From Chaos Comes Happiness

So, my beloved Katie is finding a passion within herself for quotes. Inspiring, motivating, life changing quotes.  (Hmmmm . . . I wonder where she gets that from.) She likes to google "inspiring quotes" on the iPad, pull up images of her search, and sit with her composition book while writing quote after quote into her notebook. I think she is going to end up with a pretty cool journal when she is done with it.  Often times she'll stop and read the quotes out loud to me, like, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent . . . ", and follow it with a,  "Wow . . . that's pretty deep, Mom." Last week, she was really interested in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt. I think that's pretty cool for an 8 year old (well, she's just 28 days away from 9, so I had better set that straight . . . you know, someday she'll read this and argue that she was 9!) I digress. So, she wanted to know all about Mrs. Roosevelt. Katie couldn't ...

You know it's been a while since you've blogged when you go to sign into blogger, and actually have to THINK about the user name and password you are entering to get into your blog. Yes, that's me. I've been an absent blogger. I learned a long time ago that the key to a successful blog is consistency. Consistency in blogging. Consistency in reading other blogs. Consistency in leaving comments on other blogs. Consistency. Consistency. Consistency. I haven't been very consistent. For that, I apologize. If you are still here and still reading this post, then I say, "THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart!" And here's something else for you . . . I miss you. I miss writing. I miss sharing my daily stories and my journeys and my art and my life. I miss gathering my thoughts and putting them out here for all to read (or at least the 180 so followers I have.) I always have ideas to write about, you know? Usually when I'm driving in my car, ...

I bet you thought I forgot, didn't you? I bet you thought I'd never be back to announce our winners for the two picture frames I told you about last week. Well, never fear my friends!!! WE HAVE OUR WINNERS! The winners were selected from the  Random.org list generator. (I'm getting a  little fancier in my old age, aren't I? For those of you who have been around for one of my give-aways in the past, I have finally graduated from pulling names from a hat!) I received 12 comments on the give-away post last week, and one of our commentors (Lynn) mentioned that she also tweeted, facebooked and blogged about my giveaway, so she was entered twice! (I need to hire her to do my P.R., don't you think?) And please keep reading this post, even if you didn't win the frame. There is a special surprise at the bottom of the post for everyone!!! So, without any further delay . . . . can I have drumroll, please!!! The winner of the "Life is so much better with Love...

I'm 41 today. Forty-one. 41 years . . . young. 41 . . . and just starting life. 41 . . . it's going to be my year, I tell you. The start of something wonderful. Yes. I feel it. I don't know what it is. But I feel it. My dear friend and I were talking last week about this impending day of celebration, and she said, "I think this next year needs to be YOUR year. YOUR year to focus on what YOU want." At first I thought it would be so selfish . . . to have a year of me . But the more I thought about it, the more appealing it sounded, and the more I realized how much I need it. A year of ME. A year to focus on me . . . inside and out. A year to listen to my heart. A year to nurture my soul. A year to feed my spirit. A year to exercise. A year to pamper. A year to meditate. A year to live. . . I mean, really live. To go where I want to go, when I want to go there, doing whatever it is I want to do. My year. I like it. And it starts . . . today. The first...

Greetings my dear friend!!!! Oh, it's so wonderful writing again . . . I've SO missed our chats! As you know, I've just finished 11 posts from the 101010 Project . That project came along at the perfect time for me, when I thought I had lost every ounce of creativity and had forgotten what I was trying to accomplish in this creative life of mine. Thank you for welcoming each of my soul sisters here, and reading their words. They really are a remarkable group of ladies. This month is just flying by, my friends. My days have been full of a million end of the school year activities for Katie and Ella, preparing for a garage sale in our neighborhood this weekend, visiting with family who came into town from New York, and oh . . . did I mention . . . creating? Yes, I've been a painting fool. I've mostly been working on some new picture frames. Oooooo . . . I have to share them with you . . . I want to put them in my Etsy shop, but each ti...

I can't believe my 101010 Project is done. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I have to tell you my little background story of how I became involved in 101010. Sometime in late March, I believe, I saw a post on my facebook "Flying Lessons" group page from friend, Robin Norgren, asking for 10 women who are interested in working on a project with her. Robin's post read: So I have an idea about a blog hop. Maybe 10 people who blog regularly and are getting ready to launch something. We could pick a topic and then it would run in various forms on each other's blog and expose our new products to each of our audiences. What do you think? Any takers? I happened to be online and in our group page when Robin's post came up. I immediately responded with a comment telling Robin I was interested, and I think within the next hour or so, she had 10 confirmed artists, plus a whole bunch MORE who also wanted to participate. All of a sudden, a pit hit my stomac...

Here we are, our last day of the 10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions project! Thanks for sticking by me and hanging in through this wonderful experience. I have loved reading what my creative soul sisters think about pursuing their dreams . . . and today, it's my opportunity.    Me (Leanne Wargowsky) Name of Business: From Chaos Comes Happiness The hardest part about pursuing a dream is . . . Clearly, for me, it is turning off the voice of doubt within myself. That voice has played in my head often in my lifetime. What's most interesting to me, is that I am not a low self-esteem sort of person. When it comes to almost all parts of my life, I am full of confidence. However, when really "putting myself out there" with my art, I become the most vulnerable I have ever been. With that vulnerability, comes this unending doubt of . . . Can I really do this? What makes me think I can really do it? What makes me more special than the ne...

 We are down to our last couple of posts on the 101010 Project. Today brings us to day #9, and the wonderful world of Robin Norgren. Robin was the mastermind of the 101010 Project (which has already schedule it's second and third segments with other artists from Flying Lessons). I am so glad for the opportunity to collaborate with Robin through 101010. She really is a gem! Please welcome . . . Robin Norgren Name of business: Robin Norgren Studios The hardest part about pursuing a dream is… the tenacity, the determination, the drive, the risk, the stamina, the hard work, the long days, the sleepless nights, the loneliness, the uncertainty, the confusion , the discouragement, the frustration, the spirit draining, the fatigue, the unknown. Social Media Links: Website: http://www.robinnorgrenstudios.blogspot.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/robinlnorgren Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellof creations.myetsyshop Years ...

Day 8 of 101010, 10 Women 10 Businesses 10 Questions continues, with the captivating Nolwenn Petitbois. I was first introduced to Nolwenn through this project, but have had such a great time going back through her blog and see her moving art and read her inspiring stories. She makes me happy, for sure! Today, join me in welcoming Nolwenn Petitbois Name of business: Inner Worlds The hardest part about pursuing a dream is… never giving up. But with time, and no matter how big or how small the dream is, I realized that giving up was the easiest way out. The best way not to be disappointed if we actually never get near the point we wanted to arrive to. But what if they were true when saying that the harder you work the greatest the reward ? I believe that a dream can’t end up in your life if you did nothing for it, absolutely nothing for it. I may be wrong but this is how I see it, for me anyway. Another very hard part about pursuing a dream is the tr...

Day 7 of the 10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions continues with the incredible Jean Simrose . . . and if I don't get a piece of her jewelry in my hands soon, I'm going to spend too much time pouting then doing anything else!!! Please join me in welcoming Jean to our happy chaos, as she shares her thoughts on the hardest part about pursuing a dream! Jean Simrose Name of Business: Jean Simrose - Jewelry Artist The hardest part about pursuing a dream is . . . My dream has been an ever-changing challenge throughout my life. I am interested in so many things that my focus has continually changed over the years. I have been a licensed beautician, done accounting, worked for an oil company and worked as a mental health social worker. Creating things and working with my hands has always been a hobby. Making a career of it has been the hardest part of pursuing this dream. I sometimes question my talent and ability to make jewelry people will buy. I internalize...

My goodness! Question number 6, already!!!! 10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions is proving to bring some great inspiration and motivation to all who visit, and I am so happy to be a part of this group. Today I have the honor of hosting Alease McClenningham, an entrepeneur whose hard work and determination have certainly paved the way to success! Alease McClenningham Name of business: The School of Creative Business   The hardest part about pursuing a dream is… . . . the naysayers. There are so many people who are non-believers that they can derail your dreams. The important thing is to only listen to yourself and your needs. It is important to surround yourself with positive people. Alease's Bio: As an expert, Alease lends knowledge to the press, editorials and serves as a subject-matter expert. She is a sought-after presenter in the areas of creative marketing, personal image, branding and fashion. As a professor, Alease is committed to ...

Day Five of 10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions continues, and if you are a regular follower of my blog, you will immediately tell from the artist appearing here today that she is MY KIND OF PEOPLE! Her photo, alone, is right up my alley, and makes me SMILE!!!! Yes, I am talking about Kelly Warren. I mean . . . take a look . . . she's my kind of people, for sure! I give you . . . Kelly Warren Name of business: Happy Shack Designs The hardest part about pursuing a dream is… I think the hardest part about pursuing a dream, first and foremost, is taking that first step and putting it out there! And then the second hardest part about pursuing that dream is remaining realistic about your situation and what’s doable at whatever point you are in your life. That means accepting that the dream may not happen tomorrow, or the next day, or the next month, or even the next year. But as long as you keep it out there and keep trying, even if it’s just inch by in...

For those of you wondering what, exactly, all of this 101010 Project stuff is about . . . a video . . . I gotta tell you, I am loving this, and am SO proud to be a part of it. I am so grateful to share my thoughts with others, and I feel blessed for the online community my art and I are now a part of. Thanks for allowing me to share this with you. I'll be back on Monday with more answers from 101010. I have 5 more answers to share from the participants, then I'll share MY answer with you. Until then, wishing each of you a wonderful weekend and Peace!

Welcome to day Four of 10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions . . . and I am thrilled to welcome this next artist to my blog home! Today's answer comes from the extremely talented Jan Avellana . . . otherwise known as the brilliant Hazelnut Cottage. I think Jan is just dreamy, and not because she lives in Hawaii (although I must admit, it helps!) You must take a side trip over to Jan's links below . . . you won't regret it! Introducing Jan Avellana Name of Business: Hazelnut Cottage The hardest part about pursuing a dream is . . . having a vision of what you want to do, and where you want to go, but being unable to pursue it wholeheartedly. Pursuing a dream is also difficult because often, this pursuit entails sacrifice—money, time, emotion—and these sacrifices may affect the people you live with, who depend on you to be fully present for them and to provide financially for them. Sometimes pursuing my artistic dreams feels too foolish, the price, too...