The Dust of Daily Life

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off of our souls.”
- Pablo Picasso

For my weekly art challenge pages in 2014, I will be combining four elements:  an activity prompt, a technique, a tangible object, and a quote. I will post a photo of the finished page on Wednesday, when I share the new ideas for the next week. I made the first page yesterday, but didn’t share the new approach because I wasn’t sure exactly how I wanted to pursue the challenge this year. I took some time today to hammer out the details (a few hours and a green tea at Starbucks).

For week one, the four elements are:  open a book at random and write down the first six words you see (let your eyes wander the page, don’t copy a sentence fragment); use a resist technique; a birdcage; and the Picasso quote at the top of this post, about the purpose of art.

For the activity, you can use a dictionary, a novel, a phone book, a textbook – anything works, it doesn’t even have to be in English! The way you use the words on your page is then completely up to you. Be creative, think outside the box or ditch the box completely. Have fun!

For a resist technique, there are literally dozens of ways you to accomplish this; I would recommend typing “resist technique” in Google and reading about a few of them if you don’t have personal favorites. I’ll talk about the one I used when I share my page next week.

The rest is again only limited by your willingness to try new things – a birdcage and the purpose of art. Combine your elements and cater to your muse my friends! And of course, don’t forget to share your thoughts, ideas, comments, questions, and most importantly photos. After all, I’m a curious crafter!

A Collection of Butterflies

Almost everyone collects something. I have several collections myself, including M&M’s, Care Bears, PEZ dispensers, bags, and foreign money, and quotes. Some of these collections are specific – I only want Care Bears stuffed toys, not all the other Care Bear stuff (puzzles, games, etc) and not the newest version of the toys (they’re honestly a bit creepy). Quotes, on the other hand, are only limited by my interest in the message they deliver, which is really quite vast.

Most people, I’ve noticed, tend to collect animals; I also know of some collections of specific objects (lighthouses, Nutcrackers, baseball cards) that are more readily available than some of the things I’ve chosen. And of course, some collections are worth more than others (rare stamps vs. PEZ dispensers for example).

Well, this week’s first prompt kind of goes along with this idea of collecting, except chances are good it’s not the actual object you’ll be using:

I chose this shoe because I happen to have a collection of images already – feet. I also collect other images, broken up into many different categories, but I admit my feet/converse shoe collection is one of my favorite. My little sister is slightly obsessed with them as well, so she’s added quite a few photos for me.

This weeks’ second prompt, in an indirect way, actually involves one of my other collections:  quotes. Except I called it “personal mantra”:

“A personal mantra is a positive phrase or affirmative statement that you say to yourself for the purpose of motivation or encouragement.” I used this image because many of us decide on a mantra, main goal, or verse for the year during our New Year’s celebrations and manic decision making. Although I hadn’t really thought about it in these terms, I’ve had one quote rattling around in my head all year:  “If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies.” So I think that would be considered my personal mantra for 2013. It goes well with my one little word (explore) and I definitely need to embrace some changes in my life.

So now it’s your turn. Take some time this week to think about a collection of images you have, or one you’d like to start, as well as a personal mantra for the remainder of this year (it’s almost half over already!). Do they go together somehow? Try to make a journal page with both and share it in the comments section! (Just FYI:  I wouldn’t recommend forcing the combination, as in picking an image and then coming up with a phrase to go with it. Not as meaningful.)

Idle Hands

No doubt you’ve heard (and probably quoted) the old adage “Idle hands are the Devil’s tools” in one form or another. Though I can’t remember a specific instance, I’m sure I’ve said it to at least one of my students or the child of a friend. So I did some “research” (meaning I typed it into Google) and found this:

“‘Idleness is the root of mischief.’ This maxim has been traced back to [Geoffry] Chaucer's 'Tale of Melibee' (c. 1386). [It was] first attested in the United States in 'Collections' (1808). The proverb is found in varying forms:  ‘Satan has some mischief for idle hands to do’; ‘The devil finds work (or mischief) for idle hands to do.’ From ‘Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings’ by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).” [italics mine]

Upon further “research” I found some information regarding The Tale of Melibee here. It was the second tale in Chaucer’s collection The Canterbury Tales, the only one that Chaucer did not write himself. In fact, it was a translation based on a story that was a translation based on another story. For that reason alone I would think it worth reading, although you apparently can’t find it in some contemporary versions of the collection (that link explains everything).

Like most maxims/proverbs/adages/clichés, it has lasted for centuries because it states a simple truth about human nature that will never change. In this case, referring to the necessity of constant forward motion. I find it very apropos (very appropriate to a particular situation) as an elementary Special Education teacher. When a child’s hands are idle, mischief is never out of reach! Which makes Fridays in our classroom particularly stressful some weeks [smile]

As many of you know, I work in the Resource Room at a local elementary school. Taking some time on Friday afternoons to cook something simple and delicious has become part of our routine; we only have four students from 12:30-2:00, as compared to our normal group of fourteen who come and go (most kids are served M-Th for one or two half hour blocks). These particular students are in greater need of some independent living skills than extra academic work, so we’ve been working on basic recipes. This past Friday, our resident supervisor of the cooking process was out sick, so we decided to try a Valentine’s Day-themed art project. Here are the hands at work:



I must say they did remarkably well for students with fine motor difficulty and short attention spans. The idea was to make a “mixed media canvas” using a cardboard base, Valentine themed scrapbook paper and embellishments, and some good old fashioned Elmer’s School Glue. I cut the paper into 6x6 inch squares and had them tear strips and/or pieces to collage the background. They used paint brushes to apply the glue and embellishments. It was my goal to have this take an hour; they finished up after about 50 minutes, and each one was as unique as its creator (these children happen to be in grades two, four, and five):



My instructions were simply to choose three or four of their favorite papers to layer on the background, tearing them (no scissors necessary) and gluing them down. They were given some embellishments, and the rest was up to them! I am so proud of their creativity and determination, and I know whomever they gift these to will receive them with big smiles and hugs. I look forward to future projects, and will try to share more photos of the great work they encourage.

For those of you with children, this might be a fun way to make an extra special gift for someone you love – it’s quick, easy, and allows for a great deal of individual creative expression. The possibilities for materials are cheap, easy to access, and endless! (I cut up an old box for the bases, and some paper I didn’t particularly like for the decoration! They can be any size or shape. Tearing paper is a good release of energy and helpful for kids who struggle to use scissors.)

Explore A Question

The way I see it, there are two ways of thinking about this prompt:  you can choose a specific question to explore, or you can explore what a question really is.

“A question that sometimes drives me hazy:  am I or are the others crazy?”
- Albert Einstein

                                   

“A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.”    - Bruce Lee

“The great question that has never been answered, and which I have not yet been able to answer, despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, is ‘What does a woman want?’”
- Sigmund Freud

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me?”
- Ayn Rand

“If love is the answer, could you please rephrase the question?”
- Lily Tomlin

“It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is:  what are we busy about?”    – Henry David Thoreau

The Sound of Silence

“Silence is the only thing that can’t be misquoted.”
~ Anonymous

Walk With Me

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some of life’s greatest adventures happen when you set out on an unmarked trail. Be the first to leave footprints on a snowy slope and end up at the top of the world; step into the edge of a forest and end up in a beautiful, flower-filled meadow; or maybe stumble out on the shore of a lake hidden in the belly of a mountain.

Once, just once, take off your socks and shoes and leave them in the sand. Go for a walk nice and slow, letting the sand swallow your toes and the water wash away your worries. Just walk for a while, then stop, sit down, and close your eyes. Listen to the soothing back and forth of the waves….they’re whispering your secrets to the wind, who will take them and blow them away. Now open your eyes and look back on your footprints. They’ve disappeared with your worries and secrets.

Art Imitating Life

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”
~ Scott Adams



One of the best things about creating is that nothing is a mistake. No matter what you spill or drip or tear, it's a masterpiece. Someone somewhere will look at whatever it is you’ve created and say, “That is the most amazing work of art I have ever seen. How much?” Or at least say, “Wow, I love what you did there!”

