My Sacred Space

I am taking an online workshop led by Kathryn Antyr at TrueNorthArts.com. It is a personal retreat workshop and since I don't want to take away from what she is doing, I won't put in too many details. But I would suggest if you are interested in creating sacred space for yourself you consider checking into what Kathryn offers. Here are some pics from the journal I am working on as I go through the workshop. My favorite place is by the sea and if I can't be there (since I live in MO) I try to find time often to spend in nature by water. Being in nature (hopefully looking out at water) is my sanctuary. Creating this little mobile "altar" to nature gives me a place to pause. The hands reaching and touching inside the heart is how I feel when I am outside in a quiet place filled with all sorts of plants and animals. I feel especially close to God then and I feel like we are connecting in a very spiritual way that doesn't happen inside. The image of the hands is by Meganne Forbes. As I read about sacred spaces and "altars", I realized I had many examples around my house in how I chose to decorate and show off keepsakes from or about special family and friends and travels. I have included a couple of pics that seem to fit my idea of "altars". One is a shelf with some artwork my daughter made when she was little and a pic from her starring as Alice in Alice and Wonderland. The other picture is of a shelf with my sons little rubber boots and other things with his pic and below his shelf is a shelf with a fan and glassware that belonged to my Grandma. Even the cabinet these shelves are in honor my grandparents. The cabinet is made from the front doors of their farmhouse that I spent lots of time in with them. They chose to sell the farm because of health issues. Eventually, a church bought it and was tearing it down. I was able to buy some of the doors and an eight pane window. Michael Moore in Hannibal, MO was making cabinets out of old salvaged materials, and I had this made from the doors so I will always have part of the house where so many special memories were made with me. All over I have curio cabinets or vignettes that have special objects that help me remember special people and times. I am learning to pause and appreciate their presence more. I know the people are the important part and not the objects, but since the people can't always be here, it is nice to have something that represents them. I am running a little behind with the workshop. Life got a little hectic for a while. But since it will be open until in March I am good and choose not to feel pressured.

December Blue Moon Dreamboard

My December Dreamboard represents things I want to invite into my life, things that are already planned, and things I am wishing for in 2010. My daughter is getting married in June. She is a great planner so things are going smoothly as we journey toward the event. I want to savor and enjoy all of the preparations and the day of the wedding. So far we have had loads of fun going to wedding shows, trying on dresses, etc. I am wishing that my husband's and my plans to visit Alaska come true. His job is trying to get in the way and he is a workaholic, but I am persevering with plans and an optimistic outlook:). I want to invite more of a healthy lifestyle into my everyday life in 2010. Healthy eating, more consistent yoga practice, exercise, and balance. I want to transform some things and really enjoy life each day. I want to treat myself with starting journaling. I have been inspired by several participants in AEDM. I hope I don't discourage myself with negative thinking about how mine won't be as wonderful as other peoples and just remember it is for me. Hiking and kayaking are two of my favorite things to do because you do them outside. I want to take the time to do these things. That is what the clocks represent. Taking time to do the things that are important to me, taking the time to care for others, taking the time to be healthy and to savor and enjoy all the things that make up my life.

Wishcasting Wednesday

What Do You Wish For This Holiday Season?

That is the question from Jamie Ridler for this Wednesday's Wishcasting. For myself, I wish the weather cooperates so we are able to be with our children! I also wish for this to be a time of renewal. I wish for this season and beyond, for everyone...tolerance. If we could all be more tolerant of thoughts and people that differ from us, I think the world would be a safer and happier place.

I wish for all of you that your wishes come true, and you have a blessed holiday season and New Year.

"Book" Box

I was blog hopping several weeks ago and saw a paper mache' box using a picture and thought what a great idea for the kids of the family. We had school pictures of everyone, and who doesn't love a keepsake box for those special treasures?! This is one of eight I did over the past week. We had one of our Christmases this past Saturday and some of the adults wanted their own box, too! The kids really liked them, and I had tucked a little present in each one. Of course, I have no idea where I saw this originally. I just read a blog that said they were going to link back to where they saw the ideas they tried. I think I need to also keep track of where I have been so I can share where I got great ideas. The box is from Michael's. I also used boxes from Hobby Lobby. It was hard finding eight in good shape. Hinges, key, key hole are Tim Holtz's grunge paper, buttons were from a bag I got at Archivers. I gessoed and then water colored the book and then did some stamps with distress inks and sanded the edges to distress it.

December's Full Cold Moon Dreamboard

This is my first time participating in the Full Moon DreamBoard practice from Jamie Ridler's Studio. When Jamie mentioned that she kept hers where she could see it during the month, I thought that was a great idea so I made one for December. I am learning more about how living with intention is inviting so many good things into my life. My DreamBoard is about how I want to make more time for special just us time for my husband and me. We are together a lot, but I really want some of that time to focus on the "us". I also want to feel cozy this month with myself and family. I want to slow down and not feel like every moment has to have a plan. I started decorating the last day of November and am doing a little more each day instead of frantically trying to get everything done in one day. Replenishing myself in all ways is what I hope for so the New Year begins with me in balance and remembering through everything how important my spirituality is to me. I posted my Dreamboard as my last day of creating for AEDM. There are some close up pictures of sections of the DreamBoard on my November 30 posting.

AEDM Day 30

For my last entry for AEDM, I am posting my dreamboard. I have not made a dreamboard before, but have been following them at Jamie Riddler's Studio. At the first of November I decided I would make one for the December 2nd full moon. It is the full cold moon, or as I read in the almanac it is also called the long nights moon. I don't like the long nights, but I thought if I looked at it as more cozy time I might not dislike the long darkness as much. I started looking for pictures and words that called to me about December. I love the holidays! This December I want to make sure I slow down and make special time for me and my sweetie (my husband) and myself. This December I want to take time to replenish myself instead of drain myself. I love this time of year, but sometimes tend to go overboard with the "stuff". I want time to sit, relax, rejoice. Today I will start my rejoicing by decorating! All of the pretty lights, scenes, and scents of the season make my heart smile.

It has truly been a joy to participate in AEDM!

AEDM Day 29

I had very little time since we are still traveling. But what may look like little to some means a lot to me, because I made time, however little, to do something artwise and it is important to me to actually make it through the whole month doing some art each day and posting. I sometimes have trouble with follow through so I am so excited that I am going to make it through the month (unless all connections to the Internet crashes)! I like the difference the color makes to the design I posted yesterday. I thought I had my watercolor pencils with me, but when I pulled them out they were just regular colored pencils and I didn't have time to finish coloring the whole thing, yet.