The theme for the second assignment of the Joy Journal Project was a spread about "Quiet."
For some reason, The 23rd Psalm has been resonating in my head, so I thought I would incorporate it into my journal as the main text. The background collage paper is also a page about Jesus calming the tempest. I thought that was appropriate, so I highlighted some of the words that popped out at me from that story.
I wanted to incorporate a painted lady in my spread, and finally settled on having her resting in the green pastures by a quiet tree (no birds, no rustling leaves).
I started this spread at home, and then jammed my journal into my portable art kit. Alas, the pages stuck together and tore the paint off in some places. Instead of lamenting this and calling it all "ruined," I decided to embrace the imperfections as all part of the process. I even took some sand paper and added some distressed sections, as well as smoothed out the torn parts. Whatever, right?
This art journaling thing is quite a learning process. I sometimes start with a certain vision, and get frustrated when I can't realize it the way I would like to do. But I'm realizing that my art journals are really just a place to play and learn and grow. The final product is not what's important. If I like it -- great! If not -- what does it matter?
I thought I wanted to do more with this page, but at this point, I'm not sure what I would do. So, for now it is "done." Perhaps I'll come back to it some day. But for now I'm ready to move on.
Recently, DD14 had a wave of creativity. She created a lovely necklace and earring holder with a simple tree branch in a (weighted) mason jar base. Then she raided our basement boxes of frames, fabric, and mirrors and created a funky arrangement as a backdrop for her branch. (She simply framed some of the fabric.)
Cool, eh?
These lovelies showed up in my mailbox this week . . .
From Karen:
And Cassandra:
Thank you, ladies :)
The day that I was admitted for this round of chemo, three teens from the town where I used to live were in a horrible crash near the northern town where my dad used to live. One died on the scene; the other two were air-lifted to the hospital I am in and have been in critical care here since. My heart has really been dwelling on their families. So, I decided to use the little bits of arty stuff I brought to the hospital to play with to make some cards for the families of the girls that are here in the hospital.
I had some pages from some old books, some paint and stamps, and a couple of extra copies of verses from my Word Art Wednesday work.
And I used some larger pages to make envelopes.
Not your typical "Thinking of You" cards -- but I hope they convey the message that these folks are being thought of and prayed for as they suffer such a difficult trial.
I talked to my husband again about the incredible impact my pretty blankets and other lovelies in my room have had on my well-being while I'm in the hospital, and he heard my heart for these girls. On his way to visit, he picked up some beautiful blankets to grace the beds of these girls while they recover. DH and DD14 took the blankets and cards up to the ICU and delivered them to the families, who seemed appreciative. Our hope is that they will bring some beauty and warmth to help them heal.
Have you discovered any ways to bless people who are in hospital? Besides flowers, what are some ways that we can bring beauty and warmth and love to people who are trying to heal in an institutional setting?
