Howdy!

Wow! I've been out of the loop for a while now! So much has gone on during the past month and the time has comppletely gotten away from me. Needless to say my blogging habits have gone by the wayside. My oldest son graduated, then we had a handful of graduation parties to attend. Two weeks after his graduation we had his party which took lots of time and attention away from my so-called 'normal' life. Now it's almost the Fourth of July! Summer is flying by.

Meanwhile I thought I'd share a few photos of some of my recent work. I finally got around to setting up a Facebook page dedicated to my Creative Name Signs website. The first day of networking I got an order for a personalized plaque with this quote...

"Life is too short to wear department store jewelry."

My customer was very flexible with her color scheme choice and basically let me choose how to create the sign. I really enjoyed creating it...here's a photo:

Then I created this child room sign for another customer...this one--as you can guess--was for a little girl...

I love how the unicorn turned out. I thought using purple for the background added so much to the theme.

And my last sharing for today...I created this nursery room sign for an expectant mom of a baby boy...

I always love creating nautical theme plaques. I blame that on my love of the beach!

Okay...I've shared enough today. I have a book review to post and I hope to get to that in the next few days.

Until then...enjoy these wonderful days of summer! And Happy Fourth of July!

Quote sharing...

I haven't shared a quote for a really long time! Life at our house has been hectic lately so I'll blame my long hiatus on that!

Here you go...

"Success means fulfilling your own dreams, singing your own song, dancing your own dance, creating from your heart and enjoying the journey, trusting that whatever happens, it will be OK. Creating your own adventure!" ~ Elana Lindquist

I got the quote from one of my favorite inspirational websites, "The Daily Guru".

I loved it and needed to hear it this morning...especially the 'trusting whatever happens, it will be OK' part! Some days I get so caught up in the worry and fear, but I must make a point to tell myself that it will be OK. Things always manage to work themselves out.

And here's a photo of one of my paintings from a few years ago...I like to look at this one when I'm feeling overwhelmed by life...

OK...I have to get moving. Of all things we are bracing ourselves for a big snow storm today! What the heck?!?! It's April 23rd and Mother Nature is playing big time games with us here in the Northeast! Unreal! I say it all the time...why do I live here???

Well, there's not much we can do about it so we'll just hang in there for a couple of days. Then hopefully the warmth will be back!

I'll be sharing more goodies soon...until then,

Writing My 'Master-Peace'

I have a sketch book that I like to use for doodles or simple little drawings. In looking over my sketch book most of my doodles or drawings are dated in the first half of each year. It seems that in late winter and early spring my business slows enough so that I have the time to spend doing what I really love and that's just creating my own little designs or doodles.

In the 'custom artwork' business world your time is spent catering to creating the designs and themes that your customer wants. In turn you have less time to create what's in your own heart and what is inspirational to yourself.

This issue has been something I've dealt with for the past few years. I've been pining away  trying to create a part of my business that is all about 'my' designs and 'my' themes and 'my' ideas. But it's always a struggle because the custom artwork is the niche of my business that pays the bills.

So here we are.

But back to my sketchbook full of doodles and drawings...

I pulled out my sketchbook and took some photos of some little quotes that I doodled a while ago. They are very inspirational and I thought I'd share them with you.

The designs are utterly simplistic and certainly nothing to write home about, but what I like is the message. Our lives are really in our own hands and we are the authors of our own life stories.

On the second page I like how I used the word 'Peace'. I have a really busy life and I've suffered from a high level of anxiety for many years. I continually tell myself that I need to take more time for me so I can feel 'peace' in my life. I am constantly learning about little things you can do to make your days less anxiety-ridden and using the word 'Peace' throughout my days has helped me greatly.

So I'm spending my days attempting to write my own 'Master-Peace'.

Okay, I just got back from the gym and I need to get in the shower and get my day moving. I'll have more to share soon...until then,

Sharing this simple thought...

I have a small board in my work space that I consider my 'inspiration board'.

I also have a small TV in my work room and I almost always have it on. Even though I don't really watch it because I'm painting and my eyes are elsewhere in the room I can certainly listen to it.

Every so often I hear someone say something that strikes a chord in me and I'll jot it down quickly and post it on my inspiration board.

