Something I Am Passionate About!

    I am passionate about color! I love seeing it and using it in all of its shades and forms. I can be paint, markers, glazes, or yarn. It doesn't matter. Color is awesome! I especially love the way color is used in Nature. Animals and plant life speak to me in ways that are amazing. I remember as a little girl learning about angels. I have always said that if I can become an angel I want the job of designing animals-especially fish, and plants. I look at a tropical fish and wonder. How do the scales know when to change colors? How do the hairs on a cat know its time to show stripes? I hope to always be aware of the many beautiful parts that make up things.
 
 This week I hope that you will set your intention to notice the small little things that surround you. Look at their beauty and really soak it all in. I guess this means we can't watch the news channels this week! Let us enjoy Nature instead.

Intention and the Ripple Effect

     I believe in the power of intention and the ripple effect. I decided to do the 100 random acts of spirit at Christmas and the results were amazing! People flocked in to participate with me through Facebook and in person. It seems like everywhere I went someone shared ways that they could serve. It felt wonderful to be a part of something larger than myself!
   
   I believe each of us is given special gifts to use while we are here on Earth. Our life's purpose is to figure out the best way to use those gifts or talents to improve the world. It doesn't have to be big. It can be a simple as giving a smile to someone who is having a bad day. They receive the smile, feel better, and then maybe they pass it on to someone else. We all pay it forward! We get to choose whether we send out a good or bad payment. I believe in sending as many good ones as I can!

Thank you to all of you that joined with me!

Progress report on 100 Acts of Spirit

It is only Tuesday of my big week for Random Acts of Christmas Spirit and I am already having the time of my life! I made these little cards and taped candy on the back of them. Now everywhere I go all over town to run errands I am leaving them in places for people to find! My 15 year old son went with me the first day and said he wished he could have parents that were normal. I say it is not good to be normal! We need more people willing to stick their necks out and make this world a better place. I don't want to live in a world where everyone is normal. I can watch CNN if I want that- too depressing! The really cool part of this is, by the time we got to the last errand-groceries my son was picking people to give them to! It really is contagious!

I have been doing other things too- leaving the bird seed in parking lots, catfood for ferrel cats, paid on a lay away, given to charities around town, and taken goodies to folks! I have been having a blast! You think I am doing good for others, and I am but the real gift is to me because it feels so great!

I'm still collecting and acting on ideas so keep them coming. I have all week. This afternoon I am taking some catnip to the adoption kitties! Hope you are enjoying your holiday season as much as I am!

My plan for next week

         I have a plan that I want to carry out for next week and I am calling it the first annual 100 Acts of Christmas Spirit. I plan to see if I can go around town and give Christmas spirit every where I go. I have had my own spirit cranked up this season but of course parts are stressful-  like shopping, Christmas cards, planning/scheduling, just keeping up with everything, etc. So I decided to take a week and celebrate in a way that would give me great pleasure.


 Ideas that I have come up with so far are:


*make small cards with candy attached and pass them out to strangers on cars, in mailboxes, leave them at  
  the book store on shelves, where ever.

*Go to Petsmart where the cats are all up for adoption and donate money to CAPS. Leave some catnip in
   each cage.

* Give money to a different charity everyday for a week

* Practice as many random acts of kindness as I can think of during the week

* Leave some catfood where I know that ferrell cats are living (Can you tell I love cats?)

*Buy coffee for people at my favorite coffee place- Moka Joe's- say the next three people to go through       the drive thru

*Write thank you notes to people who serve me- mailman, grocery, bank, hair, doctors, etc.

I'm still working on my plans. Today I bought candy. Tomorrow I will work on cards. I hope to be ready by next week.

What I would really like is anyone who knows me or just hears about this, to participate with me. Think about how many people are out there just on facebook. What if each person did just 5 things to improve Christmas for someone or something else? Can you imagine what an impact that would have? It would be magic! So if you have some good ideas that you are willing to share-  please leave them in the comments section so we can all perculate our plans for next week!


Thank you for considering this! I can't wait to hear how this goes!

Studio Redo Update

        I have finally gotten to the Ikea store to spend the money that I won in the Instructibles.com Ikea Space Challenge. I won $200.00 for first place! I purged tons of stuff and really cleaned out my space! I promised you that I would update you with photos and so here they are. I have finished special orders for Christmas and I am now ready to start planing for a great 2012. I am very grateful for the Ikea gift card and to Instructibles for having the contest. I owe lots of gratitude to all of you who voted for me and supported me. Now I can get on with the business of making art!

Art Everyday equals Happiness Everyday!

Here's the latest in the Art everyday for a month challenge! It is perfect for a Monday. We can all use a little sunshine! I hope you have a great week. Please do something that you love to do this week. Share your happiness with others. You never know what struggles the person you see may be going through. Your smile, kind word, or deed, may be just what it takes to brighten the day for someone else!

Here are my artworks for the first week of the  
November Creativity Challenge!


      I signed up for Leah Piken Kolidas's art everyday for a month challenge and WOW-what an experience! I have really enjoyed this process! These are smaller pieces 5"x 7", ink with watercolor pencils. When I started working on Week 2, I think I have gotten more warmed up as things are getting bigger and better!  I promise to show you real soon. My size went to 8"x 10" and I'm exploring my use with line more so they are taking longer to finish. Plus I am continuing to work on commission pieces so that take time as well. I hope you will enjoy these for now!
      I had forgotten how coloring is so close to therapy. The act of coloring, cleared my mind, and allowed me to get into the flow. I just let go.  It was exciting to paint with water and watch the color move into the spaces. During week 2, I am using watercolor paints to add color and then going into the areas with water color pencils to highlight or shade areas. I plan to go for canvas and mixed media/collage next. I can't wait to see all of the work by the end of the month!