Category Archives: From the Heart

Who are you? What is your “it”?

Who are you? What is your “it”?

Who are you

Who are you? Such a simple question but a difficult one to answer. There’s no easy answer and when you think about it, I mean really think about it, your answer will be like no other. Because each of us is born with special gifts and talents like no other. When we have the opportunity to share those special talents with the world, that results in the manifestation of pure joy. All of us are here for a reason but sometimes everyday life gets us in the way of making and keeping the connection between self and the world. What were you put on this planet to do? What is you true calling? What is your purpose?

So if you strip yourself of your everyday family and work roles, who are you? Can you sum it up in one word, three words or a sentence? Tough, right? I think the reason it is so difficult is because we get so caught up in our everyday roles, we forget about who we were before we stepped into those roles? You know, a time when we had zero responsibilities and had time to kick back, daydream and fantasize about our lives. I challenge anyone reading this post to take a few minutes and ponder the question, who are you? And please know, there are no right or wrong answers.

Have I given you something to think about? I thought it would be only fair to share my thoughts about who I am. I have pondered this question a lot through the years and continue to do so because life is an evolution. I am a creative soul who’s creative journeys allow me to see the world as a vessel of possibilities. My handmade endeavors are the vehicle that allows me to reach deep inside and stay in touch with my authentic self. Just the other day, I was listening to an interview where a daughter described her mother as “someone who could have fun inside a paper bag.” It made me chuckle because that is so me. I see both the world and people as a spectrum of colors, each person, each hue, uniquely different. And looking at life through a creative lens is my “it”, my unique specialness.

it

What is your “it”? I believe everyone has “it” whether they realize it or not. And your “it” is that special part of you that sets you apart from everyone else. Have no idea what your “it” is? Thinking of the defining moments in your life, times when you rose above adversity and experiences that touched your heart. Think about what you love to do and others appreciate. What are you doing when you lose track of time and/or forget to eat? Notice any common denominators between those defining moments, experiences or fond memories?

So, again I ask, who are you? What is your it? No clue? Either way, I would love to know.

Are You Feeling Valentine’s Day?

Are You Feeling Valentine’s Day?

I don’t mean to rain on anyone’s parade but I’m not feeling Valentine’s Day. No decorations this year. Didn’t even make an attempt as I did last year. There’s something about this instant turn it on, feel this right now and if you’re not feeling it, then something is wrong with you that just doesn’t work for me. It’s really the other 364 days that matter so much more. You know what I mean? And the commercialism of it all flat out bugs me. However, if you are one of those who celebrates in a creative, DIY way, then I’m instantly intrigued.

With that said, I think this chair can add romance to any room, not just on one day, but everyday.

Or how about daily soaks in this beautiful bathroom

 

or stepping into this lovely outdoor space and lounging till the sun sets?

 

 Yes romantic spaces are what do it for me. Especially the ones that make me stop, gasp and bring me into present moment envy.

How about you? Are you feeling Valentine’s Day?

Either way, have a beautiful day!  And please know, I heart your comments.  They make me smile every time.

Still Learning and Growing

Still Learning and Growing

I learned a lot about myself and had some “ahh haa” moments while I was working on No.1 Son’s bedroom. The biggest discovery – a total room makeover in a short period of time while blogging isn’t for me. To be totally honest, I stink at it:) I have the utmost respect for those who are able to to create amazing spaces while taking amazing pics along the way. I bow to you. I’m not there yet, but more importantly, I realized that I’m not so sure I want to be there. Maybe, I will change my mind at a later date. If so, I will add it to my list of aspirations and forge ahead then.

We all have talents and my creative talents work best for me when I focus on one, not many. So I decided to dedicate this year to doing what I love and using discarded remnants of everyday life in fun and inventive ways.

So whether I’m using discarded shirts to create fun pillows

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or cover a footstool

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or leftover fabric to make an ornament

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or updating the outdated like this dining table turned island,

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my creative passions lie in mixing and matching ideas to create unique designs worthy of life anew. That is when I have fun, that is what makes me happy and that is what gives me the joy. With that said, I think 2013 is going to be a good year!

Do you have any creative plans or aspirations for 2013?

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Funky Junk Interiors:Saturday Night Special

After Holiday Blues

After Holiday Blues

The Holidays are over and as I looked around my home on New Years, only remnants of the holiday remained.

One lone kiss left on the advent calendar remained.

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Toys thrown under the tree

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Pinecones infiltrated with Legos. They are taking over the house these days.

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The welcome wreath on the door turning brown

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and holiday CD’s back in their cases waiting to be put away.

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I wasn’t quite ready to take down a wreath I made from a 99 cents store garland

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surrounded by an unfinished wallscape. Believe, Faith, Peace, Love and Hope never made it into their frames. But we carry it in our hearts and will continue to do so all year long.

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Well Santa, it’s time to come down.

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Hard to believe just a few days ago the stage was set for the big day.

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Christmas was a lot different this time around. Our usual trip to Manhattan to see the holiday store windows and Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center didn’t happen. Early dawn wake ups and “cant sleep” excitement are no more. No. 2 son is eleven and the magic has faded. This year it was a 7:30 AM wake up. You think that would be a piece a cake but it was hard getting up just the same. I was up to 3:30 finishing last minute gift wrapping and getting a jump on dinner preparations.

Christmas time excitement through a child’s eyes is so special and I am going to miss it in our home.
So I found it a little difficult dismantling all the holiday decorations this time around. It will be a new kind of Christmas in our household from now on. But next year, I will look forward to celebrating the holidays in more mature ways. The moral of this story – cherish the holiday magic because they grow up so fast! And as I wrote in our holiday cards “May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow.”

Do you have any after holiday stories you’d like to share?

New Year, New Name

New Year, New Name

Happy New Year!

2013

A few weeks ago, I was home alone and decided to drop everything and do nothing. I just wanted to be alone with my thoughts. Immediately, I began thinking about my blogging behavior and realized why I was resistant to something I had enjoyed and loved. My passion was waning, why?

I realized that I still like blogging but a sole DIY focus no longer served all of me. A few months prior, I made a commitment to do some personal soul searching and it has been, and continues to be, one of the best decisions and journeys of my life. Living authentically requires honesty, hard work and accountability. It requires you to show up and live live consciously, all the while, staying in the present moment.

I was changing and evolving while The DIY Spot remained the same; no longer in sync, I was finding it increasingly difficult to write posts that I was excited about. It became clear that I needed to shift my blogging voice as well.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love DIY and the creativity it brings; it is a big part of who I am and gives me such joy. However, it is not all I am. I am also passionate about the tiny remnants- a profound quote, a powerful lyric, an expression of gratitude or a discarded item – that might get overlooked yet have the potential to have great significance in my life and, hopefully, yours as well.

And so a new year brings new direction and a new name, Meaningful Remnants. I hope you will continue the journey with me.

Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with blessings beyond measure.

Have You Taken a Me-cation Lately?

Have You Taken a Me-cation Lately?

Me-cation, I thought I was being original and made up this word. But then I googled it and learned that someone had beat me to it.
So here’s my personal take on the definition; Me-cation - an outing  or experience for oneself, by oneself for the sole purpose of restoring ones inner spirit. Little or no planning is required and the execution is up to you.  Easier than a vacation or staycation, it can be purely spontaneous and the duration can last minutes, hours or even a day. The when, where and how is solely up to you but the why is an opportunity for one to (re)connect and (re)acquaint oneself with the essence of who we are. Life can be extremely busy and often overwhelming; some me-time is in necessary to nourish our soul.

So, off I went to the Arboretum Planting Fields, in Oyster Bay, New York.

Meandering through acres of lush freshly mowed greenery and trees,

I could hear Julie Andrews singing “The hills are alive with the sound of music ….”

Here, strict rules prevail encouraging solitude, quiet thoughts and appreciation for all nature and it’s beauty.

I was so happy to spend a couple of hours observing and snapping pictures of whatever caught my eye. Like this magnificent tree, for example.

It has such presence, don’t you think?

And the beautiful flowers still holding their own.

Oh look, a frog taking his/her own me-cation as well. :-)

Hmmmmm, what’s down this path?

Wow, the gates are open!

How did anyone even know I was coming? :-)

Look at all the magnificent beauty!

It made my heart sing!

On my way back to the car, I noticed pinecones trailing along the path.

They were so pretty, I picked one up, still sticky with sap, and it smelled sooooooo good! Thinking ahead to the holidays, I got a bag from the car and filled it up, just as I was filled up from this experience.

