Lori Moon Studio

Color Challenge: Lavender & Green

2012-02-29T07:26:00.001-05:00

The Color Challenge this month is all about lavender and green.

Two colors that automatically make me think of flowers; crocus, violets, and tulips and this makes me want Spring even more.

I combined the color challenge along with an inspiration deck swap that I am participating in, read more about it here on my post last week.

Louise asked us to combine texture in this month's project so I literally took a leaf from one of my house plants, painted it and stamped my cards.

On the back I added my blog address and one of my favorite photos.

Hop over to Louise Gale's blog to see what the other artists created this month with lavender and green.

Also, feel free to hop over to WOYWW at stamping ground and stalk a few desks.

Shared Messages from the Universe

2012-02-27T07:31:00.001-05:00

The messages are all around us
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These 3 little words made me grin when I walked past them the other day. You see, I like to plan, I like to know where I am going, what I am going to do...except when I am creating.

Don't get me wrong, I may still have a destination in mind or a plan of what I am creating but I do not step by step plan out what I am making.

So, to make a plan for my creative business seems a little overwhelming. To think about what I want to sell, why I want to have a creative business, to whom I am going to sell and how I am going to make it all happen seems, honestly, well...overwhelming is an understatement. And, to try and do it all while I still have a more than full time day job - I just might be downright crazy.

But, that is what I am doing. Making a plan, figuring out the logistics...reviewing photos to see what I should offer as prints. What else besides prints can I make with my photos? If I was to offer an e-course (photography) what would it look like, what would the content be, how would I run...would anyone really take it?

Well, I am happy to say that I am making a plan. It may take me a few months to make the plan, to outline, write it out, figure out the logistics, figure out packaging, shipping, where to print.. And, yes, it is overwhelming.

But, I am also so excited. So, if you have something that really want to do...something that your heart and soul is being called to do...make a plan. Make it happen! The world deserves to share in your art and creativity!

Have you noticed any messages from the universe?

Share your message by joining my flickr group by the same name: Shared Messages from the Universeand post or link your photos. Share those written messages that you walk by most of the time. Those message that all of sudden you notice, you read, you react and they move you forward.

I'd love to see the messages that have inspired you!

Sunday Color Snippets

2012-02-26T08:48:00.001-05:00

Superman and I spent a day last weekend at Chelsea Market.

There were tons of people and because I didn't bring a tripod to do a long shutter exposure of the people passing by - I improvised. I chose to slowly walk through the crowd and snap a picture once in a while.

The out of focus movement totally captures how I felt in the crowd.

As we walked around, I took pictures of things that made me smile. The little love bug chocolates, the crab claws, and the bread (if I sit quietly and look at the bread picture I can almost smell it, again).

I love the repeated pattern of color that each individual picture has (the bread itself, the red lady bug, and the black tips of the claws).

Can you find color in your every day?

In The Picture and My Little Bliss List

2012-02-24T08:02:00.000-05:00

Today I'm participating in this month's in the picture theme which is "write on" and it inspired to step out of my comfort zone with the photo above. I see so much intention in my eyes.

I encourage you to click on the button below to learn more about the self portrait journey @ the urban muser blog and to stalk a few other pages and share in everyone's "write on" photos...

My Little Bliss List this week...

1. I am having so much fun reading blogs on my way to work in the morning (I've chosen to take the bus so I can access the internet) - awakening my soul as I head off to my crazy day job brings me a little bliss every day.

2. This photo was taken while enjoying a walk on the Highline in NYC with Superman. He's such a wonderful man! That's him in the photo. He never fails to indulge my twitchy shutter finger and happily tags along while I take pictures.

3. I created one side of my inspiration deck for the swap and had such fun painting and creating - you see more here on a previous post.

Click the button below and visit the link party to stalk a few other blogs. Get inspired by reading their blogs and remembering what brought you bliss and touched your heart this past week.

As always, thanks for being a part of my creative journey. - Lori

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday

2012-02-22T07:44:00.001-05:00

I am hopping on to the WOYWW blog hop today. It has been awhile since I have shared my messy creative space. And, no, this past weekend my bed turned into my desk. My desk is rather small due to my small apartment so when I need to spread out I use my bed - not ideal but it works.

Earlier this month, I decided to participate in an inspiration card deck swap being hosted by Jessica at In Search of Dessert and inspired by Christine Mason Miller.

So, this past weekend I embraced gesso, texture, decided to combine my monthly color challenge by Louise Gale along with this project - honestly, I only have so many hours when I am awake and not at my day job so sometimes I need to get creative and combine my activities.

I chose to imprint a leaf and add purple marks to the cards.

I have been able to finish one side of a few cards by adding inspirational words. Check back later this month to see more of the finished project.

Thanks for visiting my Workdesk this week now hop on over to Julia's hop at Stamping Ground so that you can stalk a few other creative desks and see what they have been up to.

Enjoy!

Shared Messages from the Universe

2012-02-20T08:50:00.001-05:00

The messages are all around us.
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This always makes me smile.

Imagination changes everything...for me this is true deep within my soul.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
Imagination:

the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality
creative ability
a creation of the mind

We all have an imagination. I believe that it is one of our greatest superpowers as humans.

Unfortunately, I also believe that most people don't ever make the things that they have created with their imagination a reality. And that, my friends, is sad.

I'll admit that I dabble in most things creative and honestly will try anything once, whether the results are good or not; if it is art related I have or will attempt it. I find so much pleasure in stretching my imagination.

This reminds me...the next time that you are getting rid of something: yes that old dresser, those old books, the cards that you received during the holidays, those old license plates, egg cartons, that old roll of wallpaper, leftover paint, old 35mm slides, old film, etc... Use your imagination! What could you create with them?

And, please if you don't have the time or the desire, please seek out and give the items to someone that would make something else out of them. Before you add them to a landfill by throwing them away, do me a favor and:

ask an artist if they could use the items,
give them to an art teacher at your local school,
a scout group,
a church youth group,
a nonprofit...

Even better, deliver the items and offer to volunteer your time to help play, create and use your imagination with whomever you share the items with - you will forever be changed. Trust me, it will be amazing to see how many different things get created out of the same objects...all because of imagination.

Imagination changes everything...how will you use yours today?

Have you noticed any messages from the universe?

Share your message by joining my flickr group by the same name: Shared Messages from the Universe and post or link your photos. Share those written messages that you walk by most of the time. Those message that all of sudden you notice, you read, you react and they move you forward.

I'd love to see the messages that have inspired you!

Sunday Color Snippets

2012-02-19T11:23:00.001-05:00

Last weekend I spent a couple of hours with new friends surrounded by inspiration, art, texture and beauty at Anthropologie. I took a few pictures of color and pattern.

I LOVE that Anthropologie features artists and their art throughout their stores. The decor and layout is inviting and encourages exploration. I can get lost for hours.

Can you find color in your every day?

Little Bliss List...

2012-02-17T07:42:00.001-05:00

Every Friday, Liv Lane hosts the Little Bliss List link party...it is about listing the little things that have touched our hearts and made us feel joy, peace, warmth, love and/or a little bliss during the past week. So, I'm jumping on the bliss band wagon.

1. Hanging out with new friends. Who knew that I would meet like minded, creative, lovely women when taking online e-courses and then to add to it that we meet and just click. I had a joyful, relaxing, inspiring afternoon with Julie from Spaark and Deborah Velasquez. Thank you ladies for the laughs and inspiration.

2. Love at Fat Witch Brownie in NYC. While out with Julie and Deb I stopped in to get a brownie and paused to admire all the love that complete strangers were sharing with each other. It touched my soul and made smile deep inside.

3. I took myself on another heart discovery walk to add more hearts to my Valentine's Day post and had a blast opening myself up to the everyday objects that I walk past. The playfulness of discovery was such a joy.

4. The daily giggles that I share with my BF - a.k.a. Superman. He is the love of my life and we happily do not need a holiday to remind us that we are blessed to be sharing this life together. I am so blessed.

5. Walks in the rain. I left the day job and chose to walk in the rain during my lunch hour. The rain has such a cleansing effect on my mood. I believe that the rain represents tears from heaven and that it has the ability to wash away my cares and worries.

While out walking in the rain I walked past this lock of love just hanging on the exterior wall of a building six feet off the ground. What I love the most about it is that because I shielded my camera with my red umbrella it turned the photo pink. Love!

Click the button below and visit the link party to stalk a few other blogs. Get inspired by reading their blogs and remembering what brought you bliss and touched your heart this past week.

As always, thanks for being a part of my creative journey. - Lori

Love of Art

2012-02-14T08:01:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

I've been creative in way or another since I was young. My love of art started in grade school and was inspired my Mom and her friends who used to craft and create small pieces of art, mostly ornaments, to sell during the holiday season when I was a child. Today I love all kinds of art and simply respect an artist for creating from the heart.

I've fallen in love with photography all over again during the past year.

During the past two weeks, while walking throughout NYC, I've been capturing photographs of hearts. It honestly has been so much fun seeing and noticing the world around me with heart shaped glasses. What do you see in the world around you?

Click the Fly Tribe button below and visit the other bloggers that are participating in the Love of Art blog hop today to see what they've been inspired to create or simply what inspires them for the Love of Art.

Shared Messages from the Universe...Share the Love

2012-02-13T07:40:00.000-05:00

It is only fitting that the message today be related to love, don't you think? (Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for a special post - I've been collecting hearts for the past couple of weeks and I want to Share the Love with you.)

Share the Love... this made me smile when I walked past it one night on my way home from the train.

As an artist, I believe that it is important to share the love. . . to share what I create, how I see the world and what my thoughts or process are along the way.

Do you have a passion? Do you share it or hold it close?

For the past couple of weeks, I have purposely taken walks with the conscious effort to look for hearts around me. It means that if you are walking with me I'll fall behind (that is Superman in the photo below walking alone) because I paused to take a photo.

I was stunned to see and find the hearts below. I've walked this street numerous times, as I used to live in this neighborhood, but I never noticed the hearts. It is so amazing what you see when you look for it.

Try it, take a camera (any camera - I have a simple point and shoot that I carry with me, always) and pick a color, any color - now, look around you. How many items are within your view right now that are that color? Now go to the next room in your house and do the same thing. Later today when you leave your house keep looking for that color and you'll be amazed at how many things you notice just because you are consciously looking for them. Try it - I think you'll be amazed.

I want to encourage you to share the love today - - - share something that you love with someone close to you or share it with a stranger. Giving a little piece of your passion away just might ignite a little passion in someone else. Share the Love.

Have you noticed any Shared Messages from the Universe?
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Share your message by joining my flickr group by the same name: Shared Messages from the Universe and post or link your photos. Share those written messages that you walk by most of the time. Those message that all of sudden you notice, you read, you react and they move you forward.

I'd love to see the messages that have inspired you!

Sunday Color Snippets

2012-02-12T09:42:00.001-05:00

Color inspiration by a visit to Anthropologie...framed 35mm slides.

I love this!!!

Little Bliss List...

2012-02-10T07:42:00.000-05:00

1. Unexpected sweet notes from Superman always make me smile deep within my heart.

2. Speaking of sweet notes - I have received so many kind and warm comments from all of you this past week. They mean the world to me, keep 'em coming. Giggle, seriously your comments touch my heart. An added bonus is that they pop up on my phone throughout my day job and make me smile every time. Joy!

3. Sweet kitty snuggles and purrs. The unconditional love from Tucker is a blessing - adopted on a whim - I think he needs a furry buddy, hmmm. Thanks, Mom & Dad for letting me have my first cat when I was 6 years old - my heart has been full since.

4. I took myself on a photo date during my lunch break this week and fell in love with hearts. There are so many of them all around me and I've never noticed before. Make sure to visit on Tuesday, Valentine's Day for a special Love post featuring my found hearts.

5. A few of us from my day job went to dinner last night - such joy sharing food and laughs with people that you adore.

Click the button below and visit the link party to stalk a few other blogs. Get inspired by reading their blogs and remembering what brought you bliss and touched your heart this past week.

As always, thanks for being a part of my creative journey. - Lori

Letters...I See Them Everywhere

2012-02-08T07:45:00.000-05:00

Alphabet NYC (c) Lori Moon

I have been spending my lunch time walking around the city. I keep seeing letters and I finally have an alphabet that I am happy with...this doesn't mean that I still won't see letters and capture more.

I have honestly been working on this for about nine months - some letters are easier than others.

I also created this too...it would make a fun postcard.

I Love NYC - Alphabet (c) Lori Moon

It has been a few weeks since I last participated in WOYWW - What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday but hop on over to Julia Dunnit's blog at Stamping Ground and stalk a few desks.

Shared Messages from the Universe

2012-02-06T07:34:00.001-05:00

I love everything that this message made me think about...and it still makes me think, feel, and smile.

My first reaction was honestly...what story?

I am just me - nothing spectacular, just a small town girl living in the big city. Then, I giggled out loud and said, yes, I am just me! I have a story.

We all have a story. What is yours and how do you capture it?

You are unique. How you proactively participate in your life is completely different than how I would do so in the same situation.

Think about this for a moment.

Your life IS a story.

What you did yesterday, what made you smile, what brought you happiness, what made you sad - how you lived IS you story. How do you document your never-stop-growing story?

I love this by the way: never-stop-growing. You, your story is always evolving and you play a part in how it evolves, how it grows, how it changes. And, you get to write it.

I choose to write my story through pictures, which if you've seen my previous posts, you probably already guessed. How do you write your story?

I encourage you to share your story. Your story is unique, different than anyone else's and beautiful. Document it, photograph it, write it down, paint it, draw it...most importantly, share it.

What is your never-stop-growing story?

How will you share it?

Sunday Color Snippets

2012-02-05T08:20:00.001-05:00

Blue sky...I often forget you are there due to concrete surrounding me and traveling by subway.
Last weekend,mwhile I was out in the city, the sky was so blue. I thought I would share a few shots of my glimpse of the sky from different angles. I will admit that I often forget to look up because so much is happening around me.

The morning started out with whispy clouds above.

After lunch the sky was clear.

The reflection in the car window below stopped me in my tracks as I was walking. The color of the sky was captured so well, the lighting and the building were framed so nicely I couldn't help but click the shot.

In the photo below, the two white specks that are in the sky are a star, on the left, and a sliver of the moon.

What do you see when you look up?

Can you find color in your every day?

Perspective

2012-02-03T08:16:00.001-05:00

When you look at something do you only see it from one perspective?
Or, do you observe from multiple vantage points?

This is the Flatiron Building in NYC. Each view above allows you to see the building from a different angle and in different light.
Next time you like at something try looking at it from a different angle, tilt your head, take a few steps back, get closer, sit on the ground...you may just see whatever you are looking at in a whole new way.
Have a great weekend!

Photo-Heart Connection

2012-02-01T10:22:00.000-05:00

Kat Eye Studio is hosting the photo-heart connection project. On the first of each month we will share the photo, that we took during the previous month, that speaks the loudest and the strongest to our heart and soul.

This photo, of all the photos that I have taken this past month, touched me the most.

As I walk the city, I notice and photograph so many things that speak to me and/or make me think of things that are going on within my heart and head at any given time. I notice letters where letters do not exist, messages from the universe within advertising and signage, shapes, colors and patterns. It really is how I see the world.

This photo, however, was taken while on a walk after a lovely lunch with my BF. He is always so patient with my fascination with whatever it is that has tickled me that day. He knows that if and when I reach into my purse It is for my camera and he will walk slower or watch me as I focus and shoot my subject of the moment. I was obsessed with shadows on this walk back home through the park. I was distracted by their length, their shape, and how the sun and clouds changed the intensity of the shadow.

This photo makes me smile deep within myself, you know, the kind of smile that makes your heart grin.

See, I met my Superman 25 years ago, and I have known that he was/is the love of my life. We dated back when I was in college but it took us many years and separate lives filled with lessons to reconnect. Now, we spend our lives together through the good and the bad, the joyous and the difficult.

In this photo, I love the length of the light post due to the position of the sun - how straight it is. And, especially, I love the way that our bodies lean into one another and touch in the shadow. I am smiling as I type this because it just brings such deep comfort and happiness. This is the message for me - a sense of home.

Please enjoy stalking the Photo-Heart Connection blog post and visiting the other participant's links by clicking on the logo below. Enjoy having your heart warmed with the beauty of their photos.

Shared Messages from the Universe

2012-01-30T07:52:00.000-05:00

Typically, my posts for Shared Messages from the Universe are signs that I see on billboards, in subways, or posted around the city. Today I wanted to share my vision board and show you that messages are all around us and even in what we read.

A few of my favorite and how they speak to me:

"This investment was a no-brainer there was no turning back"

I need to create a life filled with creativity. I know, that sounds selfish but in order for me to deeply be happy - I do. I am on that path and there really is no turning back. I've been teased by taking more pictures, dabbling in painting, exploring by creating journals, paper flowers, and jewelry. It really is all I want to do.

"Every connection counts..."

I have a supportive family, really great close friends, new artist friends recently met online and you. I am forever grateful for all of your support.

"Alive means living your own damn life,

not the life your parents wanted,

or the life some cultural group or political party wanted,

but the life that your soul wants to live." - Michael Meade

This is so true...this life is so short and we need to embrace whatever it is that our soul sings so that we can dance in our own way. What kind of life does your soul want to live?

This now hangs on my wall next to a few other things that I've created in my lifetime (paintings and photos from last year - a shelf from high school). Thank you Superman for supporting my dreams.

So, grab a couple of magazines that you have already read and start at the back. Yes, the back and page through - cut out anything (pictures, words...) that inspires you, that makes you smile, that makes you pause. I encourage you to start at the back so that you don't re-read it - you need to select based not on what you think but what you feel so don't over think this. Next, put them together. I chose to use a piece of newspaper as my backer because of it's size (why waste a good piece of paper when the newspaper was available). Now sit back and look what you have put together. What speaks to you the loudest? Now, how can you make it happen? Dream! Discover! and Dream Bigger!

Ibelieve that dreams

are like raises

you don’t get, if you don’t ask

you have to put them out there

in order for the universe

to help make them bloom

I encourage you to pay attention to those things around you - are they speaking to you?

Have you noticed any Shared Messages from the Universe?
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Share your message by joining my flickr group by the same name: Shared Messages from the Universe and post or link your photos. Share those written messages that you walk by most of the time. Those message that all of sudden you notice, you read, you react and they move you forward.

I'd love to see the messages that have inspired you!

Sunday Color Snippets...Flowers

2012-01-29T08:55:00.001-05:00

I had flowers on the brain yesterday...which is pretty normal -they are one of my favorite things. So, I saw them everywhere. I have walked past the buildings where I discovered these flowers numerous times and I never saw them. It is amazing what you don't see when you are in auto mode. This time, because I didn't have a destination in mind, I was able to see the world around me with fresh eyes.

After creating my bouquet for the Creative Color Challenge (which you can see if you scroll down to yesterday's post), Superman and I went out for my birthday lunch and a walk in the city.

We walked past Gwyneth Leech's Coffee cups at the Flatiron building. This time I noticed the floral cups, go figure.

If you haven't, please visit the exhibit as it will come down on February 18th. I can't tell you how much joy her coffee cups have brought to my days. Don't tell anyone... but I think I am officially a stalker as I have walked by, stopped, and stared in wonder more than a dozen times.

I encourage you to see the world around you through fresh eyes.

Can you find color in your every day?

Tangerine Tango Color Challenge

2012-01-28T13:07:00.001-05:00

Louise Gale is hosting the Creative Color Challenge 2012 and the color for January is Tangerine Tango. You can read about the color and the challenge here.

During the past few weeks, I walked NYC and I searched for this color but it really isn't prevalent mixed within the concrete. Thus, no photo mosiac as I was hoping to do and if you know me you were probably expecting.

So, I decided that I would create a bouquet of flowers using wire, a few beds and paint chips from the home improvement store. I has such fun rifling through the orange chips to find the right combo - mind you tangerine tango has not hit the paint scene yet...but I think I came close.

I took my flower pattern that I designed specifically for my flower pendants and cut flowers out of the paint chips. A little color can brighten anyone's day so I encourage you to add a little color to your world.

Currently they hang here in my apartment but on Monday they will join me in my commute and take up residence on my 'day job' desk so that I can have a little color in my day.

I look forward to next month. I wonder the color will be? So much fun.

Please visit Louse Gale's site to visit the other artists that are participating in the challenge this month.

Friday Frenzy

2012-01-27T07:21:00.001-05:00

First, I just want to say thank you. I am always so amazed by your comments. It is so encouraging and wonderful to read your shared words. Thank you for visiting, commenting and sharing my journey.

When I get to escape the office, I often walk to Madison Square Park and right past a building on Madison Avenue that has the most beautiful doors.

Look close...there are hearts in this iron door. I think I am in love and inspired to look for hearts around the city and share them with you on Valentine's Day. This is going to be fun!

Meanwhile, I am feeling better, thank you for your well wishes. So the frenzy this weekend...

Pictures - farmer's market on Saturday morning
I need to finish my orange creation for the Color Challenge - I am so behind
By the way, Saturday is my birthday so I am sure that there will be an outing of some kind.
Desk cleaning

So not too much crazy activity but it promises to be so much better than last weekend which was spent in bed. Thanks to Tucker for stepping in last Friday and sharing some photos with you. He sure is a great cat!

What does your weekend frenzy look like?

Alphabet NYC

2012-01-25T08:08:00.001-05:00

My workdesk this week is still, honestly, cluttered with many of the same projects from last week since I have been sick most of the past week. I have, however, been doing more work on the computer with my photographs. So, I decided that since I am a photographer this week I would share the results of my computer desk for WOYWW.

