Space

After a busy few months of study, prac and life I am now enjoying some creative time. It has been so good getting back into my creative space and playing.  I spent some of today working on one of my canvases. It is starting to resemble what I can see in my head.

This piece is called beauty and freedom. Both of which I have recently discovered.

Colour

I made these cards a couple of months ago. And then as I was loading them onto my blog I noticed that all 3 cards had the colour green somewhere on them. I went through my stash of 'handmade' cards and there it was, more green. I thought to myself maybe green is my favourite colour. Then I started to think about other colours realising I have favourite colours for different things. For example, I don't usually wear green. I love it on a card, or scrapbook page or as part of my home decor but not so much as part of my wardrobe. Blue on the other hand is at least one third of my wardrobe, if not a half, but around the house, there isn't as much to be seen. Red, well it is both. I love to wear it, decorate with it, eat it, craft with it and in my dreams, drive it (my dream car is a deep red Land Rover Defender). Maybe red is my favourite.

Balance

I am struggling at the moment with balance. So many interests, relationships, responsibilities, all pulling me in different directions. I often feel like I am not doing anything well. Creativity is even taking a battering. I went to a craft night last night. I had been looking forward to it. I packed up some supplies and headed out. Some free time to play. No responsibilities. Just the company of other women creating together. Guess what? It was a flop. Creatively speaking. I just had nothing. I sat there fiddling and trying to piece some things together and....... NOTHING. It just wasn't happeming. I was disappointed. So at the moment I am trying to let it go. Trying to give myself permission to just take one day at a time. In fact just one moment at a time. Keeping a very close eye on Miss Anxiety who continues to try inviting herself in. Just one moment at a time. Do what is right in front of me. Stop worrying about the next 3 or 4 things on the list. Just look at right now and live this moment right now.

Space

'It's not the space you live in, but how you live in the space that matters' - Anonymous

Today I am....

Loving: that it is Friday and I can sleep in tomorrow morning just a tiny bit.

Embracing: life, despite how busy I am.

Noticing: that my kids are getting taller and this scares me.

Enjoying: the quiet and stillness.

Feeling: contented right here, right now.

create x 7

The following creations have a very similiar feel to them. I had a couple of stamps that I hadn't used yet and I wanted to try them out using various techniques, products and inspiration from other artists. Similiar colours are used as well. In fact green is the common denominator in all 7. I am trying to build up my stash of cards as it has dwindled significantly.
And I am still working on a couple of canvas projects. These are taking quite a bit of time as I am really going outside my comfort zone with those.

I am really enjoying creating at the moment. It is a lot of fun and very relaxing. As I usually spend time creating in the evening I have noticed I am sleeping more peacefully. Creating something at the end of the day appears to be helping to clear my mind of the daily work, stressors, concerns, and busyness that the day had brought. I am trying to remember that being creative or artistic isn't only about using paint, ink, stamps, paper, fabric, etc. It can be lighting some candles, editing photos, writing in a journal/blog, baking a cake, writing a poem about a beautiful autumn sunset. It can be whatever soothes mysoul. Whatever brings peace to my heart. Whatever helps me to see what is.

create x 7

So my challenge this week was to do/make something creative everyday. This may sound quite easy to some but I am a busy mother of 4, helping run our business and studying at uni. Add to that all the other things I have/need to do and I see why for me being creative everyday is sometimes a challenge. Especially giving myself permission to do it. There is a pile of laundry there to fold, some dishes to wash, an email to write, a family member to call. And I am tired. ALL OF THE TIME. I am tired of being tired.

Anyway, the reality is I am a mother who desires to create and so I am trying to allow myself a little time each day to do something creative that feeds and nurtures my heart and soul. This process doesn't necessarily involve paper, ink, stamps, paint or fabric everytime. Sometimes it involves creating a mood or ambience with freshly picked flowers or candles. Sometimes it involves creating some delicious choc-chip cookies for afterschool snacks.

To me being creative is about playing, enjoying, experimenting, sharing, loving and so much more.

The following photos are a sample of my creative week.

Was I disppointed that I didn't finish my blue painted canvas? No. Was I disappointed that I didn't complete 8 scrapbook pages, 12 cards, 3 pieces of artwork and 2 books? No no no no. I was satisfied with what I achieved. I was blessed by the few moments I had. I enjoyed being creative and I feel full.

Love

I just love this child. He brings pure joy to my life every single day. He is amazing to spend time with and just a lot of fun. Some of our most special times are when I am tucking him into bed. Everynight after stories we lie in his bed together and we talk and pray. He tells me the most profound things at times that I have to ask myself 'how old is he again?'.

I love you Timothy, always have and always will.

Quote

"Only those who attempt the absurd achieve the impossible" (author unknown to me).

Hanging Rock, Blue Mountains

Matt C jumping the gap over to the Hanging Rock

Below the gap .....

A promise

I love winter (actually I love Autumn and Spring too). In fact I really could live in the northern hemisphere. I love sleeping snuggled up under my doona, wearing scarves and boots, drinking tea and hot chocolate, wearing socks. I love sitting on a comfy lounge with a book and a nanna rug. However, I am not a fan of summer. It's okay when the days are mild but when that humidity hits, whoa I am knocked about.


So that is why today I did a little celebration dance. Being the first day of autumn was a promise that the good stuff is coming. Spectacular autumn sunsets, coloured, crunchy leaves (have to travel a bit to see those) and cooler weather with less humidity. I am in a very happy place.