Glue it Tuesday and Morning Reading Ritual

Glue it Tuesday

 

The creative mess before the final page is completed.

 Collage August 6

                               
My original idea was use layer upon layer of tissue paper inspired by these beautiful collages.  While her collage included paint, washi tape, and perhaps stickers, I wanted to stay within the confines of what I set for my glueblook; paper and glue only.   I discovered my Fiskars large square punch tore the tissue paper so I had to rethink my original idea.  I went back to my scrape basket and used scrapbook paper.  While I was disappointed that my original idea of sticking strictly with tissue paper failed, this was fun, therapeutic and doesn’t look half bad.  I will try doing this again in another journal applying her idea of starting with a paint base, adding paper then using washi tape, different shaped paper and stickers with ink.  I have very few punches so I am going to have to hook up with someone who does before taking this on.

Morning Reading Ritual

Someone asked me about the books I was reading in this Monday mugshot photo.  It has taken years for me to get to this place where I get up and feed my soul daily.  I have to contribute the staying power of this attempt at a routine to being laid off from teaching.  Take away the stress of writing lesson plans, grading endless stacks of papers, and putting science labs together and voilà! time appears.  Until now I have not been good at sticking with it consistently.  Consistency is not a word I would ever use to describe myself.  My routine was always dictated by the crisis of the moment whether it was preparing for a science lab or grading final exams, going on a cleaning frenzy for my son’s open house, or weeding the flowerbeds before the spring weeds took over.  Now with most of those crises eliminated, I am able to focus on the important. 

The books changed often, too.  Sometimes I would start a book before completing the one I was reading.  My bedside table and living room was littered with stacks of books in varying degrees of completion.  I rarely read one book at a time.  Sometimes I would have as many as 7!


After being laid off I found it easier to settle into a routine.  I also noticed I settled into reading the same couple of books which I found fed the most basic needs of my soul.  I begin by lighting a candle.  As I light it, I hold the intention I have for the reading that day. As I read, I write down what speaks to me or questions I have.  Sometimes an art journal page will form in my mind and if time allows I go to my office to begin working on it.

This is what I am reading:

Daily Guidance from Your Angels: 365 Angelic Messages to Soothe, Heal, and Open Your Heart by Doreen Virtue

Younger by the Day : 365 Ways to Rejuvenate Your Body and Revitalize Your Spirit by Victoria Moran

Choosing Happiness: Life and Soul Essentials by Stephanie Dowrick

My personal book study:

Defy Gravity: Healing Beyond the Bounds of Reason by Caroline Myss

Is there a special book that helped you during a troubling period in your life?  Do you have a book of daily messages that you try to read every day?  I would love to know what you are reading that fuels your soul.