True North Arts

Journey of the Heart Journal - Passion and Joy

Happy New Year! I love that several weeks into the new year I can pull out that greeting.

"And now we welcome the new year,

full of things that have yet to come."

~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Oh how I'm energized by the possibilities! It is the Chinese New Year and the year of the dragon, the most passionate of all the signs. All week I've been thinking about passion and how I might invite the qualities of the dragon in my life in 2012.

One of my very favorite things to do is to go out on outings to discover new places and people. I chat people up in the hopes of uncovering what they are passionate about. Pictured here is Naomi Scanlon who I met last fall at a local's farmer market. She is passionate about garlic ---- oh how my Italian blood was whizzing as she told me about garlic scapes and I sampled her scape pesto made from garlic that she grows at her charming farm in Canterbury, NH. 

On another outing in Portsmouth, NH I met Zip from Eliot, Maine. Zip is really into vintage bicycles. Look at him, isn't he darling? I have some fabulous shots from this unexpected encounter that I'll share later in the week on my Collage Diva blog. Be sure to swing by. Zip and his wife have over 80 bikes and they travel all over the world with them. Now how cool is that?

This week I met up with my hair stylist. Tina McCown is a dynamo! Here is a woman who loves, loves, loves what she does and damn she is soooo good at it! I love her energy and zest - it mirrors my own enthusiasm for life. I told her that I was writing about passion this week and I asked her how she found her calling. I left feeling energized, not only by my fabulous hair, but by witnessing how this person is living her true authentic life. (If you are anywhere near Southern NH, you must go see her. She is a master hair designer and an expert with color. You can find her at the Be Day Spa on 55 S. Commercial St. Manchester, NH 03101. Call her! (603) 540-3736 or e-mail her at cosmo90@comcast.net. Tell her that I sent you. Let her work her magic on you.)

I am really one lucky girl for I am surrounded by passionate people. At my day job, there are a number of people whom I admire who have a deep faith. Each one of these dear souls inspires me to be my very best, to do good, and to share from my heart. We have a new chief at the helm who I'm so impressed with, he is not only humble and faithful, but silly and down to earth. You can see  pictures of this amazing man, HERE. Across the hall from me are a couple of women who get me. Our impromptu chats always leave me feeling inspired. Oh and there is one priest who I've worked with for years and I dubbed him the "liturgy geek" this week. Although I don't understand the Catholic Mass as he does, I love seeing him light up when he bounces into my office to share his latest thoughts on sacred architecture or the nuances and details of the liturgy.

So tell me dear reader, what makes your eyes widen? What stirs deep within your heart and wakes you up? Whether it is garlic, vintage bikes, hair, or faith, each one of us has stirrings, longings, and a calling. I see *BEAUTY* in others when they are expressing and living their passions. When we fully realize our gifts and share them with others - well, it just doesn't get better than that.

I have a spare room that was once my "creative room" but has become more of the "creative cave of chaos." I suppose the chaos is really a hazzard of being the Collage Diva - the littlest scrap of paper holds such potential. Last weekend I decided to tackle clearing out the cave. I found many gems that I had forgotten - the Dragon from Bali (I needed a dragon for this post.) and the scrap of paper pictured above (Now how perfect is it's message?).  I even found cut up words from magazines that were in among piles of stuff and the words: love and joy kept showing up. It was so much fun diving into my cave and letting serendipity guide me on finding just the right images and words  for this post. Who would have thought that de-cluttering would be so much fun!

All week I had this Zen card propped against my computer. This is what it says on the back:

Joy is INSIDE you.

Not in the attainment of things desired,

nor in the achievement of goals made.

But in the simple feeling that lies within you.

Know that this JOY is unaffected by outer circumstance,

and joy will be yours forever.

I was chatting with a dear friend of mine about the distinction between joy and happiness. We determined that happiness is a fleeting feeling as fleeting as clouds that appear and disappear in the sky. Things outside of us make us happy - a gorgeous sunset, a beautiful piece of music, the touch of a loved one. The happiness we feel is temporary and easily changed to other feelings. Joy on the other hand is found within each of us and it is always there. It is like the sun that is ever present even if storm clouds come rolling in. The best part, no one can take your joy away from you - now how great is that?

What are you passionate about?

It is so much fun being on this Journey of the Heart. Two weeks ago I started contemplating "passion" and different books came into my life that I think you'll find helpful if you are stuck on the question, "What are you passionate about?" Here is a list of several things you can do:

1. Keep an excitement list. Each night for the next week or two reflect on the day and write down what things lit you up. Notice when you felt energized. Notice when your eyes sparkled and widened like my Bali dragon. After a couple of weeks go over your list and circle any recurring things. Look for patterns. Notice your reaction to your list. These are clues to what you are passionate about.

2. Read, The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose by Matthew Kelly. It is a quick read that will give you a spark and inspire you. Matthew has had a lifelong interest in successful people and has sought out how they work. He found some interesting common threads and underlying it all is passion. His book will give you ideas on how you can cultivate your own rhythm that supports living your fullest and best life.

3. Take the "Passion Test." I stumbled on the work of Janet and Chris Attwood this week. There is a free passion test and some inspirational videos on their website. I'm just now 40 pages into their book, The Passion Test: The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose So far, their reflections echo what I know to be true and I'm excited to gain clarity of my own purpose and to get acting on a new plan. Yahoo!

4. Make time for solitude. Matthew, Janet, and Chris all stress the importance of making time for solitude. It is in this sweet silence that we touch down to our higher Self and the divine. It is in this sweet silence that we become grounded and gain clarity, find peace and tap into our JOY. In the sweet silence you will be able to listen to your intuition, pay attention! Find quiet time in meditation, yoga, or a solo walk.

5. Dive into your journal. Download this week's Journey of the Heart Journal page (see below). The page bears a dragon's wing and a gentle reminder to listen to what stirs your heart. Use this page to record your excitement list and brainstorm what you love.

I hope you can feel my own excitement radiating from this screen. I've stopped several times while writing this to do a happy dance. I love so much contemplating different themes and how they may help me and YOU to live our best possible lives. I love photographing stuff, meeting people, sharing stories, and making connections. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your time with me and joining me on this Journey of the Heart. Your witness means the world to me. May you uncover your own passions, gain greater clarity, and embrace the journey. Much love to you dear readers.

Namaste, Kathryn, Collage Diva

 

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Journey of the Heart Journal - Permission

This week I'm featuring an audio chat I had with my kindred friend, Kara Jones, also known as Mother Henna. We recorded this chat about two years ago and it is really fun to revisit it. Mother Henna asked me about hearing what we are called to do and how I stay on the course of creativity each day.

CLICK HERE to listen to the Mother Henna and Collage Diva chat.

In our conversation I talk about my beliefs and practices that support my creative lifestyle including:

• My belief that everyone is creative.
• It is important to put into practice your creativity each day.
• We all have creative cycles.
• Taking good care of ourselves supports creativity.
• Creativity is always within us even when we feel like it isn't.
• Stopping to ask and listen, "What do I need right now?" helps to foster a creative lifestyle.
• Talking to ourselves in a supportive and nurturing way helps to work through the fear.

The collage above is titled, "Solitude & Twirling." I give myself permission to make time for both solitude and twirling (or play) as this helps to support my creative lifestyle.

Two years ago my focus was on an online workshop about using collage and the archetype of the Hero's Journey to understand the stories we tell and WANT to tell. In our conversation I give an overview of the major phases of the hero's journey. Pictured above is my heroine heading full speed after her dreams. She has just left the castle, the comfortable home that she has known to enter into the wilderness. Where will it take her? Each of us is the hero of our own journey.

Joseph Campbell's work has been a huge influence in my life and the inspiration behind my study and exploration of the hero's journey. My favorite quote from him is, "The big question is whether you are going to say a hearty yes to the adventure." When lightening strikes are you ready to say yes?

I hope this post inspires you!

This week's journal page is one big permission slip. On one side is a place for you to brainstorm what you are ready to embrace, try, explore, and say YES! The second side is for declaring what you are ready to let go of and say NO!

Before I close this post, I want to share with you what Kara is up to and invite you to check out her latest endeavor!

Kara's been so excited about this new year to see the Creative Grief Coaching Studio come fully into being as a result of her partnership with Cath Duncan of Remembering For Good! Together they have developed a new Creative Grief Coaching Certification program and a Creative Tools Library.  The Certification program will run twice a year for 12 weeks each session with one session starting in February and the other in September.  Initially the Creative Tools Library will be open just for the first class of Creatives accepted to the February 2012 program.  But soon after the class launches, we'll open up subscription memberships for any creative professionals who want access to a Library of tools, resources, and ideas to use in their practices.  To learn more about the Studio, please see  http://GriefCoachingCertification.com/ 

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have a great week!

Namaste,

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Faerie Dwellings

On a mid-December evening I was heading to the Sage Gallery where my friend was having an opening artist reception. I was stopped at a light and across from me was a car with a license plate that read, "tinkerbell." I'm the type of person who seeks messages and clues in my environment. Naturally I took notice of this license plate, smiled, and said, "Ryn this is a time to embrace playfulness and magic." I continued on my way to the gallery tucking Tinkerbell's message into my heart's pocket. When I arrived at the gallery my friend's art was the main event and in the surrounding rooms were the work of a dozen more artists. Later in the evening I sat down next to a woman and struck up a conversation. I learned that she makes the most darling miniature faerie dwellings - places I knew Tinkerbell would love. As we chatted she mentioned that she would be the featured artist in January and needed photos of her work. Without hesitation, I offered to meet her two days later to photograph her collection of faeries and their sweet digs.

