Art Every Day Monty, Day 7

Continuing my domestic art quest, today I canned 45 jars of jeweled colored, super yummy jam for holiday gifts- jalapeno raspberry and Christmas berry jams. I love hearing all the “pop, pop, pop” as my jars seal themselves up, ready to be stored until my loved ones are ready to indulge in a gift from the heart made with oodles of love and happiness- shhhh…they are my secret ingredients, don’t tell anyone! I love to can and thanks to my amazing friend, Debra, I now know how to. Last year Debra came to my house for a day of canning fun to show me this amazing art form. I am forever thankful to her for so generously sharing something that has come to mean so much to me. It’s so much fun to create something that you know people are going to enjoy, something that makes them smile and to feel good. To me, that’s what jams and jellies are all about- a feel good indulgence! I love being able to supply that. And what better time than the holidays to give a homemade gift of love made from the heart!

It took me a lot longer to do the canning than I had anticipated today because, well, I just wasn’t prepared! Lesson learned. I had everything I needed to make the jams, but had not washed/found/organized my jars/lids/screw tops…so this put a couple hour delay on getting going. It also didn’t help that we didn’t get home until much later than I had anticpated this afternoon from lil one’s soccer game/celebration. But once I got rolling, there was no stopping me- dog in crate, husband in home office, lil one at dad’s, cats on the patio- oooo, it felt good to be alone in the kitchen with my ipod cranked, randomly playing whatever little piece of music that happened to pop up next. It always amazes me how new music sounds when it’s randomly played!

I haven’t not canned much since last year, so I was really excited to see how quickly my canning mojo came back to me. In no time I was zipping around, multi-tasking, keep ordered within the confines of cooking chaos. A perfect symphony of luscious scents flowing around me throughout the day- Yankee candles don’t stand a chance in a house full of fresh food being prepared at the goddess’ hearth! Mmmmm and yum yum! Life is good when creating for those we love, including ourselves.

And now I’m off to enjoy a relaxing dinner with my wonderful hubby…and maybe I’ll even release the cats and dog…lil one can stay with daddy! 😉

Have a grooving great day!

Art Every Day Month, Day 6

What a fun day today was! Thanks to a little help from my wonderful Savings Goddess mentor and several of her super creative friends my art for today was simplicity at it’s best! Glitter, friends, glue, fancy paper, cool cutting thingys, and chocolate…well really, how does art not happen at this point?! We all spent the morning creating gorgeous handmade birthday cards, gift boxes and glittery ornaments courtesy of some yet to be release Martha Stewart products. I’m tellin’ ya, Vanessa knows how to find the good deals…and this one was free and fun! I have pictures, but haven’t downloaded any yet. I’ll get on that soon and figure out how to post them on here, but it may be a bit, one creative venture at a time!

Have a grooving great day!

Art Every Day Month, Days 4 & 5

Yesterday flew by quicker than I could catch my breath so alas there was no posting. However, around 11PM I was finally able to do a little art and feel myself relax into a sweet creative flow for about an hour. I am quilting the advent calender that I’ve been working on this week. I am still hopeful to have it finished by the end of the week. Being a creative soul, I may create the end of my week on a day different than the actual end- I can do that, right? Of course I can, it’s my story! 😉

Today has found creative manifesting in many ways. It started this morning with learning the art of couponing. Now, this isn’t necessarily a traditional art form like music, art or theatre…although, if done with enthusiasm all can be incorporated to create even more fun! But it can be considered a part of the art of domesticity, which, in my opinion, is truly an admirable art form. After learning the skills and the rules, figuring out how to use all the proper tools, finding a mentor to show you the beauty of the art, than learning how all of the above can be bent and manipulated- the final result, seeing the total saved- now that is a treasure worthy of a showing in the finest museum! Of course, this is all in my humble opinion. And as an aside, I was able to save $72.53 at the grocery store today- look out art supplies, here I come!

Later on in the afternoon, as I was coming down from my savings high, my sweet Sophia (4) and I made some Christmas cards for friends and relatives. It’s amazing how festive some stickers, crayons, markers, glitter, stamps and a child’s imagination can make a white piece of card stock! Hallmark, they are not, full of LOVE, oh yeah, we will need extra postage for all the love-and glitter- that is spilling out of these!

As the night is winding down, I find myself ready to curl up with my sewing machine, a cafe mocha and some soft music to continue the quilting of the advent calender. I definitely lack precision in the outlining of Santa’s face, but my family and, hopefully, my family’s family will know that this was done with love by me for them. Perfectionism is overrated in my book! (although I do still strive more than I care to admit!)

So, before I loose my enthusiasm for creating tonight, I will bid you adieu, content in the knowledge that our paths may cross again.

Have a grooving great day!

Art Every Day Month, Day 3

In an attempt to continue to stretch myself and grow as an artist, I’ve signed on to be a part of the Art Every Day Month Challenge from http://creativeeveryday.com/art-every-day-month I love Leah’s idea that art can be anything creative- dance, music, painting, cooking, sewing, etc… So with that in mind I am focusing right now on the art of domesticity. I have several crocheting, sewing, cooking, card making projects that I am wanting to finish before the holidaze begin and I thought this would be a fabulous challenge to help remind me to create something everyday! Today I worked on an advent calender that I am sewing. It’s very sweet and colorful and will be perfect for hiding little treasures in each day during the month of December. I remember having ones when I was little and wanted to create a special one for my family so that they will have joyous memories of counting down the days until Christmas during the month of December. I am on target to have this special creation done, probably, by the end of the week!!! Much sooner than I had anticipated thanks to this challenge and the help of my wonderful sewing instructor! Look out Santa, we’re going to be ready for you this year!!!

Have a grooving great day,

Mychele

What’s does it mean to be a goddess?

I have been enamored with the idea of woman as goddess for as long as I can remember. It’s a question that I ask myself each day, “what does it mean to be a goddess?” It’s a question that I’ve often asked of friends, colleagues and students. The one recurring theme that I have come across is that to be a goddess is to be oneself, to be living in truth with one’s inner beliefs, whatever they may be. It’s recognizing the strength of being a woman, of being oneself, of seeing the beauty in ourselves and in others. In essence, being a goddess is something different to each and every one of us. And it changes as we change, as we grow, as we age, and as we experience all the many adventures that we take in life. Today, I will explore new ways that I can be true to myself. In doing so, I hope to live a more meaningful life…to be a goddess.