justBeConnected

Creating in the Midst

I felt extremely enthusiastic at the beginning of 2007, but by the year's end I was heart broken.

I was still "happy" but I lost something that I never really had a consistent hold on

~Conscious Joy~

I was not still and I could not hear the silence. I was in this frantic place of trying to justBe.

of trying instead of being.

Then something happened on the drive home from New York to Cape Cod on New Year's Eve 2007. I thought about how much I really Know, but don't put into Practice. I realized that I keep accumulating more and more...ideas; like one day I would stumble upon just the right words that would make all the pieces of my life fall neatly into place, that I would feel like Yes this The Answer for me! In someways I have had that exciting experience before, like with Blogging I felt, I feel seen and heard and loved. Although I have Loved blogging for the past 3 years, I still find myself searching for the next best thing.

On that car ride I had an a-ha moment. What if I actually put into Practice what I Knew that consistently led me to Conscious Joy?

Because I do experience Conscious Joy at times, but the experience is always fleeting.

Being that it was the start of the New Year and my family and I had all just discussed our (over) weight issues, I decided to focus on healthy eating first. It quickly became obvious to me that when we put into practice what we know, we get results. I wanted to expand this way of thinking to other areas of my life. I joined Jamie's Circe's Circle because I was ready to make a commitment to myself about my art. Jamie is an amazing teacher and leader and I was fortunate to share the class with wonderful, insightful sisters. I believe the commitment I made to myself to show up for 90 minutes a week for 12 weeks and the sheer Joy of communicating in a group form was what also offered me the results I needed in my life. Wanting to continue that type of feeling I also joined Oprah's on line class based on Eckhart Tolle's book A New Earth. Although I enjoyed listening to the web casts and really enjoyed reading Eckhart Tolle's books, especially The Power of Now, I did not feel part of the community and soon lost interest in the workshop part of the class.

As Circe's Circle drew to a close I started thinking about

what motivates me to Keep Practicing what I know &

What do I Know that will sustain this forward movement I now seem to possess.

What keeps me practicing is Direction. I like to follow some type of guide. I have been searching for just the right way in all these spiritual ~ self help ~ metaphysical books for years. Finally it occurred to me I could gather everything I Know that works for me in one place.

What keeps me motivated is Soul Peeps ~ people traveling on a similar path who are willing to give and take on this journey with me. Having Soul Peeps in my life is such a Comfort and a Joy. I really didn't Know this until I started blogging. and now I can not imagine life without Soul Peeps.

I began creating something for me and for us. Something that could help lead us to Conscious Joy together. As I began working on this project I knew I had to create something that would honor the fact that life is Messy. Something that would encourage us to dream, but offer practical ways to Create while we are all in the Midst of Living.

a guide to sustaining movement in life...a 12 week guide that would create a foundation to push off new projects from.

I knew I wanted to share my journey and hoped some of my Soul Peeps would come along for the ride. I wasn't sure how until I received a book I had ordered from Andrea Edwards. She created this beautiful book of her photography and poetry. I was floored by her talent and was so impressed with the quality of the service she used to publish the book called Blurb. After checking out their website I knew Blurb was the way I could bring my idea to life.

Here it is!

Available Here.

I have created a special place to document the journey at

creatinginthemidst.com

I hope to see you there!

Thank you

Sincerely

Without you this project would not have been born.

XO,

Melba

Summer Random Re-Gift Swap Sign Ups

Time to Celebrate Summer with our Summer Random Re-Gift Swap!

This is a great swap for first timers and experienced swappers alike.

You will be sending and receiving from the same person.

In the comments please include what country you are from and if you are willing to swap outside of the USA.

On Saturday June 7th I will close the comments and then on Sunday June 8th I will list the swap partners in a post here at justBeConnected with a link to your partner's email. You will need to contact your partner to find out what she likes*, get her mailing address, and hopefully make a connection.

Even though I don't always keep in touch with my swap partners I truly appreciate all the wonderful treasures and sentiments that have been sent my way. Daily (and I am not exaggerating here!) I use something sent to me from a Creative Blogger.

For ideas on what to send see these past posts here and here and here. {check the comments of these posts for more links to swap pictures} 

But remember no buying anything~ send what you have or make something!

Please send out your packages by Friday June 20th.

