May Wrap Up

She Shed.
This photo is my current view from my she-shed, which I occasionally work from. It is interesting because even though I love my she-shed, I create from various places: my kitchen table, bed, outside, and traveling. It depends on my mood and the project I am working on.

Truth be told, I need to do a major clean-up and purge. I am running out of room. I need a place to put my finished art that is ready to sell and my shipping supplies. It would also be nice to find a place for my tent, furniture, and boxes for when I do markets/fairs. I guess as you grow, you inherit new problems.
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Learning.
I am currently taking a Somatic Yoga Teaching certification class. Somatic yoga is a mindful movement practice that combines yoga, somatic movement, and mindfulness techniques to help you connect more deeply with your body. It focuses on internal awareness and sensation, and can help you release muscular tension and stress. It's another tool to add to this wonderful journey of self awareness and expression I am on. 

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Sketchbook.
My sketchbook is not a book in which all the sketches are perfect; if I did a video, you would see all the pages complete. My sketchbook is a place for me to play, practice, and doodle. It is a place where I make notes and plan. It is a place where I try new art supplies or put down extra paint. Then, there are times when I create something cute and shareable. Creating art has been a daily practice that brings me so much joy.

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Junk Journal.
I do a monthly junk journal that is like a scrapbook. I fill it with art and many personal photos and tell what happened during the month. It is a great way to get your photos out of your phone and into something that you can share your story with.

This month, I took a thin notebook that I had lying around and turned it into my May junk journal. I plan on doing a video flip-through soon, so check out my YouTube channel.

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Selling.
I love abstract art if you couldn't tell. Creating these small 5 x 7 items allows me to create some beautiful pieces and makes them affordable for those wanting to purchase them. I am currently working on some larger pieces that I plan on displaying in my home since my husband has requested that I put more artwork in our home. I am genuinely grateful that he supports me in my creative art projects.

I am starting to add more things to my Etsy site, but I am working on a place to set up an area to take flatlay photos. 

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Planner.
What would I do without a paper planner? It is an extension of my creativity and personality combined with list-making, which I love so much. It has also helped me retrieve important facts on more occasions than I can count. It's a brain dump and a place to jot down my thoughts and snapshots of each day. At the end of each month of love, I do the highlight list and create my goals for the next month.

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Traveling.
As I prepare to travel next month, one of my favorite travel tips is to have my suitcase packed. When I got back from a trip, I emptied my entire bag. I then ensure clothing items are all cleaned, refresh any personal care items, and repack up my suitcase as I prepare for another trip. My husband has had several next day unexpected trips to go to, and this has been a huge time saver. Of course, I check the suitcase before we leave and add or subtract a few items (depending on the weather), but the only thing really to pack is our backpack with our electronic gear and flight necessities.

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Cozy Inspired.
This girl. My only granddaughter, and she lives life in the moment. All kids do, but she loves exploring everything. She wants to do what you are doing. She wants to eat what you are eating. She wants to go wherever you go. She wants to buy everything. She doesn't miss a beat. She is very connected emotionally to things that revolve around her world. She knows what she likes and doesn't like but is fearless in trying a few new things. She is an inspiration and a lesson at the same time. I love her sense of adventure and watching her personality come to life. 

She is only six years old. I don't remember being so advanced at that age. I'm sure our world has a lot to do with it. I am excited to see her grow into an adult. She is going to kick ass in the world, and I couldn't be more proud.

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Reading.
If you know, you know. Big Magic is an excellent book on how to step out of fear and live a creative life. The bottom line is that it comes down to making space for those things that bring you joy and light up your soul.

This book was an easy read for me but delightful. As a retired Manifest Method Coach, the writer talks about the standard things in life, but I love her wisdom and unique perspective. She shares her experiences and other people's perspectives, which comforts me.
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Photographs.
The photos I take help me create those memories that are most near and dear to my heart. This photo of a birdhouse my husband put up for me last year is very high. The door to the house popped open and the family who lived in it left. It broke my heart. During the early spring this year I took Gorilla tape and taped it since I didn't have wood glue. It has held up pretty good and now another bird family has taken residence. This brings me so much joy. Take the time to snap those photos that bring you joy but don't forget to do something with them. Add them to social media, create a junk journal, do a scrapbook of some sort, print them and put them on your fridge - surround yourself with the very things that bring you joy and inspiration.

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Exciting News!
I have some exciting news that I can't wait to share, but I can't talk about it just yet. At least only once the details are final, but it is one of those things that makes me butterflies in my stomach. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I have been making sketches and taking notes. I have even been making a few purchases. This undertaking is a vast project and expense, but I have been thinking about doing it for a long time. I can share the details in September, so keep checking for more information. Until then, I'll be over here sketching and dreaming. : )
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