Life Book 2015 - Teacher Line Up - Blog Hop and GIVE AWAY! :)

La la la laaaaaaa!!! It's time! It's time! iiiiiit's time!! It's time to announce the 

TEACHER LINE UP FOR LIFE BOOK 2015!!!! 

 :D eeeeeeee!

 

People, Gracie and I have been working our noses off over the last couple of months to get everything ready and finalised for Life Book 2015!! (So so much goes on behind the scenes, it surprises me each year!) Anyhoo, I shan't bore thee with 'behind the scenes' info, what you want to know is who will be teaching on Life Book 2015 right? Wellllllllllllll, I'm so proud, so happy, so joyful to have this amazing group of people to share their gifts with you, with us in 2015!! Come take a looksee, and make sure to scroll further down to read about the blog hop and the give away(s)!!! :D

Without further ado, here are your LB2015 Teachers! :)

Here are their names and sites if you want to check them out: 

Jane Davenport - http://janedavenport.com/  

Joanne Sharpe - http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Jenny Lee Wentworth - http://jennyleewentworth.blogspot.co.uk/  

Violette Clark - http://www.violette.ca/  

Chris Zydel - http://creativejuicesarts.com/ 

Danielle Donaldson - http://danielledonaldson.com/ 

Effy Wild - http://effywild.com/ 

Flora Bowley - http://braveintuitiveyou.com/  

Alisa Burke - http://alisaburke.blogspot.co.uk/  

Jessica Swift - http://www.jessicaswift.com/ 

Lynzee Lynx - http://lynzeelynx.com/  

Jeanne Oliver - http://www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com/  

Andrea Gomoll - http://andrea-gomoll.de/  

Kristin van Valkenburgh - http://www.kristinvanvalkenburgh.com/  

Jill K. Berry - http://jillberrydesign.com/  

Alena Hennessy - http://www.alenahennessy.com/  

Juliette Crane - http://www.juliettecrane.com/  

Jenny Doh - http://blog.crescendoh.com/crescendoh/ 

Mati Rose McDonough - http://www.matirose.com/  

Patti Ballard - http://www.pbsartstudio.com  

Rachael Rice - http://rachaelrice.com/  

Roben Marie Smith - http://www.robenmarie.com/  

Andrea Schroeder - http://www.creativedreamincubator.com/  

Lynn Whipple - http://www.lynnwhipple.com/  

Donna Downey - http://www.donnadowney.com/

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You can also download this PDF and read all about them:

To celebrate the amazing teacher line up and to celebrate that Life Book 2015 will open for registration on October 6th! We are running a blog hop this month and we'll be giving away loads of free spaces on Life Book 2015! :D Eeee! So exciting!

And I am kicking off this blog hop by

giving away 3 spaces on Life Book 2015! :)

All you have to do to enter the give away is to leave a comment telling me why you'd like to join Life Book 2015!

If you're new around here, you can check out the information for Life Book 2015 HERE.

Be sure to follow the blog hop if you want more than 1 chance to win a space,
each teacher can give away 1 space on Life Book 2015! :)))

YAYYYY!

I will announce my winners on Wednesday 17th September!

This is the blog hop schedule good luck to all those who are entering the give aways!

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8th September 2014 - Tamara Laporte - http://www.willowing.org/
9th September 2014 - Jane Davenport - http://janedavenport.com/
10th September 2014 - Joanne Sharpe - http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.co.uk/
11th September 2014 - Jenny Lee Wentworth - http://jennyleewentworth.blogspot.co.uk/
12th September 2014 - Violette Clark - http://www.violette.ca/
13th September 2014 - Chris Zydel - http://creativejuicesarts.com/
14th September 2014 - Danielle Donaldson - http://danielledonaldson.com/
15th September 2014 - Effy Wild - http://effywild.com/
16th September 2014 - Flora Bowley - http://braveintuitiveyou.com/
17th September 2014 - Alisa Burke - http://alisaburke.blogspot.co.uk/
18th September 2014 - Rachael Rice - http://rachaelrice.com/
19th September 2014 - Jeanne Oliver - http://www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com/
20th September 2014 - Andrea Gomoll - http://andrea-gomoll.de/
21st September 2014 - Kristin van Valkenburgh - http://www.kristinvanvalkenburgh.com/
22nd September 2014 - Jill K. Berry - http://jillberrydesign.com/
23rd September 2014 - Alena Hennessy - http://www.alenahennessy.com/
24th September 2014 - Juliette Crane - http://www.juliettecrane.com/
25th September 2014 - Jenny Doh - http://blog.crescendoh.com/crescendoh/
26th September 2014 - Mati Rose McDonough - http://www.matirose.com/
27th September 2014 - Patti Ballard - http://www.pbsartstudio.com
28th September 2014 - Lynzee Lynx - http://lynzeelynx.com/
29th September 2014 - Roben Marie Smith - http://www.robenmarie.com/
30th September 2014 - Andrea Schroeder - http://www.creativedreamincubator.com/
1st October 2014 - Lynn Whipple - http://www.lynnwhipple.com/
2nd October 2014 - Donna Downey - http://www.donnadowney.com/

Life Book 2015

For questions about Life Book contact Tam or Gracie on willowing.arts AT gmail.com (or leave a comment below).