On Sunday June 29th I will post your pictures from the swap.

Happy Swapping!!!

Let me know if you have any questions~ Melba

P.S. Please email me if you are interested in writing posts for justBeConnected

*I know sometimes when writing someone new you may be feeling a bit shy and get stuck on what to say. Here is a little sample email to help you get started. I underlined the parts you would fill in for yourself.

Hi I am Melba

I write the blog Be Alive Believe Be You

I have been blogging since 2005

I am married and the stay at home Mama to two young children

I love writing in my journal, creating scraps into collages, making symbols out of wire, drinking tea, and my favorite color is pink. My favorite product right now is rub ons.

You can also find out more about me at www.melbamcmullin.com

My address is...

Do you have a blog?

What are some of your hobbies?

What is your favorite form of creative expression?

What are some of your favorite products to work with?

What is your favorite color?

What is your address?

Megan's Linkity Love for Blocked Creatives!

Today I was driving to work thinking about how I needed to come post for all of you today (yesterday I had been thinking the same thing, but despite being my day off I just hadn't managed to find the time) - the problem was: I just wasn't sure what to post about.

I've had this problem lately; I recently opened a store called Every Day Well-Being and I'm working all week, even with my part-time help (aka my sister) it's a drastic change from my former life of lounging around my house like the average housewife. (Ok, so I wasn't lounging, I really did work - as a housewife and a coach - but it sure feels like lounging compared to lately). So, much of my energy is going into the store I'm having a hard time finding the where-with-all to blog - well, to create anything actually.

So, what do you do when your creativity gets sucked in the energy vacuum of life?

My personal opinion is that creative expression is one for those true paradoxes of life: not creating begets more not creating while creating always begets more creating. But how do you nudge a paradox from a cycle of being blocked to a cycle of creation?

Well, paradoxically enough: by stepping off the cycle and Creating - as I'm finding right now. Just the act of blogging has helped me to find my blog post. Hmmm...

So, maybe, like me, you just need a creative Kick In The Pants to help you get going. Which is why I've done a little research for you. These aren't my favorite sites (although, I've been aware of some of them for sometime now), they are instead sites that have simple and fun creative activities that promise not to be too overwhelming or creatively frightening - and yet just inspiring enough to nudge you over the edge of the Not Creating track and back firmly into the Creating cycle that I know you are longing for.

Totally childish and nothing but fun, Making Friends is chock full of Paper Dolls! Yes, paper dolls. They are fabulous, you can print their bodies, and then print out all kinds of outfits for them. Color them in and stick them together, or you could even laminate them and make them reusable! Some seriously not scary, grubby, hands on fun.

I used to love to color. I loved to fill in the lines with lovely colors and was always happy to have completed a page of well done art. Of course, I haven't really done much coloring (per say) since I was a kid, but what could be more soothing and creative than filling in the lines with wax crayons again? And of course, because we are all grown up now, grown up designs will make it feel a little less ridiculous; you could try these: Mandala Coloring Pages.

Or you might like to try making Journal Art. I found a tutorial by this artist forever ago (I even blogged about it on Living Abundantly) and sometimes when I'm really stuck or struggling I'll pull out a sketch pad and close my eyes and... see what shows up on the page.

And, in searching for the instructions on making Journal Art I also found instructions on Art Journaling - different art, same cool creative results (a funky piece of art on the page). Well, that's got to be right up somebody's ally so I figure I might as well share it with you.

You'll note I've made an effort to share simple and *Free* creative ideas with you. You could of course find all kinds of lessons covering painting to jewelry making, and hey, you could even post a lesson on you Art of Choice - another activity that is sure to spark the creative juices in you once again.

Sometimes a creative struggle is best served by a short lull. For example, it had been months, and I mean months since I had painted. All the paintings I'd made for sometime before that had been somewhat frustrating - they just weren't doing (or becoming maybe) what I wanted them to be, so I had set down my brushes for a bit. Then last week my wonderful, fabulous husband (otherwise known as Wakizashi) insisted that I paint. I swear, he forced me to do it!

And the painting that came out... it was lovely, fabulous. (I'm not quite done it, but maybe I'll post a picture before my week is all over). And the lesson was that giving myself some space and not making myself work so hard at the painting paid off in a lovely piece of art.

