It feels so good

The past month has been so busy with work and projects.  I've cleaned my room, sorted thru my past projects and pages and have a new sense of creative storms brewing thru my head.  I have a stack of projects to do and don't know where to start.  Here are a few more pieces that I came across and I love.

Here are some samples from classes I have taught in the past.

A Kaiserkraft minibook.  I saw the line in the store and just started creating.  It was quite freeing to just make something without a plan in my head.  And it's not my "normal" color range, but very fun!

My Graphic 45 Alice in Wonderland envelope minibook with tags.  Possibly my favorite.....

Thanks for looking.

just a quickie

Wanted to post a couple of recent pages.  Lately much of my "free time" has been spent volunteering.  During the summer months I don't get to do as much because it's just too hot for me, so I've started with things I can do, including a scrapbook.  Simple, but I'm pleased with the pages.  I have another one on my table right now pending a title.

On a separate note, my first canvas.

That's it - I'm going to do it

I'm going to bust out of this rut I'm in.  Reallly - I am.  It may be a fleeting moment, but I feel some real freedom in the wind right now.

So here is how I am going to start.  I'm not looking back at my scrapbook pages.  I'm not going to worry about the box of what I planned on doing.  I'm starting here.

Last year for Christmas, I bought Kayla the box set of Keri Smith books.  I've also had a previous book - I think it's called Tear This Up - on my shelf for years.  Last month I saw this in Barnes and Noble and it just tickled my fancy.  I know the book has been out a while, but it really caught my attention this time.  It's been resting on my scrapbook table with a few other things until this evening when I swear it called my name.  

Boy did I answer.  I busted out the stickers, 2 different embossing powders, my pen and 2 distress inks.  

If you don't know me - I'm a little on the shy side with experimenting.  It's a habit I've been trying to break for years and it looks like I may have finally accomplished that goal.  That's for another post another time.

So I put my name on the book, covered it in the powders to help hold down the stickers (and I was curious how they would look) and just to be "safe", I've inked the cover, dropped the ink pad on it a couple of times, sprayed it with water and now I don't have to worry about a clean book.

Down to business.  

To complete the book it says I must have:

Journal - check. 

Scissors - check

some glue - yep - got that covered.

a stapler - have one, but no staples.  

a needle and thread - have them, not sure I'll use them.

a digital camera - check check and check

a good eye - just one.

a courageous spirit - I'm trying :)

Alright - off to go start finishing my book.

night!

Just sitting here, reflecting

I've been thinking for weeks now, wondering where my time goes and what my life has brought me to in the past few years.  I think about this blog and how I really just didn't embrace it.  I'll be honest, I wasn't ready at the time and I'm still not sure I'll ever be one of those people who can blog daily. 

The past fews years have been a struggle, to say the least.  So many changes have occured, and overall, I'm a happier person now that we are thru it.  I think I have my priorities straight.  I think doesn't sound overall like a commitment, but life changes and you have to roll with it.  That has been my lesson.

 Last year I gave myself the word "permission".  It was permission to create, lash out, cry, feel, make decisions, etc.  This year my word is free and so I am trying to live it - again going with the moment, enjoying each experience as it comes to me and the freedom to say "I don't want to when" I don't want to do something. 

My house is a bit more messy and I haven't truly crafted in a while.  I've spent the past two years trying to get the room into a new place and it's good.  It's coming along.  I'm making tweeks to where things are, what makes sense for my workstyle.  basically, like any relationship, working at it.  I had to fall in love again with this hobby of mine.  In the meantime I'm volunteering and filling up my heart with things that make me happy. 

As for scrapbooking, I purged a bunch of supplies and I'm still sorting thru others.  I'm categorizing and simplifying.  It feels good.   I think I'm almost there.....wish me luck and hopefully I'll have something posted soon.