What's Your Feng Shui?

Feng Shui has been in my life nearly 20 years. I learned about it (the ancient Chinese art of balancing the energy of a space for health and good fortune) when I was living with my dear friend and Tribeca roommate, called Miss Yemma. With our 5 Abyssinian kittens, we lived in Yemmaland. (Yemma was our word for love, kats, hello, goodbye, ouch, yahoo, you name it.) Yemmaland? That's another post.

Back to Feng Shui. When I met Miss Yemma, she was beginning to live clearly, with her health and wellness a top priority; it was natural that she suggested we bring in a Feng Shui expert. Like an interior designer, he taught us where to place lights and furniture to make Yemmaland more beautiful and release old bad habits; like a therapist, he brought consciousness and intention into more awareness. Aside from The Great Levelour Door Painting Mistake which was quickly corrected, our home felt great!

Since then, I have always given a good deal of attention to the Feng Shui of my spaces -- not just my entire home, but each room, and even desks and work spaces. Being aware of where things are placed and spaced, noting how I feel each time I see an object (consciously or unconsciously), colors, textures, elements, and flow are all important.

my now clear desk

It can be quite involved and complicated, really, but mostly it asks one to be aware, and sometimes I get lazy or too busy to deal. Things have been hectic here since March (I know, it's June already), but this past week, I got a some good, healthy Feng Shui back:

clutter free dresser/night stand

   Piles out. (Laundry and bills alike)
   Old ripped, ill-fitting clothes packed up.
   Broken electronics recycled.

Electronics ready for recycling

   Lightbulbs replaced.

   Phone calls returned.

   Emails written.

   Appointments scheduled.

   Tickets bought.

   Oil replaced.

   Batteries charged.

   Bad purchases returned. 

No bills, no shopping bags, no fuss!

I'm feeling clarity return as I eliminate stuff jammed behind doors, bags hanging from hooks, and numerous and repetitive lists piling up on my desk. If it takes less than a minute, do it. And make sure it's beautiful, has {good} meaning, or serves a purpose.

Yemma would be proud.
_________________________
***What's next?***

* Lisa Sonora Beam! Join Emily when Heather Arndt's Happy Los Angeles hosts the Creative Entrepreneur author in Los Angeles for Lisa's Crafting the Visual Memoir: Artful Traveler Journals workshop!

One day only: 10:30 am - 5:30 pm, $245. Register before June 30 and receive a 1hr. private coaching session with Lisa about your work (a fantastic $300 value!). Many supplies included.  Register here.
And/or you can also catch Lisa in the San Francisco area the following weekend, July 14.

*Gather & Giggle with us! Sunday, July 15 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Larchmont, NY! Email us for more information. Or go register with Meetup to register and keep in the loop!

Creating

I have to admit that I feel very far away right now.  I mean, Texas actually is very physically far away from where I was living just last week.  But I mean more emotionally:  I email my friends, and I hungrily read the posts and reports about the workshop this weekend, and I feel outside.  I feel like the loner in high school standing at the side of the hallway looking on enviously at the beautiful popular girls as they stride past, making everything look easy and confident and lovely.  I feel outside the magic.

I chose this distance.  For many reasons, the primary one being family, it was right for me to choose this relocation.  But I moved from feeling in the center of things to being way out on the periphery.  It feels lonely and wistful.

Do you ever feel like an outsider?  Like the one who just doesn't get it?  Who is mystified about how to fit in or be liked or how to enjoy the things that this group of people seems to like so much?  Have you ever been inside and then chosen to step away because you had to or needed to? 

It's hard.  I've been outside a lot in my life, and I have learned that the very things that made me odd or unpopular at certain times in my life ended up being the most valuable things about me at other points. 

This last decade of my life I felt more like I was on the inside, though.  I had worked and studied and risked and succeeded, and I felt the magic.  And I also created, with Emily, my own magic with Doodlebugheart.  It is a deeply intimate company in so many ways.  I certainly consider myself still very vital, but the distance makes me uncertain on how to do things now.  It's just different.

I wanted to be a part of that workshop, to trust and risk and jabber, to create and find insights and friendships.

Instead, I'm in Texas, in a limbo of sorts between my old life and my new life, having moved from my old town and home and not yet having moved into my new town or home.

It's a whopper of a transition.

It's why we started our company, transitions.  They are hard.  They are by definition somewhere new and unfamiliar, the between of what we knew and where we will end up.  They are uncomfortable.  As in, we are "out of our comfort zone".  In Doodlebugheart, we teach that this is the golden time.  This is where the art of our lives are created.   This is the emergence of the new from the old and we try to offer tools to enlighten and ease that journey so that we can embrace it rather than fear it.  I have so many transitions to embrace.  I have left my career, my friends, my town, my home and am starting all of that anew or in a different way.

Plus (and I believe this is called "burying the lead" in journalism) I have one more transition to face.  A biggie.

I'm pregnant.  Again.

I am thrilled.  And surprised.  And scared.  And nauseous.

I have my first doctor's visit on Monday.  I will be able to breathe again if everything goes well there.

I feel a little like a wet blanket writing this after the exuberance of the workshop posts, and the warmth and honesty of our guest blogger Tracey.  However, the one thing Emily and I always strive for is honesty, with ourselves, with each other, and with you.  So all I can do is say that I am facing a crapload of transitions and I would like to share the journey of those with you.  And I would like to do it honestly, which may not be as perky and inspirational as I might wish it to be.  I will be cranky, and self-pitying, and be overwhelmed, and just fail in pretty big ways.  I would like to share what I figure out as I try once more to go from being an outsider to creating my own magic again.

And maybe, just maybe, I will be creating a new life.  My own, and my baby's.

Wish me luck.

Erin Faith Allen -- ahhhh-mazing!

I'm in that post-workshop grounded, happy, relaxed, recharged, and a-little-sad-it's-over phase. We hosted the ahhh-mazing Erin Faith Allen for her Soul Portrait Empowerment Workshop this past weekend and it was full of goodness!

Admidst the paints, stencils, water, brushes, stamps, water, flowers, candles, fairy lights, Erin introduced herself; we introduced ourselves. Then among the birds, bunnies, and greenery, we listened to those deep down hushed voices and let them unfold.

Tracey Clem at work

We {openly} discussed creativity, women, careers, souls, religion and politics, pets, children, mates, parents.

Art by Mary McElroy Smith

We renamed each other, we hiccuped, we burped, we ate, we visualized and supported.

My Dick Blick 2 oz. loves

Mary's watercolor "eyeshadows"

We shared art supplies (above): Mary had these lovely watercolors in cute little makeup-like jars! Tracey had to hide her big bag of washi tape. And my little Dick Blick 2 oz paints I'm addicted to were a hit!

Collage by Erin Faith Allen

Because we were an intimate group, we were lucky to have Erin share with us. This pic (above) is hard to see, but it's deeply complex and layered.

Lotus en circle by Emily Cline

And even I came full circle... with Erin's beautiful balance and guidance.

We will be hosting her in Larchmont again -- once her child is born. In the meantime, we wish her happy, healthy body and baby! And send so much gratitude for her journey here, that allowed us to unfurl and open just a little bit more.

It's a Bird! It's a Plane!

It's a Bird! It's a Plane!
My older son is major into superheroes. I mean, major. You name a superhero, and chances are he knows it and can tell you what their power is. His favorite is Captain America, but he's not too picky...he'll take just about any one that comes along. For his 4th birthday I wanted to do something both superhero-y and memorable for his party favors. 

Now, I am not a fan of most birthday party favor options. This is no criticism of my friends and fellow moms who have happily distributed the requisite bag-o-swag that tends to be expected at preschool parties - I've done it myself. But this time I was desperate to do something that didn't include super bouncy balls, lollipops, crayons or, Lord save me, whistles. 

What I really wanted was capes.

I did a search on Etsy and found a number of excellent cape options - some were true superhero logos, some were superhero-esque with specific initials, some were even available in pink or purple for those more inclined to like Wonder Woman. But with a guest list hovering near 25 and a cost-per-cape of around $10, things were starting to get a bit pricey. Determined not to give in and resort to bags of trashable toys, I decided I could try to make them myself.

I found a few blogs that talked about making your own capes and gave some helpful ideas. But with 25-30 capes ahead of me and no sewing machine in sight, I was looking for the simplest option. I decided to just make 3 different kinds - Captain America, Batman and Superman. This was helpful in that it narrowed down the different colors of fabric I had to buy, and they are pretty basic logos - nothing too complex. 

Once I decided on my chosen superheroes, I then went to JoAnn's and stocked up on felt. For three and four-year-olds I decided on capes that were 18 inches wide by 24 inches long. I also bought spray adhesive and fabric glue, not being sure which would work best, as well as iron-on Velcro for the opening.

One of the blogs I found, sugartotdesigns.blogspot.com, had a great tutorial for making superhero branded storage bins. She mentioned a free downloadable font called Hall of Heroes (www.dafont.com/hall-of-heroes.font) which has just about every hero logo you can think of. Once I downloaded that, it was easy to pick out my logos and print them on my printer to create templates. I then used the templates to create the logos for my three hero capes of choice. 

I created another template to shape the top of the cape and create a neck opening. Then it was assembly line time - cutting out 30 capes, cutting out 30 different logos, using spray adhesive and fabric glue to attach the logos, and then ironing on the Velcro. Sure, it sounds like a lot of work...but I finished them all in 2 evenings in front of the TV. And the best part? The capes cost less than $2 apiece to make!!

Even now, 4 months later, the capes make an appearance on a weekly basis. In fact, last night we were visiting one of my son's classmates, a girl no less, and found her Superman cape holding a place of honor in her playroom. My younger son even wore it the whole time we were there. I have to say, though it was a lot more work, I'm thrilled that my son had a lasting reminder of his 4th birthday and his love of all things superhero.

Uncle!

Uncle! And this time, I mean it.
It started last November with my wrist reconstruction. I healed, I rested, I fought... I rested.
Then I burned my arm at Easter. I goo-ed it and bandaged it, and let it heal.
Then 10 days ago, I cut part of the tip of my own pinkie off. More goo, more bandages, more healing.
Then last night, after a thunder-and-lightening-very-very-fightening birthday party that corralled 43 over-sugared children inside, then outside, then inside again, I crashed into our lead glass coffee table. It was stashed in the pitch-black hallway so the kids wouldn't hurt themselves in the living room, and in our frosting-cleaning, pizza-nibbling, present-opening, fish-balloon-motorizing, we forgot to move it back and I crashed.
It was the straw that broke the camel's back. I'm doing too much. I am. I know I am. But if I stop, who will do it for me?
If I don't go to the audition in the city, who will?
If I don't go into my callback auction tomorrow, who will book it for me?
If I don't work Thursday, will I lose that client?
Who will clean the house and get the studio prepped for our Doodlebugheart workshop this weekend with the a-mazing Erin Faith Allen who's flying into NY today?
It's not that I feel indispensable, it's the opposite. I know, if I don't do "IT", someone else will. Someone else will fill my place and do the commercial and book the job and craft and play and live the life. And I will miss out.
But I'm hurting myself. And, well, it hurts. I have to stop.
Uncle!
and this time, I mean it. Really.
___________________

***What's next?***

***We just joined Meetup.com. You can join too and get quick, easy email messages about when we're meeting. Follow us here: www.meetup.com/Doodlebughearts-Gather-Giggle/ 

_______________________

***We were listed in Larchmont-Mamaroneck's on-line Patch. Read the article here!

_______________________

***Erin Faith Allen is Coming to New York!

Erin Faith Allen

THIS WEEKEND!

Doodlebugheart is hosting the beauty-filled, super creative, ahh-mazing Erin Faith Allen in New York! She's flying in to lead a workshop June 9 and 10 (Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 - 5:00) ~ one of her last, before she has a baby this fall.

Email us immediately for more info and to register. Only one or two spots left!

Info@Doodlebugheart.com

1.855.687.3284 

(1-855.OUR DBUG)

Here's what you need to know:

Erin Faith Allen ~ As an international mixed media art teacher, I act as a guide inward ~ to the innate creative genius spark that lies within every one of us.  An artist and empath, I experience the world on a supernatural level.  I make art to understand and process my self, life, and the planet I live on.  My work conveys the delicate dance between light and shadow, and I believe we must know our depths to know our heights: we must howl in wild stark exposure at the moon in order to know true bliss in the glow of sun. 

My artwork can be found on www.erinfaithallen.com

SOUL PORTRAIT EMPOWERMENT  $200

Course description:

Is your soul a stream of consciousness word parade that flows across your surface?  Does it swoosh in gentle abstract harmony, or blaze it’s way vibrantly across the page?  Have you ever created a piece of art with direct connection and intention to express this pure and unique essence of self?   In this soul-full hands-on collaging workshop we will dive into the depths of our very being, to find our own unique soul signature and express it through mixed media collage.

The clarity of self-image will assist greatly in manifesting your dreams, desires, and circumstances that are your hearts desire.  To hold a self-created image of WHO YOU ARE is a talisman for growth, a gift that keeps on giving for years to come!  You will be given tools of self-awareness that can be utilized in your studio and career, to unleash your potential through this creative process at any time you need to connect with yourself for answers, guidance, or fun.

With guided visualizations, music, and stream of consciousness writing we will create at least one Soul Portrait, and as many as time allows!

Day One:  Technical / conceptual dialoguing, opening up, and getting into the flow, with hands on creative play time.  

Day Two: is devoted mostly to full-blown artmaking.  I am very hands-on and give a lot of one-to-one time :)  My teaching style is loose, and while technical education and information is part of my class, my passion lies in diving deep into the soul for conceptual and energetic information and inspiration.  

Recommended Supply List:

• A minimum of 7 photographs of yourself in a variety of sizes, distances, and/or poses so that you have a lot to choose from.  (It is best to work with self-portraits when possible).A minimum of 7 symbolic images that reflect your interests and personal nuances.  These can be colors, shapes, favorite animals and other things in nature, fairy tales, characters, hobbies, beliefs, textures … the sky’s the limit!
• If you do not wish to use photographs of yourself (though this is highly recommended), you can collect imagery from magazines, ephemera, or hand-draw/paint them to assemble your soul portrait.
• 11x14 or 11x17 paper, as many as you feel you will fill. This can be scrapbooking paper, watercolor paper, xeroxes of old books or ephemera ~ anything! Gel Medium or preferred adhesive
• Calligraphy Pen and Ink in any colors that you choose 
• Any other mediums or accessories or images that you prefer working with – this can be (but is not limited to) acrylic, watercolor, paint pens, stencils, text, found images from books or magazines for collaging, scrapbooking papers for backgrounds.  The more the merrier! 
• Brushes and tools that you prefer and are comfortable with. 
• Scissors or Xacto knife

On a personal note... I can tell you, I took class with Erin at ArtFest 2012, which is why I am so excited to bring her to New York! She is intuitive, energizing, insightful, and gorgeously talented. She has a calming presence that allows your true thoughts and feelings to come through -- no judgements, only honor. All levels of ability welcome!

I am thrilled with not only the work I did in the class (it's hanging in my bedroom!), but also I'm touched by the depth of sharing everyone had and the friendships I cherish from it. I cannot recommend her class highly enough. She is wonder-full! You can see her work at www.erinfaithallen.com or just look at these!

Who Me?! by Tracey Clem

Who Me?!

Hello friends and fellow DoodlebugHeart devotees! Deb and Emily very sweetly asked if I would help out a bit on the blog as Deb is waist-deep in the Big Move. I am honored and humbled that they would put their faith and their charming blog in my often-fumbling hands. But since I'm here I thought I would take a moment to tell you a little about myself - who I am and who I'm not.

I am a Domestic Engineer, a full-time Crafter of Future Adults, and a giddily-in-love Wife, even after 12 years. I am the Master of the Laundry Room, the Landscape Technician Extraordinaire, and Finder of all Lost Loveys and Legos. I am passionate about food and wine and love to cook, bake, and yes, even grill. In my past life (aka "pre-kids") I loved and lived to travel and knew no greater joy than climbing on an airplane with my adorable husband. I will read almost anything I can get my hands on - though these days will often fall asleep 2 pages in. With two hilarious and exuberant boys - ages 2 & 4 - I am also a Seeker of Endless Sources of Energy and Patience. As they say around the Doodlebug table, "I am all of these things."

my studio

Now, let me tell you who I'm not.

I am not an Artist.

Emily is an Artist. Have you seen her work? Visit her website, her Etsy store, her posts here and you'll know. She puts paint and paper together and it's transcendent. Deb is an Artist. Seriously, this gal is like the McGuyver of crafts. Give her a flower pot, a paperclip and some chewing gum and she comes up with both a stunning centerpiece and a party favor you want to take home and display on your mantle. And this doesn't even begin to touch on the myriad of other artistic talents these gorgeous ladies have - but, I'm running out of room.

But me? Artist...hmmmm. This is something I have struggled with for years, the idea of embracing "Artist" for myself. I can't pick up "The Heart of the Artist" or "The Artist's Way" without cringing a bit. It fits so many people...but I just can't seem to wear it myself. I guess for me personally it communicates a level of talent that I don't quite feel I have...I haven't earned the title. I would more comfortably say that I enjoy creative activities. Pre-kids I was a singer, and gratefully still get to sing on occasion. As I mentioned, I love to cook, which takes a certain level of creativity. I have picked up Visual Journaling in the last 6 months, which I love to do, but would hardly call "Artist" worthy. I have had the opportunity to do some writing, which is certainly creative. Parenting alone is  a lesson in creativity. 

Why do I confess this? Because here I am...writing on an artful blog created by Artists. And maybe I'm not the only one who feels this way. Maybe I'm not the only one who craves all-manner of artistic pursuits, but can't quite claim the name. Maybe I'm not the only one who loves the process of creating art - all kinds of art - but still laughingly, self-consciously calls myself a "dabbler". If this is you too, I encourage you (as I try myself) to explore the possibility that maybe we truly are...deep breath...Artists. That we can embrace the Oxford English definition: "A follower of a pursuit in which skill comes by study or practice"...and that we can enjoy every moment of that pursuit. And if you're already there, living in and knowing yourself as an Artist, I hope you'll help show me, and those like me, the way. The way to own "Artist" as one passionately involved in the creation of art...all kinds of art...so that hopefully someday soon we can own it too. 

