Art Assignment-Week 4

Happy Wednesday, Girls!! I am loving all your work you post in our FB Mind.Body.Soul. group. Many of you are catching up...Yay! Remember...you are never, ever behind. You can find the entire class here...so take your time:).

We have a WINNER from Week 3....Congrats to Selenaintx from "Nursing a Scrapbook Addiction". Please email your addy to les262@embarqmail.com  Hooray!!


Just a note...to all the Winners so far...I haven't mailed anything yet...plan on that this Friday:) And speaking of prizes we WILL have one for Week 4 on tomorrow's post...which is a guest tutorial. I think you'll love it.


Okay...on with Today's Art Assignment. I asked you  some pretty tough questions on Monday. I hope that didn't scare anybody off. Our addictions/vices/whatever you call them come in 100's of forms. Mine just happens to be food. I love how several of you pointed out that it could be anything that keeps us from living our dreams....spending too much time on the computer, watching hours and hours of mindless TV and so many more. 


My intentions with Monday's assignment was to get you to thinking about our weakness's...whatever they may be. I used to spend hours on FB and blog hopping until I realized that I wasn't actually living my life in real time but virtually. Yes, I was inspired by sooo many blog posts, groups, challenges, etc...but I wasn't actually doing any of them. I was too busy dreaming of doing them.


Big, Big difference.


Today's Assignment is one of my favorites! I want you to create either a one or two page spread about what it looks like when you are living the way you truly envision. 

The page I am working on is filled with my favorite colors {aqua, yellow and bahama blue}, flowers, butterflies and a sweet girl that represents me with wings. She is holding a heart. She is happy and content. She is not chained to food or the internet. She is in control and she is listening to her heart and living her dreams. 


Take your time with this assignment. Make it special and lovely and true. I can't wait to see what you come up with!


Waiting for the fish to bite 
or waiting for wind to fly a kite.  
Or waiting around for
 Friday night
 or waiting perhaps for their Uncle Jake
 or a pot to boil
 or a better break 
or a string of pearls or a pair of pants
 or a wig with curls 
or another chance. 
 Everyone is just waiting.  


~Dr. Seuss


No more waiting, girls!! Now is the time OVERCOME our addictions to food or the internet or TV or procrastination. NO MORE waiting around.
The TIME IS NOW!:)

My Creative Weekend

Our art assignment from last week was simple...to just play. I enjoyed the process so much and plan on making this a regular part of my art experience. These are the lists I made Friday. I have my Art "To-Do's" on the left and the Stories I want to share on the right. In my art I think that's where I've been missing the boat...instead of just sitting down and painting, gluing and winging it...I want to begin really thinking about the Story I want to tell. It makes all the difference.

I created this background with my dreams of hosting an art retreat in mind. I wanted this to be extra messy and artsy...I am so happy with the results!

My sweet husband means the world to me....I had our relationship in mind when I did this one.

I tend to work best when I focus on one type of process at a time. If I'm in the mood for backgrounds then I'll create just backgrounds. Other times I may feel like putting images and words in my journals  or work on my Brave Girls. When I work this way I find it's easier to just "go" with my creative moods rather than force it.


The main project I worked on over the weekend was my SMASH book. I had purchased one with a few embellishments in January but hadn't figured out what to do with it. But then my dear friend Maggie  began using hers for our Mind.Body.Soul class and I kept thinking about MY book and wanted so badly to use it. Here is what I've come up with...


This is the opening page..."Here is a little bit about me". I plan on writing a few interesting things about my life right this very minute...my loves, my struggles, what my life looks like right now.

A few pages later is the section called "My Year of Story".

This is the place for all those stories I am anxious to share on my blog, in my art, my book and maybe one day my column on some blog or in a magazine.

Section 3 is all about I am going to become Whole again.

"How I am going to become ME again. Whole and Happy and Fulfilled."

There is another section all about Self Care. This is the place I will write down all those things I can do to relax and unwind...little reminders of things I can do to take the very best care of ME.

I couldn't have a SMASH book without a place for recipes. I ADORE cooking! Seriously...I secretly want to have my own show:)

Most of the ideas I have for my life involve art, writing, uplifting and inspiring ways to share my heart, etc. This is the biggest section of my book.

All my Dreams go here...

SMASH Books are just so darn cool, aren't they??

So that was a peek of my Play Day. Not only was it fun to just let go but it refreshed my soul and left me wanting to create more.


You cannot dream yourself 
into a character;
 you must hammer
 and forge yourself 



 Remember, Girls...you are never, ever behind! I will keep every assignment on my blog so you'll be able to complete this anytime. I appreciate each one of you. Thank you for playing along!!

I have decided to post our next assignment on Wednesday rather than today. Then later in the week we have  a special tutorial for your journals from my friend Andria. You won't want to miss it.

Happy Creating!

Week 4 is Here

Can you believe it? We have made it to Week 4 of Mind.Body.Soul. I am so excited you are here to share this journey with me.

This week we are totally switching gears and I am soooo READY!!

Our Word this week is:

OVERCOME

1.

to get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer;defeat: to overcome the enemy.

2.

to prevail over (opposition, a debility, temptations, etc.);surmount: to overcome one's weaknesses.

I have a little secret to tell you...

I am addicted to food.

Potato chips, caramels, peanut butter, bread, greasy hamburgers and fries, ice-cream....and the list goes on.

When I eat these foods it's hard to stop. I mean at first I begin with just a normal serving but then I end up eating until I feel physically stuffed and mentally and spiritually drained. 

It's a vicious circle.

And I am tired.

I  want stop numbing myself with food when I'm stressed or worried. I want to live my life...every part of it. 

Sometimes it's hard to face our life isn't it? Sometimes we feel overwhelmed and frustrated and have such sorrow that it feels like we'll never smile again. 

That's what life is though, girls. Life is just like a roller coaster....

World's longest coaster

It's all twisty and curvy with lots of highs and lots of lows. Hopefully each of us experiences more highs than lows...but regardless, we all must learn how to manage the adversity in our lives.

So I am ready. It's a brand new month, a brand new week and Spring {at least for some of us} is here. It is time to ask myself some really tough questions and hold myself accountable. I hope you'll join me this week.

Assignment #1:  

1. Take out your notebook for journaling or your art journal{I know some of you are using just one book} and make a list of the Top Ten foods you can't stop eating. Here is my list...

   *potato chips

   *chewy cookies

   *ice cream

   *homemade bread with butter

   *buttered popcorn

   *any chewy candy

   *Doritos

   *chips and salsa from La Bonita

   *buttered noodles with salt

   *cheese

   *crackers of all kinds

2. Answer the following questions...

a) How do you feel when you're eating these?

b) If you feel happy, satisfied, like all is right with the world...why do you think that is? 

c) How do you feel after you eat your binge foods? Describe how you feel physically, mentally and spiritually. An example would be...lonely, sad, depressed, failure, loser, no self-control, etc.

d) If you had a choice between eating one of your binge foods or spending time doing what you LOVE...which would you choose? Be honest here, girls. I can tell you that at times I have chosen food over what I truly love.

3. What are the consequences of your food choices? I know for me when I choose to stuff myself with sugar I get migraine headaches. When I binge on fat I am bloated and just feel yucky. My mood is bad, I am grumpy with my family and my art and writing suffer. Bingeing equals 100% sadness for me. 

This time I feel different. I feel like I am not alone in my battle with food. I know you are here. And if you are like me you understand. You know exactly what I'm saying...what I'm feeling.

Be honest with your answers, girls. No one else will see your journal. 

I promise to post Assignment #2 Tuesday night...it will be something artsy and it will lift your spirits. You will be able to see yourself in a whole new way. 

This is the week we really start to grow.

Winner & Play!

This is my REACH page from last week. I love everything about it.

I love the background colors, the gorgeous blues and golds and purples.  It' so funny because I never planned it this way...it just happened.

That is how I create best...when I don't go into it with any kind of expectation...I just start putting stuff on paper. It's like magic when I get something I truly love.

These stars represent "reaching to the sky" to me. It was the perfect spot to put this silly photo of me from last summer.

If you look closely....

I wanted to remind myself that at the time I made this page I DO have confidence in me!

The journaling spot in the middle lists everything I am reaching for in my life. These two pages were a blast to create...everything just came easy.

But then as I began working on my wheels from our last assignment...well...those didn't turn out anything like I had planned. Oh, I LOVE the journaling on them...the steps I need to take to make my dreams real. But....the art part of them?

Hideous! Seriously.

Soooo....I won't be showing them here. I know I want to do something I can look at daily so I am redoing. And that's okay. Isn't  that what art is all about? Growing and trying new things?

Sorta like this new hair-do of mine. I am still not certain I like it.....

But I did want a change....so last week I reached down deep and just took the plunge.

*sigh*

It is taking time to style it the way I envision....


Enough of that....LOL. We have another assignment and we have a WINNER from Week 2!!

The Winner is....

COLORFUL HEART!!!!

Congratulations! Please email me your addy:)  les262@embarqmail.com


On to Week 3 Assignment #2:

So you created your Creative Dreams Wheel and thought about small steps/micromovements you can take to make your dreams a reality. Didn't you find this a "freeing" exercise? I know I did. Whenever I get my thoughts and ideas down on paper...it opens up my mind and all of a sudden I can think more clearly. It's almost like the weight of self-doubt vanishes when you have written a plan on how you can make that dream come true.

It's time to let go once again this weekend. Let's get unstuck...I believe it's one of the best times to think about my dreams. When I'm in the flow of creating it allows my mind to wander...

During my studio time yesterday I realized I am putting waaaay to much thought into my pages. So much that it's stressing me out. I found myself frozen as I looked at the white, blank pages.

This weekend I want you to play in your journals. Take your dreams, a favorite quote, a new technique you have been wanting to try, anything to help you get unstuck!! And hey, even if you're not stuck like me...this will give you a chance to grow and learn:)

This quote hangs on my office wall...

"Not everything you create will be a masterpiece, but you get out there and you try and sometimes it really happens.  The other times you're just stretching your soul."  Maya Andgelou






One more thing....Week 3's PRIZE!

A set of awesome alpha stamps.

A mini scrapbook 

A piece of my Brave Art

Just leave me a comment in this post for your chance to win!!!

Thank you for being here, girls. I appreciate each of you so much:)

Week 3-Wheel of Dreams

It's already Week 3!  I am really enjoying our time together...seeing your work, reading your comments and visiting many of your blogs has inspired me on so many levels.

This week's Word is....

DO

to perform (an act, duty, role, etc.)

2.

to execute (a piece or amount of work)

3.

to accomplish; finish; complete

4.

to put forth; exert: Do your best.

5.

to be the cause of (good, harm, credit, etc.); bring about;effect.

Think about your questions from last week...specifically your answers to What lights me up? Are you doing enough of those things to fill your heart ? To make YOU happy...mind, body and soul?  Here's my list...

*Inspiring others

*meeting new people

*teaching others art, writing

*spending time with my family

*writing and sharing uplifting ideas

Look at your list and ask yourself...what one thing can I do TODAY that lights me up? 


I mean surely we can do something, right? We all lead busy, hectic lives....but if we take just a few minutes out of each day....those minutes will add up and before we know it our dreams are coming true. We are happy and fulfilled...mind, body and soul.

Author and Artist  SARK calls these baby steps "micromovements".

"Creative Dreams can get stuck inside our heads, in drawers, inside computers, and in closets. We are all filled with fabulous ideas and descriptions relating to our dreams...however we know that some of what leads to a dream fulfilled may be tedious, mundane, boring, or just really  time-consuming. If you are a practicing procrastinator, perfectionist, avoider, busy or whatever....then micromovements are for you."

These words are so encouraging to me. I remember the first time I read through her book "Make Your Creative Dreams Real"...when I read about her "micromovements" I thought...I CAN do this! My dreams no longer seemed so out of reach.

SARK...

"A micromovement  is a very tiny action that anyone can take toward some part of his or her creative dream. It's 5 seconds to 5 minutes in length. You write it down, along with a date and time for completion. You will feel energized and may want to continue for longer than 5 minutes. O r you may work for a minute or two then decide to take a nap."


Here are a few of her Micromovement ideas...


1. Creative Dream is to write a novel
    Micromovement: Sunday at 2 PM I will turn on my computer and create a file called "Novel".


