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Showing posts with label Gather Arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gather Arts. Show all posts

Friday, June 20, 2014

ZenFriday



I'm not sure what I want to share this week. There's just so much. I went to Seminar in Providence, Rhode Island at the beginning of this week to be certified as a Zentangle Teacher. I really did not know exactly what to expect since I didn't know anyone personally who has gone through the experience, nor did I already know anyone who would be there.

One conclusion is that this was the most generous conference/seminar experience I have ever had. (Yes, of course I paid for the experience, yet) The hotel accommodations were exceptional (well done  Hotel Providence!), the food was fantastic at every single meal, and the tools, supplies, and resources that were shared with us were well beyond what I would normally expect to receive.

Even beyond that, by the second day it was clear that not only were Rick and Maria there to teach us to draw in a Zentangle way, and to teach us how to teach, but it truly felt like they were welcoming each one of us into their family. That's the only way I can explain the level of generosity and kindness with which they share.

I've spent the two days since arriving home in a bit of a bubble, not sharing too much all at once with Jon because I felt like if I shared too much all at once, the bubble would pop, and the experience would vanish. Now that I've started sharing I realize that the bubble won't vanish but it will grow to encompass everyone with whom I'm able to share Zentangle.

I think that's going to be enough sharing for now. I'm better for having gone and I'm looking forward to sharing what I've learned with others and learning more about Zentangle along the way. Classes coming soon!

(click on the images to see them larger)






Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Set a Timer Tuesday - Ack! Back to School!


That's right folks. Just four weeks from today my kids will be back in school. How about yours? Do you have longer or less time to cram in all the fun things you want to do between now and then?

I have two boy's birthday parties to make happen, along with school supply shopping, two kid's annual doctor checkups, a work trip to Chicago, and a two day conference all in there. How's that all going to happen? Planning.

Today we're setting our timers for twenty minutes to do some serious planning. Got your timer? Set it? Ok, ready, set, go.

  • Make sure you have your family calendar in front of you. If you don't have one (gasp!) add it to your list to get one!
  • Make sure you have all appointments and plans written on the calendar for now until school starts again. Plans floating around in your head will be forgotten and/or missed.
  • Schedule a time to sit down with your spouse and even older kids if appropriate to go over the calendar. We call these "calendaring" meetings. Really. Do it. Everybody needs to be on the same page.
  • Schedule the last minute things that you intended to do all summer but haven't gotten around to yet.
  • Find the kid's school supply lists that got sent home in May. If you can't find it check the school website or call the office (although many offices won't open again until August). 
  • If you still have time left, start going through the kid's clothes today. Make sure they have what they'll need for that first hot, sticky week back to school.

By doing this little bit of planning now you can enjoy the rest of the summer knowing that you'll be ready for school when those first days sneak up on you.

Now, what are you waiting for? Get back in the pool!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

#BloggyCon Business Bloggers Squad

We had a great time at Bloggy Conference this morning meeting with other business bloggers. These are the ladies who connected this morning to share the ins and outs of blogging for your business.

Debba Haupert of Girlfrieldology
Rebecca Huber of BareKnuckle Marketing
Robin Feltner of Supernatural Botanicals
Dena Garascia of CincinnatiCoupons.net
Colette Marx of CookieAthlete.com
Rachel Sarella of Evie n Lizizie
Heather of Cafesmom.com
Jen Crutchfield of Gather Arts Organizing

I hope you'll check out all of their websites and businesses.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Gather Arts Organizing Logo


Hey. If you're stopping by the blog today you'll notice that I'm messing with stuff and trying to do new things. So if things look messed up please try to bear with me.  The icon above is the new logo for my business. I'm trying to learn how to make a blog button and do other things.  Thanks for being patient with me.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Update 20X40 #18 Hold a Gather Arts Event

You can see my original list of 20 items I would like to accomplish before I am 40 years old here.

Today I realized I could update the list by talking about the Gather Arts Events that have been held recently.  My organizing business "launched" in April and since then I've been working as hard as my responsibilities as "mom" will allow me to.

In June I held a workshop at the Downtown branch of the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library to help families who deal with ADD/ADHD to be able to be more organized in their homes.  This coming August, I'll be hosting an event at the Harris Branch of the MPHPL to help parents be organized for Back-to-School.  

Look here to find details about all current Gather Arts Organizing events. I hope to see you at one soon!

Sunday, January 31, 2010

20X40

Thanks to Heather, I have been encouraged to think about what I would like to accomplish before I become the wise old age of 40. My friend Heather is much more ambitious than I am and she has come up with 40 things she would like to do before her 40th birthday. I was having a terrible time coming up with 40 things so I decided that since my 40th birthday is less than one year and two months from now, I'm going with a 20X40 list. I figure I'll see what I can get done in the next year or so, then I'll make my 50 By 50 list and I'll have ten years to get that stuff done! It's good to have a plan. You can make a list, too. Please let me know if you do. So without further ado, here is my list of 20 things to accomplish before I turn 40.

1. Get a tatoo. updated 10/26/11
2. Make a microloan through Kiva.org. updated 6/7/2010
3. Visit our Compassion International daughter Imani in Kenya.
4. Be debt free (except for the house).
5. Make money online (enough to pay for 3 days of childcare per week).
6. Take a vacation with just Jon for at least four days.
7. Finish a quilt. I finished a small quilt for Sarah, and am working on several more 3/16/13.
8. Make a microloan through ModestNeeds.org.
9. Visit Kalavai Colony in India.
10. Take a girlfriend vacation.
11. Visit a new state (some day go to all 50).
12. Find a vendor for my handmade rugs.
13. Start and/or join a bookclub. updated 3/29/2010
14. Attend an art/craft conference.
15. Attend a writing conference.
16. Attend a business conference. updated 4/29/2010
17. Volunteer for a Compassion International local event. updated 2/11/2011
18. Hold a Gather Arts event. updated 7/27/2010
19. Finish the bathroom remodel. Jon finished the remodel December 2011.
20. Take a class.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Gather Arts LLC


This is my new adventure.

Gather Arts has three goals

1. to facilitate community crafting.
2. to teach and encourage people to use what they have.
3. to use reclaimed materials to make new things.

Are you intrigued? I know I am. I've been working really hard to get to this point. I have much more hard work ahead of me.

Keep watching!