Category Archives: Create YOUR Life

Live your life – your way.
Lebe Dein Leben – auf Deine Art.

Word of the year

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Word of the year

First of all I want to wish you a wonderful and happy New Year. The least I can do, when I already missed wishing you a Merry Christmas.

The last weeks I spent rather quiet. Which felt so great! But the next time-out will be a little more planned and prepared so that you do not think I just have all forgotten about my newsletter, blog and shop. ;-)

How did you start the new year? With a big party? Or more quietly? Do you have many plans for 2014? Did you come up with New year resolutions?
Over the last years I have done what many do. I picked a bunch of resolutions that I wanted to work on. And then I had all forgotten about them by about February. At some point I decided that resolutions are just not for me. ;-)
But last year I tried something new and was actually pretty surprised how well that worked. I had picked a word for the year. Last year my word was „simplify“. And I actually did simplify all over the year. And in different aspects of my life. Honstely, I would have never thougth that one simple word can be so powerful!

Thrilled by my success I chose a word for this year. BRAVE. And just to make sure that I do not forget – I made myself a little reminder. ;-) Every time I look at the picture I am reminded to be more brave.

Mixed media "Brave" by Ursula Markgraf

Do you have a word for 2014? If yes, would you tell me which one?

 
 

Advent

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Advent

Today is the 1st of Advent. I LOVE Advent. Yes, I wrote it deliberately like this. Not “I love Christmas”. I love Advent. I love this time of waiting, hoping, looking forward to …

During the last years however, for our family Advent has turned more and more into a race. Somehow the more kids you have the more demands are placed upon you during Advent time. It is incredible how many appointments or dates even kids suddenly have!
After all, Advent lasts about 4 weeks. :-) And if you try to stuff as much as possible into those 4 weeks – at some point it is just TOO much. Even if baking cookies, crafting, reading, decorating, puppet theatre, going to the Christmas market, Christmas parties and all such things are fun, when you are only running from one event to the next, then the whole point of Advent is lost. 

Therefore I try each year to say “no” more often, but also to celebrate Advent with little things. Cause if you really enjoy and savor the little things, then they are actually not less than the big things.

Weihnachten/ Christmas - mixed media - by Ursula Markgraf

The art pieces shown above are Christmas mini-canvases and read “God became human” in German.

So today I would like to inspire you to think about how you want to celebrate Advent this year. What is important to you?

For me the most important things are:
-baking cookies with my kids
-reading Christmas stories and Christmas books
-putting up the manger
–having an Advent wreath – or at least 4 candles ;-)

What I want to “let go”:
-decorating the whole house
-handmaking gifts for everyone
-taking part in all Christmas activities or events
-having a wide selection of homemade cookies available, at all times
-crafting all the fun things that I find on Pinterest ;-)

And now it’s your turn:

What are things that are important to you in Advent? What are things you want to let go off or want to do less?

Fürchte Dich nicht

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Fürchte Dich nicht

This is a post I kinda wrote for myself. :-) But I think it does affect everyone at times … so maybe it will help you.

Do you know the feeling when you start something new? The fear, that kinda creeps up and boycotts what you are doing?
Last summer I had a moment when I realized how much I actually do – or do not do – out of fear. And back then I promised myself to stop listening to that fear. That is not easy. At all. Often fear creeps up silently – with a bunch of arguments in stow. There are times when fear sounds so reasonable that one does not recognize it as fear at all. In those times it is good to have friends that tell you “Hey, you are just afraid”. And this is exactly what happened to me today.

What am I afraid of? To show the things that I made in my studio during the last weeks. No buttons – but pictures. Yes, I have shown some of my art before. But those were always pictures that I had not made for selling. Somehow to show those was easier. (Not easy, but easier.) But today – without prior announcement or a big party – the premier on my website: my first mixed-media art piece that is for sale (Sold).

Fürchte Dich nicht/ Do not be afraid - mixed media art - by Ursula Markgraf

It is inspired by Christmas. The words read “Do not be afraid” in German. It is what the angels say in the Christmas story.
To me personally Christmas is quite important. Not the kind of Christmas that happens in the stores and shops, but the “actual” Christmas.

