Warning! Don't go any further unless you have a cup of coffee in hand {or other favorite beverage} and some time, for you risk getting pulled into the magical land of Bloglandia. In honor of my 1-year anniversary I designed this map and a tour that highlights some of my adventures. You will see some familiar people and places and perhaps make some new discoveries. As you visit my friends be sure to tell them that Collage Diva sent you and sends her love. Are you ready?
Let's begin with a message from a fortune cookie --
"An exciting opportunity lies ahead if you are not timid."
This was the photo in my first blog entry on April 6, 2008. This tour is an effort to post some of highlights from the 128 blog posts that I lost when I switched from iWeb to Typepad. I took the fortune cookie photo as part of a series called, "Looking for a Sign." Click here to see more from this series in a new Web gallery. I had so much fun driving around town looking for different types of signs from political to historic.
First Stop: A Fanciful Twist Mad Hatter Tea Party
Early on in my travels I discovered the very talented Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist. She hosted a most magical blog party called the "Mad Hatter Tea Party." I didn't quite know what to expect but jumped in to the fun and I'm glad that I did! Click on the sampler below to see more photos from my first blog party. I had so much fun decorating and designing things for the party.
Stop #2: Friends
I made so many new friends at Vanessa's party. I want you to meet four who have been constant companions on my journey in the last year. If you have time to visit them, be sure to let them know that Collage Diva sent you!
Carmen, A Mermaid's Life
Michelle, 3rd Eye Muse
Kate, Shibori Girl
Jeanne's Bliss Blog
Stop #3: SoulCollage 40th Tea Party
I had heard about SoulCollage about two years ago and wanted to learn more about it. To celebrate my 40th birthday I invited some of my dear friends to a tea party where we learned about SoulCollage from Laura Hegfield, a trained facilitator. We had a lovely day!
SoulCollage - Official Web site of Seena Frost
Kaleidosoul - Ann Marie Bennett's SoulCollage Hub
Laura Hegfield, SoulCollage Facilitator
Ann Boedecker, SoulCollage Facilitator
Stop #4: GPP Street Team
What a delight to meet Michelle Ward and join in on her monthly crusades. I posted my first submission on Friday the 13th, actually Friday, June 13, 2008 to be exact. Participating in the challenges gave me another taste of the community that is experienced in Bloglandia. The words of encouragement fanned my creative flames. Pictured below was my first submission for crusade #21.
GPP Street Team Blog
Stop #5: PinkePinke {Inge in Belgium}
I've made so many friends through participating in the GPP crusades but one friend who stands out and shines is Inge in Belgium. Inge has been among the dearest of all blog friends. We've exchanged countless e-mails and surprise packages in the mail. I was hoping to visit her this summer in Belgium but alas, I had to delay my travel plans. Hopefully next year I'll get there for our uber-creative girls week. Pictured below are a couple of the many gifts that Inge has sent me this year. Note the little book shows her bookbinding skills and the cover is made with her very own handmade leek paper.
Visit PinkePinke {Inge in Belgium}
Stop #6: Down Abbie’s Road and The Vintage Moth
There are so many generous souls in Bloglandia and Abbie is one of them. Abbie publishes free vintage images on her blog, The Vintage Moth. Abbie is a very talented graphic designer - visit her personal blog, Down Abbie’s Road to see some of her photography and digital art.
Stop #7: NH Institute of Art and the Currier Museum Art Center
I had to add the New Hampshire Institute of Art and the Currier Museum Art Center as a landmarks on my map. At NHIA I learned so much from the digital photography and making art with Photoshop classes. The banner at the top of this blog is a section of a digital collage that I made in class at NHIA and have printed on canvas. The mixed media painting class that I took at the Currier Museum Art Center gave me so many great ideas and techniques. I look forward to connecting the digital play and painting techniques more in the year to come.
Stop #8: Creative Everyday
Leah at Creative Everyday challenges readers and participants to be creative each and every day. Being creative is not about making art but about how we live. Since I’ve taken up the challenge to live a creative life, I’ve experienced a creative surge - the ideas and projects keep flowing.
