Small Wonders: Jan/Feb 2011

Here we are at the end of the first month of this exciting year. 

What's out there on the horizon?

There's been something in the air this month...I like to think its all of our creative collective consciousness' putting our dreams out there into the universe and planting the seeds. Our own "Dream Seeds" to nurture and bloom. It feels like there has been so much energy in our blogging community, that I just know 2011 is going to be amazing for all of us.

The Big Dreams, Small Wonders e-course was a dream come true for me and this has been a fabulous way for me to also kick start my year. My year of Cultivating and stretching. Today's post is the first in the new monthly series of "Small Wonders" where I'm inviting you to share accomplishments for the month just passed and what our intentions are for the month ahead. If you missed yesterdays post introducing this, pop over for a quick read. This is not only a great way to keep ourselves "accountable" for what we have promised ourselves, but to build a community to share, support and celebrate. Please join me on this wonderful journey. So here goes, mine are below.....

January - My Small Wonders this month

• Successfully delivering and hosting my very first e-course "Big Dreams, Small Wonders"
• Realizing my dream of becoming a creative life coach and signing up for the 9 month iPEC certificate program - it starts in March - woohoo!
• Running my first Vision Board workshop for paying participants. (I've been offering Vision Board sessions for friends for a few years now)
• Taking part in Misty Mawn & Brave Girls e-courses
• Being inspired at PrintSource NYC

How I'm going to celebrate these Small Wonders:

• I celebrated my successes this month by taking time out (I've been glued to my studio desk for a month!) to meet up with friends, enjoy good food, wine and conversation. (I celebrated all of this weekend). :-)

My Challenges this month were:

• Keeping 100% fit as I put my back out with an injury for over a week. :-(
• Feeling okay about the "lull period" that occurs sometimes when you first put your dreams/goals out there. This is an area of self development for me as I am always wanting to constantly be doing something to move forwards. Recognizing this lull period and letting the dreams sit there and cultivate is so important.

Theme of the month:

• Planting my Dream Seeds for 2011 and beyond

February - My Intentions and Key focus areas:

• Hosting a fun Creative Color Challenge & Swap
• Offering content from my e-course in small digestible e-book chunks
• Sharing more resources on my blog
• Attending An Artful Journey (AAJ), seeing some old artful friends and meeting new ones. (CANNOT WAIT!)
• Opening my heart & mind up to exploring a new medium. (I'm taking the lovely Stephanie Lee's class at AAJ where we get our hands dirty with plaster)
• Create some new work for an upcoming exhibition in March.

It feels good to put it out there! :-) Please join me in being brave and sharing below:

1. What you are most proud of/what you accomplished this month
2. How you are going to acknowledge these moments and celebrate
3. If you had a theme for January
4. Any challenges you recognized
5. Your intentions and focus for the next month

If you would also like to share you are joining me on "Monthly Small Wonders", I have created a blog button to shout it from the rooftops! (grab the code on from the button on the right side bar)

You ARE going to make 2011 your year!

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Introducing...."Monthly Small Wonders", please join me.

Today is the last day of my e-course Big Dreams, Small Wonders. For the last 4 weeks, 85 creative souls have been clearing, letting go, celebrating, dreaming, planning and putting a roadmap together to enable some great things to happen in 2011.

Many of us in this creative community have set intentions, words and themes for the year ahead and I know we all start the year off with such great energy. Goal setting and planning the year ahead, can be an exciting and challenging task and so much thought and open heart is put into such a process. One of the key things I have learnt in identifying my own dreams, drawing out my own roadmap and putting action plans into play, is that having some kind of accountability, support or community is what motivates us and guides us.

So I’ve decided (and am very excited) to introduce a new feature on my blog to support the lovely souls who have and will be attending the “Big Dreams, Small Wonders” e-courses this year AND all of you dreamers out there who have put dreams into the universe. 

I’m pleased to introduce “Monthly Small Wonders” on my blog. It's open to all to participate in (not just e-course participants).

Every month we will gather here to celebrate the Small wonders /accomplishments/proud moments from the month just passed and identify our key intentions and focus for the month ahead. Not only will we be “putting it out there” (an extremely brave thing to do), we will share and build a community of sisters (boys of course you are welcome too!) “making it happen” who will share, support, grow and celebrate together.

