So many joyful things to share with you that I’m joining the “Joy Jam” session over at my other site:  “your heART makes a difference”  this week.

I have been soaking up the sun, sea air and relaxed atmosphere in Byron Bay, Australia this week. It’s been over 15 years since I was here last and I have had a wonderful week re-visiting some favourite places and just being.

What made you smile this week?

Join me in sending positive energy out into the world to help make a difference

Many things made me smile this week and here are just 10!:

Sun, sea and surf!

The weekend art and goody market

Long shadows at dusk (something I always remember from Byron)

Jelly Fish along the beach

Finding hearts to rest on

Beach houses & dreams of a coastal art retreat

Afternoon snoozes

Coffee after a long walk along the beach to an old favourite beach house cafe. {The Treehouse}

Full moon on the beach {I posted my February dreamboard here}

AND OF COURSE – My new hat – perfect for relaxing on the beach.

What made you smile or gave you joy this week?

Greetings from the east coast of Australia where I am taking some time out, exploring and just being for a few months. It has been a joy collecting gorgeous images and words to build this months board and I invite all of these new possibilities in over the next moon phase as I continue my travels up the east coast of Australia and head over to New Zealand at the end of February. {I usually love to create my boards in a circle like a mandala, but as the rectangular style is much easier to transport, I’m taking a break from those at the moment!} :-)

This month’s dreamboard is all about:

• Exploring {the external environment and my inner self}
• Unwinding
• Being free
• Being inspired
• Rejuvenating
• Nurturing my creative soul.

Did you create a dreamboard for this full moon?

If so, pop your link to your online image or blog posts in the link section below. You can download a FREE sheet about visionboards here to get started. It’s a lovely creative way to focus in on how you would like to feel and what you’d like to attract over the coming month. I always create mine inbetween the new and full moon every month. {Next new moon is Feb 21st and ill be posting my next dreamboard around the full moon -March 8th}. Please join me.

Cathy and I at the workshop

We did it!  Artist Cathy Kirwan and I facilitated a wonderful afternoon with creative souls at the {Your Awesome Year} Workshop last Saturday January 28th in Melbourne, Australia.

It was so exciting to be co-hosting this inspiring afternoon whilst I am traveling in Australia and a thrill to work with Cathy after we had first met {and last seen each other} over two years ago!

The room was filled with anticipation, curiosity and excitement as we started the day off with a grounding meditation (one of my favourite ways to relax and be present). We then reviewed and celebrated 2011, saying goodbye to what had passed so we could allow new possibilities in. We then spent the afternoon visioning our dreams for 2012 and beyond through visionboarding, a gift exchange and indulging on champagne and cakes!

Participants adding all their 2011 successes to the celebration wall

Visioning our dreams, making vision boards for 2012

I was soooo excited to take some of my tools and techniques from the “Big Dreams, Small Wonders” program and deliver in-person – on the other side of the world.

Visioning dreams through vision boards and dream boards is absolutely one of my passions and to facilitate a group in person again this year {3 years running woohoo!} whilst traveling overseas was a dream come true. I felt so at home in this space, creating an environment in person for others to dream and open up that I just know there are more group events such as this to come.

Here are some of the beautiful souls and their vision boards {I created mine already this year here}. More photos from the day can be found on my flickr set here.

Some of the lovely participants sharing their vision boards for 2012.

To also top it all off, I got to meet lovely Lee Clements and Wini Dougall in person who have been virtual blogging friends.

Are you ready to create Your Awesome Year? Here are a couple of resources from me to help get you started:

1) Download the FREE Vision board fact sheet to create your own vision board for 2012.

2) Purchase and get an instant download of the “Big Dreams, Small Wonders” workbook & planner (also includes a 2012 calendar) only $14.95.

3) Subscribe to my blog to hear about coaching services coming in April/May to help you create your best life this year and beyond.

Wishing you all an amazing year ahead and thank you to Cathy and all who participated.

P.S. I am currently creating my dreamboard for this month and will be posting near to or on the full moon which is Tuesday February 7th. I hope you will join me in collecting images and words of things you’d like to attract into your life this coming month and use the power of the full moon to manifest them. {You can also post your dream board in the flickr group here}

Color inspiration in Jervis bay, Australia

I was so inspired recently whilst visiting lovely artist Tracy Verdugo on my travels in Australia, that I wanted to use one of the photos I took at her beautiful house as our color challenge for February.

I adore green & lavender as they mean nature, balance, spirituality and relaxation to me. I also ADORE the texture on the wall making the lavender shine in the sunlight. Sooooo we are going to mix it up a bit for this month’s challenge!

Here is the color palette and codes {if you wish to use them}

THE CHALLENGE:

• Create something using these vibrant colors with a combination of any of the additional shown above. (you can also include white or black in your creation)
• The colors don’t need to be 100% exact – the codes/numbers are listed for guidance and if you decide to create using a computer, you can grab these codes.
• EXTRA TWIST: Add some extra texture into your creation by using something to print with or simply re-creating a favorite texture (such as a wood grain, leaf print or anything else that comes to mind)
• Share it in the flickr group here
• Pop back here on the 28th where I will share mine. I will then invite you all to post a link to your work or blog post about it all and visit everyone who participated. Read more about the challenge and to sign up here

Some Prompts:

Here are some prompts to help you uncover these colors some more. Feel free to incorporate words or images from these into your work or comment in the comments below.

• How do these colors make you feel?
• What do lavender and green remind you of?
• What are some of the things that come to mind when you see these colors together?

ENJOY! I cant wait to see what you all create!

“I am vibrant” – acrylic on canvas 8×8 inches

YAY to our first Color Challenge of the year – “Tangerine Tango”. I had a lot of fun creating something based on these colors. Click here to read about this challenge.

I created this whilst I was visiting with the lovely Tracy Verdugo at her gorgeous art studio in Jervis Bay. So much fun as we painted and chatted together one sunny afternoon.

Tracy and me after an afternoon of playing in the studio

Below is a series based on the layers I used to create my final piece which is called “I am vibrant”.

How did you feel creating in this wonderfully energetic color?

{Add your comments in the comments section below}

Let’s see what everyone created! Use the linky section below to add a link to your blog post or one of your images in the flickr pool.You can also check out the flickr pool here

Thanks to all who took part this month and the new challenge will be posted on Weds Feb 1st!

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Would you like to explore more about Orange? You can download the individual kit with orange audio visualization, creative exercises and prompts here for only $25. {also includes bonus chakra balance, worksheet and rainbow relaxation audio}

Vision board for 2012

This weekend, my friend and I had so much fun creating our vision boards for the year ahead – just in time for the full moon! I decided to revert back to the traditional rectangle shape for my 2012 board and plan to continue with the mandala’s for the monthly dream boards for 2012.

Every year I host an intentions brunch with my friends in NYC and also a workshop for local dreamers to spend the day visioning. {So excited to be co-hosting a visioning workshop in Melbourne with Cathy Kirwan on 28th Jan), so being able to honor this tradition and process was so nurturing as I am away from home.

I am still working on my big Dream List for 2012 {will share later in January} and will be going through that process with the lovely participants in class {The January session starts TOMORROW YAY}, but some of these are already appearing on the board above. Here is a high level summary that is starting to emerge for 2012, based on my vision board:

• Live a life with less clutter {physically and mentally} – getting back to the basics of who I am {consciousness, artist, spiritual, full of love, self-care, joy etc}
• Attracting moments of romantic love and love in general – soul mates, soul friends and soul families to grow with.
• Living a more simple life that is chilled, renewed and taking specific steps to get there.
• Traveling to Spain, France and Italy – places I have been before, but looking at them with new eyes & opportunities
• Nourishing myself from the inside out through good food, living well and looking after myself.
• Sowing the seeds to begin a new creative journey to learn and grow in the world of surface pattern, design and art.
• Fill my life with color, design and energy – let my true colors shine through.
• Awaken my soul and spirit though more meditation, living in the moment and living a life that feels unlimited.
• Earn as I learn – look for opportunities to work with others to help them achieve their goals and continue to learn myself. Ways to exchange energy through learning, coaching, monetary work and more.

