Why I write

I think maybe when we resonate with each other little sprinklings of love are made - they follow us, stay with us and ignite passion, purpose and growth. The more we connect, the more love we create in our worlds.

And that's kind of why I write. That's why I share words here from my heart. That's why I love this space - for all those sparks of connection that have been made and shared. 

I suppose I've always been a writer at heart. Scribbling notes in journals at every time of the day for as long as I can remember. And not writing, well that means I just wouldn't be me. 

xx

Do you feel like without writing {or photography, or creating or something else that speaks to your heart} you wouldn't be you? 

~ My friend Deb {read her beautiful writing here} asked me why I write a couple months ago, and the question has stayed with me and inspired me to share and to write a little more in my journal lately just for me too. Elisa x

Inward

I thought it was just me that was turning inward lately. But after chatting online with my friend Julie, I'm thinking there may be more to it. An energy shift of late...  perhaps the change of season to winter here.

It's calling me to pull back, retreat, reconnect, ground. To go slowly. To settle right where I am. And to enjoy where I'm at. To not move forward. To stay still for a while. And a while longer.

Whatever it is, I'm going with it. Writing for myself. Reconnecting with the printed word. Getting out of bed slowly, and going to bed earlier. Meditating whenever my girls allow. Taking notice of all the good around me, and then giving thanks for it out loud.

xx


{Grateful for slow days, winter walks with my girls, yesterday's laughter and the weekend to come filled with family. Elisa xx}

{Also I'm excited and grateful to mail out the first of my prints in the last couple weeks! So excited to think of them inspiring others and in people's homes. Oh, and this month the code inspire20 will take 20 per cent off all my prints here too xx} 

~ Linking with the gratitude community at 52 Weeks of Grateful x

Have you been turning inward of late? And what are you most grateful for right now? x

A little shop {a proper introduction}

 

Five months ago I had a play at creating some prints using my words {words inspired by life, love, gratitude and the stories on my blog}.

Inspired by my morning ritual I wrote: "Look to the sky and see wonder in sunshine, rainbows, starry nights, shades of blue, cloudy days, sunset and the full moon."

And then came words for my girls.

For the big {little} girl: "It's a sunny day every day I am with you."

And for the baby girl: "Sweet dreams my beautiful baby. I love you forever."

{These words, now made into 8inch x 10inch prints, sit framed next to the bookshelves in their room.}

I wrote these words as a reminder for my heart. Inspired by this post.

I wanted them to be the first thing I saw in the morning, so they became a print to sit on my bedside table.

Then came mantras I love: Give thanks. Dream big. Choose happiness. Be mindful. Find joy. Just breathe. Go slowly. See love. 

And {my favourite} a reminder of what I can choose to do each day:

All that was quickly followed by a request for words {Their love story began} for a bride and groom, and words {A star is born} for a special little someone who graced our family with his presence just recently.

Somehow {little by little} this part hobby, part dream {but mostly fun and my kind of creativity} came together.

And with a little portfolio of words and prints in a folder under my bed, I hesitantly decided it was okay {scary and exciting} to share them...

And so, I opened a little shop: word-art prints from the heart. Inspired by the stories on my blog.

xx

~ I'm so very grateful {a little blown away actually!} for the support, encouragement and kindness I have already been shown. There's a link to my etsy store in the sidebar, and a menu tab above too. Or you can view my word-art prints/designs here. I plan to share images of new designs via With Grace & Eve's facebook page {not on the blog}, if you would like to join me there too. Elisa xx

~ And links to just a few of the many bloggers who create and have inspired me recently: Krystal {Jack Loves Josie, and on facebook}, Julie {Button Tots}, Tammi {Dear Molly} and Rachel {Ink Paper Sew, and on facebook}.

{Falling into place: my post on the journey of an idea to a little dream to this little shop is here.}

Have you started a new venture lately? What or who is inspiring you right now? x

Falling into place

An idea wondered about for long enough that it becomes a dream.

A dream given time and action, enough for it to become a possibility.

Work that's fun and creative, work that's part-love, part-new, part-adventure. Work that's not work at all really.

But work is done and plans are made. And still she wonders if she should let this little dream see the day.

Just one little idea, she could so easily throw away.

She ponders that option, and then she considers giving it a chance to thrive.

And so she plants that little dream like a seed into her creative soul, and she nurtures it with a little love, a load of fun and allows it a spark of possibility.

The universe responds with lashings of support, whispers of encouragement. She feels surprised, and grateful.

And she watches how her creations grow, at the same time threatening to make it all come tumbling down.

And then amid hesitation and thoughts of failure and embarrassment, she halters. She thinks, what if they like it as much as I do? What if they think it's ... good?

And then a little voice from deep within her yells "You can do this" and "It's okay to try something new."

And as she thinks about those words her concentration slips. She dips out of her doubting mind and into a soul that knows how to soar and a heart that dares to dream...

She floats there for long enough to offer life and her dreams {even the little ones} a real go.

She decides in herself to believe.

She decides to stand back and stand out of the way.

And just like that, it all falls into place.

xx


{I've been on a little journey of sorts this past few months. Having a battle of heart and mind, pondering dreams and dreaming when I'm not. Yesterday I opened a little shop to accompany my blog. It's a bit of fun, and my kind of creative. But as the story goes, it's taught me a lesson or two in stepping out of my comfort zone, and away from fear. Feel free to check out my word-art prints ~ inspired by the stories on this blog ~ here. And I'll write a proper introduction for this little venture soon... :) Elisa xx}


How do you feel about stepping out of your comfort zone? When was the last time you gave something new a go?