Wishcast Wednesday: What do I Wish to Celebrate?

What do I wish to celebrate? I would like to celebrate that I took a step toward my dream of becoming a photographer. I've been taking classes, but I feel like I really need hands on experience - to go out beyond my comfort zones, and work with a working photographer. So I emailed a photographer I admire and asked her if she would let me "intern"/"assist" her. I'm willing to do whatever grunt work I need to start moving in the direction I want to go. She got back to me saying she'd contact me at a later date when things slow down. So I'm thinking positive here that she will really allow me to work with her.

I read all my previous WISHCASTING, and I'm always droning about this. I feel like such a whiner! I know that if this is truly something I want, I need to take steps and put myself out there. Those steps are scary for me, because I am a more introverted person. Whether or not this photographer really is willing to let me work with her isn't the point. I'm celebrating that I took a step. If this falls through, I know that I can take this same step till I find someone who is willing to share their passion with me.

I wish to celebrate steps toward my dream.

Wishcast Wednesday: How Do You Wish to Grow Old?

How do I wish to grow older? How apropos, as this is where I am in my life. More grey hair each week, more permanent wrinkles, weight harder to get off. Yet, I feel so much younger than 44.

I wish to grow older gracefully with acceptance and courage. I'm 44 years old, & I'm at a crossroad career wise. I taught middle school fulltime before kids. I've been subbing longer now, than I taught on a full time basis. Subbing is different than having your own classes- it is more about management than teaching, at least at the school & age level I teach at. What I seek is something more fulfilling than subbing, yet can offer me flexibility for myself & my family. Teaching does not allow for flexibility, as you have to be there M-F from 8-3. And now a days, with CA state standards, & standardized testing, so much creativity has been taken out teaching - at least this is my perspective as a sub & parent. My passion has been photography for so long - but I'm holding back, still not confident to take a step, ask for an internship. Not feeling qualified enough. At 44 I want the courage to do this, to be like Julia Child & so many other successful creative women who changed careers at my age, who followed their passion. With age, I want to stop whining about this,( I'm to old to be a whiner), and have the daring to put myself out there.

So I will ask myself the question again. How do I wish to grow older : with COURAGE! Courage to make positive life changes, courage to accept each grey hair, wrinkle, roll around my mid - riff. Courage to be happy & fulfilled. Courage to find success in my passion. This is how I wish to grow old!

Wishcast Wednesday: What Do I Wish To Enjoy?

What do I wish to enjoy - me, my life, my husband, my children, and the process of growing.  I wish to be more appreciative of each, and more in the moment, so that I can feel the growth, the love, the joy, the delight that each brings. 

inner Excavations: Sunday Art walk in the Neighborhood

inner Excavation: Document one day in my life in photographs

I was listening to Jamie Ridler's Creative Living podcast, trying to catch up.  Trying to get reignited.  Her guest was Liz Lamoreaux.  I was so impressed by the interview, that when I got home, I googled her website, and purchased her book inner Excavation.  It arrived yesterday.  I did this with Patti Digh's interview and bought her book Life is a Verb.  I started doing all the exercises in Patti's book, but when the kiddos were on summer break, it was difficult to find a quiet moment to journal, or do the given task.  So I decided with this book, I would post it all on my blog.  I felt like I needed to be more accountable. Today's assignment felt a bit like doing Ali Edward's A week in the Life.  I did okay the first half of the day, then the Viking costume I'm making,  took over my focus, and that was that.  Here is a day in my life in photos!

October Full Moon Dream Board

Despite having started my dream board a week ago, I almost chose not to finish it. It was the image of the artist that grabbed me. She is depicted in this month's Oprah (Nov) & I knew she would be my focus. The money came second. I'm desiring more in my life. I finally have the time to work more as a substitute teacher, but because of all the budget cuts in our CA. school, the opportunities are just not arising. But this is not my passion, however it is what finances my passion - my camera and the pictures I take with it are my passion. I would love to develop the confidence in my photography so that I can no longer think about teaching (my former career B.C.) and have a career that I adore & love to do - thus the woman with the camera in the picture. The woman with the happy face is how I want to feel more often. The home and the scene in the back yard is how I want my life, home &  family to feel like - EASY. Though it is the angst that pushes for growth - I know this.

My favorite line on this dream board is: I am demanding of my life whatever is healthy & good for me (grins) I see that as happiness."



Wishcast Wednesday: What Does My Soft Animal Wish For?

"You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what you love."  That is so powerful.  I don't think I quite understood the wishcast until I read Jamie's vulnerability of desire & the poem by Mary Oliver.  What does the soft animal of my body wish for?  This is hard, because I think I've repressed it soo  much.  My soft animal wants the den, a lair that she resides in to be more glamorous.  She wants hard wood floors through out the house, and an art room to hibernate in.  She wants a kitchen with granite counters and large oven to create amazing dinners.  She wants to dwell in a house with beautiful well crafted furniture in the style of Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware.  She wants her nest egg to be full of money, so full, that there is never a question of can I afford this?  Is it in my budget?  It is painful to dig these desires up.  When does the wishing become a reality?  How do I take the steps to fulfill these yearning?  It seems like longing for something that seems so out of reach of my reality is futile.  But these are what my soft animal wishes for. 

Wishcast Wednesday: What Do I Wish to Fly Free From?

What do I wish to fly free from?  Anger.  Lately I feel so angry, and I don't understand where it is coming from.  It is like this black bile rises up in me, and I feel the need to lash out.  My arms are flailing all around me, uncontrolled.  .  .  . hitting, smacking up against any resistance, making me more frustrated and agitated.  I feel like I need to burst out and fly, but I don't know how to fly, let alone which direction to go.  Parts of that are fear and a lack of confidence - two things I also need to fly free from. 

July = Buck Full Moon Dream Board

This month's full moon came quickly for me. I was so inspired to do this months, then the full moon arrived in an eye's blink. So I did not get to put everything I wanted on it, and I didn't create it in the way I had originally imagined it.  oh well!

My dream board consist of many of my same desires: peace, financial freedom & photography. What I did different was add beautiful pictures from fabulous photographers like Madelyn Mullvaney, Tracy Clark, and a few others. I so admire their work! The feelings expressed in them is amazing! I'm taking a class by both Madelyn & Tracy, though I'm finding it hard to keep up. I'm trying though..

Wishcast Wednesday: What do I Wish to Envision

What do I wish to envision: I envision my self as a confident and talented, happy & passionate photographer. The Photographer that I am is creative, fun, & comfortable with all aspects of photography - including running a successful photography business.

I envision myself as a healthy and physically fit woman. I envision myself trim, and sculpted. I envision myself comfortable and content about getting older.

I envision myself in touch with my divinity. I envision myself tapping into my spirituality that is transforming & peaceful, & beautiful & blissful. I envision myself glowing and shinning, my divinity sparkling and touching everyone in a warm and wonderful way.

I envision myself finically independent. I envision myself living on some great acreage with my beautiful family, thrilled to be living in a slower/simpler environment.

I envision myself delighted with my life & living it to its fullest!

Wishcast Wednesday - What do I wish to focus on?

What do I wish to focus on - My Dreams!


1) Photography - learning, knowing second hand all the technical aspects of photography. Trusting my creativity, when it comes to taking a picture. Putting myself out there to become a professional photographer.

2) Losing weight and becoming super healthy & super fit!

3) My divinity - I need to find a faith that fills me up and spills over onto my family - so that I am a more gentle, patient, and peaceful parent & wife.

4) Money - bringing more into my life and keeping it, saving it, investing it.

5) Art - I soo enjoyed the drawing class I took in the spring. My mind soo focused, not going a mile a minute, thinking about what needs to be done. I liked that focus. No! I loved it. I have to say I was impressed with what I was able to create. No Picasso or Degas, but more skill than I realized. I want to hone those skills, so that I don't always need to be coached by an instructor to draw at a sophisticated level.

Can you focus on so many things at one time. Should I just be focusing on 1 thing? Hope it comes to fruition? If it does, wish/focus on another?

Strawberry Moon Dream Board

My strawberry full moon board has a lot of the same things I want to achieve as my previous full moon boards.  I put cameras throughout it - though I realized I'm not lacking a camera, I'm lacking consitent technique.  I think on the next dream board I will include pictures, the kind of pictures I want to take.  I think the only thing new on this dream board is the kitchen - as my house is old & I'm dreaming of a remodel.  I'm dreaming of a strong healthy body like the woman in the yoga picture.  The surfer represent a relaxed disposition & a confident easy going person.  Laid back, one that does not get tied up by her surroundings.  One that is not defined by stuff.  The money is a dream for it to constantly flowing into abundance into my life and not slipping out of my fingers like sand. 

