Congratulations to Beverly Baird, the winner of the True North Arts gift certificate!
I'm working on a Christmas present for all of my readers. Be sure to stop by on or after Christmas to pick it up!
May you and your family have a blessed holiday season.
{soul hugs}
Kathryn Antyr, Collage Diva
Artist dates provide us with an opportunity to check out and check in. Last Saturday, I gave myself the gift of an entire day to relax, reflect, and create. I started with a massage and followed it with a simple lunch. I've been researching the topic for December for a couple of months and knew I wanted to get some of the projects finally done. I read a little book that a colleague had loaned to me about prayer boxes and learned about writing prayer lines. Before I sat down to work on making a prayer journal and prayer book, I felt restless and needed inspiration. I decided to pull out some magazines and do a little warm up exercise - a quick magazine collage. As I flipped through severals magazines I stopped on a picture of Pema Chondron a Buddhist nun whose words I have read several times before. In this magazine article she is quoted:
"Pausing is very helpful...It creates a momentary contrast between being completely self-absorbed and being awake and present. You just stop for a few seconds, breathe deeply, and move on. Chogyam Trungpa used to refer to this as the gap. In the middle of just living, which is usually a pretty caught-up experience characterized by a lot of internal discussion, you just pause. And once you start doing it, pausing nurtures you; you begin to prefer it to being all caught up." (Excerpted from her 11th book, Taking the Leap)This was the inspiration I was seeking. It tied in so perfectly with the theme of prayer. Prayer doesn't have to be in the traditional sense, it can be as simple as taking a moment to stop what you are doing to really notice your surroundings. The pause is a moment to quiet the body and the mind to check out, and check inward and to check back outward again. It is a time to just observe. From here we can resume our work or other activity with a little more clarity or we can change course. I started pausing each day and the more I paused the more I sought out the pauses - they felt so good and just as Pema said felt so nourishing.
My pause during the artist date lead me to finishing up two projects for today, a prayer journal and prayer box. I'll share more on that in a moment and you can take a closer look at the photos from the day by clicking on the small picture above.
Advent started this week and a coworker had some extra little blue books that she passed around. In the little blue books are daily readings and reflections from the book of Luke. Curiously I started reading it. The introduction invites the reader to take 6 minutes each day to read and reflect. I thought "I can afford 6 minutes of my day to this." Here are some interesting things to ponder that came out of the first week of reflections that you may want to journal about:
31 Pauses
As I pause each day during December, I've kept my camera close at hand to capture the moment. These photos of the day are posted on my other blog, CollageDiva.com. I offer with each photo a phrase, word, or suggestion of things to notice when pausing. These pause reflections also make for good journal prompts. Click on the picture on the right to enlarge, it is one of the photos from this series, called, "Wings." Visit CollageDiva.com to see the photo of the day.
Prayer Journal and Prayer Box
The idea to create a prayer journal and prayer box came from the book, "The Prayer Box Book: Create, Write, and LIve Your Prayers" by Janell Moon. I liked the idea of taking time to journal to write in a simple notebook my thoughts and feelings for the day. I've added a new step: to read over the writing and pull out an idea or phrase to write a simple line, a prayer line. My new little prayer book contains the lines pulled from my journal. These lines are then written on strips of paper and tucked into the prayer box.
The prayer journal was created by simply covering an existing mini journal. I wanted to personalize the journal with papers that I love. I covered both the inside and outside of the cover with a variety of papers including handmade, store bought, and some I had painted. The blue swatch you see on the inside is handmade paper that is so soft to touch. Each time I open it I rub my thumb along it. I didn't buy anything new to make this journal - I used papers that I already had on hand.
I covered this little wooden box to match my prayer journal. Along with the prayer lines, I tucked in a few tokens -- again things that I already had on hand. This is a quick project but a very meaningful one. Be sure to select colors that you love. I now keep my prayer journal with me all the time. I love the size, look, and feel of it.
Prayer Beads
I really started this month's theme with the idea of making prayer beads. Over a year ago, I had mentioned to fellow blogger Megan Warren an idea of creating a string of beads, an anniversary bracelet or necklace where each bead represented a different milestone in my year. A few months ago, Megan reminded me of this idea and we started brainstorming. I was thinking of making my own painted papers with journaling on them for prayers. Megan came up with the great idea of writing gratitudes on the paper and stringing together a gratitude bracelet. Our collaboration follows with ideas for creating your own prayer beads.
Prayer beads are found in traditions all over the world. "Prayer beads, whether they are the Hindu, or Buddhist mala, the Muslim tasgih, or the Christian rosary, have been used for hundreds of years as a tool for remembering. Remembering a prayer, remembering a mantra, repeating and remembering. Remember to respect, remember to love, remember to be true." (from Prayer Beads by Manuela Dunn Mascetti and Priya Hemenway) As I read more about prayer beads I learned how the use has a soothing effect, much like a lullaby that comes from the repetition of prayers and familiar feeling of the beads as they are rubbed between the fingers. The practice has been described as a tangible way to connect with the divine and it is in remembering the divine that we recognize the divine within us. Masetti and Meneway write, "Prayer moves you out of your mind and into your heart, your being. It is a doorway through which you pass in order to connect with the sacred in yourself."
Prayer Paper and Paper Prayer Beads
Pictured above is the painted paper that I made to use for my paper prayer beads.
I started with using paper left over from some roses that I bought recently. I covered the entire page with some journaling. I began to write about what I had learned about prayers, why we pray, and what I pray for. I then rolled on some inexpensive acrylic paints to cover the surface, allowing some of the words to peek through.
Tubes of high quality acrylic paint were generously applied and swirled onto the page forming a bed of roses. Once dried lumiere paints were brushed on with a makeup sponge.
In other areas of the page, details were drawn in using a Sharpie pen.
Color copies were made of the painted paper. Beads were made by cutting the paper into triangles and rolled.
Here is a closer look at my paper beads. I made various sizes. I trimmed the edges to give a barrel effect.
Megan had a similar idea but used a canvas instead of paper.
Check out this quick video that shows you how to make your paper beads.
Rose Beads
I came across a recipe to make rose petal beads. Megan and I both tried it out. I cut the petals from several roses and then mashed them using the back of a spoon.
Megan put her mortar and pestal to use. Notice how the red petals turned the dough purple!
Roll your dough to form the beads.
Poke each bead with a rounded tooth pick and let dry. I used a wheat flour giving the beads a rustic look.
Megan's beads are larger, she used wooden skewers. Megan used a white flour. Wow these purple beads are gorgeous!
Megan decorated a box using some of the canvas used for the paper beads.
Praying the Rosary
My project here for True North Arts led me to collaborating with a colleague at work to prepare a resource about praying the rosary. I scanned the painted papers to use as the background and my colleague provided me some history about the rosary. I added a page to the resource that shares the recipe for making the rose beads and even included a coloring page for children to learn the Hail Mary prayer. Click here to download this resource. (pdf)
Friendship Mala Bead Swap
Malas are bracelets made of prayer beads. You are invited to join me in creating a unique friendship mala. Each participant will send in 30 beads and receive 27 beads from around the world to make a friendship mala (prayer bracelet). The extra strands will be either auctioned for a good cause or raffled. Beads may be handmade or bought. Since this is a busy time of year, the beads are not due until January 10, 2010. I will photograph the beads and will make a guide to your friendship mala that includes where the bead came from and details from each participant as to the prayer they want to share or the significance of the color chosen, etc. The mala beads and guide will be sent to you in time for Valentine's day. Space is limited to 15 participants. E-mail kathrynantyr@mac.com to sign up. I will send you an e-mail confirmation with the submission guidelines.
Spaces are limited. Don't delay!
1. Kathryn Antyr
2. Megan Warren
3. Sue Seibert
4. Jinxie Goforth
5. Bev Baird
6. Janet O'Connor
7. Olwyn Hughes
8. Chris O'Connor
9. Lay Hoon
10. Jennifer Mantle
11. Barbara Framm
12.You're Next!
13.
14.
15.
Share your story.
What role does prayer play in your life? Do you have a favorite set of prayer beads? Are you inspired to make your own beads or to keep a prayer journal? Blog about your story and share it with the group. I'd love to see a photo of your favorite prayer beads. Maybe you'll collect some beads and string an anniversary bracelet? Inspired by my 31 pauses? Show us where and when you paused. Leave a link to your post using the Mr. Linky widget below so we can find your post and read your story.
To get this story time started, Megan Warren shares her reflections about prayer and her work on this collaborative project.
Prayer and Prayer Beads – Megan WarrenFrom my own prayerful heart to yours, I wish you and your loved ones a blessed holiday season. Thank you so much for inviting me to share this creative journey with you.
I was raised a Catholic and attended Catholic Schools, so prayer was a part of my everyday life from an early age. Mostly it was formalised prayers that we learnt by rote – such as The Lord’s Prayer or the Hail Mary. As an adult my faith has wavered through life experiences, but my prayers never ceased. Instead of those formal prayers, rather they became a dialogue of thanks, of questioning, of hope, of frustration or whatever the mood of what was happening. Now my prayers are more about gratitude, being thankful in my life. It is far from perfect, but we do need to be thankful for what we do have. The beads are an example of this. Each bead has a prayer or gratitude inscribed on it before being wound into a bead. The process of creating the beads is a prayer in and of itself. The beads are created from a canvas painting that I loved, but no longer liked. I removed it from the stretchers and tore it into strips to be wound into beads. The original idea for the beads came from Alisa Burke’s book Canvas Remix, however the use of prayer or gratitude was my own.
