A weekend to journal

Like I said in my previous post- I'm looking for something this weekend. Some truth, some insight to point me in the right direction.

For the past 24 hours or so I've been holed up in a small conference room at a Courtyard Marriott here in San Antonio. Let me explain. A good friend of mine began scrapbooking a while ago. She is a stay at home mom of two amazing young children. They are beautiful and she loves them with all her heart, but if you are a mother I know you'll understand me when I say that she was about to lose her mind. She needed an outlet. A space to create something other than dinner and a neat pile of folded laundry. She began to attend classes at a local store with her mother, and soon after she had a new hobby that allowed her a format to create and perhaps more importantly, she was granted time away from her children. A break. A very brief hiatus from being the be-all-end-all to two little humans. Fast forward a few months and she is attending scrapbook weekend retreats here in town when she can convince someone to babysit for a few hours. It's a haven for her. She confided to me that at the first one she attended, she barely cropped a photo, instead playing the entire first season of Dexter on her laptop and listening through headphones. No crying babies, no diaper changes or noses to wipe for a few precious hours. Peace.

This weekend, we are at one such retreat. I am not a scrapbooker, per se, but I come along for the chisme and my own version of peace- time to just sit and write and cut and paste and remember what I love to do. Now, I'll admit, I have the luxury of a studio in my home. The room is painted a beautiful light blue-green shade called Vintage Map and when I set it up, I spent a few weekends and most of my then-savings on buying and assembling Elfa shelving and desks from the Container Store. One wall is mostly windows and I can look out upon evergreen shrubs, a live oak tree and the squirrels incessantly digging holes in my lawn. I have ample storage space, desk space, and wall space; in fact, the only space I don't seem to have enough of, is the space in my head. It seems to be perpetually full of never ending to-do lists. And though I love my home and I feel a sense of peace when I enter it, everywhere I look, I see reminders of what I "should" be doing. The laundry, the bills, training the dog, scrubbing the grout between the tiles in the kitchen, replacing the hardware on the cabinetry, and on and on and on. So, when I am trying to create or reflect or design a future, I feel as though it is a selfish act. One that doesn't serve enough people, only me.

I have realized, however, that the time I take to refill my own well pays dividends again and again. And not just for me. The time I spend in solitude creating something- whether it is journal page or a hand bound book, refreshes and re-energizes me so that when the time comes to make dinner, fold the laundry, walk the dog or participate in a campaign raising funds to build wells in Ethiopia- I can do it. And more importantly, I want to do it.

And this is not just a spiritual exercise, but a practical one as well. Because for me, when I am cutting, folding, pasting- that is when I work through all the little problems that have been hanging out atop my shoulders. That is the time when solutions arise, new designs emerge, a crucial contact is remembered. That is the time I am in flow.

That time is this weekend, to an extent. I have 3 days and a 6 foot table to myself. No one will ask me to cook for them, whine to let them go outside to potty, or ask if I can wash and fold the pile of laundry that has begun to take over the closet floor. This time is for me... so that later, I can be there for them.

So, I encourage you to find your own place where you are at peace, where things are easy and time flies. And visit there often. Because just like my creative time makes me a better person, friend, girlfriend, and entrepreneur and my friend's scrapbooking time makes her a better mom and wife, I am sure that your time spent pursuing the thing that brings you peace will make you a better person as well.

xoxo, Iris

I'm looking for something...

All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered. The point is to discover them.
-Galileo

Creative Entrepreneur Retreat - No.3

So, here is the third installment of my short series on my experience at the reTREAT with Lisa Sonora Beam at La Hacienda Mosaico, and unfortunately my little posts are not doing it justice, but as I continue to work in my journal I will try to include more details on the process. One night we went downtown to do a little shopping and what not- this little collection of calacas was in one of the shops where I bought a little donkey. No, really, a little colorful donkey to put on my shelf- I'll have to take a picture of my little burro for you guys.
Just a quick pic to give you an idea of the awesome rooms at La Hacienda Mosaico. They're each a little different, but all comfortable, colorful and perfect for escaping from your own day to day.
Here, I was experimenting with using craft paint to put color on a page- quickly. I can't remember where I first learned this technique of spreading paint on the page with a credit card/hotel room key, but Lisa shared it with us as one of her favorite ways to prep or start a page. I love the effect you can get on the page by combining colors- this page reminds me of a robin's egg. And, of course, to the left of my book is Lisa's book, The Creative Entrepreneur.
These are the other lovely ladies taking the workshop- all deep in the process.

