Living Creatively.

We've Moved!

Hi!

My new site, The Creative Kind, can be found at www.thecreativekind.com

The NEW and so improved me & my BIG ideas website and BLOG can be found at www.meandmybigideas.com

Come on over and live creatively with us!

This blog has moved!

This blog has a new home, new look and tons of new inspiration and ideas about how to live a healthy and creative life.  You can find me at www.thecreativekind.com

See you there!

 

spooky {i mean glittery} halloween decorations

I'm anxiously awaiting Halloween this year.  I haven't really decorated for this holiday since my kids were younger but this year is a different story.

We are almost all settled into our new house...which makes it a perfect time for a little DIY decorating project.  It all started with a trip to Michael's a few weeks ago.  Kayla and I found some inspiration...combined with some awesome mambi products, too!!

Here are some photos of the progress...

We used one of our new products....glittery bat wall sticks™ to create the "Bats out of Hell" coming from our fireplace.

Then we thought a really cool, gaudy mirror would look cool painted a glossy black.  So we went looking for a cheap one we could paint. 

FOUND!  One large mirror with large ornamental swirls in an antiqued silver finish.  We protected the mirror with paper and tape and began the spooky makeover.

Spray painting begins...

The spray paint we bought had a matte finish so once this dried, we added a glossy top coat.

Tonight, while the mirror dries, I am going to finish rhinestoning a pumpkin.

We'll finish up the mantle, take pictures and post them along with Kayla's project.....a glittery skull that lives on the piano, named Steven (Tyler).

hello blog...goodbye facebook...for now

My 6 week hiatus from Facebook starts today.  On November 8th...I may or may not be back.

There are a lot of things that I love about Facebook....like the constant flow of pictures, instant communication, etc.  It feels like we are all so connected.  But a few problems arise for me in this new way of "communicating" with our loved ones. 

1. "Talking" on Facebook often replaces real face to face interaction.  We feel like we are connecting....like we are in touch.  But nothing can replace actually seeing someone and being able to give them a hug.  Hearing someone's voice is also more meaningful than typing words.
2. For some of us (by this I mean ME), Facebook has become a bit of an obsession.  If I have one second of downtime and my phone is near...I'm checking Facebook.  I'm not sure why I feel the need to fill every minute of my time staring at an inanimate object while there is life happening all around me.  That has got to stop.
3. There is a bit of a competition happening on Facebook.  Who is doing the coolest thing?  Who is the most interesting?....successful?....has the cutest kids?...and the list goes on.  It can be exhausting.

I know not everyone has these issues with Facebook but I do...and I want to get them in check. 

SO...I'm going to be living my life, interacting with those around me more, filling my empty time with reading, art, talking or even silence and reflection.  I'm signed up for a new art class that I am excited about. 

I will be posting on my blogs so the only Facebook interaction you will see from me in the next 6 weeks will be the automatic updates that Facebook receives when I update this blog or the family site.  Feel free to leave comments on my blogs...I still love those. 

Go out there and live the life you should be living...if you are...AMAZING...if you aren't...CREATE IT!

painted beach rocks

I've been a beachcomber for years.  Mostly collecting seaglass and heart rocks....it's kind of an obsession.  Lately, I've been picking up some beach rocks...all tumbled and smooth.  I wanted to paint them but wasn't sure exactly what to paint.  So, in my typical fashion, I just kept collecting and waiting for the perfect idea so I didn't "ruin" these beautiful stones. 

Well, the perfect idea never came.  Which made me remember that ideas don't usually just pop into your head...perfectly formed.  No, they begin as an idea and then become molded into what they are supposed to be....and never perfect.  What is my deal with perfection anyway??  

Yesterday was the day.  I sat down, gathered my rocks and paints, and just STARTED! 

I experimented with different paints, designs and techniques and came up with an idea and process that I loved. 

1. Wash your rocks to eliminate any sand, dirt or debris....and wait for them to dry thoroghly.
2. After trying a lot of different paints, I found that I liked a lighter weight paint.  I used Golden Fluid Acrylics.
3. I painted a layer of white as a background to help make the color pop.
4. I painted my designs and added finishing touches with Sharpie Poster Paint Markers and other permanent markers.
5. As a finishing touch, I coated the painted surface and sometimes the entire rock with Mod Podge Hard Coat. 

This is just the first round...I have some good ideas and I want to keep going. 

Hello 80's hair and shoulder pads....

80's FLASHBACK ALERT!!!  (almost 25 years ago)

While I was going through some old pictures, I came across some old modeling pictures of mine.  Yes...it's true...a long, LONG time ago I was in FRONT of the camera instead of always behind it. 

These made me laugh for many reasons.  First the leggings with huge t-shirts and sweatshirts with shoulder pads.  And then the big hair and the ever-so-sultry look on my 16 year old face.  Hilarious!  I remember the photographers always told me not to smile so big.  Oh yeah....definitely don't smile so big....makes you look 16.

Oh youth.  I wish I appreciated those times more than I did.  I wanted to be older and thinner.  And although it's fun to look back at the flawless skin and youthful physique....I wouldn't go back for anything in the world!  I love who you become after you lived a bit. 

"All of these lines upon my face.

Tell you the story of who I am.

So many stories of where I've been.

And how I got to where I am."

from Brandi Carlile's, The Story

full circle

Almost three years ago, I received this original and personalized piece of art from my favorite artist, Kal Barteski.  It's more than just a painting to me.  It speaks to me.  It encourages and inspires me....to embrace ME just the way I am.  To some, that concept may seem easy....a relatively unconscious action.  But not to me. 

I have posted about Kal here, here, here, here and here.  I consider her a teacher and a kindred spirit.

Later, I received the print above as a gift from Kevin.  My tiny lady piece reminds me to love myself and this reminds me that I am loved+adored by someone else...just the way I am.  aaahhh....how refreshing!  I cherish all these bits of wisdom that I have found in my "older" age. 

>>>>>>>fast forward to the present>>>>>>>>>

I am taking Kal's follow up class, Nuture your creativity 2 and things are coming full circle. 

I started this blog a little over 4 years ago, as a way to document this new journey of self-discovery.  As my marriage was falling apart, I was forced to face the truth that I had been defining myself by those around me and how I thought they perceived me.  I was a mother at 18 and a wife at 19....long before I was able to discover who I was.  Needless to say, I valued myself for being a good mother and thought I needed to be superwoman {I'd show them I wouldn't become another statistic...an unwed, teenage mother...I could do it ALL}.  And don't get me wrong...my greatest accomplishment to this day is being a good mama to my two wonderful children.  BUT, children grow up & husbands can break your heart and spirit and then what?  You're left with YOU.  And you are left asking yourself "What do YOU want to do?"  "What's important to YOU?"  "What do YOU want to do with your life?"  and most importantly, "Do you love YOU?" 

I started really, honestly looking at myself.  The things I liked about me.  The things I wanted to change.  And along this road, I discovered some great things.  That I really like who I am but I had some deep set insecurities that would take awhile to work out.  But you can't grow unless you are willing to take an honest evaluation of YOU.  As uncomfortable as it can be....it has all been worth it. 

Life is GOOD! 

dance, sing, floss and travel

I love Lululemon!!  Kayla got a gift certificate for Christmas and we are off and running to the nearest store.  A girl has to look good while she's working out....right?? 

2010...our year in pictures

Our family has been really blessed in 2010!  So many wonderful memories!  I was looking back at all that happened this year and I put together a slideshow!  I hope this montage will help me always remeber the good things that surround me...there really is a lot!!!!  Happy New Year!!!

 

more christmas pics...

Last night was the Gaines family Christmas celebration...our last of the season.  God, I love my family.  We had a great night playing games, opening presents and just being together!!  We're a crazy bunch and I love us!!