Homegrown Hospitality

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Back in the Saddle

Well, besides one silly cable that I need to go get, I am back in business...Praise the Lord! I am a happy little "get back to work" camper with a brand new system, some ideas brewing, a few new classes being written and a whole lotta art to create and kits to prepare  because this time next month, I will be in Pennsylvania... 

Loving the land

the Shucks

and creating/teaching art....and stitching...and sharing chocolate chip cookies....

Yay!

Funny how when "things, issues,etc. " happen, we are forced to stop and then we recognize what is working, what is not working and what could work different, less or better. I WISH I would learn lessons BEFORE issues arise, but, I am human, duh, and I forget....that is why I do what I do and I am so appreciative of your patience, support, prayers, "words of wisdom" and "hang in there's".

 

Works of HEart

I have been creating "Works of HEart" on canvas, paper & wood, even blank journals, for several months knowing the specific purpose for the work but not knowing how, where or even better "what" I was going to do with them all. 

I just kept creating and doing what I was to be doing...and stacking them high.

Yesterday, on a whim, I took my stack and "displayed" them just to see what I had.  At one point, Jack even stopped to ask "Mom, what are you doing???" and I just answered..."Just Playing" (but what I was playing was "Art Show")

so this morning, I get an email from my best pal Staci at Grove's asking if I wanted to bring asome of my orginals to Grove's....

for a little Art Show during my classes.

Of course she asked me that...

and of course I want to...

and of course HE knew...

because THAT IS HOW GOD WORKS.

For months, I have been working on a new purposeful way of teaching, teaching techniques to make things like in the photos above. My new "hands on" (not online) class is designed to teach you how to create art from HEart (which sounds confusing)

BUT, some of you do not want to take a class, some of you do not want to learn another technique and some of you do not want to take another online class...so, I am going to start (slowly) offering my "Works of HEart Art" starting with a little Stephanie Ackerman Designs Art Show at Grove's at the end of April.

For more information on my classes and for the Art Show, please visit the Grove's website at http://www.grovesoffice.com/Home.html

 

Practicing:Purpose

My purpose is to create, teach, inspire, influence and remind...Remind myself and then remind others, not just with words, experience and thoughts, but through art and creating. 

So, amongst other things, I have been working on a new collection of art that I am calling " Works of HEart" based on HE (God) and art, get it??

 "Works of HEart"

which also includes, hearts! (I betcha did not know that was coming!)

and..

I am going to start teaching again, in-store and on location.. a little. It has been awhile since I have gone out to teach., for a few reasons.

First, family.

We have a very busy busy little home sweet home here and my job "mom and wife" is first.  I was having a hard time juggling carpool, practices, meetings, games and laundry, the things that I prefer to do, and so teaching "out and about" took a backseat.

Second, purpose.

First, I love creating BUT I have REALLY REALLY REALLY worked hard hard hard on staying true to my art, staying focused on one (or three) projects at a time and most importantly, a purpose for what I am teaching.

Don't get me wrong, I love a mini book any time of the day but seriously, how many mini-books does one person need?  I know it is not my business or responsibility to know what happens once the project leaves my class, and you all know that I can come up with a mini-book class quicker that I can do a load of laundry, but what I am teaching needs to have a better "purpose" and I have realized that I need to teach you more about technique and how to do things with the things that you might already have. (That is where my "Trailer Park Martha" term came about)  

Once I teach you what I have either taught myself or learned, if you want to go mnake a mini book...go for it and love doing it!

THAT is my purpose.

I hope you understand me.  I think you will.

So, anyways, I am headed to one of my four favorite places on earth (others being home, Maui and South Africa) at the end of April and I am going to be teaching "Create with HEart" and a Scrapple & Felt Stitching Bee, eek!

Creating things like this 

and this 

and stitching something like this and little things to create your own "Basket Of Happy" ...  

We are going to sit around together, stitching, laughing, having tea, chocolate chip cookies and the occasional poke (that will be me!) and really, what could be better?

I know!

Information is coming very soon, just finishing up the details but wanted you to know so you can get your plane tickets, your reservations, your affairs in order so you can meet me in PA.  If you could relate to my post yesterday about small towns, than I PROMISE you...YOU will LOVE The Shuck's, Grove's and Huntingdon, PA. 

Here are some of the photos I have taken on my early morning walks around the town:

There is a REALLY GOOD story based on this shot and either I can tell you the story or maybe we can get the Huntingdon P.D to come speak at our Stitching Bee: 

Happiness is finding a broken window in the shape of a heart:

I know, dreamy:

 we can take a walking tour of the town in the early morning, mid-afternoon and the evening:

 

and to top it off, during the time that I am going to be there, Grove's is hosting a National Scrapbooking Day WEEKEND Crop and it is going to be "May Days" in Huntingdon....although I do not know exactly what it means, I already love it. 

Feel free to contact Staci Shuck at Grove's for details and stay tuned here for information!

Hope to see you in April!

Practice Journal 2012

It has been awhile since I have gotten really creative and super messy with paper, ink & paint so with a open weekend coming up that is supposed to be FULL of RAIN, I am preparing to start the beginnning of incorporating my 2012 word PRACTICE

with several techniques that I love, to create a new art journal.   

As I have become more intentonal with the things I do, the process of creating this journal is going to include me practicing the following ideas, purposes, feelings and emotions:

P - purpose;process;practice

R - relax;relish;remember

A - adventure;artful

C - challenge;commit;cultivate;create

T - transformation;time;together

I - improve;imagine;inspire

C - choices;changes;color

E - embrace;emerge;enjoy

I hope that this idea sparks something inside you to practice something today.

Title

I wrote in the word title as the "title" because I could not think of a title. (talk about wordy!) You can read the post and send me an email on whatever you think the title should be called.

So..anyways...

I am so sorry that I do not have any cute Christmas ideas for you today, nor any words of creative wisdom because I have poured myself 110% into writing and creating for the new 2012 class.

I cannot seem to stop thinking,writing, typing or doodling and my sleeping habits have definatly taken a hit and really, I need to take a break, because at this moment, as I type, I feel like my eyeballs are going to fall out of my head and when they hit the floor, they are going to break...damn wind. (sorry for the language)

Now, I do not want to "boast or brag" about the class, but I do want to promote it because the content was not created by me, but by God...and it is good, the class, I mean...well, and duh..God is Good. He is ALWAYS good...even when you think He's not...

He is.

Wordy (not Him..me.)

anyways...here is the banner for the January classroom

and here is a doodle I just did as I was trying to figure out what the heck I was going to blog about this morning and as I read it, the end seems to go along with my point for the day... (I like how God always plays connect-the-dots with me!)

We all need a little more "honesty" & "admitting" in our lives so that we can move ahead ( reminds me of the Devo song)...and ya know, yes, we all need to admit things so that we can move forward BUT (always a big butt)...it, the "admission" does not always need to be a "negative".  Sometimes, I think people associate the thought "Be Honest with Yourself" with the idea that you need to "fess up" something that is negative....

um, no...not true.

I am going to stop now....I think you get the point...plus I need to get back to my writing...it is a 12 month class..and it is good.. for me and for you.  Like a vitamin! 

and hey, sorry if you sing the Devo song all day..I already am!

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.

Persistence

and if this were an "Infomercial" and I was the "Vince of Sham-Wow" or "Billy Mays" (RIP) of "Oxy Clean", I would probably tell you that YOU could create art just like the art you see above by mixing a little Doodle 101  with a little Scrapadoodle..just sayin.

"To Create"

This might be a long one so grab some coffee.

I am getting ready to launch a new class in about a week and I am also headed to a retreat in a few weeks to CREATE.  

Today's post is to "address" a comment left for me a few days ago (you can go read it in a minute!) and share with you my purpose (you may have to read a little between the lines.)

First, my new class coming up mixes "Faith & Creativity" 

Part of the purpose of this class is to remind you to take time to "make time" and then spend that time listening, watching, focusing, refreshing and refueling. It is NOT to tell you, sway you or show you about Christianity or any religion. 

In case you do not know me, I am not a "religious" person.  What I have is a "relationship" with God and what I do is balance my life with Faith.  It is the only way I get through the day. 

It is a really wrecked world we live in and there comes a point where you know you have to STOP and then comes a time when we just need to be quiet, pay attention, listen....then create from what inspires and influences us. For me, it is my faith in GOD that inspires and influences me and I am secure enough to not be swayed by others and compassionate enough to never force it on others.  

When I was developing this class, I knew that the word FAITH and/or GOD was going to immedialty turn people away. I hope that you continue to read this before you click away to another site because I want you to understand me . I know that we all come different backgrounds and I know that our beliefs are different BUT (and it is a BIG but), I also know that we all have a mind, a heart and a need for LOVE to connect in every way.

Now, coinsidently, without even planning this, the purpose of the CRAFT Beach Retreat is exactly the same as my new class..to "make time" and then spend that time listening, watching, focusing, refreshing and refueling..and then creating..

at the beach..for the Love of Pete..hello! 

Although my class is not at the beach (sorry!), I am reaching out to you in a creative way..to remind you of things you already know, just maybe forgot to remember....To focus on taking time to write, to pray, to use words, reflect on memories, to reminense with photos, to make time being still & quiet and then to create based on what is written on your heart after being influenced by your own reflections.

You all know that I LOVE to create things, from paper, ink, fabric, batter, dough...etc. and what I believe is, GOD gave me the skills (and the big ol' heart to love to make things) for a reason. 

"To Create" is part of my "purpose." and my faith fuels my creativity and supports my life entirely. (The world is tooooo messed up for me to even begin to handle it on my own.) 

My class is NOT a class to tell you or even suggest to you that what I believe in or the relationship that I have with God is what you need to create about or with. I am simply using the abilities and skills that God gave to teach, share and inspire you to create. It might be with patterned paper..a bowl of cookie dough...a piece of wood, thirty different colors of paint, sometimes with a needle and thread, the possibilities are endless....my point is, I want to share, inspire and be a good creative influence on you. 

Even though we are online, miles apart and our beliefs are different, through our fellowship and commitment to creating, we can do this together. We will apply our struggles and strengths, and well, some Mod Podge to creating and with HOPE…we will all "enjoy the process" and in turn, share our work, spread some kindness and inspire others...sorta like "Pass it On".

Thank You,

You are Welcome

and

Amen.

A "Sorta" Mission Statement

My faith, beliefs and everyday life of family, home, life, love, & laundry inspire and fuel my creativity. I share it here with the hope that you will be inspired to share and create for yourself and for others.

With that said, I have developed new techniques to go along with new classes based on mixing faith and creativity AND adding back in "the element of being together"  Getting together with others to create is becoming a lost art and I for one do not want to sit and watch it happen.

I have taken almost an entire year off of teaching in-store, except for a few trips and I am almost ready to get out and teach again, with several changes to the way I teach.

I am hoping that you will have an open mind to my new ways and that you will consider taking some time to be together with other women to create, to experiment, to create a mess, to be inspired and to relax.