Gratitude Journal - For The Love of Paper

As many of you know I have a true love of paper.  Texture, weight, colour, finish, pattern there are so many papers for so many uses..  It seems I am always on the hunt for just the right paper for the task at hand.

Today I'm talking about the paper I use for dividers in my Gratitude Journals...it actually is more of a cover stock weight as opposed to paper...60lb give or take.  You want something heavy enough but not too thick as to take up much room.

Just like fabric or wool, patterned paper is just as endless.  There are themes upon themes of co-ordinating collections to droole over.  I equate choosing these lovelies to choosing fabric for quilting...you have to remember, you're not wearing it...go wild!

'The Gardener" has a Spring feel to it with butterflies and leaves but any of the papers may be changed out for a colour of your choice.  I like to combine different collections though the co-ordinating papers are wonderfully complimentary. 

You can keep to a particular colour theme such as 'The Fashionista' (my word description)

But if you're anything like me your colour pallet changes throughout the year, depending what you're working on and the season.  'The Romantic' is perfect for an Engagement, Wedding, Love or Romantic Journal.

The other fabulous thing about these papers is that they are double sided which means you actually are getting a whole new set of dividers to switch to…just flip them over.

These are just a minute sampling of the vast collection of papers available.  You may have a favourite colour scheme or theme…I can try to find it for you and create a unique look special to you.  

I hand pick, cut and fashion these dividers myself. . . no machines, just little ol' me trimming with scissors.  The punched cut outs are done with my Levenger Leverage Punch. . . a great tool.  The dividers can also be fashioned for a three-hole binder and in the Spring I will offer a larger version of the Journal. . . make sure you stop back in.

That's all for now,  take care and we'll talk soon.

Sheila

A New Project. . . Do You Like Old Fans?

Well hello dear friends...I'm back...with another project.

I just love refreshing/re-purposing old stuff...it is so much fun to see it transform into something beautiful again.

So this is my newest project an old box fan which I calculated is close to 40 years old...and it runs like a charm.  We have been using it quite a bit lately due to all the extremely warm weather we have been experiencing but oh my was it filthy and I won't show you that.

I began disassembling...handles, knob, screens front and back off you go.  Motor, fan out you go (oh dear will this dirt really come off?  It has never been cleaned)  I had to sand this baby, a little rust showing through.

I taped off the 'control' decal, I wanted to keep the original Kmart sticker though I think on my next revamp I will create a new decal.  I also taped off the little white rubber feet on the bottom.

The first coat of paint goes on like a breeze...of course you know I would choose this colour.  ISN'T IT FANTASTIC!!!!  I did do a second coat though I don't think it really needed it...good coverage with the rustoleum.

Et voila!  I am so pleased with how it cleaned up, it looks brand new and matches my kitchen.  I know what you're thinking 'You could have bought a new one for $30' but ah I wouldn't have got THIS colour nor would it have been as much fun.

I have another to paint...do you want to see it when it's finished?

Have a good one...Sheila.

I Have Been Busy, Really I Have.

Well hello one and all, long time no see...talk...well you know what I mean.

I hope you all have been keeping well and keeping busy.  Me?  I have been doing both.

I found in the Spring I was having a harder time keeping my creativity alive, things just weren't flowing as I felt they should and that puts pressure on oneself.  I found I was worrying too much about the business and was loosing the 'artist'.  Thus begins the vicious circle of the dreaded spiral into the approaching roadblock of two of the most important aspects of an artists cycle...passion and creating.  By passion I mean the desire or need to be creative and then the physical task of putting it into action.

So I have been travelling on this road of rediscovery, seeking out what creativity truly means to me.  I began with the basics...asking the question 'What makes me happy?'  The answer that kept surfacing was 'CREATING' in general.  It didn't have to be a major series of drawings for my next great exhibit it just had to be...fun!

I used to sew quite a bit so I made new drop cloth curtains for my living room...well that helped.  I began to look around the house for things to revamp.  

