justBeConnected

It is our 6 month Anniversary! ~THANK YOU Creative Bloggers!

Everyday for the past 6 months a new post has been published here at Create a Connection!

I am inspired, thankful, and full of joy by your continued participation and support.

Create a Connection is our blog.

Today I ask you for your feedback, ideas, suggestions, comments on anything and everything about Create a Connection.

Where we go from here is up to you!

Try Goal Checking

Can you believe it is the last day of June?!?  The year is half over, yowza did that ever go fast!

So, I thought for my final day of hosting Saturday Try Day that I'd suggest we all try to look at our yearly goals or resolutions.

Um, you did set some right? Back at the beginning of January?

Well, no matter if you didn't, you can try writing some yearly goals to be looked at next June 30th, right now, today.  And blog them if you dare. (Sometimes being dared gets me to try something, maybe it will work on you!)

So, what did you set out to do this year?

How are you doing towards that goal?

Do you need to revise, rethink, re-jigger, reset?

Didn't make any progress or even start?  That's ok, please no beating yourself up, just regroup and plan for the rest of the year. 
I'm picturing a big calendar here, these blank, unused, unoccupied next six months spread out before you, what can you get done in that huge amount of time? 

What do you want to get done?

And here is the crucial step, make a plan to answer this question: How are you going to go about it?  It is the how's, after all, that help us actually get stuff done!

Goal setting is always about making lists for me, and I've found I really like using 43 Things, you get to see whether there are others out there with the same goals, which is kinda cool.  Also, I like this web-based to do list

I enjoyed hosting Try Day and I thank everyone who posted and/or tried along with me this month.

Cheers!  Julie ZS at HighFiberContent

Dialog Friday - Independence Day

On this last day of my hosting Dialog Friday, I am hijacking a bit of July to ask you to share your thoughts on personal independence. Has there been a pivotal time in your life when you declared independence (even if just to yourself)? Independence from a job that was sucking the life out of you? Independence from a bad habit finally dropped? Independence from a toxic relationship?

I know I've had several. I've moved on from jobs, I've breathed a sigh of relief at the turning point of a difficult time (secondary [sub]infertility being the most poignant), I've peacefully walked away from troubled relationships, I've crossed the finish line of a marathon and declared independence from all of the self-doubt I experienced during those long months of training.

These days, my personal declarations of independence are much more subtle. I'm at a great point in my life. A survivor of certain situations and circumstances that vary between the frivolous and the very serious indeed. Yet, I am a victim of nothing and no one. I'm happy. I'm healthy. I'm in love with my family. I am loved. I'm grateful. The choices I make every day, the things I do to sustain this level of contentment and the things I do to expand it, those are my little moments of independence. Independence from anything that detracts from this wonderful chance, this wonderful life I've been given.

Thank you so much for coming along with me on this Dialog Friday journey. I really enjoyed it!

See you around,

Nino from Cease Cows...

Photo Thursday: Pajama Day!

Wow, is it the last Photo Day in June already?! This month was surely a whirlwind. I really enjoyed hosting Photo Thursday this month. Thanks to everyone who participated. I especially enjoyed seeing some of the interesting "Signs" of Summer in last week's photo posts.

So, without further ado, this weeks theme we'll be having a "pajama party". Why Pajama's? After all, it's summer, right?

Well, I've heard that many of us creative types out there like to art and craft in their Jammies! I know I do. I usually create late at night when I'm comfy and cozy in my favorite pajama pants. Of course, I'd love to stay in my jammies all day too, but I force myself to wear adult clothing. LOL. So, here's a pair of my fave jams...Let's see your's now, don't be shy! (of course, keep it family friendly, hear?)

Have a great weekend everyone, and don't forget to post a link in the comments so we can all come see. xo Lia

GTKY Wednesday: Food, bcuz we luv it!

What better way to get to know someone than over food?!  Some of our best times are spent visiting with friends and family over a delicious meal.

Hi, I'm Charlotte and this is  my last GTKY challenge for the month of June. I've really enjoyed interacting with ya'all and reading your varied and unique entries. It's been fun!

My challenge for you today is to share a recipe with us and tell us why you chose it. Is there a memory attached?  Is it a family recipe that's been passed down through the generations? Did you cook it at your first dinner party in your first apartment? Is it a recipe from a famous chef that you've mastered?

Looking forward to some great recipes and some great stories!

Interview of a creative being: Suzette McGrath

Hello everyone, it's  Helenina
  late for the interview tuesday I know... well I had interviewed a friend and alas she could not send me the answers on time so I apologize for the delay and here is an interview I made some times ago for my zine chameleon sighs, that I dont write anymore by the way of a mixed media artist. There won't be images but feel free to visit her website and flickr!
hope you will enjoy and be inspired!

name: Suzette McGrath
location: United Kingdom
website

1)When did you first hear the muses call? when did you realise you need to express through art?
I find this difficult to answer, because my art comes from inside me – so perhaps I am my own muse? I have always been driven to express myself through art. It’s who I am.

2)Why would you call your collage and painting art?(I would too but why would YOU!)
Why not?
I try to be true to the things that inspire me – and they are generally called art – so I would assume that my work is as well. 3)Tell me more about your inspirations and other artists you admire?
History inspires me – primarily Baroque and Rocco. The Surrealists and The Pre-Raphaelites. Themes of grandeur, decadence, a delight in modern entropy. Architecture and statuary.
Artists that inspire me? My Husband, Jan Saudek, Dave McKean, Joseph Cornell, Anton Corbijn, Ellen von Unwerth, Jan Svankmajer… just to name a few. 4)Do you really think art can ease the pain as they say?
It can ease pain – but it can also cause or release pain. The surrealists claimed that “Beauty should be convulsive or not at all.” 5)What do you mostly use for your collages?
I try to use my own photography as well as whatever is around and feels right - even if it is staples and thread.

6)How would you describe your style?

My style adapts accordingly to the media I use- it has phases and moods. What is consistent in my works are themes of extravagance and dissolution

7)How do you begin an artwork?( do you already know the way it will look or you just go in there and express and you are amazed by the result)?

A bit of both- for example, in my visual dream journal, A dream or nightmare may set the mood, that evolves and grow as I work on it. Some types of work demand a clear vision from the outset however-especially photography and graphic design.

8)What would you advise to those who want to begin with art?

It is a journey and a process in itself-that they may have begun it long ago and they may not be aware of where it might take them. The fact that you want to create art is a sign that you are on that journey. Be open to where art takes you and not be afraid to express yourself.

July Swap

This month for the swap, we're going to send each other:

Summer in my hometown. 

I'm not going to get to travel this summer very much, and it is driving me a little crazy, that plus the price of gas, maybe lots of us will be sticking closer to home this month.  So let's showoff what makes our hometown places *ours*. 

What is the most unique, most treasured or just plain coolest thing you like to do during your summer while at home?

Is there a summer tradition that you enjoy every year without fail?  Send something that relates to that somehow. 

What do you like best about where you call home right now?

Is there something you brag about to people outside your city?  

Somewhere you always take visitors?  Show that off somehow, draw, sketch, paint, photograph, capture it in some fashion.

A famous recipe that you know others would enjoy? 

Or how about a drink made only at the local bars? Do you know how it is made?

Perhaps a tree or flower that is special to your area? Find a picture, or draw/photograph it yourself.

Music that means summer to you?

I hope that lots of you creative bloggers will be participating in this, I can't wait to see what everyone shares about their homeplaces during the summertime.

So, I'm envisioning getting a package from SuziQ in ABC City, when I open it up, I know absolutely  nothing about her city at all, once I've gone through it, I'll have an idea of what summer in her city would be like.

Some of you might be saying, well, I hate where I live, and I try to escape every summer.  Fair enough, send a package based on where you escape to (or would like to!).  Theme is Wide Wide Wide open, see!

To signup, all you have to do is to leave a comment on this post.

  Please note: Signups for this swap close on Friday July 6th.

Thanks and bon voyage!  JulieZS at HighFiberContent

Sunday; Support and Recognition Day

{Remember you can always email me during the week if you have something you want me to mention in a Sunday S&R post. ~ Melba}

We all need support and/or recognition at sometime or another, whether it is prayers for a troubled time we are going through or advice on a new blog banner or want help celebrating a milestone, a long sort after achievement, or even a Birthday...

Participate by leaving a comment on a Sunday; Support and Recognition Day post.

You can ask for support/recognition in the comments of a Support & Recognition Day post anytime...not just on Sundays! ~new comments are always visible on the left sidebar.

It is never too late to Reach Out or Reach In!

Show your support of your fellow Creative Bloggers today by visiting their blogs and leaving a comment. We would love to hear if you have made a connection with someone!

If you are not listed on the sidebar to the left and you want to be, just email me and I will add you!

