Kindness in Kindly Way

I lobe buying flowers for my children to give out. It is something that I feel teaches them an important values. It teaches generosity and kindness. The art of giving time, our effort, our skills. It teaches them to look at people as someone rather than a body in motion in just passing glance.

I feel kindness today has taken a sad turn. Kindness is letting the car get in front of you. It participating in the pay it forward in the Starbucks line. It is the tossing of your change in the tip bucket and its typing out "Happy Birthday" on their social media wall. 

Yet it is very disconnected. It requires hardly any action from you. Not to say these gestures are not good. They are wonderful. And these small gestures like tiny treasures given out. However, within us all we have wealth, bestowed from the graces and God. All this wondrous skills, time and energy and we feel like we need to hoard it. 

Yet genuine, raw and vulnerable kindness is often not what we would expect. It the unlikely person who takes a moment to listen to another stories. Its people who hold traffic to offer a prayer and a few dollars to homeless man. It is the person who decides fighting over bathroom rights is not worth arguing about because you love the other person. It is a marine who carries his little niece's drawings around and sharing them with his buddies. 

It it the weirdo of a mother who allows her kids to chase people down in the store to give flowers away. 

Its taking moments to not just give a little, but to give yourself away. 

I hate the quote "Don't cross oceans for someone who won't cross a puddle for you."

Maybe that is just what the world needs. Like when Jesus crossed all of heaven and earth and death for His creation, maybe that is just what we need to do. Cross oceans, give it all. Take a moment to create and give more moments, because sometimes that is all we have left.

Just my thought in the moment.

God Bless

NaTacia

The Middle Path

We are walking somewhere in life. Going places we planned to go, ending up in other places we never planned for and somehow often we all end up at a dead end somewhere in our life. Yet no matter what, how or where we go, we always keep going.

I remember growing up in church these posters that would illustrate the walk in human life. One side would be the vast wild and easy path the lead straight to the gates of fire and brimstone. On the other side was this stone wall and narrow gate that separated a few people on this garden path upward into glorious heaven.

I never liked those posters. For one they scared me. They always put them in children's Sunday school classrooms. But also, it didn't feel right.

Jesus King of the Universe on this little pretty secret garden side path, separating a few people from all other. I mean GOD! King of Kings, Lord of lords, and He walks on the tini path pretending everyone else on the other are filthy rotten sinners he wants nothing to do with?

Instead, I like to think of it as there are many, hundreds of paths. And right in the middle; right in the center of it, is this small path where God, Jesus Christ resides.

You see because really dark and cruel things are pretty obvious. Those paths are wide and in shadows. We see murder, lying, cheating, horrid people doing horrid things to others. But then we other paths that look mighty and grand, but really its deceiving. Like media telling you you NEED to be beautiful to be valued. A person back stabbing their friends for personal gain. A parent claiming "I'm protecting me child." by keeping her children away from a good father. So many paths walking in so many directions, but they are all heading to the same destination.

Yet, in the middle there is this narrow path. Its hard. And we stumble on it, but it is there leading us into love and sacrifice. It is not narrow because it suppose to weed the "unwanted." Because we already God's people is made up of the unwanted and broken. It's also not narrow because their is a limit to how many get to Jesus.

No it is narrow,because it requires you to walk close to Jesus. Its narrow because those on the same narrow path are forced to be near. It makes us show our raw and broken beauty. It shows our mess and we can celebrate being seen, known and honest, knowing Jesus is making us beautiful.

The path is also in the center of it, because Jesus is center of all life and the universe. This path is in the middle because that is where Jesus can be found. If you are high and mighty the path is down to bring you down to where He is. If you are below, its above where He draws up. It is right in the middle where Jesus draws everyone in

That is just my thoughts for today.

Look upon the day, knowing He is there.

Stay inspired!

Respect Between Artist and Costumer

This is just my general opinions about matter like this. I often read on Facebook crafters,artists, craftsmen arguing with costumers and arguing among themselves. These sarcastic memes pop up with listing what you pay for for an object. Costumer complain about people charging too much. In the end its just huge argument of"me me me and what I want."

Yes. An artist or craftsmen is worth his work. Skills take time to refine and master. The products of an artist's work is worth a fine price. However, this wonderful concept for honest good craftsmanship is suddenly ruined when anyone adds, "I want this!" or "I deserve this."

The artist or craftsmen demand they get paid for their work. Which is not bad, but its when you add in "I went to 4 years of school for this!" "I've been doing this all my life!." "I've paid good money for this equipment!" That all fine an dandy. But the thing is. There are plenty of people lets say, photographers for instance who went to school for 4 years and have thousands of dollars of equipment, but are lousy at the job. Myself, I have been painting for nearly 20 years. Its a part of my life. Its something I do nearly daily. But I people are not paying me to live my life. People are not paying you to own fancy tools. Your costumers are not the banks so you can pay off your loans. Understand your skills are worth more than just something you do. It something that should be a part of you. And yes, you should get paid a fair price. But you should not guilt people into thinking its their fault you have $3000 dollar camera or a $20 paint brush, so they need to pay for it.

Costumers. You are not off the hook. Realize you work hard for your money as well, however you earn your honest money. Good artists and craftsmen know this. But don't think your money is worth somehow more than theirs. If you have 20 dollars or they have 20 dollars. It is still 20 dollars whoever owns it. Don't degrade a person by thinking your $20 dollars is worth more than them having it. Don't expect quality service or items for the price of pocket change either. You want a beautiful one of kind piece of art hanging above your couch, then either do it yourself or pay someone for it. If you want it for $25 bucks, then realize it won't be one of a kind and Target sells plenty.

Above all people. Respect each other. Respect the people who pay you for your crafts and skills. Respect the people who offer such skills and services and appreciate they are willing to do it for you. Money is needed in the world to keep up daily life but don't make it determine who a person is worth or think it gives you power to degrade another. Respect each other and both can walk away happily.

By the Window

My daughter often sits here by the window in her bedroom that she shares with her brother. The sunlight come through the messy smeared glass. The marks of children's dirty fingers and lips that had pressed up against the glass. Its a window that has seen better days and used to have clearer glass. Even when it is cleaned it is quickly dirtied by creative little hands. But this window pours in the light that capture the most precious of pictures I take. My children look out from that window when they excited to see me come home. And they have cried from that window when they watch me leave for work for the day. By that window is where the most meaningful moments have happened. The conversations I had about the concerns of 4 year old little girl. That is where I had adventure across the dresser with a little boy. This window has seen the life of a mother and father and two precious children running in and out of the room.  It has been the window we use to break into our house when we are lock ourselves out! (This has happened more than once.)  Its just a glass pane in a metal frame built into a wall. But its been the safe view from outside and inside entertaining and keeping my children.

This is a piece of my heart poured out this afternoon.

The Nobody Who Loved.

            So we look at the four gospels. Matthew Mark Luke and John. Four books telling us about the life of this incredible man who claimed to be the Son of God who came not to judge the world but to save it. (Luke19:10, John 3:17 There are many verses but here are two.)

            But you see this man, Jesus, was a no body. Born of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth. Sure he was from the blood line of David, but so were plenty of other men and women. What made him so special? He was born of a virgin, something modern technology can accomplish as well. But that is not the point. The point is this man Jesus was a human. But not any kind of human, he a perfect human. He was God in the flesh. (verse context here.) Let that sink in. Jesus was God, creator of the universe and He made Himself human to walk among His creation. Now he wasn’t here just bopping around taking note of the people around Him. No, He came to earth for this great mission. To save the world!

            Now back track this God of the universe, creator of all life. A great a power God who somehow loves the creation that fights against Him and some downright hate Him and he loves them?!?! Ok, that is just an awesome indescribable concept of God. But back to the point, why in the world. No…WHY in all the universe would God come down as this no body? I mean, really. Why not descend from the heavens, go ahead be in human flesh and go ahead have a something tragic happen. Arise again with this glorious light show of holiness and give this great speech of repent now or else?

            Now one excuse was that Jesus gave the example of being humble. Which is true, but I think the meaning is deeper. Sure being an example of humble is great, but Moses was pretty humble too. Ester was pretty humble too. Many people in the Bible were pretty good examples of humility. Yeah, Jesus was the perfect example of humility but you really think his entire entry and leave in the world was just to show how important humility is? Again humbleness is very good. Very much a lesson the Lord teaches. But there was another even better.

