Flowers ...

It's Spring!

It has finally been above 50 degrees in NY. Yippee!

I'd like to think that means that Spring is finally here (fingers crossed).

Spring brings flowers so I've had flowers on my brain.

Louise Gale started her monthly Creative Color Challenge up again

so I'm jumping in with flowers, of course.

A little water color fun.

I almost forgot, it is Paint Party Friday, too. 

Thanks for stopping by.

WOYWW - A bit of creativity

It has been too long since I have felt like being creative. Sickness can take a lot out of me.

I'm so happy to be back and feeling much better - thanks for all of your well wishes during the past few weeks.

Today I'm linking up with Julia at Stamping Ground for WOYWW. 

This is what the work space of my desk looks like. I'm not sure about you, but when I am sick I often shop online. So, I've recently purchased embossing powder, gouache, a watermark stamp pad, some new paper (which isn't in the picture), some very fun buttons, ribbons, and a new ring.

The lovely box of ribbons and threads at the top is from The Gilded Bee. The buttons and French/English vocabulary cards are from the French Hen. And the ring (lower right) is from Alisa Burke.

I also sketch often when I am sick and this is my recent drawing. 

It reads: when it is gray and cloudy...wear flowers.

Hop over to Julia's blog and visit a few of the many WOYWW participants for a little inspiration.

Soul Whispers - Stand Back

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 conjure 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.

I secretly call them soul whispers.

The messages are all around us

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This is what I've been doing lately.

Standing back.

From my creative self.

I've needed time to physically heal, I've been sick.

It's why I haven't been around here much.

Thank you all for your kind well wishes, 

private messages, emails, 

phone calls to make sure that I was okay.

You guys are the best!

As I waited for a train in Boston last week, 

I noticed how faded the message STAND BACK was

and it made me realize that I don't need to stand back anymore.

 I've starting to feel better, 

I've taken care of myself

 (with Superman's help - and love from the fur balls) 

and that means that I can resume my creative life.

I'll be around more often.

I'll post more.

I'll share some of the sketches I've made while in bed.

I'm done standing back!

Soul Whisper - Love Yourself

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 conjure 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.

I secretly call them soul whispers.

The messages are all around us

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

Love Yourself

I escaped my apartment this past weekend. 

I wanted a couple of new art supplies so I ventured downtown. 

It has been a while since I've been out to do anything except go to my day job, buy groceries, or take money out of the ATM. 

This illness has kept me down, in bed, in pain, and pretty miserable - and it still isn't over. I'm doing better, and I thank you each for your kind words and love but isn't gone and quite honestly I'm running out of patience. 

But, while I was out on Saturday, I walked past this message from the universe.  It was a reminder that I needed to hear. I thank whomever wrote this on the side of a mailbox and for the wrong turn down the wrong street - which I don't believe was a wrong turn, I believe that I went the wrong way because the universe knew that I needed this message.

Love Yourself

Even when things are difficult,

or not going the way you want them to go,

even when you are struggling,

or in pain,

Love Yourself.

Actually, it is during these times 

that you need to love yourself the most.

Today, do something to nurture you - to love yourself.

All too often we are busy taking care of other people, 

doing things for others, 

getting caught up in the world around us 

that we sometimes forget

 that in order for us to be effective 

and able to do those things 

we must first take care of ourselves. 

So, today...Love Yourself.