Imperfections

For a couple of weeks now, I've been struggling. Struggling with my art (my muse is playing hide and seek most days.) Struggling with my weight. Struggling with my thoughts and beliefs. Struggling with my choices.

Today, I give myself permission to accept that I am not perfect. And my imperfections make me who I am. I am imperfectly human.

I chose this photograph today because it is NOT perfect. My settings on my camera weren't right and I just couldn't work them out that day. But I love this photo anyway, for all its imperfections. Diesel looks like she is surrounded by light, by a presence bigger than us all. And, well, truthfully, it had been quite a while since I had posted a photo of my baby! (I just checked and the last photo of Diesel was in January!)

Work is starting next Monday. We have a meeting this Friday, in the morning, to get our group list and other important infos to start the school year. Even though I have done a lot of stuff this summer, I feel like I barely made a dent in my to-do list. But that's ok. Tomorrow is another day. ( I did do more sorting/cleaning than I thought I would though!)

Last thing: I'm planning a giveaway for Labour Day weekend which should be when I reach 200 posts.

Art Journal Love

Remember a few posts ago when I said I didn't like my art journal? Well, after a few weeks of leaving it on the side to gather dust, I decided to pick it up again and force myself to work in it. Last week I was browsing on a few of my favourite blogs and got inspired by one of my favourites: Emily Falconbridge. This girl has so much talent and I like the way she uses and reuses stuff from everyday life even in her scrapbooking. I read through all of her articles at Today's Mama and I just had to try one of her projects. I didn't want to do it 12X12 so I thought my art journal would be the perfect place for it. I found a bunch of photos my mom had printed for me after I got my head shaved last year so I took one of them for this page. You can see that I also started adding things to the other page but I haven't done anything else yet.

I'm still on my quest to get rid of stuff. Last week, I spent a good portion of a day sorting through all the papers I had accumulated in the past 5 years (since I've been living here.) About 3/4 of the pile went to the recycling bin. The rest I plan to use to make messy journals (again inspired by Emily... I think this girl is my new muse! ha!) and collages. I still have a lot of stuff to get rid of but I'm slowly getting there. And I've learned to say NO to saving some things. I find that it's actually OK to throw away some stuff and recycle some other. Really, it's OK! Of course, I still buy things but I try to limit packaging as much as possible. For one thing, I always have my cloth bags with me and use them all the time.

On another subject... It took me one year to complete my first 100 posts. Well, I'm now closing in on 200 and it hasn't been one year since #100. So there might be a small giveaway before I go back to work (late August.) I'm thinking maybe 2 prizes this time. I'll have to see what I can come up with... Stay tuned!

Keeping Busy

It's been a while since I updated my blog. Well, I'm keeping busy most of the time. Creating ATCs and Chunky Pages for swaps. Cleaning my brother's apartment (doing it for one year to pay him back for the Nikon camera he sold me.) Helping my mother getting settled in her art room. And creating cards in said art room! This is one of those cards. I wanted to use more masculine colours and used new stamps that mom bought this week. (Bird is from Sandylion and sentiment is from Magenta.)

Alberta and Ava have nominated me for an award. Thanks!

Getting your name out there

This Mixed media Owl ATC has been published in Art Trader. Page 33.

You too can get published. Just submit your artwork. You never know!

Today, I went to the movies with Anik. We went to see Sex and the City because we're both fans of the series. It was fun. Too bad she couldn't go out for coffee after. Maybe another time.

Yesterday, I was very productive. I started and completed 4 cards for a swap (they're ready to mail.) I also worked on some cards for a round robin and other cards for another swap. I'm really having fun with these swaps.

Alright, that's all for now. Go check out that zine. There's a lot of interesting art in there.

Summer vacation

It's official. As of 11:30 today, I'm on vacation for 7 weeks! And I have lots of plans. Which all include having fun! And it starts tonight with free shows by the lake.

I updated my Flickr gallery recently so go look at some of my art.

Round Robin ATC

One of the things I'm hooked up on lately is Round Robin ATCs. The way it works is: the 1st person creates the backgrounds, the 2nd player adds approximately the same things to all the cards (one for each player) and the third player finishes the cards. Each player gets one of the cards in the end.

At first, I didn't know how I would feel about working on a card started by someone else. But now, I like the challenge. In fact I can't get enough of those Round Robins! I'm even thinking of hosting one myself this summer.

Speaking of summer, lots of plans are bubbling. I'll probably spend a weekend in Ontario for a live ATC trade + art day + meeting one of the Glitter Power Sisters! Very exciting! I have plans to go to the movies with Anik and to the museum too. I'm sure I'll have plenty of outings with Catherine too (by the way, for those who don't know, Catherine and CeeCee are one and the same.) My brother is going to Florida for a few days so I'll have to go take care of his cats a few times. And then I want to take control of my living room/studio. I need to get organized and to get rid of more stuff.

School finishes next Monday, on the 23rd. The 24th is a provincial holiday. And I'm working the rest of the week (25-26-27th) but only in the mornings (7:00-11:30) and I already have plans for 2 of those afternoons. Busy summer ahead it seems!

Quickly

I have to go back to work.

This is something I won on Colette's blog a few weeks ago. It's gorgeous! And with it came a beautiful fabric collage that I plan on framing as soon as I find the perfect frame for it.

It's hot and humid here. Not good when paired with insomnia. But that's okay because I'll soon be on vacation.

Printmaking

One of the swaps I joined recently on ATCSforALL is called Printmaking ATCs. The idea is that everyone who participates must make their own rubber stamp or make other types of prints (monoprinting, Screen-printing, etc.) I decided to make my own rubber stamp by carving into a block of Speedball carving block. I liked it so much, I carved a couple of erasers too!

I know I don't post as often as I used to but I prefer to concentrate on creating right now. And enjoying life. Besides, whenever I spend too much time on the internet, I start thinking about all the things I _should_ be doing and then get depressed because I don't do them. No more! I have plans to go to the movies with my coworker/friend soon and this summer we're going to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to see the exhibit about Yves St-Laurent (who just passed away a few days ago, I might add.) Haute Couture to drool over... well not over but close to... I'll keep you updated on that!

News from the procrastinator

Remember when I said I was lazy and messy and a procrastinator? Today I tried to do something about it. I didn't allow myself to turn on the television or the computer until all my dishes were cleaned (a week's worth at least) and all my clothes folded and put away (3 weeks of laundry worth.) I also forced myself to cook something for dinner which I don't always do. And it worked! All of it! My kitchen counter is empty, as is the sink. All my clothes are in their right place. Nothing laying around. Now, next step is the living room/studio. But not tonight. I've done enough for one day!

This morning I went grocery shopping and the only "junk" I bought was a six-pack of small Ginger Ale cans. And I don't usually spend all that much at the grocery store but this time, for some reason, I did. And it was the first time that I could get the "free item with purchase of 60$ or more" which was broccoli. So that was a nice surprise.

I'm signed up for a few swaps over at ATCSforALL. It's addicting, I tell ya! Probably my healthiest addiction to date! ;-)

Hello tomorrow.

Today being the 25th, I am participating in the Scrap Your Day event over at Shimelle's blog. All day we had to take photos of certain things, at certain times. This month, the focus is on still life so I picked my favourite teacup to immortalize on (digital) film. I bought it last summer at a flea market for $5.00 and just had to have it (it was made in Occupied Japan which is not always easy to find.) For the first time ever, I just tried my Photoshop to add the words on the photo. My goal this summer is to learn to use Photoshop or any other photo editing program. I want to play with my photos and make pretty things out of them. June is just around the corner and that means that summer and vacation time aren't far behind. There are a lot of things I want to do this summer. Hopefully I'll get to at least half of it. Do you plan your summer in advance? What plans do you have?

Alive

Since the return of the beautiful weather, I've been feeling very happy and alive. There are still some little things bugging me but nothing major. Mostly, I feel good.

A couple of days ago, without my even expecting it, I hit over 5000 visitors on my blog! I had more than 300 in just one day! And only 3 comments that same day... Hmmm lurking much? :-) That's ok. I'm thankful for all those visits and for all the comments I get.

So anyway, on the 25th, I took pictures to chronicle a day in the life of me. I ordered my photo online and should be able to get them tomorrow or tuesday. I will then cut them and adhere them to my Scrap Your Day album. I didn't do anything special that day, just the regular day to day stuff. Maybe next month I'll get more creative...

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to visit my blog and my Flickr gallery.

Life

It's full of surprises. I know I've said that before. But it's true.

Not much to say. Work is good. Life in general is good. Spring has sprung. Many signs to that effect.

The Glitter Power Sisters are meeting in Sedona. I wish them the best of times and I can't wait to hear/read all about it!

Goodnight. Next post will be to announce the winner of the Stash it Forward.

Chaque fleur...

I'm signed up on quite a few swaps these days over at ATCSforALL. So that means, working on art for other people. Of course the Daily Art Cards are made for me but it's still not "creating for the sake of creating." So last night, while talking and hanging out with mom, I decided to make a card. All papers, stamps and ribbon are Stampin' Up! Brads are from my mom's stash. What do you think? The saying goes: Every flower is a smile from nature. Works for any occasion! I'm hoping to make a few cards to maybe sell. One of my co-workers bought a card from me friday and said she might want some more. Fun!

I've been doing a lot of extra hours at work these past weeks. Makes me happy because it means more money! I'm going in again tomorrow morning for one hour so one of my coworkers can get some rest. I have no kids and no man in my life so I get plenty of rest! Ha! Now I'm gonna go work on my first pages for a chunky book swap!

