Art Every Day

Are you up for the challenge? For one month, starting tomorrow, the "Art Every Day" challenge begins. Read about it here. This is an opportunity to create something, ANYTHING, everyday. No need for it to be a "finished" project, just let yourself have fun, get your hands dirty and make some stuff. Let's all unite together and let our creativity really take flight!
So start, today, everyday and make art. If you want to join the group who's up for the "Art Everyday Challenge", visit this blog: Creative Every Day, and leave a comment on a blog post, letting them know you want to sign up.

Happy creating!

Creating Cupcakes

My friend Barb, and several of Lindsay's friends helped decorate cupcakes for Lindsay's wedding. 200 cupcakes, and 4 hrs. later we were finished. Barb and I had taken a cake decorating class in the spring, and were able to create roses, varigated swirls, and mums. We all had a blast, and the cupcakes were a big hit at the wedding!

Your Creative Challenge

Take a photo that visually answers this question:
"What inspires your creativity?"

Then, post your photo here!

The Beauty of Change

I absolutely love this time of year. The trees are simply breathtaking right now. The vibrant colors offer us a visual reminder of how everything around us, and within us, is constantly changing. As we see the golden, auburn, and rust colored leaves turn before us, we can be reminded that the beauty we see, is also a reflection of the beauty that comes from change, and the beauty that lives within each of us.

So as you breath in the season and enjoy the festivities of Fall, celebrate the changes that are happening within you, and ask yourself, "What new beauty will these changes bring?"

Just a little note!

Hello every one!

I just want to let you know that today I will be attending a speach from the Dalaï Lama, and I will bring you all in my heart! :)

I'll soon come back on my last post, funny how it turned out to be so beneficial for me!

And by the way, who is willing to do this one with us?

Have a super great week-end and take good care of you all, and those around you!
xxni

Interview of Jane Burgermeister reguarding The Swine Flu.

Hello everyone!
Something a bit heavy in this post this morning.

http://dotsub.com/view/b0fb7146-8477-4851-910d-d68fc90b6f6d

Take the hour it takes to watch this video, I think it is important,
then let us all know what you think.
Personnally, I always refused the vaccination, because my intuition always told me so.
But now, I don't really know what to think.

I'd really like it if we talked about it together.

Until then,
have great day!!!
ni

Setting Intentions to Create

Last Friday I was home with no car, no baby, no husband, and no agenda. It was pouring rain. And I'm mean, pouring, ALL day. I have to admit, this is some of my favorite kind of weather. Especially when I'm at home with no where to go!

It could have been very easy for me to scatter about the day - running a few loads of laundry, and cleaning the kitchen, and reorganizing my closet (again!), and getting lost in email land. So I immediately wrote out my "intention" for the day - "to play with art materials" and "try something new". Posting my intentions gave me complete permission to do nothing else but have fun playing, (rather than thinking, "I should be doing this or that...").

Ahhh...what a relief! I pulled my art supplies out to the screened-in-porch so I could be surrounded by the rain. And there I was - quilt, coffee, and a white journal page staring blankly at me.

While I played, I remembered a fun idea that I learned from Aimee at Artsyville. (She is super creative!) She calls it "Mindless Word Fun." She cuts out words from magazines and then randomly picks out a few and rearranges them.

Here is the one I made that day:

"Discover inspiration, creamy dream. Good-bye shock."

What creative intentions will you set for yourself this week?

The Beauty Around Us

I've been listening to Oprah's "Soul Series" on my Ipod. It is such a special treat every time I find a moment where I can sit quietly, close my eyes, and listen to the spiritual teachings of the amazing people she interviews. Teachers like Eckhart Tolle, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Elizabeth Lesser, Rev. Ed Bacon and so many others, discuss topics like being more present, becoming an observer of your thoughts, connecting more deeply to your life, and awakening to your beauty and the beauty in all those you meet.

Today, I practice living more presently, letting go of this idea that I have to "get" or "go" somewhere. I will walk slower. I will breathe deeper. I will play bigger. I will listen better. I will stop and see, and appreciate, and be grateful for all that IS in my life. Right here. Now. In this moment.

If you are looking for an enriching way to restore and renew, take some time for yourself and enjoy Oprah's soulful webcasts.

For any fans of the show, "The Office", the actor who plays Dwight (Rainn Wilson) has started a really inspiring community called "Soul Pancake", and Oprah has a great interview with him, where he talks about art and creativity as a spiritual practice.

Free Spirit T's

Here's my first Free Spirit T based off a funky, cool, kid drawing found in the trash. I added the "K" for Kestan. Screen printing is super-fly fun.

Staying Focused?

Man, I'm all over the place these days. The more focused I try to become, the more ideas and inspiration flow through me. I'm SO grateful for yoga, because I think my mind would eat me up if I didn't practice stillness and try slowing down from time-to-time!

