WILD SURRENDER

Hello friends, 

The word of the week for me is definitely Wild Surrender. . . I'm far better off when I just surrender and dance naked with this Wild-Fire inside me. I have a whole lot to say on the subject of showing up as you are, holding nothing back, and releasing bigness --- especially while in the midst of naysayers. 

I had a recent conversation w/ someone who quite literally told me these three things: 

Be Small. Cover Up. Hold Back. 

Wow. . . But! Here comes Robert Downey Jr floating in my head,"Nod, smile, and do whatever the fuck you were gonna do anyway." 

I have reached zero tolerance for certain things, and naysayers are one. This comes 5 years after letting loose from a toxic person or 2 and being blessed by the experience to fully know the difference between true support and ill intent.  I packed up all these bags a long time ago and now --- with every cell in my body I can say how vital releasing is. Especially anyone or anything that isn't igniting your Wild-Fire. 

Be Big. Be NAKED. Hold Nothing Back. 

 In greatness, in light, in love. She emerged. Holding nothing back.

Last but not least --- tomorrow is the LAST DAY for the super duper Christmas in July sale on 21 Secrets! There's still plenty of time to devour all the content... Here are 2 recent pieces by Paige McLean Joyce from my Following the Wild Winds class:

Hop on board the 21 Secrets smorgasbord express right here!!!

Click any of the links, give yourself a gift (and support me in the process) :)

One last update: I have been offering up special things via Instagram lately, like the talisman necklaces & painted top above and they sold out quickly (!) I will make more when the Wild-Fire strikes ;) Some new things have been added to my etsy shop too: www.carissapaige.etsy.com

All my heart,
Carissa

Ps. WILD SURRENDER stamps are by my Dear Pal: Mindy Lacefield. You can grab yourself some Wild Surrender right here!!! 

Pps. I can't figure out how to add a link to my instagram in this blog post, but I put a widget on my sidebar if you'd like to find me there :)

Mixed Media Essentials: Blog Hop!

Hi friends! I'm just beginning to peek out of the rabbit hole I fell into last week. Talk about New Moon swooshing in and stirring things up, deeeep. Did it have an effect on you too? I'm just grateful to be upright on the other side. I'm also excited to be a part of this little blog hop sharing the newest stamp line by Roben-Marie Smith... I am seriously in LOVE with these stamps. I made a little video to inspire you... Hope you enjoy!

The stamps are hot off the press & available right here:  http://www.paperbagstudios.com/shoppe/ 

Hip-hop on over to see the rest of the creative action / blog hop participants:

April Cole:  http://aprilmariecole.blogspot.com/

Carissa Paige:  http://carissapaige.blogspot.com/

Cynthia Shaffer: http://cynthiashaffer.typepad.com/

Danielle Donaldson:  http://danielledonaldson.com/

Jen Osborn:  http://identityseven.typepad.com/themessynest/

Kristin Peterson: http://alteredstatesstudio.blogspot.com/

Lorraine Bell: http://serendipitystudios.squarespace.com/

Roben-Marie Smith: http://www.robenmarie.com/blog/2013/5/1/mixed-media-essentials-blog-hop.html

Sandi Keene: http://sandi-keene.squarespace.com/

Following the Wild Winds.

PS! Speaking of Rabbit Holes: As I was polishing up this post late last night (1:30 AM) a WILD BUNNY   hopped by our back window and then binkied with JOY across our yard. 

Good things to come....  

XO, 

Carissa

21 SECRETS Give-A-Way

21 SECRETS is in full swing with oodles of creative souls swirling about and tapping into what I see as a glorious buffet of inspiration. There really is a special brew happening within this space and it's not too late to jump on board. . .  I would love for YOU to be a part of it. 

Without further ado: I am Giving-A-Way one FREE ticket to the land of 21 SECRETS! All you have to do is leave a comment here. Bonus points for sharing this post in your social media outlets, or forwarding it to a friend. I will randomly choose a name / number at the end of the week. . . !! You can also give your spot as a gift!

Can I just tell you how deep and wide this all feels right now, how incredibly vulnerable it feels to be stepping further into this realm of Who I Am? I am clarifying my Original Medicine and using it Powerfully in my Life and Eee-offerings! Legend of YOU  is here on the horizon, patiently waiting its final touches... 

I am here. . . 

Wind and Weeds. 

Gathering Clues. 

Listening Closely. 

Love and Green Lights, 

Carissa 

PS. I can't even begin to express how beautiful it is to witness those who are currently "Following the Wild Winds". Each person has literally blown me away. More on this soon. . . . 

ART DOODLE LOVIN' Blog Hop Express

Hey guys! Welcome to my little stop on the "Art Doodle Love" express. I'm sharing a video of 3 spreads and some major love for "Art Doodle Love" by Dawn DeVries Sokool. 

Honestly, I can't speak highly enough about the space we need. To explore ourselves deeply and compassionately. To let go and sit inside huge cyclones of surrender. 

What I love most about this "Journal of Self-Discovery" is the prompts, the colorfulness, and the pages. Oh the pages. I am so impressed with how much they can endure and hold (as you can see in my explorations above). Sturdy, velvety, and the perfect size. A lovely combination. I'm really inspired flipping through it every time and honestly can't wait to fill it. I've been a journal keeper all my life. A composition book has always been alongside me. Moving through this experience I look back at progress, at the wisdom I had in my 20's, at the experiences I put down, my dreams and pictures. The deep down messes. All of it. I savor this life, this journey. Every little strand. This book is something special. . . I knew it from the moment I held it. Without giving away all the secrets, it's been a true gem for me on this road. Of self-exploration, of self-discovery.

Art Doodle Love is here. Just the right place. Just the right time.

If this book speaks to you, and if you need a little nudge on your journey to self-discovery: it's available right here. 

Your next stop on the blog hop express is my pal Mindy!! We are just getting back after a lovely weekend teaching at Teahouse Studio in Berkley, CA. More on that soon!! Until then --->

Love and Green Lights, 

Carissa

Next stop:
Feb. 10: Mindy Lacefield, timssally.com
Feb. 11: Dina Wakley, dinastamps.typepad.com/
Feb. 12: Tamara LaPorte, willowing.org/blog/
Feb. 13: Jill K. Berry, jillberrydesign.com/blog/

Former Stops:
Feb. 2: Pam Carriker, pamcarriker.com/blog/
Feb. 3: Samantha Kira Harding, journalgirl.com
Feb. 4: Aimee Dolich, artsyville.blogspot.com
Feb. 5: Jane Davenport, janedavenport.com
Feb. 6: Carla Sonheim, carlasonheim.com
Feb. 7: Tracie Lyn Huskamp, thereddoor-studio.blogspot.com
Feb. 8: Tammy Garcia, daisyyellow.squarespace.com
Feb. 9: Carissa Paige, carissapaige.blogspot.com

Balancing of Opposites

Electric Shock: A journal page from a few days ago... 

There's this balancing of opposites always taking place. Sometimes my heart feels so soft and tender, easily bruised, and broken. Other times strong, and gigantic, overflowing with wisdom and electric shock. 

The things that sometimes fill the empty spaces.... I don't quite know how to make room. Not all the time. Or a way to quell the fear. The lonely irrational thoughts that come whooshing in. I trust the time will come when I roll the windows down and let it all go ~ rushing out ~

Over my shoulder. It'll all be tossed to the wind, to the static embrace of the channel changing and saving. This'll all be smooth sailing, one day.

xo, 

Carissa