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Gratitude Friday is a weekly ritual I started in order to focus on all the small and big positive things that happened during my week. I invite you to join me, you’ll see how much being thankful can change your life. If you want to know more about it, read my introduction post.

Hola !

It’s Friday my friends. Spring break, for two weeks, with two young kids avid of things to do. «Why can’t we watch tv Mom ?», yes I am trying to limit their screen time because between tv, the computer, the games console, the tablet…. they would spend all their days on that. And… I had the joy to discover plenty of lice eggs in their hair at the beginning of the week, and mine because lice love my afro hair you know. Which forces me to limit their time with our neighbors as I don’t want them to be infested as well. That sucks ! If you have any tips to kill them all for good, I take it (I spend 3hrs/day getting rid of the eggs, hair by hair).

We celebrated Koala being now 6. Nothing big but she loved her day, which is what matters to us.

This week, I am thankful for:

• Learning from past experience.
• The feeling of accomplishment that goes with this week painting.
• Packing orders.
• Facetime.
• My mom arriving in about 3 weeks from now.
• The Sun between the rain.
• Walking with the girls to the nearest park, which is about 1km from home (± 0.62 miles). Letting them play and run outside. Did it despite in pain.
• Artists that share their gifts.
• Nice words of encouragement regarding my art.
• Good food.
• Taking it easy.
• Make up
• Abundance

If you wrote your Gratitude Friday on your blog, don’t forget to enter your NAME and URL below so I’m notified and can come to read you (you can also join by commenting this post):
[linkme]

I am so happy to share with you a painting video this week, instead of an Art journaling one.

I need to be honest (with you, with me): I’ve not been painting much lately… a few strokes here and there but I have not actually finished any painting in what seems like forever. Yes, it does bother me; but I think also that this is part of my creative learning curve.

I want to make a living from what I do. I don’t want it to be a hobby. Inspiring people through art is what I feel called to do. There is more to it, I am unveiling it little by little but that is a whole other story I’ll spare you for now. I need to stop feeling guilty about making money from it, this is one of my hugest block right now.

Ok, back to this week painting. I titled it «The Plunge» (and this is where you see that English is actually not my mother-tongue language, impossible for me to know if we say «take» or «make» the plunge… argh ! frustration…).
You’ll see that for the major party of the process, the canvas was not oriented the way it ended. I turned it to make my shading life easier and then… lightbulb moment (ploooop): it was how it was meant to be ! Love it.

During my last wood panel hoarding sessions (I buy especially when it’s on sale, either at Opus our local art supply store, or on Dick Blick), I purchased more square canvases *especially 6×6″ and 8×8″*, so this is what I pulled out.
You may know by now how much I enjoy using wood instead of canvas, because of all I put on it, I am not afraid of piercing it or dealing with a wiggly surface.

Everything came together quite easily, and it felt so good to be back.

This painting is about this first step we need to take toward what we desire. The rush before this first step. Just do it.

Stamp carving has been a lot on my mind lately. I usually enjoy the process, and have carved what has became my go-to symbolic stamps, like this bulleye one.

!!! The painting is for sale, contact me if interested.
Prints will soon be added to the shop (later today).

Enjoy !

Here is what I used:

What does not appear on the list above: Perfect Pearls, Hero Arts stamp set «Sundrifter» for Studio Calico, tissue paper from pattern (the thing to make clothes), Glitter Glam by Tattered Angels

I love birthdays. My Mom always made mine somehow special. It does not mean plenty of presents to unwrap, but a reminder I was loved and wanted. This is how I want my daughters to feel in their birthdays.
I wish I was a crafty Mom that would decorate the entire home, but I am not (someday maybe) and that is totally okay I guess.

Koala appreciates, when she wakes up on her birthday morning, to be greeted by a lot of boundary wishes from us, and to choose what we will eat and activities.

This morning, the 3 of us woke up earlier, got busy making crêpes in the kitchen, wrapped the last gifts, and waited for her.
It felt good.

6 years ago, we were still living in Toulouse (France).
Koala was already special while in my womb, I cannot explain how or why but it was such a different experience than for Grenouille (who is special to me as well, in other ways).
So much changed in six years…

Koala is funny, quirky, gracious, passionate, loving, caring, angry at times, she knows what she wants and goes for it.

She still is our baby.

(Today also marks my half-birthday ! Ahah)

(Tired, but happy)

Today, I am reminded to celebrate the small and bigger successes. The goal achievements. The hard work that eventually pays off.

Today, I want to remember the simple joy of witnessing them enjoying a cheap  hotdog or a frozen yogurt at the Swedish furnitures store.

Today, I embrace the silliness of who we are.

Today, I want to appreciate talking to her on the phone. I will hug her soon.

Today, I am thankful for my Spirituality and acceptance that it is okay not to believe in what the majority believes in.

Today, this is a few of the things I truly and deeply cherish.

Gratitude Friday is a weekly ritual I started in order to focus on all the small and big positive things that happened during my week. I invite you to join me, you’ll see how much being thankful can change your life. If you want to know more about it, read my introduction post.

Hello !

It’s that time of the week, so happy it is friday ! Aren’t you ?

My friend Anu told me to be thankful for the Internet this week, and oh yes I am !
And I accept today that it is totally okay to have the same things over and over in your list.

This week, I am thankful for:

• My new phone. It is NOT an iPhone but a LG Optimus G. I love it ! And I will do a Gelaskin to put on it with one of my Nixie 😀
• Nancy, even if we have a hard time metting despite the fact we are two blocks away from each other.
• Sleeping pills.
• Being able to buy presents for Koala’s birthday next week.
• Being more and more ok with who I am.
• Reiki.
• Close family.
• Facetime and iMessenger on my iPad.
• Making these weekly videos rocks my creative world.
• Sushi !!!! (I could eat japanese meals several times a day every week).

If you wrote your Gratitude Friday on your blog, don’t forget to enter your NAME and URL below so I’m notified and can come to read you (you can also join by commenting this post):
[linkme]