Barb's Craft Therapy

The Time has Come…

2009-09-20T14:18:00.001-05:00

I have enjoyed this blog so much for so long but, as is with everything and everyone in life, changes happen. We grow and spread our wings, learn new things and travel different paths than we began our journey on.

That’s how life goes…we grow and shift and change and with those occurrences, we have to embrace the new and not try to cling so tightly to the old. Enjoying the journey is as much about keeping our face to the sun as it is about not looking back and trying to live in our own shadows.

Craft Therapy has been just that for me…therapeutic. I believe this little corner of the internet, my corner, and those of you that have been so wonderful to come visit me here with all of my ups and downs, hiatuses and daily ramblings, are a huge part of what saved me from my own self destruction for nearly two years (and they were tough years, believe me!)

As my art has grown and changed, and I have healed some (although both will be lifelong endeavors), I feel the need to recreate myself online…to do as the momma bird does when one season of her life melds into another, and make a new nest for the new season.

I have loved being here, sharing crafty and even some personal bits here and there but I want to narrow my focus art-wise and “Craft Therapy” is far too broad of a scope. I have learned that I am not “just” a crafter…I am an artist. Really. I am. (LOL) My favorite medium(s) are art journals, collage and mixed media and there is where my focus on my NEW blog will be.

I do invite you all to come and visit me there at: Unmasking My Soul…to see another side of me, the artist in me and a more invested blogger with (hopefully) a renewed sense of purpose in the blogosphere. The one who is searching for peace and finding it in each and every day, some how, some way.

Thank you so much for all the wonderfulness…I hope to see you on the other side.

Peace & Love Always,
~Barb~

Trying to Keep on Keepin’ On

2009-08-29T00:50:00.001-05:00

“Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact.”
~George Elliot

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I have been off work since finishing up Monday evening about 7:30pm. I thought that having this extended time to myself would give me the inclination to blog more, do more art, do some much needed housework, list some things on Etsy and more.

Did it?

Pfft! Not quite.

I think I’m falling back into a funk of sorts. I’m still creating, doing work in my art journal(s), but that urgent NEED to do some of the things that I want to do (in my head) and things that I know need to be done just isn’t there. I find myself wanting to sleep much more than I should…except late at night. It is then that I am filled with the urge to create, to write, to be alive!

I’ve been to the doc and she doesn’t seem to think it’s anymore than just a normal part of the cyclic life I live…a mild case (in her words) of manic-depression (aka bi-polar disorder). No change in meds but the encouragement to get more time outside in the sunshine, more exercise, and to just keep on keeping on.

That doesn’t solve anything for me. I am not one of those people that wants a pill to cure everything, by any means, but I’m also not stupid and know that this is not something I am able to overcome on my own…I’ve tried. For years, I’ve tried, and it’s just not working. I just don’t know what to do at this point except try hard to keep on keepin’ on.

I do know that without my art journaling, I would probably go completely insane (as opposed to the partially insane that I’m holding on to right now.) Each night, when the urges keep me wide awake, that is when my art journal(s) and I have these nice long visits. It is my friend, often times I feel as if it is my only friend, and we create together and share pain, anger, fear, sadness, joy, happiness and every other emotion that is engulfing me.

I have this dream of creating a workshop for art journaling here locally and I was working toward that end when I went back to work and that dream slowly fell by the wayside. Recently a Twitter friend and I decided to work on trying to get an art fest set up here in the South (since all the good ones are so very far away) and my inability to focus or even to feel that urge just isn’t there. I need to write a letter to someone asking for their feedback and ideas on making this art fest idea a reality…yet, I haven’t done that. And I’ve had all week to work on it.

I see what I’m doing (or failing to do) but I can’t help but be flooded with the feeling that, no matter how small the action may be, it’s just far too overwhelming to even begin anything, much less complete them.

So, I think you all can see why I haven’t had much to say this week.

But, as the old cliche` goes, this too shall pass.

I have been saving some things I like online HERE and journal pages that I find inspiring HERE. I’d love for you to take a look and maybe you’ll find something that strikes you or inspires you or just makes you think or laugh at one or another of them.

I hope you’re all doing splendidly.

Peace & Love,
Barb

Life is a Highway

2009-08-21T13:00:00.001-05:00

“Your sacred space is where you find yourself again and again.”
~Joseph Campbell

I used to always begin my blog posts (in another time, at another place) with a quote that struck a chord with me that day.

I think I should resume this wonderful practice.

I really just thought I’d take a minute to share a pic I snapped on my iPhone (my wonderful new addiction) on my way home from work yesterday.

It was like I was the only soul on the road for miles and miles (and in this neck of Alabama, I may very well have been the only one) and all I could see was the dark skies looming, foretelling of rough storms ahead.

Life is kinda like this picture sometimes, isn’t it?

You’re the only one on the road you’re travelling (after all, no one can travel our journey for us, can they?) and you can see the dark skies ahead…but you can’t just stop traveling, stop moving. You have to forge ahead…not around the storms but through them.

A few road signs along the way give you insight as to what’s coming up but they can’t protect you, only warn you. You just have to leave the sunny, safe part of your journey behind you and weather the storms, come as they may.

Okay, enough waxing philosophical for now, I really just wanted to share the photo. HA! I guess I’m thinking a little deep right now, huh?

I hope you all have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend. If you need me, I’ll be in my studio working on some new pieces as well as finishing up some that need completing.

Now get out there and be creative!

Peace & Love,
Barb

Beloved Words

2009-08-19T07:32:00.003-05:00

I really should be getting ready for work but I thought I’d take a moment to share something new I’m embarking on…Dawn Sokol’s Art Journal Stimulus Project, a great art journaling workshop.

This is the first art journal spread that I’ve completed for the workshop. It makes me happy.

Considering that I have let my art journaling fall by the wayside a bit since going back to work, this workshop is already working magic for me just by getting me back into the waters.

I love my art journaling but with work these days, I’ve just been so tired that I procrastinate doing anything in them…I’ve realized that I can’t do that. My art journals are healing for me; they give me much needed release and peace. I have to MAKE time for working in them, that’s all there is to it.

I hope your week is going well. I should be around more over the next couple of weeks since hours are being cut by the company and mine are the first to be slashed. Today is my last day this week and I will only work Monday of next week. *shrug* At least I have a job and I know it will pick back up in a few weeks so I’m okay with it.

Now, to jump in the shower before I’m late.

Peace & Love,
Barb

Little Secrets

2009-08-11T18:29:00.001-05:00

That’s exactly what I’m doing…taking things day by day, doing all that I can with the time I have and then rising up to try again tomorrow.

I guess that’s really all any of us can do, right?

I’m not sure what I mean with all that…I think I’m just tired today.

I’ve made progress on our Vacation Collage but not as much as I’d like to have made. It just doesn’t seem right so I’ve stepped away from it for the time being and will get back to it in a couple of days with fresh eyes. Maybe then the vision will be clearer to me then.

Work has consumed my day today but I was off yesterday (boss said there was nothing for me to do) so I had a day all to myself.

I do love those kinds of days.

I’ve not had idle hands, though. I got this idea in my head that I needed to paint/collage something and this is what has surfaced so far. (Sorry about the blurry images. I took them with my iPhone because I’m too lazy to get up and get the digital camera. LOL) I started working on a background based on an idea from “Journal Bliss” by Violette (good one to grab if you don’t have it already) and I’m still working on it but this is where it is right now.

It just gives me such joy to play with my art supplies. It doesn’t really matter what the end product is like…it’s all about the journey. Enjoying the process is so important and I am really enjoying playing with this one.

Oh, and for those of us that often say stuff about how we can’t paint or draw or do some of our art because we don’t have the right canvas or this or that to do our art….well, I’ll show you my little secret from this piece…

Yep, this is the back of the above piece…a Ritz cracker box front. I am never at a loss for something to do art on in my house because no box ever goes into the garbage without me taking it apart to save the pieces I can use in my art (which is most of every box!)

So there…don’t ever say you don’t have anything to paint or create on…you do, right in your kitchen pantry.

So tell me, what are you doing creative these days? What are you doing to nurture your soul? What little secrets are hiding behind your art?

Share, won't you?

Peace & Love,
~Barb~

Life’s a Beach!

2009-08-03T23:07:00.001-05:00

We just got back from a semi-spontaneous yet FABULOUS vacation to Tampa/Clearwater Beach, Florida. Oh my, how wonderful it was to get away and just relax with our feet in the sand and withOUT the cell phones ringing off the wall.

I brought back tons of memorabilia from our trip. You know, ticket stubs, paper menus, shells and bits from the beach, pictures, fliers, yada, yada, yada…you get what I’m saying. Anyway, you know how you bring back all these things from a trip and then it winds up in a box somewhere, never to be seen on a regular basis?

Well, I decided that was just crap. I am turning all our vacation “loot” into a collage celebrating the wonderful time and all the memories we have from our time there. A real mixed-media piece, if you will.

Here’s the start to the piece I’m doing. It measures about 18”x24'”.

I took a cardboard poster that I bought for a buck at Wally World, gessoed it, then painted a little sand/ocean/sky basic scene on it, and started putting on some of my flat pieces.

I will probably be done in a day or two (I like to work on a piece for a while, leave it for a day and come back and work, etc. so I get a change of perspective as I work on things) and will share it with you guys when it’s complete. I’m really enjoying this piece…more than anything I’ve done in a long while.

Speaking of the beach…here I am, on our private deck, feeling like someone from one of those Corona commercials.

How can you not love that view? I so did not want to come home…why couldn’t we just stay there and live like beach bums?!?

Hope you’re all doing well and making beautiful art!

Peace & Love,
Barb

Sisters & Friends

2009-07-24T23:29:00.001-05:00

Today is my birthday…and it’s been a good one, too.

Got some art done this morning, lunch with the hubby, a nice nap in this afternoon, some lovin’ this evening, then a wonderful dinner out and my daughter made my favorite brownies with vanilla ice cream lots of pecans and drizzled with caramel sauce. OMG, talk about heavenly! I haven’t had one yet…that’s my reward for finishing my sisters birthday present this evening (after I finish this blog entry.)

My little sister and I have been on the outs for about 3 years, barely speaking during that entire time after having been close our whole lives before that time. But when my oldest sister attempted suicide at the beginning of June, it made us both come to our senses about carrying grudges. My oldest sister is doing well, seeing a psychiatrist and working through some serious issues….and, because of her meltdown, my siblings and I, especially my little sister and I, have renewed the relationship that we should have had all along.

Anyway, now that I’m made a short story long, my little sister came to visit last weekend and we had a wonderful time.

Family feels even better than I remembered…I had no idea just what i had been missing out on by excluding them (her) from my life. This is a picture Richie, my hubby, took of us out on our deck during her visit (Mandy’s on the left and that’s yours truly on the right.) The smiles are genuine and the love is real. I’m just glad that we’re working past all that stupid stuff that came between us for so long. I love this picture.

For my birthday she gave me this beautiful collectable Willow Tree piece called “Heart and Soul” that she somehow knew I would love and cherish:

And I do.

Opening it brought tears to my eyes. It showed me that we really are working through the bad stuff and that she felt it, too.

It let me know that my sister really can be my best friend, even if we have differences in our views and beliefs.

It reminded me of how much I love her and need her in my life…and how much she loves me needs me in her life, too.

So, for her birthday I decided to do something original for her. I took that picture of us that we have from her recent visit and I turned it into a watercolor painting using a masking resist technique. It’s the first time I’ve ever done one and I’m really proud of how it turned out (although it looks kinda sucky on here.)Then I took a plain black frame with a white mat and decorated it to tell her how I feel….

So there is one of her birthday gifts…the other is a pink silicone case for her iPhone (yes, we are BOTH addicted to our iPhones) that I’m going to personalize for her (I just gotta figure out what works on silicone/gel first…any ideas???)

