Since the creation of my new site, I no longer had access to my old blog posts.  I was told they were somewhere but just where they were I didn't know. A very special thank YOU goes out to the always fabulous Brian Couture of BACwords Marketing.  Because of his genius skills, I not only found a way to get some of my older posts back but I also had a trip down memory lane that went right back to my very first blog post.  

When you work in the creative world and blog, the posts you share are more about YOU than perhaps what your accountant or mortgage broker would share.  You write to make a connection with people who love your work.  They are often able to connect to it because of what you write or the background behind each piece you create.  It's not always about the buying but more about making of connections and inspiring others.  Sometimes a design I create connects with someone on a deeper level and they email or comment on the post letting me know that they too can relate to what I am saying.  

To know you have made someone laugh or to let them know they aren't the only one who does crazy things or to hear your art has made someone's life more beautiful is beyond gratifying. 

Upon going through the posts I was able to revive I realized even more how precious these posts truly are.  They are essentially a time line of my life since 2009, personally and creatively.  2009 was a pivotal year for me.  So much changed that year.  I took a hold of my life with both hands and wow, it's been great.  Here's a look at how my very first website looked and my very first blog entry in May of 2009.  Wow, what a change from present day!

Upon re-reading that entry I remember how strange it felt to write that first post.  Writing for anyone to see, a look inside my own life for strangers to find.  That was the first of many posts and what that original post has brought to me has been beyond fantastic.  I have made so many friends, some I have never met and yet I feel as if I know them.  They have read from the beginning.  They have followed my life and the evolution of my work.  They have supported me from a far offering words of encouragement and congratulations when warranted.  We have laughed and shared a few tears too.  Its funny, this online world we live in and how it connects to so many we may otherwise never "meet".  This adventure has allowed my art to travel all around the world.   I am grateful to all.  

I found a post written shortly after I wrote my very first post.  I laughed when I read it even though it was a sad post because it shows just how far I have come.  In that post called, The Circle of Life I talked about how my step-mum's sister died and how I didn't know my step-mum's sister well but had met her a few times but really wanted to do something special for my step-mum to ease her sadness.  Here's a bit of what I wrote:

That piece I created for my step-mum was one of the first canvases I ever made.  I have gone on to make hundreds of canvases of all sizes since and blissfully the majority of them have all sold. Finding this post made me smile and see how far I have come artistically and in my business. These memories are precious.  Above is just a snippet of all that I was able to reclaim.  

This adventure I have been on came out of nowhere. I really haven't a clue where it arrived from except clearly some place deep inside of me. This "gift" of creativity was brought out of me at a time in my life I needed it most.  Looking back through these posts has shown me how life changes and evolves and how much work has changed with it.  These old blog posts are truly all the little things captured in time. 

This morning, shortly after I took this photo I was driving home and came upon a cat who had been hit by a car and left there.  I pulled over and myself along with two others helped get this beautiful kitty, who was very badly hurt, out of the middle of the road.  The sun was rising and very bright.  We weren't in the safest place, being in the middle of the road but the three of us couldn't just drive past and leave it there.  It was still alive.  We tried to keep it comfortable and kept patting it until we could figure out how we could get it off the road. Because I wasn't heading to work and the others were I offered to take this very badly injured cat to my vet.  We transported this kitty as carefully as we could into my car and all three of us were crying. Strangers sharing the pain of someone else's loss.  I drove as fast and as safely as I could but sadly I believe the injuries were too bad and it died on the way.  The young woman working at the front desk of my vet's office was so kind.  She provided comfort and told me they would find its owner and thanked me for stopping and helping.  
To the person(s)/family who lost their cat today around the St. John's area in Port Moody...

Cry the tears you need to cry and find comfort in knowing your pet wasn't alone.  We pat him, cared for him and cried for an animal that wasn't our own. 

I am so thrilled to be able to launch my new 2015 calendar and boxed card sets (yippee)!

I showcased snippets of my new calendar in a little video posted in a previous blog post so I won't go through it again.  I am thrilled with the vibrancy of the art chosen for each month and I think that you will love sharing my art in this format in your home.   

I am offering a special early bird pricing of $16.50 which will run until the end of October.  After October they will retail at $20.00 each.  

Also being launched are my new boxed card sets. These sets have been broken into different collections.  There are five different designs per collection and you will get two of each design for a total of ten cards & envelopes too. These are a great deal being sold for $35.00 each.  It's like getting three cards for free! Yay!

The calendars and the boxed card sets can all be found right HERE