What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday

On my desk is my altered journal and DML planner.  Also a new Distrss Ink, -shabby shutters; have fallen in love with this new color.  At the base of the lamp are bits of tissue paper left over from WOYWW ATC’s. and a Starbucks coffee sleeve (a Mother’s Day treat).  My paper basket is overflowing with bits of paper, ribbon and material from creating.  

Not sure how I will finish off the left side of this spread.  I have learned to a leave a page until inspiration strikes.

I woke up this morning at 1:45, couldn't go back to sleep so brewed some coffee and worked on this journal page in my altered book.  While I feel calmer, exhaustion is taking over yet I have the whole day left in front of me.  Sigh…

I skipped several weeks of the DML simply because I felt like they have gotten away from the documenting part and more into the challenges part.   I made the planner and want to see it through the end so I am trying to find a way to incorporating the challenges with the planner.  I also have been avoiding working in it because I am in a rut, the same rut I have been in for several years now and by not working in the planner I avoid acknowledging this. 

Lately I have been forgoing my favorite color purple for green.  I never thought about one’s favorite color changing but it makes sense. 

According to color psychology, green

“… is the color of balance and harmony. From a color psychology perspective, it is the great balancer of the heart and the emotions, creating equilibrium between the head and the heart.”

“From a meaning of colors perspective, green is also the color of growth, the color of spring, of renewal and rebirth. It renews and restores depleted energy. It is the sanctuary away from the stresses of modern living, restoring us back to a sense of well being.”

Thinking about this and where my life is right now, it makes sense to be attracted more towards green than purple. The stressors of teaching are taking a huge toll.  Change is needed, it is inevitable,  I'm just not sure in which direction to head.

Has your favorite color changed as your life has changed?  Did you go back to your original favorite color once the change took place or is the new color still your favorite?

Joining up with What’s onYour Workdesk?Wednesday where desk snooping is not only allowed but encouraged!

What's on your Workdesk? Wednesday

How is it that cats know when you are about to take a picture ?  No sooner had I laid my journal open and Kiri (my son’s cat) hopped on top of my table and proceeded to get in the way.  I waited thinking she would grow bored but instead this happened: 

She rarely visits.  The food bowls must be empty!

On my desk there is left over paint and clean brushes from Saturday’s early morning painting session.  I found an old Chemistry book sitting in a free pile while visiting the University of Michigan on a school field trip.  Will be a great altered book someday.  And a spread I just completed Sunday in my altered journal.

Sadly, I have been neglecting this altered book.  Thinking about, I believe it would more appropriate to say avoiding it.  Avoiding my feelings and thoughts by painting, creating for others, or watching TV.

While I was working on this page, the song Say by john Mayer started playing.  The words caught my attention:

Walking like a one man army

Fighting with the shadows in your head

Living out the same old moment

Knowing you'd be better off instead,

If you could only . . .

Say what you need to say

My angels were trying to get my attention.  Wisely, I printed out the lyrics and included them in the journal page.

Joining up with What’s onYour Workdesk?Wednesday where desk snooping is not only allowed but encouraged!

This week’s challenges:

Summer Photography Scavenger Hunt:

 

#14: Parade

Last Saturday I made the journey to Frankenmuth for their annual Bavarian Festival.   I was hoping there would a juggler (#15) but was disappointed when no juggler passed by.

 

#8:  A tattoo on a person

Last night was my best friend’s daughter’s wedding.  Fortunately, my husband and I found ourselves seated at the rowdy table.  Not knowing anyone at the table, brought up the topic of photography after spying a huge Cannon sitting in front of one of the guests.  I mentioned the scavenger hunt and right away I was pointed towards this young woman sporting 2 tattoos sitting at a nearby table. 

 Summer of Color:  Week 2

The color pallet this week is Coral & Teal with a Smudge, Splash or Pop of Bright White.  I had no idea how to approach this challenge until noticed the cottonwood seeds blowing around so thick it looked like it was snowing at times.   My supply of paint is rather limited so I had to purchase the coral and teal.  I first collaged the water color paper with scrapbook paper in a coral tone, tearing it to add texture.  I painted over the paper with a light layer of the coral paint then misted it with water and wiping with paper towel.  I stenciled the tree with the teal.  After it dried I used a Sakura Souffle pen in white for the lettering and cottonwood seeds.  I tore bits of a cotton ball off to add “fluff” to each seed.    

Glimpse Into My Life Journal: #17

Of the 4 challenges I opted for:

#1: SCHOOL PHOTO - Smash in one of your old school photos or some of your kids/grandkids/nieces and/or nephews and write about the year, the clothes, the hair style, your old glasses, or just what school photo day meant to you.

This photo was taken ~ 1967.  Back then, kids dressed up for school photos.  This dress was either my mother’s favorite or mine, I can’t remember.  I was growing my hair out from a pixie. 

To create this page I collaged it first with torn bits of paper then covered it with a wash of white paint.  I buffed Inka Gold Metallic Rub in copper on the left side and Tim Holtz's Adirondack Ink in carmel, ginger, & gold around the rest of the page.  

#2: SUMMER VACATION - Where are you going? What are your goals for the summer? Cleaning? Reading? Painting the garage? Make a page with your summer plans and dreams. 

I always find lists hard to journal.  I opted to use paint chips simply to add color to the page and break u the background paper.  I left space to add to the page as I always seem to think of one more thing after I complete the page. 

Now that school has ended I can get caught up on the other challenges that seem to have fallen by the wayside (see Art Journaling above).