try it and see if it fits

my palette with a yellow/orange wipe

things are taking shape a little differently here... yellow is starting to creep into my artwork. thats a good thing as I've never really been too fond of yellow.bright yellow. but it feels like its here for me to try. to see how it fits into my palette of blues, greens + pinks. to embrace my yellowness....

I'm seeing how other things are fitting in too. new things that i have never done before.or even tried to do. like drawing up a schedule. omgosh...I used to cringe at that word. my resistance was always huge! and my resentment for having to stick to my own time was off the Richter scale.even without a schedule. so I get that this is a monumental shift for me. to even contemplate it. I am being kind to myself, putting in a sprinkling of self rewards and a splash of color....I've just started my second week and found google calendar quite friendly (thanks Amy for the suggestion). scheduling was something that was suggested in Kelly Rae's Flying Lessons. my suggestion is do it when you feel ready and open to giving it a good chance, or else it shall well and truly be flicked to the wall.

My other newness is happily waking at 5am and spending an hour with myself. for myself. on myself. by myself. reading, exercising, taking care of myself....and its awesome. has taken quite a bit of self discipline to get there though, but I know I am worth it.

my other omgosh is that I'm creating a biz plan. yep its true. I'm working my way through The Creative Entrepreneur. again taking quite a bit of self discipline but I'm getting there.

and helping me along the way are these books. this one in the morning. and this one in any spare minute I have.

that phrase keeps popping into my head..

if you always do what you've always done then you'll always get what you always got.

not me. I'm singing up for the New + the Untried!

a shift into LOVE

'"LOVE" Word Play' by NoraMaeCreations

LOVE Paris style Word A... AcornGarden $22.95	Pillow- Plaid LOVE dressingroom5 $35.00	LOVE upcycled license p... tomboyART $70.00	Love Endures All Things... ShoopTiles32 $15.00
4x - Artisan Handcrafte... cathydailey $	LOVE decor letters, wal... mooza $55.00	Love Bird Birds Text Wo... Graphique $3.50	Porcelain 'Love'... joheckett $24.00
Love Cake Topper amymreisman $18.00	LOVE... Pretty Wooden S... Superficialgir... $20.00	Sign of Love artsymomma2 $15.00	Winged Heart nichohn $18.00
LOVE Letters HeiligPhotogra... $35.00	Asian-inspired LOVE Han... MemoryBeanDesi... $20.00	SALE Love No.4 5x7 Prin... LolasRoom $8.50	Handmade Hanging Wall L... lkdKids $9.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com.

Yes there has definitely been a shift for me, the proof is in the pudding...I've discovered I've been listed in 5 etsy treasury lists in the last 2 and a bit weeks. for me thats confirmation I'm on the right track... if you'd love to have a look here they are...

• Greetings and Notes by Unique Vintage Prints
• Teal the End of Time by Laughing Fridge
• Love Begins Within by Critical Eggplant
• Visioning for Tomorrow by Moonglow Gal

Huge Thanks to those who included my art. It truly means bunches of goodness to me.

welcome in, I'm in my fluffy slippers!

so here I am at my front door, welcoming you into my home with my fluffy slippers on. yep its the middle of summer and it is bizarre that I have my sheep skin slippers on, put there is a reason in my madness. always is isn't there?

a few days ago I read this post at Cypress Sun Jewelry (I do love to visit Amy!) about Imperfect Blogging. I was inspired to shared with her a recent aha moment I had about conversations + blogging. how I understand there needs to be a balance of light and shade in all things, not just in art but in words, in conversations + in blogging.

"I had a light bulb moment a couple of weeks ago I'd like to share... Recently I visited a dear-to-my-heart girl friend. Most of our conversations are deep and meaningful, always helpful + loving, sharing of stories where we both come away feeling some amazing resolution from our discussion. I felt this visit was not like that at all. it had a different tone, with conversation about things in general. maybe it was because her children+ hubby were involved in the conversation...but I came away feeling like we hadn't connected.

What I realized later was that we HAD connected and that not ALL our conversation has to be empowering, intense or problem solving. it can just BE. and I felt like I had got to know part of her on a different level... and I "got" that my blogging can be the same. it doesn't always have to be profound, it can just be....and maybe this is a side of me my readers haven't seen yet, a side that I am now happy to share because this is the real me too.....like opening the door to visitors with my slippers on!"

and there was a moment of relaxed ease. that its ok to talk about everyday stuff, because that is part of who I am and who we are as artists, bloggers, creators. Being profound all the time can be too intense and a lot of self pressure ...I'm wanting to welcome some fun and good feelings when I blog + read. And I love visiting other blogs that get this too. Like this Red Tshirt post! it just makes me want to smile.....

ps. Amy is giving away a monthly gift voucher, every month to anyone who subscribes to her newsletter. She creates beautiful soulful jewelry. Truly worth checking out!

some heart sharing

On the Wings of ~ Journal page

School goes back tomorrow. And I am looking forward to having my days back to myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love school holidays + having the kids around, but 7 weeks is a long time, especially when its been raining on and off. they are even looking forward to getting back to school. I figure this means they have had a good holiday and are truly ready + enthused about the year ahead. I did manage to have moments in my studio and with a new resolution in hand… its a biggy and really I had little idea on where to start other than just to start.

I began exploring some techniques that I love playing with.seemed like a good place to start..

In Search of ~ Journal page

I am most determined to find my inner creative heart. and to be comfortable in that place.love it, nurture it, believe in it.to know it is authentic to me. to watch it grow and blossom.

there has been much talk about this on blogs of late…and my thoughts are a whole other post. (I have some unusual thoughts/ideas on this one and need my brave heart on to be able share...)

Fly With Me ~ Journal page

I know in my heart that finding your own ‘authentic style’ can be mentally challenging. Its challenging because is so easy to be self critical + compare with others.

'It takes tremendous courage to follow where your innate gifts lead, as that often means venturing into unfamiliar territory, forging a path that is wholly your own and not mapped out by someone else.' Lisa Sonora Beam

Grow With Me ~ Journal page

But I’m going with my ‘warts + all’ theory. I’m not totally happy with the outcome, but I know its progress. I used to feel that I could only share well crafted finished piece, but I want you to journey with me, to see what discoveries I’m making along the way, how its all progressing, my mistakes that might just spiral off into an amazing design element or technique that I have giving birth to...i want you to be there. to be part of all of it. I want to share my creative journey with you!

Walk with me and Grow with me…

school memories

A pic of me at High School aged 12

my daughter and I have be creatively busy this week, getting her school supplies ready for the new year at school. she is definitely the organized one. possibly takes after her dad in that department....but I am getting better I must say. as we were covering books, labeling pencils and figuring out how and where to put labels on odd things that strangely needed to be labelled, I remember how much time and effort I put into covering my own folders when I was at high school.

loved the mixed media images even then!

I can remember spending days cutting out pictures from my Dolly magazines, taping them down and then covering them with contact.

I dug this one out, I think it was my Year 12 Textile folder...and maybe one of the least covered with pics. Truly I was happy when I all of the folder covered with colour and images. and I'm sure mum was pleased that I was occupied with this task for so long. then I'd be on to covering my pencil tin with pics, which was usually a rectangular bisc tin from Xmas..

my son is not the least bit interested in labeling his supplies, but he is off to high school this year and maybe its just not a priority for him. the end of 7 weeks holidays have come around quick, but the kids and I are both ready!

it all counts....

yes the delightful Ms Audrey from Create Wish Angels was the heartfilled winner today for my painting.I know Audrey shall truly appreciate her gift. She is a gentle spirit from Ireland who I met through Kelly Rae's Flying Course. We have had some soulful conversations via email and I'm thrilled for this piece to wing its way to Ireland..... I am also thrilled with the loving donations. Thank you to those who emailed me with their heartfelt stories, how they have been touched by the spirit of giving what they can. Thank you, thank you...

The very least I can do is give you all a special mention, please visit these bloggers. They truly have hearts of gold!

• Michele from Pipa La La
• Lucy from Lucy's Artitude
• Lo from Art Studio
• Audrey from Create Wish Angels
• Lee from ArtfulLee Designed
• Anna from Shiny Happy Art
• Loretta from A Shoebox of Photographs
• Wini from ArtLoveJoy
• Mary + Peter Conaghan

and special thanks to Patsy...

My heart is content knowing we all contributed in our own way. in a way that we felt we could. I have no doubt we have made some difference. every drop counts....

always always a silver lining...

Hervey Bay beach after the floods.

yes this is our beloved beach. the water is the same colour as the sand.....we went for a family walk along the Pier today. usually the pier is filled with people fishing, men, women and children. not today. the flood waters coming down the river have changed the sparkling blue water to a muddy brown.its great the flood waters are going somewhere, but I won't be swimming here for a while...maybe I'll wait for our blue ocean to return.it just doesn't feel the same...

after having a chat to my well informed weather/ocean loving hubby I found out its going to be a great thing for the under water environment. the mud and silt filters out to the ocean and the coral will feed on it. the coral will grow and the fish shall be happy.... the coral reefs live on!

yes yes always a silver lining.

ps. I shall be announcing the winner of my painting Monday afternoon. so if your planning to donate and haven't yet, do it now!

opportunity

Journal page

In everything there is a silver lining. In everything there is an opportunity to learn something about yourself.... I've been asking myself what it is I've learnt from the floods that have + still are effecting so much of Queensland.....

