Moving towards my Dreams and Goals...a few Announcements!

Here is a Cre8n I made using my 'Autumn Rose' Digital Stamp

Hello all my Family and Friends that are stopping by here!!  I am so excited to share what I've been up to since my last post...well I'm so happy with a few announcements!  First of all, this last Saturday we Baptized our daughter.  It was a small but sweet celebration after and it turned out nicely.  Second announcement...my digital stamp store will open at Whimsy Stamps tomorrow...October 1st!!  I am soo excited!!  Final announcement:  For the next 10 days I will be offering some Freebies that coordinate with my Digi stamps...so come back for those!!  :)

So happy because after the Baptism festivities were over I was able to focus on my digital stamps artwork and was able to get a total of 10 digital stamps done!  Above is a sample I created using my 1st digi stamp "Autumn Rose" and I've been busy creating more samples which I'll be creating some tutorial for on my YouTube channel soon!  Again, this is just one more baby step towards my goals and if it's God's will it will be!  So I will continue to be Cre8tvlyYrs, Gina

Redirection...go in Faith...

Hello Everyone!  Well here is my entry to the Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search that I made a big hoopla in the last post.  I didn't get chosen to the next round but you know what?  I'm fine with that...I am a woman of Faith...and I believe that when there is a 'no' it's really a redirection...I am now working on other projects and still believe there is a future for me in pursuing my dreams.  As for this painting...I know it's not my best work and I really liked the way it came out but it's probably not what I would have chosen to paint on my own!  So I looked at it as more of a really over priced workshop that I won't be joining next year...not that I'm being a sore loser or anything...but I just realized that I can't rely on others to make something I want happen for me!  I need to continue to keep my Faith on God...that he will lead me on the right path...to where he wants me to go!

Sooo, which leads me to...I am soo excited to share that I will be guest designing for 'Whimsy Stamps' for the rest of the year...if it's meant for me to be there...I may continue on!  I will be starting on as a 'Digital Stamp Designer' and I am so excited about this as I have always wanted to design my own stamp line!  I have decided to also add some of my digital kits to my etsy shop as soon as I'm done finishing up my first 10 sets of digi stamps and I 'tweek' some of my favorite digi kits!!  So I am already 'redirected'...and I will go on...in FAITH!  Cre8tvlyYrs, Gina :)

On Being Brave

Soo...it's the night before they are going to announce the top 50 contestants for Lilla Roger's Global Talent Search that will be moving on to the next round...and I am a little bit anxious...not a lot though but a little.  That in itself is surprising...I struggled with the 1st rounds challenge but only because I couldn't make up my mind in which direction I wanted to go with my project.  As I was struggling, even before I seen any of the other 998 contestants nor had any clue of any big contenders I began to wonder:  "What was I thinking when I signed up for this?"  I do know that had any clue of how many sign ups I may have not even tried.  But I'm glad that I did...even after signing up I told myself that it wouldn't matter if I am chosen or not (I would be very thrilled if I was...just saying) but to me the act of actually signing up was a statement that I was making to the world that I believe in myself enough to try!!

This experience is really a big step of bravery for me...I often would wish I would try then doubt myself...not my talent but myself...you see I have ADD/ADHD and I tend to get distracted or my super power that I like to call "SUPER FOCUS" (when I can zip out awesome artwork in a single all-nighter!!)  This way of being is what you can call a blessing mixed with a curse only because it has brought my both joy and also many heartaches (after missing deadlines of opportunities that have come my way).  Being that I am now 45 years old and finally a mommy I have decided to stop wasting my life...to stop the self doubt and "Just Bloom".

When I was working on my project, I realized that I needed to stop trying to do too much and think of it as if it was commissioned work to make it more of what they where asking for in the assignment but with my style of painting resonating throughout.  We are not allowed to post our piece until the announcements are made of the Top 50 but I would like to share what I word and saying I used:  Faith ~ Believing in more than what the eyes can see.  This is soo true to my spirit...it is what I have learned firsthand to be true...the Lord has brought me through so much bad and to so much good...I will continue to walk in my Faith...

My husband and I went through a very tough 2 year process to get our little girl and the fact that we accomplished this...that I myself survived the worst of what I never thought I'd experience this last year...well I realized that I am stronger than I thought, smarter than I knew, and capable of more than I could even imagine...all because I am not alone in this journey...no matter what I go through...the good and the bad...my Lord, my Father God, and Holy Spirit are there to lead, comfort and provide ways for me to achieve much more than I could even fathom...so with all that in mind I will keep moving forward with bravery because I know that I am being led by my Lord and if I am not chosen it is the Lord's way of saying 'not this way' but if I am than there is the chance that it may be this way...either way...I only want to go the the Lord has planned for me to go!

My Leap of Faith Experience...

