As I create and listen I will be led.

 The Artist Way Creative Affirmation #3.

I recently joined the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap.  It arrived in my inbox.  I listened.  I created.  And I found bliss.

This little ditty first arrived in my inbox in February.  It was simple and free and fun.  The project consisted of making a postcard using the theme "create", incorporating some stitching.  Once I signed up, The Do What you Love staff then matched me with a person to swap cards.

The the whispers said, "Why not?  This is a sweet little project that I can do.  Maybe it will jumpstart the creative force inside me."  So I listened.  In an instant I signed up for the swap figuring I had lots of time to think of the perfect idea and to complete the perfect little card.

Then a few days later I received my postcard swap match and the dreaded DEADLINE...early March. Yikes!  Where did February go?  The gremlins laughed..."What were you thinking?  You don't have time for this.  The theme...Create...Ha!  How long will it take you to find that perfect idea...to create that perfect idea?  You will never finish!"

So...  I fought the gremlins.
I pulled out the Artist Way Affirmations and searched for one that spoke to me louder than the gremlins.  "As I create and listen I will be led."
I typed the words on Grace's vintage green Smith Corona with the hope of calling them into being.  I played.  Who knew that the sweet pink Starbuck's coffee sleeve I saved the other day would come in handy?  It was quickly transformed into birds that would help me take flight.  I pulled out my Janome and some turquoise thread and discovered a sweet floral stitch.  I played with my machine, and tiny treasures scattered throughout my art room.  I created.  And I finished!

So now off she goes in the mail to Florida!  Whoo Hoo!  Goodnight Gremlins!  As I create and listen I will be led!

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." 
- John 10:27

About Time

It's been a long time since I watched a movie that I truly enjoyed.  LOVED this one...

I watched About Time the other day
for the first time
and then
"the second time...noticing".
I am determined
"to try to live every day
as if it was the final day
of my  extraordinary ordinary life".
It's about time!

Rachel McAdams, if your reading this...and if my ordinary life every becomes a movie...will you please play my part?

The Secret Life of Bees

Playing with bees...

I am willing to learn to let myself create...

“I hadn't been out to the hives before, so to start off she gave me a lesson in what she called 'bee yard etiquette'. She reminded me that the world was really one bee yard, and the same rules work fine in both places. Don't be afraid, as no life-loving bee wants to sting you. Still, don't be an idiot; wear long sleeves and pants. Don't swat. Don't even think about swatting. If you feel angry, whistle. Anger agitates while whistling melts a bee's temper. Act like you know what you're doing, even if you don't. Above all, send the bees love. 

Every little thing wants to be loved.” 

― Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees

-artwork by Lisa Cousins

Creative Affirmations #16

Sometimes you have to start small. I made this little trading card size piece of art some time ago.  "I am willing to learn to let myself CREATE."  -Julia Cameron's Artist Way Creative Affirmation #16.  I am ready to play!  I want to create something!  I want to make more of these little babies!

Showing up...

my words for the week..."show up".
so often i don't show up because i'm waiting for the inspiration.
but now i don't show up because inspiration is fluttering all about my head and my heart.
i sit to write a post and i don't know where one thought starts and another ends.
words pour forth in no formation.
instead i abandon to the laundry room of lights and darks.
or venture to the world of unfinished projects.
i want to tell the world about how last year's word COLOR opened my eyes to adventure.
i want to tell the world how this year's word HAPPY smiled at me.
i want to share how i'm following the little birds and their whispers of truths into my soul
and how it all feels like mystical magic and the sprinkling of fairy dust.
and how my heart tells me it's the Holy Spirit pursuing little ol' me.
and how i wonder why me? who am i to be pursued?
and how He whispers, "because you are fearfully and wonderfully made. isn't that what you tell your daughters?"

so today i'm obedient to His whispers.
i'm showing up for just a moment.
i'm trusting that all the words will form in perfect bird formation
in His time.

"The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." -John 6:63

-Word of God Speak, Mercy Me ♫

Finding My Gold

following the whispers again

this time the whispers of "gold"

at mass monsignor talks of bringing our gifts to Jesus

our gold, our frankincense, and our myrrh 

... finding your gold...your gifts, given to you by God, 
to be given back to Him.

what is my gold i wonder?

and then he says the words from the pulpit, 

"maybe it is your creativity..."

i ponder the golden nuggets 

they stick like glitter upon my face 

after an afternoon of Christmas wrapping

Vein of Gold: A Journey to Your Creative Heart

my quest for the season

i gather with my creative cluster

and begin to dig deep for my gold

Apples of Gold:

"words fitly spoken 

are like apples of gold

in pictures of silver." 

this proverb makes her presence known

from this golden book practically jumping off the shelf 

at my favorite gold and green bookstore 

words inspiring me 

to gather apples of gold for our teachers

rolling each blessing by hand

"canning" them into mason jars

with lids of silver

then He whispers again

"wrap each jar with a thread of gold."

seriously?  is that you God?

or me, obsessing again over details

i'm obedient.

i listen.

i tie each jar with a golden thread.

not knowing why

praying for each name

tagged to each jar.

still pondering what my gold could be

i look up at an unfinished painting

of three keys

hanging by golden threads

and I feel the silent whispers again in my soul

"complete her"

"add a white lace dove"

"be brave"

"donate your gold"

"Vein of Gold: Keys to the Kingdom"

comes to life

to the online charity auction she goes

and now i ponder

its mystery

vulnerability screams

drowns out the whispers

as i watch and wait for bids

why did i bother?

i could have written a check, Lord

with a pen of golden ink

did I hear you wrong?

does any of this matter?

these little things i do

smaller than a golden thread

i look out the window

a monday morning traffic accident

stikes an iron victorian lamp post

and brings havoc to our little village

a golden ball

catches my eye

she used to sit proudly 

upon her post

now she lies broken in the street

how will they remember me?

and i look for the golden sun.