“Life Book, a celebration and honouring of YOU” is a year-long mixed media art class organised by Tamara Laporte from Willowing Arts.

Tam is joined by 25 incredible art teachers who are all gearing up to share their mixed media techniques, tips and tricks with YOU! Themed around self-development and healing, you'll be creating several loose mixed media art journal pages per month which by the end of the year you will bind into a glorious journal (a Life Book)! You will have a wonderful keepsake that you can treasure for the rest of your life! 

REGISTRATION FOR LIFE BOOK 2015 IS NOW CLOSED

REGISTRATION FOR LIFE BOOK 2016 OPENS ON OCT 1ST 2015

SIGN UP FOR 2016 HERE :)

 

Hello dear one! My name is Tam! Thank you for stopping by and checking out the Life Book information. Life Book is SUCH a precious project to me, I pour my be-end all into this baby. Let me tell you all about it. It's kinda an offer you can't refuse I'm sure! Nearly 2800 wonderful people joined us on Life Book last year (and over 5000+ people have joined it since its inception in 2012!), it's been an incredible experience (it's still going as we speak). 

People have learned so much! They've created such beautiful art work and they've been so brave when digging deeper into some of the personal development exercises! I receive uplifting emails almost daily from participants telling me how Life Book has enriched their lives. I'm so honoured and blessed to be the host of this fantabulous course each year. I count my lucky stars every day!

 

In a nutshell, this is the Incredible Life Book offer:

◙ 9 In depth Mixed Media Art Lessons by me: Tam

◙ 25 In depth Mixed Media Art Lessons by Spectacular Guest Teachers (see below who the 2015 guest teachers are)

◙ 18 (Smaller) Bonus Activities like: extra PDF prompts & step by steps/ artist interviews/ ATC swaps/ give aways/ audio meditations/ writing prompts etc by Tam & Guest Teachers

Watch the promotional video for information and a dose of 'happy' ;) 

 

So basically you continue to receive creative inspiration and prompts WEEKLY (without fail, every week there is something for you to enjoy) and all that for ONLY £75 GBP or approx $120 USD (the course content is valued at over $1000+ so you get a year filled with incredible lessons and inspiration for only a fraction of the retail price, is that awesome or awesome?) There is no catch here, just me and a bunch of awesome other artists wanting you to have access to a 'library' of inspiring & educational art lessons and personal development tools that help you enrich your life. Simple as that. :) I personally believe that practising self care through art & self enquiry creates happier people and happier people equals a better world (happy people are nice to others and spread light and goodness! and sometimes: muffins!!!). :-)

I'm so excited about all the fantastic contributions this year! We have a range of truly incredible artists contributing their wisdom, light, beauty and artistic talent to the course, people like Alisa Burke, Jessica Swift, Flora Bowley and Donna Downey are only a handful of the amazing teachers contributing to Life Book 2015! (Scroll down to read about the entire teacher line up for LB2015!!)

Isn't this just awesome? Of course, I am totally biased, but if I came across an offer like this myself: I would jump at the chance! Not only because you can download all the videos which means that even if you fall behind or if you can't participate for a while, you can revisit the lessons at your own time in the future should you want to. :)

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Exciting right? :-) Of course, I am totally biased, but if I came across an offer like this myself: I would jump at the chance! Not only because you can download all the videos which means that even if you fall behind or if you can't participate for a while, you can revisit the lessons at your own time in the future should you want to. :)

I get daily letters from Life Book participants letting me know Life Book has enriched their lives. I feel so blessed and lucky to be able to provide a program that truly helps people feel better about themselves! 

But let me stop gushing and let some of the Life Book students have their say.

 

Praise for Life Book by current (gorgeous) Participants

✻ Pepi Valderrama, Spain says: "If you want to have fun, laugh, meditate, discover yourself, and find parts of you you didn't know existed within you, you have to be part of the tribe! Life Book is more than just some art lessons, is a journey we make with people around the world, all together, with joy and creativity. We are like a family who shares art, life experiences and warmth. There is more than art in Life Book!

✻ Maryann Covington, Kent, UK says: "An amazing opportunity to learn loads of techniques from loads of different teachers within a really supportive lovely community, for an incredible price."

✻ Kim McKinstry, Lumberton, Tx USA says: "An excellent opportunity to learn from a large variety of teachers, explore and connect with thousands of artist online, and the best thing I have found, so far, to give me the confidence I need to move forward with my own ideas."

✻ Nicole Jones, Tennessee, USA: "Life Book is an incredible mixed media art course taught by an eclectic group of talented artists. You get to spend the year playing with all sorts of materials, working in different styles and learning new techniques. The Life Book community, teachers and students alike, is filled with warm, welcoming and supportive people who are always there to offer encouragement and guidance. It has been such a fun and rewarding experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone. I am a better artist and a happier person for having been part of Life Book!"

✻ Jill Holmes, Brunswick, GA USA says: "One of the best, year-long art motivations that one can purchase on the internet. The variety of techniques and teachings are amazing and it is a very good value for the money involved to participate."

✻ Nia Bennison Maple Ridge, BC USA says: "Life changing!"

✻ Sharon from Bristol UK says: "It is the best e-course I have ever taken (and I've taken a lot)...you sure can't beat it anywhere!"

✻ Rosa from USA, Oroville, CA says: "Lifebook is a weekly commitment to art journaling. There are so many wonderful and varied teachers from around the world. You can work at your on pace and on your own schedule. The Lifebook community is so supportive and encouraging of each other's work. There is so much that can be learned technically and spiritually. You can participate as much or as little as you wish. But the more you put into Lifebook, the more you will get out of it. It's absolutely the best online class I have ever taken!"

✻ Marsha Mees, California, CA. USA says: "Unbelievable! An art lesson every week, 52 weeks of creativity! Lifebook feeds my creative soul. Meeting new people, new artists, making new friends, creating art, what more could you ask for. All this for such a great price!!! Who doesn't want to create in their Jammie's"

 

* Kim Margarit Canada says: "Be prepared to have your socks knocked off! It's FUN, it's so SELF-FULFILLING & GRATIFYING. You'll grow as an artist & find that with all the fun stuff, that your heart is opened more as well. That with all of Tam's love & positive messages, it changes you little by little in such a delightful way. I feel blessed to be a part of LifeBook & know of it's magical powers to transform."

Life Book - More Information and Teacher Line Up!

How does Life Book work?

Once you have sent payment through you will be added to a private group on the willowing.ning site and you will be invited to join the Life Book Facebook & Flickr Groups. Each week a new lesson is posted in the ning group. You will be notified by email every Monday that a new lesson is up. You will find download instructions in the lesson thread. 

You can then watch the lessons at your own time at home, do your work and share your work in the groups (should you want to - it's not necessary to share your work if you do not want to). You can create your paintings on single pages which by the end of the year will be bound into a book, a Life Book :) Sounds exciting no? :) 

 
How are the lessons structured?

Tam will provide 10 mixed media lesson throughout the year which will be posted on every 1st Monday of the month and this year there are 25 contributing mixed media teachers who will each provide a lesson for a month they've been assigned to (these lessons will be posted each 3rd and 4th Monday of the month).

 

In addition there will be extra things happening the other weeks: artist interviews to inspire you, journal prompts to encourage you, extra art exercises, meditations, ATC swaps, art tips and tricks, give-aways you name it! This course will be overflowing with lessons, inspiration and stuff to keep you busy the whole year!!

You will become part of a thriving, buzzing, creative community with opportunities to make new connections, learn many new mixed media styles and techniques and make new arty friends!

You will be able to:

• Download all class materials to your machine, keep them forever
• Learn many new mixed media techniques and styles
• Grow and develop both personally and artistically
• Receive extra inspiration, like PDF worksheets, art journal prompts, free uplifting affirmation jpegs (for you to print and hang up), give aways, artist interviews etc!
• Connect with like-minded creative people
• Make new artistic connections
• Become part of a buzzing/ thriving art community for a whole year!
 

 

About Tam's Life Book Lessons

Tam provides completely new (unseen) lessons to Life Book each year (there are no repeat lessons apart from the binding videos posted in December. Though the lessons are new each year, techniques that were covered in previous years may be repeated. Tam's Life Book lessons become available in a self study group once the Life Book year is finished. 

Life Book 2015 Yearly Class Schedule 

Download the yearly class schedule by clicking on the image or link below. Please note that we will all work towards sticking to the schedule though please allow for some wriggle room in that sometimes unexpected things happen in life and some classes might be changed last minute (this doesn't happen much at all, but please assume this can happen). 

LifeBook2015-WeeklySchedule.PDF

Basic Supply List

Click on the image to download the basic suggested supply list for the course. Please be aware, this is a suggested list that will help you get started, but you won't necessarily need to buy every single thing on the list, certain materials can easily be replaced with other ones that you already have. So if you are on a budget, don't go crazy buying all the supplies. Throughout the year different teachers may introduce you to new materials as well. It's never compulsory to buy all the materials used on the course (of course not!), I'd say: see how you go throughout the year and if you see a teacher use something you really really love, then go buy it, but you don't need to 'arm' yourself with a house full of supplies you may not continue using in the future! 

 

LIFEBOOK2015-SUGGESTEDSTARTER-supplylist.PDF

Who can sign up to Life Book? I haven't ever done any art, can I join too?  

Darling, OF COURSE YOU CAN! Life Book is for EVERYONE! :) Sure, the course will be easier if you've done some art already, but don't deprive yourself of learning the awesome magic making and healing power of art just because you haven't done it before! The course is suitable for beginners/ intermediates and masters alike! Everyone will get something different out of the course. The course is run in an open, supportive, inclusive and encouraging environment where you can play, experiment, make a 'fool' of yourself and start all over again! There will be no judgement, we will only love you and encourage you! :) All lessons are conducted in such a way that you can follow the tutors step by step, so you can do what they do, and if that bores you, then you can go totally off the rails and do your own thing inspired by their lesson! Sounds good? :) You are loved and welcome here, no matter what skill level, for serious! :D xoxoox

Things to consider before joining:

Life Book is all about "inclusivity" and welcomes every person no matter gender, ethnicity, religious background or age. That said, the course might not be suitable for you if:

• You are under the age of 18 - it is recommended that children and teenagers do the course with a parent or custodian mainly because of the personal development element of the course. (Many parents have done the course with their teenage or younger children, if you have questions about this pls email us on willowing.arts AT gmail.com).
• If you are bothered by references that are more 'new age/ "woo woo"' in nature. We may refer to concepts such 'the inner goddess', 'the muse', "Intuition", "Shamanism", "Mandalas", "Crystals", "Yoga", "Sacred Ritual", "Being Here Now" etc.
• If you strongly do not enjoy or if you do not want to be exposed to personal development/ healing concepts (though these sections can be skipped)
• If you are hoping that each lesson will present a completely new technique and that no technique is ever repeated. Each lesson is fresh and newly created by each teacher, BUT we all work in the same field, so we will likely overlap with some techniques here and there. That doesn't mean you don't learn anything new because we all do something different with each technique, each teacher has their own unique style and creates amazing work, just be aware that some techniques may overlap or that some styles are similar.
• If you hope that Life Book can be the sole treatment for an existing mental health issue (Life Book can be used in support of a therapy treatment, but should not be used as the only treatment for a mental health issue.)
• If you don't like drawing faces/ portraits. Though all lessons are different and many lessons will not include drawing/ painting a face, expect approx 30-40% of the lessons to include a face of some sorts (either attached to a little whimsical body or as an actual portrait by itself). The rest of the lessons can include: abstract shapes, natural shapes (flowers/ trees etc), animals, landscapes including houses etc.

What do I need and need to know in order to join Life Book 2015?

• You will need a highspeed internet connection to be able to download and the videos. If you have a slower connection you can stream the videos online and/ or learn through the PDFs, but the best option is to have a highspeed internet connection.
• It will be helpful to have a basic understanding of IT, like reading emails, navigating sites like Facebook and flickr etc. If you're having trouble with some IT related stuff some help can be given, but in depth IT guidance cannot be given.
• If you are planning on downloading and keeping the videos you will need to make sure you have "a few" gigabites available. Each video can be between 200 - 900 MB in size. Multiply that by at least 32 lessons and you can see you'll need quite a bit of space! I recommend you get an additional external hard drive on to which you can download all the lessons. Unfortunately I am unable to offer the entire class on DVD/ CD (it would be at least 20 DVDs).
• Be aware that you will have access to the Life Book content until the end of January 2016, so make sure you download what you want throughout the year, DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, because the content will really disappear after Jan 31st 2016.
• With regards to the personal development exercises: please understand that none of the art teachers on the course are qualified psychotherapists or psychologists. Therefore if you are prone to depression or if you think you might be triggered through one of the healing exercises it's important that you only embark upon the healing exercises knowing that you have an adequate support system around in the form of friends, family and/or a therapist to help you deal with painful stuff should this happen. Though there will be an 'emotional support thread' on the course available, the teachers and I are not able to provide you with in depth emotional support (as much as we would want to!)
• This course should not be considered a substitute or a replacement for face-to-face therapy. It is designed to help and encourage the participant to love and accept themselves more fully through personal development exercises and connecting with their inner creative nature. Participants who suffer from any kind of mental health issues are advised to seek the help from mental health professionals. Life Book can be used as a supplement to any therapy treatment, but should not be used as a main form of treatment for any mental health issues.
• The course is not based on any specific religious faith but may refer to and base lessons on and around 'non-dual' teachings. The course is inclusive of every human being regardless of their chosen faith (or non-faith). The theme focus of the course is 'self-development/ self-love/ self-healing'. We may refer to concepts such as: "The Goddess in You", "Intuition", "Shamanism", "Mandalas", "Crystals", "Yoga", "Sacred Ritual", "Being Here Now" etc.
   

Who are the awesome artists contributing to Life Book?
Hold on to your seats, guys, we have yet another fantastic line-up!! :D

I am so privileged and honoured, excited and joyful to have the following amazing artists contribute their skill, time, knowledge and energy to Life Book 2015. Download this PDF to read about this awesome group of teachers!

