Stepping Out Challenge - Day 31 - Gratitude's and Celebrations Pt 2

Welcome to today's post, I am taking part in a 31 day blog challenge where I post everyday in October.  I love creating challenges for myself and joining ones by others.  My challenge for the rest of the month is to reflect on some of the series I created for myself and inspiration that I have taken away.

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Thank you for joining me for another Gratitude's and Celebration Journal, today is day 31 and the end of the challenge.  I am very proud of myself for keeping it going and sticking to the schedule.  I did have a couple of days where getting myself to complete the post on the blog and then do one for the podcast, but I made it work, and I stuck with it for me, and for those beautiful people who visited the blog and listened to the podcast.

For the Gratitude’s and Celebrations journal I shared with you yesterday  I made the journal, and had a fabric cover which I decorated and was a piece of art in itself.  I showed up on that challenge every week to look at those things that I am grateful for, and celebrate the life that I have been given.  One of my last posts was about growth and the things that we learn through our growth which at times can be painful as well as exciting, scary and thrilling!  

Spending time in the journal each week was a good discipline, I made time for creativity, and learnt to have more patience in the work I wanted to do.   

Making it work for you

I created 86 weeks worth of insights, celebrations and paintings and made some lovely connections with those who visited the blog posts each week.  We are connected and our actions have an impact on someone somewhere around the world so we have to be mindful about what we say and do and treat each other with a bit more kindness.

I still continue to have an attitude of gratitude and celebrate the growth and the insights that I learn each and every day.

Adding and stitching and embellishments

I am still on a creative journey in my journal and like many work in a variety of journal depending on how I feel and what I want to work with, and as I said before each journal is still a lovely work in progress

That said I have also had an amazing journey completing the challenge for the past 31 days I learn to use some new technology, new skills, the value of showing up for me, and for those who find value in my work.  On the blog I will be sharing more art journal work, process videos, art book reviews and some of the art work that I have been getting up to so it will be great if you join me.

Podcast

I am very proud of completing all 31 additional posts for the Realityarts Podcast along with the weekly 2 posts I have been doing.  I hope that it has brought some enrichment to your lives.  I thank all the listeners for joining me over this past month, as I shared my work. 

I would love you to come over to the podcast and hear some podcasts that I have been creating and maybe think about joining me on my Patreon site where you will get some exclusive content and you will be helping to keep much of the content that I create free.

For November I will be continuing to post  on the podcast twice a week and have a bit of a breather, but will be working on midweek show where I will be looking at Arts and Health specifically, so you will be getting 3 episodes each week

If you missed some of the Blog posts you can find them below, click on the day to go to the post:

Day 1 & 2 - Challenge Starts

Day 3 - Art Studio Essentials 1
Day 4 - Art Studio Essentials 2

Day 5 - Tropical Garden 1
Day 6 - Tropical Garden 2

Day 7 - 31 Art Journals 1
Day 8 - 31 Art Journals 2

Day 9 - A - Z of Dementia 1
Day 10 - A - Z of Dementia 2

Day 11 - Tips for Carers 1
Day 12 - Tips for Carers 2

Day 13 - Healthier Lifestyle 1
Day 14 - Healthier Lifestyle 2

Day 15 - 365 Days of Colour 1
Day 16 - 365 Days of Colour 2

Day 17 - Writing Challenge 1
Day 18 - Writing Challenge 2

Day 19 - Clearing the Clutter 1
Day 20 - Clearing the Clutter 2

Day 21 - 52 Weeks of Colour & Inspiration
Day 22 - - 52 Weeks of Colour & Inspiration 2

Day 23 - Creating in Faith 1
Day 24 - Creating in Faith 2

Day 25 - Gratitude's 1
Day 26 - Gratitude's 2

Day 27 - I love you today because 1

Day 28 - Memories of Home 1
Day 29 - Memories of Home 2

Day 30 - Gratitude's and Celebrations 1
Day 31 - Gratitude's and Celebrations 2

Thank you once again for joining me and taking the time to read the blog and listen to the podcast, it has been much appreciated.  it is never too late to start working towards your dreams, the main thing is to take one step at a time and do something that you find interesting.

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Stepping Out Challenge - Day 30 - Gratitude's and Celebrations Journal

Welcome to today's post, I have been taking part in a 31 day blog challenge posting everyday in October.  I have been talking about different challenges that I created, reflecting and gaining new insights.  

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I created an Arts Gratitude and Celebration’s Journal after a year of writing on a weekly basis for the 52Weeks of Colour and Inspiration in which I would write about things I was grateful for, so I have been working in it for quite a while now.

I wanted to have a way to visually look over my work, as well as read about the things I wrote and look at how I felt about them whenever I reflected back on them.  I use creativity as a form of expression, not to just paint a picture but use it as a means to express in ways that words may not.

It is easier to look back at the months and see those things that I was grateful expressed in image form creatively, we don't have to have a reason to create and it is important to think about how you can get time to express when you can rather than look for a long stretch of time that you never seem to find.

I never put a time limit on how long I would work in the journal I kept some of the pages small so that I could finish a page if I had 15 minutes or bigger pages if I had longer.  I created a weekly page which generally also had a word that summed up either what I was grateful for or was celebrating, and once the page was complete I wrote about the things I celebrated and was grateful for on the same page.  Keeping it as simple as possible makes it easier for you to show up and do what you need to do, and it is a great reminder over the preciousness of life and the choices that you have

Gratitude and Celebrations Journal - Amanda Trought

It was great making the journal, I used an assortment of cards that I had in my supplies which I had intended on making greetings cards with, but had been neglected.  Who would have guessed that they would come in handy for a creative project?  That is the essence of ‘Clearing the Clutter challenge’ so many creative things can come in handy if you give them a chance.

Gratitude and Celebrations Journal - Amanda Trought

I made several signatures of the cards and kept the sizes random, and they were varying thicknesses which then were able to take paint or could be collaged over.  I then covered the journal with fabric and used cowrie shells, beads and seed beads and attached them to the different types of material used for the journal. It is lovely and chunky and I still add embellishments even now, as it is about constant use, enjoyment and play.

Gratitude and Celebrations Journal - Amanda Trought

Creating a working art journal can be done very easily and it is a fulfilling activity on many levels.  Then I began, I didn’t think about how long it would take I just enjoyed the journey. 

Tomorrow is the last day of the bonus challenge.  I will share the second part from my Gratitude's and Celebrations Journal and share reflections.  I hope you have managed to find some time to challenge, be creative and stretch yourself.

Why not join me on the blog, sign up for the mailing list and receive a free guide to spending more time being creative.  

Join the Mailing List and receive this Guide!

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, just remember to start, take one step at a time and do something that you find interesting.

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Ps:  If you are on a budget and would like to check out some supplies/books at a discounted price, check out one of the links below:

Adorn it - http://bit.ly/AdorAT18

Dollar Tree - http://bit.ly/DolAT18

Blick - http://bit.ly/Blick18

Book Outlet - http://bit.ly/BOOKAT18

Stampington - http://bit.ly/STAAT18

C&T Publishing -  http://bit.ly/CNTPAT18

Dover - http://bit.ly/DOVPAT18

Craftsy Kits - http://bit.ly/CrafAT18

Amazon Store -  https://www.amazon.com/shop/realityarts

Moments to Ponder - Feeling Grateful

What are you grateful for?

It has been a while I know and I miss posting for those of you who have been visiting my blog.  I think we have all been there where so many things come at us at the same time that you feel that something has to give.  You make choices, and changes and often the very things that you put a pause on you miss the most.

I have really missed blogging and intend to change things up and start my regular schedule again, and will be sharing in another post some of the things that you can expect each week.

For this weeks Moments to ponder which should have been posted on Monday the question is What are you grateful for?

In the past I have done a Gratitude's and Celebration Journal in which each week I posted a journal page and something that I felt grateful for, along with a word for that week.  It was a great way to remind yourself of what you have at your disposal, but what you can do to be a blessing for others.

I am grateful that I have a platform, many that I can share my writing, art and more and be a blessing to someone who may see my work.  I am also grateful to be able to work in beautiful surroundings and feel the sunshine and sea breeze.

Take some time each day to think about what you are grateful for whether you do it first thing in the morning or last thing at night, take 10 minutes out of your day and write something down, do a journal page, record your own video and post it so that others can share their heart as well. 

Let me know how you get on, if you start an art journal or depict your gratitude's in a creative way that is great!  

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Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Gratitude's and Celebrations Journal - Week 86 - Grow...

Gratitude and Celebration Journal - Amanda Trought

Thank you for joining me for another Gratitude's and Celebration Journal, where I have been making my weekly journey within my journal to create, but to also look at those things that I am grateful for and also take time to celebrate the life that I have been given.  This week is about growing, there are many things that we learn through our growth...

Having spent my time in the journal each week has been a great way for me to discipline myself.  I can often be impatient at my progress and want to 'do it all now'!  The years and experience has taught me that patience and making sure that you do a good job (the best of your ability) are things that you cannot rush.

Mixed Media Art - Journal - Amanda Trought

How many times have you tried to rush something only to end up having to do it over?  My journal is a way for me to learn patience, there is no time frame where all the images have to be painted and each day I have to spend some time developing the image that you then see at the end of the week.  Some weeks other things have got in the way and so you don't see a post.  But I am extremely proud of myself for taking it this far......86 weeks worth of insights, celebrations and paintings.

Mixed Media Art Journal - Amanda Trought

I was reminded these past few weeks about connections and friendships that we can make, and how some people just go above and beyond what they have to do in order to be a blessing.  We have found our new neighbors Sarah and Haddy to be such people, not forgetting Jacob - who gives out such a delightful giggle when I threaten to tickle his belly!

Mixed Media Art - Journal - Amanda Trought

Our lives have a purpose and meaning and we are all interconnected.  What I do today will have an affect on someone else around the world, and therefore we have to treat each other with a bit more kindness (you will reap what you sew) so why not start today.

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Amanda Trought

I celebrate and I am grateful for growth, lovely neighbours and the new lessons that life will show me as time goes on.

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Week 85 - Hope

Hope is something that I can never tire of writing about as it makes it way through our existence.  We hope and wish for better things to come, we look at our day to day and are grateful for that which we receive, it gives us a new dimension to hope.

I can think of many times through my life where I have hoped for a different outcome, wanting so badly for things to go my way, and not understanding the eventual outcome.  My hope that my mum would make a miraculous recovery and the dementia to disappear, or that my brother would be healed from Cancer and live to see old age with his big sisters, while chasing around after his grandchildren, but I have had to reassess the hope that I had with the present I now see.

Hope caused me to look at things in a different light and perspective.  With a slightly different eye and as painful as it sometimes was, situations didn't always play out as you intended them to.  When I looked from an objective perspective it enabled me to see where there was room for change that would allow me flexibility and growth.

I have learnt so much through illness and death of those people around me that I love and thought would be here forever, and I now see the world with new eyes, still hopeful, not taking it for granted, but expectant.  As you reflect on aspects of your life what key things are you learning?

I am grateful for life's lessons, for the hope that we have within us that can change the course of our lives.  I celebrate the life that we need to make more of and those wishes I made as a child and the ones that have come to pass.

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Gratitudes and Celebration Journal - Week 84 - Change

Gratitude's and Celebrations

Changes have been in process, and it is a funny thing, when you try and imagine how circumstances will turn out they never quite fit with how you imagine they would.  The one thing that I have learn over the years is the need to stay flexible and not be too ridged.

Changes come in different packages

I have had a busy week and I will be sharing about the events of the Barbados Alzheimer's Association tomorrow with more images, and look at what I have been doing with them a bit closer.

I was able to share about my experience with dementia and creative activities to a range of different people at the Barbados Alzheimer's Association Seminar called 'Remember Me', and got to give them a glimpse of what can be done using creativity and reminiscence.

Talking about Art and Creativity for Dementia at BAA

I have had to see my self in a different light, one where I can offer support in a new way and be a blessing to others.  I don't have my mother to look after, and every thing that I learnt caring for her I can share - both the ups and the downs and the many bits in-between!

 

BAA Open day - 'Remember Me'

We all have much to share about the changes in our lives and we have to step into those changes boldly, looking for the opportunities to make a difference in someones life.

I am grateful and celebrate the changes that come and the things that we can learn from each one, how ever big or small! 

I feel that each experience actually prepares us for new adventures and we have to make sure we have all the tools that we need to move forward, gathering them along life's journey and helping us to see things from a different perspective.

I am grateful to still be able to share my creativity and my art and know that someone somewhere is being blessed,  just as you too can use different means to share your story, I encourage you today to reach out and share your story in a different way - shining your light for all to see!

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something creative!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Gratitude's and Celebration - Week 83 - Transitions

It has been a weird week as we get ourselves settled here in Barbados and find a routine as individuals and as a family. Without family or close friends here I have found myself experiencing a feeling of displacement.  

My week largely focused around looking after my mother who has dementia and then everything else came after, now being so far away I try to create routines in an environment that had previously only been a holiday destination and it feels weird.  

I retreat to my studio, but even that felt unfamiliar, a larger space that holds so much promise, but I didn't know where to start.  But you need to start somewhere, and so I regroup.

At the moment I am reliant on others to do their part as I try and sort out my official papers for my time here and I guess that is the biggest thing that is contributing to to my feeling of displacement - I am not use to having to rely on others and on top of that I miss my family.

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

I think about what I am grateful for and what I celebrate and I am truly grateful for the experience to be in a warmer climate and appreciate our environment.  I am also grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the experience  and hopefully be a blessing to many far and wide as I share my creativity.

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal