Collage Diva

Pause 17: Self-Portrait

Here is my self portrait for December. This is where I get ready each day.

I pulled out this pin that I haven't worn in some time. I received it in a swap a couple of years back.

Today is a good day to try out my new red shoes.

Today's Pause: Take a snapshot of your life today. It may be a photo or a journal entry. What are the uncensored details? Make a list of facts, this is your slice of life snapshot. 

Related Links:

December Views

Creative Every Day

Self Portrait - June 2009

Can you see my reflection? This is one of my photos from participating in the online photography class, "Unravelling: Ways of Seeing My Self led by photographer & writer Susannah Conway." The second week is about seeing how our environments reflect us. Try photographing reflections. It is pretty tricky but very fun!

It doesn't look like I posted to my blog my May self portrait. Pictured below is a series of self portraits taken in my bathroom. This is my favorite mirror.

Where Women Create

I'm intrigued to see where people create which is why I was delighted to see the new magazine from Stampington, "Where Women Create." Where do you create? I have three workspaces: a computer station (dry and neat), my creative room (chaotic and messy), and my kitchen table (serene and perfect for journaling). I thought I would show you how my morning retreat space looked last week.

Each day the collection of things on my table changes but there are some essentials: coffee, journal, candle, and supplies. Where do you create? I'd love to see it.

Self Portrait - March 2009 - How to get a monkey off your back.

101 Things in 1001 Days - "#11: Make a self portrait once a month during these 1001 days."

I think I'm going to have fun with these self portraits. For this month I decided to place myself in one of my collages. The tree flowering with damask blossoms was made in the soul journal prompt on finding one's power images. The tree represents the tree of life and the damask flowers are my accomplishments. The idea of taking a photo with a monkey hit me at work. I was telling my closest colleague that I'm so happy to get the monkeys off of my back and I asked her if we had any more monkeys or dark clouds to shoo away. While chatting about the few small spider monkeys I remembered that I had given her the monkey pictured above on my shoulder for a birthday present. I had collaged some tags and wrote a message poking fun of a vendor we use called, "Hot Banana." I pulled this little fella off of the shelf and told her my idea for my next self portrait.

So how do I take care of those monkeys on my back and how do they get there in the first place?

More often than not, I put them there for I have a hard time saying "no." Yup that's right I have no one to blame but me. I'm learning this lesson - just because I can fix something or have the talent to help someone, it doesn't mean that I have to do it. Saying "no" is empowering. I recently declined with grace some offers and no harm was done. No one was upset! In my attempts to please others I end up displeasing me. I end up doing too much, get over committed and then put off the tasks that I had agreed to. When I found myself in this situation again I saw what I had done and I got angry with myself. And therein lies the answer on how to get rid of the monkey on your back. Now don't go slapping anyone with your anger rather head it on. Just do it! Do the work that you agreed to and move on.

Now I must add before signing off that there are times when a boss places the monkey on the back. In these cases, you just have to "suck it up" as my brother would say. I find journaling in my morning pages is quite helpful in letting go of the dread, frustration, or anxiety. My journal pages now rarely see any rants. They are filled instead with wonderfully creative ideas. With such positive things happening in my life and showing up in my journal, the monkey doesn't seem so menacing.

How do you handle the monkey? -- ROFL Seriously, I'd love to know.

101 Things #63. Find my signature scent.

On my list of 101 Things in 1001 Days is item #63. Find my signature scent. I generally don't wear any perfume but envy my friends who have a scent, their signature scent. I'm not sure if my discovery this week actually counts as finding my signature scent. Read on and I'll let you decide.

I had picked up some fresh rosemary two weeks ago for a dish that I ended up never making. I hate when that happens. I went to the seafood counter and they were sold out of salmon. With the best intentions I bought the rosemary anyway figuring I would use it. When I noticed the rosemary in the fridge this week I was disappointed that I hadn't done anything with it yet. As I was thinking about how I didn't want it to go to waste the idea came to me to pull out some ribbons and tie a little bundle. I love the smell of rosemary and I can enjoy it for it's scent.

While I was sitting in my creative room with my box of ribbons and pile of rosemary I remembered my years right out of college. I loved to cook and experiment in the kitchen. If you ask my good friends Bobbi and Terri who knew me back in the day to name one herb that stood out in my early cooking, I'm sure they would quickly answer, rosemary. Rosemary found it's way in potatoes, soups, chicken, and eggs. After finding the right combination of ribbons, I closed my eyes and took in the fragrance. Ahhh what a potent bundle. I had just made a time travel wand: one whiff and I was back in Steamboat Springs, Colorado - the year, 1991. When I set out to find my signature scent I pictured myself finding some expensive beautiful bottle and maybe I will yet. For now, I'll enjoy my rosemary bundle and memories of a young woman beginning her journey.

Do you have a signature scent? What smells teleport you to a different time and place?

PS - After posting this I noticed my little message tucked under the rosemary. If I were to give that young woman one message it would be, "Believe in *YOU* the power of *YOU*."

