Just because I don't post doesn't mean I'm not creating!

Work has had me really busy. I mean, REALLY busy. Busy enough so that I have been working on pages in my art journal just to keep my sanity. Busy enough so that I got today off as a "comp day" instead of a vacation. Now that's busy, right?

Anyhow, I've had a lot of fun working on background pages in the journal, and I've also got a couple of pages that might even be done. I'm not sure if they are done, but I think they are. :)

Here's one of my favorite pages so far. I did this on a Saturday morning a few weeks ago. I don't know if it's actually done, but I do know that when I look at it, I feel a sense of peace and tranquility. I love it.

One of the techniques we learned at the art journal workshop was using pages from books, as well as tissue paper. I combined both of them on this page, along with a few pieces of scrapbooking stuff. The white book parts are from the Art Institutes catalog. Several years ago, I dreamed about going there, but eventually gave up because it's about $40,000 a year, way out of my budget. Anyhow, now I'm discovering my own style, and having a blast, and not spending any money at all. Gotta love it!

I'll try to keep posting them as the days go forward. I just took a bunch of pictures of what's done so I have plenty.

Finally, my "word for the year" this year is BLISS, and I'm checking in, mid year, to be sure I'm still following my bliss. I am, although it has taken a different direction than I thought it would at the start of 2010. I've renewed some special friendships, made some new friends, explored my inner hitman (by playing Mafia Wars), and done more art than in previous years. Yea. I'm living it. I'm also truly engaged at work, learning things that I never thought I could, and actually enjoying them. A-mazing. For example, next week, I'll be creating a graphic for a C-level exec's messages. Nice, huh? It's a small thing, but the graphic classes have panned out and I have new skills. I'm also the "button maker" for our team. Gotta love a good button! LOL I'm actually becoming "friendly" with the corporate graphic artist, and he's willing to take my designs and polish them up a bit to finalize them. I'm beyond excited about all of this.

Since I had today off, I made a "Raspberry-Lime Poke Cake." Mmmmmm! Steven's grilling kabobs for dinner, and we'll have cake once we finish. Can't wait.

-Follow your bliss... let it lead, and see where it takes you. <3

Blue Paint

Last night after work I got my nails done. They were beautiful, a French manicure with pink and white tips. Steven and I went out for pizza (Josh is away this week, being a counselor at Camp Campbell Science Camp.). When we got home, I got out the pretty journal and sat fondling it for a bit, then went and got a couple of colors of blue acrylic paints (the kind in the bottles, you know, $1 a bottle). I had stopped at Barnes and Noble on the way home and bought a book on collaging/art journaling and read about a technique where you dump blobs of the paint on the page and then "moosh" it around with your hand. Yes, I did. Really. I need more colors. :) I think I have found something that's comfortable to do in order to get the ball rolling. I did 2 facing pages, and they are really pretty!

Today, I'm sitting here at my desk and all I can think about is getting home to those two pages and adding stuff to them! And that's fine, that's what is supposed to happen. However, as I'm editing some web pages, I glance down at my hands on the keyboard and see a streak of blue paint on one fingernail. I washed my hands, I showered, really I did. I'm thinking it was there to remind me that I have 2 yummy blue pages waiting to be worked on!

My mission for this weekend is to clear off the drafting table that lives in my studio, and to find the floor of the studio while I'm at it. I've been on the go so much that I have neglected things in there, and I've got stuff spread across the house. I need to get that under control so I can focus on this art journal and have a place to relax and enjoy working on it, surrounded by all of my "stuff."

I also read an online article about artist trading cards. I've stayed away from them because I just didn't understand them. Now I'm realizing that, much like the art journal, there isn't anything TO understand. You slap them together and they speak to you as you go. I believe I have had a breakthrough!

Lastly, I've decided I need a bucket list. This whole 50 thing has me thinking about all of the things I've always wanted to do and never done. It's time to make that bucket list before much more of my life flashes past! Go me. I think I could make that a continuing page in my art journal, no? Maybe instead of a simple list I can find images. hmmmm. Liking this idea. Glad I wrote it here.