Please visit Julia Dunnit's website at http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/ so you can stalk other artist's workspaces.

I participated in Beth Nicholls' Do What You Love e-course in 2011 and it was one of the best things that I have ever done. The activities inspired me to capture how I see the world around me. Beth's course gets you in touch with yourself, with what you are passionate about and her prompts for taking pictures has helped me immensely.

One activity that she offered was a large list of prompts that I made into cards and she suggested that we draw a few cards, grab our camera and play. Well, as much as I enjoyed her prompts, all to help us see things differently (circles, the color orange, etc), I went one step further - I started to see letters around the city. I am still working on completing my alphabet but here a few examples.

And here is the letter that I have had the most difficulty finding (and it was so close to my apartment carved upside down into a railing of a mansion on Fifth Avenue).

Can you see the Q?

As I mentioned, this is still a work in progress but I am having so much fun unconsciously finding letters in the city around me. I find them without even looking for them. Crazy what your mind can do when you don't even push it.

LOVE in NYC (c) Lori Moon Studio

I encourage you to be a little more cognizant of the world around you.

What can you notice in a different way that you normally walk past every day?

Shared Messages from the Universe - Never Hide

2012-01-23T07:28:00.000-05:00

The above image was in an ad on top of taxi, thus it is a little blurry, but it really does speak to me this week.

I am participating in the revolution of Kelly Rae Roberts' and Beth Nicholls' Hello Soul Hello Business e-course. During the past week we were asked to think of our creative business as a person, answer many questions and honestly do some deep soul searching. Thea activities inspired me to write a letter as if my creative business were a person and she was writing to me. I named her Bee. This is what transpired:
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"Sweet Lori,

Why don't you takeour own advice more often? Why are you more able and comfortable to give achild, a friend or a stranger advice than you are willing to give it toyourself?

Think about thisfor a moment. When was the last time you gave yourself advice?

Why is it that youoften compromise what you know and believe would make you happiest? Isn’tit time to embrace the person inside of you that you really want to be? Idare you to: Knock. See if she is home. Ask if she can come out toplay. Have coffee with her. Take her on a walk. Listen to whatshe, your inner soul, is saying - - - then jump! Take action – make one ofthose things a reality. Go for it!

I believe thatwhispers

arethe sounds that

your soul makes

whenshe is screaming

~ so listen closely.

You know thosepositive little voices, whispers, or tugs at your heart when you arequiet. Yes, you might call them daydreams, but to me those whispers areyour "soul-truths" trying to speak to you. Most of the time youdismiss them, (but strangely when the fear scream rears its ugly voice you hearit loud and clear and often listen). By the way, just because fear is louderdoes NOT mean she’s right - so stop it.

Back to thosedaydreams, those whispers…write them down, make a list, try one of them, and asyou complete them - celebrate. Dance, do a little jig, have a glass of wine andtoast to your accomplishment, share it with a friend or on your blog so thewhole world can know that you’ve achieved a goal and completed a dream - nomatter how big or small. Celebrate!"

- Love, Bee

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This, coupled with the message from the universe this week has inspired me to embrace who I am deep down inside. The person that I want to be but who is often hidden due to so many external reasons. Never Hide

I encourage you to pay attention to those things around you - are they speaking to you?

Have you noticed any Shared Messages from the Universe?

Share your message by joining my flickr group by the same name: Shared Messages from the Universe and post or link your photos. Share those written messages that you walk by most of the time. Those message that all of sudden you notice, you read, you react and they move you forward.

I'd love to see the messages that have inspired you!

Sunday Color Snippets

2012-01-22T08:41:00.001-05:00

Last week when the BF and I were out walking I stopped at 79th and Madison and chose the color green. You may remember that I previously shared the color red from the same 4 corners of Manhattan. If you missed it click on the words in the previous sentence to see them.

Thank you for all the well wishes. I am starting to feel better. One more day of rest should help.

Can you find color in your every day?

Hee Hee, Highjacked by Tucker

2012-01-20T08:06:00.001-05:00

Good morning, world!

Lori is feeling a bit under the weather (she is still going to that crazy day job though) so I thought I would help out and post a few pics today - she'll be back on Sunday with her color snippet post.
I overheard that NYC is supposed to get a little snow tomorrow. Lori will be so happy but in the meantime I dug through her old photos and thought I would share a few snow shots that she took last year. Enjoy!

Lori loves this next picture which was taken early in the morning in Wisconsin.

Hopefully, Lori will rest this weekend so my vote is snuggles, hot tea and sleep. No frenzy activity here...she has no voice and needs to get better. I am sure she will still venture out into the snow - she won't be able to resist. Thanks for visiting her blog.

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday

2012-01-18T07:44:00.001-05:00

Today is Wednesday and I enjoy playing with other lovely artists and Julia Dunnit over at Stamping Ground by participating in WOYWW - what's on your workdesk Wednesday?

My Workdesk is a mess!

Upper left: orange paint chips. I am participating in Louise Gale's Color Challenge and this month's color is Tangerine Tango, the 2012 color of the year. I have been looking for lovely orange in my cityscape surroundings but I am having difficulty so yesterday I made a special trip to HD and picked up a bunch of orange paint chips. I see flowers in my future! I think that they will accent the journals that I am still trying to finish. (hopefully this weekend I will feel better - by the way thank you for your well wishes and keep sending that positive energy as I am having a hard time kicking this sickness)

Top middle: journal that I am still working on sitting on top of my most recently received magazines (I wonder what I can cut out of them).

Top right: a lovely print from Tracey Fletcher King. I met her through CED, I think, but no matter. I started to stalk her blog, guilty! We connected and I fell in love with her tea cups. I reached out to her and asked about purchasing a print as a gift and it all led to a swap. I sent her a print of Autumn Love and a gift of a twisted flower necklace. This is the print that she sent to me as a gift. The other print has already made it to my Mom who is in love. Your can read more about this over at her blog, also be sure to check out her art - absolutely beautiful! xoxo to you Tracey.

Bottom right: jewelry making supplies. Also, inside that white pouch is family jewelry from a very dear friend of the family from back home. She saw the necklace I made from my Gram's jewelry and asked that I do same from her mother's jewelry.

Bottom Left: you are going to be hearing more about this during the next 10 weeks.

I am participating in the revolution of Kelly Rae Roberts' and Beth Nicholls' Hello Soul Hello Business e-course. It is fabulous! This is my first exercise and I have thought through the questions and created my friend Bee. She is the creative me. So eye opening.

What's on your work desk?

Don't forget to stalk the other artist's over at Stamping Ground and visit their blogs today.

Shared Messages from the Universe

2012-01-16T07:27:00.003-05:00

Believing makes everything possible. Oh, you have no idea how deeply I believe this statement, so to see it on a store front just made me honestly stop in my tracks.

Everyone has dreams. The biggest problem that I see or hear is that no one every shares them. Dreams are often just kept inside. Drum roll, please --- you have to voice them, write them down, share them with your best friend, or a total stranger in order for them to come true. The old silent wish upon a star thing isn't going to work, in my opinion.

Here is a little something that I think we forget - you need to share your dreams with the universe because you are going to need a little help. And, you can't half-ass it! Meaning that if you are going to put it out there don't make the classic mistake of sitting back and waiting for things to happen, because, I promise, they won't. You are going to have to work for it!

If you are going to go for it - you need to believe in it, what ever it is, and you need to visualize yourself living the dream.

Believe, embrace your dream, and deep within you believe.

Now, because you believe it, you've put it out there, now make it happen (little steps remember - nothing happens over night) and pay attention to the synchronicity that occurs. Trust me, it will make you smile.

Believe in your dreams, in what you want, in who you are and who you want to become.

Last week I shared a few of my "I believe" statements. Since my word for 2012 is believe, in my head I write these statements all too often. I've decided to write them down and share them with you throughout the year.

I believe that dreams

are like raises

you don’t get, if you don’t ask

you have to put them out there

in order for the universe

to help make them bloom

I believe that you

just need to begin

in order to

reach your dreams

I believe that celebrating

the smallest accomplishment

should be done with

the same joy as you would for the big ones

BELIEVING MAKES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE

Have you noticed any Shared Messages from the Universe?

Share your message by joining my flickr group by the same name: Shared Messages from the Universe and post or link your photos. Share those written messages that you walk by most of the time. Those message that all of sudden you notice, you read, you react and they move you forward.

I'd love to see the messages that have inspired you!

Sunday Color Snippets

2012-01-15T08:34:00.001-05:00

I have been feeling a little under the weather lately. The BF aka Superman had it really bad and happily it hasn't hit me that hard but....it is still hitting me. This means that I have reached into my collection of farmer's market photos to create this weeks color snippet.
It also means that I decided to add the color of the sun to your Sunday hoping that it would brighten my mood, too.

Yellow Color Snippets (c) Lori L. Moon

Can you find color in your every day?

My Favorite Distractions...and a Little Friday Frenzy.

2012-01-13T08:27:00.000-05:00

Hmmm. I can honestly say that this week has been CRAZY.

Superman has been sick all week and I have attempted to not get infected (pretty difficult to do when you live together in less then 300 square feet), the "day job" has been stressful so my creative juices have not been flowing, and my mind has been daydreaming.

Yes, daydreaming about today, Friday and for Monday. Why?

Well, today fellow flyer and friend, Violet, is featuring me on her blog, Kelly Mae Kreations. Each Friday Violet is sharing the love by featuring a fellow artist and this week she asked me to participate. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to introduce myself and share a little bit about what inspires me and who I am. Please visit her site.

This photo was taken almost a year ago, James De La Vega is a NYC street artist who often walks the streets of NYC and creates art on anything and everything. A smile is always brought to my face when I walk past his art and messages.

And, Monday, because I've registered for the revolution, a.k.a. The Business Soul Sessions (Hello Soul. Hello Business.) being taught by Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nichols and I am beyond excited. I am busting to get started, to learn, to grow, to expand my creative life and business.

I took the photo below just last week and it encompasses exactly what this course is going to be about. Well, maybe the words should be reversed: Pleasure, meet business. hmmmm.

My Friday Frenzy is brief this week - I need to relax (warm baths, reading, maybe clean my desk) and fight this sickness (it hasn't hit me fully yet) that the BF has so warmly shared. Maybe, hopefully, I can run away and take some pictures.

Have a greet weekend!

Don't forget to check in on Sunday for my Sunday Color Snippet post.

Images from NYC

2012-01-11T07:43:00.001-05:00

This week my camera has been with me always and I have been taking many pictures. This is good but it also means that I have not spent time creating jewelry, journals, or painting as I have been in edit mode. (my desk looks the same as last week but with more clutter added)

So, today I am sharing a few images with you. It really doesn't seem like winter and I miss the snow when I am in Central Park.

This last picture I love. Who knew that even when you practice playing the bagpipes a kilt is necessary?

Remember to capture those moments, those glimpses into your world, those things you notice and see.

No one else sees them exactly the way you do.

One Little Word (Shared Messages from the Universe)

2012-01-09T07:38:00.001-05:00

As many of know, on Monday I typically do a post regarding messages from the universe, well, this week, the message from the universe is very personal because I plan to embrace for the entire year.

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me and remind me of something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead the message conjures emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. I see them on billboards, in magazines, store windows, church plaques...everywhere.

The messages are all around us.

Last year I intentionally chose to start to build my creative life. I had read about Ali Edwards' One Little Word course (which you can find at Big Picture Classes and by clicking here) but it was August, I felt it was too late, and I had no idea what word I would choose. I can honestly say that my first reaction was, one word - how can I possibly embrace one word for the whole year? Giggle. At that time, I still decided that in 2012 I would choose a own word and take her course.

My word for 2012 chose me. It has surrounded me for months (I've been seeing it everywhere) and it is exactly what I need to work on at this stage of my creative life. My word is BELIEVE.

The definition of Believe is to accept something as true, genuine, or real. And, that pretty much sums up what I need to do during 2012.

I need to believe in myself, in my art, in my creative life, in the steps that I am taking, in the journey I am on, in my blog, in my photos, in my jewelry, in my dreams, in my goals, in me!

So, periodically you are going to see statements on my blog about what I believe. They may pertain to my creative life or they just might be about something random. Just know that they speak to me, they define me, and they are truly what I believe. Here are a few of examples:

I believe that friends
are the family
that you choose

I believe that true happiness
comes from feeding your soul
with your true passion

I believe that dancing
should be done on a daily basis
and that no one can do it wrong

I believe that
I am an artist
and that I can fly

Please visit my Fly Tribe's blog to continue the journey of discovering one little word. My Fly Tribe, the artist friends that I met in Kelly Rae Roberts' 2011 Flying Lessons course have jumped on the one little word bandwagon this year and we are sharing our words and our journey on a blog hop. Just click the badge below and then enjoy hopping around to everyone's blog.

Have you noticed any Shared Messages from the Universe?

Share your message by joining my flickr group by the same name: Shared Messages from the Universe and post or link your photos. Share those written messages that you walk by most of the time. Those message that all of sudden you notice, you read, you react and they move you forward.

I'd love to see the messages that have inspired you!

Sunday Color Snippets - Shades of Black

2012-01-08T08:30:00.001-05:00

Colors are all around us, but at this time of year typically the white, black and gray seem to creep in. Yesterday it was 60 degrees in NYC, the sky was blue, the sun was out, but I was still drawn to the black and gray.

The BF, aka Superman, and I took a walk across Central Park instead of what were going to do because of subway construction (17 of the 22 lines had schedule changes --- this means it would take 2-3 times as long to get whereever we were going and I honestly didn't have the patience).

Well we had a great time on our walk and at lunch. I, of course, was distracted and clicking pictures. Superman really is patient and he never makes me hurry. Love him so much.

I noticed these iron railings on our way to the restaurant and insisted that we could walk back the same way.

As we approached the park, I consciously knew that iron work wouldn't be available once inside (at least not on the path we were walking) so I became distracted by the shadow that one of the railings placed on the wall. Well, I was stuck on shadows for the rest of the walk.

Thanks for sharing in out walk. Enjoy your Sunday.

Can you find color in your every day?

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for my Shared Messages from the Universe when I reveal my one little word for 2012 and you can visit the blog hop that I am participating in.

Friday Frenzy

2012-01-06T08:05:00.001-05:00

So, I know that I will probably regret saying this out loud......I miss snow. The weather has been colder this past week and honestly if it is going to be cold then there should be snow. I blame this attitude on growing up in Wisconsin.

This a photo that I took almost one year ago. The Alice In Wonderland statue in Central Park is one of my favorite.

I can honestly say that I haven't really thought about what I wanted to accomplish this weekend. Normally, before I sit down to right this post, I have an outline or a written list that I have created while sitting at my day job, but not this time. It has been a little difficult to get back into the swing of the day job after being off for 13 days and it has been busy so daydreaming hasn't happened as much. Sigh...

My frenzy:

Take some pictures - it has a few days and I miss seeing the world via the lens. (I believe a visit back to the corner of Madison and 79th is in order (I shot the color red a couple months ago - this time maybe green, hmmmm.)
Stitch the binding on the 2 journals that a finished and ship or give them to their intended owner. I love to give handmade gifts.
Decide if I am participating in the ATC swap with the Fly Tribe. If so, make them!
Relax, maybe a bubble bath with candles.
Finish a couple of twisted flower pendants.
Place an order for more glaze to make more glass tile pendants and don't forget to order chains too.
Escape into the newspaper and a couple of magazine that have piled up.

Ok, that's it, I am sure there will be a subway trip with the BF to explore a different neighborhood, shop or just escape for tea and dessert.

What does your weekend frenzy include?

My one little word reveal has been rescheduled...sorry!

2012-01-05T07:58:00.001-05:00

On Monday, I mentioned that today I would be participating in a blog hop and sharing the word that chose me for 2012. Well, the blog hop has been rescheduled until Monday, 1/9 for numerous reasons and it is ok because it honestly gives me more time to write the post.

But, I feel a little bad that I led you on...and now I want to wait to share the word that I am going to embrace for 2012. I hope you'll forgive me?

I hope the following few shots will make up for it or at least distract you.

While in Wisconsin! I fell in love with a few textures (old bricks, an old door and the texture on the left is an old rusty car door). My Dad has some of the best junk!

Oh, the things I could make with these license plates and a torch....hmmmm.

I ate my last holiday cookie that I made with my family. Cutting out and decorating cookies is something that we have done as a family for as long as I remember. It is always so much fun.

I hope that you will visit on Monday to check out my Shared Message from the Universe where I will share my one little word, the inspiration behind it, how it speaks to me, etc.

What's on my desk...this week

2012-01-04T08:12:00.001-05:00

Today is Wednesday and I recently started to play with other lovely artists and Julia Dunnit over at Stamping Ground by participating in WOYWW - what's on your workdesk Wednesday.

The makings of journals...

As you may remember, I recently visited my family in Wisconsin. I gave my parents an assignment prior to my arrival and list of stops that we had to make upon my arrival. Well, my Dad accepted and completed the mission. I grew up in a town of 5,000 +/- people and my parents, brother, and niece still live there. Yes, I know, you're asking how did I end up in NYC? That is a topic for another post...some day.

Back to my Dad...he visited the local paint and decorating store and scored a few vinyl wallpaper sample books. Two weeks ago he picked me up at the airport and took me to Michael's to buy mod podge, gesso, and (little did he know) a frame for his gift.

There was so much paper to pick from. Now, I know vinyl wallpaper isn't as wonderful as the old real paper wallpaper BUT...it reminds me of cloth, can be written on, makes a great cover (when reinforced with cereal box board and mod podge), adds color and texture to the journals I made.

My Mom had to work and during the first couple of days my niece had school so I was left to create alone (well, my Dad was home but he didn't play with me - giggle)...and selfishly I loved every minute.

I raided my Mom's plethora of artsy supplies and discovered some great lace which accents a few pages beautifully. I incorporated the magazine snippets, used different types of paper and created a few journals.

I still need to stitch them, create a few more, and then give a few to friends.

Sigh...this was so much fun and honestly the best part was the space and the ability to spread out on a kitchen table (oh, how I miss having a kitchen table)...sigh, again.

Well, I have back in NYC for a week and I am back to the "day job" so finishing my new creations will need to wait until I can take a breath.

What's on your work desk?

Don't forget to stalk other artist's over at Stamping Ground and visit their blogs today.

Shared Messages from the Universe - Recap 2011

2012-01-02T08:35:00.000-05:00

The messages are all around us.

It is no secret that I love mosaic photos - they are all over my blog. On this first Monday of 2012 I thought I would create a mosaic of all the messages from the universe that I have posted during 2011.

I have to admit seeing them all together is quite inspiring.

2011 Shared Messages from the Universe (c) Lori L. Moon

Since words speak to me all the time, this year, I am participating in Ali Edwards' One Little Word workshop. I've chosen my word for 2012 (well honestly, it chose me) and on Thursday, 1/5 I will be participating in a bloghop with my fellow flyers. So, stop back on Thursday for a special post where I reveal my word for 2012. I will also provide links to other artists so that you can share in the word that they have each embraced for 2012.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Have you noticed any Shared Messages from the Universe?

Share your message by joining my flickr group by the same name: Shared Messages from the Universe and post or link your photos. Share those written messages that you walk by most of the time. Those messages that all of a sudden you notice, you read, you react and they move you forward.

I'd love to see the messages that have inspired you!

Happy New Year & Sunday Color Snippets

2012-01-01T09:52:00.001-05:00

Happy 2012!

No, Superman and I did not venture to Times Square on New Year's Eve. I have lived in NYC for 10 years and I have never been nor will I ever stand outside, with no access to food, water or facilities for more than 12 hours just to see the ball drop. Sigh...

Instead, we stayed in, made dinner, watched movies, clicked over to watch a little of the Times Square chaos, and later enjoyed prosecco and delicious cheeses, meats, olives, fruits, etc.

Then we walked to Central Park to enjoy the fireworks.

Happy New Year, my friends.

Thank you for all of your support, sweet comments, and visits during 2011.

Cheers to a beautiful 2012. May all your wishes come true.

Shared Messages from the Universe

2011-12-26T09:19:00.000-05:00

The messages are all around us.

If you are me, living in NYC, you see them everywhere. Every holiday season the stores in the city create new holiday themed sayings, decorations, windows, and shopping bags. The bags, in my opinion, become portable works of art.

A major department store on the upper east side is my favorite this holiday season. Simple words that capture the holiday season. They bring a smile to my face and my heart each time I see them.

I hope this holiday season you've found the Happy Merry Peace Love in your life.

Which, of course, leads to....

Merry Christmas (and Sunday Color Snippets)

2011-12-25T07:51:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas!

May your day be filled with joy, laughter and warm family hugs.

Ornaments (c) Lori L. Moon

Feather Trees & More (c) Lori L. Moon

The above pictures were all taken at my parent's house.

My Mom beautifully decorates her home for each season or holiday.

Merry Christmas!

A Little Taste of Wisconsin Winter & My Friday Frenzy

2011-12-23T10:11:00.001-05:00

I'm visiting my parents during the holidays and when I arrived there wasn't any snow. I was honestly disappointed. My theory is if it has to be cold there should be snow. When I left NYC earlier this week it was 45 degrees...a couple of days later this morning in WI it was 9 degrees. So, I was happy that it snowed a couple of nights ago. I really do love the snow when I don't have schlep through it.

My parents have lived in the same house for almost 30 years and prior to that we lived next door. My Mom has beautiful flower gardens in the summer and with the blanket of snow they were just as beautiful so I had to take a few pictures.

