Tuesday, November 29, 2011

stronger than i ever knew

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I'm not gonna lie, the last month (actually the last 10 months) have been some of the most challenging times I have yet to experience in my safe (and most of the time happy) little life. Though filled with joy, excitement and fierce love, I have been forced again and again to live and operate so far out of my comfort zone that I am now beginning to get very comfortable being uncomfortable! Up until two years ago I didn't want kids- until then it just didn't feel like it fit into our life plan. Thankfully we had a massive change of heart and the decision to start a family was made. But through the entire experience (because I am a bit neurotic and selfish!) I was worried- not only worried about the physical unknown of being pregnant and then raising a child BUT REALLY worried about what this would mean for me as an artist and an entrepreneur. For years I had spent so much time working towards my goals of being an artist that amidst the joy of welcoming a little one- I was terrified of losing myself in the experience, of losing my desires to be an artist/entrepreneur and even losing my ability to be creative.

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Fast forward to the last month of our dear little Lucy's life....my fears and worries did come true and I did lose myself but not in the way I spent so much time worrying about. Instead I seem to have lost myself to to strange combo of love, selfLESSness, connection, learning and ultimately redefining this new chapter in our lives. While I've had my moments- especially early on- of asking how in the world am I going to do all of this-I just gave in to the newness (something that is not easy when you are neurotic!), the uncomfortable moments and intense emotions and have embraced this new chapter. I've made the decision to make it all work and its ok if things look and feel different.

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Though the last month has presented its challenges I've made the decision that no matter how busy, challenging or time consuming being a mom is, I can and I will hold onto my passion, my creativity and my identity as an artist. In the last month I have strapped little Lucy to my chest, right next to my heart and pushed past the fatigue, the fear, the newness of being a mom and continued to create, to fulfill obligations and redefine this new chapter. I know that continuing to make time for these things will make me a better parent, a balanced person, and an example to my daughter of what it means to pursue your dreams.

This last month has been challenging- making my way through the unchartered waters of parenthood but I have learned that my ability to learn, to adapt, to conquer, to create and to LOVE is stronger than I ever knew.

Monday, November 28, 2011

paper flowers holiday wreath

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I cannot believe the holidays are upon us and this weekend I took some time to start my own preparations. First I worked on creating a wreath- if you have been reading my blog you will know that I really enjoy celebrating the seasons with a handmade wreath like here, here, here and here

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Crafting with book pages are all the rage these days and I love using them to draw and paint on.
I started by drawing a simple flower (inspired by a poinsettia)


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Using watercolors I filled the flowers with color.


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and added details.


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I created lots and lots of pages filled with flowers and leaves.


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Next I cut out all of the flowers and leaves.

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I used a styrofoam wreath and a glue gun and glued the flowers to the surface


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I layered the flowers to create fullness.

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And there you have it! A simple but beautiful handmade wreath using VERY few supplies and $$$!

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And for those of you who don't draw or don't have the time- I've got a holiday flowers paper wreath kit in my shop!

Friday, November 25, 2011

black friday sale!

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I'm having a black friday sale in my shop and I am extending it through the weekend- sale ends Sunday evening!

I've marked down all of my online classes ($10 off)

also notecards, tiles and paper kits have also all been marked down!

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

black friday sale!


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I'm in the midst of preparing my shop and marking prices down for my own Black Friday sale! Stop by on Friday, November 25th!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

haute holidays online class WINNERS!

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Ok it time to announce the three Haute Holidays online class GIVEAWAY winners!

via the Random Number Generator the winners are-

Holly S., Karina and bettyfromtexas

please email me at alisaburke@gmail.com and I will get you all the information for the class

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