Book of Days update

Back again to finally show you some art...

While I was away last week, I did do a few pages in my Book of Days which I can show you now.  I am a bit behind in art journaling the pages but because I am also working through Sarah Ban Breathnach's Simple Abundance I am writing it all down so I can refer to it later on. I am really enjoying this process as it stops me from sailing through each week unconscious of what is going on around me but also within me. If you feel like joining in, just visit Book of Days here.

This is a page with the challenge of doing a mosaic of some kind. As you know I love my spirals so this was the shape I first thought of. It expressed perfectly what I was feeling on the day, going within and listening to your inner voice instead of all the chatter that can sometimes send you off course.

  This was my first spread for the start of last week using crafters workshop stencil in the background (white sponged over the stencil on a blue background), glazing with various colours of Copic markers, white paint and punchinella, cut outs of thongs from a scrapbook paper collection, and a white signo pen for the writing.  

 As I had limited supplies, I actually used a few supplies that I don't normally use and it just shows how much you can do with very little. The background for this one was water soluble crayons, then white paint and punchinella and journaling with a black copic marker.

 This last page of the week was to celebrate my youngest sons 20th birthday 

(yes I did say 20 and this makes me feel.... ummmmm... well more advanced in age than I was last year lol).  I am not saying 'old' because I think that it is all in the mind but it did make me pause - in a good way :)

The background was Inktense pencils, a circle border stamp in Black Staz-on and journaling with a purple artline marker and white Signo pen.

The message on the right hand side describes how I was feeling after a lovely relaxing week away, realising that you don't need all the latest gizmos, the clutter of "stuff" and other distractions to make your life complete. Sure they can make it easier but I have found recently that they can also make it more stressful. The technology that was supposed to make our lives easier can often end up taking up more of our time as it gives us more and more things to do while we try to fit it into our already busy lives. 

Sometimes you just need to  

stop, breathe and listen to the stillness. 

Find a quiet retreat, even if for only a few hours and  

just "be". 

This is often when you realise just how much you have to be thankful for.

My quote today is the one I used on this spread.

"Who is content with nothing,

possesses all things."

Have a lovely day

Namaste

Lee

Nearly back from holiday mode

Just checking in while I get back into the swing on things from my holiday at the beach last week. My head is still relaxing in the sun so i would like to share a couple of photos of my week. 

So we were at a lovely beachfront caravan park in Anglesea.

 This was the view that greeted me as i wandered down to see if the tide was high or low....

 .....with my morning cup of tea.

we had lots of lovely beach walks with friends and family...

 drove a little way down the Great Ocean Road.....

 saw some spectacular coastline.....

 worked a bit in my Book Of Days journal.....

 more beach walks, swimming and catching waves on the boogie boards....

 and shared breakfast and afternoon tea with a little family of wrens that came and visited us each day at our campsite.

I did work in my Book of Days which I will share later in the week.
So you can see why I am taking a few days to get back into it. I am slowly working my way around to visiting my blogging friends. I am sure I have missed a bit so I can't wait to catch up with you soon.



Have a great week everyone

Namaste

Lee

Happy New Year

Tomorrow, while some in my household have to stay home and work, my youngest son and I are off on a little road trip to see my parents for a week. It will be a rather long drive of about 8 1/2 hours but we have been doing it for a long time now so with some great conversations and some great songs on the ipod Matt and I, will be there before we know it. 

I am taking my art journal and doodling journal so I hope that I can get some art in when I am not at the beach or relaxing spending time with my family.

Here is where I will be, on a beach near Ulladulla, so forgive me if I don't get back online for a week or so.

I thought I would  have a last collection of bags to show you before I go but between packing and taking down the Christmas tree and decorations, I have run out of time so I will show you when I get back. Promise it is my last lot for a while.

I wish you all a Happy New Year and I am looking forward to a great 2012. Please stay safe and have a great week.

Namaste

Lee

Life is good....

I looked out my front window this morning, past my Christmas tree and the sun is shining, the air is warming up and it is going to be a great day......

 the sun was shining on my back deck, 

waking up the inhabitants of our part of this great Earth (even my little dog Tilly)....

 my roses are blooming outside my front door greeting me each day with a delicious aroma, can you smell it?.....

 my little nook where I like to sit and have my morning cuppa was bathed in sunshine......

 and my gardenia bloomed for the first time this season.

Ahhh life is good, isn't it?

I just had to share with you the joyful feeling I have today........... just because.

I have started on my Christmas gifts and cards, finally. Slow and steady right?

Now for some sharing

Are you watching in absolute delight at Tim Holtz 12 days of Christmas? 

I swore last year that I was going to make time and participate this year, and I am, I am watching avidly and finding inspiration with all of the great ideas. Hopefully next week, by the end of the 12 days I can catch up. Actually I could just do the 12 days leading up to Christmas, couldn't I? Sounds good to me.

Did you know about Louise Gale's You Heart Makes a Difference community? 

In Louise's words "Our vision is to inspire you with stories, creative activities, artwork & ideas to nurture your soul, body and heart center. Together, let’s fill our lives with love, color, art and smiles!" It is a lovely community with guest posts and meditations and inspiration. I am happy to say that I will be guest posting next Tuesday so make sure you stop by and say hello. We would love to have you there.

Have you visited Kerryanne's Simply Christmas lately? 

There are some great guest tutorials and lovely decorating ideas and don't forget to join in on her Friday link party to share your Christmas ideas......Another feast for the eyes.

Have you seen this blog? 

It's called Crafty Storage and it is chock full of ideas about how other people store their supplies and how they organise their creative spaces. I thought that now would be a good time to share because if you are anything like me, my studio looks like a cyclone has been through it in all the madness of getting my Christmas things done.

I hope you are finding joy in your day today, no matter how small . The point is that you find it. 

See you later in the week for a Christmas update.

I just love this quote

"Joyfulness keeps the heart and face young. A good laugh makes us better friends with ourselves and everybody around us"

 Orison Swett Marden quotes 

 

Namaste Lee