Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Tuesday-10am

You can click on the link to see what the other ladies have been doing and drinking and thinking this week.  I haven't done much since we had our long chat on Sunday.  Was too (contentedly) sore to deal with hunching over Miss Brother--LOL!  Finally felt a little more flexible last night, so I decided that it has just been way too long since I've been at the art table.  I told myself I was going to try to keep up with some challenges this year...and brief trips to the art table I could probably handle.
****
Okay, I planned to do two weekly art challenges this year.  (I know...I know...quit laughing.)  The Journal52 group and thought maybe even DLP (Documented Life Project) since they have the option of going with a more art journal format this year and less planner.  But DLP made me sign up for something called "squarespace" in order to join the group on Ning and then I was getting a million emails but couldn't get on to the actual challenge page to read the challenges--duh!  It would go to a black page that said "no permissions".  They don't send you the actual challenge information in an email--but a link to the challenge information--where I am not allowed.  So, I tried signing up to their site using a different email address (because I have an old email address I rarely use) but I still did not receive permission to enter.  Well, I took that as a sign.  A quite obvious sign (lol!) that I should only try the one weekly challenge.  This incurable optimist is already two weeks behind in the first place, right?  ROFL!
****
Well, I got started, anyways.  
Did I get to the challenges?  
Well...not quite yet.  
But I have dipped my toe in the water.  ;)
****
Last night I got past the scary first blank page of one of the junk journals I made quite a while back (with the horribly cheap buckly student watercolor paper).  Had fun with layers of Dylusions sprays...just because I love the deep color.  Was surprised I chose hot colors instead of my usual blues, greens, and turquoises.  Maybe because it's so cold out here--LOL!  (Right now it's -5, feels like -27.)  
Still black coffee, girls...but in one of my new red Thermos cups. 
I worked little by little.  
Sprayed.  
Let it dry.  
Came back and sprayed some more.
Let it dry.
****
I knew this journal paper wrinkles like crazy so I printed off a numbered list of 52 onto some white card stock.  I hand tore around the blank list and misted it with some walnut ink.  Thought maybe the stiffer card stock might not wrinkle as much as computer paper when I plastered it on the page with gel medium.    
Still buckled quite a bit, but it would have been absolutely puckered-horrible if I had used anything thinner and I probably couldn't have even written on it.  I even scraped the cardstock down flat as I glued it and put something heavy on it overnight.  Oh well--at least I finally have my "index" list page started.  :)  I have gotten past that blank first page--tada! 
I can't remember where I saw someone else on youtube make a list spot for Journal52 in the front of a new journal, but what a great idea!  I can write down the challenges so they're right there at hand--because, in all likelihood, I won't be able to get to them all this coming year.  (Did I mention I am two weeks behind out of the 2015 gate? lol!)  Anyways, I have dedicated a journal to this group, will finish up the list/index page, and do my best to try to catch up this week.  
****
I am also--hold onto your hats--thinking I will try to actually join Jennibellie's Monthly Challenge group, too.  We'll see how this winter goes, right?  The next few weeks, for that matter--LOL!  
****
I think I forgot to show you Ian's Christmas picture for 2014.
This is why I can never remember where I get ideas off the internet, folks.  Any ideas that happen to stick in my foggy brain long enough to steal...well, they just get stolen and it's not that I wouldn't want to give credit where credit is due...I truly have a mind like a steel sieve anymore.  Half the time I might not remember if the idea was mine or I stole it, to be perfectly honest--but this one I do remember I stole.  Fibro fog, folks.  I used to have a pretty darn good memory.  My compulsive listmaking was more for OCD fun than the necessity it has become today.  True.  True.   
****  
Anyways, what was I saying?  ;)
****
We've had sunshine for days!!!  
So nice to see some blue sky.
From indoors. 
****
Feeling more functional today, so I hope to spend some quality time with Miss Brother this afternoon.
****
Oh,!  Oh!  McFamily plans to travel to Japan probably this year to visit Leah's brother Aaron who's stationed there.  Japan!!  Whoohoo!!  Talk about an adventure!  Ian won't remember it, but they can take pics and videos as proof--LOL!
****
Caroline comes to clean tomorrow.
****
Karma says hi.
I think that is all she wrote.  
For this post, anyways.  :):)
****
Have a good one!!
****
"Today is a smooth white seashell, hold it close and listen to the beauty of the hours." 
Anonymous

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I forgot what I was going to say. Oh, yeah, love Karma's wink!!

TexWisGirl said...

glad you're feeling a bit better and being creative, too! i need to thaw my fingers and start another drawing for a giveaway!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I had no idea that DPL had changed their format to less pages this year, but it still didn't make me want to join any more than I did last year. I'll stick with J52, and I think that's a great idea to write out the challenges. So what if you're two weeks behind? The links she provides on her blog are good forever, so you are simply slightly late. I may even check out Jennibelly. I will have to find her on the web.

Ian and Karma both look good and I'm glad you posted Ian's Christmas photo.

Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos (and your art beginnings) this week for T.

Hilary said...

Sounds like a good creative start to me. That's an adorable pic of Ian and such a cute one of Karma winking. Japan will be a great adventure for your people!

Mersad said...

Ian's Christmas Picture is adorable!

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Divers and Sundry said...

I admire you for doing any challenges lol even if you are behind.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I always approach a challenge with the attitude of just having fun. Don't worry about being behind or even skipping weeks that don't interest you. I found Jenniebellie on you tube and started making one of her cereal box journals. Had to put it aside until after the holidays and now it takes too long for the paint this dry....but I will finish it. Will have to check out her monthly challenges.

Anonymous said...

Love the kitty wink. My niece is in Japan as we type!

Linda Kunsman said...

Hi Karma! I quite like your idea for spending time during the cold:):) Japan-what a far and exotic, and amazing trip! Hope it all works out. I joined the DLP this year but for some reason am uninspired so for now I'm letting it go-and you- whatever you do , go what works for you dear Rita. I love your color choices for your pages so far. Happy T day-and thank you for your comment on my blog:)

Far Side of Fifty said...

Hi Rita I hope you have won the war with Miss Brother! Your Ian is so cute and you got some great group photos...fun to see! I hear warm weather is coming..yahoo:)

Krisha said...

Hi Rita,
LOVE the journal context page, and what a great idea,. I usually write the prompt at the bottom of the page, but now I'm going to make me a context page too! So GLAD your doing J52 this year too. Elizabeth and I did it last year and it was great fun seeing each other's work. Don't worry about getting a late start, who cares? It's YOR journal......grin! I'm like, 10 prompts behind, already, for the Prompt 60 challenge, but I'll plug away at it anyway.

Of course I LOVE Ian's Christmas picture!! and Karma's wink is rather cute too!
Happy T-day my friend and thanks for visiting me this week

froebelsternchen said...

Love your new pages - good luck with the challenge!
Ian is so cute and Karma as well!
xxx
Susi

DJan said...

I will be interested in your adventures with Miss Brother. I've got another machine over here that won in my struggles to use it. I'm thinking I should sell it. :-)

Feral Turtle said...

Love your paper colors. It turned out so pretty. Perhaps McFamily needs a babysitter while in Japan?????

Victoria Zigler said...

It doesn't matter if you don't do the challenges when they're due. What matters is that when you get to them you're having fun! :)

Carol said...

You're off to a great start!!! I know exactly what you mean with the brain thing.... It's horrible to not remember squat anymore :( Ian is such a doll ♥ I'm still debate over J52. I failed miserably with it last year ...but I just took on way too many challenges and couldn't keep up with any .

Halle said...

I love what you said about getting past the first scary blank pages!! So understand that one.
Sorry I'm so late...yesterday got away from me and this morning started with a trip to urgent care with the boy. I feared pneumonia...it's not. Likely influenza...great the next two days are finals for him. BAH!!!!
Anyway...super cute picture of Ian! Reminds me a lot of J when he was a baby...bald head and cheeks galore. :)

Lorraine said...

love your photos

Karla B said...

Lovely post!Ian is so cute!karma is beautiful!

GrandmaG said...

Absolutely adorable Christmas pic! I also loved the family shots you shared in another post. Babies, children make the holidays so much more fun :)

Hubby and I traveled to South Korea for my son's wedding to a South Korean. It was 13 hours in the air from San Francisco. I can't imagine doing that with a baby. I wish Leah and Dagan much luck!

Jenny Woolf said...

Those hot colour sprays remind me of tings I used to do. I had a thing about spraying inks.
Japan! oh they will be so interested in it all. A shame little Ian won't remember, though. Is it that they just don't want to wait, or because they think it'll be easier when he is little? Cutest Christmas picture by the way!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

I think a trip to Japan would be interesting, hell I think a trip anywhere would be interesting just saying and you know that Karma is always so adorable nearly as much as Ian is

SandeeNC said...

Good luck on keeping your journal, writing down the journal prompts is an excellent idea for whenever you can get around to them. As far as I see it there is no rush and no timetable!

Anonymous said...

Ooo - love those dark colours! And I'd love to visit Japan in spring or autumn.

Intense Guy said...

I hope McFamily enjoys Japan! Sounds like they have a "tour guide" already!

I'm thinking that perhaps Karma doesn't want to go - but might show some interest if someone points out she might see lots of Koi fishes....

Victoria said...

Always love seeing your creations and creative process..fantastic and magnificent colors..such life and energy! AW, that cutie Karma always warms my heart..and beautiful pic of the baby..too sweet!
HUgs ..wishing you a magical wkd!
Victoria

laurak/ForestWalkArt :) said...

being gone for over a YEAR from 'blog-land'...even though we have stayed...kind of...in touch with each other, i've missed what's really been going on in your life. WOW!!! look at Ian!!!! what a cutie!!!
and i always love to see what you're doing at your art table!
*wink* back at karma!!
feel good rita...enjoy the sunny days!!
:)

carol l mckenna said...

Love the creative playing ~ and colors ~ great way to 'get the engines' going ~ And of course, Ian is a doll ~ love his Xmas photo and Karma winking at is just a delight ~ You are blessed ~ Stay cozy, creative and warm ~ xoxoxo

Happy Weekend to you,
artmusedog and carol

AliceKay said...

I hope Dagan, Leah, and Ian have a nice time in Japan. One of Terri's Eagle Scouts is half Japanese. His mother is Japanese and she has made some very special things for me as Christmas gifts the past few years. Hmm...that would make for a nice blog post for me. Will consider doing one. ;)

Cute pic of Ian.

Love the pics of Karma, as always. She certainly has personality.