Getting into the spirit

I once started a book group. It was at work. I made some posters, sent out emails and got a fair few people signed up. I can't remember who chose the first book, but I suspect it was probably me - His Dark Materials by Philip Pulman. It was a cracking read. I arranged the first meeting and the grand total of one person, other than myself turned up, and she hadn't even read the book yet. That was the end of that book group.

Efforts since then have been considerably more successful. Last year saw my gleeful and enthusiastic participation in the Wreck this Journal Group run by Jamie Ridler. What incredible fun that was and who knew that it would be the start of such a wonderful creative journey and the introduction to some lovely new friends?

The Joy Diet followed, but like most diets, I fell of the wagon near the end. It was fun while it lasted though and in particular I just loved reading what everyone else felt and then jumping up and down with glee when they felt the same as me (in other words, I was pleased I wasn't alone in my strange attitudes!).

New Year means new books and, even better, new groups. I have to admit though that I have a whole cupboard full of books I haven't read yet. It's not that I don't read, in fact I've usually got several on the go at once, it's more that I just can't resist... Yesterday for instance I was walking past a charity shop and saw a sign in the window - ALL BOOKS 50P - well, how could I say no? It would have been rude and uncharitable not to (picked up a Barbara Erskine, Valerio Massimo Manfredi and a touring guide to Britain full of lovely maps which I suspect will be finding their way into my artwork sometime soon).

So, back to the Groups. I am now reading The Art Spirit by Robert Henri and hope to have submitted my application in time for another Jamie Ridler extravaganza - The Happy Book. The latter is a mailaround project with each participant having the book for just one week before passing it onto the next.

The Art Spirit is a bit like having a bona fide famous painter giving you lessons in the privacy of your own home. There's no pictures, no colour guides or step by step painting building. It is simply written advice and shared wisdom. Interestingly, there aren't any chapters or any form of index - it just sort of rambles and is really a collection of letters, essays and articles written by the great man. I find this slightly odd, but by the same token it does mean that this is a book that you can just dip in and out of at your leisure. I've only read the first few pages so no proper post on my thoughts or progress yet but watch this space...

I'll leave you with a quote from the book to have a ponder over.

"For an artist to be interesting to us, he must have been interesting to himself. He must have been capable of intense feeling, cand capable of profound contemplation.... Nature reveals to him, and , seeing and feeling intensely, he paints, and whether he wills it or not, each brush stroke is an exact record of such as he was at the exact moment the stroke was made."

Robert Henri

Playaway

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."

Picasso was a chap who wrote a lot of terribly useful quotes about creativity. Apparently he also knocked up the odd canvas or two but I'm not sure if he was terribly successful in those endeavours or matched the success of his perfumier daughter.

Thinking on the same vein, Martha Beck in the Joy Diet, argues that 'play' is something we as adults should ensure we don't forget the value of. Play is how a child learns. Rolling the ball teaches that round things ... well, roll. Simple stuff. Play is what differentiates us from our animal cousins. They stop playing and just get bigger and stronger. We keep playing and learning and forming our minds. We get clever. What we mustn't do though is ever stop playing.

You know she's right and I've had the perfect experience of this. I've been playing at writing a novel. Yes, you are permitted to pick yourself up from the floor. I have finally begun what I've been wittering on about all year. I am taking my barely formed novel concept and giving it some substance. I'm switching between modern day London and LA to a magical land that exists (somehow, don't ask for exact details please) in parallel to our own. My characters are dusting off their cobwebs, pulling on some fine clothing and getting to know each other (they don't all get along too well just yet). The shock of the whole experience has even seen one poor Elf's hair be shot through with a silver streak!

As participant in NaNoWriMo I have been instructed to banish my inner critic and get words onto pages. I'm not to worry about it being any good. I just have to write a 50,000 word story. It's about play. It's about practice. How can I ever expect to write a publishable piece, let alone Pullitzer Prize winning novel with my first attempt? I'd have to be some kind of freak genius which I am well aware I'm not. So, we don't worry about publication. We don't even have to show anyone else what we've written. We just play.

And do you know what? It's actually rather fun! Take away your inner critic, the voice of reason, the need for a market, possibility of a multi-million dollar screenplay and a film starring George Clooney and just let go and write a story. Takes me back to primary school where we wrote stories for the fun of it and illustrated them with little bunnies and squirrels dressed in pinafores!

No animals in costume so far in my book (but I wouldn't rule them out - you never know what direction my imagination might choose to head in).

NaNoWriMo, aside from being an intensely irritating acronym to type, is my route to finding out if I have the bones of a novel in me and more importantly the real desire to become a novelist. As Martha so wisely writes "when we know we're playing a game, we're less attached to the outcome". If this novel turns out to be a D minus then so be it. I'll learn from it and move onto the next one. I know I love writing, we'll just see if that actually extends to novels too. Stay tuned and we'll find out.

OK, to finish up a little something for British readers of a certain age - check out that Playaway poster up top, team portrait below and the names starring alongside the legend that is Brian Cant... They didn't amount to much did they?

And now for a spot of playful nostalgia?

I'm back on...

... The Joy Diet that is. Never mind all that truth and desire nibbling; risk was the diet ingredient that I needed to get my teeth into. It's got my brain digesting in a whole new way. I couldn't wait for Friday to write about it, so check out Tuesday's post. I have to tell you readers that I am feeling a whole lot less chicken today. In fact there's not a sparrow or turkey in sight either. In fact I'm soaring, I am an eagle floating on thermals... I am the hawk motionless above its prey (opportunity), just waiting for the moment (forthcoming!) to pull back my wings and dive onto what I want. No more floating around in the air, the time has come for decisive action - claws out - strike - take it.

Swoosh - I did it. I quit my job. Waheeeeeeeeeee. You have no idea how good this feels. I am soaring, my wings are filled with fresh air. I am the pheonix from the flames. I am ME! I am back. I am full of metaphors but who cares, I am free!

I admit there is a strong possiblity of paid work in the offing, so it's not a leap into the complete abyss, but you know if I didn't leave that little nest soon, it was about to fall apart sending me spiralling.

I am also in a state of such nervous excitement that I am incapable of writing anything else, so I'm taking my son out to lunch and to the movies.

And as for this week's chapter on Treats...

Treat yourself Martha suggests, reward your behaviour... Hey Martha, I live for treats. You're preaching to the converted there love. Speaking of which... lunch calls...

Tomorrow begins today!

Am I a chicken noodlehead?

I've been catching up on the Joy Diet this week. It has nothing to do with chickens; this is just an excuse to double up my posting as I join the Three Muses Chicken art challenge. Or does it?

Might the word 'chicken' just be resonating a teeny tiny bit with me today? Did I or did I not tell myself to quit my job yesterday? Was a voice not YELLING VERY LOUDLY in my ear that my destiny is awaiting? I've got this sort of feeling you see, a very crazy one, that putting myself out of work in the middle of an economic slowdown could be the very thing I'll never regret.

I've convinced myself that it will open a door. I don't quite know which yet. Perhaps it's the barn door and the chickens will bolt for freedom. Maybe deep down inside, something is telling me that surely I could be happier anywhere else than in this role. It's not fate or destiny pulling; it's misery pushing.

It's all the fault of this Joy Diet. I've been munching my way through the chapter on Risk. I can handle this chapter far more than the truth and desire, it really is rather palatable. I don't mind a portion or two of risk. I think of myself as quite courageous sometimes. I reviewed Martha Beck's Risk Assessment tool. It told me this was a risk most definitely worth taking. Today though I'm a chicken. I didn't quit. I thought about it. I thought some more. Then I just booked a few days off to tuck my head under my wing and shut the thinking out.

Martha's view on risk is that it forces us into action. I could sit here and moan about my job for months, applying here and there for something, but I feel so low that my heart is not in it. I get home every evening with little enough energy to make the dinner, let alone forge ahead with plans for an entrepreneurial career. Lack of money, for one thing, would be a powerful motivator.

My gut instincts aren't often wrong. What adventure awaits if I quit? Destitution? I don't believe so. Something just tells me it is the right thing to do - that magic door will open and if I don't hurry up it will be shut and bolted forever. And, as Martha suggests: What's safe about not being who you were meant to be? Life is NOT a rehearsal.

Have I convinced myself yet? Or am I still too chicken? Or just a chicken noodle head? Answers on a postcard...

