It's Time to RENEW-Week 5

Coloring Easter Eggs-2012

Welcome to Week 5!! I know, I know...it's a few days late but I have been living my life with this beautiful family of mine AND still sharing my son's laptop with him. We are hoping that sometime in May I will be able to purchase MY OWN laptop! I sure do love that husband of mine:) By the way a BIG Happy Birthday to Dave!! He is 47 today!

Your works of art in our Face Book group are beautiful. What a talented bunch of women we are!!

I promised to have TWO give aways this week. Here they are...

Prize #1...

Lots of paper goodies for your collages/art journals, including a few Alice in Wonderland images,  paper tape and ribbons.

A piece of my Brave Art, too.  This is one of of my favorite girly images.

My Brave Art

Here is Prize #2...

Ribbon, a mini album and Brave Art!

My Brave Art

For your chance to win one of these prizes be sure and leave a comment in THIS post!!

Okay...so on with Week 5!! Our WORD this week is

RENEW

to restore or replenish: to renew a stock of goods.

to make, say, or do again.

to revive; reestablish.

With Spring comes the overwhelming feeling to RENEW. I am ready to let go, restart and replenish my soul. 

These past few weeks have been completely crazy and so, so busy.  And while it's all been good, good stuff...I am in need of an Art Day. A day to just BE. A day to put the crazies away, to just putter around in my studio. A day to sift through my treasures, thinking, dreaming and creating. 

The great opportunity is where you are. Do not despise your own place and hour. Every place is under the stars, every place is the center of the world. -John Burroughs

Our first assignment this week is simple. Create a list of 21 things you can do to RENEW your soul, your day, your life.

Each of us may have different ways we do this. For some it may be a cup of coffee at Starbucks {Leanne-lol} and a good book...for others a long walk in the woods will do the trick. The best way I know to RENEW my soul is to spend time being quiet. I love spending time alone in my studio with my favorite tunes, the sun shining in and all my supplies. Pure bliss. I am also filled up by reading the Scriptures, sitting on the couch with a cozy blanket and favorite movie or taking an afternoon nap with the sun shining on me. 

The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are. -J. Pierpont Morgan

RENEWAL is a big part of living our dreams, girls. It's too easy to be busy going and doing all the time. When we allow our time to be eaten up...there is then no time for our dreams. Our inspiration shrivels up and we start living on auto-pilot.

It's too easy to stay where we are. 

Don't let your dreams die. Take time this week to RENEW yourself. Promise yourself that TODAY you will do ONE thing just for you!! Fill yourself up!!

“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” 
― Audrey Hepburn

What fills you up and renews your soul, girls??

Envelope Tutorial!!

Tutorial:  Handmade Envelopes from Recycled Materials

By Andria Kaskey, of Drawing Near (http://andria-drawingnear.blogspot.com)

There are so many embellishments that you can add to your art journal pages to create the look you are trying  to achieve or communicate the message you are trying to record.  While you can have lots of fun choosing scrapbook embellishments from the craft store, I think you will feel a great sense of satisfaction from creating handmade envelopes from pretty recycled papers (or from favorite scrapbook papers, for that matter) as a page element for your art journal.

If you’ve never made your own envelopes, or if it has been awhile, here is a step-by-step tutorial to show you how very fun and easy it is:

Step 1: Collect materials for your envelopes. At the end of the year, I asked a group of friends to set aside any old calendars that they were planning to discard, and asked them to pass them along to me instead. Calendars are great because they have big, colorful pictures that can accommodate a large envelope template. 

I also use papers from books I have bought at library books sales, maps, children's books, graph paper, and magazine and catalog pages.  Envelopes for your art journal may be smaller than envelopes you plan to send through the postal system, so you will be able to use smaller-sized papers to create them.

Step 2: Collect envelope templates. These are the patterns you follow to create your envelopes. They can be purchased, such as the Kreate-a-lope shown here:

You can also find them by doing an internet image search with key words such as "envelope templates."  You may be able to manipulate the sizes of these templates if you want to make smaller versions for an art journal page.

But perhaps the quickest and simplest way to get a template is to open up an existing envelope with a shape and size that works for you, and use it as a template.

Step 3: Place your selected template on your selected paper, and trace around it with a pencil. I like to use a mechanical pencil with a sharp tip, because that line becomes very difficult to see on busy patterns. When it comes time to cut, I end up using the "debossed" line more than the actual graphite line.

Step 4: Cut along the pencil line you just drew.

Step 5: Fold where the template indicates to create the envelope.

Step 6: Use a glue stick (I prefer UHU) to adhere the flaps where they overlap. Word to the wise: Check the front frequently to make sure that you are gluing the bottom flap and not the top one!

When I first started gluing with a glue stick, I would put my project on a piece of computer paper to keep the glue from getting on the tabletop. I went through so much paper, and even though I was recycling it, it just felt wrong. Then I heard this tip: Save your catalogs and magazines to use as a surface for your gluing. When one page gets gluey, flip to the next one. When the whole book is gluey, throw it in the recycle bin. I always mark the magazine with the word "GLUE" really big, so I don't get it mixed up with something I still want to read!

You can put anything you want into your envelopes, as long as it is smaller than the front face of the envelope.  The cards or tags you put inside can be all text; doodled or drawn; covered in paint, stickers, or ink; collaged with images from magazines and catalogs, or with bits of papers; or some fabulous combination of all of these!

Here is a selection of handmade envelopes I have created:

Here are some cards inserts I created for envelopes I was making for sale, embellished with postage stamps and rubber stamps:

Here is an art journal page that uses a handmade envelope from graph paper with a tag insert.  For the page, I glued down sewing pattern tissue, and then adhered an image transfer on top.  The handmade envelope is made from graph paper, and embellished with tissue tape and a rubber stamp image with my handwriting inside.  The tag is painted with watercolor, and includes a handwritten quotation:

In closing, I can think of at least four good reasons to include handmade envelopes in your art journal:

1.        First, because you can use such varied papers to create your envelopes, you can pretty much match any mood, color scheme, or style you might want to create for your journal page.

2.       Second, envelopes provide a kind of “secret hiding place” for things you want to include in your journal but do not necessarily want easily accessible to anyone who glances at your page.

3.       Third, envelopes provide an interactive element to your page, so that the experience of looking at your journal is less passive and more active.

4.       Fourth, handmade envelopes are fun and relatively easy to make! 

 I highly recommend you give it a try, if you haven't already...or if you haven't in awhile. You will never toss a calendar again, I can almost guarantee you!






***Thank you so much to Andria of Drawing Near. Be sure and stop by her blog for TONS of art journaling inspiration!!!


I am taking the next 4 days off. We have a BUSY Easter weekend planned. Look for Week 5's assignment late Monday night rather than Sunday night. Also we will have TWO give aways next week!!


You girls are the BEST! Have a WONDERFUL EASTER BREAK!!!

Art Assignment-Week 4

Happy Wednesday, Girls!! I am loving all your work you post in our FB Mind.Body.Soul. group. Many of you are catching up...Yay! Remember...you are never, ever behind. You can find the entire class here...so take your time:).

We have a WINNER from Week 3....Congrats to Selenaintx from "Nursing a Scrapbook Addiction". Please email your addy to les262@embarqmail.com  Hooray!!


Just a note...to all the Winners so far...I haven't mailed anything yet...plan on that this Friday:) And speaking of prizes we WILL have one for Week 4 on tomorrow's post...which is a guest tutorial. I think you'll love it.


Okay...on with Today's Art Assignment. I asked you  some pretty tough questions on Monday. I hope that didn't scare anybody off. Our addictions/vices/whatever you call them come in 100's of forms. Mine just happens to be food. I love how several of you pointed out that it could be anything that keeps us from living our dreams....spending too much time on the computer, watching hours and hours of mindless TV and so many more. 


My intentions with Monday's assignment was to get you to thinking about our weakness's...whatever they may be. I used to spend hours on FB and blog hopping until I realized that I wasn't actually living my life in real time but virtually. Yes, I was inspired by sooo many blog posts, groups, challenges, etc...but I wasn't actually doing any of them. I was too busy dreaming of doing them.


Big, Big difference.


Today's Assignment is one of my favorites! I want you to create either a one or two page spread about what it looks like when you are living the way you truly envision. 

The page I am working on is filled with my favorite colors {aqua, yellow and bahama blue}, flowers, butterflies and a sweet girl that represents me with wings. She is holding a heart. She is happy and content. She is not chained to food or the internet. She is in control and she is listening to her heart and living her dreams. 


Take your time with this assignment. Make it special and lovely and true. I can't wait to see what you come up with!


Waiting for the fish to bite 
or waiting for wind to fly a kite.  
Or waiting around for
 Friday night
 or waiting perhaps for their Uncle Jake
 or a pot to boil
 or a better break 
or a string of pearls or a pair of pants
 or a wig with curls 
or another chance. 
 Everyone is just waiting.  


~Dr. Seuss


No more waiting, girls!! Now is the time OVERCOME our addictions to food or the internet or TV or procrastination. NO MORE waiting around.
The TIME IS NOW!:)

My Creative Weekend

Our art assignment from last week was simple...to just play. I enjoyed the process so much and plan on making this a regular part of my art experience. These are the lists I made Friday. I have my Art "To-Do's" on the left and the Stories I want to share on the right. In my art I think that's where I've been missing the boat...instead of just sitting down and painting, gluing and winging it...I want to begin really thinking about the Story I want to tell. It makes all the difference.

I created this background with my dreams of hosting an art retreat in mind. I wanted this to be extra messy and artsy...I am so happy with the results!

My sweet husband means the world to me....I had our relationship in mind when I did this one.

I tend to work best when I focus on one type of process at a time. If I'm in the mood for backgrounds then I'll create just backgrounds. Other times I may feel like putting images and words in my journals  or work on my Brave Girls. When I work this way I find it's easier to just "go" with my creative moods rather than force it.


The main project I worked on over the weekend was my SMASH book. I had purchased one with a few embellishments in January but hadn't figured out what to do with it. But then my dear friend Maggie  began using hers for our Mind.Body.Soul class and I kept thinking about MY book and wanted so badly to use it. Here is what I've come up with...


This is the opening page..."Here is a little bit about me". I plan on writing a few interesting things about my life right this very minute...my loves, my struggles, what my life looks like right now.

A few pages later is the section called "My Year of Story".

This is the place for all those stories I am anxious to share on my blog, in my art, my book and maybe one day my column on some blog or in a magazine.

Section 3 is all about I am going to become Whole again.

"How I am going to become ME again. Whole and Happy and Fulfilled."

There is another section all about Self Care. This is the place I will write down all those things I can do to relax and unwind...little reminders of things I can do to take the very best care of ME.

I couldn't have a SMASH book without a place for recipes. I ADORE cooking! Seriously...I secretly want to have my own show:)

Most of the ideas I have for my life involve art, writing, uplifting and inspiring ways to share my heart, etc. This is the biggest section of my book.

All my Dreams go here...

SMASH Books are just so darn cool, aren't they??

So that was a peek of my Play Day. Not only was it fun to just let go but it refreshed my soul and left me wanting to create more.


You cannot dream yourself 
into a character;
 you must hammer
 and forge yourself 



 Remember, Girls...you are never, ever behind! I will keep every assignment on my blog so you'll be able to complete this anytime. I appreciate each one of you. Thank you for playing along!!

I have decided to post our next assignment on Wednesday rather than today. Then later in the week we have  a special tutorial for your journals from my friend Andria. You won't want to miss it.

Happy Creating!

Week 4 is Here

Can you believe it? We have made it to Week 4 of Mind.Body.Soul. I am so excited you are here to share this journey with me.

This week we are totally switching gears and I am soooo READY!!

Our Word this week is:

OVERCOME

1.

to get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer;defeat: to overcome the enemy.

2.

to prevail over (opposition, a debility, temptations, etc.);surmount: to overcome one's weaknesses.

I have a little secret to tell you...

I am addicted to food.

Potato chips, caramels, peanut butter, bread, greasy hamburgers and fries, ice-cream....and the list goes on.

When I eat these foods it's hard to stop. I mean at first I begin with just a normal serving but then I end up eating until I feel physically stuffed and mentally and spiritually drained. 

It's a vicious circle.

And I am tired.

I  want stop numbing myself with food when I'm stressed or worried. I want to live my life...every part of it. 

Sometimes it's hard to face our life isn't it? Sometimes we feel overwhelmed and frustrated and have such sorrow that it feels like we'll never smile again. 

That's what life is though, girls. Life is just like a roller coaster....

World's longest coaster

It's all twisty and curvy with lots of highs and lots of lows. Hopefully each of us experiences more highs than lows...but regardless, we all must learn how to manage the adversity in our lives.

So I am ready. It's a brand new month, a brand new week and Spring {at least for some of us} is here. It is time to ask myself some really tough questions and hold myself accountable. I hope you'll join me this week.

Assignment #1:  

1. Take out your notebook for journaling or your art journal{I know some of you are using just one book} and make a list of the Top Ten foods you can't stop eating. Here is my list...

   *potato chips

   *chewy cookies

   *ice cream

   *homemade bread with butter

   *buttered popcorn

   *any chewy candy

   *Doritos

   *chips and salsa from La Bonita

   *buttered noodles with salt

   *cheese

   *crackers of all kinds

2. Answer the following questions...

a) How do you feel when you're eating these?

b) If you feel happy, satisfied, like all is right with the world...why do you think that is? 

c) How do you feel after you eat your binge foods? Describe how you feel physically, mentally and spiritually. An example would be...lonely, sad, depressed, failure, loser, no self-control, etc.

d) If you had a choice between eating one of your binge foods or spending time doing what you LOVE...which would you choose? Be honest here, girls. I can tell you that at times I have chosen food over what I truly love.

3. What are the consequences of your food choices? I know for me when I choose to stuff myself with sugar I get migraine headaches. When I binge on fat I am bloated and just feel yucky. My mood is bad, I am grumpy with my family and my art and writing suffer. Bingeing equals 100% sadness for me. 

This time I feel different. I feel like I am not alone in my battle with food. I know you are here. And if you are like me you understand. You know exactly what I'm saying...what I'm feeling.

Be honest with your answers, girls. No one else will see your journal. 

I promise to post Assignment #2 Tuesday night...it will be something artsy and it will lift your spirits. You will be able to see yourself in a whole new way. 

This is the week we really start to grow.