An Attitude of Gratitude Journal - Day 30

Continuing along with the month long Attitude of Gratitude Journal challenge, here is the last entry, Day 30:

 Today's technique challenge is shadow stamping. I used a wooden batik block for the first time since buying it in October. Brushing acrylic paint on it, I stamped onto the page, then stamped again without applying more paint which gives the shadow effect. The stamp did not impress well onto the paper, probably  because of the layered papers of the previous pages underneath. This type of block is made for stamping onto fabric which has more "give' than a stacked journal page. I do like the subtle background texture it gives the page. I chose a light color palette for the words so that the design would show through.

I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this visual journal challenge. It was very good to have parameters to work within. I often have so many ideas, I don't know where to begin and often don't. I learned a few techniques and learned how some of my materials work together. The journal is half filled. I plan to continue to fill it with words of thanks!

An Attitude of Gratitude Journal - Strengths

Continuing along with the month long Attitude of Gratitude Journal challenge, here is Day 9:

Today's theme is strengths. Questions to answer are:
What do other people think are your strengths?
Do you agree with them?
Which of your strengths are you most thankful for?

The technique challenge is to incorporate fabric on the journal page.

This page was created by writing on a sheet of my handmade marigold dyed cotton paper to which I had embedded, at the sheet-forming stage, three pieces of eco-bundled fabric. I attached it to the journal page with double sided tape.

An Attitude of Gratitude Journal - Today

Continuing along with the month long Attitude of Gratitude Journal challenge, here is Day 2:

Today's challenge was to use either circles or squares in the design. I love these shapes, so this technique challenge was easy. The daily scripture was more challenging, whoever. Usually one of my favorites:

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

 Why challenging? Because of the aftermath of  Hurricane Sandy. I was thankful to have our electricity restored after being without it for only 2 days and having minimum damage done to our home. But once I watched the tv reports about what happened in the area, my heart sank. How can I rejoice when there is so much devastation? That was the challenge I needed to work out. Having a week to process the reality of this and seeing how well people are coping and how others are volunteering, really encouraged me. I am planning to help out on Sunday and my church is providing needed supplies. So, these are things to rejoice about!

 

An Attitude of Gratitude Journal - Day 1 - Wholeheartedness

Continuing along with the month long Attitude of Gratitude Journal challenge, here is Day 1:

This challenge called for using a color that you don't like. I don't like pink when it is shouting out loud! I do like it in flowers and in a sunset. To tone it down, I added a bit of green with a stencil design and added some hydrangea flowers in the corner. 

An Attitude of Gratitude Journal

On November 1st, I read a post on one of the blogs I follow that Bernice Hopper started An Attitude of Gratitude journal for the month of November. She is blogging about it and has invited others to participate and share their pages as well. I thought this was a great idea! I have planned to get back to working on my visual journals (I have five or so in various stages) and thought participating in this would be a good way to ease back in. Bernice provides the daily prompts, scriptures and quotes, along with a technique video. Those participating interpret the prompts however they like and post the results on their blogs. A Facebook group has also been set up for those participating. I'm not going to get this done in one month's time, but will see it through to completion!

Title Page

I chose to use the birds silhouette for their symbolism. Most recently, I sold three pieces of art which featured this print. For that I am very thankful.