Finishing on the art: This regal rooster was snapped by me back in the Spring and has been 'on ice' waiting for his big moment. Then, when it came down to it, all he got for his pains was a quick bit of filtering in photoshop. He does look rather pretty though with his rainbow noodle feathers. He's off to flirt with the chicks now.

Ah, but then I felt sorry for him and asked him to pose while I got out my acrylics. He's not quite finished as you can see, but I'm a touch busy today...

Give me joy in my heart

Well, this week my entry to the Joy Diet group consists more of me talking about Joy rather than progress with the book. After last week I have decided to s l o w the pace a little and really get to grips with some of the earlier techniques. I just found I couldn't keep up with it all. I've gone back to truth and am having scary chats with my feelings - mostly about work and career... It's hard work, but it's medicine I guess and not supposed to taste nice. [short break from typing while I dig out some Bon Jovi...]

Not wishing to miss out on all the action though, I thought it would nice nice to share some other aspects of Joy with you, my fellow joy dieters. Maybe you need a little light relief from taking Risks with your chapter this week. I shall be there with you reading and learning how you got on.

Firstly, my son told me yesterday that blueberries 'bring joy to his heart'. Naturally, Mummy ran to the supermarket at lunchtime today to buy him a punnet. What a soft touch she is. Thank goodness they are a superfood!

Secondly, I would like to make an amendment to Tuesday's post when I discussed my aversion to admin and desire to employ a personal assistant called Annabel to cope with my correspondence. Well, readers, I have changed my mind if that's OK. Actually, what I think every woman needs is a Gok!

Those of you residing in my green and pleasant land will of course know exactly what a Gok is, and frankly, I'd be surprised if any woman disagreed with my crazy idea. A Gok brings you great joy. A Gok is a make-over from the inside out. A Gok can make any woman feel fabulous. He takes women who are ashamed of the way they look and shows them their beauty. He doesn't use plastic surgeons or designer clothes. OK, sure they get a makeover at the end and their hair done, but that's not the transformation. Gok shows women how to look good naked and how to wear the right clothes. He gives them Confidence with a capital C. He puts a woman in a skirt that lives in trousers. He shows middle-aged ladies that actually they do have a luscious curvy figure underneath all those baggy clothes. He is a national treasure and we love him.

Take a look on YouTube...
I've written about Gok before...
And if you want more Gok fix...

Thanks to Jamie for her suggestion of the sub-group. Sounds like a plan to me. I should be back on form next week - just don't know where the week has gone. I don't seem to have achieved anything in the past few days.

PS: After reading many of this week's postings on Jamie's site, I realised that without reading the chapter I've been thinking alongside many of you already! I've just reminded myself that my wishcasting post of Wednesday was exactly about taking risks. Saying yes to more risky endeavours, stepping out of our comfort zones. Yes, it can be really good for us. Why do we become more fearful as we grow older - why doesn't experience remind us that risk-taking can be a learning and satisfying exercise?

Something cosmic happening?

Ah, how I love blogging... But then again, why wouldn't I? It's writing about what I love - the only boring subjects are of my choosing! It has also opened up a whole new world to me. I've made new friends across the globe; I've hooked up with other like-minded souls - writers and artists just like me. I've opened myself up to a new creative world I neither knew existed 'out there' or 'in here' [she taps heart dramatically, but gently]. I'm reading the kinds of books I always shied away from* and consequently learning things about myself - both who I am and where I want to be.

*(self-help, rather than gruesome horror - I still shy away from those).

Now we move onto an exciting revelation. If you stop by here regularly to while away ten minutes or so with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, you cannot have helped noticing that I am a teensy weensy bit dis-satisfied in my current role. Last week I endured the disappointment of losing out on another job for which I felt more suited. But then when you don't get it, you start thinking - was it the job I really wanted or the means to leave this current torture? I'm not entirely sure. If it was the latter, then I did a jolly good job of convincing myself of the former - though clearly not the interviewers! Maybe I don't want to do 'internal communications' anymore. Perhaps it's not the job that gets me down so much as the vocation? I feel tired of the corporate life. It just doesn't feel like me anymore.

