I wanted to share another very cool mixed-media artist that I found. Her name is Traci Bautista and here are links to her awesome sites.

http://www.youtube.com/user/treicdesigns#p/f

http://www.treicdesigns.com/


http://creativityunleashed.ning.com/

She also has some very cool books out. Last night I ordered Collage Unleashed and can not wait to get it in my hands.

Stay creative,
Julie

Week 6: Passion

This is the final week of the True North Arts Vision Journaling Workshop. This week we had to look at the key ingredients to making our dreams come true and following our
passions.

Here is my visualization card:



I'm so glad I took this class. Creating a visual piece to look at on a day to day basis helps in so many ways.

This piece reminds me:

* Reaching my Bliss by following my passions of yoga, art, and writing.

* Keep taking steps everyday to reach my bliss

* Always remember: Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart desires must come to you. ~~ Mahatma Gandhi

* Create, Believe, Trust, Gratitude, Love, Live Authentic

Woke up not feeling to hot today but thankfully the hubby is home today and took the time to make beef stew. Creating a nice meal is a wonderful form of creativity.
Love ya baby!

Started the weekend off with an awesome Solar Flow yoga class at Kansas Siddhi Yoga in the Crossroads Art District. There is something inspirational about being in the heart of the city when it's starting to awake for the day, then after feeling rejuvenated from yoga, leaving the studio to see the city fully awake with its hustle and bustle.

Yea!!!! I'm so excited. I found out yesterday that I was excepted into the Kansas Siddhi Yoga school. http://www.moyoga.com/ It's a very intensive program and I am so excited. The program will start this summer.

Namaste :-)

I finally took pics and uploaded my art work for my art visioning class. The best part of the class is seeing everyone's artwork. So inspiring.

Week 1: Relaxation

We had to create mini vision cards with the message of "I can relax and let go by...".



* How I relax and let go ... Yoga, Meditate, Read, and Create.

Week 2: Core Values

We had to create a vision card with our core values.



* My core values are ... Live Authentically, Dream Big, Have Fun, Believe, Be Creative, Give Thanks, Spiritually, Love, Entrepreneur, Trust My Ideas.

Week 3: Positive Intentions

We had to create a vision card with our clear, positive intentions.



* My positive intentions are: I AM the key to the change in my life, Live & Work Creatively -> Write ->Etsy Shop, Teach & Share Yoga, Always an entrepreneur, Play like a rookie & always try new things.

Week 4: Picturing Your Dream

We had to create a vision for our life. I had already done my 2010 vision board which I will post again.



* 2010 Visions

Week 5: Willingness & Blocks

We had to create vision cards with some limiting blocks and how we kill the inner critic.



* Yes I Can !!!!!!

Week 6: To Come later

Having an Über creative day. I've wrote three kick ass articles this morning. Will be doing some photography this afternoon. Should have pics ready to upload from the Vision Journaling Workshop that I'm in.

What are you creating today?

In spite of the cold, snowy weather in KC, me and the hubby ventured out to the grill. We grilled sirloins wrapped in bacon. With the asparagus, ranch style beans, and baked potato we had a fabulous dinner. Here's a pic of our plates. Yes, we ate all of it.


I also completed all of my art projects for the True North Vision - Vision Journaling Workshop. As soon as I shoot some pics, I'll get them uploaded to the blog.

Staying Creative,
Julie

Happy Valentine's Day!! I received this sweet card from my hubby, We're going to spend the day watching movies and creating some mixed media art.

Thank's to everyone who sent me birthday wishes. I had a great day that started with a relaxing morning drinking coffee with the hubby. He then took me to the Olive Garden for lunch. I can not tell you how awesome the food was. I had the Four Cheese Stuffed Pansotti's with Chicken. It was out of this world. You must give it try. It's one of those "limited time only" dishes. You can visit their site for more information at http://www.olivegarden.com/specials/.

We then headed to some craft stores and perused the isles for more ideas for my Esty shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/toobizylady

Then we headed over to Kansas City in search of some cool art. While sitting at a stoplight in Wesport, we noticed a real art supply store. I put the breaks on, circled the block and found a parking spot right in front. I think we spent an hour or more just walking the isle's and of course I found a few things I needed for my mixed media projects. If you're ever in the area, be sure to check them out. Here is link to their website. http://www.creativecoldsnow.com/

After stopping by the house to let Hank out to do his business, we headed back out to my favorite Border's Books and hung out until about 8 o'clock. I perused the magazine isle looking at the newest art and crafting magazines. My favorites are all of the Somerset Studio magazines. They cover everything from mixed media to where women create. I especially love this edition as it is so inspirational to see where other artist create. How they incorporate their art with their life and their families. Check out their site for more information at http://www.somersetstudio.com/.

We then finished off the night with the last two pieces of the wonderful birthday cake my lovely mother brought over the weekend. Here's a picture the hubby snapped:



We also celebrated my birthday over the weekend with my mom, lil sis, and future lil bro in-law. We had some fabulous wine, great bbq and yes, birthday cake. My mom, also known as, Fancy Nancy, is also a crafter. She made me this cool retro looking t-towel with a puppy in honor of Hank. Here's a picture:




Thanks mom, lil sis (Melissa) and future lil bro (Timmyyyyy)for coming and celebrating with me and the hubby. I love you all very much!! :-)

Good Italian + Perusing Art + Browsing Bookstores + Hubby = Fabulous 41st Birthday.

Nothing helps your creativity more that getting out of the office and meeting a good friend for lunch and catching up on our lives. Yesterday, I had lunch with Marci. We had some great Chinese and conversation.

Part of my 2010 Visioning is take some time at the end of the month to reflect on goals I have met. With January coming to a close it's time to reflect back. Here is a short list:

1. Started Life Style Blog - Hello! You're here. :-) Releasing My Inner Artist

2. Made a contact who writes for Entrepreneur magazine.

3. Turned in my final paper for the Freelance Writing program that I'm in. Patiently waiting for my final grade.

4. Enrolled in Suzi Blu's Les Petit Dolls Class (Mixed Media Drawing Class). So excited. You should check her out. http://suziblu.ning.com/

5. Set up my Esty shop Too Bizy Lady Gifts, an Etsy Gift Boutique. You can check it out at http://www.etsy.com/shop/toobizylady I will be finalizing my product list this week, then it's time to get busy and start crafting. I love creating and crafting. That is when I'm at peace.

6. I set up a blog that will co-inside with my Etsy shop. This is where I'll post crafting and shop updates. You can check it out at www.toobizylady.com

7. You can also follow me on Titter at toobizlady. I'll be keeping my Twitter followers up-to-date by Tweeting the latest shop news.

8. I started as a contributing writer for Secrets of Success Women Entrepreneurs.
Check out my January article at http://womenentrepreneursecrets.blogspot.com/2010/01/when-networking-check-group-at-door.html

I am so thankful for the things that I accomplished and that I continue to take steps everyday to create the life of my dreams.

Namaste,
Julie

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun." - Mary Lou Cook

I have been enjoying some fun playtime with my grand-kids while waiting for a new round of snow to come. In honor of the snow I found this cool mixed media picture on Flickr. Snowflakes inspire creativity. They are each unique like a piece of art.

In honor of my cool grand-kids visiting I found this fun Elmo eggshell mosaic.