My little girl, Syra

Manifestation Jars

These are some of the new manifestation jars I have finished! Here is a little blurb that comes with them. They are customizable with the outside paper that covers the canister, I have lots of options for that.
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This is a manifestation jar. This is a sacred place to write down your most desired wishes, thoughts, and wants into this jar to help manifest them into the physical realm.

Since all thoughts are energy, why not apply the law of attraction to them?

Each jar comes with:
- a variety of tumbled stones
- a quartz point
- herbs
- a cotton ball with essential oils
- strips of paper to write on

Enjoy and let your mind be free,

Syran Dreams

U.N.O. Bags Part 3

This is another bag I finished! Has a liner inside, and a large pocket on back with button closures.

Dan and Melissa Gibbs

I did this mixed media piece for Dan and Melissa as a wedding present. They got married on 8-8-08 on the beach.

I wanted to give them something special, a treasure if you will. They are special to Denton and I. I am happy to say they flipped and were over the moon with this piece when I gave it to them. In the background, which is now hidden from all the paint is their wedding ceremony and vows.

I love you guys!

U.N.O. Bags Part 2

This one was a gift for my mom with a picture of Syra on it. This one is quite large, but I know she will put it to good use. I still have to finish putting some velcro on it to close the top and the back pocket.

U.N.O. Bags Part 1

I have finished some of my Un-like No Other Bags. They are going to be all sizes, but these few first ones are large! They are great cause they are multi-purpose, for example you could use them at the farmers market, and as a over night bag, etc....

The hard part is coming up with names for them. Well, going to keep moving I have so much I am trying to squeeze in and get done before Christmas

VNA website

Well one of my many projects is done. My first website I built is up!!! I did a new website for the family business Van Nuys Awning Company. That company is my dad's whole life, he has given up his dreams to work the business.

I built the foundation, and Denton did all the finishing work.

Anywho check out the website www.vannuysawning.com

Thanksgiving

I hope Thanksgiving was a great one for everyone this year. I cooked again this year, last year dinner was ordered from Whole Foods (which honestly was really disappointing), I was in no shape to cook it had only been 1 week since I had Syra. This year was great. The turkey came out amazing in the convection oven. I made a new stuffing, which I believe is here to stay, Artichoke Parmesan Sourdough Dressing. It was delicious I don't think I have ever loved stuffing so much. The mashed potatoes were very good too. I sauteed brussels sprouts (I love them). I made my great great grandmother's yam recipe straight from the heart of Kentucky, I think they were my husbands favorites this year. And my gravy came out pretty darn good this year. We bought a pumpkin pie, but I did make fresh whipped cream to top it off.

As for my art and stuff, I am happy to say that I am finally starting to sell! Not on etsy, but at least it is selling. I am very happy to have some kind of movement. I knew when I finally committed to truly following my heart's desire to do what I am doing, that it would take time. I am building from the ground up. Sure it is scary not knowing how I will make my bills, but somehow I get through each month. I keep focusing on my thoughts today, create my tomorrow.

I feel like I am repeating myself, but I am excited to say I have some new things in the works. I cannot wait to share.

I hope at the end of this holiday weekend, you have peace in your heart and a smile on your face. I am contemplating on sharing something here on my blog, but right now at this moment I do not have clarity, so I will end my post here for tonight.

Journals

I finally got my handmade journals done! Hooray...I have a couple stores that are interested after that I will get the rest of them posted. I have one up for sale right now in my etsy shop. www.syrandreams.etsy.com

The possibilities are endless with these handmade journals, with your creative mind, and a variety of papers. In here you can enjoy envelope pockets, ready made to do lists, vellum paper (which you may also use for tracing), lined paper, graph paper, watercolor paper, blank white paper, and confetti paper. In addition they are re-fillable. These make great gifts for a special someone or to treat your inner artist.

Enjoy, and let your mind be free.

Syran Dreams

New stuff

I am working on some new stuff right now, and I am very excited about it. I will take some pictures soon to share. Been feeling a bit under the weather, but starting to feel a tiny bit better. New stuff coming soon.....

The tasks that were completed

I had a busy weekend!
I washed laundry
Washed the sheets on our bed and Syra's crib
Put up some more stuff on Ebay
Knitted 2 new scarfs
Learned 4 new stitches in knitting
Went for bike rides
Bought some toilet paper - that is important stuff ;)
Cooked yummy meals
Vacuumed the room
Cleaned the bathroom
Straightened my hair
Swept the floors, and swifered, and put the finishing spray on the hardwood floors
I didn't get to clean the stove top, yet
I took more pictures of items that will go up for auction on Ebay
Went grocery shopping - just for the staples
I know there is more but at the moment I cannot think of anything else

Airstream

My very good friend is on a path that is winding her way to her very own airstream. So I made this mixed media painting for her as a gift!

For the love of food

My favorite food is mexican food!

I love cold Chinese food

I love cold pizza for breakfast

I love to buy fruits and veggies at the farmers market

I LOVE to cook

I love to try new things

I hate the microwave and fast food, but I do love McDonald's ice coffee!

I love apples and raspberries

Trader Joes Dark Sumatra coffee is really good!

A deeper layer of ants

After thinking about all the ants that I have encountered in my room, I started thinking about what they represent to me personally. They are amazing little creatures, with all the features they are capable of. I hate to kill them, but they are not welcome in my room, and at that point they were staging a take over!

So getting back to my original reason for this post, I looked up - ant - in Animal Speaks, by Ted Andrews. This was so interesting that I felt the need to share it with you. There was quite a bit of explanation but I will share the part that struck me the most.

Ant
Keynote: Industriousness, Order, and Discipline

"If the ant has shown up as a totem, examine your own industriousness. Are you disciplining yourself enough to accomplish the tasks at hand? Are you or those around you looking for the quick and easy way? Are you neglecting important activities? Are you laying a good foundation? Are you adding new structures to your life with each passing year in some fashion - education, jobs, hobbies, etc? Are you being patient with your efforts? Are you being patient with yourself? With others? Are you making things greater and more difficult than they need be? Are you missing an opportunity to initiate new creations and endeavors? Ant can teach you how to harness your own power to design and recreate your life and its circumstances from the ground up. Ant can show you how best to work with others for the good of everyone. Ant teaches us the regardless of circumstances, if the effort is true, the reward will follow - in the most beneficial time and manner. Ant is the promise of success through effort." - Ted Andrews

This struck me with such great force, because the ants that "suddenly appeared out of nowhere in my room" I felt appeared with a message. And it wasn't a message for me to get mad that they were there, but rather for me to look deeper in the meaning of their apperance. These are all the types of questions that pertain to my life, and the direction I am going in. When I read this is made all the sense in the world of why the ants were suddenly all over the place.

It is now at the end of the day, and after looking at the full puzzle finally pieced together with all the componets I now can see the complete picture. I got it, thank you. I am now thinking about how many ants sacrificed their lives in order for me to "get the picture". Thank you each and every tiny ant that came into my room, to show me a greater and deeper layer of my life. Some how I am thinking that I won't be forgetting these ants....again thank you.

Ants

I have just spent over an hour fighting ants. They were trying to move in. Between a vacuum and a squirt bottle with vinegar, cinnamon, and crushed red pepper all that is left now is stragglers. I feel gross and need to go take a shower.

I realized something

I will be making some prints of my original paintings/mixed media to sell. That way my art is more affordable at this time, seeing how the economy is "doing so well" right now. So Denton and I will be working on taking photos of my stuff that we will have prints made. In the mean in time I am working on another item to sell. While I am working on that I will be posting my scarfs on etsy. So bear with me as I try to reconfigure my store, and what items I am offering at this time.

new stuff

I posted some new stuff for sale on my etsy shop! I had to let Syra play in the Tupperware cupboard so she was distracted, and I could get some work done! Whew, now I have a big Tupperware mess to clean up. Oh well, I guess it was time to reorganize it is anyways. haha Check out my new stuff. - www.syrandreams.etsy.com

aaahhhhhhhhhhgggggggg

Don't you just feel like screaming out loud sometimes? I wish that there was a place I could go on the edge of a cliff with no one around, and just scream as loud, and long as I can. There are some things that I have stopped trying to figure out and for everything else there's VISA. (that would work if I even had a VISA!!!) hahaha that commercial fit perfectly couldn't resist myself. Anywho, it is hard to understand why things get so weird!?! Oh well the weirdness I have just stopped looking at under microscope, it is was it is. Actually now that I am thinking about, I think these awkward moments stem from the person's uncomfortablilty of not being able to say what they really feel like saying, which in turn gives off the "weird vibe". I am learning to enjoy and be a FULL expression of myself in these weird/awkward moments.

Isn't it interesting when you get to a certain point what you are willing to deal with/put up with and what you aren't? It seems to change as you get older, and you just cannot go back to dealing with what you would have a year, two or 6 years ago? I am there my friends, there are somethings I am not willing to deal with any longer, and so it has begun.
Now that I have that out of my system, I cannot wait to post my new stuff that I have been painting. But first I need to get some pictures of them, so I shall be back.

A scarf for Syra

I knitted this scarf for Syra, I like it! It turned out super cute. And cause I like it so much I am think about knitting more to sell, any thoughts?

Cannot miss me now

Well it has been fun to watch my little shop grow! I now have 6 people who have marked me as a favorite! That is exciting for me especially when you have none in the beginning! Anywho I was thinking of another way to get myself out there and I thought of this...so if you are in my neck of the woods, you can't miss my bright blue subie now!

And yes that is a giraffe butt in the window! haha

Two Birds

I made this one with my husband and I in mind. I like it. Just having fun on some watercolor paper.

It is that time again...

Hi it is me again...it is that time to post another blog. It is getting late, baby girl is asleep, and I have some thoughts I would like to share. I have spent some time doing some research this evening, not to mention hunting black widow spiders. I think I have killed over 50 in about a week in our back yard, ughhhh. Anywho moving away from the spiders...on a random note I think I found our next bedding (very excited about that) I will buy it with my husband's card when he leaves the house tomorrow! (I kid, I kid) A girl can wish right? Nah I still have some birthday money left over, with a list of art supplies to buy and now this bedding maybe I will flip for heads or tails. hahaha Sometimes I can be so bad!

To get back on track with this blog, see how easy I get side tracked? I am writing because I have been reading blogs, getting inspired, and finally getting detailed on what I want to manifest in my life. And when I say detailed, I mean down to a nats...umm ASS! There I said it. lol

I have also been looking into doing an art show soon with the holiday season approaching too, so I am excited for that. It is still formulating, but making a goal for myself. Besides the art show I have really taken a leap, at least for me, of getting my etsy shop up, (the appearance is still under construction, need a banner that is a third done in photoshop) and finish getting all my items posted, getting this blog together. But I guess the leap part for me is that vulnerability, exposing a fleshy part to people that I don't know or do know and there is still some uncomfortableness to it. But that uncomfortableness is small compared to how GOOD it feels! It almost feels like a horse running in full gear for the first time. Gosh I miss riding horses, it has been such a part of my life up until a couple years ago.

If you know me then it should come as no surprise that I have lots of things in the works, pokers in the fire if you will. Some will come to fruition sooner than others but nonetheless I am excited about them all. More to come later on these...

Another area that excites me is meeting new people, and making new friends, ones who share the same kind of interests, passion for life and art. There are so many talented people out there, and in some way each of those that I have come across so far inspire me deeply. So thank you for that! It is getting late and as easy as it is to turn into a night owl, (my husband and I are creatures of the night) with baby girl waking early it is starting to wear me out. It is so hard to pull myself away from my projects and go to sleep, especially when this is the time, besides naps, when I can truly get in the "groove" if you will. So goodnight, sleep well and see you soon. <3 Sadye

Wings

This one is another reflection on how I was feeling. Sometimes getting anxious through this transformation process. I just want to fly already!!! I know where I am and where I want to go, it is the in between space that is hard sometimes. But I am learning a lot about myself and my journey in this life time. I am doing what I need to do, while focusing on doing what I love, so I may do what I love and make money. So I am still feeling wings, but I getting much closer to flying.

