justBeConnected

Sharing our Traditions

Last week I announced that in November we will be Sharing our Traditions here at Create a Connection.

If you are interested in writing a post about your tradition comment here (please leave your email in your comment) or email me.

I will then send you a TypePad invite to post at Create a Connection.

You have all of October to create your post and save it as a draft.

During the month of November I will be publishing your posts. I hope to get at least 30 contributions so we can have a new post everyday.

About your post:

• Make sure you include your name and your blog/website. If you don't have one you can still participate.
• Pictures are always nice in a post!

Your post can be about any Holiday Tradition~we will NOT be following the pre-established daily themes.

This is true for December as well~December we will post for 30 days about blogging. I will give more details another Sunday.

Yes, that means October is the last month for the pre-established themes! Don't forget to sign up for the last CaC swap HERE!

There will be some changes in 2008 that I will announce at another time~ I will continue to host a collaborative home for Creative Bloggers as long as there is an interest!

The Creative Bazaar is in less than 2 weeks. I extended the acceptance of promotional items until October 12th. Check out The Creative Bazaar sidebar to see who generously contributed some really,really cool stuff! Hope to see some of you there!

TRY Doing Positively, Absolutely Nothing At All!

It's KJ again and I want to start out this time 'round with a confession:

I am not very good at resting, taking breaks, laying around, or being even remotely lazy.

I can SAY I'm going to take a break at 3:00 to watch Guiding Light, and I can even flop out on the couch at 3:00 to watch Guiding Light, but by the first commercial break, my feet are itching to get up and DO SOMETHING.  And by 3:20, what I'm doing is kind of, sort of, halfway listening to Guiding Light while back to work on one project or another.

Now, I get up at 5:00 a.m. the vast majority of mornings and work until my eyes literally feel like they're going to jump out of my head and roll across the floor in protest, until I'm almost too physically tired to clean my paintbrushes and put them away -- and even then my main reason for calling it a day is that I know if I get anymore tired, I'm not going to be able to do my best work anymore, and that's not fair to me, the paintings I'm working on, or the people who the painting will go home with.   

Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking: Whine on, artist-girl, it's not like you're out digging ditches in the hot sun all day long!

The truth is, I work so hard, because I love what I do, and I don't want to ever have to go back to doing anything else.  I would rather work around the clock than to have to one day give it up and go back to being an "officemonkey" (my word for legal assistant, which is what I used to be, in what seems like a past life).  And honestly, there are so many ideas swirling around in my head, so many projects I want to complete, so many new things to try -- it just never seems like there are enough hours in the day and it seems such a shame to waste even one second of one minute of one of those hours!

But Thursday night, I was watching the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy...and during every commercial, I was jumping up and working on the computer to work on my website.  And I thought: This is just ridiculous!

Now, don't get me wrong:  Being productive is a GOOD thing.  I got my website completely redone Thursday and I'm so proud of it (psst...shameless plug...it's here if you want to take a peek!), BUT we all need a day off here and there...or even an HOUR off.

Are you like me?  I bet you are...life is BUSY and full and the to-do lists get really long.

SO, what I want you to try this week is taking the weekend, or the day, or whatever you can manage OFF. OFF from everything.  For whatever block of time you can manage, clear your schedule, clear your head of doubts and fears, and I-need-tos...and just chill out.  Read a book, or lie down and daydream.  Go for a long walk or veg and watch and entire movie without getting up to check your e-mail (you know you do it!).  Whatever is "relaxing" for you, even if you ARE better than me at "being lazy", even if you relax regularly, reserve some time this weekend just for yourself, just to be unbusy.

My two year old niece, Kaylee, is staying with me this weekend, so other than typing this post, I plan to do NO work, and instead, play with her and lay around and watch PLENTY of the Sprout channel...without getting up to check my e-mails!

The painting at the top of this post is titled "All Packed Up With No Place To Go", which I thought was fitting, since it's my last time to host Try Day this month, so I'm sort of figuratively packing up (though I do have a place to go -- you can find me regularly at The Adventures of KJ & The Dreamy Giraffe)...and because the little suitcase girl looks so serene...positively, absolutely doing nothing at all!

It's been so much fun this month and I hope you guys have enjoyed it as much as I have!  Keep trying...'cause as they say...you don't know 'til you try!

Dream on,

KJ

P.S.  The realistic portraits I mentioned last week, that I was so afraid to do, aren't finished yet, but once I started, I found that it was a lot easier than I'd ever dreamed it could be!  So, one final lesson: DON'T let things intimidate you.  Just begin -- that's the best way to conquer a thing that seems impossible -- take the first step!

