On and Off the Page

Scorecard, Journaling My Big, Cheap Life

2012-02-03T17:48:00.000-08:00

I've become something of a Thrifter. Not just someone who clips coupons or scourers the paper for sales, but a bin diving Thifter with a capital TH.

Thrifted Finds (Ann Taylor & Eileen Fisher)

I've always had thrifty influences throughout my life. My cousins from Chicago would come up occasionally and we would hit some of the thrift stores downtown, but I never completely caught the bug. I have friends who Thrift who I've known for years but never really revealed this side of themselves until they "found out about me."

Writers are cheap. It's true, ask anyone. This should be no surprise to you since writing brings in so little money, unless someone makes what you write into a successful...or even, an unsuccessful, film. This, and the fact that my full-time job has evolved into a bit of fixed income situation, means

J.Jill , Naturalzers

I've had to be creative with my funds.
Thrifting has turned into a sport that I love as much as some men love to hunt. I find a Eileen Fisher silk jacket - just like bagging a deer...I swear.
I'm getting to journaling.

Instead of lobbing off the head of something living and mounting it on my wall, I've taken to immortalizing my "kill" in the pages of my journal...and quickly, while the tags are still on, and I'm still breathing heavy.

Journaling about the experience also keeps me from buying too much. I always have my journal with me and go through my list of needs (needs first, wants...when I have the money), and I can see what I have, so if I find something to go with it, like shoes, I have an idea if the style or color sort of match.

Ann Taylor, Jones NY,

Ah, the value of a journal small enough to stick in your cheap Outlet Mall, Fossil Purse you found...on sale, in perfect condition...with that big, giant lock and key still attached. Sigh.

A New Year

2012-01-01T18:15:00.000-08:00

...is always fraught with possibility. At least that is how I feel (perhaps mistakenly). Every January 1st however, I break out the journal and pens and try to work out the"what could be's", and "what I need to do's"(every intention is a possible failure if I don't actually back it up with some action on my part, so I need to work that out too).
In the past I have used the Walking Through a New Door prompt: What does my door look like, what's on the other side, what do I hope to be there, what is the reality of that hope...?

This year as I sat at Caribou sipping a very large Cinnamon-Spice tea, at the tail end of my New Year's Day juice and tea fast, (for no other purpose than to literally and figuratively let go of the year) the forms and shapes that were coming to me out of my bag of journal, collage tricks were images of the body. I've lost some weight recently and have been pleased with how I feel and look. I have to hang on to my personal accomplishment as a valid one, one that is good for me and me alone. I feel no need to look like a model...model images often disturb me, (and look painful) so the image I chose to highlight really works, and brought up a few other issues as well...good for writing : )
I hope you've had a wonderful December and your 2012 is all that you want it to be.
Love, Lynn

December Article, Central Minnesota Women

2011-11-30T17:11:00.001-08:00

I'm a cover girrl...well actually Mary Franke, the owner of one of my favorite downtown St Cloud stores is a cover girl...but I was lucky enough to get to write the story about Mary and her "Purposeful but Unique" store.

Click the cover to go to the story.

I have a great job.

Journal #24, and Moving On

2011-10-23T09:31:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, I have an arm injury (both arms) that keeps me from being as artsy as I would like to be. My journals have gotten smaller, not that I mind... and it has forced me to really take a look at what my original intent was when I started journaling.

I am a writer first and foremost. Dragon Software has aided my continued ability to deliver my stories to the magazine I work for. (It works great by the way, I even create this blog with it)

I am still able to keep a Journal... but had to reduce my page size, and duration of writing. That's fine, I've learned to enjoy what I can still do and not dwell on what I can no longer accomplish.

This brings me to my 24th Journal. I am now using Hand Book Journals (great paper, variety of sizes...mine is a square 6 X 6) (some of you, though, may like Moleskin's...not my fave but that's just me) that you can get in most arts stores, and adding a cover to keep them from getting tea stained.

Collaging a book cover is easy, all you have to do is tear a few interesting magazine pages and glue them to a heavy, but flexible long piece of paper.

No need to be fussy, just fold remnants of magazines over the edges (No one will be the wiser) and glue down. If you like, you can add whatever doodads you desire, I prefer to keep it simple.Then to keep the whole thing clean I cover it with clear contact paper... front and back.

There, you have a beautiful new journal for yourself or for a gift for your writer/arty friends.

Oct 2011, Central Minnesota Women, Article

2011-10-03T15:49:00.000-07:00

Check out my most recent article, A Thing With Feathers: Jan Bergstrom's Wild Bird Center
Jan is a “birdie,” extrordinaire and will help you attact most any feathered friend to your yard.
Her story begins on page 13, and enjoy the rest of the magazine as well!

Last Pages and One Day before 9/11

2011-09-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

A year of "last pages"

In my attempt to take an unflinching look myself on the last page of my journals, I have amassed quite a few "last pages". The most recent "last page" happened to fall on the 10th anniversary of the attacks of 9/11. It was a page I didn't think I could do because it brought up such raw feelings and sadness.

The last page of my 23rd journal

My focus has always been, and will always be, what is going on in my life at that moment... where I've been, where I'm headed..and it seemed a shame to stop now. These entries are never very long, but instead opt for the basics of who I am at this moment in time.

My September 10th, 2001, journal entry

As I perused the selection of these last journal pages it made me think of where I was as a person the day before 9/11. I was able to find the journal page and the subsequent days after. It was five days before I could write another page because of what had happened. I am amazed how naïve I was... as most people were,but the fact that I have it written down is a testament to my change as a person.

I'm glad that I keep a journal and I hope that you will begin one too.

Do you have Journal memories of 9/11? Do you have special ways to end each journal?

Share them with us by adding a link to your comments.

Following the Flock

2011-08-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

I have been watching the Grackles flock and vie for the lead in recent days. I know, it seems early doesn't it? It's always too early to watch the birds and other animals make sudden fall moves...but grackles start this maneuvering early.
It made me think of the idea of flocking, or my flock. Who is my flock?
I enjoyed exploring this notion in my journal. Is my flock who I was born to, or can I enjoy the expanded notion of a flock? As I had tea with my friend Barb today, I wrote about who I was comfortable calling my flock and when I may be joining them.
Who is your flock? Are you ready to follow them, or will they just have to wait for you? Explore this idea in your journal. Add a comment that links back to you if you add photos of your journal on your blog.

Dark Pages AND "The White Pen Issue"

2011-08-14T19:06:00.000-07:00

I love painting my pages dark colors and using light color pens to doodle or write...and I have tried every brand there is and you can believe that I have an opinion on most of them.

First, I use a variety of products to paint my pages, watercolors (I like Daniel Smiths Indigo Blue and other dark colors...they buckle a bit), and Dye Ink Re-inkers for the a very even effect...and they don't buckle. Sweet.

The most effective white or light color writing tool is FW ink and dip pens. The dip pens take time to master but they work really well and FW comes in so many great colors. Of course there is the little problem of finding the ink and the pen tips in the same place at the same time...so, that brings us to alternatives. Uni-ball Signo pens can be awesome...they have there own pen rules though. The white Signo pen (but only the Japanese brand with the yellow Japanese markings on the top) work well if you use them every day (for writing) or perfectly for highlighting. But the metallic Uni-ball Signos; silver, gold, are fantastic for writing on dark pages...they write with a smooth even line all the time. I bought them one time and haven't found them since. Sigh.

I won't name names here, but trust me...most of the others don't work very well. Sad but true, even though I keep wandering into art stores and various paper places hoping...and buying. I have an arsenal of the unusable.

A girl can dream.

Go journal...in darkness.

August-September Issue, Central Minnesota Women

2011-08-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

For the August issue I was happy to be able to highlight the work of Jan Hansen and her organization, "200 Orphanages." This non-profit raises funds for building projects for orphanages all over the world. See how you can support Jan in these efforts to help children's most very basic needs. Her story begins on page 15.

Emerging from Stillness

2011-07-11T17:18:00.000-07:00

While biking, traveling, photo taking, and otherwise enjoying summer, mostly on the weekends, I've had the opportunity to let this tightly wound little brain of mine...unravel. I've let a few strands trail just long enough to be caught.

It's important to let your brain defragment once in a while, letting creative ideas come to you instead of you chasing after "it".
This isn't an easy practice, but it is necessary for creative survival.
Take a day...or two, and turn down the noise that separates you from your creative ideas.
Turn off your cell phone.
Turn off your TV.
Turn off people that drain you.
Let someone else "do" for a while.

Meet up with fun people and laugh.
Bring your journal, some pens, and a small inexpensive, the-less-frills-the-better camera, everywhere you go.

My 23rd journal!

You don't want to miss the "it" when it arrives.

Up Next:
-August/September article for Central Minnesota Women.
-Results of the spring story pitching (cross your fingers)
-Fun with Lomography, Dramatic Photos for Journaling.

Cell Phones and Toy Cameras, Low Res Wonders for Journaling

2011-07-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

If you use photos in your journals...or any place else that you could use small, low resolution images, consider reading the book Fantastic Plastic Cameras by Kevin Meredith (Tips and Tricks for 40 Toy Cameras)...for some great ideas for creativity with both digital and formally traditional, film, photography.

First of all, the definition of a toy camera, is as wide as you can imagine, but includes everything from Fisher-Price Kid Tough, to your cell phone. Anything that deals with light and focus, in a playfully undependable way could be called a toy.

One of my favorite toy cameras was a quad-shot 35 mm camera I picked up at a drug store in the 1970's. The film had to be developed but the photos were amazing...4 shots of the same object that captured the slightest movement...I loved it..and, of course, I can't find the thing anywhere. Now, I'm using my VERY low budget cell phone (with absolutely no bells or whistles) and sending them to my e-mail address so I can print them on my computer.

The photos are low-res, so I can print several on a single piece of matt photo paper, and glue them directly in my journal or play with the color saturation...art them up a bit and then add them.

I have my eye on the Fuji Instax Mini 25 with instant film...just pack your glue stick and go. Anyone have any experience with that one?

Journal Bag- Part 2

2011-06-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

A while back I started a "fall" journal bag and really...I should never start a sewing, or any other craft project, that is tied to a season. It just never happens. So, if you missed part one of this Magnificent Journal Bag sewing project, click here.

My old journal bag is starting to show its age, so I thought well before all my books and pens rip through the bottom of the bag, I'd get busy making another one...in between writing assignments. I have always loved to sew, but time has become an issue.
First of all, I know I'm going to make a mistake...I expect it, so I read instructions before I cut out anything, even the pattern pieces, after that, get cutting.

Lining

The cotton duck fabric I bought for the lining is a little stiff, so I washed it in cold water, and I also washed the canvas interfacing...that may help get a needle through all of this.

Canvas Interfacing

While everything is drying, of course, I have to journal about this entire experience.

I made a color copy of what will be the front flap of the journal bag and glued that to the center of my journal page...you'd expect no less, right?

Tea is a very important part of any sewing project

Then I cut out the exterior of the bag, remembering to label these very similar pattern pieces with pen on masking tape (this is not my first rodeo). I basted the canvas interfacing to the most obvious exterior pieces that need reinforcement.

At long last, after two or three articles and a load of cleaning house, I cut out the lining, which was more involved that it looks. This thing has lots of pockets and three zippers no less. I chose some great thread that really picks up the color of the whole project.

At last...done with the cutting out part, and on to the fun sewing part....stay tuned.

June-July Issue Central Minnesota Women

2011-05-30T12:39:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed meeting and writing the story of Ann Ringness, a leather and fiber artist from St. Cloud Minnesota. Her bags and purses are stunning, and hopefully one of these lovely summer days, (let's hope) you will find her at one of the area art fairs.
Her story begins on page 14. (click on the cover to go to the magazine site)Enjoy!
-Lynn

Working Smaller, Journal #23

2011-05-22T18:03:00.000-07:00

Change is good, but change feels strange and scary sometimes. I have decided to write more and draw and paint a little less in my journals...and work smaller and more efficiently.
In my attempt to change and make life more doable, enjoyable, fun...and make time for everything that I love, I have begun Journal #23 with somewhat less fanfare and paper cuts than my previous journals. I didn't make this one (gasp) and it's smaller, only 5.5" x 5.5" in fact.

I like the paper in the Hand Book Journals, it's a nice drawing weight that takes watercolor and Pitt Pens applied heavily without either bleeding through the page. For all my bits and pieces of stuff I pick up here and there, there is a flexible clear envelope tucked in the back cover. For the summer this 128 page journal will suit me well. I have writing, biking and socializing to do....maybe even a little travel. Sigh.

I loved National Poetry Month in April and now have a lot of material to edit for quite a while.
Here are a couple of favorite books of poetry...one new and one, no so new, that I highly recommend:

Pretend the World, by Kathryn Kysar, came to me at a time when I needed it.
It is full of Minnesota prairies and the families that came here from far away. Just beautifully written.

Song of the World Becoming, By Pattiann Rogers is my go-to book of amazement. She is a poet who is combines science, religion, and metaphor and spins them into light with such ease.

I have had the good fortune to have taken classes with both poets and found their instruction to be of the greatest value.

Next up: My next article for the June/July issue of Central Minnesota Women, is about leather and fabric artist Ann Ringness. I have admired her for years, and was happy to be able to feature her in the magazine.

Now, get out there and journal.

Latest Issue (April/May) Central Minnesota Women

2011-04-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

Chelle Benson, is the Director of the Department of Development in the Benton County Environmental Services Department. She is also the cover story for this month's Central Minnesota Women. Click the photo to enjoy the story of how an interest in maps started a career in a nontraditional field.

The Spring Lineup...it has begun

2011-03-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

A whirlwind of writing activity has begun here at Camp Fisher

The snow is (almost) gone and the yard is filled with what's leftover from the storms of winter. I've had a much needed break to travel and catch up with friends and relatives, but now, it's time to get down to the business of writing.
First up: The April issue of Central Minnesota Women will be out soon and I wrote the cover story on Chelle Benson, the Director of the Department of Development for Benton County. City Planning is still a mostly a male dominated field but she has not let that stand in her way.
Next: I'm participating in my writer's group annual reading that always proves to be fun and a great way for our group to get together (we've gotten to be too huge for one group)
Then: I've started the wheels turning on an article on leather artist, Ann Ringness, that will appear in June. I was lucky enough to interview her after she set up her show in St Paul yesterday evening. Stay tuned.
Also: And this should fall under the heading of "why did I sign up for this" but, I will be participating in NaPoWriMo, or National Poetry Month by writing a poem each day and posting all or some of it on my blog.
Coming up: In the August issue of Central Minnesota Women, I'm covering Jan Hanson, who began her own non-profit business to support over 200 orphanages world-wide. I'm looking forward to meeting her and writing her story.

In the mean time, our ducks that make their way back to us every year, have returned. It is sort of like having guests that come and go as they please..oh, and sleep on the roof.

Happy Spring!

Is April the Cruelist Month?

2011-03-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

Crocuses from last year...of course

It is highly unlikely that spring will spring on us very soon here in Minnesota. Even with the coming week's forecast into the 50's, we still have surprise snow storms with morning temps of 17 degrees. For those of us who spend a great deal of time at the emotional bus stop waiting for life (in the form of a bus) to arrive...we have to busy ourselves with some other activity. April, thank God, is National Poetry Month.
There are a lot of activities, online and elsewhere to celebrate, lots of readings to get involved in, poetry books to buy...I'm hitching my wagon to one of the NaPoWriMo websites (there are a few) and will be not only writing a poem a day, but posting it (bad as a daily poem may be) with a photo a day. Hopefully it will be worth dropping by and maybe you'd like to participate as well. Click here for more info.

Committed to the Journey

2011-03-04T18:51:00.000-08:00

Other than traveling to Chicago recently to visit relatives, friends, do some site-seeing and dodging snow storms (we have another one on its way next week) I've been putting something together to read for our writers group reading at Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts.
The reading is in April, which is fast approaching, and with it comes that spring flood of feeling that accompanies the idea and reality of rejection. I've read in the past, but I've never really gotten used to it. I have, however, learned to put it in prospective. The terror I'm feeling really doesn't have anything to do with me, but how I feel others are perceiving me...and that I can't control, it feels a bit like rejection. As a writer rejection has become something I've had to warm up to.
Not all rejection is bad, some has been good practice and has included helpful info like ideas of 'where else you might try'.

Granted, some rejection I have to chalk up to somebodies really bad day. It's all really out of my hands. I can only do my best, send everything, and I mean everything that the publication asked for when querying (and that can be a surprising amount of stuff), and use correct postage.
If you are a writer the best thing you can do to keep editors from hating you is to pay close attention to what each publications wants in a query and how they prefer that query sent. If they want queries by snail mail, don't send an e-mail. If they ask for 20 slides of your subject, don't send 10.
Most publications have a page on their websites that have a full explanation of how to query. If they don't, invest in the current years issue of The Writers Market (you can also find one at your local library).
It's a good idea to constantly have something 'out there'...that way you won't spend so much time agonizing over one story, one query, etc.

Good luck. And readings...they're good practise too. Start with a friendly bunch, then when you are more comfortable, take on a bigger crowd at a local open-mike night. If you don't do so well the first time, chalk it up to nerves and try again...it's what writers do...they read their work in PUBLIC.
This week write about all you can do to stoke your emotional fire to bolster yourself against fear and rejection. What kinds of things can you do, that are positive, (no drinking) that will keep you going through those feelings of "I can't possibly do this" and "everyone else is better than me"? Paint it out. Write it Out. Journal it Out. Get one of those awesome tiny digital recorders and practice speaking into it. Not only will you cut your time down, you'll polish the rough edges of your work.
Get your crayons and make a huge list and post it over your desk. You'll have good ideas in reserve when rejection comes your way.

Latest Article, Feb/March, Central Minnesota Women

2011-02-03T20:10:00.000-08:00

Karla Lilleberg-Holmgren is a naturopath working out of her home in St Cloud, Minnesota. She is the subject of my latest article...it begins on page 14. Click on the photo.

While Waiting for that Big Freelancing Break, Go Regional...

2011-01-22T13:21:00.000-08:00

...and who knows, that may even BE your big break!
If you are walking into either Barnes and Noble or Borders to leaf through your favorite magazines that you one day dream of writing for, dreaming maybe all you do.
Consider regional magazines and newspapers to further your freelancing career, fill your portfolio or even find your writing niche. (you may just love it enough to never leave)
Regional magazines or newspapers are not usually found on newsstands in your favorite bookstores. Instead you often find them in wire racks at the front of your local coffee shop or lying on counters in specialty stores. In fact, when shopping for a writing place to land, you should investigate all places that indulge your creative senses, whether that be a barber shop, a salon, the hardware store, that posh new shop on the corner, or your local school. Opportunity can present itself in the most unlikely publications.
Most medium to large size cities have at least four glossy ad-filled publications and they need someone to write them. You could be that person. Why not you? Chances are these smaller publications may not pay well but they are usually less time-consuming than a larger magazine, give you a local audience, a regular writing gig to exercise those creative brain muscles... all while you keep amassing clips and sending queries to loftier things.
If you keep a Journal, and I hope that you do, make a list of all your interests of one side of the page and on the other a corresponding place of business. Start scouting these businesses for publications. If you don't see any, ask. If they don't have publications, ask about possible local websites that service the community of this area of interest... they need writers and why can't it be you?
Do you have writing goals? Get yourself a Journal and start writing them down, you'll be surprised how much you can accomplish once you put it in writing.

Into the Woods, Add Altered Photos to Your Journal Pages

2011-01-10T04:24:00.000-08:00

Sometimes a photo doesn't do a place justice...it can't. A photo of place in the woods that is special to me (along the Superior Hiking Trail) turned out to be as 2-D as a photo can be, not conveying my awe at the depth of blinding white birches.

I wanted to make a journal page of my hiking experience but wanted to add feeling. I altered the photo in stages using the the color and saturation tools....

...until I had a few images that I really liked. Then I layered two images, creating a sort of positive, negative look (I was in my favorite place, but I was alone to enjoy it), painted a journal background, and inserted the finished photo.

On the painted areas of the page I wrote words and sentences that describe how I am like this place, good and bad, light and dark.

Try altering photos for your journal pages and tell me what happened. Did you discover something about yourself you didn't know?

Upcoming Articles and Mad Pitching

2011-01-06T18:56:00.000-08:00

I'm very lucky to have a semi-regular writing gig. It grounds me, gives me purpose and a feeling of accomplishment when other attempts at publication seem, at times, to go no where.
The February article for Central Minnesota Women highlights the career of Naturopath, Karla Lilleberg-Holmgren and her passion to help people living with cancer.
In March the magazine theme will be Women in non-traditional careers. Look for my cover story on the Director of the Environmental Services Department of Stearns County.
As far as other publications go, I am right in there following up on leads for magazines or on-line opportunities that may need new writers, setting up subjects, getting photos, sending queries, waiting for the answer...sometimes it is as much work to pitch a story as it is to write one.
In the mean time I'm enjoying the book Inner Excavation; Explore Your Self through Photography, Poetry, and Mixed Media, by Liz Lamoreux, that is one of the first "creative journey" type of publications I've seen in a long time that uses poetry and photography as tools for the creative exercises. A wonderful creative boost and the photography ideas are something I might use to up my creative game.
Do you have any creative news or great book you'd like to share. It's been a while. Comment already!

December Article, Central Minnesota Women

2010-11-30T16:49:00.000-08:00

I was honored to meet the family of Ryan DeZurik and tell his and his family's story in the pages of Cental Minnesota Women.
Click here to read this emotional story of family love and courage in the face of a child's death...on page 14.

Weekend Without Internet = Next Article On Track

2010-11-17T17:48:00.000-08:00

Perhaps it was because I was feeling stressed at not being able to get enough done in the time I had that was enough to summon the heavens...and make them explode in giant wet ice balls on our newly dried asphalt road (we've been through an all summer construction) AND every power line in town. It amazed me how much outlining that I could do without power...and as time went on and I thought that I couldn't possibly write this article...the horror...by hand, another surprise happened. I could.

Our power was out, and I still wrote, and I even got a little outdoorsy time in our very first shock of snow.

Yes, we have a wood burning stove and that really helped, but an even bigger help is a deadline that is closing in sooner than usual. (I'm already on an article for spring...ah to get the bike out again)

After the lights came back on, however, I realized that we had no Internet service, and neither did anyone else near here. Gasp!

A weekend (and then some) without internet isn't something I would normally plan, but after it was all over I realized that I was really productive...completely out of touch, but really productive. So, until my next story is done I am imposing a blackout except for important e-mails. See you in a couple weeks. You might want to try this yourself.

List-it Tuesday, November 9th, Stuff that's Not So Bad About Winter

2010-11-09T04:19:00.000-08:00

I Love Tuesdays! Listing has become cathartic, there are no rules, and what results is nearly poetic...well, nearly. Join the listing fiends over at Aimee's blog...HERE

Freelancing in the Real World (or, at least, my real world)

2010-11-08T17:01:00.000-08:00

This is what my weekends usually look like. You will very often find me downing several cups of green tea at my local Dunn Bros and gathering my extraneous information for a story, the rest of which I have to do at home...too much noise at the coffee shop, and I use voice activated software (wouldn't you just love to be sitting next to me).
I love writing. I could write the content of cereal boxes with deep emotional undertones, and be happy, because it is, after all, what I always wanted to do.
Have I been surprised at the level of work as compared to the actual pay? Yes. Have I sometimes been irritated at a subject? Sure. Did I turn around and make things work anyway? Always.
This is the nature of freelancing, or has been, for me, for about 12 years now.
I started reviewing tea rooms for free. Fun, but no money. I was desperate, sending stories here and there with no reaction at all, when a very nice editor at the Tea Time Gazette let me write about a couple of tea rooms in my area. It was fun to see my name in print but my goal was to make enough money to make a computer pay for itself (I was still...gasp...working on a typewriter). I eventually approached a publication known in the area as The Old Times, that featured antique vendors, and shops. It paid. I was in heaven.
I did, and still do, my writing on the weekends and evening because I have a day job, (can't imagine being without one) and sometimes I have really had to work at getting interviews at night or on weekends. Over time I developed a few published clips and began sending them out. The twin city area is awash with great writers and at times I thought I couldn't get arrested here...so I looked elsewhere. A magazine called Among Women, published in St. Cloud, e-mailed me about a story I had written, and asked if I would write for them, the problem is, they didn't have room right away, so I waited for two years to get my first assignment. I was thrilled.
What I'm trying to say is this is the sort of business that you have to love because it can be trying. It's best if you are a multi-faceted writer, writing fiction when you can't seem to get a story, or poetry when neither is quite happening and copywriting whenever the gods extend their loving cash filled hands.
You have to keep pitching and pitching in hopes that you at least occasionally get to write about something you are more deeply connected to. I keep one or two form letters and e-mails on my computer to simply cut, paste and edit when something exciting happens and I've had my eyes and ears open to just what editor may be interested. Tough job? Yes. Do I love it? Strange, but true.

List-Tuesday (November 2nd 2010)

2010-11-02T03:53:00.000-07:00

I'm participating (as much as I can) in NaNoWriMo this month and found that listing was a great way to work on some ideas. To see some more great lists, and to participate in List-it Tuesday, see Aimee's site here.

Any Which Way On the Page

2010-10-31T10:58:00.000-07:00

Pitt Pens, collage, lots and lots of leaves

Fall is so rich with color that you just have to get out in it no matter how cold it might be.

I've been biking to my regular weekend destinations to journal and this has proved to be the most fun ever....made even more so so by a few pre-prepared pages (so I don't have to carry much with me but a pen or two), and the idea that I can write on my pages any which way I want to.

This is a great idea when writing straight lines messes up your overall design, crowds your words, or gives you less breathing room on your pages.

As a writer this is also very freeing.

I can't tell you how many of those boring little lined journals I have lying around the house, pretty on the outside...nothing but lines on the inside.

Release yourself from the line and write, verically, horizontally, in a circle, upside-down, across one page and on to another one, around the edges, over rolling hills or across the very top and leave the rest blank.

Also try writing in cursive in some places, and print in others and, if you are blessed to know another language, use that as well.

Write...any which way you want.

Orange You Glad It's Tuesday (List-it Tuesday That Is) October 26th

2010-10-26T04:08:00.000-07:00

I'm having the best time with List-It Tuesday!

I should mention that this most recent list has been revised greatly over the years.

If you'd like to join the listing fun...pop over to Aimee's blog, leave a trail of bead crums OR a link to your blog in the comment section there. Then be sure to clicket-ty-clicket-ty all over her new blogger buddy comments to see their lists. Fun!

At the Center (Full Moon Journal Prompt)

2010-10-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

Put yourself at the center of your life and your page.

I know for some people this doesn't happen often. There are so many things that pull us away from what we want to achieve in our lives that we lose what is essentially ourselves.
So for one page this week, put yourself literally in the middle; a photo or drawing of yourself in the center of your page, or something from a magazine that represents you, and write in any way you care to (a spiral, a circle) anything that streams from you at the moment. What does the photo say about you? What activity are you pictured doing in the photo? What does that activity bring to your life?

I am toying with the idea of participating in NANOWRIMO during the month of November. There are only ten days left...so I have to clean house, and because I have another story to write soon, I will have to limit my writing to something like a short story. I'm fine with that...really I am. Try to ignore the crying.
So if you are about to NaNo and need a buddy, I'm LynnF1958

List-it Tuesday (October 19th, 2010)

2010-10-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

Wanna join List- it- Tuesdays? See Aimee's blog here.

Supplies, Part 2

2010-10-08T20:03:00.000-07:00

In addition to a journal, you might like to invest in a few art supplies. Any number of wonderful artistic mediums can be used in your journal to aid in creative expression. I personally love the ease of color pencils, the blend-ability of watercolor crayons, the versatility and personality of watercolors and the vibrancy and permanence of acrylics....and of course, lots of ripped up and discarded magazines and junk mail.

Then there are pens. Chances are, I own way more pens than you. That is not meant as a "ha, ha, I own more pens than you," statement, but rather a, "this is what I'm willing to admit about myself in such a public forum." (note the quote about creative people and mental illness) Some of you may even feel sorry for me...but I'm off the subject.

When I first started journaling, I went out and bought my first set of pens; black, a russet red, and a copper metallic (for emphasis). I soon noticed what some brands rub off the page, get sucked into the paper, change color, can't be used over certain mediums, and what pens clog repeatedly. Even if you only plan to write in your journals you may want to get some great pens.
I recently found a wonderful website that has almost every sort of pen you can imagine. If you don't have a good art store near you that let's you try a few pens first like Wet Paint, or Blick...Jet Pens is the place to go. They even have those great (Signo) white pens that you can use on dark pages. (I recently discovered that I also like acrylic inks with dip pens...that also come in white or other light colors, and look fantastic on dark paper)
The same goes for art supplies. Pick an art store (I mean a real art store) that has workshops on how to use the products or paper laid out to try some things.
Here are a list of my favorite art supplies and some links where you can get them.

Watercolor: My favorite is the Daniel Smith brand (through the Daniel Smith web-site and Wet Paint), the colors are very rich and true.

Acrylic Inks: FW is my favorite brand

Acrylic paints: Golden...nothing matches the color intensity. There is a new golden acrylic that dries less fast...it comes in the black label.

Watercolor Crayons: Hands down...Caran D'Ache, very blendable and soft

Brush Tip Pens: Faber-Castell Pitt Pens, great colors, permanent, and blendable. Also, easy to carry, and comes in two sizes, and writes directly on top of acrylic paint

Favorite Papers: inexpensive: Strathmore drawing paper is a work horse paper, and can be bought in pads or sheets. the 80lb DRAWING paper (not the SKETCH paper) can even take watercolor without bleeding through
...a great place to take classes in the book making arts: The Minnesota Center for Book Arts

For awesome art supplies...try:

Daniel Smith
Wet Paint

As with writing, experimentation is key when acquiring new art supplies. If you've never used watercolor before I suggest getting a good brush (or two) and getting it soaked with paint and spread it all over a couple pages, yourself, the dog, the walls...just emerce yourself in the experience instead being wimpy and hesitant with it. It's a great medium but often people don't give themselves any time with it...mix a second color with the first, spread a bit of plastic wrap over the top, let it dry a bit and pull off the wrap...the result is a small color miracle.
You can use these pages to write on, collage over...or cut up and paste down on other pages. Enjoy your new supplies.

Supplies, part one

2010-10-03T17:50:00.000-07:00

There are some basic supplies for art (or art included with writing) journaling that I would have a hard time living without...the first would be the journal itself.

When I began keeping a journal oh so many years ago, I hadn't yet learned the joys of making my own journals with paper heavy enough to take whatever I desired to slather on it. Instead I would travel to downtown St. Paul, to a store called Wet Paint, spend hours perusing their large collection of blank, unlined (I'm definitely an unlined sort of girl, but then you probably noticed) journals and sketchbooks in every sort of binding style I could have wanted.

Now you're probably mulling over in your mind all of the places you've seen "journals" and wondering "but aren't those OK too?"
I will save you a tiny bit of experimentation (not meant to sound like that's a bad thing).
Weight Matters: Yes, the weight of the paper in your journal matters, if, say, you plan to use mediums heavier than a pen. Mediums such as watercolor or acrylic will bleed through your paper or ruin it entirely. I have found through experimentation (there's that word again) that paper weights starting at 80-85 lbs. and higher are pretty sturdy. (I use a combination of paper wts. for my own journals) This is harder to find than you might think. Most art supply or scrap booking stores sell journals with that infuriating 70-75 lb. paper. And I don't need to tell you what a difference five pounds can make. (snicker)

Then there's the cover: A blank journal or sketchbook can be covered in a variety of collage ephemera that make it your own. Color copies of your own photos, magazine, pages from old books, copies of old journal pages all make excellent collage material for a cover.

I started collaging my purchased spiral bound journals and have continued that on my handmade journals. (see the page, Collage Cover a Journal here)
Now, decide what you want by what's important to YOU and look for a journal...then try your hand at covering it with collage. In part II we'll talk about art supplies; including pens, watercolor, acrylic and inks. Have fun!

Latest Article, Oct-Nov, Central Minnesota Women

2010-09-28T16:12:00.000-07:00

My latest article for Central Minnesota Women's Magazine, spotlights the Michelle Kenric Hair Studio and the concerted effort that owner, Wendy Zimny and her staff, went through to keep the salon going after the original owner sold and Wendy bought the business.
The story begins on page 18...but enjoy the rest of the magazine as well. I always say that I'm lucky to write for such an great "women interest" publication.

I Won, and a Peek Upstairs

2010-09-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

I have been blog-watching Briana over at Courageously Creating as well as Holistic Creative Arts for some time now...I think even before we ran into each other at Roz Stendahl's Journal Collective at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. If you haven't been to her site yet, if is full of fun posts and ideas, and creative tours. I won the pretty dangling bits of sky that I've now hung in front of my upstairs window. Check out her Orangespiral Etsy shop too.

I've been doing some reorganizing of the upstairs and have finally gotten it to the livable stage. I still have lots of stuff, but it is inside other stuff...that at least makes it look nice. As you can see, I suffer from the "wallies". A slopping wall here, a slopping wall there, here a wall, there a wall, everywhere a wall, wall...you get the picture. Anyway, it makes for interesting decor choices, to say the least. You can only place tall dressers toward the center of the house, and everything that is short, has to go along the outside, or you "waist" space...good heavens...I can only DREAM of waisting space. I seem to have risen above it though, with lots of those cool storage bins with drawers (always with drawers, those horrible lidded stack-able Christmas bin thingys had to go)...at least for the moment. I'm eyeball deep in a new story and I only have time to run upstairs, and throw something in, then I'm off again.

How do you keep your creative stuff organized?

And just what are all these Words doing in here? The Journal and the Writer

2010-09-17T20:07:00.000-07:00

The journal is a playground for the writer's soul. There is no real need for precise reporting as it applies to names, dates and quotes. It's pretty much anything goes, even if you're in the middle of roughing out a story in your journal; any kind of story, and are mentally working the bugs out...this is the perfect place. Many of my journal pages are strictly written. Sometimes I completely run out of time to "create" the perfect page, or a sloppy one, for that matter. So there...the ugly truth is out.

Put your pen on the floor of the page and begin to dance with it...not picking it up until you've finished. You can do this on a blank or a watercolored page, with collage or anything else...but blank is fine. I prefer no lines so my thoughts can float unrestrained and untethered by lines.
You can write about your day, or you can write about your day until your brain takes a sudden leap into the wild blue and you are writing about something well outside yourself. You can write about something that you are working on creatively: set up an outline, have characters introduce themselves. You can write about artwork or crafts that you are working on; why you chose particular colors, or talk about as if you are speaking to a class of interested art students. The journal is yours to explore, in vivid color or the written word.

One of the best books on journal writing, and the first one I ever read so very long ago: Writing Down The Bones by Natalie Goldberg.

Beginnings, the path to now

2010-09-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

(this is a repeat from my old blog...enjoy!)

When I began journaling I had never even seen a handmade journal much less want to make one. I really only wanted one of those dime-store lined thingys that I could maybe cover with bits and pieces of my own photographs to make it a little original....and still do so when I need to. At the time I was a new grad from design school and never cared if I ever picked up a pencil again. I was done...out of "that place" and searching for some meaning in my life. The "art" had been squeezed out of me with such force I'd thought I'd never get it back.

Writing had been my first real artistic love. I wrote poetry, and short stories since I was very young, but never considered it for a profession...somehow I though design would be my ticket to the big time. I had no way of knowing that an injury would keep me from being a designer. My arms, it seems, are not made of great stuff. At least with writing you have a number of software products to make your creative life doable.

It was around this time that I discovered journaling as a great tool. It was a short amount of arm use....with a large amount of variations. I picked up a plain non-lined journal at Wet Paint in downtown St. Paul, and began to write. I wrote a page a day. I applied stickers, photos and even used stamps to record my day.

At the time I was reading and going through the assignments of "The Artists Way" by Julia Cameron and was pretty satisfied with writing, and writing only. As time went on my journals experienced a transformation and took on a life of their own. I found that words could be used in concert with images, and visa-versa.

Words could also take a shape...not following a persistent imagined straight line. This was a freeing discovery. Pens were important too. I began to collect them by the dozens and still use quite a few of them, the white Uni-ball gel pen among my favorites.

I began to use to white spaces (or any negative spaces between images) as an opportunity to break up my writing...one space for a daily rant, another for a stream of words unrelated to anything, and yet another for a poem.

All spaces were fair game, and all images could be covered and written on, or left blank.

Then I began cutting out words from old books or magazines and layering them on top of a single image or an entirely collaged page. Sometimes this worked...totally without planning too much...and other times, not so well.

This method, called "found poetry" is an amazing process that can be very revealing...and often was.

It wasn't long before my own art began creeping back into my life, and luckily I owned a lot of supplies. At first I was hesitant to use some supplies that I wondered about using in something that would be opened and closed a number of times...would pages stick together, or rub off on each other?

As it turns out, not much in the way of a disaster has ever happened in my journals, but rather, "discoveries" have been made.

Crayons, for instance, are not just for kids. There are a number of water-soluble brands that lend themselves well to journaling, and can be layered over both watercolor and acrylic. Acrylic can written over, but you may have to experiment to find just the right pen that works for the brand of acrylic you use...and the weight of the application.

Time is often a big "decider" in what medium I now use. It is very easy to collage when there is very little time. Better yet, watercolor a few background pages ahead of time and then collage over them as you go.

I love to use color pencils in random abstract shapes to highlight favorite photographs, and then writing over the entire page.

I still draw, but not as often and opt instead for smaller studies with distinct shapes that can be done quickly. I'm finding that it's not the time I spend on a page that is important, it's more what I gain from the experience.

Now, go discover yourself in a journal.

Practice Making Imperfect

2010-09-03T19:11:00.000-07:00

What a unique opportunity journalers have to improve their chosen artistic medium (including drawing, painting, writing, sculpture...etc.) with continued skill practice. Have you ever met anyone who "wished" they could draw, or "dreamed" of writing...but didn't actually do any of these things because they think they aren't good enough?

Acrylic paint and pencil

You can't actually become better at something you never do. This is where journaling comes in.

If you want to write or paint you can use your journal to experiment, muse, scribble, and be terrible at pretty much everything. Write bad poetry...chances are no one will see it anyway, (I find that the more casual I am about my journals around the house, the more people could care less about them...and if they see or read something that bothers them...serves 'em right), take up watercolor and play with it's uncontrol-ability (I made that word up), try another medium that you never had before...if you write poetry, try fiction...if you write fiction, try painting with acrylic, if you paint with acrylic, try hand lettering poems in gauche.

While I was on vacation I had a chance to break out some acrylic paint and play. I love the vibrancy, fast drying qualities and the way it lends itself to journaling and plan to come back to it....(maybe even paint some actual paintings).

Acrylic and Pitt Pens

All this experimentation in my journal reminded me of the years I spent wanting to be a writer. I had this idea that someone would find me in my living room and want me to write something for them. The thing that was missing was that I was not A) sending query letters out, B) gathering information about places I may like to write for, and C) (and this is the most important one), I was not WRITING. I wrote occasionally and thought to myself, oh, that isn't bad, perhaps I could do some of this professionally someday, but I didn't keep writing. It wasn't until I started a steady journal practice that things started happening. Words sprang from my hands and landed on the page. I didn't worry about what I wrote. Before long I was sending out ideas...and then I was published.

Acrylic paint and Pitt Pens

And all it really took was a little imperfect practice.

Early Fall Color

2010-08-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

A back injury has given me a little time to stay home and literally smell the roses...or rather, de-head the coleuses. This time of year they are so stunning...the colors start to pop and the edges fray.The mixture of yellows and green, purples and scarlets made me run...limp to the house and get my journal...which brings me to the subject of my cockatiel, KC.

KC is a bird that, sleeps with two night lights because he has night mares. If I bring a new bird toy into the house, he has this whole sytem of approvel he has to go through before he will allow it go anywhere near him or his cage. But when I paint all bets are off. He goes though an amazing array of contortions to see what I'm painting and begs to chew the stick end of the paint brush by elongating himself toward me and making bedroom eyes. Now, if I could just get him to paint, I'd make a mint...sadly, he's afraid of the camera.

Fall Journal Bag: Hunting and Gathering

2010-08-26T19:08:00.000-07:00

Original Screen Print Design by KAS, Canada

When I start to notice all the great new fabric in the stores in early fall, all lined up like jewels, I get the itch to make something fabulous. As you can see I like big, bold, rich, pattern and color...I won't sew it if I don't LOVE it.

Patterns by Amy Butler: My Summer journal bag
was made from her old Rural Messenger Bag Pattern,
and the Fall Journal Bag will be made from her new High
Street Messenger Bag Pattern.

I need a new fall journal bag. It has long been my goal to have one for all the seasons, so as not to wear one out specifically, but I don't usually have the time. I need it to be strong enough to hold my journal, a few pens and...after much thought and experience, an umbrella. I chose Amy Butler's new High Street Messenger Bag pattern because I've used her patterns before and like the ease of which you can change whatever you need to, to get the bag you want.

Summer Journal Bag

So, off I went today to pick out the perfect fabric for the exterior (pictured above), the interior, and the lining. Once I found the gorgeous KAS fabric I was giddy...the rest was easy. The only thing I may need to do that isn't really advised with the cotton duck lining is wash it because it is a little heavy...do I have a needle strong enough to get through all of this?

Plain cotton duck for facing, brown cotton duck for lining,
KAS fabric for exterior

Stay tuned!

Article: Central Minnesota Women, Aug/Sept

2010-08-04T17:05:00.000-07:00

My latest article for Central Minnesota Women follows the rise of four prominent women in media (newspapers and radio) in Central Minnesota.
If you have a local newspaper, one with actual stories highlighting the lives of your friends and neighbors, thank your lucky stars, it is hard work, likewise with any radio stations left in the country since the big buy- out days.
It was a pleasure talking to these hard working women of media.
The story begins on page 15. (click on the magazine cover)

Tea and Ink - two lovely three-letter words

2010-07-31T15:41:00.000-07:00

You know, tea that comes in a real cup
...with a saucer no less

I have been lucky enough to be involved with the Minnesota Center for book arts (MCBA) Journal collective, facilitated by Roz Stendahl, at OPEN BOOK in downtown Minneapolis, for the past 3 years or so.

We have attracted some special and talented group members who bring their own twist to what it means to “journal”.

We’ve been in involved in: journal exchanges, watched films, been involved in sketch crawls, had botanical drawing instruction, attended speaking engagements by area illustrators and enjoyed the company of all sorts of Journal/writer/draw-y/book-y types.
Our last meeting was held at the Minnesota Textile Center. Karen Wallach, a textile artist, suggested we try taking a drawing from our journals and make them into silk screens, then printing them on paper, T-shirts, and bags.

The original featured the lighthouse at
Grand Marias swimming in green tea

The drawing (or painted photo transfer) that I selected was much too grayscale, so Karen talked me into taping the original drawing on the window and with a blank piece of typing paper over the original, draw a plain, thick lined drawing in sharpie pen. The result, though more simplistic than I had imagined, lends itself well to the creation of the silkscreen. You can read more about the process and see the other designs at the Roz’s site here.
(there are several post's about the silkscreen project we did that evening so scroll around)

While you’re there check out the great classes she has to offer in the fall.

Full Moon Journal Prompt #1

2010-07-26T17:40:00.000-07:00

As promised:

Full Moon Journal Prompt

All this gravitational pull can make a body crazy. So to counteract all the interior screaming, restlessness, lack of balance (or is that just me?), get out your journals.

You can make this a ritual if you like, sit outside as the sun goes down, candles lit...or set your alarm to midnight. If you are lucky enough to have a lunar calendar, try rising with the exact hour of the fullest point of the moon...get your pens and prepared journal pages out (already painted if you prefer...or not), and write.

Who is your symbolic self?

In your minds eye, try to conjure a spiritual self that floats in vibrant robes down marble halls? What are you wearing? What colors do you see? What do you smell? What does this mean to you personally?

If you can't see you're entire self, picture your hands, your feet...what do they look like?
Answer these questions in your journal and later...Try this: If you have something beautiful to wear, you and friend take turns taking photos of yourselves. Try doing a transfer, or simple print the page to write on later. Try doing a scan of your hand wrapped in silk and wearing as many rings and bracelets as you can find around the house, or symbolize nature with giant wooden beads or rings made of leaves, or nothing but your hand or favorite tattoo, angel wings, a cross...anything that feels like the spiritual self you just thought of. Print the scan and add that to your journal, make it big...filling the page.

I Mooed

2010-07-22T18:21:00.000-07:00

When I called home from work on Monday and discovered that my Moo mini-cards had arrived in the mail I could hardly stand that I wasn't going to be home until later that evening.

The tiny alternative business cards, that are entirely recycled, as is the box they arrive in, are easy to design both front and back of the card with your own art, photographs, drawings, or words...making it a perfect medium for creative artsy types. The company started in London but they now have a US base...nice. This new box is great, providing tiny dividers for your Moo friends.

