14 creative projects for 2014

In an attempt to find more motivation, i have come up with 14 projects that i would love to complete this year. A rather lofty goal, especially as month five is already underway. However, I am getting rather frustrated with my lack of creative output. Admittedly I do have family, work, EQC repairs and life in general going on - but in a recent personality test i completed, it was rather apparent that i thrive when creativity is a big part of my life. Another big theme that emerged was living in the moment - something i am definitely needing to be mindful of - and practice - (which sounds crazy, but is easily forgotten in a fast paced world.) However back to the matter at hand - creativity. I have been journalling about family/work/life balance lately...and mulling over my time management. Where do I invest my energy? Most of it goes to my family - which is pretty reasonable at this stage of life. The rest of my emotional output mostly gets sucked up by my youth work job. Which is ok most of the time, and really hard some of the time. When the ‘some of the time’ hits I have to manage myself more carefully - get more sleep, say no to extra stuff, and somehow find time to recharge. A delicate balance - one that i am still working out how to achieve. And somewhere in all of this lies my creativity. It also became apparent in journalling that creativity is woven into my day to day life - baking, cooking dinner, family walks on the beach, doing crafts with my daughter, playing lego with my son, choosing colour schemes for the house, photography, and coming up with creative ways to teach young people about emotional coping skills, and negotiating the sometimes rocky journey of adolescence. It was also apparent that most of this creativity involves giving to others. Which is a pleasure most of the time - and really hard some of the time. And that is another reason I came up with my list. Having some more tangible goals to work towards that are mainly focussed on doing something creative just for me feels slightly selfish. Which probably comes from being a mum for the past 9 years and getting so used to giving out more than I get back. But I need to keep reminding myself that it’s actually self-care. A phrase that can be quite foreign in the world of parenting young children, and in our somewhat hectic schedules of life and work in general. Furthermore, if creating just for pleasure, and just for me, helps boost my emotional reserves - it will actually result in more capacity to creatively give to those around me. So will 2014 be the year of 14 creative endeavours? That remains to be seen. One thing 2014 is already becoming is a year of being more mindful of where my creative energy is being focussed, and what i am doing (or not doing) to boost my emotional reserves.

dream journal DIY

My first workshop with Youth Town went well today.   I am doing a mixed media journal workshop - so I thought i better do a practice run beforehand, and then thought I might share the fun!
You will need:

• A hardcover journal (I got mine from the $2 discount shop)
• Gel Medium (like Modge Podge, or Reeves Gel Medium)
• Paint brushes
• Fabric (non stretch and not pile fabric like velvet - fine cotton is best)
• Embellishments (lace, ribbon, brads, buttons, charms...)
• Ribbon (if you want a bookmark)
• Needle and embriodery thread (if you are using more than one fabric)
• Stamp + pad (if you want to add stamps)

Firstly, work out what fabric you are using and measure enough to cover the journal, with an inch spare all around to fold over.  Add any lace or embellishments before sticking the fabric to the journal.  Decorative split pins, ric rac, ribbon, and buttons are all great to use.  (Best not to stamp onto the fabric until after the first coat of gel medium is applied.

Got my supplies all ready - dug into my fabric stash and
found these lovely vintage cottons...

Stitching up the fabric with embriodery thread

fabric is now ready to stick to the cover

Once you are happy with how your fabric looks, paint a generous amount of gel medium onto the journal (paint the back first, stick down the fabric, then do the spine, then repeat on the front cover).  Make sure you place some wax paper between the covers and pages to stop the medium sticking to the journal pages.  Now place your fabric onto the journal and smooth it out, getting rid of any air bubbles.  Make sure it is straight and even.

Applying gel medium to the fabric cover

Now apply a layer of gel medium over the top of the fabric cover.  If you have any lace, ric rac or other raised embellishments, make sure you put a generous amount of gel medium over these to help them stick down and create a seal.  Sit the book up on top of a plastic bag and let dry.

folding the flaps over and sticking them down with gel medium

 Once the cover is touch dry, you can trim the corners off the fabric and fold the flaps over to the inside of the journal.  Stick the flaps down with some gel medium, then paint more over the top to secure them.

drying the finished journal on some wax paper,
(the red ribbon i attached at the top for a bookmark)

 Stand the journal up to dry completely - this will probably take overnight, and will  become clear and shiny.  If you want to do any stamping, this can be applied when the first coat is touch dry.  To seal stamps, add another coat of gel medium.

This is Gracies finished journal cover, showing a stamp she
chose.  The second coat of gel medium is drying

Gracie chose to add silver stickers to the corners of her jounal, and used heart shaped brads under the ric rac.  The inside covers of the journal look a bit rough - so you can cut some coloured craft card to compliment your journal cover and stick it to the inside covers to cover up any raw edges.  And that's it.  easy ay! Time to start journalling your hopes and dreams...

ps - here are some of the journals from my workshop: