Happiness

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Today I have been trying to think about what happiness means to me.  True pure happiness.  Do I remember a time when I felt truly happy with no worries, anxiety or guilt?  I'm not an unhappy person, usually I'm quite happy but to me, in order to be truly happy or blissful, I would have to be completely free of all of these.  I don't think anyone over the age of 1 can ever be completely blissful.  Maybe the Dalhai Lhama or truly spiritual people.  Is this true?  Will I only ever to be able to catch fleeting moments of happiness?  Maybe this is better than being happy all of the time, I will appreciate it more.  My hope is that the time between these fleeting moments becomes less as I let things go.

**These musings were prompted by this.  I love that I am thinking hard about these things instead of just walking blindly through life**

First Entry into my Passions Film Moleskine Journal

So this afternoon, mom and I decided to go to this movie.  It was so good.  It was scary but you have to really think about things and listen hard or you will  miss things.  The movie was longer than most at 138 minutes but I didn't feel like it dragged at all.  The music alone was enough to put me on edge!  Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo did a great job. Leo even had the Boston accent down (or at least what my Canadian perception of a Boston accent is!) and those boys are not exactly hard on the eyes.  Ben Kingsley played the role of cheif Psychiatrist and he did it creepily well.  Love, love, loved it!  I'd totally recommend it.  Martin Scorsese has done it again.  Brilliant movie.  I can't say too much more because I don't want to spoil it for anyone.  Go and see it and you'll know what I mean. 

In other news, tonight, the girls and I went to my friend Lea's house for a Phillipino feast.  It was beyond delicious.  I should have written the names of all of the dishes down so I could tell you.  Mmmmm.  I took some pics but honestly, I'm too stuffed and too tired to upload them.  Maybe tomorrow...  Until then, have a great Saturday night!

Under the weather, among other things...

Hello!  I've been out sick for the past couple of days.  I am, however, on the mend and decided that it was time to post some pics of the things I have been working on.  But first, some mail happiness.  I ordered these two weeks ago and wasn't sure I was actually going to get them ( I paid for expedited delivery but obviously that didn't happen!):

These are the newest additions to my Moleskine family.  For those who don't know, I lurv my moleskines.  I am using a soft covered, lined notebook as my everyday journal right now, I knit it a cozy little cover:

The Moleskine Passions line was just released and I was lucky to get in on a sale at Amazon.  I got the Book Journal and Film Journal so that I can keep track of my two main passions (other than crafting, of course!) and then I bought the Vancouver City Moleskine to record and help map out my upcoming trip.  Sooooo excited about that.  I just found out there is a cupcake shop in Vancouver that is regularly featured on the Food Network.  I will have to check that out!!!!

So, I blogged about covering my moleskine cahiers with fabric a la Elsie's tutorial.  Below are the results.  They are not embellished because I think I prefer them plain and I just can't see what I could/should add. 

I apologize for the poor lighting.  Soon they will hold my many ideas for blog posts, art journal ideas and random notes.

I have also been working on my journal for Vivianna's Quiet Nights Art Journal Class.  She's opened sign ups again so if you missed it the first time around, here's your chance!  I think I have decided to just use 8.5 x 11 inch cardstock on the inside but I like the idea that I can use and add whatever kind of paper suits my fancy:

I still have to put the title on.  I will try and get a better pic when it is done and I can show you the inside flaps.  I tried to get some shots of the details.  I am working on my photography skills!

I also bought a coil bound book and decorated it but didn't like how it turned out.  I bought a smaller one as well, which I haven't covered yet.  Definate problems with the Type A today.

So glad tomorrow is Friday.  I think I am feeling well enough to go back to work and then I have the weekend off again!  Yipeee!  Hope you're all having a great night.

A little inspiration

I have been hard at work putting together my art journal for Vivianna's Quiet Nights Class.  Here are some of the things that are inspiring me:

all images via weheartit.com

I want to start an inspiration portfolio.  I am going to keep images like this to look back on when I need a little lift.  Back to work on my journal!

I WON!! I WON!! Part Deux

So you'll never believe this.  I entered a giveaway on Justine's blog, not really thinking I would win, because I had just won the giveaway on Elaine's blog and really how lucky can a girl be, especially a girl who usually never wins anything?  But I entered anyway because it was too cute to pass up and yep, you got it, I WON!!!!!!!!!  So excited.  I love winning things.  Really I just love reading Justine's blog but winning was an extra bonus.  Thanks Justine!!!!!!!!  Here's a peek at the loot:

Happy Dance!!!!

Inspiration and Anticipation

Hope you guys are having a great weekend.  Mine was pretty busy.  I finally managed to complete Elsie's journal DIY.  Well almost anyway.  I will post some pics after I have finished embellishing them.  Between doing some spring cleaning and recycling I have been reading these:

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If you are into art journaling or reading artists' blogs, these magazines are worth a read.  They are on the expensive side ($15.99 per issue) but they come out quarterly and are packed with images and information.  I can see myself looking back over them for inspiration or tips so I think it's money well spent.
I am getting pretty excited to do some art journaling.  I have been gathering stuff for Vivianna's class and checking out other participants' blogs and I cannot wait.  I might start early and do a bit of warm up just to get a feel for it.  I'm a bit rusty. I have done a few pages in the past but I want to make it more of a regular thing, something that I can do to get inspired and a way to work on my "type A" tendencies.  I have been trying to let go of my expectation that everything turn out perfectly, sometimes it's hard to let go when I have something in mind and it doesn't work out exactly the way I'd planned.  I am hoping art journaling will give me a place to get used to making "mistakes" and messing around.   Do any of you deal with perfectionist tendencies?  If so, how do you get over it?

Have a happy Sunday!

Check out this cool giveaway!!!!!!!

Go check out Justine's blog here.  I am a new reader to her blog but so far I love it!  She will also be taking Vivianna's class.  I am so excited to "meet" the rest of the class.  Here's a little peek of some of the goodies Justine has to giveaway:

To see more and to enter, make sure you check out her blog!