Round Robin Journal

I mailed off another journal. It is so fun seeing what has been done in the journals as they arrive! In this journal, I used Tilez font for the scrabble board to state the theme "Art Saves". Inside the envelope is the quote by Robert

Fulghum who wrote "All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten". It is a great book. I can't wait to see the next journal arrive in the mail.

Round Robin Journal

I finished up the page in Serena's journal and sent it on its way to the next artist. It was fun putting the page all together. On the paper in the lower left corner, I have the words "art is a key to the window of the soul" repeated. Be sure to check out the other participant's websites. They are listed in an earlier post. Thanks for stopping by.

Round Robin -Art Saves Journal

I finally finished up the cover. I used some distress ink over it all to tone down the colors a little and embossed some swirls on it. Then added the fringe, just because! I also attached a multicolored fiber bookmark. I lined it with some fabric that I had that I really like. My second page echoes the "Art Saves" theme. The photos have not turned out the best. My lighting needs improvement, I think. I have gathered up many goodies to construct pages with as the journals come my way. I am so excited to send my journal out on its first journey.

Round Robin Journal Project

I am participating in a round robin journal project organized by the wonderful, creative mermaid, Carmen. Here is the start of my journal that will travel to eight other participants and be blessed with wonderful, marvelous artistic creations by each of them. I am new to the art journaling world so hopefully my efforts will improve as I get to work a page in each journal that will come my way. We are being encouraged to use just what we have on hand for the pages we create. The theme is "Art Saves". The one picture is the cover for my journal. I am still working on it, but this is a picture of stage 1. I used the paper-cloth technique by Kelli Perkins in her book Stitch Alchemy. I want to add some embossing and some other stuff to it before I declare it finished. The other picture is one of my pages I have created for my own journal. We are given two weeks to complete our creations so I have another week to work on another page before the journal flies away to someone else.

Hop over to the other participants' pages and check out what is happening in their creative worlds.

Gemma

Shari

Karen

Lila

Doreen

Scarlet

Serena

Carmen

My Sacred Space

I am taking an online workshop led by Kathryn Antyr at TrueNorthArts.com. It is a personal retreat workshop and since I don't want to take away from what she is doing, I won't put in too many details. But I would suggest if you are interested in creating sacred space for yourself you consider checking into what Kathryn offers. Here are some pics from the journal I am working on as I go through the workshop. My favorite place is by the sea and if I can't be there (since I live in MO) I try to find time often to spend in nature by water. Being in nature (hopefully looking out at water) is my sanctuary. Creating this little mobile "altar" to nature gives me a place to pause. The hands reaching and touching inside the heart is how I feel when I am outside in a quiet place filled with all sorts of plants and animals. I feel especially close to God then and I feel like we are connecting in a very spiritual way that doesn't happen inside. The image of the hands is by Meganne Forbes. As I read about sacred spaces and "altars", I realized I had many examples around my house in how I chose to decorate and show off keepsakes from or about special family and friends and travels. I have included a couple of pics that seem to fit my idea of "altars". One is a shelf with some artwork my daughter made when she was little and a pic from her starring as Alice in Alice and Wonderland. The other picture is of a shelf with my sons little rubber boots and other things with his pic and below his shelf is a shelf with a fan and glassware that belonged to my Grandma. Even the cabinet these shelves are in honor my grandparents. The cabinet is made from the front doors of their farmhouse that I spent lots of time in with them. They chose to sell the farm because of health issues. Eventually, a church bought it and was tearing it down. I was able to buy some of the doors and an eight pane window. Michael Moore in Hannibal, MO was making cabinets out of old salvaged materials, and I had this made from the doors so I will always have part of the house where so many special memories were made with me. All over I have curio cabinets or vignettes that have special objects that help me remember special people and times. I am learning to pause and appreciate their presence more. I know the people are the important part and not the objects, but since the people can't always be here, it is nice to have something that represents them. I am running a little behind with the workshop. Life got a little hectic for a while. But since it will be open until in March I am good and choose not to feel pressured.

December Blue Moon Dreamboard

My December Dreamboard represents things I want to invite into my life, things that are already planned, and things I am wishing for in 2010. My daughter is getting married in June. She is a great planner so things are going smoothly as we journey toward the event. I want to savor and enjoy all of the preparations and the day of the wedding. So far we have had loads of fun going to wedding shows, trying on dresses, etc. I am wishing that my husband's and my plans to visit Alaska come true. His job is trying to get in the way and he is a workaholic, but I am persevering with plans and an optimistic outlook:). I want to invite more of a healthy lifestyle into my everyday life in 2010. Healthy eating, more consistent yoga practice, exercise, and balance. I want to transform some things and really enjoy life each day. I want to treat myself with starting journaling. I have been inspired by several participants in AEDM. I hope I don't discourage myself with negative thinking about how mine won't be as wonderful as other peoples and just remember it is for me. Hiking and kayaking are two of my favorite things to do because you do them outside. I want to take the time to do these things. That is what the clocks represent. Taking time to do the things that are important to me, taking the time to care for others, taking the time to be healthy and to savor and enjoy all the things that make up my life.

Wishcasting Wednesday

What Do You Wish For This Holiday Season?

That is the question from Jamie Ridler for this Wednesday's Wishcasting. For myself, I wish the weather cooperates so we are able to be with our children! I also wish for this to be a time of renewal. I wish for this season and beyond, for everyone...tolerance. If we could all be more tolerant of thoughts and people that differ from us, I think the world would be a safer and happier place.

I wish for all of you that your wishes come true, and you have a blessed holiday season and New Year.