The Book Is FINALLY Done (I hope)

It's done! It's finally, really and truly done! (She says to herself with tears of exhaustion forming in her eyes, as a feeling of total and utter relief washes over her body in one giant and all consuming wave...okay, now I'm being dramatic, I'll admit it).

You know how some projects take much longer than you originally anticipated?  That would be the case with my book.  At first, I was just going to have a book of paintings. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.  However, after several months, what I ended up with was an 82 page book of paintings, sketches, meditative notes, and insight into how I do my intuitive work and the symbolism I use. *phew.  Better be a best seller!

Don't get me wrong, I love to write, and I am proud of the book I finished...I just didn't realise it would balloon into such a big (and time consuming) project.  Feel free to take a peek, and let me know what you think.

SPIRIT PAINTING by Nina Chrysler | Make Your Own Book

MANIFESTING GREATNESS

I thought I would take a few moments and share an artful technique for manifesting- sigils.

Sigils are symbols that you design and infuse with your personal energy, or power.  They are associated with magic, but aren't religious in nature, and the technique can be practiced by anyone.  The idea being that we can use our beliefs as a tool to manifest things in our lives.  So if you believe it will work, it will!

I've put together a short video on how to design your sigil, and the steps to using them follow below.

1. Watch my video.

2. Design your sigil. 

• Remember to keep it positive.  For example, if you are experiencing financial difficulties, write, 'I wish to be financially secure', not  'I wish I didn't have debt.'  The Universe doesn't understand negatives, so it would turn the latter statement into 'I wish I had debt'...and you would get more.  Understand?  No negatives!
• Remember- you may just get what you wish for.  Are you sure it is what you really want?
• Begin with something easy.
• Don't make your sigil too complicated.  You need to easily remember it...and then easily forget it (I'll explain, don't worry).
• It doesn't have to be fancy, perfect,or even particularly well done.

3. Charge it!
Once you have your design,  you need to charge it with your personal energy.  The easiest way to do this is to meditate.  Close your eyes and clear your mind (not right now, you won't be able to read the rest of the instructions!). Imagine a bright, glowing, white light pours over you- filling you with energy.  Now picture, in your mind's eye, the sigil you designed.  Imagine all that light flowing to your sigil.  For a moment, picture it glowing, full of Universal energy.  Now forget it.

4. Seriously.  Forget it. 
Forget all about the sigil you just spent half an hour drawing.  Seems cruel, I know (aren't you glad I told you not to worry about making it perfect?!).  You can burn the paper, or tuck it in a little box or wishing pot somewhere...but just don't think about it. 

5. Wait for it...wait for it....YES!
What is supposed to happen through this process is that, by removing letters and switching them about into an unfamiliar shape,  you've designed a symbol that your sub-conscious mind recognises, but your conscious mind cannot read.  Since your subconscious mind is always working (the lights are always on- you're just not always home), you will be constantly putting your desires out into the Universe without even being aware of it.  It changes the energy you put out, and eventually you will manifest your desires.


So what are you waiting for?!! Manifest something wonderful in your life!

xNina.

p.s. Be sure to share your story if you try it!!

Things are sorting themselves out...

Right. Work space sorted (well...you can see the top of my table- a vast improvement).  Actual organisation has yet to occur.  At least I'm no longer worried about losing one of the children should they wander into my domain.

You may have noticed that I added some pages to my blog.  On the right hand side you will see new pages for tutorials, promotions and my attempt to go green this year.  I think the titles are fairly self-explanatory.  I take comfort in knowing that though my work area may become chaotic, my blog will at least have order.  Small victories, people, small victories.

GIVE AWAYS & Studio News

First thing's first.  From now until the end of February I will hold a draw for every 50 people that follow my Facebook page and this blog.  Every time either site reaches another 50, I will hold a draw for items such as art prints, pendants, art supplies, mini-originals and more...so make sure you follow both, and tell your friends, too!

Today I am working on a few things in my studio.  I am patiently awaiting my art prints, both canvas and watercolour, getting my book ordered, working on a couple of watercolours, and finishing up some ATC's for a swap I am in...

I'm a bit frustrated with my ATC's (artist trading cards).  Mostly because my work area is a disaster-to say the least- and I am not finding all that I want, where I want, when I want.  Frustrating because I don't have the time to get it organised, yet it is creating more trouble by being in it's current state.  I may have to bite the proverbial bullet and just get it done.  *sigh

On a much brighter note, though cold, the sun is shining brightly.  Who couldn't be inspired?!!  I will soon be venturing out to check the post to see if more journal pages have arrived for the monthly journal page swap I organise over on Milliande's Art Community for Women (check it out and join if you haven't already). Soaking it up while it lasts. January and February are usually so dark!

I did, shortly after blogging the other day, break down and get into my pendant making supplies. What fun!  Another arty addiction in the making.  I will be so glad to get my etsy shop up and running so I can share these things with people! 

On my 'going green' front, I'm busy detoxing..well sort of.  Last year I had spent some time going raw vegan (this is when you don't eat anything that has been heated over a 115 degrees, raw veg/fruits, seeds and nuts).  I loved it.  My kids protested.  It was somewhat short lived (3 months).

 I did, during that time, drop weight and felt amazing- clean on the inside.  No headaches, joint pain, clear mind, slept wonderfully, etc.  SO, I'm going at it again- but slower.  Easing the household (and myself) into it a meal or two at a time.  Admittedly, it is difficult living in a cold climate and not eating hot food.  There is a lot to consider and a lot of planning involved. I envy those in Southern California who have no problem getting fresh organic produce in January.  How does this help my 'going green' efforts?  Well it is all about reducing the amount of meat consumed (large scale farming has a horrific impact on the Earth and our environment), and less waste.  When eating raw there tends to be little garbage produced, as most everything can go in the compost.  Just thinking about it makes me smile and dream of spring.  I can't wait to get my hands dirty planting a garden.  What valuable lessons for children, too.  Awareness of where exactly one's food is coming from, how it is made/grown/produced.  It's all about THINKING.  As a society we don't tend to do a lot of that anymore- just go to the store and buy...but I digress.  I can smell my 'bread' in the dehydrator now...mmmmm.

If you would like to try some raw recipes, I recommend this blog: http://thesunnyrawkitchen.blogspot.com/2007/03/this-blogs-recipe-index.html

Enjoy your day!

Folk Art Angel Tutorial

Blogging twice in one week?! Unheard of!  Well my friends, what can I say? I feel like sharing.

Last year I wanted to make a little something 'folky' to hang.  With nothing specific in mind at first, I came up with this angel.  Here is a tutorial on how I made it.  (It was one of the projects that kept me from blogging, so I felt I should share it!) While I did make the angel in November, I wasn't really thinking about Christmas.  In fact, she still hangs in my livingroom. 

This tutorial also ties in nicely to my new goal of cutting down on consumerism and being more 'green'.  All these items I had on hand from other projects- no additional supplies were purchased.  It literally cost me nothing to make.  Who knows, I may make one for someone as a gift in the coming year.

Enjoy the video, and be sure to share with others, link my blog, post comments, and of course ask questions.

I was made for SUNNY DAYS!

Okay, so there is snow on the ground- this photo is clearly not from January in the Ottawa Valley, but it is a fairly clear representation of how I'm feeling today.  The sun is shining, it's not too cold, I feel fresh and full of life.  HELLO 2011!!

Have you ever had the feeling that things are going according to plan?  That is the general tone of things lately...like all the terrible stuff that has happened finally has purpose.  Consider my dues paid.  I'll say no more on the subject, don't want to jinx it.

In terms of creating, today was a great day.  Supplies just came for the glass jewelry I plan to make from my art images.  I'll be sure to post pictures of my progress.  It's been hard having that box of goodies sitting here and not getting straight at it...however, still much to do on other projects and I know I shouldn't start anything until I get some of the rest finished up.

I've heard back from the printing company about my giclee prints, so I hope to have some proofs here very soon.  This has been a bit of a pain in the past- getting a Canadian company at a good rate- but I'm visualizing this working out as to utilize any Universal forces that can assist in bringing this to fruition (finally!!).

Here's a little something to get you in a sunny mood: