I'm Back

I'm back. I can't believe it's this soon considering how bad I felt when I started my hiatus but I've been crafting with slight trepidation for over a week now. It started with collaging. I got the bug to paint some collages on old book covers - inspired by Kelly Rae Roberts. The results were interesting. And to be honest - I really like the outcome. It gave me the courage I needed and it also had the added bonus of helping me move forward creatively.

Next, I attended the rubber stamping convention which was different than anything I had ever experienced. I got some pretty cool swag and then started rubber stamping and focusing on coloring images. I had a lot of fun doing it so I continued to experiment - the outcome wasn't important. I ended up putting some of the images in my journal. Then I started to feel the scrapbooking bug - I was completely scared to give a try again - but finally the time seemed right. And the layout below came out of that. I have since made two more (in about a week) and I feel good about each of them. I'm trying to identify the elements and techniques that make me happy - and so I identified that on the layout below (Click to get a larger picture). It's good being back - but I'm definitely easing in which feels good too. I'm not going to let my inner critic run over me. I hope everyone likes that I'm back - it feels good too!

BTW: There are a "few" typos on the second picture - please ignore them - it was my first time doing a critique. Clearly I need to zoom just a little more. :)

Blogging Hiatus

Goodness! Yes, I thought I could keep this going pretty easily - but I just can't. I'm not sure what to write about. So I will be taking a hiatus - wish I could tell you how long. It might be a while since I almost had a panic attack just from putting the new Scrapbooks Etc. in my cart at Target today. I think this hiatus has taken a huge weight off my shoulders and I'm going to be true to that. I'll shoot out an email when I'm ready to start again. Until then...

BTW: I thought I'd give you another pic of my beasty princess.

School's Out for Summer!

Today is the last day of school and I couldn't be happier. For the first time ever - I will be done the last day of school. I have some other stuff-but I think I'll be returning it to the shed. I'm starting to feel a little loss about my hiatus - but logically it is the right thing for me. I've now put my books in stacks and my craft space is clean. It feels good. Still on my back to basics kick. I'm loving writing in my journal. It's making me quite happy. I'm also reading books about writing essays, creative journal writing, and being more healthy. I also pulled out my Max Lucado books - one of my favorite Christian authors. So - I'm moving in the right direction. I'm just trying to think of times I was truly joyful and getting back to doing those things in a 32 yr. old way. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Until then...

I interrupt this programming...

Totally lost. I'm having a crisis of faith right now. I am sick and tired of crafting - completely devoid of my own voice in what I do and make. So, I'm taking an indefinite hiatus. I've gotten so caught up in making things perfect. I've become obsessed with making things look like what's published in magazines. I'm constantly looking at something crafty. And lately - most of that time has been focused on what I can't do - which seems to be a lot. So I'm turning my back on it for a while. I'm putting away all of my crafty materials and getting back to the basics - journal writing, reading, and watching movies. The things I use to love. And I sincerely hope that brings me back to my voice. I am going to make an effort to take more pictures - learn how to take better photos too. This might seem drastic - but it feels like a good step - the right thing to do. Until then...