On Saturday October 13, 2007 during justBe...Connected there will be an exciting Creative Bazaar open to the public. I am looking for vendors (crafsters) to sell at this event. All the information for The Creative Bazaar is here. If you have additional questions or Suggestions of how I can contact vendors please email me or comment here!

Thank you

XO,

Melba

{Remember you can always email me during the week if you have something you want me to mention in a Sunday S&R post. ~ Melba}

We all need support and/or recognition at sometime or another, whether it is prayers for a troubled time we are going through or advice on a new blog banner or want help celebrating a milestone, a long sort after achievement, or even a Birthday...

Participate by leaving a comment on a Sunday; Support and Recognition Day post.

You can ask for support/recognition in the comments of a Support & Recognition Day post anytime...not just on Sundays! ~new comments are always visible on the left sidebar.

It is never too late to Reach Out or Reach In!

Show your support of your fellow Creative Bloggers today by visiting their blogs and leaving a comment. We would love to hear if you have made a connection with someone!

If you are not listed on the sidebar to the left and you want to be, just email me and I will add you!

On Saturday October 13, 2007 during justBe...Connected there will be an exciting Creative Bazaar open to the public. I am looking for vendors (crafsters) to sell at this event. All the information for The Creative Bazaar is here. If you have additional questions or Suggestions of how I can contact vendors please email me or comment here!

Thank you

XO,

Melba

Try Teaching

Hi All you Creatives!

Today on this first official, wonderful weekend of summer, I'd like to encourage all of you reading this post to try teaching something new to someone.

When we make that effort to share our knowledge and experience with others we almost always learn something new ourselves.    What you know is important, no one else knows it in the exact same way that you do, and that is where your responsibility lies.  Pass that gift of your unique knowledge on to someone!  The joy of seeing that lightbulb go on over someone's head is such a huge joy.  When it occurs, you've gained something new yourself!  This could be as simple as teaching your child how to sew on a button or make Jello.  OR as complicated as planning a course to teach at your local adult learning extension center.

Don't have any people around, or you are by yourself today? How about teaching You?

Of course you've heard that phrase "Teach an old dog a new trick", so how about teaching yourself something new?  Surely you haven't learned absolutely everything there is to know about your chosen craft, hobby, or other pursuits.  An autodidact is a self-taught or self-directed learner,  Choose to become this today.  What will you give yourself the gift of learning today?

Some ideas:

Take an online class in something you've always been interested in.

Read the owner's manual for your sewing machine or other complicated tool.

Research the details of a new craft or hobby online.

Find out what someone has always wanted you to teach them, then do it or make plans to.

Today, I'm going to be celebrating my son's 12th birthday, so I'm considering teaching him how to make a birthday cake!

If you have any ideas or resources for other CAC people, please share them in the comments.  I'll be looking forward to hearing what everyone teaches and learns!

Enjoy!  JulieZS at HighFiberContent

Dialog Friday - Wonderful Imagery

In order to better enjoy my yoga practice this morning, I created some wonderful imagery to clear my mind. I really shouldn't take credit for it, as this imagery was visited upon me almost as if by magic. It came out of nowhere, unexpected yet it was perfect. I envisioned four peace doves softly gathering up any thoughts that entered my mind in a blanket, much like the proverbial stork carries a baby, and ushering them away into a blue sky; later depositing them gently onto an island in the middle of a calm sea far, far away. Some thoughts didn't seem to want to go willingly which made them all the more amusing to dismiss, much like you dismiss a toddler's tantrum when, in reality, you know they're just being irrational, as toddlers sometimes are. This surprisingly powerful imagery helped me tap into my ch'i and I've felt wonderfully serene almost all day long. :)

Ten years ago, I sought the counsel of a learned and wise advisor who taught me the finer points of meditation and self-hypnosis. He made me an audio tape in which he created a wonderful retreat for my mind to visit. It started with me waking up fully refreshed and descending a staircase. Each step down brought me closer to a state of complete and total relaxation. To this day, I employ his teachings (though not as often as I should) to the point that I don't even need the audio tape to guide me anymore.

I once read a magazine article about a Mother who had battled cancer. She spoke of imagining miniature clones of her daughter karate kicking the cancer cells within her body into oblivion. This woman felt this imagery truly helped her conquer the disease.

What do you think? Do you use imagery? Do you find it effective? If you haven't used it yet, how about you try to create some. Share it with us. Personally, I find it to be a wonderful spiritual (re)treat.

Peace,

Nino from Cease Cows...