Sunday, 6 January 2019

First Week of Life Book 2019


I am absolutely blown away by what is on offer in the first week of Life Book 2019. I haven’t set paintbrush to paper yet, but I’ve watched the warm-up painting videos, watched Sarah Trumpp’s art (but not the yoga yet), looked at both of Andy Mason’s offerings, and listened to Tamara LaPorte’s wonderful meditation.

The meditation just blew me away. I did not listen in optimal conditions – I had two noisy neighbours who kept intruding into the soundscape. But I persevered and even though I didn’t really see a symbol on my robe, once I opened the door, I got a big shock. There was my mother welcoming me and I walked into her arms and was enfolded in such warm light and love. It was amazing and totally out of the blue – so nice to sit in her arms for a while - she's been gone for so long.

I already had my word of the year “TROUNCE”. I picked it because it kept coming up in crosswords and puzzles in December. But the visit with Mum, gave me “OPEN HEART” and a symbol I can use. My animal is a “scaredy cat” – this came from an exercise I did as part of Alexa Cohen’s Awakening Through Art.



Then today, I looked at Andy’s videos – they too were a revelation. I loved the concept of the Parental messages and Child feelings that keep us hooked to behaviours or reactions. I will certainly be looking more closely at developing my Adult consciousness to counteract what I think are some 60-year-old hooks. Amazingly, I had recently come to the realisation that some of my problems might be related to a childhood illness and the associated ongoing problems while growing up and even now rearing their ugly head.

But… best of all were the links between my words when I looked at the feelings that they gave me. TROUNCE is about challenge, discovery, freedom, order, space, inspiration. It’s about beating obstacles, pouncing on life and letting the scaredy cat go – with my aim being clear-headedness. OPEN HEART is about acceptance, belonging, community, warmth, inspiration, discovery. It’s about letting things and people in – the aim is to be interested.

So, there are two clear double ups in my needs – inspiration and discovery – both of which I’m sure, will be more than adequately met by Life Book 2019. I am so looking forward to the journey.

Thanks Tamara, Andy and Sarah - I can't wait too see more.

And if you would like to join in, the link below will take you somewhere so you can have a look:




Saturday, 5 January 2019

Creative Jump Start 2019 - Day 1

So here I am using my blog again to take part in one of Natalie Kalbach's workshops - it seems that I have not blogged since I finished the Artful Stroll in 2017!

This is my effort for Day1 - I did a three parter - the outside of my house, a couple of rooms inside, then the back garden. I did not plan it too well, so my pages aren't quite the right size, but I'm pleased that I got the concept right.


Now to get on with the next project.

Friday, 9 June 2017

Artful Stroll - Geometric

This was the work waiting for me yesterday morning when I arrived at work - about 18 crates of books, each containing anywhere from 20 to 50 books. I think it looks pretty geometric!!


This photo is in response to the Artful Adventures Stroll through the Hood project. You can find out more here: http://nathaliesstudio.com/learn/online-workshops/artful-adventures-stroll-challenge/

Wednesday, 7 June 2017

Artful Stroll - View

This is a somewhat skewed version of "view" - but I could not resist. Every time I go around to my brother's house, my nephew's dog Yella wants to play tug. She is very strong and just about pulls by arm out of its socket! And of course, she wants to play forever.


As my brother only lives five minutes away by car, I consider that this is in my hood even though I drove rather than strolled! Unlike my photo for the 25th May Reflection which was in China - what was I thinking?

This photo is in response to the Artful Adventures Stroll through the Hood project. You can find out more here: http://nathaliesstudio.com/learn/online-workshops/artful-adventures-stroll-challenge/

Artful Stroll - Growth

I had to pick up a book at the local library yesterday and took  photo of the children's area - sadly bereft of children at the time.

I retrained as a Library Technician a few years ago, but even before then I was a great believer in the power of reading. The younger you get children started, the more likely they are to read throughout their life. To me reading is growth - words, stories, places, information, imagination.


(Sorry, the photo is ever so slightly out of focus)

This photo is in response to the Artful Adventures Stroll through the Hood project. You can find out more here: http://nathaliesstudio.com/learn/online-workshops/artful-adventures-stroll-challenge/

Artful Stroll - Shadow

I love the dappled shadows I get in my garden in the late afternoon. This is a self-seeded lavender bush (nearly as tall as me) growing out from my pavers and the shadows are playing against the garage wall.


The lavender is always full of bees and other insects and I love it!

This photo is in response to the Artful Adventures Stroll through the Hood project. You can find out more here: http://nathaliesstudio.com/learn/online-workshops/artful-adventures-stroll-challenge/

Artful Stroll - Boundary

This photo is not very recent but it does show the north boundary of the property where I live and the construction of factories going on. We also have a major road running past our north-east boundary.

But while this photo looks stark, there are walking paths and trees have been planted to soften the outlook.


This photo is in response to the Artful Adventures Stroll through the Hood project. You can find out more here: http://nathaliesstudio.com/learn/online-workshops/artful-adventures-stroll-challenge/