Discover yourself

Lately, many people have been writing or saying: just start with a doodle. And that's what I did. And it turned into a face with funky hair. So it begged for funky colours. The yellow on the face was intentional. I was trying to make highlights. It looks better in person than on the computer.

This Spring, I'm really feeling the "renew" vibe. I've been doing some cleaning every day. Not big cleaning but still, small is better than not at all. I've finally put some stuff aside to bring to the second-hand store. Things I haven't used in months, years (some even at least 10 years!) I'm a bit of a packrat, you might say. But I no longer want to be a packrat. I want changes. I admire Pam for making her dream come true.

Life...

... it's messy and full of surprises!

Nothing special to talk about. I'm not very "wordy" these days. It's not that I have nothing to say, quite the contrary. I just don't know how to put some things into words. And well, I don't particularly feel like writing or typing lately.

This weekend has been beautiful. I opened the windows a bit today to get fresh air in the apartment. Diesel wanted to go out so I put her collar and leash on and opened the door. She didn't go far though. Scared of the noises and unsure about the ice. I can't wait for the nights to be warmer so I can stop having the heat on and so I can bring my plants out on the balcony.


Image is my latest entry in the Art Journal Challenge. The word prompt was Life.

Something in the air

Lots of people are feeling sick lately. Family, friends, coworkers... It's like there's something in the air. And it's not just about health. My coworker/friend is having a bad week. An ex-coworker of hers is trying to come back in her life but he's not a stable being. So she's nervous. We finish work at the same time so from now on, I'll always be leaving with her to make sure she gets to her car safely. Another co-worker of ours is having health issues. I'm trying not to let all of this affect me. I'm trying to stay positive but it's not always easy.


Since getting sick last week, I haven't been eating a lot. It seems my body has gotten used to this since I haven't had any cravings and have to almost force myself to eat normal meals. I'm not trying to starve myself, don't worry. I'm just eating less BUT eating healthy food. I'm feeling good.

And on that note, I'll go relax in front of the television. (Image is an ATC made for a swap. I decided to keep this one as my own.)

Still alive...

For the past week, I've been battling a really nasty cold. Thankfully, I'm getting better. Yesterday and today, I didn't cough at all though I'm still a bit stuffed up.

My only creations lately are for challenges and swaps. No "free" creation. It's not that I don't want to create. It's just that lately, I've been overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in my living room. I'm trying to get rid of some of it, little by little but it's not easy. A lifetime of accumulating stuff can't be undone in a few days.

Once in a lifetime

Going back to work after more than a week of vacation isn't as easy as it sounds! But I'm not complaining.

Outside my apartment building, the path that leads from the street to our door is full of snow. Thigh high. I kid you not. In the school yard, some kids could easily sit on the fence in some places (we didn't let them of course!)

I'm not feeling chatty tonight. Maybe I'll actually go to bed early for once...

Routines

It's amazing how much we take little things for granted. I was so thankful last night to be able to sleep in my own bed, to take up all the room I wanted in it and to have my darling Diesel purring away next to me.

I've gotten so used to doing my Daily Art Cards, my Morning Pages and writing in my "Every day brings something new" journal that when I went to bed at my parents' on Saturday, I felt like I was missing or forgetting something. And same thing when I woke up on Sunday morning. My routine was all out of whack!


I'm a routine person. There are certain things that I do at certain times and in certain ways. If I can't, for some reason, do one of my routine things, I feel almost incomplete, like something is missing. I shouldn't let those little things (or lack of things in this case) bother me, I know but I suppose it's part of who I am.

Okay. So I haven't been able to NOT buy stuff for the past two months. I'm thinking that maybe taking on a challenge to not buy anything new for a year was a bit much. So I need a different approach. I need to go about it on a smaller scale. Let's say one week at a time. If I don't buy anything (other than groceries of course) in the next 7 days, I'll be that much closer to my goal. I'm still planning on using up all that stuff I have for my art, scrapbooking and other creations... you know, all the little things we keep saving for that "special project" that actually never comes along...

Vacation is over now. Tomorrow is back to work. Which is a good thing for someone who needs her routines!

Mother Nature's Mood Swings

We did indeed get that storm. And because of it, my brother and I both spent the night at my parents' after having dinner with them. There was no way either one of us would drive in that mess. Snow, ice, rain and a mix of some and all of these with crazy winds. At some point, you couldn't even see on the other side of the street!

And I just learned that schools are closed tomorrow! So an extra vacation day... woohoo!

So with all this, I forgot to do my daily card yesterday. But that's okay. I'll do 2 tonight instead. And this morning, I didn't do my morning pages. Oh well.

If there hadn't been so much snow everywhere, today would've been a perfect day to go out for a walk. But since the street were cleaned just enough for cars and buses and no sidewalks were cleaned, I stayed in with mom and did some cleaning. We'll see what tomorrow brings...