            It was love. Jesus’s entire life is an example of love for His creation. He didn’t come galloping in threateningly. He came with humble and lowly. He came down to be with humanity as a human. (I mean if I was God, I would display my power with lights and thunder and make people submit for their own good. Which is the very reason why I am glad God is God and I am not.)

            God, the ultimate somebody, became a nobody. And Him being in human flesh didn’t stop Him from having the power of God or Himself really. Jesus could call upon angels if He wanted too. He could have looked upon the earth, taking note how filthy we were and snapped us out of existence. And what does this human with supernatural powers start doing? You hope having flaming pillars descend from heaven like He did in the old testament with Moses. At least a burning bush…nope….

            This man healed people. He started healing people. He walked among the poor and useless. He walked to the no bodies and He loved them and He started performing mind blowing miracles. For what reason? Did they pray enough? Did they do enough works (We know this not true by several verses.) Did they look pitiful enough that God decided to show mercy because they looked like a sick puppy enough? Nope…. He loved them. That it. No reason. God just loved His creation.

            I mean this indescribable creator of everything and all things, and for no reason loved His creation that defied and hated Him and He basically said, “Because I love you I am going to die for you.”

            I mean seriously. I am a parent and I love my children, and I do something along the lines of, “Hey, you will get candy after you clean up these toys.” And that’s kinda what a lot of people would probably expect from the creator of everything. (That is sadly what a lot of churches teach today.) Clean up a bit. At least look like you are trying and then maybe God would think about calling ya back about the subject of eternal life.

            Nope. God just gives it you. So Jesus dies and offers salvation. Jesus came to us and even after He left He still comes to us. Filthy rotten sinners are we and God comes to us? Why? Because we were so helpless? (Kinda, but more.) He loved us.

            Why would you create me? Because I love you. Why would you give us this chance after we messed up? Because I love you. Why would you give me this choice? Because I love you. Why would you do anything for us at all the is good and kind when we deserve your wrath? Because I love you….

            How does this not draw anyone to tears? I mean really. This is very definition of real love and hope. I am not saying God doesn’t discipline. But like a parent who disciplines his or her children to not hurt each other or touch a hot stove or run out into the street. God does the same. There are times He does harsh disciplines and other times He lets bad things to happen, but it all comes back to show everyone of a God that loves. A God that poured His life and died to save His creation. I mean that is incredible!

           

            Anyways as I wipe away tears from my own words. I just want to say. First I am not trying to build a “Teddy Bear in the Sky” god. I am not twisting verses to fit a self-promotion of “All God wants to do is bless you!” meaning a god who only wants to give you stuff if you are good and follow what He asks. Nor am I promoting a god who says, “See? I died for you! You better grovel, obey or else!” Whose only desire is to strike fear into people and force them to their knees because they are worthless worms. (This is not say being on our knees is a bad thing. But we fall to our knees humble, not scared to death we might be put to death the next moment.)

            I am trying to point to the God who loves His creation. Who pours Himself offering Himself to the world. Who takes the beatings of then and even now because He loves His creation. He is with those who are faithful to serve Him and if offering Himself to those who don’t.

            I don’t grovel before God in fear. I tremble and cry because I can’t begin to describe how I feel knowing how I have His undeserved love. How glorious is He that He would love someone like me?

            I don’t pray before God calling for things I need or want for myself or others. (Those things can be good.) But I pray because I am taking and walking and having a relationship with a God who is wondrous and endless.

            

Children with Proper Tools

I am a avid believer in keeping creativity in our children. Its leaving our schools at a startling rate and yet we push our children to strive to do something in the world. Yet how in the world can they when we take the very thing that creates dreams?

*gets of her soap box*

I am a avid believer in giving our children the tools they need to create. Give them the simple things to imagine. Then give them the real tools to refine the ideas they come up with.

The other day I decided to give my daughter my camera. The one I spent several hundreds of dollars to use for my own work. She loves to be the subject of my work. And she loves to watch me work. Then I decided to give her the real equipment to see what she would do.

She doesn't know all the rules. She doesn't know all her limits. But she is learning them. She is refining them. From fuzzy pictures to something clear. She chased her imagination and was given a tool to bring them to life.

Give a child a camera and see what they do with.They will capture random things we don't always understand, but we see who they love. Give them a real canvas and paint and they will create something that can be so simple but speaks volumes.


