One thing that I can do at this time (with all this extra spare time!) is create things for you! So please check out the ‘Free stuff’ menu for some recipes and colouring pages. This is just the beginning!
Let us get creating to construct with all we do some care, co-operation, and community!!
What’s on my mind? You are. All you friends in lock down and isolation. All you friends in risk categories or who have people close to you in those categories. When we travelled so many of you shared such a huge concern for Australia suffering through the bushfires, and now our eyes have turned to you. If only we could knit a jumper for your koalas and that would show we care! But from the stories you share the struggle is not about physical lack it’s emotional, mood, boredom, hopelessness, uncertainty, lack of routine and social isolation. My friends how can we help you? Obviously we pray. What else can we do? Follow the advice of our health warnings, at the very least to honour your situation. What else? Help our neighbours since we cannot physically help you. But in this online age, surely there is something we can do to add to the constructiveness, creativity, connection and community. So this is what I can do. I can make things and share them online. I can write stories, I can read, I can make a video about my everyday life, I can draw colouring in pictures for kids or adults to print at home, so… Friends, tell me what you think would encourage you and let me know. We are with you. Xxxx
PS. I am working hard on making some things available to you, stay tuned!
Just a little post to say hello, and show you some of the things I’ve been playing around with. Everyone always says artists need to PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE and so I’m trying to do that, and also experiment a little. Sharing these pictures, I hope to encourage you in your journey of practising, in whatever you may be working on. Also I hope to inspire you to do better, to be better, to practice more than me, to become a master! You are capable of more than great!
I have to confess, I’m obsessed with note cards, or pass it on cards. There is something about those mini pictures and affirmations that just make me want to collect them and collect them all! They just fit into your palm so beautifully!
If there is anyone else out there who loves note cards then I hope this inspires you to use them in other ways.
If you aren’t currently obsessed with them, I hope this is a good introduction, and that when you are in the market for a new obsession, you will consider them.
1. PASS THEM ON As the note card/pass it on card name suggests they are great for passing to people as notes or with encouragements written on the back. Anything from a ‘Welcome home’, to an ‘I am with you’, ‘I love you’, ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘thank you’. Digital communication floods our lives, but how much more effective is a physical card in your hand with a sentence on the back to communicate care than reading that same sentence on messenger with an emoji , sticker or GIF?
2. MAKE AN ART WALL Since they are little mini works of art or verse, they are ideal to use to decorate. Stick them in an interesting pattern on a boring wall that you need to bring a bit of life to, or stick them in a frame. Make them into magnets, or buy them as magnets and decorate your fridge. Put the art in a place that you are likely to face vulnerable thoughts e.g. work and use them as mini boosts for your heart. For example I have one art wall above my computer, for when things get discouraging, and my kitchen sink faces the back of my fridge…not a great sight for doing the dishes, and so I have one there to keep my gratitude high!
3. PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY REMINDERS If you struggle to keep your spending or eating or something else in balance because of your emotions, then affirming pass it on cards are perfect to stick in your bag to focus on for when you need to calm down and breathe . They slot easily in next to your credit card (for example ‘I have all that I need’) to remind you to ask yourself, do I really need this purchase? Place a card of love near the food you are trying to medicate your emotions with, and take the card out and interact with it, instead of the chips or the chocolate.
4. GAMES I wish I could take credit for this idea, but it was my friends’. Use the cards to play games, like matching pairs, go fish or bingo. Choose cards that are bright and that the kids will love, and you can affirm them and yourself while you play! Let your Light Shine, and JOY are good cards for this.
5. BOOKMARKS I call them ‘mini marks’ because they are mini and I like alliteration. Note cards are the perfect bookmark size, and if you choose one like ‘SHHHH! I’m reading!’ they double as do not disturb signs. I personally like ‘Rise! Be the hero of your own story!’ because I get annoyed when I have to put a book down. Seeing this card helps me to pause and remind myself why I’m alive, and to stop moaning in my head about not being able to read!
I hope this has given you a few different ideas on how to use note cards! If you have any more, get in touch on social media and let me know!
I am working hard to get this website up and running with all the content you are hoping for. This is a DIY job, which means lots of love and attention is going into crafting this. I am looking forward to having it fully functional soon! Thanks for visiting! Also a big thanks to Chris for all his hard work getting this site going!