Club 6

Thank you so much to Club 6 who have selected PAINE - please ABUSE IS NO EXCUSE as the recipients of their fund raising this year. This morning we had a breakfast which was absolutely awesome, intimate and very special.Women really can achieve anything they want when they put their minds to it. I will be posting some photo's soon of the event... keep watching.

Altered Journals

I have been buying Sommerset Studio magazines for many years and have come to know a lot of the artists who submit their work. Their work is unique and so are they. Many of these artists are now friends on Facebook. I wasn't sure what to do with the magazines because they are quite expensive, so I thought this was a wonderful way to recycle their work and make my own journals with their art.
Each page gives credit to the artist who did the original work.

During the Easter weekend 2011 my family and I went to Clarens a lovely little town in the midlands, a short distance away from Lesotho. I made a journal for that weekend and spent some wonderful bonding time with my grand daughter painting various scenes and memorobilia in the journal. These are some of the pages before I had written in them.

Journal Pages

 

 

 

 

 

I have been making a whole bunch of journal pages so that when I am in the mood all I do is grab a page and start writing. Sometimes I will add a prompt word and wait for just the right day to journal on that particular subject. Once my pages are full only then do I bind them into the cover.

My Love of Journals

When I was a young girl, like many other women I am sure, I kept a diary, but I did find it boring recording the daily events, what sports matches I was playing in, or who I had a fight with, or who I fancied at school, so my diaries transformed into journals instead. My first journal was a scrapbook journal, writing about the places I was going, the people I was meeting and keeping all the little bits and pieces reminding me of the occasions when I had so much fun.
Over the years my journals became more personal and included drawings, cuttings from magazines and anything that would express the way I was feeling. I have kept journals for almost 40 years and still have most of them. Don't ask me how I have managed to keep them with the amount of moving I have done over the years, but perhaps they became as important to me as photo albums so I took special care of them I don't know, but I am glad I still have them.
When my 3rd marriage came to an end in 2005 I buried myself in my journals it was the only place that I felt safe, where I could hide, explode, weep, reminisce about the past that had been so painful for me. I was seeing a therapist at the time, but I was so deeply depressed I didn't have the energy to talk. I needed help but I was exhausted from talking. One day I gave my journals to my therapist and asked her to read them, which she did and as a result she encouraged me to write my book... the rest is history as they say.
I have seen many therapists over the years and could never have done without their wisdom and support, but I wouldn't be where I am today if it were not for my journals and my art either. The three of us became firm friends - therapy, art, writing.
For a long time I have been wanting to share not only some of my own journals but also the journals of other artists that I have enjoyed, either for their content, art, style of writing, creativity, inspiration or what ever.
There are many famous celebrities who journal Oprah probably being the most well known with her Gratitude journals but there are many more and I try my best to buy them for my own collection. I will share some of those too in the weeks to come.

Liz-Borromini Steel

Liz-Borromini Steel

Liz is an architect so I am never going to be surprised at her beautiful work. I have been following her for a long time and she can also be found on Facebook.  I love loose style of drawing and of course her drawings of buildings and bridges is simply breath taking. I seldom read what she writes about because I feel as if I am being nosey, but when I do it is obvious that she is a very committed Christian and spreading His love through her work is wonderful.

Soul Cards - Touch Drawings

Anyone who truly knows me will know that I am a soul person and I am fascinated with people who have learned to connect with their own soul and are willing to share what they have learned. I find this art form so interesting. I began making Soul Collages about two years ago and I find it relaxing but also fascinating what comes out of the subconscious.

Deborah Koff Chapin

Treat yourself by visiting Deborah's site it could change your life.

Hello again....

                           Andrew van der Merwe is a beach Calligrapher who lives in Cape Town.

Oh wow, as you can see I haven't been around for a while and there is so much to catch up where do I start? Well first of all I need to explain that I had an internet contract with a company who ripped me off badly so I had to wait for the contract to end before changing my service provider. It has also been a quick start to the year planning all the things that need to get done this year. My pewter classes came to an abrupt end when some of my students left to go over seas and others became ill and weren't able to come to the classes anymore, so I have had to think of new ways to make a living.
The organisation is really taking off now and I have been invited to speak and do a book signing at a breakfast at the end of the month. We have lots of plans for the future which I will share as we go along, but for now we are on a major fund raising drive, so if you feel led to dig into your pockets we won't say no. But as always I always enjoy sharing the things I love. I found these pictures on the internet the other day, are they not just incredible?

Please come over for tea.

More about Pewter and workshops 

Good Bye to 2011 which in my case was the worst year I have ever had in my entire life and I am pleased to see the end of it. Roll on 2012 which I know is going to be great. I have lots planned and for the first time in 6 years the sky is blue and I can hear birds singing in my garden. 

I am so thankful to all the artist friends I have met on the internet over the past 6 years. I have become close to quite a few of you, sending private emails and chatting on Facebook, I don't know how I would have survived with out all of you. Art has always been my passion and sharing through what I love has been an amazing experience. I have done several on line courses which was wonderfully therapeutic as there were times I couldn't step outside of my front door. Plagued with Post Traumatic Stress the only place I could feel safe was my home, so the internet was the only connection I had with the outside world, for months at a time. You have all inspired me with your art work and the stories you have shared about your own lives, happy times and sad. I just want to say thank you to all of you.
Since you can't really come over for tea I would like to offer some give aways.
I love all kinds of art, but as a Pewter teacher I would like to offer a pewter art piece to any one who follows my blog or features me on theirs right up until 14th February... with lots of love from Me.
This blog was always intended to help other people heal and I hope those people who visit from my website will see... Happiness comes to all those who earnestly seek it.

Fascinating Faces.

My classes have finished for this year and I am taking some much needed time just to do the things I love... art art and more art. I have been making some Soulcollages and while I have been browsing through some old magazines that I have been keeping I came across these photos which I thought were absolutely stunning. I went on line to search for John Kenny and I was completely side tracked with his amazing photography, I just had to share this with you.

Don't you just love the head dress they are all wearing... very creative.  I am not sure that I would like to be scared with hot pokers or what ever it is that they use to make these marks.
I am not sure why I stopped doing my SoulCollages when I saw these... what was the message? Perhaps something as simple as being really blessed to have been born in Africa. My paternal grandparents were Scottish but my father was born in China, maturnal grandparents were English but my mother was born in India. I was born in Africa and have been very blessed to have travelled the whole of Southern Africa from Zambia to Cape Town. There is not much of the country I haven't seen including South West, Namibia and Windhoek, Swaziland, Lesotho. I know why I stopped when I found these photo's... I am truly blessed.

Obi Balls

I have posted pictures of obi balls before, but since all my artist friends are making lovely things for Christmas I thought I would post them again. If you would like to know how to make them, please leave me a comment and I will give you the instructions.
Obi balls are Japanese friendship balls. One is supposed to make them and give them to friends to collect.
If you are interested in making one of these Obi Balls you can find the instructions here.

Oh So Boho

The world I would like to live in is so far removed from where I am right now. Perhaps you might ask... what stops you from living the life of your dreams? I am not sure, perhaps being conditioned by parents, then husbands and now my children. When will I step into my own reality.

I couldn't live with such strong colours all around me I would find it hard to be quiet and peaceful, but I LOVE it. I could however wear what she is wearing and chop my hair off once and for all.

I could invite my real friends over and sip cocktails and listen to awesome music and talk nonsence for hours on end.. and paint.

I would collect hats and shoes and wear them all the time and I would make chunky jewellery and I wouldn't care what people think.

SO EXCITED.

Oh my how faithful God really is. Something wonderful is about to happen. I have waited so long for this answer to prayer that it is finally coming to pass. Trusting in God is not always easy. Faith in the evidence of things unseen. There have been many times in my life when I doubted that the Lord was even listening. But time and time again He has been faithful to the end. There are many more unanswered prayers, yet, but this one is so huge that I cannot contain my excitement. I cannot mention anything just yet but trust me I will be sharing this wonderful news shortly.
I am not sure why the Lord keeps us waiting sometimes. Is it to strengthen our faith, or is He busy manoeuvring things so that He can answer those prayers. Or is it just that He sometimes says NO it is in our best interest for a prayer not to be answered in the way that we want it to? Which ever way it turns out, He is always faithful.

Crochet tree

Google the word Crochet Tree's and you will be amazed at what they look like. Some people have the most amazing imagination. You can also see some here.

Nespoon

Aren't these crochet dream catchers just exquisite. I would love to have one in my garden, infact I just might do that. I have big dreams so I need a big dream catcher. Google the artist Nespoon and you can see more of her work.

                                                      Oh WOW... look I caught one.

Terra Sheridan

Terra Sheridan

THERE IS NO PLACE U CAN GO 2 HIDE FROM THE THOUGHTS THAT KEEP U CONTEMPLATING OVER & OVER INSIDE YOUR MIND...THERE IS NO PLACE U CAN VENTURE WHERE YOUR TRUE EMOTIONS WILL BE CONCEALED & THE SECRETS OF YOUR HEART WILL NOT SHOW- THERE IS NO PLACE IN THIS WHOLE WORLD U CAN TRAVEL 2 WHERE YOUR SPIRIT DOES NOT DIRECT OR GUIDE YOU TOWARDS YOUR DESTINY... YOU MUST NOT TRY 2 SHADOW YOURSELF, BUT EXPRESS YOURSELF... (AUTHOR UNKNOWN)

Terra is an amazing artist why don't you pay her a visit... just click on her name. 

My secret place

Step into my world

There are places that I go when I meditate, I have never shared this before, but as I am walking through the journey of healing would you like to join me on this one. YOU ARE INVITED

Goddess

I love sharing links with people who follow my blog. Since I am on the subject of healing I had to share this blog with you Healing Woman. I have always loved the idea that there is a Goddess with in all women. I am also very keen to try sculpture and would love to do my grandchildren, am I biting off too much do you think? Scroll through this blog there are some lovely things to see and read.

SLEEP DEPRIVATION

For the next few weeks I will be posting issues to deal with PTS on this site as well as the other blog ABUSE IS NO EXCUSE, link because we are coming to that time of the year when we are dealing with the issues of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. PTS can be the result of any trauma, but I am relating it to DV.

If you are struggling with insomnia please go to this website. On virtually every program that I have been watching lately, Dr. Phil, Oprah, 3 Talk, Final Justice, CI and various magazines, they are all covering Domestic Violence. It may be boring, depressing for those who have never worn those shoes, but it is far worse for those who have, or are still there. Please be patient, we are all trying our best to bring awareness to this global problem and find some solutions.

I am sharing my own experience on the other blog, please go there if you struggle with lack of sleep and nightmares.

HEALING IN MEDITATION

Many Christians are against the idea of practising Yoga. I remember many years ago being taught in my church that we are not to practice any Eastern religious practices. I don't see yoga as anything more than a wonderful form of exercise and meditation practice. The bible does speak of, 'Seek the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding'. 'Be still and know that I am God'. Every religion teaches we are to learn to be quiet and meditate.

PLEASE SUPPORT US.
Stress and depression can affect anyone, meditation and massage is a wonderful way to find healing it has been researched and proven that these practices increase cortisol, the feel good hormone.