Release... another prompt

I was really on a roll yesterday, I caught up with 2 prompts.... My word for the year BELIEVE, and the prompt RELEASE- what would I like to discard this year... I could go on about how I fluctuate between manic depression and mild hysteria, but it's not what I like to post about- everyone has their own demons... but I know that I really would like to make this year lighter and brighter, especially after my health scares over the last year.

They always say it takes a life-threatening experience to find God, well I guess it's true- only I'm not a God person in the slightest- I believe in what I can see- trees, birds,earth, moon ... so I promised myself I would actually begin to research deeper this year, and stop prevaricating. I'm on my spiritual journey at last...

And so... instead of a dark, broody, scary spread full of fear, self-loathing and dark, dark dreams I went for the complete opposite! Why should I dwell where I don't want to be? I choose to remind myself of the brighter possibilities and lighter way. Light is in everyone, it's just a case of finding it- we all have the potential to fulfill our dreams, we have to believe it, and release the negativity... off soap-box now!

I'm not sure it's finished yet- I feel some doodling calling, but in the main she's ready. Believe in the impossible to make it possible!

Sorry guys, not sure why, but it's bugging me more and more- perfectly focused pics are showing fuzzy here lately, not crisp at all... not sure if Blog put them though a filter like Flickr were? Not sure what I can do to remedy that... they're crystal clear on my pc....
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BELIEVE...oh I do! I do!!

I'm on a roll, it feels good! I just finished another spread (having done the background yesterday). One of our prompts for the Book of Days  was choose a word to signify your year, or at least the current situation. I struggle with typical artist/Cancerian insecurities, and whenever I get brave and feel better I'm usually self-destructive. Sad I know, I do try to be positive but you know how it goes... up and down, round and round...

So... as a mantra, affirmation, reminder, whatever... I choose BELIEVE as my word for the year. If repeating it over and over, and arting it in my books doesn't do it, well, then there's no hope for me- shoot me now! But I'll be having fun in the meantime...

mixed media, acrylic paints, pastels, picutres, embossed papers, gel medium, gesso, stamps/ stencils, sharpies and technical pens

Moments....

I sat down yesterday with the full intention of completing a few spreads for my Book of Days running over at effywild.com

With lots of projects on the go I try to allocate a certain amount of time to specific (largish) projects, while sneaking in plenty of impromptu little gems... and yesterday was no exception. I'd settled onto my sofa with trays and boxes of materials and goodies alongside... I'd done a couple of backgrounds and was just thinking I'd overdone my red/ white and blue spread- patriotic colours do nothing for me so I was just going to add plenty of turquoise... when the postie delivered my mail. 

Along with the usual junkmail were 2 parcels, one with the cutest little glass vials for sand, gems, oils or other tiny keepsake that I'd ordered to complete my wand and accessories. The other was unexpected "Happy mail" from Pippa in Somerset. Lots of lovely little arty treats, which instantly resolved my colour issues... and gave me a focus for the spread... moments; special moments, moments in time, living for the moment and living in the moment.... something I'm endeavouring to do this year.

So here is the finished piece...

Book of Days journal

Well, I simply had to do it, saw it and couldn't resist!!

I came across the Book Of Days 2012 project and thought it would be good for me too, with Milliande's Seed journal project exploring my potential and attitudes, this will go some way to consolidating my self-analysis and healing processes. So looking forward to it this year, it's something I keep putting off.

Now I'm making books on a regular basis I decided to use one of my already made signature sets and just make the covers...

So here's the finished (maybe) journal and opening pages. The covers are mixed media (rather than my usual textile/embroidered ones) because I wanted to really build up the layers and interest in a different way for a change.

Covers, collaged papers, netting,wool,perspex,inks, leaves and beads

Title page and envelope, alcohol inks, pastels,stamps,embossed letters,charms,silks,sharpies

The back page has an envelope too, for things I want to forget/throw out/release from 2011. Now I just need to go through the videos and catch up a bit on prompts.
It's a free project, so pop over and have a look, it promises to be great fun, judging by the comments of those who started on day 1!!

I've added the process in the how-to's- books section in case anyone fancies trying one for themselves.
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