Because I Said

More ICAD

So I'm back to share with you the other cards that I have created.  I have had a 1ot of fun creating these cards everyday.  Even on the days when it's at the end of the day and I just don't feel like doing much.  I'm so glad that I have!

Day 8 - layers of music paper, acrylics, watercolor pencils and my trusty sharpie.

Day 9 - You can tell I kept it quick and simple with my sharpie.

Day 10 - Another quick day with my sharpie.

Day 11 - Watercolor pencils and sharpie.

Day 12 - watercolor pencils and sharpie.  This one made me smile so I just added the word!

 Day 13 - watercolors and sharpie

 Day 14 - watercolor pencils and sharpie

 Day 15 - watercolor pencils and sharpie

Well this catches me up through this past week.  I'm going to try and post a week worth on Sundays.  If you want to follow along I post them daily on my FB page.  I guess I need to post them on my Miss Alayneeah FB page as well.  Hope you are able to take some time for yourself on a regular basis!  You deserve it!

Index Card a Day

So for the summer I am following along with a challenge from Tammy over at Daisy Yellow.  She has a section just for this challenge under the section ICAD.  It's been a great way to keep myself doing my goal of creating everyday.  It's even a great project to get the kids involved in!

Day 1

Day 2 - I got caught up in playing and did 3 different ones.

Day 3

Day 4 - I had fun doing a few different ones.

Day 5 - After a long day and right after putting my daughter to bed.  This phrase is part of her night time routine even at the age of 9!

Day 6 - Busy Day just a quick one.

Day 7

I have several more, but I will hold off and share them tomorrow.  If you want to see more samples you can find more here in the flickr group.  There is also a facebook group to share and meet lots of new and creative people!  Hope you join in on the fun!

Art Journal - Prompt6ix

I mentioned the other day that I follow Tammy's blog over at Daisy Yellow!  She has a section called Prompt6ix.  She posts 6 things or words that you then take and interpret however you wish and create a journal page.  You can use all the words or 1.  You choose!  It's just a fun way to get you going in a different direction on one of your journal pages.  I've done a few of them and have really enjoyed doing them.  I finally decided I just need to share them along the way.

I had planned on sharing it before I even started the page so I thought I would do a few photos of the process. Well I was doing this and going along and realized that I wasn't creating for me or the page, but hoping to show something fun and unique I guess.  So after several photos of the process I finally decided to start over and just let go and not worry about the end result!   So this photo is the start of my 2nd page.  The prompts are

1. dice 2. definition 3. flar or rocket 4. receipt 5. analyze a decision 6. black and white.

This past week I was having a harder time then usual with the loss of our daughter!  Without going into everything I was just really struggling and missing her being here for graduation.  Anyways after a few days of processing stuff and trying to work through it I came across Tammy's prompt.  It was perfect timing!  I had made the decision that even though it's really hard without her here and I miss her all the time I needed to find happiness in something everyday!  On my blank page I journaled about my decision and the definition of happy!  After that I picked a few cheery colors and just added them on top of the journaling. 

Earlier in the day my youngest and I had gone shopping for new paint and of course found out that stamps were on sale.  She picked out this set that have different mustaches and glasses.  So I went with it. I figured they made me smile!  I dumped out my wallet and tore up some receipts that I didn't need anymore and added them to the page.  As I was looking at the page I noticed in the upper corner that it kind of looked like a 5 so I outlined it a bit with some more paint.  We have 5 people in our family so it was perfect! I wrote on the mustaches with a white gelly roll.  The words read happy, content, and blessed. 

So here you can see I got out my black pen and went to town!  For some reason I just love adding all those little doodles and details!  Inside the #5 I added all our names and then journaled below.  "Find something in everyday that makes me happy!"

So there you have it a look at one of my pages!  Hope that you join along with the prompts or find some "me" time to get out your journal even if it's just using a pen!

Painted Pages

Right now I'm using old magazines or mail and painting on them.  I love layers so painting on these pages has been fun.  Starting with a page that already has words and or photos on it just adds to the depth of the end result!  In some areas it gets covered up and in others you can see it peeking through.  Between some of the paint I also like to journal phrases or words with a pen or pencil.   Even if some of it gets covered it's still there and adds to the end result.

This is just a corner of a page I worked on today.  As I was working on the page I noticed a few areas that would look good on their own.  So I added some writing and then photographed the areas close up and they each became their own piece!

 

I love the process of creating the pages, but seeing the end result is fun and rewarding!  What kinds of projects are you working on?  Do you take time everyday to be creative? I would love to know what your working on!

Creating to Create

Why do you create?  Do you sale stuff?  Do you give handmade gifts? Do you create for your home?  There are so many reasons out there to answer this question!

I think for as long as I can remember I've enjoyed creating or making things.  If I was creating I was happy!  I married a smart man!  He says that if I'm not creating or making something then I'm not completely happy or content!  It's part of me, it's who I am!  I think there are so many people out there like this!  It can be with so many different things.  It doesn't have to be art.  It can be music, sewing, photography, writing or whatever it is you enjoy!  Creativity is everywhere!  

The past several months in continuing to grieve and still learning to cope with our loss I have picked up my art journals again.  I have to tell you it's one of the best decisions I've made!  I looked back and found that when I was creating most of the time I would wonder if others would like it or buy it or be happy with it.  I was creating with others in mind or what I thought others might want.  That's a lot of pressure to put on ourselves!  Even though I still found joy in creating it just wasn't the same or what I needed.

 

Working in my journals I'm always trying to remind myself that it doesn't matter if others like it or even if the end result is "pretty" or whatever it's supposed to be.  In the end all that matters is the process of creating!  Creating just to create!  Why?  Well for me it's good for my soul!  I know that may sound a bit cheesey, but it is.  It's so much fun to not worry about what colors I'm going to use or if they match each other or will it look good in the end.  Just enjoying the process of creating!  For me in the begining this was really hard to let go.  Sometimes when I sit down those voices still creep in, but I've been working on something creative everyday for the past few months so I've noticed them fading away.

Do I want to create for others?  Yes, but right now that's a bit further down the road!  For now I'm enjoying the process of my sketch book, my journals, or just painting in old magazines.  Trying new things and stretching those creative muscles.  Along the way I've found so much inspiration from videos and blogs as well.  One blog that I am hooked on is Daisy Yellow.  Tammy has a lot of fun things over there to keep you motivated!  If you are new to art journaling then it's a great place to start!  Go check it out and see for yourself!  She also has a Facebook group that you can share in or just go for support!

(page in progress)

Another thing I've done is to treat myself to some online classes!  There are so many great ones out there and so much to choose from!  Ones that I have recently done are from      Christy Tomilson, Jeanne Oliver, and Junelle Jacobson.  If classes aren't for you or in the budget at the moment check out Youtube!  This is a great source of inspiration and techniques!  There are so many styles out there to look at and this is a fun way to find them!

(3x5 card for a challenge)

So it's a work in progress, but I am loving my creative/journaling time and find that it has really helped me to cope with some not so fun things and is teaching me many new things!  It's something I hope to continue!  I've learned so much about myself and enjoyed the process and that's what matters right now is the joy of creating!  I'm hoping to share more a long the way.  I hope you join me!  I have found that any type of journaling is a benefit to us all!  It can be as simple as just a notebook and a favorite pen!  Do what makes you happy and feels right to you!  There are many great things that come from journaling, but that's a whole post itself!  

 I would also love to see what your creating if you want to share your blog or links in the comments!  Thanks for all the support and inspiration along the way!

Pinterest

I've had a love hate relationship with Pinterest for a long time now!  Of course more love then hate!  I guess the hard part for me is I get so caught up in it and then realize I have spent too much time looking and dreaming, instead of doing or creating!  I think this next year I need to make an extra effort about trying and reading or learning about all the fun things I find on Pintrest!

Well just recently I was going through some items that I have been wanting to repaint or refinish.  I figured using something small would be the perfect chance to try something new that I've had pinned for a long time now.  One of the many things that I enjoy is repainting or refinishing furniture.  I love finding an old piece or using an existing piece and giving it a whole new look.  So I read through several of my saved pins about "chalk paint" and decided to give it a try.

I decided to paint a small jewelry box that I had on hand.  I don't have a before shot of it, but this is what it looked like once I fnished it.  It was a simple and fun project to do.  I just took the little handles off and sprayed them white.  While they dried I mixed up the paint and went to town.  I did find several different formulas for the paint mixture.  I had plaster of paris on hand so I went with a recipe that used it.  The mixture is using acrylic paint, water, and plaster of paris.  Since I didn't need a large amount I kind of just eyed it and mixed up what I needed.  When I put the first coat of paint on it went on very thin.  At first I wasn't really liking it.  I had used a smaller paint brush and traded it in for a thicker one.  Once I did that the paint went on much easier and gave better coverage.

Once the paint is dry it does look slightly different.  It is more chalky looking.  I followed this with a quick sanding on the edges with some fine sand paper.  I followed that step with a natural finishing wax and buffed clean.

I haven't decided if I "love" the home made chalk paint or not.  I think I'm going to try it on something bigger next time and then see how I  like it!  I of course will let you know.  I do think though this was a quick and fun project.  It makes for a cute accessory to a bedroom or even a gift.  I love the color of this one.  It's one of the colors I'm using in Aliya's bedroom.  I'm sure we will paint her one in the future, but for now this one is for sale.  It's at a local shop, but if your interested let me know and we can mail it!

Just a few more photos below.  A few new pieces that have been taken to the shop.  Thinking of working on some Christmas ornaments this week.  Just sounds good!  What fun projects are you working on?

Have a great week! Kim

Hello...

Is anyone there???

I know it's been a long time since I've posted here!  After Kelsey passed away I stopped doing a lot of things!  Blogging was just one of them!  I could make you a long list of things that I stopped doing, but I'm sure you don't want to hear them all!  Some of them though included anything creative.  I just couldn't bring myself to do things that I enjoyed or that brought me happiness!  I felt like I could barely breath, let alone doing anything that took effort or that I enjoyed!  I know that it was just part of my process and I just had to accept it!  I thought it would only be a small break from things.  From creating, from my Etsy store, from blogging, from selling localy, etc!  Of course things never seem to go as planned and I found that my break was a lot longer then I had planned! 

When I finally started feeling the need to create or be creative  I couldn't bring myself to do the things I had done before.  I didn't feel like working with my wood, or mixed media, paper crafting, jewelry, art journaling (even though it sounds like it would've helped) anything that I had done before Kelsey passed away.  I needed something new to do.  So I found myself crocheting a bit and making hair accessories. 

Before Kelsey passed away creating was something that we spent a lot of time doing together!  Im sure that's part of the reason I had to let those things take a back seat for awhile!  A few months before she passed away she had been working on some jewelry ideas.  One of which sits patiently waiting in a box for me to pick it up and finish for her someday and see it through to the end for her!  The other project she started were pieces that her and I shared the same taste for!  She had finished her first piece and was waiting for me to take it to the local shop where we sold stuff.  She was so excited about completing her first piece for sale!  It didn't ever make it to the shop though!  She passed away before I was able to take it down there and afterwards I just couldn't bring myself to let it go!  It's something that holds many memories and a special meaning and to me is priceless! 

Several months ago when I needed a creative outlet and started making the hair accessories, I decided to sale them in a local shop.  I small space that lets me stay busy enough to not feel too overwhelmed!  A few months ago though I found myself craving those other creative outlets that I had put on the back seat!  I picked up the jewelry again for the first time in over a year!  It just felt right and was able to help fill a small void that I don't think anything else could have!  It's been a few months and I love and cherish the time that I take to spend creating jewelry and for now it's something I want to continue to do.  Even though I've been enjoying this time I still feel like I'm missing something in my creativity.  I guess I'm slowly adding back in the things that I had to take out.   I have really missed working with my wood, vintage papers, and vintage findings!  If you know me I love vintage items and the little treasures I can find!  Finding those things fills a space just as creating with them does! 

I still have so many things packed away waiting to be shared and used in someones fun projects!  So I've decided that I'm going to work my way back into having my Etsy shop once again!  I don't know any specifics yet, and if you know me I usually make decisions kind of by the seat of my pants!  Sometimes that gets me into trouble, but I figure I just need to jump in with both feet and give it a try!  For now I will be selling my jewelry and hair accessories in my Etsy shop and then will add my wood and other kits back in as I have time to put them there.  I've debated about putting them all in the same shop, because it's such a variety of so many things, but for now I think it's the easiest way to do it!  I can always change it if I need to!

I'm so excited about this new path I am on and hope that you will join me!  I hope we can encourage and inspire each other along the way! 

Check back soon for updates on the reopening of my Etsy shop!  Hopefully sometime next week!  Thanks so much! Kim

Random Example

random - in no particular order. unpredictable. in a haphazard way.

example - not the main thing in influencing others. it's the only thing.

I decided to start up a new blog in memory of Kelsey.  I've been asked by so many of her friends to leave up her Facebook page so they can remember her.  For now it will stay active.  I thought it would be nice though to have a place to compile all the things about Kels.  A place that I hope others can learn more about her life.

In picking the name of the blog I knew it needed to be something unique and a bit quirky as Kels wouldn't want it any other way.  She loved to be and was random in the things that she said.  If you knew Kels you could appreciate this about her.  It was part of who she was.  So I knew somehow the word random needed to be a part of the title.  As I thought of other things that reminded me of her the word example came to mind.  I know in my own personal life Kels was a wonderful example in the way she handled some of her struggles.  Since she passed I've had an overwhelming amount of people letting me know in some way how Kels touched there life.  So of course it had to be example! So it just stuck and became Random Example. 

During this difficult time we have had so much love and support!  It has been so amazing and a blessing in our lives!  I cannot express how much I am grateful for everything.  The amount of emails, texts, facebook comments, and cards has been so overwhelming.  I am so grateful to have these as they are a wonderful reminder of a beautiful daughter that went home earlier then any of us would have liked!

I hope you will follow along and hopefully find something that will make you laugh, cry, smile, or inspire you.  Again thank you so much for the love and support we have received.  We are forever grateful.

Random Example

 

Sweet 16...

This saying has a whole new meaning for me.  This past Tuesday, March 8th my sweet daughter Kels was taken home to be with her Father in Heaven.

 

She had just turned 16 in Dec and has the sweetest soul and spirit about her.  Her services were held yesterday March 12th.  I was grateful and amazed by the support and the turnout of people we had come to share with us this special yet difficult time.  I'm so wishing now that I had recorded at least the life history that my brother did. It was absolutely amazing.  I've never been in a funeral where you could hear so much laughter and I mean laughter.  It warmed my heart.  I was glad that people were able to see into how kels is and yet if they knew her well that they were able to remember these things and feel that connection and love.

 

She has been such a wonderful example to me in my life as well.  I appreciate this so much and it helps give me the strength to know she is now doing work in a different place.  She has a new task at hand.  We may not know what it is, but I know we can find comfort and peace in knowing that she is doing the Lords work on the other side.  I can not even describe the peace and joy I have felt the past few days.  It almost feels weird to feel this way after losing my child.  I know that the rough days will come as well, but  I know  that she is where she is needed and is being watched over as she continues on.  I'm grateful that one day we will see her again and I will be able to look into her beautiful eyes and feel her warm embrace. 

 
There is so much more that I could and want to share. I'm just afraid I would be here all day typing.  I'm thinking of setting up another blog in memory of kels to post more things on.  When I decide on this I will post this.  I just wanted to share with so many friends and loved ones this time in our life.  I am so grateful for the love and support that we have received and continue to receive.  We have felt the prayers and spirt so strong this week.  We are grateful to each one of you that has reached out in any way.  I'm just so glad to know that my baby is now without her diabetes and other trials that she had her.  That she is happy, dancing, taking care of others and doing the Lords work.

We love you Kooks!

 

Gentle Reminders

As I look at this past week there have been several things that have happened to remind me of what is important to me.  Little reminders I suppose...of course they come at times most often when I need them!  I'm grateful for the reminders no matter how big or small they are.  Some are harder then others, but I know they have a purpose.

 
I made this plaque that reminds me of life, laugh, and love.  I set it close to my front door yesterday as a reminder as we are coming and going.  I think it's good to have these gentle little reminders around.

Today at church we sang one of my favorite hymns "Because I Have Been Given Much"  I love this song and it is yet another reminder to me.  Part of it says "Because I have been given much I to must give"  What a great reminder!  I'm hoping as I go throughout this next week that I can work on applying this gentle reminder.

What gentle reminders have you come across?  I'm sure they are there!