hearts to you !

collage gouache hearts galore in progress - a new piece for that big exciting top secret sshhhh project

I've been kinda quiet here, here on this much loved blog, the blog that I adore, the blog which was kidnapped for nearly a month by web terrorists and then miraculously returned, left on my doorstep in a basket one day - all bundled up, safe & sound, unaltered and best of all - the 6.5 years of my life, some 2100+ posts with cherished photos all still there. Phew !! You'd think I'd pay more attention to "her", my dear 29 Black Street blog but alas, well … not alas. Not alas at all - but instead hooray !! hooray hooray !! I have been really busy.

Busy that bad, indistinct, a bit pathetic sounding, badge or medal like word that we toss around when we 're feeling full.
We need a better word for ...

my creative empire building plate doth overflow 
with inspiration, goodness, productivity & success.

Things have been hopping' here at the teak topped desk at CE* headquarters. I'm in the beginning throws of another wonderful  Lilla Roger's e-course - Make Art That Sells - Assignment BootCamp, I'm designing lots of new greeting cards, that big, exciting, thrilling top secret project I have been working on since last Sept. continues to grow & expand which is freakin' fantastic - another few months and I'll be able to tell you all about it with lots o' visuals of course ;-) And I'm super excited to be taking Kelly Rae Roberts - Mixed Media Mantras e-course which starts next Monday the 24th - I cannot wait for that, I've taken courses from Kelly before and they are always rich in content + she is the queen, in my eyes, of the lushest mixed media backgrounds (la layers, collage, writing, texture, more layers - yummy).

My word for this year is Faith and oh my I am so in love with that word especially when applied to me, myself & I. To finally try and kick self doubt and self criticism to the curb as many days as possible. To have Faith that I know all that I need to know inside me, especially when it comes to my creative life. To trust in me. And to try also to trust the world outside of me a bit more. To remind myself when "badness" comes a knockin' that ...

everything always works out in the end 
so if it hasn't worked out yet … it's not the end.

I have another word for this year, well actually I have quite a few, but second in importance after keeping' the Faith are the 7 words clean-the-crap-out-of-my-life finally & forever. And that means all the crap. Cleaning out my gmail inbox, my 2 loaded (7 years worth - eek !) iMac computers, backing up, backing up, as well as cleaning out crawlspaces, closets, dresser drawers. Look out crap ! we're com in' for you. I've had a bit of recent success in this area and oh my it feels so good + the bonus, and my ultimate pay-off is the effect of tres increased efficiency & productivity in life I so need & crave.

Happy Weekend ! more photos from life at 29 Black Street soon, promise ;-)

* creative empire