Dirt & Beauty & Rain

I lost my mom a few months ago after a long battle with Alzheimer's. I only got glimpses of her during the last few years, but her optimism and positive spirit continued to reveal itself until the very end.  She liked to encourage everyone she met and you couldn't help but feel better after you spoke with her. 

Losing her left a space in my heart that no one else can fill. She was my biggest cheerleader—always believing in me, even when I couldn’t see my own potential. Her words of encouragement echo in my mind during the toughest days, reminding me to keep going, to trust myself, and to be kind. She had this way of making me feel like I could do anything, and even now, I find strength in her unwavering faith in me.

She always loved that I created my art to help encourage others. And though it's been very tough these past months, I know she's up in heaven now, completely cured and spreading joy to everyone she meets.  

I finally felt inspired again and have been in the studio painting like crazy. I miss her deeply, but I carry her love and support with me always. Thanks mom for continuing to encourage me.

Shop Small for the Holidays (and all year long)

 #shopsmall #supportsmallbusiness #handmade

 

Click on the business listed below to shop

You are Capable!

 Recently my sweet cousin sent me a quote that encouraged me
during a stressful time in my life. 

When you're focused on a tough situation, it's too easy to forget that
you are more than capable. You got this!

It made such a difference and inspired me to create my latest piece.

Remember... You are Capable of Amazing Things!

The Real Secret to a Fabulous Life

Storms, Rainbows and the Best View

The Greater Your Storms
The Brighter Your Rainbows

 

Why You Need to Retreat from your World

Think about a place or time in your life where you got to get away from it all?
A time where you could think.
A time where you could breathe.

Was it the beach?
Was it the mountains?
Was it your own back yard? 
Or just having the house to yourself?

In a Mel Robbins podcast I recently listed to, they used a phrase that struck me.

"We need to think of rest as a right, not a reward."

Throughout our life, we're taught, once you get your work done (homework, chores, cleaning, errands, whatever...), then you can take a break. 
What happens, more often than not, is we NEVER get our work done.
There's ALWAYS something that needs to be done.

What if we switched our mindset and scheduled in the relaxing time, the quiet time, the fun time, the I don't want to think about anything time?
Giving yourself actual space and time to recharge.

Give yourself a Place to Retreat;
where the World Grows Quiet enough for your Soul to Speak.

Retreat

For the Amazing You!!!

 For anyone who focuses too much on the things they do wrong.  

YOU ARE ALL KINDS OF AMAZING!!!

Show a little love to yourself or a friend.

It's Not the End

 We tend to look at life from a very narrow perspective - seeing only what's right in front of us. 

Wondering if a problem will ever end. 

Will I get through this? 

Pain. Grief. Sadness. Loss. Stress. 

Not being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It helps to remember that problems are temporary and that everything will ultimately work out.

But often it's not the timing we hope for.  

 

Everything will be alright in the end.  If it's not alright, it is not the end.

It's not the end. You got this.

Having the Strength to Let Go

I have a friend who's been struggling the last several years - caught up in the past and having a hard time overcoming all the negative voices and tapes in her head. Feeling she needs to hold onto things, but knowing it's not the healthiest. 

It's been wonderful to see her start to break free from the past - I knew she had
taken some very large steps towards freedom and happiness
when she shared this quote with me....

Strength to Let Go

Give yourself permission to Let Go.

Love, Loss & Remembering

 ​For any of us who have experienced loss, it can be so hard to navigate the pain.

Recently, several friends have lost close family members, but while they're suffering, remembering all the sweet and funny and loving moments has momentarily eased their heartache.

 

Here's to never forgetting our special memories.

Our Hardest Climbs Can Lead to Our Best Views

per·se·ver·ance

/ˌpərsəˈvirəns/

noun: perseverance

persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success

determination, endurance, stamina, tenacity

 

 

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.
Walter Elliot

Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.
Samuel Johnson

Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to,
but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears.
Gillian Anderson
 

You Can Do It!!!

The Light Remains

 This past week marked seven years since I lost someone special.
I know, like anyone who has suffered a loss, that time both goes in a blink and drags on.
The smallest things will suddenly bring back a memory and you're missing them all over again.

There are some who bring a Light so great to the World,
that even after they have gone,
the Light Remains

Now in my Etsy Shop 

 

Wishing you fond memories of those whose light still shines for you.

Love, Steph 

Who Wants to Let Go of Yesterday?

 She let go of Yesterday so her Heart could Find Joy Today.

CreativeSteph13 Etsy Shop

Here's to a happier, healthier and more joyous new year.

Love, Steph (and Sweet Pea)

Better Than You Could Ever Imagine

With the non-stop barrage of negative news, panic filled headlines and empty store shelves, 

it's easy to get caught up in dread and worry.

Let's take a deep breath...

With this "forced" slow down in our lives, we can embrace and enjoy time. 

The time we get to spend with family. 

The time we have not rushing around. 

The time we have just to ourselves. 

We'll get through this, just like every other time we've been faced with a crisis.  

And, if we CHOOSE to look on the bright side, 

CHOOSE to grow our compassion, 

CHOOSE to support each other,

CHOOSE to see what blessings we have, 

CHOOSE to adapt and even thrive in these times, 

it might turn out Better than You Could Ever Imagine.

Original, Prints and Magnets available HERE

What's the Buzz? 13 Unique and Creative Bee Things

Life is full of beauty. Notice it. 

Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. 

Smell the rain, and feel the wind. 

Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.
-Ashley Smith 

 

What's the Buzz?
So many Beautiful, Creative and Unique Bee Creations.
13 Things (plus a few more) - all from small shops.
#supportsmallbusiness

 

Check them out here:  Bee Favorites

Strength, Determination and Being Enough. Art for a New You in the New Year

She made broken look beautiful
and strong look invincible.
She walked with the Universe
on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings. 

Ariana Dancu

Here's to the Survivors. 

Strong in the midst of adversity. Digging in a little deeper when things get tough. 

Saying NO to drama and blaming others and "it's not fair". 

Instead... working harder, making the best of each situation, persevering and holding onto hope, helping others, letting go and moving forward.  

As I added each layer to this art piece, my goal was to encourage those who have had to "survive". 

Whether it be an illness, an incident, a diagnosis, a loss, or just ongoing struggles, 

you are stronger than you think and you are definitely ENOUGH. 

The world may try to tell you you're not, BUT YOU ARE!

As we reflect upon the end of this year and the beginning of next...

remember these words as you head into each day.

You are Strong

You are a Survivor

You are Determined

You can Let Go of the Past

You are Enough

You can Persevere

You can Change Your Thinking

You can Overcome Obstacles

You will Laugh

You will See the Good in Each Day

You will Hope

Original, Prints, and Magnets available here

May your year be full of happiness, peace and laughter.

Love, Steph

A To Do List Art Piece that will Make You Happier Every Day

I love To-Do Lists (like that surprises you). I've got lists for everything. There's something about those little check marks that make me feel like I've accomplished something (and that I actually have a little control over my hectic life). But even if you complete your list, it's only for a short time, and you'll only to have more items to complete later on.

So how about a To-Do List that makes you happier every day? 

I put together some of my favorites in a bright mixed media art piece. Focus on these each day and, you can have a life that's full of more joy, and more peace, and whole lot more happiness.

Encourage Someone 

(a compliment, a happy word, people love to be noticed)

Laugh A Lot 

(there's usually something funny - even in the not-so-funny moments)

Try Something New 

(keep learning, be bold, get out of your rut)

Say Thank You 

(such a lost art - if you don't express gratitude, you're expressing ingratitude)

Listen with Your Heart 

(not just your ears, look beneath the surface of the words) 

Enjoy the Little Things

(make a concerted effort to look for moments of joy)

Be Yourself 

(it's exhausting to keep a mask on - put it away and let the real you shine through)

To Do List by CreativeSteph13

Hope you accomplish everything on THIS TO-DO List.

Love, Steph

Set Yourself Free...When She Let Go of the Past Her Heart Whispered Thank You - New Mixed Media Art

The past can often seem comfortable and familiar, but it can also hold us back. Letting go helps us to move forward. Deciding. Choosing. Committing. To. Let. Go. is in our hands (and in our hearts). 

In creating this art piece I was inspired by some of the quotes below.
Letting go is so freeing (but soooooooo hard).

The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself,
unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over,
you cannot move forward.
Steve Maraboli

We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us. Joseph Campbell

When you let go, you are truly free. 

Unknown

Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past can be changed. 

Oprah Winfrey

We can all let go of the past. And our hearts will thank us.

BEE Art...................Bee Happy

Bee Happy, Kind, Strong and True

 

Hope you'll BEE Happy this week!!! 

Love, Steph

Prints available in my online Etsy Shop

Make Everyday an Excellent Adventure - New Art & a New Way of Living

When I left my corporate job years ago, one thing I promised myself was to enjoy life more. To jump off the never ending, always busy, no time to breathe, treadmill that unfortunately is most of our lives. Rest, relaxation and fun was something you tried to fit in when the work was done (and it never was). 

 Oh the Places You'll Go - Dr. Suess

Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventure.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things - Henry Miller

So I have since decided to try and make each day an Excellent Adventure. And make sure I schedule fun on my calendar, along with work, not just wait for "when things aren't so busy". 

And you don't have to go anywhere to have an adventure. Adventures are big and small. Sometimes it's hitting the road to discover new places and sometimes you discover something in your own backyard or in a book or in a moment. It's just a matter of looking.

I would have loved to have learned this when I was getting ready to head off to college or start a new job. When our focus gets smaller and smaller until it's only the size of studying for our next exam or working on that next project, or staying later and later and later at our job, just to play catch up. (Hindsight is always 20/20). 

I worked on this piece on and off for several months and just hung it on the wall in my office (to help remind me to get out of my office). 

Hope you have an excellent adventure this week!