My awesome grand-kids are in town visiting. Me and the hubby have been enjoying some fun playtime with Aedan, Halle, and Taylor.

While coloring with Halle in her favorite Hello Kitty coloring book. She said, "Grandma, you have to add lines here and here." I was carefully coloring in the lines and Halle was adding color and extra lines.

Maybe in life we should color out of the lines a bit more.

I my grand-daughter Halle recently celebrated her 3rd birthday. Halle loves her baby dolls so I decided to lovingly crochet a blanky for her baby dolls. I used a granny square design. I learned how to make granny squares from my granny *funny* when I was a young girl. Maybe one day I'll pass this artistic skill on to Halle. :-)

Monday I had major cabin fever. Which is a side affect from working from home. I rarely come down with the fever but was hit hard Monday. So I finished up the task that needed to be done then headed out for a rare Monday Artist Date.

First stop - Jo-Ann's Fabrics. I had never been into Jo-Ann's before and was pleasantly surprised. They carry everything from craft supplies to home decor. Due to the awesome sale they where having I stocked up on supplies to keep my creative adventure going. See picture above.

Second stop - Micheal's. This is my regular stop for craft items. Since it is near my house it's convenient to stop in when I have an extra minute or two. I love walking up and down the isle's in search of sparks of creativity.

Last stop - Border's Book's. This is my favorite thing to do for my weekly relaxation and artist date trip's. I particularly love the magazine section where you learn just about anything. Especially in the crafting isle.

Here is my recommended supply list. You can do just about any craft with these.

1. Sketchbook or blank journal. ( Use for sketching or mixed media journals)

2. Rub on Words or Letters

3. Craft Paint 3-D Writer Glitter Silver Glitz

4. Gesso

5. Water soluble or oil pastels

6. Gel pens

7. White out pen

8. Black Bold Favor Artist Pen

9. Golden Gel Medium - Semi - Gloss

10. Masking tape

11. Color pencil - soft tips

12. Sharpies - Black (Wide and Fine tip)

13. Double sided tape

14. Paint Brushes - #6 and 1/2 inch

15. Magazines - for collaging or mixed media art

Way cool isn't it. I added some sparkle to my Planner Pad. To help inspire my daily creativity I added the following:

* Color - Love color

* Inspirational quotes

* Pictures that remind me of my goals

* Part of a beautiful Xmas card from my sister. - Love you Sis!! :-)

* A reminder that I'm a Boho girl and a Hip Tranquil Chick. - Cool manifestos


What can you add sparkle too?

Isn't it cute! It's my New Year, New You petal. I started off the year attending Kimberly Wilson's New Year, New You Teleclass. http://www.kimberlywilson.com/events.html

I started attending Kimberly's seasonal workshop's last summer. They are an awesome way to get aligned with your goals and dreams.

Here are the topics that we covered:

1. Recurring Self-Reflections
* What are the highlights and lessons learned in 2009?
* How are the first few days feeling of 2010?
* Where do I want to be in one year from now?

2. Let's Get Spiritual
* Pen your thoughts
* Meditate
* Aroma therapy
* Write in a Gratitude Journal
* Set up a sacred place
* Record your dreams
* Chant
* Connect with nature

3. Give Back
* Volunteer
* Give green gifts
* Give homemade gifts
* Do a volunteer vacation
* Do a charity drive
* Reduce,Reuse, Recycle

4. Chic Creativity
* Book store browsing
* Art gallery
* Live music
* Craft stores
* Stickers
* Go to a matinee
* De-clutter
* Write

5. Sassy Style
* Red lipstick
* Play with your look
* Throw on some flair like earrings, a scarf, bold eye glasses
* Fun outerwear like a fun bag, belts
* Cut your hair or get a new doo

6. Nurture Your Spirit
* Hot bath soak
* Yoga
* Go to bed early
* Have a bed day - yes, stay in bed all day
* Create a staycation
* Plan your next vacation
* Where do you want to go in 2010?
* Rod trip!
* Host dinner parties once a month. Have some fun friends over.

7. Just Do It
* Get clear on your dreams
* Explore your strengths
* Reward yourself for your accomplishments
* Take ONE step each day toward each dream

8. Bask in Being Yourself
* Focus on where you shine
* Focus on what your good at
* Pat yourself on the back - regularly!
* Push you edges

What would your petals say? Create one today. Join Kimberly's next Teleclass Bloom into Spring on March 22nd. http://www.kimberlywilson.com/events.html
*

I feel like a kid in a candy store. I have the whole afternoon to peruse some of my favorite blogs and the list continues to grow. I always gain so much inspiration. What better way to add a little creativity to your day.

Here are a few of my favorites:

http://www.kimberlywilson.com/blog

http://artmarketmistress.wordpress.com/

http://robyn-michelle-lee.blogspot.com/

http://lisasonorabeam.com

http://martawrites.blogspot.com/

http://www.peoniesandpolaroids.com/

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

http://collagediva.typepad.com/truenorth/

http://alovelydream.com/site/Welcome.html

http://www.treicdesigns.com/

Spending this awesome Saturday relaxing, crafting, and reading.

Here are a few things that make my heart flutter.

1. Creating - Anything. :-)

2. Learning - I'm a life long learner.

3. Yoga - Omm

4. Reading - I'm a bibliophile.

5. Writing - Journaling, Non-fiction articles,

6. Following my heart :-)

Auh! There it is. My 2010 Vision board complete. I hung it in my office where I can see it everyday. I also uploaded a picture and use for my desktop photo. I also use the picture as my background on my Blackberry. :-)





Here are my 2010 visions:

1. Finish my yoga teacher training.

2. Grow my freelance writing business.

3. Write for national publications - Fit Yoga, Complete Woman, Herlife, Home Business,The New York Times, Redbook, More. This is just a few. I need to get to work. :-)

4. Workshops to attend - Writers & Editors and YogaFit.

5. Live with more creativity and flair.

6. Launch my Etsy Store.

7. Check out some do-gooding. Leaning towards the Red Cross.

8. Start a new blog. (DONE :-))

9. Establish my signature style.

10. Live a more mindfully extravagant life.

11. Play often.

12. Trust my ideas.

These are the major ones. I also sprinkled in affirmations to keep me moving in a positive direction.

As I am working on my 2010 vision board - pics to come - I thought this year I would take time to reflect on my 2009 accomplishments. It can seem that life is a blur when we are running here and there trying to accomplish so many things. At the end of the year you are like - wow! did I accomplish anything? So it is essential to reflect on the things we did accomplish. This also keeps us excited and motivated to keep moving on.

Here is my list for 2009:

1. Closed a business that I hated. :-)

2. Continued my writing classes.

3. Finished my first e-book.

4. Launched a new website for my freelance writing business.

5. Started yoga teacher in training.

6. Started taking a step everyday to make my dreams a reality.

7. Started putting my writing out there.

8. I'm a writer. :-)

9. Enrolled in the True North Arts Vision Journaling Workshop.

Starting this year, I note each accomplishment in my planner pad. This will allow me to reflect on my accomplishments at month-end. This will also let me to see where I spend my time.

Welcome to my new blog - Releasing My Inner Artist. It's a bit late. My plans were to have it up by January 1st complete with my first post. This blog will chronicle my adventures in finding creativity in my every day life.