Little Steps

I need to keep reminding myself that this recovery is a series of little steps. Some days I get down because I can't do much of anything and then other days I realize I have come pretty far.

Today I need to remember that:

*I took my first shower without any assistance.
*I don't have to wear those awful support hose anymore.
*I get dressed every day like a normal person would.
*I can walk further each day.
*I can do a little bit of art if I pace myself.

I did this page last week at a time where I was really enjoying just laying around reading a good book.















On this page I had the background done and then added a copy of a face I had painted previously. Then I got this free download from Carmen Torbus and one of the words was passion so when I added that word the journaling followed.

In some ways its been strange I have wanted to do some art but my heart and soul
have just not been in it. I find I just can't sit there long enough. So to still have my hands in things I went for a couple tags instead. Sorry to say these are not the best pictures. Just don't have the will to go retake them like I normally would.














This one is just a collage and then I layered some distress ink on top. The dots on the paper are raised because I had put them through an embossing folder and through the cuttlebug machine. When I rubbed the stamp pad over the tag just the raised dots took the ink. I like how that came out.















This is just a series of layered things. I layered paper over a tag and then added the plastic flower layer and fabric tape and then the bird seemed to fit in well. Even these little bits of art have been satisfying to do.

What little steps are you taking in your own life? Do you notice that you are doing them, that you are making progress towards a goal?

Finding the Sweet Spot

Yesterday Sarah and I took a trip to Logan, Utah to visit the Hobby Lobby.  We do not have one here.  They sell Copic Markers in open stock and that is what she uses in her art.  I did manage to come home with a couple things too. The new crow stamp helped me to finish this page. 

My friend Kim the Queen of Arts is always talking about "the sweet spot" in her journal pages and I have just never seen that in mine till now.  I think this page has several sweet spots.   I think the crow area is one and the face too.  It really is fun looking for them.

Would you believe there is no paint on this page?  Color was applied using soft pastels.  Then I added a working fixative before layering on stamps and gel pens. I used the Kindness stamp becaue I was thinking about how kind all my blogging friends are. I have recieved some beautiful flags and gifts to help me during this time. You ladies are just wonderful.


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I came home with some new embossing folders to use in my cuttlebug machine.  So of course I had to play with them right away.

This is a sample with regular card stock. You can see how cool this embossing looks.











This sample is using card stock with a white core. You may not be able to see it in the picture but some of the white is showing through.











So then I sanded the paper to reveal just a little bit more.  Depending on the color of paper I think this could be a great affect to age the paper.















This darker blue sample was made on white paper and I put stamping ink inside the embossing folder and then put it through the cuttlebug. I love the look.  I used a Ranger Adirondak stamp pad in denim. I think next time I may try using more than one color of ink.













Just thought I would show you my wonderful new lawn chair. We bought it several months ago when we were in Missoula and I have just started using it. The whole bottom is mesh so its really cool in the heat. It has a drink holder and tray on the side and an attached bottle opener and can see it has a built in pillow. It is made by Kelty a company that makes backpacking gear. I really can relax in this chair.