Picture Prompt ~ Six Word Sentence

Earth's arms carried the moon goddess.

God's Canvas

I've been dreaming about moving, a restlessness rattling my bones. You know how it is - that mood of just sick of everything & somehow running away will magically make all the craziness disappear. But of course the crazy goes with you:)
And then along comes that moment of intense beauty, so unexpected, that you just have to whisper to yourself "Glory Be."
This image was my moment today. I didn't have to go looking for it - living in a valley provides breathtaking views.
Note to self: open your eyes

What moments of pure bliss have you experienced lately? Write about it in rich descriptive tones using all the senses. Let the memory and the narrative flow...& in those moments, you might find the chaos melts away.
Enjoy, and celebrate your journey!

Art Journal Pockets

This image is from a book I'm altering, but the technique can be used with any journal. Who doesn't like little secret places and stashes - a treasure chest contained within your pages, at your fingertips whenever your younger you needs to be nurtured (and the older I get, the more I have that need:).
For sturdiness, glue together several pages behind your selected page to fold. Then glue down your page, except for the area to fold. Crease your page into the fold and glue the side and bottom edges, leaving an opening and creating your pocket. 
I used mod podge to glue and added gesso to the top page for more support and prep for the paints and stamps I added. However, I have also used double sided tape and stained the page with stamp ink or a hot tea bag to add color and journaled on top of the pocket. Inside the above pictured pockets, I cut out some cardstock and used those to write on. Like any journal, the possibilities are endless and the result reflects you:)
How are you "being you"?

Feels good to be back
Enjoy. ..and celebrate your journey!

Advent: Day One & Two

Advent, this powerful liturgical season that we are beginning, invites us to pause in silence to understand a presence. It is an invitation to understand that the individual events of the day are hints that God is giving us, signs of the attention he has for each one of us. ~ Pope Benedict VXI

It is my hope this Christmas season to follow more closely the traditions of my faith instead of consumerism. Please don't tell me happy holidays..if you don't celebrate that's okay..but let's no longer minimize and demean the season.  This is the season of celebration of God's gift to us..a season of miracles with messages of love and hope.
How will you take pause, allowing yourself the gift of God's presence instead of the onslaught of cyber sales and inflatable Disney characters?

Tinkerings

I came across a gorgeous locally owned shop that sold handmade items from local artists/crafters.  I am sad to say that the other sign I didn't take a picture of was "store closing."  Many of the items were reasonably priced and unique.  What does this say about our mass produced one size fits all mentality?  Our schools teach to standards of learning leaving teachers very little time to weave in creativity & as parents we contine to rush through our worlds lured by McD's and one stop shopping.  I am guilty too...this is more a criticism of society than individuals.  But then again, it's the indivduals that make up society.  It is easier and cheaper for us to fund an economy that no longer makes sense & I believe we are paying the cost in small business, right brain thinking and even our emotional & physical health.  Many of us do not live with intention.  What ways are you contributing to an entity's wealth, What ways are you encouraging local growth, youth growth and/or your own?

Winter Solace

Winter finally arrived and I realized this is the 2nd year of the last five I haven't taught "Winter Solace: A Journey Within"...I have been on my own inner journey for over a year now.  My main goal has been to simplify and unfortunately teaching, writing and blogging has had to be a part of that for now.  Of course, my journal stays by my side in this journey:) 
If you could or needed to create your own sabbatical, what would it look like? What steps can you take to nourish your soul?  Create a character sketch of self balanced, at peace & life giving...try an art journal page as well.  Happy New Year!

One Word 2013

http://instagr.am/p/T2Yk8xPdEh/

This will not be a long blog post ...how could I possibly add to John Lennon?  I found my one word/intention for self and others in Central Park this past week. Would love to hear yours.  For a fun new celebration, see Jill Badonsky's Awemanac facebook page.  For those of you hanging in there for my sporadic posts...a sincere thank you...I have not done well in keeping up with my blog or friends.  I wish you all peace, joy and love in the new year!