Girls’ Artist Trading Cards

 While we teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about. Anon

  I have always loved that quote.  I am constantly amazed by my children and others in how they take what I see as complex and turn it into stunning simplicity. My youngest had one of her friends over this weekend and their every conversation, choice and play seemed so natural.  There was no concern of political correctness and no self conscious behavior, just two kids who genuinely liked each other.    

They pulled out art supplies and wanted to make artist trading cards.

My youngest found a tri-fold card I had, painted it gold, applied a key

And symbolized what she treasures within ~ love, music & animals

Her friend found the butterflies

They swapped friend ATC’s

And then they joined two ATC’s together to represent their friendship

Very cool to watch them enjoy creating while talking seriously about the definition of a true friend.  Inspired me to go ahead and post my ATC creativity prompts’ PDF for girls with the themes of All About Me, Feelings, Friendship and Girl Power.  They can be found @ Girls Express.

What’s inspiring you this weekend?

Technorati Tags: artist trading cards,ATC's,Girls Express,children

Bared

May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door.  Irish Blessing
I’ve been going through a “bare branches” phase lately

eyes riveted to the naked starkness     
bold against the changing backdrop

exposing beauty through vulnerability        
one last stand before spring bursts through

As I progress through a season of  physical, emotional and spiritual spring cleaning                                                                
I feel a kinship for the stripped down version  
knowing that sometimes pruning ornamental clutter is necessary before the bloom

What’s been calling to you lately?

Technorati Tags: lifewriting,writing prompt,journal prompt

Mom’s Treasure

A daughter’s smile on a swing set and the beginning blooms of spring ~ in this moment all is right with the world…

I hope you’ll join me in capturing memories and creating memories with our daughters in Mom's Treasure: A Storybook Workshop
Empowering our daughters through relationship and creative expression. This four week on-line circle will feature a weekly guidebook with writing and art activities for you and your daughter in exploring identity and values, enhancing self-esteem and writing her story through love and compassion. A coaching call for self-care will be offered along with a bonus guidebook for mom.  (No writing or art experience needed)  See sidebar for paypal...Mother's Day Special - only $40.00

Eliminate Mental Clutter

Whenever I’m dealing with too much swirling inside my head, I have to write.  I don’t care if it’s coherent, I just have to get it on paper.  Recently, after several pages of dribble, I asked myself some pointed questions and ended up with the following process:

(The very first one, ready to feel on top of the my world again ~ control issue popping back up but in a healthier way, literally as I went back to the gym this past week…of course, I was just easing myself back into it & didn’t make it past the hot tub!)

Then I reminded myself, again, of my word of the year…it really shouldn’t be so hard, it is just one word!  Those are balloons at the top with what I want to “release” written on them.  I found an old book on organizing your household and loved the phrase I found in it ~ Eliminate Mental Clutter

You can’t see the words in the petals and stems but this was an entry (basically all covered in paint now) about manifesting abundance by recognizing that I have all that I need already.

The following did not start with the writing first, which is what I usually do (probably backwards from “real” art journals) but instead it was the picture that called to me.  The peacock feathers look like mini artist trading cards.  My caption Strut Even When You Don’t Feel It… or as my mom always said fake it until you make it

And finally, When All Else Fails, Eat Cupcakes…so much for my healthier outlook:)

I used the following writing prompts…give them a try & see where they take you:

~ What do you need right now?

~ What’s in the way?

~ How will you get there?

For the record, in case you are new here…I am all about the process, not the product.  No judging allowed:)

Oh, I almost forgot…I have two upcoming workshops.  One through Story Circle Network, Life Books, beginning the first of April and Mom’s Treasure: A Storybook Workshop beginning in May (see tab at the top of the page).  Hope you can join me!

Technorati Tags: journal writing,writing prompt,art journaling,journal writing workshop

In Between

It’s not so much that we’re afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it’s that place in between that we fear…It’s like being between trapezes.  It’s Linus when his blanket is in the dryer.  There’s nothing to hold onto to.  Marilyn Ferguson

I am feeling like Linus with his blanket in the dryer.  I am restless and exhausted at the same time.  I’ve not been motivated to visit the blogging world, I’ve written very little and art journaled less.  There are too many changes going on in life right now beyond the normal and even the weather is mirroring the uncertainty.  I have exciting things coming up ~ I’m teaching Life Books through Story Circle Network, offering Mom’s Treasure: A Storybook Workshop late spring I hope, Re-Voice! in the fall and plan to launch a sister website/blog for pre-teen girls, Girls Express.  But I’m not capturing the excitement of it all right now.  I think it’s time to work through my own writing prompts from Treasure Chest again (see sidebar “Journey Now” for your own copy).  Explore in your journal how you take care of yourself for those times “in between”…
In the meantime, a couple of places for inspiration in the art journaling world:
Balzer Designs
Art Journaling Blogspot
Some more how to's

Technorati Tags: in between,journal prompt,writing prompt,art journaling,workshops,Girls Express,Storybook workshop,Re-Voice

Blogiversary

An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow.  ~Author Unknown

Such a fitting quote for a blog dedicated to celebrating the journey.  It is so hard to believe that a year ago I hit “publish” on my first blog post ever, feeling silly as I was convinced there was no one to hear me in this virtual world.  12 months later and I’ve met kindred spirits, people that I’ve never met in person but care about as I look forward to reading about their children, their creations, their good days and bad.  I have wrestled with the idea lately of moving my blog to wordpress so that it would be streamlined into my re-modeled website.  I’ve decided I love my little space here and so I’ve given my blog a facelift instead.  In honor of this blogiversary & makeover, I’ve also reduced the price of May Queen Musings Guidebooklet to $2.99 (see side bar).  Looking forward to another year of celebration and discovery!

What are you celebrating today?

Technorati Tags: anniversary,celebrate Your Journey,writing prompt,journal writing

Re-Voice!

Click on the image to visit my “re-modeled” website.  I am so excited to finally have an enhanced, authentic vision ~ even the picture is taken from one of my art journal pages.  This website allows me to integrate a WordPress blog, but not blogger.  I’m considering exporting blogger into WordPress (which would then be on my website) but am on the fence.  I don’t want to lose any of my blog friends and I’ve become attached to this space I’ve created here.  Would love some feedback, whether you’ve moved your blog or encountered others who did.

Speaking of WordPress, take a look at my first article, found @ the Truth Chronicles tab on my website or the post in its entirety, Living Your Truth.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!  I miss visiting you and, although I’ve learned a great deal, will be glad to have grad school behind me!

Technorati Tags: speaking your truth,Re-Voice,finding your voice,empower,authentic self