just a few minutes

It has been very fun going through old journals and past artwork in order to put together the classes for Creekside Studio...it makes me want to MAKE MORE ART!  Imagine that!  :) Here is my last (completed) art journal page...

This page was inspired by my morning devotion...done in 10 minute increments over about 5 days...I tell you that to encourage you to make time for some artistic endeavor everyday...whatever creative outlet you love...even just a few minutes each day adds up...not only is the art-break refreshing, but this kept me mindful...WONDERS too numerous to count...

Go ahead...take just a few minutes today to make a little art.  Enjoy!

my heart is full

Whew! What a fun day! The Open House for Creekside Studio was buzzing. I have to say that this has been a bit of a stretch...art is a very personal expression and putting it all out there feels pretty vulnerable...but what I have known for a long time is that EVERYONE is creative...we just each have to find our favorite mediums and outlets...watercolor, zentangling, music, quilting, cooking, knitting, whatever it may be...AND it is SO MUCH FUN to create together...with friends...and today that is what happened...people came and we talked art and life, and laughed, and ate, and made things...my heart is full...I am so very thankful for the support and encouragement of everyone who came today.

Here is a peek...

Too much fun!  Thanks again to all of you who came!  Hugs!

believe

Hey! :)  I just realized that I forgot to tell you my WOTY for 2014...Word Of The Year...

yep...BELIEVE!

The definitions I found are:  to think to be true
                                          to be persuaded of
                                          to have/place confidence in
                                          to trust
                                          to be committed to
                                          to be established in
                                          to stand firm in

So Cool!  I am so excited about (and challenged by) the possibilities and adventure in exploring this in my life for the upcoming year.  I will keep you posted!

Do you have a WOTY?  I'd love to know what it is, and how YOU are exploring and incorporating it this year.

happy new year!

Welcome 2014!

The dust is finally settling after the holidays...whew!...so much fun, AND so much to do...all very worth the extra energy and effort.  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.  :)

Some exciting news around here...Creekside Studio is opening the doors...I am finally doing something I have wanted to do for a very long time: - create an artistic space for people to come to connect with each other, to share creative ideas, to take a variety of art classes...a space for all things artsy...I am super excited about the unlimited possibilities in an environment and community like this.  We will open the doors with an Open House on February 1 from 10am till 2pm.  Come for the entire time or for just a little while. We will have refreshments, some projects to "play" with, and a schedule of classes. Lots of fun!

You can find more information on the FaceBook page created just for Creekside Studio
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Creekside-studio/573215292765578?ref=hl

A new year is a great time to begin something new...like a new adventure in art! :) ...or do more of something you already love...come on by, bring a friend, and let's "create" together.

Rejoice!

It is so much fun when things happen to confirm or magnify something that has been brewing under the surface...I am pondering a verse, or an idea, or something I have read and then someone else "randomly" mentions the same thought...or the pastor preaches on that thought...or I read a blog where it shows up...it is enough to give me pause...sometimes it takes my breath away...why?  Well,...I do NOT believe in coincidences...I believe that God is totally sovereign...and when things like this happen it is like God is saying, "I am here...I know what is on your mind, let's explore that a bit."  It is GOD WITH US...Immanuel...with me! (which is why it takes my breath away!) That's where this page came from...

Hope you are enjoying the impact and significance of this wonderful season...Chirst coming TO us! :)

hope!

Here we are...into the full swing of things this holiday season...I do kinda feel like I am moving slow motion in a fast-spinning world.  The "slow" is by choice...and maybe not slow, but slower as (and it almost feels like a stubborn digging my heels in posture)I am enjoying the days...each day with a mind set on what this season is REALLY about...keeping my eyes open for the SIGNIFICANCE of the imagery, songs, celebrations of this season...these HOLY-days...that's what I want to SEE...the days holy...the holy in the days...
As I approached my first December journal page, this is what was on my mind...memories of childhood Christmases and I have always loved the anticipation of Christmas as much as the day itself.  And as I thought about that, I thought about Israel's anticipation (throughout history)of their Messiah, Heaven's aanticipation of God's Son taking on flesh...the waiting...the HOPE!
So, I chose an old Christmas picture of my sister and I (a long, long time ago!)...and put it on a fold-out over this stamped winter scene...then added journaling...

 

Wishing you HOPE and HOLY in your days!  :)

a K, and a S

Finishing up November's journal...
the K page..K is for "Kneeling in gratitude for each and every"...
  Nov. 9th was my daughter's 18th birthday so I decided to journal 18 things I love about her...along with some collage bits...      

and the back...
  (dictionary scraps, gesso, Wild Honey Distress Ink, clip art, zig-zag tape, Broken China Distress Paint for texture)

and S is for "Small, and/or Significant gift given from His hand."
  (magazine pic that had great eyes...highlighted with a grunge-board frame painted with Broken China Distress Paint)

But I couldn't NOT :) -you know what I mean- include this quote that has been a huge help to me...PLUS the word of the year is SEE...and this quote is all about the eyes...looking...perspective...the way you see...

 
...and the last couple of  "pages"...tags...just for fun!

 

 I REALLY enjoyed this theme of giving thanks...and I now will carry these images and processing into December...mindfulness!  :)

Today, each day To Him, my Heavenly Father, Acknowledging, Appreciating, Naming, then Kneeling in gratitude for each and every Small and, or Significant gift given from His hand.