Reflection Friday

Today has been a day of reflecting on the week...This week has been one that has to do with totally being with myself! I have made it a point to reflect on so many things this week. I am aware that I can travel deep within myself to my own destinations. To stir my soul and my spirit to create and dream. I am aware of the depth of my hearts song and I sing it in a loud true voice. Today, as I reflect on the things I have learned about myself this week, I know that I am so thankful for the people who stir my spirit...who lift me up and help me to fly on the wings of the goddess of creativity. I am learning to honor my intentions and watch the movements I make both from within and around me. So today, as I reflect on this week, I feel truly blessed. Blessed that I can create every day...blessed that I have love in my life...blessed that I can laugh and sing and dance with great abandonment! Blessed that I become more and more aware of the creativity that is within me that comes out in so many ways. My wish for you as you reflect on your week would be that you too count your blessings. That you are able to see them even when there are dark clouds overhead. Blessings are the smallest of things sometimes, and often we over look them thinking that they should be BIG!  So my question would be: What 5 small things can you list as blessings today? Because when you start to list the small things all of a sudden you realize how HUGE they really are! Many blessings sent to all...
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Roadway Beauties

Hey y'all, it's Becca and this is my last Photo Thursday host day!

This was a sight on the road heading towards work this past January.  To my last job at least.  I absolutely loved driving through the winding roads through the forest on a winter day.  You never know if you'd see spotty fog like this, ice crystals on the lawns, or a blindingly bright day.  It was always a treat and I tried to take pictures - which, let me tell you, is not easy while driving!  Sadly, the only real thing I miss about the job is the drive through the forest and over the lake.  (The job itself was terrible!)

What sights do you see en route to work/ school? 

Inspiring Words

Ok, I'll be the first to admit it: I'm a Quote addict.

I love quotes. I write in and highlight my books, and I collect quote in Word files on my computer. I even, and I'm not exagerting here, use a quote book as my devotional sometimes.

The thing is, I'm truly motivated by the lives of others, and I find quotes to be a powerful source of learning, growth, and inspiration. There was a time when what I wanted more than anything was a mentor, and yet, I never got one. Now, I think of quotes as a kind of distant mentor. The very nature of them (when they are collected and passed around) is to be a piece of distilled truth that someone else has learnt through their experience. I think almost anything can be taught with quotes.

Yes, I admit it, I'm addicted, hopelessly so. Which is why I've had the stroke of genius that is this week's Getting to Know You Day. If I ask you about your favorite quotes I'll get to be inspired by what inspires you and get some new quotes to add to my collection. (I'm a genius I tell you!)

So, what's your all time favorite quote?

Meg's Answer: Oh, this one's hard... But, I think I'd have to say this one:

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I love. I rejoice in life for it's own sake.
-- George Bernard Shaw

Which is really just a piece of a longer quote, all of which I love.

What quote inspires you? What quote have you learned the most (about yourself, the world, anything) from?

Now these are easier for me to answer. Inspiring, it may be over done but this one always gets me bouncing in my seat with a desire to act:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. --Marianne Williamson

And actually, I've learnt a lot from this one:

We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. -- Viktor Frankl

Who's quotes do you always keep an eye out? Who's your guru of choice?

I don't know much about him, but George Bernard Shaw's quotes always catch my eye. I keep adding them to my collection, I've never been disappointed by what he has to say; challenged maybe, but not disappointed.

So, I shared mine, now you pass some of your gems on! Come on, I'm waiting!

Thanks for a great month folks. This has been a blast!

Till next time,
Megan Potter

Interview Tuesday with Lore Caldwell

Hello all you wonderful bloggers, it's me again, groovyholly.  I'm sorry to report that I haven't received my interview yet, but I have a friend who is sending me her interview tonight, so unfortunately, I'm late again. Please accept my most sincere apologies everyone, I should have the interview up a little later. In the meantime, you can go here to read about one of my most favorite bloggers, Colin Beaven aka No Impact Man. He's my hero! I'll be back later tonight with another fun interview. Again, I feel like such a dork!

Well, I've got my interview now (special thanks to Lore for her speedy response) I'm interviewing a wonderful soul who I first came in contact with on Lani's yahoo group.  Lore is such a sweet, wonderful person and her artwork is stunning. She inspires me with her endless creativity and her passion for creating art each and every day.  Without further ado, I present to you, Lore Caldwell.

1)  Would you please tell us a little bit about yourself, where you
live, how you spend your days.

I live in Northeastern VT right on the border to NH and about an hour south of the Canadian border. I spend my days during the work week in my office in NH. I am an Art Therapist and work with children and adults. We use art to to facilitate healing and self-exploration.


