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I consider you ALL my friends!  I understand your  hard work, multitasking efforts; I share your love of family and gratitude of true friends.  Watch this great video to see the amazing strength of women…I cried!  This video is from http://www.internationalwomensday.com.  Go check them out.

Together we can make a true difference in the world.  Cherish your life, breathe in the fresh air and love who you are!  I do

xoxo,

Darla

I am so grateful for you all…and wanted to send a special valentines day gift out to my cyber friends.

Some wisdom I have learned, Always remember to

Because if you love yourself you will always have room in your heart to love others and accept their love back.

Keep it simple and try again if you forget.  I promise it will be worth it…

Like my “Begin” art?  Grab yours on my Sharing page.  I offer complimentary art,  tips and info there.  Please help me pay it forward and comment below  

xoxo,

Darla

I have been teaching and sharing my love of art for years.  Good Art supplies can be pricy….So I am pretty thrifty!  Because I teach a lot, I go through lots of supplies!  So here is one of my secrets:  Go to your nearest home improvement store!  Joint Compound and Clear paintable caulk works great to add thickness to paints and create amazing textures! 

A few other fabulous finds:

• Spackling putty works for textures too
• Assorted putty knives, plastic knives and forks
• Screening for making textures
• Stencils
• Textured fabrics
• Plastic knives or cheap Palette Knives to spread
• Mistent paint, water based
• Cardboard, hardboard works best for this project (use the backers of paper pads)

There are two ways to apply the mediums:

1. Straight from the container, create and let dry
2. Tint the medium with paint (a 25-30% ratio paint to medium is best

Thinner papers will buckle, so I recommend card stock or hardboard for this project.  After medium has dried, additional paint, papers, glitter and more can be added.  Let the kids (or you) play on smaller pieces to experiment. Either create a larger or combine the smaller to a larger piece.  Hum, this sounds like a new lesson plan : )

Display their masterpieces and enjoy!

So I have been researching for my biz… a lot.  Recently I read an online blog with the words “Soul Posse” .  These two words struck a cord with me.  You can read Jennifer Louden post about about having a Brain Trust, a Soul Posse/Mastermind/Peer group/Wisdom council.  Where her beloveds friends (online and off) have patiently helped her.  I love this, and I really love the words “Soul Posse”! 

Here is the definition:

soul

/sōl/ 1. spiritual or immaterial part of a human being

pos·se

Creative Soul Posse

I am very excited to be working with a dear friend to launch it.  In fact, we are hosting a brainstorming party next week!  Currently the new venture is called Pinterest Parties, they are bi-monthly at the Evendale Cultural Arts Center near Cincinnati.  Come and join us f you are interested or have suggestions, please contact me.   Can’t wait to share more soon.  Don’t live in the area, create your own Soul Posse community.  Or call me, I love to travel

xoxo,

Darla

I am VERY ready for a fresh new year.

This is the time of the year I pick up my “Simple Abundance” book by Sarah Ban Breathnach.  I am inspired to create again, and thus “January” (above) was created.   I wanted to share an excerpt, perhaps it will inspire you for new possibilities  

“January, a month of new beginnings.  

Outside the temperature drops as the snow falls softly.  

All of nature is at peace.  

This is the month to dream, to look forward to the year ahead and the journey within”.

To begin a new canvas...

The last few years have felt like walking on a side dirt road.  With the deep loss of my Dad and brother in law,  and difficult economic days took it’s toll.  However, always an optimist, I see this was needed to simply heal.  To find my true calling and focus as a wife, mom and artist.

A little soul searching and inner peace does the body , mind and soul good!  That is what I saw in this image as we drove away from our little trip to Nashville Indiana.

So this year I start with good intentions…positive words to focus on.  When I I look deep within, this is my list:

Possibility

Anything is possible, right?  Possibility for an ABUNDANT life, filled with happiness.  And  to mostly get out of my own way and have a little faith…in me.

Breathe

I have fallen for Yoga.  I have been told too often to “Just Breathe”, now I will.  I am ready to do something good for me.  ~ Namaste

Time

To create time for family, for me, for my art.  Time to journal and blog…And time to just simply BE.

Grow

 I love to learn and grow and share my passion.  Now I see I need to push myself just a little out of my comfort zone.  In my year of time of healing, I have also been hiding.  I am ready to add water and truly bloom.

This journal is for me…If it speaks to you, wonderful!  What will your words of intention be for this fresh New Year?  Share with me and lets have a Great NEW Year!

xoxo,

D

Sketch Studio started today at Evendale Evendale Cultural Arts Center 

Today was fabulous! Tomorrow another amazing group in in West Chester. So excited! Join us…Classes are open at the West Chester location.

We are excited to share this with you. Malinda and I want to always grow and learn from you too!

Malinda and I want to always grow and learn from you too! We will share our NEW accessory…hint , hint Malinda “tested” it in the photo above.

Simply yours,

Darla

I am creating these little tidbits

Feel free to share them with your friends.  I never thought of myself as a writer, but I am getting better at sharing more about myself.  Just being me!

I do love to create, chat with friends,  play with my camera…So I think I can get used to this blog thing.

The ideas are coming…Happy Friday,

xoxo, D