Brave

I've done a little bit of art journaling - mostly backgrounds - but I did finish one page the other day.  I just had this idea floating around in my head...  I cut the letters out of a map of Sheboygan.

That's kind of how I feel things have been going for the past few years.  For a while, I was at a complete stop - maybe even going backwards - then last year it started to feel like things were picking up a bit, but moving really, really slow.  Since the start of this year, it feels like everything is on all out GO!  And it's all going in a good way - FINALLY!!!

And you would think that I'd be ready for anything, but still even when things are going well, it sometimes takes a little bravery to go with it and appreciate it.  I am appreciating it - TONS - in spite of the fear and hesitation. 

Linking up here.

She Art - 2011

This year I took the She Art 1 and She Art 2 Workshops by Christy Tomlinson.  I also took her She Had Three Hearts Workshop.  They are all online, and the videos and instruction are wonderful.  She has such a great, comfortable style.  I have learned so, so, so much!  She makes it all look so easy.  I already posted two of the projects I completed this summer:

Here's one more of the girls that I did this year, that I thought I would share. 

I put her on an 8 x 10 canvas.

I love the dimensional aspects of it - the modeling paste stenciled design in the corner, and the wooden heart that kind of come off the surface and add texture.

This isn't a commercial, because neither of them know that I'm saying this, but I believe that Brave Girls Club and Christy have given me back my creativity.  I feel like I lost it for several years, and since I found those two sites, I have been bitten by the bug again - so grateful!!

Craftin' - Part 3 - Brave Girl Charming

This summer I had Brave Girl "mini-camps" where several of my friends/family came over and we worked on our Soul Restoration 1 projects.  I did a couple of posts about it in April.  Here's one of the first ones. 

I was also lucky enough this summer to go back to the real Brave Girl Camp as part of the staff. Going back to serve a new group of girls was an amazing blessing.  I learned so much more and made so many new friends!  It was awesome!

Look at how sparkly they all are in this picture!!  That is exactly how this July camp felt - wonderful to spend time with all these bright, shiny, amazing women!

Anyway, over the last couple of months, I've been gathering vintage beads and charms, and I've managed to cobble together enough to create several "Brave Girl" charm bracelets for a few of these special girls.

 
As you can tell, they are all different metal tones, and beads with lots of color. That means they go with EVERYTHING, right?!

Every bracelet is different, but they all have several of the Brave Girl symbols: soul houses, truth tellers, brave girl boots and hats, and lots of heart(s)!

I've never made jewelry before, so this was a bit intimidating, but after the first one, I got the hang of it, and I was able to put all these together over just a couple of evenings.    

Of course, I made one for myself, too!  It will be fun to wear when I need a little bravery!

Linking up here, here and here.

25 Days of Christmas

19.  Snow? Love it? Dread it? Tolerate it?

In Texas, we get it so rarely that I like it.  When we get it, the city shuts down (so I get to "work from home"), but then it's gone within 2 - 3 days.  Also, it makes everything look so clean and pretty.  All that being said, I think that if I had to live with it and drive in it and actually continue normal activity in it for months at a time, I would probably be leaning more towards the DREAD end of the spectrum.  Since I'm off to Wisconsin in a few weeks, we will see pretty soon how I like it.  :-)

Signs

A couple of months ago - this summer - I felt like my life was breaking apart (and it was).  Most days I would pull into the parking garage at my office and I would spend 5 - 30 (yes, 30!) minutes in my car trying to talk myself into walking into the building. 

On this particular day, I couldn't even make it into the garage.  I pulled into the Visitor Parking in front of the building.  I was just sitting there, staring at the wall, trying to muster up the will and the energy to do what I needed to do.  I admit that I was wallowing a bit, but I was desperate. 

I started praying for a sign - any sign. (In case you weren't aware, I'm a big fan of signs.) But I needed it right this minute - something to show me that everything was going to be ok - and I needed it before I was late for my first meeting.

As I sat there telling myself not to be so dramatic while begging for a sign, my little friend here landed on the sign that was right in front of me! (Brave Girls out there you know the symbolism of the bird.)  And this little truth teller just sat there looking at me. 

It was like he was looking at me and saying "You need a sign? Seriously?! HOW ABOUT THIS ONE?!  Read the sign... duh!"  Of course it was going to be ok, it always is.  I just had to visit this place, for this time, to learn these lessons, but it would not be forever.  I finally saw the sign that was right in front of me. 

Things are still a bit shaky, but they are getting better.  I didn't want to go into that horrible place any more, and now I don't have to.  I've been given the opportunity to find a place where I want to be and where I feel welcome.

Today, I have traveled halfway across the country on my search for that place.  Maybe this is the one, maybe it's not... but I'm sure that if I look closely I will see the signs I need.

Enough

     I am enough.

I am ok
I am real
I am true
I am important
     I am worthy.

I am alive
I am vulnerable
I am broken
I am healed
I am afraid
I am safe
I am content
     I am well.

I am complicated
I am simple
I am creative
I am talented
     I am capable.

I am beautiful
I am powerful
I am awesome
I am brave
     I am ready.

I am kind
I am steadfast
I am generous
I am compassionate
I am humble
     I am proud.

I am lost
I am found
I am showing up
I am here
     I am welcome.

I am struggling
I am asking
I am heard
I am hopeful
I am open
I am listening
I am patient
I am learning
     I am wise.

I am flawed
I am understood
I am accepted
I am wanting
I am forgiven
I am full
     I am grateful.

I am Created
I am divine
I am light
I am loved
     I am blessed.

I am me
     And I am enough.


(You are, too!  Hope you're having a great day!)

Art Journal - Finished Pages

I mentioned the other day, that I had finally finished a few pages in my Art Journal. So, I thought I'd share a couple of them.

I've decided to do only the journalling assignments from the Soul Restoration workshop in this book.  I think I work better if I have a theme and some prompts.

The prompt on these two pages obviously dealt with truths and lies.  It's about the lies I've let have influence over my life and then the counter-acting truths.  There were a lot, so I had to type them out and printed them on vellum.  (I blurred 'em out - I'm not ready to share quite that much.)

On some of the pages, I don't have a prompt from the class, but what I'm writing goes along with the concepts we're working on.  Also I've printed some of the Brave Girl's "A Birdie Told Me" emails that I really like and glued them in.

This page is inspired by the Moon people analogy Melody uses during the first week of the class.  I did this while I was traveling a couple of weeks ago.  I printed the pictures out from the internet and stuck them on the back of a big envelope.  After I wrote on the page, I just glued it in when I got home.

I'm really starting to get into this process.  I've never been into keeping a journal, but it's much more fun when I get to include pretty colors and fun pictures. 

Unlike last week, this weekend was extremely productive.  I finished several projects.  I'm in Houston today to launch a big program for work.  It's making me crazy to be away from my supplies!  I finally get inspired, and then I have to leave town - figures...

Oh well,  it's just a quick trip - I'll be home this evening.  And I cannot wait to get back to 'work.' 

Value

I'm sure I'm a little late to the party, but I heard this analogy the other day, and cannot get it out of my head so I thought I'd share...

If you were offered a clean, crisp, new $100 bill, you'd want it, right? Duh, of course!

What if that same $100 was wrinkled and old, would you still want it?  Yep! 

Ok, so what if that old, wrinkly $100 was taken outside and stepped on and it got dirty and maybe a little torn - would you still want it? YES - count me in! :-)

(I realize this is a $50, but I couldn't find a picture of a $100, just play along.)

That money has intrinsic value, no matter what condition it is in.  And, just like that $100 bill, we have an intrinsic value that doesn't change, no matter what circumstances we are in or what decisions we have made.  No matter what has happened or what will happen - no matter how broken or dirty or old or ugly we may feel, it doesn't determine our value! 

The external "packaging" doesn't define us.  Our value doesn't come from what we do, what we have, who we know. Our value comes from everything that makes us who we are - because of our strengths and our weaknesses.  We are valuable because we're here - because we are all children of God and because He loves us and has a plan for us, our value is priceless - simply because we exist. 

LOVE THAT! :-)

Soul House

The first part of the SR1 workshop deals with setting boundaries and Melody uses the analogy of a house to describe the condition of our souls.  Have you set strong boundaries and protected your house (soul), or have you let all kinds of people come in and destroy it and turn it into a crack house?

So the first spread, after the title page, in our SR book is a picture of our Soul House. You can interpret this however you like, but I chose to think of mine in already restored condition, so that it would be a reminder of what I need to protect.

I found a picture of a house online that I liked, then I used that as a general guide for the shape I wanted my house to be.  I cut the pieces out of different patterned papers.  Actually the house was one of the last things I glued down.  I cut it out first, but then I had to wait until I got the sky and grass laid down before I could add it. 

I started with scraps of paper.  I tore pieces of several different blue, green, and orange-y pink papers and then I collaged them onto the book for the earth and sky.  Next I found that fabulous glittery flower and used it as the center of my sun.  I layered it on two other pieces of glittery paper and then glued it down with the rays. 

From there, I was able to add the house and all the finishing touches.

This is the lift-up flat that was on this page.  On part you see, it's the reminder that My House is sacred, and then when you lift the flap, on one side it says "I get to decide who comes in my house."  On the other side, I pasted in three truths. 

I like glitter. 

And waa-laaa!  The flowers are rhinestones that I pieced together, and everything else is collaged paper.  Again, I used inks and paint to do the shading and to paint in the grass and leaves.  Yep, it's a little busy, but duh - I made it - how else would it be?  :-)

And then added one final thought to set the tone for the rest of my SR work.  LOVE!

