31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 31

Hard to believe that this is the last day of the 31 Days of Writing challenge. I have enjoyed choosing meaningful quotes, learning a bit more about the authors of these quotes and then creating the cards.
I have had a chance to visit many of the other bloggers taking part in the challenge and hope to visit more in the month ahead.


Well the card for today actually shows that when I said I would take part in the challenge and create 31 art cards, that I actually did it. Your word must be counted on.

"You are what you do, not what you say you'll do."

Carl S. Jung was born in 1875 in Switzerland and is known as the founder of analytical psychology.He was a psychiatrist  and a psychotherapist.

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 30

Today is Day 30 of the 31 Days of Writing - the daily blogging challenge so many have taken part in this month. Only one day left after today.


I am sure we all wonder what the meaning of life is or even what it is we were meant to do. Shakespeare's words cut to that with clarity.

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."

Shakespeare is considered one of the greatest writers of all time. His plays are still being performed; hos words still resonating over 400 years since his death.

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 29

Today is Day 29 of the 31 Days of Writing blogging challenge.

Our thoughts can lift us up or drag us down. Our thoughts can change us. Be sure to think positively - our lives depend on it!

"Our life is what our thoughts make it."


Marcus Aurelius was one of the most important Stoic philosphers. He was also a Roman Emperor, from 161 AD to 180 AD.

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 28

Today is Day 28 of the 31 Days of Writing blogging challenge for October.


NaNoWriMo begins November 1st and when I read these words, they inspired me in my quest to complete this challenge of writing 50,000 words in a month. (The source is unknown)

ABC Wednesday - P and WOYWW

This week at ABC Wednesday, P is our letter of focus.

P is for - photo collage.I have a bag of photo scraps that I grabbed and created this quick photo collage.

Once that one was done I remembered the challenge at Art Journal Journey where the theme was "Architecture". The old buildings, especially the churches, in Cambridge are gorgeous and I had a lot of photo scraps of these buildings..

Be sure to check here to see how others around the world met the challenge this week.



WOYWW

Time to share our work spaces for WOYWW - the weekly challenge at "Stamping Ground", hosted by Julia Dunnit.


Creating the photo challenges above, I worked on my dining room table. You can see the pile of photo scraps.

In the top right corner is my dramboard journal. I really do need to create a better cover!
It is the Full Hunter's moon and I created a dreamboard for the month ahead. I find this practice to be a very visual way to express my dreams for what I seek. (Check here for more details, where I wrote about it on my writing blog)

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 27

Today is Day 27 of the 31 Days of Writing blogging challenge.


Time seems to rush by now. I am always bemoaning the fact that there isn't enough time to do all that I want to do. Not wasting time is the message in today's quote:

"If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made of."

Bruce Lee crammed so much into his short life - he died at age 32. Born in Hong Kong he was a martial artist, the founder of Jeet Kune Do. He went on to become an actor and filmmaker His movies are still popular today.

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 26

Today is Day 26 of the 31 Days of Writing blogging challenge. It is also the final week of the challenge. I've enjoyed creating and visiting other blogs. - still many more to visit though.


Helping those less fortunate is something we should all strive to do. We live in a world there is so much injustice, inequality. The words of President John F. Kennedy resonate (as do so many of his quotes):

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 25

Today is Day 25 in the 31 Days of Writing blogging challenge this month.


Holding onto joy can sometimes seem a challenge. Yey  how much different our lives would be if we would allow joy to fill us.

Ann Voskamp is an author of several books. One has become a bestseller - "One Thousand Gifts" encourages us to express gratitude for all that we have. She hosts an amazing blog "A Holy Experience" and seeks to bring people closer to God and relief from the troubles they face.

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 24

Today is Day 24 of the 31 Days of Writing - the daily blogging challenge for October.


As a teacher of over 30 years at the primary level, I know the importance of the connection between children, teachers and books. Every year my main goals was to ensure that the children I taught loved reading and books. How exciting to see children lost in a good book, whether they were reading themselves, or were being read to.Some of my best memories of teaching were reading a favourite chapter book and having the children plead for just one more chapter.

Malala Yousafzai is an incredible young woman, a role model and hero for all. She has faced death and survived; and still fights for education for all.There is a documentary out now on her life - we all need to see it.

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 23

Today is Day 23 of the 31 Days of writing - the daily blogging challenge this month.


This quote by Mary Shelley points to the notion that each day is really a new beginning and we can decide each day how we will live it.

"The beginning is always today".

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was born in England in 1797, was married to the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and was a novelist, essayist and dramatist. She is best known for her Gothic novel "Frankenstein"

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 22

Today is Day 22 of the 31 Days of Writing blogging challenge. hard to believe we are nearing the end.


Today in Canada is the one year anniversary of the death of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, as well as the death of W.O. Patrice Vincent. Both men were gunned down while on duty. Nathan stood unarmed at the base of the War Memorial, as part of an honour guard, he was shot in the back by a man who then rushed to the Parliament buildings, intending to carry on his rampage of death.

There was a very moving ceremony today at the same spot where Nathan was killed, attended by a huge crowd, as well as family and friends and dignitaries.

Today's quote is in honour of these two brave men and as a reference to how our country needs to go forth, especially with our new government.

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 21

Today is Day 21 of the 31 Days of Writing blogging challenge.


These words do inspire:

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is."


Albert Einstein was a German theoretical physicist. He developed the theory of relativity and received the Nobel Prize for Physics because of this discovery.

ABC Wednesday - O and WOYWW

This week at ABC Wednesday, O is the letter of focus.

O is for oil pastels. They can be very messy but they are fun to use. I tried two different kinds of pastels:

I had picked up some fallen leaves - a maple and oak and thought I would try an activity I used with my students.

First I went around each leaf by pushing the oil pastel out from the edge. Next I just traced the leaf and coloured in. Unfortunately the leaves had become a bit brittle, so it was a bit of a challenge.

Check here to see other bloggers tackling O.




WOYWW

Each week, Julia Dunnit of "Stamping Ground" hosts the fun meme WOYWW - where artists from around the world share their work spaces and what they are working on.


I created the leaf pastels on my art table. It was quick and only a bit messy this time  - fun to just play with a medium I don't use too much.

Day 20 - 31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words

Today is Day 20 of the 31 Days of Writing blogging challenge this month.

Yesterday, Canada elected a new Liberal Prime Minister. After weeks of a divisive, mean-spirited, ugly campaign, Canadians had had enough of Harper and his reign of fear.
Justin Trudeau's acceptance speech last night was full of optimism and vision for Canada.

"We believe in our hearts that this country’s unique diversity is a blessing."

This is the post I wrote for my writing blog today:

Yesterday Canada elected a new Prime Minister and a new optimism can already be felt. The eleven weeks of this campaign was one of the worst in Canada’s history.  Politics of meanness, division, and even ugliness ruled in Harper’s government. This election became for many of us a referendum on Stephen Harper.

I have spent weeks on Twitter and Facebook expressing my concern about another four years of Harper and so many others joined the fight.

I hoped for a Liberal minority – not hoping for much more. As the results began pouring in, it was amazing to see a tsunami of red spread across Canada. Justin Trudeau, with his vision and optimism, his positive campaign, inspired so many to vote for him.

His acceptance speech last night was visionary and full of positivity for the future of our country.

Trudeau made history – for being the firsts son to follow his father as Prime Minister; for moving from 35 seats and in third place in the previous government to 185 seats this time. Amazing.

I have despaired about our country under Harper and it felt like a huge weight had been lifted with Trudeau’s win. I am filled now with optimism that we can return to the open, accepting, positive place on the world stage. Thank you Canadians  for stepping up and repudiating Harper’s mean-spiritedness and denial of democracy.

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 19

Today is Day 19 of the 31 Days of Writing blogging challenge.

What we believe really can impact who we are and who we become. Often words become self -fullfilling.

"You become what you believe."


Oprah Winfrey is one of the most recognized faces in America and has much clout. Her show was watched by millions and was highly regarded. Her words have influence.

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 18

Today is Day 18 of the 31 Days of Writing blogging challenge.

These words by Rick Godwin pack a punch - we really do need to live in the present and live fully.

"Live full, die empty."


Rick Godwin is the founder and senior pastor of the Summit Christian Center in San Antonio,Texas.He is also a motivational speaker.

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 17

Today is day 17 of the 31 Days of Writing daily blogging challenge.

In this world where hate and mistrust and wart, where neighbours seem pitted against each other, this quote struck me as what our world needs - a return to loving our neighbours on a small and big scale.

"God does not need your good works, but your neighbour does."

Martin Luther was born in Gemany in 1483 and became a friar and professor of theology. He eventually rejected some of the teachings of the Catholic church and lead the Protestant Reformation.

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 16

Today is Day 16 of the 31 Days of Writing Challenge, a daily blogging challenge in October.

I am trying to resurrect my writing career, to get back to a daily writing routine that has eluded me for months. Ray Bradbury's words made me take stock.But they really could apply to any endeavour.

"You fail only if you stop writing". 

Ray Bradbury wrote so many science fiction novels. One of my favourites was Fahrenheit 451.
Check here for more about his life and writing.

31 Days of Art and Inspiring Words - Day 15

Today is Day 15 of the 31 Days of Writing challenge. hard to believe we are at the midway point.

I was inspired by my older brother to create a card based on these words:

"Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be."


Sonia Ricotti is an inspirational author, speaker and TV host. She believes in giving back and seeking those who have overcome adversity. She sees her goal as "leading people to live their greatest lives".

ABC Wednesday - N and WOYWW

This week at ABC Wednesday, N is our letter of focus.

Now, this was a bit of a challenge, but as I was reading the newspaper this morning, my inspiration was literally in front of me.

N is for newspapers and numbers. I created a quick collage of both- N words and numbers from the newspapers.
.

Be sure to check here for what others from around the world have done with N





WOYWW

Each week, Julia Dunnit hosts a fun meme at her blog "Stamping Ground" - WOYWW. Artists around the world are asked to share what they are working on and the the state of their workspaces each Wednesday.
Creating the spread above was quick. I worked at the dining room table where I read the newspapers I read each morning, with my breakfast and tea.