Author: Michelle

Combining The Old And The New

So for those that have been around here for a while, you know that I try my hand at many different crafts and assorted art projects. This has led to many quilts being made (and given), various holiday decorations made (that are currently boxed up in the garage), as well as many started and yet never finished projects that have caused me to accumulate supplies and tools over the years. And I have moved these items, numerous times, always thinking I really should get rid of some of this stuff before I move again. Have I? Nope, not usually. And this has turned out to be one of those times when I was glad I didn’t.

I have found a new outlet that combines two things I love – writing and creating something new out of bits of something old. This is “art journaling”. This is something that a friend of mine shared her passion for and inspired me to try myself. And I can now say I am hooked. I am able to use my old stamping tools and supplies, rip out pictures from magazines and catalogs that would otherwise just collect dust on the coffee table until they are recycled, and take words, quotes, song lyrics, whatever may be in my head at the moment – and combine them all to come up with something like this.

 Or this.

 Or even this.

These are just a few examples of what I’ve done. Some pages are more personal than others and won’t be shared publicly. And that’s the beauty of art journaling. You can pour your heart and soul in to the work, express any emotion you may have burning inside you at that moment, and once you release it on the page, a catharsis takes place. No longer is that emotion bottled up inside. No longer is it something you are holding on to. It’s out there. Released. Surrendered. And if it’s still bothersome, well there is always more gesso and black paint. You can cover it up, bury it under another layer, and  create something new.  There are no mistakes, there are no rules. And that is the beauty of it all.

Obviously there is more to it than this. I’m only beginning to learn where this can take me. But that’s where the fun lies in the journey, learning, exploring, creating.

Parenting A Tween

As a parent there is a lot to consider these days: education, diet & exercise, extra circular activities, general household rules… you get the idea. As a parent of a tween (soon to be teen) there seems to be a whole other dimension added to that I now get to experience. Fortunately (or maybe not) I remember my middle school years. I count myself lucky to still be in contact with my best friend from all those years ago too. (She knows where all the skeletons are buried)

I asked the question on facebook and got a variety of responses, and will ask it here too, because I enjoy the conversations it can generate and learning others views helps to expand mine.

Do you google or facebook/twitter search the boyfriends or girlfriends of your kids?

Growing up in the day before all this technology my parents knew the neighbors, they knew the kids I hung out with, they knew the principal at my school (at least through middle school anyway). They knew the pharmacist at the shop down the street, they knew neighbors on other streets that recognized me when I was out running around with my friends. It wasn’t easy to get away with things then. Don’t get me wrong, I did get away with some stuff and I did get caught doing other things I shouldn’t have. I expect this of kids of any generation. But because of the availability of information and the willingness of so many to share information with seemingly complete strangers in some regards, where do you draw the line? How much information is too much? When is it not enough?

Parent or not share your thoughts in the comments below.

Hi There. Remember Me?

Okay, it’s been 5 months too long since my last post. And yet you all still keep coming by, looking for something. (Chinese birthday cakes seem to be a topic that draw many here – not sure why)

So to the new followers, welcome. To the old followers, thanks for sticking around. To anyone that may have just stumbled across this site, browse through the archives, I’m sure you’ll find something of interest there.

In the meantime I’ll try to be better about posting here again. And if there are any topics you’d like to see covered that haven’t been, leave me a suggestion in the comments. I’m always looking for new ideas, thoughts, recipes… you get the idea.