Balance ...It's like riding a bicycle

I am in an art group for journaling. Each month and we are given an assignment of 2 prompts and 2 pages to put in our journal.

One of the prompts for the month of January is - Balance.
The Balance page on the left is all the quotes I have collected on balance printed on rice paper, adhered with matte medium to background sheet, colored with linen ink and red pattern stamping. Then a mylar sheet overlay with a balance image printed on it. A few of the most inspiring of the balance quotes are:

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.” ~ Robert Heinlein

“In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.” ~ Patti Smith

"Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some." ~ Robert Fulghum

The right hand page is an overlay of the same balance image printed on vellum.
Lift the vellum sheet to reveal the background balance sheet. Ta da ...

Acrylic paint was used to paint the yin yang symbol and clipart images were matte medium adhered in a balancing act!

"Life is like riding a bicycle.
To keep your balance you must keep moving."
~ Albert Einstein

Change page for Change journal

My January 17th post, "Change in the New Year" were some change quotes which provided the inspiration springboard for a Change page in my Change journal.

I put all those quotes on the inside cover of the journal and then did a change page. This just might be the format for future pages.

Printed on the Mylar sheet over the next page are the words:

Change
Cannot change
Can change
Want to change
Be the change
The change
Change of life
Change your life
Life change
Dramatic change
Inter change
Things change
Time change
Change time
Time to change
Change color
Change of plans
Change horses
Change for the better
Change for the worse
Change of heart
Change of fortune
Change of luck
Loose change
Got change?
Change over

Change...don’t ya just hate it!

The background sheet is painted with Metal Effects copper metal paint and green patina. Then decopaged on the words to a song printed on rice paper, and aged with walnut oil.
The background sheet has the words to the song "Changes" by David Bowie, originally released on the album Hunky Dory in December 1971 and as a single in January 1972. (Live, France 1999)

“Changes” by David Bowie
I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't tell t hem to grow up and out of it

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Where's your shame
You've left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can't trace time

Strange fascination, fascinating me
Changes are taking the pace I'm going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Oh, look out you rock 'n rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Pretty soon you're gonna get a little older
Time may change me But I can't trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can't trace time

still need a bit more inspiration, view this impessionistic montage of Chachacha Changes.

“Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.”
~ Unknown

A new day ...

A new day ... your past, your present, your future ... all become your legacy.

"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 it's place is something that you have left behind . . .

let it be something good." ~ Anon*

You ask "Who was Anon?"
A Google search led me to find he was a Greek Scholar.
But Wikipedia sent me to the meanings - anonymity and anonymous.

Either way those are words to live by.

In the final scene of Back to the Future III, Doc Emmett Brown says:

"Your future hasn't been written yet.

No one's has.

Your future is whatever you make it.

So make it a good one."

Become Like Wildfire

I am sure most of you have seen the movie "Pay it Forward"
In the movie the boy Trevor is given an assignment by his teacher. The assignment is to think of something to change the world and put it into action. Trevor decides to pay a favor not back, but forward. He repays good deeds not with payback, but with new good deeds to three new people. Trevor's efforts bring about change not only in his live but in the lives of his mother and his teacher. His actions also affect the lives of an ever-widening circle of people completely unknown to him.

Also on TV the Liberty Mutual ads part 1 and part 2 illustrate the Pay It Forward phenomenon.
The beautiful song played in the background is entitled, "The Part Where You Let Go" from the group, Hem.

"The Part Where You Let Go" by Hem
When the rain breaks the road
Are you holding on
Are you holding on
To your last good day

When the stone breaks the wheel
Are you holding on
Are you holding on
Til the stone rolls away

And I don't know
Is this the part where you let go
And tumbling out of a window
Is this the part where you find out
I'm there for you

When the sun leaves the field
Are you holding on
Are you holding on
To the last sweet light

When the flame leaves your eyes
I still see you there
I still see you there
On your darkest night

And I don't know
Is this the part where you let go
And sinking under a shadow
Is this the part where you find out
I'm there for you now

As your hand's breaking free
I am holding on
I am holding on
As you've held on to me

And I don't know
Is this the part where we let go
Tumbling out of a window
Is this the part you're there for me

And I don't know
Is this the part where you let go
And sinking under a shadow
Is this the part where you find out
I'm there for you
You find out I'm there for you
You find out I'm there for you

A couple days ago I wrote about "one little thing...making a difference".
If you still haven't found one little thing maybe you can pay it forward.

When you are kind to someone in trouble, you hope they'll remember and be kind to someone else. And it'll become like wildfire.-- Whoopi Goldberg

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day is one of my MOST favorite holidays.
So why do I love Valentine's Day? Heart Day?
Well....Duh.... Heartz!

I Love HEARTz!!! Always have. Always will.
I Love LOVE too!
I Love CHOCOLATE, yum!
HEARTz ... LOVE ... CHOCOLATE ... Ahh bliss!

What could be better?
Humm... maybe art.
Ahhhh ...Heartartz!

Above is a Valentine ATC, a bit of Heartartz, from me to you.

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy ♥ Heartz ♥ Day!

Below are some Heart - Love - Valentine quotes for you to enjoy.

I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~ Unknown

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.” ~ Charles M. Schulz

“Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.” ~ Unknown

“One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter.” ~ James Earl Jones

“I would rather have eyes that cannot see; ears that cannot hear; lips that cannot speak, than a heart that cannot love” ~ Robert Tizon

“Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.” ~ Lao Tzu

"The heart has reasons that reason does not understand.” ~ Jacques Benigne Bossuel

“You change your life by changing your heart.” ~ Unknown

“Today, see if you can stretch your heart and expand your love so that it touches not only those to whom you can give it easily, but also to those who need it so much.” ~ Unknown

"A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.” ~ Unknown

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.” ~ Paulo Coelho

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." ~ Antoine De Saint-Exupery

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. ~ Helen Keller

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” ~ Confucius

One small thing...making a difference

Like most of you, I have kind friends who share with me jokes, wit and wisdom from time to time. Sometimes I read and delete. Other times I pass the better ones on to my friends.
Today I am going to share this with all who read my blog.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are NOT second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies .... the awards tarnish ... the accolades and certificates are buried with their owners ... the achievements are forgotten.

Here's another quiz.
See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.
They are the ones who care.
They are those people who have made a difference in your life.

So pass it on and make a difference for someone else.

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."
~Edward Everett Hale

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love."
~Mother Teresa

And if you worry that you don't have enough time today to do one thing....

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today .... it's already tomorrow in Australia." ~ Charles Schultz

Silk Paper

Making silk paper is fun and so inspiring.
The resulting "paper is so beautiful by itself and brimming with possibilities for future works. Using the silk paper in another work is the real joy!

Silk Paper Making is a web site with clear instructions and ides for using silk paper.

There are also two books with great instructions for making your silk paper and ideas for using the silk paper.
Silk 'Paper' Creations for the Fibre Artist by Judith Pinnell
Handmade Silk Paper by Kath Russon

Silk hankies (rovings) used as the basis for silk apaper are available at Quilting Arts store. You can buy pre-dyed colorful hankies or white silk hankie and dye as desired. for my silk hankie. I used white and dyed with some Procion dye and others with Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes.

MATERIALS:
Silk hankies
Fabric scraps, threads, yarns

A) For silk paper alone or future paper works
Textile or matte medium
lightweight netting or screen
paint bushes, wide & stiff or a spray bottle

B) For future felting or needle felting work
Liquid or spray starch
Parchment paper

INSTRUCTIONS:
A) For silk paper alone or future paper works
Lay netting or screen in a tray or on plastic sheeting.
Separate a single silk hankie form group.
Stretch out silk fiber by pulling from the top to bottom or side to side to desired finished size.
Lay hankie on netting or screen.
Add randomly or in a pattern fabric scraps, threads, yarns, wool or silk rovings.
Place another stretched silk hankie over trapped goodies.
Cover with another piece of netting or screen.
Mix a tiny amount of detergent with a cup of water, paint over the silk layers completely soaking throughout. Blot lightly.
Paint or spray textile or matte medium (diluted 1:1 with water) over the silk layers. Blot dry. Let air dry. When completely dry, carefully peel off netting or screen.
Iron silk paper on medium setting, protecting with parchment paper or pressing cloth.

B) For future felting or needle felting work
Lay out plastic sheeting or parchment paper.
Separate a single silk hankie form group.
Stretch out silk fiber by pulling from the top to bottom or side to side to desired finished size.
Lay hankie on plastic sheeting or parchment paper.
Add randomly or in a pattern fabric scraps, threads, yarns (wool or silk rovings. Place another stretched silk hankie over trapped goodies.
Cover with another piece of plastic sheeting or parchment paper.
Spray liquid starch or spray starch over the silk layers. Soaking thoroughly by pressing down with hands on silk to aide in saturation
Let air dry. When completely dry, carefully peel off plastic sheeting or parchment paper.
Iron silk paper on medium setting, protecting with parchment paper or pressing cloth. You can felt the silk paper to wool rovings or pin felt onto pre-felted hankies, using traditional felting methods. You can frame the silk paper or adhere silk paper to another paper background using spay adhesive or a fusible medium.

