Cannot Believe I Have Not Been Here For A Whole Week But Look...I'm Back !

And the new prompt goes up tomorrow.

I'll try to update the blogroll this week. If you are participating at WE and know that you are not on the roll, please leave a comment here and tell me so. Thanks.

Next week, another guest blogger. Watch your emails.

Also, there will be a giveaway posted at Slurping Life today. What is it? A digital camera. Drop by for a chance to win.

I have missed you ladies...a lot!!

Souful, Beautiful Ladies

All I want to say about last week's project is...Ladies, you are soulful and beautiful.

The winner of the luck of the draw this week, and the last one for at least a little while, is Leanne of Phoenix The Blogging Mama. Leanne, email me to claim your HP Photo Book.

Anyone that has won and not received your gift from me, I apologize for the delay. Everything I am suppose to mail out goes out tomorrow...as long as I have your address...and the sky doesn't fall...and the dog doesn't need to go back to the vet...and the kids don't relapse with bronchitis...and the doctor says I don't really need arthroscopic knee surgery...and the car keys turn up...and *exits smiling a goofy, confused smile*

I realize there are some of you new to WE that have not been added to the blogroll. After you participate in two WE projects I add your blog. If you should be on the roll and are not, let me know. I will be working during the week to update the blogroll.

By the way, a random draw from participants to choose the next guest blogger at Wrapped Emotions is coming soon.

Tomorrow ladies, our new prompt.

Mr. Linky ~ Re-Create Your Face

Bloggers participating in Wrapped Emotions' weekly prompt, Re-Create Your Face, please sign Mr. Linky below with the direct link to your project post. Remember to also leave a comment on this post so that you will be entered for the weekly giveaway. As always, thanks for sharing.

Wrapped Emotions Participants

1. Bonnie @ Simple Beauty 2. Mandy@2nd to the right 3. Tina at Tattered Too 4. sara - its not about that anyway 5. Julie @the Surrendered Scribe 6. Sheila @ My Memories 7. Donetta@ A life Uncommon

8. PhoenixTheBloggingMama! 9. Mimi/pz5wjj @ The Things We Do 10. killlashandra 11. melody is slurping life 12. Beverly 13. Angie @ Sonflower 14. Nesting Momma at My Nesting Place

15. Kim @ TheBitterBall 16. Chelle @ Triplets Are A Joy 17. Jenny is Live & in Color 18. beingmade

Learn more about Wrapped Emotions here.
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Beautiful Family Moments

Ladies, you made me smile by sharing your special, squishy family moments from last week. Thank you. Hold on to the good feeling and remember to say yes to your children, husband or other family members when at all possible. You never know what precious moments await.

Now this week's luck of the draw (random.org) goes to Jenn of All Natural Mommies. This was Jenn's first week joining Wrapped Emotions, but she is a long time reader of my other blog, Slurping Life. Jenn, email me with the snail mail address and I'll send you a little gift.

I've been thinking...yeah, my husband laughs when I begin a sentence with that phrase...that I will discontinue the weekly drawing for a gift. Honestly, getting people to donate prizes has not been my top priority and for me to remember to purchase gifts each week is taxing my brain. You know, the one more thing I don't need to have to remember...bet you understand that, huh? I believe everyone who participates in our weekly prompts is doing so for the fun, creative endeavor, as well as connecting with self and others...not for whatever little gift I have to give. Don't you?

I do have a great little gift for next week, so check back, but at least until after the holiday season that will be the last drawing for weekly prizes. However, should someone or some company say "hey, take our stuff and give it away" I will so grab the opportunity and share it with my WE friends.

As always, thank you for sharing my journey to rekindle the creative juices and unwrap my emotions. You are inspiring me more than you will ever know, and your posts tell me that you are truly taking much more than works of art from your weekly projects.

Tomorrow, a new prompt. See you then.

Last Week, Wow!

First, I apologize for being MIA this week. Life, well, you know how it sometimes happens that it doesn't go according to our plan. I still have not visited some of your posts from last week, but will get there soon.

