God..and a List.

WARNING: it is a REALLY long one...but try to read through..I think it is kinda worth reading...and there is a BRAND NEW CLASS ANNOUNCEMENT at the end!

In the past years and in the recent days, I have received comments, questions and emails from you about how "impressed you are" on how I "get things done"

Truth is...I don't always get my "creative things" done..or, shoot, my "physical" things done...or the house cleaning done..or, for the love of Pete, the laundry done...BUT (and yes, she is a big butt!) for the past 11 months I have been aggressively "Cultivating" just about every aspect of my life...for the better (at least, I hope!).  "CULTIVATE" is the word I chose for 2011 and I have been running that poor little nine lettered word through the ringer!

http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/homegrown_hospitality/2011/01/happy-new-years-daydoodle.html

http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/homegrown_hospitality/2011/01/cultivating-change-creativity.html

http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/homegrown_hospitality/2011/01/closed-for-restoration.html

http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/homegrown_hospitality/2011/01/cultivatingcreativity.html

http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/homegrown_hospitality/2011/01/cultivating-my-faith.html

I have been cultivating my faith, our home, my family and my art.  I have lost focus way too many times, fought anxiety and doubt more than I prefer to admit (although I just did!), experienced one too many "forks in the road" and, at the same time, seen the road as clear as a bell and felt just as confused and lost...all while keeping my center.

That, my friends...is my FAITH in action.

whew...BUT (damn big butt, sorry for the language!) I have felt motion sickness along the whole entire way. You see, I have always, no, make that "had" (because I am REALLy trying hard to work on this)1001 projects going at the same time. 

In the past few years, I have tried so so hard to change, modify, tweak...whatever it is...the way I work, but the fact is, that IS the way I work, when it comes to "art".  I think back to my high school days in Mr. Friedrich's class and I was the same way.  I think back to when I "tried" to be a college student in art class, and again, I was the same way...so for the past year, and more recently in the past few months, I have been a complete "Whirling Dervish" when it comes to creativeness while trying to stay grounded, focussed and the new truth is..

It is starting to change. (insert marching band music, fireworks, floats..)

Two of the best tools that I can suggest, that have proven to work for me is: God and a List. 

It is really that simple.

I have come to finally recognize after being told, having read, even hearing it over and over, that I, no, WE, can not do things on our own. 

duh.

We think we can "try" but the facts are the facts, so again, what is working for me is God..and a List.  Each of my days start with a little quiet time (besides the snoring dog) coffee with Hazelnut creamer and creating a list of the days "to-do's" thoughts, a doodle or two and a verse and/or quote....

and then,

light a bolt of lightning (even though it was 84 degrees) it all came to me yesterday as I "checked off" one of the entries on my days list.

Now, here is my list for today:

After you are finished squinting, trying to read what is on my lists, go back and take a look at the first picture and read what is listed first:

•         "Create a mini book from the "pile"

Now go back and take a look at the second photo, and right there, to the left and above my list is what I accomplished and why there is a check mark on photo one. Yesterday, I was on task, calm and completely 100% creatively focused.  I was not sure exactly what I was creating. but knew that I was creating in the right direction.

That again...I am proud to say..

is FAITH in action. (go ahead, you can clap!)

Note: the "pile" WAS (keyword) a HUGE avalanching pile of 12x12 papers that I have been HOARDING for way too long because I was going to, "ut um"...use them one day. Yesterday WAS that day.  It took up a majority of the day, but I used it all...and there was A LOT!!!!

whoot..whoot!

I created an entire 7" x 9.5" binder book that I am now writing an entire 12 month BASIC, EASY NO STRESS "follow along" class about the whole enchilada..  It includes what I have learned in the past year...what I have been working on, striving for and cultivating.  Like I said, I am in the middle of writing the class curriculum so it is going to be a week or two before any more details will be available, but  I can tell you that the first six months is based on:

January - Being Honest with Yourself        

February - Surrendering Your Heart

March - Owning your Talent    

April - Random Acts of Art

May - Life IS Beautiful

June - Surrounding Yourself with Friends            

The "Part One..the first six months of 2012"online class will include a weekly journal prompt posted to the closed FB page, a monthly PDF printable calendar, a monthly PDF printable doodle to color an embellish to add to your own journal based on that months theme, a PDF of journal prompts, quotes and verses based on the monthly subject,  techniques...

One of the best parts about this class is that you can do it with the avalancing pile of paper you already have...at home, in your jammies...whenever you want, wherever you are. The supplies are basic...a small binder, page protectors that fit into the binder and your basic "scrapbooking" supplies..well and your avalanche of paper.

