I have been taking a blogging course (Blogging Your Way) with the fabulous and wonderful Holly Becker of the blog Decor8.  I initially took this class last year, but was so busy at the time, I couldn’t embrace all their was to learn.  I am back as a student for the next 6 weeks to try to take it all in again.  Holly is a great teacher… gracious, knowledgeable, highly supportive and motivating.   Each Wednesday we are treated to a podcast by her on a topic that works with the other materials for the week.  I would like to share some points of today’s podcast- including her thoughts and some of my own observations/experiences after listening. 

Holly‘s podcast on “Fear” has really created a conversation in my head about how this has worked in my own life.  She talked about how we can use fear to successfully motivate positive changes in our lives instead of letting fear overcome us and either stop us in our tracks or alter our thinking to the negative.

What about you?  Is fear stopping you from being all you were designed to be?

You only get one chance to live today.

Are you living authentically in your true passion?

Fear can motivate us to make changes in our lives and really move us into our “own”.  Small changes can be the spark to keep us “alive” while we wait for the bigger change to fully arrive.  Fear can be a more motivational feeling than regret.  Fear can motivate us vs. regret is done.   Don’t regret what you were too afraid to move past.  Use that fear as a catalyst to make great changes to claim the life you were designed for. 

Until recently, I was letting my fear of some business decisions cloud my decisions, my faith, and my ability to actually do what I am designed to be doing.  I was allowing my fear of outside influences to drive my choices, not letting my true voice be heard.  I was succumbing to the pressure of what is expected and accepted as “normal”.   I wasn’t doing what is true to my heart.  Which almost lead me to make some choices that were not the best for me or my business.   (There will be a post on that topic on another day, but for now I will stick with how fear can motivate us.)

In the last 6 weeks, I have moved forward through my faith in God and knowing His plans for my life and along with my new perspective, I have moved past fear and into peace.  I have made some new choices that have taken me out of “Fear” motivation and into using what I know is “True” to guide me.  I still don’t have it all figured out, but I am in a place of positive change, not in stagnant fear options.

The best things take time, so we need allow the new changes to take place in our lives as they need to.  Motivate yourself with the plans set forth for change, not just on how fast the changes get here.  Baby steps can make us stronger, so allow the pace to move slowly if that’s what is required.  Keep moving by improving oneself and making ourselves stronger in the process.  For me that means deep study and reflection each week.  It means I rely on trusted mentors to reinforce what I am learning elsewhere, all while awaiting the full change to come. 

Remember- every success, failure and moment up until now is preparing you for what is to come… are you ready for all that life has prepared you for?

I would love it if you’d leave a comment on what you are fearful of and how you plan on using that fear to motivate you to make needed changes in your life. 

This news has been in the works since the end of November and I am finally a chance to blog and share the news with you!  There is still much in the works and more will be shared as the journey progresses, but I wanted to let you all know the News…

The lease has been signed….

The plans have been done….

Remodeling is underway….    

Yes… it’s a NEW studio space!

I will be opening up an additional studio space with the talented and energetic Alicia Danzig from Lulu Painting!  Our new studio space will be housed in the lower-level of the Semple Mansion in Minneapolis.  We are excited to be a part of the close-knit group of businesses in the space.  We will each still retain our individual businesses, but we will be sharing space and creative projects with each other.  We will each continue to offer our current services, but we will be able to expand our offerings with this new space too!

Some of the exciting things planned for the coming year…

Decorating Workshops: Full Day Retreat-Style Hands-on Workshops for a Small Groups

Boutique Shopping: Vintage, Found, & Custom Pieces Created by Alicia and I

Events & Open Houses: Parties, Invitation-Only Shopping Events & other Special Events

We still have much to do… we are officially in the space, but since it is completely bare-bones and requires major renovation to make it the fantastic workspace & creative studio that we desire it to be. So… we are inviting you along for the journey of transformation!

We will be posting photos of the dungeon-like space as we got it and will give renovation and progress updates as the space takes shape.  We hope to be in the space sometime in March and will plan a Grand Opening Event for late spring.

Please subscribe for RRS feeds or email updates if you’d like to follow the progress. We will also be offering some special give-a-ways as the Grand Opening nears.

