2011 TA DA List

Michelle Ward at Green Pepper Press encouraged us to create a TA DA list - things we accomplished in 2011 - by looking back over the year. It's funny because I actually started this in January 2011!! I created a Milestones Passport with Visa Application - an idea which I borrowed from The Creative Awakenings book, by Sheri Gaynor. I wanted to be more creative, so I made a commitment to a year of creativity and recorded all my creative endeavors each month.



It turns out that at the end of each month I realized I was doing more than I realized to keep the creative juices going. So when you look back and see what you have accomplished, it's pleasantly surprising. You feel a real sense of accomplishment.

Here I share a few pages -- you'll see I completed a spread at the end of each month.

TA DA!






I encourage you to try it yourself! Read about the challenge at Michelle's site.

Inspired by Degas and a walk in the woods

As I mentioned earlier, I visited a Degas exhibit at the Boston MFA. I was intrigued by his use of oil pastels - the blending and combination of colors. As a took a New Year's Day walk in the woods, I came inside to warm up and play in my journal. I never draw, because I don't consider myself an artist who draws, but took the time to sit and try out some water-soluble oil pastels. I love the creamy texture! I drew a tree from downstairs looking out over the pond and then the view out the kitchen glass doors. I feel very brave sharing something that I've drawn - but here goes!! A new year means you have to embrace change and face your fears, right? And I just read that whatever you create is uniquely yours, no right or wrong. What new challenge do you need to try out?

December Journal page

Here's a new page inspired by Nancy's wrapping paper and our department's visit to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The Chihuly art is a color transfer on adhesive tape.

GPP - Girls on Film

Green Pepper Press, December challenge:

Michelle's challenge to get ourselves on film before the end of the year came at a great time. Here are some photos from a recent business trip to Southboro, Mass. I finally had the opportunity to meet my fellow co-workers who I've been working with since July. I enjoyed meeting them and seeing my old college stomping grounds -- Boston.

We took a trip to the Museum of Fine Arts -- another place I frequently visited in my 20s -- for a Degas collection and a Chihuly Christmas tree!

A perfect opportunity for me to get some photos! Enjoy! And Happy New Year!

Chihuly glass tree at MFA, Jacqui, Aaron and me.

The entire MarCom team: Aaron, Jacqui, Lorna, me, Nancy and Jacki, in front of the 80-foot Faneuil Hall tree.

The entire team at Mike's Pastry, North End, Boston. The best limoncello cannoli you ever tasted!

Jacqui and I work side-by-side everyday. It's truly a joy to work with her!!

I encourage you to get on film! Read about the challenge at Michelle's site.

Green Pepper Press Street Team - All The World's A Stage #57

This month Michelle challenged us to express the songs that make us Sing It Loud! I started creating a stage -- but switched gears to a disco theme since I am a girl of the 70's! I dedicated the page to all those songs that take me back to when I was singing and dancing in discos. I studied dance in college, and funny as it sounds, we all went out dancing to relax from all the ballet classes, choreography and rehearsals! I also remember going to some of my first discos with my older brother. You'll notice that I used the "Disappearing Act" page backgrounds. The swirls felt perfect for the expression of music and dance.

The second page represents a song that I sing constantly. As you can see, when I sing I dance - they are interrelated for me! Sway - by Dean Martin, Matthew Morrison or Michael Buble (I downloaded all three) - is one of my favorites right now. It plays in my head all day long!

I always play music when I am journaling, so just for fun, I opened my old journals and found this Disco page from 2003! I remember my daughter, much younger then, was watching a movie with a friend when she heard me blasting this song while journaling. She said, "Hey, that's a 70's disco song!" -- Yes, I answered, I used to be young!

I encourage you to try it yourself! Read about the challenge at Michelle's site.

Green Pepper Press Street Team - I'm a Believer #56

Michelle challenged us this month to journal what art and being creative means to us. I immediately created my believer page -- I'm a believer in art journaling, and those of you who know me, know this is very true. I inspire others to journal and can thank Michelle for introducing me to art journaling.

My second page is my creativity page which shows I've been expressing myself thru many types of art for many years. You may notice that I used the "disappearing act" pages from last month as the background for these pages. I wanted to include (but I ran out of room) that I only wish I had more time to be creative, but life's little necessities get in the way!

The page below was created on one of those days when I questioned who I was, and wondered if I was any good at what I do, and wondered if I was making a difference... (It's a watercolor crayon on gesso background)

I created this next page a few years ago -- but wanted to share: It was created to visualize all the compartments of my life during a time when I was feeling very overwhelmed. It symbolizes how therapeutic art journaling can be.

Thanks, Michelle, for all your talent and energy you put into the challenges. We love them!

Read more about the challenge at Michelle's site

Green Pepper Press Street Team - Crusade #55

Michelle's next challenge included background color and disappearing overstamping of bold stamps. I did some playing here. The second one was completed, but I felt compelled to cover with gesso and spray with more orange -- for more "disappearing"! I plan to play some more - this is very fun!