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In 2011, I decided to completly accept that I am an artist and once this was triggered in my heart, there was no way back possible.

I am not an artiste because I opened an Etsy shop to try to sell some of my work, but because I knew I simply was a creator.

Creative when I cook for me and my family.
Creative when I write just not to forget. just to get it OUT.
Creative when I let go all of my fears in the pages of my art journals.
Creative when I put paint on canvas/wood/whatever and see a face appear, and hear the Nixie telling me her story, her message.
…

What is being an artist, really ? What does it mean for you ? I am pretty sure we all have different visions of it. And this is something I love because it is so personal and yet so universal at the same time.

When I look at my daughters (currently 5 and 6½) drawing, doodling, scribbling, dancing, singing, inventing poems and songs about their daily life and their «right now», I am purely in awe. It comes naturally, they never second-guess themselves. They just are creative, because we all are until we let doubt and comparison and self-destructive thoughts take over it. I wish for them to last forever and ever.

Every single day, I commit to creativity. In any form.
Painting makes me happy. Keeps me sane. And makes me kinda go out of my body for a while. So I just keep doing it, day after day.
Cooking is also central in my life.

No matter how in pain my body is, how tired I feel, how loud my mind screams not to do anything, I have to listen to my Inner Voice and make something. Just a little thing sometimes. It is enough.

There are phases when I don’t wanna do anything, it happens and I go with it. Trying not to make it last too long though because once I let it go, it is harder to come back to it. And I have to come back to it, to listen to the calling.

I don’t blog as much as I would like to, because I prefer now to be in my «real life», but I try to share a lot via flickR and facebook. So head over there to keep in touch, I would love to learn to know you 🙂

Sneak peak at my three latest Nixies. I will soon share their stories:

You all know I have stress management issues.
And right now, I’m going through major anxiety and stress. We are becoming homeowners for the first time, moving about 30km from where we currently live which means changing school for girls etc.
Moving has always been more or less emotional for me. I did a lot of digging and found out two years ago (when we last moved) what the trigger was. But it does not make it easier today. It simply doesn’t change anything for me to know the “why-s”.

I refuse to ruminate all the negative thoughts and fears that come through my mind about packing and starting some place else. It wouldn’t do any good.

So instead, I art journal 🙂 and make pretty pages with ugly thoughts buried under.

Here is what I’m currently playing with:

April 1st is around the corner. This is when 21 Secrets will officially open its doors to the students.

And it’s not too late at all to join and sign up ! Registrations are possible until October and the playground is opened until January 2013. That leaves plenty of time to enjoy all the 21 different classes at your own pleasure and pace.

As sometimes images are better than words, I did a little promo video of my class:

You can sign up here <3

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 !

What a week my dear ! Rich in emotions, in hope, in waiting. In believing, trusting and manifesting.

This week, I am thankful for:

• Spring Break allowing me to emerge around 8am instead of 7am. It does not make fatigue go away but it eases the morning rush stress. And I like not having to go out when raining.
• It’s sometimes when you’re this close to give up that the Universe opens its arms and put what we needed on our road.
• My close friends, listening, taking time to ask how I am doing.
• It’s not raining every single day. Sucking on much needed Vitamin D.
• The realtors for their kindness and patience with our Girls.
• The Universe finally showing me I am listened to, that my prayers are heard.
• Not being in too much pain lately. Exhausted, anxious but the pain can be managed. It’s even a bit weird.
• I’ve already said it but I am fondly in love with the tv show Supernatural. Mix of humor as I like it, sarcasm, religion, family….
• This big big dream of mine that is taking shape unexpectedly (is that a word ?).
• YouTube videos showing hairstyles I can reproduce on my Girls.
• I received my Studio Calico order and I’m glad I signed up for their monthly kit. Because you can use all of it without being a scrapbooker.
• The women at Clipper Street.
• Cheridoo’s colleagues help.
• The recipe of vegetarian chili in Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook.
• Music that fills my days.
• The fact that I will have my art studio soon. I was waiting for this to come.
• I went over my fear of having people over in our home and spent a lovely afternoon with Melissa.

Do you have a room for your creativity ? What color are your walls ? On what do you create ? Ok… i’m just too excited. And I love to know about people’s space.

Oh, and here are a few recent daily moment pics:

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):
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Heya !

Thank you so much for stopping by and entering with so much enthusiasm my giveaway.

I’m telling you: it is gonna be AWESOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOME. Really. I am getting as excited as I am currently nervous (it tells a lot). I will be among amazing teachers, known and less known (hoping my class won’t get lost in the middle of the amazingness).

Unfortunately, I only had one spot to give away. I wish you could all come and join. For those who did not win, you can still sign up; it’s far from being «too late». The classroom opens very soon (April 1st) but the registrations will be possible until next October. The playground will close its door in January 2013. It means we’ll have fun during nine whole months.

I know you all want to know who is the lucky one, so here it is:

But who let the 36th comment ???:

Congratulations Petrea ! I will email your contact info to Connie so you can be signed up. Can’t wait to see you in the playground.

Thanks again for all of you who entered.