8 Years of Joy

Tomorrow is my son's 8th birthday. Wow! For eight years I've been on this motherhood journey, which has made me a better person and been such an emotional ride! I wouldn't trade it for the world.  

 

 

 

 

 It's all happened so fast. Cliche', I know, but so true.

Peace, Love and Chocolate

Cheap Joy

One of my favorite things to do is peruse the clearance section(s) of my local craft stores. I can literally spend hours and lose track of time going through all the leftover bits and pieces.

And it's a great way to try out new products without spending too much cash.

 

 

 

Peace, Love and Chocolate

 

Love Ninja

A little something I made for my son this V-Day. Totally made with love...





Peace, Love and Chocolate

Absentee Blogger

Has it really been almost a year since I've last blogged???

 

It wasn't planned. Life got in the way. If you're still here...

THANK YOU

Anyway...

 

We had an official Snow Day last week. Here are some pics of the powdery fun...

Peace ~ Love ~ Chocolate

The Joy Diet

Hello.

I'm not sure if you saw a post of mine last Friday about an online project I wanted to start - but I've removed it. And I apologize for being so hasty. But the truth is I jumped before thinking and if I would have continued, I would have landed head first.

Photo Credit

But, I will tell you, I am spending the next four months on me. And I'm starting with the book, The Joy Diet, by Martha Beck.

Photo Credit

I'm on "menu" item #1 and have a feeling I'll be there a while. It's sitting for 15 minutes doing nothing. Basically meditating. Something I've always wanted to do, but every time I try, my mind distracts me. Beck gives tips about how to guide what she calls, "squirrel brains" to mindful contemplation.

 

I'm also revamping my diet. I've started with giving up soda and drinking water and juices (some coffee and tea also). That has me feeling better and not so dehydrated. Next, I want to add exercise. But, I have to pace myself. If I try too much at once, I'll create anxiety for myself and quit everything.

 

So, anyway, another blogland lesson for me.

 

Peace ~ Love ~ Chocolate

Silencing the Noise

Hello!

I'm back from my "day off" - offline that is. And that's not totally true, I checked e-mail and searched Google for a few things, but I stayed off of the social media sites. It was actually pretty freeing! I got a lot done and I think I need to schedule more of those days for myself. Get out of virtual reality and get into "reality"!

It's so noisy online, don't you think? Every one's screaming, "look at me!", "buy my product!", "pick me, pick me!" It exhausts me and when I get caught up in it I start feeling bad. And I do get caught up. Because honestly, I want to be seen just as much as the next Blogger, Tweeter, and Etsian. And a lot of times, I don't feel seen. It's not enough. It's NEVER enough!

Photo Credit Unknown

So, now, to keep myself from spiraling into a deep abyss of self pity, I will just step away from social networking. It's still useful, I recognize that. But it's a tool and not an identity.


Peace ~ Love ~ Chocolate

Muted Monday

Today, I will not be logging onto Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. I'm totally unplugging and going to quiet the noise. This will be a good way to start the week and focus...

Peace ~ Love ~ Chocolate

The Joy List

A few things that have brought me joy lately...

Wild blackberries growing on our property. I smell cobblers and jams, and maybe even wine!

Homemade apple pie filling from a friend. You gotta have friends like that!

And celebrating my son's Kindergarten graduation. Another milestone...

Peace ~ Love ~ Chocolate

Riverwalk Love

Hello!

I meant to post this yesterday, but once again, time got away from me. So here is the update from the show on Saturday: AWESOME!

My humble booth

Yes, I had a great day - not just because of sales - but because I got to meet some really great people. Artsy people. People who talked about art passionately. Who are WAY more talented than me, but no matter, they were gracious and accepted me as one of them. And I heard so many interesting interpretations of my art from passersby. I would never have thought that my art could do that. Strike up conversation. Even memories and emotion. So totally awesome!




Artist Jean Bourque, painting to one of the performers

And, to be honest, I wasn't really prepared. But I've learned that showing up sometimes is half the battle, so I showed up. And it was the best thing I did! I now have leads for some other shows. I'm so excited and exhilarated! I feel like I'm really on the right path. My big toe is in the door and I'm not letting it shut!

