When I am Appreciating

“When you are praising, when you are appreciating, when you are acknowledging value, when you are looking for positive aspects, when you are laughing, when you are applauding, when you are joyous, when you are feeling that feeling of appreciation pulsing through you, in those times, there IS NO RESISTANCE within you. You are, in those moments, vibrationally up to speed with who you really are.”

~ Abraham-Hicks

I saw this quote in Hannah Marcotti’s gorgeous course called Making Space (I super-duper highly recommend this course from the bottom of my heart.)  The quote made me think immediately of my gratitude project, A Hundred Thank Yous.

This is why gratitude feels so right, so good.

Announcement…after a brief hiatus over the holidays, I am back to my Hundred Thank Yous Project!  Yay!  I am two-thirds of the way through the project and I am working to schedule an exhibition of all 100 paintings that will happen in June.  (June!)  Everyone who gets a painting is invited and it will be open to any of my people who want to come!  I literally want to jump up and down with excitement about the event!  Of course, not everyone will be able to pick up their painting in person, so I am busy collecting addresses and putting little love letters to go with each painting that will be mailed to those who can’t make it.

I decide that February is THE month.  The month to work my heart out on the paintings and get them organized and finished so I can feel peace and bliss in the months leading up to the exhibition.

This project is the most JOYFUL thing I  have ever done.  I have come to realize that once my grateful project is finished, I may keep making paintings for people.  Maybe I will.  And give them away one at a time.  Or, I might do a different gratitude project.  Who knows.  But, I am very open to keeping this light of gratitude glowing in my heart.  It has deeply changed me.

On that note, here are a few things I am WILDLY grateful for in this moment:

  • Hannah Marcotti.  Love this woman to bits.  Her work for the world is angel-sent.
  • Goddess Leonie, my soul-sister of the Turquoise Ray (never heard that before and I looooove it!)  I am part of her Goddess Circle and (holy mother of Goddess) the wisdom and love pouring out of it all is epic.
  • My new Happy Light.  Oh, the glow of Happy Light sun in my studio in the depths of winter!  (You can see it in the photo up top.)
  • New Anthropologie mugs.  I truly LOVE them beyond reason.

I am headed to my mom’s this weekend and will probably be off-line most of the time.  A sweet little break at the end of January- then paint paint paint for everyone I love and adore!!!

Before I go, here is a sneak peek at my new Self-Love Prayer Flags series in the works!  The flags reflect what I believe is the most important thing we can do for the world- Love ourselves.  Can’t wait to finish and share.

Thank you for being here.  Much love.

 

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Filed Under: Blog     January 26, 2012    By     9 Comments

A Year of Wishes Calendar *SALE*

Hello sweet friends!  Lisa and I have just 9 Calendars left!  We are selling them at the discounted rate of $24.00.  (What a deal!  In the end you get 12 art prints + a Year of Wishes.) The sale ends when all of the calendars are gone.

We had a hugely beautiful response to the calendars and are so grateful.  You can join us all year long on The Year of Wishes tab above, where we will be doing posts and vlogs on the topic of each month’s calendar wish.

January’s wish is: May I appreciate my body.  May I be filled with love and gratitude.

February’s wish is: May my mind be at peace.  I am relaxed and I am safe.

We are so grateful to have you with us!  You can buy the last few Year of Wishes Calendars here.

 

Much love,

Lori and Lisa

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Filed Under: Blog     Tagged With: , January 22, 2012    By     1 Comment

A Studio Tour

welcome to my creative space

I am writing to you today from my beautiful new studio!   Just writing that sentence makes me want to pause and breathe it in.  I feel expanded, open, grateful.

I moved my studio from a crammed upstairs bedroom (that also served as my dressing room) to a bright and sunny room on the first floor of my home.  It seemed that I could never get a grip on my studio with all of the other pieces of my life (clothes, beauty products, jewelry, personal filing cabinets, computers, etc) all sharing the room with creating art + printing + packaging orders.  This was a really good move for me.

This space contains only what I need to do my work.  Only what I love and cherish.  Only what inspires me.  It is clean and sparkly.

And, best of all, it has been blessed.

Yesterday was a magical day.  (Interestingly, MAGIC is my word for the year, but that is another post.)

My two sweet, soul-sister friends, Lisa and Melanie, came over to do a new studio clearing and blessing.  They brought me the most gorgeous flowers.  Lisa created a ritual that was an open-my-heart-beautiful experience.  We cleared out any old energy to make space for what I want to happen in this studio.  I declared my wishes- we used essential oils and sounds and ceremony.  But best of all, Lisa wrote a Blessing for Lori’s Space- here is the first sentence:

Sweet Divine Spirit,

So filled with Creativity and Love,

Bless this space with Your Magic.

I would share the rest of this blessing with you, but we decided it was a magical gift for the world.  The studio space blessing and clearing is on it’s way to being an inspired Creative Space Blessing book or kit of some sort.  Lisa is working on that and I will let you know when it is finished.  If you do any kind of creating, you will love this with all your heart.  It needs to be out in the world.

My art space feels different..more inspired, more magical, peaceful, abundant, clear…good things are happening here already.

I can feel it.

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Filed Under: Blog     Tagged With: , January 19, 2012    By     16 Comments

January 2012- A Year of Wishes

 

I am so excited!  Lisa made a video for our first month of A Year of Wishes!  We both got Macs over the holidays and are both ready to start doing more things like videos and e-books this year.  Her video for this month is so great.  She takes you though a guided meditation on the first affirmation for the month, May I Appreciate my Body.  May I be filled with Love and Gratitude.

This is a great topic for me this month too as I am sitting here looking at my affirmation card.  I kind of lost control this holiday season.  In a lot of ways, actually.  I was busier this holiday with my business than ever before.  I am so grateful for that, but I recognize that I did not do a good job of taking care of myself during the busy-ness that has been my life, well, since the beginning of November. I have not eaten well or exercised hardly at all.  I’ve had lots of meltdowns (just ask my husband.)  My studio is a MESS.  Like, honestly, A MESS.  What happened to me is that I started down this slope of busy-ness that kept me from following my usual routine and then I just let it all go.  I all but completely stopped exercising, eating as well as I usually do, cleaning my studio, taking care of myself…

May I appreciate my body.  May I be filled with love and gratitude.  This starts today.  I am drinking a green smoothie and yerba matte tea as I write this.  Today my husband and I are beginning to reorganizing our home- it is actually a huge project of clearing out, simplifying and opening up.  It will make space in our lives to manifest and create what we want.  Just thinking about the end result makes me feel energized and better able to breathe deeply and peacefully.

Let it begin today.  You can watch Lisa’s gorgeous video here.  Thank you for being a part of this with us.  We are so grateful for all of you.  Happy New Year!

We would love to have you join us on a Year of Wishes!  It’s not too late to get your calendar in my etsy shop.

 

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Filed Under: Blog     January 2, 2012    By     8 Comments

Guest Interview with Marcie Scudder

Wow, what a week it has been! Part of me can’t believe this is the last day of this year.  When I was little I used to feel sorry for the old year because everyone was so happy about the new year.  Compassion has always been a strength of mine, haha.

Marcie Shudder interviewed me for her Saturday Salon Series (what an honor!)  You can read it here.  Thank you Marcie!  Marcie is a fabulous photographer.  You can see some of her photos on her website- below are two of my favorites.  But it was hard to choose- she has so many amazing photos of traveling, nature and turkeys (I love turkeys.)

My big news of the day is that I just bought a MacBook Pro!  I am beside myself.  It was time.  I think I was the last artist left still using a PC.  But I am actually typing this on my PC because we are still in the process of transferring files over…I am learning my way around the apple world.

There is so much to share- so much that is going on inside my head that I want to write about.  But this is actually supposed to be a week off- I’m laying low with computer work and social media.  My friend, Lisa and I are getting together tonight with our husbands and we will do some kind of ritual to say goodbye to what we want to leave behind this year and bring in all the goodness of the new year.  Can’t wait.

Next time I write it will be on my new and fabulous and shiny Mac!  Grateful. Grateful.  Happy New Year Friends.  Much love to you.

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Filed Under: Blog     December 31, 2011    By     4 Comments

you make my whole world shine

I am wishing you lots of shining moments during this week of last minute shopping, working, cleaning and spending time with families.  (And with that, I am off to shop!)  xoxo

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Filed Under: Blog     December 19, 2011    By     8 Comments

25% off Everything til Midnight December 7th

December 7th is a good day in my book.  It is the day when I got my braces off in 8th grade.  And I missed out on Cyber Monday around here.  So TODAY is a one day only SALE- 25% off of everything in my shop.  Use the code SOMETHINGSWEET when you check out.  I have some new things just listed….exciting! (Prayer Flags, new originals, new prints, A Year of Wishes Calendar….)

