A New Journal... and so tired

I listed this seafoam journal in my etsy shop last night. I love the texture of that leather, it feels like woven fabric. And seafoam green has always been a color I liked.

I have more journals in the works, but working 50 hours a week and all the emotions has made me tired. I've also been sorting through boxes. Boxes that have been moved from home to home. Most of it is stuff that I don't need, or that can be consolidated down into just a few boxes.

I hope that your week is going well. How do you deal with exhaustion?

Journal and Illness

Another coptic stitch journal I created. This one will be listed in my shop soon. I have had a terrible head cold now for about 5 days. Low grade fever, stuffy nose, complete lack of energy/ambition.

Today I will stay home, treat the fever (which is higher today) with herbs and medication, hot baths, and naps. I will be back full force soon.

Back to Basics

In a thread I'm in on Etsy, I issued a challenge yesterday. I called it the "back to basics challenge". The above photo is one of the coptic stitch journals I made for the challenge. When I first started bookbinding, I learned the coptic stitch. It was my bread and butter for well over a year.

Then I began making leather bound journals, with stab binding, and I never looked back. There seemed to be a market for them, they took less time, and I found my groove with them. But lately, I've been feeling like I need to return to basics. Like I need to remember what it was about bookbinding that drew me in.

So, I went back to basics and it taught me a lot about myself. Soon, I will go back to basics with Buddhism. To return to the path that I started on in 2002. I am on a quest. A quest to remember why I am now where I am.

A Found Hour

Yesterday at work drained me. I felt like I had been run over by a train. I opted for takeout dinner, so it would be quick, and I had a journal to make and orders to package. I yearned to write, but had accepted the fact that I most likely wouldn't have time.

However, I worked quite efficiently and had a spare hour. Oh joy! I got a little further in my story. I was able to move forward, and that mean the world to me. It's getting difficult to work full time and write, because all I want to do is write. someday. No. SOMEDAY. I will have the time to write. Putting that intention out there right now.

I've been involved in this thing called "The Receiving Project" where, for 32 days, you make note of the gifts you receive. It's only been 3-4 days, and I've received so much. Like my hour to write last night. Kind words from a friend when I most needed them, a new friend who I'm getting to know, and she is quite amazing. I find myself surrounded by artists.

In talking with artists, I'm still amazed that I have so much to offer them. I gain so much from our talks, and the connections we make, but when they go out of their way to tell me something, or thank me for a comment... I am just like "Wow!" Life is good. What have you been receiving?

Journaling Saves.

As many of you know, I'm the official art journal sponsor for Dirty Footprints Studio's online Love Letters Art Journal Course. I have been so blessed to be making art journals specifically for art journaling for months now, and still I'm loving every minute of it!

Art saves... I believe this... Journaling absolutely saves. And any outpouring of your soul, whether it's art journaling or writing can help growth occur. I've seen it in my Artist Empowerment Course (which I will be offering again soon!), where my students are asked to journal daily for the 6 week course. So many of them did not like that idea at all! But every week, I found that the daily journaling dug so deep into their soul. It uncovered beauty, and was a balm for the ugly, buried crap of the past. Journaling saves!

I urge you to grow. Sign up for a class... start art journaling with Connie, or Empower your Artist with me. But don't stop growing.

Oh! to get your own Love Letter's Journal just click here!

Struggles

Last night I was feeling blah. I was feeling discouraged. And I let myself feel this way. I wallowed for a short time, then I decided I needed a plan. So, I began to formulate a plan. And then I tossed and turned last night worrying about more stuff that I hadn't yet dealt with.

So, one of my plans will go into effect soon. I'm thinking a referral journal giveaway, but I haven't worked out all the details yet. Basically, I know that people who have bought my journals love them. And if you refer someone to me and they buy a journal, you'll be entered for a giveaway. But like I said, I'm working on the details.

The other stuff, I'll be tackling today.

Part of it is struggling with this authentic me. I know that writing helps to bring me to my true North. Writing is the art that has always saved me. And I'm working on that. I'm working on making the time. It's hard with 3 teenage boys who are talkative and funny and active. But I just need to make that time.

Another part is photography, and honestly I don't feel it right now. What I feel is a tinge of guilt but I don't feel inspired to do it. I do know that I will return to it. I will enjoy life through the viewfinder at some point.

So what are your struggles today?

Dreaming in Technicolor

I have been dreaming in technicolor this week. Monday night was all about death and destruction, but that dream was so vivid and it went on and on. Last night was like an '80's movie. It was vivid as well, but I don't remember much of it. The part I do remember, however, was about lost opportunity.

In my dream, I was considering displaying my art somewhere. I actually think in the dream it was an aquarium. But there had never been art displayed there, and I hesitated. The next time I went, someone was displaying there. My heart sunk. I knew I had missed a chance and I could have been in had I acted on my gut.

I'm sure that message will stick with me. And it makes me wonder what else my dreams are telling me. We are covering fear in the class I'm teaching, and this is very timely. I have a lot to write about in there today!

My son made an amazing journal and I will be listing it today. I am so proud of them and their blossoming bookbinding skills. Two out of the 3 so far are working on surpassing my skills. I can't wait to show it to you!

Saying Yes

I have been featured in an amazingly inspirational video! If you are an artist, or want to dabble in art but have excuses, I urge you to watch this. This came about because of Connie asking me to be the sponsored Journal Maker of Art Journal Love Letters!! (Click on the link then scroll down) Remember how I was so excited to say yes? Well, that one yes keeps rewarding me over and over!

Life is absolutely amazing in my little corner right now. I'm opening myself up to possibilities and diving in. That, my friends, has made all the difference! I urge you to check out my shop at www.robynsart.etsy.com. And the class that Effy mentions in her video, my class, the Artist Empowerment Class, will be offered again in a few months!

Back to Work

Back to work after a 3 day weekend. That is always tough. However, what a wonderful 3 day weekend it was! The class started yesterday and it is such an amazing group of women. I am honored to be leading them. The signup button will disappear by tomorrow morning. It is not too late to join us, but today will be the last day.

I took some awesome photos of the family this weekend. And we shot off some big fireworks. I also added new journals to my shop and baked. What a good weekend!

This week I will be working on even more journals, and figuring out how to get the right amount of time into the class. It will be an amazing 6 weeks!! It may take a lot of my time from other online activities, but that is ok.

A Creative Weekend

I made 6 new journals this weekend. It felt good to be creating like that. Friday, I had taken the day off and went to the leather store. I love that place! Next weekend will be full of family time and going to the balloon festival!

My class starts in 2 weeks and I've never been more ready! The link to the information is at the top right column of this blog. Please let me know if you have any questions.

I'm tired today, as I didn't sleep well last night. So tonight will be an early bedtime for me, I function best when I'm well rested. What will today bring for you? Did you receive any inspiration over the weekend? Has the universe been speaking to you?

It's been shouting at me. Doors have been flying open and I'm doing all I can to enter them! I am now wondering if this has been happening all along and I've just ignored it, or if I'm finally ready so this is now happening. I think it's more than now I'm listening!

Self-Care

Today is my day off. My plan was to sleep in. I made it to 6am. But that's an hour later than I usually get up during the week. I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to make some journals! I've been very cautious to not make too many plans for this weekend. If I have the energy and am feeling well, I'll make plans as I go.

I have 3 custom journals to make this weekend, and one will hopefully make me learn more about working with fimo clay. I'm all about learning new things! I've written in the past about how driven I am. I have to be moving forward at all times--either learning new things, making things, planning, preparing, even cleaning. I am always about forward movement, and that is what makes me nuts when I don't feel well and get slowed down.

So, this weekend, I will have forward movement, but I will also practice excellent self-care. I will get good sleep, I will eat healthy, and I won't push my body to do things that it's not up for. I do hope that it will allow my creativity as a reward.

Time's a ticking! Class starts July 5. The first week will be about intros, personal stories, beginning journaling, and a group chat. So you do not have to be available right on July 5. See details here, and don't forget to sign up!

Finding the Flow

So, last week I thought I had a head cold. Now I know it's allergies. The weather has been so odd that I never expected allergies to be hitting this late. I thought I had escaped them this year, somehow. So now, I'm using my Flonase, my allergy meds, downing local honey... and trying to find the flow.

I was basically unplugged this weekend, popping online here and there to get something done, but not lingering. Saturday was spent running errands and going out with friends. Yesterday I completed all but one finishing touch for a custom order and got another journal almost completed as well. I had not made journals for awhile and that felt good!

This evening I will be finishing both journals and listing. Hopefully the evening will also include more creativity. And the day will include the allergies easing up.

Percolating

So... I've been saying a lot lately about how I've been percolating. I feel the creativity bubbling up. I have not found a whole lot of time to create this week but that desire is there, and the ideas are coming.

I've been doing a lot of research for my online class. I have been writing down ideas, formulating a plan. And I've been doing some bookbinding site browsing too... gaining a lot of inspiration.

Expect some new stuff from me soon. Some new blog posts, new journals, new photos, and a new class. 2010 is going to be amazing. Who's with me on that?

Back to the Real World

I had an amazing weekend filled with good food, family, a concert, and an extra day off of work. Today, it's back to the real world, and it doesn't seem quite so bad because my week is already shorter!

I have felt for a few days like my creativity is percolating. Like it's bubbling up, and I'm going to overflow soon. I have so many dreams... so many goals... I'm going to start realizing them soon! I've been "nesting" the way an expectant mom does. Making sure there's quick and easy meals available, some stuff in the freezer that can be heated up. Preparing for when the muse strikes and I will be too busy to cook.

There are some new journals inside me, ready to get out. And my class... things are moving forward. Perhaps soon I'll even add some more photos to my shop. Speaking of photos... Until Sunday, May 30, I'm offering a BOGO free sale on my photos. Just order and pay for one photo from www.robynsart.etsy.com and add your free choice in notes at checkout. Easy peasy.

I hope that you too soon feel the percolating!

My Goals

Amazing things began happening when I began saying yes. I have said yes to things I had never dreamed possible. Things I would have never dared ask for. I'm now the journal making for Connie's Art Journal Love Letters, I am working on an online class, and i am NOTICING the amazing things as they come to me.

I have some goals, and these may change as life happens (like if something amazing like the journal making comes along again), but I'd like to share them with you. I have 4 main goals:

1. To seek out more wholesale orders for my journals.
2. To have my online class launched in about a month.
3. To approach Bed and Breakfasts about displaying my photography.
4. To go down to 4 days a week at work.

I've stated them now. Those are my goals. I think I've come a little bit closer to attaining them just by stating them here. Want to join me by stating your goals?

New Leather Colors! New Inspiration!

Sometimes the smallest thing can trigger inspiration. This week I have 3 new leather colors and inspiration has struck me hard. In addition to the new colors, friends have been contacting me for special orders, so that always pushes me to try new things.

Last night, I dreamed about journal making. Besides the ones available in my shop, I will be starting some one of a kind (OOAK) ones. These will come from my leather scrap bag and the leather piece will dictate the finished size, design, etc. Basically, I will be doing what the leather tells me.

I know how important it is to be in LOVE with your journal! And I fully believe that journaling is the way to map the soul. I want my creations to be able to help you with that process.

If you haven't checked out Connie's Art Journal Love Letters Class, I encourage you to do so. It's ongoing, so you haven't missed the beginning, and you can go at your own pace! Here is what one of her students says about Connie and her class.

I urge you to check her out. Miss Connie is amazing! And when you have a need for a journal to map your soul, I'd love to see you at my shop, www.robynsart.etsy.com!

Kari's giveaway ends tomorrow... she is giving away the most amazing ring. Check it out, and enter, HERE :-)

Amazingness Afoot

I was asked by Connie to offer journals in my shop for her Art Journal Love Letters online workshop and here it is! I will tell you more about Connie and her art/soul journey soon, but I really wanted to share this journal with you. It's such a substantial thing!

Life is moving at the speed of light... the journal making, hanging my work, networking, and it seems like opportunities are popping up that I could have never imagined! Like Connie's journal...

What I've learned? Keep your heart open to possibilities always!

Creating Again

I had not created anything since my Dad's death on Feb. 13. Yep, basically a month and a half. Did not pick up the camera, didn't make a single thing. But this weekend I've made 6 journals, 6 photo paperweights, and photo'd 7 sets of photo greeting cards. I will work on listing them all throughout the day.

It feels amazing to be creating. At first, it was quite bittersweet because I had a strong urge to call Dad and tell him about the amazing new leather journal I made. But my friend Kevin assured me that now I have "direct connect" and can talk to Dad any time I'd like.

There are some possibly-amazing things afoot creative & business-wise for me... and I will keep you posted as those things unfold. My fingers are crossed, but I am going into new ventures only after a lot of soul searching and research. I know that the perfect avenues are right before me, and they'll still be there if I take a moment to reflect before choosing.

I wasn't ready before... for those new paths, for the healing that creativity would bring. But now I think I am ready.

Productivity is Good

The week is going pretty well. Got a lot of journal prep work done on Sunday, and yesterday I cut and folded the signatures for 4 journals. This evening, I will sew some. And I'll probably be doing that at a friend's house. I've missed her like mad, but I need to get these journals done, so I can multitask :-).

If all goes well, I will have many new journals to list by the end of the week. I should also be able to list more photos and possibly more greeting cards.

Yesterday evening was obviously a time for me to connect with loved ones. I talked with my Dad, my step-mom, two old friends (one online, and one on the phone), and I had a long talk with my youngest son. It was a good night.

I think at some point this week, I'll write out a list of goals. A self check-in. Yes, I will definitely do that...

An Amazing Day

Yesterday was quite an amazing day! It brought many many sales in my Etsy shop and also a custom journal request! It was exciting! And today, I'm going to the post office. Life is pretty awesome at times, isn't it?

I have been thinking a lot about my dad lately. I really must call him tonight. I get so caught up in my little world sometimes. Time to do better!

I have been pondering the thought of putting together a PDF of how-to's on journal making for my shop. Either that or an online class. I'd love thoughts about that. I'm a little nervous here, so any input would be really appreciated!

And I'm still working on my new product line. Here's your first clue. Inspirational. Yep, that's all I'm giving you for now :-)

I hope today is just as amazing as yesterday, for all of us, in every way possible!