Good Golly!!! Where Did the Time Go?

I'm embarrassed! I can't believe its been since December 7th since I actually logged on to my blog! I have had the best intentions of getting on, because I truly have so much to say....and yes, I still head up to my studio on a daily basis...just actually getting it here is the issue...with that being said...I truly apologize for my slackness....

On Christmas Eve, I turned 40.....oh, how I anxiously awaited the day! This year is going to be so incredible for me....I feel it in my bones :)!!!! I don't know why I am so excited about being 40....most people would cry...but oh no...not this girl! I'm psyched!!! Hold on for the ride!
Speaking of the New Year....

A friend of mine gifted me with this little plaque that read...."She Believed She Could, So She Did"......WOW! Talk about powerful words! I think...actually I am certainly that these will be my words to live by this year.....imagine what could happen for you if you just believed that you could do things and actually set out to do them....no more giving an ear to that tiny, nasty voice in your head....but believing, honestly believing in yourself. Imagine the possibilities!!!
Oh, this promises to be an exciting year....I hope you feel the same.
Happy New Year!!! Lets begin....right now....with making the most of it!!!
Until next time....and I promise not to stay away so long again,
Ophelia

Lets Back Up a Bit...

Good Monday Morning....UGH!! Where does the weekend go these days...

Busy, busy times for everyone it seems...and with a blur, its back to another work week.

I wanted to back up a bit ---as I promised last month that I would share more of my Art of the Carolina's experience.... an experience which is still fresh in my head and heart....these artists were just so giving...of their time, talents, themselves.

My favorite thing to do is just walk around the show floor and talk to the artists in each booth as they paint or demo something and pick their brains about art or whatever....and one thing I noticed about each and every person.....

Imagine This......each one looked forward to going to WORK!!!! Imagine living your life in such a way that every morning, you jump out of bed ready to face your day. I feel that way because I wake up...early....to play in my studio before work...but when its time to put the paintbrushes away and get dressed for work...well, thats when the party of over... I just imagine the day when my "work day" will be full time in my art studio...Imagine that!!!

There is soooo much more that I want to share with you...but time, once again is not on my side today...so, stay tuned...I have some products that I found...that you are going to LOVE!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Quite A Bit to Say!!

Well....actually alot, but time is not on my side today, so I'll get right to it!!
Good Tuesday Morning!!!!

I hope that each and everyone of you had the most wonderful Thanksgiving holiday...
I had a wonderful, quiet holiday here at home with my family....and to be honest, I would have it no other way. We usually travel, either to my parents, or to my husbands family...but this year, we opted to stay away from Interstate 95, and that was ok with me.

Time sure flew by this month....I can't believe I haven't posted here since the 17th...sorry blogland for being so neglectful....I'll explain why!!!!

At the beginning of the month...or actually last month, I decided that I would go for the rank of Star Leader with my homebased business, Silpada Designs....what does that mean...well, I had to have 5 recruits and $10,000 in sales in one month....so, November 1st, I set out to accomplish that goal....totals as of November 1st....3 recruits and $0 in sales... but I press onward!


Since this business is a party plan....I partied on!!!!
Fast forward to November 20th....yeah, the month flew by!!!




I have still made my way to my studio everyday, but by the 20th...lets just say things have not been going so well...and I just had to let it all out in my journal page...Totals as of November 20th...5 recruits!!!whoo-hooo, sales $4,000 --- got a lot of work to do...but, I press on...


November 26th....things are not really looking well....I head up to the studio to work it out the only way that I know how....and I remember something that Jim Rohn said....his mentor wanted to make him a millionaire...not for the money, but for the person he would become in getting there...WOW!!! With this new energy, I press on....Totals.....5 recruits, sales - $4,700....
November 30th....last day of the month...if its gonna happen...it had to be done by midnight...
With God's grace...at 10:32pm....totals...5 recruits, sales - $10,032.48!!!!!!!
I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could hardly believe my eyes as I keyed in the very last orders....and was too afraid to even look at our team total...but, there it was!!!
What an amazing feeling!!!!
Moral of this story......don't ever, ever give up on something that you sincerely wish for yourself. Give it all you have - where there's a will, there's a way!!! God is amazing!!!!!
Put it out there, roll up your sleeves, and Press ON!!!!
Until next time,
Ophelia

And Just Like That....

Its Over......

Art of the Carolinas was amazing this year.....AMAZING, and just what I needed at just the right time. I anxiously awaited its arrival for what seemed an eternity, and in a whirl.....it is over.

I did this page, because all things must come to an end....and its so sad that time truly flies when you are having fun. Thursday finally came and I had my first workshop....and the next thing I knew...it was Sunday afternoon, and the show was over.

To fill in the space for you though....the show truly was amazing, and the classes that I took were just incredible.

My first class on Thursday night was with Jimmy Leslie... Good Golly Miss Molly! He is such a great teacher. This was a collage class and it was GREAT!!

On Saturday I took a class with Michele Theberge

This one was called Drawing with Acrylic Inks....and once again...WOW!! You remember last year when I went NUTTS over those Liquitex Inks....well I'm in Love all over again... In this class we played with them on Yupo paper....GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY. Mind you... I am not even close to being a "drawer", but she was fantastic!! And the class was great even for an absolute beginner like me.

You may remember from an older post of mine the excitement and pure joy I get from taking workshops....unpacking my supplies, and the childlike giddiness I get as I wait for the class to begin....that was exactly the experience I had this time, and I was not disappointed.

As usual, this girl with a-shopping at the trade show....and prepare to be AMAZED once again. Good Golly Miss Molly (did I already say that) well, its worth repeating in this instance.

The trade show was filled with bargains galore...All the supplies that you could imagine from the top companies out there. This girl was in an artistic wonderland. Each company had artists that demo'ed products, and I always HAVE to stop in and "check out" what they are working on...and BAM---I have to have it all!!

I will post findings from each company that I shopped with and found incredible things...each new post will feature a new find, so stay tuned! You won't be sorry.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Change....

Good Morning Bloggers!!!
I can't believe I'm back at another Monday morning...where oh where does the weekend go?
I don't know about you...but I am the biggest hater of ho-hum....and that seems to be exactly where I have found myself...in the land of ho-hum. I am ready for a change. I have said this so many times before, and I still do exactly the same things that I have done before...thus the ho-hum that has overtaken my life.
Get up....go to work...come home....get ready to start all over....What a Life!!! I realized the other day that I don't even know an alternate way into work...because I go the exact same way everyday....for 8 years now!!! Talk about HO-HUM. Thats enough to make anyone go insane!
I am feeling the same about my art....and the muse, that I so depend on...seems elusive these days...
What do you do when you are stuck in a rut....
What do you do when your muse is elusive....
What do you do when you wake up and discover that your life suffers from an acute case of ho-hum?
Sending out a serious SOS here :)
Until next time,
Ophelia

A Stretch!!!

I didn't realize how much time had gone by since I last posted. Although I still make it a point to get up to my studio everyday to play with art...I'm just not as disciplined to actually post about it yet....your patience with me is greatly appreciated!!
Here is the lastest happenings with me....

Have you ever reached for something so big...that is such a stretch that it makes you sick and giddy just thinking about it. Reaching for a goal or an accomplishment that is so far out there that a giant stretch is necessary...well, that is where I am this month with my Silpada business. Back in September, I went for a goal of Senior Rep, and I made it. It was a big goal for me to accomplish since I was humming along happily not even realizing that it was a "goal". The next step within the company is the rank of Star Leader....and, well, its a carrot dangling out there that I HAVE to get. This one is a stretch...like no other for me...and I can already see myself there!!

This new rank comes with an invitation to Chicago for a Leadership conference. I've never been to Chicago, and once again....I see myself there. I can actually see myself boarding the plane, and once there....receiving the coveted bracelet that only the leaders in this company get.

I have until November 30th to make this happen...oh, there goes the funny feeling in my stomach again...but, I will not stop until its done.

Today, make it a great day....and stretch yourself to accomplish amazing things!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Anyone Up For A Little Challenge???

I just love a challenge...just because it pushes me beyond my comfort zone...and I always come out on the other side a new person...bigger and stronger because of it.

I found this challenge over at the blog of Kimberly Moore. Kimberly is an incredible artist...and somehow, although we have never met face to face, it seems we have known each other for a lifetime.

I printed out her awesome "diva" and suddenly, my colored pencils were calling me. I have an all out love for colored pencils...I don't even know why. I'm not sure if its just that they come in a squillion colors and I LOVE color and all things colorish, but I love them, and I use them to scribble because, well, I think the day in kindergarten that we actually held crayons, colored pencils, and such, I was absent, but for this challenge,I gave it a good try.

Join in, won't you....

I have printed more....so keep your eye out...this girl love a good challenge!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Is it Monday Already??

Where oh where did the weekend go!! So much to do, and so little time it seems. Friday afternoon holds so much potential for me it seems, where I think that I can conquer the world...or at least my ever growing to do list...and then in the blink of an eye, its Monday morning... (sigh).

I did get a wee bit of art accomplished, not a whole lot though. Our Saturday was filled with football, and we suffered a muddy, cold, and rainy defeat....the boys had the best time ever though doing mud slides...but I was soaked and frozen to my bones after sitting out in the rain for HOURS!!

With the fury of activity that is always going on around here...I learned a valuable lesson. I learned that I am for one a person of excuses...too busy, not enough time, too tired, my kids are not dressed well, I'm not dressed well enough...you know the list, and I usually let that list of excuses keep me from doing things that I know will eventually push me forward. I think part of the reason that I am always sitting on the sidelines watching other people succeed at what they do is that I let my excuses drive my life....I am learning though, to do things in spite of....I'm too tired...just do it anyway...

On Friday night, it seemed that everyone of my excuses were lined up to jump in and stop me from attending an event that I was invited to join. My husband was called out which left me with both kids...getting dinner, redressing, rushing home after work....the list could go on... but I made it happen, in spite of the circumstances, and I was amazed at the outcome. AMAZED. Had I let the list of excuses keep me at home, I would have missed out on some wonderful opportunities...and I stood there realizing that when you do things in spite of....it really does get you in the game. People that are making things happen for them are also busy, tired, rushed....but they do it anyway...so why not me...

Until next time,

Ophelia

Happy Friday!!

Good Morning Bloggers!!
Thank goodness, I made it to Friday.
Not alot of art this week, and I can't believe how time flew by since my last post. We are still recovering around here from having 12 BOYS sleep over last week!!! TWELVE of them! My son had an amazing time,but boy was I tired!!
I will post pictures over the weekend of the little art that I have done.
Have a great Friday!!
Until next time,
Ophelia

Ready for some ART!!

We are on round 2 of the flu here at my house, and I'm ready for something different...I've been in my sickbed all weekend, and I can truly hear my paint brushes calling me...could be all the Nyquil, but I'm certain that I hear them.
With that being said, I am ready for some art...not in my "sick house" art, but a good ole' fashion workshop.
I love, love, love taking workshops...LOVE them. You know, that feeling you get when you pack all of your supplies, and acxiously await the possibilities of what the day will bring. I just love being amongst other creative beings....and just playing. Out of my house with no laundry or dirty dishes calling me, but just PLAY!
Well, my time is a-coming....ART OF THE CAROLINAS is just around the corner...and I've been counting the days...
The lineup this year is just incredible...so many choices....so little time. I honestly spend the entire weekend there..taking workshops, hanging out at the trade show...shopping yes, but also meeting and learning from the most incredible artists on the planet.
So, join me...I'll be there...all weekend long, like a kid at Christmas...or in a candy store..but I'm sure to be dirty in paint, with lots of shopping bags, my camera, and my handy dandy notebook.
Oh, the joy...and anticipation..
Until next time,
Ophelia

Going Through The Motions....

Have you ever seen those....swirly storms, where a gust of wind picks up a few leaves, and before you know it, its a full blown funnel of leaves blowing all around. I'm not even sure of how to describe it, but I always call them "swirly storms".

Lately, I feel that I am in the midst of hundreds of swirly storms....and then you find me..going along at a snails pace with the world and LIFE swirling by. I don't know if I should even call it trapped or just plain out of sorts, but what I do know is that it is definitely time for a change. You see, my birthday is Christmas Eve, and this year, I'm looking at the BIG 4-0. Realizing that this life is the only one that I have, well, its time to step out of these swirly storms, and LIVE!

For years now, I have listened to motivational tapes and read uplifting books about living your dreams, and creating the life you desire, and yet, I have sat safely on the sidelines learning. Still not trusting me to make it happen....until now. I'm not sure of where this will take me, but this girl knows what she wants...and being trapped in the midst of hundreds of swirly storms is not it!! I just know that there is more out there for me, and that may be not living behind the "security" of a paycheck....you know...just going through the motions of life, but never actually jumping in. I want something more!! You see, there is a whisper inside me...just a tiny faint whisper of something more...something else...and for the longest time, I've kept it at bay... Since there are no re-do's in life, I want to live with no regrets...

Every morning, I want to jump out of bed ready for the day ahead...with excitement...and lately I've been feeling stuck...

So, with that all being said...I'm looking forward to what is ahead...I'm making my plan!!! Creating the life I've imagined...

Until next time,

Ophelia

An Attitude of Gratitude

Hello Everyone,
Well, around here...its another beautiful day in paradise! Well, my kind of crazy paradise that is...I keep humming a song I used to know (now, I can't even remember who sings it, but its a country song) What a Beautiful Mess!!
The kids are sick, the house is trashed, I have mounds and mounds of papers to grade...did I mention the kids are sick..oh yeah, I did. I have 42 charms that have to be finished by Thursday for a swap, my studio is...thrashed is an understatement. What a beautiful mess I'm in!
Today, though, I am grateful. Although it seems that I am drowning in "stuff", I just love my crazy life!

There are quite a few things around here that could sure use some "boot camp" kind of fixing...you know, like my housekeeping skills, or my organization, but, this girl just loves it. My son is feeling much better these days, but my daughter is still quite under the weather...somehow, she finds the energy to fight with her brother...you just gotta love it.
Is it too soon to ask for another getaway?
Ok, so I must ask...what are you grateful for...there has to be something, even if you too are living your beautiful mess.
Until next time,
Ophelia

A Bit Better Today...

Happy Tuesday, Bloggers!

I am feeling a bit better today...a wee bit, but the show must go on!!

Made it up to my studio this morning for a tiny bit of art. Yes, my throat is still on fire, and my head is sure to blow momentarily, but, art prevails!

I have spoken lately about Thoughts Becoming Things, and Putting Your Desires out there....well, today, I must own up to that!

See, I started a business back in February with Silpada Designs, and this month....I am so close to making my next rank...Senior Rep. So, I put it down today...in words, that this next rank shall be mine!

So, I must get busy...just thinking about it won't make it happen...I'm learning this ACTION thing...which will show up in another post :)

Wish me luck my friends....I will keep you posted!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Too Sick..

On Friday, I came home and went straight to bed...with meds that is... I came down with something yucky. All weekend, I had little breaks where I would try to head up to the studio, but there was nothing in me.

So, instead of counting it a complete loss, I did some backgrounds for when I might get to feeling better. Maybe its a bad cold, or just pure exhuastion from "highschool survival". Not sure, but please enjoy these backgrounds until your party can get back into her studio.

Until next time,

Ophelia

A Huge Slap in the Face for FEAR

I will be the first to admit, that I usually let fear stop me from doing a lot of things.

Fear of rejection, fear of the unknown, fear of failing....FEAR!

I realized when I had my bit of "quiet time" as I was unpacking the contents for the Art of the Carolina's challenge that fear had once again stepped in. There was a lot of internal dialog...even as I was unpacking the bag, as to why I could not pull this challenge off, and I sat there thinking of creative ways to let the group know why I could not participate....wow, talk about time wasted. In full agitation, I just slapped paint on the canvas, and began.

I wonder if this in normal....being afraid, but then letting go and just jumping in.

I also wonder how many opportunities I have let pass me by because of FEAR.

I did the challenge anyway (and will post pics of it as soon as I am finished). But I am now fully convinced...no longer will I let fear stop me from doing the things that I enjoy. I absolutely love art...Love, Love, Love it...and its insane for me to let fear stop me from doing what I love...I am not in charge of the results...just doing it is all I have to do.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Happy Tuesday!!