Feng Shui your visions!

Image credit

Many of you may already know how much I love learning about energy through my coaching and other experiences and Feng Shui-ing my own environment is definitely on my 2012 goal list! What was really interesting is that once I had created my board, thanks to my friend Diane – I realized many of the images and placement actually corresponded with the Feng Shui energy map. Diane had just Feng Shui-ed her new apartment so it was fun to see this emerge on our boards also – doing this intuitively! Some may be slightly out, but what a fun way to organize your visions to attract as much energy flow as possible.

Create your own vision board

My friend Diane and her emerging vision board for 2012

How about creating a vision board of your own for the year ahead? You can download this free worksheet from me to get started or take it a step further and go through the full process of letting go of 2011, visioning 2012 and planning your year in the “Big Dreams, Small Wonders” e-course. OR if you are in the Melbourne area on January 28th, you can join Cathy Kirwan, myself and a lovely group of dreamers for a day of visioning and dreaming.

If you have already created a vision board, I’d love to see it. So please post a link in the comments below or pop an image in the flickr group.

Happy Visioning!

Want to review your 2011 with me? Then vision and plan an amazing 2012?

Join us on the January session of Big Dreams, Small Wonders

Starts Monday January 9th, 2012

or

grab the workbook & planner for only £14.95

Love Louise Xx

I am so super excited to announce that the wonderful Cathy Kirwan and I will be hosting a visioning workshop in Melbourne, Australia on Saturday January 28th! So if you are in the Melbourne area, come and join us!

Cathy and I first met at An Artful Journey in February 2012 and sat at the same table creating & chatting. We have been virtual blog friends eversince and when I said I was coming to Melbourne as part of my 3 month adventure, we just knew we had to plan something fun and special to do!

Visioning is a huge part of my “Big Dreams, Small Wonders” class (the January session of class starts on Jan 9th!). I also run a visioning workshop and host an intentions brunch every January in the USA so being able to spend the day with wonderful Cathy and other creative souls in Melbourne visioning an awesome 2012 for us all is amazing!

Are you ready to create Your Awesome Year in 2012?

Vision your dreams and plan an amazing year ahead in this one day in-person workshop.

From the vision board workshop Louise ran in Jan 2011

Join Cathy, myself and a lovely group of creative souls to get 2012 off to a great start. Through visioning, creative exercises, meditations and tools to create “Your Awesome Year”, you will leave the workshop full of ideas, energy and focus. We will use the power of this time between the new & full moon to plant dream seeds and cultivate a plan. Using inspiring tools & techniques to see our dreams & plans unfold in the year ahead.

When: Saturday January 28th, 2012
Time: 12pm – 6.30pm (includes lunch)
Where: CERES Van Raay Centre, Melbourne, Australia

Cost: Full workshop price $125. See below for payment options. Limited places available.

Pay in full here ($125)

Pay in part here ($65) to secure your place

Photo credit – Ceres

The workshop includes:

• A beautiful day at the gorgeous CERES Environmental Park with instruction from Cathy & Louise.
• Guided visualizations and meditations
• A light lunch and sumptuous afternoon tea
• Time to explore, relax and let your dreams unfold
• Reflections on 2011 – celebrating success, farewell to the year
• Affirming ourselves – creating positive messages to carry into the new year
• Creation of your 2012 Vision Board
• A goodie bag of tools & additional resources to take home with you

By the end of the workshop, you will have:

• A clear vision of your dreams and goals for the year ahead.
• Reviewed and celebrated 2011.
• A vision board to pin up at home to inspire you throughout 2012.
• Let go of any negative thoughts or feelings so you can move towards your dreams.
• Met other creative souls to be inspired, share and have fun with.
• Set the wheels in motion to see your dreams become reality in 2012.
• Found your truth, positive affirmations and courage to move forward and make 2012 Your Awesome Year.

What to bring:

• Poster board (A3 or larger)
• A happy photo of yourself (we will use this to attract positive energy on your vision board)
• Glue stick
• Any magazine images, quotes, inspiring words you might have already gathered
• Additional magazines to share and use
• Any additional favourite art materials you may like to use (pens, markers, glitter, stickers) (please note: due to venue restrictions no paints)
• Any snacks or drinks you’d like in addition to what’s provided
• An open heart and mind
• Extra money for any café purchases
• A small item to contribute to a gift exchange (more details in the registration pack)

Payment Options

You have the option of paying in full for the workshop now, or making 2 part-payments, one now to secure your place and the balance in 2 weeks time.  When you click on the register button you will be able to choose the option that suits you best.  Please note all payments must be made in full by Thursday January 19^th 2012.

Join us to make 2012 Your Awesome Year?  Register below

Pay in full here ($125)

Pay in part here ($65) to secure your place

About us

Cathy Kirwan is an artist, writer and dreamer.  She has been dreaming of living a creative life for as long as she can remember and over the last few years has made that dream a reality.  Cathy is a self-taught painter, exhibiting and selling her work in person and online.  She writers regularly at her blog {tinniegirl} and spends her days dreaming big dreams.

Cathy has been facilitating groups and leading personal development workshops for over 20 years.  She is passionate about creating opportunities for others to vision their dreams and live their most authentic lives.

Cathy lives in Melbourne with her partner and two cats, the 3 great loves of her life.

To learn more about Cathy visit www.tinniegirl.com.au or connect on facebook https://www.facebook.com/tinniegirlart or twitter @tinniegirl

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Louise Gale is an artist and life coach, passionate about the energy of our thoughts and how we express ourselves creatively.  For many years, she has been using vision boards, visuals and the law of attraction to realize her own creative dreams.

Louise spends her days painting, exhibiting, coaching and creating programs to help other creative souls identify their passion and find a way to make it a greater part of their daily life. Living a creative life and helping others do the same is Louise’s passion and life purpose.

Louise is from the UK, lives in the USA and is currently traveling Australia and New Zealand, expanding and nourishing her creative spirit.

We cannot wait to vision our dreams to create an Awesome year ahead with you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A few weeks ago, I blogged that Pantone had announced that “Tangerine Tango” is the color for 2012 with this fabulous strapline of ” Dance into the New Year with this vivacious and appealing reddish orange”

So what better way to kick off our challenge and 2012 with this vibrant amazing color. WOOHOO!

On their announcement they say – “Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.”

So lets energize ourselves ready for 2012!

Orange stirs up emotions, promotes creativity and is a very energizing color to kick off the new year. Below is a photo I took in Spain, one of my favorite places for creativity and inspiration to flow!

Are you ready to immerse yourself in Orange?

THE CHALLENGE:

• Create something using this vibrant color with a combination of any of the additional shown above. (you can also include white or black in your creation)
• The colors don’t need to be exact – the codes/numbers are listed for guidance and if you decide to create using a computer, you can grab these codes.
• Share it in the flickr group here
• Pop back here on the 28th where I will share mine. I will then invite you all to post a link to your work or blog post about it all and visit everyone who participated. Read more about the challenge and to sign up here

Some Prompts:

Here are some prompts to help you uncover this color some more. Feel free to incorporate words or images from these into your work or comment below.

• How does this color make you feel?
• What does it remind you of?
• What are some of the things that come to mind when you see the color orange?

***

Would you like to explore more about Orange? You can download the individual kit with orange audio visualization, creative exercises and prompts here for only $25. {also includes bonus chakra balance, worksheet and rainbow relaxation audio}

Enjoy!

Source: behance.net via Tonya on Pinterest

What a year it’s been!

During this time, every year, I love to reflect and review all that the year has brought me. Celebrate successes and let go of any negative feelings so I can move into 2012 with purpose and passion!

Please join me in celebrating 2011. Below is a summary of what I am celebrating and reflecting on from this year. What were your highlights from 2011?

