Art Puppy

Today, I took a 'mental health' day from work today. No, really, I felt like garbage when I woke up this morning. Thought maybe I was getting a sinus infection but, I took some medicine and took a little nap and then I felt much better. I could have gone into work but chose NOT to. So, I worked on today's Blissfully prompt (which I won't be sharing here - It's a bit goofy, and entirely too personal) and all day while I was working my puppy sat right next to my computer table with me and watched me and out the window while I worked away on my art stuff in between answering hundreds of e-mails. Here she is :) Introducingggg....Halo!

Blissfully Art Journaling

Well, after many conversations in my Soul Journaling group about this Blissfuly Art Journaling group, I decided to join up. They have some incredible things like 'The Artist's Way' daily reminders which I'm finding helpful since I started that study a few weeks ago, and have yet to finish it. My motivation to complete the whole book and stay on task has been lacking since it feels more like a 'have to' instead of a 'want to'. Blissfully also includes daily writing prompts/journaling prompts.

I was looking through some of the past prompts and one of them caught my attention and I thought it would be fun to do this as a journal spread. The prompt asked if I had a private sanctuary that I liked to escape to, and if I didn't have one, what would mine be like if I could choose one. (Obviously, this isn't word for word as I don't remember all the words to the prompt and I'm entirely too lazy to look it up right now - I just carved pumpkins for 4 hours straight!) BUT you get the idea. So, here's my spread. :)

Pumpkin Carving

One of my absolute favorite things about Halloween is carving pumpkins. I don't know why, but ever since I was a kid I've always just adored it. So, here are pictures from tonight's pumpkin carving fun! The little boy is my best friend's son, his name is Devin. The blond is my best friend, Amanda and well, the other person is me! :) Enjoy!

Thrill the World

A real estate agent here in town that I know got together with a group of neighbors, friends, and family to participate in the 'Thrill the World' event. www.thrilltheworld.com They have been practicing for a few weeks to be able to have their video done in time. The video was due to be turned in on Midnight Oct. 24th. I wanted to post this because the video is spectacular. I hope you enjoy! :o)

The Most Valuable Thing...

My soul journaling group creator, extrodinaire posted a few writing prompts a few days ago and one of the prompts was 'The most valuable thing I have learned so far is...' Well, this was a relatively easy one for me. Since I'm from New England I tend to be a little brash and hard when I say things. It has constantly been thumped into my head 'It's not what you say, Toni, it's how you say it!' For all of you who have told me this time and time again, yes, I get it, I've always gotten it - sometimes, it just happens. So, this little tiny spread is for you...

Week 2 - Soul Journaling

So, I have finally finished week two of my Soul Journaling Advanced Techniques class. This assignment took a little longer than anticipated. We were to take the altered photos we created from week one and add them into a spread with windows. Hard to explain but it's very pleasant on the eyes. I love the way it all came out. See pictures for your viewing pleasure.

One of a kind little girl's clothes

A very lovely lady I know makes these beautiful creations by hand. She has so much fun doing them and has a little bit of a dream to sell them. I offered to put them up on my blog to show them off a bit, and she graciously agreed to let me show her creations. They are beautiful. I have seen these little outfits myself and if I could squeeze myself into them, they would be all I would ever wear. So, if any of you have little girls in your life that would love these pretties, let me know, and I can send you more pictures. Each piece is very affordable. The fabric is pristine. Thanks for looking.

Dreamer

This drawing was prompted by a last minute 'Dreamer's' challenge. The challenge was stemmed from one out of three writing prompts that were posted. The prompt was 'I'm afraid if I start dreaming....' The topic became a conversation that a lot of us felt moved to participate in. Teri (the other moderator *hearts*) posted a poem done by the wonderful Shel Silverstein...which has quickly become one of my favorite poems of all time:

"If you are a dreamer, come in.

If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,

A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer.

If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire,

for we have some flax-golden tales to spin.

Come in! Come in!"

My biggest issue with actually being a 'dreamer' is my inner critic telling me I can't accomplish anything I want to do. I'm a failure, I won't, I can't, I don't, etc. So, that's where the drawing came from. I also doodled two little poems for myself:

Dream big!
Dream Small!
Doesn't Matter,

Dream it all!

To dream is a journey

Like no other...
You can succeed or fail,

So, why bother?

It's more safe to not know

"What else is there?"

We should try it all

But, why bother?

What is your fear?

You can succeed or fail!

Like no other!!

Dream! Dream! Dream!

It's a lovely journey!

Needless to say, that little pouty, cranky, child standing on my shoulder in the photo, absolutely needs to GO! :)

'Angel' Painting

This painting was done after a quote that I came across:
'Every blade of grass has it's Angel that bends over it and whispers "Grow, grow." - The talmud

The silver thinger was sent to me in an ephemera package by Sarah Whitmire. The little red skirts are from a piece of fabric that she altered (I think it was fabric) and I just absolutely loved the colors so, I used this as well. Thank you, Sarah...I'm having more fun with this stuff than you know.

I just really loved this quote. It struck something inside of me. I thought it was neat that every single, insignifcant blade of grass could have it's own Angel protecting it and encouraging it to grow into something more than a little seed.

Two More Altered Photos

Here are two more altered photos I've been working on.

I've also started on the 12 week 'Artist's Way' course. It's a bit intimidating when it lays out in the very beginning what you can expect in the 12 weeks that follow...but, if the results are half as good as what has been told in the forums or the examples in the book, I really can't wait. Has anyone else taken this study? The forum is loaded with people who's lives this book has changed. I would love to hear your experience.

Anyhow, I hope everyone had a lovely and creative day. I have more to post later.

xo

Altered Photos

So far, these altered photos are what I'm most proud of. I have several more left to do, and I can't wait to finish them. (Tonight!!)

The process is quite simple, it's just something no one other than Sarah W. would ever think of! I can't wait to give these for Christmas presents in lovely frames!!

The start of something new...

Hello everyone! Thank you for stopping by and checking out my blog. This is the first time I've ever set one of these up, and I'm pretty excited. The reason for this blog is to branch out and start to show some of my work.

A few months ago, I discovered Soul Journaling created by the wonderfulm enlightened Sarah Whitmire. Her process has completely opened my eyes to all sorts of neat things. I am extra blessed because she chose myself and another fabulous lady (Teri) to be moderators for our Soul Journaling Yahoo Group (stop by, check us out!) The group is wonderful. It gives you a sense of safety, comfort, and motivation to complete projects and publish them without feeling self conscious.

So far, I have done lots of things. Through the course of this process, I will upload pictures, conversation topics, things I'm trying out for the first time, etc. This will be my very own timeline of events and creations!

I hope you all join me!

xo-Toni