Last week's challenge had each of us breaking life down, didn't it? Thanks to Phyllis we tore it up and put all back together...or realized "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Each mosaic was created from the heart, yet each was quite different. I'm not sure how any of you see it, but I feel there's a true sense of connection developing. We are connecting with our own emotions, of course, and also with one another.

Our list of participants continues to grow, and please don't let my inability to post earlier this week slow that down. You ladies are awesome! I'll be updating the WE blogroll this week.

This week's luck of the draw goes to Melissa of Banana Migraine . I have a small gift (sorry no photo due to life) to send your way...just email me with your snail mail address. By the way, Donna, yours from the previous week's draw is going in the mail no later than Friday. Sorry for the delay.

Last, for this week's prompt click here.

We Felt With Our Hands and Hearts

Has anyone noticed that I am behind here? I spent my weekend away from the computer and out and about with my family. I touched a lot of things and people and will post my project this afternoon...late, and I apologize.

Also after our homeschool day is complete, I will post a bit of a recap of last week and the winner of this week's gift from Wrapped Emotions.

Wow, ladies! Your rubbings and words were amazing again. But then I've come to expect no less.

Guess what? Our new weekly prompt goes up tomorrow morning from our first guest blogger. You do not want to miss this one.

Back later today with my project and a more coherent post. Thanks for your inspiring creations.

Edited to add: Ladies, did anyone notice how everyone chose items from home or close to home to rub and share? I think this speaks volumes of our love of home and family...that or we could find no one to watch the kids while we escaped.

Seriously, I continue to be inspired and impressed with every single artistic creation and the emotions each of you eloquently share. Your projects, as well as my own, are opening my mind to new thoughts and my heart to a plethora of emotions. Thank you.

On to business, Random.org says the winner of this week's gift is Donna of Nesting Momma. Guess what? I haven't photographed your prize yet, so just wonder about it. But I will post a photo tomorrow. If you want to claim it, email me with a mailing address.

Do you remember that a few weeks ago I told you there would be a monthly guest blogger chosen from the ranks of WE participants? In few short hours the week's prompt goes up from our first guest blogger and you do not want to miss this one.

Giddiness and A Winner

Last week's works of art left me in the giddiest of moods. Each piece was unique in it's perspective and though some were begun with less than joyous moods, those moods evolved as you got into your creation. Some of us began happy and remained happy. A couple of you even admitted...for the first time...that you actually liked your art work. Woo Hoo!!! I think it's all progress along our journey to spark creativity and connect with our emotions.

Did you notice? Our number of participants this week was up. *happy dancing* I love company, and thanks to each of you for spreading the word about our soul searching creativity.

Now let's take care of business. The winner (via random.org) of her choice of one of the gorgeous brooches handcrafted by Zuda Gay is Sara of It's Not About That Anyway. Email me* and I'll put you in touch with Zuda Gay to claim your gift. Again, thank you Zuda Gay!

A confession...last week I never drew for a guest blogger. Life just got away from me and I forgot. However, I have drawn from this week's participants and random.org has chosen. Watch out...I'll be emailing you. I'm emailing rather than announcing here because that gives the chosen blogger the opportunity to discreetly decline. But please don't decline.

Finally, if you are participating and I have not added your blog to the blogroll, please let me know in comments or by email.

Back tomorrow with the prompt of the week.

*email me at melodyspins[at]gmail [dot]com

Legal Graffiti

If this is your first visit to Wrapped Emotions, it would be helpful to read this post first.

Wrapped Emotions is thrilled to again feature artist Zuda Gay. One lucky participant will win their choice of one of her handcrafted creations of beauty.

*Guest Blogger* I'll be emailing you...I chose from last week's participants...hey, get back here! You can't hide.

This week let loose...get edgy with your style...free your spirit...absolutely no fear. We had enough of that last week. This prompt is not associated with any tangible or figurative wrapper. I simply want you to experience the fun of creating. This week we're working to feel the emotion of JOY. Not necessarily expressing the actual word or symbolism of joy in your art...you can celebrate shoe polish if you choose. But enJOY the process. Let's create our own graffiti.

