Wednesday 4th August

Time to be still.

Tuesday 3rd August

Meeting close friend + drinking cappucino = thank goodness for simple pleasures.

Monday 2nd August

Gloomy outside, cosy inside.

( Playing with husband’s iPhone using Hipstamatic)

Sunday 1st August

The first day of the August Break daily photo project devised by

Susannah Conway.

My birthday.

Thankful Sunday

This week I am thankful for:

The summer hols! Time to slow down a little and find the odd moment to relax.

My wedding anniversary. I had a rare meal out at a cosy local pub with my husband to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary. I can’t believe it is already four years ago since that very special day.

The Sketchbook Project. My lovely blogger friend Lis recommended this project and as quick as a flash I had to sign up; what an opportunity! Basically thousands of sketchbooks are available to artists world wide, to fill based on themes determined by the creators of the project. These journals will then tour America as part of an exhibition before finding permanent homes at the Brooklyn Art Library. I love the idea of my artwork reaching out into the world. I have also opted for a digitalised copy, which will be a part of the Sketchbook Project website. I am so excited! Click on the icon for more information.

Art Journal Love Letters. I have read so many wonderful reviews of this course that I simply couldn’t resist this either. It promises such inspiration as well as looking at art journaling techniques. I really do like the idea of making my journaling more creative, linking my everyday life to the art I produce. Looks like I will be enjoying a very creative summer indeed! I am an e -course addict and most proud of the fact :) My life has become so much richer through participating in such projects, not only is my creativity blossoming but so is my self belief.

The August Break Lovely Susannah Conway has created an August photography project. The Idea is to let photographs do the talking on the blogs of anyone who wishes to join her in for the month of August. A photo a day, using a camera of choice, no theme, no restriction, just simply recording life mindfully. Sounds wonderful doesn’t it?

Artful Blogging. This blogging magazine is absolutely gorgeous. I am drinking in the beautiful photography, inspiring stories and amazingly creative ideas. I bought mine from http://www.rainbowsilks.co.uk/

My new EMAG role in September. I am feeling most inspired about my new EMAG role (Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant), working with children, who have English as an additional language. I am in the middle of transforming an unloved space at school into a stimulating language room and am discovering some amazing resource websites such as.:

http://www.little-linguist.co.uk/

http://www.primaryclassroomresources.co.uk/

http://www.autismbuddy.com

I am hoping my printer is up to the challenge of creating all these wonderful resources:)

Storyteller

I am a collector of stories, listening actively, intensily, collecting rich gems in my story bag.

I am a collector of stories, absorbing the wisdom of the written word, surrounding myself with pages and pages, woven together in endless spirals of imagination.

I am a collector of stories, finding inspiration in the awe inspiring creations of others.

I am a colllector of stories, capturing moments through a lense, moments which encapsulate more than the brightest, shining word can convey.

I am a collector of stories,observing the communities around me mindfully.

I am a collector of stories, finding such beauty in the ordinary, finding nourishment in the detail.

I am a collector of stories, respecting my elders, tapping into ancient wisdom,still crackling with intensity, with spirit.

I am a collector of stories, a part of epic natural cycles, of the goddess web of life.

I am a collector of stories, hearing my heart beat out its own mysteries.

I am a collector of stories, I am becoming a storyteller.

Thankful Sunday

My wonderful friend Mel (http://memyselfandotherthings.wordpress.com) writes something called a Thankful Friday blog post each week to tell the bloggerverse of the people, objects and experiences, which enrich her life. I love this idea very much as sometimes I become so immersed in the every day trials and tribulations of life that I forget to be mindful, to live purposely and to drink in all the good that I have. I also like seeing the idea of writing weekly as a ritual, a regular time to reflect and search for positivity. So here it goes, this week...

I am thankful for my veg patch for it is slowly but surely coming to life! I have had the pleasure of harvesting my first set of radishes and felt such a strong sense of achievement . I love sniffing my tomato plants, my beans have decided that they do want to thrive, my lettuces are actually starting to take form and I have many salad onions to use this weekend.

I am thankful for surviving a hectic working week and for having a really lovely time at my head teacher’s retirement party. She looked so beautiful and really appreciated the efforts of her staff. I am going to make her a card this weekend, in which I will incorporate the below image of myself. Not only is she an amazing head to work for but she was also the first teacher I had when I first came over to England. Therefore I am also grateful for the many happy memories I have of her.

I am thankful for finding this beautiful book of photography:

I feel so inspired by the whole project of two blogger friends, Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes, creating together with such spirit and connectedness.

Take a look at their website http://3191ayearofmornings.com/mornings/

I am thankful and just a little proud of what I have achieved in Susannah Conway’s Unravelling course 'Living in my World’. It has been a rich, spiritual, creative journey. in the process of which my photography skills have blossomed.

Please take a look at her website, she is an awesome writer and photographer as well as being an incredibly honest, compassionate and wise soul.

http://www.susannahconway.com/

I am thankful for small comforts and for realising that it is often these small moments of feeling warm and protected that are medicine for the soul. The shot is of my cuddly tortoise Mimi, my good luck charm, who has accompanied me since birth. She knows me inside out and nourishes me with those soft, tatty paws and her deep, understanding eyes.

Last of all I am thankful for having the courage to save a fledgling bird from my cats. Quite often I cannot face these situations as the suffering of the bird or mouse in question is too much for me to take. This weekend I put the need of the sweet little bird first.