Have a heart

This piece reflects a bit of what is going on in my environment, with others. And I guess on some level I am expressing these flavor of feelings. ahaha that would make a good spice name. So I used a song that inspired me to do this piece in the background, and then away we flew with paint, paper, and GUTS. NO GUTS no GLORY.

A place...

I started this piece a while ago, and I just couldn't see it in my mind until this past weekend. It hit and my fingers could barely keep up with my brain. The girl is one of Leonardo da Vinci's, and I just think she is so beautiful. Leonardo is one guy I would like to meet, if time wasn't a factor. This reflects a space within myself that is full of color, wonder and deep thoughts about life, the world, myself, love, all of it.

New art work

It is funny how once I stepped away from my art work, and started knitting for a day or two how the ideas just came flooding in! I forgot how therapeutic knitting is for me. It helped tremendously with my nerves and my job when I was pregnant. Anywho, I am very excited to share some pictures of my new art work with you. One piece I will post once my dear friend Ella Joy receives her birthday gift, I don't want to ruin the surprise. I will blog about each piece, and included detailed pictures. I hope you enjoy, and would love to hear some of your thoughts!

Etsy it's official...

horray! My etsy shop www.syrandreams.etsy.com, is officially up and running with items to buy! (Currently I have all just jewelry up for sell.) Check them out, I am still loading more things to sell, so keep checking back for more goodies!

Insight

Tonight I saw something that lead me to question again, who my real friends are. It struck a chord within myself, that reminded me to take a deeper look. I have, also been asking myself what do I need to learn from this? Why is this causing me pain? How can I grow in this? I will need some time to reflect on this situation, see how I would like to handle it. Maybe it is just time to let go of what doesn't seem to be working anymore, people change, which changes their connections with the ones around them. Things cannot always stay the same now can they? And I guess you could say that I have changed. My life is different than it was a year ago, and I wouldn't want to be any other way. It is time to have only those that love and support me and my family in their lives. To try and make it work with those who don't, is being untrue to myself.

Overwhelmed

I have so much to do! With all that I have written down to do, I feel as though I am just sitting here spinning my wheels. I think it is time to step away and do something else, change my focus up then come back and then start fresh.

Getting closer...

Well, my etsy shop is getting closer to having items on it. I am hoping to put a few more finishing touches on the appearance, and then get everything together to post items for sale! Yeah! I am excited, it has been more work than I had anticipated, but satisfying nonetheless. It feels good to keep making the progress on the goals that I have set for myself, getting the etsy shop up and running has been one of them.

Here is the link www.syrandreams.etsy.com Remember it is still under construction, more to come. I will post when it is buying ready!

Larger Newb's

These are the larger one's

Newbe

Some of the new art work, that I have been working on. Here are some shots of the, not completely done pieces, haha work in progress. Isn't that an artist's motto? Well it seems to fit me! Just want to do a few finishing touches on them, but you get the idea. I will post the final pictures when they are done, which isn't tonight.

My dear friend

I finally found my two photos with Martin and I. Here is Martin, he was extraordinary in many ways.He passed away over 3 years ago, he had a massive heart attack at the young age of 36. I miss him dearly. I love you Martin, and think of you daily. I know that you are with me, even though you are not physically with us anymore.

A thing for fungi

I am not sure when and why, but I have begun to realize that I have a thing for mushrooms. I get excited when I see them and I run to get my camera. haha Well this time I didn't have to run too far for I found a pod of wild mushrooms in my own backyard. No I didn't eat any thank you, but I did take some sweet pictures! Here is a taste of what I took.

A piece of my truth

There is no right way or wrong way to create. There is only one way to do it and that is in your own way. It is what it is, trying to measure what you created against someone or something else is not giving the value to what you are doing. You have to be true to yourself, you have to listen to your own instincts, even if it means that you are the only one standing on your side of the river bank. 

There are so many levels of creativity it amazes me. There are so many ways to create in this life, it will be on going 'til the day we die. It is so fulfilling to me to create no matter what it is. We are all creative beings, some of us are more in touch with it than others. To each his own way. I think that life is here for us to create, live, love, laugh, share the things that matter the most. I want to get to the end of my life and know that I created the best one possible.

For I am me and there is only one of me. Therefore I have to create what is best for me, I have to love me the way I want to be loved. Love should not come with strings or conditions. I am one of a kind and I intend on living with that in the front of my mind. I cannot compare me to you or you to him or her, because that is not honoring who we truly are, an individual.

What it means to me

It has taken me 27 years to get to this point. It is now or never for me, and I choose now. I am ready to shine. I am ready to start dancing in line at the grocery store, haha that would be great. I am ready to meet like minded individuals who share the same passions and values as I do. I am ready to step into my power of potential and use it. I am ready to create, beautify and accept. I know that stepping into the unknown, giving my fears a chance to be heard, and then letting them go. I am sending a signal to the universe, I am truly ready for the adventure of a life time. It will start to happen, people, things, creations will come and be just as they are supposed to be. It will take shape and form, the story will start writing itself. I am but a player it, a character. It is not only about me but you as well. 

There is a part of me that I feel I have held back, for fear of being judged or fear of not being good enough. If I stop and realize that my art, my creations, I do them because it makes me feel great inside and I can live with that. I am not doing my art for your approval or nod, or to copy and compete with others. I just want to be me, and to do what feeds my spirit, with this I can go to bed a happy girl. I love to see the art that is out there in the world, it inspires me to go home dig in all my boxes of collected goodies and produce something that captures that moment or at least the essence of it. I cannot help if others judge me, or use what I produce against me for the only thing they are trying to hurt is my ego. And I have come to realize that egos are pretty useless for the kind of pain we put our own selves through. To try and be accepted, loved, to fit in, understood or to be the perfect "skinny weight", I don't want to fit it. It is okay if you do not understand me or believe in me. I love myself and that is the only kind of love that is fulfilling, not placing our happiness in others, because at some point we will be disappointed or feel unloved.  Which then triggers the best friend of the ego, the pain body. And we have all had experiences with the pain body and they are not too fun. I am starting to realize that all of my needs, want, desires, and love I can give to myself, and what I get from others is icing to my yummy cake (me).

This blog that I started is a space just for me, to share my thoughts and creations with others who genuinely care about making this world a better more beautiful place. A space where imagination, and beautiful things can flourish into what they want, instead of what is expected. A place where I can unplug from daily life, and place where I can free fall down the white rabbit hole and just be, to explore my mind to poke around in all the corners to say what is on my mind. A place to let my imagination BE FREE, like a horse running with wind. Not to question what I am thinking or doing, but just a place to soak in all that runs through my mind, and create it. A place to get and give inspiration.

 You look around the internet and our whole world is at our finger tips good and bad. There is much negative being spread, "with all the gossip magazines" as well as sick twisted websites that are available, I could go on, but won't. I realize that there is always a battle going on between good and evil, between light and dark, not only on the internet but in every aspect of life. There is even a battle of good and dark within myself, I am far from perfect, but I am tired of people putting others down or finding fault. I am ready to accept others for who they are and their choices. I will also stand up for what I believe in, my values, and for me. I am ready to detach from the EGO, an extension of myself that really isn't what I am about, what my soul is about. I understand that I will get tested probably everyday with this, sometimes I will pass and can accept that I will probably fail some tests. My feat that will be continuous  is realizing is if it is me talking or if it my ego talking. If I can tell the difference between the two, the next step can be taken. I do not wish to add any more negativity then there already is in this world. I just want to create beautiful things, with paper, paint, canvas, sparkles, ribbons, and jewelry that rocks my world. I want to add my corner to the world, but then again it isn't really "mine" is it? 

  

More Paper Cards

I found some more cards that I made for Valentine's this year.