But I think that even without Christmas the message of the picture – or of the angels  – is important. Do not be afraid. Trust. Yes, that is not easy. At least not for me. But each time I do overcome my fear, I learn how much it is worth.

So today I want to inspire to think about where fear sneaks up in your life? What do you do – or do you not do – out of fear? And what would you do if you did not have your fear?

I am really looking forward to your comments … and am off having a cup of strong tea. To calm down … ;-)

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Träume, wage, trinke Tee!

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Träume, wage, trinke Tee!

It is gorgeous weather here today. So I thought a piece of art and a little thought-provoking impulse should be enough. :-)

Dream, dare, drink tea - mixed media art by Ursula Markgraf
 

I made the picture already a while ago. And it actually was more an experiment than anything else. But it was so much fun! And in my opinion, the message on it can not be repeated enough.
It does not have to be the BIG dreams all the time. (But it can, of course.) And it does not have to be the huge daring things you do. You can dare in small ways. Every day. And it will change your life!

What are you dreaming of today? How will you dare?

I am off to have a cup of tea … ;-)

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What makes your heart sing?

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What makes your heart sing?

One thing that makes me really happy is knitting. – Yep, today I was in knitting mood. Next week there will be mixed-media again. ;-) – I really knit very slowly. A pair of socks or legwarmers will easily take me a couple weeks or months. But still, I enjoy it immensely. It really helps me to calm down. It is almost like meditation. Added bonus being you end up with a pair of legwarmers. :-)

Knitted legwarmers and handmade button by Ursula Markgraf

I made these legwarmers with a pattern called Heartwarmers  by Girly Knits. It took me quite some time to finish them – but now they are finally done. And I am totally happy with them.

Knitted legwarmers and handmade button by Ursula Markgraf

Especially since I managed to actually knit those hearts. I have to admit that I am quite proud of that achievement. :-) I only had learned how to do cables just before so to me that was quite astonishing.

Knitted legwarmers and handmade button by Ursula Markgraf

The fact that my handmade grey faux knit heart buttons fit perfectly to the legwarmers was a coincidence – but that makes me even more happy. :-)

What makes your heart sing?

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Celebrate life

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Celebrate life

Celebrate life every day.

I made this card for a swap organized by Beth from „Do what you love“ with the theme „Celebrate“.

Celebrate life every day - mixed media art - by Ursula Markgraf

In my opinion each and every day should be celebrated. It does not have to be a huge party. ;-) But celebrating with little things … like a cup of tea, fresh bread, a juicy apple, or a cupcake. :-)

What do you celebrate today?

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What is your most treasured summer memory?

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What is your most treasured summer memory?

Summer seems so long ago already. So strange. I do love fall. But still – I wanted to at least write a little post about my past summer. It went kinda quickly, filled with activies with my kids as it was our first school holiday.

Handmade button

Handmade button “Beach love” – HERE in the shop

My favourite memory will be of the days that I spent with my kids at the sea. I LOVE the sea. And it had been a while that I last had been there. We actually had not planned any travels – but in an urge for adventure we hopped on a train and went to the sea. Well, we did pack bags before and all that … :-) We had such an awesome time. And I learned alot. Actually, it was quite shocking how much you can learn in only four days. Here my favs: 

  1. It feels awesome to get over your fear and do something that scares you.
    I had almost forgotten how that felt. I used to do many kinda scary things when I was younger. I went alone backpacking in Australia. I went alone hiking in the Scottish highlands. I went for long walks alone in the Texan dessert. Well, the last one I did not do alone. I went with a dog. :-) But you get the point. It was not that I was not scared of those things at all. But I did them anyway.

    After I have had my kids my fears … changed. So to me it seemed like the scariest thing ever to travel alone with my kids to a place where I knew noone. It seriously freaked me out. But you know what? Once I did it, not only did I survive. And yes, the kids are fine, too. ;-) It was good. It was actually quite awesome. Yes, it was exhausting as well. But now thinking of it, I am so glad that I did it and would not want to have missed it for the world. 

  2. It is important to pay attention to your dreams.
    REALLY important. Until I stood at the edge of the sea and looked out over the mass of blue water … and felt such a beautiful peace … I had no idea how much I actually had missed the sea. Yes, I have always loved the sea. But I had no idea how important it really was to me. Just sitting there looking at it, touching it, listening to the sound of the waves … gave me so much peace, energy, power.

  3. It makes life alot easier, if you stay “open”.
    Open for solutions that might not have been in your head before. Sometimes things that you dread and that seem „oh so wrong“ at first glance – turn out to be a blessing! For example a one-hour bus ride to a beach further along that my kids just HAD to go to. One hour stuck in a bus with my kids – and that was just ONE way – just did not sound too fun to me. We would be on a bus at least two hours that day, even longer counting how we got from the bus station back to the place we stayed at. It just did not seem worth it for a few hours on another beach. And if I would have done what I wanted to do, there would have been no busride. But I gave into my kids’ begging.
    And what shall I say, by the time the one hour bus ride came to an end I was wishing for it to last forever. It was just so amazing to sit on the bus, look out of the window over beautiful little villages and dose off a little while my kids sat quietely and happy next to me also looking out of the window. It was dreamy and a much needed break for me. I was so grateful for it.

And those were only my “favourite lessons” from the trip. :-) Honestly, I would have never thought that just four days can make you see so many things differently. And I will definitely think back to those days alot …

What is your most treasured summer memory? 

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You are beautiful

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You are beautiful

Do you think that is a strange title? If yes, why? You ARE beautiful.

ursula-markgraf-mixed-media-you-are-beautiful_MG_1208

Today I want to inspire you to explore your own beauty. We are bombarded daily with so many messages that are trying to tell us what we are supposed to look like and what beauty is. Yes, we do know that models are photoshoped and not perfect either. But do we think about our own beauty differently because of that? Do we find ourselves more beautiful because we know that noone is perfect?

If you had to name three things that you find truly beautiful about yourself – what would you say? Would it be easy to come up with three things? Or would you have to think about it alot?

A while ago I had to name three things that I find beautiful about myself and I was quite shocked how hard it was for me. It made me sad how much I struggled with this.

Therefore todays Sunday Whispers is dedicated to your beauty! Find it, enjoy it and make yourself at least one compliment!

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Be creative

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Be creative

Today I only have a short post for you. After I hit “publish” I will go into my studio and play with my paints. Can not wait. :-) Cause I have to be creative. I have to create.

Oh, and my kids will probably join me, so there is a considerable chance that it will get messy … *laugh*

Be creative. Now.

Be creative now - by Ursula Markgraf

So I challenge you to do the same. Not necessarily with paints – unless you want to :-) – but be creative in whichever way you like.

Sew, draw, write a poem, bake a cake … create something and feel how amazing it is to CREATE.

Oh, and let me know what you are creating. I will be working on some painted boxes for my craft fair display.

What will you be creating? Wanna try some mixed media art?

free-affirmation-card-workshop-ursula-markgraf

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Listen to your heart

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Listen to your heart

When was the last time you listened to your heart?

What are your deepest wishes?

What are the things you ache to do, make, have, experience, learn?

Do you allow yourself to go for them?

Listening to your heart by Ursula Markgraf

I love Martha Beck. She is AWESOME. Seriously, read everything from her you can get your hands on. If you are open to it it will change your life.

Anyway, one of the concepts of her work is that our deepest wishes will guide us to the things that will fulfill us and let us live our best life. To me that was quite a concept. After all, isn’t fulfilling your own wishes kinda selfish and egoistic?

When I first came across this concept I admit I was reluctant. Also I realized – somewhat shocked – that I had no idea (anymore) what I really wished for.

But the more I listened to my heart the more dreams bubbled up. And … the crazy thing … the more I acted and act on them – even in just very tiny ways – the more they seem to „guide“ me to something bigger.

 

So, I invite you to take a bit of time for yourself today and think about what you deeply wish for.

If you like write about it or make some art. Or just sit and think and dream. And of course I would love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments. :-)

Wanna try a free mixed media workshop?