December Daily-ish and my JIYA journal is complete

I love a December daily-ish project and this year I decided to take part in the combined inspiration of Care December with Kasia Avery and Art Journal Advent with Michelle (@raspberrybluesky) and Tamara (@marakreativstudio). I wondered if I might make myself a new journal, but as I was thinking about the pink theme for Care December, I realised that I had 24 spreads left in my JIYA journal.  I started it at the beginning of 2023 so decided I would love to finish it before the end of 2024. Check out some of the "before" spreads here. I did my gatherings...

So fun to tie on some embellishments today and get the journal finished 

These are a few of my favourite December pages.

You can see the rest on my Instagram or Facebook Artist's page. See the rest of my JIYA blog postings here.

November Review

November has been a month of big changes for us. Our youngest son (and his dog) has moved out to be with his girlfriend, and they are expecting a baby in April so more changes ahead. We are excited to be empty-nesters after 24 years. We know it will take some adjustment, but my husband has already moved from the room we shared into the vacated bedroom and turned it into a music room. This means I now have a lot more space to organise things in my studio so hopefully that will lead to more creativity. Progress so far : 

As I post this we are heading into December and while it will be busy, it's almost summer school holidays for me and I am looking forward to the break from work and fresh ideas for new projects. 

Only a few weeks to go to finish my year-long challenge of #52cards2024 : to create a card that reflects the past week (ending Sunday). I must include stitch, the colour turquoise and a word. These are my November cards : 

You will realise why the last is more pink themed when you read what I'm planning for December. I post these individually with a bit more info about the theme each week on my Instagram and Facebook Artist's page.

I started November by teaching arty junk journals to a group of students at school for "Be Brave" - a 2 hour session to try something different out of their comfort zone. They created a journal with recycled materials and I talked to them about using art to support positive self-talk and as a way to destress by spending time creating something for themselves. Thrilled with how they were engaged and what they took home with them. 

I love a December Daily or Daily-ish journal. 

Last year's evolved into a Summer Journal that lasted from December to March. It became what it needed to become. This year there are once again some free online offerings to take some self-care time and focus on yourself amongst the busy of December. 

Care December 2024 with Kasia Avery -the theme this year is Pink. 

Care December is 15 days of mindful, intuitive mixed-media art journaling. 

Then there's Art Journal Advent 2024 - an instagram offering with Michelle and Tamara.

Read more about it on Michelle's website. There's a prompt a day, and this year some other artists sharing their interpretation of the prompt. 

Also check out journal construction ideas on Youtube with MegJournals - she's one of the organisers of the Junk Journal January and July projects I've participated in previously. She's been doing a challenge called No Sew November which has great journal making ideas to create the base for a December Daily or Junk Journal January (fingers crossed she does it again in 2025). 

And not free, but a small price of US$18 is December Pause with LIz Lamoreux. Explore the creative practice of writing lists to anchor you in the midst of daily life. 

I wondered if I might make myself a new journal, but as I was thinking about the pink theme for Care December, I realised that I have 24 spreads left in my JIYA journal 

- last seen in March this year, I started it at the beginning of 2023 so it would be fabulous to finish it before the end of 2024. Not sure how it will evolve, but as I said above - It will become what it needs to become. If you haven't seen this journal, these are a couple of empty spreads

and a couple that already have something as a starter

And I've made pink gatherings - although obviously I'll need some other colours for contrast.

I have got quite excited writing this and can't wait to share more in December. Make sure to follow my FB Artist page or my Instagram for {hopefully} regular page posting. 

Another class which is available for Free for one month access from when you sign up is Wendy Solganik's Phone Photography and Editing Webinar 

It sounds good but I am waiting to access it until mid-December in the hope that I can make good use of it through those days that stretch between Christmas and New Year.

Now it's Summer and some of my stresses have lifted, you can expect to see me posting more regularly on my Instagram and my Facebook Artist's page too. Wishing you some pockets of creativity and peace in December. Take care of yourself ♥ 

February review

February review time. I'm happy to say I've continued to make time to be creative and I think my weekly card project is definitely helping that. #52cards2024 : to create a card that reflects the past week (ending Sunday). I must include stitch, the colour turquoise and a word. These are my February cards : 

More detail about the meanings posted on my Instagram and Facebook Artist's page.

This month's tutor in Fodder School 3 was Jennifer Wilkin Penick. I managed to make fodder in the first half of this month which I really enjoyed

Her project was an accordian book of collage. I just wasn't feeling like it's my style, but then I saw some photos from a class that Anne Brooke recently taught, and I am inspired to think about combining paper and stitch...let you know if this happens in March.

In my January review I was hoping that I might finish my journal which I started as December Daily-ish and get back to working in my JIYA Journal. I have been supported in both of these by the 30 day challenge part of "Love your (Imperfect) Letters" with Wendy Solganik who has been running a cohort for all those who have previously enrolled in this class.When I tried to do it on my own (purchased the class on special last year), I only got to day 4. I have completed day 9 so although "behind" I am still calling it a win since I am still going, and further on than last attempts. These are the spreads completed in each journal for February and I am loving what is happening. In my JIYA journal :  

 

I have now turned my December Daily-ish into my Summer journal, and as well as the lettering, I have learned from Wendy that it's okay to jump around in a journal to find the perfect page that inspires you in the moment. Hoping to get this one finished before the Autumn Equinox on 20th March.

I love Sarah Gardner's art - she's been a teacher in Fodder School 1 and we're going to see her again in Fodder School 3 in June. Clicking here will get you to the places on my blog where I've shared art inspired by her. She's also produced a fabulous book

She is currently advertising a new art journaling class through Willa Workshops called Love Your {Imperfect} Art Journal 

To launch it she's giving access to a FREE inspiration class : Accumulate, Curate and Store Magazine Images for your Art. It's available now until March 18 (or in the workshop if you join). I've already had a look at it and it is inspiring ♥ 

I also enjoy Brooke Henry's art - it's colourful and includes stitching. She is hosting a Free Week of Inspiration, Connection, and Creative Freedom. She calls it the BB Bash and you can find out all about it and register HERE. Videos go up 25-31 March and will be available to watch through April 6. 

It's been really busy being back at work with library lessons, selecting teams for an area kids' lit competition, and training up keen student librarians. In my spare time, as well as my art journal fun, I've still been reading and this was my favourite in Feb 

I'm also trying not to purchase many new supplies but we had a trip to Wellington and I thought I would share a couple of great places if you are able to get there. In central Welly, managed to get this calligraphy paper - 3 packs for $10 at Daiso

And in Petone - these paper cut-outs from Ellen Giggenbach. Love her art and you can buy online as well. 

I enjoy her calendar every year. 

Looking forward to seeing what March will bring creatively. I post more regularly on my Instagram and Facebook Artist's page.