Strength - Creating in Faith

Creating in Faith - Strength

Physical strength is something that we all possess to varying degrees and we can build upon it through training and exercise.  Inner strength is something far different built up from the trials we have been through and calls on reserves from a place that at times can be tested to the limit, and we can find ourselves wondering if we can make it through, whatever the situation, ready to throw in the towel one minute to the next being able to see some rays of sunshine and hope.

I have had my inner strength tested to varying degrees over the past 15 years and seen the strength of others tested in different ways.  Having looked after my mother and shared her journey on my blog, there have been moments where I wasn't sure if I could cope, or if I wanted to carry on.  In April early this year she suffered from a mini stroke and then another one in July while we were away on holiday.  As she ventures on the road to some form of recovery I am thankful that she is still here.  

We have shared our joy, laughter and pain as we venture into still unknown dementia territory, as her main carer I try and find things that will make her life more comfortable and look at ways to make her environment safe.  At the moment she has trouble walking, and her vision is very poor, so we have to look at alternative accommodation and preempt things that may arise and try and make her remaining years as comfortable as possible. 

In March 2011, Barbara my fellow artist and best friend of over 30 years passed away suddenly, no warning, no sickness, nothing leaving behind a husband and 5 children.  Our worlds were turned upside down.  I admired the strength that her husband showed, whilst in his pain he was there for everyone else, always asking how you were, giving you encouragement or seeing if there was anything he could do for you.  He pulled the family together, he had to, he was tested in the fire, there were some very dark times and it seemed inconceivable that he would ever see a glimmer of light, but on 4^th October this year 2 ½ years after Barbara’s death he met someone that showed him how to laugh again and they celebrated their wedding along with family and friends.

On 2^nd June this year, my brother passed after fighting multiple myeloma for 4 years, I am still trying to be strong calling on the experiences that I have been through, it doesn't feel like he is gone sometimes, I sometimes shaking my head in disbelief that this could have happened.  I look at the strength that Frances his wife has to call on to be there for their 3 children, to carry on doing the routines that used to be shared.  I wonder how I would have coped, with every corner a reminder of the loss. 

I was at the hospital right before he went to be with the Lord, not ever imagining that it could ever happen, hoping that it was a nightmare or to be able to flick the switch and change the channel.  Robert had said to me in 1992 when my father passed away that we had to be strong for my mother and we were.  Through my tears on the 2^nd June I knew that I had to find the strength, I was not alone in my grief and as we shared our memories and experiences our pain was and will be eased.

God says that he will never leave or forsake us, and that we can do all things through Him who gives us strength and I must say that despite the past few years my strength has truly come from God.  There is nothing that we can do on our own; we know others who have suffered things that we don’t even want to contemplate.  I talk to my son talk about Robert and the times we shared as children and growing up.  I also tell him about all those who risked their lives, fought and died so that he could be free and in his soon to be 18^th years allowed to vote and to be able to enjoy a life where his views and thoughts can make a difference – the generation of tomorrow.

Whatever you are going through remember that you are not on your own.  There are others who are praying for you, reaching out to you, lifting you up, and hearing your story, hearing your voice.  You will see that you are not on the journey alone, for in our strength we will begin to breathe again one day at a time.

Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace.  And the God of love and peace will be with you... 2 Corinthians 13:11

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away... Matthew 24:35

Recycled projects - Capturing Moments Chunky Mini Journal

Welcome to a new feature that will be on my blog.  In my bid to become more organised and up my game a bit I thought I would start having a few regular features to show you what I have been getting up to in my studio and to share some of the processes.  On top of the mixed media art, paintings, working in my art journal and working on resources for carers I have been doing quite a few projects. I will be using Saturdays to share the things that I have been creating in my studio, the majority of which using recycled materials to create a piece of art. You will be surprised at the types of things we have around us that can be totally transformed.  On the Tuesday of the following week I will be showing you how the pieces were made, and do a mini tutorial called Tutorial Tuesdays. On Mondays (Material Monday's) I will be showing you things that I have made from fabric or crochet.

The first project has been these mini journals that I call Capturing Moments.  They are fairly easy to make and measure approximately 3x4 inches.  Making them and putting in all the detail has been quite therapeutic, and there is much to be said for the art processes and creating a sense of well-being.  They are great to just grab put in your bag or pocket and be able to be creative wherever you are - capturing the moment at hand!.

On Thursday I shared two of my mini journals 

that were shown in a magazine called Craftseller.  I had used some of the free paper selection that came with the magazine.  It was my first time to submit to a magazine and in the process also won a voucher which allowed me to purchase some craft supplies from stickytiger! Yay!

Capturing Moments mini journal

The Capturing Moments mini journals are just that - to be able to capture ideas, thoughts, quotes, images or whatever you like. 

Recycled materials form the basis of the journals

I have been using them for a variety of things especially when I am on the go - as a means for sketching out some ideas, looking a colour so that I can then do a larger image on my chosen surface.  

Multiple uses and fit in your pocket!

I also have one that I place photos, quotes, scriptures, and encouraging words that I want to be reminded of.  

Selection of the Capturing Moments mini journals

I made them with a set of 10 tags for use alongside for that extra special message and have added decoration along the edges using beads, paper beads and whatever else I could find in my stash.  Let me know what you think of these mini journals, have you found some interesting materials to create with, do share.

If you come back on Tuesday I will be showing you how I made the journals, and I will also be having a giveaway and you can win one of the Capturing Moments Mini Journals.  Have a blessed weekend.

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!