9 Favourite Feedly Finds

These hit my list of favourites for this week:

1. I love all things 'Pom Pom' and this one came via the lovely blogger KnitNRun4Sanity
2. There's something hauntingly beautiful about these Ink Paintings on old Books via Colossal
3. This earned favourite as it brought my love of threads,nature and texture together via Plays With Needles
4. Tiny Buddha reminded me about the key priority of being kind to myself.
5. This was also found via Plays with Needles although I would have checked it out myself eventually at Chanel You Tube
6. Again haunting and beautiful Powerful Portraits at Bored Panda
7. I've been creating some lace like pieces recently so these images at A Ribbon at A Time were serendipitous 
8. Reconnecting with my mindful self is so much easier with Kind Over Matter
9. And who doesn't love a little Daily Dishonesty

Just some of my favourite finds via my Feedly this week.

What have you found worth sharing?

Namaste

Catherine x

9 Favourite Links

My Favourite Links this Week

1. I love Austin Kleon's books and his observations in his blog
2. Dr Seuss has been a later in life favourite of mine - this was a great find at Booom
3. Some great advice from the Craft Doctor via Design Council
4. I'm not usually one for bug love but these little critters highlighted on Colossal are cute
5. I love looking at other people's notebooks Alisa Burke's is always worth a look
6. It's a little chilly here and this Ice and Snow Art found at demilked is amazing
7. I'm loving the idea of creating this light from Poofy Cheeks found via Craftgawker
8. The Free Friday tutorials on Craftsy are great I see this collar in my future
9. I love quotes and the pins chosen by Jammy Dodger are among my favourites

What have you found worth sharing this week?

Namaste

Catherine

DIY Challenge - YARN

A Meditative Art Piece - An ideal Handmade Gift - in my Etsy Shop

Last week I told you that I want to take part in some Creative Challenges this year and I'm using the above piece as my entry to the first month in the DIY Challenge at Adventures in Making.

The theme is YARN and I loved the depth and texture the cream yarn brought to this canvas.  I created the letters with a crochet chain base and then used a close knit blanket stitch to cover the chains.  I took my favourite colour, blue, in acrylic and created an ombre effect shading.  I love the resulting calming oceanic effect.

And so, I'm off to post my details off to Rachel at Adventures in Making, and a hop over to Handmade Harbour and check out what lots of other lovely creatives have been up to.

Here's to a Creative Week ahead, and hopefully not too much snow.

Namaste

Catherine

9 of My Favourite Things

I had amassed a fair collection of good stuff on my Feedly Feed towards the end of 2014 and have finally worked my way through it all and am planning to make Tuesday the day I share some of the goodness with you.

Traditionally a day for Treasuries, especially if you are an Etsy Buddy I thought I'd stretch the Creative Net a little wider and create my own little Cube of Creative Goodness.

My first set of stars are:

1. Aaron Draplin - Got to agree with Bobby Solomon @TheFoxisBlack, a great designer and a great video here too.
2. Aurora Borealis - this is a dream visit of mine,  and the pics on Bored Panda make me want to visit all the more.
3. The inspiration and tutorials on Graftgawker are amazing and well worth a look.
4. Nicole Jenkins at Circa Vintage is great for sharing the beauty and knowledge of all things vintage.
5. Brett at I am The Lab is always good for inspiration and highlighting great designers out there.
6. I used to love the Sunday night #CBUK twitter chats and still tune into Hilary's wisdom at Craft Blog UK.
7. Craft Gossip has so many facets - these Wraphia baskets are on my list of makes for 2015- perhaps go with my Gift Making resolution.
8. Ah Craftivism - I'm planning on doing a lot more of this in 2015.
9. Another from Bored Panda these comic illustrations by Lucas Levitan will bring a smile to that first work week of the year.

Hope you enjoy my first selection.

Namaste

Catherine

New Year New Word

New Year New Word

Pinch Punch - First Blog of the Month, and the Year.  The above pin sums up my goals for 2015. The words are from Silly Wizard's Ramblin' Rover - a song that brings back a lot of happy memories from my student days or perhaps Student Nights would be more precise.  The Picture is by an old friend whose life was the epitome of the song.  And so bringing them both together brings a phenomenal spirit and promise to 2015.

