Easel Art

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Do It Because It Makes You Feel Good
I taped a piece of sketch paper onto my easel the other night and I began to doodle with a black Sharpie marker.  The doodling kept going.  I would step away and come back to it.  In the morning I am finding myself walking by the easel and adding a few more lines, a few more circles.  The inner critic showed up during one of these visits and began to ask me why I was bothering with this piece of art work - after all, it wasn't going to lead to money or fame or recognition.  And silly me, I began to let the inner critic get under my skin and I began asking myself the same questions - why am I spending time doing this?  I finally turned to Michael and asked him if he thought it was worthwhile for me to be creating this work of art (pretty sad that I had to turn to him for some reassurance - that I wasn't strong enough to find my own answer...but I'll keep working on that one!).  He asked me why I walk the dog, or swim, or do any of the activities that I find myself enjoying.  And, of course, there was my answer.  I do it because it brings me joy, peace, calm - I do it because it makes me feel good.  The process allows me to let go, to focus, to move beyond time.  And this is enough.  Do it because it makes you feel good - because you want to.  That is reason enough!

More Pages From My Art Journal

Today's Question From The Craft Room:  What Have You Done Today To Make The World A Better Place?
We had our neighbor over for dinner the other night and I thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent together.  I love when you can sit around a table, without any distractions or electronics, and just talk....and have that talk be about things that matter...life, purpose, difference.  It was a very meaningful night for me.  One thing he shared was a ritual he experienced growing up as a child.  When he and his siblings would sit at the dinner table at night, their father would always ask them, "What did you do today to make the world a better place?"  Each child would respond and each child also knew that they would be asked the same question the next evening.  The story had a big impact on me and I have begun to ask myself the same question at the end of every day.  And I know I am going to ask myself that same question the next night and the next - so I go through my day intent on having an answer to that question.  So now I ask you, what have you done today to make the world a better place?
Today I wanted to share a few more pictures of pages in my art journal.  Color, pattern, different media - all things I am continuing to explore.  And today I was also very excited to work with Michael to put together a gift I had purchased for myself for the new year...

 It took about 2 hours to put together (including some time taking apart what we had done and reassembling the correct way ;), but now it is standing at attention waiting to be used!  I purchased the easel on sale from Jerry's Artarama and even had an additional coupon to apply!  It is a Saint Remy multi-angle studio easel.  I had been watching it for awhile and finally decided the time was right.  Now I need to stop admiring it and break it in! :)  I will definitely be sharing my progress!

Art Journal Page

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes You Need To Follow The Impulse And Branch Out
I began this blog before I had ever heard of Stampin' Up!.  Then, once I joined Stampin' Up!, I decided to use the blog to focus on Stampin' Up! product and projects.  Fast forward quite a few years and I am finding that I continue to have the impulse to branch out into other media and share that with you.  I am not sure if those of you who read and visit my blog are even interested in other content...and, at the same time, I'm feeling like I need to follow the impulse since it seems to be where my heart is leading me.  I'll take it day by day...don't be surprised if you see me sharing more of my explorations in my art journal and with other art media.  I'm just feeling the need to branch out...or maybe it's more intense than that...a need to bust out of the parameters I have put on myself...a need to break free and run!  I hope you enjoy sharing the journey with me!
Today I'm sharing a page from one of my art journals.  You don't know how happy I am to share this page with you...because just a few days ago I didn't know if I would ever see this page again!  I was driving myself crazy trying to find the journal and thought that I might have left in on an airplane in a seat back pocket.  I even filled out a missing item report with United!  But then, on Friday, I was moving more things around in the craft room and there it was!  It had slid between a box and a storage rack!!!!!  It made my day!!!!!!  So I am happy to share this pen meditation with you :)  I hope you like it!  Maybe it will create an impulse in you to branch out!  If so, I suggest you follow it :)

Chap Stick & Tissue Holders by Monika Davis

Make this small “Feel Better’ survival kit that holds a chap stick and a pack of tissue paper. This is the perfect little package for those sick days when you need those items in easy reach. This little box will look great on your desk.  Great for a stamp camp, or as a class project.  This thoughtful project was created by Monika Davis.  You can get all the do-it-yourself directions for the project by heading over the Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of January!