So Long 2017

 Hello friends!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas,

celebrating our Savior's birth!

We enjoyed a really nice candlelight service and Communion on 

Christmas eve; then 

Our kids all came Christmas day.

It was fun watching our little Blakelea open presents this year.

-Seeing the wonder on her face; is something I hope to always remember.

The day after Christmas my husband and I both came down with the  flu.  

That was pretty rough.

It's really going around!

Anyways; here are now.. on the eve of a brand new year!

Yesterday I got the mood to take the decorations down.

If the mood strikes; I go with it because while decorating is fun;

undecorating is not so much.   

It looks so barren without the tree now.  

I did keep a few snow themed things out- 

We've been aching for some snow; so 

I made a little winter wonderland on the olde hoosier.

 I keep finding  myself stopping in front of it and smiling. 

It reminds me so much of our week get away in Montana.

It was just the two of us and one spoiled fox that visited every night

begging for leftovers.  

We had no wifi... no tv... no phone service. 

It was like sheer heaven on earth.  

After getting all the Christmas decorations taken down-

I've been finishing up old journals and preparing for all the things starting in January.

 Today I completed this book documenting my faith. 

One whole year full of scriptures written every day and lessons learned ...

prayers written... -- this book means so much to me now.  

Thought I'd flip through and share a few favorite pages:

 This is a tip in that I'd stamped and watercolored. 

 This page was when I'd recorded Phil 4:8 and on the back of the tip in

is hidden journaling.  Those what if's that happen to me at night... get replaced 

with the whatsoevers.  

 This page reminds me to just go with it when I feel like

sketching something...    no matter what.  

 This was a scripture picture I'd made that when I printed it;

some of the words got hacked off.  Pictures like this work great in 

art journaling.  

 This was a little sketch pondering 2017's  olw

illuminate.  

 This page was just a magazine picture journaled with a white pen.  

I so often forget to use my white signo gel pen.  

 This was a scripture picture this past year that has my new

olw in it.  

WALK.  

I've known for a while now that walk would be my word.  

To walk in the Spirit, in love, in truth... etc 

 This week I received my goodies from My intent with my word on them.

This little token will get strung on my planner this year.  

 This bracelet ... I can hardly wait to wear.  

I've been saving it for tomorrow.  :)

 Once again I signed up to olw at Ali Edwards OLW 2018 

Last year I didn't follow all the prompts but now I want to!

 Been getting my books ready and preparing for all the things 

I signed up for and am participating in.  

 This past year I ordered this Chic Sparrow and had 

Walk In Faith engraved on the front. 

At that time I had no idea walk would be my word.  

Funny how things "happen." 

 Usually this time of year I peruse the isles at all the stores looking for a wall calendar I love. 

It's tradition you know?  

Having a mechanics shop we get lots of car ones sent to us but ... I like a pretty one!  

So far the only pretty calendar I have is one for my Plan book.

This insert book is hand painted by Peggy at Journal Creations.  

She even did my name inside the cover in gold! 

I'll so enjoy carrying that book around all year! 

 Tonight I'm be writing down my goals 

both for January and the whole year.  

No resolutions though-- ... no no no!

Instead; ... dreams.  

I'm looking at life very different these days.  

I'll share more about it as time goes on.  

In fact; I'd like to start sharing a lot more here at the potting shed.  

Shorter posts; I promise but a lot more often.  

 One of the things I want for 2018 is to 

create every day.

Art journaling, sketching, watercoloring... anything!

No rules.  

You may be wondering why I'm sharing a diary from 2017- 

well it's one that didn't get used.  

A flow diary unused!  

So... this will be a redeemed art journal.  

I hope to share it often. 

 Some of you may remember that a few years back I was a Grama to three littles.  

Unfortunately a divorce shattered our family and we lost those kids that 

we loved with open arms.  The little girl was around 6 years old and we 

art journaled together.  We had matching pink moleskine journals and 

would cut pictures we liked from magazines and  glued  them into our little books.

It was so fun.  It was messy and I've  forgotten how much I enjoyed adding things like that 

in my art journals.    

