Working on another journal..........

Who's with me!  Raise your hand!    

But before I get started with that.....I have to tell you about a new workshop that's hit the crafty blogworld....."Sweet Six Studios".....Can we just talk about the line up here for a second?!?! 

Cheryl Dack of Rosey Posey Confections

Heather Kowalski of Pretty Petals Boutique

Natasha Burns of Artistic Creations by Natasha Burns

Jenn Hayslip of Sweet Eye Candy Creations

Holly Abston of Holly Doodle Designs

Analise Sledd of Sugar*Sugar!!

I mean, please, those names alone conjure up nothing but beautiful creations and gorgeous eye candy.  I was so excited I signed up on the spot! 

Here is a peek of a couple of the projects that are to come.........

Natasha designed and hand illustrated the label.  And Holly's frame above is so gorgeous it doesn't even need a photo.  Here is a list of the different workshops they will be offering......

~Personalized Cupcake Toppers by Jennifer Hayslip

~Lovely Fabric Lanterns by Heather Kowalski

~Yummy Hanging Pillow Pocket by Cheryl Dack

~Decorated Bath Bottles by Natasha Burns

~Sweet Wallpaper Photo Frames by Holly Abston

~Flower Brooches by Analise Sledd

~6 more to be announced soon!

 

 So click here if you want to be a part of the fun!  Sweet Six Studio  Hope to see you there! 

Before I get started with my new journal, I would gratefully (and tearfully I might add) like to thank the person who made this post possible.  My awesome friend Jennifer.  She has cheerfully volunteered to watch both my boys, in addition to her own three, at her house today so that I can get some art done. Thanks Jennifer!!!

Ok...with all those important announcement aside....I decided that I'm going to post about my progress with this next journal. So, if you would like to join along, please do.   Ever since I started my summer journal (which will be turning into a fall journal unless I complete the last of the pages) through Teresa's e-zine, I have fallen in love with the whole act of art journaling. I love the freedom it provides, how it sparks new ideas, and mainly, how it has been teaching me not to be afraid of "mistakes."  That's been a huge one for me and something I know that stifles my growth in art.    So this next journal, which I have titled "From Here to There in 4,786 Easy Steps" is to help me chart and account for my goals in the upcoming months.  Above is my cover which still needs to be completed with the title.  At the time I took the picture,  I wasn't sure what the cover would say....now I have it and I will show you it with my next post.

Here is the back of the cover and the first page of my journal.  I put one of my favorite quotes that I got from Kari's blog some time ago.  I LOVE this quote.  It really speaks to me right now and I decided that it would be the first thing I see upon opening the book.  On the first page I used vintage ledger paper  so I can list all the goals I would like to achieve within that month.  I purposely used restraint in embellishing my book.   I know myself well enough to know there is a fine line between embellishing and procrastinating.  Know what I mean?   I didn't want to get so caught up in the design and details that the goals that I actually want to accomplish took a backseat. 

So after the first page which list the goals for the month, I will then have 4 more page spreads signifying each week of the month. And a last 5th spread to reflect on what was and wasn't accomplished. Here is the first week......

I will write what was accomplished from the list in addition to what was holding me back.  I think it's so important to recognize what keeps us from completeing a task.  For instance, I know perfectly well that "being too busy" never prevented me from  taking 2 hours out of my day to design a "snarkful" magazine cover, set up an "office" for the CEO of Tomfoolery for the crown tutorial, or make fun of People and their crazy slimming secrets.  However, "I'm too busy" seems to always work when I have a list of personal "to do's" that seem daunting and impossible. 

So if you want to join me in my quest for crossing off some things on my to do list in a very artful way, I will post a new page every Friday representing each week.  This Friday I will finish my cover and have the pages I've shown completed so it will all be ready by the 1st of September. 

In other news.....guess who went back to school shopping!?!?

If there is ever a better excuse to buy a 120 count crayon box for yourself, I can't think of it......

Talk to you soon!  Karin

Comments

[Bejeweled]

I've seen the ads for Sweet Six Studio - looks like some very yummy, foofy projects indeed! You are going to have such a fabulous time!!

Hee..hee.. never a better time to stock up on those art supplies :) Some great deals out there for kids, of any age :)

[SONIA]

YEAH!! I SIGNED UP TOO!!! THE PROJECTS LOOK GREAT. I CANNOT WAIT TO GET STARTED ON THE PROJECTS. LOVE THE COVER ON YOUR JOURNAL. THE INSIDE PAGES LOOK BEAUTIFUL. HAVE FUN WITH YOUR NEW CRAYONS!!

