So I am still really afraid of art journaling. Not sure why. I think it’s cause I feel I am really artistically untalented. (Is untalented a word? It appears so since spell-check isn’t correcting me.) I can’t draw. Or paint. Or anything. To top it off, I don’t collect quotes. So I never have ideas on what to make the pages about. But I love the idea of art journaling. I have a lot of supplies I’ve bought in excitement over the years. Expensive ones. I’ve taken many classes and I really enjoy looking at Donna’s or Dina’s pages. So I decided that maybe if I did the same thing I did for scrapbooking in May, I might actually get to get better at this. (Or at least less fearful.) So here’s to a month of art journaling.
My hope/plan is to make a page a day. I know it’s October 5 and I’ve missed the first four days. But who cares. 27 days in a row will be just as powerful if you ask me. I doubt the extra 4 days will make or break this. And I could have done this So instead of waiting until November which is already full of other obligations/projects like my December Daily album and my parents’ visit and a trip to NYC, I’ll choose the better option. Now. Now is always best.
Fair warning, I don’t know how to art journal. I am not talented. These pages will likely suck. I am still going to put them up daily. For me, more than anything. Feel free to skip. My biggest goal here is to conquer the fear. So if I can accomplish that it will be a big success.
So here goes nothing.
My first page is using a lot of Tim Holtz products so here they are:
Keyholes
Symphony Tissue Tape
Alphas Grungeboard
Grunge Paper
Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink
Barn Door Distress Ink
Tumbled Glass Distress Ink
Stormy Sky Sapphire Distress Ink
Shabby Shutters Distress Ink
Antique Linen Distress stickles
Barn Door Distress stickles
Stormy Sky Distress stickles
Bundled Sage Distress stickles
This was published as a guest post on back to school at the twopeas blog.
Journaling Reads:
David, you’re about to start school for the first time. As someone who’s spent a lot of time studying and loved it, I wanted to give you some advice.
1. Always listen to your teacher. Even if you don’t agree with what she says. You can then talk to mommy about it. But you must listen.
2. Pay attention. This is the most obvious but hardest to do thing. You have to always go to class and pay attention. If you do, you will do well.
3. Do your homework. You already know that learning is all about practice. That’s what homework is for. It helps you practice what you learned.
4. Ask questions Never be too shy or scared to admit you don’t understand. It’s ok to ask and it’s the only way you will learn something.
My sweet boy, this new journey in your life will be so much fun and the most important lesson I can teach you is to enjoy every single moment.
The Girls’ Paperie Products I used:
Diecut paper – envelopes
On Holiday Travel Skirt
On Holiday Travel Ticking
Paper Girl Chipboard alphabet
And the upcoming Tinsel and Twig alphabets
Details:
One of my all-time favorite quotes is this gem from Mark Twain:
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” –Mark Twain
I think about this quote often and I try to surround myself with people who are supportive and people who know that there’s enough success and joy and happiness to go around for all of us. This week, I was thinking about this quote in a different context, too. Not for ambitions, but for choices. After I moved to the United States, I met many people who started criticizing and belittling my taste. My choice of music, books, movies, etc. (I don’t think this is related to being in the US, just happened to coincide with that time in my life.)
I’m going to specifically talk about books because that’s nearest and dearest to my heart. You can say many things about me but there’s no question that I am well-read. I’ve read most of the classics as well as most of the award-winning books. I can read literature without worrying and I even enjoy it. I’ve read lots of Shakespeare or whomever else you might consider “high literature.” And yet I loved reading Twilight or Eat, Pray, Love or whatever other books someone else might consider “trashy.”
Before some of you object, the only reason Eat, Pray, Love (which I absolutely loved, by the way) is on that list is because I was sitting at my book-club meeting two months ago and one woman said, “Did anyone like that book anyway?” I almost fell off my chair. It never ceases to amaze me how completely high and mighty some people can be. I replied “I loved it and so did millions of others since her book was a major bestseller.” And it instantly made me mad. I remember when I was living in New York and there was a huge Harry Potter craze (this was when the second book was about to come out.) and people were criticizing how her book was terribly written blah blah blah. I kept thinking, here’s a book that has kids waiting in line at a book store at midnight. it’s a book. not a video game. what more could you possibly want?