Today, I welcome Debra LaPointe of Griffinhill to chat with me about her art.

CLICK HERE to listen to the interview with Debra LaPointe.

Natural materials are used to create these faerie dwellings. If you look up close you'll see why this one is named, "Heartwood."

A golden heart is nestled in the tree.

Milkweed seeds were painstakingly added to a ledge to give the effect of shingles.

Faeries are less than an inch tall.

I love the gestures of her faeries.

Each one is unique, one-of-a-kind.

The Dewfly Inn is tall with many levels.

A resin is applied to the entire piece making it durable and easy to clean with water.

These sculptures are made to last.

A closer look reveals a hidden face.

The miniature furniture on the deck is so inviting.

 

This one is named, "LeQuebrada Dulce" translated as, "Sweet Waterfall."

Here is a closer look at the faerie - I love her dress.

This tall one is called, "Evermore."

Wouldn't you like to join me on the balcony?

This is the largest one that I photographed titled, "The Gathering."

I love this view looking down on "The Gathering."

How sassy!

Check out the fish! I love all of the little details.

One of Deb's faeries graces this week's Journey of the Heart Journal. The theme for this week is "wonder" and the affirmation reads, "My imagination makes this day special."

I hope you can make it to Deb's opening reception on Friday, January 13, 2012 at the Sage Gallery in Manchester, NH. Click on the flyer at the top of the post to enlarge for details. Feel free to print and share with your friends on FB and your own blogs. I will be there receiving my very own custom dwelling only it will be sporting a mermaid. I'll be sure to post photos of if you can make it.

Visit Deb's Website: www.griffinhill.net. All of the faerie homes pictured here are for sale. Send Deb a message HERE for pricing.

Until then, have a magical week. Go crazy sprinkling faerie dust on all who cross your path.

Namaste,

Kathryn, Collage Diva

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

21 Secrets - Registration is Now Open!

 

Registration is Now Open!

 

I'm so excited to be a part of the 21 Secrets Art Journal Playground. My workshop titled, "Let's Get Into Shape" is all about my secrets of how I use the design principle shape to create awesome collages. 

 

This online workshop is a great way to get your creative groove on with art journaling. 21 teachers and 21 secrets!

 

Get the details here!

 

Feel free to share this e-mail with your friends. I know they will love it too!

 

May this be a year of boundless creativity!

 

Kathryn, Collage Diva

 

Journey of the Heart - Seeking Direction

Happy New Year Beautiful Ones!

As I sit down to write this post, my face is feeling a slight numbness from the effects of a lingering cold. I enjoyed a quiet two weeks with my son over the holiday. We shared many laughs and lots of savory home-cooked meals. Although we both came down with colds, our time off felt like a retreat. 

I did find energy and interest in playing in Photoshop on a couple of occasions. The digital collage above emerged in response to contemplating a new year. I feel like this gypsy woman looking to her feathered companion for direction. Last night I showed this collage to a dear friend and she interpreted the many hands as the many people in my life who are supporting me. I found comfort in her words as I was feeling more like I was reaching out and pulling myself into too many directions. I've been feeling some pressure to know the direction I am heading in and to have a plan mapped out by the stroke of midnight on New Years. I'm a list maker and I love to focus on clear objectives. Lately, however, I've been feeling distracted and scattered.

My digital play produced this mysterious cathedral hidden within the walls found in the "Forest of Wishes." One of my blog friends Shell wrote, "We all need an inner cathedral to retreat to."

How true!

I recall Wayne Dyer saying that he has a place deep within himself that is his private sacred space where no one but him goes. I like the idea of having my own magical place to retreat to when life seems challenging. 

One area that I want to focus on in the coming year is better organization. I desire de-cluttering and removing things I don't need or don't serve me and my creative dreams. Yesterday I started with my bedroom and now it feels like a little sanctuary. In fact, when I clean and organize and redecorate my spaces, I call it SANCTUARY BUILDING. The little lights pictured above give off a warm glow and ambiance reminiscent of a charming outdoor restaurant in Copan, Honduras. Do you have a sacred space in your home?

When I feel weary, I put on music to lift my soul and to inspire me to get into the groove. My newest favorite is Luis Villegas ~ Cafe Ole. 

Each year I select a word to focus on this year my word is EMBRACE. It is a call to action to lean into those challenges. It is a call to take positive risks. It is a call to live life with an open heart. I think too it is a call to give out lots of hugs in the coming year!

To remind me of my watchword, I made a 3"x5" notecard.

I seem to be drawn to blue these days. Does that happen to you? Are you drawn to different colors at different times in your life? Perhaps I'm entering into a blue period?

