Today’s happiness – no, utter delight! – is brought to you by a stack of envelopes, some pretty and inspirational washi tape, a pad of watercolour paper, and a regular, everyday, business-style planner that is slowly being transformed into my brand new art journal for 2015 (thanks to the inspiration found in one of my other happiness-providers, No Excuses Art Journaling: Making Time for Creativity by Gina Rossi Armfield).
100 Happy Days – Day 83
It was so very satisfying to sit down with a pile of supplies and begin crafting something that will grow into a one-of-a-kind keepsake full of memories throughout the next year. I’m excited to see what develops!
You know, there is just so much love and appreciation in my heart for all that I am learning in my (relatively) newfound pursuit of new-to-me forms of art and creative expression.
I love that I am learning to get past the need for everything I produce to be perfect, measured, precise. Sometimes estimating, eyeballing, or making an educated guess does the trick just fine.
I love that I am learning to live with the flaws in my efforts – and, often, to embrace them – instead of giving up and walking away from a project.
I love that I am learning that sometimes “perfectly imperfect” is more desirable and beautiful anyway – like when I scrapped the scissors and instead used a metal ruler to create uneven, ripped edges on thick watercolour paper.
And I love that there will always be new skills to learn… new areas in which to grow… and new art to produce!
How do you express your creativity? Have you given any thought to trying something new in 2015, maybe to stretch yourself outside your comfort zone? There are so many exciting possibilities… I encourage you to pick something and give it a shot!
→ The 100 Happy Days web site
→ My 100 Happy Days posts
What made you happy today?
Please share!
These are the keepsakes I hold onto. I have a neat stack of them, in my music room.
Myke Todd recently posted… Snow Angel Suite (for Paula Dawn)
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
Nice. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
Twitter: RamblinGarden
December 4, 2014
I used to make homemade gifts for the holiday season but it seemed many in the family didn’t appreciate the work I put into it. I should start doing it again, though. My son is patiently awaiting a crocheted afghan I started to make for him – in August of 2013. You have planted a little seed for when I finish that afghan. What made me happy today – the sun shining! (not that common in upstate New York in December)
Alana recently posted… My Own Little Award
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
The sun shining is always a good thing! I hope you do get the afghan finished – I’m sure your son will appreciate it, and you’ll probably enjoy yourself as well! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
Twitter: BatteredHope
December 4, 2014
When the kids were little, we did this regularly. Now, I no longer have the time or the patience but appreciate it so much to be on the receiving end of a gift that has been handcrafted.
Carol Graham recently posted… Follow Your Dream or One Crazy Miniature Dachshund
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
I do as well – so meaningful!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
Twitter: dramamamafive
December 4, 2014
Yaaaay! I just love this! I’ve been trying to focus on doing a little bit of artwork every day, too. It feeds my spirit and lifts my mood, and makes me happy! Way to go, Laurel!
Amy recently posted… Sketchbook Thursday: on making “memory sketches”
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
Excellent… what a wonderful way to spend time! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
Twitter: obsessivemom06
December 4, 2014
Perfectly imperfect – that’s a thought I could do with. Well said Laurel.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
I need to remind myself of it often. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
Twitter: kleebanks
December 4, 2014
Love this post! I express my creativity mostly with photography and fabric – especially quilts and pillows with imprinted photos.
A couple new areas I’d like to explore in the new year are felting and rug hooking.
K. Lee Banks recently posted… December 2–>Top 10 Work from Home Job Boards
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
Sounds like a great plan! I’ve done some needle felting, and it’s such fun.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
Twitter: ellytreehugger
December 5, 2014
Artwork is always fun to do if you have the time and patience. I’m wondering if and when I will again as it seems to have been awhile. Actually, I did wish to sign up for a Christmas craft though the course filled up before I could register: too bad; however, will consider perhaps learning how on my own if I can. Otherwise, I will have to think of what else I can do… Next year: who knows? Eventually though, I would love to do pottery and possibly painting. 🙂 And what made me happy today? Singing in choir…some lovely fun and nontraditional Christmas music with great harmonies! 🙂 <3
elly stornebrink recently posted… 2nd Time Round: Liebster Award! Woohoo! 😉
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
I’d love to try pottery sometime – and I was actually hoping to take a watercolour painting class in the new year, but had a scheduling conflict. Maybe another time!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
that’s the bliss of being creative 😀 I have started making quilling frames and planning to do more next year 😀
Rajlakshmi recently posted… Winter
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
I hope you’ll post pictures!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
Twitter: kaushiva
December 5, 2014
Lovely post! How arts makes us grow, learn and redefine our own limits no?
Aditi recently posted… Revenge
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
I totally agree!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
I look forward to so much creativity in 2015. I hope to learn more of the drawing sort, do more photography things, learn and do more in the kitchen, more crochet, more sewing. I’m learning to embrace some of the imperfection parts of creating. I struggle sometimes and think things aren’t good enough or nice enough, I see the flaws, I know where the missed stitches are. But, others, well they love it and think it’s great so I’m learning to listen to that instead. Besides, my own critical voice can be so unkind and defeating, I’d much rather listen to beautiful voices full of love and not worried about the imperfections! 🙂
Life Breath Present recently posted… 28 months of Mothering
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
I totally get what you’re saying. We need to be kind to ourselves!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
You know, I think that would be good for what ails me…trying something new!
Kathy Combs recently posted… Amnesia
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 5, 2014
I say go for it!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
Twitter: nabanita21
December 6, 2014
My creativity goes as far as writing …I have plans for next year… have to see how it pans out though 🙂
nabanita recently posted… An Italian Summer
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 6, 2014
Looking forward to it!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Depth of Field + 100 Happy Days – Day 84
Photography is one thing I really like to take a bit seriously…. Fingers crossed for that!
Sheethal recently posted… Forgotten Memories
Twitter: alphabetsalad
December 7, 2014
I need to do more of that!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Today’s Gratitude List – Linkup No. 58 + 100 Happy Days – Day 86
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