Behind Door Number One

Can you relate?

When one door closes, another opens

What if you aren't in the right room when that happens???

I always heard, Shut the door, were you born in a barn?

Talent will get you in the door, but character will keep you in the room.

I think this time of year a lot of people take a deep breath and reflect on what has happened over the last 11-1/2 months.   Right now, there is a constant buzz outside the door... with people holiday shopping, parties, family get together, stress of completing a  job/task by December 31, cold weather, glistening snow, joyous music, wrapping paper and everything else.  For some... multiply this noise times 10.  It can be very stressful!

Today is the perfect day for opening a new door.... it may lead you some place that you never expected.

Truly, I am waiting for opportunity to knock!  

Although I still actively seek it (opportunity).... I'm less and less afraid of what is behind the door.  Of course I am speaking with metaphors here.... but in reality, when something new comes my way, because it happens infrequently in my life... I try to embrace the situation.

So, with 2016 quickly coming to a close... I am looking forward to the new beginnings of 2017, because when life shuts a door... open it again, it's a door, that's how it works!!!

And as always... I am a cardmaker! I am an artist and a crafter.  If what I show you here on my blog resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out and contact me... I would love to create something for you or someone special in your life!!! Come and knock on my door!  prdesigns1@sbcglobal.net

Ten Principles of SHINE

Although I made it to the end of the 10 post of the Principles of Shine, it's never the end to Spreading Shine! 

Including today, I've written 10 posts that have highlighted the 10 Principles of Shine.

It's a way to BE, DO and SHARE.

If you've missed them, scroll down and view the rest of my most recent post writings!

Experts say/write that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit.  I've made it a habit to spread Shine.

Although as a personal side note:  I recently lost a job due to the fact that I was unhappy.  What's up with that?  Yes, I admit, I was unhappy with company day to day poor management .... but every day I would start the morning with words of encouragement over the loud speaker.  After team huddles when management wasn't upbeat, I would cheer 'go team' and raise my hands jazz style. Most knew me as the SHINE girl.  I helped plan company events and was part of the Safety committee. Know what ?  I wasn't able to bring my SHINE to that place.

Not my circus, not my monkeys.... not my problem, as the Polish saying goes.

10  Spread Shine

People who Shine build time into their week for thanking and recognizing other people.  Shining is an attitude, highly contagious and most easily transmitted through celebration of other people and events. House of Shine

I'll admit, sometimes there are set backs. I don't feel the SHINE. It might not be possible to SHINE all 10 ways for every situation that life throws at you. At this time in our ever changing world, I'm happy that I have some consistency to bring with me where ever I go. I can always use at least one of the principles.

Bring a little SHINE into your life, and share it with your friends!

Spread Shine

You have to be unique and different and shine in your own way - Lady Gaga

No Restrictions

Number eight in my series of 10 posts of the Principles of Shine.

People who SHINE are fixated on their passions and will work tirelessly to reach their goals.  They do what they love because they cannot imagine an alternative. The House of Shine.

Be Relentlessly Passionate.

Be, Do, Share

You don't have to do art exclusively, to be creative.  

But, in my case I am proud to admit that I am an artist.  I have constant feelings for the need of being creative, and I can not imagine a day with out drawing, doodling or making something.

I  just completed a card order.  That is, making creative greetings for a customer. I was so happy the way things turned out.  And of course, I was doubly happy to get paid for my work.  

I had a list of things I wanted to get at the store.  The store in fact is Hobby Lobby.  Funny.  But I needed/wanted some things to help me create better....differently.... imaginatively.

My passion is crafty art.  

Part of my life is to create.  I am so excited to share what I do. 

My imagination is my limit.  

I can't wait to see where my art can take me!

Above and Beyond

Lucky number 7 is on deck.

If you have been following along with me lately on my blog, I am highlighting the 10 Principles of Shine from the House of Shine.

In this weird and beautiful world we live in, there are often daily challenges to do the right things, it's hard to see the rainbow when it rains, and customer service downright sucks at times.

It's time for a reality check.
This is a reminder.
It's just manners.

7 Reject Mediocrity

Dismiss moderate quality.

Principle number 7 states, people who Shine don't just check boxes.  They are not minimalists, looking for how to squeak by doing as little as possible.  Instead, people who Shine take pride in their work, and therefore give their best effort.

Bottom line, if you want to Shine in your corner of the world.... you just naturally do more than is necessary. There is no looking back for a return.  There is no cashing in.  It's paying it forward!!! There are no ifs, ands, or whats.... it's BE, DO, SHARE .... and Shine just comes along for the ride!

Reject being like the rest, and stand out with pride to give more!

Be the reason someone smiles today.

Take in the View

Another day and it's number 4 of the 10 Principles of Shine, from The House of Shine.

1 Be Present
2 Create
3 Use Your Strengths
4 Keep Perspective .... oh I like this one, because it has a double meaning *...

Perspective is a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.

Should you have your head in the clouds ....

or your feet firmly planted on the ground?

According to The House of Shine,  without perspective we can wallow in our own misery until it becomes an excuse for not helping others.  And yet connecting to the large community is part of what makes us shine.

(* Perspective the art of drawing solid objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point. )

One of my favorite quotes: There are dreamers and there are realists in this world, you think the dreamers would find the dreamers and the realists would find the realists, but more often than not the opposite is true.  See the dreamers need the realists to keep the dreamers from soaring too close to the sun.  And the realists? Well without dreamers, they might never get off the ground.

Can you be both?  A dreamer with your head in the clouds, and a realists with your feet firmly planted on the ground? 

Sometimes a change of perspective is all it takes to see the light.

How do you keep perspective when you SHINE?

Use Your Strengths to Change

Each day, for ten days I'm exploring the 10 Principals of Shine.

Please scroll through my blog and check out day 1 and day two... and then click on some of the headings on the left ( only if you are interested) and see what kinds of things I've created here at Creative Greetings!

Principle number 3 is Use your Strengths

According to The House of Shine, each of us possesses a unique combination of talents and, when used in combination, we are braced to make a significant contribution to the world.

A unique combination of talents. 

I have an eclectic amount of interests which stems back even further than my liberal arts college education.  I am interested in a lot of things!! I admit that with all of these interests, I am not a dreamer, which does hold me back... but I have a desire to find the purpose that I am here for and make the world a better place.

I am no longer as afraid to stand out.  (It definitely may be uncomfortable at times, but I was born to stand out, not to just fit in.)

Right now I'm doing a mix of talents, (I: paint, doodle, take pictures, use photo shop and app technology, create crafty 'stuff', write, decorate) and I'm trying to find the right combination to share and SHINE in this wacky world of ours. Will you join me in this journey?  

Come back and see all 10 Principals of Shine.  You might get inspired.

PS : :::as a shameless plug::::: I really do make cute and affordable creative greetings, what can I create for you today!!!

Create Joy

Are you ready for SHINE principle number 2?  ( which by the way I spelled wrong in yesterday's post.... but no judging for spelling or grammar issues on my blog, cuz you know it comes from my heart)

Create: to bring something into existence

According to the House of SHINE, one who creates pushes boundaries.  They are masters of their trade and that mastery allows them to see opportunities for improvement.

Many people claim they are NOT creative.  

The word really has a deeper meaning.  The way I create is visually, I'm crafty, I can draw, I can make things and then I can take pictures of them and post these things for all the world to see.

To shine is to 

Be Present

and to create

One way I create is to practice, practice, practice .... something every day.  And that brings me joy!

When a Leaf Falls

I'm back at it again.

But, I can't figure how I got it.

I combined a doodle, with text, all from my iPhone, to then upload it to the lap top computer, so that I could post it here on my blog.

Was it worth it???

I love my fall doodle.  The process was stimulating to my brain.  I love to learn the computer  technology.  But I think all of this should be easier.  I don't like trial and error.  I don't like to play with it.  But I'm happy that I can record my art and share.

So, happy fall y'all!

What can I create next?

Not a Perfect Progress

How do you measure progress?

Right now I think that is a difficult question.  However, it is a great question!!!

I termed 2015 my Year of Progress!

Progress: a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage.

Progress is impossible without change.

Now... back to doodling the word Progress.... so much easier than doing the word progress.

Fairy Favours

Would you want to be a fairy?

A fairy (also fay, fae, fair folk; from faery, faerie, "realm of the fays") is a type of mythical being or legendary creature in European folklore, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural, or preternatural.

I think it would be a job I could handle.

Some people believe in you, others don't.  It seems that you can fly around and zip in and out of small spaces.  That sounds like fun!

I think in most cases, a fairy brings tiny joys, happiness and awe.  This is a doodle of a tooth fairy.... she brings money, right???

I think if I was a fairy, the MORE sparkle the better.  I'd be leaving fairy dust all over.  I'd shine in more ways than one! 

I believe.... do you?

Where to Start

Where do ideas come from?

After I wrote that line, I reread it and realized there is more to that once little sentence.  Where do GOOD ideas come from?  or Where do GREAT ideas come from?  or even, Where do BAD ideas come from?


I found out that ideas come from everything you experience. Some people draw their ideas.

That is how I am looking at my art.  I brought a few different ideas in to create this piece.
I'll name Bunny!!

As you can see from the above picture, I had a background of blues and greens and white dots. That, came from a picture I saw with cool colors.  I knew I wanted a cute girly and so I doodled and decided I wanted an Easter theme. I sketched the girl on regular white paper, cut her out and layered her on top of the dried painted background.

I 'glued' (mod podge) her to the background and then I colored her, or painted her in.  The surface is acrylic paint, markers and gel pens.  

Not sure what it is, but I think it is missing something, My idea is not complete!

  

The good thing about painting in a notebook is that I can just add paint over the top to change it, or enhance it, or eliminate it!

And then by capturing the photo with my iPhone camera and loading the picture into my computer, I can adjust color and add text with PhotoShop. 

And now my idea got bigger and better, or smaller and greater.... depending on how you look at it.

Imagination and creativity are the juices that produces great ideas.

Seeing Red

I'm feeling a bit melancholy today.

It's a lot of work to 'choose' happy. 

There is a lot of thought to be truly thoughtful. 

To carry your SHINE in your pocket when there are many cloudy days can be a challenge.

Cabin fever always happens at this time of year! People are grouchy being cooped up in the house because of unbearably could temperatures. Snow and slick roads cause headaches and accidents. Lack of sunshine causes severe mood alterations!

Yup, it kinda sucks!!!!!

Valentine's Day comes and love is in the air.  Yeah, so it's a Hallmark Holiday gone mad... but sometimes we need to be reminded to love the people who are always there for us.

 I'm still a bit wounded from a few very strange days at work.

We finally realized late last Friday afternoon that although we thought there may have been a full moon (?) it was indeed Friday the 13th.  

Customers had odd requests (against policy, which they can't understand why we have rules).  A few were not pleasant and demanding.  Customers left their carts unattended and others rifled through their goods.  Causing strange exchanges at the checkout counter.

Although I didn't work the weekend, the strangeness continued yesterday (Monday). A customer accused me loudly that I never gave him his receipt and was demanding a refund on his purchase. With the managers assistance in the situation, it was amazing how he miraculously found his receipt in his wallet when he opened it. He did apologize, but not before other customers and other employees heard his complaints.

Two customers 'ganged' up on me questioning the price of an item.  They both saw a sign that it was 50% off.  I was shown the sign.... they both had misread it. No apologies there.

The kicker to this strange day, is a customer who accused me of having an attitude. It wasn't enough that I wasn't even checking her items out ... her friend/sister was at my register wondering if her donated item worked.  I do not know, but you have 3 days, keep the receipt and you can return it if it's not working properly.  Can I put these batteries in it and test it.  Yes you can, but you have to purchase the items.  Do you have a screw driver to open the back. No we don't.  Can I return it to any GW store?  No, only those that are in our district.  After her purchase was made and completed, she searched through her purse stating she had something.... (by the way there are customers in line, waiting) as she continues to go through her messy purse, she repeats herself "I have a".... coupon?gift card? receipt?..... I don't know.  As her sister asks me if I am a manager.  I say no, and she says that I have an attitude.  I look at her as my face reddens.  What to say.... keep my mouth shut?  I keep my stare and say to her "God Bless You"..... she continues her glare.... and I say it again.... "God Bless You."

The next customer steps up in line and mumbles 'if you have a coupon you're supposed to place it before you order, idiot."  I just thanked him and continued checking out other customers.

Customer service?  Some may think it's a joke.  There is no customer service!  But try to give customer service?  And deal with some pretty harsh critics!!

Shower the people you love with love.  

That is the way to go.  Love and cherish the people you love!!!

There are some people in this world who will always find fault in what you do. They are miserable, sad people.  

Now, to take a deep breath and have a red velvet Valentine Cupcake!!!

Perfectly, Imperfect Girls

Practice makes PROGRESS.

I must admit that through the years, it was very boring to practice things ... like playing the piano, playing the cello and doing math or science problems.  Now, 40 years later I practice a lot of things.... every day!!!

I try my best to create (something) every day.

I am on this kick where I make a background page of different colors and textures, and then plop a charming little girl in the middle.  Head tilted, cute outfit, dainty shoes, heart shaped lips, big hair....

I must admit that I like practicing this task.  Painting is still a bit difficult for me because I can't control the paint as much as I can with a colored pencil or marker.  I know there should be shading or highlighting, but I just don't know how much, or how to blend it accurately. However, another thing I like about these 'mixed media' pieces is that I can use a little bit of everything.... water colors, markers, paint, doodle pens.

I also practice my penmanship and writing every day.  At least at some point I make a conscientious effort to think about what I'm doing and try to improve somehow.

And I try to do that with my daily interactions as well.  As I do things for others, I practice being kind and  I make an effort to be aware of their feelings. I keep on task, trying to improve myself.

I might be a work in PROGRESS but every day, I get a little bit wiser, a little bit better, a little bit stronger.

Happy Girls Are Prettiest

I thought for sure that I would able to blog more in 2015.  

I was wrong.

I've mentioned before that I feel most creative with my writing in the morning.  I bring my lap top downstairs from my "Creative Nook".  Place it at my meal spot on the kitchen table.  Get my favorite iced beverage of homemade Starbucks coffee, settle down and look outside the kitchen window ... for inspiration.

Not that the month of January went by in a blur, but I really didn't have too many free mornings to just sit and ponder. (that makes me sad).

What I got instead in January was Capture 30.  I took an online class from one of my favorite artist/crafters, Heidi Swapp.  I was prompted every day to write something in a creative planner... Capture the Moment.

So, instead of blogging, I was practicing my penmanship, I was creating doodle flaps, I was placing stickers and I was documenting in just a few words, what had happened each and every day.

The pictures here is the open planner with all the days of January filled in, with either weather reports, food menus, feelings and favorite quotes.

I'm really sad the class is over, which a lot of my classmates feel the same.  Heidi is such an inspiration when it comes to different ways to document the ordinary every day life events!

The best thing about taking the class is, that I have the tools.... I should be able to incorporate the cuteness in each new month's pages.

The other good thing is that so many of the crafters I 'follow' on line are on the Planner bandwagon... and a lot of them are giving free tips and techniques how to make a really cute calendar to remember those ordinary days of 2015.

Ordinary days???? 

Snow days!!!  

The blizzard of 2015.  

This was a picture out the second floor window that faces the front (south) of our house.  All the men of the neighborhood were out getting the first round of snow cleared from their driveways.  On the new Holiday, Superbowl Sunday, we got about 12+" of snow, before the wind picked up and caused drifting.

