2 Years Blog Anniversary

It all began just over 2 years ago.  I was in France and I had the urge to write, to pick up a pen and buy a bright pink notebook.  Two years later and I have just submitted my 2nd manuscript, which will be published in July 2012.  

So in 2 years, nearly 2 books.  

That's something I am very proud of and want to maintain.  

A book a year. 

How fab would that be.  I know it's possible.

Here's the first blog post I wrote back on 17 March. 

WEDNESDAY, 17 MARCH 2010

Actually Starting Writing Today - Rediscovering the pen.

I have been planning my book for about 20 years.  Yes I know this sounds ludicrous!! I have been writing snippets, notes, creatively bloomed the themes in lots of journals and notebooks.   Being in France since December, I have done more of the same, with new post it notes and scraps of paper.  Only recently I bought this massive pink notebook and have started just writing all different chapter headings and sub headings.  Each one on a separate page, giving it lots of blank space.  I thought I'd try using a pen rather than my mac (although I adore my macbookpro), I decided to step away from the tecky and get in touch with the pen again.    The whole point of this *I tell myself* is I can go back and when I fancy it, choose a particular topic and then write about that experience.  *I know I can do this on mac but it's the pen I think I need to rediscover ( I love all things pen-like, all things stationary so a book and a lovely Bic Intensity ticks a box for me)

And that's what I've done today.  Yippee! What an achievement.

What am I writing about?  I'm writing about my recovery from M.E (myalgic encephalomyelitis) also known as C.F.S (chronic fatigue syndrome).  I was really very ill when I was 20 until the age of about 26.  (I'm now 41).   Title headings range from What is ME, About ME; Symptoms; Family/Friends; Food; Body image/Weight; Environment; Sprituality; Arts and Crafts and getting creative' Pets; God/Goddess; Love life; Books; Dreams; GP Support; DHSS; Consultants; Support Groups; and a HUGE section on all the complementary therapies I experienced as part of the healing process.

This has given me a good feeling today - it reads back well and I feel like I have begun.  Yay!

Manuscript Finished and Sent Off - Yay!

Completed Manuscript - ready to be posted

I have now come to the end of writing my manuscript for my 2^nd book “Creating your first ever CV in seven easy steps”.  34,000 words, 11,000 over what I initially had planned.  It was tough this time because I was fitting it round everything else that I do, so I really did have to develop a writing practice and ritual that helped me get through it.  My note taking and book development takes place off line, with pens and pad.  Then, when I’m ready, I move to the computer where I expand on the ideas and start the writing process. 

I absolutely love sitting down with a journal and pens, developing ideas, thinking of the process and creating the formula.  However, sometimes, in translating that to sitting in front of the computer screen, I need to be guided and cajoled into it.  Don’t get me wrong, I love it when I’m there and ‘in it’ however with this second book and managing my time, I have developed a really important practice that gets me through that initial phase of ‘starting’.

Step 1: Take some Concentration Essence – from the range of 12 flower remedies by Jan de Vries (it’s Wonderful stuff, I love Relaxing and also Emergency).

Step 2: Make your environment welcoming; light incense, a candle, essential oils. ( I love Clary Sage and Geranium, plus Nag Champa.)

Step 3: Use music when you begin.  Put on a piece that you can start to link to your writing.  I never listen to words in music; Two years ago, I started to listen to the same particular Baroque album over and over again, now it has free-associated itself to my writing practice. Just recently I have also introduced Sacred Drums, which too, assists my brain function and almost takes me into a trance-like state.

Step 4: You’re now going to do something computer based and methodical

• Tidy up files on your desktop – all those messy documents and downloads – well, it’s time to organise them. Set the timer for 10 minutes and get going.  Send them to the Recycle Bin.

• Sift through any old word documents that you have saved and relevant to your creative practice and file it in an Ideas Folder - you have one of them, right?

• Print out anything that you have found inspiring – only do this if your printer is all set up to receive (don’t be getting up, sidetracking and setting up the cables!).  Print out what you feel is relevant.

• Go through your photos and assign them to albums, send ones you want to print out to a Print File so that you can do that at a later date. 

• Create a new desktop background that inspires you.  

• Generally do any clean up work on your computer that gets you 'in to' the zone, whilst taking in the music, letting the concentration essence work its magic, drinking some tea and smelling some smells - it's all about the senses!

Step 5: Go and find something or someone that reminds you of your creative self, could be from childhood or younger days - maybe a cuddly toy you used to tell your dreams?.  Give Hugs and sit him beside you so that he can be witness to the occasion.  Yes, I’m serious.  Go on.  (Oops, I think that gives away the fact that this is EXACTLY what I did : ))

Step 6: Finally, when your head is in writing mode - Reread your writing from the day before or the last time you wrote.

Step 7: Make a cup of tea (in a mug you adore) and before you know it, you’ll be back into the swing of it.

Some of the above may instantly appeal – you may already be doing some of them – so Well Done YOU – hope that I have helped with any ideas.

Much Love

Jules xx

PS this can work just as well if you have revision to do or a computer task that needs undivided attention. 

A Jules Dolly mini mini workshop

Haven't blogged for a good while - I am immersed in the words of my book and going through everything to see if there's anything I have forgotten.  I have only one week to go, I plan to send it all off on Friday 30 March - well......that's the plan.

In the meantime, I had a small wee workshop that I was delivering for Liverpool Limmud.  It's a Jewish learning conference that happens in Liverpool every 2 years, all denominations are most welcome and it is a jam packed day full of talks, workshops, lectures and food!  They asked if I would be interested to do a Jules Dolly workshop - I only had an hour - so I wondered what could I do that could be linked to a Jewish theme.  I decided to create a new design and teach everyone how to make a decoupage greeting card.

I love this process - starting off with the sketch, then the colour, then the paint, then the finishing touches to the design.  Moving straight to copier and reducing the image - Voila - we have a design for an A5 card.

It was fun. I introduced them to my 6 step guide Cut Glue Stick Build Embellish Varnish.  Can be done with wrapping paper but obviously it's more fun to do it using your own design!

From Sketch to Colour to Mixed Media

Add caption

Write, Jules, Write

I haven't written much about the writing I'm doing at the moment.  Not too sure why that is?   Perhaps when I'm immersed in writing mode, I then don't write about it.   Perhaps? I dunno.  I'm not going to analyse that one. 

I'm writing the manuscript for my 2nd book which is called Creating your first ever CV in seven easy steps. Yikes just found that it's on Amazon for pre-sale! Released 27th July 2012!

I was asked to write something about CVs by the publisher and spent a fair bit of time umming and arhing over whether I would do it.  There's just soooooo much out there about CV's.  

But one thing I didn't find easy to come by, that was, books relating to First Time Ever CV's.  There's a huge variety for undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates, employees, job seekers, massive salary progression CV's but very limited selection for ages 14-20 in the following groups:-

• still at school and wanting a part time job
• still at school and wanting to leave after 16 or 18 and get a full time job
• still at school/college and wanting work experience or voluntary work/shadowing opportunity
• in first job which they got via a network and wanting to progress to another job

From my experience, these individuals still have very valuable skills and although they may not have a long work history, they just need to show how these skills are transferable by providing evidence.  So I decided I was going to write the book, complete with activities, which will take them through a process to find their skills, attributes, abilities and show where they have done something similar.  It's a creative book, informal, it's not dull, it's action orientated and my main aim is to help them blossom and find their Chief Skills. 

I'm following a similar formula that I developed for my first book Writing a UCAS personal statement in seven easy steps and start with this.  In finding this link, I have just discovered that it's now available on Kindle - how cool is that?!?!?!

Anyway, back to it, I pitched, I set a deadline submission for end of March and it was agreed. 

So here I am nearly in the month of March and I am doing well for my word count about 26,000 (the word count deadline was 23,000, phew I have bypassed this).  I'm juggling this writing and also my work that I do as an external marker for Liverpool John Moores University's World of Work programme, my careers coaching at Liverpool College and working in the Health Food Shop in Longridge. 

Geez.  

As I was getting stuck into writing today I wondered how many other writers do it when they have so much else going on.  I know authors and writers that go away and devote two weeks to write an extensive manuscript, having planned the formula and content. This helps them to focus entirely on the words, the concepts and what they're trying to convey.  They're on their own, being fed by someone who drops food off at the door and then retreats. They stay up all night, not washing for days, not bothering, not being diverted from anything accept writing, writing, and more writing.

This appeals to me alot.  

I can see why it works.  It must be just so helpful to have this timescale to get the bigger sections down on paper or on screen.  

For me, now, I'm fitting in with everything else - it's a bit stop, start, stop, start.  I know I'm getting somewhere with it, but this writers life, which is one I have manifested, is a challenge.

I'm feeling tired and not seeing too much daylight as I'm based on my screen most of the days.

Soooooooo..... I am gearing up for this last month of editing, re-reads, rejigs and tweaking and really looking to April, where I can then begin on my 44 Wisdom Card Project and have some time off to just enjoy the lighter nights, walking, moving away from the computer and creating, playing with colour.  