So, if you're struggling with getting the art out, or making the art look the way it does in your head, just toss aside your current project and all its paraphernalia - instead waste a little time with one of these creative ventures and see if that doesn't help to return a little balance to your life. Which reminds me, I think I'll work on finishing my little painting up tonight...

The Beginning of Blogging (for Me anyway)

Hello, Megan here, from Flaming Renaissance, I'll be your host this week (and I'm really very happy about it, it's been a while since I hosted you lovely ladies and gentlemen).

I really enjoyed last week's crown making classes so now I'm a little torn - do I follow the standard format or do I choose to act bravely and branch out on my own? I figure, it can't hurt to at least share my blogging story and give myself a proper introduction to all of you - at least to begin with.

I'm not one to jump on band wagons. For example, no matter what people tell me about Facebook and MySpace I refuse to join - I just don't see the point in them. So, when all the ladies in my preferred forum were talking about these things called blogs I was relatively oblivious. I didn't know what a blog was, but it sure seemed like a waste of time the way they were talking.

Eventually I asked what a blog was, and why would I want one anyway? I pondered blogging for awhile and finally decided, why not? I mean, I could always just stop using it if I didn't like it.

Anyway, it turns out that, what with my talkative nature and my love of teaching, blogging was made for me. I started out on Blogger. I ran a piddly little blog, but wasn't truly attached to it (plus, I didn't really like Blogger.

After a few months of neglecting my blog I decided to try a new blog instead. I set up shop on WordPress; after doing much research into the different hosting options (and determining that FREE was my price limit). I loved blogging on Living Abundantly I talked about what was going on in my life, I vented, I shared things I was teaching or new epiphanies on my journey.

Blogging really helped me to come into my own; I loved talking to all those unknown readers (and the known ones too) and I found myself easily falling into my own voice (despite working as a freelance writer for years I never found my true voice until I had the opportunity to blog).

Flaming Renaissance came to be for my business. Living Abundantly had proven to me that blogging had power; I figured if I wanted to get coaching clients I needed to offer people the opportunity to know more about me and my philosophy on life. Blogging was of course the natural choice.

I decided to call the blog Flaming Renaissance to incorporate a little bit me (the Flaming part don't ya know - I'm a fiery type of girl) and a little bit of my business (Everyday Renaissance) into the blog. I believe that we all have a Personal Renaissance, and what would the blog be except a record of my own Renaissance (or Journey)?

At first I tried to maintain two blogs at once. Each time I had an idea for an entry I'd weigh whether it was personal (Living Abundantly) or more professional (Flaming Renaissance) - not always an easy task. For months I linked back and forth, connecting the blogs and trying to split my posts evenly. Finally, I couldn't stand it any more, some semblance of reason set in and I started blogging exclusively on Flaming Renaissance.

I've had a few moments where posting as dribbled to a stop and my share of hiding from the blog audience, but over all I love every second of it. I can't remember what the ladies' originally told me when I asked them what reason I'd have for blogging, but I'm sure glad I decided to give it a try (don't try and convince me on FaceBook though - I'm holding my ground for that one).

I don't know what I would have done without all the lovely comments and relationships blogging has blessed me with. I know, I'm dull and cliched, but that's my bloggity story.

***Call for Contributors***

Although I have loved reading about all the Creative Bloggers who shared their stories at justBeConnected this first half of 2008, I feel it is time for a change!

July 1st marks the second half of 2008 and with it I hope to implement a new format.

Our Creative Bloggy World is HUGE! As much as I enjoy Connecting with Creative Bloggers I don't spend much time as I use to browsing blogs, but I would still like to know what is going on in our Creative Blogging Community.

Wouldn't it be just great if we had regular contributors at justBeConnected to share about what is happening in our Creative Blogging Community?

I was thinking how wonderful it would be if...

• once a week or so a Creative Blogger published a post about what is happening on Creative Challenge blogs. Like what the topic is for a bunch of different Creative Challenge Blogs that week and maybe share some links to great posts associated with those challenge blogs like SPC or Sunday Scribblings or Wishcasting or...

• once a week or so another Creative Blogger published a post about what needs are out there in the community ~ like what blog sponsored charities need help or donations...kind of a Community Activist Blogger.

