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Good Times Inspiration

Hi friends! I'm popping in today with a little art journaling to change up the scenery.

This is the first year in many where I didn't write resolutions, pick a word of the year or do any of those fun make this year count activities.  I spent 8 hours of December 31 in a hospital waiting room, then went home and took care of my 3 boys.  Then I woke up the next morning and packed orders and counted thousands of stamps and dies and took care of my 3 boys.  And again the next day. And the next day. And it's a week later and I'm just beginning to come up for air.

I started using an Erin Condren Life Planner in November.  But it hasn't been opened since the week before Christmas.  Life is hectic.  Life is messy. Life sprawls all over the place and doesn't fit neatly into little boxes in a spiral bound planner.  And life doesn't seem to ever go as planned, which makes a mess in all those little boxes. And when life is so busy and every spare minute counts, there's no time to plan. So right now for 2015 I'm just winging it. And that's okay.  I think.  ;)

The one thing I did plan on this year was Donna Downey's Inspiration Wednesdays.  My goal is just to watch them all, but I'm hoping I can participate as well.  So last night once the boys were asleep and Mark was happily playing xbox, I snuck into my studio and watched the video AND did a page. Well... after I braved the closet to find the inspiration journal I had purchased a year ago and never used!


As I was digging through said closet, I found a book of vellum sayings from years gone by that had the phrase "These are good times so don't forget to smile and enjoy yourself".  I thought it was the perfect mantra for me at this point in my life, so I set it aside.  Once I watched the video and saw there was a word going down the side of Donna's page, I just had to do my own version with the word SMILE and use the vellum quote I had found.  Because I need to remember that these ARE good times.  They sure don't seem like it most days... but every day I see little glimpses of how magical the world is through a toddler's eyes. How lovely to experience everything new.  To discover Christmas and chocolate and laugh hysterically at the sound of the words mashed potatoes.


So that was what was going on in my head as I created.  Went with my favorite paint color... cobalt teal and added some shading with walnut stain distress ink, then used some faber-castell Pitt pens and a baby wipe to do most of the black, with just a bit of graphite pencil added in as well.  The hearts are die cut from music sheet paper and the butterfly tag was found in a package tucked into the inspiration journal.  Serendipity! All in all, super fun and a great start to a new journal.

Thanks for stopping by today!

15 comments

Jill Norwood said...

Julee I pray that all is well for you and your family! I know how hard it is when those hospital days happen! I went through many of them with my hubbie before he passed from cancer. I send hugs and prayers! God Bless and keep you!

Jill Norwood said...

And your journal page is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Victoria H. said...

What a beautiful page you created and looks like a great start in your journal.

Wanda Cullen said...

You do the most amazing journaling pages! LOVE that teal color!

Tricia T said...

{Hugs} Praying for you!!! I'm glad you had time to "play" a little in the midst of life's craziness!!

Maureen said...

What a soulful post! We should all strive for joy and laughter in such moments. How inspiring! I hope Mark is feeling better each day...hugs to you and your boys. I need to spend a few moments in the studio getting messy! Thanks for the reminder! ox

Janey said...

Good job - I love the phrase and it is soooo TRUE! But it is so easy to got lost in the overwhelm of the dailies.

Amber Hight said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amber Hight said...

Man, I had a whole thing written up and it didn't post, lol!! Just wanted to say how gorgeous this is, and I'm so excited to see you art journaling! How do you like those journals? I've been thinking of buying one! I'm watching the IW videos this year too and I'm so excited that she's doing them again:)

nancy carroll said...

Awesome, LOVE the colors and textures.

KAT said...

I felt like I was writing this post... I too need to remind myself that life isn't just all bad - look for those moments of happiness! I signed up for Donna's IW2015 also and plan to play along! Love all the extras that you added to this to make it your own! Play on!

JoAnn said...

So sorry you had to spend 8 hrs. in the hospital waiting room. I pray everything is alright with you and your family. Glad you had some time to play and created this amazing page in your journal. Love it.

Marisa said...

Made my heart sing to see you creating an art journal page :) A healing balm for your soul as you lose yourself in the joy of creating and I'm loving the wonderful aqua colour and the word smile as there IS a lot to smile and be thankful about despite/or in the midst of our circumstances. Ann Voskamp's 1000 gifts - some are ugly/beautiful gifts - but all are gifts when said in thanks.

Expectations we put on ourselves or those placed upon us by others can be placed in the hands of Jesus as you sit at His feet and allow Him to fill your heart and soul with what He knows you need at the moment - be it peace, strength, patience, love, etc. Drink deep of the love He has for you Julee and remember He is with you EVERY waking minute - just reach out and grab His outstretched hand when the waves seem to be getting too high - jump out of the boat and let Him help you walk on water and /or calm the storms raging in your heart and mind :) Know you are loved and I'm here for you as are my prayers ((hugs))!!

Sari said...

Beautiful!

Nancy said...

Julee, Hope hubby is mending as planned and will have two sets of good hands/ arms to help you with soon. Glad you found some time to play and create this amazing page. Love it! What a beautiful color too! HUGS!