It's time.  

I have a been a tad creative as my iPod cover collapsed.

Here's the new cover that I created over on Zazzle - so excited to have it - it's such great quality and I am so delighted that it has my own work on there.  It's available for purchase toooooo. 

Exciting! I may get the hang of this. 

Much Love


Jules  xxx

I'd Pick More Daisies - A Poem by Nadine Stair

Our garden - a reminder of what's to come

If I had my life to live over

I'd try to make more mistakes next time

I would relax, I would limber up

I would be sillier than I have been on this trip.

I would be crazier.  I would be less hygienic.

I would take more chances.  I would take more trips

I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers

Watch more sunsets.

I would burn more gasoline. I would eat more ice creams and less beans

I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I am one of those people who lives

prophylactically and sensibly and sanely

hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I have had my moments

And if I had it to do it over again, I'd have more of them.

In fact, I'd try to have nothing else

Just moments, one after another

Instead of living so many years ahead of each day

I have been one of those people who never go anywhere

without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle

a raincoat and a parachute

If I had it to do it over again, I would go places and do things

I'd travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefooted,

earlier in the spring and stay that way earlier in the fall

I would play hooky more, I wouldn't make such good grades.

except by accident

I'd ride more merry-go-rounds

I'd pick more daisies.

by Nadine Stair, Age 85

Looking at things differently

Do any of you remember the table I transformed last year? 

Never did get round to completing the legs! 

We've had a change around over here in our place, we bought two new sofas, arrived Friday and boy are they comfy.  This is the first time we have bought big furniture items - together -  that are new for the both of us.  We have said our goodbyes to our sofas from a previous life which we brought with us (that was tough actually but they've gone to a good home hopefully) and it's so nice to have sofas that are matching!


Anyway, enough about sofas.


I wanted to show you that sometimes you have to take things apart and then view it differently.


So I removed the legs from this table as it didn't fit into the scheme of things.  It was most definitely going to be used as a table somewhere else.  Just for now, it needed to be dismantled.


And in the dismantling process.... I saw another opportunity.

Lo and Behold a lovely piece of wall art.

Ingenious.

Gave me ideas for doing more things like this. 

Spot the cute dog - she's always in the frame!

Happy Sunday and Monday, Tuesday etc...


If you would like to read about my new 44 Oracle Card Project then have a look at my post here  You may see that I have created a new banner for this blog as well as my Jules Dolly website and I'm working on bringing all the work that I do together and updating all my Julia Dolowicz website as well.  


Would love to know what you think?


Much Love
Jules
xxx

Introducing my 44 Wisdom Card Project

For the last 10 years, I have been an avid card reader, seeking inspiration from tarot and oracle.  For me, they are energy messengers – messengers to my soul, helping me to gain insight about life, situations and also helping me to gain clarity and depth. 

They don’t ‘tell’ me what to do and they certainly don’t ‘scare me’ - energy cards and tarot for that matter, are not here to do so.  Maybe, many years gone by, we would have sought out guidance from a soothsayer, a healer, a wise one, but they would use them as tools for conversation, for depth and for healing.


I have often felt guided by my spiritual guides, human and animal.  They are always beside me.  It’s not magic – it is energy.  When we spend time with our cards, we imbue and transfer our energetic message and we become akin to the cards and to the stories they hold.  

Their origin may have religious symbolism, if you so desire, you can find those types of energy cards.  More often you will find energy/oracle cards that feature connection to Angels, Fairies, Animals, Goddess, Celtic Mythology, Kabbalah, Buddhism, Zen, including the iChing. I have quite a wide selection of them all – about 10 sets but my favourites that stay by my side are my Osho Zen, Fairies, Angels, Goddess, Glastonbury Tarot and Native American Animal Medicine Cards. 

I have been building to this.  It started back in 2000 when I created my own set of Inspiration Cards – a set of small cards that contained favourite words, affirmations, lyrics, symbols, pictures.  These Inspiration Cards were kept in my handbag for quite a few years and I would often ask questions and see what the response would be.  They always gave me something to think about and ponder.  Something to get me to seek deeper answers.  

So now I am creating a 44 wisdom card set with a book that I will write to provide the messages.  

How is this project different?
In all the cards you can buy, the artwork is generally painted by a variety of artists who have submitted their work (or been commissioned).  The messages and words are written by the healer/writer/channel

I’m going to be doing both.

For this original card set I will be the artist creating the imagery, channeling the symbolism and the 'Writer of the Messages' for each card.

Where will you get the Inspiration for each Card?

