GIFTS WITH HEART!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is the official launch of my newest project: Gifts With Heart! There could not be a better day to start this adventure. Two months ago, December 14th 2012, the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut rocked that community, our country and the world. There is no making sense of such an unthinkable day. For me, as the numbness and shock slowly wore away I was left with an overwhelming sadness. But as sad as I was, I still had my own children and so very much to be grateful for.

Slowly, even in the worst of times, life continues. Kids go back to school, errands need done, bills need paid...and so it goes. I have not been able to stop thinking about the parents, families and friends who live in Newtown and how hard it would be to continue - to be forced to find a "new normal." The need for support, counseling, time and love is huge. No one, let alone an entire community, just moves on without obstacles. I wondered what could I do?? I am one person; just a mom who lives on the opposite side of the country with no direct link to Connecticut. But a recurring thought kept coming back to me - "We can't do it all, but what if we all did a little?"

With that thought in mind I decided to take a baby step in the right direction. Do what I can now, within my abilities and hopefully it will be one more drop to help fill up someone else's cup. And so Gifts With Heart was born! Available on Etsy, all proceeds from Gifts With Heart will go to causes close to my own heart, beginning with the United Way of Western Connecticut, Sandy Hook Fund. There is no end date...just when it feels right.

I hope you will visit Etsy and I invite you to check back as there will be new items going up regularly as well as featured artists who are pitching in the help make a difference. I am excited about this...and a bit nervous. It won't produce millions but I believe whole heartedly that no matter what, it all adds up! Lets remember those 26 beautiful souls as we reach out to those they left behind by giving Gifts With Heart.

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Project 12 - Week 1

This week was a busy one! Lots going on with the family so I was determined to get my 12 minutes and am proud to say I did! I was in the mood to play in my art journal which lends itself very well to small bits of time. My BIG PROJECT of the week was cleaning the studio! It feels great in there now and I am excited to get going on purses for the market this summer!

Day 1: Preparing journal pages...not super exciting but must be done in order to go forward.

Day 2: Slapping some Gesso and paint on there!

Used this cool utility tape from Lowe's for some texture. My friend Renea' gave me some to use and I don't even claim to know the actual purpose for it.

Day 3: Adding some Sharpie doodles and stamps. Starting to think a lot about getting to visit Paris this fall!

Day 4: Renea' and I geeked out on some serious You Tube craft videos and saw a super cool way to fancy up a picture. This is junk mail I had snagged from work!

Tore off the face and Collage Pauged it to the page.

Then Gesso'd over it.

After the Gesso dried I used oil pastel crayons to redo her look.

She might be a little intense (my son says creepy! HA!) but in my not so highly traveled mind I think she actually looks a little French!

Days 5 and 6 were spent painting the purse I shared in my last post and day 7 consisted of me in a ball on the couch surrounded by magazines, scissors and a box of fabric scraps....NOBODY wants to see that! Ha ha! But seriously, this week was a perfect example of taking a little time for something I really want/need to do and how much better I feel when I have even the smallest of outlets! On to week 2!

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The Power of 12 - A Project

Okay, so the number 12 has been floating around in my life lately. I know, its sounds a little cosmic but just hear me out!

I recently finished a 12-week running clinic. I went from running one minute to running 20 minutes at a time - over the course of 12 weeks. I kept at a steady routine that slowly built itself into something I am really proud of. And now that I can run for 30 minutes at a time I am left to wonder - what else is possible? Or, for the sake of this project:

What is the power of 12??

A friend who has become a Take Shape For Life coach recently put a quote on Facebook about twelve and it was the spark that got me thinking. Here is the quote:

"It takes 4 weeks for you to notice your body changing, 8 weeks for your friends to notice, and 12 weeks for the rest of the world to notice. Give it 12 weeks. Don't quit."

When I thought back about running I knew this to be true but I realized this strategy can be applied so many other places - especially creativity! Hence, my summer project.

THE POWER OF 12!

Life is busy and if you are like me often the things you really want to do...your heart's desires...get put last on the list for various reasons. So I propose two challenges!

First Challenge: Pick 12 things you want to accomplish - big or small. Anything from organizing the closet that is mentally draining every time you walk past it to tackling the quilt you've been meaning to start for the last five years (this is one of mine!), starting an art journal or reorganizing your socks. Then write one on the calendar for each of the next 12 weeks and allow yourself to face these projects head on instead of letting them continue to clutter your mind. (Notice I said START a quilt, as opposed to making a quilt in a week....not a possibility in my schedule). Keep it fun and inspiring - not all the projects need to be heavy, and if one sounds more doable than the one you have written down for that week allow yourself the luxury of rescheduling!

Second Challenge: YOU TIME!! For the next 12 weeks you are committing yourself to something YOU want to do for 12 minutes a day! Read, sew, draw, take pictures, walk, whatever is your heart's desire! For me it is working in my studio on various projects. Even the busiest of people can find 12 minutes sometime during the day. Then, no matter what's going on we have done something for ourselves, even if its been only 12 minutes. And if we are lucky enough to have longer then by all means go for it! Often I may have the time but struggle with getting in the zone so my 12 minute commitment may be the tool to get me in the right frame of mind.

Mark your calendar for the end of your 12 weeks and look back on what you've accomplished. You will be shocked at how a little mindfulness has added up for the better! This is not about perfection - its about making time for the heart and clearing some mental clutter - you can't go wrong!

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please let me know via comment or email what you are up to and how its working out. I will be posting weekly updates to hold myself accountable to you all! Lets make this a creative, inspiring, freeing summer! Good luck!

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