Thursday, September 30, 2010

Power.

Photobucket Has it really been this long since I have blogged? Time has truly gotten away from me this time. I truly have been really busy...but it has been so good, so fulfilling, so heartwarming...that I feel so blessed to be able to be enjoying this time, right now to fill me up with everything that energizes me in such a positive way. I used to have bouts where I would feel so tired, drained...like I would walk around with such heavy shoulders and a heavy head...and now, I honestly feel like the energizer bunny...I could just go-go-go! Do you ever go through life and have a feeling that you just want to hang out to with all your might so that it will never ever slip through your fingers? Well...if you have, then you know EXACTLY what I am talking about. Right now, that is how I am feeling. I pray that I can hang on to this feeling for a VERY long time. I have been spending time immersing myself in things that I LOVE. I have come to the realization that it is the things that a person loves, that fills you up with POWER. I had spent the past weekend in Edmonton and had quickly grabbed a copy of the new Oprah magazine to read before bed. I usually do not buy Oprah magazine, as I was looking for a different one instead, but the headline on the cover totally caught my eye. It read "Own Your Power". Now, being in this space that I have been so blessed to be in for the past little bit I just had to check it out and see what it was all about. Let me just say that it is an amazing article and is filled with a variety of creators, artists and designers insights and personal thoughts on what power means to them. I just LOVED reading it and was left completely inspired by it. I started thinking about what the topic meant to me and different things that I believe in and have struggled with. Each individual was given 3 prompts to finish off and it led me to thinking about what each of these prompts meant to me and in how they apply to my life, my thinking, my passions... PEOPLE OFTEN UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF...living creatively. When I began to open my heart and mind to truly celebrating, documenting, and capturing all of the little wonders that fascinate me through photography and scrapbooking it has truly transformed my entire being. I live to appreciate the little moments, and strive to truly be present in whatever comes my way...big or small. Living creatively has only increased my sense of gratitude for the genuine pleasures and luxuries that I am able to participate in, in my life...this includes the little moments like being able to have a hot cup of tea, fold freshly washed towels, and watching the leaves blow in the breeze. Living creatively is very powerful to me...the power of this fuels my entire being through my thoughts, my actions and how I choose to live each and every day. I FEEL MOST POWERFUL WHEN...I can look back on certain situations, projects, and experiences and know deep down in my heart that I truly savored each and every second and consciously never took a moment of it for granted. A TRUE SIGN OF POWER IS...choosing YOUR path in life, empowering your own decisions and living an honest and true life. This is a struggle as we live in a world surrounded by influence that can sometimes work to back us into a corner. I believe power is demonstrated when you can rise above this, accept that others may have different dreams, wishes, and opinions on things but know that in your heart YOU have your own life to live and it is OK to do just that.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Magic for the Soul

Photobucket During the first week of September, Matt and I were able to take some long awaited time off together and headed off into BC. We really had no plans, no destination...we just jumped in the jeep and drove, which was awesome. The only place we needed to be was Emerald Lake on September 10th to witness 2 of our very dearest friends exchange vows. Photobucket The month of September, since we were married 2 years ago has always been a very special time of the year for both of us. It has always been my favorite time of the year, as i ADORE fall, so being married during the month of September was an extra special treat. I think that is also why we love to wait and take our holidays during this month...kind of just a nice time to take off and reconnect after busy summers! During our time away, we spent a lot of time just "enjoying". By this I mean enjoying our surroundings, embracing the moments and just feeling so thankful of where we were and that for this short time we could just sit back, relax and enjoy this beautiful planet! The weather was a bit on the cool side, but that actually made for some enjoyable hiking, which we tried to do a bit of everyday. I just love the mountains and the cool crisp mountain air. It was gorgeous, and an added bonus that there was physical exercise involved! haha! Among my favorite memories from the trip was the quality time spent with friends in Calgary on Saturday and Sunday night. Seeing Waterton for the first time and enjoying a fancy meal with my hubby...I really loved that! I enjoyed hiking the Red Canyon and eating breakfast mountainside...it was just SO nice. Then of course, we made our way and spent a few nights in Radium...did a bit more hiking and then ventured off to Emerald Lake. Wow! That place is truly incredible and the perfect ending to our holiday. More time with friends...nothing could be better. It truly was amazing. Photobucket Photobucket So right now I have just been trying to get life back in order after being away...the month of August I was barely home and so there has been a lot of catch up going on. I have piles of scrapbooking projects to either finish and/or begin so with this weather changing so quickly it might just be the perfect time for some indoor activities! In any case, there is definitely no time for being bored! Matt is away on an Elk hunting trip until Wednesday so there are a few more days ahead that I can take advantage of to get some things ready and organized. It sounds like he is having a great trip, even though apparently Elk are incredibly smart and intuitive which makes hunting them quite the challenge. I am so happy that he is taking the time to do something he truly loves. It does wonders for a person's soul...truly. I am still in such a great place from our holidays and Creative Escape...yes STILL. It was just so reaffirming in so many ways. Truly spending time doing what you LOVE = MAGIC for the SOUL.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

My Reflections-Creative Escape 2010

Photobucket Reflecting on my Creative Escape experience. Wow. How do I even begin to put it into words? Incredible. Uplifting. Inspiring. Energizing. Humbling....the list goes on and on. First off...this year had HUGE shoes to fill. My experience last year was so unbelievably amazing, that I honestly did not know how this year was going to be. Honestly though, the first 5 seconds of my experience blew last year out of the water...and last year was beyond incredible. So can you just imagine how I must have felt??? It literally brings tears to my eyes in how powerful of an experience we can have in this life. And honestly...it's not even about the scrapbooking. It's about the connections...the coming together, the power of friendships, insight, creativity and vision. The love of celebrating life and moments and random everyday miracles that we SEE and TREASURE everyday. That is what we do as scrapbookers and it is just so cool to be with so many other people who not only live their dreams, but love something just as much as you do...and ultimately GET IT. Reflecting on this whole experience, and being so lucky to have experienced it more than once leaves me in such a blessed state. I feel so so so lucky about many things in my life...and attending creative escape and witnessing just how elaborate and detailed and special of an event it is, takes my breath away and leaves me floating on cloud nine. It has been a week since the event...and today still...I am floating!!! :) Photobucket This year I had my mom come with me and enjoy the resort while I was at CE. We had such a fun "girls time" together...even though once CE started I barely saw her for the 3 days it was going on! Seriously...up at 5:30 am and in bed at 1:00 am. Truly so intense but the energy I had over these days was amazing. One thing I definitely realized is how easy things are when you are LOVING what you are doing! During our down times though we enjoyed the restaurants, the scenery, the beautiful resort, the HOT weather, the neighboring hotel...truly just awesome! It was nice too to just have some time with my mom to myself. Life can be so busy that it is just a nice change to have nothing but time to hang out, be and enjoy life without any of the other daily distractions. Photobucket This photo above documents and signifies all of the amazing details that go into expressing what this event is all about. The signature colors, the lollies, the balloons, the ribbons, the designer mirrors, the FOOD, just so simply incredible. Friday night we were spoiled with gift bags in our rooms full of creative escape goodies, just waiting for us by our pillows...how cute is that?? Perfectly hand tied with ribbon awaited gifts of bazzill cardstock, glimmer mist, brownies, a beautiful charm bracelet in the signature CE colors, magazines...SO MUCH FUN! Truly perfect...down to the very last detail for sure. Photobucket Now...on to the TEACHERS. Honestly I am at a loss for words to describe how unbelievably amazing and beautiful these ladies are. Truly SO talented, gifted and brilliant in their visions and love for scrapbooking and documenting life. One thing that definitely surpassed last year was all of the different techniques that I had learned this year. The projects were all so intense, that I actually never really finished any of them yet (will post pics of the projects when I do). I had so much fun learning about paints, textures, fabrics, digital brushes, creating jewelery...I have never learned so many amazing techniques in two days in my life! The whole atmosphere of CE 2010 was very artsy and had expanded even more what I knew the scrapbooking world to be. All I can say is "uh-oh"..... The teachers shared so many of their amazing gifts and I am so lucky to have been able to get to know so many of them while I was there and actually be able to have some really awesome conversations and just hang out! Heidi was incredible as always...and I even got to hug her goodbye and personally thank her on Sunday morning which was such a special treat! One of my favorite moments for sure! Teresa Collins was so