Holiday Greetings..

I do believe that the final mailings will go out today...well, except for the one that will go out in January (thanks to Debs who is starting a new tradition with me!!) I am winding down the new year on a HIGH!! The success of my one woman show has showed me much about myself and my art...the wonderment and excitement of meeting new friends this year has taught me that I am surrounded by like women who are discovering themselves and their art...the love of my family and friends has been apparent throughout the year with their support and cheers for the things that I have been doing...I go into this holiday season with a happy heart, and look forward to the new year with great anticipation for a creativity that I haven't even tapped into yet! For all those who venture into this site my wishes are many for you...may you enjoy good health, may you believe deeply in yourself, may the goodness of life show itself to you, may you dream the impossible dream, may you be true to yourself...
WISH ... LOVE...DREAM...
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

WORKING...FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!

This is a picture of a custom POUTING CHAIR that I have just completed! I titled it:
SWEET BIRD OF LOVE and will be going off in the mail as a Christmas present soon.
I love this time of year, because I am busier than ever with custom work!! The best part about custom work is that it is being ordered and purchased for a special person from someone who loves them!! I get a little information about that person and then my visual of the piece comes to me...I have just finished up a pouting chair for a special someone and I LOVE THIS CHAIR!!!!! The pouting chair idea came to me when a friend was having a really hard time and she said.."I JUST NEED A GOOD POUT"...I found a chair that was a "time-out" looking chair and I embellished and painted and wrote this little poem..." IF THE DAY IS GOING BAD AND THINGS AREN'T WORKING OUT...SIT YOURSELF UPON THIS CHAIR AND HAVE A LITTLE POUT!"..Anyhow, the chair has become a big hit with adults as well as children....I know for sure, when I see mine, that it is almost impossible to keep having that "bad" day when I see the chair, because it is bright and cheery and just makes me SMILE...DEEP DOWN WITHIN ME SMILES! And that is my wish for you today, that you find your chair...that something that makes you smile...and chase any blues you might be having away!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Starting a NEW project!!

Just encase you haven't checked out the blog today, the permission slip there is "IT" day....And so this morning I was thinking about what "IT" was that I was going to do...HUMMM..(so many things to pick from! but what is the one thing that I have been putting off doing?!) I went and took a class in Virginia some 4 years ago and met a wonderfully inspiring person while I was there...I have been wanting to do something for this person for that length of time now!!! PHEW! I would say that is over due!! Anyhow that is my "IT"...That is my holiday gift to myself...I am going to do something special for this person for no reason other than the fact that I want to. There is no secret motivation, no method behind my madness, other than the fact that this person has inspired me to continue on my path over the past 4 years...I have watched as this person continues on hers and grows...which inspires me to see where my path will take me.. So that is my "IT" project...I am off to collect the things that I want to use in this adventure...I cannot say who it is right now, but will post when the project is completed..sent..and received!! So glad I have permission to finally do this!! I hope today that you use this permission slip for something that you have been putting on the back burner too!! You can view the permission slip at: pjmosca.blogspot.com...(there is a link on the side...)
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Custom Work...

I am taking a little bit of time to SHINE today!! If you are reading this post and
don't know about the permission slips I am doing you can view them at: www.pjmosca.blogspot.com Today, I am honoring the fact that just when I think that I should go out and get a "REAL" job...(cause, sitting and creating in this studio 8 hours a day, isn't a real job?!) I get custom orders!! One after another!! LOL...And that certainly makes me happy..not just because I will be making some money (because of course that doesn't hurt any!) But because what I am doing with my creativity not only makes me HAPPY but makes others HAPPY too!!...And dog gone it...."People like me!!" (I always feel a little like Sally Fields!) But, it just reinforces how I feel about my art!! So SHINE I will today...Running out for some art supplies...Up early...and painting...LIFE IS GOOD...LIFE IS VERY, VERY GOOD!!!!!!!!!! And that is my wish for you today..that you see how good your life is!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

CHEWING AWAY!!

Just an update on the GREAT PATTIE SMOKE OUT!!!! I am still continuing on with this...It is probably one of the hardest things that I have ever done!! But, I continue to look at pictures of my grandson, and know that this path is one that I MUST continue on! The problem that I am facing now, is that the studio seems as if it is missing something...and that something is ME! Habits..even bad ones made over a long period of time is somewhat of a comfort zone...Not smoking or lighting up a smoke when I go to sketch something out feels uncomfortable...DIFFERENT...So, I am trying to turn it around to make it something NEW and EXCITING! Today, I will be moving the studio around a little bit so that I can have a different view!! So, that the flow is different from what it has been...Hopefully this will help....I WANT MY CREATIVITY BACK!!!!!!!And without the smokes!! I am staying POSITIVE which makes it a lot different from other times that I have tried to do this...and I am still chewing away!!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Hand Turkey!!

Do you remember making these as a kid??!! While we were waiting for the bird to cook and all the trimmings...we decided to make hand turkeys! We each had some crayons and a blank piece of paper....we all made different ones...This is mine!! With all the gratitude symbols everywhere...It was a wonderfully relaxing day...Make a hand turkey!!
Or a paper garland (remember those?!) string popcorn...bring back the simple...make yourself smile...
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Happy Thanksgiving....

Wishing all the blessings of the day.....
Today and everyday!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=0183913358

Kick Start!!

I talk to people all the time who feel like they are going through the motions of life. Doing the same things everyday...getting up..going to work..eating...sleeping...and then they do it all over again day after day. The one thing I tell them is that they are just letting routine run their life. Because, routine is very strong and we get trapped into it...BUT THERE IS HOPE!!!! Just REMEMBER some of these things!

