New Card on the Block…
NEWEST card!!
I’m not going to lie, I LOVE this card. I love how it turned out and how the colours match the original sooooo perfectly. I made a slight change when designing the card from the original though; the original said “free to be ME”. I felt it would be hard to give a card to someone that said “free to be ME” cause I would be giving it to YOU and quite frankly that, to me, would be weird. We are all FREE TO BE…..
I think all counselors and counselling offices should give out this card upon completion of therapy to remind people to be themselves and place no restrictions on what you can do. It’s such a positive and inspiring message. I do sell in bulk. 
You can purchase this card by clicking HERE.
You Are Beautiful…
Every day, several times a day I tell my daughter she is beautiful. I don’t just mean her physical beauty even though she really is a beautiful child. Her core being is kind, sensitive and yes, she does have that that pre-teen attitude going on but I can remember those days so I tred lightly.
My son is also beautiful and I tell him that too. Boys can be called beautiful as his soul is so good natured and funny and he is such an easy going kid.
I am lucky. I am told I am beautiful by my kids, my husband and friends. Could you imagine never having heard the words, “You are beautiful!” before? To not hear those words is one thing but what if you truly don’t feel beautiful? What if having never heard the words you question your own inner beauty and your beauty as seen by every single person you see. Or, what if you just have such low self esteem that you simply don’t believe you are beautiful. Just know, being beautiful has so much meaning and certainly doesn’t just reflect an outward beauty. Beauty can be only skin deep. You can meet someone so gorgeous on the outside and yet, their personality makes one wish they never opened their mouth. Outward beauty can be wrecked by a miserable personality. Yet, a beautiful personality resonates beauty in so many different ways and creates a lasting impression. So, here is a new original. You are bEAUTIFUL!
Also available in this design are the ‘ol skins and iphone case which can be found here: http://society6.com/kathleentennant/You-Are-Beautiful-EAe_Laptop-Skin
Greeting cards coming soon!
Free to BE….
I have the words “free to be…” tattooed on my arm. I love the phrase. I love the … as the thoughts held after the dots hold much meaning to me but are left as a mystery for others. Free to be ME is one option. The options are endless.
The original of this art sold quickly (THANK YOU), in fact the buyer hasn’t even seen the original in person she just snapped it up off a preview picture. The laptop skin is now available through Society6 along with the skins and cases for the iphone, ipad and print. I have yet to decide whether or not I will make this piece available as a print in my Etsy shop.
So…as you go about your day remember YOU are free to be anything you want.
Free to be kind.
Free to be an artist.
Free to be extraordinary.
Free to be happy. Oh and the list goes on….
Not About The Medal
There is a lot I could say about three time Olympian, Leah Pells and her new book Not About The Medal but all would come across as being biased given she is one of my very best friends. I am going to say stuff anyway cause that’s just the way I am. I have seen first hand the way this book transformed Leah. The process was cathartic. It was hard to start. Remembering a painful past and recounting the details is often overpowering and consuming. The memories can come out of nowhere once the process has started and the feelings can be raw. Memories of her alcoholic mum who she loved so deeply and the pain she suffered as a result of her drinking only added to the fact she missed her terribly. It took many years to come together. Lots changed in both our lives and our friendship throughout the course of this book being published. Time is funny thing. What never changed was my belief in Leah’s story and how powerful her story is and how it can speak volumes to many dealing with the effects of alcoholism or those suffering from this disease.
I am pretty sure most of us know someone who has a family member or friend dealing with addiction. During the course of Leah writing this book I wished I could have dropped it off on a door step or two of someone I knew urging them to seek some help. Addiction affects many; you don’t need to go far to see it.
When Leah decides that she is going after something, it doesn’t matter what it is, it gets done. Her determination is relentless. Her determination saved her. She decided at a young age she would be an Olympian and, in turn was an Olympian in three Olympic games in spite of having a tumultuous childhood. Running was her saviour; a therapy of sorts as she ran the streets of Langley, BC escaping the life she had at home.
“Running has helped me through the darkest times in my life. It has also taught me the discipline required to achieve the biggest dreams, simply by starting with one step, one mile, one run at a time.” Page 73
Leah’s teacher and first track coach, Mr. Read was one of those teachers she never forgot. She gives him credit for being that one person who recognized her struggles at home early on and helped her through with hopes of a bright future. Leah is now a teacher to many kids who are living lives similar to her own and/or struggling with addiction. I have no doubt she will be that special teacher who goes the extra mile for many of the students she teaches and will make a difference in their lives.
What I love most about this book is that although Leah had a difficult childhood it didn’t destroy her. Her story is not a poor me story. Leah’s story is inspiring and powerful. During my early readings through the pages that weren’t yet a book, I created a voice of an 11 year old girl in my head. It was not Leah’s voice although it was her story. To have her voice speak the words was too difficult for me to read. Through reading this book I learned so much. I found far more compassion within me to not judge someone with addiction. One can love the person but not like the disease that consumes them.
“As a child of an alcoholic, I was continually reminded that the world didn’t revolve around me, but rather my mum and her addiction. At times, I was furious at her for drinking and what it brought, which she knew and understood. She would hold me, angry as I was, until I released her and my anger. She would just let her energy flow into me and hang on tight until the tension had gone from my body and I remembered that it was the addiction I hated, not her. Once the anger passed, I could just enjoy the love of my mother’s hug, which I only received during sober times. When she was drinking, I preferred to stay away, so long periods passed without the mother’s affection I needed. It was hard for me and for her.” Page 91
Not About The Medal is a story about growing up with an alcoholic mum and how Leah’s strength and determination to overcome all the obstacles before her had her place 4th in Canada at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, her second Olympic Games. It is a story about healing and compassion; it is also a story about the deep love a daughter had for her mum and how letting go of anger and the past can bring peace.
“You alone, determine the way your life will turn out, but you’ve got to be prepared to put in the hard work to get the results you desire. Everything you need is within you. We’re all success stories waiting to be made.” Page 224
I urge you to read this book. You will be inspired. You will have an understanding of what life is like as an elite athlete and you will hopefully find compassion and understanding for those living with addiction.
Not About the Medal, by Leah Pells can be purchased at http://www.leahpells.com
Celebrate and Be Proud!
I have finally had some time to update my Etsy shop with a few new journals, sketchbooks and original art. There is more to come in the next few days. All of my books are one of a kind and, as some people found out at Make It, once they get sold, they are gone and I don’t re-make the covers. So, the lesson… don’t wait too long to buy! Should you ever see one of my journals with lined paper (or visa versa) and you love the cover but would rather it had sketch paper in it – just ask and I will switch it over before I mail it to you. Also, one of my recommendations for a completed book is to take it apart and frame the cover. It is original art on those covers and they look fantastic framed. You don’t need to use the glass in the frame if you don’t want to but don’t hide it away in a book case!
Be Proud was created in my head on the way home from Langley one day. I was feeling super proud of a friend of mine and felt there really wasn’t enough cards out there to say, not only that you are proud of someone, but that person should really be proud of themselves. Accomplishments come in a variety of sizes and all should be celebrated. So….
Be PROUD if you are recently about to tackle your first half marathon; or
stopped biting your nails; or
stopped smoking; or
stopped drinking; or
recently had your first book published! Simply celebrate your accomplishment and BE PROUD!
Gratitude….
I am so grateful for the support I received from friends and family leading up to this show. My husband built me a great display and my dear friend Kelly arrived in the nick of time to help set up. Patricia was there with bells on and helped me keep my table from getting too disorganized and allowed for breaks. Getting ready for a show is always hectic and it was made easier with friends.
I have an enormous amount of gratitude for everyone who came to my booth at Make It! The amount of people and kind words spoken to me and about my work was so touching. Watching how people picked up the different books I had made and to hear how they determined who they were for or, why they were buying each one was inspiring.
One of the books that sold was created using a peacock feather as my starting point. I had it sitting on my art table when I started. At the end, I added the words “whisper your thoughts, tell me your dreams”. This book was filled with lined paper and then bound. The woman who held this book in her hands spoke in fluent French to her partner. The two women had a wonderful conversation in French and was calling upon my childhood French to try and decipher bits and pieces of their conversation. I knew the words I had chosen for this book had meaning. I knew this book was going to be a gift for the woman’s mother who was holding the book. The words had great meaning to her. As I had pieced together the conversation the woman looked up at me and said, “My Mother is a poet. She is often woken by her dreams at night and likes to write. This book is perfect for her.”
“these words are the soundtrack of my life” have great meaning to me. Through everything thus far in my life there has been music. Certain songs remind me of certain events or time frames of my life; some happy and some difficult but there was always music. This book was also purchased for a gift. It is being sent to a young girl who is a music student in Australia. She plays the French Horn and the woman had hopes that this book will inspire her to always have her music. I hope there will always be music playing in the background of people’s minds.
“life in 10 minute intervals” got a lot of attention. I was asked my meaning behind it. I said it it was my life motto and instilled in me by a very dear friend. If you could handle the 10 minutes you have before you and not worry about the next 10 then you will stay present. By worrying about the next 10 minutes you are worrying about something you can’t control. In theory, we can’t control the next minute but it is unrealistic to think in one minute intervals because, let’s face it, life is quick. 10 minutes is a good amount of time because in that 10 minutes you could receive a phone call, text, email or a knock at the door that could change the course of your day. The lovely girl who bought this book from me is currently living in Northern Coastal British Columbia on an island called Denny Island. She will soon be packing her bags and moving across Canada back to Nova Scotia. She bought this book as her reminder to take “life in 10 minute intervals”. I wish her well and hope one day I’ll hear how her move went.
