by tammy novak

When Mindy asked me to be a guest blogger in the Wishstudio this month, my first thought was, “Oh no, she accidently sent this email to me…how do I craft a reply that confidently says that I would love to, even though I know you didn’t mean to ask me!”  I mean, it HAD to be a mistake, right?!!

Geez, I had to laugh at myself!  The tagline on my newly created blog is “I believe”.   But my lack of self confidence and belief in what I had to offer the readers of Wish Studio right now, was minimal to say the least!  I am a newbie to the art world.  What do I possibly have to say?

The beginning…

About to become an empty-nester, my definition of myself over the years had become my children’s mom and my husband’s wife.  And I loved it!  I hardly ever said “No” to volunteer projects with PTA, and booster clubs so I was always learning new things and meeting new people – while being with my family.  My husband worked close to home so we could meet for lunch or a drink. Life was good! But all that was about to change as my children began to leave for college and my husband’s business growth required him to travel more. I had more time on my hands. What do I want to do?  What did I dream of doing? I didn’t know.  I hadn’t really thought about it.

Over the years, I had gotten into a way of life that came with directions, video tutorials, follow these steps, use this pattern, here’s the recipe, do this – not that… even my car told me where to go!  I didn’t realize I had lost my spontaneity, my sense of imagination , thinking and living outside the box…I was following the rules of life and trying to keep everything in control and simple.  But that’s not me!

So I set out last January to redefine myself.  My word for 2010 was Challenge, so each month I challenged myself to try new things, stretched my creative muscles.  I started reading blogs, creative magazines, art books, taking e-courses and attending on-line retreats.  That’s how I met Mindy at her Wishfull virtual art retreat last May! (wishBig ecamp is coming soon and you don’t want to miss out!)  I was playing, having fun and getting to know my creative self again.  You know that 10 year old who knew exactly what she wanted to do when she grew up?!   She’s still inside you telling you what to do, you just have to listen.  I did have to fight the “you’re wasting time” and “this isn’t productive” demons.  Sure the laundry stacked up some weeks and we ordered out more than I cooked but it was all part of the process for me to get out of my daily, practical, predictable routine.  I was inspired and dreaming!  The important thing I learned was to listen to ALL areas of my heart.  I love how artist Kristin Noelle shows that in her great illustration below.  For me, making a change in one area affected another.

{art by kristin noelle}

My view of the world, life and of myself was changing with each challenge.  I was excavating, unraveling with Susannah Conway and finding myself in places I wasn’t expecting to find me.   I was beginning to believe in myself as an artist.  Determining what and how I wanted to create was a challenge of its own.  I created a blog (www.tammynovak.blogspot.com ) during August Break (which for real bloggers was down time to just post photos everyday and not write…but for me it was huge!)

Break the rules… there are no rules

However, the idea of creating without directions, no how-to, no patterns, no rules, no GPS! was terrifying!  My “what if” fears of making mistakes, following the wrong passion (I loved so many different kinds of art), blogging stupid things, not being good enough or hating it 6 months later (wasting all that time, effort and money)… paralyzed me!!  And then I attended Squam Art Workshop last September, where I met the most amazing, inspirational women from all over the world, with so many different talents (from beginners, like me, to professionals, like Christine Mason Miller).  It was my biggest challenge and it was fun! My life is forever changed!

Take Action…

Now I knew I needed to create a plan first, a road map, before I could take action. However, that seemed so overwhelming.  I could mess that up, forget a step.  I was my own worst enemy, until I took Christine Mason Miller’s workshop called TODAY BEGIN, here in the Wishstudio.  She broke it down into smaller digestible pieces and before the week was over, I had a plan with a to-do list!  I was actively creating! I had a vision that I believed in!  It was a very powerful step for me.  Even though some personal/family situations have taken priority this winter, I still have my creative vision for 2011 and I am so excited about it.  My word for this year is: GROW.  The seeds have been planted!

No, I don’t have it all figured out…but I DID begin and I have celebrated a few accomplishments I never thought possible just a year ago (like being a guest here in Wish Studio!)  Since I don’t have a new book out…yet, I want to celebrate this post by giving away an autographed copy of Christina Mason Miller’s book Ordinary Sparkling Moments.  Just post a comment below to enter the giveaway.

I challenge you to believe in yourself, create challenges that require action and grow with me this year.

“Magic is believing in yourself.  If you can do that, you can make anything happen.” – Goethe

Tammy Novak is a wife and mother who loves running, photography, scrapbooking, creating with fabric/yarn, drawing with color pencils and learning new things.  All her favorite things to do include family and friends, being outdoors with her dogs, and horse and taking on new challenges.

* All photos were taken with iphone Hipstamatic.

kelly, of Sweet & Simple Jewelery Design has offered this gorgeous giveaway to our community!  enter to win this lovely silver sparrow necklace with adorable matching earrings. kelly is a wife, a nurse, and mother of three busy boys. she’s been making jewelry for several years and always enjoys creating new pieces and sharing them with others.  visit her shop to peruse more of her lovely creations, and take advantage of free shipping just in time for valentines day!  also visit kelly’s blog at sweetandsimplejewelry.blogspot.com

to win this jewelery set, please leave one comment on this post sharing what you are finding sweet and simple in your life these days.  you will have until wednesday, february 2nd to enter, and the winner will be announced on this post at the end of the day.

good luck everyone!

**************************************************************

…and the winner is…

heather! from a quilting mother’s journey (YAY!)

please email me with your mailing address by the end of the month
so i can send you your lovely jewelry.

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hope you all are enjoying a little quiet wind-down of the holiday craziness and the turn of the new year!  i’m off to finally celebrate christmas with my family (since we were stranded in florida for an extra 5 days!), and wanted to announce the big giveaway winners.  thank you all for entering and for your kind and generous words!  the three winners are:

chas of A Woman’s Haven (the Journey Package)
chel of Ginger Blue (the Wish Big package)
and bev, Bunny’s Girl (the Tranquility package)

congrats to our 3 winners… please email me by the end of the month with your mailing addy to claim your prize!

one thing i love about the holiday season is giving!  i love to see someone’s face light up with surprise and delight when they open up a gift that i picked out especially for them.  that moment is priceless.

while i wish i had a gift for each and every one of you, i have decided to put together a very special giveaway for my beloved wishstudio readers.  afterall, this community wouldn’t be the same without YOU.  i appreciate all the time you spend here in the studio with me and our fellow creatives, all the inspiration and insight you offer, and every heartfelt and encouraging word that you share!  really, it is all so near and dear to me – thank you from the bottom of my heart!

in the spirit of giving i have put together a very special prize package for 3 wishstudio readers to win!  one of the awesome perks of running the wishstudio is i receive all kinds of cool creative swag.  people are so generous with sharing their art and products with me, so what better way to say thanks than to pass them on to you!

you can win one of three prize packages…

1. The Journey Package: includes 1 copy of jen lee’s sold out, Take Me With You – a journal for your journey; one 5×7 art print by louise gale of her mixed media piece “Wise Silver Tree”; vintage paper assortment by the paper flea market, and one spot in my january This Moment ecourse starting on 1/31!

2. The Wish Big Package: includes kelly rae roberts 6×6  “WISH” wall art, blue dandelion seeds laptop decal by lewa’s designs, hand sewn vintage paper notecards by nina gilbert, and one spot in my january This Moment ecourse starting on 1/31!