Every card will be inspired by someone who has meant something to me, someone who has inspired me or taught me something.  They could be people I know, or people I don't know, living or passed over. They may be people I have seen from afar.   They may also be from dreamtime and with symbolism that I can’t recognise.  It will all unfold.


As I delightfully skip along with this project I will post pictures of the finished canvases and make prints available.  The ultimate end will be to create a full set of cards and have them published and made available for purchase.  

When I have completed all 44, I will hold an exhibition to show all of my wisdom canvases - not quite sure where this will be at the moment.   The next step is to gift the finished pieces to the people or their family who have been an inspiration for me. 



I have been greatly inspired by Lori Portka and her Hundred Thank Yous Project go visit her here to find out all about it.

How and Why did you decide on the number 44?

44 is a magical number.  To me, but also in other Oracle/Wisdom Card Sets.  It also happens to be my 44th year this year. 

At the age of 11

This was a memorable year for me.  My primary school teacher in top Juniors told my mum “Julia has art in her soul”.  Have you ever heard anything so delovely from a teacher? He was my favourite teacher.  So incredibly creative, musical, artistic and funny with it, with the most fabulous handwriting.  

He encouraged my musicality, my creativity and my art. I used to sketch, paint, sing, play the piano and the recorder.  He gave me confidence to perform and be up front in the choir.   I would sit for hours writing little stories and used to make up my own Mr Men book - I remember one, called "Mr Posh Nosh".

11 was the start of something.

At the age of 22

I was very ill and debilitated with M.E/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome).  I had a diagnosis, which took 18 months, it was looking very grim.  Now living back with my parents and having to resign from my job, my independence and my life.  It was doom and gloom time.  

However, something in my soul stirred.  I had a certainty that I was going to heal myself and it was at this point, aged 22 that I really began my journey of Healing ME.  Art, craft, creativity and writing played a huge part in that healing process.  I rekindled my love of creating, designing jewellery, tapestries, making clothes and combined with learning all about therapies that would heal me, I made different choices.  

Although it wasn’t until I was about 29 until I felt fully well, 22 was a turning point.  

Big Turning Point.

At the age of 33

I was living a life that was false.  I was married, wanting closeness, intimacy, babies and a complete family life.  This wasn’t reciprocated.  I was feeling very low in confidence and my relationship was making me feel like was I doing something wrong.  My creative self was hidden in a closet.  I was coasting – wanting sexual closeness, family and a sign that things would, could, be more joyful.  

At 33, I turned within again and realised I had to heal myself.  

Heal ME.  

Again.  

Only this time it was me, and not M.E.  

I turned to DIY, painting and renovation, anything for a creative outlet.  It was through this process of creativity and reconnecting with spirit, visiting my 2nd home of Glastonbury that I realised, there was more and I had to have the courage to let go.

I tried to heal my marriage but it was not to be.  I left with a sad, sad heart and it took me many years to heal from this heart pain and to allow someone in again.  Through Creativity, Art, Healing and Words, I found Me over the next decade.

Now at nearly 44

My life feels like it has come “back to centre”.  I am in tune and connected to spirit, to earth, to love, to art, to words and to health and healing.  I am, thank goddess, in a loving new marriage with a beautiful soulful warrior who protects me, encourages and inspires.  My life work is exciting with pure potential.

When I look back through the 33 years since being told I had ‘Art in my Soul’ I know that I have.  I have honoured it.  There were a few bumps along the way but I have honoured it.

I have more to do and more to create and I will continue on this soul art path.

Although the grey hairs are more prevalent and I never did have babies, which does make me sad, I know I have a purpose and that’s to help, support, introduce, guide and show others how to do the same. To Heal Themselves.

This is the long version of my 44 Wisdom Card Project and why I chose 44 cards. 

I intend to complete this project by July when I’m celebrating. 

Thank you for reading thus far and please share any memory below that you may have of me at 11, 22, 33 and nearly 44.  

What fun, let’s get started. 

Much Love

Jules xxx

Finished Knitting My Handies

Well I have now finished my first pair of handies.  It wasn't without practice.  I did actually have to unpick, then start again a few times.  I cast on 36 stitches and really thoroughly enjoyed the whole process.  I have discovered a whole new way of meditating, plus I just adore taking my knitting with me if I know I have to go somewhere and wait, or "just in case" I may have some time spare.   It's so relaxing and very therapeutic.  For a chatterbox monkey brain like mine, (happening internally of course, you'd never think I was a chatterbox to meet me, or would you?) it is very calming as I'm concentrating on not dropping any blinkin' stitches.  