So, what do you think? Seriously, I’m asking…Be honest cause i don’t want to give her something hokey or that she’ll go UGH at, ya know?…so give it to me straight, I can take it.

Oh, and what did the hubby do for me for my birthday? Besides the beautiful card and yummy candle, plus dinner out tonight? Well, we’re leaving for Clearwater Beach, Florida on Tuesday…our hotel room is right on the beach and we’re going to Busch Gardens, spend time laying on the beach relaxing, he’s booked me a massage at the spa, take in the Salvador Dali museum, and whatever else we decide to do. YAY!!!

Well, I have that awesome brownie delight calling out to me so I’m headed to the kitchen for my birthday treat.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Peace & Love,
Barb

A Little Birdie Told Me…

2009-07-15T23:12:00.001-05:00

Just a little something I worked on in the past few weeks and thought I’d share.

Sorry it’s not any clearer…I was too lazy to scan it so I took the pic with my phone and uploaded it.

I’ve been doing more Zentangles than ever but I’m doing them in shape form instead of freeform. I think I may have to try a LARGE one for the wall in our guest room

Happy Thursday!

Peace & Love,
Barb

Life is a Highway

2009-07-13T22:37:00.001-05:00

It’s been a busy Monday! We had to do an inventory at our store in Sumiton, about 75 miles away, and didn’t get home until after 7:30 this evening…and I am dead beat. The hubby is laying here beside me, snoring lightly, off in dream land…where I really should be, to be honest.

I’ve not felt like art journaling much in the past couple of days…just too exhausted to find anything creative inside me at the moment. I find that i miss it when I don’t do it, though.

I have started a Gratitude Journal that I keep on my iPhone (I do love my iPhone!) so that I don’t feel like I’m not doing any journaling at all when I’m just too tired to dive into one of my art journals at the end of the day.

OH, and I have signed up for Dawn Sokol’s Art Journal Stimulus Project-online workshop. Dawn is the author of the wonderful book pictured in my sidebar, “1000 Artist Journal Pages”, It is one of my very favorite books! The workshop is uber affordable at $15 for 10 weeks and tarts August 12th. Get more info or sign up and join me on Dawn’s website, D’Blogala.

I guess the most creative thing I’ve done in the past few days is the haircut I gave my son-in-law….and what a haircut it is!

Before….

After…

Whew….talk about a difference! lol He loves it and my daughter is warming up to it, too.

I’ve made Pink Lemonaid Pie (which is soooo yummy but way rich! Let me know if you want the super easy recipe)….

…and I have even done some sketches and Zentangles but haven’t managed to scan or take pics of any them, yet.

Life is moving right along, as it should, and I am making it my goal to enjoy every minute of it…even when I’m exhausted.

Love to you all and thanks so much for welcoming me so warmly back to the blogosphere!

Peace & Love,
Barb

Well, Hello There!

2009-07-10T23:07:00.001-05:00

Hi y’all. I know it’s been a while…a very long while…but it was time that I desperately needed to acclimate to working again, fitting art into a much fuller schedule, and just some down time without feeling the pressure (self-induced, i admit) to blog.

Much has happened in the past 5 1/2 weeks that i will share with y’all in due time, yet nothing has happened…if that makes any sense at all.

I did make the decision to make this MY blog…not just about art and journaling but about my life, too. More about my life than before. I guess that’s something I should have given my self permission to do when I began this blog but I didn’t so when my art production went down, I felt as though I shouldn’t blog.

What a crock that is.

This is my space, my little online world of my own making so why had I made these crazy rules about what I could and couldn’t include here? I really guess it had to do with the fear of losing readership if I wasn’t artsy enough or creative enough. But now, well, I yam what I yam and to try and be something I’m not was suffocating me. Yes, I am artsy and creative and love to make tons of different things in my own crafty-artsy way…but I also have a life with a husband, kids, a grandson, sisters, brothers, a job, bills, good days and bad days, tears and laughter. I just came to the conclusion that my art is not the only thing about me that I want to share in this space…and that is what the days to come have in store for the pages here.

I hope you’ll like the other parts of me that I will share from here on out and that you’ll keep in mind that I’m human, with quirks and opinions and I make mistakes as well as have my triumphs…it’s all fair game.

If you’ve read this far, thank you. Thank you for letting me step back into your life after a little hiatus; thank you for your patience.

Peace & Love,
Barb

Taking a Blogging Break

2009-06-02T17:47:00.001-05:00

I’ve realized that I have very little time to myself anymore, now that I’m working full time again. I am not journaling as much as I would like to, I am not keeping up with all the wonderful blogs that I so adore, I am not even playing with my baby boys (Jasper & Juno, my precious maltipoo pups) like I should.

Everything is suffering...mainly me.

So, I decided to take a blogging vacation. I love this blog and the great friends I’ve made through it but I don’t like the feeling guilty that I wind up suffering with when I don’t update for long periods of time due to just being overwhelmed. (I don’t know how some of you chicas manage to do it all !!!)

I’m not leaving the blogosphere by any means, I’m just going to take a little break...probably just for the month of June or so...to spend more time doing art, working in my journals (yes, I have FOUR of them going right now!), playing with my babies, playing with the hubby (lol) and just not worrying so damn much.

I know I’ve already lost readership around here due to my inability to post with any regularity and I am sure I’ll lose even more of you with this decision...but for those of you that do stick around, I am eternally grateful.

Take care and I will talk at ya later.

Much Peace & Love,

Barb

Life Changes

2009-05-23T00:44:00.001-05:00

We all go through changes in our lives from day to day…some big, some small.

For me, it seems as though life has been a true rollercoaster in the past 3 months. If it weren’t for my art and the love of my family, I really don’t know how I could have gotten through it all.

I decided to return to work in spite of my panic/anxiety disorder and debilitating depression, I now drive all the time (a HUGE fear of mine) for work, am dealing with ongoing major dental work, and on and on…

Then, a few weeks ago, my youngest daughter who has been my constant companion since her birth and, dare I say, my very soul, decided to move out and really begin a life with her husband. Out of our home, no longer living in the basement of Mom and Richie’s house but to an apartment of their own…2 hours away in Huntsville.