Wisconsin Winter (c) Lori L. Moon

My Dad, owned an auto body shop for years, it is located next to my parents home. He is now retired and dabbles at being creative and artistic. He creates these birds out of found parts: bicycle forks, shovels, rakes, etc. I love them. Recently he's collected a lot of parts so more birds are to be welded together in the future. Having been an auto body guy he finishes them by painting them with car paint and a coat of clear. Love them!

Birds (c) Murray Moon Photo (c) Lori L. Moon

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

My Friday Frenzy this week is much like everyone else's, I would assume:

cookie baking this afternoon
more journal making
travel to visit extended family on Christmas
yummy food
playing cards
and this year watching the Packers play football on Christmas night

What frenzy do you have planned for your weekend?

My Desk Relocated...

2011-12-21T08:51:00.001-05:00

So, what's on my work desk...well, honestly, if you scroll back to last Wednesday's post it still looks pretty much the same as it did then - buried and cluttered.

I've unpacked most of the boxes, hung pictures on the walls, tossed a few things, decorated all over again after the mini apartment renovation but my desk is still a mess. I am so glad that the BF has been gone the past few days (I miss him dearly but it means that I was able to use the coffee table as my creative space and I didn't have to put things away at the end of the day - hee hee).

I've spent much time taking pictures, editing pics, and paging through magazines. I am always amazed at the messages from the universe that are sprinkled throughout magazines. I'm going to attempt to create journals when I am home visiting my family. My niece is going to help with this fun project.

I've twisted a few more flower pendants - now to add the button or beads to the center.

I hope I've found enough messages to embellish the pages of the journals - well enough that at least a few of them speak to my niece. My Dad scored a few old wallpaper books from the local paint store in my home town. Our plan is to gesso, stitch, mod podge, and I'm sure we'll find sequins, glitter, lace and other treasures in my Mom's craft drawers that we can steal from to add beauty to our journals. I'll share our creations or at least our progress next week.

Messages from the Universe -- I know that is my usual Monday post but as you travel this week or the next time you sit down with your favorite magazine. Notice the messages that are speaking to you. They really are all around you.

As you enjoy your cup of coffee or tea today, jump on over to Stamping Ground and check our some other creative desks as part of What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday to see what they've been working on.

Shared Messages from the Universe...Breathe

2011-12-19T07:18:00.001-05:00

breathe. (c) Lori L. Moon

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me and remind me of something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead, the message conjures emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul.

During the weekend, while visiting the farmers' market, I became overwhelmed. The market was crowded, people were impatient and I became frustrated at the insensitivity - it is the week before Christmas after all.

As I inched my way forward, this lovely sign was stuck on the front of a display case and as I smiled, I listened.

I took a deep breath. I then left the market, bought a cup of tea and watched the chaos from a window 3 stories up in a nearby building.

I want to encourage you, especially during this time of year, to breathe.

Take a moment, even if it is just a moment and slow down.

I honestly love the farmers' market. The smell of the fresh baked bread, the nibbles that the booths give away, hot cider in the winter, iced tea in the summer, the freshness of the vegetables, the smell of the earth that still embraces the produce, not to mention just the idea of farm to table and the fact that I am directly supporting the life of another. It really is beautiful.

This is the same reason that I love to support artists. All of the gifts for my immediate family this year were either made or purchased from another artist. The idea that I am directly supporting someone else's passion - speaks to me. But I got sidetracked...

As your days become busier, you rush from place to place, you cook holiday dinners, visit family, wrap presents, travel, phone family, shop at the last minute, forget something, write cards, . . . remember to breathe.

Remember to breathe and pause if only for a moment.

Grab a cup of tea,
Giggle with a child,
Play with a pet,
Breathe,
Talk a walk,
Listen to your favorite song (sing along),
Dance,
Breathe,
Enjoy the smell of baked bread,
Close your eyes and breathe,
Notice the person you just walked past,
Say happy holidays,
Breathe,
Kiss a loved one,
Simply, take a moment and breathe.

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Have you noticed any Shared Messages from the Universe?

Share your message by joining my flickr group by the same name: Shared Messages from the Universe and post or link your photos. Share those written messages that you walk by most of the time. Those messages that all of a sudden you notice, you read, you react and they move you forward.

I'd love to see the messages that have inspired you!

Sunday Color Snippets

2011-12-18T10:25:00.000-05:00

I spent yesterday morning at Union Square in NYC. I walked around the Green / Farmers' Market, enjoyed a cup of tea at B&N, read a few blogs while I people watched and then the clouds rolled in. So, you're in for a treat. Gray, Red & Green today.

I am always fascinated with the water towers that still dot the skyline in NYC. It amazes me that with today's technology they still exist. I snapped these 3 pictures within a few minutes of one another.

The market was decked out for the holidays. Red bows, wreaths, gift ideas (maple marshmallows - yum) and green pine everywhere. I even saw Santa - well a group of Santas.

Are you surrounded by color this holiday season?

Can you find color in your every day?

Art Discovery...and my Friday Frenzy

2011-12-16T07:48:00.001-05:00

I often escape my day job in the middle of the day so my eyes can stop seeing lines (spreadsheets can be a bitch). The other day I wandered to Madison Square Park and discovered beautiful colors through the windows of the Flatiron Artspace on the corner of 23rd and Broadway:

Gwyneth Leech is a NYC Artist who creates coffee cup art. Her blog is fantastic and documents her journey.

I spent 15-20 minutes exploring the beautiful cups through the window. I snapped a few photos and walked back to work with a smile on my face, and new eyes now open to color everywhere I looked.

My Friday Frenzy is filled with too much. I know that I will never get it all done but I am going to try. The BF leaves today to travel and visit his brother's family for Christmas and I leave next Wednesday to visit my family so I'll have the apartment to myself this weekend.

Unpack and clean up the boxes from the recent renovations.
Twist more flower necklaces.
Create more tile necklaces if time (this might require a trip to Michael's).
Saturday morning city snapshots. (next weekend I will be in Wisconsin so I'll shoot photos of barns, horses and my favorite walking bridge to share with you) I sure hope there will be snow.
Pack, oh I need to pack.
Find a necklace that my Mom gave me to fix...I wonder where I put it? Oh, and fix it so I can take it with me.
Create one of the gifts that I have for my niece, Taylor.
Remember to pack the magazine and paper snips for my creative project with Taylor scheduled during my visit home. I am so looking forward to creating with her.

I am selfishly looking forward to Tucker snuggles and the whole bed to myself during the next few days even though I will miss my BF/Superman.

What frenzy do you have planned for your weekend?

I Made This...but not lately

2011-12-14T09:31:00.001-05:00

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday?

So, I sat last night staring at a pile of stuff covering my desk/workspace, boxes surrounding it and thought, "I have nothing to show...what the heck did I do for the past week?". And then I remembered...

Over the weekend I worked on editing over 125 photos, creating layouts, mosiacs and placing print orders. These went into gifts for my parents. Happily, they will be shipped directly to Wisconsin so I won't have to worry about schlepping them with me on the plane. But, I cannot share them with you here until after the holidays.

Then there was this...

Heat was restored after 3+ weeks of inconsistency. And, this is huge, contractors have been in (and aren't finished) to fix a hole that has been in my ceiling for years.

While they were here, I also had them: close a window that has never closed in the 7+ years I've lived here, enclose the skylight, caulk holes around the baseboards, winterize the air conditioner, fix the leaky faucet, re-enamel the bath, and the have completely repainted the whole place. All of this was done while the BF supervised due to demands from my day job and, honestly, it would have stressed me out to no belief to watch. The BF also, moved my treasures ensuring no breakage. Oh, and Tucker made sure that all involved were content., happy and working hard. He also enjoyed the plastic that covered everything.

So, I am still unpacking, rehanging, tossing and putting my tiny little apartment back into working order. The BF leaves on Friday to visit his brother's family for the holidays so I will have 4 days alone and will need to keep busy...creating. Maybe I will finish a few of those projects that I have laying around.

This is if I can find them...

Have you checked out the other artists who are sharing their workdesks with you this Wednesday?

What's on your Workdesk Wednesday

http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/

Shared Messages from the Universe

2011-12-12T07:05:00.004-05:00

I'm Dreaming of...

At first, I'll admit, I didn't notice the phrase...I noticed the paper flowers. I was fascinated. I still am, trust me, I will walk past the windows a few more times to admire them.

Now the message...

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me about something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead, they conjur emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul.

I'm dreaming of...

Have you made a list?

Do you cut pictures out of magazines and create dream boards?

Do you dream?

Do you share your dreams?

Please, please, please - dream. Dream big!

Remember, when you were young and you did not censor yourself? Remember?

Come on think back...I know you can do it.

If you could do one thing. Just one thing, you know the one that when you do it, you get lost. You lose track of time.

Your smiling right now, aren't you?

Yes, the one thing that when you finish - you are exhausted. The one thing that makes you feel content. The one thing that when you wake up - you want to do it again.

I have always loved the color red (stay with me) for as long as I can remember. I cannot tell you why or how but I know that it is my favorite color.

In this same way, I know that I am an artist. And, I have big dreams of how I want my life to be. My current journey is made up of a lot of smaller dreams. Each is an adventure. Each is a step towards my big dream.

Now, what is your favorite color?

Now, if you could do and/or be anything - what is your dream?

Come on dream, dream big - no censor, no doubts, no how, and no why?

What is YOUR DREAM?

Now...

Write it down.

Post it where you will see it every day.

Now...

Write down ten more dreams. Yes, I said ten (10). Big, small, tiny, medium...dreams.

I am dreaming of...

B I G:

A creative life filled with photography, jewelry making, sculpture, paint, words, hosting retreats, and friends.

Completing 6 more wire flower necklaces.
Blogging consistently 4 days a week (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and maybe in between.
A torch...
An etsy store with art prints of my photography.
An etsy store of my jewelry.
Time (no longer having a day job).
Studio space.
Attending an artist/creative retreat.
Traveling.
A new computer (since I currently do all my work from my iPad and this has so many limits).

Some of these cannot be achieved immediately. Some won't happen for years. And, you know what I am ok with that. I need to dream. I need to see my dreams. I need to write them down.

Now, it's your turn.

What are your D R E A M S?

Have you noticed any Shared Messages from the Universe?

Share your message by joining my flickr group by the same name: Shared Messages from the Universe and post or link your photos. Share those written messages that you walk by most of the time. Those messages that all of a sudden you notice, you read, you react and they move you forward.

I'd love see the messages that have inspired you!

Sunday Color Snippets

2011-12-11T09:15:00.001-05:00

I've been playing with my photos from the green/farmers market.

Can you find color in your everyday?

Friday Frenzy...From Tucker

2011-12-09T07:55:00.002-05:00

My name is Tucker. I'm a cat. Let me rephrase, I'm a rescued now spoiled cat. You've probably seen me in a few of Lori's photos - I like to sneak in and make guest appearances.

