Altered book of Me

I’ve slowly been working through the projects from Willow’s awesome Art, Heart, and Healing class from last fall.  (You can see my empathy monsters here.)  I finished my altered board book over the weekend.  This was a great project for me.  I was able to come to terms with some things from my childhood that sometimes still bothered me.  I was able to do this in a loving, constructive, and unforced manner and I feel good better about these things now.  I’m sure they’ll reappear when life gets to me, but I think I’ve found a way to deal with them in a more positive manner now.  That should allow me to get through these feelings to a more positive place when they do bother me.

The photo I scratched up and used for the cover of my book was taken by my hubby on our last trip to Key West.  He had run something back to the car while I waited at the bar and he tried to sneak taking some pictures but I turned and spotted him.  I was so relaxed and happy and just living in the moment when that was taken.  I want to live in the moment more often and I hope seeing this picture will remind me to do that.

I’ll share more of the book in the coming days.  We’re still covered in ice here with all the schools on their 3rd day of closings.  That means that I haven’t been teaching either.  A forced break.  Good for catching up on some things that needed to be done, but bad for the pocketbook.  I know what I want to work on today, just trying to find the one thing necessary to execute my plan.  I’m not sure I have it in the house.  I’m hoping I do so I can get moving on this fun project.   I hope all of you have time today to play.  Thanks for stopping by.

Mother Henna's Personal Healing Deck

I worked on one of my cards today for the personal healing deck project sponsored by Mother Henna. I'm showing it here in hopes of getting some constructive feedback. I want to add the words "Nurture with Nature" or "Nurture in Nature". Originally I was going to use a monarch butterfuly, but I loved the spots on this one. Its a buckeye butterfly. It is done with acrylics on cardstock. I used the 2.75 x 4 inch size so I wouldn't have to worry about reduction later. The corners will be rounded for the deck, but I was afraid to round them myself in case they wouldn't fit the deck.
I chose the theme of nature because it is a source for much of my creativity. Things I see on my morning walk will often come out in sketches later in the day. When I'm feeling emotional just going out and sitting by my garden helps me work out what is bothering me. There are so many tiny miracles that happen without notice everyday. The transformation element of the butterfly is extremely useful to us when we are feeling uncreative, or in need of a change. If a caterpillar can complete such a drastic metamorphosis, what prohibits us from changing anything? It is very easy to become comfortable with routine. I am one of the worst offenders for this trait. The problem is that my routine can prevent me from branching out to new things, new people and new ideas. Stagnation may be comfortable, but it doesn't help me achieve all that is possible. Watching how things change in nature reminds me that change is not a bad thing. Change is necessary to growth. By embracing the miracles of nature, I open myself to seeing things in a new way and not being afraid to test out new things.
What makes you expand your views or try new things? What holds you back?