Anyway, as I bounce from yoga, to my e-course, to art with Kestan, I've been playing with a few t-shirt ideas (sparked by a recent screen printing class I took - so fun!). I'm doing some preliminary research on eco-friendly screen printing companies and organic wholesale t-shirts to print on for mama's and kids. Does anyone have experience in this area? Would love some feedback.
I'm excited about this project because drawing, especially on the computer, is very scary and uncomfortable for me. And since I am practicing doing more things that scare me and make me feel vulnerable, then I guess I should continue onward.
Question of the day: How do you stay focused and what creative project is whispering or YELLING at you?

Warhol Time Capsules

I heard an interesting piece the other time on Warhol's "time capsules" basically a bunch of boxes that he put things away in. I thought a few of you time enjoy these pieces. I can't find the interview online - here are a few related links:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112015712
http://www.artonpaper.com/bi/v11n02/unpacking_andy.php
http://edu.warhol.org/app_aw_tc.html

As I've been struggling to find time for art with my daughter now in my life it makes we wonder how I can look at the clutter in my office and everyday things more as a piece of art that I'm nurturing into existence and how can I make the pieces I want to work on more a part of my everyday.

The Flow Continues

Here I am with my first I-Phone. I have to say I am quite excited about it. This new handful of beautiful technology is such a great compliment to my huge desire to have a more flexible work schedule around Kestan. I can now check my email, send a tweet, update Facebook or do some research while on the go and it has totally opened my creative world!

I have been caught in a whirlwind of creative flow over the past few months. It has been quite exciting, challenging, scary, wonderful, real, overwhelming and happy. I have two more days at my job before I have the entire month of September off. I'm dedicating my work time towards the continued development of my first creative e-course. I've been blogging a little about it on my Free Spirit Knits.

(Speaking of e-courses...check out this upcoming Fiber Arts Telesummit led by a wonderful creativity coach, Eric Maisel.)
In the midst of all my personal creating I wanted to share with you my little artist. Kestan loves to paint and he's very serious about it. For those interested, check out a short video of him in action.

Don't Forget National Dog Day!

Stella's fun treat for National Dog Day! It's a cookie in the shape of board shorts
(perfect for the beach bum dog) decorated with pink and green icing.
She picked it out at Critter Beach ~ a local store!

Here is Stella getting Evie to chase her for a fun romp at the beach! Yay!

Tomorrow ~ Wed. Aug. 26th, is National Dog Day! It's an opportunity to acknowledge the priceless contribution dogs make to our lives and to remember and help those canines who aren't quite as lucky.

How will you celebrate and honor your pooch or pooches? Maybe a special trip to the park or a favorite treat? Our dogs will definitely be voting for both! See some more ideas on my blog.

Our dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole! ~ Roger Caras

Hug A Dog!
~ Cindi

Summer of Intentions

This summer I had set some goals for myself to knit and design like a mad woman, to post on my blog like a mad woman, and to list items in my Etsy shop like a mad woman. Well..... life found its way into my mad intentions and many of my plans are still on the planning table. Today I realized that I could either get mad that my intentions fell short, or be grateful for the little things that did get accomplished and even more grateful that I had time to even dream about some of the things that I will one day get to! I decided to be grateful... and today I posted on my blog and this very blog, plus I listed on Etsy the first of many of my little knitted designs for Blythe dolls.... YIPPPEEEEE! THE PLANETS ALIGNED!!

Flowers

Hi All ~ wanted to share two of my photos. One is a photo I took of two beautiful hot pink flowers in my sister's garden. The other is the same photo, but altered on the computer.... something I am having more and more fun doing!

I recently attended a celebration of the life of an amazing woman who taught me art when I was a child. Her spirit was like no other. She was a fearless creator, filled with joy and passion and love. I will never forget her and she has inspired me to keep striving for the same fearless, carefree, trusting approach to creating artistic works and to creating my life! As I played with the image of the flowers on the computer, I realized... there were no mistakes!

Peace ~ Cindi Saadi

Wildflowers by Tom Petty

The flowers are so amazingly abundant and beautiful right now and every time I see a field like this one I suddenly start singing the song, "Wildflowers" by Tom Petty. So considering "feeling free" has been a theme of mine lately, I thought you might enjoy the message of the song as well.
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
Sail away, kill off the hours
You belong somewhere you feel free

Run away, find you a lover
Go away somewhere all bright and new
I have seen no other
Who compares with you

You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
You belong with your love on your arm
You belong somewhere you feel free

Run away, go find a lover
Run away, let your heart be your guide
You deserve the deepest of cover
You belong in that home by and by

You belong among the wildflowers
You belong somewhere close to me
Far away from your trouble and worries
You belong somewhere you feel free
You belong somewhere you feel free

My question to you: When do you feel the most free?

