Quote - Look With Your Understanding

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Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you’ll see the way to fly.  ~Richard Bach

What I've been up to. . .

Open Heart canvas

goals box from Soul Restoration II

box top

box front

monochromatic canvas (puffy paint + spray paint)

big 'D' for my son's room

shabby chic mason jars (fabric + mod podge + doilies)

painting from local art class

XOXO,

Quote - And she blossomed...

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.  ~Anais Nin

Art Share-a-Palooza e-book

The e-book is ready from the Art Share-a-Palooza at Creative Life By Design that I participated in along with several inspiring ladies. You can get your *free* copy here. 

Hugs,

Quote -What You Think You Become

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The mind is everything. What you think you become.  ~Buddha

My Favorite Things - New Year Inspirational Prints

1) Make your dream come true from The Dream Giraffe Collection

2) Stop and fly from Creative Therapy

3) Heart and intuition from Mae Chevrette

4) Dream from Leaves and Feathers

5) Live in awe from The Wheatfield

Join me each Tuesday for My Favorite Things, beautiful and unique finds from Etsy and other favorite retail therapy sources.

Quote - Do Something Nice

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Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out.  ~Frank A. Clark

Merry Christmas!

Just enjoying some family time and making memories. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Love,

manda  















and

onovan

Quote - Go Slowly

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Smile, breath and go slowly.  ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Quote - Keep Believing

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We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.  ~Louisa May Alcott

2012 Word-of-the-Year – Seek

So as a new year will soon roll around, it’s time to start thinking about my word-of-the-year for 2012. This past year my word was “Open” as I was opening myself up to new possibilities. As I also might note, it was one of the very first posts ever for this blog. That would play an enormous role into being open, putting myself out there, and allowing the universe to use me.

In hindsight the word open couldn’t have been more perfect. Especially now as I look up the meaning of “open” in the Encarta Dictionary.

Open (adj.)

1)      not closed – allowing people or things to pass through freely

2)      Allowing access to inside – with the lid, cork, or other device removed or in a position that allows access to the inside

3)      Not sealed – not sealed, fastened, or wrapped

4)      Apart or wide – with part of the body widened or apart

5)      Unfolded or apart – having been unfolded

6)      Frank and honest – not trying to hide anything or deceive anyone

7)      Public – conducted in a public manner

8)      Receptive

9)      Vulnerable

10)   Not enclosed

11)  Not covered

12)  Available to do business

I’ll stop there since this goes on for 42 descriptions, but you see what I mean? This so describes me and the stance I’ve taken this past year!

As I plan to continue to allow myself to be open into 2012, the word “seek” keeps popping into play. Just for giggles I had to look this one up!

Seek (v)

1)      Search for something

2)      Strive for something

3)      Ask for something

4)      Head for something

5)      Attempt something

I don’t know what this “something” is but I most certainly want to search, strive, ask, head, and attempt this something that I seek!

Or which seeks me…

What was your 2011 word or mantra? How did it play out for you throughout the year? Have you discovered your 2012 word yet?

If you need help, Christine Kane has a handy dandy *free* guide to help you with the discovery process.

My Favorite Things - Gift Ideas

1) Family name block set from Knotty Notions

2) Butterfly coin pouch from Modern & Vintage

3) Custom guitar pick from White Lilie Designs

4) Silver necklace from Pure Rox

5) Breathe leather bracelet from C Johannesen Studio

Join me each Tuesday for My Favorite Things, beautiful and unique finds from Etsy and other favorite retail therapy sources.

Quote - You are not a mistake

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You are not a mistake. You are not a problem to be solved. But you won’t discover this until you are willing to stop banging your head against the wall of shaming and caging and fearing yourself.  ~Geneen Roth

Quote - Kindness

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Kindness in words creates confidence. 

Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. 

Kindness in giving creates love.  

~Lao Tzu

Giveaway Day - Winner

Sew Mama Sew

And the winner is...

Congrats baukje! 

Thanks everyone for stopping by and for all the love you left here with me. As a thank you I'm offering a 20% discount in my Etsy shop when you use the code LOOKWITHIN.

Be sure to stop by in January for another giveaway to celebrate my 1 year blogiversary!

XOXO,

TGIFive on Friday

1) An Infographic of Love (above) on Roots of She
2) *Free* How to be a Domestic Goddess ebook from Goddess Leonie
3) The Perfection I see and *free* Inspirational iPhone Wallpapers on Kind Over Matter
4) Mason jar snow globe on The Pursuit of Hippieness
5) DIY all-natural mandarin mint candles & cleaners on Hostess with the Mostess

P.S. Don't forget that my art print giveaway ends this evening!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Note To You

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When in doubt, listen to that inner whisper. It will never lie to you. It knows your true self. It knows the cravings of your heart, the yearnings of your soul. It knows exactly what you need. It knows exactly what you don’t need. That little voice, that whisper, it will never fail you.

Quote - Gandhi

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"My life is my message."  ~Gandhi

Wishcasting Wednesday: What is your deepest wish?

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

Today's prompt:

What is your deepest wish?

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My deepest wish is to find true love. Not fleeting love, not lust, and not like. I wish to find my soul mate, my partner in life. Not a person I tolerate and not a man who I compromise my values for. I wish to find the lover of my soul, a kindred spirit. Until it is time for us to meet, I refuse to waste my time by settling for less in the meantime. 

Hugs,

Amanda

P.S. Don't forget to enter a giveaway of one of my art prints here! The giveaway closes Friday evening.

My Favorite Things - Christmas Edition

1) Candy cane trees from Cat Tales

2) Christmas decoration set from Modern & Vintage

3) Beeswax tree candles from Pretty Dreamer

4) Decorative blocks from Birds & Blossoms

5) Grinch wreath from Specialty Designs

Join me each Tuesday for My Favorite Things, beautiful and unique finds from Etsy and other favorite retail therapy sources.