Motivational Monday - Dream a Little Dream

Our dreams and future goals inspire and motivate us to get up each day and at least take a step in the direction we are desiring.  

Shoot our dreams and our future goals help ensure that there is ANY reason AT ALL to get out of bed.  Especially when I have a mountain of warm and soft pillows and blankets whispering to me to go back to sleep.  

"Ahh to sleep,  perchance to DREAM…" as William Shakespeare said.  Maybe I don't have to even be awake to dream and visualize.  Hmmm, if this can be worked out and I create a grand future through napping, I will be sure to let you all know.  :)

Knowing what your goal and and dreams are will decide your direction in life, and goodness knows some of us can use a little direction.  

Do you think fish dream?  It is a thought worth pondering!

What are you current dreams? Would you be willing to share them with us here?  Feel free to share your decadent dreamy future with all us if you desire!

I dream to be a fairy and have for a long time!  Still working on this one.  

Peace, Love, Handmade Paper, and Dreams,

Erin

Motivational Monday - The Ocean and Sunny Days

The Ocean and Sunny Days

These are two things that motivate me to want to be outside and make the most out of a day.  

I believe living in Ohio and being surrounded by white and grays for 3-4 months out of the year, frigid temperatures, and freezing ice and snow storms can take a lot out of a person.  The lack of sunshine and subsequently a lack of Vitamin D can make one feel sluggish and depressed.  

Oh how I long to live where I can wake up on any given day and take a walk in flip-flops.  

The warm sun, cool breezes, lush greenery….these things motivate me.

What is in the picture below motivates me to want to go back to bed and hibernate.

See you all next spring. Just Kidding! :)

Peace, Love, and Waiting on Warmer Weather,

Erin

Motivational Monday - Clean Studios

Wet Studio - This is where the fiber is pulped and the paper is made!

Welcome to my studio!
No doubt a clean and organized house can assist in promoting healthier living and encouraging a more positive mood.  This is also true for us artists and crafters alike when it comes to our art studios.  

There are times when I lose energy levels and my inspiration begins to drag, but I have come to find if I scrub away the dirties in my studio I am usually raring to make another mess soon after.   

Dry Studio - This is where I make the art/crafts from the paper that was made in the wet studio!


This is a project I began to pull out last night as soon as I was almost done cleaning.  I hadn't even finished picking up and I was feeling inspired.  Maybe it has something to do with running my fingers over all the fun stuff I have collected for my art.  

This piece of paper I scored from another paper maker during a paper trade I do every year or two. It is made from the bark of tree that was harvested from South America if I am remembering correctly.  I love paper trading time.

Below are just some photographs of things in and around the studio that I either use in paper-making and related mixed media projects or that I have lying around that give rise to creation.

Pulpa's Studio Stuff

One of my torso molds :)

3 foot x 5 foot sheet of paper hanging from the ceiling.

stickers on my window

Paper Press _ God Send!

a finished torso 

Dia De La Muerta Doll and a pic of my deceased cat

mixed media piece that needs new frame

Where I do designing of my cards and invites!

Inspiration

This is where a lot of finished product goes until its ordered or needed at a show!

envelopes/gift packaging

Pulpa Graffiti 

This cloth decoration I made for my wedding and now hangs in my studio.  If I had a little girl it would go in her room, but I don't.  So it's all mine!

I love my storage!  I ask for a Michael's Gift Card for Christmas and my in laws and my husband both gave me one. Guess what I bought.  Hmmm. I would like a bigger storage wall and guess what is right around the corner? He He!

glitter and brushes - both important !

Book Sculpture

 A tiny hammer

a tiny kitty

Pastels! Yay!

Mother Nature keeps my overhead low. :)

Flower and Leaf Presses

Vintage Hole Punch

everyone should have a disco ball in their studio, don't you agree?

~This is cotton before it's pulped~

Rasta Pulp Chic

Mold and Deckles and an old fire pit I use for wall spheres

I hope you enjoyed the tour and found some motivation to clean or create! I have!  

Peace, Love, and Handmade Paper,

Erin

Motivational Monday - The Sensational Spirit SARK

Namaste' and Good Morning!

"It is our birthright to enjoy ourselves and find all the pleasure in our lives. Pleasure loves company and delights in being discovered!"- SARK

Guess what today is????  

             Motivational Monday!!  

 - SARK

I woke up late this morning which I must admit I love doing. I am not and never really was a morning person.  For any others of you that may procrastinate the morning by sleeping in I am here to let you know, it's ok!!!  It's wonderful!  Sleep in! Revel in you!



I came across an author in my early twenties that spoke and wrote a great deal that I related to and in a way that was thoroughly delightful.  

She is inspiring and colorful and these things make me happy. She considers herself a "spiritualist" and "humanist". I enjoy her so immensely I want to share her with the world. 

She goes by SARK, but her name is Susan Rainbow Ariel Kennedy.  You are reading this blog via the internet, so you can find her as quickly as going to her virtual utopia @ www.planetsark.com or connecting with her via Facebook/Twitter.  Just look up SARK! She is an amazing human being sharing love,light,personal growth and acceptance.

"Self-acceptance is a benefit like awareness. Often awareness is all that's needed for a shift to take place." 
SARKS latest tweet!!

There are 16 Sark books in print! So you can get busy reading and leafing through one of a multitude of colorful and inspiring books! It was through a friend and a book I first stumbled upon her.  The friend loaned the read and since that moment I had a soul sister that probably doesn't know I exist.  

Although, the more I think about it I did know someone who gave me a very colorful poster titled "How to Be an Artist", once taken out of an old school.  It was a SARK poster and I can remember one line was crossed out "Draw on the Walls", remember it was in a school. :) So I had the poster and then someone showed me one of her books, two connections leading me to her light!  It was not an accident.  :)

 - My first Sark Poster (for sale on her website!)

I love to love people that don't even know it, some that don't even deserve it! Dont' you?  Love is grand!Love is healing! 

and SARK we love you!

The first SARK book I read and instantly fell in love with was

Succulent Wild 

Woman

Dancing with Your Wonder Full Self

The second SARK book I read was

Make Your Creative Dreams REAL

A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, Avoiders, and People Who Would Rather Sleep All Day

There are many other great reads from this lovely soul so be sure to find a few at your local bookshop!

SARK YouTube Video Links 
click the titles below to watch SARKS YouTube videos

• Succulence is Powerful

  Glad No Matter What
  
  
  Commit an act of creativity

SARK makes herself available in so many different ways.  She just oozes connection.  You can also call her inspiration phone line.  If you feel INSPIRED to hear her message(or maybe you need a little inspiration)you can call her @ 1-415-546-3742 (EPIC).

"May your friendships continue to evolve and grow, deepen and become even sweeter. May your friendship with yourself expand, and may our paths intersect wherever and however it best lifts and fills us." SARK FACEBOOK POST

I hope you all have enjoyed your introduction to SARK if you are not already familiar with her.  I am sure you will get lost for quite some time if you choose to look into her.

Peace, Love, and Handmade Paper!