Try Something New for 30 Days December 2011 Challenge

December sees a new month and new challenges to be had!  I really want to make changes to every aspect of my life and starting out with small changes will eventually become bigger changes.  You can see how I got on with the November walking challenge.

The challenge I have set myself this month will be to write a minimum of 100 words a day.  The overall aim is to write a selection of childrens short stories combined with my mixed media art work in it. This is something I have always wanted to do, and thought why not for one month - again giving myself small chunks a day at a time see how I get on, I might find that I absolutely love it, or find that it was great for a month and its not something I want to continue. 

One of my favourite childrens books is by Ezra Jack Keats I still have a copy of The Snowy Day, he used a combination of gouache with collage in his work.

I was inspired back in 2010 to look at how I could combine my work into stories in a similar way.  This is how my decision to write started out....never took off and changed direction slightly:

• In 2004 I decided that I wanted to write childrens books, I never did, all I did was write a list of 45 possible titles, not sure why, but felt compelled to, I was determined to write......

• 2006 - I updated the book in January and promised myself that I would start at the end of the month.....
• 2007 saw me reviewing my goals ....and
• 2010 February after looking at why I hadn't started I realised I didn't want to write childrens books but childrens short stories and combine my love for mixed media.

So in December 2011 I have been nervous about committing myself, but you have to jump sometime!  I worked out that even doing my morning pages I write close to 1000 words if not more on occasions. So I will start, the main aim being not to complete the 45 story titles but to enjoy the process of writing and creating the art. If you don't start now when will you start, there is no time like the present!

If you would like to join in and give yourself a challenge this month leave your link below so that we can visit your blog and give you support and encouragment.  I will be leaving update posts each week to share how I have been getting on and look forward to visiting your blogs to see how you have been getting on.

Update - Week 1 and 2

Art Every Day Month (AEDM) and Try Something New Challenge Week 4 Update

Today sees the end of two challenges that I have been doing, the Art Every Day Month (AEDM) in my Mixed Media Art blog and Try Something New for 30 days here on this blog. With the AEDM the main thing was to do something creative every day and  I have thoroughly enjoyed taking part. 

Spending time with our creativity takes practice and discipline and over the course of time you see the value of spending getting to know yourself and how you work even if it is for only 5 minutes.   I still plan to visit the other artists that took part over the month there is so much inspiring work out there and a big thanks goes out to Leah Piken Kolidas for hosting AEDM as well as other challenges.

Making time for 'me' and and achieving goals were the reasons why I wanted to start the challenge Try something new, I realised there are so many things we say we are 'going to do' but the time passes and before we know it the years have passed us by.  It feels like yesterday that I committed myself to walking 20 minutes a day but it was 30 days ago, that's how fast time is flying....

...we have no guarantees about tomorrow, what are you going to do with your today?

I now know how easy it is to get myself up and out and enjoy walking, I have also found ways to be flexible and fit around my schedule and though we have come to the end of the month it is something  I will keep up, alongside creating daily.

For December I have decided to do another challenge for 30 days, something that I've always said I would do but didn't find the time.  I will be glad for others to join in.  What have you always said you wanted to do?  Make it a realistic challenge that you can stick to, break it down and set yourself up to look back at the end of December and see that the challenge is completed!

You will be able to leave your blog link details in the main section so that we can visit you and give you support and encouragement during the month.  Would love to hear your thoughts on challenges that you have done!

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 181 - 187

Officially half way through these, only 178 images, quotes, scriptures and reflections to go!  It's been very rewarding, I hope you are still being inspired.  Stay blessed as you go through your week

Day 181

Reflection

Forgiveness is the key

Quote

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike....John Muir

Scripture

...with God all things are possible..Mark 10:27

Day 182

Reflection

It will get better

Quote

This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind…. Let it be something good....Unknown

Scripture

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him..Psalm 18:30

Day 183

Reflection

All is well, all is at peace.

Quote

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.  ....Kahlil Gibran

Scripture

I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you...John 14:18

Day 184

Reflection

Can you believe it, you’ve come a long way

Quote

Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete. If you’re alive, it isn’t...Richard Bach

Scripture

By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy..

Hebrews 10:14

Day 185

Reflection

Smiling is contagious

Quote

There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day....Alexander Woollcott

Scripture

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His loving kindness is everlasting...

1 Chronicles 16:34

Day 186

Reflection

You are beautiful inside and out

Quote

People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering.  ....St. Augustine

Scripture

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it...Hebrews 13:2

Day 187

Reflection

Take the time to nurture the dreams that live within you

Quote

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes...Marcel Proust

Scripture

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe...

Proverbs 18:10

Book Review - George Washington Carver - John Perry

This book is part of the Close Encounters of the Christian Kind written by John Perry.  I had heard of George Washington Carver but never really knew much about him. 

Carver is known for his research in discovering many uses for the peanut.  Reading this book uncovered a whole other side to what was a very complex individual.  We get to accompany the writer on an adventure into Carver's life and accomplishments.  Perry has an incredible knack of drawing you in and making the pages come alive, he has an easy writing style and language that almost makes you feel you are personally getting to know Carver.

From humble beginnings Carver, born in 1864 made many contributions to society.  Despite segregation and racism denying him an education his determination and faith drove him to better himself.  He pursued an education and worked to see better conditions and sustained self sufficiency for his community and the population at large.  In 1896 he completed his masters degree and he was asked to join the faculty of the Tuskegee Institute by Booker T Washington.

His research at the institute resulted in the creation of more than 300 products from peanuts such as cooking oil, peanut butter and paint. He also created more than 100 products from sweet potatoes and is responsible for inventing synthetic materials, such as marble and plywood, even inventing the dye which is still used in crayons. A talented artist, Carver created some of his own paints using local clays, he produced many works of art, but sadly most were destroyed in a fire.

His thirst for knowledge is admirable, not being content in following one field he became expert in a number of disciplines, not allowing his circumstances to define him or discourage him, he made a path for himself, was generous with his time and instilled hope in all who heard him speak, with a view that 'Any man could start with nothing and achieve great things'.

 I would definitely recommend reading this book, it's not only informative but is great look at where courage, discipline, focus and determination can take you.