In the next couple days I hope to work on the Artistic Vision Statement banner from the Artistic Mother . I feel the purpose of my Artistic Vision Statement is to give me direction and focus in my creative endeavors. I've actually been really excited about making the banner since I bought the book about a month ago. I've just had a lot going on, so I haven't had the time to create lately. But last week I did lay out some things from my stash that make me happy, I wrote my Artistic Vision Statement weeks ago, and I started working on this photo. It's still a work in progress (can't figure out what to do with the text color and layout), but I still thought I'd share.

My new charm , originally uploaded by byjen . This past Tuesday my grandpa was laid to rest in a Veterans cemetery near his home and fortunately I was able to attend the service. My grandpa was a wonderful man and I cherish all the memories I have of him. I look back and realize I thought he'd be around forever. But his death has reminded me that life doesn't last forever. So I need to appreciate what I have and cherish those I love, right now. On my way home I found this charm that will help me remember my grandpa (he used to love watching CBS's Sunday morning so I love the little sun) and it will help me to remember to live and treasure each day.

Project #3 , originally uploaded by byjen . This weekend I finished the tote for my poetry journal. Now I just need to catch up with the reading and writing of poetry. Words aren't the most natural way for me to express myself. I'm much happier making and giving gifts or doing things for people to show my feelings. So I think reading and trying to write some words/poetry will be a good exercise for me. But I imagine I'll get distracted again from the task this week, simply because I have been looking forward to Week 4's Artistic Vision Statement Banner project since I got the book. So we'll see what happens =)

Art for GG , originally uploaded by byjen . I'm sad to say that my grandfather passed away this past Thursday. My grandfather was an amazing man and he will be missed dearly. It has been a rough couple of weeks leading up to his death and making art has been helping me through it. I just completed this piece for my grandmother because I wanted to celebrate the " family masterpiece" that my grandma and grandpa created together. And I want my grandma to know how much she means to me. Because this sad experience has reminded me that I need to cherish the life I have and the loved ones I hold dear, today.

Wow it's been quite a while since I posted. Just busy with life I suppose. Facebook has stolen me away a tiny bit, too (writing isn't necessarily my favorite). Never quite caught the Twitter bug. I have enough things stealing my time. I am posting today because I am trying to reclaim some of my stolen time. This past month, after celebrating my birthday, I discovered a book that has been helping me to refocus my energy on my true passion, being creative. The book is called The Artistic Mother by Shona Cole . It's definitely helping me to reevaluate how I spend my "free" time. I too often waste time watching too much TV or getting lost in the internet. I then wonder where all my time goes. The book includes 12 weeks of fun "workshops" to help focus and use some of my "free" time daily to be creative. I'm between the 1st and 2nd week of projects. Just recently, I discovered a group of women also working through the book trying to balance