All the way from the Yukon!

Look what I recieved in the mail amidst the bills and advertisements and pizza coupons....this little bit of loveliness created by Kim Henkel! I just love it with it's little windows and her art. It is so nicely done with a layering of wax on top. So many different techniques here that all work so beautifully together. Check our her blog for more of her heartfelt creations! Thank you Kim, I will treasure it!

Also, I got word that Chantal received hers in the mail as well. This was really a great project to take part in. It didn't require much time but certainly put some rusty skills to use and it's just simply amazing to realize how small our world really is.  From Australia to Florida to the Yukon...kindness and creativity travels along our globe. So happy to take part.

Also, today is Wishcasting Wednesday with Jamie Ridler. I missed last week and it was all about celebrating. I am most definitely one who can find things to celebrate! This week's prompt is "What do you wish to invite in?" I wish to invite in a sense of comfort and relaxation. I have been so harried and hurried these last few months, that I really want to feel relaxed. I know that my life is probably going to keep going at this pace given all that I want to do, but I'm wondering if there is a way to be relaxed in my comings and goings and especially my doings?  To be able to check things off the list and run the errands and juggle the balls of modern day life but to do so in a relaxed, comfortable manner?  I have always thought of myself as a person who thrives on racing to the deadline. I often will leave things to the final stretch so that I will feel that rush of getting it done, kind of like a challenge to myself. I think I have always been this way....but maybe there is a different way for me?  I don't know, I'm going to have to think on this. Anyone else have any thoughts on this? I'm going to take a breath and invite some relaxation in this Thanksgiving weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate it! And even if you aren't in the States, feel free to be thankful....it doesn't really need a special day!

This is what is has come to...AEDM

Hi Everyone, I've been working on this painting for the past few days and I just LoVe it! It makes me smile every time I look at it. Hopefully, it will bring you a smile today too! Another little bit of Art Every Day, give it a try....Create something today!

PROOF! Art Every Day

I just love finding hearts in the most unusual places. This is a bowl of spicy queso dip. Proof that love is really all around! It's fun to find these reminders.

Secondly, I have been so busy creating that I haven't had time to post! I figure the posting of groups of creative activities will just have to do. Proof that I have been up to only good!
This is the pinned pattern of my Empathy doll for the Art, Heart, and Healing workshop. There is also one in the works for Leila. They are quite a bit along from this, but I don't want to spoil their reveal before they are ready.

Here I am working on these two cute dolls. (My watch is stuck on military time! Since the last time change, I can't figure out how to get it back to regular time...makes me feel very MacGyver-y, until someone asks the time....I have to think...hmmm, let's see...subtract the 12, which gives you...then it's 3:58! 

Finally, here's a small piece I'm taking with me to Sanibel. I have been feeling this lately and it feels like a BIG HUG.  Go do some art. Art heals the soul. 

I'll be back with more creative unveilings when I take more pics. Have a light-hearted day!

Check our Michelle's Giveaway

Michelle over at Allen Designs is having a giveaway. Go check it out and enter for a chance to win $100 shopping spree!  I think I'm going to win, but you might if you enter!

Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap 2010

After coming home from my art journal group on Sunday night, I settled in with scissors and thread and got down to business on my stitched postcard. This is my first attempt at something like this, and I am pleased with how it turned out. I wish I could have done the outer stitching a bit better, but I suppose that will improve the more hand-stitching I do. I like the little house and the words and I love the ribbons symbolizing the ripples in the waves. It's off to Australia! I hope whoever gets it enjoys it. It was fun to do! Now, I'll be waiting by the mailbox to see what is coming for me. So exciting.

My next sewing project is an Empathy Monster for the Art, Heart, and Healing workshop. Leila and I are working together to make these so that should be fun. The idea is to make a little monster poppet that will symbolize truly listening to your inner voice. Not adding any of the sympathy or chatter or other voices that we tend to add to justify, rationalize, or explain ourselves (we don't need to!). Just a little monster who will sit and listen...and be super cute! 

Art EVery Day Entries Backlog Days 11-14

I know I probably sound like a broken record, but I can't say how much I'm enjoying Art Every Day Month. Here are the creative things I've been working on the last few days. I had to hold off on showing them as they are pages for a circle journal that I am in, and I didn't want to spoil the surprise by posting too soon (which I did a little bit on the above mermaid...see earlier post!)