Stop #9: Mind Wide Open
Gail at Shabby Cottage Studio has created so many delightful places in blogland. Pictured below is an altered mirror that I made for one of the Mind Wide Open challenges. I’m currently taking Nancy Lefko’s mixed media painted backgrounds online class and I’m signed up for Pam Carriker’s visual journaling class that starts up in May. Both of the classes are offered through Gail’s Creative Workshop Ning site.
Stop #10: Jamie Ridler Studios
My recent blog adventures have been inspired by Jamie Ridler. Jamie is host to “The Next Chapter” a book blog group. The latest book, “The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women” by Gail McGeekin opened up my creativity even further as I posted once a week for 12 weeks. I made so many new friends who are now part of the 12 Secrets Tribe. Jamie is also host to a monthly full moon dream board. Visit Jamie Ridler at her blog, HERE.
Stop #11: Artsy Mama and A Year of Color
Kara is one highly creative blogger who shares her impeccable tastes and bloglandia connections on her personal blog, Artsy Mama and members only blog, A Year of Color. Last fall I discovered Kara’s Sweet and Sinister swap too late to participate but my friend Inge connected me with her friend Dorien and we swapped on our own. Visit my Halloween 2008 gallery to see what we swapped including something sweet, something sinister, something handmade, something vintage, and more!
Stop #12: Friends & Favorite Places
Here are some of my many blog friends and favorite people.
Shell, Swan of Dreamers
Melissa, Holiday Queen
Suzi Blu
Stop #13: More Friends & Paper Mentors
Here are some of my many blog friends and favorite people.
Artella
SARK
Noodle & Lou Studio
Mandala Oasis
Stop #14: Soul Journal
Many of you know me through Soul Journaling. Sarah Whitmire published a 22-day online series of art journaling prompts last summer. When her series drew to a close several of us wanted to keep the spirit of it going and I volunteered to write and publish prompts.
Visit Sarah’s blog to learn more about Soul Journaling
See my Soul Journal pages from working through Sarah’s prompts.
Stop #15: Labor Day
It was labor day 2008 when I was sitting and journaling under a tree in a neighborhood park when I decided that I would try my hand out at writing and publishing art journaling prompts. Pictured below are a couple of the pages from that fateful day.
Stop #16: Introducing a new year and a new blog, www.TrueNorthArts.com
What an amazing year! What I’ve shared here are only the highlights. The next year promises to be even more creative and I look forward to making even more connections. I’m excited to announce that I will be publishing a new blog called, True North Arts on June 1, 2009.
On True North Arts you’ll find my monthly art challenges. The art journaling prompts originally published on my Soul Journal blog will move to the new site. Click here to read the announcement from me and Sarah that shares Sarah's plan for Soul Journaling and Kathryn's plan to start True North Arts.
About True North Arts
Each one of us has a path and a place that is uniquely ours, this is one's true north. My work expresses a desire to look within, to find my true Self, to love that Self, and to be myself. True North Arts is a place where I can share this creative journey with others to find their own true north. True North Arts opens up so many possibilities that go beyond the art journal.
I invite you to participate in my map making prompt found on my current soul journal blog. I’ve extended the deadline to enter the contest to May 22, 2009. The winner of the contest will be one of the first announcements made on True North Arts.
The first True North Arts prompt will be "The Serendipity Compass" an art journal navigational device to help you find your True North.
Be the first to know about upcoming prompts, winner announcements, and new developments at True North Arts. Sign up here for the True North Arts monthly e-mail newsletter from Collage Diva.
I wish to thank all of my blog friends new and old for your continued support and enthusiasm. *YOU* have all helped me to blossom!
{soul hugs}
kathryn antyr
kathrynantyr@mac.com
what an amazing map filled with glorious places and links !! thanks for including us at Creative Workshops :)
Posted by: Nancy Lefko | April 11, 2009 at 09:14 AM
oh my goooooodness (TONS of goodness!!!)...this is delightful Kathryn.
