Checking in with my 1st week

My 1st week was a bit all over the place.  Monday morning came and I was awake at my normal 4:30 ready to start my day.  The hubby was off to work and I had a gut wrenching guilt moment.  I've walked out the door for 43 years right along side him, there was no stay at home mom moments for me, we've done this together and now it's him leaving in the cold dark mornings and me working from home.  Then I had the thoughts of... I have no purpose, no one is counting on me, I have no rules or schedules or meetings.... it's just me.  I had to quickly smashed all these thoughts and get to work, it might be a different work but in my mind it's still work.  I have all of you counting on me to achieve those goals I told you about last week.  Let's do this!!

The week flew by, I had so many tasks that were thrown to the wayside for so long and now it was time to get them done.  I finished up my Spring 2025 Rice Paper Paintings, got them all ready for printing and released them to the Connie Lines & Designs Retailers.  They loved them and have had some pretty amazing comments for me, I feel very blessed with each and everyone of them.  The papers will be released to the public on Jan 22nd at 10am.  If you are interested in being a CL&D's retailer please send me an email, I'd love to add you to my team. 

One of my goals was to release papers before the season is here... Check!

Along with this release I was going to design a logo for the CL&D's papers... Check!  

While designing the logo I had vision of flowers and leaves in a circle design, I fought with that for an hour or two and nothing was screaming at me.  I went back to a blank sheet and thought why am I painting these papers?  I was a furniture painter and small thrifted finds not a canvas painter.  6 years ago our granddaughter Charlee was born sleeping a few days before her due date.  The grief that hung over our heads was intense, a sweet innocent little baby that never had a chance in the world, her crib and clothes were all waiting for her arrival.  Her brothers and sister were waiting to hold her and her mommy and daddy were anxious for her to join their little family.  And then this... sorry, just had to give you some back story and real life thoughts...  in those early weeks of grief I painted nothing, I couldn't function the way life was before Charlee, any free moment I'd sit and stare with a numb feeling and broken heart, my son and daughter-in-law were hurting and I couldn't take the hurt away. 

Anissa from Anissa Marie Art sent me a message and said she painted something for me to remember Charlee, a white horse with Charlee on it's back... she told me everyone needs a white horse to ride in heaven.  I was grateful for the gift and Anissa told me it helped heal her heart to paint it for me.  So I went into my creative space and painted on canvas for the 1st time and I haven't stopped yet.  Anissa was right, it healed my heart to put my thoughts into paintings, so with the logo I wanted the circle, the splatter, and the simple little feather floating down from heaven to remind me of where I started.  Charlee has shown up in my Rice Paper Designs twice now and she's made a huge impact for so many people.  I have received stories of how the Charlee paper helped heal their heart from a loss.  She did have an impact in our lives and will continue to find ways to help others.  She might have been tiny but she is helping many in huge ways.  I hope you like this look into my design and heart, I wasn't going to tell the story but for some reason this space feels safe to me.  

I also released a $10 Mini Bright Heart On-line Painting Course, if you'd like to learn how to paint these bright hearts to have for your own, give to others or sell in your booth click the link to get signed up.  The class is Jan 16th at 4pm central.  

$10 Mini Bright Heart On-line Painting Course

Wednesday's live I painted thrifted jars to look like pottery vases.  I have the video loaded up on YouTube so it's easier to find.  The video is live so there is quite a bit of talking that you have to get through to watch the project but it's a live so you'll have that.  YouTube Video Link

I used DIY Paint in Beadboard and Weathered Wood

DIY Clear Wax, Dark Dust 

IOD Rose Botanical Transfer

The look is stunning, I hope you try them.  

To finalize my week....... AMAZING I've heard comments from others that I look happy, my husband said "you sleep now" I didn't realize how much stress I was having and how my job was effecting my creative soul until now.  It might only be 1 week under my belt but it's been a great way to start and I will continue to work hard and bring you along with me.  

Until next time...... Happy Painting!