You can also use part 1 of the Big Dreams, Small Wonders Workbook & Planner to work through your review.

January

Launching my first e-course		Published on Design*Sponge		Running a vision board workshop

Other Small Wonders included: Realizing my dream of becoming a creative life coach and signing up for the 9 month iPEC certificate program, taking part in Misty Mawn & Brave Girls e-course, being inspired by pattern & color at PrintSource NYC

February

Color Challenge swap for Feb		Behind the scenes at Etsy			An Artful Journey

Other Small Wonders included: Being photographed & video interviewed by Inc magazine, creating a new art series for my solo exhibition in March, joining the blogging team for The New New art group in NYC, spending time relaxing in San Fran and the Big Sur with the lovely Beth and Juliette, finding my new passion for plaster and wax! woohoo!

March

Exploring plaster			Artwork published on Patti Dighs book			Starting coach training

Other Small Wonders included: Solo show at Klimat for my Blissful Bloom series, writing the extra yummy pieces for the 6 week version of Big Dreams, Small Wonders., being invited to the Nate Berkus show!

April

In memory…of my dad			New website launch			In Etsy article Pg 56. Online article here

Other Small Wonders included: Spring session of Big Dreams, Small Wonders – the new 6 week program began, designing and building my new website, planning and hosting a big Royal Wedding party in NYC.

May

Stories from the universe series			Do what you love retreat			Published in Somerset Studio

Other Small Wonders included: Celebrating my birthday, spending time with family & friends in the UK.

June

Artwalks in London			Celebrating friendship		Inspiration at Storm King arts

Other Small Wonders included: Running a British festival in NYC, taking some time out to relax, having one of my UK best friend visit me.

July

Color Stories Series			New Art from a dream	Helping others discover passion

Other Small Wonders included: My coach certification training is so exciting! I went to Boston to learn about the Energy Leadership Index and got certified in August, adding a “Shop” to my website, finding a new flatmate – YAY! designing and building the new website for my local non-profit art co-op: hob-art.org, creating 8 new pieces for my “Sew Hoboken” exhibit in August, visiting with a close friend in Boston and meeting her 1 year old son for the first time

August

Color Challenge Wrap up!	Drawing at the Beach	Selling out at “Sew Hoboken“

Other Small Wonders included: Relaxing in Spain by the beach for a month, “Sew Hoboken” art exhibition selling out to the museum, Video interview with Elizabeth Harper, launching the Big Dreams, Small Wonders workbook & planner, meditating everyday and doing yoga on the beach and getting certified as an Energy Leadership Mastery Practitioner!

September

Reflections from Spain			HeART weekend			Launching “Color Bliss”

Other Small Wonders included: Artist talk at the museum and creating a virtual exhibition with audio, passing my written coaching exam – woohoo! Selling lots of original art at the Hoboken Arts & Music festival, mum coming to stay, the September session of Big Dreams, Small Wonders started on 19th.

October

Hand-made book heaven			Announcing new heARt movement			New artwork to exhibit

Other Small Wonders included: Running Creative cleanse and chakra balance ecourse and the hot Wax class with Judy Wise.

November

Starting the surface pattern e-course			Patterns and texture			Free gratitude meditation

Other Small Wonders included: Being interviewed for the Surface pattern e-course, taking part in the weekly Joy Jam on “your heART makes a difference“, announcing the new 2012 color challenge.

December

Orange artwork & color for 2012			Home for the holidays			Off on an adventure!

Other Small Wonders included: Seeing friends and family to celebrate Christmas.

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It is so amazing to review the past year. Thank you to all who visit my blog, comment, purchase art & products and take part in this wonderful community of ours. I really could not do all of this without your love and support and friendship.

Wishing you an exciting 2012!

What has 2011 brought you? What were some of your highlights and how are you going to celebrate?

***

Want to review your 2011 with me? Then vision and plan an amazing 2012?

Join us on the January session of Big Dreams, Small Wonders

Starts Monday January 9th, 2012

or

grab the workbook & planner for only £14.95

Love Louise Xx