tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15457379935097013322024-03-06T22:34:31.092-05:00 Life Lines Journaling Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-40339604630888181462016-03-23T07:09:00.001-04:002016-03-23T07:09:38.022-04:00Picture Prompt ~ Six Word Sentence<p dir="ltr">Earth's arms carried the moon goddess.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeABEXdyvOx3GhRANnmfOz6TcBWkAPjwH4h9mY-RdH9ODcJ_OfkS2kFhccoaZ5OiwT6-m1c-u0tOzjcyHuTNHgkmWOOiiMl1WhgwJgpk3P4LYg_z-SzWQfv6DUqcEifZ1HtMetTu1Fzg/s1600/IMG_20160323_002101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCeABEXdyvOx3GhRANnmfOz6TcBWkAPjwH4h9mY-RdH9ODcJ_OfkS2kFhccoaZ5OiwT6-m1c-u0tOzjcyHuTNHgkmWOOiiMl1WhgwJgpk3P4LYg_z-SzWQfv6DUqcEifZ1HtMetTu1Fzg/s640/IMG_20160323_002101.jpg"> </a> </div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-70244006216700327022016-01-27T18:55:00.001-05:002016-01-27T18:55:57.037-05:00God's Canvas<p dir="ltr">I've been dreaming about moving, a restlessness rattling my bones. You know how it is - that mood of just sick of everything & somehow running away will magically make all the craziness disappear. But of course the crazy goes with you:)<br>
And then along comes that moment of intense beauty, so unexpected, that you just have to whisper to yourself "Glory Be."<br>
This image was my moment today. I didn't have to go looking for it - living in a valley provides breathtaking views. <br>
Note to self: open your eyes</p>
<p dir="ltr">What moments of pure bliss have you experienced lately? Write about it in rich descriptive tones using all the senses. Let the memory and the narrative flow...& in those moments, you might find the chaos melts away.<br>
Enjoy, and celebrate your journey!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa4Ba5SL8CKQjiY1BiyCj209mBNGDUYU_zougsuCNfTKYEkpoYcSMsh3spcTyAWy3fko0ihcd8f4zgd9exD-NWjhQ9RrfAWzhHXi1eC1z4DqWFihKtQylwqB-IOWu2uy3GisikfGR9ew/s1600/20160127_174826-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa4Ba5SL8CKQjiY1BiyCj209mBNGDUYU_zougsuCNfTKYEkpoYcSMsh3spcTyAWy3fko0ihcd8f4zgd9exD-NWjhQ9RrfAWzhHXi1eC1z4DqWFihKtQylwqB-IOWu2uy3GisikfGR9ew/s640/20160127_174826-1.jpg"> </a> </div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-91895035067276795352016-01-22T09:04:00.000-05:002016-01-22T09:06:20.558-05:00Art Journal Pockets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwPmxQN326Uzo49CdhVmRZ7wakPcfC_1bLVxxnac-kK7nGzMDmqar6G705OGhjq1uZSjJt8PJsGvF52TfRD33uz56Od7QJm2k-eUYDTXCYn6cweJC40frINvbjya0ynGkeRoQOQjKZNE/s1600/2016-01-22+08.26.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwPmxQN326Uzo49CdhVmRZ7wakPcfC_1bLVxxnac-kK7nGzMDmqar6G705OGhjq1uZSjJt8PJsGvF52TfRD33uz56Od7QJm2k-eUYDTXCYn6cweJC40frINvbjya0ynGkeRoQOQjKZNE/s320/2016-01-22+08.26.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>This image is from a book I'm altering, but the technique can be used with any journal. Who doesn't like little secret places and stashes - a treasure chest contained within your pages, at your fingertips whenever your younger you needs to be nurtured (and the older I get, the more I have that need:).</i><br />
<i>For sturdiness, glue together several pages behind your selected page to fold. Then glue down your page, except for the area to fold. Crease your page into the fold and glue the side and bottom edges, leaving an opening and creating your pocket. </i><br />
<i>I used mod podge to glue and added gesso to the top page for more support and prep for the paints and stamps I added. However, I have also used double sided tape and stained the page with stamp ink or a hot tea bag to add color and journaled on top of the pocket. Inside the above pictured pockets, I cut out some cardstock and used those to write on. Like any journal, the possibilities are endless and the result reflects you:)</i><br />
<i>How are you "being you"?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Feels good to be back</i><br />
<i>Enjoy. ..and celebrate your journey!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-3776330492839816932013-12-02T12:11:00.001-05:002013-12-02T12:11:36.689-05:00Advent: Day One & Two<p>Advent, this powerful liturgical seaso<b>n that </b>we a<b>re </b>beginning, in<b>vites us to </b>pa<b>use in </b>s<b>ilence to </b>understa<b>nd a </b>presence. It <b>is an </b><b>invitation to </b>understand that the individual e<b>vents of the </b>day a<b>re </b>hints th<b>at </b><b>God is </b>giving us, s<b>igns of </b><b>the </b>attention he has for each o<b>ne </b><b>of </b>us. ~ Pope Bene<b>dict VXI</b></p>
<p><b>It </b><b>is </b>my hope this Christmas seas<b>on </b><b>to </b>follow more c<b>losely the </b>traditi<b>ons of </b><b>my </b>faith instead of consumerism. P<b>lease don't tell </b><b>me </b>happy holid<b><i>ays..</i></b><b>if you </b><b>don't </b>celebrate that's okay..b<b>ut let's </b>no longer minimize and d<b>emean the </b><b>season. This </b>is the <b>season </b>of celebration of <b>God's </b>g<b>ift to </b><b>us..a </b><b>season </b><b>of </b>miracles with messa<b>ges of </b><b>love </b>and <b>hope.</b><br>
<b>How will you </b>take pause, allowing yourse<b>lf the </b>g<b>ift </b><b>of </b><b>God's </b>presence inst<b>ead </b>of the ons<b>laught of </b>cyber sale<b>s and </b>inflatable Disney character<b>s?</b></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSLIpwBlKqr18jrEyshLxud-G0UgBVZfSZXJIhvVjNcmwA3gkcod9tqHAbsalgRlzlythQEDcBaQOKn2D1FpiL8vrXzgwele1MotouVsT_TJ5PDjvSyeg6FS7qmv_sYR201V1jn7qXn8/s1600/IMG_20131202_000159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSLIpwBlKqr18jrEyshLxud-G0UgBVZfSZXJIhvVjNcmwA3gkcod9tqHAbsalgRlzlythQEDcBaQOKn2D1FpiL8vrXzgwele1MotouVsT_TJ5PDjvSyeg6FS7qmv_sYR201V1jn7qXn8/s640/IMG_20131202_000159.jpg"> </a> </div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-669795351323489362013-01-30T16:06:00.001-05:002013-01-30T16:06:24.035-05:00Tinkerings<div><p><i>I came across a gorgeous locally owned shop that sold handmade items from local artists/crafters.  I am sad to say that the other sign I didn't take a picture of was "store closing."  Many of the items were reasonably priced and unique.  What does this say about our mass produced one size fits all mentality?  Our schools teach to standards of learning leaving teachers very little time to weave in creativity & as parents we contine to rush through our worlds lured by McD's and one stop shopping.  I am guilty too...this is more a criticism of society than individuals.  But then again, it's the indivduals that make up society.  It is easier and cheaper for us to fund an economy that no longer makes sense & I believe we are paying the cost in small business, right brain thinking and even our emotional & physical health.  Many of us do not live with intention.  What ways are you contributing to an entity's wealth, What ways are you encouraging local growth, youth growth and/or your own?</i></p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIU87VnBMYsn3Br5AWVVMuCLziZLSaFsljIeZVT7wmnIcfvr9cfu7AyN2GegYL-29nIAI91GKQSebbz88GUzyUQs9C4sGFgg6qJJS_Rtcw_Co2yR2Llq291Jd7VBVnSSupmbKmtGlt0o/' /></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-40474255479041918352013-01-21T10:40:00.001-05:002013-01-21T10:40:09.387-05:00Winter Solace<div><p><i>Winter finally arrived and I realized this is the 2nd year of the last five I haven't taught "Winter Solace: A Journey Within"...I have been on my own inner journey for over a year now. My main goal has been to simplify and unfortunately teaching, writing and blogging has had to be a part of that for now. Of course, my journal stays by my side in this journey:) </i><br>
<i>If you could or needed to create your own sabbatical, what would it look like? What steps can you take to nourish your soul? Create a character sketch of self balanced, at peace & life giving...try an art journal page as well. Happy New Year!</i></p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQcH1-tYjnx9070ANzT0TAgMp_5Q4OMpIx-4deJKnxJjtWpYkcvUL7aJLle31At18FrUMkveU8nV-3znX_Bw3oXy_LQ9DYK9NdRsn9DiVTrh_y1iKEgfmwPuTBFAK2_AChs9Ly9BbgIg/' /></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-11489914779339305372012-12-31T12:10:00.001-05:002012-12-31T12:10:49.606-05:00One Word 2013<div><p><a href="http://instagr.am/p/T2Yk8xPdEh/">http://instagr.am/p/T2Yk8xPdEh/</a></p>
<p>This will not be a long blog post ...how could I possibly add to John Lennon? I found my one word/intention for self and others in Central Park this past week. Would love to hear yours. For a fun new celebration, see Jill Badonsky's Awemanac facebook page. For those of you hanging in there for my sporadic posts...a sincere thank you...I have not done well in keeping up with my blog or friends. I wish you all peace, joy and love in the new year!<br>
</p>
</div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-72006467484678304452012-12-01T01:09:00.001-05:002012-12-01T07:55:45.319-05:00Happiness is a Choice <div><p><i>Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify, simplify.  Henry David Thoreau</i></p>
<p><i>Much of this past year I have worked hard to do just that...simplify.   So much easier said than done.  I have taken a less demanding job that is more fulfilling @ this time of my life and I am slowly learning the art of delegation in my home life.  I am learning that what I bring to the table in this moment is its own perfection.  And I am clearing out spaces...a little @ a time...to weed out the consumer driven life that controls some of </i><i>us.  And finally I am beginning to notice sky as canvas, the arch of a tree limb and bell clocks ringing in a glorious day.  What are you doing to slow down your own time? Need help...write a list of what you value most and look for those areas in life that don't</i><i> match</i>. Start small...leave some extra time to notice you<i>r surroundings...journal about the flavor of the day...what sights sounds smells etc called to </i>you? Love the moment you are in as life is measured in moments:)</p>
<p>(In my attempt to simplify I am trying to learn to blog from my phone...if this post<i> looks a mess.</i><br>
<i>Well this is a skill I've yet to master:)</i></p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xvAeyUvTRvLKYiPlEBbgn7uGNdPNgZLz6y2os6WO3lNeS-8SXVMI7NKDLzmQmgmF345mBcTOO4Y8C08leZp7Im-a3Hw19Hd0P1dy_w345MP4kZk5LVK0bak5nLBKJTFtO6oX2E2ek8A/' /></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-48324799584085466402012-07-22T12:24:00.001-04:002012-07-22T12:24:18.255-04:00Thoughts on Creativity<p><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><strong><em><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-poHOJVw3u8k/UAwpK80DGiI/AAAAAAAAAsE/hHbKwuLevjo/s1600-h/atc3%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="atc3" border="0" alt="atc3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LOCt2J-lg2Q/UAwpMWFpw1I/AAAAAAAAAsM/LOvbMW6oXfw/atc3_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="406" /></a> </em></strong></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><strong><em>“Basic Principles: <br />1. Creativity is the natural order of life. Life is energy: pure creative energy. <br />2. There is an underlying, in-dwelling creative force infusing all of life -- including ourselves. <br />3. When we open ourselves to our creativity, we open ourselves to the creator's creativity within us and our lives. <br />4. We are, ourselves, creations. And we, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves. <br />5. Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God. <br />6. The refusal to be creative is self-will and is counter to our true nature. <br />7. When we open ourselves to exploring our creativity, we open ourselves to God: good orderly direction. <br />8. As we open our creative channel to the creator, many gentle but powerful changes are to be expected. <br />9. It is safe to open ourselves up to greater and greater creativity. <br />10. Our creative dreams and yearnings come from a divine source. As we move toward our dreams, we move toward our divinity.” </em></strong></font>― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13229.Julia_Cameron">Julia Cameron</a></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">So the above are clearly not my thoughts; however, these are the words that resonate for me.  I have been playing with creativity forever but in the last several years I have ventured into many areas that I once said “I can’t” and I’ve used creativity as my path to deeper spirituality.  In doing so, I also just began “Scrappy’s”, an avenue to share my creations with others.  And then a dear friend  asked for a workshop on creativity.  That I have not developed as I don’t think it’s my time yet…and how does it get better than Julia Cameron’s work ~ she has laid this path in <em>The Artist’s Way </em>and <em>The Right to Write</em>.  But I am happy to share what I have learned through my own process:</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">~ Simplify….shed items, tasks, activities, and commitments that do not add value to your life; this goes for your mind as well…whatever you can get rid of that has negative energy, fear, overwhelm and stress needs to be released to make room for daydreaming</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">~ Define creativity for yourself ~ creative expression isn’t just found at the MOMA; creating comes from parenting, food preparation and presentation, household organization, crafting, sewing, writing and coloring pages!  I have a writing prompt in my e-guidebook <em>May Queen Musings </em>that might be useful here:</font></strong></p> <p>May Queen Musing #3 <br />Write about what in your life you have given birth to, what have you created (children, art, crafts, hobbies, projects, businesses, homes etc.)?</p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">~ Forget perfection and embrace your mistakes…they often take you on a path intended for you</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">~ Julia Cameron suggests “Artist Dates”…spend time alone in the world, taking it all in…nature, coffee shops, art stores, craft stores, libraries and the list goes on</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">~ Learn the art of mindfulness, the ability to be in this moment without looking back or forward and find the joy in those moments</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">~ Play ~ fly kites, stare at the sky, blow bubbles, by your own crayola set, doodle, walk barefoot in the grass, swing at the park</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">~ Laugh often and enjoy whimsy</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">~ Just jump in…I find that the more I create, I become more creative…as far as the “how to”, there are tons of blogs and websites full of tutorials and I use writing prompts as “creativity prompts” so the end result instead of a written piece may be an art journal page, an Artist Trading Card or a canvas</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">~ Finally, for me, I have to give thanks for every blessing and any gifts that God may have allowed to flow through me for the day</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Celebrate the Creative Journey:)</font></strong></p> <p> <p><i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1934462"></a></i></p></p> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-65357027702896843042012-06-25T07:56:00.001-04:002012-06-25T07:56:34.607-04:00Precious Moments<p><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/henrydavid162027.html"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/beauty.html#"></a><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/beauty.html#"></a><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/beauty.html#"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/ralphwaldo104255.html"></a></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><em>Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting.  </em>Ralph Waldo Emerson</font></strong></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnPi5B5-r4-02bUUy8w4hygskn32bI_XoaEXLzZI7Lj2U-Wu5BdQxvb9s0yFiqRe69Uc7wow2sSF_R8TTej0g4trvxHqad7eaDqQRxmKfL3mEqcs4Ld7XCq5h1v69-mCWZdc_HJPjTOg/s1600-h/vabeach16.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="vabeach1" border="0" alt="vabeach1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2X0E-cSEiuVdinoFYXPrhZVe6OSxa8e_LySZ9kirXbVnpEtfxQQh5x6qOp1wm1sDlNNfpjetLQzSUpX0gVXH4gDLtPl2Qho1zQ24NIR7UunmGBsGj2M-YnOqf8FwURfMDAj98duVil7w/?imgmax=800" width="496" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTH7WknaSMQ8R2a_oQd_gwaou6cLP94IRZ_DKRBecoBnmpqO7vOiN4o7vFWyaBmUqGGG9YkkN8gZIvqpGFZlfA6A8WG7qrFAFUr9PoKJQSD8ZCH7G67dvMfTLLLLRX8-nm2NdAvntzx4/s1600-h/vabeach97.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="vabeach9" border="0" alt="vabeach9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PyBBGfHh9gjxBb-7Lvzxewh5V7oTPLU25LHD5aGBeSIfg9Yta1GFB5yBEzTbriIUAPcbY3QsdwI6ton_SN1L5-k7VVSnT1EwyjjZ0dMQNwwz0WKgr5o-SILqRWUXsclIDm4gPS28sQ8/?imgmax=800" width="345" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEuv3SkIQ0vQCNFO8WqpP04EuDpD2DuiczVA_J-8HVPqYrcbO-5-jM-Gz8SQ_BBDbrUqi6jUZwLASOMay79L4tCsakNMqfu5dT0y0kvqsiLhWxqQZW0ChXnyKXbcCgnQXKzAzs-_3L2g/s1600-h/vabeach64.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="vabeach6" border="0" alt="vabeach6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7V-I0J9haioU8ngYIyvH2-OIP0SCVYoq0B5cSLNtQ-XYrPl5Jta-CZntdQEk13xDH8reedr22yMOVx6-0LjGs-xJNJzfdmrZM0av822coXHOSfxep-nGdJgscjFOY34MszVRjdQjMY4/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wRuk4YA9UjA/T-hR6C1bg6I/AAAAAAAAArc/SEkjt91a1nY/s1600-h/vabeach45.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="vabeach4" border="0" alt="vabeach4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW9jtiL5eXHgMYWWP-az9JhlEtYD2LUbtvmMU6tOahYSELm6NlIMr67LZ9UurTTf5atYnhxoI9LPGe1YFqiz-iAUq1Sk_WLtWsEuV4lSA_Dh0DqAtWMa9izoGePergRKRfuumk_ZBJtc/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HAbXG2g-UAU/T-hR7gncA6I/AAAAAAAAArs/0XeyzFvEj68/s1600-h/vabeach13%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="vabeach13" border="0" alt="vabeach13" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjuS-JjA5p-L1lTIDQoKpvnAQuw9I7dQ6pUPWLHUHcoa_Ji_EcK3eEEjCIEPhceoiwsrvrFpXqmSPL7wAdE558y6_bhqaCuTkW0fs70qkFaV11p1PwiK3v6VXiejaBLsfZug6SR7h-9Y/?imgmax=800" width="451" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Thank you Myra and your beautiful little girl for allowing me these glimpses of precious moments.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Sorry I’ve been out of the blogging loop for awhile ~ summer, coupled with some major life decisions has allowed me to slow down a bit and look beyond myself.  </font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Journal prompts/exercises:</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Julia Cameron calls them “artist dates”…take yourself somewhere peaceful/inspiring for no other purpose than to soak up the ambience, observing and feeling all that’s around you through all senses…then write about it.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Describe the last moment that you felt one in beauty with all that was around you…or awed by being allowed to witness it.  Did this moment have a special message?</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Using the above pictures, or other pictures that call to you, write a poem or story infused with the emotional temperature of the picture.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Happy Monday:)</font></strong></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:587e383e-c47b-4632-a824-c6ac8812561c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/journal+writing" rel="tag">journal writing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/journal+prompts" rel="tag">journal prompts</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/writing+prompts" rel="tag">writing prompts</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/beach" rel="tag">beach</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/baby+girl" rel="tag">baby girl</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ralph+Waldo+Emerson" rel="tag">Ralph Waldo Emerson</a></div> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-77626345470827693722012-04-12T08:46:00.001-04:002012-04-12T08:46:33.863-04:00Story Circle Network Conference<p><a href="http://www.storycircle.org/Conference/"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="conflogo1s" border="0" alt="conflogo1s" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_KKexLH1hMPyDg-Jz40F3vOe5PtQiAaZjiqUfYhnjk7Xl1ELrAGdKLP1LAN-cVWfLlqNVPOe_BofLtuFJ3adhklVLkLIusTDCWNw9ZZO2Ik2JTuGBICO7QF9SqYyRf91wR4hF6O_9a4/?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240" /></a> </p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Thinking of my Story Circle Network sisters as their conference begins this weekend.  If you’ve never been and can go, I encourage you to do so. It’s a wonderful experience, full of learning, sharing, stretching self and bonding.  I wrote the following after the last conference:</font></strong></p> <p><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><strong><em>Open Mic Night <br />@ a Story Circle Conference </em></strong></font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><strong><em>The air shimmered <br />with soul-sister stories <br />Permeating our spirits <br />Like rain showers on a thirsty day </em></strong></font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><strong><em>She-Warrior by She-Warrior <br />Called to the stage <br />Sharing and baring her pain and despair <br />Her humor, Her strength <br />Her joy, Her wisdom <br />Triumphs </em></strong></font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><strong><em>We become one in <br />Universal themes of <br />Individual narrative <br />Blurring the boundaries <br />Where one ends and <br />Another begins</em></strong></font></p> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-6809430347222277402012-02-21T07:33:00.001-05:002012-02-21T07:33:54.187-05:00Weekend Photos<p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Each day is a gift, no matter the season.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Saturday (about 60 degrees):</font></strong></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYyu1S7PlAwF5b0tVxm_1tsienUq4_caZEPIiviUkGV4H3yboENF96OsnMcidwklUuoqAr6OznqOTendhmPVR__npE0KXKSNHh6EejsHRT9a8dRr4Bgc0DrGbR2vtzUSdZVD2WoIbZUI/s1600-h/022012082455%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="022012082455" border="0" alt="022012082455" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kSGSInSe-bQ/T0OO_VxVAlI/AAAAAAAAAmI/cyZIKDCGIls/022012082455_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LYFws9ycRcg/T0OO_0Kx_VI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/NMgHfCDHiDk/s1600-h/022012082534%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="022012082534" border="0" alt="022012082534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdGo6sgrcp76D5rJe9cKHDBGyg-6ZEAaaW7zUtEnkGp5LfJsfzmO3YPzRBlSDjc-3LprUogWGDLimFzI0K2a2PNtc8RYGGcak9fNAgo_j87DmrcbWdbhqp0mywF0D9oTbeD8psXQG0eI/?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx18QRquHBWtyQ0bSr8-3oHeAWtFwzlW5ZLUAcYJzlppi1zSd84KMbVVm3OTuLVVtcr9hlHXEGMyL-2wW7G2EzKkedsByEZSCWdC2bDPejTxxNs9XTmgJ4sH4Om-zXo5vBse_4j_x_JVM/s1600-h/022012082355%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="022012082355" border="0" alt="022012082355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUIr8A6iayrKo2Xay8IDl3hlFwLvOnJE4aYe4VkBQdi8JDVGC6FIDs4kCIXYdOcxtc4ksMTdYchWwxfsw7QayBK1QZeZRxPFCQHjm0OyDiAOHXshucBcWAvFKVLnBwCdZPGJ_nT5OY7Y/?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a>  </p> <p> </p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Sunday:</font></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lwnhs9ObDJs/T0OPCByEQFI/AAAAAAAAAmw/Fd2-d6mXVqI/s1600-h/2012-02-19_17-06-39_276%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2012-02-19_17-06-39_276" border="0" alt="2012-02-19_17-06-39_276" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-84HHXVdJH0A/T0OPCn5-kTI/AAAAAAAAAm4/fQW0qz00DOA/2012-02-19_17-06-39_276_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lNwuUEubNYs/T0OPDCmrnjI/AAAAAAAAAnA/-_Mf8uQBgHg/s1600-h/2012-02-19_17-18-11_546%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2012-02-19_17-18-11_546" border="0" alt="2012-02-19_17-18-11_546" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0zgn8SRsok0/T0OPDnTqTaI/AAAAAAAAAnI/v4wsW45y4Fg/2012-02-19_17-18-11_546_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="265" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tTeZ92CUVKhCi9UxBocWMakr6a5OGqXcreQxUEZf_T8ml_lge7v4Rf7M0UpOMpiQ9RwHlZpnxz97UZ-FX6KiJFDRXsG0azoZ-gYlw3paiD-EfRL3iOAploQ716e12BOJDxzA2G8T9iw/s1600-h/2012-02-19_17-06-33_342%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2012-02-19_17-06-33_342" border="0" alt="2012-02-19_17-06-33_342" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L3WxBg4RTZo/T0OPGOG_2jI/AAAAAAAAAnY/871suz-3KPQ/2012-02-19_17-06-33_342_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Nfw84fHlyIg/T0OPGk-agwI/AAAAAAAAAng/kCw6EY2Kymg/s1600-h/022012083002%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="022012083002" border="0" alt="022012083002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6xFsC-uC30I/T0OPHNlRKSI/AAAAAAAAAno/I6yfRGPNwhU/022012083002_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="294" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPZ0ZJQDR10h6t3NAMSYrU_OfOMYAPTsZ897AWyD9I-6oiu0tXn13iG8j_qNe2JPJrX0vXB7eJuOKTaLLGXKPs8bJIMbI79NRwNzu7OW-Lf5mFdd4-crcSkukgtDuqNlazPo_WT37mgA/s1600-h/022012083343%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="022012083343" border="0" alt="022012083343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVbwm_MMDnJbJPNQaqJls6LEUHo_Hd6zmFXeQ2bfPkFH5LER1ajOXJOxHl_mK4TTLFGQSR1VPGBl2HH5ypzz_o5JcpO5QxjuTXKylIo7B6jEFPkCVMm_MPCcYX_dNmFhz3xRcvoV_jnA/?