So here is the scoop!

1. On the last day of every month, I will post my own "Small Wonders" for that Month and what I am focusing on for the month ahead (this is a way to hold myself accountable!). Any lessons learned, resources found and challenges to share with you.
   
2. I will then invite you to do the same on the comments. This can be very high level without too much detail, but the main purpose is to voice and tell the universe what you are proud of from the past month and your intention for the month ahead. I will also invite you to join me in creating a Dream Board to visualize and support your intentions.
   
3. We can then all visit each other to offer support, celebration and any key resources to share.
   
4. If you write a more detailed blog post each month on your own "Small Wonders" and reflections, please feel free to also post a link so we can visit each other with congratulations and virtual celebrations.
   
5. As the year progresses, we will share, support and celebrate our individual journeys and as a strong creative community, making Dreams Come True.
   
6. Imagine what amazing dreams we can bring into our own worlds, through this supportive. sharing, motivating process.
   
7. Will you join me? Let's shout and celebrate from the rooftop and let the universe know we mean business this year. My first “Small Wonders – Jan/Feb” will be posted tomorrow - Jan 31st.

I am so excited to be hosting this every month and providing a platform for us to travel this journey together, Xx

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It's BACK! Join me for a special February edition of the Creative Color Challenge

Join me for a special February edition of the Creative Color Challenge! 

This one has a special lovely extra piece to it! Not only are you going to explore your creativity through color, you are also going to have a swap partner to swap your gorgeous work with.

We had so much fun in the month of August last year and for our holiday ornament swap, its time to mix it up again! (you can check out all the lovely photos here. from the last 2 challenges) and its free to join in. YAY!

A little hint: This February challenge has a theme of “complimentary”

It’s really easy to join in, here’s all you have to do:

1. Sign up by emailing me at info[at]louisegale[dot]com with your name, blog address and mailing address (please remember to include your country). It’s open for all to join in no matter where you are in the world. Also leave a comment below to let everyone know you are up for the challenge! Please email me to sign up by Monday February 7th.
   
   
2. If you don't already have it, add "The Creative Color Challenge” button to your site to announce you are up for the challenge, (you don’t need to have a blog to participate), tell your friends and encourage them to join us in this playful color exploration. (please grab the button code from the sidebar on the right)
   
3. On Sunday February 6th, I will post the challenge on my blog with all the scrummy details.
   
   
4. A few days after, I will then mail you your partner information so you can visit their blog or say hi via email. Ill also post a link to everyone who is participating on the Creative Color Challenge page as entries come in, so you can visit everyone as the challenge unfolds. You will have 2 weeks to complete the challenge and mail it out to your partner. (please send out by Mon 21st Feb)
   
   
5. You can create in any medium you like, try something new!
   
   
6. Feel free to take a photo of your own work to post into the flickr group here (wait until your partner has received it so you don’t spoil the surprise!).
   
   
7. Feel free to blog about it and share your partners work too.
   
   
8. I’ll do a wrap up post end Feb/early March to showcase the gorgeous creations.

Sound like fun? Are you in?

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Finally! A Decision.

WORD(s) of the Year! 

I have to admit, it doesn't usually take me this long to decide on my Word(s) for the Year ahead, but for some reason I couldn't quite settle with just one (and of course I came up with 2!).

As 2011 approached, I knew I wanted to focus the year ahead on Learning, expanding my own knowledge both personally and professionally, my expertise and being clear as to what my focus was going to be. I felt my word(s) for 2010 were perfect (leap fearlessly) and they really helped me do exactly that!

I am very happy with "Stretch" and "Cultivate" I feel that stretch really speaks to stretching & expanding out of my comfort zone a little which I'd like to do more of in 2011 (as well as stretch my body more!) and cultivate: to grow and nourish the part of me I'd like to bloom brighter and stronger. 

So there we have it! I know I'm a little late to the "Word of the Year Party", however, I'd love to hear what your word(s) are and why. 

* Creative Color Challenge is back in February. Pop back on Friday to get the scoop.

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Are You Doing What You Love? New found love of books & retreat news!

Hand-made books from DWYL retreat teacher Rachel Hazell. Photo from retreat website

I have found a new love for paper, book & Journal making! 

