Creative Therapy and Post 100

Wow! One hundred posts! I can't believe it! What an interesting experiment it has been so far! It's a strange beast, this blog thing. I really feel as if I'm writing to myself most of the time, even though I'm aware that others will read it. I guess it's that delayed response that does make it feel more like a journal then a public posting. Then the comments come, and you realize that there are people out there reading it, from all over the world, and it morphs into an exchange rather than a recording. I remember the thrill I got when I read comments from international readers. It was, and still is, so amazing to think that someone is sitting at there computer on the other side of the earth, looking at your work. I think it does have the power to bring the world closer together. 

Another thing I'm absolutely thrilled about is my new art journal class at MDW on September 27 at 1:30. I have been waiting to teach an art based class, and there couldn't be a better one for me then art journaling. I know it is quite en vogue now, but I've been doing it all of my life. I even took a feminist journal writing class in college. As Matt and I were bringing the books back in from the garage last night (new bookshelves, wahoo!!!), I could fill up a whole cube with journaling/creativity/artists books, some I've had since college.  Yet, I'm still working on the details of the curriculum. I've been doing this for so long, I'm not sure what would entice somebody new to art journaling to try it. I know what I like, but will others like it, too? I hope that if I teach my passion, it will ignite the passions of others. I just hope I can spark it enough to get them to sign up in the first place!

Which leads me to today's entry for Creative Therapy. It is an art journal page, for the topic, "What's the one quality you look for in a romantic partner?" If I had to pick just one, I'd have to go with a sense of humor. It's what's gotten us through tight patches, defused arguments, and just plain made life fun. It may not be the most "romantic" quality, but it's a relationship lifesaver and spark at the same time. 15th anniversary this December, so I'd say it's working pretty darn well for us!

catalyst 16

Happy Fourth of July! Little known fact, but I was a poly sci major when I entered college, and at one point aspired to be in Congress. That didn't last long, and although I'm not as involved in politics as I used to be, I've made my donation to the Obama campaign and will hold another national mock election in my social studies classes this year. Our process may not be perfect, but I do believe in it and am grateful for the rights and freedoms I enjoy in this great nation. Happy Birthday, United Sates! Maybe now I'll go make a party hat, as my daughter suggested...

Didn't get last week's catalyst up, but here is this week's from Creative Therapy. The theme was your Dream Home. My husband thinks about this a lot, and has great plans (probably from his architecture/engineering background), but honestly, I don't. Sure, I'd love to have a studio, and an extra room for an office and the weight equipment would be nice. A lush, green backyard that went on for miles would be heaven, especially if it had lots of shade. But you know what? I love my little house. It has super high ceilings and open architecture that makes it feel big and airy. I may have to work in the family room, but that means I'm not separate from my kids (or the dinner in the oven). Yes, the backyard is small, but it requires very little work. A smaller house means a smaller carbon footprint. I think I dream instead about he improvements I'd like to make - a new fireplace (I hate the icky beige marble!), new kitchen cabinets (oak does not give off that modern vibe), and new tile showers (those fiberglass all-in-ones should be illegal!). That's my dream - improve what I have, instead of dwelling on what I don't. 

We have a winner!

Jennifer H.! Email me your address and I'll get those goodies out to you! Lots of projects this week, but what I'm really excited about is my class on Thursday evening at My Daughter's Wish.  It's my favorite kind of class - techniques! We'll get to play with shaving cream, alcohol inks and modge podge to create some really cool cards. These are a few samples, but the emphasis of this class will be playing with the techniques, not a specific project. I still have a few spots left, so call the store if you'd like to come explore with us!

I'm a Cover Girl!

Just got word that my card will be featured on the cover of the Aug/Sept issue of Stampers' Sampler! I even get a short article on their web page! I screamed so loud when I read the email that my kids thought something was horribly wrong. They were not amused when I informed them that I was screaming for joy, and even less interested in why. I guess drama is more appealing!

Don't forget to check out my challenge this week for My Daughter's Wish. You can use any medium you'd like to participate, even a written entry on your blog. Also remember to leave a comment here for my RAK! The deadline for both is Saturday, June 21.

The page today is for both the Creative Therapy theme this week and Scrap Stars. I love the topic for Creative Therapy this week - one lesson you'd want to teach your children. It was hard to narrow it down to just one. I'm pretty confident right now in their intellect, and sense of responsibility for their age, so I decided on magic. Yes, I said magic - the magic in life. They see it now, everywhere. We have garden fairies that live in the backyard, Santa came at Christmas, the Tooth Fairy made a visit last week, and seeing a dragonfly or butterfly is a mystical event for them. Unfortunately, too many adults have lost that ability to believe - to see the magic around them. I don't want them to ever forget that it is there, whether you are 5 or 50, it's still all around you. 

While I'm not such a bling girl, the platinum theme from Scrap Stars certainly worked with this page. Ooooh, it's Top Chef, So You Think You Can Dance and Ghost Hunters night! Let's see if I can wade through the projects on my desk and actually catch one of them! ;)

Gutter Girlz, Mixed Media Monday and Arty Girlz

Gutter Girlz is a rockin' new challenge blog, and with a name like that, how could I refuse? The theme is what makes you feel like a woman (aka Man, I Feel Like A Woman song) AND to use pantyhose! I've used a lot of things in my art, but never hose! How appropriate that the theme for Mixed Media Monday is trying something new. Arty Girlz has the theme of a touch of pink this week; lovely how they all worked together! I think my favorite part of this piece is the photograph. I used my daughter's pink boa around my heel, and I love the color reflection on the shoe. Again, props to my dad! (See Sunday's post about his photographs here, and don't forget to leave a comment to be entered for my RAK!!!) 

I read on the internet that pantyhose are out, but I still think they're sexy (well, at least the kind that hook onto a garter belt. I did work at Victoria's Secret back in the day, ya know...;) At least they can be damn sexy on a scrapbook page, and a good use for the ones with holes in them. I love recycling.

Father's Day Challenge and RAK!

Happy Father's Day! I'm hosting my first challenge on My Daughter's Wish's Wishchick blog, and it's in honor of dear old dad! The theme is "something my father gave me", and you can check out all of the details here. You've got a week to play and post, and you can use any medium - layout, card, ATC, written blog post, anything! I'm giving away a RAK for the challenge, but I'm also giving away a RAK here, too! Just leave a comment about what your father gave you, and I'll pick one random winner on Sunday, June 22. You'll need to post by 11:59 pm, Saturday, June 21 to be eligible for the drawing. By the way, Saturday June 21 is my Journey Travel Mini-album class! Check it out on the right:)

Here's what you could win

I have an amazing dad, and there are so many things he has given to me over the years, but since this is an art blog, I thought I'd share his art. Gary is a gifted photographer, and when I was a teenager, he taught me how to use a 35mm. I've been using a point and shoot for the last six years, since my daughter was born, so f settings and such are fuzzy for me now. What has remained is what he taught me about framing shots. Even with my little digital, I stil capture some great photographs because he taught me to see like a photographer. Here are a few of his pictures. They were all too big to fit on my scanner, so I'm afraid they are pictures of pictures, so excuse the poor quality!

These are just a few of the many, many beautiful shots he's taken. Thank you, Gary! Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day RAK post coming soon!

It's 2am and I've been scrapping my heart out with SIStv this weekend, so I just don't have the energy to post right now. I will post by 11am Sunday, promise! Be sure to check back soon! My challenge is posted on the My Daughter's Wish blog, here, so check it out!

Happy Father's Day (especially to my dad, Gary!:)