Inside Out Registration is Now Open!

The 6th session of Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery e-course opens today.  I am thrilled and excited and I sure hope you will join us!  Oh...and by the way...I know times are tough right now for so many.  I felt a tug at my heart to lower the price for this winter session.  SO...you will see the offering for class is $79 for 5-weeks. And if you find a friend to join you, the offering is $120 for two.

Visit HERE for more details and to REGISTER.

Visit HERE to read just a few testimonials from past participants.

Visit HERE to read why I created this class.

Are you wanting to make some changes in your life?

Are you ready to make 2012 the best year yet?

Are you a mom of young children and feeling lost?

Are you a mom of older children and are thinking...now what?

Are you a women desperately longing to find her creative passions in life?

Are you feeling stressed and overwhelmed?

Are you ready to define your life's purpose and be of service to the world?

Are you wanting to slow down?

Are you interested in playing with paint but don't know where to begin?

Have you been creating your whole life but are needing some new inspiration?

Are you ready to find stillness?

Are you feeling a little blocked?

Are you feeling pretty darn good and happy but just want to regain clarity for a new year?

Are you curious about what "else" there is in life?

Are you wanting to express yourself but don't know how?

Are you needing some courage to follow your heart?

Are you ready to set some new goals in your life?

Do you have a big dream you are ready to manifest but are just needing some support?

Are you wanting to regain balance?

Are you seeking more adventure?

Do you feel alone?

Are you longing for connection and community?

Are you overjoyed and want a tribe to share your bliss with?

Are you ready to let go of "perfect," be messy, play more, laugh more and have more fun?

If you resonate with any of these questions above, than maybe this 5-week Inside Out e-course experience is for you.

Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions.  

All life is an experiment.  

The more experiments you make the better.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Feel free to email me with any questions.  livefreely@mac.com

We are packing up the kids, car seats, snacks, and winter clothes for a family adventure. I'll be back in a week or so after our vacation!  

Be well and have a peace-filled day.

Your Personal Reflection:  What action will you take today towards creating the life YOU love?

Inside Out E-Course - Registration for Next Session!

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. -Lao Tzu

Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery e-course registration opens TODAY!

This is the 5th time I'm offering this course and I couldn't be more excited.  This 5-week life experience gives you an opportunity to become a bold explorer of your inner world. You know, that place where your secret wishes and creative yearnings live.  You'll discover new things about yourself and learn how to shine light on those dreams ready to manifest.

The course is full of daily reflections and inspiration, creative play activities, art journaling, weekly yoga poses and guided audio meditations.  One of the best parts about this course is that you get to do the exercises in the comfort of your own home, at your own pace, while connecting to women from all over the world through our on-line community. (Inside Out has reached over 16 countries and counting!)

If you sign-up by this Friday, August 5th, you will get to take advantage of my early bird special at the discounted price of $79.  This is a $20 savings.  (By the way, I've added another week of yummy, creative goodness, too.)  And if you've already taken this course in the past, you get an even greater discount - so email me directly for details. (livefreely@mac.com).

Inside Out runs from September 12th - October 21st, 2011.  

The on-line material will be available 4 weeks after class, and you will receive PDF's to download, so the class can fit around your schedule.

 Space is limited so do sign-up early to reserve your spot. 

To register at the early bird price of $79 for 5-weeks, visit HERE.

To learn more about the course, visit HERE.

To learn why I created the course, visit HERE.

To see frequently asked questions, visit HERE.

I could continue telling you just how wonderful the course is, how life changing the process can be and all the other amazing benefits you will receive once you sign-up.  But instead, I'll let some of the past participants do that for me.  Throughout this next month, I'll be sharing testimonials from Inside Out graduates, so you can get inspired by all of the beautiful changes they continue to make in their lives.

I thought I'd share just a few with you today...

"I would say to anyone wanting to connect (or re-connect) with their inner artist that they should pay a visit to Free Spirit Knits and invest in the Inside Out e-course.  I've experienced this amazing e-course twice and my creative life has been transformed because of it.  I am now much more confident about expressing myself creatively and not worrying about the outcome, learning to just trust the process.  There is nothing more freeing than 'playing' with paint, being a child again, creating for the fun of it.  And this e-course will definitely let you do that!  There's also a great on-line community where you can feel perfectly safe sharing all your creations and connect with like-minded souls."        -Jennifer, UK

"The course really helped me reconnect with my love of creativity and helped me try out different, simple, fun and colourful ways to explore and connect with my creative self, and especially to know that I can make the time and space for that most days when I choose to.  It really helped me to look within a little, take the time for that self-reflection and actually be intentional about that, and journaling about it rather than just a passing thought.  As a stay at home mum of a toddler, I often found I really didn't prioritise or make the space for this important self-reflection and care.  It was really wonderful, encouraging, warm and inspiring to be able to share the journey with so many other women across the globe through the online community, and nice to still keep in touch with many of them." -Katie, Australia

"I loved Inside Out and it has done so much for me in so many ways, even though I am up in years, it is never too late to change and learn.  I have been changing my life and really letting a lot of the artist side of me come to the surface.  I love the ideas Shannon gave us to follow, think about, as she encouraged us to let ourselves go, which has been a very meaningful and eye opening experience.  I am now trying to put some new ideas of mine to paper again, through writing, and I'm experiencing the joy of putting my thoughts down and expressing how I feel about aging and life in general at this time in my life.  I would definitely recommend the course to anyone who wants to know what makes them tick, and to reveal some of their thoughts, feelings and expressions that are ready to take flight." -Iris, US, age 70+

To read more testimonials, visit HERE.

I'm so excited to share this journey with YOU...

xo,
Shannon

Your Personal Reflection:  Are you ready to begin?

Who Am I Kidding?

YES...I'm loving my baby moon.  I'm getting the "normal" amount of sleep that you get with a newborn.  I'm enjoying the slower pace.  I'm learning how to manage outings with two.  I'm doing laundry, although not really keeping up with it, and I'm cooking dinners again.  Physically I feel better.  There is still some sensitivity around my incision area, but it's definitely healing.  My belly still looks like I'm 5 months pregnant, but that's just part of the deal.  I will say that I can't wait for the day when I can wear pants with a zipper, and when I can get back to yoga and Zumba!

I had this big idea that it was time to start work again.  Since I work from home and for myself I set my own schedule and pace.  I love that I have the flexibility and freedom to do this.  Being a work-from-home, stay-at-home mom has been a dream of mine since I started having children.  (Here's just a piece of my creative journey that helped get me to this place.)  I was starting to get the hang of it with one child, but now that I have another one I'm finding that just taking a shower - one where I can shave my legs AND dry my hair - is a great accomplishment for the week!

So needless to say my attempts at making Art Every Day have, um...been challenging.  I've felted a little, I've written some, and I've played with legos and play dough.  I even had my sister come over to watch Kestan so that I could enjoy some time in my art room.  And although Kestan had a great time playing with Aunt Lindsay, I became frustrated because I set expectations that were not getting met.  I wanted to paint and instead I spent most of the three hours nursing, cleaning and trying to just get myself ready for the day.  And that's when the feeling of being overwhelmed kicked in.

Caring for all the needs of two children, cleaning, cooking, running a business, visiting with friends, quality time with my husband, keeping up with finances, planning for the future and on and on and on.  Trying to "do it all" is for the birds.  I mean, who am I kidding anyway?

Frustrated?  Overwhelmed?  Stressed?  Is this how I want to spend my days?

And that's when I reminded myself, "YOU HAVE A NEWBORN, SHAN!"  Chill out.  Relax.  Get more sleep.  Let gooooo...  Enjoy yourself and your time with your babes - they are growing up so fast!

So the next day I didn't set any expectations or have any plans in mind.  I ended up spontaneously creating some new meals, felting some holiday crafts, playing with my boys and I even got a nap in.  No expectations and no planning is where I need to stay right now.  I find I'm way less frustrated, overwhelemd, and stressed when I stop setting myself up with unrealistic expectations.

And instead of having these big ideas of jumping right back into work (after only a month), or painting, or opening up my Etsy shop again, I've decided to let each day be my guide.  So today I returned to my knitting needles, not only because I find knitting to be relaxing and meditative, but because it's the one thing I can do while nursing!

HEY WORKING MOMS - I want to hear from you!  How do you balance the joy (and challenges) of motherhood with your creative and personal interests?

Your Personal Reflection:  Do you ever set expectations or make plans only to see it end in disappointment and frustration?  How can you continue to plan for the future but live in the present moment, with less expectations of how things "should" be?  Try going through your day today with less worry and more unplanned experiences - and see how you feel.

Surround Yourself with Love

Everything in our life is a symbol.  Take a moment to look around your home and notice the symbols in your life.  What images are you drawn to?  What colors?  What textures?  Are there particular shapes, images, or symbols that you see throughout your surroundings?  

One image that I'm particularly drawn to is the heart.  As I look around my own home I notice we have heart symbols in almost every room - and I still can't get enough.  In fact, one of my favorite things to do is find rocks that look like hearts.

This is just one of many heart rocks I discovered on my hikes in Colorado.  

I was inspired when my friend and fellow blogger, Megan, visited me a few weeks ago. We pulled out the paints and played.  Since I'm hyperaware these days of abundance and gratitude, I'm especially drawn to making heart symbols.  Megan had the idea of creating a heart "pillow" and I wanted to share this project with you!

Continuing with my dedication to One Small Change, I like looking for new ways to use brown paper bags.  (See another fun idea here.)  

Supplies for Recycled Heart "Pillows"

*brown paper bags

*paints and brushes

*crayons 

(any other medium you like)

*water

* glue or hot glue gun

*scissors

*sponges and other textured stuff

*optional:  friends to create with you!

Step 1:  Cut two hearts the same size

Step 2:  Crinkle the hearts in your hand

This gives the hearts great texture for painting, as well as adds depth.

Step 3:  Take a sponge or brush and paint a background color on each heart.

Step 4:  Now the fun really begins.  Add your personality to your heart and play with lines, swirls, and doodles.  If you have trouble getting started, take the side of a crayon and rub it over the surface of your heart.  Play like a child would - without thinking about what you're doing.  Just explore lines and shapes and have fun. You'll surprise yourself if you stop worrying about the final outcome and simply enjoy the process of playing with your supplies!

Step 5:  When you are finished designing both sides of your heart, staple, glue or hot glue the sides together. (Of course make sure your colorful creations are facing out on both sides.)  Stop half-way through gluing and stuff some crinkled paper scraps inside your heart "pillow".  (Idea:  Stuff if with a journal entry listing all the things you are grateful for in your life!)  Finish sealing the heart.

Step 6: Find a special place to display your heart symbol in your home. 

 (Idea:  Take some fun photos of you with your heart and email them to me!  I'll make sure to post them on my blog.)

On another note: For those of you following Reduce Clutter; Create Space 2010; the theme for July is mementos.  It's time to clear and organize your old photos, books, letters and special things you've stored up over the years.  Good luck and let's continue helping each other create the lives we love!

Your Personal Reflection:  Slow down enough to notice the symbols in your life.  What do you see?

Everyone is Born Creative; Everyone!

We pulled out the paints yesterday.  Started with watercolors but Kestan wanted something messier - so finger paints were a must.  We get messy a lot together but for some reason this day was a little different.  I was totally relaxed with him.  I put out a variety of paints and supplies (per his request).  I put white butcher paper down on two different tables and let him move between the two.  

I was fascinated watching him become fully engaged in the process of painting.  He swayed to the classical music, he used his hands, he tried a variety of brushes and colors, he poured the water directly on his paper, he splashed it around and he even used the opposite end of his brush to draw in the paint.

He experimented, explored, and discovered - without limitations.  I didn't tell him "no."  I didn't freak out about spilt water.  I didn't care that he got paint on his face (chin, ears, elbows, and knees).  I simply let him be in a place to be guided by his innate creativity.

I've given myself permission to take my e-course alongside the other fabulous explorers in class, so I have my art journaling supplies and special space set up.  I've been creating more this week - and I feel blessed that I get to do a lot of this playing alongside my little boy.

And what I hope for you is that you give yourself permission to play, too!  We are ALL born creative - yes, even YOU!  I'm reading this fabulous book, Ignore Everybody - and 39 other Keys to Creativity, by Hugh MacLeod, and he puts this point very simply.  He says, "Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.  Then when you hit puberty they take the crayons away and replace them with dry, uninspiring books on algebra, history, etc.  Being suddenly hit years later with the "creative bug" is just a wee voice telling you, "I'd like my crayons back, please."

That is what I hear time and time again from people searching for their artist within.  We all have that inner voice that whispers and gently guides us towards creative expression, and it's usually our adult, linear, critical voice that points us to the rational, "do it right," be responsible, "you aren't creative," place that keeps us from ever returning to our crayons.

Here's what I want you to do:  Take out some paper, crayons, paints and simply allow yourself to play.  Set the timer for 15 minutes, turn on your favorite music and cover your page with color.  Feel like a beginner, just like Kestan, and get your hands messy, paint with two brushes at once, close your eyes while painting, and let the movement of the music guide you.  Have fun and remember this - YOU ARE CREATIVE!

Your Personal Reflection:  If playing with paint feels intimidating and you don't feel creative (like most of us) then take some time to get crayons and paints back into your hands.  Only YOU can decide when it's finally time to let your innate creativity shine.  Life is short - do it today!

Give Yourself a Gift

Do you want to dream big, face your fears and change your life?  

Do you want to nurture your creative being and let your artist within be fully expressed to the world? (Remember - we are ALL artists - even if you don't feel like one, yet!)

Do you want to learn how to use new art supplies and to play, play, play with paint?

Do you want to create without perfection, without a "right" way, and with lots of messes?

Do you want to expand the possibilities in your life and follow what lives inside your heart?

Do you want more balance, peace, serenity, relaxation and harmony every day?

Do you want to rid your life of physical, emotional and mental clutter, so that you can know the deeper part of you - the part that is present, connected and authentic?

Do you want to get to know yourself better and discover what brings you great meaning and joy?

Do you want to explore through writing and creative play, while connecting to a like-minded community of bold explorers - others who know exactly where you are coming from, (and have a chance to meet new life-long friends?)

Do you want to live freely - being the REAL you?

Sign-up for Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery and remember what it really means to create and fully live the life you love.  

Starts Monday!  (Enrollment is open until Sunday, April 4th, Midnight US Central Time.)

Your Personal Reflection:

What are you waiting for?  Feel like you have no time or money?  Email me about your concerns and let's have a chat.  livefreely@mac.com

On a side note:  I am taking a week off from blogging to spend quality time with my family on a vacation to the north woods.  I will return next week!  Please share the link to my e-course with anyone you think would benefit from this creative, mindful journey.


Those of you participating in Reduce Clutter; Create Space, 2010 Challenge:  We are wrapping up the March theme of conquering our clothes, and the loose theme for April is the kitchen.

One Small Change - The Month of Love

I love this time of year!  Spring is just around the corner, and yet, overnight we received a new dusting of snow and today the sky is gray.  A perfect excuse to stay home in pj's and get messy with paint.

  

My one small change goal for the month of February is to return to using cloth grocery bags.  They've been sitting in the backseat of my car and I keep forgetting to take them in.  I foiled my plan this past week when I found myself in the grocery store, yet again, empty-handed.  I felt bummed as I walked to the car holding three paper bags.

As a way to make it up to this poor tree and to stay creative every day, I decided to repurpose the bags into vibrant Valentine's Day cards!

I started with very simple supplies:  the bags, scissors, acrylic paint, water, brushes, scrap paper and magazines.

I put on my Ani DiFranco Pandora station and went to town covering the paper with a mixture of background colors.

I played with my brushstroke and added swirls on top.

I used white fabric paint (Tulip Matte) to add some texture.

After the paint was fully dry, I cut out a variety of hearts of different sizes.

Then, I used the colorful paper and hearts to make my cards.  Here I stitched an outline with my sewing machine and glued the painted paper to a scrap piece of card stock.

I cut the brown paper bag in card shapes and added fun sayings from magazine clippings.

I loved this project because it gave me a wonderful opportunity to slow down.  As I played with paint,  I enjoyed memories of how much I loved Valentine's Day as a kid.  I remember the excitement of decorating the boxes to collect candies and cards from the boys I had crushes on.  I thought about all of my friends and family that I care so much about.  I thought about my grandma, living in a nursing home, and that her biggest excitement of the day is when the mail arrives.

I'm so excited to write messages and send my colorful love notes the old fashioned way.  I'm happy that using paper bags wasn't a total waste.  (Although I'm still planning to use my cloth bags next time!)

Your Personal Reflection:  Receiving a handwritten letter in the mail is the best, and it rarely happens.  Think of someone you love and surprise them with a handmade love note today.