Wishcast Wednesday: What leap do I wish to take?

What leap do I wish to take? I wish to leap into a life of simplicity, creativity and happiness. I wish to leap into a life where I can drop my anger, like I can drop a hat onto the floor, but instead of picking it up & fuming all over again, let it dissipate.   I wish to leap in to a life with more financial security, debt free, worry free. I wish to leap into a life of good health - a strong healthy stomach that is able to digest food properly. I wish to leap into my life courageously, so that all the other wishes I have wished will be fulfilled.

Wishcast Wednesday - What Do I Wish to Know

There are sooooooooo many things I wish to know. Sometimes I get overwhelmed as I try to take a class for this, or for that. I need to remember to take it one step at a time, so I can actually LEARN, instead of feeling overwhelmed & stressed by all of it.

So I wish to know how to draw better. I wish to know how to draw perspective - so things look right.

I wish to know how to become a graphic artist. What courses do I need to take? What kind of foundation should I have before I even consider a class? Can I take classes online? What is the financial investment & is it worth it? - meaning would I be able to make a living from it.

I wish to know how to use my camera-actually I wish to know all the technical stuff involved in being a great photographer. I don't want to be in a photographic conundrum when trying to capture a feeling, an idea. I wish to know how to take consistent, great pictures. I wish this, because along with the thought of being a graphic artist, is the thought of being a photographer & combining the two.

Now for the most important thing I wish to know! I wish to know inner peace. Sometimes I'm so frenzied inside - like today. When I get like this, I snap at people - well, let me be honest, my kids. This all comes back to the mom setting the tone in the house. I want my kids to be able to take things in stride, & not panic about things that can't be changed. I also want them to be able to handle disappointment & frustration with out wigging out. I do have self control, but I do lash out when I'm overwhelmed & stressed. Maybe this is really wishing to know how to less of an emotional thinker/reactor vs. someone who can pause, take a breath, and not be triggered at the slightest things.

I wish to know how to drop things - forgive with out holding a grudge. I wish to know how to be more diplomatic. Sometimes I feel I don't have time to tip toe around people, and feel like a bull in a china shop. I read yesterday in Monday Love, it is not about the things I do, but how I do them; it is not about what I say, but how I say them. I wish to know that finesse.

I also wish to know how to be in constant touch with my divinity. How do I tap into her daily? Is there exercises I should be doing? Is there classes I should be taking. I don't want her buried inside me any more. I want her free. I wish to know how to free her!

Sunday Shutterbugs: Kiss

Full Dream Board: The Full Flower Moon

This is my dream board.  I tried to put in as many cameras as I could, because I've always wanted to be a photographer, though lately, I'm uninspired and having difficulty with all the technical stuff.  On my moon is a house I would love to live in, and a Boho ( love that style) girl with a camera - I am imagining she is a profesional photographer (me one day). 

 I love pansies with their happy little vibrant faces, and vivacious colors.  Sine it is a full flower moon, & my favorite flower, they needed to be included!

The girl jumping is how I feel when I'm at full flower, what exudes from me is this happy, vibrant & energy. 

I'm confident, & easy going, taking things in stride.

 I drew a stem & leaves on to my moon, making it a flower.  It's petals are words & phrases cut from a magazine, or written in by hand.  They are my dreams. 

Wishcast Wednesday - What do I Wish for My Space

My Space - I'll start big, no I will start small.  My space to  create - I'd have to kick my son out of his room, move him into the girls' room, open up the attic, and remodel it into a room for the girls.  I would add a balcony to my creative space, so that I could look out onto the park, people watch, feel the cool breeze, & listen to sounds of children.  There would be hard wood floors, white walls, and some & funky antiques throughout it.  My sewing machine & a place for my materials to be stored in a neat & organized manner, will have a spot.   I wish to have a computer with an extra large screen, where I can create digital art work.  I wish to have to have a spot for all my scrap-booking and crafting tools - easily organized & accessible. In the corner an easel with work I am creating.    A large partners desk, where I can meet with clients - as I would love to have a successful at home business.  And of course, examples of my photography framed and displayed around  my creative space.

My Space - My home - I wish to have a large & spacious kitchen that would be the center of our home.  I wish to have enough sleeping space and rooms for our large family.  I wish to have my space updated, lighting, flooring, bathrooms, furniture.  I wish to have a usable and inviting porch, a swing, maybe - I place to sit, contemplate, meditate, relax.  I wish the decor of my home to be simple, so that I'm not stressing on keeping things neat & tidy; so I don't flip out when someone spills.

My space, I wish mostly that my space, (& I write this in the mist of 2 on going tantrums) is to be peaceful & harmonious.  I wish to peaceful & harmonious.  Isn't the mom that sets the tone of the home?  This, I know is the most important part of my wish.  Even if the other parts of this wish don't come true, this part of my wish I wish to come true.

Sunday Shutterbugs: Jagged

J is for jagged.  Okay not rocks or a tree, but brown rice!

Wish Cast Wednesday - What do I Wish to Have?

What do I wish to have?  The list is soo long?  What shall I start with?  The material things?  I wish to have my house completely renovated  - I'm living in a time warp of the 70"s - that is not exactly true, we have done some work on the house.  But it needs so much.  I wish to have an art/crafting studio, a large room for all my girls to cohabit.  I wish to have a large kitchen / family area & I want all this done in eco friendly way.  I wish to have second home on the central coast of California, with wide open space, a large porch with a swing, and an old 50'as styled Chevy truck to drive around in.  I wish to have  a barn that can house a brewery for my hubby, and an art/crafting studio for me & the kids.  I wish to have an organic garden growing, and be mostly self sustainable.

I wish to have my passport ( & my families)  be a testament to world travels -unique places to go & be.

I wish to have complete and utter financial freedom.  I wish to have a bank account that miraculously is always refilling itself.

I wish to have great health, a sharp mind, and a fit & tone physique as I get older.

I wish to have a more clear focus on the creative direction I want to go towards. I wish to have  an at home business that I love, that fulfills me.

I wish to have a solid grasp all the technical aspects of photography - so I can be consistent instead of lucky.

I wish to have a healthy peaceful planet that my children & grandchildren can inherit, & cherish & revel in all it's wondrous beauty.

I wish to have a planet where it's inhabitants are peaceful & tolerant of one another.  I wish to have acceptance of the diversity in our communities.

I wish to have honest leaders who lead with integrity, who don't bow down to the almighty dollar that keeps them in power .

I wish to have more moments to total bliss.

I wish to have more time, to revel in small moments - no make that ALL moments with my children, with my husband. I wish to have more time to play, to photograph, to draw, to scrap, to write, to sew, to crochet.  I wish to have more time to laugh with my friends and family.

I wish to have more smiles emerge from me.

I wish to have more courage to put myself out there, whatever it is that I want to be out there for.

I wish to have more patience, esp. when I'm hormonally influenced and become dark & mean.

I wish to have my divinity always shining forth from me like a bright star.

Wish Cast Wednesday - What Rules do I Wish to Make or Break

The rule I wish to make is to simplify.  I think this is a good rule for me & I'd really like to actively apply it to my life.  I tend to have every moment busy, then sigh & feel resentful that there is not enough time in the day to do the things I WANT to do.  I sign up for this class & that, & I become overwhelmed by them, trying to fit them into my life with the other busyness of being a mom and a wife, and having a job.  I don't enjoy them like I should.  I don't know if I'm pulling enough out of them for the money that is invested in taking them. 

This goes for my home too - no impulse buying, or buying in bulk, but having just enough.  Enough food, enough clothes, enough extra curricular activities.  If I don't buy any unneccessay, unneeded items, then I don't have to find a home for it in my house.  I don't have to wash it, put it away, take care of it.  Those obligations are always in the forefront of my mind, having to care of the house and the duties it requires before I can play.  There is somthing to say about being sparse. 

A few years ago, I read an Oprah magazine, & she had an exercise where we had to come up with aa affirmation. I had a great one!  I wish I could remember it all.  The part I remember is "Stuff does not define me".  Do I really want people looking at me & saying WOW!  She's got that fabulous new camera!  She carries an i-phone! Coach bag! Wears the latest fashons! Oh! Are those Jimmy Choo's on her feet?  I saw her coming out of Nordstoms. NO!  I don't.  I want people to like me for me, not the things I own or don't own.  I want them to see what makes me special & unique.  I want them to see the divinity with in me, & I think one way to is for me to simplify.  Otherwise I'll always be preoccupied, stressed, & rushing off to complete the task at hand.