3. The Tranquility Package: includes one package of assorted photo postcards by brandi reynolds; “Tranquility to go” all levels yoga cd by kimberly wilson, handmade lotion by brittany soucy of cottage road designs, and one spot in my january This Moment ecourse starting on 1/31!

are you excited? i am too… i can almost see the twinkle in your eye ;)  here’s the scoop for entering to win one of these prize packages.

you can enter up to 4 times, in any of these these 4 ways:

1. leave a comment on this post
2. tweet about the wishstudio and this giveaway
3. post a little something on facebook
4. add the wishstudio button and/or a short post to your blog (be sure to email me the link ;)

for each prize package, one winner will be randomly chosen out of all the entries.  i will announce the 3 winners here on new years day, so get the buzz going and get your entries in by midnight on decebmer 31st!

a from-the-bottom-of-my-heart thank you to all of you for being a part of the wishstudio community and have a joy and wish filled holiday!

xo, mindy

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by irene nam
from shutter sisters

“Your Style Statement is the two words that define the true you. It’s a touchstone for making more powerful choices in your life – from your wardrobe to your living room, your relationships to your career plans. Your Style Statement is where your essence meets your expression.” – Danielle LaPorte and Carrie McCarthy, Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design

Simple, soulful. I know it doesn’t seem like much, yet defining my style statement has been an important milestone in my career and life as a creative soul. These two words have helped me make decisions about chairs and outfits, and enlightened my path whenever I wandered too far away from my true self. So when I was offered the opportunity to conduct an e-course on photography earlier this year, I couldn’t think of better words to define it.

The Simple Soulful Photography e-class (October 4-31, right here in the wishstudio!) is a four-week workshop complete with lessons and challenges that will encourage you to find and express your authentic self through photography. during the workshop, you will be provided with:

- Weekly lessons (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and photo challenges
- Private discussion board to share thoughts and questions about the weekly lessons
- Downloadable PDF of every lesson
- An original, signed photo print
- Email access to Irene
- Live chat available with Irene

I envisioned this e-class like I would arrange a meet-up with good friends in a small café. I come in early and journal while waiting patiently for familiar and friendly faces to appear. This place is our café. This is your place. Where imperfections are celebrated, insights are shared and souls are nurtured. A place where we support each other on our quest to finding our authentic self and building a more creative and fulfilling life.

***win a spot in Irene’s e-class by leaving a comment on this post telling us what simple, soulful things you love. the winner will be announced on friday, october 1st in the wishstudio cafe.  good luck!

“Chase down your passion like it’s the last bus of the night”
- Glade Byron Addams

big gratitude to our sponsor Robin Norgren from Well of Creations. she is an artist, wirter, mother and  military wife  who enjoys having the time to love people through the things that she makes! visit her website and shop to share in her inspired life and creative love. you can also find her writing at Studio Mothers.

Robin has offered to give away one of her adorable hand made backpacks, “Hope” (great to carry small items or even an ipad!). here is her inspiring story behind this creation…

“These backpacks are pretty special to me in that the first six in the line were made from the remnant yarns I had left over while preparing for my move back to the U.S. from Germany.  I was in that transition stage where everything had been shipped home and I was preparing a suitcase to take with me for the plane ride.  I felt a little embarassed to travel with so many odds and ends skeins of yarn and so I began to crochet large rectangles.  With the even SMALLER remnants I began to braid, something that felt very happy to do in the midst of so much transition.  It was not until I came back to the U.S. and was settled in my friend’s home that I even attempted to tackle the “now what” question.  My friend saw the rectangles and the braided yarn together and said, ” what a cool backpack” (the pieces were simply laying on top of each other unassembled) and a new product was born.”

to win the “Hope” backpack, please leave a comment on this post sharing what hope you carry in your heart. the winner will be announced on wednesday, september 29 in the wishstudio cafe (under the giveaway winners discussion thread :)!

here’s hoping everyone!

A big thanks to artist and yogini Eliza Lynn Tobin for offering today’s giveaway and for her lovely support of the wishstudio!  today you can enter to win this gorgeous yoga inspired 8×10 fine art print.

Eliza grew up in rural Vermont and began making art at a very early age under the influence of highly creative parents. She studied oil painting in High school with her father, a landscape painter, and then went on to get her B.A in Fine Arts. She spent two semesters abroad where she studied art history and figure drawing in Italy, and Tantric Art in India. It was during this time, that her love affair with yoga began.

Utilizing her spiritual practice of art-making, Eliza hopes that her work will inspire others to reach for their own creative potential!  Using mixed-media, collage, acrylic paints, sharpies and more, she visually expresses themes that arise from her yoga practice and studies. She is currently working on a master’s degree studying “yoga and the creative process” and participating in a yoga teacher training, both of which are very influential in her artistic work.

Her shop is entitled “Art Asana” because asana is the sanskrit word meaning “pose” or “seat” and the intention behind Art Asana is for Eliza to take her seat as an artist and create work from her heart to inspire and uplift the hearts of others!

To enter to win this print, please leave one comment on this post by wednesday, september 8th and share what your practice or asana  is.  a winner will be chosen and then announced on 9/8 in the wishstudio cafe (under giveaway winners)!

photo by my budding little photog

are you ready?

to dig your toes into the sand

slurp up juicy rainbow colored popcicles

loosen up your schedule

catch fireflies

stay up a little later

sip ice cold riesling garnished with fresh berries

take siestas in the hammock

collect seashells and sea glass

watch your garden come to life

go to pool parties and cookouts

hit the boulevard for arcade games, photo booths and fried dough

pack picnic yummy lunches

go for bike rides

hit the farmers market

don your fab new sunglasses

paint your toe nails neon pink

make gazpacho instead of chili

read something juicy and fun

play your music loudly

lounge more work less?

i am too ;)

* to celebrate the coming summer solstice, teresa bennet is giving away one spot in her brand new inspiring ecourse Room to Breathe: summer soulstice soul care that starts this sunday!  sink into summer and a little more soulful love for your creative mind, body and soul with teresa’s yummy six week workshop.  you’ll be glad you did!

to enter this giveaway, please leave a comment here by monday morning (6/21 you will have the rest of the week to dive into the first post!) sharing what you would like to nourish this summer.  one winner will be announced in the cafe – just click on the giveaway winners thread to see if you are the lucky one!

* also, emily perry is hosting a giveaway on her site for a spot in her beautiful 4 week ecourse From Bija to Bloom, which starts on july 7th.  head on over to her site for all the details and to enter.

good luck everyone… and happy summer!

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lisa ferante is the talented artist of this gorgeous print… you can view all of her soulfully inspiring work over in her etsy shop.  she is a self-taught mixed media artist, a wife, and a mother who is blessed with a beautiful supportive family. she has always wanted to express herself in a creative way but could not find the medium at which she could both excel and which would give her the most satisfaction. once she discovered mixed media, years of feelings about her life literally began to flow from her hands and from her heart.

initially she found herself expressing long suppressed feelings about her mother who died when she was 5 years old. intimately woven in are her passionate feelings about my own two baby girls and how mothering them has finally allowed her to work through the pain of the absence of her own mom while celebrating every moment of their young lives. she can get lost in a painting for hours, and is most often completely surprised at the final product. she is never certain where the journey of any one piece will take her. sometimes a word will inspire an entire work; other times it is only when the piece is complete that it is clear what it is meant to say.

all are about love – maternal love, romantic love, self love and self empowerment. these themes are a reflection of me; they are me exposed; each purges another powerful emotion, another profound realization. each piece represents another step in my own evolution as a woman. as the themes have evolved from the worship of a goddess mother she never knew, to her love for her girls, and the loves of soul sisters and romantic love for my husband, she has learned to love and accept herself for the first time in her life!

lisa’s prints are rich and gorgeous ( i own loved boy and adore it! ).  you can win a beautiful 8×10, matted, archival print of celebrate motherhood, shown above.  to enter please share what you most celebrate about your motherhood or about your relationship with your own mom by wednesday, may 26th.  one random winner will be chosen and the winner will be posted in the wishstudio cafe ~ check the giveaway winners thread.  good luck to all!