Culture of Art

Sometimes you see in life what you think is exactly what you’re going to do. You’ve been handed this amazing opportunity and you grab it. This is a good thing, a really great thing! You run with it, not blindly but in a focused intentional manner. You have all the giddy feelings that come with a new project. It’s almost like being in love…it’s all you can talk about, all you think about, drives your friends crazy as they are so tired of hearing about how great it’s going to be and your loss of appetite, well, sometimes is a good thing!

Then, when your in the thick of it, suddenly, it morphs. Right before your eyes it morphs into a whole new creature. It becomes more than you thought you saw the first time you jumped into it. Much like watching a sweet newborn baby and as if you had the ability to speed up time morphing this bundle of joy into a 5 year old. The same lovely child only older, more active and more engaging.


A year and a half ago I started out with what I believed to have presented itself as a little Bed and Breakfast. A fun way to meet people, entertain and start a new life, that’s what I thought I saw.  The whole project was so much more than anticipated but isn’t that the way life is? Through all of the remodeling, repairing, land clearing, planning and research there just seemed to be something missing. There was plenty DIY to be done, which I dearly love as I’m a carpenters' daughter but still something wasn't quite as it should be.



After sharing time with the property, observing the many animals, the abundance of birds, including 5 species of Wood Peckers and just the general culture of the land I realized why  this place had spoken to me in hushed tones of new life. There is that small part in each of us that says… “you are more than you think you are”. The part that reminds us our life here is but a one time affair and very short. I have learned so very much about myself while creating CedarBerry and possibly just allowed more of myself to surface. This has given me opportunity to find my “voice” so to speak. Not the voice so much in “blogging” but in life. This voice is the one of an “Un-Validated Artist”. The person that creates for themselves, not given to any fad or market. Just for the pleasure of creating. This is an artist. Creating the life you want, that makes you an artist. Un-Validated artist…That’s me. Except, I have now learned validation comes from myself not any one else. I am a "Self-Teaching Artist". Not "Self-Taught". My desire is to continually learn new techniques, mediums, and accept new challenges. Sharing this is what CedarBerry has become about. I will not impose art, I will help others discover the art in their own heart, validate their art and enjoy their creative life.

CedarBerry’s metamorphosis from cocoon to butterfly has revealed a multi-colored  Creative Arts Center. A place to connect with yourself. A chance to re-examine your life and your heart and align them both for your best life. CedarBerry will encourage this through Art sessions for the novice and seasoned artist. Meta Health classes are offered to help discover the Beauty, Balance, and Breathe in your life by participation and 15 minute brain/art sessions followed by a 30 minute non-traditional Tai Chi for Better Balance and Movement class.



Lifesize Chessboard for Birthday Celebrations

 CedarBerry strives to celebrate the joy in everyday life. So many times this joy includes special occasions providing us with memories that last a lifetime. The creativity and imagination of a child is a bright spark in our lives and one to be celebrated and encouraged. CedarBerry will provide Themed Birthday Celebrations for kids of all ages. Costumes, yummy food, art projects and exciting decorations are all part of the fun celebrating.

The ideas for a place to celebrate life in the moment and to find new moments to celebrate became a massive and glorious show of shooting stars as I recognized what CedarBerry really would become. A culture of learning, health, celebration and acceptance.

Information about these and other programs at Cedarberry LLC can be found at http://www.cedarberryllc.com/

A Great Challenge

            When you discover you work best under pressure it might be a good thing. And, yes, that is what I've discovered. I can achieve huge and colossal undertakings when given just the right amount of pressure. I have decided this will be a blessing to me and not a hindrance. I will change my focus and adjust my lens in order to see more clearly. Wipe the fog from the mirror and blow the mist away to remove the distortion that is the image of me.

So now to apply the slightest amount of pressure.. a little more...just a wee bit more. There, perfect!

Are you totally confused? Good! The location is the upstairs guest room. Brace yourself it is not pretty.

                                                                        

  A year ago I attempted to remove the wallpaper border, chair rail height, no big, right? Ha, yeah, right. Seems there were actually three layers of wallpaper dating back to the mid country-fied 8o's. Not sure what they applied wall paper with back then but may have been super glue. As you can see more than just the paper came off and this was with a steamer.

               So yes, picture me walking out with a huge HARRUMPH! of disgust. Fast forward almost a year. It has become the cat off room. The room that collects. Granted it was a mess before. The last inhabitant was a smoker, hence the hurry to get the wall paper out, and was, shall we say not friends with cleaning tools?

                                                                                  

            This brings me to the challenge. We are forecast rain for about the next three days. I am challenging myself to finish this room in three days, top to bottom. Most of this remodel will be done by myself but I'm not into electrical yet so hubby will help. SHHhh!!! he doesn't know yet. I will post the articles to be transformed and the time I actually start and cross off what is finished as each is completed.

       The pressure, well blogging about it. Can you imagine being on one of those HGTV timed design shows? Having the world watch your almost every step or mis-step? Add to this the fact that I am not the most constant blogger in Blogland. OK,well I sometimes lose my map to Blogland and get lost somewhere in the land of Good Intentions.

Ok the list of projects to tackle:
Clear room...uggghhhh
Remove popcorn from ceiling-dirty nasty neck pain job
Take out studs where closet used to be-remember to by beg or borrow a saws-all
Search for new wall coverings-might throw me off schedule
Apply wall coverings-another time scare
Clean hardwood floor- the cracks, yuck!!
Change out light receptacles & switches-bat eye lashes and ask hubby sweetly
Seal hard wood-easy-peasy
Furnish and style- FUN! FUN! FUN!
Go to Starbucks for celebratory Mocha!!

Here goes!!

The Reluctant Blogger

 So this is the part when I admit that I, yes, me, Sandy, is a reluctant blogger. Of course, if you have ever stumbled upon my blog you would see that very quickly. I mean, my last post was somewhere in the world of December 2010. And yet, I really love to blog, in my head that is. I have all these awesome stories to share and funny anecdotes and great tutorials!! No really, I do! It's just that by the time I get to the computer a week or two later.. I have talked myself out of them. So, my original excuse is I don't really have time to blog since I am remodeling and landscaping CedarBerry constantly and usually into the wee hours of the morning. That excuse doesn't hold water, though. I do have time to drive 30 minutes to Branson at least three times a week for a mocha. Man, they even have WiFi so I could blog there. I could pretend to be the very chic and cosmopolitan Abby Kerr Inc, blogging ala coffee shop style. So hip, so now! Lack of time excuse doesn't hold water or coffee, rats.

                                                                     

Ok, next excuse, please. Well, I really don't have any uber family history or regional claim to fame. The completely charming and lovely Southern Belle Simple is oh so southern and sweet, why sugar wouldn't melt in her mouth, I do declare! She rocks the regional blog world of the beautiful south. Me, I'm not even from Arkansas, I just moved here to take advantage of an opportunity to make a life long dream come true. Oh, wait, I just blew a hole in that excuse, didn't I? That whole lifelong dream thingy... Umm yeah.. Next!!!

One of CedarBerry's neighbors

Here's a good one. I know this excuse is perfect. I have not found my voice yet.. Nester is an awesome voice! Her blog just resonates with her beautiful voice. She really sounds like that in person...Yes I have met the gracious lady and she is as compassionate and amazing in person as she sounds on her blog. As for me, I just sound ...goofy and like I don't always think things through before I say them and I talk in run on sentences and when I get reaLLY EXCITED SOMETIMES I TALK WAY TOO LOUD like I... just ... did and crud. There goes another excuse. I pretty much sound like this all the time so I guess that would be my voice. ARRGGHH!!

Maybe I should just list my excuses for reluctance...quicker, right?

Not as creative as The Pink Couch

Not as talented as Melissa Dinwiddie

Not as spunky as Citizen K

Not as accomplished as My Heart 4 Him

Not as nurturing or insightful as Some Girls Website



Gosh, that's a whole bunch of "not as's".. Maybe the real issue here is I consider my blog to be like CedarBerry. My personal and intimate creative world that I really have never shared with anyone. It's my art in word form. It's my heart in word and place. It's the one time in my life that I am opening up to me and discovering who I really am. I am also hoping to be accepted and make CedarBerry an escape for artists and those who are like me - just discovering they are artists..



I was once told by the precious and encouraging Stress Free Baby to post everyday. No excuses, just do it, no matter what. Then, of course the brilliant Scott Stratten of Unmarketing shared at Blissdom "Don't post unless you've got something to say". Wow! Amazing insight, right? I also read a great blog that I cannot for the life of me remember who or where that said "It's your blog" That simple.. own it. So I think I am going to take the advice of all three of these fabulous people. I will post when I have something to say, I will plan for it to be everyday and I will claim it as my blog. 

And someone please tell me I am not alone in this blog swamp!! Anybody know where I read the "It's your blog" Help me please..Really want to read it again and give credit!