Art is one of those magical things that has an indefinite number of disguises. Even more than Inspector Gadget! And here's why:  every person who looks at a single project will see something different, and walk away with a unique impression of it. We each view it thru our own personal lenses, colored by our experiences, thoughts, ideals, principles, goals, and fears. Each of us hears a different story. How great would it be if we could all get together and share them?

Well, in a way, that’s what I got to do today, for fourteen hours, in a conference room at the local Quality Inn. Paper Pals hosted a crop and I decided to bring some projects and create mistakes – also known as art – with a small group of like-minded women who shared their stories with me.

You know something? Life is a lot like art….with one notable difference:  there’s no eraser. So does that mean it’s ok to get upset when you make a mistake? To throw a fit and give up? Absolutely not. It means that you take a step back and decide how to turn them into art.

The Company We Keep

“WILSON!!”
~ Chuck Noland

I have to admit I find this a bit creepy. That hand print was made (in the context of the movie) with blood. And it looks like a person….

However, I am in no position to judge who anyone chooses to have a conversation with. I find myself talking to, well, my self quite often. It’s not just when I’m alone in my apartment. I’ll be wandering around the grocery store talking about what I need to buy, the outrageous prices, how much one thing costs compared to another, etc. After several minutes I’ll realize I was talking out loud. So lately I’ve taken to holding my phone up to my ear so it looks like I’m talking to someone else.

On the other hand, I also talk to Oliver. All the time. He has a special, non-verbal language that only a few people understand. Well, two people to be exact. (Just for the record, I don’t expect him to respond, nor do I believe that he does in any tangible, audible manner.)

In the movie Castaway, which is one my favorites by the way, Tom Hanks talking to Wilson was more than just talking to himself. He was attached to that volleyball in a very real, emotional way. I have a similar connection to Oliver. When Hanks thought the ball had been lost at sea he cried out “WILLLLSSOOOONNNN!!” How many of you teared up? It’s ok to admit it, I do every time! And I get chills. Because I can imagine what he’s feeling.



I can’t explain how I feel about Oliver. It sounds childish to be so attached to a teddy bear, but he’s the only family I have here. He represents something so important and deeply rooted in my heart and mind that I can’t sleep without holding onto him. Does that make him my Wilson?

Rain Dance

“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

~ Vivian Greene

Two days into my new job and I’m exhausted! Not because I’m running around like a headless chicken or feel super stressed; honestly, it has a lot to do with the fact that I don’t have much to do yet! Ironic, I know. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining; I’m still excited to be at a new school. I’m just so tired….

Because I’ve been dancing so much lately! Instead of sitting around waiting for the storm to pass, I learned to dance in the rain – and then I got out of there before I got so wet I melted! I’m really looking forward to next week and being able to work with more kids; maybe I’ll teach them a rain dance or two….

Content With What I Have

“Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of what you already have.” ~ Anonymous



Sometimes when life becomes overwhelming, I have to remind myself to stop and take a look at what I have. When I feel restless and out of place, I make myself look around and be proud of the apartment I’ve settled in, the fact that I have a place to call home that’s all my own. When thinking about work stresses me out, I remind myself that some people don’t have a job, and I’m doing what I love, which is really just a bonus to being able to make a difference in a child’s life.

If I’m honest with myself, I can say that I am content with my life as it is right now. Yes, I’m lonely, and I want a family more than anything, but I also realize I have so much already. God has blessed me with so many wonderful gifts – friends, a place to live, a car, a job I enjoy even on the worst days (although I have a really hard time remembering that on the worst days!) – and best of all, I get to have a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe!

This is one of those moments when I can look back on my day and see the miracles that are happening. This new job is going to be one of them, over and over again, in big ways and small ways. I am very impressed with my new boss, his team approach and the way he acknowledges and listens to those working for him. I’m encouraged by how friendly and welcoming the whole climate of this new school is – to new staff, and I’m sure to the students.