Full Moon Dream Board: Full Pink Moon

I had a lot of fun doing this.  When I first read about it in March, I could not wait to do a dream board.  This is not what I originally imagined.  It just came out of me.  I like the way it looks on paper better - it was hard to erase the backgound one it in PSE.  I do like the pink moon behind her - not on original work.   The words are all the seeds of ideas I would like to come into fruition.

Wish Cast Wednesday - What do I Wish to invest in?

This weeks question did not flummox me like last weeks.  I would like to invest in myself.  I am doing somethings.  I've enrolled in a year long photo class, as well as a 7 week drawing class (which I LOOOOVE!).  But I don't get to practice as much as I'd like.  I'd like to invest in simplifying my life, This is difficult in some respects.  I have an active family.   I want to give them the opportunity to be able to participate in things that interest them.   When they are my age, I want them to be doing something that satisfies their souls.  I want them now to be on the road to discovering their passions, so they can practice it, live it, feel it, invest in it ALL their lives.  But the trade off is a busy, busy schedule.  And I am the taxi driver.   I know, I need to invest in my home - simplifying it, so that I'm not spending so much time organizing, reorganizing, finding a spot for whatever it is that needs a home.    Then I can invest that free time in honing my passions, & hopefully being able to one day create a business from them.

So this leads to other investments:  financial.  I would like to invest more more money into my savings.  I would like to invest in stocks - but I don't know how.  I would like invest money to become financially free.  

I would like to invest in my home, sprucing it up, but making a comfortable, warming, loving & happy environment.

I feel a little selfish, wishing to invest in me.  But, I feel like it's effect will seep out to  the world in such a positive way.  I will be a better mother, woman, wife, friend.  

Sunday Shutterbugs: Horse

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to dare?

I look forward to WishCast Wednesday.  It has been one of the most powerful things I have been fortunate to be apart of.  This Wednesday's Wishcast is challenging for me.  What do I dare wish for?  The obvious love - I'm so fortunate to be surrounded by it, and I'm not afraid to love.  Happiness?  At this moment I feel happy!

I've really had to contemplate this wish.  I thought about it all day long.  And my wish, that I wish with ALL my heart is I wish to dare to be MYSELF. I was listening to Jamie's podcast with Chris Kay Fraser.  In her opening, Jamie talked about finding the direction of your goals.  She ended by saying that when I head in the right direction, I will feel more like myself.  That my superpowers will glow brighter as I get closer to home, that my heart will be even happier & I will be more confident.  I want this!  I want this!  I wish to dare it into my life!

I have a friend who radiates her superpowers.  Her divinity is a halo that is all about her.  For the longest time, I've desired that radiance for myself.  I followed her footsteps, going to classes &  retreats.  They have been beautiful and powerful and emotional.  But my superpowers were not ignited. No sparks, no smoke, no flame.

I've just completed a Mondo Beyondo coarse.  I looked forward to each days' lesson & exercises.  I went back through my notes while working on this wish.  I found notes on daring to believe.  So not only am I daring to wish to be MYSELF, I'm daring to believe it too.  I'm daring to believe in all my dreams I wrote down.  It is those dreams, and taking steps towards them, small as they maybe, that will put me in the right direction.

And I pause for a moment or two before I publish this, letting out a deep breath, eyes closed, feeling it, imagining it, hands in prayer before I send this wish, this huge wish, into the universe.

Sunday Shutterbugs: Heavenly

Heavenly Vices

coffee in the morning
wine in the eve
chocolate throughout the day!

Wish Cast Wednesday - What do I Wish to be Gentle With

Me!  I'm my biggest critic.  I'm fat, ugly, mediocre, a terrible mom.  The list goes on.

To be honest, when I first read the prompt, my immediate thought was my oldest child.  I KNOW I need to be gentler with her.   A beautiful, persistent, amazing, tenacious, passionate child.  She drives me crazy!  She has been my mirror, many, many, many times.  I want her to be confident, her own person - NO Ethel to someone else's' Lucy.  I want her to follow her dreams, to find her niche & go after it.  I want her to have self love so she does not feel unworthy, & when she does, she'll be able to imagine herself out of it, shake it off, & not let it effect her self worth.

I need to find that middle ground.  To deal with her in a peaceful manner when she riles me up.  To remember that she is a mercurial being.  To remember that I am her safe spot to sound off, get angry at, because I love her so completely.

As I wish to be  gentle with her, I wish to gentle with myself.  Applaud myself when goals are met, dinner is cooked, when fear is pushed aside, & when I have loving & tender moments with my child.  To give three cheers when I pass up the delectable rich and bitter piece of dark chocolate.  To appreciate who I am now, & how I am growing.

At this very moment - this is my wish.  I'm throwing my coin into the well, squeezing eyes tight and concentrating all my mind's power onto this wish.  Crossing fingers, rubbing my rabbits foot - hoping it will come true!


PS:  Thank you so much for those of you have or are wishing for me.  You words are so beautiful & powerful.  Every time I read them, I get teary.  Thank You!  Thank You!

Illustration Friday

Forever Linked

For me, the only things of interest are those linked to the heart. ~Audrey Hepburn

Last Friday the theme "linked" was sent out to subscribers of  Illustration Friday.  I sometimes passover the e-mail.  I sometimes click on it & peruse the art.  I never thought I would submit a piece.  But I got a bee in my bonnet to try something.  First the the obvious "linked" themes: holding hands, linked arms.  And then this came to mind.  Different than what I had actually plotted out.  Four different children would be tugging at the chained heart, linking them to it forever.  I drew the heart, photographed the child, crocheted the chain; screwed up my drawing  - adhering the chain did not go as planned; and then the printer decided it could no longer work properly &; my method of creating what I envisioned changed.  I took a picture of my chained heart and worked in PSE6 for the last few days, putting my other commitments (wash, dinner, market) on the back burner. Perfect?  NO! Definite issues with the text being to dark & difficult to read. 

I'm really proud of myself for creating this.  A completely original thought, no looking to other works for inspiration.  I'm thrilled that I "Focuses Pocused"  and completed & actually uploaded to Illustration Friday. And most importantly, I had a lot of fun experimenting with PSE6.

I did not realize, until went back to verify the theme, how much the quote that was sent along made an impact on me.  Like it's little tentacles rooted themselves into my brain.

How Do I Wish to Blossom

I was waiting for the prompt from Jamie Ridler this morning.  I felt like for last weeks prompt, I hurriedly did it so I could post before the sun set.  When the prompt came this afternoon, I wasn't sure how to answer it.  I'm still a bit blocked by how to go about it.  Why?  Shouldn't it be easy with all the dreaming I've been doing in the Mondo Beyondo class?

I would like to blossom three folds.  I would love for my confidence to soar.  Confidence in my ability as a beginning photographer who will learn how to consistently take great shots that tell stories.  Confidence in myself to start an at home business as a photographer/ digital artist.  Confidence in my ability to wrap my mind around all the technical stuff that is required of a photographer.  Confidence in myself to go out a solicit my work.

Confidence goes hand in hand with becoming more fearless.  Some how I became a coward.  Scared to take chances.  I feel like this transformation came when I became a mother.  But what kind of role model  am I being if I'm always quaking in my boots?

Finally, I'd love my creativity to unfurl.  I feel like most things I do, is a copy, or an add on to someone else's creative ideas.  I can build on things that inspire me, but I want my  creative muse to take root in me.  As each petal unfurls, opening to the sun, I want new ideas burgeoning in my brain.  Amazing, beautiful, lovely ideas that I can craft, photograph, create in anyway that tickles my fancy.

Sundays Shutterbugs - Green

Green Street in Old Pasadena

As part of my quest to stimulate my imagination, I joined Sundays Shutterbugs.  They send out an assignment for subscribers for the week, and if wanting, you participate.  This week it is Green.

Picture Spring

Day 1: Beginning

Day 2: Waking up to endless possibilities

My Cup of Delight

Day 3: 30 Steps

I had to do some catching up, so this was actually taken on Easter -

30 steps out of the office.

