Creativity from the Couch

This is a project done while I was relegated to the couch during my recent extended flare up of fibromyalgia and pain.

One of the things that I dreaded about flare ups was that my ability and energy for creating would drastically drop or disappear altogether. I wanted and needed a way to work around that when it happened.

I decided to organize a few supplies that I could easily access, keep near me on the couch, and use on my roughest days. I repurposed several large styrofoam meat trays - the kind you get when you buy a family pack of meat.

They work perfectly, with enough room for a few supplies, and they stack and store well in my craft closet.

The project that you see in the photos here (except for the frames) was made using the supplies on one tray. On that tray, I stored pages from a vintage book and hymnal; homemade alcohol ink sprays, brads, several colors of acrylic paint, tissue paper and thin wire.

Using the book pages, I cut each shape out by hand and then colored them with the sprays (except for the tissue paper). I followed up with assembling each flower and butterfly individually. Each day, I stored whatever I had made in small ziploc bags; partly for organization and partly to keep them out of easy reach of my grandson, lol.

For this project, I painted the backgrounds in acrylic and then layered over that with tissue paper. I used the same tissue paper in both pictures. I arranged flowers and butterflies on the background and, once I was happy with the composition, I attached them to the background. I finished up by stamping a relevant quote or saying on each one.

I have these hanging on the wall above my desk, next to the bulletin board that I posted earlier. I smile every time I look at them!

Shared for Whatever You Want Wednesday at Free Pretty Things For You
Shared for Show and Tell Saturday at Be Different Act Normal
Show Off Your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans

Leap Of Faith

I've just made an announcement on Facebook that I'm pretty excited about.  I've been playing games there - Farmville and especially Cityville.  The games started out being something that I could do on those days when pain or fibro fog prevented me from doing much else, but quickly developed into a daily habit. And I won't lie. I've had fun with them. But they really are time consuming and just a wee bit addictive.

My announcement was that I've decided to stop playing both games so that I could focus on planning the beginnings of my CreativeARTitudes and ARTbundance coaching business and on nurturing this blog and creating a fantastic freebie for all of you. To have the time and grace to make and learn art and nurture my connections within the creative community.  And to create a second blog focused on '99'ers and frugality ('99'ers is the term used for those of us whose unemployment benefit extensions have expired). 

Being ill with bronchitis lately has been really difficult in the sense that I haven't had the health or energy to focus on anything else.  But, starting the healing process has given me plenty of time for contemplation and the grace to truly appreciate the wisdom and support that exists within and around me.

My financial situation IS hard; my health is a huge challenge too.  But my current circumstances don't negate the fact that I have a lifetime of experience and wisdom to offer, or that I've finally found the things that truly speak to my heart and soul - life balance and creativity coaching and creating art.

With my background, I've always found trust to be an issue.  Trust in myself?  Trust in others?  Trust in the Universe and what it holds for me?  Ha!  And yet I've come to a place where that trust is not only necessary, but essential.  To my well-being, to my survival, to my ability to grow and thrive.

And so I am taking a leap of faith.  I'm wrapping courage and conviction around myself.  I'm embracing this year and this time that seems to be all about new directions and new adventures!  Woohoo!!  I hope that you'll travel along with me on this journey!