• once a week or so another Creative Blogger published a post about what blog posts moved them that week. I love when my favorite bloggers link to stories that inspired them.

• once a week or so another Creative Blogger published a post about what images moved them for the week or what video or podcast.

You get the idea!

I am extremely open to any suggestions you have about being a regular contributor.

I will still post periodically about anything I know is happening in the bloggy world and I will still host a Seasonal Random Re-Gift Swap {Sign ups for the Summer Random Re-Gift Swap will be in a post next Sunday May 25th at justBeConnected}. and of course I will still be adding blogs to our ever growing Creative Blogger list ~ I love getting your emails asking to be added to the list!

If you are interested in contributing to justBeConnected email me!

I would love to hear from you!

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm!!!

XO ~ Melba

Crown Making Class – Part 4

Crown Making Class – Part 4

MATERIALS

Glue gun, glue sticks

Embellishments:

Flowers and leaves

Monograms

Metallic trims

Metallic cords

Sequins

Ribbons

Yesterday you learned how to make paper pleats which add so much interest to a design. Today you will learn how to design a mini flower bouquet for your crown.

In regards to embellishments, you can use as much as you can. I used millinery forget me not flowers as I wanted a crown for the spring. And I named it “Vintage Garden Crown”. Most students made paper pleats and also decorated with flowers. In this particular design {which I made for my class at Tinsel Trading} I chose light pink, bright pink white and light blue flowers. And for the focal point a big flower surrounded by velvet leaves.

Let’s make this bouquet with your materials

The first thing you need to do is select your flowers and greenery, your leaves.

Lightly cut and shorten some stems. You will build a mini bouquet and then will transfer it to the crown. It’s important to work on a surface and get a nice composition before you glue it to the crown. Place leaves as a background, combining two different colours for more depth. Then start filling with small flowers in different lengths until they take the shape of a bouquet.  Just like in this photo. I would say you will achieve a “fan” shape. It’s all about balance and you will design your very own bouquet probably quite different than this one.

Then place the big flower or two if you have a smaller one as well on the very front and your bouquet is finished! All you need to do now is to make two holes on the side of the crown about 2’’ from the bottom with the hole punch.

If you love sequins as much as I do, you can use a few and glue {with the glue gun, just a tiny drop of glue} them where papers meet. Form a line, a design.

Cut your ribbons long as the look more elegant and use two different colours as ties.

And your crown will be finished! Just tie it and place it on a table. Admire your creation.

Wear it or give it to someone who deserves to be crowned.

Thank you so much for joining me on the Crown Making Class.

Gabriela Delworth

Visit my blog.

Email me

Crown Making Class – Part 3 - Embellishments

Crown Making Class – Part 3 - Embellishments

MATERIALS

Glue gun, glue sticks

Embellishments:

Flowers and leaves

Monograms

Metallic trims

Metallic cords

Sequins

Ribbons

Lace

This is probably the most fun part of the Crown Making Class. You will now decorate and style your crown using embellishments.

PAPER PLEAT: I am going to teach you how to make a paper pleat wheel. You need to cut a strip of paper {handmade paper is the best to use for this as it’s flexible} about 2’’1/2 and start forming an accordion {each fold is about a little more than a ¼”}. Form the wheel and to secure it together in the center, add a few glue drops with your glue gun.

TIP: You can also “cheat” and make two half wheels and then glue them together.

To give them more dimension “dust” the edges with glitter. And add using stampings or flowers.

*Tomorrow you will learn how to assemble and glue a mini flower bouquet like the one on my “Vintage Garden Crown”.

 

Crown Making Class - Part 2 - Glittering

Crown Making Class – Part 2

MATERIALS: White glue {tacky glue even better if you have it at hand} An old brush {thin} A spoon to “dust” the glitter Glitter {flakes or German glitter – your colour choice, I do use gold and silver}.

Do you know where glitter is coming from or how is it made? Read more...

Now your decorative papers should have dried already. But before going any further, you will need to finish the back of the crown. Use the same papers or choose some that match your colour theme. While they are drying, you could start adding some glitter to the other side. And you will start “glittering” {one of the most important verbs in the Craft Language} the edges, all around it.

TIP: The best way to glitter is to assign a box {if plastic with a cover even better} for this. You will save your surfaces, clothes and floors from unwanted sparks!