Don't tell her but I've high jacked her blog today. Purr

My previous owners left me at a shelter 5 or 6 years ago and Lori walked into the adoption van on a sunny June day...that's when I made my move. I waited and waited for her to get close and once she was close enough, I strategically put my paw through the bars and touched her. She came closer and I rubbed against the bars, chirped (meowing is only necessary when you need to demand something) and once she put her face close enough to the bars I licked her nose. I remember this clearly because this when the nice girl took me out of the cage - I never went back. Instead, I was propped on a table and that's when Lori fell in love. I could tell and I overheard Lori tell a story about a cat that she had who had passed due to illness and that she had another cat at home that was lonely. I got more excited, another cat...I practically danced on the table. I was then stuffed into a box and I went on an adventure.

I was let out in the bathroom - later I learned that this is the only room that has a door and she didn't want to scare Hershey, the other cat. I was so excited to meet him, play and have a snuggle buddy so when the first opportunity came I escaped when the door was opened. I had 5/6 years with Hershey, playing, snuggling, and getting into trouble. For the past 6/7 months It has just been me and that selfishly means that I get all the attention.

It also means that I know Lori's schedule and patterns quite well. Each morning she gets up and plays with her iPad, she often takes pictures of me (sometimes weird pictures like the one below), during the week she disappears during the day and I miss her but I am always by the door when she gets home, on weekends we get to have some fun...

Each morning, I make sure she gets up so she can talk to all of you (feeds me) or so she can visit your blogs. I sit next to her while she plays, drinks her coffee - honestly, I fall back to sleep - it is pretty boring to watch her type.

I overheard her last night talking about all she had to do this weekend and how she might need my help so we will be:

Making more glass tile necklaces after Lori goes to Michael's to get some supplies. (this means I have to watch from afar)

Twisting wire flowers - I love to help by playing with the ends of the wire.

Hopefully, she'll go outside and take more pictures so I can take a nap while she is gone.

I am sure she is going to read the newspaper and cut more things from her magazines. I overheard her talking the other night about making journals when she is gone visiting family (oh, how I hate when she leaves - no snuggles).

I better run now before she catches me talking to all of you. Have a great weekend and let's keep this just between you and me - Lori never needs to know.

I Made This - Glass Tile Necklaces

2011-12-07T08:03:00.002-05:00

I have been working on my glass tile necklaces. I mentioned that I wanted to make them in an earlier post - here.

So, first, I needed to rid my small workspace of Tucker hair which was a project in itself. I live in a studio apartment in NYC - one "living" room (couch, chair, queen bed, a small desk and tons of books) with a tiny kitchen (fridge is under the counter) and a bath. Tucker hair is everywhere!

My first attempt was less than successful. I didn't apply enough pressure and bubbles appeared. The good thing is that you just have to toss the tile into some water, the diamond glaze dissolves, the photo comes off and you are left with the glass tile. Dry it off and reuse.

So, after some trial and error I have made a little progress.

A couple of these I haven't kept because you can see the bubbles. Also, I should cut them out first (to do during the next round).

The big question that I have resolved is what to put on the back. Above you can see one of my messages from the universe that I have put on the front, "Every Thing Must Go" - for the back, I played with pretty paper, left it blank, and I played with another photo but it just didn't feel right.

So, I have chosen words or phases that I have cut from the newspaper or magazines.

This photo was taken prior to the glaze drying clear so it looks a little milky. I also realized that I probably should have put the bail on first but, oh well, live and learn. This message, by the way, is on the back of the "Every Thing Must Go" glass tile.

So, even though, the project hasn't gone as planned and it has taken me much longer than I thought it would AND I am still not done. I am loving the figure it out as you go and learn by doing process.

If I had gone in with a complete plan, I would not have come up with the words on the back. And, I love this discovery.

Now, off to the day job. I plan to use my lunch break to pick up some more supplies. Eating is overrated.

What are you creating?

Shared Messages from the Universe

2011-12-05T08:09:00.001-05:00

Fall in Love

This stopped me in my tracks this week...I have walked past it more than a dozen times but for some reason this week it stopped me and I smiled.

I love that they used twigs to spell the message. And, I love the message.

Fall in Love

Do you remember when you were little, when you l-o-v-e-d everything? Or, at least it was easier to love?

I want to encourage you to love without reserve, without your inner critic telling you that you can't, that you aren't good enough - you know, without all that stuff that holds you back.

I want you to first fall in love with you.

As an artist, I honestly need to love what I create. If I don't love it I can't wear it, I won't hang it on my wall, I won't want to look at it and most importantly I will never be able to sell it. All of that being said, I need to create when I am moved and inspired to create I cannot just sit and do and turn out 30 of the same thing.

I know that this is me - that I need to love what I create. But, I do believe that it is sooo important and that it is what makes an artist successful.

So, learn to love yourself - it will show in what you do. Take yourself on dates, just you, have coffee with yourself, visit a museum, take walks, embrace and love who you are because you are pretty amazing - you are the only you in the world. It will resonate in what you create.

Next, fall in love with those around you - all over again. Take your partner on a date and this time do something that you would have done in the beginning of your relationship. It will bring back memories, you'll have fun and all those feelings that were new then will flood your senses again.

So, fall in love this week, with you, with your favorite cup of coffee, with your partner, with what you create, with what you do, with your kids - - - with your life. Mindfully fall in love again.

This is another message that I noticed while the BF and I were out on a date. It, too, made me smile.

Sunday Color Snippets

2011-12-04T09:59:00.001-05:00

The BF and I braved the crowds to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center last night. Crazy, insane, pushy...crowds.

This is my favorite shot - seriously, I love this unconventional photo. It isn't what you expect but it is a picture of the tree. I moved the camera from left to right while the shutter was open to get the movement of the lights on film.

Looking through the lighted trees at the Christmas Tree.

What the star sees from the top of the tree.

The tree is a 74 foot tall Norway Spruce decorated with 5 miles of lights (30,000) and the lights are powered by solar energy.

Are you surrounded by color this holiday season?

Can you find color in your every day?

Friday Frenzy

2011-12-02T08:09:00.001-05:00

Thinking about everything I want to do this weekend is a bit overwhelming thus the frenzy...

Creating glass pendants out of my photos. (I didn't do this last week due to not feeling well so it is still on the frenzy.)

More photo taking.

Out for brunch with the BF - crepes, yum.
Christmas Tree viewing - yes the big tree.
Windows - I love Christmas in NYC and the store windows are always a must see.

A trip to the bead store - this honestly might wait until Monday - to get chains for the tile necklaces.

More flower necklaces, maybe I will try to make earrings too.

What are your weekend plans? What's your frenzy?

Earlier in the week I stated that I would mention a blog schedule, well, I enjoy blogging every day. Participating in Blogtoberfest and then AEDM helped to make it fun. There is something about sharing things with you that is motivating. So, you may still see a post every day but I can't promise (the day job is a little crazy this time of year) so i have decided to commit to the following:

Sunday = Sunday Color Snippets (highlighting photos filled with color)

Monday = Shared Messages from the Universe (sharing every day written words that speaks to me)

Wednesday = I Made This (sharing my art; photos, jewelry or something else I try)

Friday = Friday Frenzy (sharing my weekend plans and some more of what I have created)

In the past, I have also consistently posted: Tidbit Tuesday, Random Thoughts Thursday, and Saturday has been a grab bag of fun. So, who knows maybe a bonus day here and there too.

I do rather enjoy my morning ritual while the BF sleeps. On the days I don't post, my goal is to check in with all of you and catch up by reading your blogs.

Thank you for bing a part of my journey. Your words are always encouraging so leave comments and share in my creative adventure.

Pausing Today To Breathe. . .

2011-12-01T08:11:00.001-05:00

I love the flower pattern across the back of the bench.

Continued Progress and Reflection

2011-11-30T07:53:00.001-05:00

It is the last day of Art Every Day Month and I am a little sad.

I have enjoyed the ride.

Mostly I have enjoyed getting to know the other artists that have participated. Visiting their blogs, reading your comments, sharing emails, supporting one another, and getting to know you. I hope that you'll sign up to follow my blog as I continue on my journey of becoming, growing, and embracing the artist that I am.

Back on November 9th I posted about carving wax and I posted the photo below.

Well, I've made a little progress since then... (my picture aren't the best, sorry, the BF is still in bed)

I still have a ton of work to do on the flower and plan to make a couple more flowers before I take them to the caster.

Refining, when working with wax, means adding texture if you want it, smoothing if you don't and most importantly sanding. Ideally you want to make your wax piece be as close to what you expect the final metal piece to look and feel like. Don't get me wrong, once cast, you will still have to sand and buff your final metal piece but if you refine the wax before casting the cleanup will be so much less.

What made these pieces particularly difficult and time consuming is the size - at one point I thought of starting over but I have always loved little charms so I am sticking with it.

As I continue blogging and creating, I plan to post a few times a week.

More about that in a future post on Friday so come back to visit.

Thank you for stopping by, commenting, and following my journey.

I Love Flowers. . .

2011-11-29T07:58:00.001-05:00

Thank you to all who have visited and continue to visit, read and comment. I have really enjoyed AEDM because of you. You have inspired me and reinforced that I am on the right path. Thank you for being a part of my journey!

Flowers appear in my creative work often.

I really do love flowers. The simple complexity and the beauty. The fact that they don't last long once cut so you have enjoy them (really enjoy them) may make me appreciate them even more.

Also, I have such fond memories of both my Mom and Gram having such beautiful flower gardens. My Mom's garden is still beautiful.

I photograph flowers all the time. Making specific plans to visit certain parts of Central Park in Spring to specifically shoot the tulips. I simply love them.

I have, also, often cut them out of silver sheet to create pendents and twisted flowers out of wire. Creating greeting cards with twisted wire flowers on the front of the card. A small bouquet of wire flowers to brighten my desk.

I've just never thought of sharing and making them available to all of you. Crazy how the obvious just isn't so obvious sometimes.

I recently cut a couple of flowers out of paper to create a card which I hung a pair of my pearl earrings on to give to a friend. I, of course, kept the sheets of paper thus the pattern of the flowers.

I am going to create necklaces and earrings.

Now, to create centers from buttons or beads

Flowers are a theme that I rely often in my creative work (photographs, jewelry, sketching, painting).

Does your work have a theme?

Do you return to a particular theme when you need be inspired?

Shared Messages from the Universe - Become. . .

2011-11-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

verb:

1. to come, change, or grow to be

2. to come into being

I walked past this last week while walking with a friend and I instantly knew I had to take a picture.

I also instantly thought about my blog, my photography, the jewelry I've started to make again, carving stamps, the etsy store that isn't open, and dreaming of the much needed studio space.

And then I took a deep breath...took the picture and kept walking.

While at lunch, my friend mentioned that she reads my blog at midnight after her day job and Mom duties are finished and how proud she is that I have started discover the creative part of me again.

I love my friends. They really are an extended part of my family. Thank you!