 Myguy just happened to get me this paper lovers book for Christmas so I'll 

be using lots of pages from it.  If you've not delved into a flow book... 

I would encourage you to give them a look see.  :)  

 Aside from that... I'm jumping back into the world of 

fauxbonichi.  I didn't get a real hobonichi this year so will be 

making do with this blank book.  The idea is to takephotos on your phone through the  day.

Then  at bedtime...  pick a photo  from the day to  sketch on a page.  

This book ... all that white - goodness; I just can't wait to start the first page.   

  

 Along with the new year comes a new study:

Discerning the Voice of God.  

Anyone else starting?

For Christmas I was gifted this beautiful dear Diary

from my good friend and adopted sister Jean.  

This book is beautiful inside and out and through it I discovered the world 

of Wrendale Designs.  

If you've never heard of them... you are in for a treat indeed!

 New art classes are also starting.  

One I recently started taught how to make little garden prayer flags and I used the inspirations

from it to make this little banner in my art porch.  

It has all my one little words on it.  

 Heart

 Perspective

 True

 Illuminate

And now "walk."  

Before finishing up this tag, I looked through a box of ephemera my 

Mentor Cora had given me before she went to heaven.  

On a book page I found these words together:  want time to walk.  

I just knew there would be something in that box.  

Cora would say, "Lea you need to put feet to your faith."  

Now faith!  

(man I miss her) 

Well in other news and 

totally off topic but what the heck; it's New Years eve afterall.  

What blogpost would be complete without sharing your  pet chicken?

I know; I know; ... welcome to my world.  

Yes it's true.  And not only is she/he (I'm believing for a she) but

she's living in our bedroom.  

This poor little frizzle chick- more of a frazzle than frizzle hatched with

about 6 others and was doing so well.  Except since she's frazzled she's missing

lots of feathers.  One day I walked to the coop and there she was covered in blood.  

I thought something got in there somehow... until I witnessed another chicklet

pecking her behind and dining on "chicken"  I scooped this poor thing up

and I know it hurt terribly just touching her at all.  But I had to get her out.  

I made a bed in a carrier for her and have kept her in our room for days now.  

This afternoon I felt so sorry for her being alone and cooped up (sorry no pun intended.)

I carried her out to the greenhouse and let her hang out in there for the afternoon.  

Next picture is pretty gross if you don't want to see... you might want to stop here.  

But if you're curious... here she is...

She's healing up... just quite naked.  

She enjoyed the  whole afternoon around flowers and succulents  and is now 

back in our bedroom in her crate.  I expect she's going to become 

quite a pet.  I hope the barn gets done soon because our bedroom is 

taking on quite a poultry parfume.  

I cropped the photo above and made this scripture picture with her unique feathers and

the pink bloom behind her.   

It's going to be my anchor verse for the year.  

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."  Isaiah 30:21

Feel free to use and share it if you like!  

#sharethelove

If any of you choose a word or anchor verse... or have a resolution feel free to share

in the comments.  If you have any questions about any of the books I shared feel free to drop me a message.  I'll do my best to reply.  

I want to thank all of you for sharing your time with me this past year.

For your friendships and prayers and 

journeying along with me.  

I'm so grateful for YOU.   

Happy New year everyone!  

May God bless you richly in 2018.

Leaon Mary

September Day 5 Documenting Faith, Life, and Goals

 Jumping on earlier today since it's "Tuesday with Blake" day!

The first thing of the morning - after making the bed,

letting dogs out, and making coffee of course;

is devotionals and documenting the word I get.

I also print out any photos that stick to my heart and 

add them as tip ins.  

  During my lessons for the day;

I felt like journaling what was going on inside my heart and mind

and added them on the page to the right.  

I also had some convictions that I wrote about on the flip side of 

the sunflower photo.  Tip ins work so well for hidden journaling.

A picture of this will be going in one of my journals.

I've been on a peanut butter and banana on toast kick lately.

Might seem a weird thing to journal about but it's 

real life!  A unique thing that I just happen to like

a lot! haha  

Pretty vintage dishes too!

 In  my little art journal, I painted this girl,

and added the stamp to "choose happy"  

I'm finding I love sketching faces and characters.  

