My Biennial Journeys

It seems my personal growth has been chunked into 2 year blocks of focus…when I became so stuck that I couldn’t move, I spent two years focusing on freedom and adventure. Which led to wanting more adventure, but my fears were my limiting factors – again, two years changing my relationship with fear so that I can keep moving forward in my life. Then I had this tiny spark of creativity that I’ve spent a year nurturing and blossoming into some sort of reality and along with that has come a sense of joy and wildness. Oh to feel wild and alive!!

During a recent blog consultation to help me define or redefine the direction I am going, the conversation went something like this: “Yeah-but (me) I don’t adventure every day, I don’t Airstream everyday, I don’t sew every day I don’t even create art everyday…I’m very eclectic in my work”. Then I realized that there was a constant in my life…the one thing that I do every day is JOURNAL.

Sometimes it’s creative/artistisc journaling, sometimes it’s pages filled with rambling words, often it’s a combination of both, but it is how I begin my days. I might forget how integral journaling is to me – I might forget its power and usefulness in my personal growth…..but I never forget to journal.

I wake up 2 hours earlier than the world just to have that delicious time to myself and listen to the song in my heart. I switch up my techniques often, so it never gets dull. I get flashes of clarity so I know things are sorting themselves out quite nicely. I have learned to listen and trust my intuition.

But words, while they are my treasures, don’t often capture what is in my soul. I have discovered that some sort of visual journaling can sort things out in my subconscious even better. Draw first, listen second, and understand last.

There is nothing like the feeling of reaching way down into your soul and rummaging around to bring something out into the light. Luckily I am wise enough to focus only on what pleases me (versus what might please you enough to purchase it)…Even more luckily, you have shown me time and time again through emails, comments and your check book that journaling and creativity are the most important to you as well.

All of this is my way of saying that this blog will remain eclectic and you will never know what you’ll find here. But at this time, creative journaling is my focus and passion and I am reveling in letting my wild heart have a turn….

A Bit Out of Focus, But Getting Clearer Every Day

I am continually in a state of change….It is exhilarating and exhausting at the same time, but I am learning to manage my energy better and just sit back and Love the Adventure.

I am feeling a pull into a new consciousness – but I can’t seem to bring it into focus yet. Like having the words on the tip of your tongue, but instead it’s having a thought on the edge of your awareness.

Here’s what is floating around inside my head:

Animals – Art – Love – Freedom – and the quote ‘Sometimes things fall apart so that new things can come together’…..

Here’s what I know today:

The more I am around nature, the bigger my heart expands and my compassion grows. I love that feeling. Yesterday I drew the two young bucks that visited me a few weeks back, and I have a fox that has been in my thoughts as well – while this is all fine, these thoughts don’t feel like a path – they just feel like the place to begin a new awareness….

You just know I drew these two in front of an Airstream, right?

Here’s how I am coping with not knowing:

Stay in the now

Let my heart expand with love ( it does quite often I realize)

Trust that I don’t need to know

Keep doing what I love

Celebrate new awareness – even if it’s fuzzy.

I have one more celebration:

My Etsy Store Loving the Adventure with Zan Packard has been open for 30 days and I've have so many positive remarks from shoppers - I've had 285 views, 19 favorites (hands down the  favorite is 

The Mindful Journey - Color - Create - Journal ) 

My grown-up coloring book is creating much interest on the web (yay!)

....it is a wonderful beginning. I am thrilled to be part of this wonderful site and know that we will have a fabulous time together - more and more ideas to create are always just  a thought away.....

GRAND OPENING ~ Please come....

New Etsy Shop for Loving the Adventure

I’m am so excited to announce the Grand Opening of my new Etsy Shop. It’s been a dream of my ever since I first learned of Etsy. I invite you to check it out here.

I currently have all my products for sale on Etsy – it’s so easy to sell and buy. I played with the idea of having a ‘shop’ on my own website, but Etsy is such a complete package for the seller and the buyer that it doesn’t make sense to go it alone (see, even loners know when it’s time to join a community).

So here’s a sampling of what you’ll find – these are my favorites:


UNDER THE STARS Wall Art

Under the Stars Wall art - 8x10 image in an 11x14 Violet hued Mat (Comes unframed)

“Bask in the moonlight under the stars and listen to the call of the wild. Breathe in the smells and sounds of nature for that is where your heart resides.” This beauty is only $16 plus shipping (and if you’ve priced mats lately, you’ll know what a great deal this is).

SET OF 4 NOTE CARDS (5X7) from the Vintage Gypsies Series

"Vintage Gypsies" Series set of 4 5x7 Note Cards (blank inside)

One each of the following titles:

“Just Another Day in Paradise”, “Under the Stars” “Airstream Heaven”, “Airstreams and Palm Trees”

Vintage Gypsies Note Card set of 4

Four individual cards created from my original illustrations that have been digitally colored.

Set of 4 - 5x7 Glossy Note cards

Includes white envelopes

Each comes in a protective clear plastic sleeve.


And I can't leave out The Mindful Journey Coloring Book:

There are lots more to see in my Etsy shop (just search LovingTheAdventure if you lose this link).

