Here is my entry for the Jan. Sketchbook Challenge

Here is my entry for the January 2011 Sketchbook Challenge. This months theme challenge is "Highly Prized" . I have done several other pieces in different journals. But this one is the one I am entering. Highly Prized to me is my family. So a little hand drawn word art. A few silly cartoonish faces for my family. Including Marvin who has a halo at the top of the F. Hanging from the F are our we

dding rings and my Pandora Bracelet. All things I highly prize. Marvin smiled down on this one and had a hand in creating this one. I have not felt his presence as intently as I did today. Peace,joy,and comfort filled my heart.

This piece has been created in a Strathmore Visual Journal. 9x12 size. I used the water color 140pd one. I have used my favorite pens, Pigma to do all of the drawing. I then played with some different mediums. A Niji watercolor brush,watercolor paints,Pitt brush pens and Gelly Roll Stardust pens to add a little sparkle here and there.

I'm sure I won win any of the awesome prizes after seeing my competition, but I am sticking by my previous post... To complete this challenge each month !!!
Blessings and hugs... Kristy

2011...Season of Change

Here we are 4 days into the new year. We are no longer saying Happy New Year to everyone we meet. Many have already broken their new years resolution. Another reason I chose to do my punch list for 2011. Where am I ? I am in a season of change. I have been doing a lot of soul searching while I have been down and sick. I have realized so much and am trying to listen to my internal chatter and listen.. really listen to what I am hearing. I have come to realize how Marvin's passing in July has consumed me. I read back in my blog and see how I have become so stuck in my loss. I know people now avoid me because all I can talk about is Marvin, his final days,my grief,being alone on and on. I don't know who I am without him. He completed me. He gave me purpose in taking care of him. He was my world. He is gone now and I must try to go on without him.That is my reality.I think I have just curled up in my grief and thought it was ok. After all that is what my counselor says. Grief knows no time.You have to get through this on your terms. Well... that is not working apparently. So... what to do about it? Here is where I am at...My reality check.

1. I have fallen short in my relationship with God. He is my strength and I have walked away in my grief. I need Him in my life. I am nothing without Him. I will spend more time in His presence ,without distraction.

2. BIG CONFESSION AHEAD... I am a smoker. I started back when Marvin go the news that there was no more hope for him. I need to quit. Leave it behind forever. Agaia, I am weak. I was doing it when I felt so sick. I'm beginning to feel better and I am back to almost a pack a day. Reminding self of the health issues. The expense that I could do something wonderful with that money. I need prayer .I need to lean on God to get me through this.

3. My creative self died when Marvin did. I had not picked up a brush,pen,paper or even doodled on a grocery receipt. So.. my muse is returning. I am making a commitment to complete a challenge. I am a part of the Sketchbook Challenge.. (There is a button on the left that you can check it out ) It is a monthly challenge. A theme is posted on the first of each month for a year. I have nearly completed my entry for January. ( Keep coming back I will post it here. ) I will be picking up different mediums and trying new things. Creating feeds my soul. It is a God given gift. It's time to explore more into that part of me and then use it for good in some way.

4. I need to get my drivers license. I had stopped driving because of health issues and Panic attacks. I am alone,out in the country and many times I am in need of something or just want to get out of this house . No one is available so I am here for days on end with no way to escape. I need to get my ducks in a row. Put behind my fears and JUST DO IT !! Scared...YES..as I post my hands are shaking. But, for my sanity I must do it.

5. I need to dream again. I need to think in terms of myself. What I want with the remander of my life. WOW..it feels like I am going into a foreign country all alone. But... without dreams I will just living without purpose,dreams or goals.

6. I want to clean up,get rid of things and down size. I don't need all this stuff. It is crazy. I am going to learn to live simply. To be eco friendly, To recycle more.

7. I am going to learn to eat healthier and cook for myself more. I have fallen into the habit of getting frozen foods and heating and going. I do eat a lot of fruits and veggies. I do eat whole grain breads and light dressings but I know that is not enough.

I think that is a lot to put out here. Maybe no one is reading my blog because I have been Suzie downer for nearly 6 months now. But I put if our there for myself more than anything, I need to put myself as a priority. God being 1st in my life.

There it is.. out there for all to see. This is what I have become .The list is the beginning to what I WILL BECOME in 2011. I ask for your prayers,words of encouragement and ideas you may have.

Hugs and blessings....
Kristy
Here I am with my precious granddaughter Trinity. I have changed since then I've cut my hair short, gotten contacts and lost some weight. Just wanted to post this pic as inspiration for myself.

