Makita Studio

Getting Down To Business with Jeanne Oliver

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:08:00 +0000

A few months ago, I took the Creatively Made e-course by Jeanne Oliver and absolutely loved it because it has opened my eyes to a lot of things that I was finding so hard to understand about myself and what I desired as an artist. Most of my life, I have struggled with self-doubt and insecurities. I knew I wanted to be an artist, but have been so afraid of taking myself seriously for fear of rejection. Or I simply didn't think or believe I could achieve anything great with it. My lack of confidence was limiting my growth and caused me to feel stuck. Deep down, I wanted so much to reach my dreams and just be who I knew I was meant to be. I'd ask God over and over, where am I going in life? What is my calling? I knew that first and foremost, I am a mom and a wife. Yes, I am fulfilled and complete because they mean everything to me and I value my role and purpose to love and care for them. But, I also knew that as a very creative person, that there was so much more I needed to do in life that served a bigger purpose using the gifts I have been blessed with. Finally, I can honestly say, I KNOW (not think) who I am and what I was born to do and now I'm more than ready to take it further and let my destiny unfold... This time no more holding back by fear! Yeahhhh!!!

So in regards to finally taking the step to realize my gifts and creative abilities, one of my dreams is to really build and grow my own brand and sell my art to retailers and wholesalers. I know that I can't do it alone and need the help and mentoring of others. Unfortunately, I don't have many people in real life that I can talk to or call upon for business advice or anything related to it. Thankfully, there's some wonderful people out there who are willing to help and share their experiences with others. When I heard about, Building A Creatively Made Business, I knew I had to go for it. Jeanne Oliver has been so generous with her life to offer this course to those who are searching for the support and guidance in starting their own creative business. Her genuine and honest approach in what she shares and teaches are exactly what I believe has made this so invaluable and empowering. I look forward to discovering the things that has helped her build and grow her creative business. So thankful and excited to complete this workshop which started yesterday! And it's not too late to join in if you're interested!

Being a SAHM for so many years, I am extremely grateful for having found so many creative and inspiring connections through the virtual community, many who are willing to share their advice, insight, and experiences with people like me who need direction and guidance. Otherwise, I don't think I would be where I am today. It feels good to be able to connect with other artists from all over the world who share in the same passion and creativity as I do. The beauty of it is supporting and learning from one another and watching each other grow. I truly hope that I can even meet some of them in real life one day :) So, if there's any creative artists or crafters reading my blog that is in my area, please do not hesitate to contact me!

xoxo,

Back to Cali--Back to Reality

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:03:00 +0000

I'm back!!!

Our Spring Break was spent up north in Seattle, WA and we had such a BEAUTIFUL time as always. Loved that even though the forecast expected rain for most of our stay, it was nothing but sunny blue skies and temperatures in the high 60's. It was surprising and even the locals were saying they think we must have brought them the sunshine. Ha! I'm just thankful that everyday during our stay we were able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Northwest and do all the fun things we wanted to do without being wet from rain. Such a blessing!

Now that our break is over, its back to reality, back to the grind, and back to a healthy diet! We all know that when you're traveling and staying in a hotel, dining out is inevitable unless you have those hotel suites with a kitchenette so you can cook your own meals. But between all the activities, sightseeing, driving around town, and visiting with friends and family, I wouldn't have had the time or energy anyways. So yeah, I came home and weighed in to find that I had gained FIVE pounds. Oh snap! I don't regret it though, we ate some good food up there. Photos of my food journey coming up soon in another post!

Anyways, I am dreading tomorrow. Mondays usually suck, but tomorrow is probably going to be harder than usual as it always is after a nice vacay like we just had. But, I gotta do what I gotta do. We are all going to be in bed early (at least try) so we can actually survive getting up in the morning, get ready, eat breakfast, take the boys to school, hubby goes off to work, and I will need to seriously need to get down to business. Lots of ideas and goals I have for Makita Studio began to clarify while I was away and I need to stay focused and decide on where I want to take my art this year and the next 5 years, short and long term goals to be exact. :)

So, I hope to get the ball rolling and we'll see where this will go!

xo,

It's That Time Again -- Seattle Bound

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:36:00 +0000

Hello!

Just wanted to share how excited my family and I are to be getting on board a plane to one of our most favorite places on earth! Seattle is our home away from home. We love the Pacific Northwest and cannot wait to enjoy much needed time as a family there. It will be our 5th time traveling to Seattle, 4 out of 5 of those times were with our boys. Spring and Summer are usually the best times to go if you want to avoid all the rain, but its because of their rainfall, that Washington is such a heavenly green and so beautiful if you are like us, who love nature and the great outdoors. We also have friends and family that have come to expect us to visit almost every year, making us feel all the welcome. Yes, coffee is definitely a huge factor to why it is indeed one of the reasons that has made it a place we can call home. Seattle's Best, Starbucks, Peets are everrrrywhere!

Our agenda not only includes our usual hot spots like the Seattle Center, Pike's Place Market, and the surrounding neighborhoods, but also we hope to make it to their annual Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley, the Snoqualmie Falls, and maybe Mt. Rainier. :)

I hope to take lots of photos and if you'd like to keep up with live photo updates, please be sure to follow me on Twitter: @dahliaco or Instagram: dahliaco

xoxo

HOME IS WHERE YOUR STORY BEGINS

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:54:00 +0000

HAPPY MONDAY!!

I hope you all had a great weekend!

HOME IS WHERE YOUR STORY BEGINS

Just a several months ago, 6 to be exact, was when we suddenly realized we couldn't keep our home and had moved into a new place just in November of last year. A few weeks ago, we finally completed the process of selling our home to the new owners and said our last goodbyes to the place we loved so much. Having had this all happen in such a short amount of time has not only brought us through some really desperate circumstances, but also has given us a new perspective on life and in our faith. I wish I could begin to tell you in detail, all the moments that my husband and I have suffered such deep sorrow, emotional pain, stress, and a kind of fear that almost seemed paralyzing, yet only drove us to push ourselves beyond the limits to believe and place our trust in God. By His love and grace, we have seen miracles take place and have felt His love through the darkest moments. If I can describe how it felt, I would say it was almost like losing someone you loved dearly or having to let go and leave behind a truly special friendship. I know that there are much more painful experiences that people go through that cannot compare to this, so I can't truly complain that this wasn't like losing someone special to us and that it was just something material. The impact of this experience however, has really shown us how we are not invincible to life's challenges, no matter how big or small, nothing is promised forever on earth. Sometimes we have to let go. Sometimes we have to lose something, to gain something. Sometimes we need to be uprooted, to be planted somewhere else in order to grow...

