The Blackberry Briar

Spirit, Release and Practicing Courage

So this year has been off to a rough start so far and because of that I have had an inner urge to create.   I think I am realizing a connection between me creating as a source of healing for myself and to shine a bright light by using the gift that God gave me into the world.   

I have been painting and journaling and practicing courage as I show up to my studio everyday for my creative play date.  Each day becomes a little easier to show up and day by day it is becoming enjoyable to me again.   For so long I shoved art to the back of the barrel and wished it would never come back.   Perhaps because it is a way of therapy for me and dealing with the dark icky parts of life sometimes that are sometimes easier to ignore.   I am realizing though that ignoring doesn't make it go away, it harbors an attachment and by dealing with it through creating is a way of release.   A beautiful way to release.  

Here are a few of my recent creations:

I am also learning how to create videos of my artwork.  Please stay tuned for a couple I will be sharing soon.  Thank You for visiting!

I Love Progress

There is something beautiful in Progress.   Whether it is Progress with a painting, an exercise program, decorating and the list goes on.  It is just a beautiful way to stop and appreciate how it comes in stages.  Often we want to see things happen in an instant or overnight.  Instead of staying in the moment and enjoying each and every stage which is a story in the making. 

Last week I was lucky, lucky LUCKY!!  I got to have a playdate with Mystele!!!  She is such a wonderful soul and we had a lot of laughs that day that were much needed!!!   Anyhow, once we got past the giggles, we played Art....It felt so good!   I left her house with a mess of a painting and this is what it looked like:

I thought for sure I was going to have to cover it over and start new.   I let it sit for a couple days in between all lifes busy moments and I went back to it yesterday, only to be renewed by the possibilities the layers of paint, paper and ink held......  It is shaping up nicely and my heart is warming up to it:

Wishing you all a wonderful week filled with creativity and Love.   I will check back in to show you the final progress of this painting finished.   Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what your thoughts are on progress.

 

Season of Change

Winter is always a huge adjustment for me and my body to handle.  I am not a cold weather person to say the least.  I feel much more alive in the warm rays of the glorious sun with a warm breeze blowing through my hair while my eyes are gazing at the beautiful beds of colorful flowers.  I am going to try and focus on some things that I can learn to love about winter since I can't hibernate for the winter.

One of the great things about winter is a reminder of how focused I can be while in the house have no  urge to want to leave. 

As most of you know, I have been on a fitness journey and January will mark 2 years healthy!  Yay!    I have learned so much in the last 2 years and I am still learning every single day.   I think that is the key to life, always remain a student and get out of your comfort zone.  Change things up a bit from time to time to keep things fresh and your mind stimulated.  

Recently I have had  it on my heart to pick up a paint brush and play around.  I haven't really really created for 2 years.   It has been a love/hate relationship, but I am sort of approaching it the same way as I did my fitness.   A little step, a little dedication each and every day will hopefully build  a momentum of facing my fears and pushing through them.  I am hoping to dive in as a student and really find out what makes me tick.   I already have an idea, but it is expressing it in a true style.  Instead of "doing", I plan to just "BE" with my paint and brushes and supplies.   Make it as organic as possible with spirit guiding me and me listening to where......

I will leave you today by sharing a recent painting I completed and the photos of the process that was involved.  I had SO MUCH FUN creating this.  I felt wild at heart and feel like I used my inner voice to guide me.   A special Thanks to the wonderful Lady that Inspired me to create this. xo 

I wish you much Peace and Joy at this time of year and hope that you are following your hearts desires and your spirits whispers. xo

Creating Again

October Gone. Pumpkinfest and Gut Art

I simply cannot believe that October has been here and gone.  We are now in the countdown to Christmas and I just don't feel even remotely ready. 

October is always a busy month.  Soccer season winds down with the last couple of games played in the COLD weather.  Pumpkinfest in my town is so much fun every year and an annual tradition that my family has been celebrating for many years.   The town is filled with Pumpkin Magic for young and old and we are all in the spirit.  Decorating Pumpkins for the Courthouse Lawn is a wonderful tradition and it is so much fun to view all the entries each year.   My sweet daughter took FIRST place this year after a Third Place last year!  So Proud of her!  Here is a picture of her pumpkin.

Here is a picture of my son's entry.

This is a picture of my entry.

Here are some pics of all the pumpkins displayed and some of my very favorites.

This is my all time favorite pumpkin this year.  Its the red Bird.  So creative!!

As you can see a lot of time and Pumpkin Spirit is poured into each and every creation. 

