Saturday fun

The weather allowed a brief stint outside, so Frank and i ventured to Whitnall Park, where, for the first time, i strapped on my snowshoes. Seems that I am either sick or it is unfriendly frozen when we have the right snow. But now that i know what i'm doing, I'm determined to get out there more! And the sick siege of 2010/2011 is almost over. almost.

And yes, even though our stint was short yesterday, i am feeling it today. Which i'm kind of liking. Sometimes my limbs feel so *unused* that i crave a good stretch and work out, you know?

The art experiment this week was a nib pen. After trying a few nibs, and learning online that you don't actually *dip* a dip pen (which sent me back to the hobby store for an eye dropper) i settled in to really enjoying it. It's hard to describe how natural it is for me to write. I am continually scribbling something. Writing on watercolor paper with a very pointy object was a bit challenging as the tip became stuck in the fibers here and there, but eventually i did get the hang of things. Most of the evening was spent playing on one 9 x 12 spread while listening to the glorious Hinds Feet on High Places audio book. While i wasn't happy with various parts of this experiment, i was able to find parts of this ink and paint work that are pleasant enough.

Art, like the rest of life, is a journey. I'll discover it one baby step at a time.

Friday Recap

This week

*flew by
*I studied Day 76 through 80 in Beth Moore's DAVID Bible study
*I was a single mom...hub in Pennsylvania
*I lived with a stuffed slightly achy head ... exhausted by bedtime... on the slow recovery route
*I worked 24 hours... A lot of appointment scheduling and one proposal for new work
*I joined the world of Twitter...receiving end only
*I began listening to the Audible version of HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES by Hannah Hurnard. I am changed. Truly.
*I made art every day...fifteen minutes at a time...
*we laid off someone at work. :(
*we discussed the first amendment in our "History of Religion in America" class
*I've been sort of dizzily happy and content.

Art Journal interpretation of TRUST.

Pick ONE WORD.

My one word for 2011 is TRUST. More on that in the coming days and weeks...

Perspective

I'm sick of being sick and tired of being tired. Blah blah blah. I am still couched unless I *have* to do something like work... Or sing. Worship time went well at NDC this morning - just me and Anna - but that was simply God taking over and me trusting. I was hacking up hairballs during practice, but the service went well. Before the service I was literally curled up in a seat...wanting to be back on the couch. This is the worst stage of sick because I don't look too sick, or sound sick, I am just...exhausted. Maybe it is a diabetes thing. All I know is that I am lethargic and blurry headed. Blah, blah, blah.

So, after a two hour nap, I decided to catch up on the blogs that I have listed over there to the right. And when I got to The Simple Wife my whining ground to a stop, and PERSPECTIVE was gained. Joanne is a writer, blogger, 38 year old mom of two young girls. She was a seminary student for a while. She has a ministry regarding marriage ups and downs. She and her husband share a blog too. She leads Bible studies. Although she is more together and more well known, I feel an affinity to her, and I enjoy her blog. I had not visited for a month or so, so I was shocked to read that a couple weeks ago she had a major stroke, and she is still fighting for her life. I just read many blog and Twitter updates, and shed more than a few tears. I am praying for a dear sister I have never met.

I gained some perspective. I am thanking God for the simple annoyance of a sinus infection and a few weeks on and off the couch.

Perspective. It's a good thing.

This week in review

Frigid Friday...it's about zero degrees out there...and I'm staying IN. Not that I want to make you jealous or anything, but I have a four day week end...again. I used to work 4 days a week, but with this ecomony our firm has cut back hours, so now I'm encouraged to work 24 hours a week. Which I LOVE.

Still battling the head cold. I managed to work my 24 hours, but fell into bed each night, and am definitely blurry headed today.

I have been "art journaling" every day...because...well... I always journal every day. Now I'm just adding some fun accent or doodle now and then. I discovered clear mount stamps this week, and OH MY, what an amazing idea. They take so much less space to store, and they are sold in great big sets. LOVE THEM. I've been utilizing my 40% Michaels and JoAnn's coupons, and also picking up other sale stuff. One problem with reading all these arty blogs and books is that I am being introduced to SO MANY NEW art supplies. Thank GOD I have a lot already from olden artsy days...but still...so many new products.

