Daily Diary – September 23 2011

Today was one of those days that just fly and you find yourself at the end of it and you’re unsure how you got here. But here we are.I snapped a shot of David right around dinner:

and I got this lucky shot of a face he makes when he tells stories to me:

Nathaniel was feeling coy. He smiled but wouldn’t look up.

he’s been really interested in books lately.

even more so than usual. I am guessing that has to do with how much David’s reading. Great influence on the little one.

The one and only shot I got of his face wasn’t a smile. But I like to preserve all expressions so I was happy to have it nonetheless.

And now I am too tired to art journal but I will likely get up and do it anyway because isn’t that what it’s about? Doing it anyway.

happy weekend everyone.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got some more stencils. I officially have an unreasonable amount of stencils and need to stop buying them.
2. I am grateful that I got work done without feeling super-overwhelmed or stressed.
3. I am grateful that there’s some good TV on the Tivo waiting for me to watch it.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played with bugs on board my friend Clayton. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I finished Big Nate.
3. I am grateful that I played Masshole with Clayton and Wyatt.

September 23, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | One comment

Healthy For Life – Week 38

Still working on everything here. I will admit that a few chocolate bars got in the way this week but I finally ate the last one yesterday and I refuse to buy any more chocolates. It’s obvious that I am unable to resist them when they are in the house and too lazy to buy them when they are not. So there shall be no more in the house and that’s that. Other than that I’ve been doing ok. Not as good as I would like but it’s been a rough week here so I am trying to cut myself some slack.

I am still getting up and exercising every morning at 5:30 and while it’s not super-easy, I am doing ok with it and it’s not tiring me as much as I worried it might. I like doing it while everyone’s sleeping and I have some good videos to watch and books to read so I am ok for now. I still don’t love the exercise of course. But I do it.

I’ve been thinking a bunch about next year and what I will do but I keep forcing my focus to come back to this year since I still have a few months in this year and I haven’t met my goal yet. I need to work on that first. Once I do, then I can worry about 2012. It’s best to focus on the now and be present so I can really meet my goal.

and here’s this week’s card:

Healthy for Life is a weekly project for 2011. You can read more about it here.

September 23, 2011 | Health, Healthy for Life | 4 comments

Art Journaling – Fabriano Roma – Give It Your All

And here’s the next Roma paper page:

The full text reads: Always give it your all.

I used the acrylic ink!s for this mostly.

Here are some details from the page:

I am creating multiple art journaling pages a week for July and August (and maybe longer). You can read more about it and the book I am using for these pages at the top of this blog post.

September 23, 2011 | Art, Mixed Media, Weekly Art Journal | One comment

Daily Diary – September 22 2011

Happy almost-Friday. Last night was one of those huge shame-spiral nights for me. I got more and more and more upset and finally just went to bed cause I couldn’t stand it. Didn’t wake up much better this morning but slowly I started to snap out of it. Still got a ways to go but I am doing better.

Nathaniel was home today but I still got no shots until Jake held him in the evening.

even then he moved back and forth. blurring everything.

then he started heading David’s books so I snapped one more.

and as soon as I asked David to pose, Nathaniel threw himself at me and cried.

but I got some of David anyway.

Nathaniel now calls himself Nay-nay and basically says it all day long. “Nay nay food. nay nay no nap.” on and on. It’s so cute and fun to watch. Tonight’s David’s back to school and we finally get to meet his teacher. I am looking forward to it. And looking forward to the weekend even more.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that beta channel is live.
2. I am grateful that I had a good meeting today.
3. I am grateful that the weekend is almost here.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that for my math class today. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I found a Big Nate book at the library.
3. I am grateful that I played on the computer.

September 22, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | 2 comments

Daily Sketching – Week 24

Here are the sketches from this week.

Wednesday, I tried this scene but it turned out so so.

the next day, I tried these feet but it was hard.

Friday I decided it was time to do my own stuff so I tried to sketch my vase of flowers. Turned out not so great.

on Saturday I did my sewing machine:

on Sunday, I had very little time and I did Nathaniel’s new truck. Don’t really like this one:

Monday was a photo of a cactus I took a long time ago. I used blue instead of white.

Tuesday I was inspired by Junelle’s first photo:

and here we are, still trying to stretch and learn. Especially now that I am doing my own stuff.

September 22, 2011 | Art, Sketching | One comment

Art Journaling – Fabriano Roma – Loved

Since I am a big believer of using what I have at hand (not that I don’t love shopping for art supplies, too.) I didn’t want to buy new paper I’ve had some amazing paper lying around for a few years and decided it was time I put it to use.

The first one was sheets of Fabriano Roma paper. Unfortunately, all I have is cream which sucks now that I’ve discovered my love of white. So what I did was to cover the background with white pastels to make sure the paper could be as white as possible. I didn’t want to gesso it since I wanted the texture of the paper to stay as it was and I wanted to use it. So here’s the first page.

The full text reads: You are deeply loved.

I used shiva paintsticks for the birds and on some of the background, then some pan pastels, then acrylic paints. then ink, stitching, etc.

