September Sponsor Giveaway: WINNER!

 

Congratulations Aimee!  You were randomly selected as the winner of the September Sponsor Giveaway.  I'll be in touch with all the information soon.  Thank you all who participated in this first round.  I hope to offer more large group giveaways often.  As a consolation prize to all of you who didnt win (even if you didnt enter), I am offering 20% off all items in my Etsy Shop through Wednesday 10/5.  Use coupon code GIVEAWAY20 at checkout.  I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

XO, HARMONY

Made With Love: Mail Art!

Hello dear readers, and welcome Freckled Nest Fans (i know you are all checking in from her giveaway right now) :)  Just FYI: for more giveaway fun, today is the LAST day to enter my sponsor giveaway!  There are 8 gorgeous prizes available for one winner.  Take a sec and enter your name in the fun.  Well, I hope you had a wonderful week and have a restful weekend ahead of you today.  Despite my ever expanding pregnant body and the mounting stress of being WAY behind in my schedule for getting ready for my craft show in 3 weeks, I had some truly soulful moments of connection and creativity that I wanted to share with you.  As my 3 year old son loves to say for no apparent reason, "Ta-Da!" It's my first post from my Made With Love mail art project with three amazing creations sent to me by some incredibly talented and beautiful souls.  I am so excited about this project.  If you are new here, click HERE or on the button that says MADE WITH LOVE, on the Right Sidebar for more information.

Now on to the loveliness...

There are no rules for what you send in the mail art project, just that it be something you created that is intended to lift and encourage the recipient's spirit!  I have to say, nothing lifts my spirit more than beautifully decorated envelopes sitting in my mailbox.

Love this sweet Creative Soul and her pink and blue hair! Thank you so much Nessa! She is just lovely and now sitting on my shelf reminding me to believe in myself.

This sweet little collage was made by Karenann.  I love vintage illustrations used in artwork, and the mother and children was a truly sweet touch.  Thank you dear girl, I cant wait to add it to my art journal that I work in for my kiddos.

This one was sent to me by the lovely Bonita Rose.  She made this fun and gritty little card and included this incredible vintage crochet scrap.  You have no idea how happy this made me!  I collect vintage scraps like this for use in my artwork, and this one will have a special meaning to me when I decide to use it.  Thank you Bonita, this was really special!

What a wonderful way to celebrate the end of a week, with friendship.   I cant wait for you three to get your mail art from me!  If you want to connect with fellow creatives, give and receive encouragement to each other to keep following our creative dreams, join my Mail Art Project!  It's simple and fun, and I will feature all the art that I receive on my blog.  Have a wonderful day everyone!

XO, HARMONY

My Weekend Plans...paper paper and more paper

It's a project weekend! With my husband out of town this weekend for a conference, I took the opportunity to pack up my three year old, our very curious boston terrier, and myself yesterday, along with a TON of paper supplies, and shuttle ourselves off to my parent's home in the country.  The plan is to get swallowed up in art journal making production for two whole days while my son enjoys his grandparents.  With only a couple weeks left before my craft show, I cant afford to lose a weekend of work.  So here's a look at my next two days...

Hours and hours of cutting, sorting, organizing, binding ahead of me... Wish me luck!

I dont want you to miss out this week, so take a minute and enter the GIGUNDO sponsors group giveaway that just went up yesterday! EIGHT Amazing prizes will go to ONE winner, with lots of ways to enter.  This is seriously a super exciting giveaway! Check out all the artsy crafty goodness you could take home HERE!

XO, HARMONY

Enormous Group Giveaway Goodness!

Hello and Happy Friday! I am so excited to announce the biggest GIVEAWAY EVENT ever done on Feed Your Soul Art today.  I have some incredibly talented sponsors this month, and they want to share their labors of love with you.  One winner gets ALL THIS GOODNESS! 

This gorgeous original mixed media artwork by the incredible Shari of Dashboard Hula.  This very special piece is titled "Birds of a Feather," measures 9X12 and has a very special meaning of community and connection.  Visit her BLOG and say hello.