I will be the first to say that there is nothing that a little R&R can't fix for me. This weekend, my wonderful husband took the kids for a little getaway, and I got some much needed quiet time.

Ahhhhhhh. I had exactly 24 hours, and I made each minute count. Me, Jack (our dog) and nothing but our thoughts made the best use possible of our time. It was amazing. I never even got out of my pj's!!

I spent the larger majority of the time in my studio...and I got a lot of stuff done. There was a challenge kit needing my attention, and its almost done! I also started 42 charms for my art guild's swap....and they are almost done as well.

Even had time to do some journaling!!

Thoughts REALLY become things.... Just put it out there and watch what happens! I realized that it can be something as simple as stating that you want some quiet time....or what else!! Just put it out there! So I spent some time thinking of my goals....what I want for my life...what I don't want....what I'm willing to give up in order to make them happen...what I need to do in order to make it happen.

Quiet time is so good for my soul.....

Until next time,

Ophelia

Life Is RUFF!!

This is my first year teaching highschool, and I have to tell you....its completely different from everything I have done. I've always taught middle schoolers, and I am the first to admit...I LOVE them. This year has just been completely different...and its only day 7!! Highschool is a whole new deal.


I am feeling quite overwhelmed, and still trying to find my way, so with that being said...


I need a getaway! Seriously! Mountains, Beach...doesn't matter. Just need some away, alone time. That is usually how I problem solve and get my head straight.






Luckily this is a long weekend...will I have the time to getaway...probably not. But I will carve out some time for my me. Serious alone time. That will do for now.
Welp, its off to another day! Wish me luck :)
Until next time,
Ophelia

Have You Ever?????

Verbalized the Desires of your Heart....

For me, I have always dreamed of something....but to actually put them out there is totally different for me. To actually tell another person the true desires of your heart is somehow freeing. Sorry I can't do a better job and scanning this today...its quite early and my coffee hasn't kicked in yet :)

Rather it be so far fetched that you even cringe to say it...or simple, its still quite freeing. I challenge you to give it a try.

I have still been drawing every night...and boy, do I have a long, long, long way to go.

I apologize that my scans are not so great...but I'm drawing anyway. I can't believe that I am even sharing these as they are just so bbbbaaaadddd!!

A few YEARS from now maybe when I post more peeks from my sketchbook...there will be some amazing things...maybe.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Realizing That...

I am living my Dream!!!

I was setting up for a demo that I was doing at Jerry's Artarama this past Sunday, and it dawned on me....I am truly living my dreams.
This all started when I went back and was reading through some of my old journal entries and was just amazed at the fact that just about everything that I had written that I wanted to do, I was actually doing. Back when I wanted to learn to quilt, and be in a room where people (my old guild members) would one day oohhh and aaahhhh over the quilts that I made like I had done theirs for so long...actually had come true..
Or, then deciding that I wanted to make quilts that I could sell and teach quilting classes at a quilt shop that I always went in...well, I also made that a reality as well...
See, I am one of those gals that want things RIGHT NOW...and when I don't see something happening fast enough, I get so discouraged... so on Sunday, just at that moment when I looked up and realized that once again, I was doing something that I had written down as a true wish...I realized that GOSH, here it goes again.
Lesson Learned: Keep dreaming....BIG Dreams, and keep working at them. It might not happen for me today, or even this year, but one day... my dreams will come true...
This is such an awesome feeling!!!!
Whats next?!?
Until next time,
Ophelia

A Question....

I can't remember where....or when, but I ran across this question a few years back and for the life of me, I couldn't answer it. What is one thing you always wanted to do, but never thought you could. I struggled with this, thought about it some more, then eventually forgot about it. A few weeks ago, I was reading back through one of my journals, and realized a recurring theme...I wished in almost half of my entries that I could draw so that I could give birth to all of my ideas. At that time, I was mainly working in fabric and was just so frustrated that I could not get the idea out of my head and onto fabric...or even on paper..

Then, it hit me....One thing I've always wanted to do, but never thought I could...LEARN TO DRAW!!
So, I dusted off my copy of Drawing on the Right Side of Your Brain...

and started doing some of the exercises....I made a promise to myself that I would draw...something every night...my first drawing...well...