Thank you for stopping by.  I am so very grateful.

PS: If you read this by RSS feed, it usually posts to email a day late (I think?)  I will keep the code (SOMETHINGSWEET) up for you til midnight the 8th.  xo Much love, Lori

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Filed Under: Blog     December 7, 2011    By     2 Comments

And the winners are…. !

WOW!

We were just WOWed by the thoughtfulness, love and beauty in the wishes people added to our last post. There were some common themes like healing, clarity, courage, and connection… as well as a few wishes for sunny vacations. Aaaah, all good!

Here is what some of the beautiful souls wished for:

a deeper connection to the world around me. -Lynnette

expansion and growth for my inner world so that it will reflect in an abundance of love in my outward world. -Karen

to stay present for whatever arises in my life. -Mindy

to let go of all that no longer serves me so that nothing stands in the way of the Light I am here to shine. -Julia

total self-love and self-care. -Ruth

to find contentment in all areas of my life – even when life feels difficult. -Lisa

strength of purpose. -Rachel

to stop being daunted by the idea of perfection and enjoy life and my creative self. -Mare

that I’ll allow myself to take the brakes off and truly allow the divine to flow through me & find unique expression. -Amy

a life and home filled with love, peace, and beauty. -Jill

to feel the magic of Christmas again. The connection to spirit, the love and laughter, the JOY of the season.  -Christina

May your wishes all manifest this year and add love and light to the world!! – Lori and Lisa xoxo

The winners of our calendar giveaway (chosen at random by Cameron, Lisa’s adorable daughter) are 

Eydie, Marcie, Mary, Amy and Lisa!  

 

 

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Filed Under: Blog     December 2, 2011    By     14 Comments

5 Calendar Giveaway! Yay!

Thank you….on Thanksgiving!

All you have to do is tell us what you wish for yourself this coming year.

We’ll put all the names in a hat and pick 5 beauties to send A Year of Wishes Calendar!

Note: These calendars are “seconds.”  Perfectly imperfect calendars that curl up slightly at the bottom. They still work… the art work is just as vibrant and the wishes just as powerful… just thought we had to disclose.  We will pick 5 names on December 1st.

Lisa: So, let’s put some wishes out there. And let’s start from inside. I believe world peace is an inside job. (I wrote a prayer for peace for myself/the world that you can see here, toward the bottom of the page). If every individual were at peace within themselves; if everyone loved themselves, listened to themselves… Imagine! So what do you wish for you? Can’t think of anything? What to do wish for the your partner… your parent… the world? Ok, do YOU have that, embody that, or do that yourself??

Or maybe you have a dream that simply wants to manifest, be it an old one or a brand new idea! Let me tell you, when you put a wish (an intention, a prayer – all the same to me) out there it can manifest at light speed! I remember sitting on my yoga mat before a class about 11 years ago and a woman put her mat down next to mine. We said Hi and she said, “You teach yoga here, don’t you?” I explained that I taught other fitness classes, mainly kickboxing, but that I would LIKE to be a yoga teacher one day. Guess what… the teacher didn’t show up, so the manager of the gym asked me to teach it. Bam! Yoga teacher. I’m using this principle to someday soon have a Velocity session with the loving word-genius Alex Franzen. I emailed her, hoping the Universe was listening in as well, with my intention to have a day working with her. I would LIKE that!  (Ha ha! I just put it out there AGAIN!)  So… what might you LIKE to do?

Ok,we’ll go first:

Lisa: May I find joyful and productive ways to channel my gifts, and more love, into the world.

 Lori: My wish is that I continue to see obstacles and road-blocks as divine intervention leading me to even greater things- that I continue to see problems as exactly right, even when I do not yet know why.

Lori: I thought of this wish yesterday because, honestly, I ran into quite a few troubles with printing this calendar.  It actually panicked me at first.  But each problem lead to greater success and EASE with creating the calendar.  I am learning to trust that often a “problem” is just an indicator of a change in direction to something better.  I believe the problem is often divine intervention leading me down a path that is a better fit for me.  I am learning to trust that the universe’s vision is so much greater than my own.  I am learning to be intentional and then surrender.

We are so grateful for all of you.

With much love…Lori and Lisa.