I intend for 2015 to be the year I curate a Successful Creative Business.  I say "Curate" rather than "Create" because I have put the legwork in over the years and now it's time to bring it all together.

I'll be keeping my Etsy Shop sheeny shiny, regularly updating my website and taking part in more social media interaction on FaceBook and Twitter and Pinterest (not just posting and running away!)

I'm planning to take part in some blog alongs, already checked out The Sewing Directory Year of Handmade Gifts and Adventure in Making's DIY Challenge.  2015 will be all about joining in with the Creative Community.

And talking of community I'll be building on my local connections through my Paisley inspired Creations and sharing my intention of putting the pattern back in Paisley, one piece at a time.  (More on this later in the week).

I'm throwing away the rule books - and sticking with the well proven phrase "There are no Rules - Only Guidelines" (unknown) and looking forward to a Creative and Satisfying 2015.

I hope that your 2015 turns out to be just as meaningful.

Namaste

Catherine x

The Scottish People Have Spoken

Yes we have, and what did we say:

We said that we are a passionate nation who care deeply about our future

We are a rich nation, and recognise our wealth

We are an intelligent nation and know what is important

It was said that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for independence.   Whilst that may be true for some I believe we are educating a generation that will not stand idly by and let our nation’s education and wealth go unsung.  I still believe that this is a new beginning and not an end.

We may be a little shell shocked and battle weary but we can be proud of the conversations that have been started, the engagement and community that have emerged.

One truth about the Scot’s personalities is that we have a long memory – promises have been made throughout this campaign, and whilst we are in no way surprised by the back-pedalling that had already taken place before the count was complete, we expect promises to be kept.  We have found our way to the polling stations and it won’t be our last visit.

‘Normal’’ if not a new invigorated Service will now resume on my blog page, and the Paisley Yes Badge wil be displayed as a constant reminder of not only what might have been but of a better world to come.

I cannot round off without making comment on Bob Geldof’s ‘follow your head’ argument – a man who has built his popularity through appealing to hearts and emotions – really!!!!!

Enough

Que sera

Catherine 

Today’s the Day....

Art by Richard Richardson

This  day will go down in history – the day of the Scottish Independence Referendum.

For much of my life I have been A-political, not really fussed one way or the other who I voted for because my vote didn’t really make much of a difference.  Today I believe my vote counts – as do so many others.

I am proud to be voting YES – not least because of the positive campaign.  We truly do get more of what we focus on.  And in the months running up to this day we have been focussed on a Scottish Community that cares about our future.

If by some freak of chance the NO vote wins, it will not be an end.  I believe that today is the dawn of a new era for Scotland.  The Scottish people have been given a voice – and once realised – we’re not about to let go of the issues that effect us most.

Never more proud than to be a Scot from Paisley. (A YES Town).

Some Paisley Threads by Me

Namaste

Catherine

Always Remember

Disney's Tribute - Focus on the Positive

From 'Meh' to Me

You wake up in the morning, your energy levels are low, you're more 'Beyond Help' than 'Beyonce' and your get up and go is nowhere to be seen.  What do you do?

You're initial reaction may be to pull that duvet over your head and hide out. Whilst I fully believe in going with your gut, sometimes it's good to go a little deeper, beyond the surface.   Going back under the duvet doesn't have to mean surrender.  We don't have to make everything a monumental step.  It can be as simple as a step back and taking the opportunity to start again.

Remember that this is your body and this is your day, you can choose to focus on whatever version of 'what is' you like. I'm liking that it's a glorious Autumn morning and I get to choose what I do with the day.  Believe it or not there is always choice.

How are you choosing to face the day?

Namaste

Catherine

Where to Start???

A Recent Pin

There’s a whole lot of starting going on around here right now.  I’m going through the frustration of so many things being half done because everything is tied together.

That’s what happens when you decide to live holistically, you begin to see the connectedness of everything.  It can be pretty overwhelming at times but taking it one step at a time and breathing helps a lot.

How do you decide what to do first when there is so much to do, and it’s all part of the whole picture?

So much to do – that’s my September Issue.  What's yours?

Namaste

Catherine

September Resolutions from the Eternal Student

September is one of my favourite months, I love the change in seasons, the natural change of colours and change in temperature.  I’ve seen September as a time for new beginnings for many years, perhaps why I prefer mid year diaries.

So whilst I’m staying with my Belief in the Magic of 2014, I’m using this month as a well needed time for reviewing what’s going on here in the land of WHEN and with my Creative Abundance Centre.  There may not be a mega amount of physical crafting going on this week, I’ll be crafting a holistic hub, lots of planning, clarifying a vision and getting ready for lots of doing.

For as Joel A Barker said “Vision with action can change the world”. (Tweet it out)

In keeping with Monday's blogging Crafting Community I will show a piece of work I've completed this week.

This is HoliStitch, Ive created her for the marketing material I'm compiling for my Creative Abundance Centre.  I'll be using her to promote my Indian Head Massage.

My knee jerk reaction to this title when I wrote it was that I am the Eternal Student because my ‘student years’ were a time where I held a lust for life and where my long term goal in life was to be happy, a yearning for a more mystical time.  But it turns out that I am, by nature, an eternal student.

Namaste

Catherine

xxx

The Art of The To Do List

Love them or loathe them we all come across a time when we need a ‘To Do’ List.  To be honest I’ve never really been a fan but as I build my Abundance Centre I find myself with more and more things to do and a need to put them somewhere.

There is a tremendous release in endorphins as we tick that done box and relax in the knowledge that something is done.

The big advantage I am currently finding with my to do list, (I have one Big To Do List, that I add to whenever a ‘To Do’ arises and review on a weekly basis), is that knowing I have added the To Do means I can let it go until it’s time to do something with it.

A great lesson I’ve also learnt is that just because it’s on the list doesn’t mean it has to be done.  I’m finding that there is an additional endorphin release in ‘letting go’.  Could letting go be the new done?

A fun to do list from Pinterest for Friday.

Some Fun From Pinterest

Namaste

Catherine x

Mind Over Medicine - More a Recommendation than a Review

From My Pinterest Inspiration Art

Anyone who’s read my blog for any length of time will know that I have, in the past struggled with depression.  Struggled with admitting to it’s existence, understanding what it is and with the long and arduous journey out of the depths.  If you know me, at all, you will also know that I am a recovering Self Help Addict. Today’s post is evidence that it’s all a one day at a time journey.  And that helping yourself is a more natural reponse than you might think.

‘Mind over Medicine’ by Dr Lissa Rankin is a book that brings into perspective the shortcomings of the medical professionals and our own responsibility in our recovery and wellbeing.  And whilst I am not affiliated with Dr Rankin or Amazon in any way I highly recommend you get yourself a copy.

Strangely enough, I started reading this not so much on a Self Help kick but as I found myself questioning more and more the authenticity and validity of the medical professionals I was coming into contact with on a daily basis, regarding the treatment of a family member.

Dr Rankin validated my belief that these professionals were not treating the patient, but individual symptoms.  Hence we went through over a year of endless poking and prodding at various hospitals, each time seeing no light at the end of an endless dark tunnel.   Every so often there would be a little glimmer of light from someone who ‘understood how we felt’ , only for it to extinguish as they were blinkered to the Big Picture. But I digress...

Do you know how ingenious your body is?  Do you know what it does best?  It has “the ability to heal itself”.  The ‘Relaxation Response’, a natural function of our body, activates self repair mechanisms, releasing endorphins and other healing chemicals.  And this healing process is very much a by product of what is going on in our minds. Hence the title of ‘Mind Over Medicine.

Whilst there is still a need for Doctors, they are highly qualified and experts in their fields, the need to treat the patient as a whole person is key to the holistic approach and the achievement of the finest healing process.

This book is a breath of fresh air.  It asks the patient ‘what does your body need in order to heal’’, recognises there is courage in taking responsibility for your own healing, “healing yourself is not for the faint of heart” and that we are all entitled to the best level of care.  And that you are a key member ot your care team, there is no ranking, but perhaps for the fact that you have been with your body the longest and thus know it best.

Do what you can to encourage that Relaxation Response to do it’s thing, it’s alter ego the ‘Stress Response’ has the key to the toxic cabinet so don’t let it go there.

Happy reading.

Namaste

Catherine x

Drawing With Scissors – I Just Didn’t Get It.

It was a beautiful sunny day in Paisley, one of many throughout this summer, and I felt I was taking a trip to see some ‘grown up ‘ art.  And as such, I should appreciate it.  This was a timely reminder in why I don’t do ‘shoulds’.  Because I just didn’t get it.

Before I visited the Matisse Exhibition, Drawing With Scissors, at Paisley Museum and Art Galleries  I had been reeled in by Matise’s words, ‘the paper cut-out allows me to draw in the colour’.  Iwas intrigued and I was on my way.

I’m not sure what I was expecting to see.  Perhaps my expectations had been heightened by pieces I’d recently added to my pinterest boards.

Now that's what I call 'Drawing with Scissors'!

I found the whole exhibition to be pretty basic and disappointing.  Allowances may perhaps be made for the fact that these works were completed by Matisse as he lay in his sick bed toward the end of his life, 1950-54. (Matisse died in 1954).  Not wishing to be too harsh but I’m sure many an art project of a similair style may have been put together by a child home from school and needing some entertainment to soothe the boredom.  I’m not sure what it is about this exhibition that has stayed with me.  Perhaps the vibrancy of the colours or my wonder at the stark simplicity of the pieces, who knows – perhaps you should see it for yourself to find out.

Your visit would be enhanced further by the ever present Paisley Pattern and Weaving Galleries and by the current ‘Generation’Exhibition, tracing the development of Contemporary Art over the last 25 years.  Now some of these pieces were starkly simple but I got the point. 

This is more of a what other people made Hand Made Monday piece, all the same I'm off to see what everyone else has been up to, it's been a while...

The Matisse Exhibition remains at the Galleries until 28 September, with Generation running till 5 October, finishing just before we get to see some more Lego Brilliance with Brick Wonders opening 11 October.

Namaste

Catherine x

Creative Marvelling

You can see my Art Work at Etsy

I’ve been doing a lot of work on my textured art lately, the latest collection I’ve put together incorporating words and embroidery.  As I worked on the above piece I found myself stopping quite a lot as watching its coming together. Which led me to the question:  Does the creative process take longer because we marvel at the work coming together?

This is one closely followed by the beauty of the back of thread work – I’m not the only one that see’s the beauty there, right?

Here’s to a happy weekend.  I’m looking forward spending some time at my local park, Barshaw, giving some love to the overgrown peace garden.  If you’re local why not join us.

Namaste

Catherine x

What’s Your Sma’ Shot?

I recently visited the local museum in my home town of Paisley.  Walking through those high glass doors and up the steps past the room where I used to attend Saturday Morning Art Classes there was a touch of nostalgia reinforced further by Buddy the Lion. The reason for this visit was to see the Story of the Paisley Shawl and the Weaving Gallery.

(he was much scarier and I’m sure much bigger when I used to make weekly visits)

I was born and brought up in Paisley, and spent most of my teenage years planning my escape.  I never truly appreciated the history of this beautiful  town and the many treasures to be found here.  I’ve been working on creating some pieces around the Paisley Pattern and thought a trip to the museum would bring some additional inspiration.  And I was not left disappointed.

The story of the Paisley Pattern, the Paisley Shawl collection and the Weaving Gallery were well worth the visit.  Whilst there was much to learn about the shawls there was a wealth of knowledge to be gained regarding the spirit and resilience of the Paisley People.  Whilst Paisley was a highly industrialised town, I’m sure this was as much a product of the highly skilled and hard working people as the wealthy industrialists that also called the town home.

