Gratitudes and Celebrations - Face your fear

Face your fear, name it, and then move on...

What is your biggest fear that stands in the way of your creativity, that you know you should be doing, but for some reason you always talk yourself out of, saying that next time you will get round to it, but you never do and time is ticking?

We all have something that we put aside for one reason or another, and before we know it a few years have passed and we don't know were the time has gone, but gone it has.

Our fears are 'False Expectations Appearing Real' and are usually without substance, and if you actually examined where the source of the fear stemmed from you would be surprised.  I was thinking today about those experiences that we had in our childhood and which now have an impact in our adult lives.  Many things that went unresolved, unsaid, and every so often come back to haunt the adult you.  Stepping back and giving the child in you the care that it needed at the time of the event will impact greatly on how you feel, and the things you do tomorrow.

Those unsaid things and incidents form clutter in our minds, hearts and spirit and weigh down on our today, making us feel less than, unable to move forward.  So today, make one action of self care, it doesn't matter what it is, but that you have taken the time out to notice.  Show some love to yourself and start clearing the mind clutter that needs to be shown the door.

I am grateful today and celebrate facing those things that I was previously fearful of, looking forward to getting rid of those thoughts that bear no fruit in my life.

Gratitude's and celebration Journal - Facing your fears

What will your next move be?

Gratitudes's and Celebrations - Week 36 - Shine

Gratitude and Celebration

Your spirit shines

When you enter a room something happens, the particles of energy that collide with your energy begin to vibrate and a spark is lit.......

We have all been created to interact with each other, to collaborate, support and encourage.  That spark within that lights up a room, shifts the energy and inspires, we all have it whether you have realised it or not, you matter.  

Have you experienced the times when you have impacted positively on a situation or circumstance.  Imagine what a blessing you could be if you used your talents, gifts and abilities and shone that light in the lives of others.

I celebrate and I am grateful for the Holy Spirit which lives within me, a gift from God.  How will you let your Spirit shine?

Gratitude's and Celebrations - Week 30 - This is a great day! .......and Memories of Home

I missed the Memories of Home post on Wednesday and decided to do it anyway for this week especially because it is about being in tranquil environments or creating one in your space.  Mum has been in her flat now for nearly 40 years, all the neighbours kids that used to live there are all grown up, including myself having now been replaced with a new generation that play football in defiance of the 'no ball games sign'.  I am not sure what they were thinking when they put it up being the only space to play out in, there was never anyone to to enforce it when we were young and me and my brother would race round on our scooters, or play ball with the other kids.

Memories of Home - Tranquillity

Having experienced my first home at different points of my life growing up and now as mums carer I find that there is an unusual peace in her home which I am not sure I can solely attribute to the flat or what I have done myself, but a combination of making the environment suit the purposes and meet whatever the current needs are at the time.

I remember looking around at some things as a child and feeling how tall everything seemed, competing with my brother to check who was actually getting taller by measuring ourselves on the door frame.  He became much taller than me in the end with his 6f 2in frame, covered over are the lines on the frame.  This is my weekend with my mum and I am looking forward to spending time with her, while she is not as mobile and her understanding has diminished some what, she can still enjoy being creative and I am going to work on a mini memory box with her.

I had one of these boxes that contained a storage bag and thought I could recycle it has some potential and could be turned into a memory/assemblage box that could either be hung up or free standing, and would be a great way to capture something!.  I will let you know how it turns out in the recycled projects next week.

Gratitude's and Celebration

I am grateful and celebrate the 90 years my mum as lived, that she is able to see her grand-kids and continues to hold on to her precious life, not giving up but taking each day as it comes.  We are blessed more than we can know and I continue to look at the small things that come my way as a reminder.

Gratitude's Journal in progress

Completed page

This is a great day! 

What have you done so far with the day that you have, what can you do differently to make it even more special? I would love to hear from you and share what you will be doing. As this week draws to a close have a blessed weekend! If you want to see how I made the journal (click here) Blessings!

