Homegrown Hospitality

2014

I have BIG plans, hopes and dreams for 2014.  With that, I know that there will be ups and downs, mountains and valleys but I also know that with God, all things are possible. My hope is that you know this too and that you will join in with me as we say farewell to 2013 and welcome in a new year.

My word for the year is TRANSFORM and I plan to apply it to all areas in my life.  Physically, Mentally, Relationally, Financially, Spiritually and Creatively (did I miss a word ending in ly?) One of the most important things to remember is that I can't do it on my own. My willpower is not enough. I need God & a group to help me in my success.  My group is going to be two-fold, one here at home and one online.  Along with hope for my success, is hope for your success, and that is why I am planning an online community.  We all need to help each other because, yep.. Typing all of this may make some of you think that I am "loosing my marbles" or that I am sounding like a crazy evangelist, but I am not.  I am just being me, stating my plans outloud and inviting you to come along.  Not to worry, I am still the same dorky, simply-complicated self (as pictured below in yesterdays ig photo:) I am just ready to think, feel, act, spend, share and create better.  That is the truth right there and I know I am not alone.  Here is the key: Let's do this new year together.  Please join me over on Facebook and join the group, God & A Group - The Daniel Plan

Buy One, Gift One TODAY & TOMORROW ONLY!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve! One of my most favorite days of the year and in honor of that, I am offering a Buy One, Gift One Free on my upcoming 52 Pick{ME}Up 2014 that begins January 1st! It opened up yesterday!

• Have have you signed up already? Well, you can buy one for a friend and gift one to a friend.

• Have you wanted to sign up but haven't yet?  Well. you can now sign up and share it with a friend (50/50)
• Have two friends that you want to share this year long journey with?? Buy one, gift one.

How??

Easy.

Click on the link, read about the class, register and HERE IS THE IMPORTANT PART:

During the check out, in the "Message to Merchant" include your intentions:

• for two friends (add the email addresses for your two friends)
• one for you and one for a friend (and add in that friends email)

Simple...and the best part, by the end of today (and tomorrow) all of the classroom info with be in your inbox!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

Right Now

Right now I have laundry going, sticks of butter are softening on the kitchen counter for one more day of baking, I am finishing up the last little bits for the January 1st launch of 52 PickMEup2014, I just added 2 download printables to my ETSY and later I have 2 gift cards to buy and then, it is CHRISTmas 2013 full steam ahead!

In the midst of all of the hub bub about Duck Dynasty, Target ATM numbers and what to buy for who and how much to spend, the download printable added to my ETSY pretty much says it all.

Seriously, it really is simple but we magnificent, one-of-a-kind humans just complicate it. We are kinda good at that.

Working Together

Just like any industry, things can get political. This includes the industry I work in.  Now, I know that there are contracts, confidentially agreements and guidelines to follow, but sometimes I feel like Rodney King when he said "Can't we all just get along?"  Maybe he is not the best person to quote but it is the statement he made.

Thing is, I know people have to make a living, hey, I have to do that, too.  I get that as artists, we have to protect our work, designs and concepts BUT it doesn't mean we can't work together for the greater cause, the bigger picture.

We need to share.

We need to inspire.

We need to encourage.

We need to create. While I am excited to tell you that I too have lots of new things coming out in the coming year, I am also equally excited to be able to create with like minded souls that simply LOVE to create.  I want to be part of a community that reminds others that working together is the best way to work.  That is exactly why I joined in the group, Document Life Project and let me add, the creative dynamo's who created this exciting creative journey did not ask me to write anything about this project.   Truth is, I only know one of these girls, Lorraine Bell.  Years ago, we sat on the floor of a hotel room floor during CHA and it was one of "those" moments where we connected while sharing our stories. 

I mentioned the other day about learning BIG and little things along the way and this is one of the most important messages I want to relay:

 I truly believe that we all need can work create together without having ulterior motives. 

I know not everyone thinks that way, in fact I would be willing to bet that most don't, but I do and I feel very confident to say that to anyone who would challenge me.  I have received an AMAZING amount of  joy from teaching, meeting and creating with women all over the country and for that I am blessed.  Blessed to do what I love for a living but equally blessed to be part of a new blooming creative community that feels the same way.

Like you, I want to explore creatively with others, be inspired to try different things, be an encouragement to those who may need it and just create.  I believe it will make me a better teacher and a better artist and I invite you to join in. To read more, check out these blogs:

Robin-Marie

Lorraine Bell

Rae Missigman

Sandi Keene

 See you on the journey...

Transform & My Story, Part Three

Not only I am going to work on TRANSFORMING several areas of my life in 2014, I am also constantly working on transforming my creative endeavors. 

I have said to many that I am not responsible for the ideas that pop into my head.  GOD is and I truly believe that.  There is no way I could come up with all of the ideas that RACK my brain 24/7 and part of my purpose is to share, inspire and teach you.

