time redux

sometimes it's a simple as a nice cup of earl grey at a good friend's house, step out of time as u know it

or taking a few deep breaths in the backyard meditation garden

or laughing at the kooky creations we make, like the old crone of the garden

nature is one of my fav "outta time" reset buttons

muse stones and a sweet birdbath i made last year give me pause

sunshine and a sense of humor..and cruzing my absolute fav north shore ocean side digs, newburyport

s m i l e...it too breaks the frenetic mind buz

lacking time seems to be something i've been at odds with most of my life and especially since i've committed to going the route of flying my own biz. i'm sorting out what i think and feel about time and how i'm experimenting with approaching it differently. i 've had lots of food for thought now that i'm finishing the e-courses/tele-classes i began a month -ish ago: kelly rae robert's -flying lessons and georgia lee london's- abundance boot camp.

both have offered how to's on perceiving time, what we do with it, how we orient our days to make the most of it. ... well, last nite i felt a shift settle over me listening to georgia describe working from the source place and letting that be the compass... this shift was a welcome one, one that i've wanted for a very long time. it wasn't so much a light bulb popping aha moment as much as a deep sigh., like when u first drive up to your home after having been away for a long time. i sense this new relationship with time that's getting reinforced thru these classes is helping me feel more at home within myself and to be bold enough to enter into a flow with how i live my days..one that floats me downstream from what seems prevalent around me. away from frenetic and scattered and toward centered focus and passion.

you know this whipped up pace we as women, mammas, artists, healers, shuttlers, clean-er-upppers......think we HAVE to keep up or IT won't get done??? and when we're working our magic to make our dream machine soar..well that's a whole other wheel to spin...right??

and on top of the current crush craze we've signed on for there's the family training to consider too:

being raised by a single mom who struggled alot and worked and toiled alot and had a job she didn't love set me up as a child with some pretty hefty impressions of what i did and didn't want when my "time" came to enter the adult world. i didn't want to work for someone else and i didn't want to struggle, to be shriveled by my career and i didn't want to toil to become financially secure. so for years i've battled with what i was raised with and what culture tells us we must do. I've had an aversion to really going for my dreams because I didn't want to be burnt to a crisp and wither on my own vine.

but i was really seeing only half the picture.

do u ever notice how when you really want to "get" something really make it urs , the universe steps in and surrounds you with lots of support to take you there? i call it a chapter of learning and right now the chapter is "it's up to you- let's have a time redux."

sooo..all around me are little reminders and way pointers to seal in the whole idea of how it could be for me instead of how i've feared it would HAVE to be:

rice freeman-zachary 's book, creative time and space;making room for making art (i grabbed it when when met ..i thought i bought it to support her artistic career...it wasn't something that i felt a big rush to have and yet....clever universe).. has these juicy nuggets from various artists interviewed:

"I tend to work between 8-12hr days a day. Its hard for me to define a 'work day' cuz i mix alot of photography and internet time which are very recreational. even though, technically, i am working i enjoy these activities so much that it really doesn't seem like it should count as 'work hours'. my creativity doesn't begin and end in the studio. i try hard to infuse all aspects of my life with the same energy that goes into designing clothes and accessories."

"everything i do revolves around being an artist. i do what i love and have passion for it, so it doesn't feel like work."

if you re-think your concept of time, you'll begin to see a spacious quality to your days that you would have sworn wasn't there yesterday. if you can imbue everything you do -from the client meetings to carpooling-with creativity, you'll find that the days feel more expansive, as if you've put a little bit of elastic in them."

"..let's consider the more organic approach that works best for some people. instead of setting up a firm schedule, you allow yourself to flow from one task to the next, even if the tasks are widely divergent-say bookkeeping and painting."

yes yes yes! i had just such a day this weekend. had to whole day to play with my dream machine and this flow back and forth was precisely how i worked..on the computer downloading addresses, over to the studio to prep some canvas, breaking for a bit of yoga, emailing clients, catching up on kelly rae posts, recording receipts into my budget book...it was beautiful..left me feeling so connected and satisfied. hadn't once thought about the time...just floating downstream..and i got a ton done.

so this chapter is one i'll need to keep close to me as i learn to stay in the current. it's so easy and tempting to get caught in the rip tides of worry, rush, stress..but right now i'm feeling goood. so i'm going with it.

come on in...the water's fine!!!!!!!!!!!