Just a few words of inspiration for today.

You are created for amazing things.

God bless


Nata

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Aniexty

Anxiety. It is one of those things that can drive you crazy. But it can also be something that drives to you to do something.

My anxiety is something that is triggered randomly. Things like purchasing a house? What are my children? Where are my children going in life? Am I striving after Christ as I should be?

It is an internal struggle where I know one thing. My heart goes another way. My brain thinks in another direction. Spiraling lost in my thoughts I usually fall back to the place I started.

I go to what I know. I know how to paint. I know how to create things. I know I am loved and I find some motion of peace when I create. When I paint I am creating something, whether inspired from another artist or something of my complete own creation, I have my anxiety leave for a bit and I can rest sensing and knowing truths.

Another post for another day

You are created for wonderful things.

God Bless

Nata

Leather Tassel Key Chains

This is just a simple craft you can do in your spare time or for large groups! Really easy to make!


You can use crap leather. I know Michael and Hobby Lobby sell bags of scrap leather pieces for $5-9 dollars at full price, which would be enough to make tons of these for large groups.I used lobster key hooks but you can easily get a bag of key rings for much cheaper.

You simple cut out about rectangle piece about 3-4 inches long.

Cut thin strips about 3/4 all the up. (Leave an edge at the top.)

Take another thin strip of leather and slip your key ring over and hot glue that to one edge of the larger piece of leather.

Then roll it up and hot glue the very end of it.


You can had charms to if you like.

You could probably also use different fabric as well.

if you want to use string you can make some to use for cellphone charms if you like. :)

Embrace You Soul-A Purple Paisley Chouch

Embracing your Soul.

I think we how controlled our society is today it crushes our soul. Like when you get married, everyone assumes the white dress, but maybe never thought about a dress. Really you wanted something silly and laid back. Or how you love large purple paisley couch! But whenever you bring that idea everyone looks at you with a weird look and you feel your taste is ugly. You style doesn't fit what is on "trend" right now. And if you dared to get that purple paisley couch, what in the world would people think.

I think though to change the way society thinks is to embrace our souls. Embrace what we like is beautiful. Accept that our style may not fit what everyone thinks it should be. Love who you are and what you like and embrace whole hardheartedly. Get that purple paisley couch! Paint that room neon yellow or get married in your jeans and bare foot! Life is not about pleasing everyone to the point you can no longer see what who you truly are. Life is about being yourself. Be yourself bravely and willing to flourish with others through it.

Embrace You Soul.

Stay creative and Stay inspired.


Wish I had purple paisley couch...they don't any....

Children and Art

This is my daughter. This is my daughter with a box of her tiny glass beads making bracelets. She just turned 4 but she has been stringing beads on wire since she was two. (No worries I was always with her around small bits.)

I could have gotten those chunky blocky bead toys that help kids learn fine motor skills and not that I don't like those kind of toys or kiddy things, but I see parents just stop there. Little children are like sponges and the learn by doing things hands on. Give children crayons and markers are woderful, but have you ever wondered what they do with more real art supplies?

When I was 8 I asked my mother if I could learn to paint. Everyone told my mom to get me a little paint set and paint by numbers. Which those are fine, but I wanted to learn, really learn how to paint. It took a long time but eventually my mother found me a classes. I remember going to the store to pick out my paint brushes and choosing my real oil paints. It cost a small fortune, but I loved every brush and tube and pencil. I had my ups and downs with paint, but it has been something that stuck around with me and will for the rest of my life. If mom had followed what everyone did by getting cheap paints and paint by numbers I would never had the skill I have today.

My daughter may not become a famous designer of jewelry, but she could if she wanted too. She may make her own jewelry, or become an artist. Or maybe this stringing the beads is starting her skills to be carpenter or a surgeon. Who knows she has a whole world before her. All I know she has finer motor skills working with something that is real.

Don't be afraid to give your kids the real tools to try something.

Until another day

Toodles

Cupcakes!

Its simple. Buy or make your own cupcakes plain and go all out with decorations. I bought mine and just put simple sprinkles on them and played with some ribbon and plates to stage a pretty tasty looking cupcakes.

If you have little ones like I do be aware they will watch you snap pictures of a cupcake like you are an idiot, because cupcakes are for eating, as my little girl repeatedly told me. :P

Don't worry about perfection when you are searching for inspiration in the little things. Find the joy in the little moments, like sprinkles on a cupcake or swirl of the icing. My favorite is the icing on the tips of the noses of my children. :)

Stay creative and inspired!

Mason Jar Centerpieces

Nothing can brighten up a table like a well put centerpieces. They are the center to the wedding tables, the conversation starter in your living room, the piece you give to a friend as a get well. The easiest way to start is with a vase.
But sometimes these centerpieces can be expensive. A pretty vase alone can cost you an arm and a leg. But what do you always have around? Jars. Jars are awesome because they can be created to be wonderful centerpieces for any table.

Recently my local area had me put together the centerpieces for MOPS Extend Your Reach program. With 80 women attending we had to think of something that we could easily put together, that was pretty, well put and didn't cost an arm and leg. Bring your jars! Mason jars or Prego jars or even baby food jars. These glass containers have many uses.

Nothing a little painting change up. Take your brush and some cheap paint and have at it. Pinterest is chock full of ideas. These jars I simple got cheap paint from Walmart. (The 50 cent stuff.) With a brush I painted on a few layers and got beautiful colorful jars. Some of them I got spunky enough to put a layer of Mod Pog over it and sprinkled glitter all over it.

But don't just stop at the jar add something of interest. Use fake flowers or make your own with coffee filters. I did this one with coffee filters I dyed pink. (Watered down cheap walmart paint.) Then I took an old book and painted it to give it characters. Don't be afraid to try something like painting the covers of old books as well. If you have the tools I would slice your own wood pieces and paint those as well.
 Have fun with it.

Until another day.
Toodles.

The Finer Things

At my little shop we have a man who comes around in his red truck selling different things on a daily basis. He is quite a character and he says the most catchiest (is that even a word?) phrases. One of those phrases is "Remembering the finer things in life." 

Something about that phrase keeps popping in my head. "The finer things in life" are things or situations we take advantage of  and forget about...well finer things. Like how we are so used to fast or instant food, we forget how tasty a home cooked meal can be. The finer things are the little things in life we rarely see. A well make quilt, a family heirloom, wild flowers in jars, just the simple things.

My husband and I escaped from the kids for the weekend to Branson, MO. The town is wonderful. The food delicious and shows amazing. Yet the one thing that bothered me were are the "touristy" type stores. "Branson" t-shirts, mugs and magnets hidden away in large buildings that advertise "Souvenirs" with a neon sign. While I enjoy the cheesy souvenirs, I was determined to find something a little more special to remind me of our weekend trip. Staying at a Victorian inspired hotel that served afternoon tea, I wanted to find a tea cup, a real antique tea cup. 

After many shops, it wasn't until we found a little thrift shop on a back wood road did we find the tea cup. 

Of course I had to take a picture of it with flowers! I wish had taken good pictures with me using it, but I sadly didn't get any. :( But it is just as pretty without tea. Its a delicate cup an saucer, gilded with gold and hand painted tiny roses. Today we grab our paper cups from Starbucks and off we go ignoring the finer things in life. 

We forget how beautiful use to serve a purpose. Use to be enjoyed instead of stored in a back closet or behind the glass in a china cabinet that is never opened. 

Not that we can suddenly stop time and go back to the past. But maybe do something in your daily life that slows you down and enjoy some of the finer things in life. Enjoy some fresh brewed tea in a tea cup. Go out and pick fresh flowers down the street, or just go for a walk, when you usually spend time on Facebook. 

Stay Creative and Inspired.

Nata

Escape to Art

Everyone had some darkness in their life. Sometimes is small and short lived. Sometimes it can consume their entire life, or maybe it was an epic battle that left you with deep scars. As a child growing up I faced many dark places. I wish I could go into detail. I wish I could share more of my child hood, but parts of me are not ready for that yet. Just know that their were certain areas that I wish could have been different. I wish they could have been better. However, those rough areas of my life growing up, help mold me into that person I am today. They pushed me to the world of art, which became such a huge part of my life.

As a child, I couldn't control much of my life. I was pushed in directions, that I knew in my heart was not meant for me. Yet when I was able to paint, it was my escape. I could make and create anything with my own hands. Yes, I still had rules, but rules on how to create something for the effect I wanted in a painting or how to properly secure a necklace. There were not rules on what I could not create. I could go anywhere, I could make anything.

