A Day of Reckoning...

Good Thursday morning to all of you here in Blog Land!  Hope your day is off to a great start!

I have come to realize that it usually takes about a year or so to complete a journal. I use a plain sketchbook, with 100 pages, so it takes just over a year to get to the end.  With that being said, I REALLY want to finish this journal that I am working in before the end of this year!!

Because I work in about three journals at once...my day to day journal, an all around work horse journal (I will share more on that one), and my art journal, I have a lot of pages that are just backgrounds that I started in a demo and have just nevwr gotten back to.  

I realized that I have about 50 journals that are on my shelf unused and ready for my marks---remember my last post from Jerrys with all the eye candy...I tell you, I have quite the collection of stuff...  

For this page, I pulled out my rubber stamps, embossing powder, and my Distress Ink Pads--those were quite dusty!!

Not sure of why I feel that my pages have to be perfect and likeable these days.  I started art journaling because it was so freeing, yet, it seems that I have put myself in a box of needing approval.  Crazy, huh??

I will keep at it... Because, I have at least 50 plus years of journals that need my marks, thoughts, and color.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Demo Day...

Twice monthly, I demo over at Jerrysartarama in Raleigh.

When I pull into the parking lot, I just feel better.  Somehow, all of my troubles and worries just vanish for the time I am there...maybe its because I get to lose myself in the simple act of creating.

There is one problem though...

The View!!!

I get to look at all of this goodness...

I realize that my studio is packed and over flowing...

And this is why!!!

There is something new every single time it seems!!

And, My best intentions of bot getting one thing...well

Again...my studio over flows with toys...

Sigh...

Today, I tried to journal a bit differently.

Simple...  Now it is just a beginning, but I really want to just keep it simple.

I want to leave some space for more thoughts and let those thoughts be the center of my page...

I will keep you posted.

I hope that you all are enjoying your day.

Until mext time,

Ophelia

The Day to Day...

Seems this week has just been crazy busy...working late, practices, Art Club, and Jerry's...I have been getting home later and later each night this week.

I have some of my day to day journal pages to share as it seems this journal helps me to keep my sanity!

Just being able to just spill on a page does something magical.

I can cometely feel a difference when I don't get a chance to have my quiet time and spend time in my journal in the morni ng before I head out for work...

My scanner is on the fritz again, so I apologize for all of the ugly ohotos lately.

And, here is a journal page where I pulled out some of my collage sheets, washi tape, and rubber stamps.  Wonder how long it will take me to make a dent in my supplies by using what I have and actually running out of something before needing to get more...hmmm...

I did finally managed to pull out the new stamp sheet that I got from Roben Marie Smith a while ago and mount it!

Oh, how I LOVE this stMp set and can't wait to actually cut it out and getting it all inked up!!

Well guys, if you have actually read this far, I really appreciate you hanging with me through the awful photos and rambling!!  Thanks so much for visiting my crazy little corner here in blogland.

I really appreciate it.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Happy Sunday

Hope that you all had the most amazing holiday ever!!

Wanted to share some creations done in my quest to use things here in my studio!  Today, I pulled out my Gelli Plate.  I forgot just how much fun I have playing with it!

I also pulled a bunch of stencils and ledger paper...and just had a blast!

I realized somehow...Im not even sure of how, but I feel like I am back in my groove after what seems like forever where my muse and mojo had checked out!

Thanks oh thanks for your return dear friends!!

Enjoy your day everyone, I have to get packed for my demo today at Jerry's!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Truly Thankful...

After what seemed like forever in the car (really on 5 hours) we arrived safely at my parents to spend our holiday with family. Such a wonderful time as always.  Back in the car today, and we are back at home.  I love, absolutely love time with my family, but I truly love being at home.

Nice, and quiet!!!

So tonight in my studio, I pulled out some stamps, and embossing powder.  

I really love being in my studio...again, I'm so thankful that I have this space, where I can escape all of the hustle and bustle of life, and just enjoy the peace and quiet that is here.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Wishing For...

Simpler Times...

I apologize for the horrible photo.. The lighting these days in my studio needs some major help.

Today, I pulled out some stencils, sprays, and my box of old photos...haven't visited that pile in a while, and it has been great just to plunder around through all of my stuff.

Today, we head out for a quick visit to my parents in SC...I wish I could magically get us there without the drive.

So, I will sign off for a bit (I promise to be back...I have a lot of stuff to use) but before I do, I leave you with a picture of my daughter after receiving a letter from Leo--her Elf on the Shelf...

Leo advised her that he tried to come for a visit, but her room was trashed...so he went back to the North Pole...it took about 3 minutes and she was "gathering her cleaning supplies".  Thank You Leo!!

I hope that you all have a great holiday!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Back At It...

Good Morning Blogland!!

Today, I pulled out some watercolors, watercolor pencils, some Golden High Flow paints that I just had to have when I saw them, and some of my piles and piles of fodder...

I sadly realized that I should make more of an effort to use my collection more as some of my favorite things get pushed aside when new things come in my studio door.

Watercolors are one of my favorite things to play with...its so easy to just splash around some color and create a fun background.

Hope that your day is off to a great start...

Until next time,

Ophelia