[Alison Gibbs]

Hi Karin thanks for visiting my blog. I can't wait for the Sweet Six Studio Online Art Retreat to begin. It is sure to get the creative juices flowing. Your journal looks fabulous. I am thinking I must go out and get a journal and go along the journalling trip with you.
What great 'school supplies' you have there. Amazing colours.
Alison

[Pam]

Beautiful journel. Great pics of your trips. I love what your little guy made, that looks like so much FUN!!!!
Hugs,
Pam

[Trish]

I love, love, love crayons! Back to school is my favorite time! Great deals on good supplies. I've been thinking of making a journal for myself. After seeing yours I'm so inspired! I'll add it to my to do list ;)

[Rachael]

Great advert for Sweet Six. I am toying with signing up, time constraints, and then I read further down your post about not enough time and well there you go, me to a tee!!! Love your journal idea, I am thinking I am going to 'steal' your idea for my own personal journal if thats all right with you??? Seems like a good way of keeping on track and keeping honest!!! Looking foward to your first journal post. Rachaelxo

[Cindy (Junque Art)]

What a great journal! And you know I love crayons! I have a brand new box hiding in a drawer that my kids can't find! LOL

[kerryanne English]

Enjoy your precious art time - what a great friend Jennifer must be.
Kerryanne

[Analise at Sugar*Sugar]

Hey Karin~

WOW! Thank you so much for the Sweet Six shout out!! What a sweet surprize!

Your new art journal is beautiful!!!! It is so, so pretty!
Oh, and I totally understand about the procrastinating/embellishing thing... I am exactly the same way!

Well, good luck with your journaling, looks like you've got a great beginning!

xo
Analise

[Jeanne]

Girl, you are always up to something! I myself am drowning in wedding details. I did nothing for almost the entire year my daughter's been engaged and now I am paying for it.
xo
jeanne

[Natasha Burns]

Fabulous journaling you've been doing Karin! LOL any excuse for back to school supplies, nothing like fresh ones is there!
Thanks for the shout out for Sweet Six Studio! It's going to be great fun! xo

[cindy]

Leave it to you to say what I was trying to articulate in one of my posts last week! "Afraid of my own mistakes"! THAT'S IT! Gah...I should give you the 95.00 I gave my therapist...you made it more clear than she ever did. LOL. Love the journal. Will look forward to see what you are doing. And new color smell...nothing like...always says Fall to me! : D

c

[Alisa]

Oh Karin! It not only looks wonderful, it's such a great idea! I so want to do this too. Of course, I have yet to finish my Summer Journal from T's ezine. Oh well. Maybe when I pass away I will be awarded for the person with the most unfinished project in one lifetime. :)

[Dana]

Gorgeous!!! Are you going to the Melissa Frances class at Paper Tales? Maybe we could meet up? Dana

[Cheryl Dack]

Wow! Thanks for the mention about SSS, Sweet Karin! And I know I have commented on your flickr but I have to say it again...your journal pages are TO DIE FOR. No wonder you enjoy this! You're so good at it! And without giving anything away, I think you'll like one of the SSS projects! ;)

[Heather~ Pretty Petals]

Karin... this journal is GORGOEUS!!! I love the whole concept. I think I am afraid to make mistakes too with art... and it freezes me and is why it takes me SO long to do one little thing. Lovin your school supplies... there is nothing like a fresh pack of crayons! lol

So happy you are excited about our SSS retreat! xox Heather

[allie]

Karin.....I'm right there with you...afraid of making mistakes. I just lead a staff meeting on the first day that teachers returned to school. We set up the afternoon for them to create a 12x12 scrapbook page that represents them using words, photos, whatever they wanted. I had to make a sample and create it within an hour, because that was the amount of time the teachers would have. I had all of my favorite scrapping "stuff" out, sat down with a cold Dr. Pepper and some inspiring music playing in the background.....AND FROZE UP. Had to walk away, get a change in my thoughts that the page needed to just flow from me, don't be so linear, sat back down and got it done. It's all a learning process. On another note, is there nothing better than a brand new box of markers or crayons with a "kazillion" color choices?

[Andyann]

Karin, your art journal is beautiful--and your coments so very insightful! How exciting! Thank you for sharing this journey with us!
Andyann

[Dana]

Good Morning Friend! When you have a chance stop by my blog.. I left you a present :)

[Annie-SavorThisMoment]

I love your art journal. It's so sweet!

My favorite crayon is "cornflower blue", which you only get in the large box. That's the best excuse to buy one!