Petal Parade Card Box with Belly Band by Laurie Zoellmer

This sweet Petal Parade Card Box with Belly Band was designed by Laurie Zoellmer.  This darling card box makes a perfect gift or is a great idea for a class too!  It can easily hold six decorated cards and envelopes.  Easy to assemble and beautiful too!  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of February for all of the how-to instructions!  Or, leave a comment on my project at Craft Project Central (posted on February 16th) for a chance to win a February subscription!  I will be choosing one lucky winner!

Slider Page Mini Album, Card & Gift Tag by Tina Gillespie

Check out this beautiful Slider Page Mini Album, Card & Gift Tag by Tina Gillespie!!!  This project includes a cute mini album with a unique slider page, perfect for hidden journaling or photos. Complete the ensemble with a card and a gift tag and it is the ideal gift for someone special in your life.
For all of the instructions for this great project, head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of February.  Or, if you feel lucky, leave a comment on my project that was posted at Craft Project Central on February 16th.  I will be choosing one lucky winner for a free February subscription!  Good luck!!!!

Oval Accents Bigz Die Purse Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You Can Do Things You Never Believed You Could!
On Monday I set a goal for myself.  A goal I had not reached before.  A goal to swim 2 miles.  I can't even believe I'm typing this because if you would have told me last April that I would swim 2 miles I would have told you you were nuts!  It's been months of learning, struggling, succeeding, accomplishing.  And on Monday...I achieved my 2 mile goal!!!!  Had you even told me last week that I would swim 2 miles this week...I probably also would have told you you were crazy!  But you aren't crazy and I can do things I never believed I could do!  I haven't set my next swimming goal yet, but I know I will select one and I believe I will accomplish it.  I have to add that having a "swim buddy" who is also striving to achieve goals has also pushed me and helped me achieve my goals.  And yes, you guessed it, I believe the same is true with art!  YOU CAN do things you never believed you could!  And having an art buddy helps!  I'm happy to be your virtual art buddy - encouraging you every step of the way.  Because I know if you put your mind to it - you can achieve your goals!!!!!  Go for it!!!!!
Today's card was made quite a long time ago, but I just unearthed it in the craft room :)  I made this purse using the Oval Accents Bigz die and a bone folder.  Just a bit of embossing folder magic and then some scored folds and the purse was born!  I hope you like it :)

Afternoon Picnic by Buffy Cooper

This sweet Afternoon Picnic set is by Buffy Cooper.  By the time February rolls around, most of us are ready for spring – flowers, sunshine and picnics on the deck.  This set is perfect for getting us into the mood for Spring!  It includes lanterns, flowers in painted glitter vases and butterfly straws made with Afternoon Picnic Designer Series Paper!  This set is sure to remind you that spring is just around the corner.  Get all the instructions by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of February.  Or, if you feel lucky, leave a comment on my project that was posted at Craft Project Central on February 16th.  I will be choosing one lucky winner for a free February subscription!  Good luck!!!!

Swallowtail Altered Book Box & Card

This Swallowtail Altered Book Box and Card is my February project for Craft Project Central.  It is a perfect way to transform an unused hardcover book into a beautiful gift! (I am such a lover of books so it took me quite a while to find a book that I was willing to transform)!  This set features an altered hardcover book and a coordinating gift card.  The elegant box provides a special place to store a secret gift, a small journal, or other cherished keepsakes!  This set would make a wonderful gift for a treasured friend!  Want all of the step-by-step instructions to make an altered book box all of your own?  If so, you can head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of February or, head on over to my project on Craft Project Central and leave a comment!  I will be choosing one lucky winner who will receive a free subscription to the month of February!  The winner will be chosen on February 27th.  Good luck!!!!

Creating Pretty Cards - Sketch Challenge #32

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: When My Mind Relaxes, My Body Relaxes
I have a history of migraine headaches.  They usually begin with a visual aura and then progress from there.  Sometimes I get lucky (if you can call it that) and I just get the aura and then just feel "off" for the rest of the day.  Sometimes I am incapacitated for the day (and night).  I was happily migraine-free for a month, but a visual aura hit me yesterday afternoon so the rest of the day did not go as planned.  But here I am today - feeling better - hoping to not anger the migraine gods again!  Of course I have spent a lot of time trying to decode my migraines - trying to figure out if something triggers them.  The only thing that seems to be a constant with respect to when they appear is stress.  Yet another reminder for me that I need to do those things that will relax my mind and relax my body.  I need to make the time for that which relaxes my mind - art, yoga nidra, time in nature.  I begin the count again today - Day 1 headache free...and hoping!  Wishing you a relaxing weekend for both your mind and body and a very wonderful and love-filled Valentine's Day!!!!!
Today's card was created for the Creating Pretty Cards - Sketch Challenge #32 over at Craft Project Central!  I couldn't quite capture the colors with my camera - the background is Crisp Cantaloupe.  The card base is Crushed Curry.  I was inspired to put these colors all together based on a piece of paper that I saw.  I never would have thought to combine them without the inspiration!  Hopefully the color combo will inspire you too!  Head on over to Craft Project Central to participate in the Sketch Challenge.  You may end up winning a free one-month subscription!  Good luck!!!!

Retro Fresh Magnetic Memo Board Set by Julie Beltramo

This month Julie Beltramo designed this wonderful Retro Fresh Magnetic Memo Board Set for Craft Project Central.  It’s always nice to have a fresh new way to post some quick notes or reminders. This Magnetic Memo Board is really simple to make, and the Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper gives it a super fun vibe!! The coordinating note cards, pen and super-hip magnets are all stored neatly into the Sweet and Simple Storage Case. When it’s all packed up, it makes a great  little ‘anytime’ gift!  Find all the instructions over at Craft Project Central where you can register for the month of February.

Sweet Sorbet Note Card Set & Box by Breelin Renwick

Welcome Breelin Renwick to the Craft Project Central team this month!  She created this beautiful Sweet Sorbet Note Card Set & Box.  This cute note card set would make a great gift idea for a friend or perhaps a teacher or co-worker.  This project showcases some of the fun Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper and accessories that are available now as part of Sale-A-Bration!!!!  Get all the instructions make your own Sweet Sorbet set by heading over to Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of February!

"Remember This" 2014 Mixed Media Canvas by Regina Andari

Check out this “Remember This” 2014 Mixed Media Canvas by Regina Andari!  I am loving the colors!   Some people jot New Year’s resolutions on a piece of paper, but this project demonstrates a creative way to keep specific goals in sight.  Although this project features the designer’s resolutions of being happy, creating the kind of life that she wants, and remembering kind gestures toward others, it will be easy to customize your canvas to reflect your goals and resolutions.  This tutorial also features a coordinating card and envelope.  To get all the instructions for how to make this wonderful project, head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of February!!!!

Journal Away Your Fear #2

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes You Have To Tear It Down To Build It Back Up!
Taking two steps back to move one step forward would definitely summarize this page!  I kept layering and layering - paint, stamping, glaze...and I was still not happy with what I was seeing.  But this series is about journaling away your fear...so I decided to do some alcohol spraying to remove some of the acrylic paint (a technique I learned by watching artist Jane Davies at work in this video).  I sprayed the alcohol...waited a bit...and then began scraping away with an old hotel key card.  And that's when the paper kind of ripped!  I was actually hoping to get down to the white surface of the page...but I was quite thinking I would get there by ripping through the top layer!  I pushed the fear aside and decide I would assist the tearing.  And I liked what happened!  So, I did it again - a number of times - all over the page!  Tearing it down.  Then building back up.  Yes, sometimes you have to push aside the fear and tear things down.  Then you can build them back up again!  (I'm sitting here smiling once again - realizing how true this lesson is for so many different parts of my life!)!  Join me in journaling away your fear!!!!  Put something on a page.  Tear it up.  Then build something from it!  I hope you have a wonderful, creative and fear-facing weekend!!!!! :)

Tags 4 You Valentine's Day Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Set An Intention
I woke up this morning and decided I needed to finish creating the rest of the projects for my upcoming Stamp-a-Stack this weekend.  And here I am, at the end of the day (it's night time on Wednesday as I am typing this) and I did it!  I finished creating the cards and treat holders and I cut all the card stock and organized the supplies.  I am once again impressed by the power of intention.  So many times I don't set my intention - and I find myself lost in my minutes - flittering here and there through mindless and meaningless activities - not being purposeful.  I don't believe I have to be actively doing something of substance every minute of every day.  I am a strong believer in just being.  What I am not happy with is when I'm in the limbo - when my doing has no intention or when I am not allowing myself to just be.  So I am working on setting my intention - whether it is toward what I spend my time doing or just allowing myself to be.
Today's card began with the thought of putting wings on a heart and grew from there.  I used a scallop circle as a mask to do some sponging with Marina Mist to create the sky.  The retired Sanded background stamp adds some grit to the background.  I hope you like it!

Toilet Paper Roll Valentine Treat Container

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Lessons You Are Learning In Other Areas Of Your Life Can Be Lessons You Need To Learn In The Craft Room
It all started when I began to compare myself.  I did the first 80m (4 lengths in the indoor pool) without an issue.  Then I did the second 80m.  Then the third.  And I started to feel myself getting a little tired.  It was during the fourth try that I did 40m and tired myself out and decided to stop...as the rest of the swimmers in the class kept going.  And that's when it started - the comparison.  It's amazing how quickly I let it take over - like a driver who overtakes you in the fast lane.  I started to succumb and then I began to fight a little.  I ignored what everyone else was doing, caught my breath and then hopped back into the exercise when I was ready.  The demons came back a bit later in the class too.  I actually negative self-talked myself close to tears a few times.  But I didn't cry - or if I did, the tears lost themselves in the pool water.  I could look at this all in a whole different way.  As my coach reminded me, I went further and faster than I had before.  I dove into the pool after having only done that one time before in the outdoor pool.  I did one length with only taking one breath!  A lot of accomplishment today - now that I can look back at it since the gremlins are asleep.  In the locker room my coach passed by and reminded me that I need to let the gremlins go.  I need to release comparisons and remember that I have just started.  Focus on what I am doing and go at my own pace.  Sound familiar when it comes to making art?  It can be easy to the let the gremlins sabotage you.  To spend time on every blog, website, pinterest board and begin to compare yourself to others.  To get into that space where you become paralyzed and don't want to open up to your creative muse.  My coach has it right - we need to let it go.  We need to kiss those gremlins goodbye.  We need to recognize we are just starting and go at our own pace.  This journey is yours.
Today's project is a an upcycled treat holder!  Don't throw away those toilet paper rolls!  Turn them into wonderful sweets for your sweetheart instead!  Just cover the roll with Fresh Prints Designer Series paper stack paper and hot glue/sticky strip the bottom of the roll together.  Add some decoration and some sweets and you are good to go!

Numbered Cards Set & Holder by Yapha Mason

Yapha Mason has done it again with this beautiful Numbered Cards Set with Holder!  These super cute cards can be used as birthday cards, invitations, or thank you notes. Put the same number on each card, or change it up! Includes a handy card holder as well as lined envelopes.  To get all the step-by-step instructions for this project and other wonderful projects, head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of February!

Mail Box & Greeting Card by Monika Davis

I love this adorable Mail Box and Greeting Card by Monika Davis!  Make this adorable treat box for your sweetheart for Valentine's Day! Fill it with some yummy treats and some special notes. This little mail box will look great on any desk.  Great for a stamp camp, or as a class project.  Get all the instructions by subscribing to the month of February over at Craft Project Central!

Journal Away Your Fear #1

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.  You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.  - Eleanor Roosevelt
I have been creating videos of art journaling pages for Paper Crafter's Library over the past few weeks and I am realizing what an act of courage it takes to show up to the blank page and begin doing something!  I used to think things like changing careers, facing illness, or bungie jumping were the things that would drive fear straight to the forefront of my life.  How curious it is to discover that it doesn't take a major life event to make me fearful - all it takes is a blank page and fear is staring me right in the face!  So I've decided to spend more time facing the fear that arises when I approach making art.  These pages are from an art journal of my own - one that isn't being created for "work" purposes.  A journal that I can share with you in a series called "Journal Away Your Fear."  I hope that whatever shows up in the pages of this journal will be inspiring to you and will ignite you to get up, grab a piece of paper (or an art journal) and begin to face your fear of art-making!  I give you permission to make something ugly!  I give you permission to make something you wouldn't send to your worst enemy!  I give you permission to make something that you might actually want to show to someone else!  All you are asked to do is show up and do SOMETHING!  Make a mark.  Spray some paint.  Cut something out of a magazine and glue it to a page.  I don't know what the end product will look like, but I do know that you will gain strength, courage and confidence!!!!!!  Join me on this journey to Journal Away Your Fear!!!!!

Sale-A-Bration Is Here!!!!!

It's Sale-A-Bration!!!!!!!!  Earn FREE, exclusive products during Sale-A-Bration - Stampin' Up!s annual sales event with perks for shopping, hosting a party or joining Stampin' Up!  Take advantage of all Sale-A-Bration has to offer from January 28-March 31!  Click HERE to learn more!!!!  For every $50 you spend (not including tax & shipping) you get a FREE Sale-A-Bration gift!!!!!

Jewelry Box & Necklace Set by Jen Arkfeld

This elegant Jewelry Box & Necklace Set by Jen Arkfeld is this month's Bonus Project over at Craft Project Central!
Valentine's Day is around the corner and here’s a perfect little gift for someone you love!  This project includes a jewelry box and hand stamped necklace.  This project is a great gift project for other special occasions as well and makes for a fun class or camp project!
Bonus projects can be obtained by subscribing to two or more months in a row at Craft Project Central, putting the Craft Project Central badge on your blog, or by referring a friend and when that friend subscribes, letting Craft Project Central know!  Head on over to Craft Project Central to learn more!

A Few Snapshots

There was a lot of noise in our house yesterday - the plumbers were here moving things around for our remodel of our second bathroom.  Vibrations, pounding, rumbling, screeching - needless to say I was not in the greatest frame of mind!  But today it is peaceful this morning and since I didn't have artwork to share I decided to share a few snapshots of life.  Loki finding the new light box.  Dry earth on a recent walk with Buddy.  Loki taking a peaceful snooze with his dad :)  May today be a peaceful day for all of us :)

And the winner is...

Helen M!  Thank you to those who commented on my project over at Craft Project Central!  Helen, please reach out to me to claim your free subscription to the month of January!!!!

A Glimpse Inside My Sketchbook

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Take Time Every Day To Prove Yourself Wrong
I'm tired of telling myself that I can't draw.  I spend time looking at art and drawings and all my inner critic has to say about it is, "you could never do that!"  It was enlightening for me to see the Passport To Paris exhibit at the Denver Art Museum last week because there was a drawing room set up that included sketches, sketchbook pages, drawings from artists whose finished paintings are usually all that I see.  When I see a finished painting it is easy to imagine that an artist just stood there and quickly created the masterpiece.  That might be true for some artists - past, present and future.  But for many, getting art out and onto a canvas or page is not that simple.  Seeing that these artists spent time sketching, doodling, practicing their ability to see and then expressing their vision on a page was important to me.  It reminded me that sometimes it just begins with a pen and a piece of paper and some practice.  So this morning I ignored my inner critic (even though it was really LOUD and tried every trick in the book to distract me) and I picked up a pen and a sketchbook and looked at Buddy and decided to draw.  I see Buddy in my sketch - I can feel his spirit in the simple line drawing.  Today I took time to prove myself wrong.  I can draw.  All it takes is a pen and some paper and some time and patience.  And I can keep drawing.  And it will help me see and experience my world on a whole different level.  This morning I see Buddy differently and I am happy to say that I started my day off showing myself how wrong I was.

Sweet Sorbet Card & Box Set by Amanda Corbet

Amanda Corbet has been busy this month!  This Sweet Sorbet Card & Box Set is her second project for Craft Project Central this month!  This lovely envelope style box complete with a pretty flower on the front contains five different card designs with matching envelopes. This project features the new Sweet Sorbet designer series paper and Banners Framelit Dies. It would make a wonderful gift or a great class project!  Get all the instructions for this great set by heading over the Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of January!

Creating Pretty Cards - Sketch Challenge #31

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  The More You Give To Art, The More Art Gives To You!
I have been doing quite a bit of creating lately :)  It's my happy place :)  I have been home for a bit - not on the road traveling, and it has allowed me to get into a bit of a "creative groove."  I've been very excited about some of the art journal pages I've started to create for Paper Crafters Library as they allow me to delve into my stash of art supplies and create with abandon!  The freedom is a lot of fun!  I find that the more I allow myself to give to my art, the more my art gives back to me.  I feel more centered, more peaceful.  And, when I awake in the morning and take Buddy for his walk, I am finding that ideas are flowing into my mind - more things I want to create, techniques I want to try.  I also love how the freedom is flowing into my Craft Project Central projects!  Wait 'til you see what I did to a hardcover book for my February project ;)  I even let myself bring gesso into this month's Creating Pretty Cards - Sketch Challenge #31.  I created my own stencil using a crop-a-dile and some acetate and then put some gesso on the stencil and pressed it against the Crumb Cake card stock.  I added some gold smooch spritz (retired) and a touch of stamping from the Chevron background stamp.  Next I distressed the heck out of the edges of the panel and adhered it to a Whisper White card base.  Some strips of washi tape and a heat embossed strip of vellum with a greeting from From My Heart add a bit of flare and are finished off with an In Color Boutique Detail.  I hope you like it!  Why not head on over the Craft Project Central and join the challenge?!

A Perfect Ending To A Pretty Perfect Day!

I am sitting here on the couch on Thursday evening, smiling at the beautiful day I have had!  It began with waking up to about 4 inches of snow - so white and peaceful.  Out I went, early in the morning, to head to the gym for a morning swim.  I was part of a swim class led by my swim coach who I love!  We worked quite a bit on breathing today and I practiced the art of letting go and not tensing up so that I could take fewer breaths as I covered the length of the pool.  When I got home I checked my email and I had received a number of emails from the company that I do much of my contracting work for and they had me in tears!  The emails were sharing positive feedback from a client.  It felt so good to receive the recognition for my work!  The tears were tears of joy and relief and I was on Cloud 9!  Next I changed out of my gym clothes and Michael and I went to the Denver Art Museum to see the Passport to Paris exhibit!  I become quickly overwhelmed at museums - all of the visual stimulus and all of the people.  We did really well in spite of my tendency to get overwhelmed!  Our first great decision was to return the audio tour handheld devices after listening to the audio that accompanied the first two works of art.  I just couldn't get into having a voice in my ear as I tried to take in what was in front of me.  It just felt like a distraction.  I found it much more soothing to read the information provided alongside the art pieces and view the art in silence.  There was also an interactive drawing studio set up on the first floor that had some amazing photographs and quotes.  This one made me smile:

After the museum we went to City O' City - a restaurant that can easily accommodate my crazy dietary needs (vegan and gluten-free)!  They have a salad that I am a bit addicted to - I have actually dreamed about that salad (weird, I know!).  Mixed greens, avocado, candied nuts, tempeh with a yummy mustard dressing.  Yum!  They also have cookies that make my mouth water :)  We stopped at the library on the way home so I could pick up some books I had on hold and once we were home I went into the craft room to do a bit of straightening.  I worked on organizing my stencils while watching the movie Jane Eyre on tv (really enjoyed the movie - must go back and read the book)!  And now, here I am, after a hot shower, on the couch, eating a favorite dish and connecting with you!  A note about the favorite dish - if you follow my blog you may already know that I am addicted to O & C's premium balsamic vinegar of Modena!  It is amazing on just about anything and I love it on tomatoes (especially fresh garden tomatoes!  I had to settle for some store bought tomatoes tonight).  Another favorite item is the Sarah's Sea Salt - Mediterranean Salt by Coastal Goods!  It is great to sprinkle on so many things, including tomatoes!  The only thing that could have improved my tomatoes?  Fresh basil (but we didn't have any in the house and since I'm snuggled up on the couch, a ride to the store was not part of the plan :)  Yes, this is the perfect ending to a pretty perfect day!  Wishing you a weekend that is also pretty perfect wherever you are!!!!!!

Polka-Dot Pieces Get Well Soon Ensemble by Laurie Zoellmer

It’s that time of year when so many come down with a case of the “sniffles”, and this little gift is sure to put a smile on their face!  This ensemble, created by Laurie Zoellmer, includes a darling tissue holder, a hand sanitizer holder and a coordinating card and envelope to make your gift complete.  Find out how to make this adorable set by heading over the Craft Project Central and subscribing to the month of January!

Info About My Art Journal

Today's Quote To Consider From The Craft Room:  Conversation allows us little room to revise our original utterances, which ill suits our tendency not to know what we are trying to say until we have had at least one go at saying it, whereas writing accommodates and is largely made up of rewriting, during which original thoughts - bare, inarticulate strands - are enriched and nuanced over time.  They may thereby appear on a page according to the logic and aesthetic order they demand, as opposed to suffering the distortion effected by conversation, with its limits on the corrections or additions one can make before enraging even the most patient companion." - Alain De Button
 I've been enjoying Alain De Button's book How Proust Can Save Your Life.  This quote had me nodding my head - saying YES!  YES!  That's how I feel about conversation!  I am definitely one of those "think it through as I'm speaking" kind of gals!  As I was typing the quote here, I also realized that this reflection on writing could also be true of art journaling.  Art journaling is an opportunity to think out loud - on the page - without suffering distortion or limits caused by an audience.  On an art journal page we can set down whatever we want and we can always go back and paint over it, stamp over it, write over it, collage over it...and keep going until we are satisfied that we have said what we need to in that moment.
Today I want to respond to Lorraine's question about the book I am using for my art journaling.  Specifically, Lorraine was curious about the smaller pages/inserts and wanted to know how they got there :)  Well, I created the entire book thanks to Donna Downey!  I watched a number of her Inspiration Wednesday videos and really liked the book she was working in and, it turns out, she made it!  She even created a video with instructions for how to make these "Inspiration Journals" and you can purchase access to the video here.  You can also buy a completed Inspiration Journal in her on-line store - in case you're not up for making your own.  The smaller pages/inserts are tags or other fun things you can recycle or pick up at an office supply store (such as time cards).  Here are the two journals I created - one bursting a bit at the seams and the other anxiously awaiting a beginning :)

Stationery Box and Card by Amanda Corbet

Get organized with this lovely stationery box by Amanda Corbet that can hold many A2 greeting cards and envelopes!  The drawer is the perfect place to store a pen or two and some stamps to make sending greetings easier by having everything you need all in one pretty package. This project comes with a matching card design and makes a great organization gift!  Head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of January for full step-by-step instructions!

Pages In Progress...And A Puppy!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It's A Process
I sometimes look at posts on-line and think that behind the art work was a simple, easy process.  That somehow an artist sat down and everything just came to them and out popped the beautiful work of art!  Well, maybe that is the case for some people...I know it's not my process - at least not usually.  My art often comes out in fits and starts, bits and pieces.  I do a little bit, stand up, walk away...maybe walk away for a few minutes, hours, days, weeks, months...and yes, even years.  Often I only show my finished work on my blog.  Now I'm realizing that may give you the wrong impression.  My art doesn't come out completely, easily - it's a process - sometimes a struggle - sometimes an adventure.  So today I'm sharing part of my process.  Pages from my art journal that are in progress.  Some have been under construction longer than others.  Some have started to take shape from wiping off excess paint from a brush.  I am not sure where any of them are headed....but I do know it is a process - a journey - one that I am happy to take!

 ps  I also wanted to share a photo of the beautiful soul who is a part of my journey :)  Buddy was outside - laying on the flagstone - with his head propped up on the first patio step.  And yes, he was waiting for his walk :)

Valentine's Day Trio by Christy Fulk

This fun and flirty Valentine’s Day Trio was created by Christy Fulk.  It’s time to get ready for Valentine’s Day!  These projects would be a great way to show your special Valentine that you care.  Give them a little candy treat in the heart pouch, put a little gift into the Valentine gift bag, and let them know you love them by giving them a special double easel Valentine card.  This would also make a great Valentine’s Day class.  To get all of the instructions for these fun projects, head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to the month of January!

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!

Valentine Mini Cards & Treats by Yapha Mason

This set of mini Valentine cards and treats, created by Yapha Mason, are perfect for the children in your life, or the young at heart! It includes a cute tote bag to carry them for distributing, or for children to use at school for collecting their Valentines. It makes a great gift bag as well.  Get all the directions to create this great project by subscribing to the month of January over at Craft Project Central!

Shaker Frame One Of A Kind Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  The sole cause of man's unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room."  -Pascal, Pensées, 136

Papilion Potpourri Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Just When You Think You're Making Progress, Set Backs Come To Test You
I guess in the grand scheme they aren't big set backs.  I mean right now I have a girlfriend who is about to start chemo this week and another friend who fell and knocked himself out in the bathroom and needed stitches.  So who am I to complain?  And yet, I am.  I was feeling relaxed over the holidays - settling in to being at home without having to travel to and from airports and cities and hotels.  And then, somehow, the settling in turned into getting riled up :(  My computers - yes, both of them, decided to start acting up, my journal decided to go missing under the piles and stacks of papers that I have around (at least that's where I am hoping it is and not missing in some hotel room somewhere), and my body decided to act up with headaches :(  Ugh!  Just when I thought I was making some progress, these set backs came to test me...and, I have to admit, I failed the test!  I let it all get to me.  I got frustrated, pissed off, upset - you name it.  So here I sit, typing this, wondering where the peace I had found just a week ago has gone.  The good news is that I know it is possible to find it again - there is hope.  I'm determined to pass the test the next time it shows up!
Today's card was a simple birthday card for a cousin.  I used the Papilion Potpourri stamp set with Smoky Slate ink.  I brought out the dazzling diamonds glitter because, after all, what is a birthday without some bling! :)  The sentiment is from Petite Pairs.  I hope you like it :)