There are also many, many more ideas that my creative brain is dreaming up (Think Airstream shaped cards - yes I will hand cut them).

While I would love for you to shop with me – think self and gifts, I especially want you to visit my shop and give it the good energy that only you can bring. The more visitors I have, the greater chance of upping my search standing and that alone will translate to sales. 


Wish me luck (I know you do), and talk about me – I can hear it whispering on the wind and I love it!!!

DREAMING OF AIRSTREAMING

Happy Friday the 13^th!! This week has been triple digits where Gypsy and I are hanging out. Not much done since I’ve been back from my 2 week visit with my kids. However, I've been crafting in-house, and I finally finished the frame for the medicine cabinet mirror.

Cabinet sans door

Fresh paint - blank canvas

Completed

Close up of corner

Funny, I’ve been drooling over shell frames for decades and I’ve even had a collection of shells almost as long. Thank you Gypsy for being the inspiration to make it all happen.  What do you think? Don’t you feel adventurous just looking at it?

 I did order some “luxury” items for her too,

Double pancake LED RV lights

The double pancake LED replacement lights are perfect for better quality lighting and low heat output and low energy usage. It was a splurge, but I’m confident that they will be well worth it.

And the Fan-Tastic Vent (with thermostat!!) will be a wonderful edition to the overall comfort as well – it will exhaust hot air out, or pull cool air in – thermostatically controlled depending on the temps. I think I have met my criteria with these purchases: Well lit, well ventilated, and cooler comfort inside. [Of course, I still have to paint the interior to finish the criteria of bright and cheery].

Fan-Tastic Vent fan

 I haven’t been pleased with how the cabinet and closet doors have turned out – the paint has cured for 6 weeks or so and it just doesn’t feel good to the touch. I’m going to break down and buy Krylon spray paint and do a final coat just to give it that polished look (and hopefully give it some durability – a small space is no place to have “delicate” paint).

All in all, I’ve been busy trying to move forward, stay cool and take advantage of some in-house down time. 

I also have some big news to announce – but that will have to wait for a few days – I will probably do a mid week announcement, so be on the lookout to learn more of what I’m doing. 

LIFE IS NOT ALL AIRSTREAM

I’ve been playing with my grand daughter this week. She is becoming the most wonderful young lady (she’ll be 5 in a few days) who loves to learn and craft – and she is so good at it.

She’s equally left brain, right brain: She can draw and embellish with detailed flair, and do ‘take-away’ problems too. And she hasn’t even started Kindergarten yet…..

She also loves to go on ADVENTURE. That’s a big word in her vocabulary these days. She’s learning that everything she does can be an adventure.  She and I look for ways to make everything just a little more special just by looking for the fun and the good - or maybe just thinking about something differently. It’s all about attitude, as you know, but this darling child is living it every day. Needless to say, her grandma loves every minute of her fully engaged limitless energy.

But Gypsy is never far from my thoughts either. I did manage to find what I think will be the perfect fabric for the bedroom curtains. It’s currently a duvet set, but nothing like a pair of scissors and a sewing machine to repurpose things. I can see the completed bedroom in my mind – It is filled with my favorite colors and textures and smells. I want everything luxurious yet washable,– and I will do that by scents, colors and layers. This travel trailer (such inadequate words to describe Gypsy) will be a haven while on the road – sort of like a boutique hotel on wheels. Not to mention the artist/writer studio in the front room….she will be a huge part of my personal spirit and energy – but she will give back ten-fold.

I also broke down and got an orbital sander complete with a 50 pack of replacement sanding discs. Since nearly every square inch of Gypsy has to be sanded prior to painting, I realized it’s crazy not to get one….so upon my return to the mountains, I will tote the generator down to her, plug in my new sander – suit up in goggles and dust mask and get ‘er done. So far, my excitement is more about being finished, not doing – Maybe I need a little grand daughter magical thinking to shake things up a bit.

Next week I’m IKEA bound before I head further North. They have great (and inexpensive) cabinet hardware that I want to buy – as it all needs to be replaced. I am also looking for more small space organizing ideas which IKEA is brilliant at.  It will be hard to keep it simple on this trip, don’t you think?

I left the Airstream in such a positive, good space that I’m able to relax and just dream about when I get back– now that’s my kind of adventure. Hope you all enjoy your weekend…you know mine is going to be good.

EARLY MORNING VISITORS and PROGRESS UPDATES

I've been heading down to Gypsy early in the mornings because the weather is starting to heat up here in the North State. She's parked on such a beautiful pad that it's almost like rising with the sun during a camp-out, except of course, on a camp-outs the days are usually filled with relaxation....


I always pass a family of deer on the short half mile compute - and the other day the local fox came by to check things out on his way to his rounds. But I discovered something about squirrels that I never knew: They like the cushy life too.  One morning, on my front mat was the remainder of a pine cone fest.

Remainder of Pine Cone Treat

The cone itself was over on the gravel. I guess the sharp rocks hurt their little pawsies (and a few bits of cone on the chair. Such luxury seeking creatures!!) But hey guys, I'm not really ready for company.


This week I accomplished quite a bit - physically as well as emotionally. The Gaucho/couch needed to come out and I was positive I couldn't wrestle it out by myself. Shows how wrong I was: This is what was there last week:

Living Room Before

This is how she looks today (I am Woman hear me roar!):

Living Room After

Then there was the bedroom that needed gutting....For that one I really did need help. Here is the before and middle (The after is a loooong way off lol).

Bedroom Before

Bedroom Middle

Here's the interesting thing about this part of the tear-out....I started with an finished layout in mind, discovered that that wouldn't work - had a brief moment of disappointment, then realized another, and even better, way to do it. Isn't that always the way? One road block or challenge turns out to be a blessing in disguise.


I've been ripping out the remainder of the flooring, scrubbing away 27 years of dirt and grime and feeling, all in all, very satisfied. 


There's something very personal about stripping things down to bare bones and starting fresh. I still have a long, long way to go, and I'm heading out this weekend for a 2-3 week road trip to visit friends and children. 


But I'm pretty thankful to be leaving Gypsy at this stage - I will return with fresh excitement and energy, and get some much needed painting done....

LEFT BRAIN OR RIGHT BRAIN?

RIGHT BRAIN OR LEFT BRAIN – DOES IT MATTER?

There is no one way to think, however there is a balanced way to use your brain. Most of us use both sides of our brains fairly equally – and thankfully so.  Our western society values the abilities of the left side of the brain. Those with less than lineal, sequential, detail-oriented thinking are often deemed less capable.

I think it is wise to keep both hemispheres fired up as often as possible. The benefits are many: Better problem solving skills, greater creativity, ability to see the big picture as well as the details. Yes balanced thinkers have the ability to accomplish many, many tasks.

If you are wondering which side of the brain you use the most, you can take this simple (non-scientific) quiz. It’s also available on www.zanpackard.com under the CREATIVITY tab.

I find that I function most often in the left brain mode, but I suspect that I have been conditioned that way. I am happiest, however, when I am in right brain mode because typical limitations don’t exist for me there. So what’s the difference, you ask?

The left hemisphere is where the Ego lives. Ego is a great thing when you have a healthy, strong one. But most of us have a few ego challenges. Our ego likes to keep up a steady brain chatter leaving you little quiet time to just think. Now, if your ego is healthy then the chatter can be beneficial while you’re doing left brain activities. It can help you stay on task and make sure you are doing things in the proper sequence. But if your ego is like mine, and thousands of others, your ego is a pretty tough task master. Rather like the school yard bully – pointing out all the things that you are doing wrong and doing very little to support you when you need it most.

On the other hand, your right hemisphere has no judgment. It’s rather like the flower child of the 60s. It seeks freedom from structure and finds harmony in everything it does. Yes, the right brain is your inner hippy –Your right brain knows your purpose and your value and doesn’t hesitate to tell you. It is the nature of the right brain to be totally accepting, completely free of judgments and expectations which in turn creates a feeling of deep peace and contentment.

Which one do you want to listen to most often?

Keep reading because I’m going to share a technique to get your right-brain-inner-creativity into action. It’s easy, it’s fun and it’s pretty powerful stuff if you stay with it.

Ready to flex your creative muscles?

Creativity and Adventurous Spirits

Living isn’t about technical skill, it’s about creativity:  to take risks – to face the unknown – and to linger a moment in the dream.

I am currently buried in a chaos of drawing paper, pencils, eraser dust and a zillion ideas floating through my personal space. My pencil is flying, my light box is glowing. I forgot how heavenly it is to be fully absorbed in creativity.

Here are some of the things I’ve been working on:

"'Streaming by the River " - Book version and colored version

"Airstream Heaven" - Book version and colored version

These are likely candidates for my next creative coloring book: Vintage Gypsies. The pure excitement comes from the fact that I rarely know what will manifest. Often, I have an idea that gets me started, but the final outcome usually takes on a life of its own. That’s the way it is with creativity.

All of life should be like that too. You might start with an idea, but once you take your first step it takes on a life of its own. Resist the urge to stay with ‘the plan’ just for the sake of staying with the plan. Go with the possibilities as often as you can, for that is where your juicy creativity is.

Ask yourself “What if?” as often as you can – Oh the places you’ll go…….

And don't forget - everyone who subscribes to this blog will periodically receive free pages for you to color YOUR way, (plus other goodies as my creativity allows lol). Just look for the sign-up box at the top of the right hand column.

I Do This…

This could be my new look

Every time I plan a move I start decorating the place I haven’t even found yet….it must be a strategy that helps make the move more exciting and less daunting. BUT I’ve also found that when I have a very clear vision of what I want (and how I want it to look), I magically find the perfect place.

Warm and cozy

I’ve been spending a lot of  time on two web sites: Apartment therapy.com and House of Turquoise.com….I admit that sometimes time gets away from me as I dream of how my new place will look….it’s more than images, it’s a feeling – the kind that you can identify in your body – the kind that makes you feel alive and excited and tingly.

Sleek and modern

I wonder if that’s why I move every few years. I know this….even with my next move to San Francisco – I’m not done.