Just quick little no fuss and very messy yet colorful 

characters.  

And last, this picture of my hair to add in my goal section.

It's been two years and four months since I've had a professional haircut

and two years and one month since I stopped coloring and 

let my hair go gray.  

My inspiration photo; well, one of them is of a lady with a long gray braid.  

I found it on Pinterest I think and added it to my black Mr. DARCY travelers notebook

to look at when I hated my own hair and needed encouragement to keep going.

I'm so glad I gutted through the harsh line of demarcation, and any criticism 

and comments to reach my goals.  I'm not there yet... because I want it a lot longer

but ... getting there!  Every day I'm one day closer.

So... that's about it for today.

Time to get my mess cleaned up and get ready for babygirl.

Guess what... we have a walker!  

Oh my stars and garters... 

Granny is gonna need to start taking vitamins to keep

up with her now.

Thanks for the comments and texts checkin on me 

after I crashed yesterday.  haha 

I'm totally fine; a little sore but only if you push on it- 

so please don't!  lol  

Hardest part of all was I told Myguy last night; what really bothers me is 

I think back in my younger days I'd never have really gotten sacked like that.

Was more steady on my feet.  Hard to admit but... sigh... 

it is what it is right?

Pullin up my big girl panties... 

Have a great day,

Leaon Mary

Documenting Faith, Memory Keeping and Sonshine

 Hello from the Shed!

It feels so good to be plopped in this olde wooden chair

and sharing bits of life with you today. 

I've had interest in the past of how I document my faith and also art journaling,
so today's post will be another  peek into my faith journal and July's memory keeping.
Honestly, art journaling has taken a back seat with all the mowing and gardening I do.
But ... I miss it and in trying to be more intentional with my life; art journaling needs more
priority.

This book pictured; is my 2017 faith Journal.
I have another like it from two years ago but last year I didn't do it this way and missed it so much.

I take no credit and did not come up with any of this on my own.  I learned this through  Documented Life and Art to the 5TH.  I can't thank them enough
because I love these books sooooo much.
So this is a soft, dated,  Moleskine planner.  The paper is awesome... takes a fountain pen really
well, and they just feel good in your hands.  Especially after you washi tape all the edges of the pages.  There is one extra blank page for every week and that's what I totally love!  Because that
is the page you can add to... and paint, glue, add photos, tipins, ... and record your life, or
in this case; my faith!  

One thing I have to share in case you create one yourself is something I wish I'd have done
differently.  I added all my monthly tabs on the top.  I don't know what I was thinking?
The elastic band goes across the top... ?   The last one I made, I did tabs on the side and it
worked out a lot better.  So far the elastic isn't messing up my tabs but she's getting really chunky...
Before long they will start dog earring.  

Anyways, this is my week so far.  

During my time with God;  whatever verse stands out to me; I write it on that day.

Sometimes, it comes through a devotional, or ... through a friend, or sermon, ..

you just never know.  

The verse of the week through the group Documented faith, is the one I wrote on the photo

of the nasturtiums.  I wrote it in my own bible's translation and used a white signo gel pen with a broad tip.  It kinda messed up writing ... and is almost used up so I ordered more - a set of three on Amazon for little over six dollars with prime shipping.  One of my favorite pens for journaling!

The photo I attached to a piece of scrapbook paper, and taped with washi as a "tip in" so it can be flipped to the other side.  If you've never tipped something in before and want to- I would suggest

also adding another piece of washi to the other side for stability.   

Flipping that tip in I glued my handwritten verses from

Documented faith's weekly print out.  

I don't think it's ever too late to sign up there so check it out if you're interested.

I enjoy it and look forward to every week.  

As you can see in the page above, I added another two more tip ins  below the print out.  

One is clipped in... the other on the bottom flips up.  

On the back side is hidden and sacred journaling that  I can't share ... 

But, I also shared a memory of my mentor when she asked me what I thought of 

following my heart.  Everyone always says: follow your heart.  

Do you think that's really right? she asked one day. 

I had an answer on the spot  but found myself thinking on it all day.  

Because as the day wore on I started thinking about the so many things I put before God.  

It came back to me all over again when  writing Monday's verse "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you."  

Seek first... 

Back to the heart thing... 

Yeah I do think it's right to follow your heart-

So long as my  whole heart is following Jesus.

seek first--

and follow Him--

Next, is a  peek into my little personal sized traveler's notebook.

This tn is the my favorite leather ... ever: Kodiak. 

It's rugged and thick yet supple and feels so good to hold.  The maker is 

Speckled Fawns on Etsy.  

It's a book I enjoy so much that I look forward to using it.  

When I order there, I  always leave a message that I love range marks and brands.

Also I asked for the moon shaped peep hole.  I still need to find something tiny to slip in there

to show through. Anyways; ... 

I like picking it up... squeezing it... it smells awesome and is a fun size to keep memories. 

So cracking her open, 

here are a couple pages of  "memory keeping."  

Throughout the day, I grab my camera or phone and snap lots of photos of things

that jump out at me.  Here I was riding with Myguy in the olde 66 Chevy he brought home

for me several years ago.  I love taking photos of our vehicles to document because

they're always something we look back on and say remember when we had that olde

 Chevy or Ford... etc etc.  Cars and trucks are fun things to remember! Especially for

guys like mine; they're all motorheads.  Some day... they will open these books

and remember how much their folks loved eachother.  They'll remember

this olde Chevy truck... and all the good times we've had in it.  They might

recognize what road we're on ... remember the rose I keep on my dash... the turquoise

handkerchief and dream catcher... and how I liked holey jeans. There's just a whole lot of story in

a simple photo like this.  

I know in memory keeping; getting photos printed can be a total pain.  

Having your own photo lab is so much easier and enjoyable I think and

that way you can just print what you want ever day.  I have a canon sephy that prints 4x6 photos.

Also a Polaroid Zip.  The zip usually sets on my nightstand so I can add photos and jot down a memory every night.  Otherwise I use the selphy if I want something better quality and bigger.  The zip is handy though because it has sticker paper so you don't even need glue.  The photo's are just  not as clear though so if it's

something I really want to capture ... I go with the 4x6 and cut it down to size.   

Here is another page I thought I'd share.  

We were in a flea market type place and if we'd have had a place for it..

this chair woulda come home with us.  We both sat in it and loved the look.

It's an antique rocker that looked tiger oak... and had a cowhide seat and back.  

So often antique rockers are kinda rickety... but this one was solid.  

Geez... -- I took a photo and walked away... fast.  If we would have 

brought it home... something else had to go. With this photo.. the lesson I learned

that day... is what I really hope to remember?  You can have too much stuff!

And if something new comes in... something else has to go.   

Now this was from yesterday.  

I had our grandgirl all afternoon and she's 

 into evvvvverything now.  Ohmygoodness! 

 She has a lot of toys here but now loves

my plastic baking things... measure cups... metal measuring spoons and tubs... I think she's gonna love baking!  I can feel it!

--Here; later in the  afternoon, she started getting so sleepy.  I was holding her and we were listening to 

the message music channel on tv.  It plays all my favorite praise and worship music.  A song came on I knew well, and I turned her around in my arms lengthwise like when she was a tiny baby.  She reached up and yanked on one of my hoop earrings and I smiled and went "ahhhhHHHH!" she giggled that glorious giggle and I swear it was mischief... she yanked my earring again.  I went AHHHHH! and she giggled smiling so big...  Then the chorus of my song came on... and I started singing with all my heart... and swaying in the living room with babygirl... her eyes drifting.. and then she fell asleep...us  dancing in the living room.  It was  this ... "moment."  The ordinary... extraordinary... beautiful thing happening.  As I sat down on the couch with her... I closed my eyes and prayed... thanking God for her... and then prayed for her...Afterward, I grabbed my phone and snapped a pic -- It didn't turn out too great but the moment was captured and that's the important thing to me.  So this verse with a thankful heart... went on the photo:

"For this child I have prayed and the Lord has granted the desires of my heart."

1 Samuel 1:27 

Alright...before I sign off for today... 

I leave you with a new scripture picture.

Feel free to use and share it.

Thankyou for visiting me here at the potting shed!

Til we meet again, 

Leaon Mary