Denny Island, British Columbia
Accompanying this young lady to Make It this weekend was Louise who expressed many kind words about my work. So kind, in fact, she will now be selling my books, cards and art in her store on Denny Island. So, if travelling north this summer check out Denny Island and Rosie’s Gallery!
Rosie’s Gallery, Gift Store & Cappuccino Bar
Located at the Shearwater Marina, Rosie’s carries a selection of west coast themed art, accessories, photography, books and cards, Sea Wench Naturals body and skin care products, plus a unique collection of vintage and new clothing and an espresso bar offering organic specialty coffees.
It’s Coming….
MAKE IT!! IT’S COMING…..I’M EXCITED!!
Never before have I looked so forward to showing my work. I’ve been working hard. I am proud of what I have been creating. I have lots of brand new designs and I love them all.
I have checked out the list of other artisans participating in Make It!, and…. I really think you should not only check them out but make a point of coming down and seeing the talent for yourself. Make It is this coming weekend, April 20th-22nd at the Croatian Cultural Centre. There will be live bands playing throughout each day as well as a bar for all your liquid shopping needs.
Thanks to Payfirma I will be able to accept credit card payments at the event via my phone. All transactions are secure transactions and my phone doesn’t store your credit card information either! You will simply be able to shop just as though you were shopping for groceries but ohhhh this will be so much more fun!
So…. here’s a coupon for $2 off the price of admission. Kids under 12 are FREE! Print it off and come say hellooooo….
World Peace Collection….
D. Cabezas created this really cool Etsy treasury with a Wold Peace theme. With all the strife in the world, peace would be so nice. Including in this collection is my Peace original created using a photograph I took of my favourite garbage can which sits close to the Port Moody Arts Centre.
Creativity is Everywhere…
Creativity is not hard to find. I find it much harder to find enough time to allow the creativity to flow. Creativity is all around us. There was something in the book Journal Revolution by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino that clicked with me a few years back. I can not pin point exactly what it was but a light went off inside me. A passion was ignited and a sense of this is what I want to be doing was started. Linda is known for saying, “There is no mistakes in art.” She says it in a way that you really believe her. When I think I have made a mistake I hear her words in my head. She is passionate about creativity and when she told me creativity was everywhere and to use what is around me to create she set off a domino effect inside me. I tried to soak it all in. I tried different things to arrive at now, what finally feels right. My style has evolved. My creativity flows effortlessly because there are no boundaries placed upon myself to create a certain way or within specific restraints to be accepted and liked. I create for me. I create what is in my heart. I use words that I use with my own kids and friends, that are in my own thoughts every single day. I create images that appeal to me.
“Just be” is something I have told many people. It is a phrase that is so powerful to me. To me it is about accepting yourself as is. Just be. Just be yourself. Just be in the moment. Allow yourself to just be whether you are at a high point in your life or feeling at the bottom of the barrel. To feel anything means you are still alive and when you are feeling and being there is still hope. Anything is possible. To live authentically as so many are talking about means to be accepting of all things but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to follow. You can just simply BE.
When creating for a big show I am forced to create a certain number of journals, sketchbooks and art. One would think finding inspiration and creativity would become a challenge. When you release expectations and allow yourself to create, the flow of creativity is effortless. There is so much inspiration around us through books, people, photographs, the internet, the smell of Spring in the air, the tulips and daffodils saying hello to us, yet again this year. We are surrounded by nature’s creativity and life. Life is a creative process.
I am excited that Make it! is coming up. I am excited to be able to share my hard work and creativity. I am proud of the art of I have created on canvas as well as on the covers of my journals and sketchbooks. I hope my work will inspire the creativity in others as well as give them a place to write their thoughts and/or document their lives as a way of getting thoughts (whether in words or pictures) out of their head. Be the first to see my newest collection of OOAK journals and sketchbooks on display April 20-22 at the Croatian Cultural Centre.
***Linda Woods and Karen Dinino have a new book coming out called YOU RULE which I’m sure will be fabulous and super inspiring.***
Make it…a book that is…
When creating my books they all have the same beginning. A thought. A feeling. A moment. Then I open a package and take out a blank canvas.
A design is then laid out with paper to see how it may look. Sometimes I leave it as is and sometimes the end result will look completely different than how I thought it would.
Once the covers are completely dry I then paint the backs and insides of each book. Sketch paper or lined paper will be cut to the size of the book depending on what I decide the type of book is. It is then time to choose a colour of o wire and bind the book.
The end result will always be the same, a completed one of a kind book that no one else will ever have. Sooo, if you want to see my 2012 collection before they hit my online shops come down to Make it! The Handmade RevolutionApril 20-22, 2012.
Available On Kindle!