_______________________

***What's next?***

***We just joined Meetup.com. You can join too and get quick, easy email messages about when we're meeting. Follow us here: www.meetup.com/Doodlebughearts-Gather-Giggle/ 

_______________________

***We were listed in Larchmont-Mamaroneck's on-line Patch. Read the article here!

_______________________

***Erin Faith Allen is Coming to New York!

Erin Faith Allen

One week from now!

Doodlebugheart is hosting the beauty-filled, super creative, ahh-mazingErin Faith Allen in New York! She's coming to lead a workshop June 9 and 10 (Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 - 5:00) ~ one of her last, before she has a baby this fall.

Email us immediately for more info and to register. Only one or two spots left!

Info@Doodlebugheart.com

1.855.687.3284 

(1-855.OUR DBUG)

Here's what you need to know:

Erin Faith Allen ~ As an international mixed media art teacher, I act as a guide inward ~ to the innate creative genius spark that lies within every one of us.  An artist and empath, I experience the world on a supernatural level.  I make art to understand and process my self, life, and the planet I live on.  My work conveys the delicate dance between light and shadow, and I believe we must know our depths to know our heights: we must howl in wild stark exposure at the moon in order to know true bliss in the glow of sun. 

My artwork can be found on www.erinfaithallen.com

SOUL PORTRAIT EMPOWERMENT  $200

Course description:

Is your soul a stream of consciousness word parade that flows across your surface?  Does it swoosh in gentle abstract harmony, or blaze it’s way vibrantly across the page?  Have you ever created a piece of art with direct connection and intention to express this pure and unique essence of self?   In this soul-full hands-on collaging workshop we will dive into the depths of our very being, to find our own unique soul signature and express it through mixed media collage.

The clarity of self-image will assist greatly in manifesting your dreams, desires, and circumstances that are your hearts desire.  To hold a self-created image of WHO YOU ARE is a talisman for growth, a gift that keeps on giving for years to come!  You will be given tools of self-awareness that can be utilized in your studio and career, to unleash your potential through this creative process at any time you need to connect with yourself for answers, guidance, or fun.

With guided visualizations, music, and stream of consciousness writing we will create at least one Soul Portrait, and as many as time allows!

Day One:  Technical / conceptual dialoguing, opening up, and getting into the flow, with hands on creative play time.  

Day Two: is devoted mostly to full-blown artmaking.  I am very hands-on and give a lot of one-to-one time :)  My teaching style is loose, and while technical education and information is part of my class, my passion lies in diving deep into the soul for conceptual and energetic information and inspiration.  

Recommended Supply List:

• A minimum of 7 photographs of yourself in a variety of sizes, distances, and/or poses so that you have a lot to choose from.  (It is best to work with self-portraits when possible).A minimum of 7 symbolic images that reflect your interests and personal nuances.  These can be colors, shapes, favorite animals and other things in nature, fairy tales, characters, hobbies, beliefs, textures … the sky’s the limit!
• If you do not wish to use photographs of yourself (though this is highly recommended), you can collect imagery from magazines, ephemera, or hand-draw/paint them to assemble your soul portrait.
• 11x14 or 11x17 paper, as many as you feel you will fill. This can be scrapbooking paper, watercolor paper, xeroxes of old books or ephemera ~ anything! Gel Medium or preferred adhesive
• Calligraphy Pen and Ink in any colors that you choose 
• Any other mediums or accessories or images that you prefer working with – this can be (but is not limited to) acrylic, watercolor, paint pens, stencils, text, found images from books or magazines for collaging, scrapbooking papers for backgrounds.  The more the merrier! 
• Brushes and tools that you prefer and are comfortable with. 
• Scissors or Xacto knife

On a personal note... I can tell you, I took class with Erin at ArtFest 2012, which is why I am so excited to bring her to New York! She is intuitive, energizing, insightful, and gorgeously talented. She has a calming presence that allows your true thoughts and feelings to come through -- no judgements, only honor. All levels of ability welcome!

I am thrilled with not only the work I did in the class (it's hanging in my bedroom!), but also I'm touched by the depth of sharing everyone had and the friendships I cherish from it. I cannot recommend her class highly enough. She is wonder-full! You can see her work at www.erinfaithallen.com or just look at these!