Everyday Bliss Day 1

Today is day 1 of my Creative Awakenings journey. This chick has taken flight with 38 others from The Artful Paper Doll Ning network and charted a course of discovery into our inner selves through creative collage and journaling.


Everyday bliss is about doing something, anything that brings me total enjoyment for 20 minutes a day. Today was about working on this background for a new dimensional collage that will incorporate one of my fairy dolls. I loose all sense of time when I am creating. In the moment that happens, I know on a level of being that can not be explained by words or thoughts, that I am fully connected to the infinite.

Taking the Journey on the Creative Awakenings Express

It's so funny because I purchased Creative Awakenings months and months ago but never even really cracked it open. I guess I simply wasn't ready to hear the message it had to deliver . . . until NOW. The things you want most are always right in front of you but you won't see, hear, touch or smell them until you are in a place where you can, until you are a vibrational match to what you are asking for.


I just finished reading The Power of Nowby Eckhart Tolle and something within me boomed with loud clarity, "read Creative Awakenings NOW." Yesterday I began reading the book and wondered what in the world I was waiting for all this time. Within the pages was everything I could have hoped for both in terms of something I could share with my network as well as helping me move past the obstacles that stand in my way!


It is my pleasure to use this book as a workbook for facilitating change both in myself and others. If you have been wondering how to move past pain, fear, self doubt or whatever holds you back, please come join me in the Creative Awakenings group for a 12 month journey of creative discovery. Here we will create a dream journal, learn new techniques, get to know the inner you and you will have the support of your fellow group members to help you along the way.


It may not take 12 months before change begins to happen, in fact it probably won't but consider making the commitment to yourself for at least that long just to see where the journey takes you. This life is about enjoying the sail boat ride, not power boating madly to the destination.

Getting Serious About eBay Auction Templates

The Artful Paper Doll is getting serious about the business of selling paper dolls. I recently took a trip down eBay auction template lane looking for a way to spice up my listings and make them stand out a little bit.


The plan is for an upscale, boutique look to my virtual gallery space on eBay and also on The Artful Paper Doll network. During my search I came across the most darling auction templates created by Laura Gage of Store for Moms. In fact, I was so captivated by Laura's work that I published a Q & A article about her work on Examiner.com


Laura is now collaborating with Italian software engineer, Pasquale Imaio. Together they will be offering a brand new look for eBay auction templates and storefront designs like the one shown above. Congratulations Laura, that really is terrific news. :)

Common Garden Fairies Have Feelings Too!

Do you believe in magic? The other day, whilst chatting with one of my garden fairies about what kind of flowers to plant the garden with this season, I happened to casually mention that I thought she was common. Oh my! What a mistake that was and it stirred quite a furry in the studio.


I can tell you that little sprite flew around the room like mad woman on fire and I've got the cuts on my forehead to prove it! She buzzed me so many times I'm surprised my hair isn't spiked by now although I am hopeful that my missing eyebrow will grow back. YIKES!!


Fairies! They can be so sensitive! After all, my use of the word common was not meant to imply ordinary nor did I intend for it to be derogatory in any way. You really don't want to upset your fairies like this because they have abilities far beyond what could be termed common or ordinary. She simply required nothing more than my acknowledgement of that. I'm in deep trouble now because if I thought she was good at hiding my craft supplies before, it will be doubly so now.


We've agreed it would be best if she find a home in another garden, one where the humans at least treated her like the uncommon princess she really is, one where her talents could truly be appreciated. However, she won't be cheap! Gosh, if I even mention that who knows what will happen next. This fairy is willful, stubborn, mischievous, playful, an utter delight, beautiful, magical and looking for love someplace besides my studio.


She is sure to bring you joy, share many uplifting conversations with you and add opulent beauty to your flower garden. She may not look like anything more than a paper art doll to you but I assure you, she will animate if you are ready to see and believe. Visit artful*paper*doll on eBay for more details and your chance to entice her over to your garden.

Spring Break Fun in California

The Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium's (TADS) Doll No. 4 aka Queenie played in the surf and sun over a Spring Break vacation with Gloria Carson and her son. I can only imagine what Queenie's response might be to her recent trip. The words that come immediately to mind are "What a rush!"


Queenie writes this from her travels to Capitola: I decided to accompany Gloria and her son on a spring break vacation to Capitola, California. Seriously, if you have never visited this part of California, it's awesome! Location, near Santa Cruz, California, beach, ocean, surfing, skate boarding, great restaurants, and the most beautiful scenery. I tried my hand at both skate boarding and surfing. I must say spring break was really action packed. . . .


Sounds like our Queenie had a blast. Gloria, please give yourself a hug and a big heartfelt thanks from me for participating in the TADS project and for showing are Queenie such a gloriously good time filled with exciting new experiences.





