Collage Diva

Views from the tree house: View #6 - Valentines and Tigers

Today the vignette on my kitchen table reflects the heart-felt juiciness of Valentines day and the magical fierce tiger energy of the Chinese Lunar celebration of the Year of the Tiger. Those of you who are new to my blog, I enjoy putting together little vignettes of found objects. I often incorporate as I've done here many things that I already have. These vignettes change most weeks and morph throughout the week. 

I've pulled in my mom and dad in this vignette - the hot chocolate set was my mom's and I've had it for years, but today was the first day I actually used it. I was impressed with how the spout is so perfectly shaped for pouring. It was a lovely feeling to pour into the little cup. The cup in my hand was dainty. It felt like love was poured and I enjoyed every sip. The King of Hearts is the card I picked up for my dad. He is my king and I am so looking forward to sharing some love at supper tonight.

I filled my favorite martini glass with rocks and cut up a gorgeous calendar from Paypaya to create this "Love on the Rocks" decoration. A friend's daughter calls today, "SAD" meaning "Singles Awareness Day." Now as a singleton I find this to be so completely funny. I can laugh so hard as I know how many years I've been alone and feeling lonely on Valentine's day. In the last two years, I've celebrated on this day - with sharing love with my family and truly loving myself. I treated myself to Jen Louden's virtual retreat. I'm taking a break right now between sessions to work on this post. It has been a truly transformational weekend so far. I'm feeling so loved and connected and equipped to take what I've learned into my daily routine. For me, love isn't on the rocks but in my heart.

This day is energized even more with fierce tiger energy. A dear friend, Lady North sent me the postage stamp that is standing up - it is a gorgeous stamp from Canada commemorating the Year of the Tiger. She made the card pictured on the right with artwork from Salvador Dali and a William Blake poem. How lucky am I? My fortune today reads, "Someone you care about seeks reconciliation." I'm not sure who this applies to but if you read this and feel a need to reconnect, know that I welcome you in my life.

I end this post with a little sweet love. My son made these two paper cranes. I love how they look like they are engaged with one another. I love the pure and innocence of the little crane looking up at the sturdy and strong mama crane. The little circles on the left are like pebbles offering a path that invites a new adventure.

As we begin this new year, I hope it is filled with fierce passion and sweet love.

{soul hugs}

Kathryn, Collage Diva  

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

Sacred Life Sunday - Three monks at play

I love it when themes from different blog challenges converge. The January theme for Creative Everyday is "play" and each Sunday I look to post something sacred found in my every day life. Pictured above is a photo that I have hanging above my computer. I love the sense of playfulness captured in the "leaps" of each of the young monks. The repeating wave like pattern is also very playful. My word for this year is "quantum leap" - when I look at this photo in the months to come it will serve as a reminder that my own leaps are not scary moments but ones filled with childlike delight.

Related Links:
Creative Everyday
Sacred Life Sunday

Sacred Life Sunday: Hearing Voices

The last two nights I've woken up in the wee hours of the night unable to sleep. Friday was the start of a book club hosted by Jamie Ridler. Each week Jamie is interviewing a super creative blogger and  posting it for us to follow along. I hadn't listened to the first interview and took this late night quiet time to tune in. While I was listening to the interview with Jennifer Lee my screen saver came on.  Pictured above is what I was looking at while listening to Jennifer talk about recognizing her inner muse. I love how she gave her inner muse a name, wrote a creative manifesto, and gave her muse a voice. Jennifer also shared her challenges and fears and how essential it is to have connections with others who get her. It is a wonderful interview that you MUST check out.

The quiet time that I had to sit still and listen to the interview is an example of the sacred space I hope to have more time for this year.

Related Links:
Listen to the interview with Jennifer Lee by Jamie Ridler.
Sacred Life Sunday
Creative Every Day
Soul Journal: Our Defining Words {I invite you to play in your journals.}

Sacred Life Sunday - Tea of Life

I discovered these beautiful tea pyramids when I was out shopping this season looking for Christmas gifts. I'm a sucker for packaging that captures my attention. This is one of those gifts that I bought for myself this year. I love how each flavor has a different colored box with subtle images of the ingredients blended throughout the individual designs. The colors are so inviting. I will likely use them as inspiration for my art journal projects.

As I pulled them out I played with them like a child plays with blocks. Ah to play, this is the theme for January as suggested by Leah at Creative Everyday. That sense of child-like play is very sacred. I thought the beauty of the Tea of Life packaging, the tender moments enjoying a good cup of tea or coffee, and the playful photo shoot were all good examples of finding the sacred in every day living.

How do you like my Tea of Life - Tea Wheel?

What everyday item do you have lying about your home that you could play with today?

While you go looking for something to play with, I'll enjoy a cup of tea in my favorite mug.

Cheers!
k

Related Links:
Creative Every Day
Sacred Life Sunday
Soul Journal - Weaving Our Dreams (I invite you to play a little in your art journals.)

Sacred Life Sunday - Violet Blossoms

A few weeks ago I discovered the Sacred Life Sunday blog.  Captivated by the photography and the concept, I knew I wanted to participate. I notice and appreciate the simple things in life and like many I look for signs, connections, and beauty around me. I'm just now posting my first entry for Sacred Life Sunday as I have found that it is one thing to observe the sacred, it is another to capture it in photo or artwork. This morning while doing the dishes I looked up at the violet on my windowsill and a small blossom looked back. It has been a harsh start to winter, a season that I don't find easy. This this little blossom makes me smile. I love the color, the burst of energy, and the reminder that even if it is cold and uncomfortable outside, that spring is with us every day.

Here's to observing the sacred in our every day lives!

Creative Day #29

Visit Sacred Life Sunday.
Visit Creative Every Day.