So on this day, I took the “Road Less Traveled”

“……and that has made all the difference” A great me-cation and I am a better me. My cup now runneth over.

I’m hoping you had some fun me-cation experiences? I would love to hear about them.

Terrariums, of Course!

Terrariums, of Course!

No. 2 son graduated from fifth grade and will be off to middle school in the fall. I thought it would be nice to give parting gifts to each of the teachers he had from kindergarten through 5th grade. After weeks of brainstorming and second guessing all my ideas, one day I was in Barnes and Nobles browsing through magazines and came across a beautiful terrarium. Immediately, I thought, that’s it!

I used different containers so that each would have it’s own unique personality. I found most of these glass containers at one of my favorite thrift stores.

I read up on the right plants to use and how to plant them.

The basic ingredients are charcoal (available at pet stores), pebbles, potting soil and moss; however, there was a lot of variation in the order of layers and the use of charcoal.

Closed terrariums definitely need the charcoal due to the humidity levels.

This, by far, is my favorite one. I love it’s crock pot like shape. Actually, I kept it for myself and I made another one in it’s place.

I separated two plants to make all seven. We gave one to the principal too. We received a thank you card in the mail and she says it’s thriving.

I didn’t have the same luck with the one I kept, but that’s another story. My vegetable garden isn’t doing too well either. I wonder if it’s some sort of sign? Or, can I blame it on the intensely hot summer we’re having? I digressed, I know.

Seriously, I do love how these mini terrariums turned out and I thought they made nice end-of-year gifts for his former teachers and principal.

And an excerpt from their card, “…May this plant be a symbol of the growing knowledge, inspiration and wisdom you strive to impart on all your students, past and present… ”

And even if they don’t thrive, I wanted them to know that our family valued their work and they made a significant mark in No. 2 son’s life.

“What a teacher writes on the blackboard of life can never be erased.” (Author Unknown)

What do you think? Do you have a favorite gift idea? A favorite teacher who you adored or made a real difference in your life?

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Saturday:

Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Night Special

Sunday:
The DIY Showoff:The DIY Project Parade

Monday:
Metamorphosis Monday:Between Naps On The Porch

Wednesday:
Beyond The Picket Fence:Under $100 Linky Party

Thursday:

My Repurposed Life: Catch as Catch Can Party

Candle Magic

Candle Magic

I have been taking mini breaks from blogging for some time now. I am taking time instead to assess my life and focus on identifying my true calling and what I was put on this earth to do. I have many passions, some I act on while others are put on the back burner out of necessity. After all, there are only 24 hours in a day and wife, mother and life responsibilities have to be fulfilled, right?

Over the last few weeks, I have embarked on a spiritual journey in order to get reacquainted with my authentic self. No stranger to self-assessment and journaling, I have taken pen to paper, yes folks the old school way, to document my journey and chart the course ahead of me. Journaling, gratitude, affirmations and prayer are how I start my days. I wake up before my family so that I can have the quiet and stillness to effectively nourish my soul. It has been wonderful. Don’t get me wrong, the process requires discipline and hard work, but I am up for the challenge.

I have been journaling since I was a teenager, conducting gratitude sessions in my head since Oprah’s “Finding Your Spirit” season, and prayer has always been a significant part of my life; however, this journey is somewhat different. It includes dialog, exchange and guidance as I find my way. It is exciting and a little scary at the because it requires you to be brutally honest with yourself as you assess your life experiences, both good and bad. That means reliving painful feelings and memories that you thought you buried repressed or reconciled in the past. Although a significant undertaking, it is just the right thing for me to do at this time.

Who started me along on my journey? Ms. Alana Foy, a Life Coach and Reiki Master and all around beautiful person. You can learn more about her at Solitude or at Get WOWD on Twitter. She is on a mission to spread positivity in the world. She exudes such goodness that envelops, inspires and encourages me to take the steps necessary to live my best life. Her weekly assignments are helping me to focus and concentrate on what I am truly passionate about, connect with my inner being and to document my thoughts, feelings and emotions along the way. And then there are fun tasks like spending 15 minutes doing something you like every day.

So why did I call this post Candle Magic? Because lighting a candle each morning has become part of my morning ritual. It helps me relax and focus while journaling. My love affair with candles began last winter when I purchased a vanilla citrus scented soy candle. I used it until it could burn no more. Then I found an Essential Elements vanilla sandalwood candle, also soy, which I love as well.