Anyhow, on this Moleskine page I stamped a *flourish* (one of 8 or so in the flourish set) and then punched out a flower with my great big new flower press. No, I have not popped for one of those die cut machines, but will be picking up a few punches with coupons. So, after I punched the Moleskine page to make a peek a boo window, I dabbed a bit of acrylic paint around it. On the following page I stamped a script stamp (one of four in that set). I like the little hint of anticipation, don't you? And of course I wrote wrote wrote. Journal therapy. In color. :D

I'm not actually too artsy here...just playing around.

Then today I watched a video by Julie Balzer which got me ALL PUMPED UP to go and collage collage collage, but decided to make cards first. I really do want to GIVE joy with my art rather than just play in my journal, and have to somehow balance my time. Once complete, this time I remembered to photograph them before addressing. :D On all three cards you can see my flower punch again - the flower, and the leftover stencil after punching out two flowers.

Yesterday I spent 7 hours driving to and from a meeting in small town northern Wisconsin, and on the way home I stopped at a thrift store in a teeny town. For $3.50 I bagged an atlas, two dictionaries, some sheet music, a ledger and three books. Two books are $19.95 (each) current art books, and one book is a classic I've been wanting to read by Hannah Whitnall Smith. Anyhow, the other stuff is all to cut up and punch out and use in collage and on cards. Very fun scouting about in that little store.

On the sympathy card I used part of an old hymnal (of which I have many copies), and on the other card I used a passage from an old Bible. (of which I have way way many) It's kind of hard to cut into a book, but really... this is a great use of them. I loved adding a Bible verse to two of the cards, and think that is a pretty honoring way to highlight some old pages. The hymnal page is watercolor washed, too.

Oh, and those black spots...a new pencil's eraser...dipped in an ink pad. Thanks for that idea, Julie!







I wish I had more energy. I'm just puttering along at a snail's pace, usually simply curled up by the fire reading. Hopefully tomorrow I can get back to my art journal experiments. I did watercolor some pages this week, so tomorrow I'll do something with those.

Nighty night.

Just playing

I've been down and out sick for a couple days, but am on the mend today. Still perking slow, but at least I'm up and dressed.

Last night I had a rough emotional time, and so I wrote it all out on a blank journal page. Then I wrote over top: Just Keep Loving-- You are the Grown Up! (need to remind myself once in a while, you know?)

Next I broke out my brand spanking new oil pastels and colored over top. Blended with my finger. And then I wanted the big words to pop so I went over them in a black Sakura Glaze gel pen and the white Signo pen. I like it. It's a stretch for me. Next I ripped it out, trimmed some of the ripped edge and mounted it in my black sketch pad of experiments, noting what materials I had used.

I played a bit on my computer so nobody could read the raw journaling. My very own witness protection plan.

Sometimes I can get a bit too introspective, so one of my 2011 Eight Words is GIVE. One easy way to give art is through the mail. So today I'm popping four kinda fun envelopes in the mail. I hope they bring a smile. Again, the snowflake post it notes are simply for privacy...not part of the design.

You know, it takes about 5 minutes to stamp and color an envelope. Isn't that worthwhile to bring a smile to a friend?

The cupcake one has my niece's name all in stickers...the trademark Aunt Grace envelope. Inside I put a few birthday journal stickers...to encourage her to keep writing and decorating the journals we started in December. That card is completely homemade too...spent some real time on it...as I hope to do for all the journaling nieces.

Making cards and decorating envelopes is simple and fun and quick. Making time for art in 2011!

Art Journal Every Day

I'm getting in the groove of this.

Confession: i am more into the "journal" than the "art." Journaling is second nature to me. Art is further below the surface, needing to come out. That is why ten minutes a day has been appealing. It doesn't overwhelm me.

I have been playing with paint, but not much in my Moleskine. In my Moleskine journal i've been writing, but also trying to add a bit of color and fun to the pages. Mainly i'm trying out ideas that i'm seeing in books and online.

Let me show you yesterday and today. I took a photo before adding too much actual journaling.

I had already done the painting on the right...last week end. It was done using masking tape to create a grid and edges...very simple. Then one of the books i was reading suggested spending time doodling to get the creative juices flowing. Being the ever obedient reader, out came the black pen. That was one of my ten minutes this week...creating the doodling around the painted boxes. Today i will write in the boxes, and likely in between the boxes in really tiny writing. Having journaled for over 15 years, the daily musing is second nature. As you can see on yesterday's page, i didn't do much but write out verses and thoughts from my morning time in the Word. I spent time on the butterfly yesterday morning - likely 15 minutes. And as i drew her i was discussing my day with God. Prayer and doodles. Thursday is my LONG day - to work at 8 am, to a restaurant for a quick bite and right to class...home at 9:30 pm. So...yesterday didn't contain too much writing. I will likely color more on the butterfly as time permits.

Here's a closer peak at the painting/doodling. Simple, but fun. I look forward to writing on that page!

I woke up with a NASTY sinus yuk, so I'm not feeling too inspired today. But I am enjoying looking at art journal options online. Look at this one for inspiration: http://sherripelletier.blogspot.com/2011/01/wrapping-up-my-52-lists.html

So many options, so little time.

Happy Friday!

Whiter than Snow

Our back yard appears pure and beautiful after a snowfall.
What was mottled, muddy and dull just days ago is now alight and glistening.

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;

According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity

And cleanse me from my sin.

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,

And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.

Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Psam 51: 1-2, 6-7 NASB

Grace Space

One of my new years renovations is to blog again...at least once a week. But, alas, i've been distracted.

First of all, i have been consistently Art Journaling Every Day. Not a lot to show for it... well, my moleskine is more decorated than usual, but i can't really show you that because the journaling is private. I'll attempt to take a photo and blur the words. We'll see. In summary, the Moleskine does not appreciate watercolor washes... it gets quite crinkly. On this two page spread I stenciled stars in watercolor and outlined them in glitter glue. This worked quite well, and i could journal around the shapes as well as inside them.

I've been painting a bit...i'm intimidated by paint, but working through it. Mostly i'm playing with watercolors and backgrounds. You know, when you see a great art journal page, the journaling and drawing are usually on top of a great background. Which means you need to work ahead a bit. I've been playing with different textures, including painting on newspaper and then cutting shapes out of it. I painted on bubble wrap and made splotches. I painted and then used the end of the brush to make swirls in the wet paint. Really...i'm a newbie. And, yes...i'm a perfectionist which slows me down.

The yellow entry discusses this. I found this quote online, and added it to a previously painted background. The background has nothing to do with the quote ...but...it was ready so i used it. I'll show you that one, since I'm working on not demanding perfection, and perfect it is not. It is a bit fun though... don't you think?

And today we had some snow, so i added snowflakes to the blue background i had previously painted. I even dusted off my embossing powder and heat gun. Funny, i used to do all kinds of crafty things...so i have SO MANY of the supplies already. Fun!

I've been taking notes on web sites and from books in a CACHET sketchbook (ecru) and also playing with paint on it. So, as you can see, i'm cutting the pages and mounting them on a black travel journal i found among my *stuff.* It will collect my trial runs and a commentary on what materials were used.

In order to get better, i must start. Right?

And i AM having fun. It's freeing to just play. It's freeing to just do *part* of a page, knowing that i can add to it another day. And mostly, truth be known, i am having a BLAST reading all these books on mixed media, card making and visual journaling. I am just so content curled up with a deliciously illustrated book.

I've made some cards, too, but those will have to be a different post. Good night!

More Cave shots

Here are a few more views of The Art Cave.

This is another one of the walls. I love the old printers drawer to store rubber stamps. Except...if your shoulder bumps the corner...you got yourself a mess... you can't see them here, but under the visible stamps are rows containing three complete alphabets...little stamps...1/2 inch square...oh my...when those scatter it isn't fun...

Don't you love the "grace?" That was at the Christian bookstore...along with other words like faith and love. I just love the colors and the font. It fits so well here.

Here is the worktable...in use. You can see the sewing machine peddle up on the table because I kept running over it when I moved the table, (it's on wheels) and here the sewing machine is swung down into the table. (love that) In this shot the table is covered with craft paper because I'm ready to paint. The foreground half of the table swings down if you need more room and less table. Two or three people can easily sit and create. Come on over!

I have hardly had a chance to look at all my library books because I've been looking online at all the journal pages submitted thus far for the Art Journal Everyday challenge. Click on the button to the right and then find the link on her blog to the Flikr slideshow which shows examples of hundreds of art journalers' work. I'm a bit intimidated now. But I'm going to close the laptop and go spend my ten minutes. I'm going to stick office supply dots on a journal page and then watercolor over them. Next I will remove the stickers which will leave white spots on the page. No idea what will be next. The point is to START. So...here goes...

Art Journal Everyday Post 1

My friend Sweet Sue and I took covers off of oversized children's books and began the process of repurposing them. Patterned paper, magazine cut outs, glitter glue, Scripture passages, a covering of glitter Mod Podge, a covering of gel medium, some rubber stamps, some paint dabs...that's what's happened so far. I like it, but it's too "neat." Some paint rollering next...or printing paint onto it with bubble wrap... You can't see the glitter on the photo...it covers the word "sparkle."

Anyhow, it will be the book that houses pieces of 2011 to supplement my daily musing in my Daily Planner Moleskine.

I love journals.

The daily ten minutes of art will be very good for me.

The Art Cave photos

Read the previous post to explain "The Art Cave."

Here's what my little spot in the world looks like...

Lots of supplies... handy and ready...

Inspirational lighting. I have overhead lighting, but tend to use a task light and these colored globes.

A quilt shelf holds rubber stamps, and the Bluebird of Happiness. On the rack are many unfinished quilts of mine, and a few gems from my ancestors. This redwork is all hand stitched and hand quilted, by my great grandmother, Gram. My mother remembered her tracing magazine photos and product labels...

Gram also made the plain square patchwork, and my dad's mom, Oma, crocheted the ecru piece. It used to be a queen sized coverlet, but I took it apart (carefully) to use in various places. In our old house it was a valance, among other things...

The cardinal is my favorite bird. I'm *crazy* about cardinals. This one is from Jill this Christmas. Love it. Hmmm. Maybe it's an Art Nest.

These canvases were found at TJMaxx, my favorite store, a couple years ago. Now they are *home* in the art cave.

There's more, but...tis time for bed. G'night.

The Art Cave

Hi ho, hi ho...it's back to work we go. After EIGHTEEN glorious days off in a row, I returned to work today. Refreshed. Can't quite say "ready" as I'd prefer someone to pay me to be at home, but refreshed nonetheless.

And I had accomplished something. Something amazing.

During my break I created an Art Cave.

It is the room I've craved since being a grown up. A room of my own filled with meaningful mementos, hand crafted items, colored lights, art supplies and art books. It's overflowing with happiness. It's a tiny 9 by 10 room in the lower level, but it has a lovely French paned door to the hallway and an attached 10 by 10 closet full of floor to ceiling shelving. It has a high wood beamed ceiling, and is painted a sand color. Not that you can see much of the walls. They are artfully covered.

I love my cave.

It's chilly, but a space heater keeps me toasty, as does an afghan made by a friend. Two deteriorating redword quilts are on the quilt rack, hand stitched by my great grandmother, "Gram." A wildly colorful afghan covers the futon - crocheted by my mom Juanita. Some fine crochetwork in cotton (tatting kind of look) by my Oma is also on the quilt rack. And so are numerous quilts in process ... pieced by me. Kid sculptures are on the shelves. Hand made cards, crewel embroidery, favorite words...all on the wall. The shelves hold beloved books on art journaling. The quilting library is extensive, so that's in the walk in closet. My Bernina sewing machine is set up, and its table has a big pop up leaf on which I write and create. Truly...I love this little nook. grace space.

One evening Emily and I made cards together in there. One evening Sweet Sue and I cut the covers off of oversized children's books and began altering them with collage. (ooooo!) The point is that I have this huge creative urge and now I have a room in which to get messy. Actually, mostly the closet will be messy. I try to tidy the room each evening.

I've been obsessed with books on Art Journaling. I have scoured Amazon online, and thoroughly perused the supplies at Barnes & Noble and at Borders. A Borders giftcard from our son allowed a few to come home with me. And two library visits have yielded quite a stack. Last night I found a really coveted one at Half Price Books. I'm well stocked for inspiration.

And now, just now, I signed up for "Art Journal Every Day" HERE. I'm not thoroughly convinced that I should pledge anything "every day," but her requirement is ten minutes a day. That's certainly do-able. I'll have to be creative in my photography for it though (it links to this blog) because my journal is very private. I doodle and paint on my actual journal...that might have to be supplemented with some less private pages...

So, anyhow, in addition to the *occasional* devotional thought, and the *occasional* day in the life kinda blog, now there will be an *occasional* very amateur piece of scribbling.

Fun fun fun. Work began today, and class begins again on Thursday. But I can find ten minutes a day, right? Right?

PS Did I mention the music? My son jams on his electric guitar in the next room. Like right now. It's a rockin' down here!