.

It was wonderful.

And just what I needed.

A piece I'm working on for a friend.

Most of the day was

spent without radio

or televison.

 

Just me and my thoughts. 

A piece I'm working on for a friend.

I realized I don't spend near

enough time just creating.

Just being in my space...

no agenda...

just playing.

Must do this very soon.

Background for one of my Brave Girls

One of my very favorite 

things about Saturday was

the Body Book

I am creating for the 

Body Restoration Class

I am taking with Brave Girls Club.

Here's a peek...

What about you? Have you been in your studio lately? How long have you gone without creating? How did you get your mojo back??

Please share!!

Story in My Heart

I woke up this morning thinking about my WORD for 2012...STORY.

I kept thinking am I really sharing mine? Do my friends and family and readers really know me?
My story.

I promised myself and you that throughout 2012 I would share pieces of myself as I journey towards health, art and peace. This is the year I MEAN it. I am going to be true to you and true to me.

Here's what I wrote in the front of my Gratitude Journal December 19th.

'My year of Story. Stories full of grace, light and hope. Stories of my Life. Stories of how we made it through 2012, on our new path filled with gratitude in our hearts. This is my year of Story."

It's been nearly 2 weeks since the new year began. 2012 has been different. I have been kinder with myself and others. I have charity growing in my heart.

Today I am working on my Body Journal for the class I'm currently taking from Brave Girl Melody Ross. It's called Body Restoration and girls can I just say what a story this is gonna be. I have a wonderful feeling that issues I have had with my body since I was in 3rd grade may just start to melt away. Melody worked miracles with restoring my soul...I can't wait to see what miracles await me and my body image.

There is still time to take this course. It's $99 and let me tell you from experience...Brave Girl classes ROCK. Not only are they art but they are soooo healing. Melody puts her heart and soul into each lesson and piece of art. Love it!

Do you have any artsy plans for the weekend??

It's Show Time!!

This has been a long week and I am so ready for Friday and the weekend. Lots of good, good things that need to get done!

I have 2 art pieces with a deadline...I guess I better get busy:)

You know as I was thinking about what to write today it occured to me...I don't think I ever posted my show photos. And while this particular show wasn't so great sales wise...my Mom and I had a really good time and my courage muscles grew a little bit more.

The show was in a big pole barn...super cold and not very festive as you can see the drab wall behind my table.

Since it was Christmas I used a cheery red table cloth and sprinkled silver tinsel and bows all around.

I like it!

Looking at your work when it's all together like this is so cool. I am really proud of my work.

My Mom snapped this photo of me. I was so happy to be there...yet just a teensy bit worried I would not sell a thing.

By the end of the day I had made my booth fee back plus a bit more. Disappointing, yes but like I said earlier...a learning experience. The kind woman to my left was from Kansas City and had been doing shows for years. She said the crowd at this show just wasn't the right fit for several of us there.

I agree.

I had a chance to do a really nice show here at home in February...I called about a space, shared my work and all that. But when it came down to committing to it I decided not to. A bit crazy maybe but I promised myself I would focus on my health and the Body Restoration class I am taking over at Brave Girl's Club. There is no way I would be ready for a nice show by February along with working out, cooking clean meals and working on my class. There will be other shows and by then my art will be even more amazing!!!

Speaking of Body Restoration...there is still time to sign up. Click here to learn about this class!!

How have you flexed your Courage Muscles lately??

Oh Poor Me....

So today is just one of those days.

I am ouchy and disagreeable

and tired

and whiny

and hungry.

I am having a bad hair day.

My skin is dry and flaky.

My clothes are worn

and don't fit the way I want them to.

Blah, Blah, Blah.

Wait

a 

minute.

What 

am 

I 

doing?

This is so NOT the way I envisioned

my year to go.

No, ma'am.

I am going to pick myself up,

dust myself off

and 

SMILE.

Smiling is good right?

I am going to open up my gratitude journal

and write down 5 things I'm grateful for.

I am going to

not be so hard on myself.

The past week and a half I have been working out,

watching what I eat

and journaling it all.

I promised myself I 

would have patience 

with myself 

throughout my journey

and 

NO MATTER HOW HARD

it got...

I

would

not

quit.

And I haven't.

I'm just whining.

Today.

To you.

Thanks for listening....

Studio Tour

"I like the idea of having a calm, quiet room to work on my music while knowing that outside there's noise and a lot happening. It's reassuring to know the 'everyday' continues even though inside the studio you feel so disconnected from it."  -Keren Ann

Oh, I've been waiting and waiting and waiting!! Today's the day I get to show you my NEW studio!