Here's to the New Year...2011

Here's to the New Year. Here's to you and new beginnings.For bigger dreams. To memories that comfort us. For health,happiness and many blessings. Here's to creative inspiration or finding a new muse. Here's to joy unspeakable and unconditonal love. Here's to God whom I love and need in my life. Here's to pink sunsets,dragonfly kisses and lots of laughter. Here's to life !!

I came to a wonderful realization. 2010 will be behind us. In my world the sadness and the loss of my husband this year will never come again .It is now history. Yes, 2011 will be a year of healing, remembering and new beginnings. So come on 2011 !! Lol !

I must thank you all for your support,encouragement,love,laughter and shoulders to cry on. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life for a reason or a season. My hugs and love go out to each of you!

Here is a challenge I posted at MaryJanesFarm...my challenge to my sisters there was to create a bucket list for 2011. New Years resolutions and I do not get along. I usually break them before January is over ! Lol! I find that I tend to do resolutins that set me up to fail ~ So this year I am creating a Busket List or Punch list as Marvin called it. I have a brand new journal ready for 2011 and at the front I am placing my bucket list for 2011. Not my life long bucket list but for this year. I will share a few of my random additions.

I will finally get my studio set up. My little haven to create and allow my muse to run and play freely as she chooses.

I will volunteer at a food bank, community outting, or church work day at least 1 a month, More if possible.

I will spend an hour each day praying,reading my bible and meditating .

Ok... There is a start. Let me know what you come up with. Share them here if you like to spark an idea in another .

Hugs and blessings to you all...
and have a blessed,safe Happy New Year!!

The Journey with a Japanese Journal

Here we go. So begins the journey through my Japanese Journal.I have been involved with a group on Flickr for about 2 years now. I love doing Zentangle ( See info on side bar). One of the friends I made there has a Journal addiction (Hugs Sandra...aka Molossus). She has shown several entried of her's. I finally found them and ordered 2 ! I too must admit... I am a journal addict ! ;O) ! I was blessed with an inspiration from another friend (Sandy B. at Beez in the belfry) She had posted from a journal she was doing . I left a message on her blog and she was kind enough to email me with a string idea for these journals. So... I jumped on it and here is the beginning 3 pages. There will eventually be a story written in the ribbon that goes through the journal. (When the muse for the story strikes me ! lol ) What's a Japanese Journal you ask . It is a journal that is accordian folded pages. All in a hard back cover. I found them at www.dickblick.com .They are a Moleskine product. I so love their journals... I have uhh.. several shall I say ! lol ! Many sizes to chose from. Anyway here is a picture of the first 3 pages. Keep an eye out for what comes next !!

My First Christmas In Heaven - Australian Country Music

This is a voice from heaven for me. It was writtne by a young boy dying of a brain tumor. Terry has added the music. What a blessing it is to me this year. My First Christmas without my dear husband Marvin. I heard his voice in this song !

Christmas alone

Merry Christmas everyone ! Well as I write it is not yet Christmas day here but I know it is for many of you ! This is my first Christmas without my dear husband ,Marvin. Our children and grandbabies are not going to be around so I am alone for the holiday. I am having a rough day and thought I would share some lessons I am learning this year.

1. It truly is all about Jesus birth for me this year. I will be reading the story of His birth from my Bible once again. Something I have not always taken time to do when the kids are around. My new tradition for Christmas.

2. It truly is better to give than receive.I haven't really felt like shopping or celebrating this year. But I was blessed to have a dear friend take me and together we came up with some great ideas for my adult children that refused to give me a wish list this year! lol ! I have also been able to bless a few others this season. That is a truly good feeling !

3. Along that line I am realizing that there are widows in my area that are probably spending Christmas alone as well. So for next year... I intend to so something for other widows that will be alone. Time to put on my thinking hat ! LOL !!

I pray you have a very blessed Christmas and that you will create many new memories . Hold on to those memories,as I am doing this year.

I miss you honey so very much but I know you are celebrating with the angels !! Kiss Jesus for me !

Hugs to all...
Kristy

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to my friends and family !! I pray your holidays are filled with love,laughter,joy,peace and so many beautiful memories. I love this old card image I got from a friends site. She has really cool vintage things !! Now I just have to find the link for any of you that might enjoy it !! lol !!
Blessings and hugs ...
Kristy

aka... Rose Twofeather
Sister #2339 on MJF..Eggfarmgirl