{home}

Day 3 of April Moon offered the word 'home' as a prompt.

Home is a funny thing to me at the moment, somewhat fraught I suppose.

We moved house about 6 weeks ago now, into a lovely new home. After lots of work it's all set up and looking beautiful. Things have a place and we are settling into new routines. I know that it's going to be a great place to live.

But right now, the move and the new house are all tied up with Holden's death, and the grief of losing him. Home doesn't feel like home without him. It feels like part of my family is missing and how can anywhere feel like home in those circumstances.

That's home at the moment. An odd mix of things.

{juicy}

Juicy is:

eating a mango pip over the sink with the juice running down my face

being consumed by a great book

gossiping with girlfriends

heart-to-heart conversations

sharing truths

lying in the sun on a warm day dreaming big dreams

Responding to day 2 of April Moon. All the deets here

{courage}

The lovely Kat McNally is hosting a reflective writing challenge called April Moon over the next fortnight, in honour of this glorious blood moon. As well as needing something to get the creative juices flowing I've had this really strong sense of April being the start of something for me. I feel an ending and a beginning taking place.

Here's a few things that came to mind when I considered the word courage today:

• Loving {peeps and fur peeps} in spite of the risks, the loss and the grief.
• Standing up to bullies and fighting an unfair dismissal from my former employer. Leaving a legacy for the treatment of other staff.
• Revisiting the past.
• Forgiving, myself and others.
• Stopping smoking for the umpteenth time {2 days free today}.
• Deciding to be ambitious this year.
• Getting up, and up again, no matter how many times I get knocked down.
• Choosing happy, choosing dreams, choosing to follow my bliss.

You can grab all the details on how to join in, and the gorgeous blog button, over here. Hope to see you there.

{the best swap ever}

Brilliant, Brilliant Life

Acrylic on canvas

3 x 4 foot

{my part of the swap}

 

I've done some pretty great swaps over the last 4 or so years since I started blogging.  Original art, art supplies, crafty goodies, vintage goodies, books and a bazillion swaps of various things with Curlypops.  Many, many wonderful things.

But there was one thing I have wanted for the longest time.  A beautiful quilt.  I adore patchwork quilts.  The way they look, the way they feel, the beautiful ways that fabric can be put together, the heart and soul that goes into making them.  I've even had a few attempts at becoming a patchworker {and will probably have a few more} but like most of my dalliances with sewing they have been short-lived.

A few months back after seeing yet another of Buttontree Lane's amazing quilts on her blog I decided to go out on a limb and see if she would swap a quilt for a painting.  And after some thinking and emailing back and forth she said YES!

On Boxing Day Michelle and I got to catch up and do our swapping.  It was so lovely that we got to do it in person and see each others reactions to receiving our gifts.  Besides it's always lovely to catch up with long time blog friends in real life too.

 I absolutely adore my new quilt.  I don't really even have words to tell you how much I love it and how much it means to me.  Lucky for me we had some cool enough weather when I got it and I got to spend lots and lots of time snuggled under it.

 

It's called 'Accentuate the Positive', which happens to be the most perfect title and felt like a gift in itself.  It's a whole separate post, but the short version is that it really connects to the words and ideas I'm playing with for my word of the year.

 

Photo credit Buttontree Lane

 

 Thank you so much Michelle.  I love it!

{booked}

If you follow me on Instagram {I'm @tinniegirl over there of course} then you'll already know that I've been obsessed with making books lately.  I'm really enjoying learning a new skill and indulging a different creative outlet.  It's one of the rewards of letting go of my business - I have more time for play.  And I love it.

Here's a few pics of my adventures with book binding.

I've also taken to a bit of guerrilla sewing action and made a pouch for one of them.  It's been a long time since me and the sewing machine have seen eye-to-eye, but I'm having lots of fun with it too.  Especially this fly by the seat of my pants, no rules kind of sewing.  I like it!!!

