These are the incredible women from our Brave Girl
Camps -- diverse in age, background, experiences, talents,
personalities, families, life stories, goals, dreams, struggles,
challenges, stages of life, ...we'll never forget each of these
beautiful faces and the women behind the smiles.
October 2009
February 2010
May 2010
| From Jenny... |
This was the scene of our
arrival to Brave Girls' Camp. Participants from all over
were driven from the airport to our lodge...
Snow, beautiful snow. All around us was snow. |
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| This is the scene within
the lodge when we entered. A beautiful table welcoming
us with a most delicious meal served to us by an
incredible staff. |
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After the hike, Melody shared stories of overcoming
challenges throughout her journey, and offered some
creative prompts centered on the concepts of protecting
that which is most important to us and in so doing,
finding strength to always move forward, and always have
hope.
The prompts were accompanied by tools and materials and
techniques that aided us to create book projects...I
focused on words that I find comforting when the going
gets tough ...
The most exciting technique I learned from Melody was
how to use her new line of chip art tools by GCD Studios
to create a letter press effect by inking her metal
stamp (like the little swirl you see) and then hammering
the stamp into matboard with a mallet. TRUE innovation. |
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Melody offered a new set
of prompts about how in life, there will be challenges.
There will be naysayers. There will be heartache. And
the thing about life is that we all know heartache. But
that regardless of all that, we can choose to move
forward anyway.
Anyway. What a great word. Yes indeed
... I do know heartache. But I will keep building
anyway. |
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| In
between the projects and prompts, the best things were
created. Like roars of laughter ... |
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New
friendships ...
Fun and joyful times ...
Insights from books ...
And the resolve — regardless of what life throws at us —
to be good, supportive, and brave.
http://www.crescendoh.com |
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| From Camille - |
| Everyone
gets so into the zone and creates the most beautiful and
meaningful projects. And we teach each other all of our
secret techniques and skills. Or SKILZ. |
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| And oh...
the supplies. Everything you could imagine and hope for.
Huge containers of found items of all shape and styles.
Paints and glitter, MOD PODGE. Lots of Mod. We love MOD.
Mod is our friend and constant companion. |
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| And we
really bond. I love this picture, not only because these
girls mean so much to me, but because it looks like I
have super long noodle arms and I'm strangling everyone
together for a picture. |
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| Fabulous
beautiful brave girls create fabulous beautiful art.... |
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And bond
into fabulous loving friendships...
http://www.shesonehotmama.blogspot.com/ |
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|
From Cheryl... |
Hello dear
friends. I want to start by sharing a favorite quote of
mine and something that really rang true of Brave Girl
Camp.
‘My Friend, if I could give you one thing, I would give
you the ability to see yourself as others see you . . .
then you would realize what a truly special person you
are. ~ Barbara A. Billings
Such a great quote and reminder that we are all special,
unique and cherished individuals. I had mentioned that I
was eager to share about some of the things I created at
Brave Girl Camp. While Brave Girls were being pampered
by Melody and Kathy’s family . . . there was time to
create. Melody would prompt exercises and themes for
creating. Some did mini books, some canvas’, some
aprons.
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But whatever crafty thing folks were creating there
was meaning behind it prompted by Melody’s message,
words and phrases. The wonderful thing . . . there was
freedom to create with your own style . . . everyone’s
was different . . . unique . . . a message special only
to them. It was awesome and so meaningful. |
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My style .
. . well I called my book a ’Chunky Funky Shabby Chic’
style. This particular assignment Melody encouraged
Brave Girls to remember someone who loves you
unconditionally and ask what would that person say to
you. You chose from a sheet of phrases that really spoke
to you.
