*Blessings All Around Me...An Important Reflection!*

My "Happy" Shelf

Sooo many things...many good things have been happening for us here...I know things are not always perfect and there are things I still have to wait on...but I know that the Lord does love me and that he always brings us what we need...I count my many blessings because I know that others do not have as much as I have...I know to not look at what I don't have because I value and appreciate all that the Lord has blessed me with.

As I see the news headlines lately, it gets a bit scary at times and discouraging as well...it sometimes makes me wonder if what I do is of any good for mankind.  But then I realize that these times are when it's most important to embrace the gifts that the Lord has entrusted to me...he has given me the gift to bless others in so many ways:

The first is the gift of empathy/compassion for others...sometimes I felt that it was a curse as I care too much and therefore get hurt by others often...but the Lord has shown me how to bounce back and cling to him through the hurting times and then he blesses me when I recieve beautiful gifts from others...like their smiles, hugs and words of appreciation.

He has also given me the gift of voice to use as a way to touch and heal others with my words and in song...I have always been able to teach and speak to groups of people naturally ever since I began singing in the Church Choir in my early twenties, which is amazing as in my childhood and teens I was extremely shy.  So when I began to use my voice in singing and in speach and to teach I began to take that for granted...but lately I've realized just how important those gifts are.

I am also a storyteller...in words and also artistic expression...I write poetry, stories and sometimes even songs...some are silly others deep and emotional...and in my artistic expression as well...I have been realizing alot of things lately and it was amazing to me just how therapuetic painting and writing are...and I feel the desire to share that with others!

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*So I feel in the deepest parts of my soul that what I do is important to lift others up...with my artwork, words and in singing...it is important what I do...it is an important gift to share with others in the world...it is important to God that I do what he has called me to do with my life...it is my mission to share the beauty of the Lord with others through my art...it is important...and I am blessed!

Cre8tvlyYrs Arts & Crafts Design Lab

I am so happy to report that my very 1st *Cre8tvlyYrs Arts & Crafts Design Lab* Valentine Workshop was a siccess!!  Had a good turn out and the most important part is that all the gals were pleased with their projects...that to me was the success!  We are all looking forward to next month's workshop and we already picked a theme...it's gonna be a spring/floral theme and I'm gonna call that workshop the "Bloom" Workshop...so can't wait to start on the artwork for those cards & bracelet design.  Here's a few pics of the Valentine Workshop:

Here's the goodies we made...

I am offering a Valentine Cards mini kit in my etsy shop...

Just click on the link below if your interested:

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  I'll be back soon with the "Bloom" Workshop announcement and samples!  This time I'm gonna start sign ups early so I have more time to put together the kits! :)

Cre8tvlyYrs ~ Gina

Merging My Art With My Life...

It still amazes me of how time flies away from me…perhaps you too know what I mean?  I meant to post since the beginning of the month and here I am barely posting on the last day of the month…lol.   Well, I have been up to a lot of projects and I am sooo excited to share that I am finally going to begin doing workshops here in my home (actually my garage)...in the “Cre8tvlyYrs Arts & Crafts Design Lab” with the 1^st workshop on February 10^th!  It’s going to be a Valentine themed workshop of course, where we’ll be making Valentine’s Cards and bracelets.

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“Cre8tvlyYrs Arts & Crafts Design Lab = A Dream coming to Reality

I’m so excited about this because I have long dreamed of  being an Art Teacher, in fact when I met my husband I was full force on that path but I decided to take a break while planning our Wedding and I’m sure you know what happened…yeah…life!!  So I wasn’t crushed about not being able to finish getting my degrees to teach but it’s always something I still naturally do, especially when it comes to arts & crafts.

Through the years when I’ve shared my art with others in gifts and commissions people have often asked me how did I do that or if I could show them how and I’d say sure…but since I get so easily distracted (ADHD) I haven’t ever done it.  But in the back of my mind, I have this little dream of me having a ‘Cre8v Lab’ or Art studio teaching and sharing with others this gift of mine…of being creative.

So recently…about a week ago, I had this dream that I was talking to others about opening up an arts & crafts ‘Design Lab” and when I woke up I told my husband and he was just as excited as I was and said that I should do it!  So that got me motivated and I’ve been sooo excited since getting my house and the garage ready as well as drawing up and editing all my Valentine themed artwork for the Valentine cards we will be making.  I will be posting samples of everything as I get them done!

