Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Moving right along . . .


It's a fairly unremarkable photo, but it was a Saturday morning and they were baking together (one of her absolute favourite things to do) and that's her artwork and her sister's, up there on the wall behind them, and there's just something about the way she's looking up at her dad.  That's what it's all about, says my heart.

That's why I've stopped by today, after yet another lengthy absence.  To talk a little about the pace around here.  Slowed right down, hasn't it?  Every once in a while when I read up on what I'm supposed to be doing, blogwise, the primary rule always seems to be to post regularly and often.  That makes perfect sense to me.  The bloggers I love post regularly and often and it's a treat to be able to follow their lives and projects.

I can do that -- post somewhat regularly -- for short stretches, but deep down, that's just not me.  I'm up and I'm down.  Quiet then chatty.  Settled into a happy routine with the little ones and then thrown completely off for days at a time.  It's rarely smooth sailing in my world, a fact to which the husband can attest, and for better or worse, my blog is a reflection of that.

And so, on top of my own odd quirks, we are now embarking on two summer months, during which my time and energy, like so many of us, will be pulled in all sorts of wonky directions.  

In journal page news, I wanted to let you know that it's going to be a slow summer.  I plan to post one new page mid-July and another one mid-August.

Beyond that, changes are coming. 


Our youngest starts school in the fall and I've got a few plans for this space -- a new name to take for a spin and new design formats to add to the tried and true.  Until then, there will be much splashing and laughing, and sunscreen and bug spray, and family and friends.

See you in a few weeks with journal page 45.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

New journal page

Update: The journal page in this post is no longer available for download. For a selection of free, printable journal pages, please visit my Printable Journal Pages collection.

~~~
Some weeks, making a new page is a lovely, seamless, happily creative experience.  Other weeks?  Not so much.

I've always loved that bit of advice you hear from successful creative types:  if you wait for inspiration, you'll never get anything done.  Or in many more words:  if you want to create on a consistent basis, you must sit down, be disciplined, and get to work, regardless of whether inspiration is sitting on your shoulder whispering into your ear or, more often than not, off partying in Vegas and refusing to return your calls.

I believe this advice to be absolutely true.  It's the butt-in-seat, focus-on-the-task-at-hand approach that always comes through in the end.  Except, sometimes it takes a little longer.

So, without any further excuses, today's page begins with a quote that reminds me that it's just fine (even desirable) when things don't work out exactly as one expects . . .


There's also a spot to think about the little things that make a big difference . . .


The full page looks strikingly like this one here . . .


and you'll find it here (without even a hint of a border) and here (with a hint of border, but absolutely no colour) and here (completely and oh so colourfully bordered.)

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

All-purpose teeny tiny note kit

A few weeks ago, in the midst of a battle with my inner critic, I posted some printable doodles -- tiny spaces for writing upbeat reminders, quotes or notes to self whenever I need them.

In the comments section, Joan wrote in part, ". . . I am a stealth poster of self esteem notes in ladies rooms. I post them on the mirror and they say stuff like "I love your smile" etc. Makes me feel good every time I do it, and I walk out with a beautiful smile too."

I have not been able to get Joan's words out of my head.  Stealth poster of self esteem notes.  How sneakily wonderful is that?  It makes me smile whenever I think of it.

Jessi J. also wrote that her grandfather used to leave love notes in her lunch.  And all of that sweetness and stealthiness made me want to doodle something -- a space to write happy little notes to others . . . 

So today's offering is a bit of a companion piece to the notes to self.  It's an all-purpose tiny note kit for all of you stealth note posters and deliverers out there.

This one's going in my husband's computer case:


And wouldn't it be fun to leave a little quote or cheerful thought in a library book?


Here's a shot of the page, well most of it anyway.  There are two envelope options -- one with a little message on the front and one without -- and two notes sizes because the tiniest note doesn't leave a whole lot of room for extended commentary.  The larger note can be folded, then inserted into the envelope.


If you'd like a copy, you'll find it here.

Happy writing!  Oh, and if you have a sec, I'd love to know where you'll be leaving your note!

Edited to Add:  Almost forgot!  There's a new journal page in the works.  Should be ready early next week.  Tuesday probably.  Okay.  That's it for now.