I also see how this new position is fitting into the plan God has for my life. My student teaching is about to be set for January, meaning I’ll be official by June. I’m in a place where I can learn and grow professionally and personally, while at the same time help others to learn and grow. As the pieces come together I am finding encouragement and contentment, and a renewed sense of peace and safety in God’s arms. And you know what? He gives great hugs….

Play for Me

“Music is what feelings sound like.”
~ Author Unknown

How many of you sing at the top of your voice in your car when you hear a song you like on the radio? Do you find yourself nodding your head and tapping your pen as you sit in a Starbucks listening to your iPod? Or dancing around the living room in your underwear when you think no one is watching?

Self-expression comes in many forms. Music is a big part of many of them. It’s a universal language that never grows old, and even what’s old will become new again. Although I must say – 80’s music? Seriously? Can anyone name five good songs that came out in that decade?? I dare you.

Anyway, I could listen to a few of my friends play piano for hours. Or guitar. There’s something soothing about the sound of an acoustic guitar in the background. Especially in the mountains, camping. I don’t know how to play the guitar very well, mostly because my fingers are too short to reach around the neck and hold down the strings. I got a child’s guitar to help that problem but then I just look silly! Besides, I’d rather marry a guy who plays guitar….totally hot.

A Wonderful Thing

“Every day holds the possibility of a miracle.”
~ Elizabeth David

I think most of us have grown up believing that miracles don’t happen anymore. At least not like the ones we learned about in Sunday School; I remember the stories about turning five loaves of bread and two fish into enough to feed thousands, and Jesus walking on water. So what defines a miracle then?

Well according to Mr. Webster, it’s “an act or happening attributed to a super-natural power; a wonderful thing”.

I like that last part. “A wonderful thing.” Yes, a miracle is a wonderful thing, and every day holds the possibility for many wonderful things to occur. Here’s the catch:  you have to be watching for them. Not all of them are extraordinary or life-changing, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t miracles.

Since today is Sunday, a sort of natural beginning to the week, I’m going to challenge you to take a few minutes each day for the next seven days to reflect on the small miracles in your life. Before you go to bed, maybe while brushing your teeth or even earlier while cooking dinner, look back at your day. What happened that was “a wonderful thing”? It could be something significant, but more likely it will be something simple, a gentle reminder that miracles still happen.

Where’s My Compass?

“The greatest thing in the world is not as much where we stand as in what direction we’re moving.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Sometimes the greater importance lies in the act of moving, as opposed to the destination, or even the journey. Just being able to get up and go can be a very profound experience. I read another quote that said, “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there” (Will Rogers).

I tend to move through life at a very laid back pace. However, when it comes to finishing a task – especially if it’s something I find interesting and/or intellectually stimulating – I can get things done pretty quickly. The point is that I’m moving, I’m doing, I’m creating, I’m not just sitting there waiting for life to happen.

I don’t know where I’ll be a year from now, or even a few months. But I know that I’m moving in the right direction.

Fly In Formation

“The trick is not to rid your stomach of butterflies, but to make them fly in formation.”

~ Author Unknown

I realized something earlier this evening:  today was my last free weekday before the start of a new school year. Which led to another realization:  I haven’t really done anything to get ready, or even really thought about what I’ll be doing at the new school, because I’m still so excited I got the transfer!

I’m not really nervous to start at a new school; I know how to do this job, and I know I can do it well. In fact, I’ve been doing it well these past two years in this very District. I’m actually really excited that I will finally be working in an environment where that fact will be noticed and appreciated, which will go a long way towards helping me find a teaching job once I’m certified. And that may happen sooner than I expected. God is definitely working things out for me!

To be honest, I don’t really remember ever being nervous about anything. I have wondered, on occasion, who first described it as “butterflies in the stomach” and how they came to that analogy. I imagine it’s a soft fluttering of some kind, like when a butterfly brushes its wings against your cheek. That doesn’t seem so bad, though. I think a better comparison would be a flock of ducks. That would be unsettling! But so powerful if you really could make them fly in formation….

Welcome to Paper Pals!

“She created a life she loved.”
~ Donna Downey

Well friends, today I would like to introduce you to one of my new favorite places! It’s called Paper Pals, and it’s a local paper crafting supply store here in Pullman. The owner, Karen, is very friendly and knows a lot about the world of paper crafts. I’ve been hanging out there for the past couple of weeks working on projects.

See those big windows? That makes up one whole wall of the store, and right on the other side of them are six-foot-long tables that are available for public use. That’s where I’ve been working. She also offers classes on making cards, mixed media canvases, mini albums,and art journaling; she has a 14-hour crop once a month at the Quality Inn; she brings in someone to teach Intuitive collage; she hosts birthday parties; and she does custom wedding invitations! Oh my!



This week is a special one because Karen is celebrating the store’s 10th Anniversary with a big sale on Saturday! You can win this awesome tote full of great stuff, get 20% the entire store, and make a mini squash album or Cuttlebug card! Lots of fun and great deals! If you live here, or you’re visiting for the Lentil Festival, you should stop by between 10a and 5p – you get a raffle ticket just for showing up! (Plus an extra for every $10 you spend!)

I love hanging out there and working. I’ve been going in every day she’s open for the past two weeks! (Tuesday – Saturday from Noon-6p) During that time I’ve learned how to make mixed media canvases (photos available at Mixed Media Projects), create backgrounds for art journals, and make ATCs!

       

Oliver came with me today to help take some photos. On the left you can see some projects from the classes she offers, and on the right he’s sitting at her wedding invitation station. More photos of the store and products will be appearing each week here on my blog (under a new Paper Pals tab I’ll create tonight).

One of the most important things you should know about this store is that it’s not just a scrapbook store – it’s a paper crafting/mixed media project/art journal store. You can find supplies, ideas, and inspiration for just about any type of creation you’d like to make. Even if you’re not sure what you’re doing! Just come in and say, “Here’s what I need, and what I got,” and be open to suggestion. You’ll be surprised at the amazing things you’re able to create with just a little push!

   

This awesome paper is some of the new product she’s getting in a couple times a week. There are stickers and books that coordinate – and with the big tables and awesome view, you can buy everything you need then sit right down and get to work! And chances are you’ll be seeing Oliver and me working on something, too!

Check out Paper Pals on Facebook at Paper Pals and be sure to “like” them for great photos, newsletter information, and updates. You can also visit the blog at www.scrapatpaperpals.blogspot.com. And don’t forget to stop by this Saturday, August 18th, from 10a-5p for cupcakes, card making, and great deals!

Moments

“We do not remember days, we remember moments.”
~ Cesare Pavese

Looking back over my thirty-one years of life, I realize the truth in these words. And you know I love finding such profound truth in such simple statements.

At first it doesn’t seem quite right; you may be thinking, “Hey, I remember my tenth birthday,” or “I’ll never forget my wedding day.” But look a little closer. What do you really remember? That’s right my friends, it’s the moments. A whole collection of them on some days, others are just tiny snippets of a season in our lives.

Sometimes we manage to capture those moments of our lives on film. (This one was taken by someone special to me, and shows the comfort side of Oliver.) A photograph becomes the representation of all of our thoughts and feelings of that one moment. Then the moments grow into something so powerful we tell their stories over and over again until it’s all we remember from that experience. And the years go by, and one day we look back and realize that the pictures have come to represent days or even months.

And yet….it’s always still the moments we come back to. Especially the ones that change us. We never forget the moments that change our lives. What are yours?

A New Way to Go Green

“I’m in love. His name is Jordan Catalano. He was left back. Twice. Once I almost touched his shoulder in the middle of a pop quiz.” ~ Angela Chase

I got to hang out with an old friend today, one I haven’t seen in over ten years, and it was so much fun! We met at a cute little cafe and had lunch. In some ways it was like nothing had changed, we just hung out and ate, and talked about all manner of things. In other ways, lots of things have changed – she’s married and has an adorable little boy!

