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Archive for November, 2009

Open Your Life in Wonderful and Unexpected Ways

Friday, November 20th, 2009

by Sally Evans, Creativity Coach

We tend to think of life as the big events like weddings, births, moving, and new jobs. But it is so much more. Each day and every moment contributes to the whole of your life. Being grateful for the little things and little moments every day can make a big difference in our overall outlook and attitude.

“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand. Gratitude brings joy and laughter into your lives and into the lives of all those around you.” – Eileen Caddy

Sara Ban Breathnach, author of Simple Abundance shared that “life had become an out-of- body experience for me. The more I focused on lack, the more depressed and worried I became; the more depressed and worried I’d wake up, the more I focused on what was lacking in my life all day.” She decided she needed to sit down and write at least 100 reasons for being grateful for her life exactly as it was at that moment. She was humbled by how very rich in blessings her life really was. After that, she began to keep a gratitude journal, writing down five small things she was grateful for each day. She became a completely different woman. After two months, she began to write Simple Abundance which has sold over 7 million copies in the United States alone.

If you begin to notice and express gratitude for 5 small things a day, will you become a best selling author or rise to the top of your field? Maybe not but what is likely to happen is you’ll have a shift in attitude. You’ll realized how blessed you are, that life is fundamentally good, and that there is hope.

So, as you sit down to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast this year, savor the moments and notice some of the details; the sound of a loved one laughing, the scent of cloves and cinnamon in the pumpkin pie, the feel of your favorite sweater on your skin. And try to continue giving thanks every day for all those little things. It might just make a big difference.

Sally Evans is a Creativity Coach and Jewlery Artist who shares insights and resources in living a creative and inspired life. Would you like to be inspired to remember gratitude and make it a habit? Sign up for a free 30 day email that includes inspiring quotes and a reminder to write in your gratitude journal. Click here.

Cherish’s Blog Hop, Give Away & Christmas Craft

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

*Painting for Life Christmas Card Give-Away*

This week we are giving away two new “Something to Cherish” Christmas cards, hot of the press to one of you! These are a special part of our 2009 Painting for Life Christmas card collection. They are blank inside and can be used as Christmas greeting cards or even an after-holiday thank you! For the chance to win, just leave a comment in this post with your e-mail address as well as a random fun fact about yourself. On November 24th, just in time to give thanks, we will randomly select a winner from the comments on the blog and a very special gift will be on its way.

*Special Craft Project*

Embroidered Name Christmas Gift Tag & Keepsake Ornament

Embroidered Name Christmas Gift Tag & Keepsake Ornament Embroidered Name Christmas Gift Tag & Keepsake Ornament

Download the PDF craft directions here -For your personal use only please.

*5 things that really inspire you*

  1. Relationships – family, friends, clients & students
  2. Color
  3. Exploring nature
  4. Traveling to new and old places
  5. Music

*5 things we might not know about you that you’d like to share*

  1. I am married to an awesome guy, Benjamin Hummel, who survived not one but TWO liver transplants when he was a teenager due to an auto immune disorder that he was born with. He is an artist, too. I am so lucky to have him in my life. You can see some of his work at www.Painting for Life.com.
  2. During the summer of 2008 I had my first rib removed (the one under my left clavicle) since it was damaged in a car accident (I was not at fault). The dislocated rib caused a huge clot in my left arm several hundred blot clots broke off and passed through my heart and into my lungs. I am EXCEPTIONALLY grateful to God that I am still alive and back in the studio making new art!
  3. I wake up almost every morning with a purring cat on my good shoulder. Her name is Lady Guinevere (Gwinny for short), my little sister named her after she was rescued as a kitten from the streets of Kansas.
  4. To read the last two items, visit the article that CraftForHealth.com just posted HERE.

*5 things going on in your creative world*

  1. I am learning Corel Painter for the 3rd time since its release. I am really excited about the watercolor brushes. Thinking about some hybrid art making possibilities.
  2. I will be exhibiting at CHA for the 3rd year in the License & Design section in Anaheim, CA. My lightbox it stacked with a ton of ideas and paintings for new watercolor embroidery art licensing collections.
  3. Also, as a part of CHA 2010 I am participating in the crafting around the world exhibit and will share art inspired by Sweden.
  4. Our studio is also working on some new digital art products for computers and the iPhone with a new licensing partner . . . stayed tuned for details.
  5. Oh, and did I mention that my husband and I are also excited to share our collection of Christmas cards? You can check those out and sign up for a friends only e-mail update list at www.PaintingForLife.com.

*What’s Next?*

Tomorrow be sure to check out the wonderful work of Joy Hall and feel free to visit and comment on each artist’s blog before the 24th – the more the merrier!

Terri Conrad Designs November 14th

Brenda Pinnick November 15th

Tori Higa November 16th

Joyce Shelton November 17th

Phyllis Dobbs November 18th

Cherish Flieder November 19th

Joy Hall November 20th

Barbara Johansen Newman November 21st

Sharyn Sowell November 22nd

Crafting for Health is “Something to Cherish”

Monday, November 16th, 2009

I was recently invited to guest blog on www.CraftforHealth.com by my CHA Designer and art licensing friend, Kathy Peterson. I am excited to announce that my blog entry is now LIVE on their site alongside of some of the most respected crafty artists that I know.

Find out why crafting is important to me not only as an artist, but also a business owner. I also share some little know details about the wonderfully creative family I was raised with. I hope it brings you abundant joy and inspiration.

Craft for Health - Cherish Flieder - Art Licensing

Also, if you have a story about how crafting helps your health, Kathy would love to invite you to participate as well. See their site for more info.

Crafting a Creative Christmas: Designer Blog Hop

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Hop on to a new blog each day for some creative Christmas concepts.

Learn something new about each participating artist and with each designer link  get a chance to win “something to cherish.”

Be sure to check back here on Nov. 19th for a fun little Christmas craft project from yours truly.

TCD_ArtistsBlogHopInvi#83C5

Terri Conrad Designs November 14th

Brenda Pinnick November 15th

Tori Higa November 16th

Joyce Shelton November 17th

Phyllis Dobbs November 18th

Cherish Flieder November 19th

Joy Hall November 20th

Barbara Johansen Newman November 21st

Sharyn Sowell November 22nd

Click on the first link to start the festivities now.

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Categories : Art Licensing
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