31 Days {Day 24 & 25}

I sure hope you read my Facebook fan page yesterday and realized I was sick...I meant to post here, too... just to let you know...but girls, I was OUT. I had a terrible migraine as well as the flu {i think it was the flu}. Anyway....how grateful I am to be feeling more like me today:) 

Hooray!

Yesterday was a rest day for our Creativity Challenge...we all need one of those don't we? As the day wore on, I became restless just laying on the couch {i do not like just laying around}. I grabbed my Art Journal and pens thinking maybe I would doodle and play...but the mood never struck...and that's okay.

I did end up being productive though...I set my Spring Goals and feel so good knowing where I'm headed in the next few months. I am a planner after all so this is exactly what I needed!
With a plan I not only accomplish my household tasks but I can focus on my art and blog, too. Love that "in control" feeling! 

Challenge #24 &25

I have a love/hate relationship with poems. I remember writing gut wrenching prose during my teen years about the one boy that never gave me the time of day. I would pour my heart into each poem, writing about my weight issues, being teased, the lack of love in my life and other, teen angst issues. It seemed I was obsessed with suicide back then, too. Not necessarily my own...death just always made it's way into my poems. {so grateful to be over that time in my life}. 

I have read hundreds of poems...funny, sad, love, old, new, famous, original, awful...the list goes on. I like some, I hate some. But there is one poem that touched me so deeply during my teen years that I carry it with me now...in my heart. I don't need a book to tell me the words...no, I can almost recite it from memory.

Nature's first green is gold
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay. 

Robert Frost

 

 I first heard this poem in the summer of 1983 when 

Pony Boy Curtis recites it in the film"The Outsiders". Not only did I love that movie {i mean who wouldn't...Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze and C. Thomas Howell as Pony Boy} but I remember hearing that poem and realized in my young years...that my life was as good as it gets right now. And if I didn't make the most of it now...well, then soon enough it would be over and that chance I had was lost forever. "Nothing Gold Can Stay"...

The summer after I graduated and the week before leaving for college, my last High School yearbook was delivered to my door. I eagerly opened it...hardly believing that this was it. High School was done and a new chapter in my life was about to begin. Imagine my surprise when written on the first page of my book was Frost's poem. It was fate. It sent goosebumps through my body. That poem that had touched me 2 years before and had stayed with me...was in my Senior year book. 

As I reread the poem I understood it differently. Now was the time in my life to treasure. Now was as good as it gets. This moment wouldn't last long so I better savor it...enjoy it while I could.

My life moved on, I graduated, got a job in radio then met the love of my life. Jacks and Em came along, I became a stay at home Mom and it's been one crazy, amazing, life altering experience after another.

Through it all Frost's words have come to mind hundreds and hundreds of times. Those few precious times in our life, those times when we become who want to be...those times we spend with our children, our spouses, our parents...those times are golden and they end way before we want them to. Those golden memories shall be with us forever...but they can only last a moment. 

 You see, I get it now. 

Now is the time to cherish our life.

Now is the gift. 

Now is the golden. 

Frost was a genius.  

Is there a poem that has touched your life...that has stayed with you throughout everything? Maybe it's just a funny one...create a scrappy layout, an Art Journal page or share on your blog. Really stop and think about why this poem means so much to you. And as always...let me know how you're doing...

31 Days {Day 22

Lately I have been filled with gratitude, sadness, joy, love, peace and inspiration. Such a range of emotions each and everyday. I think so many of my feelings come from where my family is in life right now. My kids are growing up. My sweet little girl starts High School in the fall...we just signed her up a few weeks ago.


Can it be?
How did this happen?
Where did the time go?

There are times I feel like I am suffocating with sadness...I miss my children. All little and cute and needing me to be their everything. Lately I find myself unable to look at photos of them in that stage of their lives...it fills my heart with such a heaviness.

Just writing this is soooo hard. As I type, tears are rolling down my face. I miss that time in my life.

