A to Z April Blogging Challenge

Today I am sharing M and N for the A to Z Blogging Challenge.


M is for Mirror

N is for Nurture

A to Z April Blogging Challenge - K and L

Today i am sharing K and L for the A to Z Blogging Challenge. I took an extra day to enjoy the Easter weekend!

K is for Kind and Kindness
With this crisis, it is never more important to show extra kindness, to choose to be kind. Too many are putting their lives on the line - for us. We need to stay home,; we shouldn't be yelling because we have to wait in line, or spit when we don't get what we want.

"Choose Kind" is a movement that grew from the amazing book Wonder by R. J. Palacio.(Check here for more info)

L is for Live Love Laugh - what we all need to do

A to Z April Blogging Challenge - J

Today brings J, for the A to Z Blogging Challenge.
J is for Joy - something we need to hold onto, especially in these desperate times.

J - for JOY

A to Z April Blogging Challenge

Today's letter is I for the A to Z Blogging Challenge.
I for Inspire, Inspiration. So many things can inspire us - nature, beautiful music, stirring speeches, special people.
I have always been inspired by art, music, the sea., fascinating books.

I is for Inspire

A to Z April Blogging Challenge

Today brings H for the A to Z Blogging Challenge. What better choice than HEROES - and helpers.
 We are surrounded by heroes since the covid crisis began - nurses, doctors, paramedics, PSWs, pharmacists, cleaners, shopkeepers, store clerks, food bank helpers, police, firemen - really all those helping to save lives, feed us and protect us. So a huge thank you to all those helpers.
As Mr. Rogers said:

“To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers ― so many caring people in this world.”

H is for Hero

Terry Fox has been my hero since his Marathon of Hope. While I taught, I took part in the Terry Fox run every September and collected hundreds of dollars for his charity. What an amazing man, an amazing feat. 

A to Z April Blogging Challenge

Today brings G for the A to Z Blogging Challenge.
And I can't think of a better word to us  than "gratitude" in these uncertain, scary times. We need to show our gratitude to all the helpers, all those trying to contain this virus and help heal the sick.
Most days, I list 3 things that I am grateful for. It has been shown that expressing gratitude improves relationships, helps your heart, brain and stress levels and improves your sleep. (Read more here.)

G is for Gratitude.

A to Z April Blogging Challenge - E and F

Days lately blend into each other, so I combined 2 days into one for the A to Z Blogging Challenge - E and F.

E is for Explore

Yes, we are must stay put (or as the premier of Nova Scotia said "Stay the blazes home!), but there is still much to explore:
*books - your own or so many online, even the classics are now available for free
*a new project - art, carpentry, knitting,
*start writing a memoir or novel
*visit the great museums of the world through virtual tours
*catch up on a series you never watched
*learn more about your favourite people

Once you put your mind to it, you'll see there is still much to explore, even from your own home.

F is for Faith
There is no time like the present to explore your faith, to open up to what you believe.
Faith will get me through this, that I am sure.

A to Z Blogging Challenge - C and D

I am playing catch-up already for the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Sometimes I just cannot focus on creating - and that's what happened the past few days.




So, here are C and D

C is for Compassion - something we all need during these uncertain, scary times

D is for Dare

As Walt Disney stated:

First, THINK

Second, BELIEVE

Third,  DREAM

And finally, DARE.

A to Z Blogging Challenge

Today is Day 2 of the A to Z Blogging Challenge, which has been running since 2009.
This time around I am focusing on creative endeavours - whatever that takes me each day.

B is for Balance

There is so much talk about finding balance  - especially between work and home. Now, in these uncertain, chaotic, fearful times we need balance more than ever.

Definition

 Noun:   an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.

verb:    keep or put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall.

Knowing the meaning, we can see that we must keep steady, not be overwhelmed by all that is going on. So not too much news, not too much worry. Find ways to laugh, to connect, to find some joy in each day. 

As Robert Fulgham said:

Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

The arts are needed now more than ever. So go and create, play, have fun.

A to Z Blogging Challenge - A

Today begins the A to Z Blogging Challenge, which has been running since 2009. I have tried numerous times, been successful twice.
This time around I am focusing on creative endeavours - whatever that takes me each day.

A is for Affirmations
Many people swear by starting each day with an affirmation. These words can have a powerful effect on a person, giving them a needed boost.. Whether to give more confidence, or a focus on a needed skill, the affirmation becomes a belief that "Yes I can do it". Se what we think soon becomes what we believe.
Check here for a list of affirmations and more information on the subject.

A to Z THEME REVEAL

I was so determined that I would not take part in this year's A to Z Blogging event. But then covid happened. This on top of   my husband's health has not been great and that I have been mourning my total lack of being creative. It has been well over 4 months since I posted on this blog. Enough is enough. (Exactly what our PM said about people in Canada not sheltering in place!)

I need a take a defibrilator to my creativity. I'm not writing much at all (except blog posts on my other blog) and hardly making any art - even drawing.
So -- I need this boost, this nudge to do more, create more, to have fun on a daily basis.
We are stuck indoors and yes, I'm reading a lot - but not stretching that creativity muscle at all.

So like the new shoots that have started to poke out of the ground, I need to grow and reach out.

I will create but at this time, I'm not sure where that will lead me. Each day will be a blank page so to speak - and I might carve stamps,  make a tag, create a journal page, have fun creating gelli pages, watercolour, draw zentangles or even write.

My goal is to have fun, create more and interact with other bloggers.

ART on Friday + AEDM

This week's art for AEDM (Art Every Day Month - via Creative Every Day)  is a result of challenges in which I am participating.

Sunday Postcard Art
This week's theme at Sunday Postcard Art was "Sew What"

Take a Word Challenge
The theme for the week at Take a Word Challenge was "Maps"

Tag Tuesday
The theme at Tag Tuesday for these two weeks is "Seeds and Plants"

I had collected a few quotes on seeds, so used them in a journal page:

Linking as well with:

Creative Every Day

Paint Party Friday

Inspire Me Monday

AEDM- Days 3 and 4

I took a break yesterday and so today, I'm sharing days 3 and 4 cards for AEDM - Art Every Day Month, hosted at "Creative Every Day"

Day 3 - Locations - The North

Day 4 - Mail Collage

AEDM - Day 2

Today is "Day of the Dead" or "Dia de Los Muertos"
In honour of today, I created a small collage card:

The background is a gelli print, skull hand-drawn, with cut-out magazine letters.


AEDM (Art Every Day Month" is the brainchild of Leah Piken Kolidas of Creative Every Day.
Be sure to check here for lots of arty goodness!

AEDM- Day 1

November brings AEDM - Art Every Day Month - the fun challenge hosted at Creative Every Day by  Leah Piken Kolidas.
I am in desperate need of an infusion of art and creativity and Leah's challenge is one I have done many times. I am determined to create daily - I have missed this outlet for some time.

Day1
I saw a 30 day challenge issued by ATStamps, creating small stamps (4.5 cm x 6 cm). I did not have the "MY Stamp" to create the stamp, so I carved my own. It made me realize how long it has been since I carved a stamp - so it is a bit wonky!

The theme for today was "Animals". I may not continue the whole month with this stamp challenge but it got me going today.

I also want to work with felt; do some beading; do some watercolour and work in a journal with quotes. Lots of ideas to keep me busy.

Here is the stamp and notebook I use to test the stamp:

Here is my created "stamp" (not perfect by any months, but fun anyway)

Be sure to check here to see what all the fun is about - and tow see what others around the world are creating for AEDM.


Linking as well with

Paint Party Friday

LTCCB  (Love To Craft Challenge)