Looking back on this picture I realized that it is a process. To BECOME. This journey of creating, taking more pictures, living a creative life - my life.

I also realized that right now, at this moment, I am BECOMING...slowly BECOMING the artist that I want to BE.

I need to enjoy the journey, do what I can, not beat myself up when I cannot, and most importantly embrace where I am at this time.

Don't get me wrong, I still have dreams and goals but part of them is THE BECOMING, the growing, the ride, the journey.

Even though I may not BE where I want to BE entirely...I am BECOMING. Rather than just dreaming - I am doing, creating and listening to the song my soul sings.

Today, I encourage you to BECOME...

Listen to that little voice, that whisper that teases and tugs at your soul.

And BECOME.

How will you take one step (may it be sideways if necessary) towards living your dream - towards BECOMING who and what you are deep down inside?

Sunday Color Snippets

2011-11-27T09:25:00.001-05:00

I've been a little under the weather the past few days - all those plans to do so many things was put on hold. I had been thinking about this post and orignally had a goal of continueing to find colors on the streets and creating mosiacs. But, that just wasn't going to happen - life does just get in the way sometimes.

Happily, because of the BF, I was able take some photos even though I haven't felt well. I fell in love with these while waiting in a checkout line. I not only bought them because of the colors (which is why I picked them up in the first place) but also because I knew there would pleasure in the consumption.

These are beautifully wrapped dark chocolate bars. I love dark chocolate.

The BF craved chocolate and because he's such a doll he asked which bar(s) he could taste. It gave me the chance to photograph them before he tore into them.

I love the colors, the patterns, the fact that each bar is made with cocoa from a different country. Simple joy.

Oh, and Tucker (our cat) was even curious and wanted to help.

Here you can see the countries listed on the side of each bar.

Are you surrounded by color?

Can you find color in your everyday?

A Bit of Brooklyn and Distraction...

2011-11-26T08:48:00.001-05:00

I and the BF visited new friends in Brooklyn for Thanksgiving.

Walking from the subway stop to the waterfront in DUMBO - I of course was distracted (textures, shapes, colors) and before knocking on the door we had to meander so I click a few pics.

By the way, this is a normal thing - me getting distracted by something I see. Something that most people walk past every day. So, if we are walking together and I am not keeping up, it is probably because I've taken my camera out to capture something that I noticed.

Peaking at the Brooklyn Bridge...

Pattern - texture everywhere...

And, just across from the front door of their building someone had spread a whole lotta love. I couldn't resist capturing the love.

What has recently distracted you?

Twisted Thanksgiving. . .

2011-11-25T09:13:00.001-05:00

The BF and I spent Thanksgiving with new friends and had a fantastic time. The food was beyond delicious, the sense of community heartwarming but what touched us most were the open arms and how welcome we felt. Simply beautiful.

Our hosts repeatedly mentioned that had meant to purchase drink charms so that we could keep track of our drinks through the night but they hadn't found any that they liked so no purchase was made. I noticed that there was wire formed to create her name in her home on the wall and asked if she had more wire.

She returned with wire and tools.

I proceeded to twist and wrap and create.

My first were simple, my and the BF's initials.

I then started to ask what people wanted and the requests began; a camera, a fork, a crown, an owl, a heart, a snake, and glasses. SO MUCH FUN!

I have to say that my favorite are the three below because of the complexity and plus - they were really fun to make.

I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with joy.

How were you creative yesterday?

Gratefulness Abounds

2011-11-24T10:49:00.001-05:00

Sending our love to our family and friends across the country and around the world.

We are sincerely thankful for the every day joy and love in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Twisting and Wrapping

2011-11-23T08:45:00.001-05:00

Art Every Day - Have you visited this link yet and explored other artists?

Twisting more pearl earrings.

As you can see, I have a large collection of pearls; freshwater, natural, man made, dyed and I'm sure that if I looked I probably have more.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I tend to work in stages. In the photo above you can see groups of pearls in plastic bags. As I watched tv last night, I sorted and selected pearls for more earrings. I then cut wire. I have a couple of pairs finished. Now, I just need to twist and wrap the wire to make more.

HINT: store your silver jewelry in a jewelry box or in individual plastic bags with a piece of regular chalkboard chalk. The chalk will absorb the airborne substances that causes tarnish. Remember to change the chalk every couple of months.

Well, twisting wire and pearls will need to wait - I need to go shopping for tomorrow.

I am looking forward to spending the holiday with new found friends.

Monday Shared Messages from the Universe & AEDM

2011-11-21T08:30:00.001-05:00

Shared Messages from the Universe

I saw this sign yesterday - 3 times. As an artist this is so important. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't want everyone to become arrogant and over-the-top pompous. But, I believe that you must create from the heart and not create something because it is the latest and greatest "thing" that is selling.

I believe that as an artist it is so important to create what you love - that your art comes for your soul. Since, as an artist, you are also the person who markets and sells your creations you must also be proud of what you do. I'm not sure about the rest of you, but a little piece of me goes into to everything that I make. How I see something that I photograph, the angle, the focus - the piece of jewelry that I make, too. My art is who I am - at least it is a huge part of me - so I need to be proud of it.

So, live proud - proud of who you are and of what you create.

Have you noticed any Shared Messages from Universe?

Share your message by joining my Flickr group by the same name: Shared Messages from the Universe and link your photos.

I'd love to see the messages that have inspired you.

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Art Every Day

Yesterday, the BF and I walked across Central Park to Columbus Circle and then north on Broadway.

Happily at Columbus Circle we stumbled upon these elephants. Life size bronze elephants. This is me next to one of them (the BF took this picture).

Have I ever shared that I love public art installations and sculpture?

Well, I love public art installations and sculpture. I am always fascinated when I see them in the city. I walk all around them, I will lie on the ground to see them against the buildings - I can get lost looking at them, touching them, and photographing them.

Sculpture, so much fun!

On the streets of NYC so unexpected and so much fun!

Sunday Color Snippets

2011-11-20T08:04:00.001-05:00

The past few weeks at the farmer's market I have been seeing purple.

Purple was my Gram's favorite color.

As I was editing photos this week, I kept pausing on the purple pictures and my mind would wonder to a memory of my Gram. It is interesting how seeing something can make your memories surface.

Gram, I paused this week on your birthday, and remembered all the love you shared during your life. You are missed.

Does a color ever bring back memories for you?

I hope your Sunday is full of color.

Sway, Embrace, Dance

2011-11-19T09:30:00.001-05:00

Art Every Day

When most people look at Ginkgo trees

they see fans -

well I see skirts.

Skirts that dance in the wind.

Do me favor...dance today!

Put your favorite song on and dance!

Celebrate you!

AEDM & Friday Frenzy

2011-11-18T07:47:00.001-05:00

Art Every Day

Editing photos is time consuming. I'll be honest; I get lost, bored, and frustrated during the process because I would rather be out taking more pictures. But in the end, I am always amazed at the colors, the angles, and that I have so many keepers. I have had a lot of fun taking pictures recently and the best part is honestly sharing them with you.

I felt and acted like a child as I walked around in the leaves. It was liberating.

Friday Frenzy
[this is my regular Friday post]

Thinking about everything I want to do this weekend is a bit overwhelming thus the frenzy...but happily I don't just have a weekend - I have a week! I have taken next week off from the "day job" - yahoo! A whole week to create, do yoga, meet with friends. I am more than excited.

Creating glass pendants out of my photos. (I have shared the set up with you in a past post but this next week the creating begins.)

More photo taking.

A visit to my old job for a couple of volunteer hours.

Scheduled visits with long time girl friends and new found friends.

More jewelry; more work on the charms I am carving from wax, more earrings to twist and I am hoping to finish the bracelet/watch, too.

Very much needed reorganization in my apartment.

So much fun frenzy I am not sure what to do first...

What are your week/weekend plans? What's your frenzy?

Random Thoughts

2011-11-17T07:51:00.001-05:00

Art Every Day

I admit it, I love color. I live in a city where black is the norm and it is acceptable if you wear it every day. I am guilty of it.

So, lately, I've been taking a lot of pictures and upon review of all the photos, I discover that I focused primarily on one or two colors during my expedition.

This past Saturday I took over a hundred photos. Part of my creative process is to sort through all the pictures I took; delete the really bad ones (yes, there are always really bad ones), keep the ones I want, sort and file them, and determine how to use them. This honestly can take a lot of time and often doesn't feel very creative but it has to be done. This task is often spread out throughout the week and done after a long day at the day job. It does remind me about my passion and what I love to do.

On my short walk home from Central Park I stood on the corner of Madison Avenue and 79th street and chose to take pictures of everything red. In this post are a couple of mosaics of all things red that I could see. I plan to return to the same corner this weekend and see if I can shoot other colors - I'll share what I discover.

What color do you notice most often? What if you challenge yourself to notice another color?

Escaping Reality

2011-11-16T07:32:00.001-05:00

Art Every Day - Day 16 my day 10

I get homesick this time year. Well, not necessarily during this month because in Wisconsin it is cold now but if I could time travel I would go back to the first and second week of October. See Autumn unfolds in the city much later than back home but it reminds me of home every year. I long for the smell of Fall. Hot apple cider, the smell of the earth as it starts to settle in for winter, long walks in the woods, the beauty of Rockbridge (a small area north of my hometown), the Wisconsin River Valley, visits to the apple orchard. . . I could go on and on.

So, I left my office day job during the middle of the day (an amazing achievement in itself) and took a walk yesterday. I almost always gravitate to a small park just to see trees and divorce myself from the concrete. Inside the park there is a fountain and it was filled with leaves. I was fascinated. They appeared to have been painted and stuck behind resin...then I laughed because only an artist would describe them that way.

I then walked back to my daytime reality and dove back into a series of spreadsheets. Oh, don't get me wrong, I was still daydreaming of home but duty called.

How do you escape your reality?

Art Every Day & Tidbit Tuesday

2011-11-15T07:29:00.001-05:00

Art Every Day - day 15 my day 9 (I've played hooky a few days)

Garnets, rose quartz, sterling silver, flat headpins - maybe a watch...maybe just a bracelet.

I'm not sure how everyone else works but I tend to work in stages. In this case, I will thread each bead with a headpin and bend the headpin at a right angle then to keep the bead in place. I will move on to the next one. I can do this while I watch tv. Later, I will wrap the wire around the pliers to make the loop on each bead. It may not be efficient - I'm not sure but it does mean that I can do two things at once.

I'll share more as it continues to evolve.

Tidbit Tuesday
Tidbit: a choice or pleasing bit (as in information)

Little tidbits about me...

I love to be pampered. Mani/Pedi, massage, bubble bath.

On a rainy day, I love a cozy blanket, a hot cup of tea, a purring cat and a good book.

I love my early mornings. Coffee, my iPad to read blogs and post to mine, my cat next to me - the BF is still in bed. Selfish, I know, but I like the solitude. Giggle, FYI my apartment is a studio apartment - one room, no door between the sleeping and living spaces - he sleeps only feet away - I guess it is my kind of solitude.

Share a little tidbit about yourself in the comments.
I'd love to know more about you to.

Shared Messages from the Universe

2011-11-14T07:34:00.001-05:00

No, AEDM post today but instead my regular Monday post.

During this past Summer, I participated in the Do What You Love e-course and one of the exercises that Beth had us do was search for messages from the universe. This touched me so deeply and it inspired me to pay more attention to the world around me. I honestly see little messages all over the place.

A couple weeks ago there was a comment left on my blog by one of you that stated that you wish you could find these where you live. I took this to mean that it must be easier for me to see them because i live in NYC. It made me think about this but only for a moment. It also inspired me because I honestly see messages in magazines, newspapers, inside stores and I take my camera out and snap a photo at any time. I also realized that I have only posted the messages That I've seen when on the street.

So, the message this week comes via my addiction, oh, I mean love, of travel magazines. I embrace the stories of far away places and fall in love with the photography so much that I get lost for hours. This message was noticed in multiple magazines during the past week. A message to me that I need to keep reaching for my dreams - it validated my current journey of my creative life.

Have you noticed any Shared Messages from Universe?

Share your message by joining my Flickr group by the same name: Shared Messages from the Universe and link your photos.

I'd love to see the messages that have inspired you.

Also, do you have a favorite travel magazine? My new favorite is AFAR (nothing gained by putting that out there), the photography is so rich and inviting. I would love to know if you have a favorite.

Sunday Color Snippets

2011-11-13T08:50:00.001-05:00

Art Every Day - my day 8

How beautiful leaves grow old.
How full of light and color are their last days.
- John Burroughs

I fell in love yesterday.

Giggle, let me clarify. I left the BF in bed, bundled up and with cameras in tow I ventured to Central Park. I'll admit that my expectations were low - the Autumn colors this year just haven't been their best.

Well, I fell in love. At the Eastern edge of The Ramble I stumbled across leaves that looked painted. The colors weren't consistent across the leaves. It was almost as if a mixed media artist had created a background of color on each leaf.

This maple tree had worked so hard to deliver Autumn that I felt the need to honor it's efforts and share my love.
I played and like a child picked leaves from the ground.
Nearby, I said thank you with all my heart.

May your Sunday be captured in color.

Combining My Love for Photography & Jewelry Making

2011-11-12T07:57:00.001-05:00

Art Every Day: Day 12 my day 7

My supplies were delivered, well the bulk of my supplies were delivered, I need a few more things but I am so excited I can't wait any longer to share this with you.

Fellow Flyer, Tracey at Chickpea Studio, posted a step by step how to make your own glass tile necklaces and Michelle at Shells in the Bush posted her most recent pendant creations from her paintings on her blog so I am more than inspired.

I am excited.

What a great way to combine my love of photography with my love of jewelry making. I have always wanted to learn to work with resin but until I have a separate studio space (it can be quite smelly) that will have to wait - so this is the next best thing.

I resized some of photos yesterday just to see if I created the right size, how they would look, blah blah blah. And, I love them.

I gravitate toward many specific things when I take pictures; texture, color, patterns but in looking back through the last few years of photos I realize that I really love flowers, messages from the universe, and street art. So, I've decided to create a mix of pendants from the last three.

Next steps print on glossy photo paper, get the rest of supplies and then wait until next weekend. I need to clean my desk and create some space in my tiny apartment in order for this work to get done in a more efficient manner.

Hmmm, I wonder what I can get rid of - this might be fun.

How you spending your weekend? What are you creating?

AEDM - Phases

2011-11-11T07:18:00.001-05:00

Art Every Day - Day 11 my day 6

I knew early yesterday that creating for AEDM just wasn't in the cards. I honestly tend to either crash Wednesday or Thursday nights after my day job and since it didn't happen on Wednesday I knew that it would on Thursday.

So, I consciously decided to take 3 pictures out my window at work during the day.

I work in Manhattan just 2 blocks away from the Empire State building. My office faces North, the sun would be at my back, and one of the buildings across the street is not gray - it is brown, orange and brick. I wanted to capture that building, the sky and the light at 3 separate times.

I took the following pictures close to Noon, 3pm and 5 pm out my closed 11th floor window. These are untouched and unaltered.

Notice how the sky changes, the shadow on the building, and the colors. The light at Noon was so white but by 3pm had become warmer and made the building and the sky richer in color. This is good to know when you are taking portraits. Portraits taken during the middle of the day will be washed out or highly shadowed but if you wait just a few hours the colors will be richer. If you wait too long, you'll miss the best light.

Enjoy

Art Every Day - A Necklace via Knotting

2011-11-10T07:41:00.001-05:00

Art Every Day - Day 10, my day 5

I have been working on this necklace for about a month now.

No, not consistently, as you can see by other posts I jump around and work on a lot of different projects. This is a necklace of pearls and shell. Each bead is individually knotted. The knot should be placed as close to the bead as possible. Once the knot is secure it is glued.

It has taken me awhile, because I honestly, I cannot work on knotting consistently for a long period of time. My hands just don't let me - they cramp due to the tension that you must keep on the silk thread when pulling the knot tight. So, I do a few knots a couple times a week.

I choose to not get discouraged because there is no deadline. The process is different than my other endeavors so, I choose to embrace it. I have also come to accept that when a piece speaks to me and needs to be knotted (trust me, I sometimes sit down with a design and the beads end up leading and changing the plan) I quickly know that I just need to trust and go with the flow.

This piece will be finished on the ends with French wire (which basically is shaped like a very tiny slinky). I will create an s-curve clasp and then I will decide to part with it.

Sometimes, parting with a labor of love is the most difficult part of creating.

Do you ever fall in love with your creations?

AEDM - Carving Wax

2011-11-09T09:48:00.000-05:00

Art Every Day Month - my day 4

I participated in jewelry making classes a few years ago. Yes, "fine" jewelry making classes. I learned how to carve wax so that my piece could be cast. I learned how to use a jewelers saw and cut a sheet of sterling silver, pound, file, sand, solder, and form my design into wearable art.

Oh, how I miss all of it - so, I've decided that even though I can't have an acetylene torch in my apartment, there are other ways that I can continue my craft.

I sat down at my desk and started by sawing a piece of wax (much harder than candle wax) into a smaller piece, then into a shape resembling what I want in the end. I have decided to create my own small charms: hearts, flowers, a butterfly maybe.

I love to see where this takes me because honestly carving isn't my favorite part of jewelry making. I prefer a sheet of metal. I prefer to take the flat sheet and form, saw and pound it into a 3 dimensional piece of art (see below). I do have to admit though that I had fun starting my charms. For me, the difficult part is next - refining and sanding the wax piece. It needs to be as perfect as possible - meaning no blemishes so that the casting result has few imperfections.

Below is a necklace I designed and created out of sterling silver and bronze using Swarovski Gems. This was featured in Swarovski's 2010 Gem Visions book and can be seen in full by clicking here.

I love to make jewelry - it really is what makes me dance inside. I get lost in the process and hope one day to create full time with metal and a torch.

What makes you dance inside? Does your soul sing when you are doing what you love?

Daydreaming...

2011-11-08T07:30:00.001-05:00

Art Every Day...my day 3

Every Monday, at my day job, there is a staff meeting. Last week, I doodled part of the above. Yesterday, I added to it.
This was the extent of my creativity. Mondays for me can be stressful. My energy was zapped by the end of my work day which was coupled with grocery shopping on the way home (this requires schlepping and public transportation).
A fellow member of my Fly Tribe, Julie, posted her much prettier version of "words of inspiration" last week. You can see it here on her blog. Great minds think alike.
I hope your day is filled with inspiration. No matter where you have to be, discover the inspiration within you.

AEDM and Shared Messages from the Universe

2011-11-07T07:37:00.001-05:00

Art Every Day Month continues...

As a jewelry artisan, I love to take a sheet of metal, a saw, a hammer and create something beautiful. With a day job, I don't always have the time or the energy that it takes to do this. So, over the weekend I decided to make a pair of my signature earrings. Sterling silver wire, handmade ear wires and freshwater pearls (2.5 inches long).

I had forgotten how much I love to make these, which is funny because I love to wear them. I have 3 pairs. I even sold a pair off my ears in Central Park a couple of years ago.

I've decided to create more pairs likes this with different pearls and offer them in my long awaited etsy store. FYI: my etsy store currently only exists in my dreams but is on my list of goals. I'll keep you posted.

- - - - - - -

Shared Messages from the Universe

For those of you joining me from AEDM, on Mondays I share a message that I received from the universe during the past week. You know, that billboard or sign that you drive/walk by every day, and never notice, until that one time when you needed to read it because the message held true meaning for you right at that place and time.

The message this week is below (and for full disclosure it is part of a great ad campaign for Levi's - which I get nothing for mentioning except to show that messages from the universe come in many forms from many sources). I love the sky, the vast openness that i translate to anything is possible.

This message came at the right time this past week, rough day at my day job, and it reminded to stay on my creative path.

How will you "Go Forth" today? How will you move forward and not get stuck in the negative inner critic corners of your mind, (by the way, we all have them)?

I encourage you to be brave today. Go Forth!

Take one small step toward your ever growing dream - even if your step is to dream bigger - that IS a step.

Sunday Color Snippets

2011-11-06T08:47:00.001-05:00

It's Art Every Day Month! You can read more about it at Creative Every Day.

Many of my fellow fliers are participating and after my hiatus this past week and a very creative day yesterday - I thought "what the heck, I'll jump in, too". So, jumping in I am.

I visited the Green Market at Union Square yesterday. (this is my favorite shot)

I love going early, when the restaurant chefs are still shopping, before the every day New Yorker gets in the mix, simply because it can get too busy to take pictures.

I've combined a few pepper shots into a mosaic.

Enjoy your Sunday! I hope it is filled with color.

Friday Frenzy and I Admit, I've Been Playing Hooky

2011-11-04T08:03:00.001-04:00

I admit, I've been playing blog hooky...my last couple of weeks were beyond busy. So, for the past few days I chose to click through the blog links that are on my previous post, leave comments, and support my fellow flyers instead of blog or create art.

So, this weekend, will be filled with creative and reconnecting frenzy:

Picture taking - I am in need of some inspiration from the city around me. (Saturday morning artist date - just me and my camera.)

Yoga - relaxing, restorative yoga.

Jewelry making, wiring twisting, earrings!

Saturday date night with my BF, aka Superman.

Sunday morning in - with the paper (yes, the printed NYTimes), coffee, Tucker, and breakfast with the BF.

Blog assessment and plan. Since completing Blogtoberfest, I have been reviewing traffic and this weekend will make a plan for my blog posts. Themes, which days to post, etc... Did you have a favorite?

So, not too much frenzy but still a full weekend.

How will you spend your weekend? Is it filled with frenzy?