* Creative Swaps with Leena

Well, my darlings ... the note cards I made for the swap have arrived safe and sound.  They can be viewed HERE AT CREATIVE SWAPS.  All the cards which Leena is receiving are being posted on this site .. a little write up with each one indicating the persons name.  Just keep scrolling down .. it's wonderful to view all of them.  So many talented people.  There are forty participants in this swap from some very interesting places in the world.  A list of participants is on the right hand side of the blog page.

I've had so much fun doing this ... I'm going to get involved in more.  I adore working with paper and putting pieces together.

Creativity is not and never has been sensible. ~ Julia Cameron

* A Nicho Party

Yesterday, Wendy and I had a Nicho Party.  To my amazement, Wendy arrived at my door with her arms loaded with 'stuff', paints, embellishments, nichos etc.  That wasn't all.  Her announcement was - "I'll be right back ... I've got another load to bring over."  We made a mess in a big hurry.  The kitchen counters were covered, the bed was covered, half the floor was covered .... what can I say ... I NEED my studio!

 

And so we wiled the hours away.  Had lunch ... Wendy brought a salad I had cooked chicken soup.  We drank strong tea and ate cheese and biscuits.  We played and played ... made more of a mess.  

This is Wendy's side of the table.

As you can see, Wendy's side is much neater than mine!

At on point, Wendy looked at me with this happy face and said "It just doesn't get any better than this, does it?"  She says that alot.  Wendy is in love with life and in love with Mexico.

These photos of the Nicho's are not the greatest - it was too dark.  You can get an idea though.

Wendy's Creation

La Luna.  Much better than my first attempts.  Thank you Carolyn, for the lessons in working with alcohol inks.

I am also working on my "Moonbeam Babies".  I just glued the moon on this morning, so can't stand it up to take a photograph.  Just so you get the idea .... here's a very bad photograph.

"There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all.  Without creativity there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.  ~ Edward de Bono

* Sorpresas

Such a great day in the surprise department.  I do love sorpresas.  I must say, it was one of my better mail days.  Gifts arrived from people near and dear to my heart.

AM, a dear friend of over forty years, sent me a lovely shopping bag.  AM is one of the women I lived with when we were all in London in the 60's.  She from Hobart, Tasmania in the land of Oz.  Hopefully, and there is talk, AM and another one of the Park Road Girls may be arriving on my doorstep within the year.  How exciting!  Haven't seen them for five years.  Thank you my darling AM.  I'll be dropping you an e-mail in the next couple of days.

Can you imagine receiving three presents in one day?  The next one is from Lynnie ... another near and dear to my heart person.  Lynn is my niece and lives in Alberta, Canada.  Beautiful gardening gloves, just in time for the spring planting season, and a gorgeous, very fun watch which comes with it's own little purse.  You too my dear will be receiving a little note soon.  Keep your eyes peeled and thank you.  I love them both!

 

Some time ago, I had send my friend Carolyn in Idaho a little package of Nichos etc. just so she could 'play'.  True to form, I received a beautiful hand made nicho back from her today.  She is a wonderful artist, and honestly, this is the most gorgeous Nicho I have ever seen.  I think she used alcohol inks - however, I have a request out to Carolyn for a lesson.  Thank you C ... sending hugs.  Not actually a very good photo, sun was too bright.  I'll try again later.

"Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it be given with affection."
     ~ Pindar

Thank you each and every one.  My heart is smiling.

* HELP! I can't stop ....

creating Mail Art.  Ah well, I'm having fun.  Since I have been ill, and just beginning to feel better, I am so very behind with just about everything.  Yesterday, I did laundry, tried to organize my 'stuff' a little, cooked a huge pot of chicken soup from scratch, made fruit compote AND, couldn't help making two more envelopes to stuff with stuff.

 

"When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do."  ~ Walt Disney

* More Mail ...

More mail art .. ready to fly out the door.  I stuffed two more envelopes last night.  Had fun decorating them.  Monday is the day ....   The envelopes are stuffed with hand painted bark bookmarks, paper cuts, a small nicho, a brightly painted tin ornament, day of the dead ephemera, some loteria cards, and various other small delights.  I had so much fun putting them together.  Oh ... also wrote a short letter to each participant.  I love getting a little note with my mail art.  It allows us to get to know a little about each other.

 

"Follow effective action with quiet reflection.  From the quiet reflection will come more effective action."  ~ Peter Drucker

* A Great Mail Day!

Did I tell you I joined a "Make Every Day a Great Mail Day" group?  I did.  I got tired of not receiving anything exciting in the mail.  This group is a list of people who are also creators of some sort, interested in corresponding and swapping 'stuff' for our art.  Sounded like fun to me.  WELL .... I received two comminque's in one day!  How good is that.  Here are the photos.

