Paper Scraps, Notebook or Journal???

My desk is always a mess with scraps of paper and notes and cards and rips out of magazines. Everytime I make a note on a scrap of paper or anyplace likely to get lost or cause clutter I tell myself I should be making said note in my journal.
Do I have a journal? Why yes I do, in fact a number of journals. Some of my journals are for specific purposes and they are even labeled but do I ever use them for their intended purpose? Not usually as they are not handy to me at the time. I never sit in one place to write or tear out inspirations. Am I complaining? Not really. I am merely being honest that I am not the most organized person.

From time to time I go through my numerous journals and find interesting ideas. Things I like that I have saved. Quotes that are inspiring to me. Thoughts I have had and are still timely. As I review pages of my books I find it amusing at what I thought was important to write down or tear out.

I am certainly never without a writing pencil or pen as I keep them with each journal or notebook. You can see an example of this in the pockets I added to my journal cover.

This fabric was just too girly for me to pass up. It even has glitter and sparkle which doesn't show up in the photo. I find this totally girly fabric to be very inspiring and realize I should have purchased much more than just enough to cover this notebook.

So are you a paper scraps, notebook or journal kind of person?

I would love to hear how you control your ideas and thoughts before they slip away to never never land.

Thank You Dear Bloggers...

I wish to thank you my dear blogger friends. Your ideas and advice have served me well. My days have been very unproductive in the crafting arena, however very full in all other life areas. Mr. C is finally scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery later this week. He injured his knee about three months ago and has been in considerable pain and hobbling around all this time. Being impaired is definitely not what he likes and has a hard time allowing anything to slow him down. It even spoiled our recent trip to the South. So you can imagine how I have picked up some extra duties to help out. We both are looking forward to ending July 2010 on a healing note.
I have not stressed about blogging nor crafting. I do have a renewed vigor for creating and I shall be doing just that very soon. Meanwhile I picked up a roll of beautiful wallpaper at the thrift store last week. It is vinyl in texture and has a beautiful sheen to it (makes for a poor photo). I covered a manila file folder, splattered some walnut ink on the inside edges and then stitched up the sides with some lace. Next I merely affixed some butterfly stickers and now I have a beautiful file folder to place receipts in for safe keeping. I have it sitting on my desk and it reminds me to listen to my dear blogger friends wisdom.
Thank you each and every one. I am so blessed to be part of Bloglandia where magic is created.
Happy creating...

Cloth endeavors...

Lately I have not been in a creative kind of mood. My ideas are lacking and my ability to focus and create is completely out of whack. What has happened? Are my skills on vacation? Have I gotten heat stroke and melted my brains so they won't think creatively? Am I piling up too many projects so I am feeling overwhelmed? If I am doing any or all of these things then why don't I stop and re-focus? I know what I like to create and what my focus should be.

Maybe I merely need to let myself take a break and enjoy whatever it is I spend my days doing for the time being.

What do you do when you have "creators block"?

In the meantime I have a project which is forming in the photos above and will be seen in the future as a finished endeavor. It is utilizing lots of fabrics. So for now the work table is full and calls my name.

Happy creating...

Cool and Calm...

This is where I like to sit and enjoy the wonderful pond Mr. C built several years ago. It is so relaxing and cool and calm sitting here...well at least now that I have finished trimming for now.

Our pond that Mr. C built after going to "pond college" is probably my favorite and most relaxing part of our home and landscape. We had a lot of frogs and polliwogs this year and now we are having the tiny little baby frogs as a result. I had to take this photo since I had never seen two froggies sitting on the same lily pad side by side. They are so adorable.

Another photo of them with their own beautiful white lily to enjoy. I have gotten hours of enjoyment from watching the dragonflies, frogs, and other assorted pond critters.

This is just one half of our wonderful pond. I have shared photos in the past so not too many this post.

I do hope you are enjoying your summer and the days of living outside with friends and family and fun and games. And of course bbq food, watermelon, ice cream and lemonade.

Creative Cutting...

These are a pair of my scissors that I use for outdoor cutting. These certainly are not my good fabric cutting scissors nor are they my good paper cutting scissors. These aren't even my good flower cutting scissors. Why am I cutting anything outdoors? Well you see I have whooly thyme on my pond patio and it is doing so well that it tends to grow and cover the stones.

This is a super close up to show the tiny tiny purple flowers. I wait for these to bloom and I let all of the assorted types of bees do their little happy dances all over them for at least a couple of weeks. Then I must begin the tedious task of cutting and shaping.

I spend days on my hands and knees locating each stone and then trimming the whooly thyme just so around each one. Sometimes I mis-judge and get too close to the roots but fortunately I have not lost any as a result. When I am done with each cutting session I carefully water and make certain that any seeds are washed right into the cracks between the stones. If I have done my job just right I get the distinct pleasure of enjoying my patio with the soft green fragrant smell while sitting by the pond.
Maybe I will post some photos of the pond next time.

I just love the shadow of my hands holding the camera as I am taking the photo. Some things should not be cropped out. What do you think?

Mr. C says this is like painting the Golden Gate Bridge...once I complete my task I need to start over again at the beginning. It does seem like it grows that fast but I so enjoy it I wouldn't want it any other way.

Happy cutting...maybe some fabric or lace tomorrow.