Day 4: Looking Up

Day 5:  getting grounded

Day 6:  Self Portrait

Day 7:  Pastel

Day 8 - sprinkle

  Day 9   -Still searching for everyday beauty

Day 10 :  Need to edit

 Day 11:  Hearts

I'm taking a year's worth of photography classes through Paul's. You'd think that would be enough. It's not! Through Big Picture Scrapbooking, I'm taking a class taught by Tracy Clark of Shutter Sisters. When I have visited Shutter Sisters in the past, I've been so impressed with the photography - the story each picture tells. I know most of the pictures have been manipulated in Lightroom or Photoshop - regardless, they are fabulous. I thought I would like to learn to take photos like what I see on Shutter Sisters. A lot of it is getting the prompt and letting it spur my imagination. My imagination is a bit stale, as I seem to follow the example Tracy sends out to the class, but I'm trying. I thought posting my pictures would be a good record of it. Most of my pictures have not been touched by Photoshop, only the clouds have.

What Do I Wish to Accomplish?

I recently discovered Jamie Ridler Studios through the Mondo Beyondo class I'm taking. I instantly subscribed to it & have been podcasting her audio interviews. This is my actual 1st assignment from Jamie. It goes along with my Mondo Beyondo Dream List - What I wish to accomplish is to become a photographer - an excellent, respected, working photographer who is able to run her own SUCCESSFUL business. I want to be more than proficient in editing and graphic software - such as photoshop, so that I can not only make incredible portraits of people, but also so I can create fun photo manipulated art. That would be AWESOME!


There are other goals I wish to accomplish - getting junk food out of my diet & living a simpler life - something I want to create & teach to my children. I want to write. I love, LOVE writing - but I'm more of a stream of conscious type writer, forgetting commas, writing run-ons, etc.

This is the most important thing I wish to I want to accomplish - to be a better, more peaceful & funnier mom. When I'm gone - I want my kids to remember me not as the wild banshee mom, screaming, yelling & acting neurotic. But a mom who created a warm, loving & safe home. One who did cool things, opened up the world to them & insisted that they follow their dreams!

Time Lost & Found

Of all places, to read an article - April 2010, Sunset Magazine, that hits home with my Mondo Beyondo Class. So mainstream! The article "Time Lost & Found" by Anne Lamott spoke to me enough that I underlined throughout the article, as well as tore it out of my brand new magazine.

"-that there is nothing you can buy, achieve on your own, or rent that can fill up that hunger inside for a sense of fulfillment & wonder. But the good news is that creative expression, whether that means writing,dancing, bird-watching, or cooking, can give a person almost everything that he or she has been searching for : enlivenment, peace, meaning, & the incalculable wealth of time spent quietly in beauty."

When I read it, I obviously knew this was no nature essay. She goes on: "You have to make time to do this" Time yes, I'm always trying to find it. Where is it hiding? Under the bed? In the closet? Just when I think I can grab a handful of time, it surges through my hand spurting here and there, leaving quickly fading spot on my shirt. Catch it!  I have an hour! No wait! - its 30 minutes. Ten. A second! Wait! Wait! Don't go!

Don't be so fleeting!  Can't you stay awhile longer?

She goes on to advise, advice I've heard before. Advice that is relevant & true. Find a way to make the time - don't watch the news, give up time else where. Don't be so neurotic about having a clean house. Commit! Commit to writing a page each night, or drawing, or going out to take pictures. Julia Cameron, in The Artist Way advised once a week to go on an artist walk.

Anne Lamott goes on to state" "I know how addictive busyness & mania are". She asks is this how we want our children to grow up - . . ."to spend their precious life in a spin of multitasking, stress & achievement. . ." No I don't! As she states I want ". . . much more for (my) kids, (to have) lives well spent in hard work & savoring all that is lovely . . ." So how am I fostering this in my kids? Am I allowing them enough time to hone their imagination? To be outside, reveling in the pill bug turning into a ball, jumping into puddles, taking them to the local museum? Honest answer - sometimes, when the schedule is not full of piano lessons, dance, swim, baseball, CCD.

Anne Lamott ends this article with:

" . . . you need half an hour of quiet time for yourself, or your Self, unless you're incredibly busy & stressed, in which case you need an hour. . . . . Fight tooth & nail to find time, to make it. It is our true wealth, this moment, this hour, this day."

Thank you Anne Lamott! Thank You! I will fight tooth & nail for it!

