tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75587840908710349302024-03-13T18:51:31.759+11:00ArtfulLee Designed "Art brushes away from the soul, the dust of everyday live"- Pablo PicassoArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-40099432770806264792015-12-13T12:51:00.000+11:002015-12-20T14:46:54.275+11:00Reflections, gratitude and a Giveaway!If you are a regular reader of my blog, welcome back after a bit of a hiatus. If you are a new reader, welcome. Gratitude is the main theme of my blog, I aim to be in a constant state of gratitude, to live each day with an underlying attitude of gratitude, grateful for every day and each experience. In previous blog posts, I have spoken at length about why I do this and my daily practices that help keep me in this mindset.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfjDgIC3H82hNPpwV2p18nIwwAONl-zZv0HibvFD_j4hP93pEs-G-3AgEqvwNCFWBr0tomLn8p5JlvQkJjKGxZxjhkFZvgkioZd6VvqVTuqSHhm8vfL8c530tQY6EeBTmj56I-pRj47U/s1600/grateful+heart+%2528600+x+433%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfjDgIC3H82hNPpwV2p18nIwwAONl-zZv0HibvFD_j4hP93pEs-G-3AgEqvwNCFWBr0tomLn8p5JlvQkJjKGxZxjhkFZvgkioZd6VvqVTuqSHhm8vfL8c530tQY6EeBTmj56I-pRj47U/s640/grateful+heart+%2528600+x+433%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a>I always like to take a moment every day and reflect on what is in my present moment that I am grateful for. When life's challenges invariably come up, I always try to balance the negative with acknowledging those people, circumstances and experiences that I have to be grateful for. So, to this end, today marks a day of reflection and immense gratitude, as well as my contribution to paying it forward and expressing my gratitude to others.<br />
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Today I reflect on all of the experiences I have had over the past 12 months and longer, all the new people I have met and all of the interactions with my friends and family.<br />
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This year held so much with the most significant, a month long adventure with my beloved, to the UK and France, experiencing different cultures, visiting beautiful castles and chateaux, learning so much about their history and way of life. We basked in the warmth of the British and French people, always welcoming, only to happy to show us another part of their beautiful countries. We lived in a 6th floor Paris apartment, imbibed with the locals in Paris at sidewalk cafes and ate pizza while sipping on wine by the banks of the river Seine, wandered through the Louvre, took in a sunset over Paris from halfway up the Eiffel tower and generally soaked up the Parisian culture. We drove from the bottom tip of England to the north of Scotland, immersed ourselves in the history of Kings and Queens, took in the spectacular scenery of the Scottish highlands, visited all the stone Circles I could and followed the Outlander trail.<br />
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Art wise, this year was so very fulfilling, my continuing art journal classes with a fantastic group of ladies, my foray into the world of You Tubing, and a continuing daily practice of Lunchtime Art Time. Acceptance in my local councils, Emerging Artists exhibition was a highlight and just last month, being accepted to hold month long exhibition in the Council Chambers at the end of next year means a busy but exciting 2016.<br />
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Last night I celebrated with my family and closest friends, sharing stories, laughing over old photos, and reflecting on our time together. All in all I consider myself blessed, lucky to live in such a beautiful country, surrounded by people that have and still enrich my life in so many ways. I am lucky to have made connections with people all over this vast planet and, while some I may never meet face to face, still share a bond and friendships that I cherish. <br />
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Today I turn 50 and what better way is there to celebrate than to give presents.<br />
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So to that end I am having giveaway today as a thank you to everyone who has taken time to sit and read my ramblings, as a way to spread the love and share positive energy, as a prompt for everyone to sit and reflect on what is important.<br />
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<strike>All you have to do is tell me what you are grateful for today. Leave a comment and in a few days I will draw a winner and send them something arty</strike><br />
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****Thanks to everyone who entered, the giveaway is now closed but if you would still like to tell me your grateful thoughts please feel free to comment.***<br />
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thank you for your presence<br />
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Namaste<br />
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Lee<br />
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<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-14277685045666277062015-07-01T18:36:00.000+10:002015-07-01T18:36:02.768+10:00Nurturing a daily creative practice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a while my friends, too long really, but while life feels like it is passing by sometimes, it is good to just stop and take a breath and be present.<br />
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While I may not have been posting on my blog, I have been arting, teaching my monthly art journal classes, travelling to teach at an annual weekend art convention, and exhibiting and selling my work at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. I have also signed up for <a href="http://effywild.com/category/book-of-days/" target="_blank">Book Of Days</a>, <a href="http://www.willowing.org/life-book-2015/" target="_blank">Lifebook</a> and the <a href="http://www.lisasonora.com/blog/your-free-invite-to-the-july-journaling-challenge/" target="_blank">30 Day Journal Project</a> this year. Add to that a major house renovation, that I was project manager for and you have a busy year. Thankfully, the renovations are finished (and look fabulous) so it is time to get back to 'normal', whatever normal is.<br />
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It is so easy to get bogged down in daily running around, feeding the family, working a day job, getting caught up in the day to day running of a household that, sadly our creative practice is sometimes last on our list.<br />
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Personally, I sometimes struggle with spending time in my studio playing with no end in mind, no "product" to produce, just arting for me, without feeling guilty, selfish even. But you know what I remind myself every time I get in this mindset, is that without this art practice I am not nurturing myself, not honouring myself.<br />
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It is essential that we find "me" time every day, whether that be 15 minutes of creative expression, 15 minutes of quiet time with a cuppa and a good book, or whether that be 15 minutes walking out in nature.<br />
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Late last year I was hearing from a lot of people, myself included, that there is not enough time in the day to art so to that end I decided to find a way of making my creative practice a part of every day. A challenge, if you will, to make art part of my everyday, even if I have just 15 minutes. It is not to 'produce' anything, it is just to exercise my right brain, to keep the creative juices flowing, to banish the excuses that there is no time for art.<br />
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To this end I have been adopting a daily art practice, which I coined, Lunchtime Art Time.It started with a daily challenge between a friend and I. Each day we would take it in turns to post a prompt and by the end of the day we had to express that prompt on a page in any way we chose. For me I decided to challenge myself to make my creative practice portable and so packed up a little art box and started taking it to work.<br />
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Each lunch time I sit down with my travel art box and my handmade journal and loose myself in my art for half an hour. Most times, I end up with 15-20 minutes, most pages are very simple but they take me out of the daily grind and bring me peace, ground me and centre my mind into the present.<br />
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So, what do you think. What are your favourite supplies to go in your travel art kit? I would love to hear the essentials that you cannot live without and what you take when you travel.<br />
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I would love for you to join me and make art a part of your daily life, so connect with me on Instagram and lets make some art. Click on the icon below to go to my Instagram page. <br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/artfullee/" target="_blank"><img alt="Follow me on Instagram" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgON6g4_wGByvT4F96gP1nC4fF8y3nIsr5FjWtNBXOwhI68J4cKBVUaEyf4cEnvRoDNVNQjZpKetc6BoxMI_sReCMngIdvaSzrIeuMlF97q_IDn6vpXe8S3rJDsIRwg21XB_Nx2ZHZ_YEE/s1600/instagram+logo.jpg" /></a></div>
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Until next time<br />
Namaste<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lee</span></i></h3>
<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-27942472188035297562014-05-12T22:05:00.000+10:002014-05-12T22:07:42.502+10:00Virtual Blog tour<span class="null">My friend <a href="http://louisegale.com/2014/05/something-a-little-different-today/" target="_blank">Louise Gale</a> has asked me to participate in a virtual blog tour this week, something different from my usual posts, so pull up a chair and come in to my world for just a little bit on your way around this blogger-sphere. </span><br />
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<span class="null">1. What am I working on? </span><br />
<span class="null">Well right now this week, I am working on getting ready for my next art journal class which is a beginners guide to simple mandalas. I love doodling, it is portable, easy to leave and come back to, and easy to do.</span><br />
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<span class="null">I also love mandalas - for their meditative benefits, for the way I can loose myself in them, for the way they can get me out of a creative blank spot, so I incorporate the two and will be showing my students how to doodle their own and how to use them to ground and centre themselves, how to use them as a moving meditation to enhance their creativity and their inner peace.</span><br />
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<span class="null"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzN_ZalA8nMn16tJRess96O-da0755y73OewXCXmW5OUG2Q9u3PKLei7paCAsJtKxngZZGypiT7SjfZwT3qa6u42NwizJV4LtYU98uDgW5xtWxACf6Zh38FPhBwt18n1mRNfKMxmT5gA/s1600/eg+mandala+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzN_ZalA8nMn16tJRess96O-da0755y73OewXCXmW5OUG2Q9u3PKLei7paCAsJtKxngZZGypiT7SjfZwT3qa6u42NwizJV4LtYU98uDgW5xtWxACf6Zh38FPhBwt18n1mRNfKMxmT5gA/s1600/eg+mandala+wm.jpg" height="612" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="null">Long term I am building up my body of work for next years Melbourne International Flower and Garden show which runs in March-April each year. Our art society <a href="http://www.tbda.org/" target="_blank">True Blue Decorative Artists,</a> have a section in the art sales exhibition and it is our one big opportunity to sell our artwork. </span><br />
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<span class="null"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Pc-8NSxZbyGL5K1kmy0Imm-iY5kawQRrGyhFH4FcfgVd0-GleR_DomghOFgbr9-UXzqOnmVvf1yGIUbixN9VrHCayzgKT80M_InxUjLjZFQZt0PyfN6Hw_r6_5yX56YRoF0SQmatnFg/s1600/20140323_143101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Pc-8NSxZbyGL5K1kmy0Imm-iY5kawQRrGyhFH4FcfgVd0-GleR_DomghOFgbr9-UXzqOnmVvf1yGIUbixN9VrHCayzgKT80M_InxUjLjZFQZt0PyfN6Hw_r6_5yX56YRoF0SQmatnFg/s1600/20140323_143101.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="null">I am pleased to say that I sold a few of my paintings this year so I'm in the planning stages of designing paintings for next year. Here is part of a triptych that I have started.</span><br />