The picture above is of a paper weight I saw at World Market. My husband and I actually purchased it as a gift to the new homeowners who bought our home. It was our way of just making them feel welcome to a home that has been in the family for 3 decades where our lives have been blessed throughout those years. We wanted them to know how that home has been a beautiful place that holds so many wonderful memories for our family and that we wish the same for them....

Right now, we are starting to finally pick the pieces, dust off all the negative emotions, and taking it one day at a time. Already, we have found so many reasons that confirms how our move led us to this new place, which we would not have imagined would happen if we never moved. The blessings that have been flowing into our lives and the doors that have opened up to us is unbelievable. And of course, it is all because of how much my faith has grown due to having gone through the storms of life. It's a NEW SEASON... hopefully to prosper and gain new opportunities in both our creative and personal ambitions.

xoxo,

iPhoneography Inspiration To Paint

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 07:35:00 +0000

Last night, I was going through my iPhone photos and kept coming back to this photo I took of the blooming Cherry Blossoms that are starting to make its appearance everywhere. I love the colors of the pink and white against the blue sky. It is so gorgeous.... Spring is definitely in the air and I cannot wait to see more signs of spring reveal itself as we begin to see flowers in bloom and hopefully more sunshine... Because this girl needs me some SUN and I'm so looking forward to feeling its warmth up here in Northern California.

Spring, just come now already!!!

Anyways, onto what I was saying.... with Instagram and my latest favorite photo app, Tadaa, photos are instantly turned into works of art. I love playing around with the filter affects and making colors pop or give it that retro affect. If you think about it, long gone are those days when cell phones were merely used for just calling peeps, but now its used for almost everything from email, shopping, social media, planning, listening to music, watching videos.... my goodness, technology has definitely changed and evolved. But, I absolutely love the fact that smart phones have the ability to transform into a camera or video recorder. NOW, that is such a huge breakthrough for us photo geeks.:)

One thing I knew I had to do when I came across the photo above was to paint it and practice my still life painting skills. I came across another artist on Instagram--@bettyann--who has truly inspired me to learn this other concept of painting. I'm sure there are many still life artists out there who are amazing, but seeing this lady's work led me to give my hand a try at it... Betty, if you're reading, thank you for inspiring me :)

Down below is my painted picture of Spring Blossoms using Caran d' Ache Neocolor II crayons and a water brush pen and that's it. I lightly sketched out the branches and from there I painted the flowers first, then branches, and then filled in the blue sky last. I wasn't sure how it would turn out as I randomly painted the blooms with no predetermined idea of how to do it. Everything just flowed so freely, something that doesn't happen too often as I'd like. To me, although it may not seem like a big thing, it's a pretty huge accomplishment. Yay! So, here's to my first watercolor still life painting in my art journal! I have lots of practicing to do and as I go about life, I'm going to keep my eyes open and will continue to be inspired by the beauty around me and paint, paint, paint...

When In Doubt, Sketch It Out...

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:24:00 +0000

There are days when I know exactly what I want to work on, whether it be a page in my art journal or a project assignment, but there are a lot of days in between when I lack the motivation or the creativity to work on anything. Lately, I've been lacking time and energy with so many changes going on in my personal life plus the fact that my boys have a whole week off from school for President's Week. Yet, I know that if I don't do something creative every day, it will get harder to get that groove back and perhaps lose focus on the goals I had set out to achieve at the beginning of 2012. Yeah, you know how they say that "Life gets in the way." I've made that same excuse so many times over the course of my creative journey and always find myself regretting that I had given up so easily. So, what was my solution?

SKETCH. DOODLE. DRAW.

Yes, I love to paint with abandonment and make a mess in my art studio. Yes, I do love the feel of dried paint on my hands and getting my clothes dirty. I love that feeling of being a child at play, without any reservations of trying so hard not to make any mistakes. But, who says you can't bring some of your work to bed? :)

Lately, I have been keeping a sketchbook, watercolor crayons, pitt artist pens, china marker, charcoal pencils, and a water brush pen. Then as I wind down from the day, usually around 10:30pm, I take that time to doodle and draw. If I'm still feeling up to it, I'll add some watercolor. I can go to sleep at night knowing that I haven't neglected that gift that is so special to me. The gift of being an artist. That gift that I have forgotten about for so long since my teenage years and finally found again. I realize that when we have a special gift or talent, no matter how much we forget or neglect it, it will always come back to you and offer you another chance to nurture and protect it. I know that now and I believe it will be here to stay for good. :) Thanks to Jeanne Oliver's workshop--Creatively Made--for opening my eyes to this.

***

Little Artists

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0000

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."

Pablo Picasso

***

My youngest niece, Ava, coloring with crayons.

My niece, Arielle, drawing with me and creating Valentine's art.

Arielle drawing a big heart for her Mama.

Coloring in action.

Love this sweetie!

Asia, whom I call my Little Shadow, and I.

Lucas got messy with Mommy's spray inks, paints and stencils.

Josiah also got to create his very first mixed media page using spray inks, paints, and stencils.

***

I enjoy creating with my kids and nieces. It gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment to why I love being an artist. I not only enjoy being creative, but I also discovered that I enjoy teaching art as well. Hopefully, this journey will lead me one day to teach the youth to explore their creative gifts and grow as their own individual artists. It's a lot to hope for, but I believe deep down that it's where my destiny truly lies.

xoxo,

Love Day Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:30:00 +0000

Love Day Recap

I know it's a week later and Valentine's Day has come and gone, but I just wanted to share a recap of the highlights of last week and to serve as a reminder to myself of how special it was.

I Heart Cheesecake | Discovered this lovely bakery in San Carlos, CA called Zest Bakery. All their goods are either gluten free and/or vegan. Love that!!!

This one is a Blueberry Cheesecake. Delicious!!!

My first time trying a Vegan Chocolate Cupcake + the verdict is out of this world. I am definitely going back for these....