*sigh*

This has been really tough for me.

I’m still journaling and doing art, as much as time will allow, but I can’t help but feel a bit disoriented by all of the change.

It’s just all a lot to deal with and absorb for me right now but I think this journal page pretty well sums up how losing my “baby” has affected me.

I’m still here…still around…just taking some time to adjust to all that life is throwing at me right now.

I hope this finds you all doing well. You are all in my thoughts, I promise…I’m even reading your blogs…I just can’t find any words at the moment. Given time, I’ll be back to my old self.

Bear with me.

Peace & Love,
Barb

Rocky Waters

2009-05-06T18:34:00.001-05:00

It’s been a rough few days around the old homestead.

I’ve had dental problems that have been needing some major attention and because of my panic/anxiety disorder I put it off and put it off until, yep-you guessed it, a massive toothache hit me. Ugh!

So Monday afternoon was spent in the dentists chair (luckily my sister-in-law if his hygienist so that was a comfort) and ended up getting another molar pulled. It was after looking at my x-rays and seeing the advancement of my periodontal disease and amount of bone loss in my mandible that he (Dr. Hall) and I made the decision that I will have to lose a number of my molars and will be getting implants (if my jaw bone can handle it) or, in the alternative, partial plates.

I say partial plates because I don’t like the idea of saying partial dentures.

OMG, dentures!?!?!? I’m only 43…how in the world did I get to the point of TRI-focal glasses and blasted DENTURES?

*rolls eyes*

Yes, kiddies…contrary to what we though when we were 17, we really do get older.

I swear that last month I was still in my 20’s! And look at me today, eyesight failing, losing my teeth and getting falsies (and not the chesticle kind either) and then I look at the calendar and *BAM*, it hits me...my oldest daughter turned 22 years old today.

HUH?!?! How’d that happen? I mean, she was just a baby not so long ago and now she’s really a grown up at 22! OMG, I am getting sooooo old.

YIKES!

Anyway, there was a point to all of this (besides just my old woman moaning and whining LOL)…I was goofy on pain pills Monday evening (and looked like I had been hit in the jaw, too) and all day Tuesday. Today I don’t feel so hot since I couldn’t take any pain meds because I had to drive to Tuscaloosa (80+ miles each way) for work. *sigh* Now I’m home after a 10 hour day, a pain pill in my tummy (hoping it goes to work quickly) and I’m beyond exhausted.

I’m just beat. Absolutely beat!

I’m sitting here staring at a pile of envelopes with goodies in them ready to mail that I still don’t have out to you guys. The Post Office closed at noon on Saturday and I haven’t had the chance, with all the dental stuff, to get to the Post Office to mail things.

I feel like such a lazy loser but I do hope you will all understand and bear with me. I have your goodies packaged, addressed and ready to go but I have to find the time (and energy) to spend some time at the PO to get them to y’all. Just know that you have things coming…in time. And Seth, you were the hardest to pick for so I hope you don’t think I’m a dork for your package. LOL

I think I will journal for a while before dinner (and who knows what that will be?)…I’ve had a pain pill so I might be surprised tomorrow at what the product of my journaling is tonight. HA!~

Happy Humpday, y’all.

Peace & Love,
♥ Barb ♥

Zentangles & Yummy Journals!

2009-04-30T20:10:00.003-05:00

Did y’all think I had disappeared off the face of the earth? Nope, I’m still here…busy as a little ol’ bee these days, too.

The hubby and I both ended up with some kind of stomach virus Tuesday evening and went straight to bed when we got home from work and both of us wound up off work yesterday (couldn’t get too far from the bathroom, don’t ya know…ick!) Today we were both back at it full force and then, when we got home from work (10 1/4 hours for each of us), we did an hour and a half of yard work…mowing, raking, picking up the “stick collection” that our boys (Jasper & Juno) have been saving up at their favorite sunny spot.

Needless to say, I am POOPED!!!

Tomorrow is May 1st and it was my plan to have all my goodie envelopes addressed, filled and ready to mail but it will probably be Saturday morning before I make it to the Post Office with them since I have to work tomorrow to make up for missing Wednesday. Sorry…but I’m getting there. Life is just so full these days.

I did manage to clean up my studio a bit so I can work in there without getting claustraphobic (LOL) and have made it my daily lunch ritual to sit in the shade with my lunch, a cold Diet Mt. Dew and my Moleskine and do my Zentangles. I haven’t missed a day since starting work. It relaxes me and keeps me from feeling that I’m losing touch with my art, too.

Here are some I’ve done lately (you can click on any of them to enlarge and see them bigger)….

Can you tell how much I love doing these? It is very relaxing and calming for me and keeps me feeling good, even when things around me are stressful. Gotta love that!

Speaking of Moleskines and just great journals in general…I have found the MOST awesome site to order them from! OMG, if you love journals and who doesn’t?, you just have to check out: Journaling Arts. Cynthia’s got the best selection you’ll ever find in journals. I think I want at least one of everything she’s got! lol I am really dreaming of this one (*drools*):

Isn’t it GORGEOUS!!!

Anyway, I have paperwork to finish for work so I can get my expense check in a quickness…and we are going to eat some yummy Chinese for dinner.

I’ll try not to be gone so long this time…much love to you all.

Peace & Love,
♥ Barb ♥

Finally, Some Art

2009-04-23T19:32:00.001-05:00

Hi y’all!! I’ve sure missed everyone but I have had another busy week at work and I’m still loving it...PLUS, I’ve actually gotten in some art time in the evenings, a little here and a little there. I guess that means that I really am starting to adapt to my new schedule and being back at work. I think it will continue to get even better.

Thank you all for hanging with me, being patient, and for giving me some much needed support during my transition back into the working world. I have the best friends and readers in the world. I just adore you all so much!

The race on Sunday was great until the rain moved in and settled on the track for over 3 hours. We ended up leaving after the first full round and heading for home, getting here just in time to see the rest of the race on ESPN2. No problem. We still had a great time!!

