I have just finished a new print that I am excited to put in my Etsy shop and share with you . The message is Find your Bliss, Find your Self. That is how it is for me, painting again after a bit of a break, has brought a lot of joy and gives me so much peace in that moment. It reminds me to stay steadfast on the journey I am on and to believe that if you are doing what you love - life is good. So I hope you stay with me on my journey and follow my blog.

Walking in the Rain

Just a quick note to let you see my new painting and I have prints available in my Etsy shop. I love it. I love the colours and textures and the feeling of strolling down the road in the rain. That is great for the weather we are having at the moment. Lots of rain which gives plenty of time for painting. Hope you enjoy it.

My New Obsession -Making Jewellery

In one of my recent posts, I mentioned I had started to make some pendants with my own artwork and it has been consuming all my time. I have cherished every minute of it. The work is very intricate work but I love that it is a way to use the paintings I have had fun doing of whimsical birds, animals and buildings in a new and exciting way. Also I have enjoyed honing my skills in using resin, which I find to be addictive to work   
with and wonderful to touch when finished.

There is such a bonus with making my own
jewellery because I have made myself a full set and I enjoy wearing them and bringing smiles to peoples faces. I have found because of the many colours I use in each piece they virtually go with everything. 

Anyway I hope you have enjoyed seeing 
 them and if you would like to see all my work just click on the Etsy sign on the right of the page and it will take you to my Etsy shop where you can see all my jewellery and prints. 

"You is Kind"

I recently re-watched the movie "The Help" and the words that Aibileen,who is an African-American maid, tries to teach  to Mae Mobley, the little girl who is entrusted to her care, really made an impression on me. They are simple words but I began to use them as affirmations for myself every day. 

You is kind

You is smart

You is important

I have found that the simplicity of these words have touched my heart. We all try to improve ourselves during our lives but these words make it easy for me to remember and repeat to myself. 

 "Am I kind"? I think that I am. I was brought up to think of others and to put others before myself sometimes to my own detriment. But it lets me sleep at night and feel  good when I can help others. 

"Am I smart" well I get by and especially if I don't get in my own way. 

But the one I slip up on is the "Am I important".  I think that this is a tricky one for a lot of us, we were brought up to look out for others which sometimes put us back down the list. So this is what I will definitely be working on. I am important because life is like a big jigsaw puzzle and we must all be here to make up that puzzle.  Why would my puzzle piece be less important than yours or the piece of somebody else.

So after doing this for awhile I have added  another line to my daily affirmations.  

You is worthy

and aren't we all.

(Thanks to Gayle from www.abeautifulmessinside.com for the above picture which reminded me of the importance of these words)

Soar

Last week I was lucky enough to go to the Stitches and Craft Show. It is exciting to go to places where their are so many creative people. I was in a place where people want to teach you about there products and new techniques and I know that they all wish you would buy their products but they also want to share their knowledge. The ones that end up selling the most are those that still have the excitement in their eyes about what they are doing because they make you feel that same thrill. It goes back to the old adage that if you do what you love you won't work a day in your life.

Over the last year I have learnt the amazing things that can happen when you surround yourself with people who are interested in the same things that you are interested in. From doing online classes with Kelly Rae Roberts, Jane Davenport and most recently being involved with Life Book 2013 and Tam Laporte.
All of these talented ladies share not only their skills but it is the community that comes with them and the moral support that envelopes you that keeps you going in an environment that could be very isolating.

At the show I loved seeing all the new products but can't wait till mid year when the Papercraft show comes around.  I have found a new way to use my art by putting my prints on pendants and I am really excited about making them. So far I love the way they are turning out and can't wait to make one for myself. Will soon have some pictures of finished pieces. Can't wait to share them.

So for now I will leave you with one of my latest paintings that has a message for all of us.  

Don't hold back   Soar......

Say No to Bullying Day

Tomorrow is "Say No to Bullying" Day and we have all been encouraged to wear Orange to show our support and to say NO. I wonder if there is anyone who has never been a victim of Bullying somewhere in their lives. I myself have a few battles with bullies and funnily enough it was never in my childhood. I think it was because I had a good basis in life from my childhood that it didn't affect me then but as I began taking the reins of my own life I let people have too much control over how I felt about myself.

Sometimes you listen to those you work with who have there own agenda. It starts slowly with off handed comments and criticisms that you try not to get upset about but then they see that you react and they know what works against you. Slowly and surely they take away your confidence and eventually you no longer know what is your truth and their truth.

Don't let them do it. Tell someone and either stand up to them or get away because otherwise it sneaks into all areas of your life. I have heard so many stories of this and with my own experiences I know the toll it takes. So tomorrow I will be wearing Orange and I will be thinking of others and my most recent bully and I will show them that they are not in control.

You know the best revenge is to live a "Great Life". Because that is what the bully  is trying to take away from you. This is why I like to make art with positive messages. I want to encourage others on their journeys as I muddle my way through my journey.So tomorrow when you get up and look in your cupboard for something to wear - grab something Orange and show everyone that it is not ok to Bully.

I have been working hard and really loving coming up with some new prints. Something positive for people to put on their wall or desk or to buy for someone they care about. I want people to believe in themselves and have reminders that life is good. I am going through some stuff in life myself and know that positive people, books and messages have helped keep me going. Being creative is really healing so as well as helping myself and trying to make changes for others.