When people said things like that in the past, it would just make me feel small. I must be not as “polished” if I liked the music that was too common or the books everyone read and judged as non-literary. But in the last few years, my attitude has been changing and now I keep thinking, these people can go you know where. I don’t need people like this in my life. I don’t need people judging the way I spend my leisure time. Telling me what things are supposed to give me joy.
What do they know? What makes them a better judge? Honestly, most people just worry about looking good and they feel like if they put you down, you will be too embarrassed and not expose them for who they really are. I don’t need any such people in my life. I don’t need others to validate my taste in things. My ability to judge what gives me joy.
So while these people aren’t belittling my ambitions, they’re belittling me and making me feel small. And I say it’s cleaning time. Time to put these people out with the trash. And get some “really great” people in my life. Those who support and love me just the way I am. And it’s also time for me to look at the people who are supportive in my life and appreciate me the way I am and show some gratitude. Those great people are rare and deserve a lot of appreciation.
The following is cross-posted from the Weekly Gratitude Blog. I will post there every Tuesday and decided to post those posts here, too. For those of you who read both blogs, I apologize in advance. Some weeks the content might be different and other weeks, exactly the same.
I don’t know if it’s all the sickness or lots of work but I’ve certainly been in a funk for the last ten days. Not productive. Not inspired. No art. No nothing. Ugh.
Besides working, I have been spending a lot of time with both of the kids. I’ve been reading with David and looking for some math puzzle books for him, too so if you know of any, please let me know. Anything that encourages math learning. He’s really interested so I want to cultivate it. And Nathaniel and I have been snuggling a lot. Laughing, hugging, and just being together. I am really glad to enjoy all this time with him.
He still loves shoes and the backyard. Trying things on and taking them off.
Here, he’s actually bending down to put the shoes on. Crazy boy.
David laughing at him.
And me.
See how it looks like Nathaniel is hugging him?
And yet. Truth is different.
More laughter.
All around!
It’s getting to be fall here. A little chilly but not cold. Almost perfect weather if you ask me. And I am so excited about the holiday season. Ok, not so much for Halloween but for all the others. Especially December. Still thinking about the blog, of course. I wonder about all the range of content. Should I break it up? Is it hard for you to find things? Are you finding it hard to navigate?
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for all the snuggly time Nathaniel and I have been having lately. He’s so so so much fun.
2. I am grateful the 5+ miles I’ve walked in the last three days.
3. I am grateful that it’s promising to be a low-key week.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. playing games on mommy’s computer
2. being the star of the day at school
3. checking a Biscuit book out from the library
4. Playing outside with Nathaniel
Journaling Reads:
Little boy, maybe it’s cause you’ve already had David to observe but pretty much from the moment you could walk, you’ve been obsessed with the tiniest of legos. Putting the hat on and off. Taking the heads out and putting them back in and the way you focus on the task at hand is amazing. You are oblivious to the world. All you care about is getting that hat on. You are one amazing little boy. I love you.
Tim Holtz Products used:
Lost and Found paper
Shabby Vintage paper
Symphony Tissue Tape
Journaling Tickets
Alphabet soup Grungeboard
Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink
Barn Door Distress Ink
Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink
Shabby Shutters Distress Ink
Filmstrip Ribbon
Trinket Pins
Mini Pins
Details:
It’s been a lethargic weekend. I kept feeling like all I wanted to do was lie on the couch and doze off. David’s school had a celebration today so we went over for a while and David got to go down slides and bounce around.
I still remember the days he was so afraid of these things.
And now he slides on his tummy, even. My how the time passes.
Then we went to see these pets.
Lizards. Snakes. He didn’t want to touch them but they were cool.
So he and Daddy took a close look.
Starbucks was there and giving away mini-donuts. Nathaniel held on to his for a long while. but did not eat it. I wasn’t a big fan of mine either.
It’s Sunday night. Not my favorite. I’ve been thinking so much about 2011 that I am sort of done with 2010. I even picked my word for 2011, isn’t that weird. We still have a quarter of this year left!
I do have a plan for October and I’ve begun it even. A long term project that I’ve been putting off for years. Time to start. I also have plans for November and December is December daily of course. I’ve been thinking about how next year, I will do these monthly projects. I’m brainstorming ideas. Excited and looking forward. I love fall. I am happy it’s here. Despite the short days which are a bit depressing. But being in California means cool breeze mixed with sunshine and that’s just perfect.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that this weekend’s rough start calmed down.
2. I am grateful the joy of planning for 2011.
3. I am grateful that I’ve been making progress on myself. I am putting an effort to work on myself and I am grateful that I am doing that.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. going down the bouncy slide at school
2. eating a minidonut and vanilla ice cream with chocolate on the outside
3. buying books at school (and a lego since he did such an amazing job with reading. he’s on lesson 81 out of 100)
Journaling Reads:
Not in my wildest dreams could I have guessed how much you actually love each other. I am one very lucky mama. I love you!
I did this for the My Mind’s Eye October newsletter sketch. I rotated the sketch by 90degrees so the photos were landscape and not portrait. I combined two small photos to create the equivalent of a 4×6 and then used the bottom section to put all the colored papers I love. The shaped papers are cut off from the bottom strip (where it shows you the back of the paper.) I just layered them and sewed them haphazardly.
Details:
I have always been a huge fan of snap dragons. Especially as a kid. Love them.
This photo is actually from last night but I loved how Nathaniel kept playing with these interlocking cups for a good thirty minutes. He was amazing to watch.
As I was snapping photos this morning, David ran under the table to prevent me from taking photos.
And of course Nathaniel went to “check out” what was going on immediately. Laughing at the smiling David.
And then played with the Tim Holtz containers again and again.
And more. Endless fun.
And laughter.
And here’s a good catch of the big boy who played Wii most of today.
Long day today and yet unproductive. But, I made a trip to Michaels to buy some more punches. I cannot resist those punches. I even got some Halloween ones despite by abhorrant feelings towards the holiday. Too tired today, still thinking about the blog, got words about October. Will write it all tomorrow.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for the few punches I bought. I can’t help it, they make me happy.
2. I am grateful for a fun, sweet book I’m reading. Rare to get one of those these days.
3. I am grateful for date night. Any night at the movies is a good night in my book.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. playing wii
2. getting to pick what to carve on the pumpkin with mommy (skulls, ugh!)
3. reading the books I made at school to daddy
Here’s the item we did last weekend.
4. Walk in a 5K…and finish.
There’s a yearly walk/run around my neighborhood that Jake did a few years ago. I knew it was in the fall and coming up. So when I scanned down my list and saw this item was still undone, I decided to sign up. A few weeks later, I talked Jake into signing up, too so last Friday, the four of us drove to Palo Alto for the annual moonlight walk/run. We were registered for the 5k walk which started at 7pm. They also had a 5K run and a 10K run. When we got there, they were playing pumped up music and the place was already full.
We walked in the line to get our numbers.
Here’s the little boy.
And all the boys.
And their crazy girl who is the reason they were here.
I’ve never entered a race in my life. Ever. This was the first time I had one of these so I was really excited. (My number is different cause I still have my own last name and the numbers are by last name it looks like.)
We even got tshirts.
I took a few photos and then it was time to line up.
They were playing Rocky music, of course. Don’t they always at these things?
For the next hour, we walked (mosly slowly) as the sun set and this incredible full moon rose. (I tried really hard to capture that but there were too many moving people and I had no equipment with me.) I had never before seen the moon rise and it was the most stunning view ever.
All four of us finished and it was a wonderful time. I must admit, I wore absolutely the wrong shoes and no socks so I still have a huge blister between my toes but all in all it was truly a wonderful family time and I am really really glad we did it.
Happy Friday!!
I am normally very against putting diaper photos but this was way too cute and accurate representation of the little boy right now. Here he is, pants off cause he will not wear them, shoes on cause he is obsessed with shoes, same for the headphones with the dragging cord, chewing on a lego wheel. That’s pretty much my boy right now.
He’s been playing with the plastic containers of my new Tim Holtz goodies.
He likes opening them, putting little legos inside and then closing.
And then opening again.
I cannot believe this big, wonderful boy is my son. My son.
David’s nose was dripping so I told him to blow it and minutes later this is what we saw little boy doing.
He loves to imitate his brother. And then we all went out to the yard and played ball.
Well the kids did while I read. David also read his “Biscuit Goes to School” book to me. I still cannot believe that he can read. It’s like magic.