Now, on to the art I’ve managed to create lately (YAY! Go me!!!)

These are some tile pendants I’ve made from Scrabble tiles (the smaller (ones) and the larger ones are wood tiles I cut from paint stir sticks from work. (Shhhhh, don’t tell anyone. LOL Just kidding, they’re free.) I Still have to attach the bails to the ones that say “Create” and “Joy” but my E6000 adhesive is all gone so I need to pick some up tomorrow when I run errands.

I love making these...they are so fun and will look great on the sterling ball chains I have. The lacquer overcoat layer is about 1/16” thick and really shines like crazy! What do y’all think?

In my art journal I’ve actually done a couple of spreads and even managed a few pages of Zentangles in my Moleskine, too.

I didn’t scan them this time (too lazy right this moment) but took pics with my digital camera so the clarity isn’t great (sorry.)

I was thinking about all those great memories from my childhood that I have running through my mind at random times and decided I want a place to just jot them down as they come to me, so here’s the pages I am doing that on.

I found the flower and little girl in a magazine ad then collaged all kinds of sky blues from other magazine pics to make the sky and greens to make the grass then coated each area with it’s respective color of acrylic paint mixed with glazing medium to unify each area. And we all know you can never go wrong with a black and white checkered border. *smile*

Now whenever I think of some great childhood memory I had forgotten about, I open to this page and jot a line about it. If you art journal, you really should try this idea. It’s a great little place to put reminders about all those warm and fuzzy moments that you come across from time to time.

This is another one that is a little off color wise (and has a bad glare, too) due to being a pic instead of a scan. *shrug* The face just seemed to shout Hills and Valleys at me so that’s what they became. The journaling was just my train of thought after I did the background.

So, there you have what I’ve been up to lately when not at work or sleeping. What have y’all been up to this week?

Off to read some of you guys right now. I am sorry I’m behind on everyone but catching up is hard to do! I’m trying though.

Peace & Love,
♥ Barb ♥

Not so Amusing Day at the Park

2009-04-18T19:22:00.001-05:00

We’re at the hotel in Suwanee, Georgia and man, it’s been a long day! We were up early and at Six Flags shortly after their 10am opening..and so were about 100 different busloads of kids from various high school bands.

That means that the weather may have been perfect for a day at the amusement park but this deluge of teenagers (about 8-10,000 of them) made it so packed that you couldn’t get on a ride without a 90+ minute wait. It was horrendous!!!!

We had so been looking forward to having a good time and riding rides all day but it was so packed that it made us all miserable. *sigh*

We did ride a few things but ended up giving up after Toad lost his wallet and the crowds just got to be too much.

Oh well, we’re really here for the race tomorrow but the really bad news is that I have kept an eye on the forecast and it is calling for rain at the track all day tomorrow.

Rain means no racing. No racing means a disappointed crew here with me and a hubby that will be crabbier than you can imagine.

I’m so hoping for no rain. Puh-leeeeze, no rain! Just let it hold off until late afternoon, at least.

I guess we’ll see.

I think I am going to close this and relax for a while before an early sleep so I can get up early in the morning.

Oh, and don’t worry…we’re still having a blast. We’ve had more laughs than you can imagine and we’re not letting the not so great parts of the weekend get to us. Slowly but surely I am convince them that attitude is 90% of every experience…it’s making the trip much more fun than it would be if they (we?) let the sucky parts get to us. Gotta see the good and not let the bad get to ya. Least that’s my thoughts on it.

Now, I’m really out of here for tonight.

Happy weekend, y’all!

Peace & Love,
♥ Barb ♥

Time for a Getaway

2009-04-17T10:55:00.001-05:00

Whew, it’s been a long week. A productive and fulfilling week but a very tiring one for this chica, I’m tellin’ ya!

Although today is Friday, it is the beginning of my weekend since I managed to put in 42 hours in 4 days…see what I mean about tiring? I’m traveling to Tuscaloosa for my assignments right now and it’s almost two hours each way so I’m devouring books on CD quickly (plus that is much of my work time, too.)

Today the hubby and I are heading out to Atlanta, GA, taking Shelby & Toad along, for a weekend of fun including the NHRA drag race. YAY!!! I am such a huge drag racing fan; I love it!

I’m so excited!

We’ve got plans to head out early this afternoon (hopefully, if Toad can get off work early), stop in Birmingham at this fabulous Mexican place for an awesome meal, check into our hotel in Atlanta (Austell, actually) and relax tonight. Tomorrow we’ll pack up, eat breakfast then head to Six Flags to ride rollercoasters all day!!!

That should be a blast. We had so much fun the last time we went (Summer 2006) and because of the economy, Six Flags has dropped the price of their tickets which makes it much easier to afford. I even bought our tickets and parking pass online already.

Anyway, then we’ll drive toward the race site (about 60 miles northeast of Atlanta), check into our next hotel, shower, eat a good dinner out and then head to bed early because Sunday is the RACE! We’ll be up early, breakfast and at the track by 8am!

Be sure to check out NHRA RaceDay which airs on ESPN2 at 10:30am (central time). Richie & I will be on it, yelling and cheering like crazy! I’ll even have a sign so look for the crazy, short haired, chubby chick, waving a sign...gotta think of something good to put on it. LOL!!!

I’m so excited. It’s been forever since we’ve gone anywhere or done anything (remember, I’ve been hoarding every extra dollar to keep our house out of foreclosure) so this trip is such a humongous treat. Can you tell? LOL

I hope that you all have a good weekend planned and that you enjoy every moment of it. Life is short, enjoy the ride...every single morsel of the ride.

Peace, Love & Rollercoasters,
♥ Barb ♥

Decision Made & Journal Pages

2009-04-13T19:55:00.001-05:00

I’ve thought about it all day…how I’ve been loving giving out goodies in my 29 Days “contest” but how, with work being such a drain on me right now, I have run further and further behind in my giveaways. Y’all have no idea how much that bothers me and I am doing this because it makes me feel good so I don’t want it to turn into something stressful. I just want it to be fun and continue to make me feel good.

So, I came up with the perfect solution!!!

There are 38 comments on the “Giveaway” blog post but a few of those didn’t send me addresses (you know who you are) and one ninny commented twice (you know who you are, too, KRISTIN! lol)…I have decided to gift each one of you that took time to comment AND send me your address. Yep, it may take me til the end of the month to get all my little packages filled, addressed, stamped and mailed but EVERYONE is getting a little something from me.

Thus, no more drawings or posting about the drawings…I can just take my list of addresses that I received and know that each one of you will be receiving something from me. Voila, a super good feeling for me, a goodie (or two) for each of you (YAY!!!), and now I can journal and paint and make jewelry and WORK (like the little worker bee I am these days) without feeling overwhelmed or like I’m falling behind.

I love posting my art and doing my art, so now I can go back to focusing on that in the evenings without that feeling of guilt that I haven’t used the Randomizer and posted a winner which, after dinner, dishes, time with hubby and a little internet surfing, and very little journaling, left me feeling drained.

Y’all feelin’ me?

Anyway, if you commented on that entry and forgot to send me your address, email it to me NOW (even you guys, Melissa, Kristin & Rebecca!) so I can get my ducks in a row and meet my deadline (self imposed) of having all my goodies out in the mail by April 30th..you’ll just have to be patient with me until then. I’ll try and make it worth it. *smile*

So, what do you think?

Now for some A.R.T., art!!! Here’s what I’ve been doing while I am on my lunch break each day:

I’ve got a Moleskine that I’ve dedicated solely to doing Zentangles and doodles and I take it with me everywhere I go.

I’m finding that it relaxes me to do them at lunch so when I go back to the store I really do feel refreshed and as though my stress level is staying low.

It really is very calming and relaxing..not to mention that you never know what they’ll turn out looking like in the end. Portable art with very little supplies…gotta love that.

If you haven’t tried them, you really should. Not quite as good as a one hour full body massage but hey, way cheaper one. LOL

And this is a journal spread I did quite spur of the moment after some kooky woman decided to attack me on one of the Yahoo journaling groups I subscribe to. She really pissed me off and this was my way of letting off steam AND reminding myself that I am only in control of ME, no one else.

I felt better after doing it. (See the snooty woman on the right page..that’s her LOL)

Anyway, work is going great and I’m handling it great. too. I have to admit that I’m really proud of myself. Three months ago I really never thought I’d work again and look at me now. YAY, go me!

I hope you’re all doing well. Sorry I’m not reading blogs much right now but maybe I’ve freed myself up a little and can try to play a little catch up with some of you now.

Peace & Love,
♥ Barb ♥

Fallen Behind

2009-04-13T05:27:00.001-05:00

I haven’t forgotten or given up on my giveaways, I have just fallen behind. Partly due to just being so tired and then last night, when I was trying to get to the ones I hadn’t done, a HUGE storm blew in, knocked our electricity out and shot that idea for me.

Bear with me and I will get back in sync but for now, it’s time to get ready for work.

Peace & Love,
♥ Barb ♥

Winners #7 & 8

2009-04-08T20:01:00.001-05:00

Slowly but surely I am adapting to working again. Does that sound strange? I mean, that I’m having to adapt to working after having worked for the past 27 years other than this year long break?

Well, let me tell you, it’s pretty easy to fall out of the habits of being in the working world.

I just didn’t want y’all to think I am intentionally being a slacker about doing my giveaways…I think about it each day but, like yesterday, exhaustion sometimes gets the best of me and I can’t even think coherently, much less write a blog post. lol

I haven’t even scanned any journal pages in over a week! OMG, y’all know how I love to share my journaling so a week with no scans…how blasphemous is that?!?!?

Anyway, let’s do two today to make up for my incoherency yesterday…

That means that Seth, fabulously artistic Seth!, is our 7th winner! Woot…YAY Seth!

Seth said...

Congratulations on your 100th post Barb. Job well done! And thanks for being so generous here with the giveaways!

March 16, 2009 11:02 PM

And for today, our winner is:

And comment number 8 is the wonderful Sharon, my friend in positivity! YAY Sharon!!!

Sharon said...

Happy BD to your blog!! I know that we all seem to get down when we are in pain and feel crappy. We must repeat each day,"I am a healthy beautiful person!!" I am at this minute sending you positive thoughts. Read the book, The Secret, to get you on the way to abundance in your life. And oh yea, please include me in the give aways and thanx for sharing. Sharon

March 15, 2009 7:39 PM

I’ve not forgotten about my egg shells but I just haven’t had time or energy to really get it going the way I want…at least, not far enough into it to share with y’all yet. But I will…I swear I will…just be patient with me.

What kind of art or other goodness are y’all creating these days?

Thanks for sticking with me, y’all…I will be back to my old self in time, sharing my art (and even creating some! lol) and that kind of stuff again soon. I just have to get myself used to my new schedule and let my body adapt to all the energy needs I’m putting it through.

Much…
Peace & Love,
♥ Barb ♥

Winner #6

2009-04-06T22:52:00.001-05:00

It’s late and I’m exhausted so this is going to be very short and sweet!

Todays winner, via our trusty Random Number chooser is:

And comment no. 3 belongs to…my wonderful friend, ROBIN!!! Woot!

Bits-n-Pieces said...

Happy 100th!!
This is a wonderful idea! I'm all about some giveaway, especially when it includes the beautiful things you do!! :) You have my info!
And March is also special cuz it's MY bday! LOL
xoxox

March 15, 2009 8:06 AM

YAY, Rob…I can’t wait to get you something out in the mail. Gimme a few days to do some more of my giveaways and I will get it out to you.

I did want to let y’all know that I’m running behind on my mailing (they’re packaged but getting to the Post Office is taking me some time) so y’all bear with me. I’m getting there.

Before I hit the hay, here’s a question for all of you, my fabulous faithful readers…since I am working full time now, would an online “Art Journaling Workshop” be something you’d consider taking? How many weeks/lessons would be good? Price ideas?

I still really want to do this but I don’t know if time will allow me to do a large, in person workshop but I can do my handouts, videos and a website so that was my first thought. I just wonder what y’all think?

So, do tell….

I love you guys!

Peace & Love,
♥ Barb ♥

Silly Mistake & TWO Winners

2009-04-05T12:26:00.005-05:00

Something I’ve noticed…it seems strange (not really but you know what I mean) to me that hardly anyone is commenting on my blog since I’ve began my giveaways. Hmmmm….what’s up with that?

I dunno, just thinking out loud because it has me wondering.

Anyway, my silly mistake (and why I didn’t post a winner for Day 4: I guess I was more tired than I realized. The hubby had to work yesterday, I was off and, in my tired state, I accidentally took my morning meds twice. I have gotten to the point I can handle my meds without getting too tired but a double dose? OMG, when I realized what I had done I was already getting dizzy and sleepy.

Geez! What a big ol’ dummy I can be sometimes.

Needless to say, I called the hubby who came home to take care of me and called the doc who told me what to expect and when to go to the ER if need be. See, big.ol’.dummy!!!

THAT would be why I didn’t post a winner yesterday…I was in a coma for hours (but the hubs woke me up periodically and he says I was a raving lunatic when he’d finally get me roused) and when I did finally wake from that long slumber, I was a total idiot who had no business posting anything to the internet. LOL

But, to catch up, lets get down to business and do TWO drawings today….

That means that Shelly, aka BlueRidgeLady, is Saturday’s winner! YAY Shelly!!!

BlueRidgeLady said...

Hi Barb! Congratulations on your 100th post! I would love to be included! How special to get something you made! I will send email info.
I know what you mean about meds and moods.. Medicine is expensive even with insurance and a copay!! Then half the time we need a medicine that doesnt come in a generic! I'm glad we all have each other for friendship and support :D

March 15, 2009 7:08 PM

And here is todays randomly chosen winner:

YAY for Renee of Funky and Folky Sculptures!! (I don’t care that she said she didn’t want to put added pressure on me…giving is the best way of getting pleasure and peace, so she’s stuck as a winner! LOL)

Ragtree said...

Barb, I know that giving ALWAYS makes me feel better. It is easy to forget how lucky we are so it is important to focus on gratitude.
I would love to participate in your giveaway but I don't want to put added pressure on you! Visiting your blogs and being inspired by your posts is enough :)
Renee

Now, I just need to get all my packages addressed and ready to mail so I can get these first five in the mail tomorrow. And art, I want to do some art today…and watch my DVRed shows…and laundry….oh, so much to do, so little time. I also have some finished journal pages and an art piece I’ve been working on that I want to post today. Hopefully I can get to it later today, if not then I’ll post them tomorrow.

I hope your Sunday is a fabulous one!

Peace & Love,
♥ Barb ♥

TGIF & Winner #3!

2009-04-03T22:12:00.005-05:00

I know I haven’t worked a full week this week but it has been a while since I’ve been a working girl and I gotta tell y’all, I am one tired chickie this evening. My feet ache and I am just tired all over but hey, I am NOT complaining in the least…it is very much a good kind of tired.

I have really surprised myself (sorta but not really, if you know what I mean)…by being positive and feeling certain that I AM on the right track with my attitude and health and just everything, I didn’t have one single panic attack or even a hint of anxiety at all this week. If you know me at all, this is monumental. But I knew I wouldn’t…and even if I had, I knew I could handle it and would be fine.

So much is going well, as it should. Big blood draw on Monday to see about my liver function (which is going to be GREAT, I just feel it) and check my diabetes (well under control, I am positive), etc. and a doctors appointment on Friday to discuss the results, all good I am certain.

Robin asked what my job entails. I am the District Merchandiser for O’Reilly Auto Parts, District 111, Region 18. Ha! Yea, that’s the official title….what I do is go to each store in our district and do their general merchandising which means: make sure product is on the sales floor and not sitting in the stockroom, do pre-inventory preparation, monthly counts, make sure that each stockroom is in good order, and take part in every district inventory. Since there are nine stores in our district, by the time I’ve done all nine, it will be time to head back to the first one and start over again.

I’ve spent a lifetime dealing with the public as a Paramedic for 10 year and then as a Paralegal for 12 years, so this is ideal for me because I don’t have to deal with the public at all. I just go in and can seclude myself in my stock and all that I need to do, no dealing with the public at all. I’m even wanting an iPod so I can listen to music or books as I work. How cool is that? WOOT!

Anyway, I am exhausted and really want to dive into my art journal for a while before my eyes can no longer stay open sooooooo, here’s today’s pick….

Comment #20 was from Mary (aka Shopgirl):

Shopgirl said...

100....I thought you were much younger...TEE-HEE! It will be fun!
I am sick tonight, head cold and all that junk~
I am off to bed. Your Mary

March 18, 2009 10:28 PM

YAY, Mary!!! Congratulations! A goodie will be on it’s way to you very soon.

So, there you have it, everyone…another winner in my 29 Days of Giving. I am going to try to get out my first five winners packages on Monday and do a mailing of my giveaways at least twice a week…just wanted everyone to know.

Now, time for me to journal a while and fall into a deep slumber. Maybe I will even manage to scan some of my art journaling and other art I’m working on over the weekend.

I hope that each of you has a wonderful Friday and a great weekend.

Peace & Love,
♥ Barb ♥

A Quickie & Winner #2

2009-04-02T19:04:00.001-05:00

It’s gonna have to be a quickie today, boys and girls…Barb is one tired puppy.

Whew!

I didn’t realize how much I missed working…but I also didn’t realize how tired I would be at the end of a long day. After being sick for so long and now WILLING myself to be well, it’s a bit hard on the ol’ body to get back into the grove of working but I’ll get there. For now, I’m just worn out by the end of the day. That good kind of tired you get from being productive and just doing those things that make you feel good and contributory.