1. YOU ARE NEVER TO OLD TO CHANGE!
Despite the fact that we have been told that you can't teach an old dog new tricks! So, no matter what age you are, you are the perfect age to do anything that you want to do! I just read a story about a woman who jumped out of a plane for her 90th birthday!! She always wanted to do it, and so she did! I guess that it is all a state of mind.
2. START DAYDREAMING AGAIN!
Start to fill up some of you time with your hopes and dreams. Start to think about and make a list of some of the things that you want to do in your life. Take a painting class, write a poem, jump out of a plane!! Your life is waiting for you to fill it up!
3. USE YOUR IMAGINATION AGAIN!
Start visualizing yourself doing some of the things on your list. The more you see
yourself doing these things, the quicker you will get off the couch and do them! See yourself ... get excited and happy and things will happen.

Everything starts with very small steps...but if you can picture it, if you believe in it, if you want it..you just have to kick start yourself and break free of habits and routines that you are allowing to stand in your way of all the wonderful things that are waiting for you!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Honoring My Creativity!

This is a page from a daily affirmation journal that I kept. I love this page because it reminds me of what it is that my hands do! I am amazed at the things that these old hands have come to do and love. I am grateful that I have rediscovered what it is that I always knew in my heart that I wanted to do. The one thing that I realize is that it is never to late to connect with yourself. We sometimes get lost in the everyday shuffle of life....we often times as women become, someones wife, someones mother...and somehow lose sight of who we are, what are dreams were and become everything to everyone else. Not that it is a bad gig...cause, I did love being a surburban house wife, and the baseball, dancing mom!! But when those little birds flew this nest...WOW!! what a shock to see that I had no idea what it was that I was suppose to do!! My doctor suggested a pet..something to "mother"..which I gladly did do! But, now, years later...I realize that my doctor probably should of suggested a class, a tribe, a retreat...It certainly would of saved me a lot of time!! I do know that everything comes together in the proper time and space, and that I am sure that the things I went thru just served to make me into the person that I am today! But, let me say this, if you are reading this and your nest is just starting, or starting to empty out...start a journal, start to rediscover yourself, take a class that you have always wanted to take, RECAPTURE your dream. Your whole family will thank you for it!! But most of all...your heart will thank you!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Monday!!

Here it is Monday already, and I am wondering where the weekend went to!! It seems the older I get the faster the time flies by!! Like wasn't Christmas just last week?! No...well, I thought it was!! And yet, as a kid, it seemed like it took forever to get from one birthday to the next or any given holiday!! Now, I turn around and there it is!! I really do not like the fact that the commerical world has brought Christmas so close to Halloween....Like there is nothing in between those two days! WHAT ABOUT THE TURKEY?!!!!!! What about being grateful for the abundance we have? What about the pumpkin pie? I make a lot of gifts, so I try to avoid all the mall hustle and bustle...I do go once and look at the decorations, but that is closer to the actual day of Christmas...when I can watch everyone running around with their lists...while I sip a Peppermint Latte! I will make some gifts with my 18 month old grandson for everyone, and I have thoughts of what to make for others on my list....Little will be store bought, I have to say that watching TV the other night and seeing that the commerical wanted some parent to buy a $800 computer for their teenager...and I thought...not even on my best Christmas would that ever happen. ...Lets get back to the season of gratitude....Lets get back to gifts that are made from the heart and given with great love...Lets get back to the old fashion Christmas...But first! LETS EAT THE TURKEY AND THE PUMPKIN PIE!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Courage!

So, more than once today I wanted to throw in the towel...start over, and actually I did begin to start over by beginning this new blog! Thinking prhaps the Artfully Yours site was gone to me forever! But, I WENT BEYOND MY OWN LIMITS!! I TESTED MY COMFORT ZONE TO THE MAX! I used my shield and I broke down my own walls....AND YIPPEE!!!!!!!!! I hung in there and it worked and I am SO PROUD TO BE STANDING STRONG TODAY!!!!!! Now, I know to some this is not a huge feat that was made.But for me, this machine just truly makes me crazy, because I do not feel I know very much about it...But today....I CONQUERED some of my fear!! AND I AM SMILING LIKE CRAZY!!!!!! So, that is my wish for you this very moment....BE NOT AFRAID....YOU HAVE THE POWER!!!!!!!! Just raise you shield and forge ahead!!!
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

The Reason Behind the Madness!!

Here is a picture of WHY.......Why I am turning over this new leaf....How can I NOT?!? This of course, is the most beautiful face that I have ever seen.......And my heart sings and is full of joy when I am with him....So, I see that there is nothing else that I can do......
Artfully Yours,
Pattie

Turn Over A New Leaf!

So, I switched over to Beta Blogger and now I have no idea how to post...So, I just started a new one here!! Guess that would be turning over a new leaf!! LOL...But, really the leaf that I am turning over is that I am on my 5th day of the BIG SMOKE OUT!!!!!!!! I won't even say how long I have been smoking...but lets just say it is longer than I wasn't smoking...which means it has been a VERY, VERY long time! I have a grandson now and that is a HUGE reason to quit...I need to be here to help this little one on his way...and for him to help me along mine too! So, it started with the thought of doing it...went into the visualization of doing it...and now...I AM DOING IT!!!!!!!! For those of you who have never smoked...well...GOOD FOR YOU FOR NOT GIVING IN TO PEER PRESSURE!!!!!!! For those of you who have and quit.......MY HAT GOES OFF TO YOU! For those of you who are like me, and are venturing into this task....I SUPPORT YOU! And for those of you who don't understand this...well.... So, my wish for you today, is that you too jump in and change something you have been thinking about ...Start with the thought, then see yourself doing it...and then...hey, jump right in to that big pile of leaves and turn yourself over...I for one, am really putting my all into this........
Artfully Yours,
Pattie