Inside Out Specials!

Photo taken by Chris Duh.

The leaves have fallen from this amazing maple tree that stands in our front yard.  Although I didn't do much of the raking this year, I did get a chance to play in the leaves with the boys, and as always, that brings back such fond memories of growing up in the Midwest.

I feel so filled up this time of year.  And as I see the leaves fall it reminds me that the long winter is on its way.  Winter represents a time for solitude, for rest and for slowing down to go deeper within.  It is especially important during this season to listen and to reflect.  The year is coming to an end, and with the start of a new year we are provided with the gift of new beginnings.

In preparation for the new journeys that await you, take time to really listen to the whisper inside, that quiet voice that's gently guiding you on YOUR path.  What is it your heart is telling you?

I've heard from so many of you that you are ready for a big change in your life - one that helps you embrace your authentic place and purpose in the world, and one that helps you fully express your creativity.  For those of you who want to create the life you LOVE - one you truly love every day - then check out these exciting opportunities.

First off, go stop by Rhythm of the Home's beautiful blog.  I am honored to be one of the sponsors for their winter magazine (that comes out December 1st).  They are hosting my very last give-away for a spot in my e-course, Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery.

Celebrating Cyber Monday!

Starting Monday, November 28th, I am offering a special exclusive to my Facebook Fans.  You have to be a fan to see the special, but let me just say, I am offering a huge discount to anyone interested in signing up for Inside Out!  

Feel free to join my Facebook Fan page for details.

Free Spirit Knits

Promote Your Page Too

December 1st is the official day registration opens for Inside Out.  Visit here for more info.

Your Personal Reflection:  What are your inner voices saying and are you ready to listen?

The winner of the...

Hip Mountain Mama $30 gift certificate is...

Thanks for stopping by and for leaving your fabulous comments.  I'll be introducing another free spirit soon with another great give-away!

And mark your calendars...registration for Inside Out: A Creative Adventure of Self-Discovery opens December 1st!

Your Personal Reflection:  Are you ready to make 2011 the best year yet?

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Simple Gratitude

Last night we drove many, many miles to attend a Christmas in the Park celebration.  The flyer said there would be a fireworks show and then the park would open, where we would have the opportunity to drive around the lake and look at the hundreds of light displays.  I was excited for it all day.  We put on our jammies, piled in the car and turned on the Christmas music.  

And we drove and drove and drove...

We got a little lost.  We arrived a little late.  We saw the end of the fireworks show from the shoulder of a busy road.  And the only light displays we saw after that were the hundreds of tail and headlights from all the traffic!  We never did find the display of lights at the lake and when we finally asked a cop, he said something about it being over and shooed us to keep driving. 

The night was a total bust!  We drove for two hours, pulled over to nurse 2 times, got frustrated about the directions and my head started to hurt.  I was disappointed for my family as I was anticipating this event all afternoon.  I had been building it up for Kestan, too..."We are going to see fireworks tonight and tons of Christmas lights around a lake!"  

As we drove away, Kestan said, "Where are the lights by the lake?"  And just as I was getting ready to explain to him that we couldn't find (or just completely missed) the event, he exclaimed, "Oh, there are some Christmas lights!"  He noticed a farm house on the side of the road that had, to our luck, decked out their house like the Griswolds.  And he was happy.

We pulled over for the third time so I could nurse Ashton, and Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas song came on the radio.  Kestan laughed and laughed.  And so did we.  

And in that moment I remembered...it's the simplest things that bring such great joy to our lives.  It's finding gratitude in every moment that makes life so very special.

We didn't need to drive hours for some grand light production to kick off our holiday weekend.  We simply needed the time and space to be together.

And it's moments like these that I'm most grateful for today.

Your Personal Reflection:  On this day of giving thanks, what are you most thankful for in THIS moment?

Today is the last day to enter for your chance to win a great gift from Hip Mountain Mama.  Check it out HERE.

Create Wherever You Can (& another chance to win!)

This next Free Spirit Spotlight introduces you to Suzy, creator and owner of Hip Mountain Mama.  Many of you are probably already familiar with her as she has a wonderful presence on her blog in the world of Twitter.  She sells natural products for mamas at her on-line store.  I just ordered a Moby wrap from her and can't wait to start using it with Ashton. 

Enjoy her lovely interview, and leave a comment for your chance to win a $30 gift certificate to use at the Hip Mountain Mama shop!

*Photos provided by Hip Mountain Mama.

1) How did you come to a place in your life where you embrace yourself as a creative person?

I guess I have always felt like a creative person.  There are certain mediums that I am better at using than others, but as a whole I'm pretty creative.  I think a lot of this comes from my mom always telling me how creative I am.  She really boosts my confidence when it comes to my creativity and it has been important to have someone in my life to keep me feeling good about my creations.  I honestly feel that we are all creative beings; we just need to recognize and embrace it.

2) What's your favorite art medium for self-expression?

I really enjoy putting things together...making something beautiful from just a few materials.  Things like jewelry, knitting, and basket weaving.  I feel that when given a few materials and asked to create something, this really brings out ones personality and is such a wonderful freedom of self-expression.

3) Where do you get your inspiration?

I get a lot of my inspiration from nature.  I love creating things using natural materials or even things taken right out of nature.  I also find tons of inspiration from other creative people through blogs, craft fairs or friends.

4) How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects?

Well, if you are literally talking about space...I usually find myself crafting on my bed, or couch, or the kitchen table with materials spread out all over.  I don't have a craft room or area of the house, so I keep most of my supplies in my closet or mixed in with the kids art supplies.  As far as time goes, I usually create with the kids so I am basically killing two birds with one stone, right?  I get to spend quality time with the kids while teaching them the importance of fostering their creative sides, while also getting to embrace my creativity at the same time!  There are also times I find myself knitting in the waiting room of the dentist office, or in bed at night, or in the car on the way to Grandma's house...I sneak it in when I can!