2. Creative dream is to travel to Europe and paint.
     Micromovement: Call Val at 3 PM on Sunday about her friend living in Italy painting.




Here is what MY Micromovements look like.


1.  Creative Dream: To have a successful Blog filled with women from around the world sharing their art, words and life with me.
      Micromovement: Sunday afternoon gather my creative idea books, my journal and pens and make a list of 10 ways to grow my blog creatively.


2. Dream: Run a marathon with my son in January 2013
    Micromovement: Take out my calendar and plan my power walks for the week.


Are you getting the idea?




SARK sums up micromovements like this...


Micromovements continue to support my creative dreams. I have learned that it uses more energy to resist or avoid taking action than it does to make a micromovement. Every creative dream I've made real exists because of hundreds or thousands of mircromovements."

Can you imagine how much your life will change if you begin implementing this simple exercise into your life?
I BELIEVE it's the difference between living in the light or letting the darkness of "what could have been" take over and consume you.


This week will change your life!! I promise once you DO these Micromovements {no matter how big or how small} your  life will change. 


It will.


So let's have some fun shall we??


Your Assignment is to create a Micromovement Wheel. It's easy and will look pretty sweet in your Smash Book or Art Journal.


Here are  a few simple steps to create your wheel.


*Draw or paint or cut-out a large circle {it should take up most of page}
*In the center of the circle or wheel draw a circle large enough to write the words "Creative Dream" {then add your Dream}
*Make lines or spokes inside the circle {like a pie slice} 
*Make as many lines/spokes as you want
*Fill in each "slice" with a micromovement 


Example...


*In the center of my wheel it says "Creative Dream": Host an art retreat 
*In my slices I will write things like...
     Call Mozingo and ask about renting cabins
      Make a list of all possible places to have retreat
      Send an email to everyone I know that may be interested
      Ask my local art shop if they want to sponsor/help me out
      Research art retreats within a 500 mile radius


Are you getting the idea??


Art it up anyway you want with chipboard, stickers, paint, sparkles, flowers...however you choose. I will be posting mine on Tuesday:)



Okay...so remember...look at your What lights you up list...pick out one or two that really speak to you then decide on what Micromovements you can begin doing today. Create your Wheel then transfer those answers onto your wheel. You are all set!




Let me know how you are doing!!!


See you Tuesday with our Week 2 Winner:)

I am Reaching...

I really enjoyed answering questions from our last assignment...I believe these 5 questions are the most important we can ask ourselves when we're trying to find our way. Here are a few of my answers...

1. What lights me up?
    *inspiring others
    *meeting new people
    *writing, teaching, creating

2. When I do these things I lose track of time...
    *writing
    *scrapping/painting/collaging
    *Making goals

3. When I was young I wanted to be...
    *I wanted to move to New York City and act on Broadway
    *Write a book, play or screen play
    *Cover a Presidential campaign and be lead television announcer at a Presidential Convention

4. Who do I want to be now...
    *well-known blogger
    *Host art retreats at a beautiful home in the woods...Soul Collage....
    *I want to be a regular contributor to a national blog/magazine

5. 25 jobs I could see myself doing...
    *radio announcer
    *speech teacher/coach
    *station manager at radio station
    *nurses aid
    *television announcer
    *Art and writing workshop teacher
    *speaker
    magazine writer
    *syndicated columnist


I get excited just writing all these things down...so many possibilities.


I hope your week is going good. My husband and I have been thrown yet another curve ball. For those of you that have been reading my blog for awhile...you know what a rough couple of months I have had. I was soooo confident all this stuff was behind us...but yesterday it came back to haunt to me, making me sick and sooo worried. I am not ready to share all the details but it involves someone so very dear to us. The choices this person is making is breaking my husband and I's heart, making it extremely hard to think about anything else.

However...

I woke up this morning determined not to get in the low place I was just 1 month ago. No...I BELIEVE I can get through this. I know it may require me to REACH deep down inside of me to find the courage I need...but I can do this.

My Brave Art-2011

Enjoy the rest of your week. I love your work in the FB group...each of you inspires me to try new things and to keep on living my dreams. Thank you so much:)

I am looking forward to Week 3:)

See you on FB, girls!!