Still on a 3

I guess life is about balance.

You weigh up the good and the bad and some days the balance tips one way and sometimes it tips the other and sometimes, within the course of a day it swings from one side to the other with no real rhyme or reason.

So let's not dwell on the negative swing today - positive thinking is the best healing in the world anyway.

Let's look at the positive. When I came home from work - sadly early again :( - there was a brand new shiny fridge in situ. It's not on yet as we have to wait six hours before switching it on, but it looks very smart. It is all silver and shiny and there are lots of different shelves and drawers and stuff. We are, quite sadly, very excited about the switch on later. Heck, based on past form we'll just be glad if it cools.

Photo of the day - fridge inspection.

I have something very different to share today - very unusual for me and a totally new departure.

UKS are having an art journal journey. I have never really 'got' art journals. They are generally not my style and the only ones I had ever seen were paper based and by their very nature not something I would ever do as it was messy and involved paint and gesso and glitter and ink and stuff. So totally not me.

However, it was made clear there are digital art journals and that this is fine too. And looking on digital sites - wow - there are loads of them.

I am not sure I am 'free' enough or 'creative' enough for this art form, although everyone says there are no rules and whatever you do is fine because it is you.

However, I figured you never know if you don't try. So on Sunday I did try and this is my first ever art journal page.

I'm not sure quite how I feel about it. However, I am determined to try and make myself  a digital art journal exploring my creativity. We'll see eh! What I will say is that I was very touched by the generous comments everyone made on the boards.

Today I am thankful for

• tentative reassurance
• a new fridge

 

My one minute devotional calendar is, appropriate to today, about art and life.

 When I was a little girl, I loved coloring books more than anything. I’d choose a purple crayon for the leaves of a tree instead of the expected green, and my mother, a first-grade teacher, would smile and pronounce it perfect. “If leaves look purple to you, honey, then that’s the color they are,” she’d assure me. “Don’t worry about what other people say.”

But when I grew up and had my own home, I found myself monitoring the trends portrayed in glossy decorating magazines. Before long I was succumbing to them. Better not paint the family room buttery yellow; hunter green is in this year. And Use an antique Hoosier kitchen cabinet for a desk? What would the neighbors think?

Then one day this year, when I was out shopping, the craziest notion came to me: Buy a coloring book and a big box of crayons. Before long, I wasn’t just coloring leaves purple; I was coloring outside the lines. And enjoying every minute of it!

As I ignored the rigid rules of Coloring 101, I experienced a wonderful new freedom. Suddenly the world looked full of endless possibilities. When I nailed antique wooden shoe forms to a board to create a one-of-a-kind hat rack, I received compliments galore, a few of them even from the neighbors. Armed with newfound confidence, I retrieved that forgotten Hoosier cabinet from the garage, scooted a ladder-back chair up to its porcelain top, and had the most serviceable desk ever. Its little drawers are ideal for housing pens and paper clips.

This year I’m celebrating both my Creator and my God-inspired creativity … and coloring outside the lines every step of the way.

 Thank You, God, for the wondrous world You created. Help me to be fearless in beautifying my little corner of it.

 I just thought that was so apt for today - funny how that happens isn't it!

Comments

[Mary B]

Your photo for today should be captioned 'wat no noms' or 'it wasn't me I didn't eat all the noms'.

very appropriate thought for the day and I really do love your try at art journalling

[Catriona]

Karen, I understand your reluctance about the Art Journals. Unfortunately my psyche does not allow me to do messy and I don't really "get" them.
Hope you'll feel better soon as I guess you are perhaps poorly as you came home early.

[Jules]

That is an awesome art journal page, and even more incredible because it is your first one. Go for it! I started art journaling a year ago, and my 'style' has changed, I do a mix of digi and traditional with paint and collage. It is so freeing to just experiment and 'draw outside the lines' to quote your calendar!Its a really relaxing way to get rid of the stresses and strains of the day. (and don't compare your work to others - its about YOU!)

[Rosie]

Love your page Karen. I'm on this journey too. Have made some backgrounds but still pondering the journalling! But I've had a great day in London at the Hockney exhibition. One of the.most impressive had purple tree trunks, blue trees and branches , and orange and yellow logs. Very inspiring! Rosie

[Barb in AK]

Crayons. Coloring. Reminds me of a story about my bil, Mike. When he was in kindergarten, his teacher became alarmingly worried about him. It seemed every coloring sheet she gave him would be colored in black, black, and more black. If there had be a school psych in those days, he would have been referred immediately! The teacher called my mil in for a conference. She wanted to find out if there were problems at home, abuse, or something else locked away in the family closet.
My dear (and wonderfully wise) mil called Mike into the classroom from the hallway where he was sitting quietly. "Mike," she asked, "is there some reason you color all you pictures black?" Mike replied simply, "It's the only crayon I have in my desk."

Karen, feel better soon!!