I gave my kitchen light switch plate cover a new, fresh look...cool.  A little sanding, paint and tissue tape.  Repainted a bar stool to now be used as a plant stand...I like this and you remember that cute little cabinet I painted back in March.  I tried photo transfer onto a Lazy Susan I use on our kitchen table...not bad.  I gave a fresh coat of paint to our remote holder...now that's more like it.  This painting/re purposing got me on my way to finding my old funky self, nothing is safe anymore.  

Recently I was asked to paint a sweet saw blade for a neighbour...I remember this, I like this. (I'll show you that another time...it's a beauty)

So now that I've caught you all up on things I haven't been neglecting my blog, I've been busy...creating...really.

Stay tuned, I have a few other things to show you.

Sheila

20 Minutes A Day - Reflection/Tiny Steps

Hello fellow Artsies - hope you are well.

I am finding it difficult to motivate myself these days . . . could be still recovering from the flu but energy is often low for me this time of year as it is for many of you I know.

I am continuing with Michael Nobbs' practice of 20 minutes a day but for February it is tiny steps.  Grab a project you have been wanting to tackle or finish and set aside 20 minutes each day to work on it.  This is very do-able in my mind . . . it's not so over-whelming to look at a project in this way.  The sense of accomplishment is something that appeals to my over taxed mind.

Have a project you can leave and pick up the next day - don't have something you will have to set up and clean away, that just becomes another chore.  KEEP IT SIMPLE.

Some like to use a timer for this practice, I use the clock on my laptop, it's whatever works best for you . . . try a few different methods and see which you like best.  I find a timer a little distracting and often once you get started you may not want to be interrupted if you're on a roll.

That's it for me . . . catch you on the flip side.

Sheila

Farm Fresh

Hello my Artsy friends . . . so nice of you to drop by.

As you may have noticed from my last post I have taken a bit of a break from my pencil work and have rediscovered my love of gardening and cooking (this often happens to me during the summer months)  I love being outside, although this summer has been extremely hot and dry, moving plants, harvesting veggies and creating with food.

There are so many ways we can create and be inspired to be creative.  I've taken a very serious interest in the food we were eating (too many processed things) and have made it my mission to improve the quality of what I'm feeding my family.

I love to buy local and I feel it is something we all should make a priority if at all possible.  My neighbour, next farm over, sells a variety of meats as well as farm fresh eggs . . look at these lovelies I picked up, I am so fortunate to have this literally in my back yard.  I love to see the little brown hens scattered all over their front yard . . . that's country livin'!

I came across a wonderful blog Creative Cain Cabin ( I don't know if were are related, we're working on that) and fell in love with all the wonderful DIY projects she posts.  Take a look at Dawn's blog if you get a chance.

I have been cooking and pickling, baking and harvesting (even in this heat) it's funny to me that when you are inspired you will find a way to tackle anything.

Head down to your local markets, check to see what the neighbours are selling . . . there is so much great stuff available right next door.

Have a good one

Sheila

These Boots

Starting a new project well I equate that to buying new boots, a totally exhilarating experience. I imagine it's like hunting. You head out to known areas where they've been spotted, do a little tracking, look at the different species available then make your kill. A new project has that same energy, it's the process that's the most fun for me. Picking paper then size, choosing a medium then palette, a subject then mood...Oooooooo!

Never let anyone tell you what you do isn't important. You're making something beautiful to add to the beauty of our existence...it's what's important to you that matters.

(I am thankful today for my gal pals, they understand the real me) I hope you have that in your life...I wish it for you.

Creativity

CREATIVITY! It presents itself in many ways and can be interpreted in many more. I've seen it in the unusual design of a building, the careful curve of a beautiful boot and in nature (though this is a divine element, none the less it is creativity at it's best). Someone has seen something in their minds eye and followed through to have it realized. That is truly awesome. We are all creative in some form be it cooking an enticing meal for our lovelies, arranging a room in such a way that is esthetically perfection, it is there in all of us. We need to LOOK carefully at the beauty around us. On a lonely afternoon, take your camera and go for a walk. Really look at what's 'presenting' itself to you, offering if you will. You will be amazed at what you missed but has been there all along waiting for you to discover.