Graffiti artists develop their own styles. They work quickly, intuitively, randomly and never stop the process to think about what to do next. You should try anything, everything...collage, paint, stains, spray paint, markers, colored pencils, markers, stencils, doodling, marks, lines, swirls, symbols, written words, calligraphy, images (photos, magazine cutouts, photocopies, sketches), stamps, prints...whatever.

Think of urban graffiti walls. The art is vibrant, multi-layered, freestyle, textured. Do not over think as you work, and do not think neat, orderly. Think juxtaposition. If you have time, go on a search for public graffiti walls in your city or search online for images. Get inspired.

Here are examples of Traci Bautista's art journal graffiti pages...







Don't you feel fun and funky just looking at them? Wouldn't it feel joyous to let loose and create whatever? Yeah, let's do it!

Our pages are not expected to look like Traci's. Remember...no fear...no intimidation...no boundaries...

~~~
Here are the specifics of weekly participation:

• Leisurely, happily create your project for the week.
• Post a photo or scan of it on your blog any time, any day Tuesday through Sunday with as many or as few words as you choose to accompany it...no words?...no problem...unless the week's prompt calls for words.
  
• If you so choose, and I love it when you choose, include the WE button in your post. If you choose not to post the button (and I will still love you), please link back to the current week's post at WE within the text of your post. Thank you. Grab the button code.
  
• Come to Wrapped Emotions and sign Mr. Linky with the direct link to your WE post for the week. Please don't make visitors scroll and search for your week's contribution by merely linking to your homepage.
  
• After signing Mr. Linky, please also leave a comment on the Mr. Linky post at WE. I will be drawing for the weekly gift from comments.
  
• Use Mr. Linky to visit the blogs of fellow participants. You have all week to pop in and out to visit. Offer words of observation, sheer delight and when called for, words of support, encouragement or comfort.
  
• Check back each Monday to see if you won the previous week's gift, which will be chosen by random.org from the comments.
  
• The new WE prompt will be posted each Tuesday.

Do you have an online store? Would you like to feature it at WE?

Questions or comments about this week's prompt...please let me hear from you on this post. Questions about specifics to prep any art/paper surface, mediums, what to have for dinner, anything...just ask. I love it when you talk to me.

*If you have completed your Legal Graffiti project, sign Mr. Linky here.

Mr. Linky ~ Legal Graffiti

Bloggers participating in Wrapped Emotions' weekly prompt, Legal Graffiti, please sign Mr. Linky below with the direct link to your project post. Remember to also leave a comment on this post so that you will be entered for the weekly giveaway. This week's gift is again a choice of one of Zuda Gay's handcrafted brooches.

As always, thanks for sharing.

Wrapped Emotions Participants

1. HolleeAnn @ TheVasquez3 2. Jess 3. Ju 4. sara 5. Angie @ Sonflower 6. Melissa @ Enjoying Life 7. Mandaroo @ Second to the left 8. Mandaroo @ Second to the right

9. EA 10. Stacy 11. SingForHim @ RealLife 12. Lynnae @ From Under the Clutter 13. killlashandra 14. Nesting Momma 15. De in Paradise 16. Kim @ TheBitterBall

17. phyllis 18. Jenny is Live & in Color 19. melody is slurping life 20. Melissa@BananaMigraine 21. christy

Learn more about Wrapped Emotions here.
View More Wrapped Emotions Participants

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Totally Unwrapped and Moving On

Oh.My.Goodness. I don't think I truly had any idea what was being ask of us with last week's prompt...ok, challenge (no better word to describe it). Each post that was shared brought forth emotions deep within myself and quite frankly, I was surprised to find how other women's realization of their fears made me look inward. There was definitely a connection between all of our posts. Perhaps we could sum it in saying, we are all learning to trust ourselves more and fear the unknown less. I think we truly unwrapped. Whew! Let's move on...

The winner (via random.org) of her choice of one of Zuda Gay's gorgeous handcrafted brooches is Jenny of Live And In Color. Lucky gal! Jenny, email me and I'll put you in touch with Zuda Gay to claim your beautiful gift. Thanks, Zuda Gay! I just love saying her name...it just flows off my tongue. Yeah, I really say it out loud when I type it.

Tomorrow I will be randomly choosing from the past week's participants (via random.org) a guest blogger for Wrapped Emotions. I will email you and give you the chance to accept or decline (oh please don't decline) in private. We'll also work out the week of your guest blogger spot for this month.

Please look at the WE blogroll, Expressive People, in the sidebar. If you are participating and I have not added a link to your blog, please email and let me know.

Remember that each week's prompt now goes up on Tuesday and posting your completed WE project is open through midnight EST the following Sunday.

See you here tomorrow. And believe me, this week will be nothing but fun. I'm wiped out...how about you?

Finding A Place Of Trust

If this is your first visit to Wrapped Emotions, it would be helpful to read this post first.

• Read about this week's featured artist, her shop and the beautiful choice of prizes she is offering the winner of this week's random draw.

• Last week's wrap up, news and winner of the weekly draw is posted here.

• *Note* We are shifting. Monday's are just crazy at my house...how about yours? It is also a busy get-back-to-it day in the blogging world. Tell you what we're going to do. The weekly prompts are going up on Tuesdays with the opportunity to complete and post them remaining open through midnight EST each Sunday. That actually gives weekend days to work on projects, and that could benefit many. I'll post a wrap-up and the winner of each week's gift on Mondays.