That's all I've done so far... Tonight I want to start on my next spread, but I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do.  Maybe the inspiration will strike between now and the end of the day. 

Homework

I haven't been taking many pictures or doing much lately other than work-working and then home-working on my Soul Restoration 1 projects.  So, I don't have much to write about these days.

In SR1, we're creating a book and we are doing a 2-page spread each week.  The first week, we did the cover, the title page, and our soul house.  Last week, we were supposed to create a spread about our truth teller, but I haven't gotten around to finishing that one yet. Anyway, I thought I'd share what I've done so far.

I started out with a cute 8" x 8" board book.  I found them at Barnes and Noble for about $6, and they have little flaps inside that I thought would be kind of fun.

Before the class started, I put masking tape around all the edges and gesso'd all the pages so that they would hold paint better.

This is the front cover.  I didn't know that I was gravitating towards deep saturated colors, until I looked at these pictures, but wait - you will see...

I bought a box of scrap jewelry bits on ebay last year for a project that I never started.  I LOVE this little piece of whatever (a belt buckle maybe?), and I'm happy to finally be using some of these bits.

This is the title page spread.  The blue side is just paint, and the green side I covered with paper.  I smeared markers along the edges and ridges to do the shading, and try to give it some depth.

Lots of layers...  paint, stamps, rub-ons, gems, glitter, and I cut the fish out of a 2010 calendar.  They fish don't have anything to do with any of the work we're doing, but I LOVED them and wanted to use them.  So, here they are.

And with the flap open...  LOVE the flaps!

I like to add the dimensional bits.  I have a really hard time leaving a page flat.  I have tried, but then I always end up going back and adding something that comes off the page a bit.   Not sure why, but I'm not fighting it...

And here's this page with the flaps open.

These pages took me forever!  Everyone else knocked these out in a few hours.  I didn't realize it, but I obviously just work REALLY slow. 

The next spread is my soul house.  That one took me DAYS to finish!  When you see it, I think it looks relatively simple, but it was "a process."  I'll give you a peek at that tomorrow.

Have a good day.  I gotta go work-work now.  Argh!  This real work thing is so inconvenient...  ;-)

Art Journal - Backgrounds

If you've been reading along for the past few months, you probably know of my struggle with Art Journaling.   AJ and I are in a battle of wills.  I have been determined to fill her up, and her blank pages hae  just stared at me belligerently, almost shouting, "Bring it!" 

I am proud to say that I have indeed, Brung It!  Or, at least I'm feeling pretty good about the start that I have finally made!

My plan is to use this Journal for the Soul Resoration 1 journalling prompts.  Here's the first background I created - it was HIDEOUS, but I just kept adding more and more stuff until I kinda liked it.  My plan was for this to be the 'title' page (and that's how it ended up - I'll post a few 'finished' pages later this week). 

Page 2:  Again, I hated it, but kept adding more junk until I decided I  could tolerate it.  I also went ahead and added one of the journalling prompts so I would know what to write about.

I've never been a big journaler.  One of the reasons is because when I start writing, I just don't know how to be brief (duh, I'm sure you never would have guess that buy reading this blog - lol!).  So, with AJ, I've been afraid that I would have to decorate 3 - 5 pages the same just to cover ONE prompt.   Over the last week, I've found that limiting myself to one page is kind of nice.  It forces me to focus on the important things, distill my thoughts and keep it brief. 

After these two pages took FOREVER, I decided to practice one of the things I've been trying to learn lately:  less is more and keep it simple, so I got busy with the mists and watercolors and here are a few more I came up with...

I don't know why, but I love this page.  A couple of spray inks, and some acrylic inks for the sun and clouds - nothing special, and so basic, but I love the colors and the simplicity of it.  LOVE!

Plastic doilies, mists, watercolor, a stamp, a flower border punch, and a rub-on.  I was just playing around with EVERYTHING on these pages.

More mists and stencils/masks.  I like the color combinations here, but I'm not really sure how I'm going to journal yet. 

Again, I don't know why, but I really like this page, too.  Collaged on a sewing pattern and that coffee filter flowery kinda thing - a bit of paint, and a stamp. 

This dragonfly is actually a Christmas ornament that I put down on the page and misted over.  Like it!

Since I knew I was going to be out of town (away from my art supplies - ack!) last week, I decided that I would throw down a few backgrounds in AJ, and then take her and some markers along on my trip...  Since she would be my only creative outlet, then I'd have to start journaling, right??

So, that's what I did, and during my VERY long, VERY boring meetings, I pretended like I was taking notes, but really I was writing my journal prompt responses.  I still have to transfer a few of them from my notepad to the journal, but I did a couple last week, and I'm pretty happy with them. 

I realize they're no masterpiece, but I'm so happy that I've FINALLY broken through this brain block.  I'm learning...sometimes it's not about being perfect and fancy, it's just about showing up and doing it.  What a hard lesson that is for me!

Linking up here.