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I write. Sometimes with a kind of frenesy that I can’t control. I write when I don’t know what else to do anymore. I learned that this is my way of externalizing my feelings. I started way way back in time. Before I touched a paintbrush.

Words are as important to me now than images. When I close my eyes, I see a sea made of both.

Today, while my paintings were drying, I decided to grab my journal and see what I could do with unfinished pages. I decided to find something to create and came up with this (click to enlarge):

31/01/2013

The other side of the spread is just ugly, so I am sparing you this sight.
I played with what was already on the page: leftovers ink on a stencil that I popped in there Icantrememberwhenanditdoesnotmatteranyway. Pulled my stash of paper I made when my friend Melissa came last time with her Gelly plate (this is the blue piece), used my 4×6 die from The Crafter’s workshop to cut the rectangle, tucked it on there with beautiful washi tape, found a strip of paper from a previous project that was the perfect size and I thought was a nice contrast, found the page on which I printed the lyrics from Emelie Sandé’s song «Read All About It Part III» that I love so much, tore the part I was feeling was perfect for today,a few splashes of Alcohol ink and I was just done. I love simple.

I needed to get my head elsewhere from where my thoughts were leading me, and art journaling always helped me doing that. But once this spread was done, I was not 100% back on my feet, so I flipped through the pages, found another page that could use a little something something and began writing on the right page…

Left page. 31/01/2013

Right Page. 31/01/2013

And this is when it happened… the words started to flow without me controling. I know some of you may think I am nuts, but I wanted to share anyway.
It is not the first time. I can’t tell you what it is exactly. I just know I needed these words, right at that moment, and that me writing in my journal may just have been the moment chosen for me to receive them.

I don’t know if you can really read, so here is the message I received:

«You are right here.
Never lose this faith that
lights your Heart.
No matter how big the hole.
No matter how long “Forever” lasts.
You’ll make it WHOLE and alive.
I’m showing you the way,
but the choice is always YOURS
to make.
You are seen.
Shed these tears that
make your heart so heavy.
It’s okay not to be okay.
Now go, show up.
You are seen.
You are seen.
You are seen.»

Maybe you needed it too, this is why I wanted to share 🙂

If you follow my adventures on my Facebook page (if you are not a liker of the page, I highly suggest you to become one if you want to be first to here from me about what’s happening in my part of the creative world), you already have seen snippets of this new Nixies over the last few weeks.

Since my husband helped me clear up my Studio, I have this big pile of «never finished»+«ugly» paintings in a box. They need to be reworked… or be entirely redone.

This is what happened with this painting. I had this huge (16×20″) painting, dated from July 2010, made on canvas board. It was ugly; I was in my «grey face round eyes» phase (don’t get me wrong, I love some of what came out during this phase, but definately not this specific one).
Okay, trying not to be ashamed (it is all about the Journey, right ?):

The start. July 2010.

I told you…
I did not start with any other intention that create another Nixie based on the January painting from Mindy’s True Free Spirit class (allow me to shorten it to «TFS» please). So I started to play around with paint, creating blocks of color to hide what I really hated, but still preserving what I liked in it.

After a few layers

I also used this hexagon stamp I love so much, and went around it to highlight it with one of my favorite color of Oil Pastel (my preferred brand is Senellier).
Still with oil pastel, I did some marks (for example the drops on the top right corner).
I used heavy gesso with a stencil from The Crafter’s Workshop (should I still say it ? you know they have my heart). I used one from Studio Calico, too.
The bright pink pieces are simply tissue paper. The brown part with line at the bottom is tissue paper, this thing used when you sew your clothes yourself you know (a pattern ? I’m not sure of the anglophone term, sorry). The beige part in the middle-left part is tissue paper too, but the wrapping kind; it has kind of a scene design on it. I don’t get tired of using it, because it adds pop, because it is semi-translucent (more or less depending on the color of it).
And last but not least, I used some other stamps (some from Hero Arts for Studio Calico, some from Christy Tomlinson by Unity). I need to check the manufacturer of this circle one I love so much, but I think it is Bo Bunny though.

Engraved Truth

You need to look closely at the painting to actually notice this word. I simply engraved/scratched it whil the paint was still wait. I love the contrast of the warm colors showing through that grey block.

Finally working a bit on her face. She is composed of plenty of layers, very thin layers after layers. This is always the part that scares me, even if I am getting more comfortable in my technique. I think I only have one solution for it: learn how to traditionally shade a face, and go from there. I will.

And a dozen of details and layers after, here she is:

«Fae».
Prints available in the shop.

«If you are not willing for the unusual things, then you’ll have to settle for the ordinary.» Jim Rohn

Here is Fae’s story:

Fae’s look is quirky. Unusual. She has beautiful fragile yet still strong shiny wings. Her hair seems to be all over the place.But she doesn’t care because she knows deep in her heart: she makes One with everything and everyone around her. She is both the Sun and the Moon. The stars in the sky that are still there even when you don’t see them.She is a perfect Being, image of what is.

(Inspired by Liz Lamoreux)

Now…

Listening to my Pandora station called «January 2013»
Planning my Project Life pages (I am a bit…late. but that’s ok)
Loving each of my daughters’ drawings (was gifted lots of them lately)
Enjoying time with my Studio Buddy
Reading «Mrs Peregrine’s home of peculiar children» by Ramson Riggs (will become a Tim Burton’s directed movie)

Now…

Trusting (everything will turn out fine)
Filling my Heart with Gratitude
Filling my Body with plant based meals (and feeling good)
Believing in Miracles
Waiting

Now…

Enjoying the process
Being inspired
Obsessing all over again (with sacred geometry and symbols)
Dreaming Out Loud
Loving at the fullest

Welcome to another Project Life Monday. This will, I wanted to focus on sharing what I use to create my album, with a little explanation.

(I am linking to the Amazon page of Becky Higgins, to make it easier for you to learn more about the product if you want.)

My album

For Project Life, you do need a 12×12″ 3-ring binder because of the photo pages we use. Now, plenty of manufacturers do have some in their lines so it is not that hard to find. AND 12×12″ (30x30cm) is the more common size but of course, you can also choose to a 8.5×11″ album or even 6×8″. It is really up to you !

I went for one made by We R Memory Keepers, and for 2013, I chose the Navy binder (not girly as it is our family album and I want my husband to like it as well. And Blue is kinda our colour). It is very sturdy and I love the finish.

Becky Higgins offers binders that do coordinate her core kits, and they are pretty neat as well !

The Photo Pocket Pages

The most common sizes of pockets are 6×4″ and 3×4″, and the pages play around what is possible to play with these two sizes on the same page. There are also the big 12×12″, some smaller ones as the 5×7″, 8×10″, 8.5×11″.

People usually prefer working the Design A when they work on a weekly base for their year album. I noticed by looking through my photo folders on my computer that most of the photos I take are in Landscape mode. And I guess I am not the only one, and this is why this design is oh so popular. And why I like the Photo Pocket C so much: it is 6 spots for 4×6 Landscape photos.
If you tend to do the contrary (take more Portrait oriented photos), then you have the same concept inverted: Design D is for you.

However… you know me. I am pretty easily bored to death and having an album filled with the same Photo Protector over and over is not my thing.

I like using Design E or I that both have squares, because I can slip my Instagram photos easily in them (I do a montage in Photoshop and got 12×12″ photo printed at Costco, then I just need to trim and I’m good).

I bought a Big Pack so I have a little bit of each of the designs to play with, and with time I’ll see which ones I go to more often and will get these.

 The Core Kit

Using a core kit will save you tons of time. Each of them is composed of:

• Scrapbooking components to create a full album
• 4 x 6 Title Cards so every layout has a title
• 3 x 4 Journaling Cards so that every picture has a caption
• First Page + Last Page Cards so that your album has a beautifully designed beginning and end

Last year when I began for 2012, I bought the Cherry Core Kit. BUT I find it quite girly (which is fine for my daughters’ album but not so much for our family one). I was very excited of the two new core kits that were released earlier this year: the Seafoam edition (designed by Elise Cripe) and the Olive edition (designed by Heather Bailey) and so I purchased the Seafoam core kit to go with it.

I really like that there are journaling cards as well as filler cards (you know, when you don’t have a photo, don’t have much to say but need to fill one of the pocket anyway).

This Spring (around May), LOTS of new products will be released. Both core kits, and mini kits (for example there will be a seasonal one, and a holidays focused kit too).

The extra: Mini Kit

I also use the Mayfield mini kit.

I chose a girly one on purpose, this time.

You can totally go without a mini kit, as the Core Kit is made to cover a whole year of Project Life 🙂

To date, you can choose between three different mini kits.

The extra: Project Life monthly kit by Studio Calico

Since January this year, Studio Calico added a new monthly kit to their list. One that is dedicated to Project Life albums.

In it, you receive both 3×4 and 4×6 cards (around 30 in total I think), plus an exclusive stamps set, and some embellishments (washi tape and more).

Each month, it coordinates with the Main kit, and the Card kit.

I think Studio Calico is one of my favorite brands, and this kit is a monthly treat that I really appreciate (and if you already are a subscriber to any of the other kits, it will ship together at no additional fee).

I also like to use their Cut Files (with my Silhouette machine… that I should definately use more !) and their Digital stamps.

Making my own cards

I purchased some blank 4×6 cards at Staples, and use them to create my own journaling and filler cards. You know I like getting my hands dirty, and it is a nice fun way to warm up before painting.

I also use the blank 3×4 cards from Becky Higgins (I often find it hard to fill the 3×4 spots in my pages) to create something.

Spray inks, stamps and here you have it ! I also like to add a stitched border around my card when I want it a little be fancier.

Now that Project Life is oh so popular, you can find paper you just need to cut and then use (for example Simple Stories, or Echo Parks have some really good ones).
The same applies for stamps. I bought an inkpad of Stazon ink though, because my usual Archival one was smudging when used directly on my photos. And that sucks !

For the papers, I use some of my scrapbook paper that I cut to size. Now that I have the blank 3×4 and 4×6 dies from The Crafter’s Workshop, it is way easier to cut it thanks to my Big Shot machine. I also use the 3×4 die to reframe and downsize a photo.

Selphy home printer

I discovered this printer via Liz Lamoreux who uses one. It is good when I don’t have a lot of photos to print, because I can do that at home thanks to it. However, when I have too much photos, I noticed I run out of ink pretty fast… so this is when I go to Costco and get them printed in 1 hour.

I know that Epson also has a portable home printer, but I’ve never used it so I can’t compare the two and tell you which is best.

I like thinking outside the box for my albums. And I am so inspired by all those who share their pages and process ! Thankful they take some time to share.

I would really love to know how you organize yourself for your Project Life album. What are your favorite products to use ? Please please please: tell me 😀

Project Life is a memory keeping system initiated by Becky Higgins. This is how I decided to keep track of our family life.
If you live outside the US, you can order Project Life items on Scrapbooker’s Inner Circle.
You can find all my Project Life oriented blogposts right here.

Gratitude Friday is a weekly ritual I started in order to focus on all the small and big positive things that happened during my week. I invite you to join me, you’ll see how much being thankful can change your life. If you want to know more about it, read my introduction post.

Hello beautifuls !

This week is coming to an end and I have to admit I am happy to see the week-end arriving.

I have too much to do today, so I apologize for making it short. But I really want to encourage you to stop for a few minutes so you can reflect on your week and seek for what was positive, what were the lessons learned, the joyful moments.

This week, I am thankful for:

• Morning green smoothies. They easily contribute to my fruit/greens/fiber/protein intake of the day. They fill me up in the morning so I am not starving anymore when lunch comes (=less hungry equals to smaller portions).
• My Studio Buddy (and next door neighbor), Em. Having her in my studio with me makes quite the difference.
• Sleep. Rest.
• Tv Shows (finally started watching Revenge, and we’re now on Season 4 of our «watch it again» Supernatural marathon).
• Packing orders that go to new homes all over the globe.
• Watched «A Series of Unfortunate Events» with my girls yesterday and loved it. And so much inspiration (come on… Violet’s style is gorgeous !). I want to read the books (will check our library. when I’ll have lowered the pile of books already started on my nightstand, though).
• This deep feeling of going on the right road (in life, in my spirituality, creatively).
• I will be a guest artist in the upcoming class «Behind the art» from Christy Tomlinson (read more about it on her blog).
• The absence of rain. And the warm (at least, I should say «not too cold») days.
• My dear Halfling’s work party, theme was Casino Royal. I found a beautiful (but cheap) dress that I can wear again, and high flat boots. It was fun. Thank you to our neighbors who made it all possible.
• My floating headache did not tranform into a migraine.

Please, don’t be afraid to share your list. It does not have to be filled with huge profound items 🙂

If you wrote your Gratitude Friday on your blog, don’t forget to enter your NAME and URL below so I’m notified and can come to read you (you can also join by commenting this post):
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