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<span class="null">2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? </span><br />
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<span class="null">I think my art and teaching practices are unique because I combine different art forms and make them work for me. I take all my life's experiences and lessons learned to help me share my art with others. I combine doodling, art journaling, larger scale paintings, abstract and mixed media and my spiritual practices, my practice of gratitude and re-framing, to create a portrayal of who I am and where I am an any given moment; a snapshot of my inner world. I am drawn to bright strong colours and this is evident in my artwork.</span><br />
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<span class="null">In my teaching I believe that I allow others to express themselves in their own way. With my guidance and encouragement they are free to create something that is a representation of where they are on their journey. I encourage them to really step into their piece, whether it be an art journal spread or a canvas. By being true to myself, I endeavour to create a safe environment where my students can be true to themselves.</span><br />
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<span class="null"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFWBVvB_ymON_KKHG2PthGEL59KlhEeNOWI2WGUwwrMhaNz_qoUUjw3faSEqoWO1h_DHg-Su7QBz4fcEKaIfp0MX5Ise-yVgz1iS_4TART3ji9hxWT_RZjwdTX3uJCWzkhjwwbpdWE6Y/s1600/april+2014+class+(600+x+432)+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFWBVvB_ymON_KKHG2PthGEL59KlhEeNOWI2WGUwwrMhaNz_qoUUjw3faSEqoWO1h_DHg-Su7QBz4fcEKaIfp0MX5Ise-yVgz1iS_4TART3ji9hxWT_RZjwdTX3uJCWzkhjwwbpdWE6Y/s1600/april+2014+class+(600+x+432)+wm.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="null">3. Why do I write/create what I do? </span><br />
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<span class="null">Without creating my art, I would be lost. Art and creativity are an integral part of my being and serve many positive purposes in my daily life. Art and creativity ground me, they help me express myself where words are not immediately forthcoming, they bring me immense joy, wonderful friendships and have given me a platform to share with others my love of art and the benefits of expressing yourself with paint. Basically I paint to feel fulfilled, to feel alive. </span><br />
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<span class="null">4. How does your writing/creating process work? </span><br />
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<span class="null">I find that I often have ideas come to me in the car on the way to work, or at other times when I am not in the position to write them down. I am inspired by patterns in objects around me, whether man made or nature. I am inspired by colour combinations like the sunrise or sunset, like a pretty scarf or the left over paint on my palette. I am a very visual person so I have a notebook that I write ideas down but sometimes this is not practical, so I am finding more and more that I use my phone to capture photos of what has inspired me and then save it as an Evernote note and jot bullet points as to what exactly made me take the photo. I can then look at it when I have time and expand on the notes later on. </span><br />
<span class="null">When I come to starting a new canvas I usually have photos that appeal to me at the time and either pick the subject or the colour combinations to start the painting. Sometimes it is totally random and I breathe in and out for a couple of minutes and then just intuitively grab the bottles of paint that I am drawn to.</span><br />
<span class="null">When I art journal I often choose my colours based on my current mood. At other times I am inspired by a quote and sit and pick the colours on the feelings that the quote gives me and what colours I think represent that feeling.</span><br />
<span class="null">I love taking progress shots and it helps a lot of the time to look at the photo when you have been staring at your canvas for a long time not knowing where to take it next. Also then you have all these delicious photos along the way to use later on. </span><br />
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<span class="null">Next week the blog tour moves to the lovely</span> <b class="_36">Shelley Rydellie</b><br />
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<span class="null"><i>On any given night
you can find Michelle creating in her studio with her two cats – Willie
and Johnny by her side. She loves art journaling, and always has
numerous journals going at one time. Michelle loves to experiment, and
believes that the best art comes from letting go and just playing. She
finds inspiration in bright colors, animals, music and – well –
everything! </i><br />
<i>Michelle lives in Minnesota, USA, with her husband
Michael who keeps her laughing, and the aforementioned feline companions
who keep them both entertained!</i><br />
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You can visit Michelle at her blog: <a href="http://inspirationeverywhere.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Inspiration Everywhere</a><br />
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Please go and show her some love and check out her inspirational work and blog post next Monday <br />
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thanks for visiting my blog<br />
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Namaste<br />
<br />
Lee</span></div>
ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-66748817491728643822014-02-19T22:25:00.000+11:002014-02-19T22:25:53.151+11:00Friendships and doodles<div style="text-align: center;">
Just a quick post today to share the link for my latest post over at Your Heart Makes A Difference and some photos of my latest journaling and travels.</div>
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<a href="http://yourheartmakesadifference.com/2014/02/portrayal-of-friendship/" target="_blank">My latest post on Your Heart Makes a Difference </a>went live today so if you would like to read my musings about friendships pay a visit to this heart-centred blog.</div>
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For the last 2 weeks I was camping near the beach,</div>
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a beautiful relaxing time to regroup, to gather my thoughts about the year ahead and reconnect with one of my greatest loves, the ocean.</div>
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I took a small kit of art supplies and a couple of journals with me. I found a great little plastic box with a handle and it perfectly housed my pots of twinkling h20's, small bottles of gesso and white paint, paint pens, pencils and black pens and an old store card.</div>
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This was the perfect place for me to get back to my doodling, an activity that you can pick up and put down at any time. You can spend minutes on each piece or play and doodle for hours.</div>
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With my limited art supplies I was also able to keep up with my Book of Days</div>
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as well as catching up with the <a href="http://bigdreamssmallwonders.com/" target="_blank">Big Dreams, Small wonders ecourse </a>that I am doing with Louise Gale. </div>
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How are you going with the courses and classes that you have signed up for this year? </div>
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As I listen to the rain falling heavily on my roof, I am reminded of the craziness of the weather at the moment and am so grateful that we are all safe and sound and hope you are as well.</div>
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Namaste<br />
Lee<br />
<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-79964048308987821482014-01-26T21:21:00.000+11:002014-01-26T21:21:27.125+11:00Trust<div style="text-align: center;">
Firstly, I have my January post going live today on Your Heart Makes a Difference where I am talking about New Years Resolutions vs New Beginnings. I will have the link at the end of this post if you would like to head over and see what my thoughts are about that. </div>
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Each year I like to choose a word of the year, a word that is a quality or feeling I would like to cultivate, nurture and a word that I would like to live long after this year has ended.</div>
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This year my word is</div>
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Trust</div>
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This year my word came to me in a meditation, a quiet time of reflection that let me sit and really feel what my soul wanted me to learn this year. This year is a year to trust in myself, a year to trust in the universe, a year to trust that whatever journey I am on it is exactly where I am supposed to be. Sometimes it is hard to trust when you are faced with challenges but that is exactly the time to sit, reflect, meditate and listen to your intuition. It never lies. It is how you interpret it and, whether or not you listen to it, that really makes the difference. </div>
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After my meditation I sat down in my studio to create my first page in my Book of Days. </div>
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It is a great way to set the tone for the year when you actually do something to creatively express your word instead of just talking about it.</div>
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So, no on to the path I took to create this page.</div>
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I am using my favourite paints of the moment, Atelier Free Flow</div>
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I painted the entire spread with a watery layer of Cobalt Blue hue. Then I ripped up an old dictionary into strips and stuck them down with Atelier Gel Medium</div>
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I then glazed the entire spread with Pthalo Blue. While still wet, I sprayed lightly with a mist of water, let sit for a minute and then blotted off with paper towel</div>
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I am really in love with the Quinacridone Magenta at the moment and so I glazed that all over the page too and made some marks with various tools using Cobalt Turquoise Light and Pthalo Blue</div>
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How scrumptious does that look?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOPGxERc4ro7-819gibd_06NqvBrxRFZYtajqBku0UzGbFhDppNBK3pgg5C_QUA106PMRlLTK4xSaQu2AAZuPRjrbfSAKvdFGrEFtqRudjLk9N3homFHYWxtgmw_HO6ziLc_KiXtdfV4/s1600/20140124_173935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK4a-9nWlUSeYNTI_SkWYXjGqU3uZmdeR4h3T-v1BbTplTsNEo3NYl_olIRAORbClFUCsHDiubwmPmOLHE-ggv-XvM2SEak6BtJXvTDE39QlI9vgNhXkCgv3bhJvJxWVZpDb-lCEMXoQ/s1600/20140124_173931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK4a-9nWlUSeYNTI_SkWYXjGqU3uZmdeR4h3T-v1BbTplTsNEo3NYl_olIRAORbClFUCsHDiubwmPmOLHE-ggv-XvM2SEak6BtJXvTDE39QlI9vgNhXkCgv3bhJvJxWVZpDb-lCEMXoQ/s1600/20140124_173931.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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After this I got carried away with what I was doing and forgot to take photos but you can see I painted the face in glazes, wrote my words with a white Glaze pen and added dots of Titanium white.</div>
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So, what about you? Do you pick a word of the year and what do you do to record that?</div>
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I hope you'll go and visit me over at <a href="http://yourheartmakesadifference.com/2014/01/new-years-resolutions-vs-new-beginnings-by-lee-clements/" target="_blank">Your Heart Makes A Difference</a></div>
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Until next time</div>
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Namaste</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lee</div>
<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-20047748372836436232014-01-12T22:12:00.000+11:002014-01-12T22:12:22.778+11:002014 - A New Year, a Fresh Start<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy New Year everyone. Are you looking forward to 2014?</div>
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After a very hectic, up and down 2013 I am looking forward to 2014, a fresh start, a year filled with love and laughter, a year of new beginnings........ and to that end I thought I would share some of the projects I have in my diary this year.</div>
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Firstly I am so excited and thrilled to share some exciting news. Last year I guest posted on the blog "Your Heart Makes a Difference" hosted by the lovely Louise Gale, which you can <a href="http://yourheartmakesadifference.com/2013/11/day-6-layers-of-gratitude-with-lee-clements-30daysofgratitude/" target="_blank">re-visit here</a>. Well Louise has asked me to be a regular contributor to this wonderful uplifting blog on a monthly basis. I am delighted to be included in this group of awesome people and can't wait to post my first offering. In the meantime head on over to Louise's blog to <a href="http://yourheartmakesadifference.com/2014/01/introducing-lee-clements/" target="_blank">read my intro</a> and to find out more about the beautiful heart-centred musings that make up <a href="http://yourheartmakesadifference.com/" target="_blank">Your Heart Makes a Difference</a>. My first post goes live on 26 January.</div>
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You know that I like to keep busy, trying out new ideas, participating in group art projects and learning and sharing as much as I can so here are the other projects that I have signed up for so far. Click on each title to be taken to the appropriate websites:-</div>
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<b><a href="http://effywild.com/book-of-days-2014-january-6-march-24/" target="_blank">Book of Days 2014 Session 1- hosted by Effy Wild</a></b></h3>
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Well before the last BOD session of 2013 finished I signed up for the first session of 2014. I love Effy's processes and the whole Book of Days community are a welcoming, generous and loving group. My Book of Days has become my constant, my way to look back on my year/s and reflect on where I have been and how far I have come. With weekly videos and connection with the group you can't go wrong with this one.</div>
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<a href="http://www.willowing.org/life-book-2014/" target="_blank">Life Book 2014 - hosted by Tamara LaPorte</a></h3>
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This is my first year in Life Book and to say I am excited is an understatement. I have heard so much about it that I can't wait to jump right in. With so many lessons from so many different teachers I know I will learn so much this year. </div>
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<a href="http://bigdreamssmallwonders.com/" target="_blank">Big Dreams, Small Wonders - hosted by Louise Gale</a></h3>
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This course is all about finding out what your hopes and dreams and ultimately your goals are for the year or years ahead. It runs for 6 weeks and is a lovely process of letting go of the past year and moving forward with love and grace.</div>
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<a href="http://yourheartmakesadifference.com/" target="_blank">Your Heart Makes a Difference - hosted by Louise Gale</a></h3>
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As
I mentioned at the start of this post, This is the website where you
can be inspired by Louise and the other contributors to live a
heart-centred, creative life.</div>
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<a href="https://arttothe5th.squarespace.com/the-documented-life-project-details/" target="_blank">The Documented Life Project</a></h3>
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This is another new project I have signed up for. It is free and it is a planner but so much more, with weekly prompts and a lot of inspiration for keeping a diary/planner/ art journal all in one. </div>
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<a href="http://www.nathaliesstudio.com/shop/online-workshops-ubermedia/creative-jumpstart-2014/" target="_blank">Creative Jumpstart - hosted by Natalie Kalbach</a></h3>
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A month long course which is full of videos and prompts to start your creative year off with a bang.</div>
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<li>23 videos from 21 artists, or over 3 1/2 hours of videos</li>
<li>A chance to win giveaways from the CJS sponsors</li>
<li>Participation in a lively community via the CJS forum</li>
<li>Access to all videos and CJS forum until November 2014</li>
</ul>
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I am so excited and looking forward to everything that presents itself in 2014. Let's get going....</div>
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<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-4310926866454265162013-11-11T07:46:00.000+11:002013-11-11T07:46:21.885+11:00Day 1 - 10 Thirty Days of Gratitude and a Handmade cereal box journal<div style="text-align: center;">
So a couple of days ago i showed you a little Gratitude journal that I had made out of a box and some cardstock. Today, as part of <a href="http://yourheartmakesadifference.com/category/30-days-of-gratitude/" target="_blank">Louise Gale's 30 days of Gratitude</a> and Effy's Sunday Swoon blog hop, I would love to show you the larger journal I made using a cereal box as a cover. I just love this ready made peep hole in the front cover. This journal was once again inspired by one that Jennibellie made. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec04rVh0ndU" target="_blank">The link to the you tube video is here.</a></div>
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First I carefully opened the box at the seams to lay it flat. I kept the flaps on the box until the end so I could use them as little pockets if I wanted to, but also as reinforcement for the outer edges of the cover. I cleaned up the edges where it was stuck together and gave it a good coat of gesso.</div>
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After this was dry I painted the background with Jo Sonja paints in Pthalo Blue and Aqua. Don't you just love these two colours together?</div>
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I then stenciled Pthalo Blue all over the cover with this lovely new stencil I just bought from Crafters Workshop.</div>
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then I laid the stencil in a different direction on the cover and stenciled again with Aqua and white</div>
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added a layer of stamping with Black Archival ink and then stenciled on some feathers with Rich Gold paint.</div>
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I glued a piece of scrapbook paper on the inside of the cover to reinforce it and the spine,</div>
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gathered my papers and made signatures out of them</div>
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punched some holes in the signatures and spine, bound with some linen thread coated in beeswax...</div>
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and there you have it, a journal made with a cereal box. I doodled around the letters with a Gold Signo pen and a Gelly Roll Clear Star pen as well as outlined the feathers in black Aqualip pen. I just have to add some beads to the dangling thread and I'm ready to use it.</div>
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I used various leftover scrapbook papers and various other types of
papers that I had in my stash for the inside pages. This is a great way to use up those
leftover scraps of paper or patterned paper that you bought ages ago but
don't know what to do with now.<br />
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They feel so good in my hand and I can't wait to use them, They are infused with so much positive energy that I know they will be a special keepsake for my thoughts.<br />
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So my Sunday Swoon is the feeling I had when I finished these lovely little journals.</div>
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I
still have to finish some of the pages in my gratitude journal for the
30 days of gratitude so will share those at the end of the month. I'm
off on a 10 hike across New Zealand next week so not sure if I can fit
my journal in my backpack but I will try my best.</div>
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My gratitudes this week are</div>
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<li>firstly for the host of wonderful artists that share so generously on you tube (thanks Jennibellie)</li>
<li>for my students that have come to all my classes this year. We had our last class for the year on Saturday and it was great. I have some great recipes to share in a future post.</li>
<li>for the time I am able to spend in my studio with my creative muse</li>
<li>for my family who unconditionally support my creative endeavours</li>
<li>for this beautiful place on earth that I live in</li>
<li>for my friends who I love to bits</li>
<li>today is Remembrance Day so a huge gratitude for our service men and women, past, present and future. </li>
</ul>
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Namaste</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lee </div>
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<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-73383045836453469642013-11-06T23:11:00.004+11:002013-11-06T23:11:36.621+11:0030 Days of Gratitude - my guest post<div style="text-align: center;">
I have some exciting news today - I'm guest posting over <a href="http://yourheartmakesadifference.com/2013/11/day-6-layers-of-gratitude-with-lee-clements-30daysofgratitude/" target="_blank">here at Your Heart Makes a Difference blog for their <span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">30 days of Gratitude</span></i></span></a>. I have added a badge on the right hand side so you can easily find your way there each time you visit me so please drop by and visit and show this lovely blog some love.</div>
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It's been a busy couple of weeks here and I haven't had much time to really dig my teeth into any of my art projects ,but Louise's 30 Days of Gratitude has prompted me to make a little Gratitude journal and keep up with it for the month of November and then beyond. I was fortunate enough to participate in a dreamboard workshop with Louise when she was visiting Australia some time ago and I love everything she does on her blog. She is a beautiful soul and I am grateful for our connection.</div>
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If you are a long time reader of my blog you will know that Gratitude
is a BIG part of my life. Being in a state of gratitude has changed my
outlook on life keeps the positive energy flowing through me and those
around me. This outpouring of gratitude that seems to happen each year in
November concentrates that positive energy and spreads around the world.
It has been a long held belief that the earth energy as a whole is
changed when there is a global outpouring of positive energy and by
sharing our gratitude this month it is sure to have an impact, which
hopefully is ongoing.</div>
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Today I am sharing my thoughts on
my gratitude practice in my guest post but I really encourage you to follow the
whole 30 days on the blog. Louise has wonderful prompts everyday to get
us all in an 'Attitude of Gratitude'.</div>
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My little Gratitude journal was inspired by the greeting card journal made by Jennibellie. <a href="http://jennibelliestudio.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/making-journal-from-greetings-cards.html" target="_blank">Here is the link to her tutorial on her blog </a>and there are links in her blogpost to her youtube videos showing you how to make one. I made my with a a little box that I had lying around and now I have started collecting old coffee sachet boxes and my cereal boxes to make more journals.</div>
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I used plain kitchen twine to bind it with and then plaited the ends. I
really like the way it looks and it is small enough to have beside my
bed to record my grateful lists, thoughts and ponderings.</div>
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For the pages I used pieces of white and black cardstock and also some offcuts of watercolour paper. I even have a little pocket on the inside front cover that I have tucked in the printed list for Louise's 30 days of Gratitude. </div>