I taught myself how to cast on and off via You Tube, particularly loved Knitting tips with Judy 

My mum helped too but I actually have my mother-in-law staying and she's been knitting for 58 years and so it's wonderful to have her on hand (sorry, cue pun).  Her name is Judy as well (how mad is that?)

I love turquoise and these just sing to me and so lovely when I'm writing.  I have now started on a pair for hubby (black mix, he didn't fancy turquoise) and he's going to wear them under his gloves when he's on his scooter - it's sooooo chilly here at the mo. 

A bit thank you to Henny Designs who inspired me, whilst I read her blog post about knitting. Love her stuff.

Much Love

Jules xxx

Creating a Clearing

There has been something brewing.  Inside.  I couldn't place it, but it felt uncomfortable.  Wasn't sure what it was.  Then it suddenly made an appearance.  I had become, suddenly, overwhelmed by all things technological.  

Now this is slightly odd for me as I'm a tecky kind of girl.  I love my mac and internet, email, blog hopping and all the delights to be found.  But of late, I have found that it's interfering with my own process and progress. 

I have a deadline to write my second book and I also have other projects that are cooking.  I just couldn't seem to function because I have been spending time looking at what everyone else is doing.   I don't mean that I have been googling and goggling and wasting time, I just mean it is not directed nor focused really.

I meditated on this and realised that when I was in France, writing the first book, I had no distractions.  

I had just discovered one artist whom I loved, Suzi Blu, she inspired me.  I stuck with her.  I didn't really look at other people's work, or joined groups, etc... I took the time to develop my Craft. 

Painted, Wrote, Painted, Wrote, Painted, Wrote, Dreamed, Painted, Wrote, Painted, Wrote, Dreamed.

Created.

Before you knew it, I had a plan, I had connected with myself, with nature, with the written word and my dreams.  I had connected with Jules DollyWitch Craft

Then on returning and making a life back in Liverpool and being with Mr Hubs, I got caught up in everything else, taking part in e-courses, back to back, having an online community of friends who I hasten to add, have never met.  This was all good.  However it has been brewing, stewing and now it has to take a back seat while I get back to what it was I was doing.

Internet saps energy unless it is focused.  For me, it's no good use of my time.

I want and need to connect with nature, I need to get outside, I want to connect with my community, the physical in-person one. 

And oh, I realised only the other day that I have NO Marketing Plan, WHATSOEVER, Nothing, Nada. How do I market myself, how do I promote myself.  Mm... good question.

No plan.

So this has to change and I am now seeking out someone whom I can work with to support this plan.  

I am clearing a clearing.

Thank you for reading, much love

Jules xxx

Writing and Meditation

I have a deadline to write my 2nd book by the 31st March.  That's quite a tall order - one that I hasten to add, I set myself to the publisher.  With everything else I'm doing during my week I have started to be reeeeeeallllly strict.  So I have set myself some rules: (lets call them guides, being gentle with myself)

• Get up early and write for at least 2 hours while the world sleeps.
• Walk Lucy as a lovely break before I get back into it again.
• No Answering le Phone (landline/or moby): that means, putting phone on silent, turning off vibrate and turning it upside down (or better still leaving it in another room).  
• No sneaking a peak at Facebook unless I'm on a break.
• Turn off email so I don't see it arrive.
• Drink cups of tea at allotted Tea point. 
• Drink Water (still or sparkling - whatever le mood takes)
• Have Jan de Vries Concentration Essence often: works beautifully to get me in to writing focused mode (or anything that I need to do, for that matter).
• Play my lovely Baroque music -to get my brain into a lovely yummy place.
• Have Snacks as long as it's not chocolate brought in by hubby (whoops); aiming for apples, bananas and other healthy things.
• Break up writing with Goddess Leonie's meditations: if you haven't tried her meditations and you're a Goddess (well we are, aren't we?) then I would skip along to her portal GoddessGuideBook - it's AWASH with wonderful resources and a community, which I haven't dipped my toe into yet, but do intend to.  You can just buy the meds, but if you want the whole shebang, you can join the circle for $99 for the year.  There's so many inspiring courses, kits, ebooks and inspiration there.  Her meditations help me heaps at the moment.   I have a flaxseed eye pillow which I wrap around my eyes and I go off on a journee with her soothing Australian lilting accent.  I do one of these in between any writing I am doing.  

I just Choose and Go.  Check her out

I have two other projects which I'm working on:-
1 with Hubby
2 with me and chez Art.

Hope Monday's being a lovely Monday today
Much Love
Jules
xxx

PS I will phone you back when I can if you phone me! Hope you understand though.

My Muse (she's the one who reminds me to take a break)