Here are some details from the page:

Even though it’s not as bright as the others, I do like how it turned out and I love love love all the texture from the amazing paper.

September 22, 2011 | Art, Mixed Media, Weekly Art Journal | 3 comments

Daily Diary – September 21 2011

It’s getting harder and harder to take photos of the little boy. When the camera comes out he runs in the opposite direction (while laughing at me.) But I’ve found two things that work.

One is taking a shot while he’s not looking:

the other is taking a shot of his brother instead:

then he gets really jealous and makes a sad face:

and I have his attention.

at least for a few minutes.

here he is showing me the stickers he got from the doctor.

and his brother writing his gratitude journal.

The boys had their flu shots today and Jake tells me neither cried. yey for that! I am still working my back off and having ups and downs all day. But still journaling and sketching and taking some art time. I generally do them early morning (6am-7am) or late night (7pm-9pm) but I am working on it. Tonight is back to school night for Nathaniel so I am off to that in just a few minutes.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that Jake took the kids for their shots. I was so worried and so busy but of course he stepped up and was awesome. He so often is.
2. I am grateful that things might be getting better at work.
3. I am grateful that I felt some of my peace coming back in this morning, let’s hope it’s here to stay.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got a sticker at the doctor’s. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played which number will win at school.
3. I am grateful that I played Galaxy of Heroes on the computer.

September 21, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | Leave a comment

A Book a Week – Looking for Alaska

My friend Kathy recommended Looking for Alaska. And I am so glad she did.

Whomever says Young Adult novels aren’t as pithy as mainstream fiction is completely wrong. I still think I love these novels because that’s the period of my life most rife with angst and overflowing emotion, etc. And that’s why I love the characters in these too. Cause so are theirs. Everything is a huge deal. But that period of your life is also full of so much promise. So much indestructibility. So much possibility. Also so much despair. Lack of hope. Loneliness. Being misunderstood or not understood.

Alas, it’s a turbulent time.

Which, to me, makes for wonderful stories. Especially when written so well. I love stories that are deep, meaningful and make you ponder and smile with deep gratitude and acknowledgement. And that’s how this was for me.

I loved this story.

September 21, 2011 | Books Read in 2011, Literature | One comment

Catalyst 135 – It always comes back to you

Catalyst One Hundred and Thirty-Four is: Tell us about a friendship you currently have .

My journaling:
I have many good friends and I know I will have more in my lifetime but none of them will ever measure up to you. you have always been and will always be my very best friend in the whole world. The only person who’s seen me in my ups and downs and still loves me with all of his heart and accepts me for who I am. I am so very grateful that we have found each other. I love you madly.

This is the end of creative therapy. I have created 135 pieces of art for this wonderful project and I am very proud of it.

September 21, 2011 | Creative Therapy Catalysts, Layouts, Scrapbooking | 3 comments

I Love Seeing You Happy and Hearing Your Laughter

This is one of the projects I did for Authentique Paper for CHA Summer.

Journaling Reads:
I don’t like a noisy house and with two boys it’s quite hard to keep things quiet but i try anyway. And many times a day you just run around and squeal and make loud noises despite my protests. The only exception for me is when I hear your laughter. No matter how loud it is I can never ever get enough of that. The giggles truly make my day every single time. I love you so much. (My sweet boys I want you to now that I will always love you but even more so you will always have each other.)

Details:

September 21, 2011 | Authentique Paper, Layouts, Scrapbooking | One comment

Art Journaling – Strathmore – The Finished Book

Well here we go. I finished another art journal. Here are all the portrait pages:

and the few landscape ones:

Here’s a video where I explain the binding and show all the pages.

Here are photos of the cover and sideways.

and a side look.

this book was hard for me at the beginning but towards the end, I found my groove and started finding what I think is my style. I loved the portrait orientation and I loved the large size. I loved the texture of the paper, too. We’re now moving to the next substrate for art journaling.

I am creating multiple art journaling pages a week for July and August (and maybe longer). You can read more about it and the book I am using for these pages at the top of this blog post.

September 21, 2011 | Art, Mixed Media, Weekly Art Journal | 8 comments

Daily Diary – September 20 2011

I know it’s getting tiring to read how tired I am but alas, I’m working hard right now so that’s how things are going to be. Little boy loves sitting at the table now (like his big brother) and playing with legos.

He’s been good about playing and not interrupting my work (though not much napping.)

big boy plays with the legos too.

and gives me smiles.

big smiles.

here’s one of those eyes-closed smiles I adore.

and one with eyes open.

here he’s signing “hat” (I often put the lens cap on my head to get his attention.)

the boys are in bed. My meetings are over. I have a few important chores tonight and then I plan to go to bed. Tomorrow and Thursday are back to school nights for the boys. Just taking it all one step at a time.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I got a sweet, little package today.
2. I am grateful that I am keeping up on my classes.
3. I am grateful that David made a friend at school.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I played with the geobands at school. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I played with my legos.
3. I am grateful that I read one of the books we got at the fair.

September 20, 2011 | Daily Diary - 2011, DPGallery | Leave a comment

« Newer Entries  
  Older Entries »