• Jewelry,  Life,  Thoughts,  Uncategorized

    Identity ~ As We Enter a New Year

    As I had a little quiet time this morning, I was thinking about entering the New Year and how important it is to remember my identity. I don’t mean my name, where I was born, etc. but rather who I am – deeply rooted who I am. Some things that came to mind and apply to you as well is that you are loved, cherished, unique, have purpose that only you can fulfill. You have the ability to have an impact, are valuable (no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, the mistakes you’ve made). For me my faith plays an absolute role in who I am. Because I am a…

  • Life,  Thoughts,  Uncategorized

    Being a Fanatic!

    I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about being a ‘fanatic!’  What’s a fanatic? fa·nat·ic fəˈnadik/ noun  1. a person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, especially for an extreme religious or political cause. synonyms: zealot, dogmatist, devotee, adherent;   adjective 1. filled with or expressing excessive zeal.  I think really you can be a fanatic for anything.  I was listening to a song on the radio called talking about not being ashamed for being ‘on fire’ about your faith.  This is so true.  While each of us have a choice, I can still be sold out.  I have friends from all walks of life but I do want to be authentic to me…

  • Art Journaling,  Artsy Adventures (Outings, Flea Marketing and More),  Mixed Media,  Thoughts,  Uncategorized

    A Mini Class, Laughter and Good Health

    Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some creative time with some of my dearest friends. It was impromptu and the special time we had priceless. When we get together sometimes I enjoy challenging or teaching them a mixed media or art journaling technique new to them. I had packed three erasers and some stamp carving tools. Each of them created the cutest stamp individual to them and which shared their personality. Tanya carved a bird, Sylvia a paintbrush and Mary a cool abstract shape.  I wanted to remember our mini class, the laughs and the blessing of these lovely ladies. These times are so good for the soul! Thus,…

  • Art,  Art Journaling,  Mixed Media,  Thoughts,  Uncategorized

    My Favorite Things Stencils ~ A Review and some Thoughts

    A while ago I was asked to review stencils from MFT Stamps. As you know, I love stencils . . . what mixed media gal wouldn’t.  So here are some honest thoughts about My Favorite Things stencils. Here are some images where I used the stencils.  Please see below the photos some tips and a review.   I found some fun patterns and had difficulty choosing just five.  Find them here.  One of my favorites I was sent was ‘Jumbled Letters’.  There are some great patterns to choose from. While I love the variety, I think it would be fun to see some randomness in the stencils.  Ie. Crooked hearts, not…

  • Art,  Mixed Media,  Uncategorized

    Angels ~ Christmas and Beyond

    ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ . . . ‘Angels We Have Heard On High’ . . . ‘Sing Choirs of Angels, Sing in Exultation’ . . . and the list goes on.  Christmas is such a time we hear so much about angels.  While Angels are for every season, Angels are especially mentioned during Christmas.  Angels brought Good Tidings of Joy and the message of the Christmas season to Kings, the ordinary and mankind. I created a few angels a while back reminding me of the messages they share.  I’ve sold some and there are two left that I just listed in the Artsy Findings Store.  The two left are .…

  • Life,  Uncategorized

    Boutique for a Cause Part 2

    If you’re up for a fun event tomorrow . . . you will enjoy this wonderful festive venue.  It’s called Jingle and Mingle.  The morning starts with some goodies, some Christmas carols, comedian, sneak peek at the boutique, then the boutique (around 60 vendors) from 11 a.m . – 2 p.m.  You’ll enjoy all the food trucks as well! If you missed part 1 of a ‘Boutique for a Cause’ you can find it here. Here are a few other items I created for tomorrow . . . Hope to see you there!  

  • Art,  Artsy Adventures (Outings, Flea Marketing and More),  Jewelry,  My Breast Cancer Journey,  Uncategorized

    Boutique for a Cause

    tis’ the season.  I hope all had a lovely Thanksgiving.  I did although I have been struggling with a bug.  But I’ve been trying to push through it and I’m gearing up for a boutique that will be held at Voyager’s Church in Irvine on Saturday the 6th.  It will be a wonderful day of inspiration both while singing some carols and listening to a funny, lighthearted speaker.  I’m hoping I may be able to raise some funds so that our sweet girl can participate in a trip to Washington D.C., where her chorale group will compete as well as a trip to Costa Rica ~ she was chosen by…

  • Art,  Jewelry,  Leather Working and Chip Art,  Mixed Media,  Tutorials and How to's,  Uncategorized

    Right Now Monday – Ringing in the Season – Some Ideas from the Archives

    Hello all .  . . Right Now, on this Monday . . . I am thinking about the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday and Christmas.  I’m getting excited about some familiar traditions and new ones. I hope that you all enjoyed the 2014 annual Handmade Holiday Blog Hop.  What inspiration!  With that in mind . . . Thanksgiving is on the horizon and Christmas not too far off. Today I thought I’d share a few projects from the archives that might inspire you as you craft Christmas. Here’s s Joy wall hanging tutorial decor to ‘Deck Your Halls’ . . . This can be a gift for your Shabby Chic friend.  An…

  • Art Journaling,  Mixed Media,  Uncategorized

    Throwback Thursday – Window of the Soul Art Journal Tags Tour

    It’s Throwback Thursday of a different kind.  I’m adding content I previously lost . . . of some oldies (videos, tutorials, projects).   ADD PHOTOS OF TAGS This one here . . . several years ago I taught a different kind of book club class.  We would read a chapter or two of this awesome book by Ken Gire called Windows on the Soul, convene together, talk about what we learned, I’d teach a technique on a tag and then we’d each create an art journal page with portions of the book that spoke to us.  This is a little tour of the tags I created for the class/techniques I…

  • Art Journaling,  Life,  Mixed Media,  Uncategorized

    Right Now Mondays – Do not Doubt

    Greetings, It’s another ‘Right Now Monday‘ and are you ready to share?  Ready to art journal? If you missed the last ‘Right Now Monday‘ post , or wondering what Right Now Monday is about . . . . here it is . . . Right Now Monday Initial Post. Right Now I want . . . This could be something you desire to have (maybe not a need but a want – a house, a new job) or maybe this is a goal? For me . . . Right Now and Today I want and desire for  . . . my daughter, my husband, my mother, my friends, my family,…