To find out more about the Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium (TADS) project, click the link to go there. To sign up, leave a comment stating so on the TADS Official Sign Up All images appearing as part of this post are coprighted by ©Gloria Carson and any duplication without her express written consent is prohibited.

Are you Cinderella or the Queen?

It is our own attitudes that determine our station in life and has nothing to do with what anyone outside of us thinks. Who are you and which one of these sounds more like you? Are you Cinderella, often putting the needs of others before your own and allowing them to dictate your life purpose? Are you a princess or prince, worthy but still, somehow not quite good enough to have it all? Or, do you think like the queen/king you came forth into this life to be? You need neither a crown nor subjects but you are indeed the queen/king of your life. You are meant to live a joyful and abundant one.


I had an experience this week which made me realize just how powerful imagery can be. Please see the Playful in Pennsylvania post for a photographic journey into one of Bella Rosa's (TADS Doll No. 1) recent visits. Because this doll has my face on her, it had quite an effect to see myself staring back at me from the loving hands of a child. A woman about to give birth, took the time to knit a little dress entirely from ribbon for the doll. She also shared the journal with her art students so that they might know how other artists are sharing with the world. How priceless is this? I truly feel like a queen, rich in love and tender care.


Imagine you are the queen/king this month (and beyond). Walk like you have a cape and crown on and believe yourself worthy of every good thing. Say it silently to yourself throughout your day. Nobody has to know what you are doing and this exercise will go a long way in helping you shift how you think about yourself. Notice how this feels in your body and in your mind. Did your posture improve? Do you feel just a little more confident? Write or paint about the experience(s) in your journal.


This month is about turning yourself into the queens and kings you are. Make a muse with your face on it. Yes, it must be YOUR face. Putting a doll with your face in your journal surrounded by magazine clippings, pictures, notes or drawings that inspire you will be more powerful and effective than using a random piece of clip art.

Click the image to download the PDF file

I have included a template file for a paper doll and pouch similar to the one used in the TADS project. I want to hear about your experiences. Did something special happen that has never happened before? Blog about it. As an ongoing project, I'll be featuring participating members on The Artful Paper Doll home page who blog and submit photos of their journals on this topic as both an inspiration to others to take the first step and as a way for me to give something back to all of you.

Kitty whispers: *Be the Queen/King . . . You ARE the Queen/King . . . *

Playing in Pennsylvania ~ TADS Doll No. 1

Heather: My heart is pounding! Can it be? Yes, she has finally arrived in the snow laden month of January 2010.


Kitty Kellie: The Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium's (TADS) Doll No. 1 aka Bella Rosa got to spend play time with Heather McAndrews and her young ones in Pennsylvania this past winter. Heather, Shannon and Jacob have a story to share with you about their time with Bella Rosa. Since nobody can tell it quite like they can, I write this post in their words.


Heather: I couldn't wait to set her free. My excitement building as I unwrap her pretty pink tissue and untie the green ribbon.


Bella Rosa: My new young fan Shannon introduces me to her friendly fashion friends.


Belle Rosa: Shannon couldn't wait to get started on the extra-special designer paper-feather dress that she created just for moi.


Bella Rosa: I take a moment to pose with one of my younger fans. I'm wearing the multi-colored, paper-feather dress that Shannon designed for me.


Bella Rosa writes: Dear Diary, today I met Shannon. She showed me her barbie. Her name was Rosey. She showed me some clothes. She also made me some pretty clothes that were pretty too.


Bella Rosa: Cozy winter duds on the way! Heather takes a break from knitting booties to begin my new ribbon dress.

Kitty Kellie: Heather is awaiting the birth of her 3 child very soon so I am deeply touched that she took the time to knit this precious little dress for our girl.


Heather: A quick snap as my January journal entry comes together. The dress is finished and ready for a fitting.


Bella Rosa: Say yes to the dress! While the children were at school, Heather was quick to convince me that I should consider getting my ears pierced. I jumped at the chance and before I knew it I was sporting my silver hoops.


Bella Rosa: Heather's whole family took part in my creative visit. Jacob and Shannon couldn't wait to create their very own paper dolls. Here we are for our fashion photo-shoot.


Bella Rosa says: Live a colorful and creative life.

Kitty Kellie: Heather, Shannon and Jacob I want to say thank you so very much for your playful contributions to this project. This has special meaning for me because my own face is staring back at me from your loving hands. This is powerful imagery indeed reminding me that positive visualization is the way to creating a beautiful and happy life. I send you fairy hugs and butterfly kisses.



To find out more about the Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium (TADS) project, click the link to go there. To sign up, leave a comment stating so on the TADS Official Sign Up All images appearing as part of this post are coprighted by ©Heather McAndrews and any duplication without her express written consent is prohibited.