Happy Valentine's Day :)

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"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." ~Rumi

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My dear friends,

I sit today on my couch, watching the sun melt all the coldness outside. When I woke this morning, I realized very quickly what a special day it was. It’s not been such a special day for me in quite a few years. As I began my morning routine, my thoughts drifted towards the words I would write in my private little space on the internet; my blog. I thought of all the love that seems to be filling many spaces these days. I felt warmed by the sun on my face and warmed in my heart by the love I’ve been given by many. It was a wonderful feeling.

An idea began to surface as I drove this morning for a personal letter that would be sent to everyone via my blog. I’ve been feeling some great creative energy lately and immediately jumped on this chance to spread some love. And so here it is friends, my deeply personal letter, globally to all of you.

Some of you have known me even as far back as when I was a precocious little girl who’s only mission in life was to talk to everyone & make them happy. Some of you entered my life when I was coming into my adulthood, the years of my awareness. Still, some of you have joined the journey of my life within the last 10 years and have seen the sometimes-tumultuous transformations I go through. And even as recent as the last few days, some of you still have joined me, becoming the unwitting traveler in my life’s escapades.

When I think of all the different people in my life, all the many facets of the friendships/relationships I’ve had, I can’t help but feel blessed. Each one of the faces I see parading before me in my mind has woven themselves so intricately, into the picture of my life. Each single thread gleams spectacularly on its own, and yes is perfect brilliance when combined with the energy of all.

Some of you are great listeners, some are great motivators, some have just the right type of hugs to offer when needed, and some know exactly the inner workings of me and can move about the storms I have with ease helping to keep me on course. Every single person that has become my friend, new, old or otherwise has done so because they are BEAUTIFUL. You all shine with an inner light that can’t help but draw love to them.

The last year has been a very choppy ride for me. But today, on this day of love all I can think about are all the wondrous people I know, the magical energies they’ve given me, the support they’ve given, and the love they continually bestow on me even when I may say I don’t need it.

Everyday should be a holiday celebrating the uniqueness of you. Every moment should be a moment of gratefulness. Every breath whispered should be one of expressed joy. But especially on this day of love, I choose to celebrate the energy of brilliance, that which you my friends have offered to me just by standing alongside me.

In this book I have,called “Sue’s life”, there are so many chapters, some even still being written; but each page is graced by the love of so many people. It is a book that I cherish, a book that I look forward to reading again and again as much as I look forward to reading each chapter as it completes. In the library of my heart, where all the volumes of books rest, this one shines brightly. It always draws me close when I fear the dark, and holds me closer when I need a friend. It shines with the energy of brilliance, the energy of you.

There is no greater power in this world than to light the pathway to one’s heart. I thank you, I am grateful for you, & I love you…all.

May your Valentine’s Day be showered with affection, joy, love, and the warmth of knowing no matter who you are or how long you’ve known me, you’ve touched me and you are loved.

Love, Light & Peace to every single one of you.
Muse

PS. My artwork has been quite crafty to include ATC's, painting, and Energy Work. Here are two images of my recent works... May they bring you a smile, enjoy!

For Mrs. Virgo - 2007

Positivity Study - 2007

ATC - A Moment Unfolds

For this one, I originally wanted something about winter. But as it turns out as I was working, i saw this great picture of a vase with some zen stones. And against the snowy glitter backdrop it truly looked like a moment unfolding. So voila!

The words for those who can't make them out are:

A MOMENT UNFOLDS

Stay in touch with what's happening in front of you

(Sorry for the pictures, I'm having a hell of a time trying to get them just right with the lighting and the glitter and/or gold. bear with me, hopefully they'll be better soon. )

ATC-Life in Balance

I saw this wondeful ad for a spa and resort place, and the images were just so relaxing. I think that making these ATC's for me, eventually will be more than just crafty. I think that sometime in the future I will give them away to people. But I want to hone my abilities on this practice. I want to make messages that are small enough to carry, beautiful enough to appease, and peaceful enough to bring joy. So here is the second one I made today. Tell me what you think.

ATC - Just Desserts

I'm trying to do better at the ATC's. I haven't practiced in a while, but I did find in all my craft things, gold paint, matte finish, and a TON of magazines and papers. So today I made a new ATC Called "Just Desserts". The gold finish made it VERY difficult to photograph, but the base card stock is pink, the paperwork over is a piece with grapes and herbs written on it. The images are of fruits, and a word is highlighted in the center "Desserts". I did some paper singing on a bit of it, and gold overlay for a border. I like it. I still need practice... but I like it :) Tell me what you think.

ATC's

So I've recently begun this art form that I read about called ATC. For those not familiar with them it stands for Artist Trading Cards. I've decided to try my hand at this art form. These pictures represent my first attempts at them, and well not my best attempts ;) But I am getting better with time as you can see by the first picture. Take a gander and give me your thoughts :D

The first row in this picture is a set of the very firs trading cards I made. The VERY first one is the third from the left. My favorite in this row is the one with the most meaning. That would be card two. As you can see the red outline represents the heart, and the inside represents life. Especially life in that it boxes us up. the star in the middle is who we all are underneath it all. As for the rest, they are pretty simple ones really. The last one however does hold a special reference for me in that for many years I collected the Love Is comics from the papers. The very night I started this project, that particular "Love Is" was laying on the floor and so... it became a card ;)

The second row of cards (or that one card :) ) is my second attempt at these and as you can see a slightly better one at that ;)

The third row is the set of cards I made just tonight. I'm a little disappointed in the placement of the word today in the first image. It would have been beautiful otherwise. the symbol to the right of the phrase is the "magical" symbol for Love. It's done with card stock, paper application, pen and vellum quotes. my favorite of tonight would have been the first one but because of the slip up in placement, my favorite is the second one. The quote in particular is wonderful but too are the two butterflies representing the two seperate things and the flower, their one common love. I daresay these cards are the best by far and am hopeful my talents in this arena will get better. I would love to pass these out to folks who want them and thus pass out some of the love and care from my heart.

So if you're interested in getting one of these, you need only ask. Email me if you want information. In any event I'll post pics of the ones I do as I do them and you can feel free to critique them or give me ideas for them too ;)

It's been EXTREMELY nice to be creative again.

Oh and on a completely seperate note, you'll notice that my blog layout has changed. Do not be frightened ;) I went with blogger beta for the labels they allow you to make on each post. I welcome all opinions on the new layout :) I'm very pleased with it myself.

One thing I think that I will change permanently is that all Daily Inspirations will be housed on Digital Soup Online; The blog. The daily inspirations are wonderful but they take quite a bit of the page. What do you think?

Be well friends, strangers, and those dear to my heart. You are a blessing to me everyday :)

xo