If you're interested in a fun course on book-making I've been taking Mary Ann Moss's Full Tilt Boogie.  I've taken one of her e-courses before and I definitely think she is one of the best online teachers around.  There's also no time limit on the course - once you sign up you can take your time working through the course material.  It's great.  It's always been one of my biggest disappointments with many of the e-courses I've taken - having to rush through content, trying to keep up with a ridiculous posting schedule and a limited time frame for completing the course.  Who wants to be harried and stressed when you're supposed to be having creative fun.  Anyway, Mary Ann has an awesome blog.  Totally worth checking out.

Speaking of awesome, momentum is gathering over at I Saw You Dancing in preparation for Blogtoberfest.  If you haven't caught the news, I'm taking a year off hosting and Kat is stepping up to the plate.  I'm so excited.  I know she's going to rock it.

Speaking of more awesome, have you seen the Blogtoberfest button that CurlyPops designed.  Love, love, love.  That chick blows me away with her talents.  Pop over here to grab your button and sign up.

{blogtoberfest news}

 I HAVE BIG AND EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE!

If you're new to these parts and have no idea what Blogtoberfest is you might want to pop over to the Blogtoberfest page and get yourself acquainted.  For all you regulars read on.

Last Blogtober I realised it was time to make some changes.

"Blogtoberfest will be back next year.  I love it and I'm committed to it, for it's longevity alone.  For the way it brings people together, for the new connections it creates, for the noticing it brings.  However, it's also time for me to let go of the reigns a little and invite some new energy into this space."

I've been thinking about it for most of this year and toying with different ideas about how to bring that new energy to Blogtoberfest.  I'm so excited to tell you that for 2012 Blogtoberfest is moving to a new space.

My gorgeous friend Kat and her delightful blog I Saw You Dancing will be hosting this year's Blogtoberfest.

Here's what Kat has to say about being the hostess with the mostess for 2012:

"It is a pleasure and a privilege to host Blogtoberfest in 2012, while Cathy takes a well-earned break.  I am really looking forward to reconnecting with seasoned Blogtober participants, as well as seeing new faces.  This year, as well as usual chance to sign up and meet other Blogtober bloggers -- and even host a giveaway, if you'd like to spread the love! -- there will be daily prompts posted on my blog to keep your blogging mojo up. I'm really excited that a number of wonderful guest bloggers will be joining me to offer you insight and inspiration over the course of the month.

I am so grateful for Cathy for entrusting me with her baby, and can't wait to meet you all and having some juicy creative fun during the month of Blogtober!

Any help you can offer me spreading the word will be greatly appreciated!"

Thanks Kat.  I'm absolutely thrilled that you'll be hosting Blogtoberfest this year and bringing your own special magic to it.  I know it's going to be amazing.

And of course the ever fabulous CurlyPops will be helping Kat out, and playing an extra special role in this year's festivities.  But I'm not saying another word.  Head on over to I Saw You Dancing for all the news and action.

{over here}

Jen from Red Parka Diaries has interviewed me over on her blog today.  You can read a whole lot about my thoughts on being an artist, creative struggles, inspiration and more.  Pop on over.

{things i'm diggin'}

 Image courtesy of Rand Papele Jewelry

I've been completely obsessed with pennants lately.  I am sooooo getting one of these gorgeous necklaces sometime soon.

And what about these gorgeous pennants.

Then there's Emily Green's work.  I already own a few of her pieces, but I'm thinking I may need to add Jane to my collection.  My best friend's name was Jane.

Image courtesy of Emily Green

And who doesn't want one of these.  I hope they become a reality someday.

This post by Tara Gentile really got me thinking about dreams and goals.

And you?  What are you diggin'?

*****

 

Places in come paint with me are filling fast.  I can't wait for class to start.  If you'd like to be part of my first in-person painting workshop grab your place now. If you need to make a different payment plan to the options I've given just shoot me an email and we'll work something out.