Ok...that was bold! Its supposed to be my daughter....I have a lot, lot, lot of learning to do! But, I will get there!

So, I have to ask you...how would you answer that question??? You just never know where it would lead you...jump in!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

It's That Time Again...

On yesterday, it was my first day back at work....thats right, its back to school for teachers. With the blink of an eye, its Game Over! No more long, long days of being in my studio playing around...or just hanging out with absolutely no agenda.

It seems as though it was just yesterday that students and teachers alike went running and screaming out of the building celebrating summer vacation, and like that, its over. Where honestly does the time go.

Maybe though, a schedule will be good for me. Somehow, it seems that I get more done if I have only a short amount of time.

Well, I'd better get going...gotta go to work :)

Until next time,

Ophelia

Just Plain Frustrated

There are days when I honestly want to do it all....and well, 24 hours is just not enough. I get up early, but I still can't fit everything in that I really want to do. I want to be a good mom and spend time with my kids, be a good wife, get myself ready for back to school (I'm a teacher), make my house at least a tiny bit presentable, work in my studio, be a great representative for Silpada, get my scrapbooks caught up, stamp some cards for my friends.... just so many things, and (sigh) so little time.


There has to be a balance....I have tried every calendar and time management system that I can find...and tonight....I'm just pure frustrated.


I focus on one thing only to have all the others fall apart, and then I shift, only to have everything else go lacking....there has to be a way to balance all of my wants...right?



I will continue to search however....and not give up on "having it all" even if I have to scale some things back...and you know, I'll keep you posted..
Until next time,
Ophelia

A Journey To Remember

3 Women

3 Journals

1 Incredile Journey....

I had such a great time with my workshop at Gallery Shibui. These gals were so great. I am just so amazed by each persons work and how different their styles were.

They were such great students that I actually got to do a bit of painting myself....and for me, that was great since I haven't been able to do anything for such a long time.

Summer is quickly winding down and pretty soon (next week) its back to school.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Days Without Art.....

Makes Ophelia A Very Sad Girl.....

The brushes are clean and ready to go. My painting table is cleared and ready for my journal...but, sigh, things have been busy around here....I am preparing to teach a class this weekend at Gallery Shibui and getting everything ready has been fun. But not being able to play with my own paint makes me sad....I'll be back though.

I did enjoy a long weekend away with my Silpada sisters at our National Conference....WOW!!

Kansas City will never be the same....6,000 jewelry wearing, phenomenal women all in one place.....WOW!!!

I will get back to my own art making very soon.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Hidden Treasure!!

I completely let it slip by that I was participating in a little challenge with Seth over at the Altered Page. We were to find an old blog post....what a great challenge!! Just going back over the old posts was so incredible to me....I found one, that surprisingly sent chills up my spine...because it is so true for me even today....
Sunday, January 4, 2009

How Time Flies...
I can't believe that so much time has passed since my last post. Gosh, a lot has been going on with me in the studio and life....so lets see...My Big 39 was on Christmas Eve. We spent most of the day on the road...but it was nice to be surrounded by family for my birthday. I'm excited about what being 39 will bring.The holidays were a whirlwind of activity with the kiddies and cousins and such...then we returned home to a bit of quiet for a while.I have decided that my "word" for this year is Believe...Sorry the picture is not very good..... I wanted to address what I believe and of course, the power of belief....What are you believing for this coming year. Do you believe that your art is important enough to have priority in your life? Do you believe that you could go back to school? Do you believe that you could run a marathon? What is it that you belive. Writing my thoughts really helped me clarify my direction for this year, and I encourage you to do the same?Until next time,Ophelia

Experimentation....and Learning New Things

Lets just say that this summer so far has been one of experimentation and learning new things. Experimenting with the things that I already have and going into my studio with no agenda other than play. Talk about good times!!

As for learning new things....I took a class and we played around with Suminagashi (marbling) and oh my gosh!! I was in love, so I of course bought the kit of inks and and the adventure begins!! I have never played with marbling papers before, but this is soooo easy!!!