Peace ~ Love ~ Chocolate

Working 9 to 5

Hello!

Life is going at 100 MPH for me right now. And I'm going to follow that with:

life is strange

Here's why:

Monday, I was all mopey because my mom left. It was sadder than normal, for reasons that I can't really explain on my blog (too personal on her side). Then came Tuesday. I was getting ready to head back into my studio for the redo, and take some pictures for the blog. Then I get a new friend request [on Facebook] from a local artist (a popular one - you know - the 'you think wouldn't pay any attention to me' kind of popular.) And THEN, she asks if I'd be interested in displaying/selling my art at a music festival this weekend!

Um, YES!!!

So, she gave me the info, I signed up and I've been working frantically to get new pieces done!

A new painting in progress

Normally I wouldn't go for something so last minute, but something inside me has told me to, "go for it!" So, that's what I'm doing. I have no expectations and if all else, I get the to spend the day listening to live music and eating junk food!

So, I'm putting a pause on my studio redo. But, with what I've done so far has made it usable. And I'm really loving that!

Wish me luck for Saturday. I'll post pics next week, along with the outcome.

Peace ~ Love ~ Chocolate

Easter and Goodwill Hunting

Hello!

I've been having a great visit with my mom. Here we are below. She's 81 and doesn't mind me saying so. She's very proud of the fact that she's made it to 81! And I'm so thankful that she's in such great health that she can still visit.

 

My mom and I

My son had a good Easter. The bunny was VERY good to him. *wink*

My son eyeing the goods

And, yesterday, my mom and I went to Goodwill and they had 50% off everything in the store! I managed to find this lovely desk...

My Goodwill find

It wound up being only $10! I really wanted/needed a desk for my studio. Something where I can work on my laptop and keep paperwork and stuff. It's missing a drawer, but I'm planning to put a basket there. I also want to paint it. I'm thinking teal. Hmmm...

I'm still hunting for my big comfy chair. It may have to be put on the back burner if I can't find one at a thrift store. But it's not essential to finishing my studio.

So things are continuing on with my studio redo. Hopefully I can get more pictures next week. So, please come back and check in!

Peace ~ Love ~ Chocolate

Do What You Love

Video from Well of Creations

Peace ~ Love ~ Chocolate

Dreaming in Color

Hello!

I'm still waiting for my AC unit to arrive for my studio.

Snail mail.

Uggh.

So, in the mean time, I'm dreaming about paint colors. I'm not sure I will even get to painting right now. I would love to, but I don't know about the time and resources. But I do have some inspirational eye candy. It never costs to dream...

Lovely teal and turquoise

More teal (ahhhhhhh)

A splash of lavender

If I were to paint my studio, I would paint it teal. It's such a fresh, lively color to me!  I threw in the lavender for the same reason. It's probably the picture I'm more in love with though! Imagine how wonderful that lavender field smells!!!

Don't forget, I have a giveaway from Wednesday's post. Just leave a comment on that post to enter!

Peace ~ Love ~ Chocolate

Soul Journaling

Hello!

Last week was hectic and sadly I think I'm still catching up. I had veternarian appointments, birthday celebrations for my son (joy) and seperate school appointments for him too. Then add my various weekly chores and I was really running around! But it's all good.

This week I'm starting an e-course from a lovely friend of mine, Leslie Ackman from {Words of Me Project}. It's called Mind. Body. Soul. and it's going to be 6 weeks of art journaling prompts, ideas to move you forward in life, healthy recipe ideas, motivating quotes, and more. Week one has not disappointed and there's even a bonus giveaway that I wasn't expecting. Go ahead and check it out- it's FREE! Just shows how generous her heart is.

I've been working on new art too. Not ready to show it yet, but hopefully by the end of the week. Hope y'all have a good one and as always...

Peace, Love and Chocolate

Why I Love Pinterest

Hello!

I've been seeing a lot of buzz about Pinterest out in Blog Land and some of it is not so positive. To be honest, I didn't get Pinterest at first. It took a few of my friends to join before it really clicked with me. And now, I use it A LOT! And yes, there can be too much of a good thing.