My own homemade, fresh baked, Chocolate Chip Cookies....Shaped in a heart of course :)

Picked up my youngest, Lucas, from Kindergarten and was excited to find him all covered up in this heart shaped paper decorated by him.

I decided to make handmade cards for my boys with a handwritten message of how much they mean to me. It's the beginning of a new tradition....

Josiah, who is now reading like a pro, reads it aloud. Such a sweet moment....

My oldest with his first Valentine's Card from Mommy

Lucas, my youngest baby, doesn't quite know how to read yet, but as I read it to him, I saw his eyes light up with joy to hear my words of affirmation and love for him.

Lucas hugs his card.

***

Happy 83rd Birthday Great Lola

Another year to celebrate this woman that is who we call 'Lola' which means grandmother in Filipino. She is 83 years old and is still full of so much life, love, and faith. We no longer live in the same home, but there is no distance in our love for her. We visit her every week, cherishing her presence as much as we can and bringing her joy through my boys, her great grandchildren, which helps to keep her living life to the fullest.

Lolo (grandfather) is 90 years old, but don't be fooled because he has the energy and strength of a 20 year old. He still has his license and drives around wherever he pleases. All those morning oatmeal and banana breakfasts, soups with vegetables and fish, definitely has a lot to do with it. This photo is special because Lucas and Lolo have such a special bond. He always hugs him close and says that he wants Lucas to stay with him...

For Lola's birthday, Lucas gave his "heart" to his great grandmother and he is showing her that he knows how to spell his name.

Lola with her great grandkids + my niece Arielle.

Every little kiss I can get from my kids is a gift that I cherish. I love being my kids' Mom and will never take these little moments for granted.

Lucas, is starting to learn how to write and this precious note is hanging on my fridge. I think I'm going to frame this for sure.....

***

As for my husband and I, we didn't have any time together alone since it was on a weekday and we wanted to spend it with Lola for her birthday. But, we do have a date night planned very soon. :)

Hope your Valentine's Day was special!

xoxo,

He{Art) QOTD : Beautiful People

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:31:00 +0000

Beautiful people do not just happen....

Beauty is skin deep as the saying goes, but reading this made me think a little more about what that saying truly means. It's goes deeper than just beneath the surface... I firmly believe that true beauty comes from deep down in the corners of your heart. I have alway admired beautiful people on the outside, but it's those who have really impacted me with their life stories, their sufferings and the ability to rise up and fight, who I've come to admire and appreciate the most about a person. Having said that, I hope I can reflect that beauty of compassion, love, and humility as I face my own trials and triumphs. Some of the most beautiful people I know have been very instrumental in helping me understand that life is a journey, it's an ongoing process where we go through many cycles of seasons and changes and sometimes we are meant to be broken in order to put our lives back together again... So next time you are struggling or going through a difficult time in your life, remember that its building your character and molding you into something beautiful... I hope this quote will be a continuous reminder that TRUE BEAUTY lies deep within each and everyone one of us...

{Instagram} January Photo Challenge Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:50:00 +0000

Instagram Photo Challenge :: January 2012

Just a recap of my Instagrams for the monthly photo challenge that I'm following along. The challenges are curated by this wonderful lady, Chantelle, over at Fat Mum Slim. Not only am I doing this for myself, but I'm really enjoying the plethora of Instragram photos from people all over the globe as they share their takes on the daily challenges as well. What makes it even better is having a few of my close friends and family taking on the challenge as well.

Here is my month of January. If you're wondering how I created this mosaic, I used this wonderful site called Big Huge Labs (FREE to join by the way) that will create a mosaic of your photos depending on how many rows or columns you prefer. But first, I had all my photos uploaded to Flickr in a individual set and that is where I sourced my photos from. Then, I chose the option to save it to my computer and added the text through Photoshop which I'm sure you could do through any photo editing program. And VOILA!

1. self portrait 2. breakfast 3. what I Adore 4. letterbox 5. something i wore 6. what makes me smile 7. favorite 8. my sky

9. daily routine 10. childhood 11. where i [used] to sleep 12. close up 13. in my bag 14. what i'm reading

15. happiness 16. morning 17. water 18. something bought 19. sweet 20. someone i love 21. reflections

22. shoes 23. something old 24. guilty pleasures 25. something i made 26. color 27. lunch 28. light

29. inside my fridge 30. nature 31. self portrait again

If you'd like to join in and follow me on Instagram, my username is under 'dahliaco'

A He{ART} Journal To Remember

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:48:00 +0000

After our recent move, it's funny how things turn up that were buried under so much clutter. As we are finally getting settled in our new home, I had to share this journal of mine. It's not your typical diary that was a written by one person. It belongs to both my husband and I. It is more like letters that we wrote to one another prior to our engagement. Our thoughts and feelings were poured out through words and inscriptions over a span of 3 years. Sometimes we added memorabilia or personal things like ticket stubs, sketches, colorings, stickers, etc. It turns out, as I realize more now than before, that this may be my very first 'art journal' so to speak. Emotions that we felt often displayed the colors that it reflected like when we argued or when we were happy. It was also a place where we could express ourselves creatively, making our relationship grow in ways unimaginable. Even though we could talk and laugh for hours on end, this journal was a more intimate way of conversation through artistic expression such as poetry, lyrics, and colors. Very sacred, indeed. I hope this will always be part of our legacy to our children and the future generations of our family... It holds such a valuable purpose to teach that real love is not perfect, but it also keeps no record of wrongs and is not bound by material or worldly things, but by trust, honesty, and unconditional love that God has placed in us, especially with those who are close to our hearts...

***

I always had a deep fascination for butterflies, the beauty of transformation is astoundingly amazing.

A glimpse of our back to back letters to each other in our journal...

A drawing that I drew of my dream home by the ocean....

Pressed flowers that my hubby used to decorate one of his pages...

A rough sketch of a photo of us. It was my documentation of when he was seeing me off at the airport. I left for a month to Hawaii to visit my sister...

He drew my name, graffiti style...

Lots of color and writing....

We were down to the very last pages of this journal and this is where he proposed to me....

And of course I said... YES!!

And its been 8 years since we got married and we are living happily ever after....

This is our purpose: To Love Each Other So Other Purposes Will Be Fulfilled

{Doodles Unleashed} Stylized Faces | SHE Knew...

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:59:00 +0000

Hello!