5) What is a free spirit to you and do you feel like one?

I totally feel like a free spirit.  My definition of a free spirit and why I feel like one is: 

~having an open mind ~willingness to try new things ~not afraid to get messy ~lots of laughing and having fun ~exploring new places.  

To me, being a free spirit means having a blast, but also taking care of your loved ones and acting in a caring and responsible manor.

6) What would you say to those who want to live a creative, free spirited life but don't feel very creative and don't know where to begin?

Like I said in the beginning, I completely believe that we are all creative beings.  Think about it...when we are kids, we are all given crayons and glue and other materials and we know just what to do with them.  There is some point in our lives when we stop playing with those materials and we seem to lose the desire to create.  My advice is to start creating again!  Pick up those crayons and doodle, paint, learn to knit, start a blog, or take guitar lessons.  Don't worry about the outcome or about getting messy - just have fun!

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BIG thanks to you, Suzy, for sharing your creative spirit with us.

Your Personal Reflection:  Do you carve out enough time in your day for your creativity?  Leave a comment here for your chance to win a $30 gift card to be used at Hip Mountain Mama.  Join my Facebook fan page if you want a double shot at winning.

I'll announce the winner later this week!

The winner of the...

 Experimental Art E-course is...

Mridula!

  

Congratulations!  And thanks to each of you for entering this random drawing.

Check back tomorrow for the next Free Spirit Spotlight interview and for your chance to win another great gift.

Your Personal Reflection:  Do you openly accept the gifts that come into your life?

Nurture Your Inner Artist (and a chance to win!)

Today marks the first in a series of "free spirit spotlights" with some of my favorite creative and inspirational people.  Also, in honor of November and giving thanks, I thought that it would be fun to host some give-aways to express my gratitude for all of your visits and great comments.  (So keep reading for your chance to win a fabulous prize!)

Amelia Critchlow is an artist, writer and educational practitioner.  Last year she launched her first e-course, Experimental Art, and due to its popularity, she has created more opportunities to help you express your inner artist.

I recently asked Amelia to share with us what it means to live a free spirited life-style.

1) How did you come to a place in your life where you embrace yourself as a creative person?
I would say I've always been a creative person and encouraged to be so from childhood.  As an adult, I often found art and creativity slipping as it's not deemed practical or job-worthy, however, I made a decision to take that part of me seriously in my late twenties by going back to art school and doing a degree (10 years ago now) and it really has been the best decision I made.  I have definitely made it work as part of my earning life and of course it's my passion too!

2) What's your favorite art medium for self-expression?
I find it hard to choose one particular medium.  But my favorites are: collage, hand-stitching, and wild experiments with paint, and ink.  Currently I am exploring photography, but mainly where I can set up a scene though assembling, and also acquiring props - creating an imaginative reality and grown-up play really intrigues me!  See my latest post here on play.

3)  Where do you get your inspiration?
I get my inspiration from artists:  the amazing, wonderful, abundant resources of active artists who have chosen to embrace and honor their passion by doing art and being artists.  I go to exhibitions regularly and am an art book junkie!  Plus, of course, there is now a haven of art and creativity just by looking on the World Wide Web.

4)  How do you manage to find time and make space for your creative projects?
I have to treat my art and creativity as a professional and honored part of my life, otherwise it gets very easily side-lined.  It is not a hobby, it is an intrinsic part of my well-being, life and profession.  As dramatic as that may sound I have chosen to make it that way in defense of people telling me it was neither viable, sensible, money-earning etc.  I chose not to listen to them and instead listened to my own intuition calling.  I set aside 'making' or 'art' days and they are as valid as house-cleaning, any other paid work, or parenting.

5)  What is a free spirit to you?
I feel like a crazy free spirit and it feels good!  My definition is a person who does not conform to the norm without questioning themselves, life, and what it may be about.  A person who chooses to live life by their own rules and discovers and explores what works for them and honoring that without compromising others.

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Thank you, Amelia, for sharing YOU with us.

I've been a participant in Amelia's e-course and it's awesome!  Visit her blog to learn more.

Your Personal Reflection:  What inspires you?  Share here by leaving a comment.  Everyone who leaves a comment will be entered for a random drawing to win a spot in the January session of Experimental Art E-course.  And if you want a double shot at winning, join my Facebook fan page today and you'll be entered twice!


I'll announce the winner on Monday.  Good luck!

The List:

The question, "What is a free spirit?" has been on my mind recently.  So I put together this list and I'm posting it today in honor of Artsyville's List it Tuesday.  I'm also happy to say that creating this (and the badge below) counts as my Art Every Day project!

I have met so many amazing free spirits over the last year - through blogging, through art and mama forum's, through Twitter and Facebook, through my e-course and even at my prenatal yoga class.  I believe we should surround ourselves with those people who bring excitement, enthusiasm, inspiration and joy into our lives - and that's what free spirits do for me. 

Over the next two weeks I will be introducing three of my favorite free spirits.  And in honor of this month of gratitude, they have kindly agreed to offer "thank you" gifts to some lucky readers!

So make sure you stop by often to get inspired and for your chance to win.

I invite you to grab this badge and place it proudly on your own site or blog.  Feel free to link it to the "How to be a Free Spirit" list that can be found here.  Isn't it a great reminder to continue living our life more fully, boldly and freely? (If you do put this on your blog, let me know by posting a comment here.  I'll make sure to mention you in future posts!)

Your Personal Reflection:  What does being a "free spirit" mean to you?  What else would you add to the list?