Related Links:
Day Zero - Home of the 101 Things in 1001 Days Challenge
My list of 101 Things
Creative Everyday

Magic Making: Tea Party on a Fluffy Day

Spring is coming! Some might wonder how I could say this when we just received a huge snow storm. Northeasters always come in March and I for one am happier to have it happen earlier in the month rather than later. Well, I'm hopeful that this is the last of the winter storms - it has been a harsh winter. My dear friend's young son helped me to brush the fluffy white snow off of my car. As he reached with the large broom I asked him if he had heard the story of "The Porcupine Named Fluffy."

When he said he hadn't heard the story, I took it as an opportunity to invite him up to the tree house for a tea party and story. I pulled out my grandmother's tea pot (pictured above) and some giraffe tea.

Little blue cat came out to help set the table - she was all bedecked with a little necklace and rings proclaiming, "love, laugh, and leap".

We have several tea sets to choose from. Little blue cat selected the set my son and I painted many years ago.

A good story is a key ingredient in our tea parties.

And my son offered to read the story.

This made our young guest very, very happy.

We talked about how silly it is that the porcupine was named "Fluffy." After the story I pulled out a special little box. What could be inside? Might there be something fluffy in there?

Let's take a closer look!

Oh my a little baby is sleeping in a nest. The feather bed is very fluffy. I asked our young guest if he could think of a good name for the baby. He settled in on Princess.

We had a wonderful time on this fluffy day. How was your day? Were you a maker of magic?

Related Links:
101 Things in 1001 Days {This is item #64 on my list.}
Creative Everyday

Self Portrait - February 2009

101 Things in 1001 Days - "#11 - Make a self portrait once a month during these 1001 days."

Oprah was very brave in January when she kicked off her "Live Your Best Life" series by sharing her struggles with her weight. She mentioned how in the last year only head shots were used on the cover of her magazine. I could really relate to her as I too hide in photos what I don't like to see. Rarely will you see me break my grin to show my teeth and when I can my photos are of head shots. I'm taking steps to change this. As much as I feel more comfortable on the other side of the camera, I'm going to stretch myself by documenting my self image in a series of self portraits created monthly during these 1001 days.

Sacred Life Sunday - Good Morning!

Each morning I've been getting up before dawn to write my morning pages, an exercise from The Artist's Way. It is a great way to begin my day - I empty out my creative vessel to make room for new ideas. On this one morning, I was writing about "retreat moments" (see previous post) where I find moments throughout the day where I am very present and at peace. I'm also looking for magical moments in my every day life. While I was feeling satisfied by the effects of my morning pages, my son came in from walking our dog and at that moment, I was struck with awe by the beautiful sunrise. I immediately grabbed my camera and headed out in pjs, wet head, and no makeup to capture the view from my tree house. I was filled with that magical awe that mother nature provides.

Can you find the squirrel making his way to the bird's nest in this photo?

Here's to a good morning!

Related Links:
Sacred Life Sunday
Creative Everyday
101 Things in 1001 Days
"The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron

Wishing Jar and Affirmations

One of my wishes for 2009 is to have more magical moments in my everyday life. As I worked up my list of 101 Things in 1001 Days I looked to add opportunities for magical moments. #58 Create a Wish Jar: I love the idea of acknowledging what I wish for and tucking them in a magical vessel. To charge my new wish jar I tucked in the wishes and affirmations from people all over the world who entered my first blog giveaway (#12 on my list). As I read through my list of 101 Things I noticed how I charged my wishing jar was a good example of #64 - Be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes.

How have you been a maker of magic and tender of wishes? I'm looking for ideas. I put on my to do list to blog about 6 examples! Fortunately I have many, many days left to find new ways to add more magic to my life. I would love to hear your ideas.

I love affirmations and it was so much fun to collect them and make a poster. CLICK HERE TO Download SJ-AffirmationPoster2009 (8-1/2" x 14" pdf) Another fun connection is how the theme for February on the Creative Every Day Blog is "Words." This is a great theme. I'm not only into affirmations but I also love quotes and power words.

Here's to sharing our words and celebrating with a little magic.

101 Things in 1001 Days

Start: January 10, 2009
End: October 8, 2011

I love lists! They give me a sense of purpose and direction. I love getting creative with writing them and checking things off. I make lists daily - at home and at work. You can imagine how excited I was when I came across this idea of making a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. Finding 101 things was pretty tricky and I looked at a number of lists to get some ideas. I wanted my list to include a combination of fun and challenging items. I had some great accomplishments in this last year that was on my list to achieve by the time I turned 40. This included moving some pretty big mountains like finalizing my divorce in a way that was helpful not hurtful and without lawyers - check! Paying off all of my old debt and being solvent - check! Taking a photography class and art classes - check, check! The timing to make a new list was perfect. I've already started working on these items and will post blog entries in the 1001 days to come.