PS: We listed 25 beautiful “seconds” calendars in my Etsy Shop for only $15.00.  They are perfectly imperfect calendars.  xo

 

 

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Filed Under: Blog     Tagged With: , November 24, 2011    By     59 Comments

Creative Living with Jamie

Okay, I already thought Jamie was great, but talking to her in person was such a delight!  I was thrilled (and a little nervous) when she asked me to be a part of her Creative Living Podcast series.

For years now, I have been practicing interviews in my car.  I know, weird.  But when I drive somewhere by myself, I sometimes pretend that I am being interview by Martha Stewart or someone like that.  Years ago, when I barely had a creative business to speak of, I would really be pretending.  I mean, I was pretending with the interview, but also pretending with my answers- I would make them up like  how I wanted my answers (business/life) to be.  If you’ve never tried this game, it’s really fun.  It’s a good idea to put your ear buds in so that you actually don’t look like you are talking to yourself.

I mean, Martha could always phone you.  And you could be in your car.

In this interview with Jamie, I found myself feeling shy a couple of times about sharing my beliefs about creativity.  Almost apologetic, even.  After the recording had stopped, in her sweet and compassionate way, Jamie helped me to stand in my own power a little more.  I felt an energetic shift toward understanding more deeply that it is right and good to be exactly as I am.   I think it is actually happening- slowly but surely, the wall of worrying about what other people think of me is crumbling, and I am learning to live in the fullness of my light.  Slowly but surely.  Jamie’s words really resonated with me and I am so grateful.

So, this was really my first interview.  (I did one a month ago with the lovely Blacksburge Belle for ARTrepreneur, but that one is not available to everyone on the Internet.)  Afterward, I noticed that some of my fake interview answers, that I had only wished for, were my real answers with Jamie.  That’s sweet.  I was beaming with gratitude.  Martha, here I come!

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Filed Under: Blog     Tagged With: , November 22, 2011    By     2 Comments

The Sweetest Thing

Here’s the sweetest thing.

Lisa and I have had such a lovely response to our Year of Wishes Calendar (and video!)  I’ve been beaming for days.

But here’s the sweetest thing that was so unexpected-  Almost everyone who purchased a calendar, bought more than one so they could keep one and give one away.  I know it’s near the holidays, and I know people often buy my work for gifts, but for some reason, I just never expected that so many people would order multiple calendars.

I LOVE that this calendar has inspired people to keep one for themselves and give one or more away.  It makes my heart burst.  And its not about the money, although I’m happy and grateful for abundance.  It’s about the giving.  The giving to oneself and to others.

It is so easy to put love into the calendars as I print, package and send them.  It all feels like love.

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Filed Under: Blog     Tagged With: , November 20, 2011    By     3 Comments

A Year of Wishes

My first calendar is here, called A Year of Wishes and I am SO excited about it because it is a sweet collaboration with my friend, Lisa Sarick.  And ohmygosh we made a video about how it came to be that you can see on my A Year of Wishes page.  You know when things just fall perfectly in place?  That was how this project worked.  We ended up with more than a calendar. We paired my artwork with her loving-kindness affirmations to give you a year of wishing blessings for yourself and the world.

I also designed 3 Holiday Cards while listening to Pandora Radio and drinking yerba mate.

You can buy them individually or in group of 12.

I’ve written before in my blog that my dad died when I was 15, two days after Christmas.  For years I have carried a sadness around the holidays- even some years even dreading the whole Christmas season.  This year I decided I would allow myself to really enjoy the holidays for what they are.  It was strange that I just decided that and I felt a shift happen in my heart.  I am open to more happiness and I am feeling it already.  Making this calendar and the holiday cards was a great start.

Thank you for being here…sending love and gratitude to all of you.  xo

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Filed Under: Blog     Tagged With: , , November 17, 2011    By     7 Comments

On the Cover of Natural Awakenings!

This is so exciting!  My artwork is on the covers in select markets of  Natural Awakenings Magazine!  You might find it in your local health food store or Whole Foods.  The publisher is sending me a handful of copies and I can’t wait to see it in person.  If you click on the link you can open it up full-screen.  Page 29 has a sweet little write up about the cover artist.

I looked at a few back issues that have Dr. Oz, Andrew Weil, Seane Corne, and Mariel Hemmingway on the cover.  Seriously, what an honor.  Sharon Bruckman, the CEO of the magazine said, “We love to spread light.  We rejoice that our readers take responsibility for their own health and well-being. Our magazines speak to them.”  I love that.

