Reflections on 2016

Reflections on 2016.....

Highlights of 2016:

Art I created this year

Art is You - Art Retreat

Ever After

Nursery Art For Sale

Holiday to Germany:

2016 Roundscapes Calendar

Health News - I'm doing very well, still have numb feet from the peripheral neuropathy but I'm going fine.
I hope you all had a good 2016 and have a great 2017, I'll be back tomorrow with my One Little Word for 2017.
Love and hugs, Shells....

Heal OLW 2016

I have chosen the word HEAL to be my One Little Word/theme/mantra for 2016. I decided on this word after reflecting on this year and what I needed for next year.

In March I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma - cancer of the plasma cells. This year I have had a few cycles of chemo and in September I had nasty nasty chemo followed by a stem cell transplant and have been recovering from that ever since. Next year I just need to let my body heal and get stronger and healthier and that is what I will be focused on.

I am Artist of the Month for an art journaling group I'm in and have decided to guide the group through One Little Word 2016.

One Little Word started with Ali Edwards and here's a quote from her blog:

About One Little Word^®

A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.

In 2006 I began a tradition of choosing one word for myself each January – a word to focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. My words have included play, peace, vitality, nurture, story, light, up, open and thrive. These words have each become a part of my life in one way or another. They've been imbedded into who I am and into who I'm becoming. They've been what I've needed most (and didn't know I needed). They've helped me to breathe deeper, to see clearer, to navigate challenges, and to grow.

I hope you'll consider joining me for the next One Little Word^® workshop in January 2015 here at aliedwards.com.
Check out all my blog posts regarding One Little Word^® here.
Click here to read a FAQ and more details about this project.

1. Decide on your word.

You need to choose a word that resonates with you, instead of having a New Year's Resolution you choose a word for the year.  For a list of words check out Ali's blogpost here.

My word for 2015 was Focus. My word for 2014 was Grow.  My word for 2013 was Believe. My word for 2012 was Courage.

Activity 1 -  I used one of my little books for the activities but an art journal is ideal too. Write/doodle/decorate/stamp your word.

 2. Define your word.

Activity 2 - Find a definition of your word that suits your purpose and write these definitions in your journal.

HEAL - to become healthy, whole or sound, free from ailment.
- to mend
- to get well

3. How will you apply your word?

Activity 3 - write how you will apply your word over the year as this will help you to make it happen.

4. Quotes with your word in it.

Activity 4 - this is where Pinterest is helpful and google.  Find a quote with your word in it that speaks to you and write/doodle/decorate it in your journal.

HEAL - "The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter and the spirit heals with joy."

5. Song Lyrics with your word in it.

Activity 5 - if you can find a song with your word in it that speaks to you then this is sometimes easier to remember throughout the year.

These song lyrics don't really apply but they are from one of my favourite songs:

"These wounds won't seem to heal, this pain is just too real. There's just too much that time cannot erase." - My Immortal - Evanescence.

6. Scripture with your word in it.

Activity 6 - If you enjoy the Bible/Scripture then you might be able to find a verse that speaks to you, even though it doesn't have your word in it, it may relate to your theme.

I like Isaiah 33:2 And no resident will say "I am sick", as well as 1 Peter 5:10 'He will make you strong.'

7. Create a bookmark.

Activity 7 - create a bookmark with your word on it and keep it in your planner journal so you see it throughout the year. I started with a rectangle of gelli printed cardstock, you could use manilla folder or an index card, then I covered it in stamps and a border and washi tape on it and then used my gel pen and stamps to write the word and scripture on it, then added ribbon. I kept on going until I was happy.

8. Pinterest Board.

Activity 8 - Each year I create a Pinterest board for my word and pin related pins.  It's fun and inspirational especially for the activities.

Here are my boards: Heal,  Focus, Grow, Believe.


Ladies, I hope you have fun with these activities, I recommend the first four to get the most out of your OLW, but the more you do the fun it will be.

Have  a great 2016!!!

New Art and New Hair

I am doing another online course with Guadalupe Brizuela Cabal aka Guada called Book Of Trees. We have made a book with great backgrounds to create our faces, hands and flora on.

Here's Week 3 - a 3/4 portrait with watercolour and collage branches and nest.

Here's Week 2 - a front facing portrait and tree.

Here are my backgrounds:

During the week I bought a wig:

If you are new here then here is what I have previously looked like:

Have a great week...

I'm Home after Stem Cell Transplant

Hi everyone, I'm home from hospital after some nasty chemo and a stem cell transplant. I'm very tired but look forward to getting better and getting back to my art and normal life over the next few months to a year. I've also lost all my hair...

I did a little art whilst in hospital but developed a temperature and felt like doing nothing. I concentrated on doing what I knew and not trying something new.

The above is based on a couple of photos I found on Pinterest...

I have joined another online course but need to go shopping for a few special supplies, maybe some art treats.  :D  I look forward to showing you next week or the week after.  Now it's time for a nap.  ;)

Ciao!

New Faces and Myeloma Update

I have been busy creating new faces before I go into hospital next week for chemo and a stem cell transplant. I will take a bag of mixed media goodies with me into hospital in case I feel like painting as art heals...

I also might have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as my hands are numb and hurt at night but will have to look at this after I come out of hospital.

I will be in hospital for 2-3 weeks and will not be taking my laptop or writing any blogs until I'm out and feeling up to it. Take care....

Exploring Watercolor Portraits with Guada

For the past three weeks I have been participating in an online class taught by Guadalupe Brizuela Cabal called Exploring Watercolor Portraits. Guada was very generous and gaveaway two places in her class and I won one!

I had a great time and learnt so much, and I really loved Guada's style of teaching.

This was such a fun class and I'm able to paint the girls in my own style too adding some great headwear.

I even got some compliments on my girls from my husband and my mum!!  :D I can't wait to create some more.....

ICAD 2015 and Myeloma Update

Index Card a Day 2015 finished today and here are my 61 index cards!!! The aim/challenge is to create a little piece of art on an index card for 61 days - I managed to create 61 cards over 61 days but I will confess there were days when I was too busy or too sick to create but I did think about the cards.

For more info on ICAD 2015 check out this blog:  http://daisyyellowart.com/vividlife/icad-2015-index

Here are my favourite ones:

Here they are :

Here's how I binded them:

Healthwise - at the moment I am going through the stem cell harvest process which means that I have high dose chemo then injections to get the stem cells to multiply.  I'm tired and my hair is still falling out but I still have some!!! I'm doing ok, ups and downs, swings and roundabouts....