I have showed you my space many times...and it's true I have the most amazing built-in space you can imagine....

It came with the house and I fell in love instantly. However, as time went by and I created in it I realized it was missing so much...windows, a place to sit and wall space. As time went by I missed the sun shining in and the feel of a wide open space. So I bought this custom made counter from a friend and put it in our family room...just a few feet away from my original space.

This worked quite well for awhile. There were 2 large windows, open spaces and I could still stand and create {the method I prefer} or add a bar stool and sit down. I left most my stuff in the original space and just walked back and forth if I needed something. 

But then...I got ancy...it just wasn't what I envisioned for my space. Before we moved here nearly 5 years ago I had my studio in a small room with slanted ceilings. While it was a bit cramped I loved the coziness of that place...that's what I longed for.

Soooo, when my son decided to move his bedroom upstairs I took over that room {which was supposed to be the guest room}.

It was okay...it had the window and a desk where I could sit down and it was cozy....{a bit, too cozy with that turkey-LOL}

But still it just felt like a guest room. I mean it was full of bedroom furniture...including the queen size bed!

It was seriously not the ideal situation but it was  kind of working ....

I went back and forth a lot...somedays I'd create in the original space then I'd go to the family room then back to this room. I just wasn't inspired!

Then I got an idea. 

Our sweet girl Emma had been wanting a new room for MONTHS. Since our budget is pretty tight right now  I knew there was no way we could afford a new bedroom set. However...there was a perfectly good bedroom set in my art studio!! 

Soooooo.......we got busy and with the help of our sweet missionaries we cleared out Em's room {her bed, shelves, etc.} and moved all the furniture from downstairs up to her room. Oh, girls it was so exciting!!!

Next came MY space...the boys moved everything I wanted in and I got to work...organizing, hanging art on the walls and smiling. 

Are you ready to see it?

Here it is...

Welcome

See?! No bed!!

Just wide open space!!

To the left is my custom made counter...

it's sooo awesome!

I can stand and see the sun pouring in...SWEET!

To the left of my counter is a corner cabinet

that was in my room since I was 2 years old!!

 

I have all my art journals in here and some of my favorite idea books

That cute apron hanging on the door was a handmade

gift from my Mom!

There is more storage in the bottom of this cabinet, too. 

Can you believe my Mom paid

just $15 for this thing at a garage sale

back in the 1960's??!

To the left of the cabinet are two shelving units 

holding supplies and my favorite art pieces.

Close-ups

My prayer canvas gives me strength

and reminds me that I CAN create.

This was one of the first pieces I ever did...

I love it!

Then that darling little bird print is 

from my girl Leanne. Check her Etsy Shop here

and buy one for yourself.

The top of my bookcase...

More of my art, a charming birdie I found at Dollar General, 

a butterfly pretty from my Mom and my

creative mentor and friend, Lisa Bearnson.

One of my favorite mini Brave Art pieces!!

My Ziggy Doll from my Dad and this amazing

REAL Brave Girl from the 1920's!!

I found her at a flea market and LOVE all the stories 

that must surround her and this photo. She inspires me to be BRAVE!

Do you like it so far??

Here's the other side of the room. The desk is in the same place...it fits perfectly in that little nook.

I love it that now I can stand or sit.

Awesome!

Each wicker basket houses various items...Mod Podge, patterns,

paint, stamps and lots more.

Here is my view from behind my counter.

A few more close-ups...

This reminds me that YES!! I am a Brave Girl.

Right above this is a scrapbook layout of me being BRAVE!

That's me singing on a tour bus in New York City. My mom had told him my dream about me singing on Broadway one day...so....the driver drove us to Wall Street and Broadway, gave me a mic and made me SING:)

Here's most of my acrylic paints. The clipboard to the left has

ideas and quotes on it and that darling painting on the right

is from "Twinkle, Twinkle" blog author Kristin.

My counter top close ups...

For Christmas Mom gave me an Ott Lite!

My workspace. I can't live without that white shelving rack. It just doubles 

my space...love it!

I have wanted one of these forever...finally bought myself one at Michaels...it was half off...sweet deal!

See those cutie, patootie stamps in there?? I have a set to give away this week!

A basket of cards for friends like you. Leanne's creation on top;)

And finally....

A girl can never have too many brushes!

That's my studio!!

I hoped you enjoyed the tour...