I went on my lunch hour and mailed the LARGE check to the mortgage company that we have scrimped and saved and pinched to save up and now that monkey named FORE-CLO-SURE is officially off our backs (or will be on Monday or Tuesday when they receive that whopper in the mail.) That made me feel so good. We have been huddled here, me sick and in the bed (feeling like a total loser because my illnesses and inability to work were what caused us to fall behind in our mortgage payments) and the hubby working his ass off to try and catch us up as quick as he could, both of us petrified that we would really lose our home.

It was scary. VERY scary.

But once I came to the conclusion that I could either continue to wallow in the bed and complain about being sick, all while watching us lose what we’ve both worked for and dreamed of go right down the drain…or I could make the conscious decision to just BE better and think positive and do something about all of it..,health-work-finances-home-everything!!! Ah-the power of positive thinking.

That one decision was the most major factor in everything turning around. And I do mean e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g!

YAY!!!

Okay, enough of that…it’s goodie giveaway time…WOOT!

Once again, using the online Randomizer, today’s winner was chosen from the comments on my 29 Days of Giving entry and it is:

And that means that today’s winner is…Amy, aka MagicalMuse!

magicalmuse said...

I was just thinking of being grateful the other day because I started lining up all the bad things going on. Instead I focused on just as many good things in my life and realized it's all in your head and if you think it you believe it and become it! I will send an e-mail soon for the generous giveaway.
Amy

March 15, 2009 9:29 AM

Congratulations Amy! A sweet little goodie is coming your way in the next few days.

And don’t forget, y’all…we still have 27 more days of giving! YAY!!! Lots more names to pull from the hat, so to speak, and lots more goodies to give away.

Hope everyone is having a great Thursday evening. Mine is good but it’s going to be a sad one later, ER has the show finale tonight. I’ve loved that show since the first episode and I’ve seen every one since then…and tonight it ends. *sniffle*

Well, I think I’ll relax with a glass of wine and my journal for a bit before I make some cheeseburgers for dinner and settle in for my show to come on.

Oh, a little favor to ask of y’all before I forget…see the PaperBackSwap icon in my sidebar? If you aren’t already a member and you read much, it’s a great deal…and if you signup under me I get credits. A free way for me to earn books and we all know I’m a book lover and I’m all about free. lol Anyway, if you think it’s something you’d be interested in, I’d really appreciate you guys hooking a girl up. *tee hee* Thanks!

Peace & Love,
♥ Barb ♥

Happy April 1st…We have a Winner!

2009-04-01T16:55:00.001-05:00

Hi y’all! Been a few days since I’ve posted but they’ve been really great days for me. I’ve done art, enjoyed the sunshine (and the rain), accomplished some GREAT things for our family (the biggie being saving our house from foreclosure…yes, really! YAY!) and put in my first day at work today (and I really enjoyed it…even the drive!)

WOOT!!! Go me!

And now look…it’s April 1st…the first day of my 29 Days of Giving! WOW, life is just amazing. Having a new outlook on things and just allowing myself to feel good and accept all the great stuff coming my way…you just have no idea how much it has changed how I feel, physically AND emotionally.

Anyway, first my latest bit of art. Yes, you have to endure this part to get to the goodies…it’s the price ya gotta pay…lol!

I’ve also done lots of background pages in my journal, put together a little mini art journal kit to take to work with me so that I can art journal on my lunches…and I started on the project that uses the egg shells but y’all will have to be patient with me on that one, it’s going a little slower than I’d like but I’m getting there.

Now…for today’s giveaway….

I decided that for it to be totally random, I would use the online random number generator each day to choose a comment from all those on my entry about my 29 Days of Giving….

That makes today’s winner Sara!

sara said...

Woah...what fun! I'd love to jump in. :)
(Thank you for commenting on my blog - it gave me a good start!)
Here's to the next 100!

March 20, 2009 12:49 PM

YAY Sara!!! You’ll have a goodie coming your way in a few days. Congratulations!

Be sure to check back tomorrow to see who is picked as our 2nd winner.

Happy April 1st everyone.

Peace & Love,
♥ Barb ♥

Barb's Craft Therapy

The Time has Come…

Trying to Keep on Keepin’ On

Life is a Highway

Beloved Words

Little Secrets

That’s exactly what I’m doing…taking things day by day, doing all that I can with the time I have and then rising up to try again tomorrow.

I guess that’s really all any of us can do, right?

I’m not sure what I mean with all that…I think I’m just tired today.

I’ve made progress on our Vacation Collage but not as much as I’d like to have made. It just doesn’t seem right so I’ve stepped away from it for the time being and will get back to it in a couple of days with fresh eyes. Maybe then the vision will be clearer to me then.

Work has consumed my day today but I was off yesterday (boss said there was nothing for me to do) so I had a day all to myself.

I do love those kinds of days.

It just gives me such joy to play with my art supplies. It doesn’t really matter what the end product is like…it’s all about the journey. Enjoying the process is so important and I am really enjoying playing with this one.

Oh, and for those of us that often say stuff about how we can’t paint or draw or do some of our art because we don’t have the right canvas or this or that to do our art….well, I’ll show you my little secret from this piece…

Yep, this is the back of the above piece…a Ritz cracker box front. I am never at a loss for something to do art on in my house because no box ever goes into the garbage without me taking it apart to save the pieces I can use in my art (which is most of every box!)

So there…don’t ever say you don’t have anything to paint or create on…you do, right in your kitchen pantry.

So tell me, what are you doing creative these days? What are you doing to nurture your soul? What little secrets are hiding behind your art?

Share, won't you?

Peace & Love, ~Barb~

Life’s a Beach!

Sisters & Friends

A Little Birdie Told Me…

Life is a Highway

Well, Hello There!

Taking a Blogging Break

Life Changes

Rocky Waters

Zentangles & Yummy Journals!

Finally, Some Art

Not so Amusing Day at the Park

Time for a Getaway

Decision Made & Journal Pages

Fallen Behind

Winners #7 & 8

Winner #6

Silly Mistake & TWO Winners

TGIF & Winner #3!

A Quickie & Winner #2

Happy April 1st…We have a Winner!

Peace & Love,
~Barb~