Gah... This last week, my son and I got sick with the flu :( Hence, my long absence and lack of motivation to create... But, thank goodness we are recovering and life is slowly getting back to normal.

Just want to briefly share my final project from the last two lessons of Traci Bautista's Doodle Unleashed workshop at Strathmore. It was definitely a fun class and enjoyed every minute of it! The last two lessons were about preparing and painting a stylized face on a doodled background. I must say, I am not the best at painting faces and feel like I have a lot to work on, but overall I thought I did pretty good for an amateur. :)

I totally forgot to take photos during the whole process of creating this page so I only have photos of the final outcome. I did follow along in Traci's videos using some of her techniques so if it's not too late for you to join the workshop, you can register and still see all the videos. I hope this inspires you and if you like what you see, please leave me a comment! No harsh criticism, k? LOL.

{Doodles Unleashed Workshop}

Stylized Faces

SHE KNEW....

"She was stronger than She thought She was."

Flower power.

"SHE finally knew who she was meant to BE."

EYES.

LIPS.

FACE.

Layers and layers...

TRANSFORMED.

{CREATIVELY MADE} Week One : Altered Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:02:00 +0000

{CREATIVELY MADE WITH JEANNE OLIVER}

WEEK ONE: Altered Journal Cover

Just letting you peek on my current project for Creatively Made, workshop by Jeanne Oliver. The first week has really been amazing as I watched some of the videos from Jeanne sharing some of her wisdom and insight about the creative gifts that have been instilled in us. I sometimes had moments where I would choke up and feel like crying because a lot of her messages were very relational to what I had gone through as I began my journey towards discovering my dreams and desires to become an artist. The challenges of balancing life with family, to overcoming fears about finding my purpose in what I do, to not giving up on the dreams I have for myself and family and some of the realities that she and many women struggle with, was very encouraging and eye-opening that it taught me the importance of finding that voice in ourselves and connecting with the God-given gifts that was placed in us. We all have a gift and it is to inspire and bless, not only ourselves, but to inspire and bless others. One thing that really resonated in my heart, was her insight that our gifts and creativity, will always be in line with our family values and dynamics, it will never oppose and conflict with what's important to our family. Simply an amazing revelation, at least to me. It just felt so good to have that affirmation that I am not alone. Hearing her stories, as well as the stories shared by everyone in the class, has been such a blessing to me so far and really uplifted my spirit and soul in an immeasurable way.

***

We had already finished Week Two, but I am still behind in creating an Altered Journal cover from Week One's lesson. I had such a busy week that I couldn't begin on it right away, but I am determined to work on it and finish at my own pace.

I spent today looking through magazines and found some clippings of words, quotes, titles, and also images of models and cool backgrounds, like the peacock feathers which I love. This is my first time actually doing a mixed media collage using cut outs from magazines, so I'm not that familiar with this technique, but I'm really excited to finally experiment with it and see how it turns out.

So, here is a peek at what I've done midway, using this lady that I cut out from a magazine ad, ephemera, acrylic paints, stickers, rubber stamps, and a butterfly die cut. Will share more details on that once I complete this project. :)

I'm about to leave to watch the Niners playoff game, so this is going to be sitting on my table until I get back! Woot, woot!!

GO NINERS!!!!!!

Doodles Unleashed : Inspired By Traci Bautista

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:39:00 +0000

Traci Bautista's Doodles Unleashed online workshop is a free class on Strathmore's website that I am currently taking and because I've been so inspired by her work already, it was a great chance for me to get to know Traci and learn from her. Doodling comes so naturally to me already which is why I was so excited to join in and I'm so glad I did because I am having so much fun with it. So far, I've created a few pieces from the last two lessons that were posted and wanted to share my take on them as I applied some of her cool techniques in my art work. There are two more weeks of her workshop and I will also be posting about that as well, so don't forget to come back and check out my blog!

***

Lesson 1: Playful Printmaking

In lesson 1, it was about printmaking and creating doodles shapes for the background, but I didn't really create too many doodles because I was more focused on creating a theme for an art journal page and wanted to incorporate a title as you can see above and some writing onto the page. However, I did love this lesson because one of my favorite things to doodle, are flowers and botanicals.

Dream: "Never let go of your dreams...you and only you can live out your dreams."

One of the dreams I have is to 'write a book' and to 'teach'.

I know that these dreams can bloom, grow, and flourish if I hold on and never give up.

I used a white gel pen to journal with, but Traci has a list of her favorite white ink pens + markers on her blog which I want to try out in the future.

As I was experimenting with letters, the letter 'd' was actually not freehanded like the rest of the word. I used a chipboard letter as a mask when I sprayed ink over it and then traced and painted it. I think I will do that with all the letters next time to give it a more cleaner look... But, it is what it is and that's okay :)

***

Lesson 2: Creating Spontaneous Watercolor Backgrounds

Lesson 2, was all about playing with watercolor and creating watercolor backgrounds with doodles and stamps. I particularly LOVED this lesson since I primarily work with acrylics in my art and never really use watercolors very much. But, I think this class turned it all around for me and I absolutely love the whimsical, dreamy feel to this project. I used watered down acrylics and watercolor crayons.

I BELIEVE I CAN FLY

I used a butterfly rubber stamp and inked it up with my paintbrush, being careful to not mix the colors on the rubber stamp before applying it onto the page. It came out beautifully.... When everything was dry, I went in and added some detail with a white gel pen and black india ink pen.

Of course, I had to add journaling... "With God all things are possible."

Hand painted the words with watercolor took some practice.

Used a round metal cap to add circles. Then journaled, "Spread your wings and fly away."

Close up on the butterfly.

I went in and splattered paint in different colors...

The splatters left a trail in the right place which I think gave the butterfly a sense of movement and direction.

THANKS to Traci for being an amazing inspiration to the art community. Looking forward to creating a stylized face in the remaining lessons of Doodles Unleashed online workshop :)

Japantown in SF :: Treasury of Cool Art Finds

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:04:00 +0000

Last weekend, my family and I spent a few hours downtown and originally, we only set out to visit one of my hubby's favorite places on earth, The Guitar Center. He and my eldest son, Josiah, are musically gifted and love spending hours in there playing guitar, drums, keyboard, etc. My youngest, Lucas, is more like me and loves anything colorful and artsy. So while they spent time doing their thing, I grabbed out my smartphone and browsed through the Yelp app for art and craft stores nearby. Surprisingly, I didn't realize that Japantown was just a 10 minute walk away, so Lucas and I set out on our little adventure.... Luckily, the weather has been really beautiful in our neck of the woods, sunny and mild, a little strange for winter, but I am not complaining!

When we get there, we take a moment to take a break and sit in the center of Japantown where they have one of their popular attractions -- The Peace Pagoda. Usually in the spring, the cherry blossoms are in bloom everywhere. Every year, thousands travel to Japantown for their annual event--Cherry Blossom Festival--celebrating the Japanese culture, traditions, and diversity. Spring is just around the corner, so I am hoping to make it out here this year....

This is inside the Miyako Mall, Peace Plaza.

Strolled into Ichiban Kan, a Japanese Dollar Store, and saw these poster markers that were 2 for $1. Used them on a project that I will post about soon.:)

Next we walked over to Daiso Japan, another Japanese discount store where almost everything is $1.50. I absolutely adore it here. They sell everything from household, kitchen, hardware, stationary, art, gifts, food, and more. Sometimes I'll find the most unique items that you would've never thought was invented. Sooooo cool. This location is one of the biggest stores I've been too and has more products than the one closer to home.

So, my first cool find is this foam placemat. Look at those details and can you guess what I am thinking of using this for?? A stencil mask!! I would probably cut it up to use on different sized projects, but I already know it would really fun to play around with it...

Then walking down their craft aisle, they have washi tapes, decorative ribbons, gift bags then I spotted these Lace Border Tapes... I am already imagining the uses for these on my art journals and canvases. I love the designs, especially the black lace.

In the art aisle, the have tubes of acrylic paint in so many colors... I don't know if the quality is any good being that they are cheap, but I think it would be great to have on hand to play around with and incorporate it with other mediums.

Paintbrush packs, carving tools, drawing accessories, inks, palettes, etc... Very basic stuff, but affordable if you are on a budget. Love it!

Origami papers in so many pretty patterns. Yummy!

When I wandered by this end cap, I had to stop. These stationary packs with papers, envelopes, and stickers brought back memories of my childhood. Though they are not Hello Kitty or Sanrio, I remembered how I loved collecting these and pretending to play office with them or simply to just have and write letters or make cards.

***

Kinokuniya Book Stores are just one of those places that I immediately fall in love with, mainly because I love books AND secondly, I love their Japanese collections of art and design books, magazines, and stationary. It's heaven!

Here is a whole table spread of artsy journals and notebooks.

I love the doodled design and the simple words-- I WRITE.

This face covered the entire front of a notebook. It totally caught my eye, kinda mysterious like me.

Here is where I can stand for hours just browsing through the art eye candy of graphic and print designs.

In their craft section, there are tons of instruction books on drawing, painting, ceramic and textile arts, etc. But they were all printed in Japanese.... One of my goals: Learn to read, write, speak Japanese!

Well, these are just a few of so many artful and creative finds that I discovered during my impromptu visit to Japantown. I can't wait to go back!

I've been thinking that maybe I can start a series of posts relating to creating mixed media or art and craft projects, using items we may already have at home or by purchasing affordable and inexpensive art tools, mediums, innovative supplies etc. Hopefully, I can encourage and teach others out there who want to learn mixed media, but are on a tight budget like myself.

Let me know what you think????

2012 Round Up : Art Journal + Mixed Media Workshops Galore

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:56:00 +0000

I will be participating and learning in this truly inspirational, 4-week workshop by Jeanne Oliver -- Creatively Made, beginning today, Monday, January 9th. After watching her intro video regarding the e-course, I just knew I had to take her class. So excited to begin this journey into learning and growing, but also how it relates to my spiritual journey as well. My goal is to really reflect my faith and the wisdom I have learned through my experiences, within my art and writing. So, this workshop is going to be something that will spark my creativity in that sense. I will definitely be posting about the entire process as I am learning from Jeanne, on my blog, so please don't miss out and check back often....

Also, I am being totally overwhelmed with so many other workshops being opened up in 2012 that I am anxious to be a part of. But, I really, really, really don't think it's within my budget especially with so many financial obligations that I am facing at the moment. It is so tough right now, but I have faith that things will work out once my hubby and I can begin to really focus on our photography biz and hopefully our individual passions with his plant nursery (which you can learn more about here.) and my artwork. Of course, I can't help but feel discouraged and a little apprehensive that what if it doesn't work out or maybe we can't be successful like others?!? That mindset needs to STOP. I need to remember that if others can make it, so can I. I have to try, I have to work hard, and I have to keep believing... With the adversities that I am facing at the moment, the setbacks and disappointments, the lack of finances, all these obstacles can easily deter me from reaching my dream and achieving my goals. However, it only pushes my limits to work with what I have and challenges me to take some chances on working hard at it or opening up an ETSY shop (currently under construction) perhaps? But, do I have the confidence and the determination to? I think so... wait, I BELIEVE SO...(gotta have faith, right?) I have to start somewhere and find out!

Out of all the workshops that I am dying to take, here are my list so far:

I love Julie Balzer and love her fun blog! Most of all, she is always sharing something new and fresh and so creatively inspiring on her blog in so many aspects of art--mixed media, scrapbooking, stamp carving, quilting, etc. Seriously, there isn't anything this woman can't do, she is LEGIT! And being a rubber stamp addict since a little girl, I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to hear that she has this course available!

***

Christy Tomlinson has been a vital part of my creative journey since day one of my mixed-media adventure... I don't know where I'd be without her presence in this world! She is genuine, sweet, honest, and full of creative inspiration! My first workshop was She Had Three Hearts which I took last year and it has literally changed my life. This year she has a new type of workshop -- The Art of Wild Abandonment -- is one which she will be co-hosting with some her favorite artists. This one is with Junelle Jacobsen and from the looks of it, I am dying to learn from her! You can learn more about Junelle, here.

***

Okay, now at first I was thinking that this workshop only involved one person teaching 21 secrets, but lo and behold, there are 21 of some of the most talented, professional artists... All contributing their unique approaches and creative techniques to help broaden and grow your skills. Talk about creativity overload! This is the 3rd annual 21 Secrets online course hosted by Connie Hozvicka of Dirty Footrpints Studio. More details about it here.

***

Alisa Burke, is phenomenal. Enough said. Love her style. Its eccentric and lively, full of color and her expertise with sketching and doodles is out of this world. I feel giddy whenever I see her work, especially her graffiti style art. I wanna be like her when I grow up! Ha! Definitely going to take advantage of her courses this year, one way or another, even if means I need to save my pennies.

This is one of her online classes that recently opened up January 1st-- CREATE DAILY. :)

It is a course that will help incorporate simple ideas and prompts to get creative every day for 30 days and exercises that should jump start our habits and instill some creativity in our daily routine despite our busy schedules. Something I know happens to myself with the many priorities and responsibilities that comes with being a mom and wife. I love that I can relate to her approach for this course, because I know that it can be so easy to get caught up in life in general and be too busy to create to feed our creative souls.

***

Traci Bautista, is more than just an artist... She is a creative entrepreneur, author, teacher, just an overall amazing person. I can totally identify with her style because growing up a city girl, I have always been a lover of graffiti and street art, which I immediately knew that when I saw her work, I connected with it in a strong way. I love her sense of boldness in her use of colors and dimensional shapes and colors. It blows me away! Although she has several amazing online workshops available, her current release is one catered to those, like me, who want to really take our art and make it a successful creative business. I am totally inspired and motivated to really make what I do as my life's work, my career, my calling... If I'm going to begin towards that path, I know I can't just do it blindly. Big steps like this, need guidance and direction and who else is more than qualified than one who has been highly regarded and successful in this industry... So, if possible, I really hope to take this DREAM BIG 2012 course from Traci and make 2012 all about making my DREAM COME TRUE.

**She currently has a FREE online video workshop along with a few other artists over on the Strathmore website, and registration is now open**

***

And if I could travel, INSPIRED WORKSHOPS would be the ultimate workshop retreat that I would absolutely LOVE to go to because who does not love Donna Downey? I have been secretly admiring her work for the very longest time, since my pre-mixed media scrapbooking days. This woman is insanely one of the most gifted peeps in the industry... I've always heard and dreamed of going to one of her Inspired workshops located in Donna's very own studio not to mention be surrounded by other creatives like myself in one setting. Donna is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. It's an entire weekend of mixed media and art journaling with a limited number of 20 students and these workshops usually are sold out super quick! For this year, it will be for the weekends of April 19-22 and November 8-11 in North Carolina. I'm probably guessing that it will be sold out soon like it usually does, but if I suddenly have the means and the provisions to go, I am jumping on this for sure, probably more towards the November class. Anyone else going???

***

CREATE | MIXED MEDIA RETREAT is another event coming up for May 30-June 3, but this time much closer to me!!!! Irvine, CA is down south from where I am and is only a 5 hour drive from where I live. So, I don't see why I can't make it to this one. What is so cool about it is that you can select the workshops you would like to take on the given day and also by the instructor that you'd like to learn from. One very unique class that I am longing to learn is BOOKMAKING. You know, it would be so incredible if I could learn how to effectively bind my own art journals or even create them for others! I'm going to have to bug my hubby to allow me to leave him with the kids for the weekend!! There is also an Artists' Faire where vendors sell their unique art and crafts. I would love to browse and get a glimpse on how things are set up, network with like-minded entrepreneurs, and be inspired by other artists who have the experience of making their dreams come true. Find out more details about this retreat, here.

***

Okay!! Well, I know there are probably many more workshops, classes, and retreats out there to choose from and I'm sure there are lots of inspirational artists that are wonderful teachers, but I wanted to share ones that I have been inspired to learn from and workshops that I am strongly interested in. I could probably drive myself crazy with wanting to take so many classes and workshops and perhaps drive my husband crazy with wanting to spend all our money, LOL.. So, it's one thing at time for me and hopefully I'll be able to fit some of these into my schedule as the year goes on as I continue to grow and learn new things...

Thanks for reading and letting me share! Hope to meet some of you online or at a retreat in one of these workshops!

He{Art} Canvas | Faith + Hope + Love Revealed

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:35:00 +0000

Materials Used: Gesso, heavy body acrylics, liquitex fluid paint, spray inks, alcohol inks, pan pastels, watercolor crayons, cling stamps, white ink pens, faber castell pitt pens, chipboard letters, fixative spray, and matte UV sealant spray.

A while back, I posted a sneak peek of a art canvas I made for a friend. Actually, it was a request that my lovely friend, Juby , wanted to give to her sweetheart, Mark, a mutual friend of mine as well, as a surprise present for Christmas. When she contacted me about it, I was really surprised and of course happy that someone totally unexpected even considered my work. As a newbie who has only been doing this for several months, it really helped motivate me to keep doing my best in all that I create and not be so caught up on trying so hard to be perfect or exactly like other artists. With each project, I can begin to define my signature style and learn what unique methods or techniques I am comfortable with. Not to say, that I won't try out new ones because I am always eager to keep learning new things, but at least I can have a basic feel of what makes me who I am when it comes to my art.

Fast forward three months later, I was able to finally hand this gift to them and it really uplifted my heart to know that my work is truly appreciated. Mark has a strong connection to the verse in Corinthians 13:13 and has found a deep desire to live his life according to "Faith, Hope, and Love". So, Juby was very thoughtful in giving him something very precious and meaningful to him... So sweeeeet!!!

In the canvas, I didn't put those words in the exact order, but I ended up centering 'Love' as the main focus. I really love this piece, in fact, it's one of my favorites so far. I absolutely love the colors and the texture of background, the graffiti style and grungy feel of the letters and details, and simply because it speaks such a beautiful message.

Although this gift was for someone else, I felt that it was a gift to me as well... It pushed my limits and allowed me the opportunity to experiment and learn to let my creativity go. I seriously want to make another one like it, just for ME <3

Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to share what I've done :) I really hope it inspires you! It's just the beginning!

xoxo,

Happy New Year + Art Journaling Winter Edition 2012 by Somerset Studio

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:09:00 +0000

I know I'm a day late, but just wanted to stop in and wish everyone a

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The holidays have flown by so quickly and I had so much going on with our move and the sale of our old home. It's still on the market and we're still waiting for an offer. We did have a buyer who submitted an offer back in November, but they backed out 2 weeks before the transaction was scheduled to close on 12/30. Talk about being SO disappointed! I was crushed. Yet, I completely understood that they had valid reasons to do whats best for them. So, here we are back to square one. Granted though, we have had a big number of potential buyers showing up over the holidays and there are a few who are saying they are seriously in love with the property... Praying and hoping the right one will come along and follow through!

Financially, we are still finding it a struggle with our 'new' home and the limited income we have. It's funny, how after donating, recycling, and dumping so much stuff that we used to have during our move, we now are living SIMPLY, both within our home and our lifestyle. It has really put a lot into perspective about how we spend our money and how easy it is to fall into debt. This year, we are all about cooking at home, thrift shopping, saving as much as possible, and just finding joy in the littlest things. By the way, Craigslist is such a lifesaver in my opinion :)

Also, my hubby and I are being challenged to finally take the leap of faith to work with what we have--our creative passions and endeavors. My husband has a passion for plants and photography. He went from two small greenhouses at our old property to a 1500 sq ft nursery that is being rented out just down the street from our new location. If you read his story and how his journey always seems to bring him closer and closer to his dream, it dawned on us that it isn't just coincidence that this move has brought us to live literally a block away by this nursery. One day, he is hoping to open up as a public wholesale nursery, a vision he has had for many years. You can read more about his journey on his blog, The Pitcher Plant Project.

For me, our new home is smaller, but it has just the right amount of space for our family. We went from a 5 bedroom to a 3 bedroom house, yet it feels adequate. I love the coziness of having a place that is smaller. And, it also has a pantry with a window which I've turned into my very own ART STUDIO.

It's still in progress, but I already see myself getting busy and ~~working~~ playing in it! So far, I've been working on my goals for 2012 and it has a lot to do with my art and desire to build a business around it. Last year, I finished my background in Graphic Design and then discovered my love for mixed media. Somehow, I look forward to bringing them together and opening up a shop. Possibilities are endless, right? I am always eager to learn and grow my skills as I search for ways to be inspired whether it be through books, online tutorials, joining workshops, and/or being inspired by so many amazing artists. This year, it's all about growing and letting my creativity flow....

Now, for the special news...

I am SO excited to announce that I have a special feature in the current issue of Art Journaling by Somerset Studio. After taking Christy Tomlinson's -- She Had Three Hearts Workshop back in May 2011, I posted my work on Flickr. In August 2011, I received an email to request my artwork for submission, from the Managing Editor, Amber Demien. Oh. Em. Gee.... REALLY?? I was not expecting it at all and was really stunned because I have NEVER been published in any major publication in my entire life! Already a fan of Somerset Studio of Stampington & Company, for the longest time, I remember being at the bookstore reading their books and being inspired to learn, I remember wishfully saying to myself that "one day, I hope to get my work published." Well, that wish definitely came true! It made me realize that maybe I've found my niche, or shall I say my 'calling in life.' Whatever my destiny holds, I know that I will eventually get there if I focus on doing what I love. I know that this is just scratching the surface and who knows what this 'opened door' will lead to. Anything is possible!! So, if you're interested be sure to check it out (I'm on Page 46) when they become available at your nearest major bookstore! I'm still waiting for my copy in the mail and have been checking stores every now and then, but the stores in my area haven't stocked their shelves yet. They are available online, though! If you happen to grab a copy, please don't hesitate to let me know what you think! Thank you in advance for your support :)

What I Will Miss

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:04:00 +0000

Hey guys and gals...

Just a quick a post here. We are at the final stages of moving out of our old home and it's beginning to really sink in... deep. Our last day will be sometime in the end of December. Every day after dropping off my boys to school, I'll come here and little by little, sort and divide all of the little things that we've managed to collect over the years, some very sentimental things, yet some things I'm not so sure why we've held on to for so long. Must be that nasty, old habit of finding security in 'things' when in reality, it holds no real sense of value at all. So, I continue to go through all of our old belongings, I struggle with whether it has enough sentimental value to even keep or give away. Most often than not, I found that there were a lot of possessions that were not significant enough to salvage. Most of what we kept were photos, letters, important documents, and our basic essentials. The rest were just "things" that no longer useful or just took up space and collected dust. It's evident that now we can really start over and live simply. Feels good, I guess to simplify our lives.

Anyways, what I wanted to share was some photos of what I know I WILL miss about this home. And although I have enjoyed so many memories here, I found that my memories will always remain in me, but there's certain things I wish we didn't have to part with...

[Our Fireplace]

[The Sky Light]

[The Dahlia Grove]

[The Mountain View + Sun Valley]

[The Clouds That Flow Over the Mountains]

[The Morning Sunlight]

[Watching Seasons Change]

[The Great Grandparents]

[My Sister-In-Law]

{Life Uncommon by Jewel} | Sounds of Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:47:00 +0000

Hello friends...

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine, regardless of the circumstances, was both special and emotional at the same time, one we will never forget. Last week, we moved all our big furniture and most of our belongings and on Thanksgiving, we spent it cleaning up the new home and arranging everything before our gathering with close family the following day. I usually am full of energy and given that we had no time to plan anything out, I opted to order a pre-cooked turkey and asked my family to bring a potluck dish instead of my usual spread of a home cooked feast of family favorites. Not many pictures were taken this year for lack of motivation. Seriously, I can't even believe that I didn't take one photo except a few with my iPhone... Anyways, having my close loved ones at our new place was comforting. Hearing the laughter echo and to see familiar faces has made me very thankful for the people in my life. I have so much to be grateful for that I can't complain. Moments of despair can truly be a blessing in disguise because it opens your eyes and brings you to reality. It pushes you to your limits where you no longer can rely on your own strength, but on the strength that comes from God and the people he placed in your life to help carry you through your darkest hours, bringing you closer to one another. Once again, I am humbled and forever changed by life's unexpected turns...

This song "Life Uncommon" by Jewel has totally described what I feel and am striving to do and I hope to instill in my soul. Her voice and her message is so empowering that it has moved me to tears every time I listen to it.

To lead a life that is uncommon, takes bravery and courage, hope and faith, and most of all LOVE.

God bless....

Don't worry mother, it'll be alright.
And don't worry, sister, say your prayers and sleep tight.
It'll be fine, lover of mine,
It'll be just fine.
Lend your voices only to sounds of freedom.

No longer lend your strength
to that which you wish to be free from.
Fill your lives with love and bravery,
and you shall lead a live uncommon.

I've heard your anguish;
I've heard your hearts cry out,
"We are tired, we are weary, but we aren't worn out."
Set down your chains, until only faith remains.
Set down your chains,
and lend your voices only to sounds of freedom.

No longer lend your strength
to that which you wish to be free from.
Fill your lives with love and bravery,
and you shall lead a life uncommon.

There are plenty of people who pray for peace
Find more similar lyrics on http://mp3lyrics.com/ffVBut if praying were enough,
it would have come to be.
Let your words enslave no one.
and the heavens will hush themselves to hear
Your voices ring out clear with sounds of freedom.
Sounds of freedom.

Come on, you unbelievers, move out of the way!
There is a new army coming,
and they are armed with faith.
To live, you must give.
Give, and lend your voices only to sounds of freedom.

No longer lend your strength
to that which you wish to be free from.
Fill your lives with love and bravery,
And you shall lead...
Lend your voices only to sounds of freedom.

No longer lend your strength
to that which you wish to be free from.
Fill your lives with love and bravery,
and you shall lead a life uncommon.

Staying True + Thankful

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:56:00 +0000

We're moving along...

Yesterday was the start of our move to the new home... It's a slow process and I'm starting to realize that although its such a huge feat, I can only get things done one day at a time. If I could snap my fingers and have everything in place, that would be awesome, but in reality that is just not going to happen, so be it. Life goes on. Anyways, I am beyond blessed with the amount of support and prayers that friends and family have given me and my family. Its during these difficult times when you begin to see the true colors of those who you know you can trust and rely on. Sometimes, the ones who you deemed to be your closest friends or family are not always going to be there, and sometimes those who you kept at a distance, become the ones who go the extra mile and make the time and effort to show they care. At first, this made it so hard to swallow and accept, maybe stung my heart a little, but either way, I am just humbled and blessed. All that really matters to me, is my FAMILY and that I can choose to continue to love and breathe and just BE. There are more reasons for me to rejoice and be thankful this Thanksgiving than to let petty things take me away from what's most important.

May you all have a blessed THANKSGIVING and continue to reap abundance of blessings through the remainder of this year. Until then, stay true and keep being YOU.

One Love,

Creatively Made With Jeanne Oliver

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:35:00 +0000

Source: jeanneoliverdesigns.com via Dahlia on Pinterest

As you all know, my journey in mixed media began with Christy Tomlinson's --- She Had Three Hearts Workshop. Never did I expect this to take me to places within my heart and soul, that I never knew existed. Today, I opened an email and read about this new e-course, Creatively Made, that Christy has teamed up with Jeanne Oliver of Jeanne Oliver Designs. After watching the video intro, I was completely filled with so much excitement and joy because right now, as you all know, I'm going through such a difficult transition with our move. I so need this and feel that so many of us who are searching for their God-given gifts can really benefit from this course. I know I am. I struggle all the time with my past and emotions that still linger and haunt me. Creativity has alway been one of my strongest antidotes other than my spiritual journey as a Christian. And what has been my most trusted remedy in helping me overcome my struggles and fears, is my FAITH and my ART. I hope that you will join me in this course and together we can discover a deeper understanding of our purpose, our gifts, and the blessings that our past, whether good or bad, has to offer to others in need of the same blessing of hope, faith, and love.

{PINSPIRATION} Be Strong

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:57:00 +0000

Source: a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net via Robyn on Pinterest

Came across this on Pinterest and wanted to share. I love finding strength and courage in things I read. Makes you stop and think. Hope this encourages you!

By the way....

I feel bad that this year, we didn't really find time to be festive for Halloween. Other than my boys dressing up in costumes for their school parade, we just didn't get around to going to the pumpkin patch, carving pumpkins or decorating. So much is going on right now. But, there's always next year.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

xoxo,

He{Art} Canvas | SNEAK PEEK

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:45:00 +0000

::SNEAK PEEK::

He{Art} Canvas | FaithLoveHope

Hey y'all. Just wanted to share a little peek at my latest project. It was inspired by a dear friend. I think it's one of my favorite pieces so far and I cannot wait to share it with you. So stay tuned :)

XOXO,

Pacifica Sunset | Love Is Constant | Family Time

noreply@blogger.com (Dahlia Co) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Late Sunday afternoon, my family and I took a leisure walk by the beach and stayed to watch the sunset. I had been sick all week and wanted to enjoy time with my family. The weather was warm and breezy as it usually is sometimes in late October, which we call Indian Summer. The view of the ocean was so peaceful and serene as the waves were so unusually calm. The sun cast this glow that made the entire ocean look golden. It was simply beautiful.

As the sun lowered in the horizon, I thought about how the sun sets and rises every single day. We know that when night comes, that the morning is inevitably going to come the next day. It reminded me of two things. One, how some things in life are CONSTANT, even when a lot of things seem to change. Time is constant. The sun and moon are constant. The waves are constant. And it soon made me realize how so many times, through so many seasons that I've gone through, God's love has always remained constant. So whatever seasons I go through, I know that nothing can change His love for me. Secondly, I was reminded that every day is a NEW day. The moment the sun goes down, I have to try my best to leave my past troubles or worries behind, and start the next day with a new and fresh attitude that I can make it a better day. I know, it's never that easy to do and I may not always accomplish it, but sometimes when I stop to look at the world around me and the wisdom that comes from His creation, I can't help but to remember to live each day as if it were my last. I don't want to waste time, spending my life carrying unnecessary baggage or resentment. I don't want to keep questioning my past and continue to live in regret. I don't want to let life slip by while I'm too hung up on feeling sorry for myself or caught up in thinking 'what if' I did this or that. I want to enjoy my life regardless of the disappointments and mistakes that I or other people have made. Each day is a gift and I intend to receive each day as another chance to make better choices and become a better person.

We live and learn. And in everything we go through, we have a loving Father who "works everything out for good, according to His purpose and plan." Wherever the road leads me, I know that if I stumble and fall, I know that I'll find my way back on track again and the Lord will guide me where I need to go, because GOD'S LOVE IS CONSTANT.

[At the cliff side]

[Walk on water = step out in faith]

[Stay Gold]

[Shadows of Time]

[Colors of Heaven]

[Like the sun that rises and sets, His love is CONSTANT]

[PRECIOUS: A Father + Son Moment | My hubby & youngest son, Lucas]

Be Blessed,