Nature's Icy Inspirations -- Morning Inspirations

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.  - Albert Einstein

Be Happiness Itself - Find Balance Sterling Charm Necklace

What are we looking for in our lives?
For me there are a few constants...peace in my heart and balance.

Buddha is known for quoting,  "Be happiness itself" which reminds me that happiness is as close as the reflection in my mirror.

How easy it is to turn and look away, point the finger at him/her, that experience and decide not to own our experiences and the choices we are making.
It's a hard concept to swallow, the idea that we "can" be happy...that peace does exist..perhaps not out there but within each of us...

This sterling charm necklace reminds me of the gift of choice  each of us has, the gift to consciously take ownership of our happiness and create the balance we need in our lives.
We have the choice to:

give a smile
breathe deeply in moments of frustration
work toward finding a job we actually enjoy
have patience with our children
let that person merge into traffic
exercise and eat right
call a friend
make arrangements to go on 'that' date with your spouse
walk in nature to nurture our soul
say 'no' or change our minds on a commitment because we are too over loaded...........

and NOT blame life for the choices we can control which lead to our state of happiness and balance.....

If this necklace is perfect for you or someone you know, you can own it by going to my Etsy shop:http://www.etsy.com/listing/88102124/be-happiness-itself-find-balance

Live in joy - Lisa

Thank you for your service and love...

I am taking a moment today to be AWARE how blessed I am to have the freedom to create art and have the life I do in this country...
We do not need to support our governments choices but we should support our Soldiers, Veterans and their families who ensure our freedoms! 
The enormity of laying one's life on the line for people you don't even know, to fight a war you may not understand or support but you signed up and you have to serve or be punished in some way..be dishonored if you don't do as you promised...To feel lonely, scared, anxious...to witness sadness, death, poverty unlike anything we have seen..humanity at it's worst...to stare at someone who hates or fears you because of the land you live on or due to your faith...To return home and hold all this in your soul so other's do not have to witness it or remember it... Well...I say a big THANK YOU...THANK YOU also for keeping my husband and those I love and do not know safe and returning him and them home to us...With gratitude I honor today!


"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." -John Fitzgerald Kennedy


"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." -Cynthia Ozick


Live in Joy and Gratitude - Lisa

Nature's Gifts - Helping You Find Self!

Being in nature is one way I nurture my soul. In nature I am present (in the moment), THOSE thoughts seem to slow down with my breath and a calmness emerges. The silence of an early morning walk does wonders for my soul, it helps clear my mind, reconnects me to MY truth and helps me find my sense of self again!
                                     I am able to hear MY Voice.

Finding time to nurture YOU is the single most important gift we can give to ourselves..!
Our busy schedules and the many roles played during the day seem to toss us about like a wind storm..
We lose our power, our emotions are a jumbled mess, and we are lost.

"Many women today feel a sadness we cannot name.  Though we accomplish much of what we set out to do we sense that something is missing in our lives and - fruitlessly - search "out there" for the answers.  What's often wrong is that we are disconnected from an authentic sense of self."
     -Emily Hancock

Will you take time to cherish yourself this day, week or month?  Will you do what's needed to nurture your being and balance your soul?  If so...it would be great to hear what you do to Nurture and LOVE YOU..:)

Live in joy- Lisa

"ARTFUL" - DREAM - CREATE Mixed Media Sterling Pewter Necklace

This summer I was blessed to stumble upon and participate in "Flying Lessons - Tips + Tricks To Help Your Creative Business Soar"  created by the gifted Kelly Rae Roberts!

Kelly openly shared her successes, struggles, tips and tricks with the 300 + online participants. Taking this course helped me to believe that my creative aspirations are possible!  This class is a MUST for anyone who needs some direction and inspiration to make their dream come true!

Today I am fortunate to be a part of an amazing group of artists (those who participated in the 2011 Flying Lessons), we encourage and inspire one another, we share our successes, fears, and tips and tricks..:) 

The above necklace is inspired from my "Flying Lessons" experience!

Nurture your creative and artful soul....Dream it - CREATE IT - Fly !!! :) 

I wish you success in fulfilling your dreams...  


Please take time to check out some of the amazing work of the artists who participated in Kelly's Rae's Flying Lessons course with me..
The below is a list of these artists who are blog hopping with me!

Amaranthine Violet: http://magic-gypsy.blogspot.com/

Amy Hillenbrand: http://amyhillenbrand.blogspot.com

Beatriz Peñas B.: http://beatrizbepe.blogspot.com/

Beth Cougler Blom: http://sobliss.wordpress.com/

Carmen Patti: http://carmenpattistudio.com/wordpress/

Carol Bray: http://theredpaintedcottage.blogspot.com

Christina Fajardo: http://christinafajardo.blogspot.com/

Cindy Jones Lantier: http://www.lantier.org

Connie Rawlins : http://www.dabblinginlife.blogspot.com/

Dana Brock: http://www.dzynbydana.blogspot.com

Deborah Velásquez : http://deborahvelasquez.blogspot.com

Elissa Brown: http://thefreckledarmy.blogspot.com

Hillary Courson: http://www.hillarycourson.com

Jacquie Williamson: http://www.jacquiewilliamson.blogspot.com/

Jane Paynting: http://inkspiredwings.wordpress.com

Janet Forrest: http://tatterednworn.wordpress.com/

Jennifer DeVille: http://jenniferdeville.com/blog/

Jill Lambert : http://www.jill-lambert.blogspot.com/

Julie Hamilton: http://spaark.wordpress.com

Kanchan Mahon: http://Kanchan-Mahon.blogspot.com/

Karen Claverie: http://giddyupletsride.blogspot.com

Kari DeSaulnier: http://karidesi.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Conard : http://newfromoldcreations.blogspot.com/

Kathleen McKinnon: http://harmonyschoolhouse.com/expressions-blog.html

Kathy May: http://kathymaydesigns.org

Kelley Miller: http://www.kelleymillerartworks.blogspot.com/

Kelly Corso: http://birdinatreecreations.blogspot.com/

Kelly Hoernig: http://www.kellyhoernig.blogspot.com/

Kim Hyer: http://www.apaperaddict.com/

Kris Lanae Binsfeld: http://cherishdesigns.wordpress.com

Lenore Angela: http://www.lenoreangela.blogspot.com/

Linda Barutha: http://lindabaruthadesigns.blogspot.com

Lisa Michele Products:
http://www.lisamicheleproducts.blogspot.com/

Liza Zeni Baker: http://lizazeni.wordpress.com/

Lynn Richards: http://alittlebluesky.blogspot.com

Lori Leissner: http://leissnerart.blogspot.com

Lori Moon: http://lorimoonstudio.blogspot.com

Mary Cottingham: http://www.barnbugstudio.blogspot.com/

Mary Sterk: http://justmarydesigns.wordpress.com

Megan Schmitt: http://www.schmittenwithwords.blogspot.com/

Melanie Douthit: http://www.douthitgallery.blogspot.com/

Michelle Dwyer: http://www.magnetisedbylife.com/

Michelle Reynolds: http://shellsinthebush.blogspot.com/

Rachél Payne (Rae): http://collectingyourself.wordpress.com/

Rain Hannah: http://honeyandollie.com/

Rhiannon Connelly: http://www.starrybluesky.wordpress.com

Ruth-Mary Smith: http://patchworkfamilieshub.blogspot.com

Sherry Richert Belul:
http://simplycelebrate.net/cherry-blossom-soup

Shirley Ann: http://leonardarenaissancewoman.blogspot.com/

Stacey Chadwick
Brown: http://staceybrownarts.blogspot.com/

Susan M. Walls-Beverly:
http://www.susanscharmingtrinkets.blogspot.com

Teresa Cash-Czech: http://www.asmilemaker.com/

Tina Carlborg: http://www.tinachicky.blogspot.com/

Tonya Love: http://passport2creativity.com/

Ursula Smith: http://www.EasyScraps.com/blog

Zulma Cadena: http://edustory.wordpress.com/

Mary Cottingham http://www.barnbugstudio.blogspot.com

Lisa

Celebrate YOU!

Insist on yourself.  Never imitate! - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Are these not the coolest boots EVER!  My good friend wears them so well, she has fantastic style and celebrates being herself with confidence.

Today celebrate YOU!  Be confident and own your self-worth!

Live in Joy - Lisa

Polymer Clay Owl and Halloween Crow on Pumpkin

This polymer clay project was so much fun!  I got IMMEDIATE gratification ...loved it!
This project took about 3 hours from drawing my design ideas, molding, baking and finally painting the clay..!

These past few weeks I have had owl envy...as I have seen some wonderful owls in several mediums so I decided to create my own owl.
My inspiration for the crow sitting on top of the pumpkin came from an article in Stampington Summerset Holidays and Celebrations 2010 Issue and my love for crows (very intelligent and family oriented)!

I may have found a new passion...

If you are interested in dappling with polymer clay, click here for Polymer Clay Basics by Sharilyn Miller posted on Stampington and Company's Web site..:) 

Enjoy - Lisa