Getting my art on

Early last year and the end of 2008 I took two Art Journaling classes online here from Dina Wakley (on my sidebar). I didn't get very far at the time. I was hindered by a number of things. First, I am a perfectionist and I was very intimidated by the talent of my teacher (though she was lovely and kind and very accomodating). The way she would just put a dab of paint on the page with such abandon, I admired that and wished I could do the same. I was also extremely intimidated by the whole journaling thing: what could I possibly have to say, my life was so boring! Then, I was pregnant, and I got busy getting ready for baby. Lastly, I was in too much pain (the good ol' kidneys) to sit for too long at a time. All okay excuses. So thoughts of art journaling sat on a shelf in my brain, percolating, until my friend Birdie re-inspired me by giving me a wonderful hand-bound (by her) art book for my birthday.

I think having a child has calmed some of my perfectionist tendancies (out of necessity) and some recent events have allowed my pen to creatively blossom in so many ways I never expected. I have really enjoyed this creative process and haven't cared so much about what the end result would be. (Dina was always telling us that - that you couldn't think too much ahead all the time - just be in the moment and put something on paper!) So I put something on paper.

So thanks Birdie, thanks Dina, and thanks to some others who shall remain nameless. And finally, thanks Otto, for being such a source of complete joy in my life!

Hidden Gem

I've been going through all my childhood memorabilia and I happened upon this little gem. My uncle, Tim Lilburn, is an award winning poet both provincially and nationally. I found this poem he wrote for me back in 1987:
Kitchener, June 17, 1987
Dear Kaly,

My neice asks for a poem
so I will praise her corn-coloured,
goat-eye yellow hair, her eyes'
hot June blue and the beginning-
of-the-world bright
of her face, as I speak
highly of stones, pumpkins and horses'
musical pasture turns
for she is beloved and glad to me
as mornings
and the towering sky
and wheat
and prairie's forever,
her rising bread joy
great to me;
speaks of her intelligence
as poets do of roses
opening,
happily if she will
accept these mutterings
from an eccentric uncle
as downpayment for verse she will,
quick as a whisper,
send to me.
Love, Uncle Tim


Now, how warm and lovely is that to come upon?

And he's Off!

I thought it would never happen. So many months of trying and crying and rocking and ... well, more crying. But he's finally done it, and now he just can't be stopped! I can't believe how fast it happened! Last week, he began taking a few crawling "steps", and by the end of the week, not only was he crawling like a pro, but he was also going from laying to sitting like nothin' and more often these days, we go to get him after a nap (or when he wakes up early in the morning) and he's standing up in his crib, just waiting for us, with a beaming smile and many happy sounds.

It's incredible how much they change in the first year. And from here, there's only more to go! Wait til he starts walking (and he wants to so bad), then I'll be chasing after him even more! So much fun!

I caught this adorable little smile when we went to visit Great-Grandma by sled. He didn't quite know what to make of it all, but by the end, he was making his happy little noises and having a grand ol' time.

Current Virtues

Before Christmas, I purchased a set of virtue cards from here. I have browsed through them (there are 100) from time to time, getting to know them a bit. Several weeks ago, I chose three to focus on right now. I keep them out to refresh my mind and motivate me to remember what my goals are. These are the current ones:

NOBILITY: Nobility is keeping faith with our true value as spiritual beings. It is living up to the virtues, the Divine trust within us. We treat ourselves and others with dignity and respect. We speak and act graciously. We choose the moral high road regardless of the cost. If others try to bring us down, we remain steadfast, remembering our true worth. Our sense of decency is our touchstone. The world's temptations cannot divert us from our purpose. We don't follow the path of least resistance. We lead principled lives. We live the good life.
I know that I am a child of God, and thus, am heir to His kingdom. I know I won't make it back to Him unless I follow His example and plan. Therefore, I must become more like Him, that I may draw nearer to Him.

PRAYERFULNESS: Prayerfulness is a relationship with a power greater than ourselves. One that loves us and knows us intimately. We live in the presence of our Creator, mindful that every act, decision and thought is meaningful. Prayer is quiet reflection that cleanses the mirror of the soul. It is a sacred conversation that opens us to forgiveness, hope and renewed intentions. We listen and receive spiritual guidance. We ask for help, heighten our awareness and watch for it to come. Praying our gratitude keeps us in the flow of Grace.
To me, prayerfulness goes hand in hand with nobility. I need to keep the lines of communication open that I may draw nearer to my God. I know I cannot do all things on my own and need the direction only my Heavenly Father can give.

ORDERLINESS: Orderliness is living in a way that creates harmony around us and within us. We have a place for the things we use, and keep them where they belong. Order and beauty in our homes and work spaces brings a sense of peace and freedom. Our thoughts and ideas flow more freely. We do not hold onto clutter. We clear the way for genuine abundance. Orderliness is being focused and purposeful, planning taks step by step instead of going in circles. As we trust Divine order unfolding in our lives, we find a still point of order in our souls.
I love this one because it is so tangible. Most of you know that I am an organized person to begin with. However, I seem to always have "organized clutter" all around my house. I think because I have so many interests and hobbies, things just pile up. Scrapbooking, sewing, art, cooking/baking, reading, food storage. There are some things I can't control, like food storage, which we must have. But I am currently trying to organize my scrapbook clutter. And it all begins with a new vision. I regularly visit scrapbook blogs and some of them have giveaways weekly. I leave a comment among the other thousands, never dreaming that I would be one of the chosen. Well, a few weeks ago, I actually won! Stacy Julian is a very inspiring woman, and I won a seat in her online class, Library of Memories, and her book, Photo Freedom. I got her book in the mail yesterday and read it cover to cover. Her process is revolutionary and so freeing. The way she organizes, then scrapbooks her photos is so liberating! I am excited to begin the process and allow the orderliness to inspire me. If you are a scrapbooker and you are constantly overwhelmed with being "caught up", check out the links above. I gaurantee your outlook will change for the better!

So, my goals for now are:
1. To be a better person, more like my Savior and Heavenly Father.
2. To pray more meaningfully. To thank more often, and to seek guidance and direction.
3. To have order in my life that I may have a sense of peace and freedom in my life and in my mind.

What are your current goals?

Not a Funny Girl.

I admire my friends Becky and Erin for just putting it all out there, so here I go.

I am not the funny girl. You won't find me the center of attention at a party. I am not rude or overly sarcastic. I am not clever or witty, though I wish I was and admire it in others. My tongue just doesn't work that fast. My brother-in-law is the champion of witty remarks. I don't know how he thinks them up so fast. He's also extremely sarcastic, so maybe that has something to do with it.

I am quiet. I enjoy meaningful conversations that get to the heart of the personal humanity of those involved. I care deeply for my friends and family. I care about others and hope I am empathetic towards all. I am genuine and sincere. I am loving and hope that I am kind always. I am musical, creative, and spiritual. I am loyal and consistent. I am strong. These values rule my life and I ever aspire to be better at them than I currently am. I know I shouldn't care about what others think of me; I should just live my life how I know I should. I don't need anyone's negative interference to sway my beliefs, goals, or nature of who I am. I know I must plow forward, doing those things I know will bring myself and those closest to me happiness.

Erin said exactly what I've been feeling lately, and I just don't feel that I can make a better spin on it, so I will end with her words:

"I remembered once again that God's perspective is the only one that matters. It really doesn't matter if anyone notices me, if anyone thinks I'm valuable or important, or reads my blog. ;) It doesn't matter if people take me for granted, are rude to me or ignore me. My legacy has to be one that mirrors the one whom I am living for. If I'm living for myself then I will chase that ego trip. But if I'm living for Jesus then His example has to be my lead. Jesus didn't seek attention, or significance. He came with a mission to save us from ourselves and He lived His 30 years on earth to that means. No ego trips just truth and hard hitting messages. Time to let go of ourselves and the desire to have amazing biographies written about us when we die. Time to deny ourselves and walk with Christ, as challenging as that path can be." {Thanks Erin.}

Happy and Holidays

{Otto, so happy on Christmas Eve}
While I love the holidays and everything that goes along with that - the family, the food, the games - I am somewhat glad it is all over and we are all getting back to normal.

That said, we had a really great holiday. Games were played, Wii was experienced, food was eaten{oh yes it was}, Otto was loved by all, and we saw everyone in the family but Niki's family, whom we all missed terribly, especially since she had her baby girl on December 10th. We can't wait to see her in February! Welcome, welcome, little Cedar Rose!


{Otto and cousin Paisley hangin' out all cute-like on Christmas morning}













{Otto saw his first Santa Claus Parade. He was mesmerized with the lights and sounds. As you can see here, he was still trying to look out into the street.}



















{Otto, so happy in his new Christmas hat - thanks Metcalfe family!}

Productive Sock Saturday

This past weekend I was in Rosemary for a craft weekend and I'm happy to say it was productive! I started out making these sock monsters as gifts, but when I ended up having to hand-stitch the green one and it kept looking more and more adorable, I decided that I must keep him! We've named him Desmond. He'll be one of Otto's Christmas presents.











I love how ridiculously small the wings are on the huge yellow one.


















I'm thinking of making more to sell at a show in Lethbridge, where my sister-in-law will be selling tag quilts.