I have come to the conclusion that anything vanilla seems to work for me. So in honor of my magic candle, I used my 15 minute “me time” to pen this poem which sums up my spiritual journey thus far:

Candle candle burning bright
May the entire world see your light

Comfort, Peace, that’s what you bring
Watching your flame makes my heart sing

As the sun rises early dawn
Look forward to you each and every morn

Pen to paper, the words just flow
Every thought helpful, I just know

Taking the time to record my gratitude
One step closer to my best attitude

Contemplating and acknowledging who I am
Finding the best me, that’s my plan

Written words easier than those we say
When I am done, I am open to pray

The universe is ready for me to make my move
With conscious living, I have nothing to prove

Poof you’re out, I’ve done my work
This special time is one great perk

Off I go to start my day
In a most exciting and fresh new way!

by Joselyn Smith-Greene

So, I guess it’s official. I now consider myself a published poet.
Do you have any candle magic of your own? Can you relate to my spiritual journey?

My DIY Spirit

My DIY Spirit

This is one of those “keeping it real” posts; no fluff, just pure honesty. Almost two months have past since my last post and it is not solely due to a floundering DIY spirit or SCD; there is more to it than that. I had to step away from blogging because I lost my focus, drive and excitement for it. My creativity was also being stifled by planning, photographing and writing my next post, all the while, becoming disillusioned and wondering if I was moving in the right direction in carving my niche in the world of blogging.

There were other things that got in the way too – like the task of laying out No. 2 son’s 5th grade yearbook.  Oh my goodness! Despite being part of a three person team, sixty pages of photos and content was truly and overwhelming process. Originally, I thought I have experience with page layout and editing (newsletters, directories, instruction sheets, etc.), it will be a piece of cake. WRONG! I was clueless about how challenging it turned out to be. I’m not too sure I would volunteer for such a project again. But I never say never anymore. Life just has a funny way of testing such a position, so I don’t:)

And sadly, Google Connect broke my heart when it decided not to support WordPress bloggers anymore. My followers gone in an instant, like a puff of smoke. Having to start all over with Linky Followers after all this time is such a hard pill to swallow. And if that wasn’t enough, for some reason, I cannot figure out why my posts stop posting to my Facebook page. Is this a conspiracy or a test for survival of the fittest? Okay, I’m done with the pity party:) I now have it all out of my system and I am ready to start over.

With that said, I’m looking forward to attending Haven to get some ideas and mold The DIY Spot into what I had envisioned. Although I bought my ticket early on, I am not entirely sure I will be able to attend. It all depends on No. 2 son’s graduation date so fingers crossed and positive thoughts it won’t present a scheduling conflict.

How about you – have any of you had similar issues? What did you do to resolve them?

Blogging Woes

Blogging Woes

I have been MIA a lot lately. Life has been real busy. DIY central is under renovation – roof,

siding,

windows, and a bathroom addition. And even though Mr. DIY and I hired a contractor, everyday life has gotten a little more complicated. The siding and roof are finished. Yeah!!! The bathroom is another story. Lets just say, I am hoping for a happy ending but I will save that for another post.

But as much as I like to blame my irregular posting on everyday life, that would be too easy. If I have to be honest, there is something more to it then that. I started blogging because I like to write. So I thought, why not write about what I am passionate about – crafty, DIY, upcycling, trash to treasure kind of stories. It started out so easy and effortless. And even though my love for writing or my creative passions haven’t waned, I find myself wrestling to blog consistently. The excitement has dissipated and I long for more time to read other blogs rather then write my own. Is this normal, I wonder? Do other bloggers go through the same kind of angst and growing pains?

I also realized that blogging sometimes hinders my creative flow. I get distracted by planning and taking photos rather then focusing on the creative process, so much so, that I put off starting, progressing or finishing my creative journeys. Speaking of photos, I have yet to master my Cannon
Rebel:( The learning curve from my point and shoot turned out to be far longer than I had anticipated. Sorry if I sound whiny, that certainly is not my intent. I just feel like I hit a road block and not to sure how to proceed. However, I plan to persevere through it all and hopefully find my true niche and balance in the blogging world.

If you can relate to any of this, do let me know. Your comments will be truly appreciated.