Thank you for all your feedback from yesterday, I truly appreciate it. I’m still thinking and planning it so please feel free to give me more feedback. I am also trying to figure out if I will do something for October. I am thinking of trying out journaling daily. I’ve done this before several times but had almost no success each time so I am not entirely optimistic. I am thinking of taking on daily projects for a month like I did in May and June. Despite the struggling in August, I still think this is the right method for me. So I am thinking of things I might want to tackle. Suggestions welcome 🙂
I must say that despite the fact that I love it and my kids are wonderful and easygoing and most days I manage it all well, there are days when I snap at my kids and husband way more than necessary and then I look back on it and I am embarrassed for myself. For the way I behaved. It’s setting a terrible example for my kids and my marriage. I want to work on this. No reason to treat anyone with disrespect especially since I would not like to be treated that way myself. Just felt like I needed a slap in the hand today.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it’s the weekend!
2. I am grateful that I scrapped last night and this morning. Lately I’ve been doing 80% of a layout at night and then leaving the stitching to the morning and this makes me feel happy both days and gives me something to dig in to in the morning.
3. I am grateful that David can check out a book from the school library all on his own and read it all the way. I am truly truly amazed and thankful for the progress he’s made.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. helping avi color his castle shapes
2. coloring my eagle at home
3. having matthew choose me as the star of the day for monday
Journaling Reads:
Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love everything about it. The lights, the joy, the music, the presents, the excitement, and, most of all, the family time.
For the last two years, we’ve been starting our Christmas morning with a special breakfast. It always includes orange juice, fresh berries, bananas and something that requires syrup. We have these place settings, plates, and cups that only come out during the season and just seeing them fills my heart with joy.
A lot more happens on Christmas Day and I love all of it, but I feel like having this tasty breakfast and starting our morning with quality family time sets the very best tone for our day. The way, once the craziness of opening presents, calling relatives, squealing, playing, wrestling, and even napping begins, I can enjoy all of it.
Just looking at this picture right now makes me wish it was Christmas already. Maybe I should take a cue from this and set breakfast traditions for other occasions, too.
When Jake came back from picking David up from school, he walked in with a big box of flowers. He said “somebody loves you more than I do, they’re not from me.” I had no idea who they could possibly be from. And to my amazement and incredible delight, they were from the My Mind’s Eye team!!! That company and Amber are absolutely amazing! Not only have they sent me all these incredible products and given me the opportunity to guest but now flowers, too! I am deeply deeply grateful. Thank you Amber and thank you My Mind’s Eye. You have truly spoiled me silly.
The little boy awoke feeling much better thankfully. He was in good spirits for most of the day. Still coughing some and wheezing some but overall much much better.
I had a ton of catching up at work since I took a personal day yesterday so while Nathaniel napped I worked like crazy and got a huge amount of work done. Jake was home today so he took David from and to the bus which really helped me so much. David’s favorite activity lately is to color and he’s amazingly good at it.
He’s my stunning boy with the amazing eyes.
I love this shot of Nathaniel with the smile even though he won’t look up at me.
And a fast catch.
He loves sitting at David’s table now and David mostly sits at the dining table so I guess this table’s Nathaniel’s for the most part.
I also finished my 979 page book today and caught up on my class at BPS and tonight I hope to finally reply to comments and emails and then I can start on some of my longer term projects like writing the 2011 BPS class and figuring out the blog plan for 2011. Any ideas? Are these diary entries annoying you? Should I continue them? I was thinking I might bring back Digital Downloads. Continue with the books and layouts. Some posts on non-scrappy crafts like sewing, embroidery, painting, etc. Maybe some more longer written pieces like the gratitude entries? Are those boring? I’m told people don’t like to read long things but i like writing them…I can’t decide if I should do another 52 things. All these thoughts on my mind. Any ideas? Suggestions? Criticism? I’m open to hearing it all.
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that Nathaniel seems to be on the road to recovery.
2. I am grateful for the amazing, stunning flowers from My Mind’s Eye
3. I am grateful that I got a ton of work done and feel more caught up than I did in weeks. Much more to go but i feel progress is now being made.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. coloring
2. playing secret i spy with maggie at school
3. doing my reading with mommy
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projects for twenty twenty-six
projects for twenty twenty-five
projects for twenty twenty-four
projects for twenty twenty-three
projects for twenty twenty-two
projects for twenty twenty-one
projects for twenty nineteen
projects for twenty eighteen
projects from twenty seventeen
monthly projects from previous years
some of my previous projects
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