Looking Ahead

As I quickly approach my 39th (ok, I said it) birthday, I have been doing alot of thinking as to who I am, and exactly what I want. So many questions to answer and address, and I have found this "theme" showing up alot in my journal pages lately.

I also can't believe that I'm at the end of my journal, and it usually takes me the entire year, but I guess I've been busy lately.

I have decided that I will address this "Who I Am" issue in a special journal....it will be my Soul Quest. I think thats what I will call it....stay tuned though, it may change. But, on the Soul Quest, I will dig deeper into just who I am....not just the who, but, really the WHO....what my passions are.....my dreams....those things.

You may want to join me on this quest. If so, email me and let me know. I'd love to see what others will do with the same prompts that I have already been thinking about. And, I did a page already with some of the questions that I hope to address....

I will attempt to journal weekly about some of the things that I want to discover about me....just getting some things out as I get closer to the BIG 40. Kind of like a self check, I guess. (There are so many things yet to be checked off of my "list of things to do before I die")

Supplies You'll Need:

1. A blank journal or sketchbook or an old book...not the one with shiny pages though.

2. Gesso

3. Paints - my favorites are Golden and Matisse...use what you have on hand though.

4. Your favorite alphabet stamps and other rubberstamps that you might enjoy using. Anything else that you can find to stamp with such as wine bottle corks, tiny plastic cups, paint scrappers, etc.

5. Marking tools....gel pens, sharpies, markers, watercolor crayons, colored pencils...just whatever you have.

6. Ephemera....old maps (yup, this is a journey, ledger paper, collage sheets of old photos and other images. decorated paper. So many people have contacted me and have purchased my Collage Packs...now would be a good time to use it.

7. Ink pads ( I use Ranger Adirondack)

8. Masking Tape...my new favorite design element (also helps to make my pages sturdy)

9. Paint Brushes

10. Glue Stick or other glue.

Hopefully most of this stuff you will have on hand. I am learning to use what I have (which is one of the things I will address in my new journal) We'll see how well it goes :)

I hope you'll join me....heck, maybe it will keep me on track!! I just know that this has to be done for me. A quest to "Find Ophelia"

Until next time,

Me :)

I'm Back!!!!

I can't tell you how lucky I am to be surrounded by such good people. Sometimes, people just happen into your life for no apparant reason, until later you find that they are exactly what you need to have around you. I spent an evening with such a friend..... Lovely Linda and she once again inspired me to get back to posting to my blog. I came home after our visit and journaled about our evening...oh, how we laughed and shared good times....her show and tell always inspires me...and today, well, I'm back....thanks so much for the evening of inspiration, Linda.



Summer vacation did really fly by, and before I knew what had hit me, it was back to school. Back to the hustle and bustle of being back at work...where oh where did the lazy days of summer get to. I did spend some time in my studio...trying to get it organized...and somehow, in the process of packing to go away for Art & Soul in Portland, I trashed it again :)



Here is a little sneak peek though...and I promise, I'll clean it...um, someday.
















What A Mess!!!!!


Speaking of Art & Soul....I had the most fabulous time....I realized though, that jewelry making is not for me....torches!!! who invited fire to the party? I really did take some great classes including one on organizing my studio...better get busy. I'll have to post pictures of the retreat once I get the mess in my studio unpacked and put away.

There is something magical that happens at art retreats. Just being around so many incredible people who share the same passion as you is just an experience of a lifetime. I'm already registered for Art & Soul in Hampton!!!

Anywho, thanks blogland for welcoming me back and still being here for me to ramble on and on. I hope that like my friend Linda, I have inspired someone out there to get back to their own blog...

Here's to you Linda!!

Until next time,

Ophelia