5 days 5 ways Challenge – Trees – Day 5

Okie here’s day five for Kal’s art challenge.

The stitching is from this book: A Rainbow of Stitches.

First, I pulled out some brown linen and stitched the trees:

here’s a closeup:

The quote says: “There are rich counsels in the trees.” and it’s by Herbert Horne. It’s stitched in place and so is the page.

And then I added the journaling page and that’s it.

There you go, five in five days!

March 13, 2010 | Art | 2 comments

52 Things – Take a workshop

Here’s the thing I worked on last week:

34. Take a workshop on something I’ve never done

As I already mentioned, I took the Freestyle Embroidery class from Teresa McFayden. Before her class, I only knew how to do a backstitch and I’d done a few french knots. After having done Rebecca’s hearts week, I wanted more so this workshop came at the perfect time.

Here’s the finished sampler:

The stitching I did on the first week ended up in the WIL book I made so here’s that one:

I then redid some of the things on the big sampler but not all of them. Here are some details:

closer-up:

back of the little dangly butterfly.

I stitched this happy yellow fabric on the back.

Here’s another look at the final product:

I absolutely loved doing this workshop. Even though my arm is still hurting.

March 13, 2010 | 52 Things in 2010 | 6 comments

Daily Diary – March 12 2010

It’s Friday and I am totally wiped. Five days of getting up at 5am will eventually get to you. I am really hoping that Nathaniel decides to sleep until morning soon. Please tell me it’s coming soon…

He spent most of the day glued to me as I wavered between tasks, accomplishing not much. Oh well, at least it’s now the weekend. And there’s much to be done, of course.

Note to Self:
I have a long todo list. And yet I don’t want to do any of the items on there. I want to curl up with my book and let myself off the hook at least for tonight. This always makes me feel guilty. But I have to remind myself that the strong urge to be let off the hook is a sign that I need some down time and I need to listen to it. Down time is important. Rest is how you recover the energy you need. So tonight I will rest and I can tackle the todo list tomorrow.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that bedtime with my kids is not painful. We eat, we take a bath, we read stories, we brush teeth, we nurse, we look out the window and laugh a bit and then everyone goes to bed. No whining, no complaining. It’s a miracle.
2. I am grateful that I am almost caught up in Nathaniel’s baby book. A few more layouts and I’ll be all there. It’s quite amazing.
3. I am grateful that it’s a quiet weekend with no commitments. I cherish being at home more than anything else.

Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Playing superheroes with his friends. David was Batman. Jace was robin. Joseph was superman and Noa was supergirl.
2. David said he’s so grateful for all of his friends at school.

March 12, 2010 | Daily Diary - 2010, DPGallery | Leave a comment

5 days 5 ways Challenge – Trees – Day 4

Okie here’s day four for Kal’s art challenge.

Two weeks ago Jennifer McGuire posted a a long entry on copic markers. I swear to you that I had no interest in these. I am not a stamper and I already have so many art supplies.

Yet after reading her post, I couldn’t resist the pull. I had to have them! After spending many many days doing research and picking my colors, my copics finally arrived on Wednesday. I figured they were perfect for this challenge. So I stamped some trees, colored them and then cut them out (I used the copic sketchbook paper). I then covered my journal page with old book paper, glued the trees on top and colored and cut out some butterflies. I dripped some watercolor on the back paper and added a bit of lace on top and the quote. That’s it.

Here are some details:

The quote says: “Trees are much like human beings and enjoy each other’s company. Only a few love to be alone.” and it’s by Jens Jessen.

I’ve got a long way to go with the copics but they are really fun and I look forward to learning more.

There you go, day four down.

March 12, 2010 | Art | 3 comments

Weekly Gratitude – Burgaz

Our theme for March is home.

The journaling reads:
Throughout my childhood, we spent our summers on this tiny island in the Marmara Sea. This island is so small that you can walk its circumference in two hours. It has no cars, only horse carriages. We know pracically everyone on the island and our family’s lived there for generations. So have many others. It’s like a small capsule of time. Our house and magical life there will forever be some of my fondest memories of my childhood.

March 12, 2010 | Weekly Gratitude | Leave a comment

Daily Diary – March 11 2010

Today was a long and stressful day. One of those days where things go wrong which causes the panic that then makes other things go wrong and it multiplies from there. Nathaniel woke up at 4 and would not go back to sleep. When I finally gave up and nursed him, he sat up and started giggling and wanting to play. Which made me mad and I put him back in his bed and passed out. Then when we dropped off David, Nathaniel wound’t take his morning nap. After complaining for a long time, he slept 25 minutes before it was time to get David which meant I had to wake him up. And then he would not take his afternoon nap and I was in the middle of the release craziness and he wouldn’t eat and then he wouldn’t sleep and I just was going a bit insane the whole day.

But in the end, it all worked out of course. Release went out. He slept, even if for 30 minutes. The kids took their bath where they hugged and smiled and played.

And they all went to bed and Jake and I got some quiet time and I got to play with my copics and do my trees. My arm is still hurting a lot and I am very tired. I think tonight will be a reading night. Haven’t done that in too long.

Note to Self:
I really need to focus on not letting the panic build. Sometimes I can literally feel the stress physically and it only does damage and causes more stress and causes more things to go wrong. Causes me to make stupid decisions which cause the whole thing to get worse. I need to take a moment, walk away, take a breath and come back calmer and more collected. I really need to work on this. For my sanity more than anything.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I was really at my wit’s end when Jake came home tonight and he just helped me and supported me all the way and thanks to him I now feel back to my calm and collected self. So thankful for him.
2. I am almost done with my art challenge and I love how my journal is turning out. I need another idea so I can keep the journal going. I am thankful for the internet for the inspiration and ideas.
3. I got a lot of support from another work mate today. I am thankful to work at a place full of kind, supportive people. I can never say this enough. People are what make a job suck or rock.

Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. School. He said he’s grateful for all of school.
2. Bath time!

March 11, 2010 | Daily Diary - 2010, DPGallery | One comment

5 days 5 ways Challenge – Trees – Day 3

Okie here’s day three for Kal’s art challenge.

This was 100% inspired by Ruth Rae from her amazing book: Layered, Tattered and Stitched which is incredible and inspiring on so many levels.

Here are some details:

The quote says: “Alone with myself. The trees bend to caress me. The shade hugs my heart.” and it’s by Candy Polgar.

The quote is along the swirls on the bottom right.

There you go, day three down.

March 11, 2010 | Art | Leave a comment

A Book a Week – Dear John


I’ve read several Nicholas Sparks novels before and I find him to be a quick and easy romantic read. Often cheesy but sometimes you need light, cheesy reading. And after going through Committed (several non-fiction books in a row, in fact.) I needed something light and easy.

Since I kept seeing the commercials and thought I might like to see the movie I decided to read Dear John.

Light it was.

Easy, it wasn’t.

In typical Sparks fashion, it was a lot of storytelling but I just didn’t get into the story this time. It felt disconnected from the beginning and it lacked his sweeping romanticism so it didn’t even leave me with a wonderfully happy feeling. I know that makes it less Hollywood and more real but still, if I wanted real, I wouldn’t have read him.

Quick read but not sure if it’s worth it. I’m curious if the movie is good or not.

ETA: I wrote this before I saw the movie and of course they changed the movie just enough to make it much less sad and I actually enjoyed the movie a lot.

March 11, 2010 | Books Read in 2010, Literature | Leave a comment

Digital Downloads – Memory Overlays

This week’s download is some journaling overlays for a graduating senior or any other case when you want to write about memories and lessons. Here is what they look like:

You can download it here: Graduation Overlays download.

You are welcome to play with these as much as you want and use them anywhere you’d like. You are NOT allowed to sell them ever. You don’t have to but I’d appreciate a link back if you do use them.

This is part of a weekly digital download series. They are posted every Thursday. You can find all of the ones that were posted here. If you like my downloads, please click here and give me ideas/requests for 2010. I would like to continue this feature but I am not sure I can come up with enough ideas on my own.

March 11, 2010 | Digital Downloads | 4 comments

Daily Diary – March 10 2010

I finally finished my stitching sampler and I love how it turned out. More on this on Saturday.

I am really enjoying doing this art challenge. In the last three days, I’ve played with fabric, pastels, stitching, copic markers, felt, beads, and wires. And I’m not even done yet. It’s awesome to get to have so much fun. Exactly what I was hoping for, for my journal. I am going to continue working on the journal for a few more weeks. Maybe I’ll do it two nights a week or something so it’s not so consuming. Or maybe I will just let it consume me.

Nathaniel is still being really clingy and quite grouchy about what he eats. I am hoping it’s recovery and antibiotics related and that it will go away. I just hate seeing him sad and frustrated so much. Not that I don’t get many many smiles, too.

At some point today, I had to put him down next to David who was playing and they just sat there next to each other and played and then they looked at each other and smiled and I just felt so grateful for my life all over again. I feel that way every night in the bath, too. And then Nathaniel just discovered that he can lift the curtains in his room and see light and look out the window and he loves doing that at bedtime now. So he and David looked out the window for a while together, too. I love watching them be together. So. much.

Note to Self:
Today was my friend Levent’s birthday. (I mentioned him in a recent catalyst. He was the first person I loved and he’s still one of my favorite people in the world.) I called him first thing in the morning and we talked for a long time. It had been quite a while since we chatted and it was so great to talk to him. There’s something magical about old friends. About the ease with which you talk and the comfort you feel about not ever having to be something you’re not. There’s a small chance I might see him in a month and the possibility fills me with joy.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. My chat with Levent. It started my day on such a great mood.
2. Some happy mail today. DMC floss and Copic markers. Yey!
3. Oh and I bought a piece of art today. If you have read my blog for more than a day, you know that I’m a big fan of Rebecca Sower and I’ve been staking her etsy store for a while now and when I saw this piece, I had to have it. I actually have that book and saw it in there first. I don’t know if it’s the little boys or the cream color that I love so much but I can’t wait to get it. I am grateful for inspiring, beautiful art.

Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. Snack time at school (bagels and cuties – which is what he calls tangerines.)
2. Playing with Jakie’s speedracer. (it was share day today where kids are allowed to bring a toy to share.)

March 10, 2010 | Daily Diary - 2010, DPGallery | 2 comments

5 days 5 ways Challenge – Trees – Day 2

Okie here’s day two for Kal’s art challenge.

This was 100% inspired by a journal page by Misty Mawn.

I then added the lines since I am going to journal all over this:

The quote says: “There’s always music amongst the trees in the garden but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.” and it’s by Minnie Aumonier.

There you go, day two down.

March 10, 2010 | Art | 7 comments

Catalyst 104 – Don’t Play Games

Catalyst One Hundred and Four is: What advice do you have for other couples?

Thoughts:
I am a firm believer that if you want to be with some one and have a solid, growing relationship it’s best not to play any games. You need to be straightforward and be your true self. Only then can you see if this person is a good fit for you, for who you really are. I’ve always found games to be deceiving, childish and detrimental to the health of the relationship. So that’s my biggest advice: Be yourself.

March 10, 2010 | CGallery, Creative Therapy Catalysts | Leave a comment

« Newer Entries  
  Older Entries »