On the web

I just love my new Strathmore Visual Journal!

I hope to spend lots of time art jounaling in it this weekend along with creating a few art pieces to go in my bedroom to match that new bedspread. But first I have an outdoors project I need to finish before it gets too hot to enjoy yardwork.

This is one of my chocolate roses that've already started blooming. I planted these last year and while they are pretty, I don't think they're very chocolately.

I hope you have a wonderfully creative weekend!

- 2 more days until Goddess Leonie releases her Business Goddess ecourse!

- Going Home to Roost shared the sweetest DIY hanging Mason jars here and an awesome menu planning template here.

- I must make these simple silhouettes shared on Scoutie Girl.

- Create as Folk shared her monthly blog planning calendar for May for those who like to plan ahead.

- Kelly Rae Roberts shared a great series on starting a creative business beginning here, also here, here, and here.

- Roberts Crafts shared this adorable paper flower DIY here.

- The Scarlet Lime shared a beautiful mini album video tutorial here.

Quote - Adventure

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One way to get the most out of life is
to look upon it as an adventure.
William Feather

Quote - You are a star!

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When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.
Persian Proverb

Wishcasting Wednesday and Giveaway Winner!

Thank you for joining me for this week's Wishcasting Wednesday. If you'd like to join in this magical circle of dreamers and doers, please visit Jamie Ridler Studios.

What do you wish to focus on?

I wish to focus on the future and stop living in the past. I wish to set my sight on the prize and never look back. I wish to focus on the things that matter most to me with the people that matter most. I wish to focus on my dreams and not my fears.

I have to say it's been one amazing week of growth and joy. I announced my Etsy shop opening in last week's Wishcasting Wednesday and I found out the results on my entries to a local art show that I shared with you here. I found out over the weekend that 3 out of 4 of my entries were selected for the art show! I just might be floating on Cloud 9 right now! Thank you for your continued support and sending wishes my way. 

I guess it's time for one more announcement! The winner of the giveaway for one print of your choice from my shop is...

Kim M.!!! - please send me an email with your selection!

The shop code WELCOME for a 10% discount will last until Saturday. Have a great week!

Quote - Let your light shine!

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And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give 

other people permission to do the same.  

~Nelson Mandela

My Favorite Things

Welcome back for this week's edition of My Favorite Things! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend and the start of a brand new week.

1) I'm loving this I Am double cuff bracelet from Ponder and Stitch.

2) This set of plush Gnomettes from ZomaleeDesigns are adorable!

3) When I win the lottery I'm buying this ombre skirt from Ouma.

4) I love this Birds of Norway messenger bag from XcessRize Designs.

5) This Forever clay heart from Iktomi Handmade is so sweet.

Don't forget that the giveaway from my Etsy Shop ends tonight! The winner will be announced with tomorrow's Wishcasting Wednesday post.

Where does love go when it dies?

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Where does love go when it dies? I often wonder where it goes to. Somewhere, is there a land with abundant sadness where shattered dreams and broken promises float in a river of tears? Does it just disappear, vanish, into thin air? How can something so strong just cease existence?

Does it transfer over to another person, a couple, for them to experience the adoration, the devotion, and the taste of true love? Why do some have love for a fleeting moment while others are able to share it for a lifetime? Is it because some mishandle this precious gift while others cherish it? Do you get more than one soul mate or are you only allotted one that you must treasure with all your worth? If you learn your lesson on how not to treat this gift, do you get a second chance?

Where does that love go when the relationship is unable to survive?

Quote - Wish

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 It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.  

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Shop discount code & giveaway reminder

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Just a reminder that I have a giveaway going on here until Tuesday pm. The winner will be announced on Wishcasting Wednesday. Also, use code WELCOME for a 10% Grand Opening discount in my Etsy shop.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day!

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On the Web and random rantings

~ I don't know how many of you watched Tom Shadyac on Oprah on Wednesday but I am completely enthusiastic about his upcoming documentary, I AM. He dares to ask, "What's wrong with our world and what can we do about it?" He explores how we are all connected and how our society has led us to want more, more, more...stuff. It follows his enlightening journey to also discover there is a lot right with the world. This is what he shared on Oprah:

What Tom discovered revolves around three key concepts that are explored in I Am:
1. It is scientifically proven that the entire human race is connected.
2. It is human nature to be cooperative rather than competitive.
3. If you don't do what your heart wants you to do and follow your passion, it will destroy you.

This is the part that really got me, "There's one fundamental law that all of nature obeys that mankind breaks every day. Now, this is a law that's evolved over billions of years, and the law is this: Nothing in nature takes more than it needs." He went on to say, "We have a term for something in the body when it takes more than its share, we call it cancer."

Wow! That is so very true! Tom went on to say how he no longer wants to be part of that cancer but part of the healing. What I didn't share is that Tom Shadyac is a Hollywood director (The Nutty Professor, Ace Ventura, Patch Adams) who gave it all up to be a part of the solution.

~ Michelle Ensminger shared a post on Wish Studio, I am a poem: and you are too. She shared a few journaling prompts to get the juices flowing. In case you missed it, I shared a dreams journal prompts handout with you recently that I'll repost here:

~ Andrea from Creative Dream Incubator shared a powerful message, Sometimes Dreams Die.

~ This post by Dirty Footprints Studio, Your Art Work Sucks is so true! Not everyone is going to like your work and that's okay.

Oh how this post resonated with me. There will always be people who don’t like my work. They may or may not say it directly to me. They may be snide, they may be malicious. I cannot change what another person likes or dislikes and I cannot change how they choose to share their dislike. But I can choose to continue to pursue my dreams and share my artwork in hopes to inspire at least one person out there to chase their dreams. There is an artist inside you waiting to play. She may paint, write, sing, or create poems. But she is an artist. Won’t you let her explore?

XOXO,

Quote - What message are you sending?

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Your life is your message to the world. Make it inspiring.  ~Lorrin Lee

Quote - Dream weaver

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Our life is composed greatly from dreams, from the unconscious, and they must be brought into connection with action. They must be woven together.  ~Anais Nin

Wishcasting Wednesday and Etsy Shop Opening

Welcome Wednesday Wishcasters! Today is special day for one – one I’ve been looking forward to for so, so long. Today is the Grand Opening of my Unfolding Creatively Etsy shop. Woohoo!

Thanks for joining me today and thank you to my faithful followers who have supported me during my creative journey. My gift to you is a 10% discount code if you choose to make a purchase in my shop: WELCOME

What kind of party would it be without a giveaway? So I’m hosting my very first giveaway today! The prize will be an item of your choice from my shop. Leave a comment below on your favorite item. For additional entries:

- Follow my blog

- Heart my shop on Etsy

- Friend me on Facebook

- Join me on Flickr

Entries will end on Tuesday, April 26 at 7 pm EST and the winner will be announced on Wednesday. Good luck and thank you!

Today Jamie asks:


What do you wish to tend?


I wish to tend to the seeds I've planted and watch them grow and blossom. I can't wait to see how beautiful they become!




XOXO,

My Favorite Things

Happy Tuesday dearies! I hope your week is going well so far. Did you have a chance to celebrate in the Full Pink Moon last night? I love the celebration and changes of the full moon!

Here's this week's goodies I picked out for you to drool over. LOL.

1) I can't believe I haven't shared Kimberly Wilson's eco-friendly clothing shop with you yet! I can personally speak for how luxurious TranquiliT clothing feels against your skin. And Kimberly is such a sweetie! I had to opportunity to go on a yoga retreat hosted by her and Darren Main to India last November. Amazing!

I just picked up this little reversible number in black/honeysuckle. I plan to wear it as a skirt with a cute top.

2) This Nepalese sari maxi skirt is amazing!

3) And this Almost Wonderland dress/blouse!

4) How 'bout some bacon and eggs for breakfast...in the shower? This Eggs and Bacon maple-scented soap is so cute!

5) This In My Heart necklace would make a wonderful Mother's Day gift.

You want to make sure you come back here tomorrow. There will be lots of celebrating and I might even do a happy dance! Read last week's Wishcasting Wednesday for a sneak peek. 

Full Moon Dreamboard - Full Pink Moon

Tonight's full moon is the Full Pink Moon. Let's celebrate by releasing our worries and embracing our dreams. To participate in Full Moon Dreamboards, visit Jamie Ridler Studios. 

I decided to make two dreamboards this month and to create them digitally for a change. Change is good!

My first collage represents what I'm ready to release: fears, frustrations, and negativity

My second collage represents what I'm ready to embrace: dreams, hopes, wishes, and a fresh start

I've face so many personal challenges lately that I'm ready to release to allow the doorway to be opened for my dreams to take shape.

What do you wish to celebrate this full moon?

I'll be back tomorrow for My Favorite Things and a big surprise for Wishcasting Wednesday. Have a great night!

Quote - Opportunity

we heart it

Weekend Recap

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Just one more day to the weekend would be so nice, don't you think? 


My weekend was filled with sushi & mani/pedi's with a girlfriend.

There's always lots of cleaning and laundry. 


I put my new bedding on my bed for more of a Spring look. I bought my sheets from Bed Bath & Beyond and they're made from 100% Tencel fibers produced from Eucalyptus tree wood pulp. They are so soft!

When I bought the bedding it didn't occur to me that most everything (window scarf, area rug, lamp shades, etc.) are burgundy so now nothing matches. I guess it's time to revamp my bedroom!


This was tonight's dinner:

Roasted red potatoes with sea salt and olive oil, shallots, garlic, and proscuitto. Yummy!


Enjoy your Sunday evening!


XOXO,

Quote - Are you noticing what's at your feet?

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 In the hopes of reaching the moon 

men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.
Albert Schweitzer

On the web

Happy Friday, lovelies! I'm finishing up my last workshop with the WishBIG ecamp, Soul Food for Dreams by the fabulous Violette. Here are my inspiration cards I made a few nights ago.

These will be perfect for when I'm stuck and need a creative prompt to get me inspired!

I'm excited to have just finished my IKEA drawer revamp inspired by Curly Girl Design.

Bella helped me out.

I like how it turned out and will be perfect to hold my art supplies so I can lose the plastic baskets! Here's Leigh's tutorial on her Delightful Drawers.

I'm off to get some chores done so I can go for an early hike tomorrow. Enjoy the links below and have a great weekend!

- Create as Folk shared this upcoming Passion to Profit series that begins on Monday. Can't wait to dive in!

- I love to Create shared this Spoon Poetry Tutorial from Kelli Nina Perkins. So creative!

- Going Home to Roost shared this Eggstra Special Chick post. What a cute idea for Easter!

- I love this post by Scoutie Girl, Opportunity: Your Obligation as an Artist. It's all about connecting with others through our art and the relationships we form from our art.

- One Pretty Thing gathers wonderful articles and tutorials such as this "Get your Peeps on." printable from Flamingo Toes for Easter. Who doesn't love Peeps?

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I also saw this beautiful wall photo collage from Under the Sycamore Tree there. What a great way to display your precious family photos.

- As always, Kind Over Matter has the most awesome printables! Like this I appreciate you! card set, this I'm rooting for you card set, and my personal fave You are so beautiful card set. Who's day could you fill with kindness and love with that one?!

XOXO,

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to read?

Thank you for joining me in this week's Wishcasting Wednesday. If you would like to join in this magical circle of dreamers and doers, please visit Jamie Ridler Studios.

What do you wish to read?

I wish to read amazing books that that fill my heart with lots of love and understanding. Books that spark creativity and inspire growth within. Books that fill my well and make me want to be a better person.

I'll soon be feeding my heart with The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau and then Start Where You Are by Pema Chodron. I'll feed my creative spirit with The Art Journal Workshop by Traci Bunkers.

While you're here I want to catch you up on a few happenings...

I recently entered a local art show which is my very first entry ever. I have another week before I hear back on my entries but I just got off the phone with the lady who's organizing the event. She said she loved my work and can't wait to meet me. She loved my bio and felt the exact same way when she first started. 

Entering was such a huge first step for me in putting myself and my art out into the world. I previously blogged about my life as a "closet" artist (here) because I'm so critical of my work  that I've been so fearful of "exposing" myself. I'm getting braver each day and having met such wonderful and inspiring creative spirits online has really helped me to take these leaps forward. Thank you for your support!

With that said, I'm over the moon right now and can't wait to share my Etsy shop opening with you very, very soon. 

P.S. There will be a giveaway!!!