Hold Dear

Keep on Journalin'

Wow! I got two more pages done in my Christmas Journal. Just gonna keep at this slow and steady!

Day 10's prompt was to think about gift wrapping. I think I'll include a piece of gift wrap when I bind this but for now, just the illustrations. And as far as the designs on this page, I spent a long time standing in line at the post office on Monday, and I was inspired by the very art deco iron work on the windows at the counter. There is some amazing architecture in downtown Portland. I am always seeing something new that makes me go "wow!"

Day 11's prompt was to think about Christmas trees and ornaments! I knew instantly what I wanted to journal about!

And while we're on the subject of Christmas trees, I think King Atticus has proclaimed this one as his! He LOVES to tuck himself inside nooks and crannies. Gadzooks, he's cute!

A few more pages...

Still workin' on my Journal Your Christmas pages from Shimelle's class. I got the last few cards in the post so I think I'll have more time to work on this now. I am really challenged because NOW I want to start adding paper and stickers and rub-ons oh my! But I'm gonna stay true to just drawing it all and adding red and green accents.

So here are days 8 and 9:

I meant to mention in my last post that over the weekend Glen and I watched "Sergeant York." It's an old one with Gary Cooper and I gotta ask, was there a woman alive that wasn't in love with Gary Cooper back then? What a WONDERFUL character! And what a great movie!

Also, I wanted to share a picture of the sympathy card we got from our vet's office for Geri. Glen took Tommy in on Saturday to have his claws trimmed. We usually do it but there was one that was growing all wonky and cutting into his little paw so we thought it best to let a professional trim that one. Anyways, while he was there, Glen told them about GerGer. Very thoughtful of them to send a card. Sadly, we've lost a few pets and so I know it's common practice for a vet clinic to send a card when there's a loss, but still, it always touches me.

Thinking of you!!!

Days 5 and 6

Still playing catch up with Shimelle's "Journal Your Christmas" on-line class. I am lovin' this so much because it is makin' me all happy and Christmasy. Here are days 5 and 6. Remember I'm jumpin' around a bit and so shared Day 7 with you yesterday. I'm almost done with Day 8 but didn't want to wait until I finished it, just in case the power was out! It is super rainy and windy!!!

Day 5's prompt was advent calendars and then day 6 was to think about good Christmas memories and then not so good and then narrow it down to one each!

I'm gonna go now...the power is flickerin' so I'm shuttin' down! Goodnight!

Journal Your Christmas.

WATCH THIS SPACE for Christmasy stuff!!! Last year I signed up for the on-line "Journal Your Christmas" class with Shimelle and she opened it up for alumni to join in. How cool! Just wish this wasn't like the busiest weekend of my life! I'm aiming to get crackin' on it Sunday night! Yeee-haw! One thing I can do right now is post a manifesto that Shimelle penned, getting us to prepare ourselves for the journey ahead! So even though I can't sit down and make physical art like I wanna, I sure can write and think and dream like I wanna....

Manifesto: Noun. A declaration of one’s intentions.

Starting December first, I will keep a Christmas journal. In it, I will write something every day to reflect on the holidays of my past, enjoy the holidays of the present and dream about the holidays of my future. To some, this will be a stack of papers and trivial scribbles, but not to me. I am taking back my Christmas, I am letting it be something I relish and, most importantly, I am giving at least fifteen minutes every day to myself no matter how crazy this season becomes. I hope you will share, encourage and understand as I make something with my own hands, my own words and my own memories.

I aim to post my entries on blog. Other artists are doing this with me, and you can see their work here. Or you may join us.

Above all:

Enjoy the season. I know I will.