'Tis the Season... for "Presents"!

When the Christmas tree goes up, that's when the holiday spirit takes me over. I get to dress up my festive snow-dusted faux fir with a monochromatic theme of red and white... speckled with icicles, flora & fauna, and a few of my favorite stuffed animals tucked between the branches. Decorating the tree may seem like a simple tradition, but perfectly placing each ornament — as I thoughtfully ponder where each and every one came from (don't we all) — reminds me of my extended family... our Art & Soul family! At every event, I could walk into any class and find an entire room of students contemplating where to perfectly place their next mark, stitch, stamping, found object, bead, bauble, piece of ephemera, and the like. Just totally immersed in what they are doing.

In that way, our mixed media workshops are very much like decorating the tree. I'm just totally immersed in what I am doing. And the holidays remind me what a great pleasure it is to be in the moment. I guess that's why they call it the "present". It gives me even greater pleasure to be able to give the gift of present moments to our Art & Soul family. With the hurried rush of our everyday lives we all need equally fun and relaxing times to balance it out. To be able to fill them up with creativity is such a blessing.

So this holiday season I'd like to thank you all for daring to experience something greater for yourself. The bravery it took to come along on this creative adventure with me. And the heartfelt connections we have made over art. I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life and I hope that your holiday season is filled with the love of family, friends, and perhaps a few random moments of creativity.

If you would like to share that gift of creativity with someone, we offer gift certificates in any denomination, that can be used toward workshops at any of our Mixed Media Art Retreats. It's a creative way to artfully thank someone this holiday. Simply e-mail Glenny today and she'll get you taken care of right away!

I hope you have an amazing holiday and a new year filled with creative adventures!

Blessings,
Glenny
xoxo

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello! I just wanted to pop in and say Happy Thanksgiving to my favorite peeps! No matter how you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful day. I hope you are surrounded by friends and family... and good food.

And during this time of thanks, I wish to thank all of you for coming to our events, being courageous enough to leave the world behind for a few days and explore your creativity. Without all of you, we wouldn't have an Art & Soul. You may think that you're just having fun and making art while you're at our events, but you're also enabling me to continue doing something I love... put smiles on all your lovely faces!

So thank you, thank you, thank you! Have a great holiday!

Much Love,
Glenny
xoxo

The Holidays and Helping Hands...

The holidays are a great time to help those in need. We may all get swept up in amazing retail sales, sappy or silly Christmas movies, decorating to the nines, and planning out holiday meals. But there are so many people in our own communities who go without. Without food. Without money to buy their kids' presents. How can you keep the fun of Santa Claus going with your children when your bellies and wallets are empty?

Enter... us! Every year I volunteer at my local Salvation Army doing food drives and presents for the kids. I also lend my time to our local Portland Food Bank, aptly named... Sno Cap. It does my heart good to be able to help others in need. And you know what? Their gratitude is contagious! If you ever  got the holiday blues, a healthy dose of Volunteerism will cure you in a minute!

Whether you donate your time or donate your dollars, every little bit makes a difference. Uplifting souls is a pretty great gift to give this holiday season. And the best part? Your soul will be uplifted in the process. How great is that!

Happy Holidays! Ho, Ho, Hope!

Give (or Get) the Gift of Creativity!

What could be better than to receive a Gift Certificate for any of our Art & Soul Retreats?!!

Whether you're interested in our Portland, Kansas City, or Virginia Beach mixed media events... we will  happily design a special magical retreat — just for you!! Have your loved ones email me directly at glennymoir@gmail.com. 

P.S. We have something special happening for our next year's events! We are so very pleased to team up with Bernina as our preferred sponsor... and our 2015 retreats will have a special focus on fabric classes and sewing.  Check the website to see all the new and exciting classes!

So... What'd You Get?

So... what did you get for Christmas? If you read this blog, have been to Art & Soul, or are entertaining going to Art & Soul... I bet you had some creative items on your holiday lists this year! Maybe you got some new fabric?

Or perhaps someone blessed you with a bevy of beads? Yum!

Maybe you were in need of a fresh start and you got some blank canvasses? A little intimidating for me, but maybe not for you!

Did someone gift you some cool craft supplies? Rubber stamps, masks or some fun embellishments?

Or maybe you got some cool art supplies, tools or equipment? Squee!

Perhaps you got a copy of one of your favorite mixed media magazines and you enjoyed reading about new ideas and techniques over the holiday break? I hope so!

Maybe you got a juicy new journal... or a sweet set of paintbrushes. Perhaps you received some new wire working tools or a few colorful tubes of paint. Whatever you got,  I'd love to hear all about your favorite new art and craft supplies! So... what'd you get this year?

Give (or get) the Gift of Creativity!

Looking for that perfect holiday gift for a creative friend? Does your husband keep asking what you want for Christmas? Are you a long-time Art & Souler who's always wanted to take so-and-so along with you (but she was a little short on funds)? Well, an Art & Soul gift certificate makes a great present for all these scenarios and more! It's a creative way to artfully thank someone this holiday. You can make your gift for any denomination. Just e-mail Glenny at glenny@artandsoulretreat.com and she'll get you taken care of right away!