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gV6ovMrZ3Ls/T0OPInqoSaI/AAAAAAAAAoA/EDIDcVHsL_Q/s1600-h/022012082850%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="022012082850" border="0" alt="022012082850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghs5C-XiEQXVpZDQq3GPhIqicDwkshc8PGWWlNUawv7vMrrRMUdZZ6lMv_3Es1mn9sGQ6BbNAs98hFkKZXHigkdMkAgMpyIGfkmxA8MP7G6XvTgSYFN-USOIwuhphSwuuUk5yfOGtpJTI/?imgmax=800" width="354" height="344" /></a> </p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Monday morning:</font></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GzFuJLLr6js/T0OPJmC7aiI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/itw0QFxQ2dk/s1600-h/2012-02-20_08-52-10_198%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2012-02-20_08-52-10_198" border="0" alt="2012-02-20_08-52-10_198" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7j_89nNtq2g/T0OPKJPQkuI/AAAAAAAAAoY/0WZCkAhkfPk/2012-02-20_08-52-10_198_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="379" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GuUg-RDAGH6H56Qay9UNKneTKr6wnRsri9JN34YgRy702ZdqhkIDTLWxrzZexJ7nHu0TSaUfkUr2HbrznmOKlqJXQlX5I2OanCJiXNvBnidKj7TOcceQcHQ2aCGC4v9FhAzHwobUxzk/s1600-h/2012-02-20_08-58-43_805%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2012-02-20_08-58-43_805" border="0" alt="2012-02-20_08-58-43_805" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eJt7nvHyM98/T0OPLJW3tSI/AAAAAAAAAoo/DAX1-mlaP9Y/2012-02-20_08-58-43_805_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jQeSMkjtbBE/T0OPLu7ayZI/AAAAAAAAAow/FTDXLV7m4D8/s1600-h/2012-02-20_08-54-36_648%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2012-02-20_08-54-36_648" border="0" alt="2012-02-20_08-54-36_648" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UAIYeh2tSvc/T0OPMGVYJ0I/AAAAAAAAAo4/ulvboXwjOA8/2012-02-20_08-54-36_648_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="265" /></a> </p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">And now it’s back to 60 degrees again:)</font></strong></p> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-2941700898053521242012-02-16T19:16:00.001-05:002012-02-16T19:16:29.134-05:00Mindful Parenting<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4g2ZJBzHoUHtGpdr36tiiHVGHEXXrOZMPvnMiqPCrAuZBaz_4adWWS6pReQnx0K0_QZlPIc-xhZOXPaQ6uG3Mt8F8eV8JHh2mwNVBm8dq89XjYK1R4kZ697otMHPiAj1aNAVFPgrND0/s1600-h/e%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="e" border="0" alt="e" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6So-oKsFw48/Tz2cXEnASEI/AAAAAAAAAl4/U1e-insHVu4/e_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p> <strong><font size="3" face="Papyrus">I saw an article shared on Facebook the other day comparing the parents in France to those in the United States.  The author went on to describe how well behaved the children of the French parents were and how they had the right idea to allow free time and setting boundaries on expectations and adult time.  I don’t disagree ~ in the U.S. we often overbook ourselves and our children, have too high expectations that don’t match an individual child’s needs or their developmental stage and expose (even inadvertently, you can’t see a commercial or billboard that’s G rated anymore) our children to far more than what’s healthy.  However, the author basically dismisses the benefits that France offers its parents as a major variable in the seemingly effortless way that the French children are raised ~ free universal public nursery school (generally three hours in the morning, with a two hour lunch break for the parent and their children and three hours in the afternoon), universal medical insurance, mandatory paid maternity leave (minimum 16 weeks) and family allowances offered to all with no stigmatizing of a population that doesn’t have the same advantages of others (no, I haven’t been to France – found this information on one of their governmental websites and several other written sources).</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="3" face="Papyrus">Clearly, children and families are valued in France.    There are other countries that offer even more generous benefits to their parents of young children.  In the U.S., we view assistance as though it should only be offered to the “deserving”, offer very little in the way of providing enough to actually move ahead and fear that some families have no incentive to get off “welfare” (because $176 a month with a couple hundred in food stamps certainly indicates taxpayers are providing a lap of luxury for those folks stuck in the system).  Our country fights between political factions about what people should be provided.  But if we could move beyond the politics and consider what’s right in terms of behaving humanely and  consider this country’s crime rates, its dismal score on the UN report card of child well-being and explore the fact that we are only one of FOUR countries that do not mandate PAID maternity and/or paternity leave, perhaps we could find it in ourselves to remember the roots of this country.  Not the roots that were built on oppression and unspeakable acts against others, but the roots that believed that all should be equal (yes, I intentionally use the word ALL and not white men…and I mean no disrespect to white men) with an unalienable right to pursuit of happiness.  And one can not achieve the higher echelons of Maslow’s pyramid without a secure base.  Does it not behoove us to have healthy parents raising secure healthy families?</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="3" face="Papyrus">Let’s dig a little deeper.  When you consider that the primary brain development, the most intense time of development which interrupted can have lifelong devastating impacts is from in utero to age three (and no it doesn’t stop after this point), why would we not, as a nation, want our families of the young to be fully supported in their most important task – that of raising healthy, regulated, creative children that will one day be responsible for the leadership and care of our citizens.  This is not a topic for those parents of only young children.  This is not even a topic just for parents.  This is an issue for all of us.  And to add one more layer ~ more and more research is demonstrating the absolutely toxic effect of cortisol, the stress hormone, both in utero and during the prime development stage.  Children can not only experience stress but are impacted by the parents’ stress as well.  </font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="3" face="Papyrus">A life without any stressors is unreasonable and probably only happens to those without a pulse.  But a life overloaded with stressors is not only detrimental to brain development but also exacerbates, and sometimes even causes, mental health and/or medical issues.  As the alleged greatest nation on earth, we can do better.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="3" face="Papyrus">What can you do?  Educate yourself, make this a topic of focus for the politicians, and practice mindfulness.    Do what you can to create your own world outside the media and the expectations of others.  And journal about how stress impacts you and those you love.  Use springboards in your journal writing about what your stressors are and where can you let go.  I’ve also included a link to Jon Kabat Zinn’s website and some ideas on mindful parenting – learning to be in the moment without a hundred other distractions.  This will give you the opportunity to enjoy and LIVE your moments, model this for others and engage in deeper, more meaningful relationships…including with your children.  Children who feel worthy of your time and undivided attention gain valuable skills in their own sense of self.</font></strong></p> <p><font size="3" face="Papyrus"><strong><em>If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all.  ~Pearl S. Buck</em></strong></font></p> <p> <a href="http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/changing%20parenting/mindfulparentingzinn.html" target="_blank">Tip Sheet</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:29dd2b9a-4dc1-475c-8fc6-b445e1b0288a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/mindfulness" rel="tag">mindfulness</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/mindful+parenting" rel="tag">mindful parenting</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/stress" rel="tag">stress</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/society" rel="tag">society</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/journaling" rel="tag">journaling</a></div> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-48765262859320278312012-02-02T20:44:00.001-05:002012-02-02T20:44:51.165-05:00Consumerism vs Creativity<p><strong><em><font size="3" face="Papyrus">Simplicity is the final achievement.  After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.  Frederic Chopin</font></em></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WEuXuEQUiMM/Tys8EMlxuDI/AAAAAAAAAlc/tztCkd62g9s/s1600-h/020212175948%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="020212175948" border="0" alt="020212175948" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FJ5oh3hU3ZQ/Tys8ErLRE_I/AAAAAAAAAlk/Z9NlF2aqrjg/020212175948_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><strong><em><font size="3" face="Papyrus"></font></em></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="3" face="Papyrus">I’ve been skipping around in my “ABC’s of Me” and finally got to “C.”  As I’ve posted before, I’ve been attempting to hand make items whenever I can.  In the past couple of years, it has been about exploring creative avenues.  Now it has become more of a necessity.  One reason of course is the economy.  However, I’ve also found that I don’t want or need more “things.”  In fact, those “things” take up too much space and energy and I am trying to weed out and re-purpose as much as possible.  Given a choice between the mall and my writing/art/sewing room, I want my room.  Trying to teach this value to a younger generation though is challenging ~ had I thrown away the televisions and home schooled I might’ve had a chance.  For me, my creative room is magical…akin to Disney World.  My youngest daughter isn’t there yet ~ she’s never seen my art room on any commercial.  Interestingly, I’m not sure that it would have captured my attention either until the last few years.  Before this creative path began, I did not consider myself an artist in any way and I thought it was simpler to buy a gift than to make one.  Exploring creativity truly started once the tv no longer held my interest and I carved out times of solitude; then I was able to find out what I really enjoyed ~ which wasn’t the rush of the world or the glitz of storefronts.  I am thankful for the luxuries of stocked grocery stores and clothing but I do believe that capitalism has its costs…one of which is right brain thinking, the heart of creativity [yes, I know there are many others but this isn’t a political blog:)</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="3" face="Papyrus">Are you experiencing overwhelm?  A lack of time?  A lack of inspiration?  In what ways could you simplify your life so that you can LIVE your life?</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="3" face="Papyrus">(the candle pictured above is based off a project from <a href="http://gauchealchemy.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Gauche Alchemy</a>)</font></strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:52996af0-46dc-43f0-be53-c3be125eedc9" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/simplicity" rel="tag">simplicity</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/journal+prompt" rel="tag">journal prompt</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Gauche+Alchemy" rel="tag">Gauche Alchemy</a></div> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-31084574860280409432011-11-29T01:41:00.001-05:002011-11-29T01:41:13.441-05:00Breathe<p><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><strong><em>Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.  ~Elizabeth Lawrence</em></strong></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7GNqlAtaa-Y/TtR-ezX5-8I/AAAAAAAAAkA/-akWkcLR3hY/s1600-h/101511184850%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="101511184850" border="0" alt="101511184850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQbHhL2BiFGovKJpRZEwYdBePCltoii7Qcsf-swNRgZMeS2GSBjPQYdSwtnLmsw3N0xv0_fxWO_OZ7q5F2z-D5IkRN1EkrLT-gTs-H0w6T-PnLhhGoK0q6vcZeVXMTixSRLem1hscFxw/?imgmax=800" width="361" height="640" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpNe7GiVq803a9wnSK_vebfUwQDNl8qV_C4Xl0lHsNT0wcL_u21oKZFZSMp6QX2ifVZME5SpQNca31EncJ2ZaoXFw-a2yuYPnyo4gUxk5oKif4xcCAk2aJuJ5gK23biiVwZmNxJaTHX0/s1600-h/111011103122%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="111011103122" border="0" alt="111011103122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Lwezujd1okiCw4i9Yx__rZORwS7iSp4_OSqDZCDYtr2GuTwVZv8_a_LF77WAZHeJcsJ5Y_AqNtzVYE53jwRdrIxZpfUY_DDKgVg8yyGCIatMGPW9HS6gZS04ffJ7qzs8jarP-N3s0OM/?imgmax=800" width="361" height="361" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lSc66E1wL3M/TtR-g_l8BRI/AAAAAAAAAkg/6DfWx4U5G3s/s1600-h/111011103345%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="111011103345" border="0" alt="111011103345" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E62rRVXHOVY/TtR-hdH5ojI/AAAAAAAAAko/Hfu8kk96taQ/111011103345_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="361" height="361" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_SKq1YF9KsPL9x-5qeGAptvj6S6Qhu5kMOPLOdVtOoIj6CP3sd-V0e6yXxgGVZDxO7ylssKjSdYg2yj6pyLk86eDRDsB1uTqKKv0RPYLxRSrL-8KUx9MMqIhoMZML3UsmNZm5TrruU4/s1600-h/317040_2213706263828_1282687641_31915466_1649050923_n%25255B30%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="317040_2213706263828_1282687641_31915466_1649050923_n" border="0" alt="317040_2213706263828_1282687641_31915466_1649050923_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k1ueTozs-bk/TtR-iDezcuI/AAAAAAAAAk4/TwfN5JXhoow/317040_2213706263828_1282687641_31915466_1649050923_n_thumb%25255B28%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="278" /></a> </p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">I have been on a self-imposed sabbatical ~ although I often work with others on self-care, I managed to forget nourishing my own spirit.  Thought I’d share a few images from my daily life (I do love living in a seasonal area); when the beauty around me is enough, I know I’ve arrived back to where I want to be.  Miss all my bloggy friends and hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season in whatever way you celebrate it.</font></strong></p> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-69175741431217574862011-08-19T10:00:00.001-04:002011-08-19T10:00:39.450-04:00ABC’s of Me ~ A<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCCFwXlMiBSjOqkIG-WqN3CtzAu8ptoCkMdnILko0dV7dPvcK_k6WkOws-PkqukaeA3dO7KZwD4gbG5xHIaqhDXkghk0Q_T4b9_kigxCjd__dK4xMzTGSlz4X9MmQdhHkWtUrF1CquRY/s1600-h/08161119592811.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="081611195928" border="0" alt="081611195928" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n4AaLXxv-tY/Tk5sha01GsI/AAAAAAAAAjg/KZKJ_gRoeo8/081611195928_thumb13.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="484" /></a></p> <p><strong><em><font size="5" face="Papyrus">We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.  Luciano de Crescenzo</font></em></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">I did several art journal pages to begin with letter “A” but angel is what called to me.  A dear friend recently sent a goody bag full of treasure. Any gift or thought is always uplifting; however, in these particular moments where I have felt such a drought, this unexpected gift was a soul shower.   And what a surprise that there were four books that I was clearly meant to read at this phase in my life ~ Marianne Williamson and Julia Cameron (always my favorites) and a new favorite, Anne Lamott.  I journaled my way through each of these books, each one building on the other (certainly too many pages to share here!) which finally culminated in my ABC’s of Me angel page.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">What books have touched you in a meaningful way?  More importantly, what people have touched you in a meaningful way?</font></strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6870d63b-f291-42cc-92c8-b0cf63e5fee1" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/self+discovery" rel="tag">self discovery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/writing+prompt" rel="tag">writing prompt</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Marianne+Williamson" rel="tag">Marianne Williamson</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Julia+Cameron" rel="tag">Julia Cameron</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Anne+Lamott" rel="tag">Anne Lamott</a></div> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-62428678138279539772011-08-07T10:48:00.001-04:002011-08-07T10:48:58.740-04:00The ABC’s of Me Self Discovery Project<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RcknlCnrqSI/Tj6l12KQhYI/AAAAAAAAAjU/tuBvPlAih5E/s1600-h/073111160906%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="073111160906" border="0" alt="073111160906" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C2ggARTyDyA/Tj6l2Yoh0qI/AAAAAAAAAjY/hj0UBZ_xnbM/073111160906_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="333" /></a> </p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">I made this journal for a friend who found meaning through children’s books.  At the same time, I was reading Marianne Williamson’s <em>The Age of Miracles</em> and somewhere in the process realized I wanted to get back to basics.  The phrase “the ABC’s of me” resonated and using the alphabet for list-making and acrostic poems is a common technique both in journal writing and creative writing (although for most of us I think those lines blur…often journal writing is creative writing and vice versa).  Perhaps with the back to school season upon us, as I shop for backpacks and notebooks and colored pencils etc., “the ABC’s of me” seems timely; especially as this will be the first year in a long time that I am not taking any classes (yay, all done).  </font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">My plan is to explore in my journal each letter and all that bubbles up in terms of re-discovering self at this new age I find myself in.  I’ll post about the “letter of the week” and sprinkle in some creativity prompts along the way.  I hope you’ll join me.  There’s a linky on the sidebar that will remain during our process.  No rules ~ feel free to join in, observe, link on the side, link on your blog…or not…I would love for you to, but I know how many fun blog events I bailed out of because I couldn’t keep up or make the time for all the parameters (ex ~<em>link here, visit the first two blogs and comment, visit the blog that signed in five spaces before and after, comment three times, link in your post and jump twice in a circle while rubbing your head…).  </em>The link is live and I will post “A” sometime this week.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">A few prompts now to express yourself your way (journal, blog, mixed media, poetry etc.)through the alphabet ~ </font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><em>pull out a dictionary and see what words call to you from the letter you are working on</em> </font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><em>open a book to a random page and do the same</em></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"> <em>write the entire alphabet down the side of the page and write an acrostic poem</em></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><em>start your “letter” journal entry with “<u>(letter you are on)</u> is for…” </em></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><em>think of at least five adjectives with that alphabet letter that describe you</em></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><em>tear out different magazine images that represent the letter you are working with and collage</em></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><em>think of one adjective that describes you and create a writing entry or art journal page around it</em></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><em>instead of adjectives, think of what begins with that letter that you value (i.e., A ~ Autonomy, B ~ Balance, C ~ Cupcakes)</em></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><em>use the words that you are finding or are bubbling up for you to string together in a short story or poem</em></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">Have fun…and if you are participating quietly, I would love to know how the process is going for you.  If you’ve linked to the side I will come visit.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"></font></strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:491fb258-bfae-4a80-8052-a8fda20a6281" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/writing+prompt" rel="tag">writing prompt</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/journaling+prompt" rel="tag">journaling prompt</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/creativity+prompts" rel="tag">creativity prompts</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/self+discovery" rel="tag">self discovery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/linky" rel="tag">linky</a></div> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-64592281795722985352011-08-06T11:32:00.001-04:002011-08-06T11:32:11.921-04:00Art Journal Every Day<p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tZLWmnNZ7Og/Tj1eeTABr2I/AAAAAAAAAhs/Y8wlqXkJsrg/s1600-h/2011-08-06_09-39-46_902%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2011-08-06_09-39-46_902" border="0" alt="2011-08-06_09-39-46_902" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6dg7iarvOMEFEFdFs2EbgxOsGQt2etPHIQdfqItW1dSsOZUM1Eorwr4f4j92a_a517A3gworaXd0TIlKazffZTaW7hFT0whL9i72V8cxGaOmNJnBMXE4aaXB7Q3KlblZSBDzH324mwM/?imgmax=800" width="404" height="303" /></a> </p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">I’ve been keeping up, although not always linking up, with <a href="http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2010/12/art-journal-every-day.html#axzz1UGG9BwEd" target="_blank">Julie Balzer's Art Journal Every Day</a>.  I finally decided to try watercolor.  Clearly I need to play more but as always my focus is on the process, not product and I enjoyed that watercolor and paintbrush forced me to slow down.     </font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">Julie Balzer had one series of posts where she divided the page into 30 and did 30 faces in 30 days.  I have not ventured into faces and I didn’t divide into 30, but I did think it would be fun to have a spread of “mini-journal notes” on hand when I don’t have time to write long entries.  So I will be adding to these pages over time.   Perhaps you’ll create some mini journal notes with me…?</font></strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:41057d68-5c23-4889-86c0-1a873cb633cf" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/art+journaling" rel="tag">art journaling</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Art+Journal+Every+Day" rel="tag">Art Journal Every Day</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Julie+Balzer" rel="tag">Julie Balzer</a></div> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"> </font></strong></p> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-57221789442638283932011-07-31T19:52:00.001-04:002011-07-31T19:52:51.482-04:00When it rains…<p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">I finally had an excuse to pull out the 8oz green acrylic on sale for 49 cents plus 25% off ~ too bad it was the last bottle!  Ended up with seven journals, ten bookmarks, seven ATC’s, five background pages, 25 coffee-stained pages and a partridge in a pear tree (sorry, couldn’t resist now that I’ve really gotten started on Christmas).</font></strong></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3cSh7LOTNbQvUCkv7g2MT3RW0z5bepXh-oJCXGy_sxUIZi7FqJSyW47C5rsZL2MSOOtLnGyFbo_tCRFNkNEnD3_S690Ce8ExzA1dqLtR_aaDBnNsRZn6NyBhtsreb-yI1jges59JTI4/s1600-h/2011-07-31_18-29-52_560%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2011-07-31_18-29-52_560" border="0" alt="2011-07-31_18-29-52_560" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q2xrzcb6kjA/TjXqt0pSUMI/AAAAAAAAAgw/LVOsnDYob1g/2011-07-31_18-29-52_560_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="363" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAy82S5UWiMRjTA9FETf3cJjl_wUog5s7jZ5hl5sBEKQf5CMp-Bdihg2zUzRET1JuQTU-c7pA0YvGNJY13VYSmOKllxL4AmwhDr_Vb1Lj_zHj6IylEWOQlgTguEBbZExxhsp1FNufJrw8/s1600-h/2011-07-31_00-27-39_906%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2011-07-31_00-27-39_906" border="0" alt="2011-07-31_00-27-39_906" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-df6dh2yfM08/TjXqu-h63gI/AAAAAAAAAg4/Sbd-Sm6hUxY/2011-07-31_00-27-39_906_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="346" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2H4B3GUWQmo/TjXqvcpMy1I/AAAAAAAAAg8/4_otbHeetho/s1600-h/2011-07-31_15-45-16_789%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2011-07-31_15-45-16_789" border="0" alt="2011-07-31_15-45-16_789" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6pRTtmb4_kc/TjXqvx8zz8I/AAAAAAAAAhA/udBNyKyaSmk/2011-07-31_15-45-16_789_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="354" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mxJlvD2jn9o/TjXqwSZWfwI/AAAAAAAAAhE/SXZDpJCJ90g/s1600-h/073111160806%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="073111160806" border="0" alt="073111160806" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_YSv4ayEJsg/TjXqw2U0r0I/AAAAAAAAAhI/oylfcbL1Ax4/073111160806_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RiXKhIO9hXU/TjXqxUlHvdI/AAAAAAAAAhM/eZvUHhw8k4Q/s1600-h/073111003313%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="073111003313" border="0" alt="073111003313" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gQhG3h4_sho/TjXqxxXWnGI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/3H_IgITsfH0/073111003313_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="334" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T5ZY_tbRP7E/TjXqyGlbWaI/AAAAAAAAAhU/PR04tpWRWAk/s1600-h/2011-07-31_17-20-53_608%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2011-07-31_17-20-53_608" border="0" alt="2011-07-31_17-20-53_608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2isoReI5b60w2rUBdiqcSckkvLzLij-bbuX8omkSypTD5JlUKvZm0XlMDGBb_0Fqz5e-vTX423DUJfPo75MCpAICBZRHS9f-R4WRl2cNyBrgHD60jrvIzkDUYTq3FG1C9_fDqWUn0BY/?