Alisa Burke - www.alisaburke.blogspot.co.uk

Alena Hennessy - www.alenahennessy.com

Andrea Gomoll - www.andrea-gomoll.de

Andrea Schroeder - www.creativedreamincubator.com

Chris Zydel - www.creativejuicesarts.com

Danielle Donaldson - www.danielledonaldson.com

Effy Wild - www.effywild.com

Flora Bowley - www.braveintuitiveyou.com

Jane Davenport - www.janedavenport.com

Jeanne Oliver - http://www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com

Jenny Doh - http://blog.crescendoh.com/crescendoh

Jenny Lee Wentworth - http://jennyleewentworth.blogspot.co.uk

Jessica Swift - http://www.jessicaswift.com

Jill K. Berry - http://jillberrydesign.com

Joanne Sharpe - http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.co.uk

Juliette Crane - http://www.juliettecrane.com

Kristin van Valkenburgh - http://www.kristinvanvalkenburgh.com

Lynzee Lynx - http://lynzeelynx.com

Mati Rose McDonough - http://www.matirose.com

Patti Ballard - http://www.pbsartstudio.com

Rachael Rice - http://rachaelrice.com

Roben Marie Smith - www.robenmarie.com

Violette Clark - www.violette.ca

Lynn Whipple - www.lynnwhipple.com

Donna Downey - www.donnadowney.com

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More Praise for Life Book! 

 

“I always thought my creativity and abilities would not be enough to paint anything worthwile. I started life book, learned so many differend methods and developed so much personally and artistically that I now think about starting a creative business! When I really look at my life I always wanted to do something creative and didn´t have the guts... I thought I was not skilled, creative, good enough even to try! Life book changed that feeling and my art skilles about 180°! (Thank you, Tam!!!) It makes you stretch out of your comfort zone and makes you reach for the stars - and you will reach at least the moon! :-)” - Leila Freiburg (a.k.a."Amy"); Germany

“An amazing course that spans a whole year, and has lessons from some amazing artists that have really inspired me to try new techniques.” - Monique Green, Surrey (UK)

“It's a fantastic self-paced course with world wide, well known instructors teaching methods in a way that anyone can create great works of art. The course also helps to expand the mind opening the door to creative thoughts that have been dormant in some and locked in others. With visual instruction along with readable content and available help 24/7 makes it THE online art course to enroll in! “ - Connie Foster Bissell - Marshfield, MO USA 

“Life Book is a wonderful, Year Long, Art course. With new lessons by different teachers each week. It's fun, and challenging, and it's full of amazing techniques, I'm learning about new to me mediums, which is great! And there's a personal development aspect too, which I love. There is so much to it and it's very reasonably priced .... it's exciting and wonderful! And at the end of the year all these pieces of art you created will be bound into an amazing book. You get lots of support and encouragement... and help when you need it. And you work at your own pace. "WOW" ....I really LOVE Life Book! ;) “ - Phoebe Thibault-Sherrard, in Kitchener, Ontario

“I am taking this amazing year long art class. It has so much information to learn and is so incredible. I can't recommend it enough!” - Stacie Spencer,New Market, Maryland USA
 

“There's this GREAT class called Lifebook, available on-line! The cost is affordable...and it is so nice to have something to look forward to each week. You can work at your own pace, you can download information if you choose. The teachers are varied in style & lessons vary in content so there really is something for everyone. I've LOVED being part of this experience!” - Patricia Bleecher, MA., USA

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Chakra Girl - New Artistcellar Stencils - Yay another Give-Away!

Heeeeeey-hoooooo! :)

I do so love my job you guys, because I get to give away so many goodies to you lovelies. :) Eeee! And I get to make pretty art and show you!

(BTW, another give-away is coming up next week, I'll be giving away one of Claudine Hellmuth's classes, or well, a space on one of her classes, excitement! woohoo!). LOL, it's give-away central around here lol! :)

But today, I want to introduce you to a new product by Artistcellar! They make awesome stencils (hem hem, I designed some too for them, go check them out here for UK/ Europe, here for US/ Canada/ S.America, here for Australia/ Asia/ Africa) and they've come out with a really nifty new stencil idea: yes yes, they are: POCKET STENCILS! :) So cute, so handy, so versatile! :D Easy to take out and about for your journal, super duper fun! :)

I made this beautiful Chakra Girl with some of the Chakra Stencils: 

 

Buy a print of Chakra Girl here.
(The original is still for sale here too) :) 

and filmed it too, wahay! :) Wanna watch the making of? :) Go for it->

Materials used in video: Mechanical Pencil by Pentel (Graphgear 1000) lead: 2b, size: 0.9, Watersoluble Crayons (Neocolor II), Brayer, White Gesso, White Acrylics, Posca Pen White, Skin Tone Acrylics, Aquamarkers (mouth and shading), Modelling Paste (Galeria/ Winsor & Newton), Golden High Flow Acrylics (Diarylide Yellow) for the dots), Blending Stump, Collage Papers (random).

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Here are some more close ups (took these photos in a dark room late at night, so not the best ones, the contrast isn't as high as you see in some of these pics, but you get the gist! :))

I LOVE using modelling paste through the stencils and get beautiful textures :) 

If you want to win 1 set of the pocket stencils, make sure to leave a comment below and tell me which set speaks to you (which one you'd like to win) and why! :) And thank you, as always, for visiting my blog and cheering me on, you kind person you. I rather heart you. :) <3
Want to see what the other artists did with the stencils? Go visit their blogs, some of their give aways might still be open. You can enter their give aways too ->

May 31st – Lisa Cousineau www.artistcellar.com/wp
June 1st – Belinda Spiwak http://alteredbelly.blogspot.com/
June 2nd – Amy O’Toole www.skyeandstonedreams.com/blog/
June 3rd – Lea Cioci http://leacioci.blogspot.com/
June 4th – Lynn Krawczyk http://smudgedtextilesstudio.com/blog/
June 5th – Effy Wild http://effywild.com/
June 6th -Tamara Laporte http://www.willowing.org/blog/

Tam x

Water, Art & Soul - A New Mini Course Available! :)

Dearest most beloved creative friends and community! :) I have a BIG, IMPORTANT, JUICY new project I want to share with you guys and I hope hope HOPE you'll support it with all your might! :D I need you dear friend, AND I have gifts to give you if you'll help me pleasie! I know you'd help me without the need to receive gifts, but I feel so much gratitude to those who'll support this project that I've prepared some gifties too, just because, just because I love you and care and am hopeful that we can do this thing together. You excited yet? :) You're probably wondering: Tam, dude, what are you ON about?! ;)

Well let me explain! :D

As a humanist and humanistic company, we donate to charity all the time (friends of the earth, chestnut tree house, kiva, amnesty etc), and we do so with love and joy. I am often really weighed down by the suffering in the world (as I know many of you out there are too), so much so that I have to stop watching the news. I feel helpless, sad, despair and can sometimes end up a big black hole of depression just thinking about all the suffering in the world. So I was thinking: what can I do?! Shall I just sit here in my black hole effectively adding to the suffering and misery in the world? Or shall I go out there and bring more joy and light? What little bit can I do to make a difference? Yeah, I opted for the latter, I was going to do something awesome! :) But instead of giving money and letting charities 'do the work', I felt called to do something more pro-active! Instead of donating money to a charity directly, I wanted to create something specifically to make the world a better place. I want to create a project for the purpose of directly helping people; to bring more joy & healing to the world. :) Yayyyyyy!! 

So when I found out that anyone could start their own Water Campaign at 'Charity Water' I felt excited to start my own campaign! Some people run marathons or give up their birthdays others shave their beards or whatever and ask people to donate to their own personal campaign! So I started thinking about what I could do for my/our campaign.

My awesome colleague and friend Gracie was excited too and we decided to record a song together (she's an AMAZING singer). We also wanted to do an uplifting music video for it and make both the mp3 & video available to download for free to anyone who donates to the water campaign, YAY! Watch the video here:

(with special thanks to Sony HTV & Billy Steinberg Publishing for allowing us to record this song to raise money for charity)
 
To top it off I also wanted to offer a free mixed media art lessons as a thank you to those who donated. So here we have it: The Rainbow Mermaid Art Class is my thank you to you for donating! :) Isn't this exciting and awesome? You'll learn how to make this beauty if you contribute to the water campaign:

And let me tell you something, when I first thought about helping to bring clean and safe drinking water to the people who need it, I had NO CLUE that having clean drinking water readily available had such an impact on these people's lives. At first I thought: oh, great, they're gonna be able to have nice drinking water and cook their food and not get illnesses and that's it, but naha: this impacts so much more -> their EDUCATION, SAFETY, HEALTH, LIVELIHOODS and so much more. I also didn't know that diseases from unsafe drinking water KILL MORE PEOPLE EVERY YEAR THAN ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE, INCLUDING WAR. WOW!! And this mostly effects women and children. :(



I feel so excited that by raising money for this charity, we can make a huge difference to some people's lives guys!!!! I'm so happy that we CAN make a difference, that it isn't all doom and gloom and bleak (which is often what I tell myself when I sit in my dark hole of depression!).
Here is a great little info-video on how the water crisis effects a family effected by it:



So, do you too want to bring more light into the world and help make the world a better place with me? Shall we do this together? :D Yes?! 

Then please come and donate some money to my water campaign by clicking here. You can donate any amount though I suggest something around the $10 - $25 mark if you can (or more if you can of course, eternally grateful!!) as the value of the lesson is currently around $29 USD, but let me stipulate that any contribution is valued and appreciated ($1 - $5 - $8 - $300)!! :D Apparently $20 USD can provide clean water for one person! And just so you know; every cent/ penny of the money you contribute goes to the water projects themselves as the charity is supported by donations from individuals. I also am not getting any of the money you donate, 100% goes to the project (it's not possible currently to sign up to the Rainbow Mermaid without donating to the charity FYI). We will also be given updates on how our project is doing! :D So I'll keep you guys up to date with that too.

(Once you have donated, please email us your donation receipt or simply email us to let us know you've donated on this email address: waterartsoul AT gmail.com and we will send you information and passwords to the lessons and the music :)) - if you have any questions about the project please email us on: willowing.arts AT gmail.com. 

So, shall we make this happen yes? ->


And this?! ---->

 

I hope you'll help me dearest friend, we can do this flipping awesome amazing thing together! help people, bring more light into the world, listen to music and make some mermaids on the way too! :)
Please help us by donating here, you rock!

You would also do me a huge favour and I'll LOVE YOU FOREVER, if you'd mention my campaign on your own (social) media sites. You can use this image if you want:

and link it to this url: http://bit.ly/rainbowmermaid

or here are some smaller blog buttons you can use to share this awesome project, thank you so much dear awesome one for sharing!!! ->

* - - *

Girlfriends Look after Each Other

Hey ho there beautiful people! :) 

I've just come back from Bali and have so much to share with you guys. It was a truly life changing experience, but before I write my Bali blog (it'll take me some time to prep the images and write an epic blog post) I am part of another fun blog hop, demonstrating some new stencils that have just come out by the fabulous Artistcellar! The new stencil series is called: 'Sacred Hearts' and they are so beautiful to add to your mixed media pages. 

Below you'll see what I did with them. Scroll down further to click on the other bloggers being involved aaaaaand, I can give away 1 set, so if you want to win a set, leave me a comment below telling me the name of your earliest close girlfriend (mine was Miranda) :). Huggles to you beautiful people! :)














Girlfriends really do look after each other. :)

So, the follow the blog hop and to maximise your chance of winning a set make sure to visit the other blogs and check out what they've done with the stencils:

March 29th – AC kickoff www.artistcellar.com/wp
March 30th – Jill K Berry http://jillberrydesign.com/2014/03/30/sacred-hearts-fiery-love/
March 31st – Chris Cozen http://chriscozenartist.typepad.com/my-blog/
April 1st –Effy Wild www.effywild.com
April 2nd – Tamara Laporte - www.willowing.org/blog
April 3rd – Guadalupe Brizuela Cabal http://guadasartplace.blogspot.com.ar

If you want to buy the stencils click here and if you want a chance to win a set, leave a comment below telling me the name of your earliest close girlfriend (mine was Miranda).

Ciao for now. xox
Tam

31 facts about Tam you probably didn't know - :) for funsies

Hey there the worlds! It's been a while! :) So sorry, I've been sort of hibernating lately, very needed, it's cold here and wintry and blustery and for the last 5 years I've simply taken on too much. So, I've been retreating somewhat to recoop, ya know?

I have so may things I want to write about, like the fact that I'm going to Bali soon (eeeeh!), about the weekend workshop with Gillian Riley I went on recently, blogs about social media and selfies, all the new art I've started and finished (best to follow me on instagram for those updates) and don't even talk to me about Elliot's 2nd birthday letter (man, he's been two for about 3 months now!), but all those posts take long and require an emotional depth that I currently can't offer. :) 

So instead, today -for funsies- I thought I'd share "31 facts about Tam you probably didn't know and maybe didn't want to know but now you can't un-see them so thanks Tam". It's light, it's fun, it's easy and less emotionally demanding of me. :)

Here we go everyone hold on to your knickers!

1. I'm ridiculously good at mirror-writing, like, RIDICULOUSLY good, also, upside down writing I'm pretty good at. Why? No clue. Probably so that I can include it in 'facts you didn't know about me' lists.

2. I no longer have a gall bladder. It was surgically removed when I was about 17 years old because I used to get gall stone attacks leaving me in excruciating pain.

3. Dylan, my first-born, was conceived through IVF. I did the whole shebang, injecting hormones, having eggs collected etc. Instead of disliking the process, I loved it because it made me feel in control & empowered.

4. My favourite food by far is cheese. All kinds; French, Dutch, old, new, goats, cows etc. Closely followed and sometimes rivaled by avocados.

5. I love sleeping but hate going to bed. I procrastinate and put off going to bed for as long as I can, but then when I'm finally asleep I'd rather not wake up for about 11 hours. This also makes me a night owl.

6. I'm a highly sensitive person and an empath. This means that I feel my emotions as well as the emotions of others (through empathy) intensely, sometimes to the extent of paralysis. When people encourage me to 'feel my feelings' (thanks therapist) they don't always know what that means for me.

7. My mother was born in Indonesia as was my step-dad. I am in part Indonesian. I grew up with a lot of Indonesian food/ references and some of the language also (I can swear in Malaysian, lol). Going to Bali soon is a bit like going back to very far away roots!

8. I am a qualified hypnotherapist & nlp practitioner. I'm also a Non-Violent Communication practitioner. 

9. I rarely wear matching socks. I can't be bothered keeping the matched pairs together and I like the quirky-ness of that. Case in point: 

10. I once had a 2 year relationship with a woman. I don't, however, identify as bi-sexual nor as homo-, hetero-, trans- or pansexual for that matter. For me the emphasis of defining my relationships has never been on the sex part, so I don't define myself that way. This confuses & sometimes frustrates people (including some gay-identified ones). I'm ok with that. 

11. I'm obviously pro gay-rights but that has little to do with my own previous same-sex relationship and all with my feeling passionate about human rights & equality. I often can't believe that people are still wasting their time on figuring this one out. To me it's crystal clear that all humans should have the same human rights no matter who they decide to love (as long as it's consentual), I think all the energy debating this should be spent on actual proper problems like global warming.

12. I have 1 younger brother who I love very much.

13. I'm an introvert. As in: I recharge my batteries through being alone as opposed to extroverts who recharge by being surrounded by others. I love alone time though fear loneliness and being permanently alone. Recharging like an introvert has its difficulties with 2 young kids under 5 as they follow me everywhere I go, including the bathroom.

14. I thought raisins grew on trees until I was 19 years old. (That was a proud proud moment).

15. My middle name is Wilhelmina. Named after my paternal grandfather who died before I ever met him, his name was 'Willem' (William). The "willowing" name was partly derived from that name too. There was also a Dutch Queen named Wilhelmina though my mother did not name me after her.

16. The 'Laporte' side of my family has 'aristocratic' blood which means that I have a far-away family member who currently lives on/ owns a castle in Holland somewhere. Cool huh? My mum used to spend some of her holidays there as a child. I've never been inside though nor are we in touch we the castle owners (lol) now. :)

17. Against the odds, Elliot, my second-born, was conceived naturally. We didn't think it would happen and when we were in the IVF clinic discussing another embryo transfer (from Dylan's cycle), we were already pregnant with him!

18. I really dislike drinking hot drinks. I drink them sometimes if I'm cold or if I think they're healthy (like green tea) but I much prefer to drink cold drinks.

19. I lived in Sri Lanka, Colombo for 2.5 years and worked in a school as a Drama/ Music & Art Teacher. Loved. It. One of the funnest jobs I've ever had.

20. I left Thailand the morning of the 2004 Tsunami and was in a plane that was literally flying over the Tsunami. For about 12 hours my family and friends were frantically trying to find out if I was affected by the Tsunami or not.

21. I don't smoke, drink or do drugs. I strongly dislike the taste of alcohol. If you ask me to drink wine (no matter how good the quality) it's like you're asking me to drink petrol. On the rare occassion I do drink, I do so to get drunk as that's sometimes quite fun. The last time I was drunk though was probably 8 years ago.

22. I have a tattoo on my back just under my neck between my shoulder blades of the 'om' sign. I got it when I was 26 and have never regretted it. I love it still. The om sign is the sound Buddhists/ Hindus make when they meditate 'ooooohm' and is said to be the sound that resonates with the vibrations of the universe (of course, I gotta have it on my back! ;))

23. I'm a huge stand-up comedy fan. Some of my favourite comedians are: Louis CK, Eddie Izzard, Bill Bailey & Dylan Moran.

24. I'm very sensitive to smell. I notice smells before other people do and I buy shampoos and face creams based on what they smell like, not on what their purpose is (lol), this because it'll make me sick if the smell is slightly off for me and I have to smell it all day if it's in my hair or on my face.

25. I studied psychology at Birckbeck University in London, Art at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Amsterdam & Music at Goldsmith's Univeristy in London. I didn't finish any of those courses. 

26. I audtioned for the second year of 'Big Brother' in the UK and got selected to the second 'pre-round' - LUCKILY I didn't make it to the show, lol, I know that now - dodged a bullet there!

27. Before my RA really screwed up my knee joints I used to wear mostly and only high-heeled shoes, I did not even own a pair that didn't have high or plateau heels. I even used to climb trees in them. Now, I'm ALL about the comfort and ease and wear mostly Ugg boots or other comfy shoes, I also couldn't wear high heels anymore as it really hurts my knee joints, but I wouldn't want to anymore, all I want is comfort & ease now, hee hee.

28. I breastfed my first-born until he was 3 years old, the 2nd one was breastfed until he turned 2.

29. Winnie the Pooh is one of my greatest role models, I strive to embody his 'being-in-the-now-ness'.

30. My hands are badly deformed due to Rheumatoid Arthritis yet they don't hurt and are still 95% functional and create pretty kick ass art :)

31. My mum named me Tamara after a Russian Opera Singer called Tamara Barushka

Your turn! :D If you write your own 31 facts about you, leave your name and blog address below so I can check yours out! :)