To glitter, you will need a spoon; any kind would do the job. And “dust” the edges of the crown. I was actually using a plastic spoon in this photo and it was silver German glitter. While you are waiting for the glue and glitter to dry, you can start gathering your embellishments. What do you have? Ribbon, millinery, silk, velvet flowers, leaves, metallic trims, cords…What would be the style of your crown? Would it be a crown for a Tea Party? Perhaps a crown for a Garden Party? There are so many options to choose from.

*The key to a beautiful composition is to balance and combine colours and textures. Tomorrow you will design your crown’s focal point and sides.

I will see you then.

Should you have any questions or if you want my crown kits, please email me.

Or visit my blog for more information.

Visit my Paper Crown Queen's Blog and read about crowns in history.

Crown Making with Gabriela Delworth

 

Crown Making Class – Part 1

What is it about wearing a crown that feels so good? Crowns haven been worn throughout history for the longest time and they are a symbol of victory, achievement, power and royalty. I believe that there is always a reason to crown someone.

Do you know the names of medieval crown types? Here they are:

CIRCLET

CONSORT CROWN

CORONATION CROWN

CORONET

IMPERIAL CROWN

IMPERIAL STATE CROWN

PAPAL TIARA

STATE CROWN

DIADEM

You can read more about it on my blog.

This is the "Her Majesty Crown" template that you will be using to cut your crown.

It measures 13" X 13" and you would need to print it 8 ½ X 14 legal document to be able to fit the whole template on a sheet of paper.

Once your template is cut, you will then start combining your decorative papers for your layout design. You would want your papers to "blend" together into your crown design. High contrast of colours and prints work beautifully. Use scrap papers!

TIPS: Gather your papers and think about what predominant colour you would like to see on your crown. Also have a look at prints and texture. You will then cut and glue them to the crown template using a glue stick {ideally you should use white glue, but glue sticks dry much faster}. And place a few books on top to flatten the surface.

It should be dried in a few hours.

Here are some photos of the crown designs I made for my Crown Making Class in NY:

{And then please, place the fotos of my crown details}

Hope all is wonderful with you.

Warm regards,

Gabriela Delworth
Graphic Designer - Instructor - Crafts Designer
Visit my Blog: http://gabrieladelworthclasses.blogspot.com/
Email: gabriela.delworth@gmail.com

"HER MAJESTY CROWN" TEMPLATE

MATERIALS

glue sticks

glue gun and glue sticks

decorative papers such as scrapbooking, gift wrapping, vintage wall papers

glitter {gel glitter, flakes or German glitter}

flowers {plastic, silk, paper or millinery}

hole punch

scissors {two sizes, you will also need a small one to cut around template}

New crafty places to visit

Just a quick post now to fill you in on some of my favourite crafters. I hope you've all heard of Craftster the ultimate community for crafters looking to show off their wokr and receive tips. If not run, run as fast as you can to join up there where themed challenges are often occuring and everyone is really friendly.

Now a quick run down of some of my favourite crafters (again all women sorry chaps). Able Mable is always full of craft creating stories from a woman who runs a house, a business and a blog as well as helping her mother out with her craft enterprise. There are lots of signs, purses and light switch cover pictures but the best thing about the blog is the energetic voice behind it.

A coule of artists now for thos eof you who like to draw and paint. Both Razorberries and pkillustrations have their own styles (so different I think you'll agree) and both where really friendly whenever I contacted them. I think one of my favourite things about Etsy and craft communities is that you get to see new, surprising artists that you would never usually be able to find.

Weirdbuglady who I absolutely could not love more has a great blog. She makes large insect and animal soft sculptures and is an Applied Zoology student so she always has something interesting to say. At the moment she's busy making the most of summer and if you want confirmation that there is no bounds to her creativity I should pop on over now to see what she's made. She really shows that beauty can be found in every aspect of our earth.

Obviously I'm not going to leave you without showing off my wares a little bit. My Etsy shop is in full flourish mode at the moment and I'd love to know what you think of my creations.

It will be my final post soon and I just wanted to say how much fun I've had being a hostess here. I hope you've enjoyed my chattering (in real life I'm more of a listener so blogging is kind of a nice way to get my thoughts out in the world). The challenge is coming up next and I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with :)