This week's Journey of the Heart Journal page draws upon the elements from my gypsy collage. It offers you a space to record your thoughts and feelings about entering into this new year. The affirmation, "I give myself the time I need." reminds me that I don't have to have it all figured out right now.

I hope my post inspires you to enter this year with a gentle and open heart.

Namaste,

Kathryn, Collage Diva

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Journey of the Heart: Intuition

How strong is your intuition?

Do you listen to it? Do you trust it?

A couple of months ago I pulled out my little journal and pieced together the simple collage pictured above. I worked intuitively and selected images and words that grabbed my attention as I filled the pages. I wasn't all that crazy about the layout - it seemed rather simple. It was a few weeks later when I pulled out the book, Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals by Jamie Sams and David Carson, that I realized how much this collage is a REFLECTION of where I'm at in my life.

This is the story of SWAN MEDICINE adapted from the book, "Medicine Cards."

Little Swan flew through the Dreamtime, looking for the future. She was feeling anxious. "Where am I heading in life? What are my next steps?" she thought as she paused on a cool, still pond next to Sacred Mountain. At the center of the pond was the largest swirling black hole she had ever seen. Dragonfly came flying by and explained how the black hole was a gateway to the other planes of imagination.

(Note: I do not know the source of the beautiful image pictured above.)

"If you wish to enter, you have to ask permission and EARN the right." Dragonfly explained, "You must be willing to accept whatever the future holds as it is presented, without trying to change Great Spirit's plan."

Swan looked at her little ugly duckling body and agreed to to abide by Great Spirit's plan. "I will surrender to the flow of the spiral and trust what I am shown." With that, she was engulfed into the whirlpool.

Swan emerged days later, changed. She was graceful and white, and long-necked. You see Swan had learned to SURRENDER. It was her FAITH and ACCEPTANCE that guided her change. She learned to accept the state of GRACE. (This fabulous photo is from Tim Walker: timwalkerphotography.com)

Swan Medicine teaches us to pay attention to our intuition and helps us to recognize our inner beauty and the beauty within others. "The Swan card is telling you to accept your ability to know what lies ahead. If you are resisting your self-transformation, relax; it will be easier if you go with the flow. Pay attention to your hunches and your gut knowledge, and honor your female intuitive side."

When I look back on the collage in my journal, I see the beautiful woman has accepted herself. It is interesting that the words, "being yourself" appear below her. It ties in so perfectly with the story of Swan. I recall the story of the "Ugly Duckling" by Hans Christian Andersen. My journal page and reflections are as the title of the spread reads, "A Legend Reborn." This is the power of story, we can read tales and myths and make connections to our own lives. I have undergone my own physical transformation in the last year with losing over 50 lbs. I have undergone an even greater change on the inside - I'm learning to let go of my fears and to trust that I'm right where I need to be.

One of the biggest lessons for me in 2011 has been to love myself as I am. "Being myself" has never been easier. I'm feeling less like the ugly duckling and more graceful like the swan.

The timing of this collage is really quite perfect. With the New Year upon us, I find myself as I do each year anticipating the next year. I'm filled with both excitement and anxiety. What do I wish for? What do I want to work on? What is next?

I often turn to the book, 365 Mary: A Daily Guide to Mary's Wisdom and Comfort  by Woodeene Koenig-Bricker and randomly open it for a message. I invariably find comfort in the words and Mary seems to always know the message that I need to hear. Knowing that I would publish this post on Christmas day, I turned to the reflection for December 25th. 

The passage starts with the saying, "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." 

"...it contains an important truth: it's never too late to enjoy life, to live with excitement and wonder that characterize a happy childhood. But to have a happy childhood requires a new birth, not literally but spiritually...

The glory and the mystery of Christmas are that we can be born again."

Here are some questions to ponder from the book:

If you could start life all over, what would you do differently? Would you spend more time watching sunsets and less time watching your assets? Would you laugh more and frown less?

Whatever you would do if you could live life again, you can start doing right now. The first day of the rest of your life is today.

Am I living the kind of life I really want to be living?

What would I change if I could? What's stopping me?

Today is the first day of my new life.

To honor this special connection that I feel with Mary, I made myself a Christmas present, an altar that captures the beauty of Mary and the spirit of her message and that of Swan. Pictured above is the outside of an altar. You'll recognize the images from the painting, "The Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli. Thinking about the swan story, I added the words, "believe" and "trust" to the outside panels.

I worked digitally to create the collages for the inside panels. The two guardian angels bear the words, "embrace" my word for 2012 and "love" my word from 2011.

At the center is an image of Mary with a dried rose bud tucked inside.  

Both Mary and the Swan remind me to accept the state of GRACE. This is not to say that I will not actively participate in life, but rather I will trust my intuition and go with the flow.

Before sitting down to write this blog post, I randomly pulled out a card from a deck of Zen Cards. Looking at the bright green swirl on the face of the card, I am reminded of the whirlpool that Swan entered. 