Making Dreams Real

a vision board i made last night at the marvelous mindy's wish studio's creativity circle

dream a little dream...

making dreams real. when i was a little girl and even through my teenage years, i had such a solid connection with my ability to shape my world as i wanted it. i won raffles and contests because i reaaallly wanted to, won over boys later on and in lots of little ways day in and day out i was synced up with life. i spoke life's language i suppose, and life listened and responded. were u like this too? remember when we were just little swirling girl balls of raw focus and energy? We weren't clouded with doubt about if we could do "it", worries of whether we deserved the thing we coveted, weren't yet filled up with outside judgements ," what?! why do you want that???" what we knew instinctively then was that we asked and we received. it was simple.

this was long before many of us had language like manifesting or what u focus on increases.... long before the law of attraction was a house hold phrase. i remember when i went to bed at night i'd lull myself to sleep with good thoughts of what i wanted to have or have happen; it could be meeting someone i admired (tho' i had no luck whatsoever when it came to donny osmond!), or a toy I just had to have, a friend i wanted to make or a place I wanted to visit.

another manifesting journal

looking back on these times i realize that we are all well informed as children about the ways of the universe but most of us by the time we enter the teenage years are so consumed with the outside world, its rules and definitions of and for us and that link to our creative power can easily slip out of our reach or maybe we just get talked out of believing anymore. or??? what was it for you? do you know when you lost the magic?

sometimes i affirm what is true for me in my manifesting journals such as my son, niko being my north star.

the cover of a journal with colors i love and symbols that have special meaning. anything we include in our imagery that carries weight and gives a positive vibe strengthens its power for us.

more!

an entry written on this month's new moon

i especially like to focus specifically with the phases of the moon:

new moon- new projects, relationships, jobs etc.

full moon- ones i'm ready to bring to fullness or complete, or ones i need an extra lunar boost! to help with.

dark moon- to banish or release something or someone i no longer want or need in my life..

if ur intrigued, try it today, it's the full strawberry moon -you may find a whole new way to work with your dreams - weaving a little luna love into it!

i've re-connected again thru working consciously with manifesting journals , collage, and meditation. these are tactile ways i use to help me "make real" my dreams. to give them a face, a name and a real place. they help me to focus strongly and hold a place in my daily rounds for these dreams. but they also give me an anchor, a concrete representation of each dream.

i like to write the date on the entries when the dream comes true too! it's fun to play again this way and even more fun as i tuck another dream come true into my smiling heart.

is ur heart smiling yet?

A Day in the Life

I've promised myself to begin taking the camera for the daily rounds of life to accomplish a few things all at once: doing this will keep me a bit more aware of my day as it unfolds, to appreciate it and to be on the look out for a magical moment or token life puts in my path, like these rambling roses and lilies and luscious greens that I pass just up the road each day when I walk Niko to the bus stop.

heart rocks find me...this one waiting for me by the side of the road

more friends on the am walk

Somehow capturing them in a photo is an act that will create a memory; of the time I spent to really look at my life and what's there around me. Of taking the time to see what's there, to interact with it. When I look back on this day, the one I'm celebrating in a more deliberate way, it will be a sweet memory of belonging to the small and simple events as they unfurled themselves.

I look forward to developing a sharper eye and sense of "the shot" and playing with the medium more and I hope too it will be so wonderful that I will make this ritual one I wouldn't dream of doing without. Sharing the little moments is what brings such joy; the stories we make as we move through our lives as traveling companions with others, engaged , rooted, deepening our history and friendships along the way.

In a way I'm glad the treadmill refused to walk me anymore...it got me out of the dreary basement and into all this!

Journal Jeans And Rice Freeman-Zachery

Years ago I added Stamp Artistry by Rice Freeman-Zachery to my craft book collection. In it I found a really neat looking project, journal jeans that I wanted to try. I got the impulse recently when I learned Rice was coming to town for a book signing. Wouldn't it be neat to have her sign my newly finished pants?? So I thought about what I would like to journal about and really it's the process of my creative and womanly life unfolding, making peace with the pieces of me, all the various bits I have inside like the Artist, The Witch, The Healer, The Critic, The Momma, Wife and on and on..and I wanted to pay homage to this special time in my life , this time of re-invention and of appreciation and gratitude for this new world I'm


creating and for all the wonders I have in my circle that make it possible; my North Star; Niko, my Sunshine; Dino, my Shining Stars; friends, Home Planet; Earth, Personal Solar System; family.... and I wanted to use some of my art to set off the words..Rice suggested using screen print ink..huh? not so easy to find so I went with permanent ink, this is so part of life, trial and error, I'll let u know how they come out after the first wash! But here they are and here is Rice ...when I asked if she's sign me instead of a book, she said "Hop up!" and I laid out on the work table and she grabbed a sharpie and set to adding her own work to my jeans! How fun is that - just below is her contribution;') Thanks Rice! and happy travels to NYC and back home again!

