Reading, Art and Birds

I woke up this morning, as I do most every morning to birds singing outside my window.  At various times in my life I have been more appreciative of their songs than at others.  At this time in my life I am not only appreciative but grateful for them.  They remind me first thing to remember the little things in life that matter.  Taking a minute in the morning to just lay there and listen to them sing makes me smile.  It’s right after I hear them that I reach over and wake up the wonder dog. 

I realized this morning just how blessed I am in so many ways.  Maddison sleeps with me and she is not happy unless she is touching me when she sleeps.  She generally sleeps with her back along mine, but sometimes, like this morning, she curls into a ball and backs up until she is touching me.  This morning it dawned on me what a comfort she is to me and how much she has changed my life for the better.  Animals do that without any effort.  They simply are.  What a wonderful purpose to have.

This is a picture of a basket of birds I am working on.

Basket of Birds

  I recently decided I wanted to do something with my hands at night while I was watching tv so I decided to design a bird pattern and try it out.   The first bird I made turned out a lil skinny for me. 

Lil bird

 She’s cute and all but I prefer the others who are a lil fluffier.  I’m not sure about the legs either.  I know the fatter birds will stand differently and I’m not even sure if I want them standing or sitting.  I have one listed on Etsy right now with no legs.  I have her tail in the down position.  It helps her balance but she doesn’t seem as cheerful as the ones with the tail up.   I made one with candy corn material and a black fabric.  She’s in the background of the basket.  I’m thinking of putting a little witch hat on her for halloween.  I know it’s a weird fabric to use for a bird but I couldn’t resist trying it.  *grins*   I love the process of adding the trims and the beads to them.  I can’t wait to see how they turn out!  I’m also finding that I seem to be leaning to “all white” in some things.  So I made an all white bird.  It’s going to be a challenge to decorate her.  I’m looking forward to it.   I’ve also got an idea for a bunch of all white birds with different decorations.  I’ll keep you posted as I go along!

This week I’ve got to work on my painting for the Komen auction for the cure.  I participate in this auction every year.  It is run by a group I belong to on Ebay called PEP.  It stands for Painting Ebay Pretty.  This is an absolutely lovely group of women who are also very talented artists.    I’m blessed to know them.  I’ll be posting pics here of the progress of the painting as well as the link to the auction info.  PLEASE visit and purchase something.  100% of the profits go to the Susan Komen race for the cure charity.  Having lost my sister to cancer in 2004 this is something very close to my heart.  To any of you struggling out there, keep the faith and know that there are MANY MANY survivors every single day.  *HUGS*  To those of you who help and support this cause, thank you Thank You THANK YOU.  You will be blessed.

I’m still reading and studying the Master Key System.  I’m still growing and changing and becoming more grateful for my life every single day.  Peace to you all.

Growth Growth and More Growth

As anyone who has been reading this blog knows, I’m deep into study of the Master Key System.  I found this book on the website for the dvd ”The Secret”.   I’m on week ten of study and I can tell you without a doubt it is changing me.  I’m 46 years old and I feel so far behind sometimes.  I feel like all of my friends are so far ahead of the race than me.  Well, today I realized something very important.  This isn’t a race.  This is my life.  My life, with my past and all of the things I’ve lived through.  All of those things have molded me into the person I am today.   I spent so many years hating myself.  So many years feeling less than.  I’m tired of treating myself that way.  I have a lot of good qualities and I am going to focus on those from now on.  Please don’t read this and feel like it’s a pity party of any kind.  It’s not.  It’s simply a realization of how I have thought for years and how I am now awake to a new way of thinking.

The law of attraction is working in my life now as it always has.  It’s just that now, I am aware of it.  Now I am aware that my thoughts and feelings are what shape my world.  Now I am aware that I truly do have the power to change my thoughts, my feelings and my life.  I see now, more clearly than I’ve ever seen, that life truly IS what we make it! 