No. 1

No. 2

Are they not fun?  So now, I have a couple of packages of mail art to return to these two woman, plus, on the weekend I will make a third to send to one other person.  Here's the two envelopes I have done.  They are stuffed full of little goodies for creating art.

No. 1

 

No. 2

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." ~ Maya Angelou

* Theme for 2011

2011 lies before me.  A clean slate.  Virginal and untouched.  Ready to be written upon.  Ready for creation. Ready for giving. Ready for receiving. Ready for legends to be written.

My theme for 2011.   "With Intention, On Purpose by Inspired Design".  This will be how I conduct my life.  I will be present, aware and live my life in balance.  Seems to be working so far. I intend to develop and call forth potential and projects which have lain dormant inside me because of fear.  No more!   I will live playfully and with joyful anticipation.  As challenges appear before me, I will use them as stepping stones to catapult myself forward. I will take myself by the hand and step further out of my comfort zone.  I will deepen my spirit and learn to love myself even more.  I will continue to quiet my inner critic.  I will live comfortably with contentment.  I will pay attention to the inspiration and passion inside me and use it for the good of all to create beauty around me.  I will expand my world.  I will live focused on what I am creating.  I will dream, and bring my dreams to fruition.  I will love and be loved.  Above all I will live with joy, and have FUN.

Last year, 2010, I chose a word.  Inspired by Patty over at Nomadic Journal.  The word was AUTHENTICITY.  For the most part I have lived up to that word.  Choosing this word has made me very aware and when in any doubt I choose to be who I am, not who others wish me to be.  It's not always popular.   I have learned so much choosing this word.  I am, in the here and now, more authentic than I have ever been. 

I have plans and ambitions this year.  They are seedlings.  Small green shoots trying to make their way to the light.  It would be so easy for them to be stepped on and killed.  As I nurture these ideas, these new little plants, I will let go of my own fear and allow them to grow, I will keep you posted.  Hopefully, there will be much to nurture.  I simply have to let go of the fear to move forward.  Wish me luck.

Last night there were more fireworks.  The loudest bangs were next door.  These are not fireworks which produce wonderful explosions of light ... these are fireworks that sound like cannons are being fired.  Habibi was a wreck even though I prepared him during the day with Doggy Calm.  In my desperation, and while enjoying a little Baileys on ice myself, I had an brilliant idea.  How about a New Year's drink, Habibi?  He looked interested.  I poured a very small amount over an ice cube and offered it to him in this own glass.  He lapped it up and looked for more.  "You're a lush.", I whispered in his ear.  In less than ten minutes he was flaked out beside me.  Calm, cool, collected with a smile of his face from his new experience.  We both had a good nights sleep.

This morning I decorated the envelope in which the Vintage Swap will be sent.  It was fun.  Here's a photo.

“It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, “Always do what you are afraid to do.”~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm going to give it a shot!

* New Years' Day, 2010

Happy New Year everyone!  Yes, it's 2011.  Hard to believe, sometimes it seams surreal.  When I was five or six, I used to sit under the kitchen table contemplating how old I would be in the year 2000.  For whatever reason, I never went beyond that year.  Now ... well ... time flies does it not.

"Angels swooped into mi casa yesterday, against my warnings I may still be contagous.  Arriving from the US the day before, they came bearing gifts of home made soup, two boxes of exquisite black tea and a marble coaster with a crown on it for me.  Chatting for a little while was so comforting.  Oh how lovely people are.  I thank you both.

I did manage to get my third card made for the vintage swap.  Now I'm busy gathering little arty gifts and stuffing them in an envelope for the hostess.  This is such fun.

I didn't ponder anything yesterday.  I didn't write in my journal.  I don't have my Vision Statement for 2011 formed in my head.   I have not completely decided on a word for 2011, although I'm thinking of changing it to a 'theme'.  A lot of coughing occurred in the night again.  A good nights sleep would be such a gift.

Many fireworks in the neighbourhood last night.  The stopped about 3:00 am.  Habibi was better  because I gave him a good dose of the 'Doggy Calm' tincture (all natural).  He curled up under my arm in bed, and after a short time shaking, calmed down considerably and dozed off and on.

I was still awake at 1:30 am when an e-mail flew in from one of my dear friends in Australia.  I decided to give them a call .. so we had a little chat which is always lovely.

Today, I don't have many expectations of myself.  I'm hoping to get some dishes cleared away, and enjoy another bowl of home made soup.  That's it. 

To all of you who are feasting and frolicing out there ... have a wonderful day.  Enjoy the moment.  Here's to all of us and here's to a grand 2011.  May we all have more that we need and all which we long for. 

"Another fresh new year is here . . . Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, To love and laugh and give! This bright new year is given me To live each day with zest . . . To daily grow and try to be My highest and my best! I have the opportunity Once more to right some wrongs, To pray for peace, to plant a tree, And sing more joyful songs!"
-- William Arthur Ward

* New Years Eve, 2010

2010 was powerful for me.  It seemed bigger and broader.  It had a 40 ft. wing span which is huge compared to other years, it was strong, and quick, and took me for quite a ride.  Tomorrow it is completo, acabado, sobre, finito.  These times will never return.  They will, however, leave there effects upon me.  This year has taught me who I am and what I am made of.

I've been contemplating and reflecting on what I want to attain this coming year.  One of the sites I follow e-mailed me these twenty-two questions.  They are poignant.  I thought I would like to share.  I want to be very clear about 2011.  These will help me to do that.

22 Questions: A Moving On Ritual by Shiloh Sophia  

 1. What is it I am committed to starting? 
 2. What is it I am committed to finishing? 
 3. Who is it I am excited about being? 
 4. Who is it in me I am excited about letting go? 
 5. Where is it I will spend my time? 
 6. Where is it I will spend less of my time? 
 7. Who will I reach out to and connect with? 
 8. Who will I surrender and let go? 
 9. What is it I feel really good about? 
 10. What is it I need to forgive myself for? 
 11. What abundance am I going to bring forth? 
 12. What excess am I going to release? 
 13. How will I shine my light in the world? 
 14. How will I stop hiding my light? 
 15. How will I strengthen my relationship with Spirit? 
 16. What excuses will I no longer use? 
 17. What is it my soul longs to express? 
 18. What is no longer serving my soul? 
 19. How will I care for my body? 
 20. How will I no longer treat myself?  
 21. What was the theme for my 2010? 
 22. What will the theme be for my 2011? 

Interesting, don't you think?  Because I'm still not fit to be in public, I will spend part of my day today writing in my journal about this.  I know it will bring clarity.  Perhaps you would like to try it.  Have fun with it, if you do.

I made another card for the Vintage Swap today.  I got out my bed tray and worked mostly from bed.  Two down, one to go.  Then I can get them in the mail.  I'm terrified they won't make it to their destination by the deadline of February 26th.  I know, that sounds bizarre, however, remember "this is Mexico".

 

 

I believe in the imagination.  What I cannot see is infinitely more important than what I can see.  ~Duane Michals, Real Dreams

Let yourself be silently drawn 

By the stronger pull of what

You truly love

Rumi

 

* Sick, Sick, Sick .....

Good Morning world and everyone who is reading my blog.  Did I ever tell you how much I appreciate YOU being here?  Did I ever tell you how supported I feel in this endeavour when you leave a comment?  You are so appreciated.  Every time you check into Flying Solo, you are appreciated.  It keeps me going.  It inspires me.  Thank you.

I can't tell you when I've felt this sick.  Unless of course, it was the last two times I've had bronchitis this year ... ha ha.  Not really ... not even then.  This time is worse.  I was on antibiotics for five days, and am still coughing and hacking.  Deeming perhaps there is something amiss, I called Dr. Sylvia yesterday and she made a house call.  It would seem the antibiotics didn't do much for me, except perhaps take my fever away after four days.  I'm on another round.  Different antibiotics this time.  I coughed ALL NIGHT.  Honestly .. I had an incredibly terrible night.  Habibi will attest to that.

Dr. Sylvia said I should feel some improvement by tonight.  I do hope she is correct.

Despite everything, there were times this week when I was bored to bits.  I surfed the web and came up with a "Vintage Card Swap".  Every person makes three cards with a 'vintage theme', send them in, and I receive three hand made cards in return.  So I emailed and was registered.  I think there are thirty-eight people.  An interesting mix, mostly from the US, but also from the Scotland, The Netherlands, Australia, Germany, and England.  This will be fun.  I got all enthused.  Each day, after my fever abated, I tried to create a little.  It felt good.  I have the first card complete.  Want to see it?

It's not like I have many supplies on hand.  I certainly can't go to a craft shop here and purchase blank envelopes and cards.  I had to get inventive.  The card is made from water colour paper and the envelope made from a brown piece of paper something arrived here in.  Anyway, I had loads of fun creating it.  Perhaps the second one today.

Sometimes I think creativity is magic; it's not a matter of finding and idea, but allowing the idea to find you. ~ Maya Lin