Gratitude's and Celebrations Week 18 - Happiness

Gratitude's and Celebration - Happiness

You deserve happiness

Do you go around thinking that you don't deserve to be happy, that the silver lining in the cloud wasn't meant for you?  We can often allow those throw-away comments that sometimes fall out of the mouths of others affect our journey.

Are you listening to the naysayers.....

Get out your tool kit and bat away all those comments that won't contribute to your growth and disturbs your peace, you might even need to work on some of the thoughts that you hold about yourself that you haven't addressed.  Give yourself a make over, it's time to get some of that happiness that has been storing up for you!

Today I celebrate the many blessings that will come out of the tough times I have been through and those yet to come. I strive for peace, and I am grateful for the nuggets of insight that will help push me towards the things I know I deserve.

Peace - Gratitude's and Celebration Journal

As this week draws to a close can you think of where you need to find some peace. Do leave a comment and have a blessed weekend!

If you want to see how I made the journal (click here)

Gratitudes and Celebration Journal - Week 17 - Hope

Gratitude's and Celebration - Hope

Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen..Hebrews 11:1  This page serves as a reminder for me and comes at a time where I have not been feeling physically on point and that also can effect how you see things.

It has been another one of those tough weeks and my thoughts are on my brother Robert.  I was sharing in my memories from home post and the image of me in my room is the room that we shared when we were little until my sister moved out to go to university, and then we both had our own room.

I thought about the things he hoped for and hadn't got to realise, seeing his children grow up and have children of their own.  I thought of my own pursuits and those things I hoped for say 10 years ago, and whether they had been achieved, changed or left by the wayside.  When you take a look back in your own memories can you see the achievements that you have made?

I am grateful today that I still have hope, in all that we have, all that we are, and in the very midst of it.  I can celebrate today, this very hour, the minute that has passed and I can see more than I could yesterday.

As this week draws to a close can you think of what you have hoped for. Do leave a comment and have a blessed weekend!

If you want to see how I made the journal (click here)

Gratitude's and Celebrations - Week 16 - Choices

Gratitude's and Celebrations - Choices

Keeping in line with last weeks page on, understanding that we are able to choose how to respond to certain situations.

I have to continue to remind myself that my art journals are also places that I can spend time in to play, or celebrate as well as to work through anything that might be troubling me, I don't always have to have a 'set in stone idea' of what I am going to do.  My page today reminds me that it is quite easy to lock our creativity away in a cage and just look at it, feeling scared to make a decision... 

But we can work through our doubts and insecurities, which we may feel at the back of our minds, and keep going, using our wisdom and choosing to soar!  I am grateful that I have the ability to choose to follow the dreams of my heart!

As this week draws to a close can you think of some of the difficult choices you had to make this week and they turned out.  Do leave a comment and have a blessed weekend!

If you want to see how I made the journal (click here)

Gratitude's and Celebration - Life is what you make it - Week 15

Gratitude and Celebration Journal - Week 15 - Life is what you make it!

We don't know what will happen each day and do not have any control over certain situations, but one thing we do have control over is how we react and respond.

We can choose today to see our situation in a totally new light, we can focus on all the possibilities that can come our way, the new learning and the ability to be able to go through the process.

I am grateful for the grace to deal with the situations that come my way, to be discerning of those things that I can change and the steps I can make.  For those things that are out of my control - I am grateful for the patience that has been birthed within me.

I celebrate today the space to be able to share my thoughts and encourage others on their journey.

As this week draws to a close can you think of the areas that are out of your control that you need to reassess and start to focus on the things that you can do? Do leave a comment and let me know what you plan. Have a blessed weekend!

If you want to see how I made the journal (click here)

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Week 14

 

Gratitude and Celebration Journal - Week 14 - Let Peace Reign

Let the Peace Reign

I have been thinking about making changes to my routines, to foster some better habits and to see the fruit that can come from my endeavours   I am tired of fighting against what my body thinks it needs (chocolates, lounging and inactivity and with that comes the aches and the pains, the illnesses and the depression), and I want to have peace within my body.  

