morning glory

Okay, I know that morning glories can be an obnoxious vine, but I have always loved the flower...so when they volunteer here and there in my yard I get very excited.  Unfortunately, they never really thrive here...I'm not sure why. Anyway, we had a small plant show up and it was doing well...winding its way around here and there.  I decided that I wanted to transplant it under my gazebo to see if it would grow up and cover the top (eventually)...We'll see how well it does in this new spot...

Just look a t that color!  And look at the light in the center...Beautiful!

Before you start your day, take just a minute to enjoy a little morning glory.   :)

How doodle you do?

As I mentioned before, most of my journal play this month has been done in 10-15 minute increments...so this page began with the doodling...

...later I added some color...and in the final sitting I added the words (which had been on my mind during the week) at the bottom of the page...

...pause...breathe...rest...smile...
                                                                    ...doodle...

winding down

...the month, I mean, is winding down...already...whew!  I've only been journaling in fragments...or so it seems...But all those bits add up...last night I discovered that I had finished my family camp "page"...This is based on something that I saw on Teresa McFayden's blog...I just LOVE it since I enjoy doodling letters and words more than images...super simple and the concept can be applied to lots of things...

I used WATERPROOF black ink and a calligraphy pen to ink the boxes and journal in the "memories"...It is a fun challenge to use the dipping pens and ink...definitely slows you down...I find it very relaxing and meditative...plus, I just love using as many "fonts" as I can think of...

...Then with Marvy brush markers and a water-brush,  I watercolored each box and added extra embellishments (white polka dots, sparkly gel-pen highlights, blue ink in SHOW) when the paint was dry...

 

 There you have it! My notes and memories from Family Camp...journaling in the box...:)

Go ahead...get out some scratch paper-so there is no pressure...its only paper!-and give it a try..Play a little!

balance

As the summer is winding down, it seems like the flurry of activity is escalating as we try to squeeze in all the things we wanted to do but couldn't fit in the past few months...whew!  Mentally I must engage the "next" season even though it just isn't time yet...(I'm just sure it is MUCH TOO EARLY for fall!)  Anyway, this shift in thinking inspired a desire to keep things in balance-as much as possible-which, in turn, inspired this journal page.
Here is a peek...

...and flip the page...

I just LOVE the polka dots...they kinda remind me of all the balls I try to juggle...(Yes, it does feel like a circus around here at times...AND you have to LOVE the circus, right!?!)  :)

Any tips on keeping life in "balance"?  I'm open to suggestions!

Hello August!

Another new month...a new journal...

 

Paper by Cosmo Cricket informing this month's palette and backgrounds...too much fun!
And the process begins here (both for me, and for August's pages)...

...keep on, always, without ceasing, continually...PRACTICE...giving thanks...maybe I am a slow learner, but I still need the reminder...I want to keep being mindful...SO I keep it in front of me in my journals.  :)
...thank You! thank You! thank You!!!...joy again!

What are you practicing?

Hope you are enjoying your August days!