Crafting an Authentic Life - My September Issue

Right now,writing this, I'm listening to Gavin DeGraw's Follow Through.  I used to be really good at this 'doing what I say I'm going to do'.  Lately I've realised that I'm no longer so good at it.  Blogging is good for calling you out on that one because one week you blog that you're going to re brand your blog, your shop, smarten everything up and weeks if not months later you still haven't followed through.  Now my habitual reaction to such a revelation would be to beat myself up something awful.  Then to do that big deep dig and ask myself - did I not do it because I don't believe in it or me, because I know it won't work, because I'm kidding myself that I can make a difference.  You know what, sometimes shit happens and we kind of let it take over and find we're constantly on the wrong end of a shovel.  We lose sight of our priorities and values and just focus on the shit.  Well, you know what else, we get more of what we focus on and, you've guessed it, if you focus on the shit you get more of it.  I've reached the time for throwing down the shovel and looking up and seeing the light, because it's up there, it always has been I just forgot it was there.

This week I watched a fabulous documentary on Channel 4 - 'Fabulous Fashionistas'.  If you haven't seen it yet I thoroughly recommend that you do.  It tells the story of 6 women, with an average age of 80, who live the most authentic lives.  I took the front end message to be that 'style keeps you young'.  And there were some strong messages 'people notice what you wear more when your older' And hitting our screens in the midst of the fashion world's fashion weeks it had some powerful messages for the fashion industry.  The strongest message was in the lives lived by the women.  Every one of them authentic, with a zest and gratitude for the life they have. Definitely all living in the now.  And definitely something worth a whole post of its own.





I'm continuing to enjoy texture art and focusing on the Paisley Pattern.  I've completed another canvas and have been doing some drawing.  I found a tutorial for Lace Skeleton Leaves at How Did You Make This. I'm thinking this will be a great way of putting together some Paisley pieces.  And hope to be showing some of those off very soon.  And popping over to Handmade Monday to see what all you other crafty folk have been up to.





I had intended to have a folio of work together by now and be well on my way to living that authentically fit and happy life.  But life happens, there have been a few hiccups.  And whilst we're still in the thick of it I am shifting focus.  We do get more of what we focus on - and from here on in I intend to focus on the sugar.

My aim from here on in is to put more of my art out there, to use what I've got and to add texture.

Namaste

Catherine

xxx

Handmade Monday - I'm back on Etsy

This is a short and sweet piece to announce my return to Etsy.  It felt appropriate to make the announcement on a Handmade Monday.

I've changed things up a little.  I'm using the same logo and banner as here for my shop header and renaming it Catherine McAtier.  It's the label I was born with and is one thing that has definitely stayed with me throughout good times and bad.  So I thought I'd give myself some recognition.

Taking baby steps at first I've only added 12 pieces so far, some of them you may recognise already.  The plan is to get the content right and work the bejeesus out of the promoting - that is way up on my list for this week.

Using advice from the Etsy Site itself and knowledgeable sources like Craft Blog UK I'm feeling pretty chuffed with the whole thing.  The proof now, as they say, will be in the pudding.

I would be delighted to hear your comments on my shop - descriptions, pictures, pricing - all comments welcome.  Nothing like a little constructive criticism to start the week off. 

In keeping with the Handmade Monday ethos I'm dropping over to Handmade Harbour now to check out what you other lovely creatives have been up to.  You should check it out if you haven't already.  And anyone who knows me, knows I'm not really one for 'shoulds'.

Lots of Love

Namaste

Catherine

xxx

Red - August Break Day 10

Love - August Break Day 4

Lots of Love

Namaste

Catherine

xxx

The Myth of Completion

This got me an awsomeable mention

Realising that we are never done is not only a beautiful thing but a great relief.  Once learned it's important to hold onto the knowledge that it does not give us permission to leave things undone.

Namaste and Happy Friday

Catherine

xxx

Thursday's Thoughtful Thread

Catherine@WhenatTheMacsX

In keeping with the redesign – and my one day at a time deal – I’ve decided to make Thursday the day of the Thoughtful Thread.  Mainly because I want to combine my love of words and creativity and create some inspirational canvases.

Today’s piece, inspired by my chosen word for the year, is a bit of a cheat as I’ve pc’d it together – for next week I will create a needlework piece.  In fact I might well pop over to Molly Mahar’ssite and kill two birds with one stone, create my entry for her PinterestContest.  Combining my love or words, needlework and Pinterest – how much more inspirational can it get.

Time to get busy...

Catherine

xxx