Personally I haven't been directly effected by the flood waters. Our families are all safe, homes in tact. Apart from knowing that the groceries in the local supermarkets were thinning out, freshfruit + vegy may be a bit scarce for a while (my 13yr old thinks thats great!) life has continued as per normal.I had a well stocked pantry + petrol in the car. That's thanks to the intuition of my hubby + me being wise enough to listen + act on his advice.

One thing that has been ringing loud + true through these times is connection. Connecting with family, friends + neighbors.Making a very conscious effort to see that all was ok. Often I have my head down in my own life + I forget to connect with others...

My mum said she's has had calls from people she's been trying to contact for years, from our home state of Victoria. Suddenly they have come out of the woodwork....

For me, the lesson in this is all about connecting more often. to take the action to call or write when I have a moment.and to stay connected. to make the time. it's important.

I have no doubt that the floods have brought alot of emotions for many...I would encourage you to look within and see whats going on for you.fear, loss, lack, or maybe its about being part of a great community, sharing what you have.

believe me..... it IS an opportunity to look within.

hearts in action

the devastation of the floods has really hit Queensland. unexpectedly. yesterday flash floods went through Toowoomba...some of our family + friends were right in the thick of the flood waters.thankfully they are all present and accounted for......thankfully the Universe was watching over them.

we've already seen so much of the flood waters on tv. there is so much water in so many places its hard not to be watching. it does get to a point where we switch off, literally, to look after our own spirit or stitch off in our heads and go on with life as usual.

Today I'm asking you to put your hearts into action. yes stitch off the news if its disturbing + overwhelming but don't switch off your heart. Truly Queensland + its people need a lot of love.Many, many towns have been effected and if we can send a little love, physically, emotionally, spiritually it can make a difference.

So what action am I asking you to take?

Every time you hear about the flooding in Queensland instead of going into pity, fear, sadness or whatever it brings up for you, send some love from your heart. See it energetically reaching the Sunshine state and spreading to all those who need it. Like attracts like and the power of love can do amazing things.

Here's what else you can do.I'm giving away this painting. its fresh out of the studio, 8" x 8". you can make it yours by..

1. make a donation here. the smallest amount can make the biggest difference. when we all work together greatness happens. ($5 - $10 can make a difference! there are a few payment options)
2. once you've made a donation come back here and leave a comment. make sure I can contact you and please only leave a comment if you've made a donation. its good karma.
3. I'm giving this painting to one of you who leaves a comment.the painting is titled "A moment of Joy". truly your actions could bring many moments of joy.....

we can do something to be part of this bigger healing for Queensland... heart-filled action can make a difference.

not so sunny...

the sunshine state of Queensland has not been so sunny of late.....so much rain, both inland and along the coast.flood waters beyond belief. we've had our fair share of rain and many neighboring towns now have roads cut.....could last for a number of days or more. water levels are still rising as high as 2o metres, some towns are preparing for their second lot of flood waters. there has been so much water so quickly.

its even been in my dreams.

its Xmas school holidays here and we had many family trips planned, but as they were unnecessary trips we cancelled and stayed home. a small break in the weather provided an opportunity for a quick trip to Toowoomba (a 4hr drive) to see our new niece. she is SO gorgeous. but the rain began to fall...

I got a call while we were there, from a Uni girlfriend who was trying to make her way back up north (they too were on a family trip). in everything there is always a silver lining. we had a fun filled spontaneous hour together. felt like I was 18 again.

My hubby is a weather buff. always has been. he has the ability to read weather charts and know what it all means. heeding his advise we decided to come home early and go the long way home as some roads were already closed. true to form we arrived home safely. if we'd left it any later we would have been stranded.

I'm so grateful that I've had the ability to chose what to let go of. Much clearing out has been going on here over the last few weeks. many families + biz have not had that choice with flood waters taking everything...there is much gratitude + compassion in my heart today.

Last Day for BuBu!

yes folks, this is the last day you'll be able to visit BuBu Blossom's website. 4th of Jan sees this part of my art biz coming to a close....cards are a great price $3.95. My printer in Sydney has closed her biz so I'm not sure at this stage if I'll be doing cards like this in the near future. Once the site closes the cards shall be around the $5 price at my Nic Hohn website.

so it is truly a great time to get organized for the coming year and stock up on cards.you'll have that perfect card ready to go just when you need it.

belief in 2011

Belief.

mixed media on canvas

i woke this morning with a new feeling in my heart. one of hope and belief. belief in myself and what 2011 holds for me. i don't recall feeling this kind of self belief for a long time. it feels like confidence + a deep knowing rolled into one....and you? what does 2011 hold for you?