I want to share with you an example of what starts as a blank canvas and turns into something that reflects thoughts, prayers, wishes and dreams. I am ready (and excited) to share with you how I do it so that YOU can do it too.

Throughout my "creative career", I have learned some really BIG lessons and lots of little reminders.  At the end of the day, the biggest and most important lesson I have learned is to stay true to me, my process and my creative visions.  One of those visions is to be able to create something and have it reproduced in many ways for you to use in your art.  That is a dream of mine but it is not happening.  It doesn't mean it won't ever happen, but for now, in staying true to my art, it stays original.

I LOVE to create original art but staying original without major support and distribution is difficult.  This is where my faith kicks in and reminds me that what is next is unclear but that I am headed in the right direction.  THAT is part of the TRANSFORMATION of my mind and again, I am good with right where I am at. 

In keeping with my dream of being able to get my art out so that you can get it, I have decided to continue selling my one of kind art.  Not just framed pieces or canvas' but also my ART PAPERS.  Here is an example of some of my recent art papers: My intention, as I travel this coming new year, is to teach you to see it not as just a painted piece of paper, but as something that you can use and transform into your own art.  I want to teach you how to look past the general idea and learn to create art from art.

To take a paper, tear or cut it up:
and use it to create something that makes your heart happy.

It may sound corny, but it is the truth.  There is nothing better than seeing the transformation of taking one thing and making it another.
so I will continue to DREAM BIG DREAMS and create art for myself and for you.
What is your dream?  Are you dreaming big enough? Maybe it is time to start dreaming...

 

Transform & My Story, Part Three

Not only I am going to work on TRANSFORMING several areas of my life in 2014, I am also constantly working on transforming my creative endeavors. 

I have said to many that I am not responsible for the ideas that pop into my head.  GOD is and I truly believe that.  There is no way I could come up with all of the ideas that RACK my brain 24/7 and part of my purpose is to share, inspire and teach you.

I want to share with you an example of what starts as a blank canvas and turns into something that reflects thoughts, prayers, wishes and dreams. I am ready (and excited) to share with you how I do it so that YOU can do it too.

Throughout my "creative career", I have learned some really BIG lessons and lots of little reminders.  At the end of the day, the biggest and most important lesson I have learned is to stay true to me, my process and my creative visions.  One of those visions is to be able to create something and have it reproduced in many ways for you to use in your art.  That is a dream of mine but it is not happening.  It doesn't mean it won't ever happen, but for now, in staying true to my art, it stays original.

I LOVE to create original art but staying original without major support and distribution is difficult.  This is where my faith kicks in and reminds me that what is next is unclear but that I am headed in the right direction.  THAT is part of the TRANSFORMATION of my mind and again, I am good with right where I am at. 

In keeping with my dream of being able to get my art out so that you can get it, I have decided to continue selling my one of kind art.  Not just framed pieces or canvas' but also my ART PAPERS.  Here is an example of some of my recent art papers: My intention, as I travel this coming new year, is to teach you to see it not as just a painted piece of paper, but as something that you can use and transform into your own art.  I want to teach you how to look past the general idea and learn to create art from art.

To take a paper, tear or cut it up:
and use it to create something that makes your heart happy.

It may sound corny, but it is the truth.  There is nothing better than seeing the transformation of taking one thing and making it another.
so I will continue to DREAM BIG DREAMS and create art for myself and for you.
What is your dream?  Are you dreaming big enough? Maybe it is time to start dreaming...

 

Tuesday Tutorial - Candle Cozy

Today's tutorial is perfect for those last minute gift needs and mixes up a few of my favorite things.  TJ Maxx, Yankee candles, sweaters, ric rak and stitching.

The supplies are pretty simple:

• A sweater that you can cut an arm off of. to cut up.  Kids sweaters work great.
• A candle (you can do the same thing for a Mason jar, too!)
• Needle and thread
• Ric Rak or trim that you like.
• Glue & scissors

First things first, you are going to want to use a sweater that you no longer wear because you are going to cut off the sleeve.  I suppose you could cut off both sleeves and make it a vest but that is a different tutorial!

I picked up a Yankee candle at TJ Maxx for $7.99:

To create a cover for the candle, I cut a portion of the arm of a sweater to cover the candle.  You will want the "wrist" area to be the part that comes up and around the mouth of your candle (or jar) It has a finished edge therefore you do not have to do a thing with it!

Now, with the sweater arm still on the candle, flip it over and trim so that you have about an inch or so around the bottom: With a needle and matching thread, simple gather up the edges and make sure to make a knot in your thread: Now, flip it back over and smile.
Choose a piece of trim that compliments your sweater and simply wrap it around to "measure" how long your piece needs to be.  Trim and apply glue to to WRONG SIDE of the trim.

Place trim around candle and use a pin to keep it in place until it is dry.

Now, look at it and smile. p.s. mine is sitting on a little glass coaster.

Happy Creating!

 

 

 

 

Genuine Joy & A Download

" No matter what" is one of my most favorite and most used thoughts.  That no matter what happens, what doesn't happen, what might happen or what never happens, it will all be okay.  THAT is what gives me Genuine Joy.  

"Always Be Joyful" 1 Thes. 5:16

JOY is right here, right where I am at.  I do not have to go look for it, in fact, when I go "out" and look for joy, I miss it.
JOY is a journey and a process, Joy is scary and sometimes, in the midst of yuck, JOY is a difficult choice BUT if I just trust GOD instead of trusting myself, I will find peace and genuine  JOY.

Just a very simple download for you today to print out and write about what is right in front of you. Download Genuinejoy

Transform & My Story, Part Two

My pals and I have just finished up the Brene Brown & Oprah Online course based on the book The Gifts of Imperfection.  Not only do I LOVE the book, I loved the course and what I got out of it. 

As mentioned last week in this post, I have started to share my story with you and as I do, I will share some of my art journal. I am learning that as I share, it is healing and positive for me and in return, seems to encourage you to share, too.  I want you to know that not only was this page difficult to create, it is a little hard to share.  Sharing is not always easy, but is necessary.

The prompt for the lesson was to use a picture that reflects you.  Some used pictures of when they were a young child but I chose to use the one below.  After we chose a photo to use, we were asked to answer this question about that photo: "What do you see when you look at her"

It may seem like a familiar photo to you because it is my "avatar" picture but what you don't know is what it represents for me and why I have not changed it.

My description is stamped right there on the lower left page and reads "The beginning of the end which lead to a new creative beginning." Little did I know that it was a very important part of my journey of TRANSFORMING.

This picture was taken by my sweet friend Ambrosia at a very changing time in my creative life.  It was very rocky, almost to the crumbling point and I was feeling VERY unstable. As yucky as it was for me, at the very same time, I knew I was okay. 

I was comfortable being me in my baseball hat, hoodie and jammie pants and secure in my faith that although I did not know where I was going or what was next, I was headed in the right direction. I was with people I loved being with in a place I was not comfortable being at which sounds terrible, but this picture represents a strength that at the time, I did not realize I had. 

During the time that this photo was taken, there were several uncomfortable situations going on but again, at the same time this photo was taken, there were healing realizations happening and I was learning to embrace them.

After finishing up my page, I created this as a reminder for myself, and now also, for you. That friends, is the truth.

Today, I challenge you to seek a photo of yourself and take some time to do the same and then share it. Share it with me, share it with a loved one because sharing heals.   

Tuesday Tutorial & A Blog Hop

Tuesdays are for tutorials so that is what this is about BUT it is a special tutorial because I was invited to be part of a blog hop from Kialia Givehand using her "Mixed Media Inspiration Deck" 

Now, not only was I automatically in for the hop, once I sat down, shuffled the cards and dealt myself 5 or so cards, I LOVED IT.  I am not saying that because Kiala asked me to or because I am part of the hop, I am saying it because I mean it.  It took all of the "himming & hahing" out of creating and you can make it as simple or as complex as you want. 

For this project, I went with simple and here is how it went.  It was super fun, for reals!

This is the deck:

and it has 52 cards and on each card is 1 creative prompts/idea/suggestion. Before I dealt myself a few MMID cards, I grabbed a few blank note cards, a few envelopes and a blank journal because I was not real sure what I was going to be creating. 

Here are the cards I dealt myself: and here is what I created....

I decided to use a blank kraft note card and I adhered a heart that I had torn from book paper

Then I chose "Add a Quote"

So I tore out a bible verse from a little book that I often tear things from and adhered that to the top of the heart: Then I got a WILD CARD so I grabbed my Black Sooth Distress Pen and added just a little hint of color around the edges:
My next card was "Add a Tip-In" and honestly, I did not know what that was until I read the description on the card...duh!

So I ripped a paper out of the blank journal I had grabbed in the beginning, trimmed it to fit the inside of the card and adhered it in: I could have been done at this point.  I was pretty happy with the ease and speed of creating the card but I had a few more cards left so I kept going...

My next card said to include a tag, label or envelope so I chose 2 of the three
and adhered a little glassine envelope to the "Tip-In" and tucked a little tag into that!  It looked like it needed a little something so I made myself glance over at the first card I had used...
and added another heart torn from book paper to the glassine envelope: Luckily, I had one more card and it was just what I needed to complete this project. My tag needed a little something.. and then I was done..and happy with the outcome...and ready to make more because it really was that simple!
 
Now, guess what?????
I get to give a deck away to one of you.  All you have to do is go on over to my Stephanie Ackerman Designs FB page here, share the page and leave a comment.  Winner will be announced on 12/12/13.

Thanks so much for hopping by.  For more info on the Mixed Media Inspiration Deck, check out Kiala's blog here.