Mini Gelli Arts Printing Plates

The best presents are things you'd love, but tell yourself you don't NEED. One of my lovely arty friends saw me looking at these and saying I could do without them, so she got them for me ♥

So why would you put the mini plates on your Christmas wish list?  Portability - ease of use for stamping 

- nice shapes to add journaling space to a page 

- convenient sizes for use on tags or cards - print the shapes and then cut them out (make your own gift tags and ATC backgrounds) 

- also nice as a frame for stamps 

You can use them to make cute Christmas trees on wrapping paper here by Gelli Arts blog 

or on Christmas cards - these are some of mine

They're a good way to lay down some random background colour 

I've seen Rae Missigman do this quite often. Here with a 3 x 5 plate (picture below) - my new square is 3 x 3.

Check out other inspirations at the Gelli Arts blog HERE and this cute YouTube inspires some fun layering : 

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer also shared a cool technique called "Bumping" which is doing  a double-print slightly off for cool effect - check that out HERE.

I currently know of 2 New Zealand suppliers for Gelli plates

Tulis Textiles - go HERE for gelli plates.  Also available at Gordon Harris - online link there or stores located Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch.
Lots of people talk about using deli paper to take prints on the gelli plate - my alternative for this is a lunchwrap available in NZ supermarkets - see the details of that HERE.

You need greaseproof paper not a waxy surface to print on. It's more like a paper in between tissue and cartridge. I buy on a roll and cut it to size. This information about supplies is always available via the link in my sidebar top right about where I shop for supplies. Merry Christmas wishes

Woman Unleashed FREE Online Retreat

Thought I would let you know about this FREE online event because it starts in just a few days : 

The retreat officially starts December 20th, the day before Solstice. 

From December 20-31, you'll get a daily email with the retreat sessions available that day. Each retreat session is meant to nurture you and awaken your power, purpose and creativity so you make 2017 your best year yet. ALL retreat sessions will stay open through January 15th so plenty of time to soak them up. 

The retreat is filled with sessions on Art + Journaling + Movement + Mini Workshops to help you slow down and nourish yourself. Sessions are led by world renowned artists, teachers, speakers, authors and healers from all over the world 

Sign up for it HERE. I know there's a lot going on at this time of year. This is a chance to do some self-care. 

I found out about it because Tam of Willowing Arts is teaching and it looks like a lesson very similar to one from Life Book which I LOVED.

Tam says : I'm sharing how to create a Tam-like dream/ vision/ affirmation board (they're a bit different from the traditional dreamboards). The dreamboard can be a great visual tool to help you manifest dreams, hopes and wishes. It can also help you heal and feel better about yourself by validating and affirming positive thought forms about yourself into the board! : ) 

Did I mention it's FREE....so even if only one thing suits you, it's worth signing up.

Because this is so short term, I haven't added it to my list of Cheap and Free Online Artful Classes always available in my top right side bar. But I have just updated that list, so check it out as well and let me know if I've missed anything - I'll be updating it as new information comes my way

Thinking about a Word of the year for 2017

I've had a word of the year for a long time. I think I originally heard about this concept from Christine Kane. As I looked through my blog, in previous years my words have been Transform (2016), 

Nourish (2015), Thrifty (2014), Completion (2013), Lighten up (2012), Be Present (2011), Gratitude (2010) and I noted in my 2011 post that I had also had the words "Patience" and "Action" although I didn't realise I've been involved with this concept for so long! 

I've noticed that great words of previous years carry through so that Nourish and Thrifty accompanied Transform this year, and I don't think I'm quite done with them yet. In 2017 my husband and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage AND I will turn 50! 
I am therefore considering words like celebrate, shine, sparkle and light. I've had "lighten up" in the past, but that was in the years before I did Ali's One Little Word class which has definitely helped to keep my word more present through the whole year. 

I highly recommend Susannah Conway's FREE 5-day email class to help you figure out your word - sign up for that HERE

I am currently working through this and will share my word as we enter 2017. Once your word is chosen, Ali Edwards' One Little Word class supports your word throughout the year with monthly prompts. Register before December 31, 2016 to receive her early-bird price of US$26. After December 31st the price is US$31 

As I think about my possible words today, Alisa Burke's weekend post came up with this quote : 

I wonder what my word for 2017 will turn out to be. I hope you are taking some time to do some self-care at this busy time, and to think about how you want to approach the coming year. Merry Merry ♥

The glass ornaments that feature in the photos for this post were made in 2012. The angels are illustrations by Jane Ray.