A Call for Help!!

I am writing to you this morning with a call for help. I realize that most of us have given to charities and people in need so much lately, that there is little that we can honestly give anymore. Icome to you today however, with a true need for help.

There is a family that is in desparate need of financial help.....and I have found that I have to do all that I can to help as this weigh so heavily on my heart.

They are in danger of losing their home and pretty much everything that they own due to illness and being out of work for several months.

I am sending them some money to help with utilities and other things, but their need is far greater than I can help with.....so I come to you for help.

I tried to think of ways that I could raise additional money for them, and this of course, led me to my studio. I am making collage packs, and would like to offer them for $20 which includes shipping for your donation.

These packs are a 12 x 12 bag filled with collage goodness. There are vintage ledger pages, at least 3 of them, dictionary pages, foreign text pages, tags, library pockets, tickets.....so much stuff in there that its hard to name. These packs would be great for altered book artists, art journals, cardmaking...anything that you would like to alter and add ephemera to!

I also have painted paper packs......$20 including shipping as well.
Again, a 12x12 bag including at least 40 sheets of various size and types of painted papers......once again to be used in all of your altered art needs.

If its fabric that tickles your fabric....I've got you covered as well. A 12x12 bag filled with many sizes of fabrics to include both commercial fabrics as well as hand dyed fabrics.

Each pack is $20 which includes shipping. I will also be putting up some bead and button "stews" as well as packs with various sizes of scrapbooking papers and such.

I would love your help with this. You can purchase any of my packs through paypal to sstaton3@nc.rr.com..... and I would love for you to send my post to all of your friends as well. Every bit helps. Email me with your choice of pack....or with any questions as well.

Thanks so much!!!!!!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

A View From My Window

Here in the usual sunny Carolina's, we woke this morning to a winter wonderland. Snow, which we don't usually see, is so exciting. At 8 am, the kids already have cabin fever, and its still snowing!! Its going to be a LLLLOOOONNNNNGGGGG weekend.

I slept in a bit this morning...til5 am, and went straight to the studio. Felt like doing things a bit differently this morning, and I started playing with paint and gesso on watercolor paper. I usually only work in my journals, so we will see where these little experiments go.

I also have the strangest urge to go shopping for art supplies...imagine that. Something about being stuck indoors of course makes me want to head to my studio, but also to Jerry's. I guess some online shopping will be in order, but, in all honesty, nothing replaces walking around the art store touching all of the stuff! Since it seems that this will be an all day, all weekend event, the shopping trip will have to wait. By Monday morning, I will probably have pulled all of my hair out, so art supplies will be the least of my concerns!

Until next time,

Ophelia

I'm Bummed!!!!!

I certainly thought that I would do better this year at blogging more often, but, sigh, I just haven't done so great. I can't believe when I signed on this morning that its been over a week since I last blogged....bum.
I have been keeping my promise to myself to make art everyday, but just getting it scanned and actually blogged is a whole other saga.

I did however, get some art goals down for this year. I realized looking back through my journals that I have gotten off track with my art goals, so it was worth revisiting and writing them down again.....
It was interesting in reading my goals how much I have actually achieved this past year...and over the years. Who would have ever thought that I would be teaching...and, well, I will be teaching in April at Jerry's Artarama!!!! Imagine that! Definitely a dream come true. I will be teaching an art journaling workshop and would love for you to join me if you are in the Raleigh area.....or maybe you're up for a road trip :)
I also realized that in looking back, my journal entries were dripping with my wanting to actually "learn" to do art journals....and well by golly, here I am!! Don't get me wrong, I'm still learning, lots and lots of stuff....but just goes to show you...and me...if you put your desires out there...and get to work...it happens!
I know we are deep into January, but I ask you, what are your art goals...you know, what is it that you are wanting to "put out there". Do it...and watch your dreams come true!
Until next time,
Ophelia

Do You Believe?????

I sure do....but I realize that there needs to be some action....and that is where I usually fall short. ACTION is necessary in order to get things done.

I have big, really big goals for this year, and I can't just sit around and expect for magic or miracles to make them happen....you know, have things fall in my lap....there has to be action on my part.

With that being said....Lets Begin!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Look What I Got!!

Happy Friday Everyone!!
I have been gifted today with a 2 hour delay for school, so I really had a blast in the studio this morning!!
First, I wanted to share with you a "special" gift that I gave myself for my birthday...I know it was last month, but I'm 40 now....maybe I should give myself 40 gifts...hmmm...that's a thought..
Anyway, you may know about Julie Prichard....if not, head on over!! She actually has a noew class starting today on her website and the video for the class looks awesome. I have taken her layer love class before, and I tell ya, you get way more than you pay for...
Back to what I was saying....I headed over to her site one day because I sooooo want to take her SuperNova journaling class. Its a two part class and the first part teaches you to make your own books/journals...WOW! Anywho....I was looking around at all of the videos and then in searching more on her site, I clicked on her Shop tab..... well, lets just say that I am the new owner of the California Dreams journal!!!