This adorable hand crocheted little bird cage by Johwey.  She makes the most amazing handmade things.  Check out her work and leave her a note HERE.

A $20 credit to anything in Sew Beastly's Store. (there are some super cute sewn pretties in there), then stop by her BLOG and leave her a sweet note.

THREE Prints of Nessa's incredible artwork.  See her prints HERE in her Shop, and then get to know more about Nessa and her amazing art journaling HERE.

A $25 credit towards your very own blog redesign by Amanda from Royal Daughter Designs.  You can stop by her BLOG to see more examples of her amazing work.

Your choice of Ashely's incredible Chocolate or Vanilla Gluten-Free Vegan Cake Mixes from her brand new shop Sugar Mama Bakeshop!  She's also offering Free Shipping with code GRANDOPEN.  When you are done drooling over her incredible goodies, stop by her Blog and say hello.

FOUR adorable resin Bloom Rings by the lovely Bonita Rose.  You get your choice of flower colors and bands. You can see them here in her Shop and then stop by her Blog to say hello.

This lovely set of THREE original art pins and coordinating bookmarks by Kathryn of The Collage Diva.  This gift is sure to inspire your soul.  Read more about the meaning behind the designs of these pins here.

With this being such a huge prize for the winner, I want you all to have lots of chances to win, so here are the rules.

To enter the giveaway, become a follower of Feed Your Soul Art blog either through google friend, my facebook page, bloglovin, etc, then leave a comment on this post, then take a peek at these amazing sponsor's sites and leave them some sweet words of encouragement.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT I HAVE A WAY TO CONTACT YOU IN YOUR COMMENT IF YOU WIN :) 

Then for more entries:

1. Promote this giveaway either through your blog, facebook, twitter, etc... and leave a comment with a link to your shout out for each time you promoted it. 

2. Become a follower of any of these amazing sponsor's blogs, then leave another comment for each blog you are now following.

That's a ton of ways to enter!  The giveaway will run through Friday September 30th, so get all your entries in before then.

Thank you so much for your support of this blog, my amazing sponsors, and of the handmade arts. Good Luck to you all!

XO, HARMONY

Embroidery Hoops Giveaway Winner!

Hello and Happy Sunday! 

I am super excited to announce that the winner for the 3 hoop Giveaway this week was commenter #12.

 

Comment #12: yogiknitgirl said...

Harmony;
I love watching you grow and blossom . . . your art work inspires me always! You know I love you! Thank you for always being such an inspiration. Just wanted to spread the word . . . so I did on my FB page and Twitter . . . everyone needs to know about you!!! I don't stitch or sew, your hoops are so adorable I can't stand it!
Donna :)

Donna has been a long time follower of my blog and supporter of my art and become quite a wonderful friend.  It must have been fate for her number to come up because I just found out that today is Donna's Birthday, and I couldn't be more excited to send these to her. 

Thank you all who participated in this giveaway.  I truly appreciate the support.  I would love to offer a special 30% off discount just for today in my Etsy Shop, to anyone who entered in the contest this week or anyone who wished they had.  Use code HAPPYSUNDAY30 at checkout. 

Well, I am off to deal with this mess.  FYI: 3 year olds + embroidery floss = total chaos!

Hope you have lots of fun plans ahead of you today!

XO, HARMONY

Journal Your Heart Out Today

I wanted to share my last 2 pages I worked on in my art journal.  This book has really become more of a love letter to my son, full of things that I want to say to him and encourage him with.  Do you art journal?  Its incredibly fun and freeing.  The rules are to not have rules and to just let your creativity flow.  Sometimes it's helpful to give yourself a time limit for working on a page, to keep yourself from over thinking and just keep creating from the heart.  These 2 pages are for anyone out there that needs a bit of courage to believe in themselves and follow their heart, even if it means going alone. 

Do you want to see how I created these?  Here's a process video of me working on them.

I skipped the first part, just when I was attaching papers and just getting started, so you didnt miss much. I used vintage papers, acrylic paint (and dimensional paint! this is new for me), oil sticks, ink, stamping, graphite, and charcoal in these.  I hope you enjoyed watching me art journal.  Share links to photos of your art journal here, I'd love to see them!  Well, I'm off to my son's very last swim lesson for the summer.  He's not quite a swimmer yet, but we are getting close! I'll be back tomorrow to share a NEW post series with you.  Coloring Pages!  Dont forget to enter a comment to win the three hand stitched hoops I am giving away.  Last day to enter is tomorrow. (click on box in the top right corner to enter).  Have a wonderful Friday everyone!

XO, HARMONY

DIY: Embroidery Hoop Messages and GIVEAWAY!!!

Want to give someone a note of encouragement?  Forget the paper card, here's a super cute idea for sending messages to loved ones that they will want to hang on the wall and keep for a very long time.  

The material list is simple and you probably have most of this in your craft stash already.  

Needed: 3 Inch Wooden Hoop, Cotton Thread in various colors, scraps of material (apx 6 inch diameter), scissors, hot glue, epoxy glue, pen or pencil, ribbon.

Cut your material down to fit your hoop, leaving 1 inch of excess around so you can mount it on the hoop.

Next, pick a color to wrap your frame with.  Pull off about 3 arm lengths of cotton thread of your choice and tie an overhand knot on one end onto one side of the hoop, as close to the edge as you can get.

Then start wrapping around the frame, and be sure to tuck in the tail of your knot under your wraps as you go.  Keep the wraps straight and tight as you work your way around the hoop.

Once you get to the other end, tie another knot and then affix tail with a dot of epoxy glue on the underneath.

Next stretch your fabric square on your hoop, and use a pen to sketch out the words you want to embroider on.  Then load your needle and start stitching away.  You dont have to know anything about fancy stitches to do this, just stick with simple back stitch (google it if you are unsure).

Once I finished I decided to make it look a little more aged/vintagey, and used a bit of distress ink to color the edges of the fabric (this is optional).

Then, cut down your excess material until there is only 3/4 inch hanging and fasten to the undersides of the hoop with hot glue.  And finally, cut a 3 inch circle out of a heavy weight paper (I used Kraft paper) to add a more personal note on the inside.  You can also add a pretty ribbon on top, just tie around the metal screw.  

VOILA! Simple and quick and will make someone feel so special to receive in the mail and hang on their wall. 

Here's the fun part! A GIVEAWAY!!  I have these two 3 inch hoops ready to be inscribed with personal messages and sent to surprise someone and make them feel loved.  Just leave a comment on this post with whom you would send them to and why, or what message you would want on your wall, or something else happy and fun you would like to share, and you will be entered to win both hoops along with specially decorated envelopes to mail them in, but that's not all! Since you will be sending these to someone else, I have a very special one just for you!  I will also send you this third 3 inch hoop message I made, for you to put on your wall and remind you to keep reaching for your dreams. 

RULES TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

Leave a Comment on this post by next Saturday 8/20.

More Entries can be added by spreading the word about the giveaway (one entry for every different way you promoted this giveaway, please include a link to your post, tweet, etc)

Make sure that I have a way to get in touch with you, in case you win!

Happy Saturday!

