Hasta La Vista, Cuba...

These Little Things

I enjoy cute little things. They make my days brighter. They put a smile on my face. They remind me that I don'y need much to be grateful, to be happy.

I couldn't resist getting these!

* BTW, the little teapot/tea bag holder says "isn't life beautiful?" :)

Following my intuition

My paintings have dramatically changed since I read Flora Bowley's book "Brave Intuitive Painting". I don't want to have an end in mind anymore when I pick a brush and start to paint on a new canvas. I'm finally trying to trust my intuition, find my unique voice and allow my creative impulses to lead the way.

It takes a lot of courage to let go and even if the end result is not exactly satisfying, the journey was awesome.  Every day, for about 10 days, I painted for about 2 hours. I experienced colors, techniques, stamps, spray... Every layer was revealing something totally new and surprising. You can click on each image to see the details of the painting...

Next step: the Bloom True Course by Flora herself! A 5 week online course to help me unlock my creative flow and find my own style...

Meanwhile, I'm working on a very-big-and-very-dear-to-my-heart project that could help you  unlock your creativity... It's one of my biggest dream and I decided this year was going to be THE year. Once again I'm following my intuition and getting out of my comfort zone - and I hope many of you will profit! Stay tuned for more details!

Dear computer, I missed you... not!

My dear computer died almost 2 weeks ago. After a moment of panic, I had to deal with the fact that I was going to live without it for a couple of days. I sent it to the tech to see if it was in any way fixable and after 3 days I was told it was going to cost me a lot of money and the guy wasn't sure if it would still work. The good news, my datas were not lost. And I had to buy a new computer. For a total of 6 days I couldn't work on my design contracts or waste my time on Facebook, so I decided to pretend computers don't exist.

It was one of the best week in a long time. I did what I never have enough time to do.

A cup of tea. A candle. A book. Watercolor, old magazines, scissors, glue.

In the end, it was the best thing that could happen to me. I have a brand new iMac now but I decided to turn it off after 7pm to do what I never have enough time to do.

A cup of tea. A candle. A book. Watercolor, old magazines, scissors, glue. And a lot of time, precious, quiet time with myself.

Creative Night Out

For my 38th birthday, I gave myself a special present: a creativity workshop with Manon Lavoie from M comme Muses. I've been following M for a while on the net and love the way Manon approaches creativity - one small step at a time.

Finally, yesterday was the day I have been waiting for a while. I sat around a table with 8 other women, for a night, to reconnect with my inner self and use that space and time to listen, write and create.

I loved how everyone is at the same time different but share the same desire to create, to reconnect, to follow their intuition, their dreams. And with simple questions and exercices, Manon was able to help us start the journey back to our authentic selves.

Of course, three hours is not enough, but the spark lit the fuse. I promised myself I'll take a little time everyday to doodle, scribble, paint, write or just take a picture, to make sure I stay on the path of creativity - and keep in touch with my inner core.

And Nothing Else Matter

I felt like painting with kids watercolor. So I did. Despite all the cleaning and other booooring stuff I 'had' to do.

Ha.

 

This and That

I have a lot of favorites on Etsy. Many things I could never do myself, but some I can actually, more or less, reproduce. Not saying the final result is as amazing as the "original" but it's highly satisfying.

Here's what I was able to do lately. Liked this, made that... Left, the original. Right, my humble try.

inspired by Branchbound's bracelets

inspired by EcoShag's upcycled accessories

inspired by Divina Locura's bracelet

No Paint, No Gain

It's (always) a beautiful day to hold a brush, spray some water and paint everywhere, use new colors and make a mess in the workshop.

Inner Peace

I'm the living proof that the right therapy can liberate you.

I experienced something totally unexpected this week. I was able, through a guided introspection/relaxation, to re-live the event that ruined my whole life. An event, that any child would've lived without having any after-effect. It seems for me, it was different. I thought I was responsible for what happened. And all my life after that, inconsciously, I thought I had something to hide, something so terrible I didn't deserved to be happy. I basically sabotaged my own happiness because I was guilty of something that couldn't be forgiven.

And now. Now that I had this 'revelation'. My life is already different. I feel free. I feel liberated. I feel good. Laughing out loud, for no particular reason. Smiling to myself, for so many reasons.

If you're still wondering weither or not you should start a therapy, well believe me, miracles can happen.

Inner peace can happen.

Pssst! BTW, I highly recommend the rational emotive behavior therapy :).

New-merous Novelties

New stuff for the new year, more styles, more sizes, and the same authentic, hand-picked seaglass from eastern Canada. When was the last time you visited Zamzam Creations shop?

Sorry for the delay

O. M. G. !
It's been over 6 months? Already?
I kinda knew I was postponing for a long time but I cannot believe it took me so long to come back here.

BUT! I had some very good reasons to be too busy to write.

Doubled the size of my house by adding a second floor. 

Completely changed my kitchen

Changed my living room into a hall/stairway (and my bedroom into a living room)

And started a new health and wellness business.

 

Let's not forget that I still do graphic design, crochet, paint, make jewellry - and take care of three handsome-full-of-life-little-boys...

So... do you forgive me ;) ? I promise I won't leave for that long again, anymore.

What about you? What have you been up to since July?

 

Chillin'

My husband bought me the coolest gadget you can get when it's 95 degrees outside (and you can't eat normal "full-of-dairies-and-sugar-frozen-desserts"): an ice-cream maker!
I've been using it everyday, sometimes twice a day since then. It's a fantastic way to serve fruits to the kids, it's ridiculously easy to use, economic, nutritious AND delicious (and colorful)!

Pineapple Sorbet

Banana Strawberry Ice Cream (made with almond milk and agave)

Peach Mango Ice Cream (made with almond milk and agave)

Slushy Lemonade (with sparkling water)