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

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.

ART on Friday

I've been able to do a bit of art this week, as my husband is now out of the hospital and hopefully on the road to recovery.

Colour Me Positive
I can't believe we are so near the end of this year long challenge at LuLu Art. We have word that the challenge will continue in the new year, although there will be changes.
This week the theme is Community

Writing Art Tags
Here the latest writing tags I created - for inspiration.

I also created a tag for ABC Wednesday - T for Harriet Tubman

ATCs

I only created one ATC this week - for a personal swap. I am not taking part for a while in any more swaps.

Linking with:

Paint Party Friday

Inspire Me Monday

ART on Friday - on Saturday

Yesterday got away from me - from appointment to shopping to reading - just did not finish my art. But today I made time for art - a much needed change.

Colour Me Positive
hard to believe we are in week 37 of this challenge from uLu Art. Each week offers a new theme and quote to use in our art. This week it is on change. "Changes will bring new opportunities for happiness and fullfilment."

Art Tags

Here's the last few layers I have added to the tags that I started last week for Tara Leaver's fun 7 day challenge.
Her I have added the torn papers.

And here arethe finished ones - with stamping and used stamps of birds.

I also completed another card in the ABC Wednesday challenge -I for India.

Art Trading Cards (ATC)
I created one APC this week for a swap. I was asked to create a card with a male musician using a used stamp.

Art Cards
The challenge posed by Tara inspired me to create some art cards. I finished them today.
I had a number of used stamps highlighting First Peoples of Canada and also some quotes I felt drawn to. With the Truth and Reconciliation report exposing the horrendous treatment of native people in Canada through the residential schools.
One quote by Henry David Thoreau really touched on what the Truth and Reconciliation tribunal tried to do - to get at the truth and make Candians really hear what was said.

Here are some more of the cards:

Linking with:

Paint Party Friday

Over the Moon Link-Up Party

Inspire Me Monday

ABC Wednesday - F and WOYWW

This week at ABC Wednesday, F is the letter to focus on.

F is for Frida - the Mexican artist who was known for her self-portraits.

Here is the art tag I created for her.

Be sure to check here to see what others around the world did for F.



WOYWW

Each week, Julia Dunnit of "Stamping Ground" encourages us to share our work spaces and what we are working on.
I've been trying to catch up the journal quotes for "Colour Me positive", so yesterday I was gessoing some new spreads at my art table and painting the tag background.

Today I finished the background for the journal:

And then added the words.

I finished the tag at my dining room table later this afternoon.