Lord Jesus, You came to the earth

as a vulnerable child

your mama held you tight

what did she whisper in your ear?

let it be your whispers i hear

deep within my soul

open my eyes to see 

and my heart to feel 

the warmth of your rays

please shine upon my gold.

-Fields of Gold, Sting ♫

Dear Alice - A Letter to My Daughter

-photo captured by Heidi Lynne Photography

Dear Alice,

I miss you since you fell south into that rabbit hole.  Things just aren’t quite the same around here.  Where is that girl with her head always lost in a book?  Where is that girl perched upon her stool by the window with a cup of tea and stories to tell?  Off on an adventure are you?  Following a dream?

There will be many signs leading you every which way.  I’m quite certain of that.  Which way will you go?  

        Follow The Way.  And everything will be okay.

Remember who you are.   Look in the mirror.  See that girl.  Fearfully and wonderfully made.   See yourself as who you want to be.  No matter how small or tall you feel on any given day, find the spirit within you.  What is it telling you?  Remember who you are.

Listen for His voice.  You will hear other voices too.  Be wary.  “Follow your heart?” Oh wise one...beware of this voice.  For hearts sometimes lead us astray, right into the queen of hearts trap.  Guard your heart, my girl.  Put on your pure white apron of armor.  Keep it pure.  Remember your values, the lessons of obedience by the big copper beech tree.  They were written and  told not to bore you or to keep you from experiencing joy.  They were written so that you can experience true joy at God’s appointed time.  Don’t be in a rush to be a grown up too fast too soon.  Hold fast to your innocence.  It’s a priceless treasured gift. 

How old is your soul, Lou Lou?  You are but the experiencer of the heart.  You see and you feel its energy. Keep your heart wide open.  Let those experiences run through you, the good and the bad.  Don’t dwell on the bad or cling too long to the good.  If they linger too long you will miss the present moments right in front of you.  Be present.  It is there that you will hear His voice and know which way to move forward.

Be wise dear one. Enjoy this new found freedom and exploration of trying on many hats (and shoes) of different sizes, shapes, and styles. But caution.  “Eat me. Drink me.” notes are all over the place in that new wonderland.  You will become curious and curiouser.  They will make you feel as if you are from a different world.  Perhaps braver or happier at first.  But they can make you do things that you could regret later. “If you drink much from a bottle marked ‘poison’ it is almost certain to disagree with you, sooner or later.”  Make good choices. 

Keep your eyes wide open.  You will meet some strange characters as you already have.  A quirky girl with a ring of Saturn that spins and glows in the night while you try to sleep.  A man with eyes so bright.  They speak to your soul,  telling you,  "You are going places." Every interruption in your day is an opportunity for a Divine encounter.  Look for their messages.  Ask who you are to bless.  Ask what lesson there is for you to learn or what lesson there is for you to teach.   Again make good choices.  They determine the places you go, not to mention where you wake up.

Find gratitude in each cup half full.  Take time to daydream over a cup of java.  It is there that you will find inspiration.  It is there that you will find kindred spirits.

You have drawn fruit that reflects God’s light for all to see.  Now be the good fruit of the Spirit, sharing your good gifts.  Let your light shine for all to see.  Be authentic.  Don’t let anybody knock over your fruit bowl.  

Pray.  That is where you will find the strength to persevere. “Believe in six impossible things before breakfast.”  Go to church.  Look up at the light coming through the stained glass windows.  Let the colors penetrate your soul.

My dear, God has dreams for your life, plans to prosper you, to give you hope and a future.  Follow His dreams for your life with passion.  And listen carefully for His voice when he tells you to wake up at 7:05.  Waking up from a dream within a dream is a feat in itself.  Get a good night’s sleep.  Then hear the whisper of "Talitha Koum".

Pay attention.  Be alert.  Is your body off kilter?  Do you have an anxious heart?  Your body may be telling you that there is something not right with your soul.  Talk to Jesus.  Make it right.  Put the butterflies fluttering about your tummy in formation so you can soar.

I hope you find comfort knowing that mom and dad and sisters are cheering for you as you paint the roses and many a masterpiece.  I am confident that when you leave your little wonderland and find your way back home to your castle, Wonderland will be better because of you.

Everything will be okay.  Never fear.  When you stumble down a wrong path or enter into a wrong door God will give you a way out.  He will leave you a key.  He will give you His hand and pick you back up if you will just reach out and grab it.  He wants you to be a featured character in his story.  Will you say yes to Him?

Call home often.  Your mom enjoys a good story and looks forward to the next chapter about how her little girl woke up and saw the sun.  Oh be happy, little girl.    Even though your soul is growing and maturing, always keep a piece of that little girl close tight in your locket.  Remember that confident, courageous, funny, delightful. little girl that captured her own share of hearts with the words, “I woke up.”  BE that happy little girl.

Love,

Mom

“Good advice. If I listened earlier, I wouldn’t be here. 

But that’s just the trouble with me. 

I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom follow it.”

-and she is off... chasing dreams & learning her lessons well in her southern wonderland of art school. while Mama learns the lessons of letting her go and trusting that God's got it 24/7.  


-I Won't Give Up, Jason Mraz ♫