A view of my Pinterest page

But first, here are a few reasons why I love it so much:

1. It's a great filing system. In the past I've found things I want on the Internet, but couldn't order at the moment, so I've had to bookmark them. This worked OK, but there wasn't a visual of the item and I'd wind up with long lists of bookmarks. With Pinterest, there's a picture, on a board of my choosing, for easy referencing later.

2. I'm able to see patterns. That is, I'm able to see patterns in things I like, like clothing or housewares. And for some reason, this has made it easier for me to shop! I have a better idea of my style and almost a game plan before going out into the world to make my purchases. 

3. I'm dressing better. Yeah, sad, I know. It took an online web site to help me put outfits together, but it really has helped! I'm putting colors together I never would have thought of, belting tops, and adding more jewelry. I think I may have style now! Not just jeans and t-shirts.

4. Recipes. If you're on Pinterest you know what I mean. It's recipe GALORE. Will I prepare everything I pin? Probably not, but who cares?

5. Etsy promotion. I've noticed lately that a lot of people are using it to promote items in their Etsy shops. And I am too. It's a great way to get more traffic to your shop (if you have one).

And as I said before, there can be too much of a good thing, which is that it can consume a lot of time, if you let it. After the initial amusement of it went away, I really only spend about 15 minutes a day on there. And sometimes I'm not even on Pinterest - I just pin things I see from other websites.

So, if you've been curious about Pinterest, I hope you give it a try. It's something fun and can be used as a helpful tool. *smile*

Peace, Love and Chocolate

The Road Ahead (Archive)

Photo by Fotolia

"The road to success is always under construction." ~ Anonymous

Morning Haiku

Golden, glowing orb

Endless possibilities

Seize today, always



Doors

Hello!

You're probably wondering why I'm showing you a picture of a door, huh? It's not particularly artistic, but it's something I've wanted ever since the hubster and I have moved into this new house.

This door covers the attic space in our bonus room (aka: my studio), which is also over the porch breezeway. Before this door was installed [by the very talented hubster], cold air would RUSH through this room, making it impossible to heat, and therefore, work in. Every time my hubby would ask what I want for upcoming holidays I would say, "attic doors."

And boy did he deliver and I am in love! {Is it wrong to be in love with doors?} This weekend I'm going to organize this space and get it into working order. I can't paint the room yet, it will have to wait for now. But, I have so many ideas going through my head and I'm very excited to finally have my own space to work and make a mess in!

For now, check out a page from the altered book I'm working on in a class that I'm taking locally. I keep meaning to take pictures from the class, but when I get there, I get to work (so does my mouth) and I totally forget about pictures for my blog!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Peace, Love, and Chocolate

Lazy Sunday...

Dream Shopping

Hello!

Well, it's Friday, and I've been nursing a cold/flu for the last week. A little extra souvenir from Florida, I suppose. At first I tried to continue with my daily activities, but that quickly became impossible because my body just needed the rest. So, I stayed in bed and cuddled up with my laptop and Netflix. When I wasn't napping, I browsed the Internet, dreaming of what I'd love to do with my house. Here are some of my finds...

Photo Credit

I want to do this in my bathroom! I have two, practically floor length windows in my master bath and this would definitely fit into my Farmhouse Chic theme for the house. I'm going to be on the hunt for some beauties in the near future. Then there's the bedroom...

Photo Credit

One word: LOVE! I have to say, it was love at first site. This is from Pottery Barn and currently, PB is a little pricey for me, but I'll keep dreaming. And maybe if I'm lucky Target (said Tar-jay) will come out with a knock-off look.

And then there's Pinterest. I spent more time on this site and I'm starting to become addicted. I love some of the outfit's that are featured, like this:

Pinterest

I love the casual and creative chic of this outfit. And the shoes! Awesome.

Anyway, I'm feeling better, so I better get back to my daily grind. I have about two weeks worth now to catch-up on. Maybe when I'm done I'll do a little bit more dream shopping. *smile*

Peace, Love, and Chocolate