In week 4 (next week!) of Big Dreams, Small Wonders we will be making our journals and I have had so much fun exploring techniques and making my own to show the class next week (ill share on here, once it is published to my class participants). This has opened me up to a whole new world. It's so exciting to find this new love, but I am jumping with joy and excitement to make another announcement!......

Not only am I the luckiest girl in the world to be attending the Do What You Love Retreat in the UK in May, I am also going to be assisting the lovely Rachel Hazell who is teaching one of the amazing classes there. Her class is "Maps, charts and other discoveries…the extraordinary expandable sketchbook journal" 

 Photo credit: Rachel Hazell/Do What You Love website

Rachel is known as 'the Travelling Bookbinder', has made a career of creating extraordinarily beautiful books in extraordinary places - from lighthouses in the Shetland Islands to on board a ship in Antarctica. Her motto is "Read Make Love Books". She believes that everyone has a book inside them.  I totally agree. I hope to be posting some more "How To's" here on some of the discoveries I come across throughout my own journey with this wonderful art. :-)

I am so excited for my friend Beth (who I first met at An Artful Journey Feb 2010) to be hosting her first retreat in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. So excited to be going, so excited to be assisting Rachel and so excited to be doing what I am currently loving there - exploring book art. (*Still jumping for joy here*). I also get to spend time with some family & friends whilst Im back in the UK AND I'll be posting some more news of another weekend retreat in the UK where I'll be hosting a painting session at soon! Woohoo! 

(*Can you feel my excitement?*)

AND 

I cannot wait to sit in one of these tents with other creative souls.

Photo credit from the retreat website. Papakata tipi tent.

What is it you are doing 

everyday 

to get a step closer to 

doing what you love? 

THIS FRIDAY is the last day to take advantage of the £50 off Early Bird Discount for the retreat.  Let me know if you sign up so we can plan to meet up. It is going to be AWESOME (and as the retreat site says "it might just be the most important investment you ever make in yourself and your creative business"). 

**Also stay tuned here for news on my new e-book "Big Dreams, Small Wonders - Creating the Roadmap for Your Dreams" Out in February.  It's been so amazing hearing all the fabulous feedback from my e-course participants so far. Thank you so much. Xx

**AND The Creative Color Challenge is BACK in FEBRUARY. More news on that next week! 

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What's on Your Vision Board for 2011?

This weekend, I was in heaven as I spent both Saturday and Sunday Visioning for 2011. Above is my board for 2011, and I think I'll be making another one, as I couldn't quite get everything on there! This year it's all about cultivating, learning and nourishing so I love the way this Vision Board shows these themes. It's now hanging up in my studio next to my 2010 board above my work desk.

Saturday I had the girls round to my apartment for our Annual Intentions Brunch, where we caught up on new year wishes, dreams and spent the whole afternoon drinking champagne, cutting up magazines and creating our Vision Boards for the year ahead. 

Some of my friends who had come along last year, commented on how amazing it was to have accomplished much of what they had put on their boards at the last Intentions Brunch. 

Such a relaxing and inspiring day.

As each of us felt we were finished with our boards, we shared what our focus was going to be for an amazing 2011. 

It really is one of the best afternoons you can have with your circle of friends.

Then on Sunday afternoon, I hosted a Vision Boarding Workshop at the Monroe Centre for the Arts in Hoboken. There were 9 lovely ladies who came from all over the area to create their Vision Boards for the year ahead.

Table ready for our dreamers!

We had so much fun introducing ourselves, our plans for the year ahead and getting to know each other. One lovely lady brought along her mum and auntie and two others came long with friends and we all got along famously making a mess ripping up magazines and creating our Vision Boards. 

Everyone was brave enough to share, which was so amazing. 

I also met one of my Big Dreams, Small Wonders participants who came along with her friend. 

How fabulous is that! 

I had such a lovely time. :-)

The start of my inspiration board for some creating!

I can just imagine how much energy was out there over the past few days, as all the participants on Big Dreams, Small Wonders were also creating their own Vision Boards for the year ahead. Our collective consciousness of dreaming was certainly making the universe work some overtime. 

Feel free to check out all the photos from the weekend on flickr.

Did you create a Vision Board yet for 2011? Please do share a link to the photo or your blog post if you did.

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PUBLISHED! on Design*Sponge

So excited that my Hoboken City Guide was published on the influential blog Design*Sponge this week on 1-1-11! Focusing on independent artsy businesses in the area, and also adding in all the extra fab places and things about this great town.

Gorgeous window display at Luxe face & body

I had lots of fun, re-discovering some lovely shopfronts and design stores as I researched. Indulging in the sights and taking photos of my favorite places along the way.

I stopped to admire buildings such as the one Bella Ro can be found in. Glorious balconies and ironwork designs. 

Try the Bubble Tea and Pumpkin Tea Scones at Maroon

Stopping by to drink tea and chat to the local coffee shop clientele.

AND most of all finding yet another excuse to visit my favorite local design store - M Avery Designs where I have promised myself some sewing lessons this Spring. 

Lovely window display at M Avery Designs

Check out the full guide here. Hope you come to visit one day and see some of these lovely places. Hoboken is really growing in terms of local creative stores and people.

Also, big thanks to Beth for inspiring me with the idea for writing this guide.

FIRST FRIDAY WINNER: The random number selector picked 5. So the winner is Mrs. Spotts. Congratulations!

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What's on Your Energy & Affirmation Tree?

Energy & Affirmation Tree - Jan 2011

This year, I decided to draw out my affirmations and energy sources as a visual so I could hang on my studio wall and also pop a copy into my "Big Dreams Small Wonders" Journal we will be making in the class in a few weeks.

It was such a wonderful way to affirm the direction I am taking my life in 2011, to feel stronger, calmer and continue to trust that I am being guided on the right path towards my dreams.

The affirmations on the branches have given me a great head start and I plan to add more as the year progresses and evolves. Thinking positively is key to following your dreams.

The Energy Sources in the roots are what give me strength and recharge my batteries.

If you were to draw an "Energy & Affirmation" tree, what would yours look like? If you do join me, send me a link to your blog post about it or where your photo is posted so we can share.

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First Friday Giveaway - JANUARY

Welcome to the First 1st Friday Giveaway for 2011! 

I love Louise Hay products and as we start to dream and plan out 2011, the daily affirmations, positive thinking and power cards she has in her product line are so inspiring.

I've been thinking alot about my intentions for the year ahead, being more present and affirmations to keep me energized, so I wanted to share this with you by offering one of Louise Hays daily affirmations books as my January giveaway. 

TO ENTER: All you need to do is add a comment below with your top 3 affirmations for the year ahead. Ill be choosing a winner at random next week (Tues/Weds). I cant wait to hear what you add below.

ALSO: pop back on Sunday as I'll be sharing my very own Energy & Affirmation tree for 2011. (an exercise we are covering in the "Big Dreams.Small Wonders" class next week)

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A Fresh New Year

As we start our journey down the road of 2011, I thought of one of my favourite stories which is Anne of Green Gables. There are many lovely quotes in that story, but this one really resinates with me.

"Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it" 

I think this is such a great quote as we begin to identify our intentions for the coming year. It is a fresh new start. The time is now, to set the goal of living the lives we intuitively know should be ours, there are no mistakes, no perfect time to do this, so lets start now.  No matter what the days ahead bring us, we can always start again a fresh, it's never too late. It's time to wipe the slate clean, start a new beginning and yes, make this year, the year. I'm just so excited to get started!

Today marks the very first day of my "Big Dreams. Small Wonders" e-course. I'm so excited this day has finally come and its an amazing way to start off the year. Not just for me, but knowing that this community of 75+ will be dreaming and planning an amazing year ahead for themselves. I am so overwhelmed by how this course has been received before it even started and I wanted to say thank you to all who have supported and encouraged me and all who are taking part, making that all important fresh start for your own dreams.

I cannot wait to see great things happen for this e-course community and my extended blog community in the year ahead and beyond.

Registration is still open for a few more days as I know some are just emerging out of the holiday season to this fresh new year. I will be posting a few snippets on my blog as I'll be working along side my fellow dreamers to reflect, dream and plan the year ahead over the next 4 weeks. We are also making our own journals and I'm so excited to be exploring some new creative techniques myself.

Enjoy this time everyone, its the start of something amazing for all of us. Xx

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