I will be making room to do more of the things that will cause my body and state of mine to be more in balance.   This means that I need to spend more time preparing food that will edify, eat more fruits and vegetables.  I will go out and walk for a minimum of 20 minutes despite what the weather is saying - it was raining and bitterly cold this morning but I did feel better for it.  I usually spend first thing in the morning reading my bible and writing in my journal - this I will continue, as I make room for the other things by getting up half an hour earlier.  With balance will come peace.  I am grateful for the peace that holds my heart and celebrate this period of reflection and rest.

As this week draws to a close can you think of the areas where you need to take a step back? Take some time out, and give yourself permission to take stock and see what parts of your life that you need to let peace reign. Do let me know what you plan to do.    Have a blessed weekend! 

In the news.....Craftseller Magazine Surprize and more!

Paper Love
I love paper,  always have, not only the textures but the different colours and weights.  Over the years I have built up quite a collection and love finding different uses for the paper in my work. I also like buying art and craft magazines, they are filled with inspiration and ideas, and most come with additional free items for you to use in your work whether samples of paper, stamps or both.

Craftseller Magazine - issue 28

I recently found a uk magazine called Craftseller which encourages creatives to make and sell their products.  Within the magazine they always include a selection of paper with some amazing designs, so I decided to see what I could do with the selection that I had and how they would work with some mini journals and tags I was making.  I made a selection of mini chunky journals and cards, they are part of my Capturing Moments Journals series, which I will share with you on Saturday. 

Chunky Journals - Capturing Moments

Craftseller Readers submission - 

I then took the step to submit my work to Craftseller, it wasn't a formal submission, just a readers letter and example of what I had done.  They then wrote back informing me that they would be including my images in the magazine.

Chunky Mini Journals with Tags

Capturing Moments Chunky Journal details

Star Letter Surprise

They sent me a copy of the magazine in the post, my journals were put in issue 28 above.  I saw that as well as putting my chunky journals in their magazine they also awarded me the star letter and I received a £45 voucher to buy products of my choice from Stickytiger supplies!  I was over the moon and I brought a selection of stamps and stencils, it was a lovely surprise and boost as I go down the road of submitting some more of my craft based work.

Katherines Corner
Today is also Thursdays Favourite Things on Katherines Corner Take a stroll over there and visit some of the inspiring blogs listed in the links, you can leave a link to your post and show some support to others who have listed theirs.  


Round up
Other news today, I am stocking up on lots of vitamin and mineral rich food, the flu seems to be going round and a lot of people around me have become victims, my mother has been sniffing and sneezing a lot, and with the elderly you have to make sure they keep as fit as ever, so the old time remedies of ginger, honey and lemon come to the rescue and wrapping up warm.

I am very happy to share that Alan Springer - My husband, has republished his book E-Kidz - Mission to Cyberspace with Hansib publishers.  The book is about e-safety and encourages chilodren through fiction and information to be more aware of the dangers of the Internet.  I will no doubt be getting him to share his work over the next few months. Take a look at his Ekidz website

Tomorrow I will be sharing the latest Gratitude's and Celebration Journal page, take some time to think about what you have been grateful for and remember to celebrate something about your life. Hope you've had a blessed day, check out some of the links, leave a comment and do let me know what you've been up to!

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Week 13 - Recharge

 

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Week 13

It is time to recharge your batteries - let the renewal begin

 

Recharge and Renew

There are times where we find that the things that we used to be able to do quite easily ever so slowly become harder, and I am not including the ageing process which we all naturally face, but the times where we have been running our bodies down and the stresses that can come with that alongside poor nutrition impact on our life until we eventually hit empty.  We then find ourselves wondering why we feel so tired and in pain, and if your not careful your body turns around and forces you to stop. 

Every now and then we need to sit back and allow our bodies to get the rest and nourishment it needs along with the exercise and care.  Don't wait until January when you make your New Years resolution to promise yourself to take time out and get fit, do something about it today, this week!  You also need to seek out activities that allow the mind to rest from the constant information overload. 

I am grateful that I can have access to information and resources that show me how to care for my body and give it the rest it needs to face another day.  Working in a journal and being creative allows my mind to process ideas and information and acts as a pressure guage.  I also celebrate that despite being October, here in London we are having wet but mild weather and there are some pretty changes that can be observed happening to the landscape this time of the year. 

