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 ...

Believe Word Art , originally uploaded by byjen . For the past couple years I have chosen a one little word to represent my year; to set the tone or theme for the year. This is instead of making a list of resolutions I don't end up keeping. In 2008 I chose Achieve and Create was my word for 2009. Well I have chosen Believe to be my word for 2010. Believe has always been a special word for Daniel and me, with Daniel's wedding proposal in Disneyland and our Christmas time wedding. We've always "Believed in the Magic." But this year I hope to make it even more meaningful on a daily basis. I hope to learn the lesson of believing in myself and my ability to achieve the goals I set for myself. Here's to 2010 and Believing in Me!

Wow, I have been away from blog world for quite a long time now. Honestly, I even stopped reading other blogs just because I can't keep up with all the inspiration that strikes from seeing other crafty blogs. Life is always crazy. Keeping up with Rebecca, who just turned 5, and Katherine, my spunky 2 year old, is always a challenge, not to mention work and keeping up with household chores. And life is only going to get more hectic with the holidays, but I love holiday hectic! Among other things, I love the chance to be creative and make gifts for family and friends. My mind is racing with more ideas than I have time for, but at least during the holidays I make a greater effort to get in my craft room and CREATE! I have completed a few cool projects lately and have more on the horizon. I just created a painting for my friend, Susan. It's my biggest project ever, 2ftx3ft. She wanted something special to hang over her fireplace and I am so honored she thought of me. It was quite d...

Meal Planning , originally uploaded by byjen . Inspired by yet another project from Katherine Marie Photography blog , I recently finished a meal planning system that I hope will help us eat healthier and save money (less eating out). Instead of using a canvas and velcro I used my unfinished 4x6 IKEA frames and felt. It turned out pretty cute. I hope it helps.

Drive-in Movie Cars , originally uploaded by byjen . Last Sunday was our first football Sunday of the season. So it was a relaxing family day at home. For some fun, the girls and I made cars inspired by this blog . I learned about this blog months ago and have been searching for the perfect boxes, and the right time, ever since. It was a fun time. The girls chose the paint color for their boxes and they also painted white paper plates for the tires. Rebecca wanted to make sure the tires could turn, so I used brads to secure them. I also taped a flap of cardboard from the front edge to secure their paperplate steering wheel using a brad as well. Rebecca painted the faces on both cars (Katherine didn't last much past the car painting) and included little tongues sticking out. The cars turned out adorable. For their first drive-in, the girls saw a showing of Cinderella (a favorite of both).

Wow, it has been a long time. What a busy summer! I wish I could say it was busy with family vacations and time to be creative. No such luck. It was just busy with work, work, work. But now that fall is near, I might actually have a little more free time. The new semester is bringing with it a new schedule and lighter work load for my hubby (he teaches Anatomy & Physiology at a local community college). And my oldest daughter is now in kindergarten. Just those two changes may bring me a little extra time for me. So to start things off, I am taking an online art class from Paulette Insall . I'm excited but a bit overwhelmed by all the different art supplies. Just the different types of acrylic paints make my head spin. I think I just need to move past all that and just get into my craft room and finally make something! Stay tuned.....

Papa Bill Shadow Box , originally uploaded by byjen . I've been dying to share this completed layout but had to wait until after Father's Day (it was a gift for my dad). I just started making this layout for fun following the Donna Downey class instructions, but then it developed into something more. I just love the moment captured between my dad and Katherine. And the journaling sentiment I found. And the colors all worked so well together. I just need to remember in the future to photograph the layout before trapping it behind glass. Ooops.

My princesses , originally uploaded by byjen . Everyday is a princess day in our house =)

Another layout , originally uploaded by byjen . We just had a fairly busy weekend. We enjoyed 3 different BBQ's and did some redecorating in Rebecca and Katherine's room (pictures coming soon). In the middle of all the fun, I did have a chance to complete a couple more layouts based on Donna Downey's class instructions. I used one of my favorite photos of Becca which has a funny story to go with it. Check it out here . This layout is done on cardstock and then the canvas embellisment was adhered to the page protector. It's such a fun way to add texture and dimension.

Dance costumes are here! , originally uploaded by byjen . Yesterday, Rebecca got her costume for her dance recital coming up next month. She's going to be dancing to "It's Good To Be King" from the Lion King. Isn't she the cutest lion?

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

I have had the harderst time getting on the road to good health and fitness since having my two girls. I've started countless times, but just can't keep it up for one reason or another. But today I am announcing that this time I am going to do it and keep on doing it! I am going to CREATE the healthy and fit me that my family and I deserve! Last night I started the 30 day challenge on the new Wii Active and it felt really good. So here's to creating new habits and a new, healthy me!

Paper Layout , originally uploaded by byjen . I really haven't "scrapbooked" much since Katherine was born, but this Donna Downey class has really got me going again. I love painting the backgrounds and using the basic text on the pages. So simple but so meaningful. I'm truly enjoying exploring more artistic techniques. This weekend I plan on working on a piece to submitt for a Christmas publication, so wish me luck getting it done and hoping it gets chosen. I also have to reclaim my craft room. I've got a full size bed that needs to fit back in it. It's amazing how much stuff I have crammed into every nook and cranny of our house.

County Fair Fun , originally uploaded by byjen . A little over a week ago we went to the County Fair. We met Rebecca's friend, Jadine, and all had a grand time!