I'll Miss You When I Wake Up ~ by Jacqueline Grandmont

Title:  I'll Miss You When I Wake Up
Medium:  Mixed Media Collage
Size:  11x14
Artist:  Jacqueline Grandmont

I'm so happy to introduce the work of Jacqueline Grandmont, she's a student at one of the grade schools  where I live.  She's also the daughter of a good friend.  Jacqueline inspiration to do this piece was the story "Alice in Wonderland".   Thanks Jackie for sharing your work with us ... I love your zest for life and hope you continue to create and inspire those around you !!!

Your Spirit Inspires Me

Title:  Your Spirit Inspires Me

Medium:  Mixed Media

Size:  16x12

Have you ever met someone whose spirit is so uplifting and carefree that you just want to drink in their energy and passion for life?  These are the spirits my soul feels most at home with.  I have met some very inspiring people on my journey and feel blessed to call them "friends".  I can only hope that I too will be such an inspiration to others.  This piece is for those fearless, resilient, passionate people who make my heart smile on not only the good days but the bad ones too  :)

My Cabin Journal

Garage sales were FANTASTIC this weekend ... I found so many treasure but this one was particularly special!!!

I've been searching for the perfect journal to record  special times shared with family and friends at our lake house.   You can imagine my SURPRISE when I spotted this beautifully crafted journal.  Could it be the very same journal I had picked up awhile back at a quaint little boutique about four hours from here?  I've been regretting putting that journal back ever since... kicking myself for not spending the $31.95. 

Well I wasn't going to let that happen again, I picked that journal up and held it close making my way to the previous owner and happily handing him my payment of .50 cents.   

Love the sweet little saying carefully placed on the front...

and this little note written on the inside cover!

                                    I couldn't be happier... I love it to pieces !!!

Fun in the Sun Necklace

This necklace has a casual fun in the sun feel to it.  A combination of colourful beads, shells and buttons have been strung and  knotted with dark chocolate brown cording.  To fasten simply pull the shell pendant through the loop and voila,  you're ready for a picnic in the park or lunch with the girls.   

Princess Shaleea's Birthday Glam

My beautiful neice Shaleea is turning four tomorrow. I had so much fun making this matching necklace and bracelet set.  The perfect accessories for those fun filled afternoons playing and dreaming in her magical world of make believe.

   

Happy Birthday Shaleea!!! oxoxoxoxo

What Is this Need to Create ?

What is this need to create? I create because it relaxes and centers me. I create to bring hope and joy to others. I create because suddenly the mood takes me. I create to express my thoughts and feelings at a particular time in my life. I am passionate about colour and how it can magically change our moods. When we're surrounded by colour and self expression we are more alive.

What is the driving force behind it and why is it so important to me?  I suppose it stems from the need to express my thoughts and feelings, without having to use the spoken word.  Growing up, I had a hard time expressing my feelings.  I was afraid of saying the wrong thing, the wrong way and risk being viewed as unintelligent by others.  I recall many times when I simply ignored the cruel words of others and was mistakenly labeled as dumb for not catching on to their hurtful intentions, when in reality saying something equally harmful was not in me. I was taught from an early age to treat others the way I  would want to be treated and if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.  I'm not sure what was worse, putting others feelings before mine or not standing up for myself. 

Most times I'm in a good place while creating but there are times when life throws me a curve and I use my art to work through it.  Blocking everything else out around me, and separating my feelings from the problem suddenly brings clarity to the situation, allowing me to find the answer my heart has been searching for... it's very therapeutic. Through creating I've come to know who Joella is, what makes her tick, what she values most in life and what really makes her happy.

I feel it's important we do what we can to make the world as loving and accepting as we can for ourselves and others.  I have developed an overwhelming need to leave something of myself behind for my children and their generation, making their lives richer through my work.  Giving hope and inspiration by sharing the secrets I have learned on my journey that have giving me the tools to live an authentic life.

There are many reasons why I create, but the single most important reason is in the knowing that I have touched the hearts and souls of others, and maybe just maybe making their lives a littler more joyful because of it.

Earthy Necklace and Bracelet

 This casual earthy choker is crafted of vintage buttons, seed beads, clay disc, glass bead, copper chain and non-tarnish gunmetal wire.

The matching bracelet is crafted of the same materials.  I've add some brown cording to give it a little more jazz!

Your Thoughts create your future

I stumbled across this little gem on YouTube! 

Yummy Custard Strawberry Tarts

I've invited my daughter Emma's friend, miss Darian for dinner tonight.  She's a sweet girl and forever making my Emma laugh... music to my ears :) I've made these especially yummy tarts for the occasion.  Hope she enjoys the tarts as much as we enjoy her company. xooxoxox   

1 pkg Tenderflake Tart Shells

2 egg yolks

¼ cup (50ml) sugar

3 tbsp corn starch

1 cup (250ml) whole milk

2 tsp (10ml) vanilla extract


Freshly sliced strawberries



Method:

12 Bake tart shells in oven for 10 minutes at 375 degrees.

To make custard: In medium bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar and corn starch until thick and pale; heat milk in saucepan until almost boiling; remove from heat. Slowly dribble hot milk into egg mixture, whisking continuously, until all of milk has been added. Return custard to pot and cook, over medium-low heat, until custard has thickened.

Spoon custard into baked  tart shells and smooth. Place sliced strawberries attractively over tart.  Serve with whipped cream.  YUMMMMMMMY    Refrigerate any leftovers.

Hope

~ When the world says, "Give up," listen to the whispers of hope , "Awaken your soul, reach for your dreams". ~

Title:  Hope in Dreams

Size:  16x12

Medium: Mixed Media Collage

Breathe in LIFE

BREATHE

by Jennifer L. Barefield

I THINK, I BREATHE, I PRAY.

DAY BY DAY.

THOUGHTS OF LIFE, LOVE, DEATH.

EACH DAY PASSES, THINKING OF FAMILY AND

FRIENDS.

BREATHING IN LIFE, PRAYING FOR TIME.

LET THERE BE TIME FOR ME.

 TIME FOR
FAMILY, CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.

LOVING, LAUGHING, SHARING, CARING.

TIME TO EXPERIENCE ALL THAT LIFE GIVES.

WHEN GOD IS READY FOR ME, LET ME BE OLD

AND FULL OF MEMORIES.

LET MY FAMILY BE FULL OF ME.

What does it mean to breathe in Life? To me it's means living in the moment, taking in the good with the bad;  births, losses, loves, family, friendships,triumphs, mistakes, hopes, dreams and everything in between.  

Last week I was having one of those blah days where I was feeling overwhelmed and unappreciated.  The housework was piling up, orders for my art need to be filled and there were chores at the cottage that had to be done.  On top of all this I was feeling anxious about the new e-course I was about to start.  How was I going to keep up with my blog posts and e-course material, time on the computer is limited as it's shared between family members.  My mind was racing and suddenly out of nowhere tears of frustration started trickling down my face.  Along with feelings of frustration came thoughts of resentment.  I remember thinking I was the only one in this house who ever did anything.  Of course this is not the case, my husband does a lot but at that moment, I chose to wallow in self pity and ignore any feelings of gratitude I may have felt?   My husband walked into the room and asked what was wrong.  I shared my feelings of despair and  thoughts on being unappreciated.  His look of concern said so much and the fact that he gave me his biggest  bear hug made all the difference in the world.  

 It's now Friday, a week has passed since my little melt down and life is once again back on track. I went to work yesterday with feelings of hope for the future and gratitude for the life I share with those I love. 

 Thursdays are always busy for me as it's the end of my work week and I have so many little jobs to be finish up before the weekend.  At the end of the day I was dead on my feet, It was nice coming home to my husband cooking dinner and him asking me how my day had gone.  After telling him about the days events, I realized  he had this great big beautiful smile on his face the entire time...like the cat that caught the canary.  I asked him what the devilish grin was all about, he glancing over at the table and said

 "Your gift came in the mail today"  I followed his gaze and to my surprise, there on the table was a beautiful shiny new laptop.  I gasped with excitement and asked "why"?  He gave me another one of his big bear hugs and even though he didn't say anything, I knew this was his way of saying "I love you, I appreciate you, you mean the world to me"

This was just one of many of my BREATHE in LIFE moments.

Do you have a special moment you would like to share?   I would love, love, love to hear about it...please share :)

I AM Resilient

You're probably thinking Joella has gone and lost her marbles, but before you make any rash judgments I have to tell you, this was absolutely one of the most empowering things I have done in a very long time.  Kelly Rae - Instructor of Flying Lesson suggested we consider doing something really crazy such as writing or painting declarations on our bodies,  I have to admit, when I was standing in front of the mirror with the black marker inches away from my skin, I almost chickened.  Then I thought what the heck, I use to do it all the time as a child.  hehehehe I'm thinking that maybe next week I'll right something on my feet... you'll just have to wait and see!!!