{soul hugs}
Kathryn, Collage Diva
Give the gift of art and soul this season or put it on your wish list. True North Arts gift certificates are a fun and affordable gift. The beautifully designed gift certificate will be e-mailed to you with a coordinating envelope. Gift Certificates are only $30 and good for any of the True North Arts online workshops.
Treat yourself and a friend this holiday season.
ONLINE WORKSHOPS
The winter season for online workshops begins in January. For a list of available workshops visit: www.truenortharts.com/workshops.html
GIVEAWAY!
I want to spread a little cheer so I am giving away one True North Arts gift certificate. It is easy to enter. Simply leave a comment on this post by December 8th (midnight, EST).
Here are ways you can get extra entries:
The winner will be randomly selected and announced on December 9th. If you win, you can keep the gift for yourself or give it to a friend!
Happy Holidays!
Kathryn, Collage Diva
Storytelling+Collage: Unlock Your Own Story
We are all living myths. We are the hero of our stories.
Using the intuitive process of collage making, participants will visually explore their own inward and outward journeys. Each week a new prompt and ideas will be shared based on Joseph Campbell's work on myths and the Hero's Journey. The series of collages will be the basis for writing our own stories. What stories do you tell about your own life's journey? This is an opportunity to explore your stories and even rewrite them.
Starts: January 14, 2010
Duration: 8-weeks!
Price: $30
Workshop Format
This workshop is being offered at the budget friendly amount of $30 for eight weeks.
Are your thoughts, feelings and ideas safe? Do you feel free to share how you REALLY feel in your journal? Do you have privacy? Have you been betrayed? The topic of protecting our journals came up this last month on the True North Arts Yahoo! Board and I thought I would share some ideas on how I've protected my journal entries.
Idea #1 BLACK GESSO
Pictured above is a journal page that was covered with black gesso. You would never know that under all of that black lies some very personal thoughts.
IDEA #2 DECLARE IT!
Making it clear that the journal is off limits may be enough to let others know not to enter. This works when those in your life will honor your wishes. Pictured above is my journal with some police tape wrapped around it. Last week we had a tragedy on our street. While walking my dog, some left over tape was still tied around a sign post. As I picked it up I thought about this journal prompt and I shivered thinking about boundaries. How do we make it known not to cross the line? The tag was made from altering a clothing tag.
IDEA #3 - CREATE A MAUSOLEUM
Internment is one safe way to protect your journal pages. A greeting card from Papaya was altered for the journal page above. The personal thoughts were written on the back of the card before securely pasting the card using Yes! paste.
We need safe places to unload those ugly feelings. Our negative emotions are real and normal. The last thing I want to do is to hurt the people involved. No matter how I feel about someone, I really don't want to hurt them. Here no one gets hurt and I feel better.
If you have a lost love, you may want to enshrine your thoughts and feelings behind an image of the Taj Mahal. You could draw, paint, or print a photo of the monument and then cover your journal entry. What a beautiful tribute to love!
IDEA #4 - WHITE GESSO
This journal page had some dreams on it that will never be realized. Circumstances have changed and I know that I need to move on. I realize that seeing the journal page before I altered it may stir up some sad feelings and disappointment. Here I need to protect me from my own journal.
I tinted some white gesso and dry sponged it onto the page. I then followed up with some journal notes declaring that some dreams need to rest in peace.
IDEA #5 - BURN IT!
And sometimes torching the pages is what is necessary. It felt good to burn these very old pages from years gone by.
It was fun to photograph too!
IDEA #6 - COVER IT!
This journal page was created by covering it with pieces from a color copy of my soul armor journal page. Other images like the turtles and face were added. New journal lines transform this page from fears and worries to encouragement.
Above the only original journal entry is peeking out on the left.
Here is a look at my original journal page that I color copied and cut up. I love the metaphor of soul armor.
IDEA #7 - TUCK IN AN ENVELOPE AND SEAL
A photo of my soul armor was altered to create a soul shield that I glued to seal this envelope containing private thoughts.
How do you protect your heart and soul? What might you try this month? Share with the group what you've tried. Blog about it and leave a comment here. I'll also lift it up on the Yahoo! board and True North Arts fan page on Facebook.
May you find your journaling is a safe haven for your soul!
Namaste!
