Monday, November 30, 2009

A Container For My Dreams

Dear Bumper Story Book For Girls

When I purchased you from Rebound Books many years ago I knew that one day you would be the perfect book for a very special project.


I have been wanting to do some art journalling for the longest time and now that I have the amazingly big dream to work on it needs a special place to call home.



I look forward to filling your pages with all manner of dreams and wild imaginings, planning and scheming, and perhaps a splash of heartfelt desire. Not to mention lavish amounts of paint, paper, glue, ribbon, words and pictures.

Thank you for offering yourself up to me as an Art Journal. I promise to fill you with hope and truth, colour and meaning.

Your artful friend
Tinniegirl

Thursday, November 26, 2009

My Creative Space...

I have been wanting to join in with some memes again for what seems like forever. I just never seem to have the right photos for the right theme at the right time with the right amount of energy to get the job done. I know, I make everything harder than it needs to be. Just ask Ms L about that one.



This week my creative space is all in my head. I have a wonderfully big idea brewing that I am so excited about. It's like I'm suddenly understanding the bigger picture about my creative path and the gifts that I am meant to share with the world. Let me tell you, it puts all the recent darkness into perspective and makes my heart beat wildly just thinking about it. Which, just so you know, I am doing all the time.

Thinking, dreaming, planning, wondering, and smiling. LOTS.

Head on over to Kirsty's, the home of My Creative Space, for a gluttony of creative spaces. Do you know Kirsty and her blog Kootoyoo? Ever since The Quilt Project I've developed quite a blog crush on her. Or maybe it is more aptly described as a creative crush. She's such a great community builder. I don't think there's many people around these days who you could really describe as truly altruistic but Kirstly is definitely one of them. Anyway, Kirsty rocks, you know what I'm saying?

Monday, November 23, 2009

Grateful

FOR
Beautiful sunsets
Birdsong
Spring weather
Time out
Good colleagues
New ideas
Happy time spent in the studio on the weekend
Renewed energy
Bike riding

How about you?

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Can You Give Yourself This Gift


Of time? Of space? Those are the words that were given to me. They've been settling inside me for a couple of weeks.

I've been in such a rush to get to 'being an artist' that I haven't allowed myself time to actually just be one. I've been putting so much pressure on myself that all the joy disappeared. I've been so consumed by having to know how it's all going to play out that I lost my sense of adventure and wonderment.

All my life I have wanted this, to be an artist and a writer, but you know it's only just over 12 months since I really acknowledged it. Sometimes I get scared that by the time I'm ready everyone else will have moved on.

If I believe though, as I do, that our dreams are truly made for us, then I have to trust that there is plenty of time and that I am exactly where I'm meant to be. That everything will unfold exactly as it supposed to. That one day I will make my living as an artist and a writer.

So I come back to the question. Can you give yourself this gift? Time and space to play, to explore, to immerse myself in art and creativity. The answer is yes, followed by a great big sigh of release.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Oops, and Ouch


The back step gave way yesterday morning as I rushed out to get some clothes off the line for work. Thankfully nothing broken, just some painful spraining.

An accident or a message to slow down? Maybe I'm supposed to quit work, or bring the washing in on Sunday nights in readiness for the week. Interpretations welcome.

Friday, November 13, 2009

It's That Time Of Year Again

It's flossy-p's annual thanksgiving giveaway. All the details here, including a fabulous button for your blog.

Thanksgiving Giveaway 2009

Please don't enter though. I really want to keep the odds in my favour.

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This morning I thought "sometimes it's only in our darkest moments that our deepest dreams can emerge". You know, I think that could be what's happening for me at the moment. Lots of clarity and big ideas going on in the last 24 hours. It makes my heart beat fast when I think about what might be possible. Thanks for making the road a little less lonesome.

What's on for the weekend peeps? I've got some crafty gals coming over for a crafternoon.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

That's Better


Sometimes getting the darkness out of your heart and mind is all that's needed to start shifting things.

Thanks for your words of encouragement and support. They are much appreciated.

Normal creative programming will resume shortly. Well, that's what I'm aiming for anyway. I'm going to use the 'fake it till you make it' approach if it doesn't happen of it's own accord.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Who Am I?


I've been drifting in a dark and lonely place. I look at recent posts on my blog and all seems well in my world. Have I been lying, both to you and myself? How can there be posts full of inspiration, progress and art, and then this darkness that seems to have come over my soul.

Riding my bike last week and pondering things I heard an inner voice loud and clear. "You are the one creating this struggle" it said. I know this to be true. But why? Perhaps why is the wrong question. Perhaps 'why' is just a means of giving the struggle a foothold.

Maybe the more pertinent question is 'how'? How do I wade through this quicksand? How do I find my authentic self in amidst all the noise that is going on within? How do I trust that what is in my heart is meant for me? How do I stop the fear from taking hold?

This is the place that I am stepping out of at the moment. Hopefully I'll see you on the sunny side soon.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Saturday: A List


  • Making the Mix CD's for the giveaway winners
  • Working on a new blog for the retreat and workshops I'm planning for next year
  • Eating pate and french cheese
  • Going to the gym for a workout (to cancel out pate and cheese)
  • Watching Sopranos on DVD
  • Dreaming
  • Working on more Messages from the Universe
Tomorrow I'm going to take on the painting, get out the spray paints and hopefully catch up with one of my favourite peeps.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

You Can't Win 'Em All

Just after posting yesterday I thought I'd grab another 10 minutes in the studio and tackle the next step in the painting....


...I went too far. I don't like it at all. As soon as I painted the word on it I knew. Not knowing where to go, and unable to press undo, I tried adding, and then more adding. Now it just looks like a big, unbalanced mess.

One of the things that I really want to do at the moment is take more risks with my creativity, try new things and explore different mediums. I'm not very good with the failures though. I'm not very good at seeing the opportunity in it.

Anyway, you can't win them all. I think I'll give this a good coat of white paint and start afresh. I can't see any way to turn it around.

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I am happy to announce winners of my last BLOGTOBERFEST 2009 Friday Giveaway. Stumptious, Mookah and Becky et al will all be receiving some Messages from the Universe and a mix CD. Get in touch with your address and I'll pop your goodies in the post. I made the mix CD yesterday.

If you're in need of a Message from the Universe pop over to the shop. I've got a set on my desk at work and I love picking out one to start my day.

If you were a winner in one of my Friday Giveaways I'll be posting your parcel early next week.

Thanks again to everyone for making BLOGTOBERFEST an overwhelming success. It's been a huge month of excitement, adventure and beginnings for me.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Been Painting

Where does the time go? Three days passed me by just like that.


I've been painting. Everything in sight. Well not quite, but lots. I haven't painted in ages. I've been all about the textiles lately and have been working on backgrounds that I already had made.

But I do love to paint. So it's been fun to do just that. I love it when the fun takes hold.


Here's my work in progress. Something totally experimental. I'm riding the highs and lows with this one but I think it's going to come through in the end.

I'll draw the giveaway tomorrow I've decided. So if you haven't entered there's still time.