REFLECTION

When the pond is still, the reflection is clear.

When the MIND is still, the reflection of life is clear.

Reflection brings CLARITY.

In so many ways this little card sums up today's story so perfectly and gives us a gentle reminder that will help us as we set sail into a new year.

I encourage you to pull out some magazines as I did and to work intuitively to create a collage. Be open to images and words that grab your attention. You don't need to know the "why" when you are collecting them. Piece together what you find. Set the collage aside for a few days or even weeks, then return to it to interpret it. What does it say to you? Be open and trust your intuition.

To create the Journey of the Heart journal page for this week, I pulled out my scraps of painted papers. Here is a look at my work table when I'm creating a collage. It is a maelstrom of yummy colors and textures.

I encourage you to follow your intuition this week. Randomly open a book and see what message appears. Download this journal page to take notes of the words, phrases, and signs that appear to you. Have fun! Embrace this journey with the child-like sense of wonder.

Warmest Wishes and Brightest Blessings to you on this Christmas Day,

Kathryn, Collage Diva

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Advent Luminary

We live in a world filled with sadness and strife. The news is saturated with crime and misdeeds. In spite of all this, I know it is an incomplete story. My experience blogging and with social networking has shown me that there are beautiful lights found all over the world. I've seen evidence in the the thoughtful comments left on my blog and Facebook posts. My heart has been touched when people have reached out to share their own stories. I am simply blown away when I check my mail and I receive a gift from someone I've only met online.

Today's blog post features one such gift from a dear connection I made a couple of years ago. Her nickname is Lady North and we met online a couple of years ago. I'm touched beyond words how something I have written in one of my blog posts inspires her to create something and will send it to me. In turn I'm inspired and it motivates me to keep writing and blogging.

Pictured above is her most recent gift, an Advent Luminary.

This luminary is made of a single piece of paper. Lady North worked digitally to create the lovely design. I love the medieval themed images that she selected. Let's take a closer look.

Adventus Primus - The First Week of Advent

"Upon a darkened night the flame of love was burning in my breast." ~ St. John of the Cross

Adventus Secundus - The Second Week of Advent

"Darkness deserves gratitude. It is the alleluia point at which we learn to understand that all growth does not take place in sunlight."

~ Joan Chittister

Adventus Tertius - The Third Week in Advent

"And in the Darkness there glowed a Holy Light."

~ Old English Carol

Adventus Quartus - The Fourth Week in Advent

"The Sun has Risen! Come, put out your candle."

~ Old Proverb

As you can imagine, tears of gratitude and delight filled my eyes when I received this gift. It is a reminder to me of the light we each cast onto the world.

This week I challenge you to reach out to someone you don't know and to shine your light. Perhaps you'll leave some comment love on a blog or facebook post. Maybe you'll follow Lady North's example and make a little something from your heart and post it in the mail. Our world needs your light. Shine brightly!

Namaste,

Kathryn, Collage Diva

PS - If you would like to make your own paper luminary, follow this LINK to the Mini Dream Journal post. Lady North provides detailed instructions on how to fold and cut a single piece of paper. No glue required!

Journey of the Heart: a Pink Apron, a USB Cord, and a Card

"Creative is a Verb" and it is a fabulous action verb! Today I'd like to share with you the story of how my artwork found its way into this book by Patti Digh. It is a story of daring to be remarkable, of a tight deadline that pushed me creatively, and of a time for no fear only a time for doing. It is a story that I hope will inspire you to respond to calls and opportunities for pursuing your dreams.

Here is how the story goes: I had expressed an interest in submitting art for the book project but somehow when the essays were distributed, I missed the e-mail. When a reminder e-mail came out that the deadline was the next day and that they hadn't received anything from me I was confused and embarrassed. Without anything to lose, I sent off a reply asking if it was too late to get an essay. I realized that it was the 11th hour on a Monday night (8:30 p.m. actually) and there was little hope that I'd pull anything off - but maybe, just maybe I had something already that could work.

 
Well, the next morning before heading off to work, I looked over at my large planning calendar - the one with a fabulous collage wheel (see above) and thought, "maybe this design concept could be used with one of the essays?" It wasn't until later in the morning while at my day job when I received two essays by e-mail. I immediately opened them up and read them. The first essay refers to Parker Palmer, author of Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation.  Patti Digh had retold one of his stories from his book that I had read only a couple of months earlier. I laughed so hard when I read Patti's essay because Palmer's work had spoken to me so deeply. I knew the story only too well and in fact had retold it many times during the weeks before. (You'll have to get Patti's book or Parker's to read the story. Or swing by for coffee or a glass of wine and I'd be happy to tell you the story.)

Later in the evening, I worked up a collage to illustrate the essay about a Quaker Clearness Circle. Notice how the collage for the book resembles the collage in my planning board. I love how I knew without knowing hours before reading the essay that this symbol would be used. But the story of this symbol gets better. You see the following week, I worked this design into my first product for sale. I call it The Friendship Circle. 

The Friendship Circle Story

Each colorful wedge in the friendship circle represents a beautiful friendship in your life. At the center is a spiral - an inspiration spiral. As each friend shows their true colors the spiral spins and all friends in the circle are touched.

Wear your colorful pin as a reminder that you are an inspiration to so many. Thank you for being in my friendship circle and keeping the inspiration spiral spinning. Thank you for being true. Thank you for being you.

The pins are only $9 each including shipping. CLICK HERE to order your pins and to download the friendship circle planner.

Serving Love

The second essay tells a story about how Patti's dad would make monogram pancakes. I sat in my office at my day job thinking how I might pull this off. I had 24 hours to make a collage for the first essay and come up with artwork to somehow depict monogram pancakes. Monogram pancakes?

My mind wandered back to a few months prior when I had participated in Jen Louden's Virtual Retreat. Patti Digh was a guest presenter and led us through an exercise where we randomly picked up a couple of objects. Patti asked us to take a few moments to write about the objects and how they reflected how we live and what matters to us. My objects were a card that read, "Dare to be remarkable" and a usb cord. Here I was months later with a deadline from this same author. As I looked at the essay thinking about monogram pancakes I made a connection to that virtual retreat. I heard the call in my head, "Dare to be remarkable. Don't be afraid. You are creative. You can do this!" As I worked on my tasks for my day job, my mind kept wandering. I thought about the ingredients I had on hand to make pancakes and a really cool apron that I purchased from my favorite local coffee shop. I pictured in my mind the photo I was to pull off in the end.

On my lunch break, I ran home to find that my dear friend and neighbor was home. I asked her if she would be around that evening for an impromptu photo shoot. "Bring the kids! There is no pressure on this." I had assured her. "Just wear a pair of jeans and clogs. This will be fun. It is a shot in the dark. Let's play. Do you want to play?" My friend Terri taught me many years ago how to play. She smiled and said, "I'd love to play. Let's play!"

Upon returning to work I received some sad news. One of my colleagues who had cancer had just died. I felt a momentary stun and a deep sadness losing her - she was so young. I thought about how much she would love the apron and pancakes and how I was going to play later with my friend and her kids. "Donna would love this." I thought,"She knew how to serve love." At this point the clock was ticking and I was feeling not scared but focused and alive. I thought about how this photo shoot would be dedicated to the memory of Donna. My mind cleared and I felt energized.

After work I went home and called another neighbor to get her in on the fun. She has a great backyard and I wanted to shoot the photos in natural daylight.

I grabbed my son's cookbook from his life skills class. (Thank you McLaughlin Middle School for the pancake recipe.) I filled a sandwich baggie with batter and carefully pierced a hole to simulate a pastry bag. Gracefully I drew letters and hearts.

I was amazed that everything went so smoothly. I was using an unfamiliar stove at my friend's house and much to my surprise I didn't burn a single pancake. It was one of those days when I was filled with GRACE.

I captured the very shot that I had in my head on the first click of my camera.

I'm calling this series of photos my "serving love" series. Pictured above is Terri and her darling daughter. I pulled out some fun fish shaped platters that the little one adored.

Salina loved these plates.

 

Oh how we laughed and laughed.

Her favorite was the little plate and the little heart.

Her handsome brother had no trouble eating the big pancakes. He gobbled them up when he wasn't playing ninja with...

...my favorite ninja of all, my son.

I'm wiping the tears as I write this. I had Donna in my heart when I worked and played that day. After the photo shoot I designed the collage, prepped the photos and within 14 hours of receiving the essays I had my submission e-mailed.

Since then, I've been responding to calls for artwork and each time I remember that I have nothing to be afraid of. Just do it! Dare to be remarkable!

But wait the story continues! There is more! A couple of months ago I took a workshop with Patti Digh. Pictured above is Patti holding a pink apron. Take a closer look at the name embroidered on it. That's right, it reads, "Donna." CLICK HERE to read Patti's blog post that tells the heartfelt story of a reader who sent her this crayon apron that belonged to her darling little daughter who died of cancer. Pink apron, Donna, cancer? As you can imagine, I was in tears when I heard Patti share this story and I'm in tears now as I write this blog post. 

Remember the second object, the usb cord from the virtual retreat? The cord is all about connection. I've discovered in the last couple years and especially after writing about a simple usb cord, that I'm a really a good connector - a connector of ideas, people, and experiences. And, I believe we are all good connectors and conduits. They key is opening our hearts and a willingness to look for and accept these connections.

Today's Journey of the Heart Journal has a pink apron and the words, "dare to be remarkable." I hope you'll make some time for yourself this week to take a break from the pressures of the holiday season. May you find time to connect with your dreams, find connections with every day experiences, and may your heart be filled with joy.

It is the third Sunday in Advent and my Catholic friends are lighting the pink candle in their Advent wreaths. This Sunday is known as Gaudette Sunday which translates as "rejoice." Although I feel tender-hearted about big donna and little donna and their pink aprons, I also feel a strong sense of connection and call to live a life filled with play and creativity. I hope you'll answer the call and make creative an active verb in your life.

With much love and light,

Namaste,

Ryn, Collage Diva

PS - If you are looking for a great gift for yourself, one that will inspire you in the New Year, consider Patti Digh's book, Creative is a Verb .

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Journey of the Heart Journal - Divine Timing

 

Sitting on my writing table is a houseplant filled with geranium cuttings that were mailed 1800 miles from my friend's home in Colorado to my home in New Hampshire. When I opened the package I pushed each tired stem into some rich organic soil. Each stem came from a different plant bearing a different colored flower. With care these stems will get stronger and bloom once again, each in their own time. It will be fun to see the different combinations of colors emerge over time.

Today I spied the first blossoms.

Looking at these three buds, I realized that our life's journey offers us not one blossom but several over a lifetime. Although I have felt like a late bloomer and that I've lost precious time, I now see my life much like this plant and its collection of stems - one could be seen as my family life, another my career. There is one for romantic relationships and another for my well-being. Each aspect of my life has a series of blossoms marking precious milestones and achievements. My life is not one big blossom but rather a bouquet.

The best laid plans.

At my day job, we  recently published a new website. It was about a year ago that we carefully mapped out a plan for each phase of the project. Our goal was to start building the site during the slow summer months. We were eager to get the new site built and launched before the new bishop was to be announced. Like any big project there are factors that are out of our control. The developers turned over the site three months later than we had planned and the announcement of the new bishop came a couple of months before launch. In hindsight, we can see how the events and timing were really perfect.

This web project is an excellent example of divine timing. There was no way for us to know when the new bishop was going to be named and there was no way of determining just how long the developers were going to take. We had to do our best to chart a course and to move forward and roll with each twist and turn.

Divine Timing.

I've been thinking a lot about divine timing these days and the web project is a good example of it. When I look back over my life, I can see how every experience and relationship has been exactly what it needed to be. I'm now opening my heart and trusting that I will meet the people and have the experiences that are divinely perfect for my life's journey.  

There are several areas in my life that I want to see changes including career, romance, and health. I'll use the same approach as developing that website. I'll start with defining what I want, make a plan, and begin work, BUT (yes that is a big but), I will move forward with an open heart and trust those unexpected twists and turns. I know there are always many variables out of my control and experience has shown me that the divine is at work in my life.

Waiting is so tough.

Waiting to move forward on my dream, waiting to meet that special someone, and waiting for my fitness to reach the next level can be wearisome. It is easy to grow impatient and frustrated. Not to mention the awful feeling when doubt creeps in. This is when renewing our intentions, counting our blessings, and letting go of expectations comes in. It is when it is important to let go and trust in the divine.

It is the second week of Advent. Often we think of the four weeks leading up to Christmas as a time for waiting. I recently read that Advent actually translates as "coming" or "arrival." Perhaps these words can help us to navigate our own uncharted waters. "Waiting" sounds rather passive don't you think? I like the idea of focusing on what is coming and what will arrive.

I believe the words we use can reinforce positive and negative experiences. Our thinking impacts our choices. If our thinking is passive then we will get stuck. If our thinking is active, we will move forward.

Consider the following (fill in the blank with whatever you desire):

I'm waiting for _________.

versus

___________ is coming. I'm anticipating the arrival of ___________.

Let's take for example my desire for a healthy, loving, romantic relationship. Let's call this mystery man, Mr. Wonderful.

I'm waiting for Mr. Wonderful.

versus

Mr. Wonderful is coming. I'm anticipating the arrival of Mr. Wonderful.

Now if Mr. Wonderful or whatever opportunity it is that we desire is on it's way the question is...

What can we do to prepare?

What can we do now so we can recognize the opportunities and be prepared to respond to them?

 This week's journal page offers you a place for planting some seeds and preparing for what's to come in your life.

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Journey of the Heart Journal - Light

As I return to my Journey of the Heart Journal after a month-long break, I can hardly believe that it is the first Sunday in Advent. It shouldn't come as a surprise, I've spent the last few weeks preparing for it at work. The image above is one of several slides I created for our new website. Somehow Advent seemed like it was further off on the horizon.

So it is when we wait for something and anticipate it. There have been many holiday seasons when I've put so much pressure on myself to find the perfect gifts, to deck the halls and cook lots of food and treats. When I selected the message to go with the photo, it was a reminder to myself that I can relax and enjoy this season - that what is most important is to recognize the divine within others and to nurture this light within me.