The last time I saw her she was still in high school, and I had recently graduated. Our lives have gone all over the place since then! One thing I’ve always enjoyed about her (and there are several!) is the lack of drama in her life. We somehow managed to remain on the outside of it while watching and listening to our friends get so easily overwhelmed. We talked about this briefly today, referring specifically to the camp we both attended and later worked for, which is how we became friends.

Later, while we were sitting in the shade at a local park and watching her son explore the playground (he's fifteen months and likes rocks and dirt!), we got to talking about the differences in kids today, compared to when we were younger. For us, almost touching a guy’s shoulder would have been something to freak out about and share with all of our friends, which is why the character of Angela Chase on My So-Called Life struck a chord with so many girls when it was on air. Today, a girl getting pregnant at fourteen isn’t even much of a scandal. Some schools have even started up daycares so the teen moms don’t have to drop out.

I believe that God has a plan for all of our lives, and that He will bless the life of every newborn child; I also believe there are consequences for our actions, and sometimes even the ones that seem bad can bless us. However, I believe that our inaction prompts consequences, too, and that’s something that can just as easily be avoided. It doesn't matter if you don't have kids, you're not excluded. Don’t expect parents to be the only source of encouragement, or assume they’re the only example kids are following. If you want to affect great change on the future, even more than recycling and using cleaner air products – show kids how to live. Walk the talk.

I Am Me

“I am who I am, no approval required.”
~ Author Unknown

Before someone can like you for who you are, you have to like you for who you are; and before you can like who you are, you have to know who you are.

Most people spend their lives trying to find themselves; honestly, I don’t think anyone ever really gets there, but only those who bother trying ever get close. It’s perhaps one of the greatest and most challenging journeys a person can take, but unlike most others, every step is rewarding.

As I’ve gotten to know myself over the past few months, I’ve come to the conclusion that I am who I am. Were I less than I am, we would be less than we are. And I like who I am. I don’t need the approval of the people around me. I do however need their love and support, their respect and their encouragement. But those things only serve to strengthen who I am, and in so doing, to strengthen who we are. I’m still learning about myself, but that’s the key:  you have to keep going.

When A Shower Brings A Rainbow

“When a shower brings a rainbow, we hardly remember getting wet!”
~ Author Unknown

Storms are great metaphors for so many things in life! And rainbows have come to mean different things, but for me they will always represent God’s promises to us. So when I hear this quote, I think about things in my life that are stressful, and how when God brings me thru them, I hardly remember why.

Literally speaking, I love storms! Especially in the spring or early summer, when it’s a downpour and I get soaked within minutes. I love going out and standing in the middle of the rain and closing my eyes….and just listening to the storm speak. It’s so hard to explain what it says, but I know some of you can relate. It’s nothing like the metaphoric storms in our lives, it’s refreshing and invigorating, and the power it demonstrates makes you feel so….alive.

I recently came through a storm in my life, and now that I’ve seen the rainbow – I’m still seeing it, and I’m in such a great mood! – I haven’t forgotten getting wet, but I’ve decided to turn the memory of it into one that does what actual rain does; I’m going to let it refresh me, and help me feel alive, as I move forward into the sunlight and fresh air. Life’s storms shouldn’t be forgotten, even when we’ve dried off; without the rain, we’d have no rainbows!

Risky Business

“Only those that risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go.”
~ T.S. Eliot

I’ve been getting back into crafting recently, something I’ve loved since I was a small child, and haven’t been able to do for a while. It amazes me how the one thing that I know will help me let go is the one thing I can’t seem to do when life gets overwhelming. But it's never too late to pick up where I left off.

Well I’m out of the cave now, and as of yesterday afternoon, out of a very stressful working situation. And I’ve found my art again.

At the same time, I’ve found a new freedom to take risks. I’m letting myself explore and experiment in ways I never realized I was resisting before. And the really fun thing I’ve learned is that I’m not really learning something new, I’m just learning to see my old way of doing things in a new way.