The Artist Way

I've been taking an online, self help class through a site called Mondo Beyondo. It is an extension of a few books I read: The Secret, Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting & Focus on the Good Stuff. Each of these is about the power of positive thinking, appreciation for what I have NOW, and achieving my dreams. That is one reason I took this class. I have ADD right now - taking a photo class, drawing class, crocheting, and sewing. I feel I need to focus. I need to concentrate on one or two, so I reach a level beyond being a jack of all trades. Not only that, this reverts back to my older post about discovering my new path and going for it. Graphic Artist keeps popping into my head - but I don't want to be a logo designer. I saw a magazine today called Digital Artist - that is more of what I want to do along with photography. I read something that hit home a few weeks ago - I think it is why I fell in love with scrapbooking- it is because I'm a story teller. I am. I want to tell stories with my photos, I want to tell stories with words, and I want to tell stories with drawings. I'd also like to incorporate them all together.

The other reason for taking this class is I want to find inspiration from within. I don't know if I need to find my focus first & then inspiration will come. From this class I have discovered two other sites - Jamie Rider Studios & Magpie - Girl. I am amazed that there are SO many women like ME, craving creativity; so many women like me who want to be an artist.

While listening to a podcast: Creative Living with Jamie Rider, her guest - Magpie Girl stated what I read in The Artist Way: creating is connecting with our spirituality, our divinity, our faith. God is an artist - he created this beautiful, gorgeous world. I know that is what I crave - to be in touch with my divinity with in - so that it emanates out of me, for my family, for my friends, for the world! This might sound too new age, but I believe God resides in me. The greatest thing I can do is find that trigger that will cause him to no longer be suffocated with in me, but erupt out of me with such force & brilliance that his sheer radiance will be blindingly brilliant and dazzling. I feel that once I find this creative g-spot, that thrills me beyond belief, that this will happen. Maybe I pushed off this desire by not going to the retreat at the Royal Way. Maybe it would have brought me more focus. Maybe I would not be rolling a dice to take the path that I've already traveled. Maybe!

These dreams I want to manifest.

Good Reads

     I'm so lucky that my kids allow me to read to them.  Not a reader as a child or young adult, I'm not sure how I became an English major in college.  I only know that by the time I hit ECC, that I had fallen in love with the printed word.  I can tell you the exact story that hooked me - D.H. Lawrence's The Horse Dealer's Daughter.  I'm making up for lost time, catching up on all those books I never read. 

     My eldest & I began the Charlie Bone series.  I listened to the first book & was completely entralled.  Yvonne lent me thier copy of the book, and thus our adventures with Charlie began.  Similarities to Harry Potter exist - a boarding school for the gifted - both in the arts and with supernatural powers.  And there is the fight against evil, the darker powers always looming close by.  (Where! Oh! Where? is the spell check button - my typing skills have been detrimentally influenced by texting!)  The book definately has it's own personality different from the Harry Potter series.  It is equally captivating & compels you to want to continue the series.

     With my middle child, we began the Molly Moon series.  I should note that I read the first Molly Moon book to her well over a year ago, & to be quite frank, I did not think it had mesmerized her in the least bit.  However, when we finally finished the previous book, an E.S. Nesbitt book, she picked up the second Molly Moon book.  The love affair began.  We just finished the third book.  I love this series.  Each book, like the Harry Potter Series is equally well written.  The second Charlie Bone book, I felt was slightly, & only slightly not as good as the first.  But Molly Moon!  I'd wake up in the morning, thinking about what I had read the previous night.  I love that she threads these compelling thoughts and bits wisdom throughout the story as Molly is faced with challenge after challenge.  I'm not sure if a young reader would say "Wow! That's deep".  or "Let's discuss how time might be like a wheel, with the end of the world next to the beginning."  Maybe I notice them because I'm an adult.  Irregardless Molly Moon ranks high on my list as one of my favorite series.

No More Monsters For Me

This next monster was inspired by some fabulous monsters that I saw in STUFFED Magazine.  I'll have to ask Noey where my magazines are to note where the inspiration derived from.  Sew inspired, I drew my own pattern and stitched him up, almost problem free! There were definate challenges that arose - like a too hot iron - thus the freckles on the face.   He was a gift for Stephen.  His mom was impressed & said she would have paid $50.00 for him.  Hand over the money! Honey!

RRP Monsters

I'm calling these RRP Monsters - designed by Riley.  He asked me about a year ago to make him both this monster & the one below.  I finally had a moment.  They are so RARE.  Diamonds they are - each minute worth its weight in gold!  The blue one is called Feo (ugly in Spanish) & the green is Moco (booger in Spanish).

Crafting Monsters

This is Moco - an original design by Riley.  I just crafted his monster for him.