More diving in. I typed up what I wanted to say and then used my xyron to adhere the paper to the painted pages of my sketchbook/journal.

The text typed on the second page says: How? When I go to create it is usually because of a deadline I have given myself or that someone has given me. I may have a loose idea or a starting point, but no set plan. I like to start and see what connections I make as I am creating. I’ll evaluate as I go and see what the piece needs. For me, the most important tool for my creating is simply to START. 

Why create? This is a funny question I think because there are so many reasons. But since the theme I have given myself is encyclopedia of how and why, here are a few that resonate with me:

To feel good * to exercise your brain * to build self confidence * express yourself * add beauty to the world * to fine tune your creative side * to share * to let go * to learn * to find like minded friends *

I hope you enjoy my 2012 sketchbook project!

Practicing my rubber stamping! It is always a good idea to practice first - gets you and the stamp warmed up! This is a quote of my own design, from my own company LennaLines (2000-2003).

The shiny particles are pigment powders, sprinkled on when the paint was wet. Repeated rubber stamping with StazOn Ink…

Photo of NGC 7822 in Cepheus from NASA: Astronomy Picture of the Day.

Separating a paper napkin: 3 layers, take the top one!

Testing the napkin out for size.

It’s done for now . . . but there is another side to work on and the 3 more sections. 

It feels good to do this. Steven was teasing me about "diving right in" -whoosh! I must say that after my father passed away (10/1) I just did not feel like working on any mixed media art. It was not that I did not have inspiration, I just did not feel like doing it. Taking photos was okay and much to Steven's delight I started taking over more of the cooking and doing creative things with that. But recently I started thinking about the Sketchbook project I had signed up for and I started wanting to do it. Then I truthfully made myself start. It is a pretty familiar pattern with me and we'll see where it takes me . . . . I appreciate you stopping by - please say hi, comments & questions welcome.  yours creatively, lenna