~~~
Now, about this week...

Finding a place of trust...I'm trying. Being a Christian (and this is not a push to those who are not) I know my peace within is found in God. I also know that I must learn to trust myself and to release many fears. This week's prompt is taken from Jen Lemen. Jen to me is the vision of a gentle, peaceful oasis in the center of a maddening world. I want that. Let's follow Jen's prompt this week to find A Little Ritual of Letting Go of Fear and Other Things That Weigh You Down. Go ahead, click the link and read an inspirational and deeply personal post. Jen put herself out there for all of us to see and to help us experience letting go of our personal fears and other emotions that are blocking our path to genuine peace and moving forward in our lives.

Maybe you do not have a beautiful natural wilderness in which to seclude yourself...I moved away from mine. But there is a place somewhere...a place you can pray, meditate, think and quietly face the reality of what is holding you back in life. It could be the bathroom...a corner in Starbucks...your front porch...a park bench. But go there. Quietly open up to trust. Take a pen if you feel led and, like Jen, write your fears...be honest with yourself...make them into words...see your fears.

I realize this is pretty intense, but I honestly feel that fear is blocking many of us from trusting ourselves...from being ourselves.

This week find your ritual. Experience it. This is a personal journey. Whatever you take from this, take it to your art journal. Create what you feel. No, there are no suggestions, no list of materials...this is freestyle. This is you...

What you create...be it a page of jumbled words, mingled colors, introspective images...should be intimately yours. If you are not comfortable posting your completed journal page, no problem. Write a blog post with what you are comfortable sharing. Should you find yourself trying, yet not completing this ritual, share that...it is not failure to try.

My heart hopes we will share...that we will trust ourselves...that we will uncover more of our wrapped emotions.

~~~
Here are the specifics of weekly participation:

• Leisurely, happily create your project for the week.
• Post a photo or scan of it on your blog any time, any day Tuesday through Sunday with as many or as few words as you choose to accompany it...no words?...no problem...unless the week's prompt calls for words.
  
• If you so choose, and I love it when you choose, include the WE button in your post. If you choose not to post the button (and I will still love you), please link back to the current week's post at WE within the text of your post. Thank you. Grab the button code.
  
• Come to Wrapped Emotions and sign Mr. Linky with the direct link to your WE post for the week. Please don't make visitors scroll and search for your week's contribution by merely linking to your homepage.
  
• After signing Mr. Linky, please also leave a comment on the Mr. Linky post at WE. I will be drawing for the weekly gift from comments.
  
• Use Mr. Linky to visit the blogs of fellow participants. You have all week to pop in and out to visit. Offer words of observation, sheer delight and when called for, words of support, encouragement or comfort.
  
• Check back each Monday to see if you won the previous week's gift, which will be chosen by random.org from the comments.
  
• The new WE prompt will be posted each Tuesday.
  
• Do you have an online store? Would you like to feature it at WE?

Questions or comments about this week's prompt...please let me hear from you on this post. I love it when you talk to me.

*If you have completed your Finding A Place of Trust project, sign Mr. Linky here.

Mr. Linky ~ Finding A Place Of Trust

Bloggers participating in Wrapped Emotions' weekly prompt, Finding A Place Of Trust, please sign Mr. Linky below with the direct link to your project post. Remember to also leave a comment on this post so that you will be entered for the weekly giveaway. Thanks for sharing.

Wrapped Emotions Participants

1. Angie 2. Jess 3. Stacy 4. Julie @the Surrendered Scribe 5. Mandy 6. Melissa

7. De in Paradise 8. Lynnae @ From Under the Clutter 9. killlashandra 10. Kim @ TheBitterBall 11. EA 12. melody is slurping life

13. phyllis@imabima 14. sara 15. Childlife @ In The Life of a Child 16. Jenny is Live & in Color

Learn more about Wrapped Emotions here.
View More Wrapped Emotions Participants

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The Creations and Etsy Shop of Zuda Gay

Each week Wrapped Emotions will be featuring the shop of a craft person, artist or retailer who has generously donated their creation or product as a gift for the weekly drawing.

I am excited to have as our first featured artist, Zuda Gay. Zuda Gay's medium is polymer clay, and the two words that come to mind when I view her work are beautiful and amazing. Her love of the clay and talent are expressed in the delicate, intricate details of her pendants, brooches and ornaments. Zuda Gay's Etsy Shop is a feast for the eyes and soul. Pour yourself a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy relaxed browsing and shopping.

I asked Zuda Gay to tell us about herself...

I have been so very blessed to be raised by parents who lived creatively and raised their children to believe that they could do whatever they wanted to do. Then I married a boy who seems to think that I can do anything I put my mind to and encourages me to fulfill any creative notion that pops into my mind. I have always loved the feel of clay in my hands. I played with Play-dough like most children and was so upset when it dried and ended up with a white haze covering my beautiful sculptures. Anytime there was mud nearby, I was in it.

When our daughters were tiny and we were poor and young, I discovered making my own clay with flour, salt and water. I made Christmas ornaments, painted them and sold them at craft shows to make money to buy our babies Christmas gifts. I discovered polymer clay about 12 years ago and have pretty much been working with it ever since. I have evolved and grown, as all artists do, but it is still color and the feel of clay in my hands that move me and all of creation that inspires me.

I seem to gravitate toward flowers. I love flowers!!! I have a brown thumb and kill every living plant that comes into my possession. So, for the most part I make things with flowers on them. Flowers that don't wilt or die for lack of care.....or too much care. I believe that we are made in the image of the Creator and one of His traits that He has put within us is the desire and ability to create....something, or be creative in some way. I need to be able to use my God given creativity, and this is one of the ways we have chosen to use it.

My husband and I will celebrate our 33^rd anniversary the end of November. We have two beautiful grown daughters, two wonderful sons-in-law and six absolutely beautiful, brilliant and adorable grandkids….with number seven due January 10^th. I am abundantly blessed.

~~~

Thanks, Zuda Gay. Your creations and your spirit are amazing.

Zuda Gay is graciously offering one of her beautiful brooches as a gift to the winner of this week's random drawing at WE. Go ahead, click and take a look. All participants in this week's WE project will be entered for a chance to win a choice of one of the five brooches.

You will find last week's wrap-up and winner of the draw here.

Binding Loose Ends Of The Week

Just binding loose ends of the week and saying thanks again for playing at Wrapped Emotions. This week's project seemed simple, but in reading your posts, apparently it was not so easy. However, the final journal covers were as creative and varied as the emotions which accompanied them. I have been impressed and inspired once more. If you have not visited this week's links, they're still there...enjoy.

• The blogroll of WE participants to date is now in the blog sidebar. You will find it under "Expressive People". If I have omitted your blog link, please let me know in the comments or by email.
  


• Monday morning will be Wrapped Emotions' first featured artist and shop. Be sure to read all about her and visit her lovely Etsy Shop. She's donating a choice of one of her gorgeous, handmade creations to the winner of the draw at the end of the coming week.
  