I have had such a fun time with this!! Its addictive. I just love learning new things....honestly I do, even though learning new things sends me straight to a cash register to purchase everything that I see!

I hope that you will spend some time either experimenting with things that you already have and using them in different ways than you originally learned...or learn something new...you won't be sorry.

With all of the online classes going on now, we don't even have to travel to find fun and exciting classes.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 3 of Kiddo at Summer Camp

So its nice and quiet around here....too quiet actually.

I have been in the studio though, but something else is calling me...

I have honestly wanted for a long time to get back in touch with my fiber art side.... I really miss my humble beginnings in fabric and thread.... I would love to get back into my quilting...REALLY. I don't know where it will take me, but this week, I'm gonna give it a try.

In the studio today, I just painted in greens and blues....don't know why, but I realized that all of the pages that I had painted were in greens and blues.

Oh well, its off for some coffee and see what new fiber art a studio dig will bring...stay tuned!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Some Lessons Learned..

Happy Monday!! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend. It is always so hectic with company over and lots of picnics to attend. But, whatever your plans, I hope you enjoyed yourself.

Thanks so much again to all of you that played along with my blog giveaway, and congrats to Seth as the winner!! As I said in an earlier post, stay tuned as I will announce a swap soon, so, we will have an opportunity hopefully in a few days for us to play some more.

On yesterday, we took my son to Camp Oak Hill for his first overnight camping experience. Want to talk about excited!! He has lived his whole life I think for that moment...a week away at camp!! I was honestly a nervous wreck....but he, oh no.... God bless that camp counselor!!

Anywho, back to my post...I did this journal page today because of a little lesson that I learned about being persistent and consistent with things....

I have found that these principals can pertain to any part of your life....for me, it goes with both my art life and my business life....as well as a ton of other things....

I have read lately over and over again how people are realizing their dreams by being consistent and persistent...which is a true stretch for me...when things get tough...I'm off to the next thing. When I hit a roadblock...well, thats it for me....so, I am making a commitment to myself to be persistent and consistent with my art as well as my business. Consistent in that I will show up and work EVERYDAY!!! Persistent---- sticking with it!! I get started on so many things only to discover that when I am not feeling it...I ditch it and move on...I understand that that happens sometimes, but for me, its more times than not, and I have closets filled with unfinished things. Also, I ditch one thing only to go out and find something else to get into creating a studio filled...and I mean filled with a variety of things that I had high hopes for getting into...but then, things got hard with that as well, so my lesson----STICK IT OUT!!! I can't become a master at something overnight....I have to give myself time to learn what it is that I want to do--don't quit on the piece because I think it won't be any good----just follow through until completion!! Same with my business---seriously work everyday at least for one hour, and stick with it even when things get rough...

So, thats my commitment...tell me, have you made any new commitments for yourself...lets do this!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

We Have A Winner!!!

Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments on my new blog makeover. The winner.....drum roll......

Seth from The Altered Page!!!!

If you have not already, I would really encourage you to visit The Altered Page. What a wonderful blog, filled to the brim with inspiration.

Anywho, Seth, send me your snail mail address and I will get off your goodies to you.

Stay tuned guys.....lets get ready to play soon....

Until next time,
Ophelia

A Day of Painting!!

I started the day with lesson 2 of my Layer Love class with Julie.....this is just the beginning of my painting, but WOW!!! I am having so much fun. I started part one of the lesson only to hear the outcries of wrestling moves gone wrong with the boys...so....pause....but, all is not lost, because here is what I did with the paint that remained on my palette from the lesson....

You guessed it....I painted papers... I now keep stacks of rice paper, or any type of paper for that matter ready to slap on some paint when I'm not feeling like journaling or doing anything else, and I love the surprise that comes when its all dry.

Headed out of the studio to calm things down with the boys and well upon return, the muse was elusive...so I changed gears and finished this journal page that I started...

Today marks a "dream" art day....full of paints and playing with my art supplies.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow where I will annouce a winner for a special surprise!! And, if you haven't already, do check out my etsy shop. I have added some collage packs, painted paper packs (yes, the stash has gotten way too large), ledger pages, and other stuff! So check it out!!

See you tomorrow!!

Ophelia