Here's one I heard and saved a few months ago...I wrote it down but then also took a photo of it...

Pin It

This thought resonates within me because many days I am constantly on the go. I run here and I run there and then I run somewhere else. The next thing I know...I'm exhausted and it's time for bed.

But every so often I get one of those days where things aren't quite so hectic. Yet instead of enjoying the down time these feelings of guilt creep into my mind. Rather than relaxing that negative voice in my head tells me that I'm being lazy and irresponsible. What??? Are you serious??? Why would I ever let those thoughts bother me???

Well, I decided that I have to lay blame on the perfectionist part of my personality. I'm a Virgo and while you might not think I'm a perfectionist by looking at the dust on my furniture or the clutter on my dining room table, I am definitely a perfectionist when it relates to my work. I am highly critical of how each finished product looks and if I'm not satisfied with even the tiniest detail I HAVE to fix it or it will eat away at me.

Sometimes I tell myself that my perfectionism is a good thing. I have many return customers who praise my work and refer my websites to their friends and family. So perhaps it's the 'love in the details' that makes all the difference with my artwork. Or maybe it's the 'devil in the details'??? Hmmm...that's something to ponder for sure!

Meanwhile, as the guilt oozed from my pores last week when I had a slow day I looked up at my inspiration board and saw it and thought to myself, 'Jane, it's okay to take a day to rest! You don't have to constantly run, run, run. As the quote says we are human 'beings' not human 'doings'! So just 'BE' and enjoy it!

Okay more sharing on the way...until then,

Daily Sharing - Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

Today I'm sharing a simple little sign I made years ago and then sold in an online auction. I always liked this one...

Taken from the Bible 1 Corinthians 13:4-8...

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

This passage was the gospel reading at my wedding during mass. And my mom always loved it as well. It was displayed throughout our house on various plaques or printed on the back of prayer cards that were displayed on our kitchen window for many years. It's a beautiful passage and it has deep meaning for me.

More to come...until then,

Song for a Fifth Child

A customer shared this poem with me today. She inquired to see if I could create something with one of the verses on it.

I never heard of it before and immediately fell in love with it. As I've mentioned quite a bit recently, my oldest son is a senior in high school and will be heading off to college in the fall. Perhaps you're familiar with it? But, regardless, I have to share it...

Song for a Fifth Child
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing and butter the bread,
Sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I’ve grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue (Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due (Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue? (Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

My babies 10 years ago!

I get so teary eyed reading that last verse! I'm in the stage of motherhood where I see my children growing older and getting ready to leave the nest. I encourage them to go and do what their hearts want, but I feel sadness at he thought of them leaving. I can't believe how fast the years have gone by.

I gotta go and grab some tissues...more sharing on the way...until then,

Take time...

...to be still

"Work is not always required ... there is such a thing as sacred idleness, the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected." -- George MacDonald

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." -- Sir J. Lubbock

After months of cold and snow, then rain, rain, rain we finally had a beautiful couple of warm sunny days. I sat outside yesterday and soaked in the warmth, listened to the birds chirping, felt the mild breeze and just took some time to be still. What a joyful few minutes it was!

More on the way...

Love this quote...

A family friend (who is only 14--such wisdom for a teen!) shared this on Facebook...and I loved it!

"Sad?
You will later be happy.
Alone?
You will later have company.
Crying?
You will later smile.
Why?
Cause according to Newton...
For every action there's an equal or opposite reaction."

I don't know who wrote it but I sure do love it!

More fun on the way...

Lovin' this quote...

Reading my Daily Guru Power of Now messages this morning and this quote was included...I just love it!

"Past the seeker as he prayed came the crippled and the beggar and the beaten. And seeing them... he cried, ‘Great God, how is it that a loving creator can see such things and yet do nothing about them?’... God said, ‘I did do something. I made you.’" -- Sufi Teaching

Wishing you all a beautiful Sunday and if you are celebrating Easter...Happy Easter!

Hope to share more soon...

Stumbled upon this quote today...

...and just wanted to share it...

"People pay for what they do, and still more for what they have allowed themselves to become. And they pay for it simply; by the lives they lead." - Edith Wharton

More good stuff on the way...

