Baby Steps Goals + 100 "Likes" Celebration!

 

Hello Everyone...I am so happy to announce that I am celebrating a small baby step goal that I was able to achieve...I reached 100 "Likes" on my FB Artist page!!  Now this may seem like a silly goal but I am very happy about it so I am going to share about it and celebrate it and I'm offering 25% off everything in my boutique for this weekend only!

 

I have written about many things on this blog and I may not have a big reader following but I am also doing this blog for myself...to document my growth and the struggles I have dealt with along the way as a woman of God, a wife, a daughter, sister, aunt/nina and now instant mommy, a friend, and as an artist...of course I do not put all the details but enough to document what I've been dealing with.

 

Most of my current struggles is about learning to juggle...my perspective has changed and becoming an 'instant mommy' was what catapulted that change.  I am happier now as a mother and I feel blessed to have such a beautiful, sweetheart, sunshine girl (as I call her) who is also very talented artistically for her young age of 4.  Now that things are getting better with all of us adjusting to each other and our new routines I feel I can continue on my personal artistic journey alongside.

 

Recently I had the most wonderful conversation with my cousin Sarah who herself is an artist along with her husband and both darling and gorgeous daughters...it was a much needed message that I needed to recieve since she completely understood my own personal struggle as a mother with a creative soul.  She understood my conflict of interests of wanting to still be creative but at the same time putting all my attention on my little girl.  She encouraged me to continue being a good mommy but also to take the time to continue to create but to also be realistic.

 

This made me realize that I needed to take 'Baby Steps'...to not overwhelm myself with unrealistic goals.  I'm not going to ever stop dreaming big but taking 'baby steps' will help me get to my goals in a more realistic way for me.  I need to go back to the beginning of what it is that I enjoy doing...she also told me something that I felt was freeing to me in a way...she said not to feel like I need to share all my artwork with the world...to keep some of it for myself!  I really like that...it's like giving myself permission to create at my own pace and not feel as though I need to share every detail!

 

Soo that's why I'll be sharing my 'Baby Steps' and celebrating them...my next baby step is to sell at least 1 item a week...no matter how big or small...just to get myself in a routine to put my art that I'm ready to share with others out there and this will help me work my way up!

 

Alongside with that "Baby Steps" goal I have a goal to do at least one creative thing a day...even if it's just coloring with my little girl in one of her coloring books! :)  Have a blessed day everyone and thank you for sharing this part of my journey with me! :) 

*SuMmErY WhiMsY WhiSheS*

Hello there!  I decided to try out a new look for my blog...I really like this layout because it'll be easier to showcase my artwork here...I hope you like this cleaner simpler look too!  Also, I'd like to share with you a *FREEBIE*  - part of my new *Whimsy Wishes* that I will be creating more of:

 

(Just right click & save as on your computer!)

Most of you probably don't know this...but once upon a time not to many years ago I did a little Digital Designing...aka Cre8tvlyYrs Designs (2007-2009).  It was a short lived career attempt but it did teach me alot about PSPCS2! :)

Sooo, I thought...I might as well use those skills in creating cute cards and bookmarkers and also to offer some digital freebies here and there!

So for this first *FREEBIE* I used an old digital kit I created in 2009 called "Vibrant Summery Beach Days".  All the original artwork was created by me on my little Wacom tablet...which I still have and occassionaly use.

I will be creating more *Whimsy Wishes* as cards which I'm still trying to decide to offer them as digital or handmade creations or even both for sale in my Etsy Boutique...I will announce how and when soon but for now I created this for you all as a gift and a *Whimsy Wish* for your summer!

Cre8tvlyYrs, Gina :)

A Kind Of Healing...

Hello Friends!  Just thought I'd post this quick little slideshow featuring some of my favorite digital ATC's I created back in 2006 when I was really into digital creating and share a little reflection of how this digital medium helped me to heal and lead me back to my love of painting!

 I began using the digital 'medium' to create shortly after the passing away of my beloved grandmother because I was in such deep mourning that I couldn't paint, draw, scrapbook on paper...natha!  Seriously, it was as though my mourning of her death sucked out all my joy...especially since my main thing I loved doing back then was scrapbooking and then of course other paper crafting.

 

But of course as an artist and creative soul I yearned to do something creative ...I stumbled upon the digital scrapbooking websites and it ignited my creativity again.  I know that digital had gotten a bad rep within the paper medium scrapbooking & paper crafters community but honestly digital scrapbooking actually was a God send to me...it helped me feel creative again...to feel excited about creating again and led me back to paper crafting and then to creating my original artworks (which is another story entirely!)...but I felt I needed to share this part of my journey...because I need to remind myself of this when I am needing a little pick me up...which is where I am now!

 

Early this morning was a little tough for me...I couldn't sleep due to all the negative thoughts swirling in my mind...I was doubting everything about myself...it was a soul searching moment and I prayed, I cried and journaled my heart out...until the Lord brought me peace again.  At first I wasn't going to post about this but for some reason (even if it's only to help just 1 person) I felt led to go ahead and do so...and so I am!  As I was getting ready to post here I found this slideshow (I created earlier this year but never posted) as though my Guardian Angel was reminding me of where I've been and how far I've come and to not give up on my dreams!

 

I feel like I'm on this part of my journey that I see an old worn out bridge that I must cross in order to continue on my path to reach my dreams and goals and it's scary...I've taken a few steps but the bridge is creaking and I'm afraid I'll fall...I am wondering if I will be able to make it...I am gripped with fear but at the same time my faith is telling me to continue...I must continue...so continue I will...

Flying With Charity Wings

So I finally got the chance to meet Elena Etcheverry the founder of Charity Wings and the Charity Wings Art Center and I'd like to share a little about my visit.

 

Here is the beautiful Charity Wings banner that hangs by the entry way:

 

and here I am proudly standing underneath my 'Valentina 2013'!

Here is Elena & I after finally meeting...she is so sweet and friendly that I felt like we already met and we're old friends!  We got to chat for about an hour and she gave us a tour of the Art Center!  It was really nice to meet her and I'm surely going to be visiting more often...especially since I've become a member of the Charity Wings Art Center!

If any of you would like to be a part of a really fun and creative environment I really would like to encourage you to visit Charity Wings Art Center and become a member to help the Art Center to continue to be a wonderful place for crafters and artists alike to gain inspiration and friendships!

Cre8tvlyYrs Card Cre8ns Tutorial 1

***Beautiful Cards On a Budget: Money & Time Saving Greeting Cards***

I began making cards around 20 years ago...as a struggling student with the need for Birthday Cards for all my family & friends...but that was before they made card making so easy!! So I thought I'd do some fun and simple tutorials to share some time and money saving tips on creating your own handmade greeting cards that I've learned along the way!

This first tutorial features a little grundgy and a little Victorian style...I will be creating more tutorials soon! I created this in a slideshow format and I am still learning this program so I apologize for the ending when the music cuts off abruptly...still learning this program! :)

Enjoy and have a blessed Weekend everyone!

A Whimsical Wednesday in the Cre8tvlyYrs Arts & Crafts Design Lab!

Hello Friends and Welcome to my Whimsy little side of Blogland at the:

***Ce8tvlyYrs Arts & Crafts Design Lab!***

Starting today I will be putting a fresh new twist on my blog by posting a lot more often and they will be articles of almost anything Artsy Craftsy sometimes in the format of a Vlog or sometimes in tutorial format and will feature the following:

 *Artworks in Progress: A peek of what I'm currently working on

*Crafty Projects:
  -Card Tutorials
  -Crafty Tips
  -Crafts to Treasure (recyclable crafts)
  -Scrapbooking (Paper & Digital)
  -Jewelry
  -Mommy and Me

*Product Previews  *Techniques   * Tips  *Artista Interviews and more! :)

For today I will feature a little virtual tour video...a little peak into my ‘Cre8v Zone’ that I currently reorganized!  It's my 1st little tour and I did my best not to make it too lengthy so please let me know what you think...but please also be nice! LOL!  Have a blessed day everyone!

 

 

Season of Change...Summer's Here!

Cailan's 1st trip to the Beach!

Happy Summer!

Well today is officially the 1st day of summer and I'm so happy that it's still cool enough for me to enjoy it!  There has been so much going on and more changes are continuing.  :)


I thought I'd begin this little update of a few of the changes going on with a layout I made of Cailan's 1st trip to the beach...she was so excited and had fun with her cousin chasing and running away from the waves!




*This really has been a season of change for me...first I have finally got my hair cut and colored...it's been a long time...so since I've been needing to give a photo over to Charity Wings and to update my portfolio's I made sure to take a photo with my new look to use.  I'm really happy about my hair which is really a challenge for me.



Embracing the Changes

My loved ones and close friends know why and usually I wouldn't speak too much about this but I'm in a different place and feel I should share what I went through if it will help even one person who happens to come along and read this.  10+ years ago my hair began thinning in the front...which to any woman is devastating...but around 7 years ago I had a surgery which really made more hair fall out.  It was so bad I needed to wear wigs and was constantly wearing hats.  Since last year however, it has began growing back...I still wear hats and headbands but my hair is filling in and now there are only a few bare spots!  It's amazing that now that I have began to embrace that it is what it is and not let it keep me from living my life...my hair is coming back!   I thank God for that!



Angela and Bella got their Summer Cuts...so cute!

Soo...in addition to me getting my haircut...it was also time for my little puppy girls to get their summer cuts too!  Aren't they cute?  They sooo love their shorter hair...especially as the heat is gonna be rising!

 

Well, I also want to share a little of  how good Cailan is doing here with us...she still has a lot of things to work through but right now she is really happy...and she has made me happier too!  Some days are more challenging but for the most part she has been a wonderful addition to our family...we are so blessed to have each other and I feel so blessed to have been chosen to be her mommy!





Still a work in progress...my "Creative Zone"

As for my artwork and art business...it's all kind of been on hold...becoming an instant mommy has really been an adjustment for us and it is trickling out all around me...my priorities of course, have changed as well!  Along with that, so has my attitude...I've figured out that since I have ADHD I need to make better plans, set goals and work smarter instead of harder.  So I've been doing research, getting inspired and learning from others on YouTube...lol!  Really, there is a lot of great people sharing their wisdom and advise and it's helped me alot!  So right now I'm still in the middle of getting my 'zones' organized, as you can see from the last photo my 'Creative Zone' is still a work in progress...but then as soon as I'm finished I'll be able to get more accomplished and achieve my goals of being a licensed artist one day...or if the Lord has other plans with my artwork, I'll be ready to goooo!