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - week 13 - It is time - are you ready?

As this week draws to a close can you think of the areas where you need to allow your body to rest? Take some time out, and give yourself permission to take stock and see what parts of your life that you need to recharge and renew. Do let me know what you plan to do.    Have a blessed weekend!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal - Week 12 - Brave

Gratitude and Celebration Journal - Week 12 

You are Braver than you think you are

Brave

Would you ever consider yourself to be brave? when you look back at your life and experiences have there been clear examples that you can think of?  There are people all round the world who do brave things that go unnoticed, whether it is speaking up against injustices and standing up for your beliefs to making a difference in your community and being a helping hand.  This page is a reminder to me how far I have actually come.  There are so many things that we dream of doing, and each and every day can be a challenge.  We have to be clear about where we would like to go then pick ourselves up and take another step.  Boldness in my work and confidence to share has been something that I have been working on, especially when it comes to the journal work.  It is in our braveness that we pave the way for someone else to shine their light. I celebrate and am grateful for the many opportunities to come.

Gratitudes and Celebration Journal - You are Brave!

As this week draws to a close can you think of examples where you have had to be brave?  Remeber if you made it through that day then you can make it through many others.  Have a blessed weekend!

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal Week 11 - Change

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal week 11

 

I know I should have posted this on Friday but a dark cloud decided to dwell and hinder my posting, but it is better late than never.  There were a few things that had cropped up and we have to use wisdom to get through all the little pits and hills that come our way.  One thing I came out of last week feeling is the need to have change in my life and see the evidence of things moving.  I am currently reading a book by Susan Rae Baker called Defining Moments - A gathering of women's Journeys.  It is filled with the stories of women who have been through so much and yet have turned situations in their lives and tragedies round to set themselves on the path that enables them to see their lives as whole.  I've just started the book but it has put a new perspective on so many things, it also reminds me as I care for my mother that I am not alone and there are so many people who experience caring for a parent with dementia. It has been particularly hard last week and I constantly ask myself in some of the more challenging moments how mum must feel.  I also had news of another friend with suspected Myeloma that claimed my brothers life, and it brought home that we are now in a generation where we will know more and more who loose their life, and we will probably be attending more funerals than weddings. 

This is not to dwell on all that is wrong with the world, but being grateful and celebrating life.  I decided that I will slightly change these posts and they will still have the journal page with a reflection, but I will write the things that I am grateful for within the post, and look forward to seeing what you are grateful for.  

The page reads - It is time to make a change.......

We all have those things that impact on our lives and can see us go in totally different directions.   I would like to be open to make a change from those things in my life that are currently hindering progress, stepping out and stepping up. I am grateful that I can still make changes, there is no time limit, you can be who you were called to be!   I celebrate my relationship with my mother and the one I had with my brother, through the loss and the pain it really makes me appreciate what I have and those relationships with loved ones - family and friends who are still here.  I hope you have a blessed week as you to look at areas of your life that might need to change.

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal Week 10 - Miracles

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal Week 10

It has been one of those days where 'stuff' happens and it is all related to the care of my mum and waiting on others who have to make decisions that affects her care.  I will share next week as this is to just focus on the celebrations and gratitude's of the week and I know the miracles are around the corner..

The page reads ....What miracles await you

Here is the page once I have noted some of the things that I celebrate and am grateful for....
 

 
Take a moment to think about what you can be thankful for today and what potential miracles await you!  - and then go out and do an one small thing for someone else!  Blessings for the weekend! 

Gratitudes and Celebration Journal - Week 9 - There is so much to be thankful for..

Gratitudes and Celebration Journal - Week 9

The page reads ....Inspire -There is so much to be thankful for...

Take a moment to stop and just sit in all that you are blessed to see and do.  Be that someone who goes on to inspire others.  Here is the page once I have noted some of the things that I celebrate and am grateful for....

Take a moment to think about what you can be thankful for today - and then go out and do an one small thing for someone else!  Blessings for the weekend!