When the world I lived in seemed to be crashing upon me I would turn my blank canvas and paint something else. For a time, my family fell on hard time. They could not afford to by me canvas. So what did I do? I went a found wood boards and kept painting. I took every blank of piece of paper I could snatch and paint something.  Now that I am older and look back to those dark places, I know they help create me.

In a painting, you can't have have all bright colors and light without the darkness to form the details. You need the harsh lines, or the shadowing, or the opposite color which makes the light brighter. The details fuller.

These are just my thoughts for today.

Inspire and Create

Chalk Board and Chalk Board Paint Paint

One of the worst things to happen to me is to run out of an awesome color in paint. So I love to premix my colors to save for future projects. Right not I love to mix chalk board and chalk paint and store them in baby food jars. Now  I should first clarify, chalk board and and chalk are two different types of paint. "Chalk board paint" is like the name says, is paint you use to make a chalk board and

I found my chalk paint spongy after about 2 months.

you use chalk. "Chalk Paint" is paint that has a "chalky" feel to it and used to furniture, jars, etc. It has a vintage vibe to it. The great thing I love it is easy to make both an the recipe has the same ingredients. 

• Paint
• Plaster of Paris or Unsanded Grout
• Water

"Chalk Paint" 

2 Cups Paint

1/3 Water

2 Tablespoons of Plaster of Paris

Mix well and paint what you life. I will warn you that Chalk Paint, at least the homemade stuff I make, doesn't last forever. Eventually it it becomes this spongy like consistency. 

"Chalk Board Paint" 

1/4 paint

1/2 table spoon Plaster of Paris

A little dash of water if you fell like it.

Again, mix well and paint the surface you like. Just make sure you paint something that could really use chalk board paint on it. Its pretty goofy to put chalk board paint on mugs. As cute as it looks, it not fun getting chalk on your hands while drinking your coffee. :P

Tiny and Adorable

Have you ever noticed how this generation goes crazy over tiny adorable things? Not that previous generations enjoyed small adorable things, but it just seems this one enjoys it the most. Everything is about tiny and adorable.

We like miniatures of everything. Look up on Youtube about Tiny Clay Miniatures. Here are a few links to some of my favorites.
Mini Cookies and Sweets

Baby Dragon Charm Necklace

Cinderella Charm Bracelet

These crafters are so talented and I love watching their videos about making adorable tiny clay miniatures.

       

One thing I personally like to make are these mini journals made from scrap leather, pieces of water color paper, and "o" rings. I usually add some sort of charm in the front of the cover. This one I made with just some scrap leather, paper and glue. I wanted to have that thick old book feel, but still being tiny adorable. :)

And then from a  previous posts you have seen my new obsession with painting on tiny canvas. I think these master pieces are just so pretty and the fact they are so tiny make it even more adorable.

How many times have I said tiny and adorable? :P

Anyways, Stay Inspired and Stay Creative

Inspired by the little things.

I think all too often people search for the big "AH-HA" moment which will inspire them. Maybe if you traveled the world you could change it. Maybe if you won a competition you could prove yourself to the world. Maybe if this big, mega, epic thing just happened, you would finally feel like you needed to reach for the stars!...

The problem is though, those are a lot of "maybe"s. That is a lot of waiting. And that is a lot of dreaming without putting actions to support those dreams. It reminds me of when I was teenager, wanting to figure out where I suppose to go in life. I had so many ambitions, so many ideas, but I felt for me to complete these ideas or even go after them, something big was suppose to happen. Like if I wanted to be an artist I had some epic piece worth seeing. It was a perfect excuse for me to hide behind.

I think that is what a lot of people do. They set the bar high, so they can hide. It can be scary sometimes to realize what you have to go through to reach for your goals. Its easy to hide behind waiting for large "AH-HA" moment that will finally push you on your path.

It wasn't until I reached my college years did I start to appreciate the smaller, more finer, things in life. These smaller moments started inspire me to reach for something more. I would see one of my used paint brushes, and be proud because I was using the tools of my trade and it would inspire me to do more. I would sip a cup of tea and that would refresh me again to feel better and go on. It was in college that I started buying myself flowers to keep in my room, just to keep things bright and fresh around me.

It was the smaller things in life that inspired me in smaller steps to keep going. It was song here, a conversation there, a view from my window or a glance at the time. Randomly little moments, I found that kept me motivated and passionate. Instead of waiting and dreaming of a big epic moment to give you that push, start small. Find your little bit of inspiration now. Maybe you wrote a little poem on a scrap of paper. Try finishing it. Maybe you saw a flower and thought about your long passion for photography. Go ahead and go for it. Don't waste time waiting for something you could doing right.

Stay Creative and Inspired.

Mini Paintings Ideas

I am used painting larger canvas. The smallest I usually do is 8x10 inches. But lately I have been painting on these tiny ones that are only 4x4 inches and so easy to work with.

I have a thing for landscapes and sweets lately.

     They are just too cute! They are so sweet and inspiring. I love how you can have a little masterpiece that can fit right in the palm of your hand.  

     You can usually buy these adorable little canvases from a local craft store for a few bucks. I got a package of 6 for about $3.00  from Hobby Lobby after using their 40% of coupon. You can also get them from Walmart for about 97 cents for one. At crafts stores you can also get longer and even smallers, but I prefer this size. 

 I usually like to draw a little something by hand as a guide line, especially for my little cake paintings. It doesn't take much to fill the canvas so something like a little landscape or a slice of cake or cupcake works wonderfully on such a tiny space. 

    When it comes to the landscapes, you can draw a line for where a montain line or tree could be. The middle one in the bottom row in the picture above was rally easy. Just light blue above and some swooshs of white froma tiny brush to make clouds. Then with some dark purple and green, I dotted up and down to make the illusion of distand trees. The front ground was a play of colors with strokes of green, mustard yellow and some purples. 

           With tiny canvases like these don't be afraid to play with colors. I used oil paintings, but you can definately use acrylics or even watercolors for a more flowy feel. And with it being so tiny, you don't have to use to much, which means much less mess. They are just too cute! Try and make your own little master piece. 

Stay Creative and Inspired

~Nata

The Organic Poptart!: My Morning

The Organic Poptart!: My Morning: This morning I woke up and it was a typical morning for a mother. My children were still asleep, I manged to wake up before they did, but I ...

Ways I Save Space (Mom Edition)

It is hard to save on space, especially when you are a parent. Right now in the space I live I have lots of little awkward wall space. The fact that I also have two children also makes saving space hard becaus toys can end up everywhere.

One rule I have for my family is that if toys come in, toys must go out. Whenever a birthday or Christmas happens we go through all their old toys. We keep whatever is loved or used often and get rid of everything else. When my kids get new stuff they have enough to store it. This can sometimes be hard to follow, but if you take a week before a birthday party it can be much easier. I have done it each time before Christmas and never run into the problem of not having a place to put my kids new toys.

(This also applies for clothes. But I have a hard time following this one. I still find new born clothes in my 2 year old son's drawers.)

Another spot that seems to take a lot of space is the diaper changing station. When I had my daughter I found having a diaper changing station was really more a hassle than helpful. It took up a lot of room, the shelf space could only store so much and it was a piece of furniture I would only use for so long. 

When I had my daughter I used a changing cushion on a dresser she uses now as her regualer dresser. It used a space I was already using and freed more room in her nursery which was literally a large closet at the time. However when my son came along I found it much easier to store my diapers and wipes in a garden shelf I got at Hobby Lobby for 80% off. I could just grab what I needed and change his diaper right on my bed. 

Now for the thing I swear by. A great way I save space and have easy clean up is lots of those storage ottomens. I swear by those things. Square or circle or retangle, they all store toys perfectly for easy clean up and out of sight. I have three I keep in my livingroom. Each child gets one ottoman and another is filled with my husband extra game controllers. Its extra seating when we hae guests and again perfect hiding storage! 

Also in the pictures on the right are mugs of pens and brushes. I wish I could say I keep cute containers, but nothing beats a large with handle. I use my mugs to carry my pens and paint brushes more than I do my tea or coffee. Nothing beat having that handle, at least for me.

Anyways, these are just a few ways I save on space. Each person is different and each house is different so their are no one set of rules or instructions that fit every home. Hopefully these can help you or inspire you to find ways to save on space in your own home.

Stay Creative and Inspired.

~Nata