As you enter the Weaving Gallery there is a short video presentation showing the restoration of the Sma’ Shot Cottages, further instilling a pride in Paisley’s Past and the pride Paisley’s people have in their town.  This is also where I learnt what a ‘Sma’ Shot’ was/is.  Every so often, as weavers wove the cloth on the loom an extra weft was shot through the work in order to add strength to the fabric – this was the “sma’ shot”.

A sma’ shot was a balancing thread strengthening the fabric.  It struck me that the fabric of all our lives can benefit from a sma’ shot.  What do you weave into your life?  Art? Meditation? Journaling?  What’s your sma’ shot?

Namaste

Catherine  

It’s Only A Super Moon

As I journey further along the Mindfulness Path and my belief in the Holistic Approach to life is further reinforced I find myself drawn more and more to each full moon. My ever present cynical self questions the whole concept of the moon’s magic.  And my mindful self surrenders to the fact that it is what it is.

Many holistic and creative practitioners put great emphasis on the power of the moon, offering monthly workshops and creative classes.  My beginner mind on this is embracing the ethos of asking a meaningful question each month and very much trusting in ‘everything I want and need coming to me in the perfect way’.  Don’t get me wrong I’m not really a believer in the law of attraction being I put it on a moon board and it will come to me.  But I do believe that vision boards are powerful conduits, especially for the creatives among us who are very much visual learners.  From an early age I have had a strong belief that if I can imagine something, and I can draw it or write it down then the only person preventing it from truly being is me.  And if I can find pictures that reinforce that dream then I’m on the right path.

Jamie Ridler offers a workshop each month – the message of this month’s moon being “You know what your dreams are.  What’s your gut telling you?”  (If you think you’ve missed this magic window apparently the magic sticks around for 3 days either side of the Full Moon).  Anne Hayman, who many of you may know for her gorgeous ‘Indie Lovely’ magazine, offers an e-course on Full Moon Manifesting and has a Virtual Full Moon Ceremony each month – you can check it out on her FaceBook page.

Whatever your feelings about moon cycles – (I’m sure I’ll come back to that when I finish my current read, recommended by Lissa Rankin; Sarah Drew’s Gaia Codex.) – it is a Natural reminder to check in with your dreams and what you’re doing about living them on a daily basis.  And if you are in any doubt of the magic that's been surrounding this weekend the largest Global synchronised meditation for World Peace took place and I am still feeling the love.

So what are your dreams – and is your gut happy with them?

Namaste

Catherine x

Something Old - Something not so Old

Giving you some old stuff while I'm engaged in creating the new

I’m taking this week out to get some art together and get my Etsy shop up and running again, along with a brand new Society 6 store.  Rather than leave you with another blank week on the old blogosphere I’m revisiting some of my previous posts.

I stumbled on this one – thinking Tuesday and Treasury and returning to Etsy Land and got quite the surprise when I found a whole different type of treasury – look for yourself.

Today is an ideal day...

Namaste

Catherine

Focus - What Do You See?

Hilary Pullen (@Haptree at Craft Blog UK) has a great new book out for all you crafters out there who want to get your real virtual empire together.

Jonathan Fields makes some great points about taking ownership of the process – wish I could go to camp with GLP – maybe next year.

Alisa Burke has been busy decorating her daughter’s room as well as providing some great colour inspiration and prepping for a new workshop with her hubbie – a real family affair.

And as per usual Danielle LaPorte has been handing out some great advice especially the tweetable on underpleasing.

I’ve had a lovely week – hope you have too.

And that there's so much more good stuff to come.

Namaste

Catherine xxx

Using What We Already Have & Know

In the spirit of my label I’ve been checking out my vortex and using what I already have.

I’ve found some amazing stuff – and used some of it to create some downloadable images here.

I found this Guided Meditation in my archives – please give it a listen.  Hopefully it’ll let you find a little peace in this busy life we all live.

What had you forgotten you already know?

Have a great day – you deserve it.

Namaste

Catherine xxx