XO, HARMONY

Two Days of Flight

With lots of opportunity for it to happen, we made it through the weekend without one major chaotic moment.  What a blessing! I have some really great pics and stories to share from the experience.  Unfortunately when we packed up, my camera ended up in my sister's car, so the pics will have to wait a day or two.  The weather was hot, Fall Florida style, and the crowd was definitely very different than the last show.  You could tell that there was a much higher percentage of people this time that just didnt "get" my art.  I would overhear their comments that they didnt think about someone listening to, "it's like art for little kids" "i could totally paint that" "i would never buy anything in a frame like that" or my favorite, they'd say nothing but just make this disgusted looking face like they just sucked on a lemon.  None of which really bothered me, its part of the experience, and I dont expect everyone to like my work. I have definitely been guilty of a few "i could do that" comments in art booths in the past.  Its just a really different thing when you are watching it happen. (and a little disheartening when you see the number of people walking around with their newly purchased southern style "art works" (confederate flags, boats, palm trees), and I realize that I am probably living in the wrong market for my work.)    There were a great deal more people this week that had never heard of Etsy before.  So I got to introduce them to a new world of handmade gifts and art.  But then there were brilliant moments of connection, that just lifted me up for the rest of the day, watching a person see something I made and it light them up, bring out emotion for them that they didnt expect.  I was honored to be a part of that experience with them, tell them the story of what the painting meant for me when I made it, and let them take a piece of it home with them.  Some left encouraged to pick back up their long abandoned art passions, and these were my favorite moments.  I met other etsians (crafters/artists that sell on etsy) and we encouraged each other, incredible seasoned artists who offered words of advice, and then twice a person recognized the connection between my work and the artists that inspired me (this was magical for me).  I do now know that several new lives will be growing up looking at my birds on their walls, many young mothers will be gifted my motherhood print, and quite a few tweens, teens, and college girls will be sporting my button sets on their book bags, and this is a really fun feeling. 

The flip side of all these incredible interactions was the sheer exhaustion of doing two days of super early mornings, late nights, long days of standing, talking, setting up, selling, and breaking down.  Once again I had started my days with very little sleep (apx 2 hours the first day and 5 the second), so caffeine and sugar were my inspiration in the moments in between waves of browsers.  I am very aware of the reality that the festival lifestyle is a true commitment, and I am not sure that I am ready to take it on full time yet.  I think I am going to be an "every so often" festival type of girl, and just gear myself up for them.  They are really fun and I did pretty well, but I am 2 days post festival and I still feel wrecked.

I thankfully have 3 weeks between this last show and the next one.  I am definitely going to let myself take a buisness break for a week or so, and try to just lost myself in some painting again.  I am super excited to announce the winner of my giveaway last week is MANDY! 

Congratulations girl!  I am so excited to send this print to you as you prepare for your sweet little girl to arrive.  (send me an address to feedyoursoulart@gmail.com).

I'll be back tomorrow with pics and more specific stories.  Until then, have a blessed and creative day!

Catching Up and a GIVEAWAY

 the golden loop by Ronald Ceuppens

Its been a strange week.  Lots of stuff to do, but low motivation to do it.  I've been working slowly to catch up all the little things that needed to be done after the last show and before the next one.  I did finally get all my materials in to complete the magnets that I wanted to make for the next show and am almost done making those.  I also have a HUGE pile of unmade button parts staring at me, needing to be made.  I want to paint something, but dont have the time to get lost in it, so here I am slowly working, partially inspired, partially overwhelmed, partially exhausted.  I need a bit of creative adrenaline to amp me up for this next weekend of selling.  When this happens I start scouring the internet for a new inspiring artist.  I found some really incredible 3d Mixed Media pieces by a European Artist named Ronald Ceuppens.  See Here for more incredible pics of his work.  Perhaps it will bring you some creative inspiration too.

 bleodneus by Ronald Ceuppens

Here's the thing.  I am a true introvert.  I enjoy socializing and meeting new people, but the time that I do those activities take away from my energy storage instead of filling it (like it would for my oh-so extroverted sister).  Time alone, time with my paints, my thoughts, and just plain old silence is what fills me back up to enjoy and crave socializing again.  So I've been letting myself be drained and have been staying home for the most part this week, trying to restore my soul, renew my spirit, and get pumped up for two long fun days of talking to new people who visit my art booth.  Are you an introvert or an extrovert?  What fills your reserves?