Along with the pumpkins, I ran a 10K on Sunday and then joined my family for the annual Pumpkinfest Parade that is filled with Bands, the shriners magical mini cars and Big Foot each year.  So much fun!  We also enjoy a bite or two downtown where local food vendors set up and the churches who participate with homemade soups and baked goods.   It is so much fun!

Some of you know her and I have talked about her here before, but my friend Mystele is such a positive amazing artist who has shared her journey with so many and offers wonderful classes to explore your own inner creative voice through a method she has "coined"  PLAY.   I took her Gut Art Class last year and decided to do it again this year to try and spark some creativity in my blood.  So far I am having a great time exploring.  I highly recommend her class.  She is an amazing teacher and so very REAL and willing to share.  Hop on over to Community Thrive and take a glimpse into the magic there.  I will leave you with wishes for a wonderful November and a few of the images from my Gut Art I have created so far.

Fall is Here and The Country Living Fair with Earth Angels!

I cannot believe that this time of year is upon us. For me this is a huge transitional time of year.  Vacation is over.  The kiddos have started school and I am stumbling my way through the quiet and loneliness without them.   Don't get me wrong, some of the quiet is welcome, but it just means back to routine for me.  

These past few days I have spent down in the studio filling the air with the heavenly aromas of Fall Scents.  Pumpkin Moon, Spiced Pumpkin and more!!   I have to say it does smell amazing!!

I am so honored and feel very blessed that there will be tons of my candles at the Country Living Fair in Ohio with Earth Angels!   Please stop by to take a whiff and to feast your eyes on some amazing Folk Art while you are there!

I am also very giddy at the new press in Victoria Homes Magazine!   So very exciting to see my candles in there!  Grab a copy today to fall in love with some of the amazing articles and ideas! 

 

 

I spent some time cleaning and re-arranging the art side of my studio yesterday as well.   It spurred a bit of creativity and I made a little ornament using some quahog shellst that I have been collecting at the beach.  Though they would make adorable Christmas ornaments with different little sayings.   This one says:  Follow your heart. 

Old Cherokee / Two Wolves

Who are you feeding?

Earth Angels Newest Addition

Well, it has been a while, but I am here with some VERY exciting news!   Can someone please pinch me?!!!  It is official!  The Blackberry Briar Candles and Roomsprays are now available to purchase through Earth Angels Toys! 

Jen O'Connor and I have been friends for some time now.  Our kindred spirits and our Love for all things Old, Chippy and Full of Zest and Folk Art drew us together.    We actually connected through Fitness first and our friendship has blossomed.  She is an amazing woman, friend, Mom, Wife and so much more.  I envy her abilities to juggle her neverending schedule.  She puts her heart and soul into everything she does and I am beyond honoroed to call her my friend.  I am most amazed by her spirit to carry on despite the neverending schedule of events.   This is one of my favorite photos of her.  I think that spirit shines through.  Her playful joyous spirit is contagious!  If I am ever at her house, she will  have to hide that Polka Dot Mug too!  Drool!

She began purchasing my candles a little over a year ago and wrote this beautiful BLOG POST confessing her Love for them.

Since then, she has been continuing to enjoy them.   There are some bright new changes headed to the Earth Angels Website later this year.  Stay tuned for the launch, which will allow you purchase directly from her website!!   This is such exciting news and I was so surprised when Jen called to share this with me AND beyond surprised when she asked me to put together a special selection of scents from The Blackberry Briar to present the Earth Angels' customers!   I nearly fell off my chair.  This was a Mondo Beyondo Dream come true!

 Jen is carrying many of my special fragrances, including her personal favorite, Butterfield Bakery.   The scent categories to choose from including Spicy, Clean, Woodsy and Bakery.    As always my candles are Hand Poured with Love from my Heart to your Home.  Stop by Earth Angels today and order a candle or spray!!  Surely you won't be disappointed with my quality.   In fact if you should get both!!  Head on over to Jen's BLOG to get a Promo Code.  If you buy a Candle and a Spray by email or phone before 4/15 you can get both for $28!    While you are there, check out all the eye candy from some of my other most favorite artists!!!   Surely you won't be disappointed.  

 

Here are a few photos of me for you to enjoy from a recent photo shoot.  I am hard at work amongst my dolls and favorite treasures.

A VERY SPECIAL Thanks to Jen O'Connor for her friendship and this wonderul opportunity! 

Also A VERY SPECIAL Thanks to Suzanne Krull photography for the photo shoot!

I also wanted to mention a special Earth Angels event that is coming up.  If you are a Saratoga Springs Local or close to there and are available on May 19th or May 20th.  Please join the Earth Angels for the 11th Annual Spring Fling.   I will not be there, but my candles and sprays will be there for free sniffs!  

Re-Emerging Slowly

A new Journey with Beachbody!

Wow!!!  It has been 3 months since my last post here.   Where has all the time gone?   I have been busy in these past months living life as a Mom.   The kids both played Softball/Baseball which was so much fun this year!  It is always wonderful to see them progress and the major changes that happen these young ages from year to year! 

We went out our Cape Cod Vacation and had an awesome time in paradise!!!  I was even lucky enough to meet Kaf from Grimitives!

This was a long time dream come true!!   I have been a huge fan of her art dolls for years and she is just one of the most amazing people, true to heart that I have met!!!   I feel so blessed to have been able to stand amongst her studio and have a tour of her home and piece of property.   Her piece of Heaven on Cape Cod!!  It was amazing!   The only regret is that I didn't take any pics!  Next year though!

On another note, I have been on a new journey to health.  I started working out and eating healthy at the beginning of this year!  It has been an amazing journey and has set me on a whole new outlook for life!!  I no longer am stressed about what to wear, or about getting into a bathing suit at the beach.   I look and feel amazing and I owe my transformation first to God for answering my prayers!  Without him I am nothing.   Second, I feel a deep gratitude to Beachbody, a company that has allowed me to transform my body, mind and spirit.   Since transforming myself, I have been blessed with the wonderful opportunity, through Beachbody to help others transition as well.  I have taken on the challenge of being a fitness coach with Beachbody and building a team of others that want to change the lives of others as well!!!   I want to share with you the transition pics that I have so far.   I need to update my latest picture because I have improved even more since, but I want to offer anyone out there that has tried EVERYTHING and feels like they can't make a change that it IS POSSIBLE!!!  I would love to help you get started and coach you along the way!

 

I have done so well with my transition that my success photos were used on the main advertising page for Turbo Fire (the workout that has changed my life).   Here is a screen shot snapshot.

 

I was lucky enough to take a trip to LA and go to the Beachbody Summit where I met and workout out with the the Amazing Tony Horton from P90x!

I also my my personal Hero Ms. Chalene Johnson!!  The most amazing woman ever.  Creator of Turbo Jam, Turbo Fire, Chalean Extreme and so much more!

I thanked her for changing my life and giving me the tools I needed to be a better person!  She is so tiny in person and so adorable!  She is the real deal!!

Because of all this I have started an inspirational Fit Group on Facebook for Women only.   My goal is to help others who felt the same way I did back in December of last year.  Lost, Desperate and very unhappy with myself.  I have over 50 members and all that I treasure and Love dearly!   One of my other Hero's Jen O'Connor of Earth Angels Toys is a member and she did THIS LOVELY WRITE UP about me on her blog!  Love You girl!  Thank You so much for supporting me in more ways than one!!  xoxoxoxo

You can find more information about my transformation and how to purchase the tools that I used to transform your life at my Beachbody Website

I am a P90x Grad, a Turbo Jam and Turbo Fire Grad and I am starting the Chalean Extreme program shortly to get familiar with that.   I also have experience and have worked out using, Body Gospel, Slim in 6, Brazilian Buttlift, Insanity with Shawn T and more.  

Please do not hesitate to email me at theblackberrybriar@gmail.com to ask any questions you might have or ask me how to do this for yourself!

I want to help teach others, especially women and Moms that they don't have to live in a deep dark hole of unhappiness and constant worry about how they look each and every day. Dreading days at the pool or company parties with their spouses....They can be FREE of all that with making a couple adjustments to their daily routine which are well WORTH the time investment! I am living proof!!! I am looking forward to building my own team with Beach Body and reaching for the stars to help as many people as I can while achieving my dreams.

Don't wait or make excuses any longer!   You can be on your way to healthier happier life in no time!  Let me help teach you how!

On the art front....well that has been a sore subject.  I have lost my muse someplace in the midst of all this, but I truly feel so much more confident and better on a daily basis that I am trying to sort out if art is going to be a part of my routine.   I have had my hands in clay the past couple of days which is always relaxing for me, but the painting routine didn't work out as I had hoped and turned into a mess instead of a masterpiece leaving me frustrated and closing the lights in my studio.   I will keep you posted if anything new emerges.  

Candles are being poured at a fast rate.   Fall orders are rolling in.  I have some new fragrances with more on the table being tested.   Citrus Grove, Pipe Dream and Maui Sunrise and new and I am testing a Chocolate Truffle scent along with a new Dreamy Caramel and soon will have a Blueberry Buckle type scent! 

I would love to hear from you and hear how your summer is going and what you have been up to!