On a seemingly un-related matter, I received in the post a postcard from royalty - None other than the Queen of Creativity herself. She had sent me this as part of an exercise she was working on while working through The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I resolved to post one right back and thought about what I would send.

Well, the town where I live lacks architectural delights I'm afraid. The river that runs through could be so charming were it not for the shopping trolleys and empty beer cans and the inhabitants are not pretty. The town where I work however, is something else (see attractive looking building in image supplied, yes for those in the New World, this is a bona fide Medieval Castle, complete with dungeons, suits of armour and a gift shoppe - if you look closely you might just spot Rapunzel letting her hair down one of the towers).

As the choice of postcard neatly presented itself to me, so did another far more exciting possibility. You see, I've always loved castles, stately homes, palaces, ruins, manor houses... those old buildings steeped in history and priceless works of art. If I visit anywhere remotely grand I still can't resist sweeping down staircases swishing my imaginary skirts or imagining bold knights fighting for my hand. I'll hover by a window overlooking immaculate acres and wonder who stood before and who they observed from behind the tapestry drapes. Yes, an over-active imagination is mine and I am proud of it.

So, the revelation? Could I perhaps work somewhere like Warwick Castle? Althorp House? Sulgrave Manor? Could I be a custodian of the National Trust? Take tourists on magical journeys around haunted mansions, bringing the past back to life before their very eyes? Oh yes, I could do that... I would love that - it would suit my extrovert personality. I'd even happily dress up in costume to do it (in fact, I would probably pay them for the chance to dress up in costume...particularly anything with a swishing skirt). Last night my mind began to race with new possibility. Could this be what I'm looking for or a simple distraction? I tapped into some of the (little practiced) skills I've been learning on the The Joy Diet (see numerous posts) - I looked for my truth and desire. Is this what I want? Imagine the story ideas I'd get working in a castle... Think of the creative inspiration being surrounded by art all day... Imagine the mischief winding up tourists about ghosts and secret passages....

Kate - you sent me a postcard of some mountains and a lake as part of the Artists' Way and look what has happened... Something cosmic happening in the universe perhaps? Is this going to see me stretching my wings, or just a flight of fancy? Well, let's turn the page of the next chapter and wait and see...

Err, and Kate, it looks like I just spoilt the postcard surprise. Never mind, I'll send you another!

I intend to be both...

I confess to being somewhat disappointed with this 'ere so-called 'Joy' Diet. This week promised a chapter on 'creativity'. "At last!" thinks I... something I am good at. Some fun. Alas, we were not instructed to grab paintbrush, scissors, glue and squeeze tubes of colour with wild abandon.

Pity the poor girl who is still shying away from looking for her deepest desires; now Ms Beck wants me to go about fulfilling them. Is the woman mad? No Lisa. I think you'll find that the insane one is you. The mad woman speaks sense. She's pushing you out of your safe little cocoon and into the wide world of opportunity.

It's all very interesting but I do need more time to digest and practice. I'm afraid that a chapter a week is getting a bit too much for me. I'm tempted to duck out now and work through my book at my own pace, but I also know that without the pressure from teacher and class mates, I'll probably never get around to finishing it. I'll keep trying. I'm just trying to cram too much into my life.

With creativity this week everything seems to be coming back to work... You see, in the six months I've been there I've come up with dozens of creative innovations (as Martha suggests) - some sensible, others a bit off the wall. That's who I am. What I do. But they don't like them. Oh no, far too much fun suggested, too different, modern. I actually used a quote from the book with a like-minded colleague (rarer than a spineless hedgehog) to try and explain where I was coming from.

"If something is worth doing, it's worth doing badly"

I use this one a lot too... "What's the worst that could happen?"

Aghrrr. I don't want to talk about work any more this week. Banned.

Back to creativity. I rather enjoyed removing false dichotomies, I guess I was pretty comfortable with this. I wasn't too sure about the enemy thing though. I haven't tried it yet. Again it's taking me out of my comfort zone.

I'm finding the book a worthwhile exercise, but at the moment I feel like I'm trying to drive a large truck when I've only just passed my cycling proficiency test. I want to get the most from this, but I'm rushing. It almost feels like I just need to go back to the beginning and start again more slowly. Anyone else the same? The whole digging into my deepest feelings is not a natural thing for me. I know I should do it, but it's REALLY HARD and I'm feeling a bit lost!

I didn't do my homework Miss

Week 3 of Jamie Ridler & Co working through The Joy Diet by Martha Beck

I feel like a naughty schoolgirl who hasn’t done her homework. I must confess Ms Ridler that I only finished reading the Desire chapter yesterday; so my contribution to our class discussion this week will be limited on what I can make up on the spur of the moment. However, I figure that if I at least sound like I know what I’m talking about, I may just get away with it!

Desire. What a lovely, evocative word. It seems to envelop you in warm contentment.

OK, so I may not have had much time to practice this week’s exercises but I did love what I read. In fact, I got rather excited by this paragraph in particular:

“I don’t know what part of us stores the code for our right lives – maybe some corner of the brain, maybe the figurative heart, maybe that indefinable phantasm called the soul – but I do know how the code is relayed to our conscious minds, enabling us to make choices in keeping with our purpose. It happens through the medium of the sensation we call desire. The knowledge of your destiny is available to you, well before it actually happens, as a message streaming continuously from your heard to your brain, written in the language of longing.”

Aside from the fact that this is a beautifully written piece, it felt wonderful to read. Is this knowledge really just a chapter away from discovery?

Of course, our head nutritionist Martha then goes on to disappoint and disillusion. Naturally, like all good things (I’m immediately thinking chocolate here) there is a down side. And of course she is right, or why else would she need to write this book? Unlocking the treasures of our desires and destiny is going to be difficult without the key.

We humans have hidden our keys very effectively – ‘wanting’, after all is ‘a dangerous activity’. Annoyingly she’s right. Damn the woman. I had a quick attempt at latching onto a desire, but couldn’t quite settle on one. Why? Because, naturally, I was not allowing myself… I couldn’t long for this, I was not worthy. Hmm. More practice required I think.

This is such an interesting concept. Why don’t we get taught this stuff at school or maybe at some sort of compulsory adult education classes? Why can’t we have lessons on ‘How to live’?

I’ve been going through a realisation lately that I’m wasting my potential. I could be doing so much more, my outputs both at work and home could be more creative, productive. It’s exciting though and at least recognition is in place, so action is surely following.

Yesterday I did have the opportunity to explore one particular desire. I had a second interview for a job I know I would love. In fact, I spent most of the day in a state of extreme nervous excitement fumbling my way through this particular desire. My poor boyfriend was subjected to about 10 phone calls from a highly strung woman – his kind words placated me – “I knew that job was perfect for you as soon as you told me about it.” I explored this desire most thoroughly. I remain positive… Believe in yourself Lisa…. Ask and the Universe will deliver…

Thanks to everyone for their supportive comments on Truth last week, it means so much to be a part of this wonderful group.

I will do better next week teacher. I will try and catch up on all my homework, I promise… I want to re-read the desire chapter again to embed its theory before embarking on some serious practice.

PS: Is it just me or does anyone else have the U2 song Desire now permanently fixated in their brain? Well, if you didn’t before, now I’ve suggested it, you probably will now!!

Truth hurts

I'm coming over all serious now... just a warning... It doesn't happen often...

Working through the 'Truth' chapter in the Joy Diet this week was, how can I put it, interesting. To be honest, I'm still struggling with doing 'Nothing'. A couple of times I did sort of float off during my attempts, it felt good at the time, but then it was really just a momentary sensation. Other times I just fell asleep and woke confused, annoyed and with a headache. I can't say I've felt any benefit yet.

But, never one to give up easily, I tackled chapter 2 and, as instructed, I asked myself the following questions:

• What am I feeling?
• What hurts?
• What is the painful story I'm telling?
• Can I be sure my painful story is true?
• Is my painful story working?
• Can I think of another story that might work better?

I didn't always like the answers to the first few questions. However, I know that no matter how much half of me likes to live in a comfort bubble of denial; facing the truth is a necessary evil.

When I separated which led to a subsequent divorce, I wrapped all my emotions in a tight cloth, locked them in a stout wooden box and hid them under the floorboards. There they remained, safely out of sight and mind. I thought I was fine. I'd hidden the truth away very successfully hadn't I? This was my tried and tested method of dealing with pain. It had always worked before...

Wrong. The truth sat there waiting patiently for a chink in the protective armour I had encased around it. Eventually it spotted a weakness and leapt out and attacked me when I was unprepared to deal with it.

I had to open that box and go through its contents. It was not pretty and by then it had started to rot and smell a bit...

This chapter has been a useful reminder to watch myself... no more long-term storage plans for my emotional issues! And, you know what, once these nasty niffs got an airing, they weren't quite as bad as I'd thought. In a roundabout way, just admitting to yourself you have a problem seems to negate it somehow, dilute it... And, if you can share the burden, then all the better... I'm much better at it now.

Although I'm struggling to complete these exercises exactly as Martha suggests - 15 minutes of nothing followed by a truth session - the very fact that I've taken some time out this week to actually think about how I'm feeling and assessing those feelings can only be a good thing.

I'm hoping that by reading and sharing with the rest of the Joy Club, I'll learn a few more tricks to keep me smiling.

Nothing doing

Switch everything off. Close your eyes. Relax. Listen to the soft swoosh of waves dragging their cargo of sand and shells up the beach. Empty your mind. Do nothing. Think nothing. Good things will happen.

But what sort of beach? Is it sandy or bumpy with pebbles. Is it in this country? Cornwall perhaps, or maybe a golden curving dream ringed with gentle palms. Is the sea rough or calm?

It doesn't matter what beach, just listen to the sounds of the waves, allow them to wash away your thoughts...

No, it's no good. I can't stop my imagination taking me on a whistle-stop tour of Conde-Nast's Top 10 dreamiest holiday hot-spots.

A candle, that's nice and simple.... Did I turn the stove off? I'm sure I did, but I know for sure I've forgotten to hang out the washing. What time is it? Only 5 minutes since I started, well I suppose technically I should begin again as I've been rather thought-filled...

What have I done with the book anyway, haven't seen it for a few days... I can't remember what is supposed to happen when you 'do nothing' anyway. Some sort of state of calm I guess... Hmm. I'm a bit peckish... I hate my job... Shall I quit? Is that the phone?

***

Well, no I haven't gone completely mad (well no more than usual). This is simply an open dialogue typical of my attempts at switching off this week. Together with a group of bloggers, we are working through The Joy Diet by Martha Beck. Week 1 required us to 'do nothing' for 15 minutes each day. It is not very easy. When I actually remember, I simply cannot switch off for more than about a minute at a time. However, I'm not overly bothered. I never for one moment thought that this was a skill that would come naturally. In fact, I also suspect that I'll learn most from reading others' experience. I'm off now to read up on what everyone else has been doing.

I'll keep trying anyway. Next week's chapter is called truth. OK, I admit it. Twas I that stole the cookies from the jar...

To see how everyone is getting on, take a look at 'The Next Chapter' with Jamie Ridler and the gang.

The joy of dieting

I’ve been comfort eating. I am unashamedly addicted to chocolate, it makes me feel better about my miserable job for at least… ooh 5 minutes.

A couple of extra pounds are sitting round my waistline and I feel lethargic and morose. I am not a happy bunny. What better week then to start my new blogging group book – The Joy Diet by Martha Beck. Although not strictly a diet book in the traditional sense; if I get it right I will hopefully feel less need to eat the brown sweet stuff.

The Joy Diet - find out more

Together with life coach Jamie Ridler and a group of inspirational bloggers/dieters – some old buddies and new friends in the making – we will work through each chapter that teaches us how to feed our soul all the nutrition it needs. We will learn how to make the most of our potential, what it takes to lift us from the arms of Morpheus each morning with a smile on our faces and a spring in our steps. In short, we will be mastering how to bring more joy into our lives.

I have read the first chapter which invites us to do ‘nothing’ which seems a strange start! Easier said than done though when you’re a Lisa. I thought at first we just had to still for 15 minutes a day which I’m sure I could just about manage… at a push… But no, doing nothing also means thinking nothing. We have to empty our minds; stop listening to the ticker tape of jabber; silence the inner critic; wipe the to do list off the brain’s blackboard. The benefits? Well, it's the place where you find your true self, your inner strength. It's probably best summed up in the words of Lao Tzu:

"We shape the clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want."

Worth thinking about for sure.

First attempt: I darkened the room and went all ‘new age’ with my background music. I relaxed and tried some of the techniques Martha recommends. My mind however, was still tuned into 300 channels (and a couple of muxes*) all competing for my attention. Doing nothing, it turns out, will take some perfecting… Tune in next Friday to see if practice makes perfect and the following weeks when joyful creativity, tenacious truth searching and brave risk-taking will abound.

I made this journal page a few weeks ago in a delicious moment. My creative inspiration melted on my tongue sending a rush of endorphins through my bloodstream and down into the paintbrush. It looks a bit of a mess but it was a rather joyful experience!

PS – I think the UK version of the book has a much more jolly cover dontcha think?

* Mux: technical term I picked up at work. It's a grey box - need I say more?

Challenging times

As the Prime Minister announces cuts in public service spending...

Gotcha! Don't worry, I'm not about to go all 'political' on you. Instead, I'm stretching the creative muscles and doing a spot of serious limbering up for some strenuous challenges coming up over the coming months.

In no particular order:

National Novel Writing Month
First up and undeniably the biggest, most ginormous online event I've ever dared stick my nose into is this challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days (of November) - whilst also working full time, being a mother, girlfriend, daughter, sister, friend, and organising a craft fayre (more on that one later). Well, why not I say? The emphasis with this challenge is on quantity, not quality. In other words, the old inner critic can be told to take a running jump. Writing without inhibition may just be what is needed to get this novel off the ground.

I'm excited to be a writing buddy of another blogger - Hybrid J. We'll be encouraging each across that finishing line. I actually can't wait for this!

Pocket contents
I guess I shouldn't dive too far into this posting without perhaps attempting to explain why a blobby pocket watch is serving illustrating purpose here. Well, by now you may have perceived a slight addiction to artistic challenges. This is for the benefit of the Three Muses and followers and this week's theme - pocket.

Journal page background scanned then digital collage. Thanks to Graphics Fairy for Mr Brownlow, the Victorian ghostly gent who has come looking for his pocket watch and found a few memories too. I can't remember where I got the watch from - 'somewhere else' on the web. I gave it a bit of a pounding in Photoshop butI think it's still working! I do feel I cheated a little though. I had planned to paint the watch, but it got too late and I wanted my bed...

Inspiration Avenue
I wanted to give a quick plug to the talents of the ladies at this Etsy group & blog. They have begun a new weekly challenge - open to all, so do pop along. This week's theme is 'Vintage'. Hmm, vintage wine... would love a glass thanks!

Mail art challenge
Here's a guaranteed gallery entry. Simply create a piece of mail art that will have the postman swooning (or possibly cursing, since I don't believe there is any restriction in size) and send it in. Clearly the organisers felt that since the advent of email they didn't get enough real post, or maybe they just wanted to provide work to their local postal service. We may never know... I need to investigate this one further but the closing date isn't for months so I'll probably apply the tried and tested 'leave it to the last minute' technique. Works every time...

'Champagne' Supernova
Well, 'Art Journal' actually but that Oasis track is a particular favourite and I seem to have wine on the brain... This starts tomorrow! Most excited, will no doubt be telling more. Bought two pristine journals today which I've sat and stroked and dribbled over.

The Joy Diet
The second of Jamie Ridler's blogging groups I have joined. Together we work through this book by Martha Beck (our Maitre D') who presents us with a menu of ten behaviours to add to our Life table. I've had a bash at the first chapter. 'Do nothing'. It's a bit like asking me to eat parsnips cooked in blue cheese - hence I include it under my challenging list! Later weeks will have me taking risks, playing, laughing, feasting and getting creative (that sounds easier [whispers], but time will tell - there may be a few parsnips hidden among the chocolate mousse)! Starts this Friday; it's not too late to join.

A real selling opportunity
In the last 6 months I have created and crafted; painted and patterned; melted and moulded. I have single-handedly kept Hobbycraft in business. It is time to recoup some cost. I have persuaded my son's school to hold a craft fayre in November. A bit of a ladies' night. I've sourced other local artisans and together with another Mum will be going all 'entrepreneurial'. We'll hopefully make money for the school too which they'll probably need because... today the the Prime Minister announced cuts in public service spending...