Make a W I S H....

You know how you have those secret wishes inside of yourself?? They're just dying to come out, but we just shove them down. Excuses, excuses and mine sound something like this... impossible not the right time not good enough impossible who would care impossible Have you been there? I thought I would throw caution to the wind and just throw mine out there. Run a ECO-LODGE in Costa Rica that is totally self reliant and contained.

I envision offering beautiful villas with king sized beds and freshly air dried cotton sheets. Sipping fresh Pina Colada's while lounging next to the infinity pool that over looks the ocean. Gourmet foods prepared, of course, on site. Simple and clean recipes like free range egg omelets, banana scones with a side of hand-whipped cream, lobster salads, and grilled Maui Maui steaks topped with mango salsa. Scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking , walking on the beach and relaxing for recreation.

Work with disadvantaged youth teaching art.

When i say disadvantaged I mean handicapped in anyway; emotionally, physically, or/and financially. Art is such an expression of who we are inside and when we let that out is becomes very therapeutic.

Plus, I think all artist are a little wounded anyway, we could relate. Let's face it, we've all been wounded some how, some where.

Win the lottery and travel the world with my family and two dogs!

Is this too much to ask!

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Those are my secret dreams and I've only said them out loud two times. Somehow sharing them with you puts me in that wonderfully vulnerable place that I'm learning to feel good in.

My prayer for you today is that you look inside and get familiar with your secret dreams...

And then share them with the world.

little minis under $20

Remember the other day when I stole some time in my studio? Here's the final result! These are ACEOs or other wise known as Art Card Editions or Originals and they were oh so fun to make.

I used stamps, acrylic paints, alcohol inks, paint pen, chalk pencil, and a piece of wire screen. Then I threw on a little wire hanger that is usually used to hold a photo. Yeah!

I have been trying to come up with some original art with a lower price point to appeal to the ETSY shopper. I have been asked many times if I could do some prints of my work so that more people could afford to buy it. After thinking on this awhile, I've decided I'm just not comfortable with prints, no offense to those of you doing prints but it's just not the direction I want to go.

So... this is the compromise. The average $ amount spent on ETSY is between 15-20$, so offering these little minis for $9 should satisfy the ETSY shopper. I would love some feedback on this price point so I know if I'm in the right ballpark.

Now I need to get busy making more, oh if I must:) Want some tips on your ETSY business? Check out this cool blog http://etsybusinesstips.blogspot.com/.

a snail's pace

On my walk the other morning I spotted this snail and something prompted me to watch it for a few minutes. Expecting it to move slowly...'at a snail's pace'...I was pleasantly surprised to see how far it traveled in just a few minutes.

I couldn't help but think of my own journey. I often times feel like I'm moving at a 'snail's pace' and get frustrated, discouraged. But when I really stop to think of where I was a year ago i realize that I've been coming along nicely. Maybe not at the speed my pride would like, but at the speed our Father would like. When you walk with Christ, you have the time to move like that because you know He has you right where He wants you to be.

mom and daughter weekend

I just love this picture!! Obviously it's not me and it's not my beautiful daughter, but can you just see the love? They are even looking into each others eyes, just soaking each other up! I had a wonderful weekend, just mom and daughter. We spent time just visiting with each other, girl's night out with friends, church, and even went to an art fair. My daughter is 10 years old and she is so amazing. We don't always see eye to eye, but there is no doubt that she is the apple of my eye. My husband and 9 year old son went on a father & son camping trip and it's safe to say they didn't miss our girl drama a bit! We rarely get one on one time with the kids, this is something we are working on. We are trying to spend a half hour, twice a week, with each kid. We are even scheduling it into our week. How sad that we have to actually schedule it!! We do a good job with family time, but there is nothing like one on one time and the kids just eat this up. How nice to not have to share mom and dad, how nice to just soak each other up!

My Thorn

My God, I have never thanked you for my thorn! I have thanked you a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorn. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed to you by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow.

George Matheson (1842-1906)

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I have been meditating on this prayer for 2 months and it has offered me so much strength and gratitude. How wise to be thankful for your struggles, for it shows how much you trust in God. If you are struggling with something, please know that God is doing something mighty for you. He wants your salvation, He wants your love and trust and He wants to make you a splendor for HIS glory. Be grateful that He choose you, for He must see something special.

no time for creating

LOVE....being in my studio!

HOPE....to get in there soon!

LIVE....to love, hope and CREATE!

It's a rainy day and I have NOTHING on the calendar until 3:00. HUMMMMMM, should I allow myself the luxury of my studio, even with this messy house? ABSOLUTELY!

Mother's Day!

They start off so innocent, needing so much. You feel like you're giving every part of yourself away, but love every minute of it.

I've been watching these 3 little robins in a nest on the side of my house since their mother came 2 months ago. A robin has come to this very same nest for the last 3 years. She fixes it up a little, adds and fluffs and it grows more every year. Last night was a terrible storm with very bad wind and I worried all night about these 3 little babies. Telling my family "I'm really worried about the birds" over and over. My husband says after the 5th time, in a rather bored with the subject voice, "they're birds, they will be fine". My son " Mom, what are YOU gonna do, teach them to fly?" Maybe!!! This morning I go to the nest to check on them...

Down to one, ready to leave the nest. Of course then I start to fret about the other 2, check the yard and staring out all the windows. My family is so over the bird thing by now and growing more bored by the second. Finally i spot the other babies, just fine, learning to spread their wings.

Learning to spread your wings and leaving the nest...how that can be so hard. I think all moms of every kind have trouble with this .

That's who you become MOM! And you love every minute of it. Even as they try and turn away, be on their own, become independent, you watch and you love, the grip gets loser and it's so bittersweet as they walk , fly away.

Because as Moms we all want the same thing for our babies and that's to have, know, and love more than we did. And the only way they will find their way is if we let them go, one day hoping that you'll find them again...on top of the world!

My husband and i had a especially hard time being MOMMY and DADDY this week, as we faced some issues and concerns with one of my children. Being a parent is never easy and if it is you probably aren't doing it right. All through the week we clung to each other, friends and to God, waiting for some relief and for the struggle to end. But it didn't and it hasn't and it won't.

For MOMs everywhere, this post is for you. Praise God for the gift of our babies. May you one day find them in the palm of His hands, on top of the world!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!