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Yesterday was Melbourne Cup day and the weather was glorious so I sat outside and doodled on the front cover with my collection of Gelly Roll Pens, my Signo pens and my glitter pens. What a lovely way to spend the afternoon. </div>
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I enjoyed making this one so much that I also made one out of a cereal box. More photos and a info on that in a later post.</div>
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So, what is on your Gratitude list today? My 5 things that I am grateful today for are:-</div>
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** the sun shining brightly heralding the forthcoming summer months **<br />** my health **<br />** my friends who listen to me when I am down and always cheer me up **<br />** this beautiful land that I live in, the lucky country **<br />** my family safely tucked in their beds tonight **</div>
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ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-5332562601108878192013-10-21T17:41:00.000+11:002013-10-21T17:45:16.976+11:00Sunday Swoon<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, it is acutally Monday here but it is still Sunday somewhere so I have just made it into the <a href="http://effywild.com/2013/10/20/sunday-swoon-risk-anyway-october-20th-2013/" target="_blank">Sunday Swoon post on Effy's Blog</a>. Each week Effy posts something in her creative world that made her swoon and encourages others to do the same and link to each other so we can share in all that lovely swoonworthyiness (yes, that word is in 'my' dictionary)</div>
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My Swoon-worthy moment this past week came from an art class that I taught on Saturday. Here is the original painting</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50G0HYuEAQvXbBqX12Lxk7fjsjHCeNBnClTF3elBH_-OoDp5RIoiA9us6w2J-jmXsYMVvJ7x7xqXKQ8k4uEZp4TzooTdHccBQzaXVtsAYxJxzcGPw9cqXyCJZ23Gg9MFqvtTKQkk44Ys/s1600/20131019_134048+(600+x+450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50G0HYuEAQvXbBqX12Lxk7fjsjHCeNBnClTF3elBH_-OoDp5RIoiA9us6w2J-jmXsYMVvJ7x7xqXKQ8k4uEZp4TzooTdHccBQzaXVtsAYxJxzcGPw9cqXyCJZ23Gg9MFqvtTKQkk44Ys/s400/20131019_134048+(600+x+450).jpg" width="400" /></a>I had a wonderful group of ladies in my class who were all willing to put aside any pre-conceived ideas of where they thought this class was headed and just let go and go with the flow of the journey. Some were seasoned painters, some had been in my art journaling classes for a while but had not tried this style of painting. All were eager to paint and create, and in the end, that is all that matters. A lot of the time we can tie ourselves in knots with the expectations we place on ourselves instead of just surrendering to the process, being open to all and any eventualities.</div>
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I was introduced to this style of painting when I went to a wonderful weekend workshop with <a href="http://artoftracyverdugo.blogspot.com.au/p/workshops-and-retreats_1.html" target="_blank">Tracy Verdugo </a>over a year ago and she taught me to give in to what my soul wanted to create and step out of my overactive mind controlling the situation. Together with my art journaling, of which Effy is a huge inspiration, it is the most enjoyable way I paint nowadays.</div>
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The paints we were using in this class are the new Atelier Free Flow paints. I love them because of their vibrancy, even when dripping and spraying, their consistency and the way they flow. They are my paint of choice and if you want to know more about them or where to get them you can visit the <a href="http://www.chromaonline.com/products/au/atelier_free_flow" target="_blank">Chroma Australia website here. </a><br />
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Now to why this class this week was so swoon-worthy to me.</div>
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Well, quite simply, it was the perfect way to spend the day. I could have sat there long into the night painting and talking.</div>
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I love teaching, I love sharing what I have learned, I love the friendships I have made through teaching, I love the friendships that are strengthened through art classes and I love being in a group of like-minded souls creating our little butts off. Hopefully, while doing this, I can inspire others along the way. To see the smile of achievement on someone's face after you have taught them something is one of my greatest sources of joy and I got to see that on Saturday. </div>
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Hope you found something to swoon about in your week</div>
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Namaste</div>
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Lee </div>
<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-84088608010880649782013-10-06T12:00:00.000+11:002013-10-06T12:00:03.979+11:00two in one week!<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, I don't blog for ages, then I post 2 in one week. One word for that isn't there..... random. Yep that's how I go sometimes and this month has been no different. I am actually sharing this weeks Book of Days spread during this week. I know, shock, horror! I'm also sharing a painting I delivered to it's new home last weekend.</div>
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First the new painting. I was given a colour palette by my client and a general theme of what they wanted and this is the finished canvas. I really love the light airy colours. It was a bigger canvas, measuring 1.8 x 0.6m.. I really loved it and so did it's owner. I really love painting these long canvases and it has me wanting one in my own house now.</div>
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This week for me it was all about being in the moment and finding little Joy Moments each day.</div>
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The prompt for this week was to use fabric in our spread. </div>
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I used the <a href="http://www.chromaonline.com/products/au/atelier_free_flow" target="_blank">Atelier Free Flow paints</a> and I started with a brush blended background of Pthalo Green, Cadmium Yellow Medium and Titanium White.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6GcwaSZq0OrqftkpN6tNw0A6iqt-9MjJ95GVANHGvrcMmIO_x8daUbGSWJqxzeQYNYkCleUn41dgKPtRWLSXHzSZMHFWLbGbgo2X8CJQ1sGwu42Vh0sNmhb8uSJUuEyS4Rww-76dj9E/s1600/bos+wk+14+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6GcwaSZq0OrqftkpN6tNw0A6iqt-9MjJ95GVANHGvrcMmIO_x8daUbGSWJqxzeQYNYkCleUn41dgKPtRWLSXHzSZMHFWLbGbgo2X8CJQ1sGwu42Vh0sNmhb8uSJUuEyS4Rww-76dj9E/s400/bos+wk+14+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then I used one of the new <a href="http://www.scrapfx.com.au/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=58" target="_blank">Scrap Fx</a> stamps, Ruffled Feather, with Titanium white and also just spritzed with plain water to create texture in the background.</div>
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I always tell my students to save everything in case they can use it in their art journals. I see them roll their eyes, listening to me telling them to save crazy stuff, wondering when they could use 'that' again. Well as I was sitting at my desk I was wondering what sort of fabric I wanted to use, looking around for inspiration and my eyes landed on some scrunched up dried, used baby wipes.</div>
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Well, baby wipes are a type of fabric aren't they, so that is where I
started. I decided that I didn't want to rip them up and saw my Big
Shot machine sitting idly by, not having been used for a long time, so
out it came with some Spellbinders die's. I cut out circles and
dragonflies and began my spread.</div>
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We had some lovely sunshine this week so I sat out and doodled around the circles and labeled them with the days of the week. </div>
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Of course I used by favourite journaling pen, the White Signo, and the purple Aqualip for the title and some doodling. The Aqualips are fast becoming my go to pens for titles now. They flow so easily and dry with a nice glossy finish. </div>
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Each day, at the end of recording that day's happenings, I wrote a Joy moment, one moment from each day that gave me joy. No matter how small there is always something that gives you joy on any given day. It can be as simple as my Monday Joy moment of finally curling up on my bead with a good book after a long day at work. Do you look for joy moments in your day?</div>
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Registration for the next session of Book of Days is open on October 15th. <a href="http://effywild.com/book-of-days-2014-january-6-march-24/" target="_blank">Sign up for Effy's newsletter so you don't miss out.</a></div>
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<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-34020182183958566452013-10-05T14:07:00.001+10:002013-10-05T14:07:23.825+10:00Life is a Precious thing....<div style="text-align: center;">
Life is Precious</div>
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Life is Beautiful</div>
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Life is to be Treasured</div>
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Life is Short.....<br />
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This weeks post is all about life, how you respect it, how you take time to appreciate the little things, how you spend your precious time living the life that you imagined.</div>
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My Book Of Days spread is from a couple of weeks ago and had that theme running all the way through it. There ended up being reminders of it every day, a common theme of appreciating life and living it to the fullest and remembering those who are no longer physically with us. </div>
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It is a simple spread. The prompt was to paint in journaling blocks for the week ahead, making it super easy to just fill it in as you go. I loved it!</div>
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The background is all made up of leftover paint on my palette from another earlier spread and a painting that I had started. Not ever one to waste things, I used it on this spread. All the marks I made were using found objects around my studio like corrugated cardboard and bubble wrap and various pens and paintbrushes. the journaling blocks were first blocked in in Titanium White and then the colour lightly painted over it, mixing in a bit of white and leaving it shabby, doodled around the outside of each block and then filled in each day with a white Signo. Easy peasy.</div>
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On another note, during that week, I flew up to Sydney to teach
two classes with these wonderful ladies. On the Saturday I taught my
Blue Lotus </div>
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and then on the Sunday I taught 2 art journal classes on a canvas board. </div>
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I was also able to catch up with one of my dearest friends' on the Saturday night, so it was a really quick but meaningful visit all round. </div>
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This weekend once again reminded me how lucky I am to be able to teach and share what I am most passionate about. It reminded me that when we all share that common passion, great things can be achieved, friendships forged and strengthened and our lives are so enriched by the experience. It reminded me the value of true friendship, the precious time we have with them and how we must vow to make each day precious.</div>
<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-65256575404040903802013-08-31T20:30:00.000+10:002013-08-31T20:30:01.707+10:00Day 31 - Goodbye Winter...<div style="text-align: center;">
I made it, 21 posts out of 31, so I missed a few here and there. </div>