I can’t wait for what this direction in my journey of life will lead to me!!  I feel that one of my dreams is coming to reality and this quote that my Uncle posted to me yesterday certainly coincides with that: 

“Know your dream, Know that you are worthy of your dream.  Feel the passion of your dream.”  -Unknown

 God bless and enjoy your days to the fullest!!

Cre8tvlyYrs, Gina

P.S.  I just had to include this Memorial I created on January 19th...

Fluttering about...what I've been up to...

*************A Personal Update*****************

I've been living life...not quite to the fullest yet...but I'm getting there!!  Things are really turning around for us over here and I believe with all my heart that things are going to just keep getting better!!  Spiritually I feel like I am in a new more mature understanding level...I have always been a woman of strong faith but when you go through trials sometimes you ask why or how long...you know?  I was dealing with some personal trials for the past couple of years but around July I felt my faith change.  At first I wasn't sure if it was in a good way but only because it was different, it was as though my faith was being tested and then I realized that I passed the test!!  I know the trials will be a part of life but it feels good to know that I've made it this far.  I know I am still a work in progress...and I love that...knowing that the Lord isn't done with me yet.  :)

So with all the revelations of things I needed to do...changes I needed to make I feel that I am finally on the right track in all areas of my life...it's a state of life I've never experienced...and being stuck in a cocoon stage for so many years it feels so wonderful to finally be able to fluttering about...seeing the world in a whole different view!  I thank the Lord for bringing me to this place of peace and joy...and I look forward to all the even more wonderful and joyous things coming my way!

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*My Artwork & Jewelry Designs Update*

For those of you who are interested...I have been busy with commissioned work this year from artwork to custom designed jewelry which is why I haven't had the chance to set up my etsy shop in time for the Christmas and Holiday shopping but I am currently getting things ready to get it set up.  I hope to get it set up by this weekend...hopefully Saturday!  I will be making art prints, magnets, cards, jewelry and other home decor with my artwork available to purchase.

Right now I am finishing up a beautiful custom necklace and some Christmas Card designs so I do have time to fit in a couple of more custom orders if you contact me no later than this coming Wednesday.  If you would like to have me create custom artwork or jewelry you can contact me at:  cre8tvlyyrs@msn.com  I will need at least a week to complete the work but I can only guarantee local orders (Southern California) will be there before Christmas.  So if anyone lives out of state, I would be happy to create custom art or jewelry for you but just know it may not get to you before Christmas due to the delivery process.

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Love blogging again and I hope to do this more often...especially since I can actually post again!  Hope you all enjoy this wonderful season of Christmas!  Cre8tvlyYrs, Gina :)



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I'll Spread My Wings & I'll Learn How to Fly...

(I wrote this back in July and for some reason I wasn't able to post it or anything else until now.)

Learning how to fly...that's what my current daily art journal's theme is...I am going through a new phase of life...It's the part obviously where I'm flapping my wings around...you know working out the muscles! With that comes the full range of emotions of excited, anxious, optimistic, yet afraid but willing to do it afraid!! I feel I'm in a good state right now!

I'm done with the looking behind because I am so excited about my future and all the blessings that I know the Lord has planned for me!! I am feeling more aware of what I need to do in my life and that is a whole lot of things! :) I have been very busy recently with lots of life stuff like family birthday parties and Bar B-Ques with friends and I've also been making and selling jewelry as well as paintings!

God bless you! Cre8tvlyYrs, Gina :)

Being Swept In A Different Yet Exciting Direction...

It's really exciting for me in all aspects recently...spiritually, mentally, physically, and especially artistically! I feel like I am literally being led by the Holy Spirit...by the hand of God himself in where I am going with my life and all aspects of it...and this has been happening recently. It feels like I have awoken from a looong deep sleep where I was sleepwalking through for the past years. It's a feeling of awareness that I have never experienced!

It all began with serious prayer...asking the Lord to reveal to me the direction I am to be going...and this prayer I had been praying for years! In fact I prayed it so much that I was beginning to wonder if it was being heard...lol! What's amazing to me is that he has been revealing to me through messages from others by teachings, preachings and even music...but it wasn't like a big direct message...but in little hints here and there...until the point where I realized that I was being led and have been being led to a destination unknown to myself but knowing that I am being led there by God...making me see that exciting realization that I have been and still trust in him!!

What's amazing about this to me, is that I have always claimed to trust in him and even taught others how important it is to have faith in him, to trust him...and you know the saying "it's easier to say it than do it"...so when I came through some really challenging events...you know the kind that keep happening over and over and one right after another to the point of frustration...well I have just come out of one of those looong 'in the wilderness' journeys and was so happy to see that even in all those hard times I can truly say that I have kept my trust in him...and still do. I know that in this journey of life there will always be challenges but there is a change in the wind...a change led by the hand of God...he is my Abba Father holding my little hand...leading me...guiding me!!!

There is soooo much that he has aspired and inspired me to do and sometimes I wonder how could it be possible to do all these things Lord? Then he reminds me to keep my trust in him and that through him ALL things are possible! He has reminded me that I have a purpose and that there is NO time to waste! For me...it begins with home...keeping peace and love alive and thriving here...to not allow the evil one any entry point...to be a haven for our family! I have challenges others do not and ADHD is one of them...but I have been learning how to use the positive aspects of it and how to keep myself from getting too distracted or focused...just like being diabetic...it's all about balance...which I also realize that's what the Lord has been trying to teach me...to be balanced in all that I do.

I realized he wants me to be balanced with my life so that when he wants to change the direction of my path I will be able to handle it...like a surfer balances on a surfboard riding the waves...they have to be balanced on that board and ready to go with the direction of that wave they are riding...hmmm...this is an amazing realization that just plopped out for me even more because my life was actually saved by a surfer!

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True story: When I was a little girl about the age of 9, my cousin & I were floating on a raft and the current was taking us out to sea...we were scared and crying because even though we were kicking with all our might we were not able to get to shore. I remember that even though I was scared and crying I did have a sense of trust in God...although I had no idea about it in that moment...my cousin was starting to panic...she was older than me and so her reaction was definately influencing me. Thanks be to God, we ended up floating into a group of about 5 surfers that were sitting on their boards waiting for the next wave to ride.

So imagine if you will; 5 teenaged surfer boys on their 1978 sized surfboards floating about getting bumped by a little raft that the air was coming out of from us 'sqeezing' the air out of as we were literally clinging to it for dear life...whimpering and crying! They were like 'what the h--- are you little girls doing out here? Then one of them took us back to shore...I'll never forget how I was saved by a surfer guardian angel!! Seriously!!

Now the other good thing that happened for us is that my Uncle Raul (my cousin's dad) had been watching us and walking along the shore to make sure we were safe...back then there were no cell phones of course, so I suppose he felt he needed to keep his eyes on us...he is a very tall man so he was able to see us. What happened to us felt like forever but it actually happened within 5-10 minutes. So when the surfer boy got us to shore my uncle was waiting and took us back to our area. I don't remember too much after the point of getting to shore...I just remember seeing how far away we had drifted from our family!
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Let me tell you that I am in awe of how amazing the Lord is!! These past few weeks I have been feeling as though I am in a current of water...being swept in a different yet exciting direction!!

*Author's note: (Seriously...I typed the title for this post before I even began this post and for the record...I do not preplan what I'm going to write about...I like my blog posts to be my inner reflections and to just flow out...I had not even thought of my beach tide rescue for a while either...Awesome!!)

*Newsflash: Artwork available on e-bay!

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! Hope your all having a blessed week!


Well I finally got around to posting some artwork for sale on e-bay! I listed 3 peices of artwork and in a bit I will also be setting up my etsy shop with some jewelry I've created to sell as well.
Honestly, I love creating but the setting up online is what makes me hesitate so much...but I really need to bring in an income somehow so I might as well do that as if it's my job!


I have been really busy creating new bracelets and have designed some really unique necklaces. I have been getting lots of orders too but I realized very soon after that it's not always possible to recreate duplicates since the beads or charms I find are not always available when I go back to the stores I got them in. This has made me realize that from now on I need to stress that these are all unique pieces...unless someone custom orders a multiple design from the beginning so that I can buy all the materials/beads at once! :)


I also just created a fan page or what I like to call a 'like' page for my artwork on Facebook which you can find on the side tab to the right! Here is one of the three on e-bay as the top pic as well...my angel has a link to e-bay and you could find the others from there! (This blog is acting up and not letting me post anymore pics so these are what I was able to post!

*Sold*

Have a wonderful day & God Bless! Cre8tvlyYrs, Gina