That’s it for now…

In the coming days, I will post BEFORE photos, current construction, and even the name of the studio!

Thanks for sharing in this latest creative journey with us!

(Lucy photo from networkworld.com)

Head on over to Where Women Create’s blog and read their Fabulous Friday posting….

It’s a contest to win some great loot such as the latest issue of WWC, Jo Packham‘s latest Where Women Create Book and some fun wearables too!  I don’t want you to miss out on entering this contest, so you must head over and enter today!!

To get to the contest link, go HERE.

Oh, and if you win, you must post and tell us about it!! Good luck all!

Have you seen the latest issue of Women Who Create?  

The Aug/Sept/Oct 2010 isssue is loaded with profiles of uber talented women and so much inspiration!

Peek inside the work spaces of editor Jo Packham, Wendy Addison, Amy Butler and the Junk Bonanza‘s Ki Nassauer!  So much to discover…  Look into Nancy Soriano‘s home office (past editor-in-chief of Country Living) and behind the scenes of the Curious Sofa‘s Debbie Dusenbury. We even get a glimpse into the creative studio of Kelly Rae Roberts… a treat not to be missed!

What inspiration did I take away from the magazine… well, after I get done hyperventilating over all of the talented women and their creative nests… (sorry, the creative excitement really gets to me!)  I really just love the stories.  Yes, it’s not about one person, their art, or even their studio.  It’s about each of the personal stories of how they got there, what makes them tick, how they fuel their creative energies, and how they find the time to create.  I am thoroughly inspired and motivated to make my own story count even more. 

Almost all of these fabulous women can be seen this month at the CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT in Minneapolis, MN.    Yes, can you say, how many talented women can you get into 3 fun-filed inspiring days?  Oh I can’t wait… I will be there for sure!  Will you?  Register here and now, so that you too can attend!

If you are attending the Creative Connection Event, please comment below and let me know… I will be sure to search you out!  If you aren’t able to attend, first go out and get the Where Women Create issue, read and wander through all of the delicious pages, then join us all online on our blogs so you too can experience the joy of women creating together.  Oh, that just sounds fun, doesn’t it?

Blogs are a way to connect with other people with similar interests.  They are an online journal of sorts.  We connect, share, learn, comment, and interact. Some of the sites that I follow on a regular basis and that inspire me are:

The Inspired Room: Melissa Micheals writes about Authentic Living and making an imperfect home.  Her posts include inspiring photos from magazines, decor ideas and her famous “drive-bys”.  Check her out at The Inspired Room.

Kelly Rae Roberts: Artist, author and possibilitarian:  Kelly Rae’s art, life and creative adventures are shared in a blog format that is inspiring and entertaining.  She speaks from her heart.  Follow her at Kelly Rae Roberts.

Restyled Home: Blogged by Linda MacDonald is all about bringing pretty back to our everyday lives.  She talks about life at home, gardening, DYI projects, and her collaborations with the talented Matthew Mead.  Visit her at Restyled Home.

Curly Girl Design: Artist Leigh Standley creates whimsical art and merchandise that makes one happy.  Her site features her merchandise and her art, allowing one to keep up on her latest designs and shop at the same time.   Check out Curly Girl Design.

Heather Bullard: Designer, photographer and vintage enthusiast, Heather Bullard offers daily inspiration from her home and travels.  Her photos and stylized designs are gorgeous, as she brings beauty to her everyday life.  Follow her as she heads into flea market season at Heather Bullard.

Lulu Painting: Owner, Artist, and Instructor, Alicia Danzig loves paint and color.  She is super talented and a vibrant personality.  She shares what inspires her on a daily basis, along with taking her readers on a visual feast.  Stop by her blog and site at Lulu Painting.

I hope you have fun visiting these other sites and being inspired by their talent and creativity.  (Just a few this time, more on another day…) Browse, comment, and be inspired by all of the creative inspiration. 

Before you go, please leave a comment here to be entered to win a artistic package that includes- Kelly Rae Robert’s bookmark and necklace, and a napkin set from Curly Girl Design.  A perfect treat for yourself, or as a ready gift for a friend. Please enter by April 1, 2010 at 11:59pm.  A winner will be chosen, and that’s no fool!

Till next time…