1. Take a creative vacation to Belgium. Oh I can't wait to play with Inge and Dorien!
2. Learn how to make a cut paper animation and create my first one.
3. Design my creative space to be a sanctuary for my muse
4. Light a candle each day. Let the gentle light, lighten my heart.
5. Pick a month and take a photograph each day.
6. Make a crown for me.
7. Host a tea party and wear my crown.
8. Participate in an online book club.
9. Write 100 gratitude notes.
10. Move my body for 30 minutes, 3 times a week. No more excuses!
11. Make a self portrait once a month during these 1001 days.
12. Offer a giveaway on my blog. (This will be a first)
13. Ask for help.
14. Look in the mirror each day and say, "Kathryn you are lovely." Believe it.
15. Take a calligraphy class.
16. Practice calligraphy with my son.
17. Learn the 12 Pieces of Brocade and practice it daily.
18. Visit the dentist.
19. Pack a "to go" art journaling kit and have it ready at all times.
20. Use the "to go" art journaling kit on 6 visits to unique places.
21. Picnic in the woods.
22. Go on a date.
23. Create 6 soldered charms and give them as surprise gifts.
24. Blog weekly. Post a Soul Journal prompt weekly.
25. Buy an orchid.
26. Make momos.
27. Assemble something.
28. Participate in 12 SoulCollage activities.
29. Write a bucket list.
30. Visit 6 very different cemeteries and photograph them.
31. Photograph 6 lighthouses.
32. Photograph 6 covered bridges.
33. Pick a month and don't eat out for the entire month. (Thanks Suzie Orman)
34. Stay at a charming New England bed and breakfast.
35. Take myself on my own art retreat.
36. Go on a boat ride.
37. Donate a piece of art or design work.
38. Get published. This may be an article for a magazine, contributing to a book, writing my own book or all of the above.
39. Host an art party.
40. Go mining for mica. Take my son to Ruggles Mine.
41. Get my ears pierced.
42. Write a love letter to me!
43. Change jobs.
44. Build a light box.
45. Take my mom on three mystery rides.
46. Get a full length mirror, dance in front of it, and recognize that I am beautiful, just as I am.
47. Leave a "quote of the day" for my co-worker to find at her desk each day.
48. Create a SARK inspired poster of my own and post it in my creative room.
49. Begin each year with a defining word and power image ~ blog about it.
50. Make a vision board (or journal pages).
51. Make a full deck of SoulCollage cards.
52. Get lost.
53. Create an adventure itinerary and go on the adventure. (Thanks SARK)
54. Blow bubbles in an unlikely place for bubble blowing.
55. Send a surprise package to a friend that will knock her socks off.
56. Join an Artist Association. Network with local artists and creatives.
57. Teach a workshop.
58. Create a wish jar and fill it up with wishes.
59. Read a Jane Austen book.
60. Have a midnight picnic.
61. Begin and finish my first gratitude journal.
62. Make an altar complete with a cool fountain.
63. Find my signature scent.
64. Be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. Blog about six examples.
65. Go on a "creative replenishment picnic" three times. (Thanks Goddess Leone)
66. Sew something.
67. Get a pair of magical, silly shoes or slippers to wear when the "diva" is in the house.
68. Get a new article of clothing in a color I thought I would never wear and wear it! (I bet it will be pink -- let's see.)
69. Count someone's freckles.
70. Mail Collage Diva art to someone in each continent.
71. For one week do not use any credit cards. (Thanks Suzie Orman)
72. For ten days do not spend any money. These are not consecutive days. (Thanks Suzie Orman)
73. Start an IRA. (Thanks Suzie Orman)
74. Save $12,000 for an emergency fund (Thanks Suzie Orman)
75. Design a fountain.
76. Create a space of meditation, yoga, Tai Chi Chu'an in my home. Make daily practice accessible and a priority.
77. Name my muse and write a creative manifesto.
78. Write three morning pages five times a week. (Thanks Julie Cameron)
79. Help my son to transform his bedroom into his own personal sanctuary.
80. Freshen up and decorate the "nook" my breezeway each month so it is always a welcoming entrance for me and my guests.
81. Cut sugar and white flour from my food plan for one month.
82. Review my goals every three months.
83. Make a will.
84. Write a letter to my 9-year old self and give her advice.
85. Organize my paper stash to end the clutter and to make it more efficient.
86. Visit America's Stonehenge.
87. Try out a new recipe or ingredient each week.
88. Send a unique piece of mail art like a 2 liter bottle.
89. Track the monarch butterfly migration in the fall and photograph it.
90. Buy a piece of jewelry from a League of NH Craftsman.
91. Attend the Keene Pumpkin Festival.
92. Ride the Conway Scenic Railway.
93. Visit a vineyard.
94. Walk the marginal way.
95. Visit a sugar house and enjoy a pancake breakfast with fresh maple syrup.
96. Attend a hot air balloon festival.
97. Plan 6 dog friendly outings. Treat my dog to some magical days.
98. Invite a gnome to live in the tree house.
99. Visit an art museum once a month.
100. Plan a Chinese New Year celebration.
101. For every incomplete task donate $10 to charity.

Related Links:
Day Zero - Home of the 101 Things in 1001 Days Challenge