2)  I have read on your picture trail that you create every day, where
does your inspiration come from?

I don't know if I would call it inspiration or necessity. If I do not do something creative in each day for me, I feel off balance. I need my Art like I need air. 







3)  What keeps you motivated to create?

All of my online art groups, the one I am most involved in is "14 Secrets for A Real Happy Artist's Life". The connection of the art community is amazing and I have some folks that are like sisters to me from the group, so we can motivate each other when needed.



4)  How do you come up with such marvelous works of art?

Wow! Thank You! I feel like they come from my "Soul Self". I also just play alot with art supplies and throw most of the "rules" out the window. Scribbling helps too!




5)   Any good books you recommend to those of us just getting started?

There are so many books out there it depends on what you want. The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery, is a good one, Art is a Way of Knowing  by Pat B. Allen is great for cutting loose and trusting the process.


6)  What does your studio/art space look like? Organized or utter chaos?

Utter CHAOS! I have a studio upstairs in my house that I am in the neverending process of trying to get organized. But mostly I sit and work on the couch in the loving room with a plastic little mermaid breakfast table over my lap. I am not doing clay right now, which is a passion, so it is ok for paper arts and small things.


7)  What's your favourite non art activity?

Being by the ocean, which is hard to do in Vermont. Pretty much I am always doing art, even by the ocean! I also love movies, riding my bike, walks, and connecting with people I love. Oh, and hanging out with my dog.


8)  Do you have any words of wisdom for those of us who want to find
more time to create art?

Make art everyday! Everything you create is art and it is your birthright.


9)  What are some of your favourite websites to go to for inspiration?

Oh MY! I have so many in my favorites but here are a few.

www.lanipuppetmaker.com   

www.teeshamoore.com   

www.whalefishstudios.com

10)  If you could be any animal what animal would you be and why?

One who does art!

October's Swap- 5-A-Day Swap with CorgiPants

Hello!  I'm Jenna, your October Swap Day host!  I write the SwapDex and can also be found at my personal blog, CorgiPants. 

This month our theme is:
5-A-Day Fruits and Veggies Swap

Here in the US, it's harvest time!  And while we're reaping our bounties, in other parts of the world gardeners are planning and planting their gardens and dreaming of their rewards for their hard work.  We all know we should eat a variety of fruits and veggies.  But did you also know that we should wear, write on, decorate our homes with and mail out a variety of fruits and veggies as well?  Ok, maybe that's not what the official guidelines say.  But I think it's true.  Fruits and veggies are colorful and always make me smile!  Some ideas to get you thinking: grape cluster earrings, cherry note cards, eggplant salt and pepper shakers, a plush bell pepper, celery and carrot apron, watermelon place mats, a pea pod-shaped eye pillow, you get the idea.  Maybe keep in mind your partner's favorites or expand their knowledge with regional delicacies.  (Please do not send any ACTUAL produce as the postal service doesn't like that.)

Your swap package should include:
at least one fruit and/or veggie themed item (preferably handmade)
AND
at least one recipe that features fruits and/or veggies

Timeline:
Sign up by October 7th, 2007
Partners assigned on October 8th, 2007 (You will be sending to ONE partner but not  the same person that sends to you.)
Send out packages by October 15th, 2007

To participate, comment below with your favorite fruits/vegetables and whether you are willing to send internationally or prefer not to.  Let's have fun with our food!

I have two announcements this week~

Fellow Creative Blogger Megan is putting together a line of greeting cards and wants you to illustrate them! She is hosting a Girlfriends Art Contest to find just the right illustrations to go with her cards. All the details are here. Email Megan at muse@flamingrenaissance.com if you have any questions.

We will be doing something different during the month of November here at Create a Connection~

With the Holiday season soon upon us I thought it would be great to have us all share something about this time of year; this could be anything ~a recipe, a tutorial on how to make a gift or card, a tradition from the past or one you would like to start, a post on what your favorite Holiday is and why, a post about why this Holiday season will be different, a list of all the presents you have to buy~ anything you want~Be Creative!

If you are interested in contributing comment here or email me. I will then email you an invite from TypePad so you can create a post on the Create a Connection weblog. Once you complete your post you will save it as a draft. We have almost 300 Creative Bloggers listed on the sidebar~I hope we get at least 30 submissions so that I can publish a new post everyday in November!

Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions~

If you have anything you want to share with your fellow Creative Bloggers please leave a comment here or email me and I will spread the word in my next Sunday; Connecting our Community post.

You have a voice we want to hear at Create a Connection; Please Share Yourself!

and one more thing...

You don't have to have a blog to be part of our community; you can connect by leaving comments and email!