Here, two days later.... no snow melting.  The bird feeder, out the window to  my world has a cute marshmallow fluff topping.

Winter in the Midwest.  Gotta love it.... what else can you do about it?  Complain???  Not me, at least not anymore.... I intend to capture each day and embrace it for what it has to offer.

And too, I  may not blogging in the morning... but it gives me the opportunity to create every day in the evening.  After a long day... I get to play and doodle and paint.... and find ways to create fun colorful art from the heart.

After I finished her, I thought she was a whimsical version of Alice in Wonderland... that , or a clown.... but she is cute.

Happy Girls are the Prettiest!

Brighten Someone's Day!

Somewhere in a Rainbow

There sure is a lot in the world that can bring you down.

Sometimes I wonder, should I watch the news so that I know what is going on, or should I turn away and play ignorant to bickering between government officials, the tragedy of innocent killings in the name of evil, the sensationalism of overpaid Hollywood actors and professional sports athletes and the sadness of personal family trauma locally.

Yikes!  This is a dilemma

Even writing that paragraph above upsets me.  I understand that we don't live in a "Leave it to Beaver" world anymore, but where do you draw the line of being an informed, concerned and compassionate human being, to an indifferent, uncaring and unfazed pile of DNA.

Everything in moderation, I guess.  

I am aware of the sadness.  I pray for peace and understanding ... and I do say... I am only one person.  

For now, what I can do, is be the rainbow in someone elses cloud. 

Not everyone can be fixed nor every thing 'needs' to be better.  It's how it is supposed to be.  People are who they are.

When I work, when I meet someone new or when I talk to a friend who is having a tough day ... I can help light someone elses darkness...

....Be the rainbow... A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that is caused by reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in droplets of water resulting in a spectrum of light appearing in the sky....In my little corner of the world I put my 'game face' on and hopefully on some days bring some 'color' to others who are having a tough day. That's what I am suppose to do.  

Use and share my 'gift' of SHINE ....  

.

Our House is Full

Well, we are into the 3rd week of 2015, how is it going????

It's Tuesday, I've not been scheduled to work today.  

Little fluffy tufts of snow are falling from the sky, it's kind of grumpy out and it's a cold 18 degrees outside.  Last week at this time it was only about -4 out, so today is an improvement in weather.  

It must be brunch time at the bird feeder, I can't even count how many are feasting outside my kitchen window.  It's fun to watch them push their way in to their feeding perch.  And in unison, they fly away.....

The other night with a full house it was just about sunset and I looked out into the backyard.  Walking slowly toward the bird feeder was a big buck.  How do you determine his size... huge antlers and 5 or 6 points sticking out??  He was very cautious as he walked within 10 feet of the house, he had seen movement inside.  That's because I told everyone to freeze and look out back.  School has yet to begin for the spring semester and my two children are still at home, on break.  Four adults in our house now.... we all turned to window and were just astonished at the bravery of this buck.  We've seen deer hundreds of times in our back yard, but it still is an awesome sight.

Cooper the dog sensing something was up, walked to window to peer out ... and was not very happy to see the buck coming so close to his home.  He let out a howl and notice to the buck to go away.... guard dog on duty!!! And in a blink the buck turned and was gone.  For just a moment... everything was still.

In the mean time, I'm doing some painting.  Using acrylic paint and other mixed media I'm attempting to 'create' something every day.  Right now it's these little paintings in an art journal, approximately 6"w X 9"H.  They are still a work in PROGRESS.  I'm searching the internet and looking though books to learn more about painting. This time around I'm also trying to incorporate inspiring quotes that I have found.  I'm mixing it all up and then attempting to put it all back together ... color, shading, realistic, whimsical, positive and uniquely me!

It's Tuesday.  I've finished my iced coffee.  I am in awe of nature outside my window to the world.  And I have just about finished my blog post for today.

I think I've made some PROGRESS.

Found this this other day, watch for it on a 'painting' some day soon.... I am just striving to be more me than I have ever been!