I spent yesterday cleaning out my son's room. For those of you new to my blog and story, my 15 year old went to live with his dad some 1800 miles away this summer. He will be coming out for two weeks to celebrate the Christmas season with me. I dreaded his room, he left it a complete disaster as you can imagine most teenage boys would do. What I dreaded most though would be the reminders of days gone by and sure enough I discovered long lost toys and stuffed animals - each one with a story so tender and bittersweet. I cried and smiled and cried some more as I sorted through the stuff. I talked to myself using gentle words and reminded myself what a great job I am doing. As I cleared his room and washed away the dust, I could feel the room that I was making - the room for something new. I pulled out some board games that I normally find boring but I know that my son loves and I'm excited to play them with him. I collected a couple of old favorite puzzles that I'll have on a table for us to work on throughout the two weeks. As we push the game pieces around the board or find the right spot for each puzzle piece, what I'm looking forward to the  most is time to just hang out and BE with my son.

When I look back on a year ago, I had posted to my blog that I was embarking on a new journey - a journey toward health. I had read in Marianne Williamson's book, A Course In Weight Loss: 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering Your Weight Forever, that I needed to begin this journey with love. Now a year later, I can tell you that this is EXACTLY where we need to start when we are faced with making changes in our lives.

These photos are a good visual that illustrates how I looked before and after losing 50+ pounds. Friends, I had been carrying the burden of so many hurts and disappointments. Although it was emotionally painful to shine a light onto these dark areas in my heart, I can tell you that I feel soooo much better and lighter. I've made peace with so many things from my past and I've let it all go. My emotional lightness has translated into physical lightness.

Before sitting down to the computer today to write this, I started in my journal. I sat next to a collection of shells and other found treasures.

I lit the candle and took a deep relaxing breath. I asked out loud, "What will I share in today's post?" What I've learned from achieving my weight loss, has given me the confidence and skills to navigate new challenges as they arise.  I'm in a major life transition - I'm single and the nest is empty. For years I identified myself as a "single mother" first and foremost. All of my decisions were based first on what my son needed. Although I am still a mother and my son is very important to me, my focus has shifted. I'm in that in-between stage - that place between when something ends and when something new begins. I'm in that ambiguous middle where the question, "What's next?" is swirling in my head and around my heart.

 I'm taking time to look back on my life at how I've handled change. I can see that I've been one to quickly go from an end to a new beginning and skip over the uncomfortable and often messy middle. I can see how I was a change addict. In the past, I would have acted rather quickly after my son moved away and moved myself, changing jobs. I can see now that I thrived on the change and welcomed the distraction. This time around, I'm feeling less impulsive. Although this change happened suddenly in my life, that doesn't mean I have to take a sudden reaction. I recognize the need to stay put, to honor my feelings of loss, and to give myself the time I need to set course on the next stage of my life.

Change is scary but it is also exciting. I find comfort in this little shell with the word, "smile." I feel the corners of my mouth move up and my heart warms. I take a deep breath. Will you join me and take one now too? Fill up those lungs of yours and let the air flow through. Ahhhhhhhh. Focusing on our breath is a great way to relax.

It is okay that I don't know where I'm heading. I'm still collecting clues and sorting through my options. For now, I'm going to focus on taking care of me. I'm thrilled beyond words about the success I've had in the last year with my weight loss. Now I'm looking to step it up and get active. This couch potato - carbo queen is eager to get moving. A friend of mine wants to also get active so we've decided to train this winter and run a 5k in the spring. Having a goal to work towards helps me to stay focused. When the goal is timed and easily measured, I'm most successful. More than getting toned and running that 5k, my real goal is to add to my healthy lifestyle another dimension of fitness. It will be a challenge for me as I like to sit and think, daydream, read and write, play with my art supplies - but I know that when I get physical, I'll have more energy and vitality to enjoy life even more.

So I'll end this post with a gentle reminder to you that you have this light within you that can never be blown out. It is always lit and it is fueled by love. Nurture this love within and it will heal your relationships with food, loved ones, friends and colleagues, and most importantly with YOU.

The theme for this week's Journey of the Heart Journal page is LIGHT. May you enter this Advent season recognizing the beautiful light within you.

Namaste, Kathryn, Collage Diva

PS - If you are interested in reading more about my weight loss journey check out these blog posts:

• The Journey Begins Here
• Finding Pear-fection
• Collection of blog posts on CollageDiva.com

To get your copy of the Journey of the Heart Journal, subscribe to the True North Arts Newsletter:

Subscribe to the True North Arts/Collage Diva newsletter to download the journal pages for free! That's right, subscribers will get access to a weekly journal page with new artwork, prompts, affirmations, and/or inspirational quotes. You can unsubscribe at any time.