I also wanted to say that I finally went through all the comments from my post about motherhood when I shared the painting I made to heal some fears.  Go here to read the post.  I was overwhelmed with the feeling of connectedness to these strong and compassionate women and the many others that I know share our story but just didnt leave a comment.  I adore this painting I made so much, that I am having trouble coming to a decision about selling it.  I did, however, pay to have it rescanned on a large scale scanner, creating the most true to the original print I possibly can.  It came out breathtaking.  I wanted to share it with you.  So I am doing a giveaway for an 8X10 print of this painting.  You can put a comment in to enter until Monday night 12a/ 11.1.2010

To Enter this Giveaway, just comment on this post, let me know what fills your reserves when you are drained.  

You can get more entries by advertising my blog on your social networking sites (blog, twitter, FB, etc) and put a new comment with the link to it for each time that you promote me.  

Also, if you sign up for my newsletter (see tab on right top of my blog), you get another entry.  Please leave a comment to let me know that you did. 

If you dont want to wait and just want a print now, I am offering this motherhood print (titled "Little Star" on my etsy site for a special price of $15 this week only.  It would make a wonderful print for a nursery or a lovely gift for a new or seasoned mother.   Have a wonderful week and check back for more updates on my latest festival experience.

Giveaway Winner and a new friend.

Hi Friends!  I am 2 days overdue for announcing the winner of my giveaway.  Here's why...

 We got a new dog, well a puppy really.  He's a Boston Terrier, 5 months old, and we named him Mr. Darcy - because he is such a lover ;).  I totally forgot how much puppies are like toddlers, so its been a little crazy around here for the last 3 days.  I'll post more pics of him and my little boy together soon.  (They are a super cute pair)

So with no further adieu, the winner is Comment #11 - Stephanie Amos (samos)!!  Congratulations Stephanie :) Send me an email with your choice of print and address and I will get that off to you. 

Ok, I'm off to the vet with our new little man.  I have some more new exciting things I just finished to show you so I'll be back soon...

Practicing Presence and A GIVEAWAY!!!

Yesterday my son did not take a nap.  This is unusual as he loves to fall out around 4p sleep for 2 hours and then go strong until 12a.  Yes my son goes to bed at 12a.  Not because I or his father want him to, but because his internal clock is set at a college student schedule, (has been since he was a newborn) and no matter what we try to do (we've tried EVERYTHING!) he automatically resets to a bedtime of 12a and wake time 10:30a, with a 4p nap.  I've gotten used to it, but every once in a while, he skips his nap and will then fall asleep fast and hard by 9pm.  This is what happened last night.  With my son already asleep and my husband on his way in that direction (early riser for teaching elementary school), I found myself with an unusual amount of energy and time to myself.  I should have spent the evening finishing up all the Journals that I was working on all weekend with my sister.  I should have done this, but my heart ached to paint something, and with no idea or plan in mind I grabbed an 8X10 stretched canvas and started to play with color. 

I have been really inspired recently by Christine Mason Miller's paintings, and found myself gravitating to that style.  So I just emptied my head and heart of all the stresses and thoughts from the day, put on soft jazz, and played in the present moment.  Here is what I came up with... 

 Presence...Mixed Media Painting done by Me...8X10 on canvas

Print available for sale here

I miss painting whenever I wanted.  I kinda cant wait to finish with the craft shows so I can stop producing inventory and just PLAY and be still and present with my art.  Do you struggle with staying in your present moments like me?  What centers your mind and quiets your heart? Painting, Writing, Running, Reading, Praying, Meditating, Yoga,...?  Share your quiet place that pulls you back in from the fringes of daily life and restores your soul.

Every comment will be an entry for a giveaway of an 8X10 Print of your choice from my Etsy Shop.  Extra Entries can be made by sharing the link to my blog on your facebook, twitter, or other social network accounts.  Just leave a comment for every time you promoted it. :) I will pick a winner on Wednesday 9/22, so make sure to comment as many times as you'd like before then.

Giveaway Entry Rules (one more time)

1. One entry for commenting on this post

2. Extra entries for each time you promote this blog 

(you must leave a comment with the link for each one you did)