Shop my "own store" in 2013

Often I say to other crafter friends or to myself - I need to use the supplies/materials that I have.  Then I see a new line from Webster's Page or Graphic45 and that all goes out the window! LOL!!  But as I was thinking about the new year and what I want to do artistically, this phrase came back up.

So, in 2013, I am going to make an effort not to buy new paper, rub-ons, embellishments and things of the like. I need to go shopping in my "own store"!! Often, I am surprised by what I have because I have forgotten about it or because of my dis-organization skills :) I feel like I hit the jack pot.  And I am able to create some nice pieces.

Of course, glue, adhesives, canvas, paints - that will not fall into this category.  Lets see how successful I am this year! One month at a time!!
Happy Crafting everyone in 2013!!
~SeekSoulBalance!!

Flu Bug Got Me....

I have been out of commission this past week with the flu.  :(  The doctor said its good that I had the flu shot to help lessen the symptoms.  Boy, was the fever, muscle aches and the sinus pressure intense!  But I am thankful it was not worse and feel sorry for those who've had it harder hit them.  One piece of advice (and I know there are lots of thoughts/opinions on this) but for me personally - I will continue to get the flu shot as I have and if you have not - maybe think about getting it for this year, there is time still, or later this fall in 2013.

What I noticed while having the flu, I have not had any coffee in almost a week, virtually no caffeine - only 1 12 oz Coke Zero.  I have had LOTS of hot tea.  I have not had any meat protein in the same amount of time, except for yesterday, my darling BF brought me some pork roast he'd made.  I did have egg whites on Sunday morning, I believe it was.  I have been living off tomato soup and either bagel chips or sliced artisan  grain bread.  Virtually no sugar - only to add teaspoon to hot tea.   Once I could smell and taste again, I feel as though they have been cleansed and both are heightened to a level before the flu I had not experienced.  Oh, btw...I have lost about 5 lbs. (now that I am having more regular meals I hope I can manage that and not put it back on)

I have not craved caffeine.  Not craved sugar.  Not really had a desire for any type of food per say.  But my taste is so pure when I do eat.  My smell - everything seems to be enhanced 3 fold.  This all paused me to think for a moment how numb we are to what we consume and it affects us.  I hope to continue not to crave sweets/sugar - thats my downfall.  I want to see how much longer I can go without coffee/soda - or maybe a cup/can if I really feel I need it.  Continue to eat smart/healthy and incorporate more fruits/veggies.  The bread will not be a staple.  Start back to exercising regularly.

Hope to be back to blogging and ArTing soon - very soon - mojo is scratching!! :)
~SeekSoulBalance!!

Soar on Your Own Wings

Here is a pic of another entry I made into my art journal.  The background I did a few days prior.  But the wing was made all with acrylic paints and my lil (or should I say index) finger!!! I LOVE how it turned out!!  I think I had been up on it - too close.  Kinda lost sight of my form or at least it felt that way.  Once I stepped back to take the pic I was able to really see the wing much more defined.   I think I will try to do a canvas of this one soon.
~SeekSoulBalance!!

Here's Where It Took Me

So as my friend said, "that's ok, go with it" and I did.  This is where it took me when I allowed myself to just "float"/"be".  And I LOVE the quote more than anything! So empowering and something to remember and often as women.
"When a woman stands in the truth of her essence, she shifts and she lifts the world."
                                                                              -Tiffany Rose

I've wanted to make a heart with wings for some time now.  I did the purple last week and love how this all serendipitously came together -- and at the very right moment in time.  There is always something stronger than us working in the universe for us.  Just listen and go with it.
~SeekSoulBalance!!

Feeling Melancholy....

Never do I put anything out here personal.  This was a conscious choice I made when I began this blog.  But today, I feel compelled to.  Feeling Melancholy....that has been how my afternoon is shaping up.  I went outside to soak up the warmth of the sun since its been so gloomy/overcast lately.  Took my Somerset Studio mag with me.  I was ten pages in and my focus was all over the place.  Well, point being there was no focus.  The sun started to hide behind some trees as mid-afternoon set in and the chilly breeze felt cooler sitting outside than before.
I have moved indoors, in my cave, put on some of my favorite, calming, meditative music - Native American Indian Flute music.  It really helps to ground me and draw out what I need to purge.  Right now its these dismal gloomy sad feelings in me.  When I am in the cave and picking up a paintbrush, pencil, or something to create with doesn't motivate me then I know I am in a "funk".
I hope by sharing, releasing these feelings/thoughts, it will start to generate a shift in my mood and before I know it I will feel inspired, feel my creative mojo starting to bubble, and it will all lift and be replaced with much lighter, happier feelings.
~SeekSoulBalance!

Bookbinding - 1st Attempt!

I watched an awesome video on bookbinding by Effy Wild and made my first book.  I learned about folios, signatures, all sorts of stuff!! Even though I thought it was plenty of floss I discovered it was not, so I had ran out of floss but was able to McGyver it and finish adding the signatures.  I was not too happy with the way the spine turned out.  Today I added a finished look to the spine and I like it SO much more!! Now I am really happy!!
I used a combination of 140lb watercolor paper and 100lb Britsol paper - both by Strathmore.  I didnt have enough watercolor paper but I like the differences in the surface.  The covers and spine I used the backing of the paper pads- repurpose :)   They are a SUPER HEAVY duty cardboard and I really Love the weight and quality.  I think it will take all I like to add/layer onto my covers very nicely.
As it starts to come along I will post more pics.  Thanks for looking!
{{so far keeping my resolution to blog a lil more ;) }}
~SeekSoulBalance!!

First Work of the Year - Done on Jan 1st!!

I completed a sketch I had done in 2012 on Jan 1st!!  I really like it and especially the background.  This was my first sketch with a woman wearing a head wrap.   She has a friend in the works as we speak ;)
~SeekSoulBalance!!