I got it on yesterday, and I have to tell you how much more beautiful it is in person! The thing that I am most impressed by, is that yes, I got it superfast, but there was also tucked inside of my beautifully wrapped package, a HANDWRITTEN note!! I am no stranger to shopping...believe me, but this is honestly the first time that I have gotten a handwritten note from someone THANKING me.

I know this sounds like a Julie Prichard commercial...but honestly, I am just a very happy customer and a happy student.... I was so impressed with her personal touches!

Moving on though....I decided today to journal about what I want...you know just to put it out there...heck, its Friday, and I'm 40! That never ever gets old.

Hope you make it the best day ever....

Until next time,

Ophelia

Already A Slacker!!!

I am in need of a coach....a 24-7 on my case get it done, Ophelia, kind of coach.....left to my own, I have been a slacker....

Everynight, I have lost HOURS just hanging out on the computer....lost in cyberspace, and well, the wonderful world of blogs. Before I know it, its time to head to bed, and I've not gotten a single thing done...bad, bad, bad!!!

I realize that I am in serious need of discipline....set my schedule, and keep to it...remember, I have big goals, and well, they aren't going to happen by magic.

A coach....a business coach, life coach, art coach, workout coach....a good coach!

Today however is another day....a fresh start...so, I will start today. Again, but none the less, I will start.

Until next time,

Ophelia

A Look Back....

My life can be a bit overwhelming....family, work, art, my Silpada business....so I thought that it would be important for me to look back over the last year and not focus so much on what I did wrong or didn't do...but instead, what I did that was positive. That made me feel better!!!

I did have an amazing year, and accomplished a great deal. Could I have done more...certainly, but I am who I am...

I realize that with so much going on, I need this year to focus on prioritizing....to make sure that I stay on course. I have some really, really big goals...really, and in order for me not to get lost in the day to day, I have to set a plan...and each day set out to accomplish exactly what I have set for myself. I think though that I really need to hone in on what it is exactly that I want to do in each area of my life...and for that, I will need more time to think quietly - it's getting there, but I was just exhausted last night and instead of heading to my studio for some alone time, I went straight to bed!!! So, that is my goal for this week...really spend some time with me, and decide exactly what I want to make happen in my life this year....and then, focus on those things.

This year promises to be exciting, and I don't want to miss out on it because I got "too busy" on other stuff....so, with that being said....Lets Begin!!!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

WHEW!!!!

My house this past week has been crowded....company is always fun, but this type of company was just plain busy! All it seems I did this whole week was cook and clean....and cook some more. My son had his cousins stay for the week, and it was CRAZY! Someone was always hungry.
Needless to say, although I did get a whole lot of art time in...there wasn't much room for quiet thinking and reflection....
I did this page some time ago, and as I was flipping through my journal, it was worth revisiting...as I didn't get to my usual "New Years Resolutions and Goals" just yet.
For me this year though....I have some big goals... Heck, I'm 40 now!!
I want to Live More, Be More, Do More.... what about you? Did you get some time for goal setting, reflecting on what went right or wrong for you this year...I plan to sit back this coming week....now that my house has cleared out and back to normal...and just think...you know, look back so that I can move forward....I am truly excited for what this year will bring!!!
Until next time,
Ophelia

Happy New Year!!

Oh, I just love the joy of the New Year....the excitement of a fresh start! Do you?

It is so refreshing to know that today...or any day for that matter, is a new beginning...a clean slate....now, to make the most of it!!!

I spent last night surfing blogland....and having a little New Years Eve party with the family. You just gotta love getting lost in Blogland!! And I did. I searched, read, laughed, and searched some more for HOURS! You just get lost in it all...and I just love it.

I came upon the website of Carmen Torbus. I visit the site often, but I don't know what it was this time that struck me with this visit...

I have wanted to work differently for quite some time now...not necessarily differently, but just out of my journal...and I got some canvases from Santa this year, so I thought, why not??? And I did!!

I signed up for her online workshop and OH MY GOSH!!!!! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!!!

I have only watched lessons 1 and 2....and this is what I have done so far....

Have I said OH MY GOSH!!!

This workshop is so incredible....and I can only imagine what awaits me in the other lessons!! Carmen's excitement is contagious!!!! She is just incredible...and, well, although I am not close to being done with this.....I learned so much already....one thing of importance was just to let go, have fun, and get messy!!! You gotta love that.

The workshop has been open since October....and the signups will close this weekend...Thank Goodness for Blog surfing last night. I would have honestly been sick if I would have missed this!

Soooooo....RUN!!!! You totally will not be sorry!!!

What a great way to start out my new year.....making art!!!

Until next time,

Ophelia