I am lovin' working with all of this mixed media. There is such a freedom to just create how you want and having more tools and supplies at your disposal helps with bringing what is in my head out onto the page or canvas. It's all about this sense of freedom when creating. It doesn't matter if it's messy. It certainly doesn't need to be perfect. Which is kinda the opposite of what we are taught. We are taught to "get it right." Even as a self taught artist, attending a variety of different learning avenues, there is a sense of teaching yourself along the lines as if you are in a course or a program, of learning to do it the "right way". I have been realizing just how many creative people are intimidated by this "right way" of thinking, myself included. And doing art every day is helping me realize that whatever way I do what I do IS the "right way" for me. 

Art Heals.

Art Every Day Month Day 10

Hi Everyone! Here is an art journal spread that I've been working on the past couple of days. It's for an journal circle that we recently started. The shell opens and inside will be my theme and guide for the book. I just love how she came to life. I'm going to do an Art Mermie for my upcoming show on Sanibel. (Sorry for the poor lighting! I'll post a better pic when all of my pages are done.)

This creating every day is magic.....I forgot, but now I'm remembering. If you haven't done it already, pick up a pencil and draw, or get out some scissors and cut and glue. Just doing the littlest bit of playing and making art does wonders for the soul.
Aloha and Peace,
Shari

Art Every Day #8

Happy Monday Everyone! Here's a little piece I did for the workshop, Art, Heart, and Healing. I love working with backgrounds and the illustrated whimsical characters. I have a milliion crafty things to do today, so I'm off! But I'll be back tomorrow with something else for Art Every Day Month.

Go out and be kind! 

Art Every Day 5

An unexpected power outage caused by animals (?) allowed me some unexpected studio time today! I got a little start on my stitched postcard. The theme is HOME. I haven't totally decided what to do yet...it's just kind of taking shape as it goes. And I got word that it's going to Australia!! Earlier in the year, I sent some commission pieces Down Under....maybe this is a trend....maybe this is a sign....maybe I'm next! I'll keep ya posted, mates. G'day!

Art Every Day Month

Since I have so many projects going this month, I'm going to be doing a lot of killing 2 birds with one stone (figuratively, of course). The above piece is my second journal page in the Let's Face It Workshop with Jodi Ohl. This portrait was done without drawing, just jumping in with the brush and going for it. It is created on a mixed media background using an altered children's board book.

 

Then something surprising and cool happened! This book has cutouts on each page, and look what happens when I close the book!  I just love this, and I love that I didn't plan it! Art Every Day...it's amazing. 

Make a wish!

Jamie's question this week for Wishcasting Wednesday is oh so appropriate as we enter the holiday season. I feel like we are right on the edge of all of the thrills that go with these 2 months that just seem to fly by. She asks..."What do you wish to enjoy?" I wish to enjoy all of the passing moments of happiness and joy in my life...like this adorable creature growing into a DOG! He has doubled in size and weight over the last couple of months, and he no longer has "puppy breath". I have found a few of his baby teeth around the house and he has a Super Bark like Bolt, (if you've ever seen the movie.) LOUD. Already. This was his first day going to the beach. At least he still likes riding in his basket...my sweet little pudding pop! Whoever called him a "runt" is going to be proven wrong!

He's not the only one who is growing by leaps and bounds. Sometimes a moment will freeze for me and I will look at my daughter and I just cannot believe how big she is! Not only in height, but she is smart and witty and so very funny and strong-willed and determined and beyond creative! There are other times when I look at her profile, when we are snuggled in her bed, and I can still see my little, baby girl..who still wants to hold my hand, who wants me to carry her. Oh, how I want to hang onto Now. The seasons are coming quickly, but this moment is the one where I realize it, the one right before I have to give in ...that's what I want to hold onto.
I wish to enjoy these fleeting moments of our happy everyday life!

What do you wish to enjoy?

It's Here!

Look what arrived in the mail! It's my moleskine sketchbook to participate in The Sketchbook Project!
A) It's so exciting to take part in this.
B) Thank goodness it's not too BIG.
C) I can't really focus on this until after my next show, The Sanibel Masters, November 26, 27, 2010. Which is okay, as the deadline isn't until January. So I can have fun with this over the holidays.

Here's a list of what's going on with me for this month and beyond:

1. The Sanibel Masters
2. Art Journal group
3.  Jodi Ohl's Let's Face It workshop
4.  The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap
5.  VOG (my local creativity group)-working through "I Thought It Was Just Me" by Brene Brown, great book! and other fun things involving wine and snibbles!
6.  Art, Heart, and Healing workshop with Tam. Love, love, love her!
7.  The Sketchbook Project

and since I'm going to be so busy, I added:

I figured since I am most probably going to be doing some type of art every day this month, I might as well throw my 2 cents in here as well.

LET THE CREATIVE CRAZINESS BEGIN!

What creativity will you be up to this month or next?  Please share!