HOPE...

Got this from my Daily Guru email this morning...

"Hope is the companion of power, and the mother of success; for who so hopes has within him the gift of miracles." ~ Samuel Smiles

My family has been through the wringer for the past few months, but things are definitely looking better. Through it all...no matter how bad things got...I always tried to have a good attitude. This good attitude is all a part of HOPE.

I pray that no matter how bad things get you will always have HOPE. Something my mom taught me years ago...when you feel hope is gone then say a pray to St. Jude...

"O most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, people honor and invoke you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, for I am so helpless and alone. Please help to bring me visible and speedy assistance. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly (state your request) and that I may praise God with you always.
I promise, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you by publishing this request. Amen."

Just wanted to share a little HOPE with you all today...make it a good one!

More on the way...

Illustration Friday - "STIR"

My illustration for "STIR"

With so many changes taking place in my life lately I've found my refuge in music...

"Music stirs my soul!"

P.S. Haven't participated in Illustration Friday for a long time and I'm so glad to join in again!

Have a great Friday!

'Song of Renewal' by Emily Sue Harvey

I just finished reading a wonderful book called 'Song of Renewal' by Emily Sue Harvey.

It's a story of love, hope, faith and finding one's own personal truth after tradgedy.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the story and all of the characters, I am moved even moreso that this book came to me at this pivotal point in my life. Several of the themes that run throughout this book parallel my life in so many ways! It kind of freaks me out and I can't help but wonder if perhaps God had this book land in my hands at this most perfect time. I'm sure it came to me for a reason.

As many of my readers know my mom passed away early last December. In the story a 16 year old boy, Troy, is killed in a car accident. His girlfriend Angel is in the car with him, but she survives this terrible accident. Angel suffers horrible injuries and is comatose for several months. Once she comes out of her coma Angel not only has physical healing to do but she also has to grieve the loss of Troy. On top of coping with this awful loss Angel has to accept the fact that her life is going to be so incredibly different in many ways. At one point Angel says that she feels as if the accident and Troy's death are almost 'like a dream'. She doesn't really 'feel' anything for awhile. Then finally Angel notices that when she recalls what happened she's starts to feel kind of sick...she calls it 'really bad homesickness.' I completely understood what she meant. I am at this exact same point in my grief. When Angel made this comment her doctor responsed, "You're still protected by the shock. The feeling--homesickness--means your emotions are beginning to reemerge."

Good Lord! That describes me exactly! I feel sad now, but at first I didn't feel much of anything, I was simply numb. I knew that it was my mind was trying to process everything I have been through. But at the same time I couldn't help but wonder if maybe something was wrong with me. Then finally I realized that I'm not only processing and greiving what I've gone through over the past few months, but I need to grieve what I've been dealing with over the past few years. Unless you watched a loved one decline due to Azlheimer's then you can't imagine how painful it can be. My mother's demise was a terrible gut wrenching life experience. However I was so wrapped up in caring for her that I never took time to grieve what was really going on. So I think my mind is making me take time to feel that pain now. I've learned that it's going to take a long time before I can heal.

Then the other parallel to my life relates to Garrison's career choices and the subsequent struggles. Garrison, Angel's father, is a successful graphic artist, but he isn't truly fulfilled because he gave up his dream of being a a professional artist to make money.

OMG!

ME! ME! ME!

I have a successful home based business for which I'm very grateful. My business makes enough money to pay our bills and take care of our family. However, lately I fear that the passion I used to have for my work might be dimishing for me. All I ever think or worry about is money, money, money. And I hate that! And I believe the unhappiness I'm feeling is because I'm not creating for me...I'm not painting my vision. I'm painting name signs and wall plaques and step stools and growth charts. I'm drawing house portraits on a fairly regular basis. And I'm grateful...please know I am very grateful! But what saddens me is that every single doggone item I create is what someone else wants. Everything I create is another person's vision. Not mine. I simply want to take a break...chill out...relax...listen to whatever music inspires me at the moment and paint whatever I'm in the mood for. I want to paint what's in my mind not what someone else envisions.

BUT!!! The second that thought enters my mind I automatically retort, "Oh no! I can't do that because then I won't be making the money we need! I need to make money!"

So...just like Garrison I've given up my dream all for the sake of the almighty dollar. At one point in the book there is a quote by Henry David Thoreau:

"Most men lead lives of quiet despration and go to the grave with the song still in them."

In the book Garrison eventually finds his song. I want to find my song again. I need to find my song again.

And thanks to this book I've realized what I need. I pray for guidance to find my true path. I pray to find my own fabulous song...my own glorious music...my own personal lyrics.

And I've also learned that I need to let myself grieve and heal. I've finally given myself permission to cry not only because my mom is gone. But also because it really stunk to watch my loving, beautiful, strong, independent and highly intelligent mother literally lose her mind. I sat and watched her revert back to a small child who couldn't grasp the concept of handling money...she didn't understand the importance of a daily routine...she didn't know the importance of healthy eating...I could go on and on. 

While this story begins on a tradgic note as things progress you see how faith and hope hold the family together. Even though Garrison and Liza have their own issues to deal with they, along with Aunt Charlcy and Penny, rally around Angel while in a coma. As she slowly comes to consciousness they are constantly by her side.  Even when grief takes over and Angel becomes depressed they stick by her. They help her to realize that even though the future is always uncertain with great hope and faith all will be okay.

I'm so grateful that this book came to me. I can't help but believe that it was given to me for a reason. I have several pages dog-eared and I plan to go back and reread and absorb even more of the lessons that were presented throughout this beautiful story!

I hope I've piqued your interest. It was a wonderful read and it touched me emotionally on many levels. I'm sure in some way you'll find your own commonalities with the characters in Song of Renewal! 

More on the way...until then,



Recent work...some paisley...and more...

Just sharin'...

I painted this design for a growth chart order for a customer. I never did a paisley pattern before so I just got a few images of some paisley fabrics and came up with my own little version.

I can't explain why but I was somewhat mesmerized by the creative energy that came out of me the day I painted this design. It was as if I was possessed and *HAD* to get it done. I just couldn't put down my paint brush and walk away. It was time consuming, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

I hope the customer liked it...I never heard from them either way. But I've learned over the years to hold onto this thought...

"No news is good news!"

So I'll just assume they were happy with it!

I'm having some fun tonight looking over the photos of the things I created over this past holiday season. I'm always so busy going from one order to the next from November through mid-December and I really don't get a chance to enjoy some of the things I create. Here's a photo of my work area...

orders piled high...
prepped wood pieces waiting their turn to be cast into something new...



...yes...this is my life! Every day I get paid to create, paint and draw. It's something I've always dreamed about. And I love it...most of the time!

More fun on the way...until then,

Happy New Year! And more catching up...

Wow! Where to begin...

The last time I posted my life was pretty much as normal as it had been over the past few years. My mom was living in a nursing home due to Alzheimer's and I was trying to figure my life out since she was under constant care at the facility.

However, the Saturday after Thanksgiving my mom became very ill and passed away the following Sunday, December 5, 2010. While the time passed all too quickly during that incredibly horrible week I am choosing to look at it as a blessing. To see her suffer was awful, but she needed to go. I know she's at peace and for that I, in turn, feel peace.  But I miss her like crazy and there is a huge void in my life. But I know in time the pain will ease. I lost my dad back in 2002 so I know that everything will be okay.

I got my Daily Guru email this morning and this was in it...I thought it was fitting for my life...my mom is always with me...

"Everything you see has its roots in the unseen world.
The forms may change, yet the essence remains the same.
Every wonderful sight will vanish; every sweet word will fade,
But do not be disheartened,
The source they come from is eternal, growing,
Branching out, giving new life and new joy.
Why do you weep?
The source is within you
And this whole world is springing up from it."

-- Jelaluddin Rumi

This photo was taken in July of 2010. In the front row from left to right is my mom, my sister Lynne, my daughter Elena and me. Then in the back is my sister Carol and her daughter Lindsey. It was a gorgeous summer day! A very happy memory!



I'm blessed with a wonderful husband, three fantastic kids, brothers, sisters, friends and extended family to turn to for support. Plus I have a job that I love. So I'm sad, but I'm grateful for my blessings and I'm ready to move on and figure out my life now.

I plan to work really hard at getting back to my blog! I miss it and I'm ready share the little life lessons I experience. Plus I'm ready to find more awesome artists to showcase! I hope to be back soon with more...until then,

The Art of Aging

Wow! I cannot believe how busy I've been!


This is the first day I've had in quite a while where I don't have to be somewhere. Well, I take that back...I had to be at 11:00 mass this morning and then I have to go to a meeting at church later this evening. But at least I have the entire afternoon off!


Meanwhile, I just wanted to pop in quickly to share a quote I found the other day from a friend on Facebook. It's absolutely fitting for so many people in my life...


"The Art of Aging"


"The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You don't blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the President. You realize that you control your own destiny."  ~Albert Ellis


Wow! I loved that one as soon as I read it.


I'm going to be busy the next few days, too, but hopefully things will settle a bit and I'll be able to get back to blogging again...I miss it!

More to come...until then,

'The Shack'

I started reading 'The Shack' by William P. Young a few days ago. I'm a bit late in the game and I'm sure many of you have already read it. But my life's been so crazy the last few years and having time to relax and read is, at times, nearly impossible.

But so far I like this book and I 'get' it.

Here's a quote that I bookmarked so I could share it...

"Honey, there's no easy answer that will take your pain away. Believe me, if I had one, I'd use it now. I have no magic wand to wave over you and make it all better. Life takes a bit of time and a lot of relationship."

I'm sure everyone on this planet has wished for...at least once in his or her life...magic powers or a magic wand that would quickly take their pain away.

I have a few more things to share from this book, but not enough time today...busy, busy, busy!

More on the way...until then,

O Sister, Where Art Thou?

Whew! I've been completely MIA the last few months! I can't believe it's been so long since my last blog post!

SO much going on in my family life...I'll fill you all in soon. Right now we are in the midst of putting my mom into assisted living. It's a very sad time in our lives but we know it will be the best thing for her once she gets settled and begins her new routine.

Needless to say, we've been on an emotional roller coaster. My daughter was watching the movie 'In Her Shoes' and I heard this poem at the end:

"I carry your heart with me
I carry it in my heart
I am never without it

Anywhere I go, you go, my dear
And whatever is done by only me,
is your doing, my darling

I fear no fate, for you are my fate, my sweet
I want no world
For beautiful, you are my world... my true

Here is the deepest secret no one knows
Here is the root of the root
And the bud of the bud

And the sky of the sky of a tree called life
Which grows higher than the soul can hope
Or mine can hide

It's the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
I carry your heart
I carry it in my heart"
~ EE. Cummings

I started to cry immediately. The meaning of this poem runs deeply within me. My dad passed away in May of 2002 and, although it took a few years, I learned that he will always be with me...he lives on in my heart. Because he's in my heart I get to see him and talk to him in my dreams.

I pray that I never stop dreaming.

And because I learned this lesson...that you never completely lose someone you love...I know the same will happen with my mom. I will always carry her in my heart.

More summer stories to share soon...until then,

I need to resign...I need to resign...

A quote from my Daily Guru email this evening...

“For peace of mind, we need to resign as general manager of the universe.”
-- Larry Eisenberg

This applies to me in so-o-o-o many ways it's not even funny!! I am a micro-manager with my business, with my family, with my mom...it goes on and on and on.

I need to simply let go...I just wish it was easy to do so!

More on the way...

A great parenting quote...

I was watching one of my favorite shows the other night, Parenthood. There was a fabulous line in the show that, as a parent, I **completely appreciated**...

"Sometimes being the perfect parent isn't worth the blood on the floor."

Wow! Is that great or what?!?! I so-o-o-o GOT it! In my opinion it's right up there with one of my other favorite sayings 'Pick your battles'.

And I'll be honest with you...I heard that quote 'pick your battles' many, many times over the years but never quite understood it. That is until my sweet, adorable, loving children grew into teenagers! Then finally...and quite suddenly...it clicked. I had an 'Aha moment'!

If you're a parent of teens then you'll know exactly what I'm talking about!

Okay...I have to wrap things up here. I have to take my mom to the doctor soon. Hope to have more fun to share...until then,