Kathryn Antyr, Collage Diva
CLICK HERE to see what happens when Collage Diva sets out to go to the Fanciful Twist Halloween Party.
This month's prompt takes journaling out of the journal and into an unexpected container.
What emotions do you have bottled up inside? I took a look at my journals from the summer and they were charged with both positive and negative emotions.
I wish I could take credit for this brilliant idea and it is the first prompt here on True North Arts that wasn't my brain child. Sharon Soneff published this project in her book, "Art Journals and Creative Healing - Restoring the Spirit through Self-Expression." Her example uses patterned papers and digitally designed labels.
My labels are made with painted papers, color photo copies of painted papers, and hand lettering. The only store-bought patterned paper was used to cover the four-pack carrier. I loved using my own hand-painted papers. I thought of so many possibilities for designing my labels. I may just have to design some more -- I have collected some other bottles and jars.
What do you have bottled up inside? Inspired to design your own bottles? I sure hope so. Be sure to share your take on this project. Leave a comment here when you've posted your project to your blog or Flickr account. Join in on a discussion of journaling outside of the lines on the True North Arts Yahoo! board or Facebook page.
Have fun creating this month!
{soul hugs}
Kathryn Antyr, Collage Diva
Related Links:
"Art Journals and Creative Healing - Restoring the Spirit through Self-Expression" by Sharon Soneff
Sharon Soneff's Web site: www.sonnetsstudios.com
Welcome to the True North Arts Retreat House and Creativity Studio!
Pictured above is one of several projects that participants in the Personal Retreat Workshop can make. It is an accordion book made of cardboard and covered in paper. Each panel is a surface for visually journaling each week's lesson.
Would you like a look inside?
Oh I don't mean to tease you too much. Here is only a little sneak peek of what's inside. I'm getting so very excited about this new workshop. I'm bursting with so many ideas!
The topics include:
The material draws upon a variety of traditions from Chinese Taoist philosophy to the practices of Benedictine monks. My interest in personal retreats began with a desire to go on retreat but found as a single mother that time and limited funds made this a challenge. I decided that I wouldn't let this stop me from having a retreat experience. In fact, I loved the idea of living in retreat and creating retreat moments in my every day life. I set out not to change my job or where I live but to change how I live. Each week I've prepared sample retreats, creative project ideas, affirmations, and my favorite resources. I look forward to sharing six weeks of personal discovery.
This budget friendly online workshop is only $30!
Click here for more information and to register.
Namaste!
Kathryn, Collage Diva
It was if I was sitting down across the table with you, sharing thoughts, creative ideas and coffee! I loved this workshop and it came just at the right time for me! This was my very first online workshop and I was thrilled with it. I already knew Kathryn’s work so knew it would be full of surprises and good things. I loved it! and looked forward each Sunday to a new prompt. Great fun but also deep inner discovery too. I was so sad that the six weeks had past and was so happy when I saw there was another workshop. I have found the workshop very helpful and have signed up for the next one! Wonderful! I'm still creating my journal pages/affirmation cards and the process has changed my thinking and perspective and has added the dimension of focus to my life. The timing for this workshop was perfect for me. I had been floundering and wondering what was next for me, because I couldn't imagine going on for much longer as I have been...she helped me have a focus and vision for my REAL personal dreams. I appreciated the positive-ness and that there was no one right way to do things, just the way that was unfolding before you. YAY! I did the summer session of this workshop and would highly recommend it! I pulled up the survey results from the recent True North Arts Vision Journal workshop. I am so touched by the response. Actually, I'm feeling pretty giddy and fired up as I prepare to launch my second workshop on Personal Retreats. I wanted to share these comments for you if you just discovered True North Arts or have been considering an online workshop. Many thanks to each of the participants who shared their experiences.
Considering an online workshop? My workshops are designed to offer you gentle reminders each week to make time for yourself. The next two workshops begin October 1st. The Personal Retreats workshop offers ideas each week on how you can create your own personal sanctuary. For those who are looking for a weekly dose of soul food, this workshop is for you. Journal prompts and creative projects are also provided to inspire creativity.
6 weeks, $30 Are you looking for a clearer vision for your life? We’ll use collage, a fun and easy medium to design clear pictures of your heart’s true desire. This workshop goes beyond cutting and gluing magazine images -- it is a series of projects that review many of the principles made popular by the Laws of Attraction (see “The Secret”), Shakti Gawain’s “Creative Visualization” and Dr. Wayne Dyer’s work including “The Power of Intention” and “Excuses Be Gone.”
6 weeks, $30If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at kathrynantyr@mac.com.I hope that whatever you decide to do this fall that you find time for *YOU*{soul hugs}Kathryn, Collage Diva