cool...her project was loads of fun and I really enjoyed her personal touch and message at the end of her class when she shared a family photo slideshow...and yes, she made me cry. Trisha Ladouceur had an incredible class and project full of glimmer misting, fun fabrics and awesome details. Still have to finish that one, but it was definitely a highlight to be taught by a local Canadian girl (from Edmonton) and we even shared the same flight home!! Too fun! Margie Romney Aslett was SO FUN!!! Her spirit is like non other and thanks to her I am officially addicted to creating and making my own jewelry. Her project was so awesome and beautiful and I cannot wait to finish it. I learned so much from her and I just loved her to pieces!! Now Miss Jessica Sprague. To be honest, I was not sure what her class was going to be like. She is a digital genious and sometimes quite frankly I can be a little unsure as to the digital world. HOWEVER...she was SO INSPIRING, SO BEAUTIFUL, her whole message in her class gave me chills...and yes, I cried again. I LOVED her project, the idea behind it and will now emulate it over and over. I just so love this girl!!! She taught me so many things and it was such an extra special treat to sit in her extra class Friday night and learn even more digi goodness! Claudine Hellmuth will forever be remembered as the spunky girl who introduced me to paints and their power! Her canvas class was full of fun paints, techniques and NEW ways to use sticky back canvas paper...SO awesome!! Loved it! Pam Black's class was a beautiful little desk album. I loved her trunk show table too. Such a fun lady. LOVE her creative outlook! Last but not least was my favorite...Maggie Holmes! Not only is she an amazing scrapbooker...but a FABULOUS photographer who has always inspired me. Her class was a mini album, but she spent the majority of her time sharing her favorite photos with us as well as some fabulous photography ideas and tips!! I just LOVED her and literally hung on her every word. She is so beautiful inside and out and I really felt like we connected and share a lot of the same ideas and insights when it comes to photography! It was so cool to meet someone who inspires me endlessly! And meeting Miss Rhonna Farrer! She is one little spark of energy through and through! The cutest gal ever! She was hilarious and so energizing. I loved her so much. We had such a nice chat and thank you for teaching me many house of three tidbits and extra insights!! You are such a gifted designer! To all these women...thank you for sharing your gifts! xo Photobucket To the beautiful and amazing girls that I met this year at CE. Your friendships I will treasure forever. We had such an incredible time together and we are forever bonded by the time that we shared together this year. I feel so lucky to have met all of you and will never forget all of the shared laughs and tears we had together. You are all so beautiful and never ever stop letting your creative lights shine! Photobucket Before we left Arizona mom and I had the lucky chance to spend a few hours Sunday shopping around before catching our flight home. It was the perfect day to end such an amazing experience! We enjoyed Target, Barnes and Noble, Pier One, a tasty mexican restaurant...it was truly a fabulous day! Reflecting on my experience this year at creative escape simply makes me feel happy and blessed. Happy to love life, photography, people and color. Happy to be able to recognize all of the little miracles and fleeting moments that pass us by daily. Happy that I LIVE to celebrate them. How many days left until next year CE??? The countdown is ON!

About Me

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Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada
I am just a simple girl with an absolute passion for life. I love celebrating this passion through my photography, scrapbooking, relationships...whatever it may be that makes me happy! I just want to live everyday with meaning and purpose and a great sense of gratitude for everything I have been blessed to have and experience!

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