There's Rice from the back , what a fab. artist, writer and wild woman!




Some close up's of the almost finished jeans..

Fun with fabric markers! and anytime I can make art outside, I'm there! The backyard sanctuary..

How much fun can we have with a bunch of grandma's buttons!?

My resident photograher-Niko took most of the pics. for this entry

Had to share this ..in the Whole Foods parking lot, this is for when The Critic chimes in, I can remind myself...nope not today!

and I've realized..life in progress... that limiting myself to blogging on T and Th is well, limiting! So here's to connecting more soon, and on any day the muse calls ;')

What has the muse been calling you to these days? Summer Solstice and the first day of summer (6/21) are just around the corner, if ur like me u just can't stop urself from playing...what about a putting together an herb planter for the kitchen window, have the kids paint some birdhouse for the apple tree in the yard, stepping stones with little handprints, handcraft a few journals to hold all the special memories u'll make this summer....

To life!

A Great Place to Visit

Bob and Cathy Kneeland, owners Circles of Wisdom

standing with some Art For Your Heart canvas

You know I really believe in sharing my special folks and places with you so here's another one: Circles of Wisdom on Main St. downtown Andover, Ma. I've lived on the North Shore for over a decade and COW has been serving the community for well over that. I met Cathy Kneeland (then Levine) early on and over the years I did readings and taught a class or two,and still do from time to time- but what I really love about COW is it's staying power and presence here. It's withstood the ebb and flow of economic shifts and unpredictable changes we've experienced over the years and it's a spot that brings me comfort just knowing that. Cathy has realized a dream owning this store and her commitment shows. Now with her hubbie, Bob and staff , COW is a bit of a suburban oasis for spiritual seekers and everyone else too. I visit regularly to restock on Nag Champa incense yum! check out the books, stones, books ( yes more books!) classes and lots of little goodies that like to jump in my bag before I can get out the door;')

It's a welcoming place and you'll feel at home just taking your time and browsing around, asking questions and taking it all in. COW stocks Art For Your Heart too! And several of the canvases are also available online so if you can't make it down to the store , you're in luck!

Do stop in and say Hello, make some friends;')

June Calendar

HI All



Just a quickie to let u know some of the things I'll be up to this month:



-SOS All Nighter Graduation party at NAHS, can u imagine giving psychic readings to the graduating senniors?? This is my 4th year working from 10:30pm-2:30am! and the kids are really, really inspiring. Believe me there is hope!



-Soul Collage Intro. Workshop- This Sunday June 13th -1-4pm at Circles of Wisdom , Andover, Ma. http://www.circlesofwisdom.com/ to register...fun fun fun! make ur own collaged cards to give and receive readings. everything supplied, tek home materials.



-Office hrs. for Psychic/Intuitive/Soul Collage consultations and Reiki by apmt. Tues-Sat.



-Soul Collage Open Studio- last one for the season Friday June 25th 7-9pm. sliding scale $7-10 includes all except blank cards, which can be purchased $5/6pack.



-Home or Beach! Gatherings- Host a gathering for consultations of any kind or Integrative Reiki session and u receive your session free! Why not get some friends together for a beach reading party?! Plan now to create a day to remember.



-ARtForYOurHeart on sale now at:



Circles of Wisdom in store and online http://www.circlesofwisdom.com/



General Goods, Andover, Ma http://www.generalgoods.net/



ABTYoga, Topsfield, Ma. http://www.abtyoga.com/



Riverwalk Beads , Amesbury, Ma http://www.riverwalkbeads.com/



I'll be back soon with a visit with Cathy and Bob Kneeland , owners of Circles of Wisdom and some talk about manifesting...my manifesting journals...2 new tele and online classes I'm taking that I'm really excited about sharing with you..

Love to see u soon!