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Filed Under: Blog     Tagged With: November 10, 2011    By     8 Comments

Blessing to me

Two days ago my husband was in a car accident.

He walked away a little sore, but otherwise without a scratch, and so did the other woman in the crash.  It wasn’t a minor accident.  Both cars were going 65 miles an hour on the highway.  My husband’s car was struck head-on by a spinning SUV that went out of control after being hit by another car.  The impact was significant, our Prius is totaled, and my mind can’t help but run through a series of “what ifs.”

And yet, down to my core, it feels as though a shift has happened.  There is a deeper understanding of the preciousness of this life.  A deeper understanding of what it really means to be grateful.  A lessening of taking things (and each other) for granted.  A knowing that we are here for a reason.

It feels like a pause in my heart.  Stopping and noticing this moment tucked deep inside as a reminder to love and appreciate each day.

I know as life goes on the busy-ness will settle in again and the “what ifs” will be long gone.  But I know this close call has had a profound impact on both my husband and I.  I know it has changed us for the better.

And I am so very, deeply grateful.

***

PS: You are a Blessing to Me is a new print in my shop!  This print has new meaning to me now.

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Filed Under: Blog     Tagged With: November 4, 2011    By     21 Comments

Writing for WILD Sister, Issue 05!

Yay!  Issue 05 of WILD Sister is out!  I am a monthly contributor now and I wrote an article for this issue that I poured my heart into!  The whole issue is about gratitude. Reading it feels like being snuggled in with the softest blanket where everything is peaceful and just right.

Amanda, from Kind Over Matter, made a gorgeous printable inside the magazine that I already have hanging in my studio.

This week I am working on holiday greeting cards, my first ever calendar, illustrating the children’s book written by my incredibly heart-centered friend, Lisa, and more Hundred Thank You paintings.  Whew!  I decided yesterday after listening to Goddess Leonie (World’s Biggest Summit) and her virtual assistant, Marissa Bracke, that I WANT a virtual assistant.

Yes, I am imagining it now-  more time to put into all of my creative projects and less time with the technical side of my business that bogs me down and stresses me out.  I get so excited thinking about all the good things that are on their way when I have help with my business!  And also, I remind myself to have gratitude for everything just as it is right now.   Yes.

I think you will love this Wild Sister issue!  xoxo

 

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Filed Under: Blog     Tagged With: November 1, 2011    By     4 Comments

hello world. how may I serve?

Every time my alarm would go off in the morning I would feel a deep dreading.  Pulling the covers over my head, I would give just about anything to not have to get up.

I read lots of spiritual books, go to conferences, workshops, therapists, healers… I am a spiritual seeker rooted in love, and yet I was doing work that did not fill my soul.

It was this way for a long time.  I felt defeated.  Angry.  Jealous.  Frustrated.  Scared.  Stuck.  Resentful.

I saw people who were clearly doing work they were meant to be doing for the world and I often felt equal parts inspired and envious.  I even stopped following one person on twitter because all her overjoyed tweets regarding one creative endeavor after another made me mad with jealously.  I wanted what she had.

Slowly, I began to ease up on my frustration and soften a bit.  I began to allow things to be as they were, more often.  I started praying each morning, “How may I serve?”  I was open to answers.  The answers came in serving where I was on that day.   I started showing up fully present in the job I was in, knowing that I still had work to do right there.  I felt there must be some reason I was still working that job.  I started making LOVE my purpose.  Loving my students, loving the parents I worked with, loving the grocery store check out person, loving my mom on the phone.

I wasn’t perfect at this by any stretch.  And, I still had bouts of frustration and doubt sprinkled throughout.

But I shifted my perspective.

And slowly, but surely, things began to change.

I am learning more and more that it is the subtle shifts in perspective that pave the way for big changes.

-finding a speck of gratitude in situations where there seems to be nothing to be grateful about

-focusing on what I adore about my husband when all I can see are his faults

-accepting what is instead of fighting the situation

-relaxing with a cup of tea, two large dogs and my favorite magazine just to feed my soul, even when my mind is racing with “shoulds.”

All of this makes a difference in my heart, which in turn, allows me to better serve the world and propels me further into a life I love.  Little steps forward…so grateful.

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Filed Under: Blog     Tagged With: October 13, 2011    By     27 Comments
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