It was so awesome to be in the room with so many others who are also trying to forge their own path in the world with creativity, inspiration, and beauty at the forefront. I've learned these ideas are not important to everyone and when you can find people who can really relate, it's priceless.
This is the bell tower of the cathedral downtown, we were able to catch a bit of one of the processions honoring la Virgen de Guadalupe, who I believe is like the patron saint of the city. Unfortunately, most of my shots didn't come out- should have taken the big camera.
And above is a parting shot of the studio. Of course, I was the last to leave- due to either procrastination or rampant insomnia. I don't know.

And above are some of my last views of La Hacienda Mosaico. I really can't say enough about the b & b, the workshop and the other participants. I didn't want the week to end and I can't wait to return! In coming days/weeks/months as I continue to work through my journal and pursue a creative life and the forging of a small business, I will refer back to my time here adding more details on process, links for more information and hopefully someone will be inspired to buy Lisa's book, attend one of her workshops and embark on their own pursuit of creative entrepreneurship. Click on the links sprinkled throughout this post (and previous ones) to take you to Lisa's website, La Hacienda Mosaico and even a direct link to buy the book at Amazon. I will also be adding a button or badge (?) on my blog permanently to take you directly to Lisa. That's how amazing I think she is. Her book and workshops have made such an enormous impact on my life. I am incredibly thankful that I was blessed enough to take a workshop with her in California a few months before everything went to hell in a handbasket (read- I got really, really sick), because using her methods of journaling (writing, collaging, painting, etc) are what kept me sane and optimistic and grateful through a very difficult time. I only wish I had known about her sooner- like before my divorce. :)

So please check out the links if your curious and I look forward to sharing the progress I've made in my journal since then and perhaps connecting with the other amazing women I met through their own blogs and businesses. Thanks for reading!

xoxo,
Iris

Creative Entrepreneur Retreat - No.2

note: I started writing this post right after New Years. It only took, what, six or seven weeks to finish and publish. I think we're making progress here.

Hola senoritas! Apologies for the hiatus, but the holidays are pure and utter craziness for me- mostly because of my affinity for over committing and procrastination. What can I say, it is what it is. I seriously doubt my 3 followers are going to be up in arms about the situation.

However, I do still want to share a bit about my amazing retreat experience before I move on to more current events. Although I love to write, at this time I believe the quickest and easiest way to share will be through photos, though I didn't take nearly enough. So, at the top is a photo of the beginnings of my creative mandala. This is an exercise Lisa Sonora Beam leads you through in her book (The Creative Entrepreneur), but of course we got face to face hand holding which is always nice. This process allows you to figure out what you do that really has meaning for you, what you're really good at and whether or not those things have value in the market place among other crucial things. Lisa is much better at explaining all this in her book, so I highly recommend it.
Above is a variation of a page we made each day to record at least 10 things we learned that day, from various journaling techniques to great quotes to true "aha" moments.


One night, we had dinner at a taco stand a few blocks away. It was so ridiculously good. And an amazing value- like 8 dollars or something! I wish I had a taco stand I could walk to here at home. I would literally eat there everyday.
This is the first part of a collage I put together using images to answer the question, "What do I really, really want?" As I was tearing out the pages/images I was hearing words like light, openness, beauty, flowers, freedom, risk, adventure, books, design- you know, things like that.
I love alphabet stamps. And handwriting. Below is the back of the second page, also still in the works. Above is the close up shot. Oh, and I love the macro setting on my camera.
I suppose that was near the end of the day, or perhaps a lunch break. Below are a couple more shots of the Hacienda grounds- the first is on the way back to my room.

I mean, seriously, how amazing is this?! I need to replicate this outdoor living room at my house. Yes, I'll put that on the 2011 To Do List.
Alright, so that's installment number 2. Next- you guessed it- number 3!!
xoxo,
Iris

New Look!