But, just when it seems too much...when it seems like I will never be able to accept the fact they are growing up I am reminded of the fact they are becoming the most incredible young adults.

Jackson wants to be a High School Drama teacher and Debate Coach. Emma is leaning towards the medical field...dermatology at the moment. Both of them are looking forward to their life. They will say to me...."Mom, I am just so excited to live my life!"

I am so grateful for them. They have brought such a meaning to my life. I love them with my whole heart and then some.

Challenge #22

It has been months since I've scraped one photo. Like I said...it's hard right now to see my kids so little...but I also realize how important it is to keep a record of their lives. So I am committing myself to scrapping again. Just the basics. Photos, maybe an embellishment or two and my favorite Sharpie pen. That's what scrapbooking is after all...it's about getting the moment down for posterity, right?

I challenge you to scrap a few photos today. Nothing fancy...nice and simple and meaningful. 

**NOTE: So many of you are worried that you aren't keeping up!! Girls, this Challenge is not about keeping up! It's about adding a bit of creative inspiration to our lives everyday. All 31 Challenges will be posted at the top of my Blog in April!! No worries!!

Give Yourself a Pat on the Back

Many times I have shared my love of quotes with you. Throughout my home you will see words and quotes decorating my walls, end tables and shelves. They motivate, uplift and inspire me to be my very best.

“I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.” ~ Arthur Rubinstein

My passion for quotes began in High School but really became an obsession during my 9 months of marathon training back in 1999.

I was unable to walk for a whole week after that, so much did the race take out of me. But it was the most pleasant exhaustion I have ever known.
Emil Zatopek's description of the Olympic Marathon win in Helsinki

Through the years I have collected thousands of quotes...

Book of Possibilities by Me

Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say 'infinitely' when you mean 'very'; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.

C. S. Lewis (1898 - 1963)

 I have books, calendars, scraps of paper and notesbooks filled with famous and not so famous words of wisdom. These are my some of my greatest treasures!

I have overcome some of my greatest fears with the help of others words...

Page by Me

 “To overcome a fear, here's all you have to do: realize the fear is there, and do the action you fear anyway.”

 Peter McWilliams

During my 5 years of writing "View from the From Porch" I turned to the inspiration of others words.

Everest Base Camp {Bing.com}

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure.

Helen Keller

Today I find myself not only turning to my books, my notes and calendars but when I'm having real writer's block I end up on the computer, surfing the net which nearly every time leads me to YOUR blogs. Your stories, your words lift me up, inspire me and give me a renewed vigor to keep pursuing my passion.

So today, my friends...give yourself a pat on the back, a high five, a smile. Remember that YOU truly make a difference. The time you spend typing, searching and sharing...it means something.

It means something to me.

Projects and Values {Day 18}

So, how is the 31 Days Creativity Challenge going for you? I know it is a busy time but I do hope you have added more creativity to your life in the past few weeks {even if it hasn't been everyday}. The Challenge, for me, has been amazing. Ever since I began scrapbooking nearly 13 years ago I have struggled with taking time to do my craft. I do believe, at long last, creativity will be more than just a daily thought. It will be a way of life and that is what my goal was.

Throughout the past few weeks I find myself not only doing my crafts, but looking at my world differently. When I look at nature, a magazine, my home, a book, whatever it may be...

I see inspiration.

I see what could be...

I see something that could be used in a painting or a page or a new way to arrange my home.

Today I want to share a few projects I've finished, today's Challenge a few other fun bits.

This was the Challenge from Day #12 where I asked you to take a favorite shape or buttons or flowers or whatever you wanted and repeat it. I love butterflies....

I won this butterfly bunch years ago at a crop in Kansas City. At the time I didn't think I would ever use it. Now it's become my signature!

Do you recognize this paper? It's one of my backgrounds from the Artistic Mother Challenge.

I cut those flowers out of a piece of patterned paper from Fancy Pants and that darling, little bird is a stamp from October Afternoon.

On Day #5 I ask you to make a Top 50 list of things you love. Then on Day #8 I ask you to create a layout using on of your "loves". Here is mine...

{i apologize for the bad photo...it's hard to photograph a double layout} This is a 2-page layout featuring my son Jackson and our very special day we spent together.

On the top left I used stickers to spell out "Things I Love"...{Time With Jacks}. 

Jackson and I spent one afternoon in St. Joe at the arcade and Target. It was a particular hard time for my son...he was getting made fun of a lot here and really needed something good in his life. Imagine how thrilled we both were when he WON nearly 1,000 tickets!!:) He got a framed poster of Homer Simpson...

Yesterday I invited you to write down 50 things you value. Remember value=importance, worth. I haven't come up with 50 yet...but I made it to 33. Here are a few of mine...

1.A good night's rest
2.Time spent one on one with my kids and Dave
3. My walks with Kristin
4.Volunteering my time at church
5.creating, reading, writing
6.quality time with my Mom
7.Having a healthy body
8.supporting my kids in their activities
9.Our constitution and helping preserve it
10.our home

Just looking at these ten Values I know where I should be spending my time. I know what I will commit to and what I will say "No" to.


That's a good feeling.

I have two projects I'm excited about. They involve these...

I am gonna show you step by step what I do with them. Stay tuned...

Challenge Day #18:Remember those scrappy kits I encouraged you to make Day #13? Well, if you haven't had time to do that...get to it. I know I was gone most of that day so I want to create at least 2 kits this afternoon. If you did happen to get a few done...take time today to start one of your kits. I would love to se...e your work. Post it on your blogs and send me a link!!!

 

Have a great day, girls!

Spend time with your kids, your spouse, yourself.

Spend time doing those things you value.

One more thing...I snapped this photo of my sweet, Gizmo this morning. He just brightens my day. And he is always with me while I write my posts.:)

 Oh and...how could I forget? I promised you another give away since we are over 100 Followers now sooooo...

*Leave a comment here for one chance
*Follow for a chance
*Like me on FB
*Share the Creativity Challenge on YOUR blog

What is up for grabs??

How about another collage pack? I will have homemade tags, papers, punches, ribbons a few other things!!!


Oh AND {lol} I have a NEW blog look coming soon:)

Decorating {Day 10}

So yesterday, I wrote this 45 minute long post only to have Blogger lose it. Grrrrr....but I must say, I was impressed with how how handled it. For a few short moments I was MAD. Then, I began to calm down when I realized that, in the realm of things losing a blog post wasn't that big of a deal.

Let's try this one again;)

This Friday one of my dearest friends from my childhood is coming to my home. Rhonda and I have known each other since we were 2 years old. Unbelievable. Throughout grade school and on into High School we spent many nights cruising around in her red Mustang, listening to the "Footloose" soundtrack and giggling about boys. So many memories...

Now, I want things to be just right in my home. You know how it is. Perfect. Not a thing out of place. Pretty towels in your bathroom, clean sheets on the beds. The minute they walk in the door I want them to say "Wow". {and not in a "wow, this place is a mess" kind of way}. I want the whole place to smell fresh, like a field of fragrant flowers. I want them to think they've walked into the pages of "Southern Living" Magazine...

I've had lots to do this week. And since I happen to be in the middle of the 31 Days Challenge I thought why not combine the two? Put some creativity into my home...re-arrange, re-purpose and re-do. I've had so much inspiration from Angie and Nikki...it was a snap:)

This is my Baby Grand Piano. {btw, i didn't take before photos...what I was thinking...i have no idea}. Before there were too many photos and it needed a nice polishing...

I re-arranged as well as took a few photos from other areas of our home and put them here. See that orange painting? That's mine:)

Here is the fireplace that's in this same room. That Family sign is one of my favorites!

A few weeks ago I shared these flowers with you...here is the entire look.

It's my dining room. What I like best about this space now...zero clutter. This table tends to accumulate folded clothes and paper piles. NO MORE! That framed piece of art is a fave piece I purchased several years ago at an art fair. It is a clay sun with the word "Blessings" below it.

This is my "new" living room wall. Probably my favorite re-do of all. My husband was trying to help one day and surprise me. He hung the Ten Commandents on this wall {too high} then directly under that a large picture of Christ. That was it. He had this large space to fill but did that! I didn't want to hurt his feelings so I left it like that for 2 years. Finally, a few days ago inspiration struck and I took photos and that wreath and word plaque from others rooms in my home and created what you see here. Much better!

Sometimes all we need are fresh photos in frames. That's what I did here. Love the results! Again, I took photos from other parts of the house and put them here.

Other goals I have for our living room include...

*new throw pillows {i found EXACTLY what I want yesterday. The CUTEST turquoise pillows with funky circles in it.}
*one of those vinyl wall sayings on my big wall
*I really want to "trade-in" that black shelf for something bigger and nicer

I have never been very good at decorating. Really, I need Angie from Treasures here. She would know what to do!! 

I will tell you though I am getting better. I mean since I started being creative everyday I'm noticing that I DO look at things differently. I am taking what iIlove to use in my collages and my scrapbooking and finding ways to incorporate them into my home. Love that.

Finally today here is my finished piece I created using my THREE favorite words:

write
faith
be

A closer look...

I gessoed a piece of cardboard, then took bubble wrap dipped in red paint and put on the right side. On the left is some ripped scrap paper. There are "Word Fetti" stickers {my very fave stickers}, chipboard pieces, pattern paper bits, flowers, brads and the words were created by foam letter stamps and acrylic paint.

How are you coming with your THREE WORDS art project? Please let us know if you're finished and if you've put it on your blog leave a link in the comments section.

Here is today's Challenge...

Challenge #10: Go through a stack of photos. I have sooo many that aren't organized. Who am I kidding...none of my photos are organized!! Anyway, start with a stack and sort them out, put them in in photo albums or leave a few out to scrap. Just by doing a bit each week eventually you can get them all safely put away t...o enjoy later on. Be sure and jot any memories down you may have while sorting.Enjoy!!

Artistic Mother:background papers {Day 4}

Whew. We have been doing lots of creating haven't we? Please remember to not burn yourself out!! The goal of these 31 Days is to inject something creative and inspirational into our days everyday.
Remember Creativity is all around us. It's in everything.

I think this quote by John Updike says it best. Creativity is merely a plus name for regular activity. Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or better.





A couple of months ago I bought the book "The Artistic Mother" by Shona Cole. I've shared it here before. I am also a part of an on-line group of women who are doing the 12 week course laid out in the book. Part of the inspiration for this 31 Days Challenge comes from Shona's book. Several of my readers are playing along there as well including Cindi. You should stop by her Blog today for a boost of creative energy!! I LOVE the page she created today!!!

In the book Shona encourages us to create our very own background papers to use in art journals, scrapbook pages and more. Here is what I've been up to! I love using foam brushes and acrylic paint and just kind of swirling and twirling it on the paper. These ribbons are so FUN!

See those pink polka dots? I used a Coke Zero bottle cap.

Here's a background paper I made using just pink paint and a foam brush. I ended up creating a layout with it and really love how it turned out.

One of my favorite backgrounds so far is this one...pink and brown are two of my fave color combinations.

After the paint the paint dried I outlined the letters with brown marker and wrote my art goals down.

Love the pinks!! There are those polka dots again:)

Yesterday I had a blast with the cool dollar products I purchased on Tuesday...remember? The sponge, the dish scraper and bubble wrap? Here is what happened...using the sponge...

This page was created with the wire pot scratcher. This was just fun to play with and I love the effect.

Another technique {learned from Shona's book} is this one...

Those black lines were made by dipping an old credit card in paint then dragging across the paper. Looks grungy. Very cool. Probably my very favorite look though is the bubble wrap. See those tiny dots below? Just put paint right on the wrap then lightly {or not depending how you want the dots to look} place on your paper. This was a fun collage to make last night. This background color was amazing, too.

Rmember that "L" I showed you yesterday. I finished it, too...

Okay, so the lighting is just terrible...sorry...here's a close-up of the sun I drew with cra-pas...

Now, girls please know that I don't even pretend to be an artist. I am stretching myself. I have never done this before. I was always a scrapbooker. This is all very new to me and I'm just taking baby steps. So if this all looks juvenile...it is:)

And remember our Challenge from Tuesday to pick 3 of your favorite words and begin creating art with them? Here is a sneak peak at what I'm doing...

A few more photos...snapped this one of Gizmo a few minutes ago. He is a little stinker:)

And finally this is me at the computer writing on my Blog. Jackson told me that you all need to see what I look like when I'm "talking" to you!!

That silly guy!!!

Before I go here is today's Challenge:

Day #4 Challenge: Today I want you to take a deep breathe and realize how AMAZING you are!! The fact that you are putting yourself out there and creating, and writing and sharing is enough. TRULY enough. Today, catch up on the past 3 days, write down any inspiring thoughts or ideas you have in your journals. Just take time to BE...

 

How are you doing girls? Please let me know. I LOVE your comments and I LOVE reading YOUR blogs!!!

Revolution Art

Hey, girls. I feel like I'm out of the loop. I know it's only been a few days...but yesterday I had another cyst burst and OUCH... I was down for the count. Didn't get to read too many of your blogs till last night. I did get caught up {a bit}...still have e-mails to answer.

So Tuesday I spent a few hours of ALONE time with my art stuff. Ahhh...nothing rejuvenates me more {other than writing a good blog post}.
I told you last week how inspired I was by these two books "Journal Revolution" and "Visual Chronicles". Love them!! You can read that post here if you missed it.

Anyway...I was inspired to create 3 projects from them...and here they are!

In the book "Visual Chronicles" the authors encourage you to make a "personal color palette" to use when creating your journal pages. They stress that color speaks louder than words in some cases, so it's important to choose what "speaks" to you. Here is what I came up with. I used a 12x12 piece of white cardstock, a few Sharpie pens, a large arrow foam stamp and paint. {the cardstock is folded in half}

Here is what it looks like inside.

The book lists several suggestions to use...emotions, memories, etc. For example RED can mean love, fire or anger. PURPLE can mean royalty, whimsy or passion. I did use some of their ideas along with my own. My "happy" colors, for example, are orange, pink, lime green and turquoise. My nervous color is purple.

I really like the idea of having a "personal color palette" and I already plan on adding to it.

Here is an 8x8 page that was inspired my this darling, little valentine from the 1920's.

Notice I added "Dave +Les"? The valentine is even signed by it's original "owner".

Several years ago I purchased an entire box of old postcards...I have dozens! {and can't wait to use them!!}

Here is what I created...

The paper is 8x8 glossy. I put the valentine in the center. The 20 stands for 20 years together. I added silk flowers and buttons. Here is what you see when you open  the card... "Dave+Les forever and eternity"

My last project is poster size.

"Write outside the lines"

Some close-ups...

That's my left hand. The sticker is Making Memories. "Let your voice be heard" was created by mini letter stamps.

The foil stars are what teachers use to reward their students. I put them on my poster to remind of the rewards I get when I dig deep, stay true to me and what I have to say/create. Love this!

Just a close-up of part of the title. I used my fave lettering technique here...foam stamps with paint then outline with a marker. Looks like it was hand done this way. The flower is cardstock that was crumpled and inked with a chipboard flower in the center.

I had so much fun working on these!! Now I know I'm no artist. You may think these things are silly or not very good. And well, I'm okay with that!:) Like the women who wrote "Jouranl Revolution" and "Visiual Chronicles"...it's about what you have to say...you should never create with others in mind {when it's about you!!}.

One more thing...I spent an hour here yesterday.

I will share during my Friday Favs.

Happy Thursday!

Oh and get out there and create something for YOU!