• The winner of this week's little gift from WE is Melissa of Enjoying Life. Melissa, you will receive the personal journal pictured below. Just email me a mailing address.

This week's prompt may be posted a little later in the day than usual on Monday. You know, life sometimes messes up schedules.

Guest Bloggers

Beginning next month each WE artist (yes, you must now call yourself "artist") will have the opportunity to be a guest blogger at WE . One week of each month I will randomly draw from the WE blogroll the name of one blogger to take over the prompt for a week. You are not required to accept the guest blogger role, but please do not let fear of failure or judgment stop you. There are no right or wrong ideas, none better than the other. I believe fresh viewpoints and voices will keep energy flowing and further encourage creativity. Plus it is an opportunity for each of you to step out of your comfort zone, and that is a big part of unleashing creativity...unleashing inhibitions.

I'll give you another week, maybe two, to roll this around in your brains a bit. Do not run and hide (no person will be forced as a guest blogger). Remain on your journey to create, connect and express yourself.

Necessary Bindings

If this is your first visit to Wrapped Emotions, welcome and thanks for coming. You should begin by reading this to learn what it's all about.

Here's the wrap on last week's project.

~~~

This week I want to correct a mistake made when I first explained my thinking behind Wrapped Emotions...

Many of the completed projects will be in a final form that can be kept in a binder...an art journal...if you so choose. Or you may simply enjoy them for a while and disperse or dispose of them as you see fit. I have chosen to purchase a spiral bound art journal 10"x10" whose pages will serve as the base for many of my creations. Some 3-D projects will not be suitable for the journal.

There was a flaw in my thinking. Having our completed WE projects be disposable, not bound firmly in some manner, diminishes their importance...gives them no validity. So I am changing my mind because...

Loose pages can be shuffled, crumpled, lost, trashed. Loose pages can be stuffed here and there. The wind can blow them out of your hand. They are less important when disconnected.

Our WE creations should represent something substantial. A book has substance...pages bound together...like your day to day life. Your creations and thoughts deserve the same substance. The time you set aside to create, connect and express yourself should not be treated loosely. It deserves a proper binding to signify it's substance.

This week I want you to purchase or make an art journal in which to create your projects or to put photos of your creations which are not worked on paper. An art journal being a (spiral-my choice) bound book of sturdy blank pages of any dimensions you choose. You can find them at an art supply store, arts and craft store, even T*rget and W*lmart. You may construct your own book of bound, blank pages in any manner you choose.

Once you have the journal, take your first WE project (the collage) and mount it in the book. Trim it, cut it into pieces if you need to, re-collage it, but put it in there. Then from your blog print a copy of your photo and post for your last week's project and mount it in the book. Do any additional art work, embellishment or collage you choose as you add these creations to your art journal. You're creative. You can make them fit. You do not need a huge book. If this is your first week participating, wonderful. Simply purchase or construct your art journal.

Next, make the journal your own. Decorate the cover. No specific instructions. No list of materials, no specific medium.

Now snap photos of your journal's cover and the two completed pages. Post the photos on your blog. If this is your first WE project, you'll post a photo of your journal cover.

What you are creating now has substance. It is real. It is not being treated loosely. The wind cannot blow it away. As time goes by you will better understand the importance of the binding...the wrapped emotions.

Links to enjoy and inspire:

How To Collage In Your Art Journal
Teesha Moore Art Journals
Art Junk

~~~
Here's the how-to of weekly participation:

• Leisurely, happily create your project for the week.
• Post a photo or scan of it on your blog any time, any day Monday through Saturday with as many or as few words as you choose to accompany it...no words?...no problem...unless the week's prompt calls for words.
  
• If you so choose, and I love it when you choose, include the WE button in your post. If you choose not to post the button (and I will still love you), please link back to the current week's post at WE within the text of your post. Thank you. Grab the button code.
  
• Come to Wrapped Emotions and sign Mr. Linky with the direct link to your WE post for the week. Please don't make visitors scroll and search for your week's contribution by merely linking to your homepage.
  
• After signing Mr. Linky, please also leave a comment on the Mr. Linky post at WE. I will be drawing for the weekly gift from comments.
  
• Use Mr. Linky to visit the blogs of fellow participants. You have all week to pop in and out to visit. Offer words of observation, sheer delight and when called for, words of support, encouragement or comfort.
  
• Check back each Monday for the new WE prompt and to see if you won the previous week's gift, which will be chosen by random.org from the comments. (Do you have an online store? Would you like to feature it at WE?)

Questions or comments about this week's prompt...please let me hear from you on this post. I love it when you talk to me.

*If you have completed your Necessary Bindings project, sign Mr. Linky here.

Necessary Bindings ~ Mr. Linky

Those participating in Wrapped Emotions' weekly prompt Necessary Bindings, please sign Mr. Linky below with the direct link to your project post. Remember to also leave a comment on this post so that you will be entered for the weekly giveaway. Thanks for playing.

Wrapped Emotions Participants

1. Melissa D. 2. Julie@ the Surrendered Scribe 3. Lynnae @ From Under the Clutter 4. SingForHim @ RealLife 5. EA

6. De in Paradise 7. Jenny is Live & in Color 8. Sara 9. Stacy 10. Mandy

11. Kim 12. melody is slurping life 13. phyllis@imabima 14. d@JustAnOrdinaryMommy

Learn more about Wrapped Emotions here.
View More Wrapped Emotions Participants

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Wrapping Things Up

We grew! The number of participants increased. A big THANKS to each of you. If you have not visited the Wrapped Emotions participants' blog posts of the past week, please do. There are some awesome photos and inspiring insights.

How wonderful that you, like me, flopped your bodies on the ground or floor of a public place to be ogled, offered assistance, and stepped around or upon. Several of you who participated without actually hitting the ground or floor seemed to feel that you "cheated" on this week's prompt. To you I say, "no way!" Part of being creative is taking creative license, improvising, and I was pleased to see you do so. And to you who could not bring yourself to lie about anywhere and snap photos, you were still a full-fledged participant with your honesty and revelation. Each of you took a new perspective this week. I applaud you.

This week the luck of the draw for the little gift goes to Sarah of Real Life. I'll be sending you the mini scrapbook and fall embellishments which are pictured below. Just email me with a shipping address. I promise to address and post the envelope properly so as not to have a repeat of this incident.

Additionally, during this week I will be compiling and posting the beginning of our Wrapped Emotions blogroll of participants. Next Monday, I'll lay out the plans for guest bloggers and elaborate more on merchants and crafters who will be donating gifts for upcoming weeks.

If you have a shop or website where you sell products and would like to donate a gift in exchange for being featured at Wrapped Emotions for the week, please email me at melodyspins [at] gmail [dot] com.

Finally, thank you for linking to Wrapped Emotions. It is so fun to see the WE button in the sidebar of blogs I visit. Often I have to stop and say "oh yeah, that's my blog!".

Tomorrow our new prompt will be posted. See you then.

Unwrapping The Mind

If this is your first visit to Wrapped Emotions, welcome and thanks for coming. You should begin by reading this to learn what it's all about.

~You'll find the winner of last week's gift and my thank you to participants posted here.~

~~~
Do you view objects from the same vantage point day after day? Do you approach your life from the same vantage point day after day? I want you to open your mind to how you see things.

This week you are working with a metaphoric wrapper...the emotion or emotions that wrap your mind. Fear, apprehension, cautiousness...whatever keeps you from viewing objects and your life from a different vantage point. You know I'm going to ask you to do something that might be a little uncomfortable, don't you? *she smiles slyly* It is nothing drastic, nothing illegal, and you are allowed to remain fully clothed.

With your digital camera in hand...and I know you have one because I see the photos you post on your blog...step forth into the world. A public place, not your living room or Aunt Bessie's kitchen. Think of places you frequent...a park, a museum (where cameras are allowed), a store, a playground, but do not be limited by my suggestions. Find an object or objects that you have seen before...by objects I mean anything from buildings to poles to poodles to garbage trucks, anything. Lie on your back on the ground or floor and snap at least one photo from that vantage point. Relax. Unless you choose to lie on the floor of a public restroom, you will not die from an onslaught of bacteria...remember we are unwrapping the mind of such binding thoughts. Hold on to the emotions running rampant through your body as you do this and use them in finalizing your creation.

Now go home, download the photo and edit it as you like. Post the photo on your blog along with your thoughts...remember the emotions you felt as you snapped the photo...and anything that happened while getting your shot. Talk about the experience. Set the scene. These are just prompts to, hopefully, help you think. You are not bound by any of them. Write a post that let's you relive your emotions and insight from the new vantage point. Have you taken anything away from the experience that might help you approach your life from a new vantage point? What do you have to say?

Take a deep breath, letting the oxygen fuel your creative, daring spirit and go snap that photo.

Have fun!
~~~
Here's the how-to of weekly participation:

• Leisurely, happily create your project for the week.
• Post a photo or scan of it on your blog any time, any day Monday through Saturday with as many or as few words as you choose to accompany it...no words?...no problem...unless the week's prompt calls for words.
  
• If you so choose, and I love it when you choose, include the WE button in your post. If you choose not to post the button (and I will still love you), please link back to the current week's post at WE within the text of your post. Thank you. Grab the button code.
  
• Come to Wrapped Emotions and sign Mr. Linky with the direct link to your WE post for the week. Please don't make visitors scroll and search for your week's contribution by merely linking to your homepage.
  
• After signing Mr. Linky, please also leave a comment on the Mr. Linky post at WE. I will be drawing for the weekly gift from comments.
  
• Use Mr. Linky to visit the blogs of fellow participants. You have all week to pop in and out to visit. Offer words of observation, sheer delight and when called for, words of support, encouragement or comfort.
  
• Check back each Monday for the new WE prompt and to see if you won the previous week's gift, which will be chosen by random.org from the comments. (Do you have an online store? Would you like to feature it at WE?)

Questions or comments about this week's prompt (or if I have confused you), please let me hear from you on this post. I love it when you talk to me.

*If you have completed your Unwrapping The Mind project, sign Mr. Linky here.

Unwrapping The Mind ~ Mr. Linky

Those participating in Wrapped Emotions' weekly prompt Unwrapping The Mind, please sign Mr. Linky below with the direct link to your project post. Remember to also leave a comment on this post so that you will be entered for the weekly giveaway. Thanks for playing.

Ending the First Week at Wrapped Emotions

My great big ole THANK YOU to Wrapped Emotions' first week participants.

It was encouraging for me to read this was a fun project for each of you and that the memories of childhood were lovingly relived. As suspected, we each commented fondly on the people and events which surrounded the enjoyment of our favorite childhood candies. We realized it was the people and happenings of our childhoods which were the source of our emotions, not simply the eating of the candy. As adults some of you were actually quite disgusted at the taste of what you remember as your childhood delight, but still the childhood emotions were summoned. Others overcame a childhood fear of participating in art class. Thank you for playing this week with an open spirit of fun and discovery.

Another big THANKS to those who commented or emailed that this week slipped by you, and you plan to participate in future prompts. I look forward to seeing you here.

As promised I have a small gift and have randomly drawn a winner from participants. There were seven participants, not counting myself, and random.org chose number 1 as the winner. Congratulations Lynnae of From Under The Clutter , who happens to be the first person ever to post a project contribution to Wrapped Emotions. Quite fitting that she should be chosen as the first gift recipient.

Lynnae will receive a package of card making supplies to jump start a future creative endeavor. Your gift contains a package of ten 5x7 pink flat cards and envelopes, ten oval 4-1/2x6-1/4 white flat cards and one package of dimensional embellishments. Lynnae, contact me by email to arrange shipping. Next week another gift...and if you win once...you still have the opportunity to win again...luck of the draw.


Additionally, I am very excited to share that crafters, shop owners and businesses are beginning to contact we regarding my desire to have a weekly feature of an online shop or business who has generously donated a gift for the weekly drawing.

See you here tomorrow for the next Wrapped Emotions prompt. This week will be calorie free, but a lot of fun.