Day 335 Opening doors

Day 335 Opening doors

335:365

08/31/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I open new doors to life.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make a structure to protect a delicate object (like an egg).

Media:  Magazine photos, photo from Bow the Dog, Picasso painting reprint, Mod Podge, Tissue paper

Time:  1H:10M

Comments:  Today's collage an opening door and all kinds of odds and ends bursting through it.  

Day 334 Trusting the Universe

Day 334 Trusting the Universe

334:365

08/30/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “Today I focus my attention on loving myself and trusting the Universe.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Only work with bar codes today.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Construction paper, Google image, Sharpie, Mod Podge

Time:  1H

Comments:  Nothing spookier than finding a basset hound collapsed in a heap in the back yard.  Since it was 104 degrees outside at the time, my first thought went to heat stroke, then to poisonous plants in the yard, then to encounter with a rabid animal, then to unknown diseases or cancer, then to panic that I had no idea what to do for her.  Debated whether to rush her to the vet's office late on Friday afternoon before a long, holiday weekend.  Instead I carried her inside and tried to cool her down while I sorted out what to do. 

Trusting the Universe to show me, I decided to monitor her for a couple hours of lying listlessly on the couch, then going outside again for puking, then lots of water drinking, then eventually having her dinner as usual. Seems she's working her way back to her normal, enthusiastic self.  

Different  focus for my day, and not one I'd like to repeat anytime soon.  Not sure how bar codes play into the theme for the day either, but the green one on today's collage reminds me of the grass where I found her.  

Day 333 Pearls of Satisfaction

Day 333 Pearls of Satisfaction

333:365

08/29/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “My job brings me great satisfaction.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make a unique trophy.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine and catalog photos, Mod Podge, Tissue paper

Time:  45M

Comments:  Today's affirmation is one that can be challenging to believe every single day.  One of several symbolic images in this collage that represent my job is the oyster opening its shell to reveal a pearl inside.  
I love that beautiful pearls are made from a simple piece of sand irritating the inside of an oyster.   

Day 332 Wherever I turn

Day 332 Wherever I turn

332:365

08/28/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I am safe wherever I turn.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Create a wheel chart or wheel calculator.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine and Calendar photos, Brad, Mod Podge

Time:  1H:30M

Comments:  The wheel chart in today's collage features a rotating Wegman calendar photo of a very safe and cozy pair of Weimeraner puppies.  As the wheel turns, there are icons revealed representing various aspects of life, work, play, learning, love, etc.  The blades of grass shown in the photo at the 7 o'clock position represent the fact that I am safe in Nature.  I am safe wherever I turn.  

Day 331 Ocean flower

Day 331 Ocean flower

331:365

08/27/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “The ocean of life is lavish with its abundance.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make a flower or other plant out of everyday objects.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge

Time:  1H

Comments:  The flower in today's collage has petals made from a Nat Geo picture of an abundance of fish, with a center made of a yellow sea creature.  

Day 330 Three senses

Day 330 Three senses

330:365

08/26/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I see with love and hear with compassion.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:  Time for finger painting.

Media:  Valspar paint, Magazine photo, Mod Podge, Postcard, Tissue paper

Time:  45M

Comments:  It's been a while since I I've done any fingerpainting.  Nice tactile experience (feeling) on a day when the affirmation is about two of the other five senses (seeing and hearing).   

Day 329 The Composer's intent

329:365

Day 329 The Composer's intent

08/25/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “All my relationships are harmonious.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Work with only tissue paper or toilet paper today.

Media:  Sheet music, Tissue paper, Mod Podge, Bird embellishment

Time:  1H

Comments:  I was thinking about harmony in music for today's collage, and how some compositions (like bird songs) are beautifully light and harmonious in their arrangement.  While others are moving in their own right, yet have cymbal crashes and deep, pounding drum beats written in by the composer for dramatic effect. Different composition entirely, but harmonious in the overall scheme of things. 

Day 328 Shortcake-lifting

Day 328 Shortcake-lifting

328:365

08/24/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “Exercise is self-love, and loving myself is the key to success.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make something with a snack or dessert before you eat it.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge

Time:  1H

Comments:  The pups in today's collage are making a workout of their snack before enjoying it.  

Day 327 Speak and listen

Day 327 Speak and listen

327:365

08/23/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I speak positively with others and listen with compassion.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Create an alternate alphabet for a culture that never existed.

Media:  Sara Eyestone, Yoga puppies and Labrador puppies calendar photos, Magazine photo,  Tissue,  Mod Podge

Time:  1H:10M

Comments:  Today's alternate alphabet is one that makes up the ceiling of a space where big and little dogs both speak and listen positively and with compassion. 

Day 326 In charge of my thoughts

Day 326 In charge of my thoughts

326:365

08/22/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “Today’s thoughts create my future.  I am in charge.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Use the world of amphibians as your inspiration today.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge

Time:  1H

Comments:  Today's collage features a green frog thinking about some of the things that also crossed my mind today.  My thoughts create my future?  Oops, I may need a do-over on a few of mine today.   At least the frog has an angel over it's shoulder, whispering helpful ideas.   

Day 325 Cornwallish

Day 325 Cornwallish

325:365

08/21/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “Ideas come to me easily and effortlessly.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Create a wallpaper pattern using any technique.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge

Time:  1H:20M

Comments:  Today's collage reminds me of a coffee bar redesign I worked on a couple years ago.  Used oversized corn for graphic wallcovering above the sink.  I thought it turned out well.  

Wish ideas came so easily and effortlessly on all my projects.    

Day 324 Phase 1 - Project Meltdown

Day 324 Phase 1 - Project Meltdown  

324:365

08/20/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I AM at peace.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:  Make something that wouldn’t normally melt seem like it has.  

Media:  Blueprint, Rorschach-like ink blot on tissue paper,  Magazine photos, Greeting card, Mod Podge

Time:  45M

Comments:  Today was the kind of day where stress levels were high and many different psychologies revealed themselves in the workplace that usually wouldn't.  We're in the first stages of a large project that will involve many different people moving offices, so I've got several more weeks of meltdowns to witness as we work our way to the final result.  Yippee for me.   

In today's collage, I'm the polar bear dreaming of Christmas, instead of getting caught up in the drama around me.  "I AM at peace" will likely be my daily mantra for a while. 

Day 323 Releasing all

Day 323 Releasing all

323:365

08/19/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I release all fear and doubts.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Work with only music media: old cd’s, records, cassettes, eight-track cartridges, or reel-to-reel tape and/or their cases.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, National Geographic magazine photos, The Etude magazine record player advertisement, Watercolor, Catalog photos, Mod Podge

Time:  1H:30M

Comments:  Mixed images of record players, headphones, and undersea coral that looks like scary ears for day's collage about releasing all fear and doubts.  Little more dark and abstract than some of my other efforts, but it seems to work for the theme and for my mood today.  

Day 322 Always finding time

Day 322 Finding time

322:365

08/18/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I always find time to be creative.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make alternate signage or images for men’s and women’s bathroom doors.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge, Sharpie, Cream chalk

Time:  1H:45M

Comments:  Today's collage is a chicken-based alternate signage idea. Rooster for men's and hen for women's room doors.  Cluck, cluck.    

Day 321 Willing to let go

Day 321 Willing to let go

321:365

08/17/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I am willing to let go.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:  Create instructions or a visual diagram for something that normally wouldn’t need them.  

Media:  Magazine photos, Mod Podge

Time:  1H:30M

Comments:   The hand in today's collage is a photo from Real Simple magazine. In addition to being simply a striking photograph, it illustrates the method for holding a butterfly... and also for letting a butterfly go.  
I included an image of  decorated house in the background as a reminder that things we own are just things, and I'm willing to let them go too.    

Day 320 Key to success

Day 320 Key to success

320:365

08/16/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I radiate success and I prosper wherever I turn.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make a unique key and/or lock.  Or make something out of keys or locks.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge, Key, Sticker gems

Time:  1H:20M

Comments:  The longer I work in my profession, the more I realize that one of the big keys to success in the field is through collegial relationships with peers and suppliers.    

Just wrapped up my participation in a two-day tradeshow for interior designers in Dallas, Metrocon13.  It's always interesting to me to take classes, see new products, and network with other designers working in the field (both commercial and residential).  

Hopefully, this infusion of enthusiasm and inspiration will help sustain me through the drought periods that have a tendency to creep in as the day-to-day routine returns at work.    

Link for more info:    http://www.metrocon.info/index.php

Day 319 On the case

Day 319 On the case

319:365

08/15/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I live and move in a safe and secure world.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:  Write a ten-word murder mystery.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Tissue paper, Mod Podge

Time:  1H

Comments:  Today's collage features a mystery-solving canine duo in hot pursuit of the truth... that they live and move in a safe and secure world. 

Ironically, this truth is under a cone-of-silence-like oversized lamp shade from Buzzispace that gives a humorous nod to the 'murder' of distracting outside noises.    

Link for more info:   http://www.buzzispace.com/product/954/images_custom

Day 318 Midyear junk drawer

Day 318 Midyear junk drawer

318:365

08/14/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “No matter how others behave, I keep peace in my heart.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Work with only rubber bands today.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge

Time:  45M

Comments:  At work this afternoon, a situation came up that was a perfect example of why today's affirmation needs to exist.  I came home feeling bad, but am now reminded that I can keep peace in my heart no matter how others behave.  Good reminder, Louise Hay.

After I got home, I went through all the junk drawers in my work area looking for a rubber band for this collage.  Didn't come up with a single one.  I did, however, find a picture of someone else's very organized junk drawer.  

Day 317 Abundantly colorful

Day 317 Abundantly colorful

317:365

08/13/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I relax and rejoice in the abundance that is here now.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Make something inspired by and/or that goes over a foot.

Media:  Magazine photos, Notepad paper, Mod Podge

Time:  1H

Comments:  The frog and the bright socks in today's collage seem to have a bit in common- an abundance of color.  I relax and rejoice.  

Day 316 Waiting for dinner

Day 316 Waiting for dinner

316:365

08/12/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “Today I claim my power.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Work with dry or cooked rice.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge, Tissue paper

Time:  1H:30M

Comments:  Today's collage features a table full of hungry diners, waiting for their serving of nourishing rice. When the bowls arrive, they will claim their power. 

Day 315 Always in demand

Day 315 Always in demand

315:365

08/11/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   
“My creativity is always in demand.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Create a clear version of something that’s normally not transparent.

Media:  Magazine photos, Yoga Puppies Calendar photo, Mod Podge, Jewel stickers, Glue pen

Time:  1H:30M

Comments:  Today's collage reflects the creative work and efforts of many contributors.  From the interesting reflection of a shoe in transparent glass, to the yellow  lab puppy defying anatomy to pose in a one-armed handstand. to the varied textiles, natural and man-made materials, and advertising art from magazines.   Even in today's world dominated by advances in science and technology, creativity is always in demand. 

Day 314 Dog's best friend

Day 314 Dog's best friend

314:365

08/10/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I think of my thoughts as my best friends.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Create a tattoo or something inspired by tattoos.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Calendar photo, Mod Podge, Glitter dot sticker

Time:  45M

Comments:  Dogs have long been considered 'man's best friend'.  Today's collage shares a new take on the theme with a yellow lab puppy thinking "of my thoughts as my best friends".  
The tattoo on his/her arm is a butterfly, which represents change and transformation of old thoughts to their new form.  

Day 313 Trust the hot coals

Day 313 Trust the hot coals

313:365

08/09/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I release the past with ease and trust the process of life.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Work just with matches, flames, or fire today.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Magazine photos, Mod Podge, Tissue paper, Journal page

Time:  45M

Comments:  Funny that releasing the past and trusting the process of life are affirmed together on a day when the theme of the day is about fire. Ironically enough, also a day when the air conditioning at home went out and it's 104 degrees outside.   
The image of bare feet in hot burning coals signifies a few things for me on both physical and emotional levels.  Thankfully, I'm looking forward to my foot reflexology appointment tomorrow... in a nice, air-conditioned location.

Day 312 Black as night

312:365

Day 312 Black as night

08/08/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I am not here to control others.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Work only with black materials today.

Media:  Magazine photos, Mod Podge

Time:  50M

Comments:  Today's collage is a study in darkness and its relation to controlling others.  It's a personal struggle for me, at times, but I feel relief and release when I remember that I am not here to control others.    

Day 311 Love and symmetry

Day 311 Love and symmetry

311:365

08/07/13

Louise Hay affirmation:   “I dwell in a world of love and acceptance.”

Inspiration exercise from 365 Daily Creativity Journal:   Create something that incorporates a mirror or reflections.

Media:  Scrapbook paper, Calendar photo, Glue stick

Time:  1H

Comments:  I love the mirror image quality in the two sides of this fluffy white dog's face.  Added architectural annotations to help visualize and appreciate the symmetry in its face.