I'm so tickled that you included noodle and lou on your amazing map. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I'm being serenaded in French!? The perfect morning:)
I know how much work this post was and it is seriously a feast for the eyes.
fab-U-lous!!! looking forward to following along on your new adventure...
xoxox...jenn
Posted by: noodle and lou studio | April 11, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Oh Miss Kathryn, Happy ONE YEAR BLOGiversary!!!
That map is so fabulous, and all your stops really touched me heart and soul!!!
What I remember about you when we met at the Mad Tea pArty, is that, you were such a lovely guest, filled with joy and sparkles, and you were so loyal to Bloglandia!!! Then and now!
Here's to many more adventures!! love, V
(French music is swoonilicious, my family and I enjoy it tremendously - what a treat to hear it this morning at my visit to you!)
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | April 11, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Happy Birthday, Collage Diva!!! Like a big slice of birthday cake with a giant icing-rose on top, there's too much to take in, here! Congratulations on your big day, and I look forward to following you in your new adventures to come!
Posted by: amateur-in-art | April 11, 2009 at 03:28 PM
I love your Blogversary map tour. It's one of the most creative ways I have seen to celebrate this milestone. I am most honored to part of your map. I loved Swanofdreamers swimming out in the ocean. Thank you for your friendship, K.
I can't wait to see all the new adventures and creativity happening at True North Arts.
Posted by: Shell | April 11, 2009 at 10:52 PM
what an incredible way to celebrate your first year in Bloglandia - the map is spectacular! It was seriously delightful and brought back many, many wonderful memories.
thank you.
for you.
wishing you great joy, wonder & success with True North Arts!
Posted by: 3rdEyeMuse | April 11, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Wow, fantastic!! It's so exciting to see the journey that brought you to this amazing place and the launch of True North Arts! Congratulations. And what an honour to be on the map!
There's so much deliciousness there. I'm going to be doing a lot of adventuring!
Posted by: jamie | April 13, 2009 at 08:24 AM
This is excellent. What a great way to share creativity.
Posted by: Lu | April 13, 2009 at 09:30 AM
How exciting to be starting a new venture and to be able to give so much to others.
I so enjoyed reading and visiting all the stops on your map. Thanks for sharing.
Bev
Posted by: Bev | April 13, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Hi Kathryn,
You know, I'm thrilled to find myself on your glorious Bloglandia Map. Thanks! I'm so glad you've enjoyed blogging - it's been a lifeline for me this past year...
Hugs,
Kate
Posted by: shibori girl | April 15, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Wow! what a ride you've had in Bloglandia! I came back today to make sure I could partake of each site. When viewed this way...via the map...gratitude and appreciation is stirred for sure. Isn't life rich? I'm so glad our paths have crossed..and we're journeying together. Congrats on a wonder-filled, good life..for both of us!
Posted by: Cheryl | April 15, 2009 at 03:43 PM
Oh! I just saw Stop #13 - thank you for including me in your Map...it's a pleasure to be here in Bloglandia with you :)
Posted by: Cheryl | April 15, 2009 at 03:46 PM
This journey was a joy to read !!
I remember most of the things you tell about.
I knew I've been on the mad hatter party too and I know i've been visiting your website too and recieved your "presents"...
I don't know if I then passed by "accident" or really visited you cause I met you at the GPP crusades...
That crusade really was are meetingmoment !
I'm honored to be mentioned as a true bloggingfriend, cause I have the same feeling about you too !
you make me blush , but smile happily when I read the part you wrote about me...
I don't think you get rid of me anymore on your future journeys...:)
I'm not a "stalker" ! I just like to visit you now and then, like to see what you create with your hands, but also to be astonished by all the creative buzzing in your head !
I try to participate where I can, but it is always a joy to pass by collagediva !
hugs from belgium
Inge
and XOXO ( as Michelle Ward teached me...)
Posted by: inge | April 16, 2009 at 03:00 PM
You're soooooooooo creative, Kath!!! I've have already seen this map on Soul Journaling, but I didn't guess so much meaninfunl it is. Congrats for your first year and I'll obviously follow you on True North blog. Thank you for so much inspiration!
Posted by: Renata Pacheco | April 19, 2009 at 09:18 AM