Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Thinking of Valentine's Day around the corner .... and blooming roses ....

I always think of roses around Valentine's day. But, in the moment ...I'm still busy with my annual rose pruning. None of my rose bushes is blooming at the moment, and as I'm poked by the thorns while I'm pruning - I need to remember that the blooms will come with time and they will each share their beauty. I 'm looking forward the beginning of their blooming season.

Monday, January 10, 2011

A few focus words for my year in 2011


Ok, now that my last Christmas ornament has been put away.... I can move on to 2011 thoughts/plans/ideas etc.The past 2 years I've followed others and adopted a word for the year. 2009 was 'Bloom' and 2010 was 'Clarity'. Over the holidays I let different words float around in my head - as I wondered what word would accompany me in 2011?  

I finally adopted the words 'Color My World' for 2011. I got the idea of these words when I saw a rubber stamp on the Elvie Studio blog with the words "Color Your World'. I was instantly smitten with the darling stamp - but more importantly, the words just kept nudging me. I know this phrase is more than a single word, but there is an idea here that really speaks to me for 2011. It might be another way of saying 'Intention' for the year, and I've changed the middle word to 'My' to make it more personal.

In the past couple of years I have realized how important color is in my life. My current passion for color is most obvious with sketching and painting. But, beyond luscious watercolors... I'm drawn to color in flowers, colorful foods at the farmer's market, sprinkles for cookies/cupcakes, fabrics, papers, beads or jewels, paints, pens, pencils, or even crayons. Sometimes I wear something colorful, but usually I prefer to wear neutrals. But I find that my spirits are lifted when I have colors around.

Beyond the colors of the rainbow, the phrase "Color My World" reminds me that I have some amount of choice, initiative or intention to contribute. Just how do I want to color:  
my life? 
a particular day? 
my role as mom? wife? daughter? sister? friend?
my art?

I have a couple of quotes/reflections on crayons to ponder through the year.  Each day I can consider and reflect - what colors are in my box of crayons today

I'm looking forward to a colorful year in 2011, and I wish you a colorful 2011 as well.

Looking for more info? see the following links:
 - 'Word of the Year' - Christine Kane
 - Color Your World rubber stamp - Elvie Studio on Etsy

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Happy New Year - Welcome 2011

Happy New Year!
Happy Sketching and Happy Painting in 2011!