Around Here: Feeling Blessed

I am feeling incredibly blessed this week. 

I've been given many wonderful early Christmas gifts (scarves, snacks, bath products, art supplies!)

My Christmas bonus was over twice what I thought it was going to be, which provided me with money to sign up for The Dirty Footprints IGNITE online intensive. 

I have had this program bookmarked for two years. 

I have been wanting to grow as an intuitive art facilitator for quite some time. 

The timing and energy was practically yelling at me to take the leap. 

(As I wrote that, the song I was listening to said "The timing's right." I kid you not!)

 

I feel practically radiant. 

Even through the exhaustion of work and Christmas planning, I feely shiny and refreshing. 

I feel like Sprite. Haha. 

 

Here's some visual references of my what's been going on around here: 

I found my New Year's Eve dress in my friend's closet. 

 I did a little something in my art journal for the first time in forever

We are preparing epically for our Christmas party. We got so much amazing Christmas swag super cheap at the thrift store! 

 

 I hope you are all well and feeling blessed this holiday season. 

Take time from the frantic planning, running around and stress to have a warm drink and think about all the magic in your life. 

Happy Holidays!

 

Early December Update

I am loving this holiday season so far. I am having so much fun being crafty, making Christmas decorations and Christmas gifts. I love my holiday playlist. Sufjan Stevens, Family Force 5, and Relient K all have amazing Christmas albums.

The winter season and cold outside does bring about an atmosphere of internal reflection. I try to be mindful of my self everyday, my feelings, my memories, my intentions. I have a lot of hurt that still needs healing and I am trying everyday to lighten the load and be mindful of the source of suffering. It's a tangled, exhausting battle. A daily battle of the darkness of past hurts and the light of ever- springing creativity. It might not be a battle that ever ends, because each day brings new pains and new inspirations for hope. I am learning to allow myself the dark days, because they help me to find healing as well. Simply smothering the darkness with smiles and acting like it isn't there will not heal in the end. Everyday is new and I must put one foot in front of the other with the intent of doing the best I can, of seeing with eyes unclouded by hate. Wish me well, and I wish the same for you!

 One of my homemade Christmas presents, this one is for my nephew!

 I like adding texture to art with tangles of string!

 The three above are art journal pages. 

And I am always adding to my Christmas decorations! 

I hope you are all enjoying December and the holiday season! :D

Christmas Decorations!

Since I am living in my own apartment instead of at home, I don't have all of my mom's closet of holiday decorations to rely on. (Although I did swipe a few things, with her reluctant permission.)
I don't have money to purchase all new decorations so I decided to make a few out of things lying around the house!

 I made ornaments out of an insert in a box of coca-colas. Just cardboard and acrylic paint!

 These little guys were also made from cardboard, the snowflakes are just regular ol' printer paper. 

 I made our stocks out of scrap fabric from my hoard of craft things. Instead of candy and little toys, we are going to put nice notes in each other's stockings throughout December and then read them on Christmas Day. :D

 These last two are classics from my mom's collection. I can't imagine Christmas without this Nativity scene!

I have started on my Christmas playlist and made a list of all the Christmas movies I must see. So excited for this season!

What are your favorite Christmas decorations from your childhood? In what ways have you added your own touch to your Christmas decor?

Happy holidays and good cheer for all!

photo update!

Hey, folks! Here is what's been happening with me! I went to my dad's to visit my brother before he moves away for college! We spent too much time having fun that I really didn't think to get a good picture with him! :( But here are some other neat things!

This grasshopper (is cricket?!) landed on our windshield! He looks like a nice gent!

Hugging my beloved family members!

We went to this cemetery! It was pretty eerie, there was a storm on the horizon and flashes of lightening from time to time.

Today, I got bored and chopped up an old shirt that had a hole in it and stuck a bunch of jewelry bits in it and now it's a necklace!

Here's one of my favorite day off outfits! That skirt has stains from paint and bleach but I wear it anyways because it is my fave!

Well, that's about it for now! I am eagerly awaiting my admission to Pottermore. I have been aching to go swimming but it's been too hot to even be worth it! My leg is pretty much back to normal, I still can't really run and if I bend it the wrong way it hurts, but I can walk swiftly with ease! I hope you are all doing well and staying cool!