And the winner is...

Thanks so much to all of you for sharing your stories and comments over the past few weeks. It is so enriching for me, (and I know all of you as well), to see your work, hear your struggles, enjoy your celebrations and laugh together along the way.

I believe creating community, especially with creative, AMAZING women is an important part to our personal growth and self-discovery, and it's also just FUN to see what everyone is up to.

As you can see, I had a very special guest help me this morning with our raffle!
And the winner is...Cindi! Kestan pulled your name first, which is awesome, considering this celebrates your first post! Cindi - email me your mailing address and you'll be receiving a Free Spirit Knits original piece of jewelry.
But as you can see, Kestan, had fun pulling out all the names! So all of you that commented and shared stories over the last two weeks also wins a prize! (That's Dayle, Mary, Cindi, Emily and Katia) You each get one FREE spot in my new creativity on-line class that I'll be offering in September. More details to come.

Thanks for sharing and let the sharing continue...

Bonjour Babes! My second group is about to leave (tomorrow) and I will so miss sharing this special part of France, but "knock on wood" (or toucher le bois as they say here) I hope to do it all again next year.

Yesterday we went to Albi- a small city about an hour away. We drove thru sunflower fields that you can walk right into and photograph the bees that have landed on the face of the flower.

In Albi is a magnificent cathedral (1300's) with painted walls that are amazingly contemporary designs like modern quilt patterns and the Toulouse Lautrec Museum.

Creative Growth....

Hello! As the ocean here in Delaware has finally been warm enough to venture into... I am finally stepping out of the shadows of this amazing blog and sharing my first post with you all. Shannon's urgent call for posts helped light a fire under me! I am a life coach, freelance writer and photographer, and budding artist! I am also passionate about music. First though, before sharing my post, I want to say how much I enjoy and am inspired by all the talented and passionate women in this community! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful gifts!

Below are photos of some recent creative projects and a funny photo of my dogs thrown in for good measure! Thank you for looking!

Cheers ~ Cindi

My homemade self-acknowledgment journal ~ my first venture into mixed media! I had a blast making these journals and look forward to improving upon them!

Greeting card with a photo I took of bob houses on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH.

Bookmarks I made using my photos, natural hemp cord, and beads. I have 20 different photos for these and 4 are included here.

Some of my most favorite photos to take are of the ocean ~ especially when she is in a WILD mood! It's a little hard to tell in this photo, but the sea spray here was quite impressive!

This was an old pillar jetty at our favorite beach that has since been replaced by a rock jetty. This jetty was fun to walk around underneath when the tide when out and look for sea treasures.

This is a favorite photo of mine of an old abandoned tractor by the side of the road in West Virginia. The colors of this card are much more bold and vivid, but somehow I could not capture this when taking the photo of the card. Any advice on better ways to display these?

And finally, a photo, for fun, of my favorite dogs. The smaller gray and white dog is my silly girl, Stella and her black and tan pal is my sister's dog, Evie. They are sweethearts who love the beach and have become quite comfortable lounging for hours under the umbrella. On especially hot days, we make sure to take some wet cloths in the cooler so they can get some chilly relief! What a life!

Thanks for letting me share! Cheers ~ Cindi

Finally some pics

Plastic, Hitchcock and Yarn

What motivates me creatively this week? Plastic, Hitchcock and Yarn. About a month ago, I committed to making 3 squares for two different projects… both were a community effort, a “fiber hug” to two people I have never met. Both had gone through some crummy challenges, and so the chance to make these people’s lives a little brighter sounded great. I had my yarns picked out, my patterns…everything was ready. I even had the patterns in sheet protectors so I could knit at the pool. I got started and screamed through the first square and then I am not sure what happened… Life? Laundry? Three birthday celebrations for 4 of my kids (yes … twins, more about that later). Anyway, I found myself scrambling to meet the deadline. Thank God for Turner Classic Movie Channel and the Hitchcock marathon! I finished them all on time PLUS got obsessed with the dresses worn by Grace Kelley in “Rear Window” and “To Catch A Thief”. I kept thinking about how to construct an amazing dress like the ones she wore but out of yarn (keep in mind, I was knee-deep in the yarn stuff at the time)… I thought…”yeah right, like I could ever wear a Grace Kelley dress!” and no sooner did that thought cross my mind when I realized who would look smashing in one… Bonnie B.C., my (plastic) Blythe doll! I am so excited with my designing that I had to stop and take a picture and write a post. I am hoping to write up the pattern and perhaps sell the PDF in my Etsy store…which, by the way, I sold my first two sets of stitch markers from my Etsy store this week!!! I feel like I am on a roll, though the laundry is piling high!
If you want to learn more about Blythe dolls, go here. If you want to see my Etsy shop, go here. If you want to see my squares, go here.

I hope to soon post about another inspiration… the birth of my identical twins 18 years ago.

France Workshop

Hi Ya'll or I guess I should say Bonjour. My first workshop ends today and my lovely ladies will be departing either to fly home to the US or to continue on their journey here in France. Robin (from Australia) will stay on and be with me for the second workshop which starts on Friday.
Besides having lost of studio time to create art, we had a full week of amazing experiences. A great flea market (called vide greniers which means Empty the Attic) was a treasure trove of inexpensive goodies for home and art. The renowned Revel Saturday market was a feast for the eyes and soul. We also got to go to a small museum- the Museum of Kitsch - a delight for the senses-(created by a dear French friend of mine), invites to local artist studios, a trip to Albi, a trip to the nearby monastery....... so a full week of joy and inspiration. I'll post more pics soon! ********** Not able to upload a pic- hope to later

Where Are You, Babes?

Yo, I'm missin' my babes.

I hope all of you are enjoying a fun, wonderfully relaxing, exciting, chill kind of summer! I want to hear what you've been up to, so get back here and post, would ya?

What's a better way to get ya back than a nice, friendly contest? I have prizes. Seriously. I do! Prizes for blog posts and even for those who add comments. We are also nearing our 1ooth post...so we gotta have prizes for that, too.

So...for the next two weeks, who ever writes a post or adds a comment, will be added to my super cool, glass container and names will be pulled randomly for super cool prizes. I'll post the winners here, too.

So come on! Share some stuff. Anything! We want to hear from you. Let your creativity shine and be seen.

It's the little things

I have this special silver tray that belonged to my mother. I seem to remember her serving iced teas on this. I like to prepare my breakfast on this, with coffee, my newspaper and morning readings and take this to my patio. There is something special in taking this time to nurture myself with the little things. I don't do this everyday, but love when I take the time to do so.

Feeling Free and Loving It

I've had quite a productive and super-fly fun week of being on a more relaxed schedule. I've had several days off to play in my studio and work on my on-line class. I'm really excited about this class and I've learned so much during my "artist retreat week!" I studied and stayed with some technical things that I haven't had time for, like learning how to make Podcasts and publish on Itunes. I started a You Tube channel for my guided meditations and creativity classes. I started a Flickr group for my on-line class. I learned how to save Illustrator designs for the web. Whoa, my head is spinning. And, yet, I have had SO much fun!

And most of all, I learned that "living free" to me means - doing what I love, every single day, surrounded by the people I love the most, while connecting to others in deep ways and celebrating each moment as an authentic, compassionate, mindful being.

So, as we've been contemplating what it means to "live freely", that leads me to another question. "What is your mission in life and what are you doing today to make that mission more vividly alive?

My Artist Retreat Week

Today marks the official start to my vacation. I'm calling it my "Artist Retreat Week" - doesn't that just make you go "ahhhh". I can not remember the last time I had several days in a row to simply be on my own schedule, take my own time, and explore my creative projects.

I do have one intention for the week, which is to focus primarily on developing my on-line creativity class. I'm really excited about taking the doodles and scraps of paper ideas and making them more concrete. (Thanks to those of you who are helping me out!)

Another reason, though, for this much needed retreat is simply to create SPACE. I need a break from routine. I need to honor my natural rhythm. I need spontaneity. I need stillness.

I am embarking on new creative territory and I know that as I make some greater shifts in my life, staying centered and connected to my inner wisdom is essential, especially during moments where self-doubt wants to creep in.

So today, at the start of my "retreat week", I embrace this open space before me, and I remember what it feels like to live freely.

What does "living freely" mean to you?

HOME

Hello everyone!
I am taking 2 minutes to invite you to watch this important film, released on june 5th and available for free on the web 'til june 14th. Just clic on this message's title and it'll get you there!
Have a magical week-end every one!
xxni

Discover Your Creative Calling (...or something like that)

I am in the beginning stages of creating my first on-line class. This class will be designed to help people discover their life purpose and offer tips and techniques on how to set goals and make an action plan that will help make their creative dreams real! (What a mouthful!) We'll explore a vibrant world of possibilities that will ignite a creative spark that so many of us need to live more fuller, bolder, freer lives.

I need your help! While I'm developing this class, I'd like to share some of my ideas/exercises so that you can offer feedback and creative wisdom to help bring this class to life.

If any of you are interested in joining my email creative focus group, please email me (livefreely@mac.com) or comment here. If you agree, I'll be sending you an email every so often for the next few weeks, with parts and pieces from my class. It's a great way for you to enjoy some creative inspiration (for free) and at the same time you'll be helping me out immensely!