These are a few peeks of my project. I love this book
for many reasons . . . one it’s for me . . . rarely do I
create for myself. Two is that it is a wonderful and
encouraging reminder to me that I am greatly loved and
cherished! We need that reminder don’t we? Three . . .
it’s so me. It’s my style, my colors, my flavor. Lastly,
I had a ton of fun using my favorite Fiskars tools,
Melody’s ChipArt tools and many different mediums to
create it. I used Fiskars and Chipart on almost every
page. Oh love! |
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It was
about life infused in art . . . expressing yourself. It
was about sisters I made for life. About living and
loving the best you know how. It was about leaving
lighter in some respects and gaining freedom. It was a
creative and musical experience. It was about detail and
servanthood. About facing the tough stuff and being
brave. It was about tools being used to create, express,
heal and grow. Yes, tools like Fiskars help heal! It was
about building and rebuilding lives through art and
lovingly serving. I was so grateful that I could take a
part in this experience. It is absolutely unforgettable
and I am so very blessed.
http://www.fiskateers.com/blog/ |
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|
From Sheryl -- |
How can
one not feel the love, love, love from this kind of
detail, knowing that our hostesses put their hearts into
every single step taken to ensure our knowledge of
wondrous things about to happen.
And wondrous things did happen under the twinkle lights
and lanterns. Life-changing experiences are just that
and the best ones are the least expected. They can knock
your socks off, take your breathe away, dispel the gloom
and open up those doors one thought forgotten and
closed.
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These are two pages from my 'Beautiful Life' book I
made at camp. The lesson for the day was truth and lies.
I chose to make a book of affirmations of what I know in
my heart to be true; miracles, blessings, the becoming
of who we are meant to be and all the help along the way
if we let it.
Just under 2 years ago, turquoise became MY color. It
has a strong voice to it, and speaks of water and wide
open skies. It speaks to my duality and fragility of
self. This book is sooo turquoise and it makes me smile
every time I look at it.
I hope everyday it will remind me that I'm great at what
I do, even if it is different from someone else. I'm not
someone else; I'm me and I'll be brave in my own little
way, every day. And that is the best lesson - ever.
So Be Brave today and everyday-no more excuses. |
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This was
the cover of my promise book I made at Brave Girls Camp
on the last day.
This little bird is so happy in his little nest, under
the swaying pine tree! I pass this curvy pine tree every
day on the way to my studio. I'm sure it was meant to
grow straight, but I love its curves. The curves speak
to me of the winding road we all take to get to where we
need to be. It just looks happy to be finally swinging
in the breeze because it's strong enough to take it.
This art gives me a simple peace whenever I look at it.
By this time at camp, I truly did have hope which leads
to peace and joy. Peace in knowing that I have what I
need right now and joy in knowing that is enough. We all
hope for more and that is okay too, but I'm learning to
have peace and joy in the moment.
http://sheryleggleston.blogspot.com |
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From Margie -- |
We were up
in the beautiful mountains of Idaho, away from the
"world" away from home, family, TV, internet, and
yes...Cell phones...I was worried at first...But as the
experience unfolded so beautifully I knew I needed the
break...
Taking the time away when I have so much going on was a
gift to myself...
From the moment we met up I knew this was going to be
great! We were met by Marq at the bus stop and he
greeted us with beautiful handmade bags filled with
treats, a journal a beautiful map and a secret bag that
said "don't open yet." We rode up the mountain with some
mixed feelings...I was excited and nervous at the same
time... |
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Each meal
was to die for...
The detail was in every little thing...
We ate like queens... |
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| We learned
some new tools for ourselves, some new ways of looking
at our lives, we shared stories, some very painful, raw,
and true...We cleaned house...Then we created to remind
us... |
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| We shared
ideas, learned new techniques, played with paint, mist,
mallets and and used the chip art to pound words that
meant something to us... |
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We
listened...We slept very little...Too much "work" to be
done...We made friendships that will last a lifetime...
http://margieromney-aslett.typepad.com |
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Click here for Page 2 - from
October 2009 Brave Girl Camp
Blog posts with more thoughts and LOTS more photos
from a few of the incredible Brave Girls:
http://www.crescendoh.com
http://sheryleggleston.blogspot.com
http://www.fiskateers.com/blog/
http://www.shesonehotmama.blogspot.com/
http://margieromney-aslett.typepad.com/im_just_a_girl/2010/02/everybody-wants-to-be-loved.html
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