Day 9 - September Daily Blogging

Karissa of "A Fresh Start on a Budget" is hosting an interesting challenge - blogging every day in September, by responding to daily prompts.
Today's prompt:   Show us a favorite photo and tell why it’s a favorite.

This is a photo of our cat Fluffy. She is around 18 in this picture. She lived til 21, passing away last Ocober (almost a year ago)
I still miss her. She had quite the personality. It was only in the past few years that she would actually sit on my lap for a longer period of time.
I still can't replace her.

Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

This past week has been a bit surreal - not starting back to school and trying to begin new routines.
I have not been as successful as I had hoped. But I have been creating a bit and have started a new blogging challenge for September.
Check here to see the September Daily Blogging Challenge for more information.


Collage
I completed one collage for the challenges at Collage Obsession (friends) and Inspiration Avenue (what brings you joy?)

Zen Cards
I am continuing with creating zen cards. I find them relaxing and a good way to learn new tangles.
Here are two new ones:

ATCs
I have been working on a few ATC cards for swaps.

Zen inspired Cards

Gelli Print cards

Monochrome Twinchies (2"x2")

Also linking with

Creative Every Day

Inspire Me Monday

Glue It Tuesday

Day 8 - September Daily Blogging

Karissa of "A Fresh Start on a Budget" is hosting an interesting challenge - blogging every day in September, by responding to daily prompts.

Today's question: What is the best piece of advice that  you  have received? Who gave it?

I have received lots of advice over the years. Some of it was extremely helpful, some not so.

One piece of advice was from Linda, a friend who ended up dying from cancer. She had given us beautiful crystal glasses for our wedding and her advice was to be sure to always use the good stuff every day, as every day was precious.
I still use those crystal glasses ( and my good china) every day. And I think of her as I do.

I found this quote from Mary Manin Morrissey:

" Start living now. Stop saving the good china for that special occasion. Stop withholding your love until that special person materializes. Every day you are alive is a special occasion. Every minute, every breath, is a gift from God."

Day 7 - September Daily Blogging

Karissa of "A Fresh Start on a Budget" is hosting an interesting challenge - blogging every day in September, by responding to daily prompts.

Today's question: What is the best piece of advice that  you  could give?

I have been thinking about this throughout the day. I don't think there is any one piece of advice I could give.

There are so many quotes that I have been collecting over the years and I am on my 5th or 6th book.
I have been creating art cards and journal pages for some of my favourites. In times of stress, I often play these over and over in my mind. They do help.

"This too shall pass" is one I use often though - so handy when the going gets tough or you're in the dentist's chair.

Here are a few of my favourites:

"...And the greatest of these is LOVE."

Flowers and Photo Challenges

The weather is cooling and we even had risk of frost last night. So I have been trying to photograph our flowers as much as possible.
Many shots had the added bonus of shadows!

Be sure to check here for shadows from around the world.



Linking with some wonderful flower photo challenges. Be sure to check them out.

Floral Friday Foto

Weekend Flowers on Friday

Today's Flowers

I Heart Macro

Day 6 - September Daily Blogging

Karissa of "A Fresh Start on a Budget" is hosting an interesting challenge - blogging every day in September, by responding to daily prompts.

Today's question:   What have been the three greatest moments of your life?

Another challenging question!
The birth of my 3 children remains my greatest achievements. Each has brought me such joy. They have grown into very special people, and I am proud of all of them.

Great moments come at times of great love, overcoming challenges, facing fears. I have had many of those - here are just  a few:

*Moving out west  with a 2 year old,  to teach in Alberta, with no family around for support

*Driving again after a terrible car accident ( talk about fear - took me a year to do it)

*Remarrying at 50

*Donating a kidney to my new husband


We all have those times in our life when we remember exactly how we felt, and exactly what happened. Those are great moments, seared into our memories.

Books = Joy and friendship

While reflecting on the post on favourite books for "September Daily Blogging", I realized books really bring me so much joy, and are great friends.

The theme for Collage Obsession this week was "Friends" and for Inspiration Avenue it was "What brings you Joy"

I then saw the poem by Arnold Lobel (altho I left off the last 2 lines - as I don't have a beard! - altho it will be a looong time until I read all the books I want and have to read).

The collage then fell into place. I used gelli paper  for the background and the big books. I used watercolour for the small books.

Also linking with:

Paint Party Friday

Gelli Party at Carolyn Dube's

Art Journal Every Day