Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Spring is Coming!

Haven't blogged in a bit... rather busy as of late with two cases I currently have as a Home Health Aid. In fact, for 3 days out of the week, I'm gone all day, and my children are in bed by the time I get home. I realize that it is only 3 days out of the week, that the money is good, and that it is only until April 7th (when Mom goes back to her job and I'll have to switch up my cases/hours), but still... it's not easy to be away from your kids. In this day and age, it is a necessity for most to work as many hours as possible, and I'm really blessed in the respect that I don't have to do it all the time, but it still gets me aggravated when people drop such comments like, "Oh, aren't you GLAD for the break from the kids?!" I shake my head and hold my peace, but seriously? I didn't HAVE children to get away from them, and I realize that people often say such things in jest, but still... it is a statement that cuts to my core. I love my kids, and I miss them terribly on the days that I'm gone all day. OK, but I've ranted on enough...

I'm grateful that today was warm! I know it'll get colder by Thursday again, but at least today is hope that the warmer days, they are a comin'! So, I fiddled around last night with some crayons and paint on a notebook journal page... not done yet, but kind of liking the fun, free way this is turning out. I got the idea for this little guy while watching Bubble Guppies with my children yesterday, and it kinda stuck with me, so I figured I'd create something with it.

What have you created in your journal lately? Do you ever just do it to have fun? I'm getting there more and more... and glad for it.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Create- Perchance to Live

Finished this spread last night... had a lot of fun with this one. It was more of a progressive effort than a one-night deal, but I like that. When you come back to a piece after some time, you have a slightly different perspective, and you can see things you didn't initially. You can see what needs to be added, or what the whole compilation could represent as far as a unifying theme... the possibilities are only limited by your own imagination :)

Stay safe and dry in this impending storm that seems to be effecting everyone!!!

Monday, February 24, 2014

Nothing But... Sea Life?

Recently, one of the few blogs that I avidly follow, Diana Trout, posted her Friday Tutorial and I dove right in for a perfect evening experiment last night!

It was a lot of fun to just cut loose and not be so worried about the outcome. They are technically supposed to be flowers, but I felt myself naturally gravitating towards sea life... so I went with it. I do have to admit, however, that after I added the pen lines (as you can see in the background of the first image), I thought that the thick, dark lines took away from the color of the watercolors. So I ended up painting thin gesso over the background lines, which muted them without fully taking them away. I much preferred this effect. What do you think?

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Just Because!

Did a little more work in my "Just Because Mini Journal" from Suzi Dennis!

Did this a while ago but hadn't shared it yet... collage, paint, washi tape, and a doily. So much fun in such a small space! I love Suzi's journals... :)

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Prayer Journal?

For many years now, I've heard the term "Prayer Journal," but never really gave it much thought. I've never really been a "journaler"... but, in Feb 2012, I learned about art journaling, and my world has never been the same since. I fell in love with art journaling, and never looked back! But, "prayer journaling?..."

I tend to do more art in my "art" journals than writing, but that's ok, as there are no rules. That being said, I recently began looking into what exactly were these things called "Prayer Journals," anyway?

My Moleskin journal

I mean, was it a record of people's prayers? Or was it more? Could one be creative with one, or would that be... sacrilegious?? As I did more searching, I discovered that many people ARE creative with their prayer journals, and while many do record their prayers in them (and subsequently, the answers to said prayers!), the prayer journals were so, so much more!

Important notes from a Christian book I was reading

Pertinent notes from a sermon

You can write prayers in your prayer journal, Christian song lyrics that particularly move you, thoughts to God. You can "spill" write... just think/communicate with God and write down a fluid stream of thoughts that flow through you as you pray/meditate upon Him. You can write scripture verses, and also what they mean to you, how they matter to you specifically at this point in your life. Date your entries. Look back later on and see where you were now, and see how you grow. Consider words that are special to you... "grace"... "salvation"... "peace." Decorate your pages- make them your own. God gave you the gift and desire to be creative... use it and give it back to Him :) Honor Him with your efforts.

A tag a made with a "power thought" from Joyce Meyer- "My words have the power to create my reality!"

Journal spread I created based on the word "salvation" with the scripture verse Psalm 62:6- "He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved."

The wonderful thing is that a prayer journal is uniquely yours, and it is what you feel God wants it to be to you. He wants to have a closer relationship with you, and this can be a wonderful way to increase that! Enjoy the gift that the Lord has given you... He loves you. Use it as just one way to show Him how much you love Him right back :)

I am participating in the wonderful Art Journal Every Day hosted by artist Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. Come join in the fun!

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Art as Expression

I love my art journal(s), but sometimes, even WITH prompts, you get caught up in not knowing exactly what to do with a brand-new spread... you have your time, your materials, but no motivation!

But! If there is a lot going on in your head (as there typically is, let's be honest), and you even have the motivation of some good music, then give it a little time, and something will begin to come together... below I have a spread I worked on today. I had SO MUCH going on in my head, that I thought an interesting aesthetic with various words might be fun. It was!

But! One of the great things about growing older is that you learn that just because you've a lot to say, doesn't mean you should. Thus I included a little reminder to myself as a finalization of the piece ;) I like it. How about you?

I am participating in the wonderful Art Journal Every Day hosted by artist Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. Come by and visit her blog! Thanks, Julie!

Friday, January 3, 2014

Creative Challenges Open a World of Possibilities!

A new year, fresh perspectives, an abundance of inspiration! Funny how the idea of a fresh beginning always accompanies a new year... and I'm embracing it with arms wide open!

The wonderful Tammy over at

Daisy Yellow

is offering up another one of her fantastic and inspirational challenges:

So far I've participated in one (see my coffee rings below), and am finding that I'm inspired to create more from just that one challenge. There really is a wealth of creative and motivational goodies over there, you should check it out! Even if you are new to art journaling, you can "jump right in!"

I've since cut up the paper I've done the coffee rings on, and am beginning to create the collage below. That is one thing I also have to try and somehow address this year... I know that we artists create because, well, most of us can't help it. It's just our nature to do so. But what do you do with WHAT you create? Any ideas? At least if you are doing art in an art journal, then it's got a home... IN the journal. But I just don't want a proverbial box of my art sitting around, you know?

Anyway, what are you doing on the computer?? Go create something! ;) And join in with Art Journal Every Day if you'd like! I have :)