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I've really enjoyed this blogalong with Effy, getting to know some more about my blogging friends and challenging myself to blog consistently. I used to blog regularly but found it somewhat overwhelming trying to get around to visit everyone else's blog and leave comments, thinking of things to blog about, and thinking my posts had to be a. funny, b.witty, c.thought provoking or d. spectacular and blingy. It all got a bit too much and i left blogging for a while. When Effy put up this challenge I had second thoughts but decided that I would blog this time because I wanted to, not worried about how many people read it, not writing it to get more followers, not writing it to please someone else, just thoughts for my own memory keeping and if it started a dialogue with others that would be a lovely bonus. What I found was that I was able to write my posts a lot easier than before. The words seemed to flow out of me, no pressure to "perform". My thanks go to Effy for hosting the blogalong and to all those that participated. Even though I haven't visited everyone's blogs yet I will get there. There is just so much goodness to see.</div>
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The art journal spread today is another out of my Book of Days and the prompt this week was to use tags. </div>
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This first picture is with the tags closed</div>
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This picture is with the tags open and journaled on.</div>
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Today is the last day of Winter and the weather is gloriously sunny and
mild for a change. I have made no secret of the fact that this winter has really been
a struggle for me. I struggle without my daily dose of sunshine, so I
sat outside today, listening to the birds, basking in the suns' rays and
doodling and writing in my art journal.</div>
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Goodbye Winter and hello Spring....</div>
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Namaste</div>
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Lee </div>
ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-87591367149521225652013-08-31T00:30:00.000+10:002013-08-31T17:10:34.078+10:00Day 30 - Gratefulness<div style="text-align: center;">
I try to remember to take a moment each day to recognise what I am grateful for. Each day I try to recognise something that I haven't during that week. Gratefulness is an integral part of my life. For me it is the difference between the glass being half full or half empty. With a daily practice of gratitude, the glass is always half full. Whenever I am faced with a challenge I always look for a positive, no matter how small. It may be that the positive thing out of a situation is that I have learned a valuable lesson. It may be a wonderful new, although scary opportunity opening up. It may be recognising and acknowledging a relationship that soothes my soul.</div>
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I have many mantras that I say to myself in any given situation so when people ask for a favourite it is hard for me to pick one. One of my all time favourites is</div>
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"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change" </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxY6pkvNW8U3ERdhM2qKS3v9ranBW4dEtAxLSM1mAUIlk9bsw7fxVFjrtw5q9k7DJkHi0W7DBd4GCMI2j4kSvLjSrCxoe870QR_0Nl1IqssQqBonKjOHsQcz-BJVYkD5rtGj4Lx2_vg0/s1600/20130223_172533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxY6pkvNW8U3ERdhM2qKS3v9ranBW4dEtAxLSM1mAUIlk9bsw7fxVFjrtw5q9k7DJkHi0W7DBd4GCMI2j4kSvLjSrCxoe870QR_0Nl1IqssQqBonKjOHsQcz-BJVYkD5rtGj4Lx2_vg0/s400/20130223_172533.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This phrase opens up possibilities, it helps me take stock and reframe how I am looking at the situation, how I can turn it into a positive, how i can make something even more. Effy wrote about reframing a while ago. If I can locate it I will update this with a link.</div>
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I'll start today with being grateful for belonging to such a great art community, on and offline, for being able to interact with so many wonderful, inspirational people that may never have crossed my path if not for this community and my passion for the creative. They inspire me everyday.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK1njG2HNrKu7RSkE_CR_qR1LtkKUkDdofRWPNMZam7Qn5RK8fFXDhoSdoCQM4WrGhyphenhyphenpIzSdW_RUuNQeSTZ3htsb_5iWAyeAkeYmArxbSVRUY5BBA8SjWiNmY23Ykz4Qd87ag4EPlDJs/s1600/Life+is+a+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK1njG2HNrKu7RSkE_CR_qR1LtkKUkDdofRWPNMZam7Qn5RK8fFXDhoSdoCQM4WrGhyphenhyphenpIzSdW_RUuNQeSTZ3htsb_5iWAyeAkeYmArxbSVRUY5BBA8SjWiNmY23Ykz4Qd87ag4EPlDJs/s640/Life+is+a+school.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Friendship seems to be the recurring theme of my posts this month. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6U2aqT6yYHRAaVq5ljATAasZGPsKAIbXv7EW8oPhGOWb8Yd8eU1nyf5Wn8UB4PfCy4wPt2H_Kl2H9MaGlEmrhgDnElcuEVM8f-hkjfS-HZ0M8EdVQOaHIJZUT4weG4DtN8VfM9Hs3CM/s1600/art+journal+class+4+take+1+(600+x+429).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj527iAI_LS7y8s0tg7RW5_sn_m7eknR3f2MbDhlJpOM-wauilGfG9vwcmTsSquJx_v61V7jbSs4aoFDAsJh8JSy7EIF6XemWvZgJNLuYxaFEBLkuEWWNX0iOD6G6x4VLfyakFINSF3Rms/s1600/art+journal+class+4+take+2+(600+x+430).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj527iAI_LS7y8s0tg7RW5_sn_m7eknR3f2MbDhlJpOM-wauilGfG9vwcmTsSquJx_v61V7jbSs4aoFDAsJh8JSy7EIF6XemWvZgJNLuYxaFEBLkuEWWNX0iOD6G6x4VLfyakFINSF3Rms/s640/art+journal+class+4+take+2+(600+x+430).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Apart from my family, my friends are my lifeblood, they are the rocks in
my hard places, they are the glue that binds my worlds together, they
are the paint on my page, they are the words in my books I read. They are there in my times of need and they are there for a laugh and a nice relaxing cuppa. They "get" me and they don't judge me. They accept me for me and I am eternally grateful for their presence. I only hope that I am as good a friend to them as they are to me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFNnfTkEMo1IH4LQ3vInlwEayopjicR1g7Q0IKrGSe3fjGUFG9ow_BwJgCZZ1qIxTktQkSbtYSU1job0i93ld-uGE2EgCpdjfgnvvUztZ2MVwTaOHzYS7KWkOFuOUHgl68dCtKH0nW-Q/s1600/dragonflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFNnfTkEMo1IH4LQ3vInlwEayopjicR1g7Q0IKrGSe3fjGUFG9ow_BwJgCZZ1qIxTktQkSbtYSU1job0i93ld-uGE2EgCpdjfgnvvUztZ2MVwTaOHzYS7KWkOFuOUHgl68dCtKH0nW-Q/s640/dragonflies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgow_YIHwl0mI2dRFYLw9CVCxt-vH9Nxi-DbDpGL3748O2DoPLoTiOCbEYavURxtXAtcrj-AxI8_87_YAxlb58N7n786zMh5_N-B_cQBOSMroFyjirx04QVWmzCMhBeLyOkVwKDgoz5Y9U/s1600/never+let+anyone+dull+your+sparkle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Each day, take time to recognise all that you have to be grateful for in
that moment. Start with the obvious but try to go a bit deeper, look
for things that you hadn't noticed before. See the little things that
mean so much, from the clean air that we breathe, to the fresh water
coming out of the tap. Be grateful for the mundane, the routine, the
normal. Be grateful for each and every experience you have because they
are all a part of the beautiful mosaic that you are.</div>
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Namaste</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lee </div>
ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-24964463866263076722013-08-30T01:00:00.000+10:002013-10-15T22:38:12.069+11:00Day 29 - a recipe and a journal page<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is the recipe for the Cinnamon Maple Cake that I was talking about yesterday. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVk6G-6vhrSOwTZvv-dxUd5_-olBoKUjEb-BcpN97uHUYlDeRbNlBuoplVnHxqws99ku8etoP9rtAOBqKS8Lp1mHw1CfJI2vY-EtXbPOH-RJogGYo4dY_nCKerixIv7LRZ37pn-DGrZk/s1600/cinnamon+maple+slice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVk6G-6vhrSOwTZvv-dxUd5_-olBoKUjEb-BcpN97uHUYlDeRbNlBuoplVnHxqws99ku8etoP9rtAOBqKS8Lp1mHw1CfJI2vY-EtXbPOH-RJogGYo4dY_nCKerixIv7LRZ37pn-DGrZk/s320/cinnamon+maple+slice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It is a modified version of a recipe that I shared on my Facebook page a couple of weeks ago. Apart from the amazing taste, I love it because it is Gluten Free, Dairy Free, low sugar and low in carbs. Now how can you go past that one?<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Gluten
Free, Dairy Free, low carb, low sugar Cinnamon Maple Cake</span></i></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">(makes 9-12 servings)</span></span><b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"></span></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">2 1/2 cups almond meal<br />
1/4 tsp sea salt<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped </span><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> </span></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"><br />
1/2 cup chopped merjool dates<i><br />
</i>1/4 cup coconut oil or butter , melted ( i find the coconut oil helps keep the slice moist and together more than using butter, and the taste is soooo good)<i><br />
</i>1/4 cup maple syrup - I used Greens brand as it is the lowest in sugar<i><br />
</i>2 large eggs<br />
1 tsp. vanilla</span></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Topping:<br />
3 Tbsp. ground cinnamon<br />
3 Tbsp. coconut oil or butter , melted<br />
6 Tbsp. maple syrup<br />
1/2 cup chopped pecans</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Preheat the oven to 160deg C fan
forced. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish or pan with butter and lightly dust
with almond meal.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">To
make the cake:</span></i></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Combine the almond flour, salt,
baking soda, pecans and dates in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk
together the melted butter , maple syrup, eggs and vanilla. Make a well
inside the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into the well.
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients
until thoroughly combined, the batter will be very thick.
Scrape the batter into the prepared baking dish. Using a spatula, gently push
the batter into place making it as level as possible.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">To
make the topping:</span></i></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Combine cinnamon, butter, maple syrup
and pecans or almonds in a bowl. Spread the topping over the cake
batter. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Bake for 25-35 minutes, until a
toothpick </span><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> </span></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">inserted into the center of the cake comes out
clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 1 hour on a wire rack. Slice cake
into squares and drizzle with Maple Frosting before serving.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">This cake can be stored in an
airtight container at room temperature for several days. Once you drizzle
it, store it in the fridge.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Maple
Drizzle:</span></i></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">3/4 cup coconut butter - see below on
how to make coconut butter</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">1/4 cup maple syrup (or more to
taste)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">1/4-1/2 cup heavy whipping cream,
almond milk, or coconut milk - i used almond milk because I have it in the
fridge anyway.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">pinch of salt</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">In a small saucepan, heat all
ingredients over medium-low heat, stir until well combined. Consistency
should be thin enough to drizzle over the coffee cake.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">***If you eat dairy and prefer
a </span><b><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">maple
cream cheese drizzle</span></i></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">…substitute
4 ounces softened cream cheese for the coconut butter and reduce the heavy
cream to 2 Tbsp.-1/4 cup and blend in a small bowl with a hand mixer until
smooth. Again the consistency should be thin enough to drizzle**</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Coconut butter</span></b></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">to make coconut butter place 2 1/2
cups of unsweetened shredded coconut(not desiccated) into a food processor.
process for about 10-20 minutes stopping now and again to scrape the coconut
down into the bowl. after a while it will turn to liquid and will set upon
cooling. this quantity makes just over 3/4 cup of coconut butter. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
I'm catching up on my memory keeping in my Book of Days so this is acutally for a couple of weeks ago. It is all about the week that I had no voice. i used Dylusions sprays, paints, crafters workshop stencils, and new foam stamps from Scrap Fx</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiis5aSmt2qEIP1fQNYkvLyYvIFsAT4b-s6a2momoeqTbHH0XSbRgHfmLOOYSul0IpszQSzDZgfw2Sx3XXQfa_vxFRvi_4f6PTwyBCBohTIMK038FnIBsuU-ohwpMi1F8f65FD2DdwDE/s1600/bod+silence+is+golden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiis5aSmt2qEIP1fQNYkvLyYvIFsAT4b-s6a2momoeqTbHH0XSbRgHfmLOOYSul0IpszQSzDZgfw2Sx3XXQfa_vxFRvi_4f6PTwyBCBohTIMK038FnIBsuU-ohwpMi1F8f65FD2DdwDE/s640/bod+silence+is+golden.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
The week that I was ordered by the doctor to have complete silence started out as a real challenge and a difficult and frustrating week. As the week wore on though, I really started to connect fully with my inner voice. It's funny the different things you notice when you lose one of your major communication tools. It was almost like other things were amplified.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
It gave me a good understanding why silent retreats are so popular and it is something that I wouldn't mind repeating on a smaller scale.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Namaste</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Lee</div>
ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-19146330962022689572013-08-29T18:20:00.000+10:002013-08-29T18:20:09.270+10:00Day 28 - Cinnamon maple slice, dry shampoo and books<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some ramblings today about my favourite things. What do cinnamon date and pecan slice, dry shampoo and books have in common, you ask? Well here is a recap of my thought process that brought me here.<br />
I was enjoying another batch of Cinnamon, maple slice that I have been making lately(I'll share the recipe with you tomorrow), while catching up with friends on Facebook.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6m-zScWKqNnITV3I6BBkS-5YJaS0nlXzzrGGkx63lKA237hKs1_UcRA0iVgZSuU3CWamqgXOdmxMTj33jyD-6xyW2nenxUqDekHkWSbsMlhEtsnzRs5C3NyJ01azhNSqmiYcjfGhP80/s1600/cinnamon+maple+slice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
I came across a post by Mollie talking about dry shampoo.<br />
<br />
Have you tried it? I was given a can a couple of months ago to try, and let me tell you it was a game changer. I love it. I was a bit hesitant, I mean where does the oil go? How does your hair suddenly look and feel shiny and clean when a minute ago it needed a wash? Well this little miracle in a spray can works. You must give it a go!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziU8VXOhx1KeZaPeqdLkHoP-qO5GgYO76stCuj_Ajr53QDlw-nSj7lVAzVTZwkIzkU-bekIoiZOhmlMDOlqMc9rR-6f4WCRuyGmag8u5k4A8Sh_dICqPb6-7HhpYkwTqPSUPWRdDYBkw/s1600/dry+shampoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziU8VXOhx1KeZaPeqdLkHoP-qO5GgYO76stCuj_Ajr53QDlw-nSj7lVAzVTZwkIzkU-bekIoiZOhmlMDOlqMc9rR-6f4WCRuyGmag8u5k4A8Sh_dICqPb6-7HhpYkwTqPSUPWRdDYBkw/s200/dry+shampoo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
This post by Mollie and the conversation that went on in the post, reminded me why I adore Mollie.<br />
Now how did I meet Mollie?<br />
Through the world of books. <br />
<br />
As well as my passion for art, I am an avid reader, a collector of books. I have a large collection of books both in hard copy and ebook formats, fiction and non-fiction. Some call it an addiction but I like to think of it as expansion of the mind and senses. Years ago when I thought about buying an ereader, I was in a book rut and I was a bit hesitant. I thought, oh no, I cannot go against tradition and buy a book that's not a 'real' book. Well pooh, pooh, to that, how my thoughts have changed. As soon as I had finished my first ebook I was hooked, I was hungry for more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae33cBueocuUYj7T9xC2Bxwl8W1IQnslrHIoM6tu6-ao4kSqiEy4MvH4mzWDye93FOUglIVxkdOLe7t9iRr3ODK1AHkZa3LHopLwmQs9_k18rtzlje3pifWw1_yiNB8bYJ80IHCavZpk/s1600/book+addict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae33cBueocuUYj7T9xC2Bxwl8W1IQnslrHIoM6tu6-ao4kSqiEy4MvH4mzWDye93FOUglIVxkdOLe7t9iRr3ODK1AHkZa3LHopLwmQs9_k18rtzlje3pifWw1_yiNB8bYJ80IHCavZpk/s1600/book+addict.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Through google, facebook and blogs, I discovered the world of indie authors, ie self published, independent authors, book review bloggers and a whole world of ebooks that are not in print form. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Through this new world of social connection, I was able to interact with people that loved the same books as I did, talk to them about the books, get valued opinions on said books and then share my opinions through online book reviewing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3NKaL4aO3TlvlsR5Pk4D4iBMH-daEE4XwbMVfbDx_XzCw4m4U-EhyIGKlzIBhncD1GpzNu2YeEP2cD8ct9ammYDgJqQIV8iyDxw23Ew0I2QI_zRwn3m7N_NfKa8WcMWepsis9sSKUkg/s1600/book+with+flying+letters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3NKaL4aO3TlvlsR5Pk4D4iBMH-daEE4XwbMVfbDx_XzCw4m4U-EhyIGKlzIBhncD1GpzNu2YeEP2cD8ct9ammYDgJqQIV8iyDxw23Ew0I2QI_zRwn3m7N_NfKa8WcMWepsis9sSKUkg/s320/book+with+flying+letters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
One such person who has changed the way I look at books and book reviews is <a href="http://toughcriticbookreviews.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Mollie Harper</a><a href="http://toughcriticbookreviews.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank"> at Tough Critic Book Reviews</a>. She is one of my favourite reviewers, someone I look for when I need an honest reaction to a book that I am looking to read. She does not shy away from telling it like it is with a bit or a lot of humour and fun thrown in to her reviews. Through Mollie, I have been introduced to books that have pushed all my emotional buttons, books that take me out of my comfort zone, and books that I can really 'feel'.<br />
<br />
The books that I read may not be your cup of tea but this isn't about that, it is about finding those nuggets of gold and having someone like Mollie to point those nuggets out. Thank you Mollie Harper.<br />
<br />
Well, I'm off to make another batch of that yummy slice, because I just have to test it out one more time so I know that the recipe I will be giving you tomorrow is right.<br />
<br />
Namaste<br />
Lee</div>
<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-21236973300076725352013-08-28T00:00:00.000+10:002013-08-28T00:00:00.186+10:00Day 27 - Another art supply you must have, seriously!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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An arty post today about gelli printing</div>
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A link to a you tube video was posted in one of my facebook groups about
making your own gelli printing plate. There is one <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9taUh073vQ" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6BQo63zsvA" target="_blank">here. </a>It only had 3 ingredients so I
thought, well why not give it a go. So I did.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYF5AAO0mxeuBdDWe6hQ_T5vZhoC8MATtzCMKsro6vnno2f52Hovli8cvOdSx1DRW4rZg-26Eu6jIlXI-8_Zl2t9kUucdHar1agjsffIDy-M-2xciJcjsJeIvs_5Rh9gabmD3bDrNEH4/s1600/20130827_180434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYF5AAO0mxeuBdDWe6hQ_T5vZhoC8MATtzCMKsro6vnno2f52Hovli8cvOdSx1DRW4rZg-26Eu6jIlXI-8_Zl2t9kUucdHar1agjsffIDy-M-2xciJcjsJeIvs_5Rh9gabmD3bDrNEH4/s320/20130827_180434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The basic recipe as given by The Frugal Crafter(the first video) is</div>
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1 1/2 cups of cold water</div>
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1 1/2 cups of glycerine</div>
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6 tablespoons of gelatine</div>
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mix together and warm gently in a saucepan till the gelatine is dissolved. At this stage mine still looked cloudy but I didn't want it to harden or go gluggy so I poured it into the tray and skimmed off any air bubbles or white filmy stuff. I just bought a cheap container from the $2 shop that had a lid on it for storing. Just remember to leave it to set with NO lid on or you will get condensation on the top and it will not then be flat to print on. Also, it is winter here so I let it set out of the fridge and it was fine. It easily pops out when set.</div>
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As it set it became transparent.Apparently the glycerine stops the mix from going mouldy so it should last a long time. </div>
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I love this part, lifting up the cardstock to reveal what is underneath</div>
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I can see so much potential here</div>
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Look at all those lovely patterns and colours</div>
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I still have to get the right amount of paint on the gelli plate but each print got better and better.<br />
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I can see background papers for art journal spreads, patterned papers for use in cards and bookmarks, great backgrounds for doodles, the list is endless</div>
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these almost look like batik</div>
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While it won't replace my usual background making in my journal, I will be playing with this again and using it to compliment my backgrounds. It is so quick and easy that it is a great addition to my art supplies.</div>
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Namaste</div>
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Lee</div>
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<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-52621746150516137772013-08-27T07:46:00.000+10:002013-08-27T07:46:10.507+10:00Day 26 - Relationships that make you feel good down to your bones...<div style="text-align: center;">
Last post I spoke briefly about my friendships and I said that I don't go for the number of friends but the quality. I will always choose to have a small group of good friends rather than a whole plethora of acquaintances. Some of my friendships are with people half a world away that I have only formed through Facebook and blogging, some are right here in my backyard. I am shy when making new friends, worried as to whether they don't want the friendship as much as I do, I loose confidence in myself and get scared of the rejection, that usually never comes, by the way. Sometimes I forget things and I feel that I'm not being a good friend, I sometimes analyse whether I am doing things that a friend "should" but I read a great line in <a href="https://effy-wild.squarespace.com/blog/2013/8/26/blogalong-with-effy-2630" target="_blank">Effy's blog post today</a> - "The thing is that your people will love you. Period.There's no scrambling to be good enough required. There's no need to
bend and shape yourself into an acceptable configuration. You can be
you, and they will just love you." I think I will type this out and stick it on my mirrors, my fridge and anywhere that will be in my face in times of doubt. </div>
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Today my Book Of Days spread is about family. A few weeks ago we travelled up to my Mum and Dad's place to throw Dad a surprise 80th birthday party. My sister and her family travelled down from northern NSW and we travelled up from Melbourne to meet in the middle. It was the first time all the cousins had been together for a number of years and I wish it had been longer, but you take what you can get. As well as my friends, my family accept who I am - well they can't really get rid of me :) Even though we are thousands of km's apart we never loose sight of what is important. For Dad's party we gathered close friends and family and, for a man who doesn't like normally like the fuss of party's, particularly for himself, he thoroughly enjoyed it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4g1oAScB_AoRuTyQRR8SmcJHpGkiEENR8X7PwlvtAs6kJenu8LFlPV4epOrOC8cDJwH8hAgPUCWv5kbm7pvEJZv4oIK3X4Lit2LpH50xk1emitR6AANDxAEh6Zkz1sxkw1MavDlfJFyM/s1600/20130824_173451+(600+x+450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4g1oAScB_AoRuTyQRR8SmcJHpGkiEENR8X7PwlvtAs6kJenu8LFlPV4epOrOC8cDJwH8hAgPUCWv5kbm7pvEJZv4oIK3X4Lit2LpH50xk1emitR6AANDxAEh6Zkz1sxkw1MavDlfJFyM/s640/20130824_173451+(600+x+450).jpg" width="640" /></a><i>Spread was made with</i></div>
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<i>napkins, paint, manilla tags and coin envelopes, black aqualip pens and white signo pen </i></div>
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Far too often we let this crazy pace of life get in the way of connecting with those close to us. It's time's like these that we are reminded that we have to make the time, even if only for a short message or text to say hello, or an hour long phone call to catch up. Life's too short.</div>
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Nurture those relationships that feed your soul, that make you feel good right down to your bones.</div>
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Namaste</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lee</div>
ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-11084970021585058472013-08-26T21:20:00.000+10:002013-08-26T21:20:29.490+10:00Day 25 - inspiration, sharing and gratefulness<div style="text-align: center;">
I teach art journal classes once a month at a local scrapbook shop. I teach because I love sharing, I teach because I want everyone to experience the joy I feel when I art journal. I teach because I love the people I meet. I teach because it's fun. If there is one thing that I strive for when I teach an art journal or art class, it is that I want to inspire people. I want to inspire them to try something new, I want to inspire them to spend time in their art space, I want to inspire them to express themselves more fully through art in all its forms. The greatest joy for me, when teaching, is seeing that smile on a students face when they realise they can do something they thought previously out of reach, that blissful smile when they finish an art journal spread or painting and they are thoroughly happy with, that smile when a breakthrough happens, when confidence grows, when senses are awakened.</div>
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Yesterday I was guest speaker at a local art society and I was invited to share my thoughts, knowledge and passion for art journaling. I was speaking to a group that 98% had never heard of or tried art journaling. They were so open to new possibilities that the 1 1/2 hours flew by. At the beginning (while I was setting up my display of my art journals and things I have made with art journaling, like cards, bookmarks, etc), during and at the end of my talk I had such positive feedback that I was smiling from ear to ear. I was ecstatic to see sparks of creativity igniting. To be told that I was an inspiration was so gratifying.<br />
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I am humbled.</div>
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So, in the tradition of paying it forward, backwards and upside down, I'd like to share with you my greatest inspirations over the last few years as I ventured into art journaling and the evolving of my paintings.</div>
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<a href="http://www.woodberrydesigns.com.au/artist.htm" target="_blank"><b>Kerryanne English from Shabby Art Boutique</b></a> - A good friend of mine introduced me to Kerryanne via the blog world and told me of an online intro to art journal class that Kerryanne was running. We signed up, not knowing what this art form was but it sounded like fun. After the first lesson I was hooked. I loved Kerryannes approach to making it simple, creative and fun. I loved the way she taught me that you only need 15minutes to art journal, if that is all the time you have. <br />
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<a href="http://www.iamjournalartista.com/" target="_blank"><b>Paula Philips aka Journal Artista</b></a> - Paula was one of the first art journalers that I found on you tube and I fast became a fan of her videos and her blog. I love Paula's approach, the fun that she has with her art journaling and the grungy style of her pages. When I was able I loved connecting with Paula via her online streaming. Alas now the time zones don't coincide so I have to be content with replays.<br />
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<a href="http://effywild.com/teaching/" target="_blank"><b>Effy Wild and the Glitterhood</b> </a>- I've taken a number of classes with Effy and am currently enjoying the Book of Days. I love Effy's no nonsense approach, her honesty, her forthrightness and fearlessness she brings to every page. Effy has taught me to embrace me own inner turtle, which I frequently have to do with my work/family/art balance constantly being tested. I have learned so much from Effy about how to dig real deep in an art journal spread and create beautiful works of art that are intimate to me yet able to be share. Effy's strength of character is a constant source of inspiration to me when i am overwhelmed. <br />
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<a href="http://artoftracyverdugo.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>Tracy Verdugo</b></a>- I took a workshop with Tracy last year and it changed my whole view of my art. It changed the way i approached the canvas, it changed the way I approached the whole creative process. I finally feel as if I have developed my own style of painting that is me, expressed on a canvas. Tracy's style of teaching is so encouraging, confidence building and nurturing and I hope to be attending Tracey's workshop in Melbourne next year. Tracy gave me the confidence to truly express 'me' on the canvas.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.willowing.org/" target="_blank">Tamara LaPorte </a>-</b> my first class on faces was with Tam. The way that Tam talks to you, steers you in the right direction while encouraging your own style to come through in your faces is fantastic. </div>
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<b>My tribes, my friends, my art class buddies</b> - I am not one to have a many friends on Facebook just for the number on my screen. I have always been a close circle of friends kind of girl and I am forever grateful to those that I am lucky enough to call my friends in my art circles. They are a constant source of encouragement, support, fun and inspiration to me.<br />
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Please go and show my friends some love and see why they are such an inspiration to me<br />
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Namaste<br />
Lee </div>
ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-33438022150396872382013-08-21T18:20:00.002+10:002013-08-21T18:20:22.634+10:00Day 20 - the changing face of art groups<div style="text-align: center;">
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Firstly, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read my posts, I really appreciate it.<br />
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Last weekend my art society had their AGM and, as we have done over the past couple of years, we discussed how to entice people to join and stay members, as well as where the past members have gone. It was pretty clear that the face of art groups and how they come together and interact and ultimately stay together, has changed. It hasn't happened overnight, it is part of the whole changing face of social interaction in society as a whole.</div>
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As we sat there all warm inside but listening to and watching the cold, wet, blustery, unpleasant day outside, we all agreed that to survive we have to really look outside our normal box of what to offer our members and then keep them.</div>
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Remember when we all would go to our weekly class and get together for whatever craft you do? It was really a social as well as hands on experience, forming new friendships, sharing a cuppa, sharing ideas and techniques, learning new skills - having face to face time. </div>
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For whatever reason, and there are plenty of them, times change, peoples' wants change, and either we don't have the ability to make these classes, meetings, workshops because of the our financial situations, or because a lot more mums work now, or we have found a different way to satisfy our creative passion like online classes and you tube videos, which are convenient and cost effective. It is a real struggle nowadays to get volunteers for the committee, a struggle to get bums on seats at workshops and conventions.<br />
I am the first to put up my hand as a student of online classes, and I love them. I've learned so many things that I would not have had the opportunity to learn purely because of these online classes, but I think you also need to factor in creative time, face to face interaction and connection into your schedule as well. In the end I think there is room for it all.<br />
I'd be interested to know how many people now only do online classes, face to face classes or a mix of both.<br />
I have met some wonderful people online, a lot that I will never have the opportunity to meet in person, but their words of wisdom, compassion, and friendship have a special place in my heart. We still have to have that personal contact though, it feeds our soul on a different level, and I'm all for feeding my soul what my soul needs, desires and wishes for.<br />
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In other words I want both. Is that greedy?<br />
I call it being well rounded :)<br />
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Namaste<br />
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Lee </div>
ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-86718544599904226872013-08-18T20:05:00.003+10:002013-08-18T20:05:42.130+10:00Day 17 - Trust<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd like to share my latest Book of Days spread today. It was all about trust - trust in yourself, trust in the universe. It is so easy to get caught up in the negativity of a situation. In the
end, what is important is not what happened but your reaction to it. I
trust that everything in this universe happens for a reason, even if at
the time, that reason is not clear. I trust that in time it will be
revealed, I trust that i am never given anything I cannot handle, and I
trust that the universe always has my back. Whether it is a simple
physical setback or something else, I try to see them all the same and
find the solution, the positive, the lesson. </div>
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This week has had a couple of challenges. </div>
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When I sat down to record them in my Book of Days, I realised that the common thread of these challenges was that they required trust.</div>
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This technique, Effy called a pulled face because the background is done first, totally intuitive, with no outcome in mind. Then you find faces in the page and go with however they present themselves. This was sort of like a meditation when this face appeared. I didn't know how I was going to write about this week until the face appeared. I love this style of painting, like automatic writing, like meditations. </div>
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Namaste</div>
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Lee</div>
ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-24783628349382187282013-08-17T11:57:00.004+10:002013-08-17T11:57:55.360+10:00Day 16 - shopping, cleaning, baking, eating<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday was my artists date as Effy talked about in <a href="https://effy-wild.squarespace.com/blog/2013/8/15/blogalong-with-effy-1530-artist-date" target="_blank">this blog post</a> and as written about by Julia Cameron in the Artists Way. It is a day to yourself that you spend doing something related to art.</div>
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My artist date was to one of my favourite art store Artshed. I wandered around here for ages and this is only half of the shop.</div>
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It is huge and full of so many, many things that I love. I do a fair bit of online shopping for art supplies but nothing beats going and seeing, touching, smelling, feeling art supplies. Well that sounds a little creepy but my art friends will vouch for this fixation and addiction to art supplies. I already have so many brushes as <a href="http://artfulleedesigned.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/day-8-dare-taken-up.html" target="_blank">seen here</a> in a recent blog post but a girl can never ever have TOO many can she? </div>
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Apart from paint, I think my favourite art supplies that I just keep buying are brushes, canvases, and pencils of all sorts. What are your favourite art supplies that you cannot resist buying even though you have a healthy stash at home already?</div>
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Due to my shopping trip and a bit of housework that needed to be done I didn't put brush to canvas.</div>
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Although I may not have put paint to canvas yesterday but , I did pick up a lot of canvases, quite a few new paintbrushes, cans of picture varnish and fixative and some charcoal pencils, and a few other little bits and pieces, all essential to my creative pursuit.</div>
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Today is our art society's AGM so no painting until tomorrow but I did do a bit of baking this morning and just have to share this recipe. Those close to me know that I have cut out sugar in my diet over the past 18 months and have been gluten intolerant for the past 8 years so it is always a bit of a challenge to find something tasty for afternoon tea. Usually when you go gluten free you find that all the products available substitute sugar for the gluten so you end up giving up one thing and eating too much of something else that is bad for you. </div>
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I recently came across this recipe and I recommend it to anyone. I replaced the raisins for dates and will be making it regularly. I also used "fake" maple syrup as it has 1/2 the sugar of real maple syrup - go figure! I have decided that I will be cutting it up and freezing it so I don't eat it all in one go. Even though it is low carb, low sugar, gluten and lactose free it is still a treat.</div>
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<a href="http://simplylivinghealthy.org/2012/05/14/grain-free-cinnamon-coffee-cake-with-maple-drizzle/" target="_blank">Here is the recipe from the Simply Living Healthy Blog</a> and here is how mine turned out. </div>