{the benefit of being an artist*...}

Original Artwork by Dana Barbieri

Original Artwork by Dana Barbieri

is that you get to know lots of other amazing creative peeps, and you get to do swaps, and then you get to fill your home with exquisite original artwork. These beautiful pieces arrived at my house last week.  I can't wait to frame and hang them.  I adore Dana's work. 

Dana's painting every day in May and you're invited to join in if you like.  Pop over here for deets.

*****

*You know, in my wildest dreams I never thought I'd one day call myself an artist.  Every now and then it hits me in such a profound, bowl-me-over kind of way.  I am living my dream.   Ms L once said to me "it's amazing how you always wanted to be an artist and then you just started doing it".

Do that thing you dream of doing my friends!

{breaking apart and breaking open, and coming full circle time and time again}

It's been a tough time around here, there's no hiding from that fact.  I sometimes feel like my life is a constant cycle of hope and despair.  It's an exhausting ride at times.  I long for a slower pace, a smoother ride, a sense of balance.

I receive so many incredibly kind emails and comments about the way I share my journey here on the blog and in day-to-day life.  Sharing my truth, putting it all out in the world, warts and all.  It fills me with peace, and hope, and a great sense of pride to know that my words have an impact.

What I also realised today is that when I do put myself out there in all my vulnerability and imperfectness, and people connect with that story, it always comes full circle and heals me too.  We are all so deeply connected and we all have so much power to change each other, to inspire each other and to share hope.  And when we do it comes back to us like an amazing gift that restores our own souls.  

I wanted to share this story with you today and to tell you that you are such an important part of my journey and that I'm often thinking of you.  Time and time again I come back to this place {this blog} knowing that I will find my people here, and that the more I continue to be present in this space the more my life is enriched and filled with so many blessings.

Thank you.

{and special thanks to my amazing friend Jay for the wonderfully soulful conversation today}

{things i'm diggin}

My beautiful word of the year necklace from Liz Lamaroux and Kelly Barton.  I feel 'nourished' every time I wear it.

Celebrating 4 years of blogging this week.  It all started here and WOW what an amazing, life changing, soul defining journey it has taken me on.

Dana's new ARTFULL sketchbook e-course.  I love seeing friends spread their wings and fly.  It's ridiculously affordable too.  I am so signing up for this one.  Check out the great video she made about it too.

Chrissy's annual heart and seek project.  There's something so lovely about seeking out hearts and love everywhere.

Getting back into running again.  I'm doing the couch to 5k program and I love it.  I seriously love running.  I always wanted to run and I always thought I'd never be able to.  And now I can.  Ah, we so underestimate ourselves hey?

 

Making the last big push to get ready for the exhibition opening next week.  I've even got a fancy pants artist page over on the Red Brick website.  Feeling like a real artist much? Anyway, you should totes come along to the opening if you can.

 

Settling in to 2012, finding my rhythm and enjoying what feels like a busy but more fluid way of working and living.

 

Anticipating dinner with my favourite lady at my favourite food van this evening.

 

{one truly amazing day}

Last Saturday 16 brave souls put their trust in mine and Louise Gale's hands and joined us for Your Awesome Year.

We celebrated 2011 and bid it farewell

We spent time affirming ourselves

We played with magazines, and glue, textas and pens

We took time for ourselves and time to connect

We indulged

We let ourselves dream and let those dreams pour onto our vision boards

It was truly the most amazing day.

For me it was a moment of coming home.  To finding myself in a place that I'd been yearning for and yet denying for such a long time.  I have been involved in facilitating groups and leading others in their journey for as long as I can remember.  For some reason over the last few years I've really struggled to embrace that part of myself.  Saturday left me with absolutely no doubt that this is what I'm meant to be doing and what I love to do.  Combined with the work I'm doing in my Soul Business course it was life changing.

If you weren't able to join us this time don't worry, there'll be more where that came from, including a retreat that I'm dreaming of for next year!  {Eeek, can't believe I'm putting that out there already!}

*Thanks to Ms L for being our official photographer and for all your hard work.  I couldn't have done it, or anything that matters for that matter, without you.  Muah!

{things i'm diggin}

Kicking starting my new year with the Soul Business Sessions co-hosted by Beth Nicholls and Kelly Rae Roberts.  For years I've struggled to create a business plan for myself using traditional notions of business and planning.  I'm so excited for what this course will hold for me and my fledgling enterprise.  It feels like the timing is perfect.

CurlyPops latest endeavour.  I'm going to post my answers to the questions tomorrow.  Please join in and help this important cause.

Andrea's trip to Mexico.  I can remember how long she's been talking about wanting to paint and I'm so excited that she's taking this bold step.

Hatching a stupendously cool new project with three awesome women.

Feeling strong and grounded and more certain as I make my way into this new year.

Putting my custom 'word of the year' paintings out there into the world.  I'm crazy proud of these babies.

Ok, I'm off to my favourite art shop to buy supplies.

Have a lovely weekend peeps!

{2012 YOUR AWESOME YEAR}

I've been absolutely busting to spill the beans on the super-secret squirrel business that Louise Gale and I have been working on for the past couple of months.

I first met Louise when I traveled to the USA for An Artful Journey Retreat.  By a stroke of good fortune we sat at the same table and spent an incredible 3 days painting, laughing, eating chocolate and connecting.  Louise is vibrant, funny, warm, engaging and full of the most fabulous energy.

We've been friends ever since the retreat and share a passion for art, for dreaming and for inspiring other souls in their journey.  When Louise told me that she was coming to Australia I was so excited.  I am so looking forward to soaking up some of Louise's amazing energy.

It occurred to both of us that it would be fantastic fun for Louise and I to organise special for Melbourne peeps {or anyone who can get to Melbourne to join us}.  I'm so pleased to unveil our very exciting project:

Are you ready to create your awesome year in 2012?

Vision your dreams and plan an amazing year ahead in this one day in-person workshop with artists and dreamers Louise Gale and Cathy Kirwan.  Join Cathy, Louise and a lovely group of creative souls to get 2012 off to a great start.  Through visioning, meditations and creative exercises you'll leave the workshop full of energy and focus.

{the details}

Saturday 28th January 2012

12 - 6.30pm (includes lunch)

CERES Environmental Park

East Brunswick

Cost: $125

Limited places available

The workshop includes:

• A beautiful day at the gorgeous CERES Environmental Park with instruction from Cathy & Louise.
• Guided visualizations and meditations
• A light lunch and sumptuous afternoon tea
• Time to explore, relax and let your dreams unfold
• Reflections on 2011 – celebrating success, farewell to the year
• Affirming ourselves – creating positive messages to carry into the new year
• Creation of your 2012 Vision Board
• A goodie bag of tools & additional resources to take home with you

 

By the end of the workshop, you will have:

• A clear vision of your dreams and goals for the year ahead.
• Reviewed and celebrated 2011.
• A vision board to pin up at home to inspire you throughout 2012.
• Let go of any negative thoughts or feelings so you can move towards your dreams.
• Met other creative souls to be inspired, share and have fun with.
• Set the wheels in motion to see your dreams become reality in 2012.
• Found your truth, positive affirmations and courage to move forward and make 2012 Your Awesome Year.

What to bring:

• Poster board (A3 or larger)
• Glue stick
• A photo of yourself looking happy, that you really like. This will go on the centre of your vision board.
• Any magazine images, quotes, inspiring words you might have already gathered
• Additional magazines to share and use
• Any additional favourite art materials you may like to use (pens, markers, glitter, stickers) (please note: due to venue restrictions no paints)
• Any snacks or drinks you’d like in addition to what’s provided
• An open heart and mind
• Extra money for any café purchases
• A small item to contribute to a gift exchange (more details in the registration pack)

Payment Options
You have the option of paying in full for the workshop now, or making 2 part-payments, one now to secure your place and the balance in 2 weeks time.  Please note all payments must be made in full by Thursday January 19th 2012.

Join us to make 2012 Your Awesome Year?

To register and pay in full click here

To register for the installment plan click here

{flight of the ducks}

I'm off to Gleaners Inc this evening for the opening of 'Flight of the Ducks'.  

Here's a sneak peak of my work for the show.

 

Maybe I'll see you there.  If not, have a great weekend peeps!

{hey look, I'm over here}

Gee it's late, but I wanted to tell you that I'm guest posting {or guest prompting really} over at Kat's blog today.  Kat is hosting her own Reverb 2011, which you can read all about in the post and join in with anytime you like.

It's interesting to reflect on my prompt {what I might consider my greatest creative accomplishment for this year}.  I can list off a good handful of literally creative things I've done {hold an exhibition, re-open my shop, complete a couple of commissions, etc}.  At this very moment though I'm feeling like leaving work is my greatest creative accomplishment for 2011.  Creating time and space to do what I most love feels like the best accomplishment of them all.

Anyway, pop over and visit Kat.  Maybe you could leave your response to the prompt in her comments.

I'm off to bed.  It's been a big day of prep for the open studio and I'll be up bright and early tomorrow to bake bread, decorate a pavlova, spruce up the house and more.

Hope to see you tomorrow.

{busy, busy, busy}

I truly don't know how I ever found time to work.  Well I do, but I also know why I decided to leave my full time job.  There simply wasn't time for creative dreams.  I've got a week chock full of creative goodness this week, and you'd be welcome to join me for any of it.

Wednesday I'll be here at home for my annual open studio.  Join me for bubbles, good food, great company and some Christmas shopping.  All the details are here.

Friday I'll be popping over to Gleaners Inc for the opening of the "Flight of the Ducks" exhibition.  I've got a couple of pieces in the show and I'm looking forward to seeing all the other ducky goodness.

On Sunday I'm having a stall at the Bend and Snap twilight market at 1000 Pound Bend, 361 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne.  It runs from 3 - 8pm.  I'll have finkigirl jewellery and prints and cards {including some lovely new designs} for sale.

See what I mean?  Absolutely no time for a full time job in there.  And it feels so deliciously freeing not to have to try and fit one in.

Have a fabulous week peeps!  Hope to see you somewhere in my travels.

{annual open studio}

 

Open Studio & End of Year Celebration

Please join me for a glass of bubbles, a peak into my new studio and some creative Christmas shopping.

Wednesday 14^th December 2011

4 – 9pm

Featuring Special Guests

Camille Condon {CurlyPops}

Jaylene Juanita {Finki Handmade}

Prints, Cards, Jewellery, Stationary, Clothes, Original Artworks, Cushions & More

 

 ****************************************************

Last year was the inaugural open studio and now I've decided to make it an annual event.  It's a great opportunity to celebrate the end of the year, get together for a glass of bubbles, have a peak into my studio and creative process, and do a little Christmas shopping if you feel so inclined.

If you'd like to come along please email me at tinniegirl/at/optusnet.com.au and I'll send you my street address.  

All welcome.

{adventures in self-portraiture - part I}

A month or so ago I signed up for Vivienne McMaster's You Are Your Own Muse e-course.  In amidst all the everyday busyness I was struggling to find time to get to class and I actually wondered if I was going to make it at all.  Then I was visiting Danielle's blog and saw this incredible self-portrait that she took, and I knew I just had to find a way to prioritise the class.

 

And I'm so glad I did.  I can't recommend YAYOM highly enough.  It's playful, adventurous and full of great prompts and information.  In fact I think it is one of the best e-courses I've taken in terms of content and style of delivery.  Not to mention that Vivienne herself has an absolute gift for engaging people in the online environment.  I think she is truly doing her most important creative work.