Have a wonderful week!

XO, Melba

{If you want to be added to our list of Creative Bloggers email me~ melbamcmullin@comcast.net.}

 

Just TRY It

Hi, again!  It's KJ, from The Dreamy Giraffe, back again for another TRY Day.  I can't believe it's the next to last one already!  This month has FLOWN by like a bird with a few pairs of extra wings.  That fast.

So, this week, I want you to try something that scares you.

Now, I don't necessarily mean jump out of a plane (though you could do that if you want to, but I think I should add: I bear no responsibility for jumping-out-of-plane related consequences, okay?) or stick your hand in a bear's mouth (PLEASE, say no to sticking your hands in anything with teeth) or call that cute dude down the street (though, if he's single and you're single, that might actually be a good one -- he might think YOU'RE a cutie, too, and if it goes awry, you can always just say, "KJ made me do it!" and hang up real fast).

But...is there something new you've wanted to go for but you're a little bit afraid you won't be able to do it?  Something you've been putting off?  Something that intimidates you a little bit? 

I have a to-do on my to-do list that makes me a little bit, okay, a LOT of bit anxious and nervous and nauseous and a bunch of other words ending in "eous"...but it makes me a little excited, too.  I have to admit, though, the Eous Gang and Excitement have been arm-wrestling and the Eouses have been winning out and I've been procrastinating a bit.  But today, I'm just going to JUMP IN and just do it.

A couple of months ago, a friend of my dad's asked me if I could do a couple of portraits for him.  A couple of realistic potraits.  Now, I'll be honest with you: I'm not yet at the point in my career as an artist where, if someone asks me to do a custom piece for them, I can say, "OH, no, no, I don't want to."   

And to be honest, I don't really want to ever get to that point in my career.  I love doing commissions.  It's so much fun and such an honor to be chosen to get to create something so special for someone.  I never want to have to say no to that!  Now, if it was something I was morally opposed to, I would turn down the work, but otherwise, now, in addition to just plain old wanting to do custom pieces, I kinda need the money...they didn't come up with the phrase 'starving artist" because those two words just had a nice ring when said together, after all!.  So I want to do it and I need to do it...even if it's something that kind of makes me doubt my abilities and skills, something that makes me shake in my socks (I rarely wear boots).  And the thought of doing a realistic portrait? Makes me shake in my socks. A LOT.

I still do a double take when someone refers to me as an artist and probably look at them like I have no idea who they're talking about.  "Wait, did you mean ME?"

But as an artist (even one that's not 100% sure she is one!), I've developed a pretty specific style -- and I'm kinda fond of it, but realistic it's not: 

I have done a "more realistic" portrait before and I'm proud of it, but it's still miles and miles away from realistic:

Anyway, I've had the check in hand for a couple of weeks and was using the assurances of "no rush, do it whenever you can, no hurry, really" as an excuse to put other projects first, because I've been a scaredy cat, letting "what if I can't do it"s crowd up my brain.  Well, today, we find out, because along with that check, I'm getting my paintbrush in hand!

I do hope that I'll have a bunch of Create a Connection-ers knocking their fears out and just TRYING it along with me this week!

KJ

P.S. I don't know about you guys, but I have to admit, I did NOT do the best with the "no negativity" trial from last week.  It was a pretty rotten week where just about everything went wrong and it seemed like everyone in the world (except maybe my Momma) hated me and in all my wanting to hide under the bed and cry, I got amensia off and on about the idea that I was supposed to be trying to be positive.  So I'm gonna give it another go this week.

P.S. X 2: Kaylee loved the toybox!  At just forty-eight hours away from turning two, she got down on the floor, right in front of it, up close, and proclaimed, "It's beeyoooooooooutiful." And her Mommy cried (tears of joy!) a little bit and her Daddy put it together right away.  So the surprise definitely went over well.

Open Up A New Door Day!

There are so many things before me that I want to do!! There are doors to be opened and I know that all I have to do is turn the handle and enter in! So this is my permission card for that! The thoughts that we choose to acknowledge can either be our negative ones or our positive ones. This permission card allows the positive ones to be ever present! I can turn the handle and give all of my dreams the POSITIVE greeting! If I do not open the door I will never know and will stand outside my dreams with that...woulda..shoulda...coulda...THAT JUST WON'T DO!!! So, that is my wish for you today, that you go ahead...don't even bother to ring the door bell! Just turn the handle to the doors of your dreams and say HELLO! Nothing ventured..Nothing gained!! So what is it that you are dreaming of? What door do you want to open?   GO AHEAD TURN THAT HANDLE!!!!!

Artfully Yours,
Pattie