I am Back!

Hey guys, sorry for that really long unplanned absence.

I am back and my goodness I've missed this blog of mine!

I was away for a few reasons but the main one was just simply that

life has been kicking my ass lately!

Long story short,

my migraine life got really bad and at the same time I took part in the Migraine Summit

which was pretty overwhelming for me as I don't think I've ever fully accepted how much

my life as a migraineur affects me, so for lack of better words,

I kinda went into a mourning for lost dreams (more on that later on).

Than I let all kinds of stress from all kinds of directions hit me and pile up

and my body got pretty darn sick let me tell you...I ended up in the hospital on two occasions

and just a couple weeks ago was experiencing a very scary heart issue...all due to stress.

Another big point of stress for me has been being a vegan in a very cruel uncaring non-vegan world

(more on that later too for that's a pretty big issue!).

I have also been diagnosed with a new thing that I am not quite ready to chat about yet

as I am still accepting it and processing it...it's nothing horrible, just something I'll have to deal with.

Than our Flynn got very sick for about a month & we thought we would lose him.

And this happened not even a month after we lost our Henrie to a heart attack.

And in between all of that my sweet sweet man has been having problems with his ears

and we've been dealing with long sleepless nights on the floors etc with stasis and gas

in mostly Leisel and Misa, who are prone to these problems...

Life with so many rescues is always rewarding but hardly ever very easy.

But I am feeling Spring full now...I am soaking in the birdsong...

looking forward to a new season with hopefully very little drama and losses

and a new season with a much stronger grip on how I let stress rattle me!

So start visiting me here again okay...I am back...and I have so much to share XOXO

The Phoenix Soul: The Wild Joy Issue

Hey you guys, I am so pleased to let you know that I am in the
Wild Joy Issue of The Phoenix Soul...
Available for purchase right now June 1st
(which is my Mom's 66th Birthday...Happy Birthday MOM XOXO)

"The Phoenix Soul is a fiercely indie digital magazine and community, designed to honor our tender truths. Amanda Fall is the creator, editor, and chief gatherer of good. Each issue of the digital magazine (PDF instant download) features 60 vibrant full-color pages for only $6."

The Phoenix Soul magazine features heartpounding art, gaspworthy poetry, brave essays, intimate interviews (including our signature Truth Tribe interview), evocative creative prompts, & more. Single issues are available for purchase ($6), as well as subscription services (at a discounted rate). "

"Every issue explores a different soul-centered theme designed to encourage hope and healing in our everyday lives, honoring both our deep ache and our wild joy.

We are raw and real. Grit and grace. Truth-speakers, love-believers, heart-on-our-sleevers.

We encourage vulnerability, authentic connection, and intentional living."

"WE LOVE YOUR REBEL HEART. YOUR MISFIT DREAMS. YOUR WILD PHOENIX SOUL!"

I really really hope that you'll check it out.
I am featured with one of my favorite all-time pieces of last year,
one that the lovely Amanda and I agree speaks loud and clear on the topic of Wild Joy.
And I am interviewed in the "Grit & Grace" section as well where I chat briefly about
where I find my own Wild Joy, what inhibits it and how I get back to it when waylaided.

Thanks SO much for including me in this issue Amanda, it's been an honor once again XO
(p.s. all magazine descriptions in quotes belong to The Phoenix Soul, as well as the two badges)

Blogger Buzz

It's only a tiny little blurb in their Spring issue,

but it was still lovely to get a free contributors issue from Artful Blogging

 because they used part of one of my blog posts in their "Blogger Buzz" section.

Thanks Artful Blogging,

it was a complete and utter pleasure being in your pages back in the Winter issue XO.

My Giant Strawberry Interview

Did you guys check out my interview yet on My Giant Strawberry?

(The link to the article is just over there on your right, see it??)

The lovely Anne Butera & I chat about my days at a top Canadian art college...

 life with pain and my tools for navigating troubled times with more ease and of course we chat

about all that our beautiful bunnies inspire....check it out
click the sidebar button or right here

I've Been Thinking About Interviews

So I have for quite some time been thinking on how I can reach new kindred spirits & connect?

But not just to connect but share the beauty of that connection too, so therefore,

how could I use my blog to do so?

For about two years now I've been intrigued

by the idea of interviewing people on this beloved spot of mine.

But not just anyone...

Artists but even more specifically tenacious artists, like me, who create with chronic pain.

And artists or non-artists who love animals and make their lives & families around them.

 

 

Do you think it sounds good?

I'd like to begin soon because enough is enough...I shouldn't procrastinate on it any longer.

Connection is a thing of beauty and is sadly becoming rarer as the world gets meaner.

I know I am definitely not the only migraine/headache suffering artist out there

nor by far the only one obsessed, devoted, fulfilled and in love with a life revolving around animals.

I want to find more of these fellow souls and I want you to meet them too.

 

So let me ask you, do you know any people who fits either or both of these descriptions???

Email me at Whimsy@MandySaile.com

and let me know or maybe you have a great idea of where I can find such people

and maybe I'll connect with them & than maybe you'll see them here.

Yayyyy!



Streamlining & Cleaning House

With a busy life caring for 9 rabbits, almost constant pain to contend with,
always tons going on in the studio
and everything else that life brings, big and small...
I really need to start streamlining and making days easier wherever possible
so I am starting with my online presence & my computer!

After 9 years of using Facebook, with both a personal profile and an artist page,
the negatives always outweighed the positives for me, but because it was there,
I kept using it even though it always left me grumpy, so I finally deleted it.

I never really saw the point of LinkedIn but I had a profile there too
and now knowing it's a major leak and seller of everyone's info including passwords,
and because it's never ever led to anything positive for my business, I've deleted that too.

I've also long ago stopped using Twitter
and hardly anyone there conversed with me anyhow so I doubt I'll be missed.
It was time to clear that account out and delete it as well
and this week I'll likely be getting rid of my Pinterest too.

I apologize if you've enjoyed following me on any of these places that I won't be using any longer...
But trying to connect with everyone everywhere just hasn't been working for me.
These places I've let go lend no positivity to me personally or professionally...
Especially when I realized just how much time I was loosing to social media I don't enjoy...
Days are short, I'd rather spend those precious few minutes on my family and artwork.

You'll still be able to find me here on my beloved blog, I adore the ease of Instagram
and I still love to upload once a month to my Flickr albums & share in the groups on there.
Even though I am hopefully going to find a new custom home for my art shop,
it will stay, for the time being, on the tried and true Etsy platform.

Allowing myself to streamline my online house has felt super good and positive
it can only be positive, because who wants me in a space that I am simply not enjoying right!
Nothing was deleted on a whim, trust me.
And I am trusting that whoever is interested enough in what I am doing,
that they will find me in the above mentioned places
or that they will sign up for my newsletter, which is lovely way to keep in touch with me.

I am making room in my routines so that fluidity has more space to work it's magic.
I am making it so that I have more time to spend in the places that I want to nurture.
 

Hello 2017

Hi again

How are you doing?

How is 2017 treating you so far?

Me??

Well 2016 kinda kicked my ass if I may be honest

and I know I have so much beauty and wonderful things to be thankful for admist the cruddy,

but still, I admit I am happy to see the other side of it...to start fresh with a positive attitude.

 

 

2017 is starting off slowly though I think...but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

I unfortunately haven't had a pain-free day yet in 2017 so that's not a super great start!

& whiles our buns are doing well & the 2 newbies seem really happy, I am still sore over Teela.

I find myself moving a smidge slowly in my studio...finding my footing after long holidays off.

I am not necessarily making resolutions but just trying to visualize where I want to go

in 2017, with my work and with my own self too.

I know already abunch of things I want to work on, professionally and personally

I'll keep the personal list close to my chest right now however.

 

 

I know I want to publish my very first book, finally!!!

I want to get better at putting original work and new items into my dear shop.

I want to get into weaving, do some sewing projects, make some paper & cloth dolls,
try some needle felting, dive into pastels again, kick it up with linos....
ahhhh sooo many things!

but really I just want to get way more work done than I did in 2016.

 

Are you ready for another year of blogging?  This will be my 9th!

I truly hope you'll continue to join me, I am always so honored when you spend time with me.

& a big huge welcome to anyone new, thank you SO much already XO

Let's Do This!

Artful Blogging

I am over the moon

and the sun

and the stars...

I am beyond cloud 9

past seventh heaven!

because I and my beloved blog are featured in the

 

Winter 2017 issue of

Artful Blogging

 

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.....

 

 

I have loved and admired this magazine for years and years and have stacks of them in my studio.

I believe in and love my blog so much.  I put a lot of effort & time into it and it just

finally felt like time to give it the chance to be seen...

so I submitted and I heard back with a positive answer before I knew it.

This is one of my artistic dreams and goals come true...

In bright, thick glossy paper & beautiful colour

and it's on stands today (or available online).

It's SIX whole wonderful pages just for me.

I adore how they arranged it all, I love each photo they chose.

The editor was so so lovely to work with (and patient)...Thanks Danielle XO

 

and well I just couldn't be happier right now

and I really really hope you guys will rush out and pick up a copy.

 

WOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ha ha!