Positive, Loving Thoughts

I know it has been about three weeks since I have visited with you....how time does get away from me. Thank y0u to those who have contacted me asking if I was okay. How very sweet of you to think of me....I am touched. Yes, I am fine....just moving at the speed of light as of late doing some of the same things I mentioned in my last post....family, teaching, designing.

I did want to stop and take a few minutes to wish you all a very happy Valentine's Day week! My friend, Stephani, gifted me with this adorable papermache heart this last weekend. It will sit on my workbench in my studio throughout the year to remind me of her presence in my life. Thank you, Stephani!

During the last few weeks, my torch has been fired up, my soldering iron heated and solder melted, metal cut, glass ground, Art Clay formed and shaped, holes drilled, fabric woven and embellished and the enticing feeling of found objects embraced and repurposed.

I had the pleasure of spending a weekend with the very talented silver clay artist, Jonna Faulkner, and designed the hinged shadow box featured on the right in the photo above and highlighted in the photo below. I learned so much and had so much fun. My shadow box is in the company of pieces I will be taking to Adorn Me! in Texas to sell Vendor Night....with the exception of the heart box with the art deco rhinestone dress clip on top. That piece and my fine silver clay shadow box are going to take up residence at my house for a while.

During this Valentine's Day celebration, I would like to encourage you all to be loving to yourself. You don't have to have a special someone in your life to feel loved and celebrate life. Be creative and give to yourself this week in some way. Simple acts are very nurturing. Positive thoughts and affirmations can be gifts that keep on giving and don't cost a thing. You have the ability to create what you want in this life. Write a few affirmations on pieces of paper and tuck them into your purse, your pant pocket, on your mirror, inside of your medicine chest, pinned on to your favorite top, the refridgerator, your work bench, your car mirror.....get it. It's amazing how your life can be blessed with changes for the good if you choose to focus on the positive even to the point of changing habitual negative thought patterns or attitudes.

I have used positive affirmations and visualizations for many years now and it is amazing how they can help counterbalance years of old mental habits. It's important that when you phrase your positive affirmation that it be in the present tense, as though it has already manifested itself. Here are a few to give you an idea.....you may want to even tie them up with a beautiful ribbon or a chocolate kiss!

Perfect wisdom is in my heart.

I love and appreciate myself just as I am.

I love to love and be loved.

The more I love myself, the more love I have to give others.

I now give and receive love freely.

I am an open channel of creative energy.

I feel happy just being alive.

Hugs and kisses

Diana