So yeah, my 1st assignment for the Global Talent Search is due this coming Monday but I only really have today and tomorrow to really devote time to my project...so I'm only posting a short but sweet post of my progress and experience with this.


First off, when I got the assignment I had some ideas in mind but I also spent some time researching the subject and then I did a few rough sketches.  Then I hit a mental block...I wasn't 'feeling' the look of my sketches, then I decided to just start on my background of my canvas...it's almost done (my layering process for the background) and as it was drying at first I began to question myself as I couldn't get myself to draw what was whispering in my head...it just wasn't very clear yet...I  had no idea where to even continue and I started wondering what was I thinking when I signed up!!


So then I started doing some other research for a few things...they weren't really related to my project but as I was listening to some information on YouTube all of a sudden I picked up my pencil and exactly what I wanted to portray for my project came out! So now I better get back to work...I know there is a lot of talented artists that have joined this contest...but I figure it doesn't hurt to try.  If God wants my artwork to be shared with the world then it will!  God bless!!

Taking A Step Of Faith...Baby Steps...and Why I Do What I Do...

As I am typing these words...I'm still trying to find the best way to express what I need to say here...I guess as a way to leave a testimony of where I am right now and if it helps even one person than I have done what I was sent here to do...at this time in my life I have been struggling with my perspective about this world...and my life...I know I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, auntie, Godmother (nina) and friend (to what seems like very few these days for that matter), I know I am a woman of God, Follower of Christ (Christian), and an Artist (mixed-media).


So with all that in mind...I still struggle...I struggle with how I am feeling about all the ugliness and horrible things going on in this world...before there seemed to be more good than bad and that made life more bearable...but these days, it seems that more and more bad is happening...so this is where I struggle...which is why I believe I've been unable to do what I really love to do...my artwork...I've been keeping myself busy with being creative...I have to do that...it's the only thing keeping me from getting too overwhelmed but I haven't been able to create my own original work for months. 


In fact just a few weeks ago I was talking with my mom (who also happens to be my BFF) about how I can't seem to do my own original art these days...not even doodling or sketching...she brought up a good point...that maybe that part of me is dormant, you know asleep due to all the stress and challenges that my husband and I had endured this last year (getting our little girl and finalizing her adoption to the water damage in our home and on to other personal challenges)...well that thought really intrigued me...it totally made sense.  Then my husband also mentioned to me to start with baby steps...which I have been trying out...but I guess I'm still struggling because I feel like how can I do my artwork knowing of all the crazy and ugly things happening in this world?


Then the Lord...in all his goodness reminded me of why I have been created to be an artist...why he made me this way...to do what I do...and why I need to continue to do it...the birds do not stop singing...they keep flying...they never doubt in what they do...and the little presence of them in my yard alone brings me much joy...they bring a smile to my face and healing...he wants me to not stop what he has designed for me to do...I may not be able to stop the horrors happening in the world but I can keep praying for the world...and I can keep being the creative person I am meant to be...if what I do touches only one...then I've done what I was meant to do.


Soooo after this long process of what has to be one of the longest times for me to self reflect of what it is I am meant to do in this world (in addition to being a wife, mommy, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend) I am meant to be an artist and it is important...I will keep this thought in my heart in each type of art or craft project I create...to bring a little piece of my joyfulness out into the world...to share it so that I can make others feel joy too!


As a way to accept this 'revelation' I have done something I don't think I could have done before...I am taking a step of Faith (which really feels more like a leap) and I have entered an art contest...well it's more like a talent search.  Just days after realizing that I need to do something...move in a new direction...after praying for years but more so recently to the Lord about what is it exactly that I need to do with my art?  I was somehow led to find this contest...Lila Rogers' Global Talent Search ~ now when I seen all the talent from last year, it really intimidated me...then I decided that I need to just 'go for it' to let myself "Just Bloom"! because even if I don't win...at least I am doing something different, I am moving in a different direction...I am believing in myself enough to do this!!


Thanks for letting me share...God bless!  Cre8tvlyYrs, Gina

Life Altering Changes...

Hellooo everyone!  I know it's been a long time since I've posted on here...since the last time I posted my life had went through a whirlwind of chaos, trials and the tragic loss of my beloved little Bella...but the Lord has gotten me through all that and I feel love, peace and joy again!!  I also am looking forward to a lot of awesome things coming our way even as soon as this Friday...which I can't say more about until then but I can only say is that we will 'Officially' begin a new time of our lives!


So for the last couple of months from March 10th to be exact, our whole lives were changed all because our washing machine didn't stop pouring out water...we found out before the damage was worse but the damage was enough to get all new floors...which is when you are thankful that you have homeowner's insurance that covers all that for you!  We went through a lot of changes not just in our environment from our carpet and cheap linoleum floors as well as part of our walls getting torn out to a total of 15 loud fans blowing throughout the home (literally creating wind tunnels in our hallways) to having to pack up your kitchen, and all the things you have around those areas (which for me included having to pack around at least 15 boxes of my arts & craft supplies) to all the construction noise to finally having beautiful tile flooring throughout most of the home but we also went through many physical, mental and even spiritual growth.


These type of things are not life threatening but they do alter you...you change...you grow...you have no choice!!  I also learned...I learned a lot!!  I learned that I can handle more than I thought even before this happened but this was in a whole new light!  I learned that if you don't allow yourself to grow that if you stay settled...you know...stay in your 'comfort zone' that life will make you change and grow whether you want to or like it!


I learned that we can do so much together...my husband and I...yes, we accomplished a lot and got through a lot and we learned and grew a lot together...TOGETHER!!  This was important...and it felt like the Lord wanted us to learn this in a hurry because we went through 2 of the toughest trials together within days apart!  The 1st trial which I can not even mention (which happened on Good Friday) but all I can say about it was that we had to really push through that trial and rely on the Lord to get us through it...and he redeemed us.


Then the most heartbreaking was on a Monday...just after Easter Sunday when our beloved dog Bella got out of our yard and I ended up finding her on the main street just outside our neighborhood...she had been hit by a car.  It was so heartbreaking and I cried right there...the whole neighborhood and traffic seen and heard me...I felt as though the whole world slowed down time at that moment...my husband was home so he carried her home so that we could bury her in our yard.  In the midst of all this I witnessed love from others...neighbors and even a stranger...a sweet lady who pulled over to see if we needed help...she gave me a hug which was what I needed to move on.  That amazed me...that the Lord sent people to be there for us and they all really helped us...my neighbors sweet grandchildren helped us the most...they showed compassion and love and gave me hope for our future in this world...knowing there is still compassionate children...as heartbreaking as that moment was I learned a beautiful thing that day.


I also learned just how strong my husband is...his strength really helped me to carry on through that tough week.  My husband is also the most devoted man ever, he actually ended up doing most of the flooring himself (looong story) but he is just about done...all that's left is the room where all this began...yep, the laundry room!  He did such awesome work...and I know that he did it for us!


So even though I did not like the bad things that we had to go through I realized that they must have been necessary for me to learn and grow mentally and spiritually...that I needed some old crusty layers of my past to be broken off my whole being...so that I can see more clearly...in a whole new light...and I know what this means...a whole new way of being who I am...because when you go through all that I have been through from the moment our little girl stepped in to our lives to what I just went through recently, you are forever changed...your old mind set is altered and you can't go back.  I know this...I feel there is hope in our future and I am looking forward to receiving with open arms the Love, Joy and Peace from God with much more appreciation of it...Cre8tvlyYrs, Gina :)

Signs From Heaven

I believe in signs from Heaven and I believe in looking for confirmations of what I'm wondering or praying about in three's...and the Lord has been giving me so many signs...more than three...to keep flying and to continue to 'Imagine' where he wants to lead me the gifts he has given me.

So about month ago or so, we had a very negative experience due to our adoption situation...it was so upsetting that it totally took all my energy and stopped my creative flow...it began to make me doubt myself and whether I should even bother to continue what I'm doing...is it even meaningful and was it meaningful enough to continue to pursue my desire to do more with it?

The next day I shared how I felt with my husband...I felt defeated and was so touched when he lovingly told me "No, not to give up...to keep going...I'll get there" of course not all the words exactly but he was basically telling me that he believed in me...and that meant a lot to me!  Then later that day my sweet baby girl who has absolutely no idea what I had been going through comes up to me and tells me that I'm the bestest artist in the world and I'm the best at making sooo many things!  I felt like I had my very own cheer leader!  Later that week, when I shared with my mom about how that weekend had affected me she told me not to dare let those things stop me.

I also received many other 'signs' everyday on Facebook...and even in different videos on YouTube...so the signs were flying in from every where even if people had no idea they were leaving a message for me!  Then a few weeks ago, a very good neighbor of ours stopped by to visit and I was sharing with him about the stuff we had gone through and I know now he was sent by God to give me a very encouraging message...he told me not to allow those negative things to interfere with my creative process because my art is so inspiring and it makes people feel good...he had no idea how I was allowing what we had went through to make me question whether or not I should continue to do what I do.

I know that no matter what happens in my life...the good the bad and the ugly...that I'm an artist and as an artist, I need to create...it's like breathing to me...and if I should ever doubt myself I can just come here and read this post for encouragement because just this weekend I finished my Valentina 2014 and feel it's my best one yet!  I am so humbly touched by all the comments I've received about her already too...it feels good to know that my work is touching others...and that's what makes me feel good about continuing to keep creating art that comes from my heart and touch others' hearts as well.