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NAA4Kn9m5Uz_VXbegjDbetR8HbcAmQrZEbSEiXK4GuQrrh2MvvekFCOL7THB4Yx_ZXpE5z73I1-STXgY1iSQgtgGgY9su1rYKcENav8A0XqVJfgunmKci0_rtuuMITBmjUwdC22utOc/s1600-h/073111160906%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="073111160906" border="0" alt="073111160906" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uwCV-D-c5_o/TjXqztayokI/AAAAAAAAAhg/_KaJ_wvW8bo/073111160906_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X5KybjXsw64/TjXq0PxztzI/AAAAAAAAAhk/yUzt7CQCiyY/s1600-h/2011-07-31_17-02-04_992%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2011-07-31_17-02-04_992" border="0" alt="2011-07-31_17-02-04_992" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjhOJAd9GqLleY4yUyO0GpCMOh-E_ZfcNzL4Z4zSCWNNPRNN1WJhJjir7w4Oco69NB0gv7yf7YTYn5cQXwd6xswDFYzJWEPiFnhu8DqEoheoNpp-Mg2qYjvbWd3iNYg7A98ijn2yS9u8/?imgmax=800" width="363" height="484" /></a> </p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">Have a wonderful week!</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"></font></strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d3a366ab-1523-4053-93ce-d8ff8719282a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/art+journaling" rel="tag">art journaling</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ATC" rel="tag">ATC</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/mixed+media" rel="tag">mixed media</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/journals" rel="tag">journals</a></div> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-78612454662871503932011-07-29T11:35:00.001-04:002011-07-29T11:35:05.366-04:00What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween<p><a href="http://judymmiller.com/the-book/" target="_blank"><img title="What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween " alt="What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween " src="http://judymmiller.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/What-To-Expect-COVER2-_2_-231x300.jpg" width="231" height="300" /></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><strong>I just read </strong></font><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><strong><em><a href="http://judymmiller.com/the-book/" target="_blank">What to Expect from Your Adopted Tween E-guide</a></em></strong></font> <strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">written by Judy Miller.  I met Judy a couple of years ago at the Story Circle Network conference and was immediately struck by her passion for parenting and issues surrounding adoption.  This passion comes through in her clear, easy to read e-guide.  The information is on target and delivers not only what to expect, but what to do as well with insight, compassion and real examples.  I would recommend this e-guide for anyone as the core issues and inherent loss in adoption span any age.  And we are all touched by adoption.  Consider these numbers taken from <a href="http://www.adoptionfacts.org/" target="_blank">AdoptionFacts.org</a>:</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"> ~Approximately 7 million Americans are adopted persons</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">~ Approximately 140,000 children are adopted by American families each year</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">~ As many as 100 million Americans have adoption in their immediate family (adopting, placing, adopted)   </font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://judymmiller.com/the-book/" target="_blank">What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween</a> is set for release 8/1/11.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"></font></strong></p> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:db91dcc0-6d00-4995-8db0-5079b403c3ec" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/adoption+awareness" rel="tag">adoption awareness</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/adoption+book" rel="tag">adoption book</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WhattoExpectfromYourAdoptedTween" rel="tag">WhattoExpectfromYourAdoptedTween</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/adoption+facts" rel="tag">adoption facts</a></div> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-14287294208564320852011-07-28T01:11:00.001-04:002011-07-28T01:11:40.334-04:00Believe the Impossible<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAZZ6dlf5nQsHk6V870PzNeaqJDLslthdZGUUAZRwItbBRb7movtZLPVuGIBl3knNxmSzd9cGCszRUgJWlXZgWdLMAVnXMiYweSXFH_aSlqowliXQV6wKHf3Y7jociNwHl64OyKNXkas/s1600-h/072411200752%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="072411200752" border="0" alt="072411200752" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCnxLCRTK7DLeHU28scymNxWrp6znfKKGbnMshhvZBPSnLvvnhr9-VmHH_42XSF6AM-_ZAEeVxm5y3L3FcnRzdcsiG8q-BgqUXC36C4AYqjT4wwfy866a0Jy_8zF6QmfGjIjLNIszsBA/?imgmax=800" width="404" height="247" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KzsNSHXjKGA/TjDviAwRJTI/AAAAAAAAAgk/kur-DAPhpEM/s1600-h/072411200822%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="072411200822" border="0" alt="072411200822" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_W35ABCOrqg/TjDvikkF_0I/AAAAAAAAAgo/kezxLQB7wyM/072411200822_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">These pictures strike me a bit of <em>Alice in Wonderland</em> …I can just imagine another world beneath the canopy of blooms.  I am reminded of the Queen of Hearts when she says <em>Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.</em></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">I am off from work this week and found that the much needed break seemed to trigger lost enthusiasm for dreaming, writing and envisioning new projects.  I may or may not see all my ideas to fruition, but half the joy is in allowing myself to explore and play in different directions.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">What do you do to get your creative energy flowing?  Are you giving yourself permission to believe in the impossible?</font></strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d835291e-96af-4362-aab4-8bb472f319d1" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/journal+writing+prompt" rel="tag">journal writing prompt</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/writing+prompt" rel="tag">writing prompt</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/creativity" rel="tag">creativity</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/dreams" rel="tag">dreams</a></div> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-49203050669545163212011-07-17T12:26:00.001-04:002011-07-17T12:26:15.149-04:00Altered Journal<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-D1KgU9sHBMVPwvikVb1F7kNjoqhgKC04YvLnXEPcHBtkdomEBzcHA2Y2wdUBVXE6KVAXMf5K_9TfYYoe9Jva19K4JmrzY_afzenXkFtGvjii-hZDvry_Hozw5R5l4D9B-N6xmMH6v4/s1600-h/071711112209%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="071711112209" border="0" alt="071711112209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3SKnlcGxYeens3t9q721_85RZabHBKc7FeN2_IYGba1sULZNcU0FcISrvb_ye1MGbMLvOhGv2nrRK7SyWJqJ89Yi0spt1AY96m7xU6N-NPOaFmWZqMa7yntxc9FkfK3TptBYyk2ee_0/?imgmax=800" width="304" height="406" /></a> </p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">~ Another cereal box moment:) ~</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"> I have been getting loads of promotions in my in-box recently for Christmas in July which triggered my thoughts back to last holiday season where I began in November for my handmade crafts and almost didn’t make it.  Although some of my crafts were dismal failures (think misshapen soaps and freakish looking body scrubs), I was able to complete journal totes, bookmarks and prayer cards in the last hour.  This summer, I decided to go ahead and get started on some recycled journals.  I’m not sure why these have been calling to me more than the altered spiral bound sketch pads I was using.  I definitely run out of pages quicker but I like the easy fit of these into my purse.  By the way, if anyone has any ideas of some type of “sleeve” to preserve the flowers on the front please let me know.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">I found the idea for using cereal boxes on YouTube and modified it.  You can find instructions for the the cut of the journal cover at <a href="http://girlsexpress.weebly.com/1/post/2011/06/summer-travel-journal-make-your-own.html" target="_blank">Girls Express</a>.  Instead of wrapping paper like my daughter did for the other blog, I tore out some music from the last church bulletin and mod-podged (do you think the manufacturers knew their product would turn into a verb?!) randomly,  gessoed front and back, inside and outside, then covered with a couple of acrylic paints using a credit card.  I found a picture that called to me along with some more sheet music, brads, stamps and flowers and threw it all together.  I blended in some oil pastels, added some distressed ink in a few places, used bubble wrap dipped in black ink and sprayed with sealant.  The back and inside folds have the same gessoed and painted layers with a stamp or two and some distressed ink.  For the inside pages, I soaked some card stock in coffee, cut to fit and used jewelry cord threaded through two holes punched in the spine.  Those are also randomly stamped.  (You could also use background pages for the inside like those that Shona Cole demonstrates at <a href="http://shonastudio.blogspot.com/2010/03/background-paper-decorating-and.html" target="_blank">The Artistic Life</a>.)</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">Anyone else starting early?  </font></strong></p> <p><strong><em><font size="5" face="Papyrus">{Shameless plug ~ Starting “Celebrate Your Journey” on-line 8/1/11 through <a href="http://www.storycircleonlineclasses.org/classes/espelage.summer2011.php" target="_blank">Story Circle Network</a>…would love to see you there!}</font></em></strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ef9cfd81-272d-4b86-866b-a91dc938df24" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/art+journaling" rel="tag">art journaling</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/holiday+gifts" rel="tag">holiday gifts</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/altered+journal" rel="tag">altered journal</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/The+Artistic+Life" rel="tag">The Artistic Life</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/journal" rel="tag">journal</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Story+Circle+Network" rel="tag">Story Circle Network</a></div> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-60451288239115844362011-07-10T11:08:00.001-04:002011-07-10T11:08:14.827-04:00Magic in the Moments<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHkBJw5IdqwHW9CRZxvq5ilVxxlImFA3x-8NsCZVWkORBVB4BtXJIshY_EZq7kem_BZGOA2SDvyD7xUaa9khXod_jO_RrYxkEGx9-odFWR5DlqOXKwuFdTrsnKEk2i3HMiXkH80-Q4V8/s1600-h/071011013534%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="071011013534" border="0" alt="071011013534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpWLyDs4GRxKqxsLvw67baSJtFebCpQ-xAn2a9velplxW_gQCStIqSpZROiyY6WVqREJzd1m2fBabbpjYq_xjfMCZ-_0-25rXYNKGVoSPItBQ-qJBbI2l2FBW0to7e2Pf1rH6Kt0fcg4/?imgmax=800" width="427" height="311" /></a> </p> <p><font size="4"><font face="Papyrus"><strong><em>The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention. ~ Julia Cameron </em></strong></font></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-43RmGJZUWlI/ThnAVzq65-I/AAAAAAAAAgE/vmqfRgIDAjo/s1600-h/071011013448%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="071011013448" border="0" alt="071011013448" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KbzIQ4M29VE/ThnAWbgB3RI/AAAAAAAAAgI/2Nku0TAg9P8/071011013448_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="319" /></a> </p> <p><font size="4"><font face="Papyrus"><strong><em>The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.                   </em></strong></font></font><font size="4"><font face="Papyrus"><strong><em>~Thich Nhat Hanh </em></strong></font></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lPUIiBAelMA/ThnAWrrAkqI/AAAAAAAAAgM/5rPheoYyhOU/s1600-h/2011-07-09_17-17-16_535%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="2011-07-09_17-17-16_535" border="0" alt="2011-07-09_17-17-16_535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VRdZMcswWjzHE2zxUfyKkRoTZE4sLDLWqDXj0pXr1TOFvTkO2VgdQ689KCKzgOVIxOI2bJx7l6jWz2WJzPpHeSLCiQ4dXCBUUoJzZ0XS1d-yMnygxkHSxlJkgto-fQ-AH-O4NWRDoY0/?imgmax=800" width="424" height="319" /></a> </p> <p><font size="4"><font face="Papyrus"><strong><em>To be mindfully engaged is the most natural, creative state we can be in. <br />~Ellen Langler </em></strong></font></font></p> <p><strong><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Are you rushing through your moments, worried about yesterday and tomorrow or are you celebrating the moments as they come?  Take a nature walk to restore balance and the practice of focusing on each moment and journal about the process.</font></strong> </p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:cb464933-55e9-467f-bf30-c95ba61f9509" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/mindfulness" rel="tag">mindfulness</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/moments" rel="tag">moments</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/journal+prompt" rel="tag">journal prompt</a></div> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-14016197892214329342011-06-30T00:31:00.001-04:002011-06-30T00:31:40.944-04:00Note to Self<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUu9qAsf1g6Wb9cDrBN7qZ8jaoSHIPXZKw6EmPPB93wqiw22mLPVObq2qEfdbn5cRjM5BzhIrxtKHNrD7dOYc9hi3bv9Kqb9aiXjSl29_NrZVmNxSSB2diArnwYTR27UZ6uM4dqyNwLU/s1600-h/card1%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="card1" border="0" alt="card1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mj5hMivQA8Q/Tgv8Kjd73eI/AAAAAAAAAf4/nPhR-g7vVVM/card1_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="244" /></a> </p> <p> <strong><em><font size="5" face="Papyrus">‘It’s okay’ is a cosmic truth…Richard Bach</font></em></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">I haven’t had the time, or made the time truthfully, or motivation to really create lately ~ in writing, sewing or art journaling.  I did post an article @ <a href="http://www.allthingshealing.com/" target="_blank">All Things Healing</a> about the basics of visual journaling, <a href="http://www.allthingshealing.com/Poetry-Therapy/From-Journaling-to-Visual-Journey/8263" target="_blank">From Journaling to Visual Journey</a></font></strong><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus"> and  I also made some cards to send to a few people I had been thinking about.  I definitely haven’t been blogging as much and catch myself “should-ing” on myself – I should be or do this or I should be or do that.  And then I have to remind myself that where I am is where I need to be…and that’s more than okay.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">Where are you at today?</font></strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:edf2b2e8-9b1d-4a67-88b4-bf1c44592ecc" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/All+Things+Healing" rel="tag">All Things Healing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/writing+prompt" rel="tag">writing prompt</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/journaling" rel="tag">journaling</a></div> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1545737993509701332.post-58426005526625310762011-06-20T00:00:00.000-04:002011-06-20T00:00:01.448-04:00And Then I Blinked<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZiyrABBJ43gH4L8bQ6_iI4sybcURZO6Viohrj_IAq1SXCp8S91kO2GhXFp3vnsLDX0a97YZrdrsNan1-I6J2mh_0_emxMfAeGccn7ePjNSlno5ts0-BCSr3Ip8R2I95Q4Hns7UJil0s/s1600-h/061201122114.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="0612011221" border="0" alt="0612011221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmwXii4YsSOG16HbJkicbCfmH0RIwFDqSHLNM7U_u1tVmKE0amEnWutGdGCBOg5AbF9JqpWe61Tybd5NOlsncPmqIgXw0tXDjecIhMX3LSUBuDR6TkirWrG0PpnRm86XqeiSEJsv1nUU/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="324" /></a> </p> <p><strong><em><font size="5" face="Papyrus">They outgrow us much faster than we outgrow them…l</font></em></strong><strong><em><font size="5" face="Papyrus">oosely paraphrased from a Jodi Picoult character</font></em></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">At a recent weekend getaway, my youngest daughter (10 going on 25) insisted we buy the above wedding dress but finally settled for a picture.  <em>This is my dress</em> she said.  </font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">I’m torn between differing emotions but will leave the thoughts about why my little one is already thinking about weddings for another day.   What strikes me most is just how fast our children grow up.  Cliché or not it is so true.  I look at my daughters and can still feel their little baby bodies in my arms.  I’ve “launched” one daughter and although she is doing well I still feel a deep-seated ache that my family is no longer intact. I get that a healthy identity is separate from others but also recognize that parenting doesn’t end at an arbitrary age.  And that age isn’t ten like my youngest might like me to think.  Regardless, it seems incredulous to me that we are here, in this space, one daughter an adult, another on the verge of puberty.  Wasn’t I changing diapers yesterday?!  As Steve Martin says in “Cheaper by the Dozen”…no more blinking!</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5" face="Papyrus">At least she has good taste - the dress is gorgeous:)  </font></strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:95b0f183-7a24-40f5-82a1-f652f95deb55" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/growing+up" rel="tag">growing up</a></div> Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00675100680394283646noreply@blogger.com2