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My drizzle isn't as white but it tastes fantastic. I even made my own coconut butter to use in the drizzle, which was easier that I thought too. You can find <a href="http://www.delightedmomma.com/2013/05/homemade-coconut-butter.html" target="_blank">those instructions here</a>.<br />
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Have a yummy weekend everyone. Hope you are spending it with friends and loved ones</div>
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Namaste</div>
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Lee</div>
<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-29906135258784893402013-08-16T07:48:00.000+10:002013-08-16T07:48:24.355+10:00Day 15 - the evolution of a painting<div style="text-align: center;">
I spoke in an earlier post of taking progression photos of my art. I love to capture each stage and I love looking back to see how it all came to be. I love to see the way a painting evolves, changing with each layer, becoming more unique with each brush stroke, each splash of ink or paint, each wash of colour, each highlight and shadow. </div>
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I particularly love this style of painting, which I learned from the <a href="http://artoftracyverdugo.blogspot.com.au/p/workshops-and-retreats_1.html" target="_blank">amazing Tracy Verdugo</a>, and I would recommend that if you ever have a chance to paint with Tracy you do it. </div>
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I love the whole process. For me, these paintings are totally intuitive and, while I may have an idea of the colours I would like to use or if have inspiration from a photo I have taken, I still never know exactly what the finished painting will look like till the end. I don't have a recipe for mixing colours that I use. Most of the time they are mixed on the canvas as I use them.</div>
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This is a 1.5m x 0.6m painting that I have just finished this week for a dear friend.</div>
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the first layers </div>
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some serious drippage</div>
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The finished painting</div>
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All it needs is a few coats of varnish and it's ready to hang.</div>
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Namaste</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lee</div>
ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-37219941294321405862013-08-15T11:30:00.000+10:002013-08-15T11:30:00.369+10:00Day 14 - embracing the season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Embracing each season is my wish today. My quest is to find the beauty in winter and embrace it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">This seasonal 'down-ness' every year cannot continue, I've decided so time to do something about it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully doing this will get me out of my 'stuckness'. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">To that end, I took these photos today just outside my office at work and made a decision to be conscious of finding the light in the dark of this time of year. You know what else I noticed, the birds are singing. Now that is a sure sign spring is on it's way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look at all the texture and patterns in those leaves, the bright happy yellow of the wattle flowers, the combination of the cycle of the seasons</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUD2CAMX_MhQvuldfCmwkn5-eqGxhFNxubSo6kASt3TgrhrXyvATygrneeXyDChysASQfIv8qkW5GXoRI1dKX1z8sjcNOF-bS2SS25yc_DjTjVqSpPf0tZ5s35wSNgLvODbUQ8cbrF698/s1600/20130807_102703+(600+x+450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUD2CAMX_MhQvuldfCmwkn5-eqGxhFNxubSo6kASt3TgrhrXyvATygrneeXyDChysASQfIv8qkW5GXoRI1dKX1z8sjcNOF-bS2SS25yc_DjTjVqSpPf0tZ5s35wSNgLvODbUQ8cbrF698/s320/20130807_102703+(600+x+450).jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still a bit of time till the end of winter but this just popped into my head. I'm no poet, just random thoughts about this season and reframing what it means to me</span>.</span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Winter's end</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>wind and rain</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>washing clean</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>mind and soul</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>ready for renewal</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>ready for new growth</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>ready for living outside</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ready for life</span> </span></i></span></div>
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Namaste</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lee</div>
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<br />ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-31822295380468422972013-08-14T23:23:00.004+10:002013-08-14T23:23:54.544+10:00Day 13 - busy means you're alive, right?<div style="text-align: center;">
Are you busy all the time or do you have spare time to just sit and 'be'?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYqFfgulvUGS3gQDmT6r-J5uqJvVsTbfVeMqEHMw4TekS1YCjadz9g3TLUa651G4caw5mi9WsOihkdbivlgJtdVUQNnM3aQqtS8agDSYVTWzYizws_l7N5mDQfkhY1SHaBafDmEIE4F0/s1600/20130811_145615+(600+x+450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYqFfgulvUGS3gQDmT6r-J5uqJvVsTbfVeMqEHMw4TekS1YCjadz9g3TLUa651G4caw5mi9WsOihkdbivlgJtdVUQNnM3aQqtS8agDSYVTWzYizws_l7N5mDQfkhY1SHaBafDmEIE4F0/s400/20130811_145615+(600+x+450).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Do you multi task or do you do one task at a time?</div>
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Me? I seem to be busy all the time, I often multi-task. Often words like 'not enough hours in the day' fall from my lips, run around in my head and invade my quiet time. It's not that I don't enjoy sitting and just relaxing, I just can't seem to say no to adding things to my to-do list or finding something to occupy my time. I like my art time, although I never seem to get to my studio as often as I would like. I like my time to read although the list of books in my tbr list is growing by the day. I enjoy my meditation time but always seem to be squeezing it in to my day. I like being busy, it makes me feel alive, useful and like I'm not wasting time, because you only live once, right?</div>
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We all search for that elusive 'balance' , the work-life, social balance, the productive time vs relaxation time balance. We spend so much time working out how to get the balance that we are back at square one with no time to spare. The mind gets overloaded and you end up doing nothing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pY8kKVRtI6_5xjS0mnhNMzLjkoa0D1uouSQ5ubUf90yb0trw_ocyipGc5j-7-YWn9iQaXeuE2Nnnv0Od9y3Gim0Y3LUu3bXfJ-4CZnH9F9zf1YQ5UsvyeyMZX1_ehir_2wAVvy_tmT4/s1600/20130403_133105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pY8kKVRtI6_5xjS0mnhNMzLjkoa0D1uouSQ5ubUf90yb0trw_ocyipGc5j-7-YWn9iQaXeuE2Nnnv0Od9y3Gim0Y3LUu3bXfJ-4CZnH9F9zf1YQ5UsvyeyMZX1_ehir_2wAVvy_tmT4/s400/20130403_133105.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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When did you just do one thing at a time? My mornings before work involve reading while eating my breakfast, planning my shopping list, reviewing my diary for the week ahead. The other night I was having my nightly cuppa while catching up on my art video watching, reading a novel, watching tv. Now how can you really take all that in the way it is supposed to be experienced? Not very well, let me tell you. </div>
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Time to choose consciously how I spend my time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcj9ZKrr8NqzzufkPFSpGBObvxDe4iLP1d1EujmXY0PrHVaCCbm3Cs5wS2HsDkiKBEprXTP7NfYcv9M6c2Gk-CmZU8Y0tjb8ForzGkCsGonR__-aRzV_Ejz2TwIdGfyNjdzKaNjcRu4sE/s1600/20130811_145634+(600+x+450).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Speaking of time; it is time, in my mind, for this winter to end. I've had enough of the cold, the rain and the wind keeping me awake at night. Bring on spring, the renewal season, the season of growth, the glorious colours of flowers blooming and the sounds of life all around us. </div>
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Namaste</div>
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Lee </div>
ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558784090871034930.post-41659900589910716342013-08-13T07:57:00.000+10:002013-08-13T07:57:12.004+10:00Day 12 - Find Your Voice<div style="text-align: center;">
A few days behind, but better late than never, I say.. </div>
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So my voice came back last week, finally. It's all about listening to your body and doing what it is asking, isn't it. All week I have been mediating daily, and concentrating on relaxing my throat, speaking my true voice and being present. When you lose your voice in a literal sense, and then get it back again, you also work out what you really need to say and what is just unnecessary gap-filling chatter. Better to try to be present in all that you say.</div>
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On Saturday I taught my art journal class and we were playing with gel medium transfers, and using gel medium as a resist. For the resist layer, I doodled on a background layer with the gel medium in a little squeeze bottle that has a tip on it to write with. The transferred image was the second or third to last layer.</div>
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I have the original sample page and the two pages I taught in each class, hence the 3 variations here of the same class. Here is the original sample page.</div>
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I must say that I've had mixed results with this in the past so I was prepared for unpredictable and varying results. I don't have a laser printer at hand so have really wanted to find a way to use ink jet prints in this technique and I think I've found a way that works for me. This is not a new technique, it has been all over the internet for a while now, but it takes a bit of practice. Of course, everyone still has different outcomes depending on the brand medium you use, the amount of medium you use, how much water you use and the amount of pressure you use when rubbing off the paper. </div>
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This is the result from the morning class.. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCWSy3tU-EDgwnrqP1tjoCJXOi0fE4Ys2q1ssI2pKfLEFTrucOcZ1pfZsLeLvtTKqVmRT8JfE634W9-Rw9-Ou6nYj3oBaK15ZiyG8rN9yu2IC5Z40EUjZiyg_I0Bck7WUpksDu9gKP5A/s1600/peace+resides+within+(600+x+430).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCWSy3tU-EDgwnrqP1tjoCJXOi0fE4Ys2q1ssI2pKfLEFTrucOcZ1pfZsLeLvtTKqVmRT8JfE634W9-Rw9-Ou6nYj3oBaK15ZiyG8rN9yu2IC5Z40EUjZiyg_I0Bck7WUpksDu9gKP5A/s400/peace+resides+within+(600+x+430).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm happy to say that it worked really well and particularly for first timers, my students came away with really lovely results. I found that the balance between the amount of water you use when soaking the dried image, preparing for the removal of the paper; and the amount of pressure you use when rubbing the paper, was the key. Too much water and you end up rubbing off the whole image, too little and it doesn't rub off the white layer of paper. Too much pressure and you rub holes in the image, too little and it will take ages. </div>
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This is the page from the afternoon class.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nNONfe0wIpBt2fYhN994VROAmC4DP7n9Cb7qoINa-hRMFP9REcySuaaQ6TTqZo4O4ruDdOd-fJQ-8ZhK33pFw4eM8Jgx4z76wCXTh4wwxd9uUlfcwqUhIURCqJOP7QIihnbuQb7Vq0U/s1600/find+your+voice(432+x+600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nNONfe0wIpBt2fYhN994VROAmC4DP7n9Cb7qoINa-hRMFP9REcySuaaQ6TTqZo4O4ruDdOd-fJQ-8ZhK33pFw4eM8Jgx4z76wCXTh4wwxd9uUlfcwqUhIURCqJOP7QIihnbuQb7Vq0U/s400/find+your+voice(432+x+600).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Supplies used-</i></div>
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<i>Atelier Regular Gel medium Gloss</i></div>
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<i>Jo Sonja paints in Brown Madder, Permanent Alizarin, Yellow Oxide, Titanium White</i></div>
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<i>Various Kaisercraft background stamps - Dictionary meaning, Flourish, Distress </i></div>
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It's all in the touch. </div>
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I use my fingers a lot in my art journal pages. I like the feel of what the paint is doing and I really get a true idea of the readiness of the page for more layers or ability to keep blending and working the paint. It connects me with the page. It is me being present and fully in the process. It doesn't have to be a lot of finger painting, so try it. While it gives wonderfully different textural results, see how much more connected you feel with your page.</div>
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Namaste</div>
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Lee</div>
ArtfulLee Designedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15256415041332531967noreply@blogger.com2