setting intentions, practice & classes

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My lastest journal page setting my intentions to practice more. In the sense of doing and experimenting. Being dedicated to making more time to do journaling...its easy to get into the habit of not doing. So I'm putting some effort in to getting to my journal.


Registrations are now open for my Creative Journaling classes at Murray Charteris Art Gallery, Hervey Bay. Classes start Tuesday 3rd Feb, 10.30 till 2.30. The sessions are longer to allow us to really get into the creative process and let it flow. These Journalling classes are being held once a month (the first Tuesday of every month) and I have lots of exciting techniques to share with some specific project work also. Be prepared to have your creative mind stretched!!

the heart charka of the world

Happy Australia Day everyone! Hope your celebrating in 'fine' style. Recently I learnt that Australia was the heart charka of the world. I think that is pretty neat! and was the inspiration for my image. We have been to the beach this morning for a swim, and having a quiet day before school returns tomorrow. The boys in the house are gearing up to watch the cricket this arvo.

And speaking of Aussies how cool is this edition of CPS? Featuring an Australian artist's work on the front. Totally beautiful..Elizabeth Armstrong

And I have finally seen my article and Tea Party collage in print. It has taken a little while to get to me, but it was worth the wait. I also made the front page...in words. So I'm feeling inspired to take my own advice and do some journal pages about some goals I've set for myself this year. Great time of year to do it.

One last Aussie message...Ausie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!!!

16 things

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(This is a clothing label from a local fashion business, I have it on my lamp to remind me that anything is indeed possible.)


Loved this 'tag' from Kelly Rae so I'm sharing 16 things you may not know about me.

1. My favourite colours at the moment are hot pink and lime green.

2. I have never travelled outside of Australia. Though I have a great desire to.

3. I met my husband, Darryl at a nightclub when I was 18 and we have been together ever since, and that was over 20 years ago.

4. I feel most of my fear when I am doing something new.

5.I love banana and soy smoothies for breakfast, especially with almonds and sunflower seeds.

6.One of the most scarest things I have done is moving to Hervey Bay, but I see and feel now it has been one of the most rewarding.

7.The first thing I do in the morning when I get up is kiss and hug my two children.

8. I can't remember the last time I read a fiction book. Most of what I've read have been journeys of others, offering healing of soul growth.

9. Everyday I look within or have quiet time to reflect on whats going on for me. This has been a great process which I truly love as the answers always surface.

10. I have at least 2 cold showers a day. Its really cleansing and I love that it washes away any yiccky energy that I may have picked up.

11. My favourite take away food is Thai.

12.I grew up on a farm in Victoria, where I enjoyed the freedom of country life. And although it was some what isolated it taught me how to be ok in my own company.

13. lately I've been attracted to and wearing alot of beige and white, with contrasting textures.

14. I am so addicted to lace, buttons, florals....love anything that is tacticle and vintage. I remember doing an essay at highschool on the history of lace, many many art projects revolved around lace. It is an undying passion.

15. My brothers affectionate nicname for me is "Nickers" .

16.i am feeling so grateful that i have this opportunity to share my creative journey with you.it has also been quiet a journey and learning experience in so many ways. thank you


what are 16 things you would like to share about yourself?

I'm back

How do you come back from a post where you bare all? I guess just to reality. So here are some more pics of our trip away. I find it totally fascinating there is a major city on the coast line. This is some of what my husband and children did whilst I was at the expo.

Q deck, one of the tallest residential buildings, with a super dooper very fast elevator. My kids loved it!

They can't wait to go back.

truth

This post of Anahata's has struck a deep chord within me. Perhaps its hit on a wounding that I have been working on for quite some time.It has come up in the last few days, regarding 'copying'. I am trying to uncover to get to the bottom of a childhood memory. And I feel I've got it.

I am the first to admit I have been deeply touched with inspiration that Anahata's art brings to the world. Not unlike the connection I feel when I see DJ Pettitt's, Misty Mawn's and Kelly Rae's art. I have been influenced and inspired by all of them, tried 'how to's' in CPS, trying to find what works or fits into my creative world.

Anahata's production of cards has inspired me to create my own. I felt that at last something had resonated in me with a way that I could combine all that is important to me with the things that I love to do. So if you see some similarities, it is so.

This part of my creative journey has taken me to places that I would not have normally gone.and I have stretched to move on. I have been encouraged by the fact that if they can do it, so can I. And I have moved through mountains of fear. and I know my soul has grown.

My heart tells me that I shall grow more into my own direction and I'm trusting the Universe to provide the lessons I need to become all that I am.

and so in this moment I am being present.

Health Happiness and Soul

Tomorrow I'm off the the Gold Coast for a few days. I'm exhibiting BuBu and my cards at the Health Happiness and Soul Expo at the Convention Centre. I'll be there on Friday and I'm sharing a site with a group of Toowoomba ladies. It's a first for me doing an expo of this size. So I'm sure there will be lots of learning....I've organized posters and flyers, and still have a few things to cross off my list today.

I had a lovely email from my "moon sister" Gina ( she calls me Sunshine and I call her Moon shine!) sharing some more about the word BuBu. ..

Thought I’d let you know about the word bubu. If you expand it to a full Greek word “Boubouki” or “Bubuki”, it means “blossom” anyway. So you were on the right track. I think it’s a fabulous name, just like the artist!!! Beautiful site, well done Nic!

ps. Buddha has had bit of a make over. A friend and I painted this together as a gift for one of our special friends.

my fav thing

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This is my most favourite thing at the moment. I even have it on right now! My husband bought it for me before Xmas and I love it. It is the perfect dress to put on when it is a typical hot day here. Made of cotton....here it is hanging inside out on the door. I adore it this way too.

Big thanks to Violette. I feel honoured that you mentioned me and my CPS article on your blog... Violette is such a talented artist. Her blog was the absolute first blog I ever discovered, so I am eternally grateful for her sharing and friendship. Another favourite thing!

Full Moon in Cancer~High Tides in the Bay

Today the Moon is full in the sign of Cancer, and it has had an amazing effect on the tides here in the Bay. We were down the beach at about 8 this morning, I knew there was going to be alot of water..... I've heard people call it a King tide. This was awesome. We went to all our usual swimming spots. And this is what we saw.

High tide engulfing the sand.

The wall with ocean at its feet.

On the Bay's doorstep.

A view from the pier.

Sea foam, bubbling, swirling, milky.

There were alot of people out and about this morning, and many disappointed dogs that didn't get their walk on the beach....but it was somewhat weird in that no one was swimming. Maybe it was just a bit to freaky, having no sand.

On an astrological note, Cancer and the Moon are very much at home with each other, so there is great energy attached to our emotions for the next couple of days. The Moons phases can have quite an effect on us, as we are made up of at least 70% water. If the moon can have this effect on the tides imagine how it can effect our emotions......

BuBu Blossom

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My bottom has been firmly planted in the chair in front of my computer for the last few days, with endless clicking, cut and paste and designing.I love it at the start, I get bored and figity towards the end, singing loudly to get some energy going and then longing for more at the end. Sound crazy?

Well what have I been doing? My new website. Let me introduce you to BuBu Blossom. This is a place where my new paper arts business is going to 'hang out'.My greeting cards, gift tags and other products that are in the pipeline.

So how did I come up with name? BuBu has many meanings. My dear friend Mary called me a bubu and I had no idea what it meant. She told me it was Greek slang for a beautiful woman who had it 'going on'...that day I had my flower shoes on, a flower in my hair and a floral handbag. I loved the sound of the name and it felt like there was a connection to my love of feminine beauty.

Since then I found another meaning I connected to.The Egyptian translation ~ giving light. I feel this is the essence of BuBu, the core.

Whilst I was considering BuBu as a business name ( there were so many ideas and choices!) my husband asked me how to spell it. B U B U. (be you be you) and that was the confirmation I needed. And blossom, well that is a word that describes childhood memories, my love of flowers, spring and natural beauty.

I've also been designing business cards and getting some designs ready for print. Right now I'm looking forward to enjoying some family activities...perhaps a walk along the esplanade and then down to the sea and the sand.....it's all as its meant to be. I'm so fortunate that my loving husband has been home on holidays and he has been preparing meals and doing housework with our 2 children. Thank you guys. I am truly blessed.

celebrate!

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I do have reason to celebrate! And I so want to share my excitement...... This mixed media artwork was accepted for a Tea Party Challenge for CPS and published in this edition Jan/Feb 09. I haven't received my copy yet, although I have been waiting ever so patiently for the mail to arrive. (Not going to be today with a public holiday!)

In the same edition of CPS, I have an article published..... 'Action is the art of Doing'. It's about using journal pages to move forward. Hope you get something out of the articile that makes a difference to your creative journey. And a great reminder to me to continue journalling and to listen to my own words.

One more reason to celebrate! I'm off to Creative Soul Retreat in Melbourne in March .I felt a compulsion to make the decision to go. And whilst I'm so excited to be going, I am not a seasoned traveller by any means and have never taken flight on my own.. only once been on a plane, and that was for a high school trip. I know it sounds a bit lame, but there you have it. Fear and excitement all rolled into one. I know this trip is worth it. Bernie Berlin, Stephanie Lee and DJ Pettitt. Just putting all those names together in a sentence, blows me away! And I can't wait to meet all the amazing artist who are attending. It will be a wonderful stretch for me on many levels.