Teresa Sheeley

Summertime Happenings

Since school has been out for a few weeks I've been enjoying the relaxing time for sure.  Naps are a wonderful thing, although I feel guilty about them, and sometimes they make me feel worse.  There are many things to do around here and I want to get everything done all at once, but need to learn about pace, keeping a good one that is.  If I could I probably would spend all my time in the kitchen baking....but not such a healthy approach when you have a guy with a heart condition living with you, and you are a whole bunch of lbs. overweight!!  Wow, the scale was ugly.

One thing I have been doing is swapping out the "french" look, or whites to more happy colors, more vintage modern I guess.  I feel a pendulum swinging and it is time for a fresh look, change, and a different outlook.  No more grain sacks, no more chippy chipped white furniture, not more raggedy chairs, I am craving newer looking furniture, mixed in with a bit of vintage things here and there.  I love the colors and shades of aqua, greens, yellows, and blues.  My newer paintings have been leaning towards those colors as well.  I am positively in love with everything from here.  

It is time for a overhaul in many areas in life.  It is nice to start with my home and re-do some things.  Not to mention overhauling the old body.  I've been running, and riding my bike, now if I could just control my grazing all will be good.  

Above are fresh strawberry cupcakes from this recipe, and this frosting recipe.  Chocolate chip oreo cookie recipe is from here.  They both got an A+ from me!  

The girl with the bird mask is a painting from my daughter Kayla. FYI love the before and after pics of her apartment!  

Monday Listings..

Since life has changed a bit for more; with more going on etc.  I wanted to keep my etsy shop up and going, but can't list all the time, but am shooting for just listings things on Mondays or maybe even once a month.  We will see how it goes...playing it by ear. :)

Today I listed...

T-shirts in S,M,L & XL

and...

Some graphic packs...great if you want to make your own pillows, tea towels, etc. at home.  These are not for commercial use; just home and if you give someone a gift.

Link to my etsy shop!  www.teresasheeley.etsy.com

Plus the French style graphics

finding your twinkle

There are two things I look forward to when I wake up and that is baking & art.  

Although I am finishing up my master's degree in eduation ~ it is all well and good, but teaching doesn't bring quite the sparkle to my eye as the other two do.  Let me explain my epiphany.

While we were on our little vacation we stopped into a little spice shop.  Which was lovely by the way.  I watched  the owner going about her business, and chatted with her about the whys, and how comes she chose to start a spice business.  This woman had a twinkle in her eye, pure passion about what she was doing.  She was an investment banker before, and all the while loved food more than anything, especially spices.  She devoured all she could about the knowledge of spices and what they do, how they work, and what they are good for.  The passion about what she was doing spilled out all over the place and you could tell she was in her happy spot in life.  I left there feeling inspired to make my eyes twinkle like that.

At 50 my life is pretty smooth; I'm chasing after a personal goal for myself ~ the degree~ and all the while love to do so many diferent things.  I ask myself the question...do you want to be a classroom teacher?  Eh, it would be okay, but not really that dream I have dreamed.  But if you asked me the question of what in life besides love...makes my heart skip a beat...it would be art & baking.  Those two things make me twinkle.  Someday in my life, maybe in the near future I will be able to bundle up all the things I love to do into one and not have the stresses of finishing school looming about.  It is temporary and will be well worth it.  But I am longing for a laid back feeling of devouring that one special thing around me that lights me up like a Christmas tree.  

So tell me....What might your passions be?  Are you living them out?  Are you twinkling?  

a little vacation

We got to enjoy a little relaxation week at Kayla's.  She has such a cute little apartment to snuggle down in.  The down side; we have to walk up a lot of stairs to get to her apartment which means many trips up and down taking the dogs to go pottie.  It was worth it though because they miss her as much as I do.  As you can tell Mr. Edgar looks pretty content on her couch.  We ate our way through the city of Astoria.  BBQ, pastries, fresh fish, donuts, chocolates, cupcakes, coffee and nothing good for us at all.  But I checked the scale when I got home and lost two pounds, what the heck?  Oh yeah, it was the stairs....hmmm.... I so loved being with my family, my kids, it does my heart good and gives it a thousand flips.  They bring me the most joy in the world.  I had the pleasure of watching Kayla at work, and watched her give art lessons to giggling pre-teen girls.  She was awesome at it.  They soaked in all that she was teaching them, and she even let me give a little tutorial on mixed media.  It was a great afternoon.  So proud of my kids I could burst.  Whether you have a new born or a 26 year old; it all feels the same, never changes. 

40 days and the truth

40 days have past without touching Facebook or Instagram.  My purpose was to give up something that would be difficult for me.  Some call it lent, some call it fasting, I call it a discipline to God.  Giving up part of your daily routine that separates you from the outside world and coming and goings wasn't easy for me at first; then my eyes were opened.  It was good for me.  I accomplished more during the day that otherwise would be spent mindlessly gazing in a transfixing state on my phone or the computer.  And discovered a few things about myself.  Wasted time.  

It left me more time to read devotionals and pay closer attention to God's word, and pray.  

Now that my days are up I have been on Facebook and Instagram but very sparingly.  It seems I started a new habit of NOT running to it everytime I turn around, but instead reach for more productive things.  

I have at least three projects in the works and feel more inspired to concentrate on doing things that make me happy.  Constantly chasing after posts on Facebook and Instagram put me in a unhappy state, one which I didn't realize until this 40 day stint.

I was always feeling like I was coming up short; that I couldn't match up to other peoples lives.  You shouldn't feel that way.  But it is a trap.  It sucks you in slowly to where you are unconsciously unaware of what it is doing to you.  Here is the deal.  I live very simply.  We do not have a fancy big home where every room in the house is decorated just so.  It is usually messy.  It's lived in.  And yes, I understand that people gussy up for their photos, but still it can leave you feeling utterly inadequate.  The other issues I discovered was "clicks."  Social clicks I guess you could call it.  Women even run in clicks on the internet, how about that.  Some that I follow were making me feel like the most unpopular girl in school.  I don't have the fancy clothes from Anthropologie.  My clothes come from places like Walmart, Target and even Goodwill plus yard sales.  I can't go on fancy trips.  We do not have that kind of income.  I'm good to go see my baby girl in Oregon.  We don't have credit cards so I don't have frequent flyer mile points, and really do not even know what that means.   I was having issues with my art, feeling left behind because maybe I don't paint the same style as other people.  I was always thinking why are they getting glory for what they do?   It was becoming an issue for me having people rub their stuff in my face.  Now here is the kicker....I forgot how to be graceful and be happy for these people who can get the "stuff" in life.  I should be happy for them; not jealous and feeling like they are mean girls or feel inadequate because my lifestyle cannot and will never compete with theirs.  

I found out my life is pretty great.  I have a home that is in a beautiful spot.  We are super comfortable and want for nothing.  I found out that I love putting outfits together on a budget and finding out how to decorate my home for pennies.  I love that.  It is me.  I am not a traveler; and am not sure I ever will be.  And that is okay with me.  We have a great car and the best family ever.  And as for my artwork.  I do what I love, I love what I do.  It doesn't matter who else likes it.  I work with what God gave me, I paint what inspirations he lays in my head and on my paper.  I do artwork because it makes me smile.  It isn't about notoriaty.  

I don't know if you have spun into this tangled web of social media and came out feeling this way.  This is just my story and what revelations I discovered.  Oh, and I also have forgotten how much I loved to blog.  My poor little blog was also neglected.  

Thank you for reading, I hope you find yourselves not tangled up like me.  Now I am off to do one of the many projects I have started.  I will share soon, here and on Facebook and Instagram.  I still love those tools, I just don't need to be in a constant stream of it.  

She's 25 Today

Today my sweet darling turns 25 years old!!  I cannot believe it; but it is true.  I was 25 years old when she was born.  It is amazing how time breezes by.  I love you my daughter with all my heart and soul.  You light up my life, inspire me, and make me smile like nobody else.  Have the most precious day!!  

Since we are apart and I can't bake you your favorite birthday cake I will send you a pretend one. :)

Ladies be careful

I sat quietly this past Sunday morning and watched a television show hosted by a famous personality, which she had a special guest speaking of vulnerability.

Ugh....okay so I am going to be a nasty critic.  Maybe it is because I'm 50 now, and I see life in a different perspective.  You almost inherit this attitude of "paaaleezze  people" attitude, you are full of it.  There are so many women in their tribes out there online hissing words at us like vulnerability, bliss, joy, yadda yadda.  Honestly I am so over the word thing...even some of my artwork I sold has such things on it; and sadly I really do not want to give the impression I am on board with their soul train.  I guess I am blissed out.  What worries me are the conceptions or perceptions about God and what God is that they are representing.  I'm not a big believer on tell it to the Universe and whap it will come back to you.  I pray to my Lord, Jesus Christ.  I hope that women do not get confused on who to talk to -  God our Lord Jesus Christ or the Universe.  

Jesus is the truth, life, light and the way.  I am not trying to please "self" and get hung up on "me".  I want to please God, and I want Him to feel joy with my choices, and trust me there are not always the greatest of choices...I tell you it's a age thing.  In my 40's as a  young unaware trying to be christian girl I was all over stuff like that.  I was all about enlighten me, but now I know it simply isn't truth.  The only phrase that you will probably hear me using is Be Still. That to me is important to be still and listen to God; not self.   Scripture says always be full of JOY in the Lord!  Rejoice; now there is a great word.  Ladies be careful of what misconceptions someones art may be telling you. You've seen the art with ladies painted on the canvas with these words of what they feel is wisdom about them.  I just ask you to be cautious what you soak in.  I want your souls to be fed, but with the breath and words of Christ not the "universe."  I invite you to stop by She Reads Truth to read just that...the truth.   It is a wonderful daily devotional that is real and truthful.

There are many many things I am still learning please don't get me wrong; I will never ever be perfect by any means, nor do I want to be.  But I want my soul to be right, and to be in joy whether life is good or bad.  Asked in church yesterday was the question from Christ in Matthew 16.  "Who do you say that I am?"  The television show I watched said God was not catagorized; neither man nor woman just a open space of matter i.e. "the universe."  To me my God is just as Peter said  "thou art the Christ, Son of the living God.  It is your choice what to believe; but my heart wants you to choose the right path.  Hush and Be Still, listen to our God.   ~ Mark 4.

FYI: I'm on Day 34 of my fast from Facebook & Instagram....it has been enlightning, difficult, lonely, and happy all in one. I will connect again when my discipline is over.  But will be careful which connections I reconnect with.

Detox from Facebook & Instagram - Day 5

  Do you have one of these sitting on your counter like always or from time to time?

My disclosure:  Please excuse my photos; I am using my phone because my lens isn't working on my big camera!

Now, here is the deal.  Remember I'm not Facebooking or Instagramming due to the fact I am "fasting" those certain social medias for 40 days.  And, the intention was to step back, pray for something big, and let God do His thing with me.  I have read a ton of scriptures the past few days, however, I am not very consistent or very good with my prayers.  I should pray all day and I seem to scoot through without talking to God like I should be.  That's another thing I need to work on.  Each time I pray it is because I have a temptation to get on Facebook or dive into Instagram.  But I yet need to pray for my "big" thing, the thing I am fasting 40 days for.  Ever heard the phrase "work in progress", that's me....

Okay back to my free time...I crafted.  My confession.  I love my plastic wrap from Costco!  I really do.  But that box it comes in is hideous to say least!!  I have a bit of counter space and do not mind having it on the counter, ready, handy to use.  I actually love that.  But once again ~ that BOX!  

So ~ mine got a facelift - a Multi-Media Bomb!

This is me putting on some paper.  I totally just mod-podged some paper on.  Then I multi-media arted it up.  With some gesso, paint, other pieces of paper, a French word {c u i s i n e}, and a bit of bubble wrap completed the deal.  

Now my box of wrap can sit on the counter and it looks like it belongs to the rest of the kitchen decor.  

A Before & After

Ta Da, I am pleased, and it took like less than an hour to make.  You should try it!!  

Detox from Facebook & Instagram - Day 4

Morning time with nothing in front of me but tea, candles, paint brushes, and paper.  Tranquility.  No laptops, no Kindle, no iphone.  

Today's objective is to do some screen printing, lunch with mom & sisters, and a nap.  

I'm so thrilled that my music is back on my blog.  It went away for awhile ~ somewhere, not sure where, but now it is back.  I am enjoying listening to some of my old favorites, like Dido, David Bowie and a few others.

My discovery today without using Facebook or Instagram or Twitter?  My thoughts are more my own without having conceptions of others inserted.  Trust me each day is difficult because sadly you feel cut off from the world.  But the clarity is so more amazing!

Detox from Facebook & Instagram - Day 1-3

My time for the next 40 days is dedicated to fasting- not food, or drink, but from Facebook and Instagram.  My goal is to connect with God better.  I read Romans 2:12 ~ "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  

I have found myself slipping into a pattern trying to "conform" or trying to keep up with what everyone else is doing, while the whole time my time and things that please me were slipping away.  

On my first day I literally had withdrawls, reaching for those two familiar apps on my phone.  I had to delete them.  My temptation is very strong.  I'm not sure what the fascination with it all really is.  At first I thought it may be I was inspired, and truth is I am at some things.  But mostly I have found after stepping back for just these three days that it was becoming an ugly truth.  Jealousy, envy, trying to compare, trying to conform...my list is growing now that I have backed away.

I reach for my Bible, I reach for my art, and I reach for music.  As I told my dearest friend, I played the piano, went into my retreat of painting, and went to bed with paint on my hands, and it was the best feeling ever.