Attaching silk paper to wool
I wanted to felt my silk paper to pre-felted hankies, using traditional felting methods. Unfortunately, I had none and could not wait for an order to arrive. I did however have some wool fabric that felted itself in the wash. traditional felting did not work so I decided to fuse the silk paper to the "wool felt" and also onto a separate piece of cotton batting I used Misty Fuse and an iron . Iron on silk setting with parchment paper to protect iron from sticking to Misty Fuse. Let cool. If you used fabric or matte medium to bind the silk paper, you now have a fused felted piece to use as desired! If you used starch to bind the silk paper, wash away the starch with hot water and dish detergent and rinsed again with hot water. Let the piece air dry. Iron again protecting the piece with parchment paper. You can leave edges raw, cut edges even and/or edge with decorative stitching.

Voila! You have a new fused felted piece to use as the creative muse leads you!

Saying .... I Love you

Are you in need a different way to "wrap"..ah present (preezent) a Valentine gift?
How about making a cute gift cone? I made one for a Yahoo group swap and it could not be easier.

Gift Cone Tutorial
There are several sources for instructions for making a gift cone.
Ruth Rae's fabulous fabric gift cone is in Quilting Arts Gifts, with instructions for creating a fabric or paper gift cone.

Basicallly, all you need is a 9" square of fabric or paper (2, 9" squares, if you want to line it) and embellishments!!!

SUPPLIES
• 9" square fabric or paper
• 9" square contrasting fabric or paper (optional)
• 1/2 yd of 3/8" ribbon, cording or yarn for hanging
• 1/4 yd trim, for seam (optional)
• 1/2 yd trim for top edge (optional)
• Tassel, beads or crystal (optional)
• Various embellishments: fabric, appliquets, beads, sequins, eyelets rivets etc (also optional)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Assemble all supplies and embellishments.
2. Stitch (glue for paper) 2 pieces of fabric/paper together right sides out.
3. Decorate outside fabric/paper.
4. Position trim down side of cone for seam to form cone later. (optional)
5. Place piping or trim along top point of cone. Stitch/glue in place.(optional)
6. Roll cone and hand stitch or glue along seam edge.
7. Stitch or glue ribbon handle to sides of cone.
8. Stitch tassel beads, or crystal to bottom point of cone. (optional)
9. Embellish more if needed. (optional)
10. Add gifts and present to loved one!!!

Cone back, side and front detail close-up.

My cone was made using silk paper fused to wool fabric and cotton batting.
Next post: Silk Paper

Thin Creativity ... Deep Soul

Have you seen the new MacBook Air?

I do not use a Mac but the design and potential functional ability of this computer is so amazingly creative. View Steve Jobs Introduction of the Apple MacBook Air at MacWorld 2008.

The new MacBook Air, is 0.76" thick, tapering to 0.16", weighs 3 pounds, has a 13.3" screen and full-size, backlit keyboard. Its Intel chip is the diameter of a dime and the thickness of a nickel. The MacBook Air will cost $1799+.

No doubt you have seen the Macbook Air Ad. That too is so creative and the song keeps humming in your head!

The song is New Soul by Yael Naim. Watch New Soul by Yael Naim music video on Youtube.

Talk about creative! The artist, Yael Naim was born in Paris and raised in Israel. She and David Donatien, assembled an eclectic group of musicians to record the album on a single computer in her Paris apartment. You can read about Yael Naim's rise to fame.

In the past, Apple has featured other new music artists on their commercials like the Feist, St. Vincent, and Regina Spektor. Most recently, the iPod Nano ad featured 1234 from the Feist’s “Remainder” album.

So far, Yael Naim has tour dates in France, none in the US. The New Soul single is available on iTunes and Amazon.com. The New soul album is due in the States in the Spring 08.

Read the words to New soul ... not only is the tune catchy but the lyrics are so inspiring and hopeful.

New Soul by Yael Naim
I'm a new soul I came to this strange world
hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take.
But since I came here
felt the joy and the fear
finding myself making every possible mistake.

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

I'm a young soul in this very strange world hoping I could learn a bit about what is true and fake.
But why all this hate?
Try to communicate.
Finding trust and love is not always easy to make.

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

This is a happy end cause' you don't understand everything you have done why's everything so wrong
this is a happy end come and give me your hand I'll take your far away.

[Refrain]:
I'm a new soul I came to this strange world
hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take
but since I came here
felt the joy and the fear
finding myself making every possible mistake

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

WOW! I just noticed the art quote for today is " Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. Berthold Auerbach. ... hummm