OH..and..just in time to put on your "Christmas List" (Download Momswishlist).....The other best part about the class is the way you can purchase it:

The First Six Months for....$32.00 

or

All Twelve Months for...$40.24  

It is AMAZING what happens when a "whirling dervish" slows down...she..no, me (and probably you, too!) can focus.

More to come...and it is gonna be wonderful!!!

PLEASE NOTE: Nothing will be physically shipped to you for this class but it is IMPERATIVE that the correct EMAIL address is provided on your order to receive all class materials.  Facebook is NOT required for this class. All prompts will be posted to group and emailed weekly.

Comments

[Sarah Martin]

Stephanie! So very cool.

Question: is this more of a scrapbooking class than an artsy/crafty class?

[stephanie]

well...it is a scrapbooking and journaling class with a dab of doodle, use your stuff, add a little paint, stamp a bit here and there type of class!

[Kirsten J]

Love it!!! I wonder if you have any tips for when I have the project staring at me, but feel so overwhelmed...that I spin in place and get nothing accomplished. I know if I just gave it 15 minutes, I would feel good, but instead I just end up having a pity party.

[stephanie]

This is EXACTLY ME!!!! and why I am writing this class...it takes time and it takes one step at a time...but (dang butt) it can change..I promise!

[Lynette]

I NEED to do this class...it sounds perfect for me.

[Robynn McFerren]

I admit that committing to something for a full twelve months is just a tad intimidating for me. You do make it sound like it will not be something that will overwhelm my life but actually make other parts of my life more manageable. My life used to work that way and I'd love for it to be that way again so I'm going to commit for the full twelve months Stephanie. Woo Hoo!!!!

[bonitarose]

this sounds so fun Stephanie! God knows I have so so much paper.. LOL

[Kristi Ottmar]

I am excited. I NEED this class too and I'm doing it for "me"

[stephanie]

one step at a time sister..we are all gonna do this together!

[Lisa Gallup]

I'm in! :D

[Sherry French]

I am excited..going to do a blog post on this..I feel like this most day..well everyday.

[stephanie]

Great Sherry...make sure to share the link so we can read it!

[Katie Parrish]

My sister-Jennifer DiTommaso and I were IM-ing each other earlier this morning and she told me someone had gifted her this class. Sounds like fun. Unfortunately, I will have to live through her vicariously, since This has proven to be a year with almost no income.
I just wanted to thank you for blessing her with this.
katie

[Robin Chiang]

I can't wait to get started!

[Amy Patterson]

When will registration be closed?

[stephanie]

December 31st!

[Lorelei]

December 31 is my 57th birthday and I'm giving myself this class. I need to get creative again! I feel like I've wasted the past 6 months in a slump.

[Cathy Davis]

Are you still doing the doodle class? I was trying to find more information about it but I wasn't able to find anything. (Might be that I got distracted from all the preciousness I keep seeing!)

Thanks!
Cathy

[Anke]

Ohhh, should I or shouldn't I?... If you look at my blog, you'll see that I'm exactly the "target person" - too much creative stuff going on, trying to manage the real life in between *sigh* (last week I discovered the Pomodoro Technique which might help).
Let's see what Christmas brings to my wallet, I might sign up right on Dec. 25th ;)

[Sue White]

I signed up for your class for the full year !!! What size binder do I need to get?

[dianne letchmanan]

i bought this for me to do as a year in my life project and i will pass it on as a gift..to my daughter to read and hopefully enjoy it when she a mum to a 13 year old in the future!...xXx

[Amy Patterson]

Merry Christmas! I just received this class as a gift! Can't wait!! Hope your Christmas was wonderful, Stephanie!

[Kimberly Dial]

Ok, I just recently found you & I love your art. I would love to take this class & I get that it's online, my question is what are the basics that I need to have on-hand to begin 'cause I've never scrapbooked. I'd love to but seeing everything all at once in a store overwhelms me "Oh my, maybe not" ... but your class seems perfect. Ok, ok, I've rambled so can you tell me what I need? :)

[stephanie]

These posts tell you all about what I am going to use...the great thing is, 9 times out of 10, you can use what you have....no scrapbooking supplies needed to start...

http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/homegrown_hospitality/2011/11/uhhhhgggghhhanother-class.html

http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/homegrown_hospitality/2011/11/mission-getting-accomplished.html

[Erin Bassett]

Ok Steph I'm in! How exciting!!