I’ve been struggling for years with what to make and how to sell it and how to make a living doing that.  Because I was spending all of my time thinking, “I’ve got to find something that sells and sells big.” , I was subconsciously saying…”Nothing you are making is good enough so therefore you shouldn’t concentrate on one thing but keep looking.”   And that’s the problem with that kind of thinking.  You are always looking for something new, something better or something “out there” so you never stop long enough to look inside.  I can do alot of things.  I am rarely happy with any of them.  Is it because they aren’t good?  Most of the time the answer is no.  Most of the time I’m not happy with them because I’m not happy with me.  I am constantly telling myself I’m not good enough so therefore my art couldn’t possibly be good enough.  Well, that’s crap.  I reject those thoughts and I am replacing them with positive ones. 

I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately and one common thread I have found in all successful people is this….They all visualize.  That is to say they think out an idea or a concept before they ever lay pen to paper to work out the details.  What an EPIPHANY!!!!!   I am going to spend the next few days in deep thought and concentration.  I am going to review those things that I feel I am truly gifted in and that is the path I am going to follow.  Is it going to be scarey?  I’m not sure.  Maybe at first.  But it can’t possibly be any more scarey than living every day  wondering if I will ever measure up in life.  I already measure up.     I just don’t have the hoards of money to prove it……yet.  But stay tuned folks….it’s on its way.  *grins*  It’s on its way.

Check out the new page to the right here.  This is going to be an ongoing project.  It’s my gratitude list.  Read it if you like.  Make your own if you wish.  It’s amazing how it lifts me up.  Hope yours does the same for you.  Peace and love.

Today was a good day!

I am totally in love with Etsy!  I sold two things today.  One was a cottage chic pincushion and the other was an altered art canvas.  Both of the women who bought from me are incredibly sweet.  I love dealing with cool people.   

Maddison the wonder dog seems to be on the mend for real this time.  I’m soooo happy she’s feeling better.  I’ll get into the details later…..maybe…..the details are kinda gross.  *L*

I’m working on some of the silliest birds.  I am falling in love with them and they aren’t even finished yet.  It’s supposed to be sunny tomorrow.  I’m going to put flowers on my sisters grave and spend the drive down counting my blessings.  It’s amazing to me how that can lift a person up so quickly. 

I’m going to try to figure out how to move my link categories around.  I’m not happy with them.  If any of you have the skills to move them around, I would really appreciate an email with some instructions.   

I’m off to snuggle with Maddison and drift off to sleep.  Sweet dreams and peace.

Back from the Bog

Holy God I can’t believe it’s been this long since I have blogged! 

Alot of things have changed in my life over these past few months.  I lost a job, decided to open an Etsy shop, went through hell and back with some health issues with Maddison the wonder dog,  (She is better now) and lost a friend who I thought would be in my life forever. 

I’ve also been studying “The Secret” and I’m learning alot and changing alot.  PLEASE don’t email me and tell me I’m going to hell for this.  LOL  I’ve heard it all and I totally disagree with that.  For me personally, this has been the answer I was praying for.  If you’ve checked it out and it’s not for you then go find YOUR bliss and leave me to mine.     If you are one of those people who haven’t even checked it out but have made up your mind because of something others have told you, I would recommend you open your mind and stop letting others make major decisions for you.

It’s late and I’m going to bed.  I’ll blog more tomorrow.  I’ll also add the link to my Etsy shop.  Etsy ROCKS and I’m going to love it there.  I’ve already met some of the most wonderful human beans (yes I know that spells bean, it’s a joke!  *L*) over there.  It’s so awesome to meet people who are like minded and who understand what it is to make a living making art and handmade things. 

I bought an ornament from Lorraine at Country Fried Studio’s on Etsy.  She makes the most awesome ornies!  Go immediately and check her out. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5832205  Look on her sold items and you will see Edgar.  Edgar is THE MAN and he’s coming to live with me.  YAY! 

Okay off to bed to snuggle with the wonder dog.  More art, more blogging and more love tomorrow.  Peace.