A Focused Journey: Finding a focus on the other side of 50.

I believe everyone’s life has a purpose. We are here to discover that purpose then use whatever gifts were bestowed upon us to make this world a better place. Some of us are fortunate as we know at an early age what that purpose is. Others, well, we go along, often digressing from the road that will take us there. This is me. Now on the other side of 50, I am finding my way back to that road that will lead to my life’s purpose. Welcome to my journey.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday

Greetings from a VERY frigid Michigan! We had a record -25°F (-31C) last week. Too cold to go anywhere. We had 4 days where school was cancelled due to the frigid temperatures which gave me some unexpected time to spend creating. As soon as the school closing was announced I was up in my office creating - sometimes still in my jammies.

On my VERY messy desk is tissue paper, stamps, and Prismacolor markers for a Traveling Journal swap. I hand colored the butterfly stamps using the markers and Sakura Glaze pens. The quote is from my favorite desk calendar, Seize the Day. This happened to be a small altered book:

I have been busy preparing for the new link party I am hosting starting this Saturday: Stop Pinning and Make Something! As a giveaway I made this pen organizer featured here by Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith at inky dinky doodle.

Loved it so much I wanted to make it but really had no use for it. So I am giving it away! Please make a note on your calendar to stop by (shameless plug).

I created several rolos (Rolodex cards) and ATC’s for the swaps. I am participating in several mixed media series swaps and through the alphabet swaps.

Mixed Media ATC: Pink Parfait

ATC: Mixed Media - Yellow

rolo: Valentintes Day

Rolo: R is for Red

Winter Mail Art

What have you been creating lately? If it is nice a warm where you are, send a bit of sunshine this way, will you. Tomorrow and Friday more Wind Chill Advisories expected. Burrr…

Sharing our creative, yet often messy work desk with What’s on Your Workdesk? Wednesday. Stop by and snoop around!

12 comments:

Zsuzsa Karoly-SmithFebruary 25, 2015 at 8:29 AM
Hi Diane! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and also for the mention! Your organizer looks fab, as do all the ATCs and Rolos. I love all those different textures in them! 4 days of being locked up in your studio in your jammies sounds like heaven! Lucky you, though I don't think I could survive those temperatures! Happy WOYWW! zsuzsa @ InkyDinkyDoodle
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PaperOcotilloStudioFebruary 25, 2015 at 9:05 AM
Lots of lovely ATC and rolo cards there...looks like you have been having fun staying it. And I was whining this morning that is is 67F here. But for my thin AZ blood that is cold..honest..I put on a hoodie to make coffee! Good luck on your linky party :) Shel-PaperOcotilloStudio @51
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UnknownFebruary 25, 2015 at 9:44 AM
Great rolo cards and ATCs! Hope your linky party goes well. I have been using my "pins" for inspiration! Great fun! Happy WOYWW!
Carol N #50
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UnknownFebruary 25, 2015 at 11:14 AM
Well I am just loving all your artwork today! The rolodex cards are amazing, and the mixed media ATCs beyond beautiful!! Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #48
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glitterandglueFebruary 25, 2015 at 12:31 PM
Golly Diane - that is certainly COLD! But what a bonus - time for crafting indoors - no need to go out in the cold - hope your power didn't fail!!
Some great things on your desk there - I like the snowman, with the "architectural" details!!
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #11
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MrsC.xFebruary 25, 2015 at 2:24 PM
love your projects especially the snow man, stay warm!
Happy WOYWW
love Mrs C.x #30
http://craftroomdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/woyww-february-25th-2015.html
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fairy thoughtsFebruary 25, 2015 at 5:19 PM
Hi Diane
-25 I cannot even imagine how that could feel ..... I wouldn't be going anywhere either .... Especially if it means you get to craft more. Love the ATCs I think I had one from you for the WOYWW blog adversary last year
Hope it warms up soon
Janet @2
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Lunch Lady JanFebruary 26, 2015 at 1:20 AM
Good grief, those temperatures are mind numbing....we complain if it gets to -4 here! At least you got unexpected crafting opportunities, which you out to very good use. I like your colour themed work very much indeed!
Hugs, LLJ 26 xx
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ElizaFebruary 26, 2015 at 9:38 AM
Without making things sounding nasty we have had beautiful sunshine and warm days today, sorry to hear about your burr weather. I really can't see myself enjoying the cold, so much so that when winter hits here soon i think I will travel north visit a few people and stay warm, forget winter. Love the storage solution oh and those Rolodex cards are incredible.

Hugs Eliza & Yoda
Happy WOYWW
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ChrysalisFebruary 26, 2015 at 9:45 AM
Crumbs, that sounds cold! Glad to see it hasn't stopped you crafting, though. It's all lovely, but I especially like the blue and green butterfly Whoever coined the phrase ' blue and green should never be seen, except with a colour in between' needed their head tested LOL!! Have a great week, whatever the weather. Just keep safe and warm. Chris # 21
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Felix the Crafty CatFebruary 26, 2015 at 7:25 PM
Gosh you've been busy and it's all gorgeous despite the cold. I love the butterfly page, lovely layout. Happy crafting, Angela x 60
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Lorraine February 28, 2015 at 9:52 PM
Omigosh. Your journal pages are so vibrant and the colors of your atc's and rolos made me smile also. Well done on the pinterest project.
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Thank you so much for stopping by. Please share your insights.

THE JOURNEY

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could

The Dark Night Of The Soul
By Saint John of the Cross
Translated by A.Z. Foreman

Songs of the soul rejoicing at having achieved the high state of perfection, the Union with God, by way of spiritual negation.

Once in the dark of night,
Inflamed with love and wanting, I arose
(O coming of delight!)
And went, as no one knows,
When all my house lay long in deep repose

All in the dark went right,
Down secret steps, disguised in other clothes,
(O coming of delight!)
In dark when no one knows,
When all my house lay long in deep repose.

And in the luck of night
In secret places where no other spied
I went without my sight
Without a light to guide
Except the heart that lit me from inside.

It guided me and shone
Surer than noonday sunlight over me,
And lead me to the one
Whom only I could see
Deep in a place where only we could be.

O guiding dark of night!
O dark of night more darling than the dawn!
O night that can unite
A lover and loved one,
Lover and loved one moved in unison.

And on my flowering breast
Which I had kept for him and him alone
He slept as I caressed
And loved him for my own,
Breathing an air from redolent cedars blown.

And from the castle wall
The wind came down to winnow through his hair
Bidding his fingers fall,
Searing my throat with air
And all my senses were suspended there.

I stayed there to forget.
There on my lover, face to face, I lay.
All ended, and I let
My cares all fall away
Forgotten in the lilies on that day.

Pages

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday

12 comments: