risk love

So my really wise and very fun friend Jackie brought to my attention that I have won the flakiest blogger award and yes I am wearing the crown every day until I get myself back into more consistant blogging;)

Aren't friends great, they give you that nudge, laugh with you , and are always there if you need a hand, I am so very blessed to have so many great women in my life.

We spent a few hours yesterday drawing and painting, I made this very french looking lady, she I might put some word boxes that remind me to "risk love"

My Home is a Peaceful Haven

I was so inspired by the "Lovely Lorraine's" post on Paperbird appropriately tittled "Embrace The Day"

she wrote of the feeling of being behind even before the day has started.

WOW this spoke to me ever so loudly, I too have felt like I have been juggling, all very good things - but not really a sense of approval to slow down.

I had a really great response to my last post, so many ladies have emailed me their affirmations and positive feedback, one that stood out to me from

Caryn Lynn from Art and the Creative Spirit

she wrote about repeating "I love and Adore Myself" and every time she said it - it made her smile even more:::: and then leads us through her strength of true acceptance and self love!

It's a great way to start the day- to meditate on a positive affirmation, if I am at a loss for

one I visit Louise Hay -

this is where I found "My home is a Peaceful Haven"

and it is!!

I love and adore myself

I stumbled upon this fantastic mirror on my recent trip to Healdsburg(Northern Calif)

It literally spoke to my soul, I felt like I had found such a happy place deep inside.

I don't think I tell myself this often enough

(it's even more engaging if you look yourself directly in the eye when you say it)

This soul speaking mirror was perfecly placed in the ladies room in Cafe Gratitude

An amazing cafe where upon ordering you are invited to share what you are grateful for, the waitress literally asks you and yes it transforms your day.

How simple - just like the mirror, I can propell myself to my happy place.

OH and by the way the food is 100% organic and 100% delicious

Taken from the menu:

We select the finest organic ingredients to honor the earth and ourselves, as we are one and the same. We support local farmers, sustainable agriculture, and environmentally-friendly products. Our food is prepared with love. We invite you to step inside and enjoy being someone who chooses: loving your life, adoring yourself, accepting the world, being generous and grateful every day, and experiencing being provided for. Have fun and enjoy being nourished.

Lucky 13

I finally learned how to thread the bobbin on my sewing machine- wow!

It's been 32 years since I last used my singer so this was quite an accomplishment;)

I created this 8x8 layout for a circle journal group I have been selected to be part of named "lucky 13"
Too much fun, lot's of very talented ladies, I am so very" lucky "to be part of.

I posted a few tricks of the trade on the blog , like how I colorized the pictures -stop by and let us know whatch'a think.

Holy Cow!

I must be standing under the giving cloud- and it has opened up and poured down a ton of supplies for my shelter project;)

Actually Michelle, a very kind, generous multi- talented friend who also happens to own Papertales surprised me with a huge box full of goodies , wow I am grinning ear to ear

as I know my ladies will be so very excited .

How cool is it that I get to be in the middle of such a wonderful interaction, to feel the blessing twice , once from the giver and again from the ladies at the shelter, and let's not forget all the fun I get to have designing projects with such cool stuff- Thank you Michelle for all your support,

and in doing so opening new doors and projects for many to share

Thankful

I am still basking in the glow of all that is art nest::::: I know super drama queen right?

But seriously I am, as the wonderful women I have connected with continue to blow me away.

I love sharing what I do at the woman's shelter because I believe everyone has a heart to help those that are hurting, I am just so very blessed to have the opportunity - and in this the chance to connect with those who feel led to help. So this brings me to Loraine- a wonderful ,kind and generous spirit who happened to be touched by my interaction with the shelter and who felt led to donate so graciously.Loraine, Thank you so very much for reaching out and providing a much needed resource, I wish you could see the ladies expressions when I told them of your generosity::::: what a truly amazing gift:) Above are two of her pieces- Love her style, so pretty and comforting.

Brave Women

So - believe it or not I am posting again in the same week! I have been wanting to post every day this week but didnt know where to start- then I realized I should start with Gloria.

Because without her and her brave spirit I wouldnt have even gone on such a much needed retreat.

She not only invited me, she packed all my gear into her Rover and drove my fanny all the way to Utah(6 hours; stop in vegas, another 6 hours)

I am grateful and amazed.

I am so very blessed to have her loving friendship - that she's got my back;)

Thank you my sweets- for making me brave.