Oooohh, I love this new background! Books, books, and more books- it's like heaven.

Oh, and check out the new logo for Shop 1031.

More coming soon. :)

Creative Entrepreneur Retreat - No.1

Okay kids, the blog's back on.
I'm going to just override the need to fill in the gaps between July and today and just start talking about what's happening here and now.
(Some journaling on the plane to get revved up before the retreat...)
First up, I just got back from the most amazing retreat ever in beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I spent the week with 9 other amazing women and our fearless leader Lisa Sonora Beam at the incredible Hacienda Mosaico. I wrote somewhere that time and space for creative work is the ultimate luxury and now I know it to be true. I don't even know how to begin to describe the week- it was so chock full of color, laughter, inspiration, and "aha" moments. Not to mention the incredible experience of spending the week with some of the smartest, funniest, most caring and inspiring women I've ever met. So, I will just start with the where and move on from there.
View out my airplane window- it's Mexico! Can't wait to get on the ground and check out Puerto Vallarta.
Outside the walls of the hacienda; even from the outside, you can tell it's going to be full of life and color.
The first of the stairs leading up to the studio. How cool is that?!
Beautiful! Can you believe this is the view out one of the windows in the studio- how could you not be inspired here?
And this is the outdoor kitchen (by the pool!) where we were served a delicious breakfast and lunch each day by Sam (the proprietor), Alicia and the rest of her wonderful staff. It's also where Sam would make her amazing margaritas for us each evening upon request. I didn't want to leave!
Aaaahhh, what a lovely view before bedtime. More to come!
xoxoxo,
iris

(Insert clever title here)

I just read my last post. And the comments left. It made me sniffle-ey. (is that how you spell sniffle?) Who knows?

Well, many, many things have happened since I last wrote. And since I am the type of personality that cannot tell you about today unless you know about yesterday, I will put these varied and important events in a very small nutshell for you- in the form of a list. Yay, lists!

Things that have happened since my last post- not in strictly chronological order:
1. I just read through my posts going through January and have concluded I'm a huge dork.
2. I'm okay with number one.
3. I've had another umpteen million doctors/ specialists/ therapists visits and have become quite friendly with the receptionists and nurses.
4. My mom and I heard about qigong and how people have made dramatic changes in their health by practicing on a regular basis.
5. We went to Colorado and met with a master to learn techniques, exercises and meditations.
6. I started acupuncture after a particularly discouraging visit with my hand surgeon.
7. After 3 weeks of acupuncture and Chinese herbs and qigong practice (and staying on all my meds, of course), the necrosis seemed to stop spreading.
8. Three weeks after that, there's new tissue being formed and less pain.
9. I've stopped taking almost all my pain medicine.
10. My right index finger finally healed (it took 6 months instead of 6 weeks, but i'll take it).
11. I went to Key West (and ended up in a clinic with an infection, ugh!) and chilled like a rock star for a week or so.
12. I have confirmed I have the most amazing parents the world over.
13. I read the entire Twilight saga again in preparation for the movie, Eclipse. I'm still smitten.
14. My house is gradually being filled with all the art I've been acquiring since... well, since forever and it looks like real people live here.
15. My puppy continues to grow like a weed- a very large, strong weed. She's about 11 months and 95 pounds. (she has 7 more growing months)
16. The boy continues his campaign for sainthood by being understanding (and silent) while I occasionally have complete meltdowns and act completely irrational and yell at him for being logical. This happened recently.
17. My sweet little ride- the '95 Maxima- is finally being retired.... with 195,000+ miles on the odometer. It is being replaced with another Nissan- hey, I'm loyal, okay?- that will better accommodate my pony. Oh, I mean dog- an suv to better accommodate my dog.
18. I have rediscovered my love of music.
19. I have reconnected with some old friends and I'm so thankful they found me.
20. I have determined an acceptable alternate life path would have been to major in English due to my love of reading, writing, words and the English language.

So that's what I can think of right now. I won't promise to post tomorrow, for that is the surest way to guarantee an extended absence. So... I'll see when I see you.
xoxoxo

Oh, and I love you all, Nyssa, Jaime, Cristalynn, and Lyn. You fill me up. Thank you.