If you Moo, I trade.

Why Journal?

2010-07-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

Crayon drawing with watercolor background

Journaling in quiet corners in coffee shops and even at early morning kitchen tables of relatives I didn't know were up yet, sometimes make me look suspect. I am often looked at above the rims of their glasses as if it were a certainty that I was up to something, or worse, recording my surroundings and writing something about YOU. Often I'm approached, even by strangers, and asked "why do you write?", "what do you write about?", and even when I tell them, "Well it isn't just one thing, sometimes it's a daily journal, or I've started a article that I'm working on...or both...I started writing about my day and then the article kicks in as if my magic..." they stare at me and talk amongst themselves and finally and more pointedly ask..."well do you write about what is happening now, am I in it?", "what makes you do it?" It is sort of odd to me that anything so simple as keeping a journal seems to make others uncomfortable, feel bad about me, or more importantly, about themselves.
Keeping a journal is not new. People have kept journals forever: soldiers at war, prisoners, the first pioneers making their way west, Poets and Writers; Priests, Rabi's, and Pastors; gardeners, travelers, and students...all manor of humans in all walks of life have kept journals throughout history. What is new is the world around us. We have TV, and phones that will send a photo to a friend miles away. We live in an immediate culture, nothing is thought of for more than a moment before it is gone. Not much is committed to the page and letters are things of the past (I still write them occasionally but not as often as I used to) given way to things like facebook, twitter and e-mail. These things aren't bad...in fact I think they create and keep connections between people, whether or not those connections are surface is something only time will tell.
Writing still needs to be written, felt through the fingers. The ink has to flow through your veins and onto the page, etching the soul on the page. Keeping a journal can be an art onto itself meant only for you or you can use it to flesh out ideas, aspirations...or your to do list. I often start the year with a list of things I want to accomplish in that year. Sometimes they happen and sometimes they don't, but only I really know that, thank goodness.
Starting a journal is easy. There are numerous journals at office supply or art stores that might appeal to you. I have in the past bought plain journals with good, 80 lb or greater, paper, and covered them with collage, or just used a plain spiral notebook. Then when I was ready to explore all the possibilities of journaling, as well as art journals, I started to make my own journals. There is something so complete and satisfying about a journal you make yourself. It is like holding a little bit of your creative history...this is who you were at this point in time.
The easiest way to start journaling is by creating lists. After you have done this every morning for about a month or two, you'll find it becomes a habit that you enjoy, a few moments with the reflective self.
Make a list in your journal: what do you want to accomplish, this summer, this fall, this coming winter. Don't overwhelm yourself, list doable things that can be broken down into pieces. If you want to write articles for magazines, start by listing two magazines you'd like to approach, list things you'd need to do, like getting clips together or getting your portfolio together. You can do this with any goal you wish to achieve, making your way toward it, reflecting on all your experiences along the way.
List all things that will inch you toward your goal...if the muse takes over and your start writing about something complete differently, so be it. If anyone asks why, tell them you're keeping a dying art alive.

The Blessing and the Bigness

2010-07-05T20:22:00.000-07:00

After a few weekends of travel and "enjoying" the fourth by cleaning, running errands and otherwise playing catch-up around the house...I'm back on the page. I've been writing a lot lately about feeling grateful, even for the smallest thing. I've been grateful of late for having family and friends, people to visit, people to dance with at weddings, people in my life that I have known for a while and who know me pretty well. It's a blessing that I don't deserve in a larger sense, but yet I have this. When I was cursing the drudgery of going through closets and giving some things to Goodwill that I can no longer use or wear, I was overwhelmed by the feeling of how lucky I am to be able to do this. I am rich by no means...no place near it...but I'm blessed.
What makes you feel blessed?
I've been reading a book of short stories by Lori Ostlund that I am really enjoying called, The Bigness of the World. Published by The University of Georgia Press, it is the Flannery O'Connor Award winner for short fiction. The stories circle the globe and the characters are varied and rich. Worth the read.

Hitting Send

2010-06-18T18:24:00.000-07:00

There is something so satisfying about pressing that send button that rides the very top of my e-mails, when I've finished a story. It means that I made the contacts, I found the phone numbers and e-mails, I drove out of town, made long distance calls, interviewed someone or several people, downloaded the digital recording into my computer, transcribed the interview (s), and built a living, breathing story about people.

I enjoy my work, but there is nothing like being done, mostly because it means I have a little time to enjoy friends, other creative pursuits or even some of my own writing projects.

The photo at the top is a project that a a couple girlfriends and I did that involved wooden pieces, upholstery nails, a few beads and color copies of photographs (some of journal pages)...I was in the midst of my most recent story so I had brought only the wood and color copies (I have drawers full of them), so I have to thank Sue and Kim for being buds and giving me nails and pretty things to glue here and there.

Get your Journal:

Write about what makes you feel an all over sense of accomplishment? Is it something that is moving forward in your goals, or just for fun? How do you celebrate this? Do you have a photo that represents this accomplishment?Paste it in your journal. Write everything you possibly can about this photo...fill the page.

A Little Color and Cake

2010-06-05T22:18:00.000-07:00

This was the big birthday gathering weekend I'd been looking forward to and it turned out to be very fun! My friends, the two Sue's, and I headed out in Sue's spanking new Prius, to downtown St. Paul. First stop, The Bead Monkey, the most wonderfully organized bead shop on planet earth, stocked top to bottom with stunning natural and glass beads in colors to make you swoon.

I was having a very hard time not buying more than I needed...I mean, I practically have my own bead store at home!

OK, now on to Cake!

Cafe Latte on Grand Avenue has cake that will stop your heart...and we couldn't believe how big the slices were. (note big grins on the two Sue's faces...yum)

One of my favorite places on earth for beautiful journals and paper of every stripe is Wet Paint, also on Grand Avenue, so we stopped there as well.

I'm a journal feeler...I admit it, there must be a group for this somewhere. So needless to say I had a great time. I had no idea that the Handbook Journal Company now makes a watercolor journal...and a landscape one at that.

The next day I picked up a stained glass window that I have had resting up against a wall in my room because it was to heavy to hand in front of one of my windows. I had taken it to a place to be refurbished (they took all the water logged and rotting wood off the frame and estimated it to be over 100 years old) and they did a great job.

I'll have more photos of it in its final place in a future post.

The total Color and Cake therapy weekend...I like!

Welcome to my new Blog!

2010-05-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

Don't you hate moving ? I do, and jumping ship from typepad to blogger was a traumatic but nessessary moving experience.

Stay tuned!
In the mean time... please follow me.