Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Every Woman needs To Try Journaling


I have fallen love with journaling.


Whatever is on my mind that day seems to turn into an artful page. 


So, looking back through the pages
 I can see that my mind is always busy . . .
moving in all sorts of directions.


This night Butchy couldn't take his little eyes off of me . . .
You would have thought that I had a steak-bone in my pocket, LOL


Sometimes when we need a little encouraging,
we need to be our best friend ,
and encourage ourselves.
Write yourself a Love-Letter.




Sometimes this is the reminder that we need to hear.
Never let fear conquer your day!


I can't get through a single day without prayer.
How about you?
Every good thing about me,
I owe to Him,
and every blessing that comes my way,
is because of Him.


Dear Blogging Sisters
even though we all live miles apart,
there is a oneness in our hearts.

I am very grateful for all of you,
you brighten my days,
and I always look very forward to reading your comments.

Have an all around fabulous day, today.

Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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66 comments:

  1. Connie, Thank you, I am grateful for you too. It is nice to have someone out there passing along words of encouragement. When we need it, they are ready with prayers to lift us up. I have truly enjoyed blogging and meeting others. Blessings to you,xoxo,Susie

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    1. Hi Susie, you are so sweet, thank you for this lovely compliment. I was just at your blog and congratulations, you are doing so good on loosing weight. You are going to feel so good this spring when the weather gets nice and you can get outside again. Those extra pounds seem to zap our energy . . . I know, because I am in the same boat. I made a goal for myself that I would sign up for the 5K race in our town, at the end of May. So, as soon as the weather breaks and gets warmer, I'll start walking and getting ready. I do not plan on running, just walking it and getting my tee-shirt . . .I'm so old to think that I will become some senior citizen athlete. Well, that's my goal . . . and I'm press toward it.
      Have a marvelous day.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)
      Oh, one more time . . . I'm so proud of you :)

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  2. Hi Connie, even though I have not been commenting of late I have been reading all my favourite blogs,so much happening my own blog has to wait,I too love my journal and whenever I can i write it it,I wish i was more arty to do great drawings as you do but if i see a pic in a magazine i love i paste that in to compensate.I am grateful for my blog world each day as i sit very early in the morning an quietly read them all,then I realise I am not alone,just stretched at the moment.xx

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    1. Good morning Carol, There are times when life gets busy . . . we all have them. Please don't stop blogging, because I for one would miss you very much. My Steve is so busy that he only posts about every six weeks or so, but he loves reading his comments and checking out the blogs of the friends that he has made. We are a community of friends and friends stick together. I am very grateful for this sweet visit and when you have the time, you'll post again. God bless you.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  3. Thank you Connie for this lovely post. I love my blogging family!

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    1. Good Morning Beth, You are a sweetheart and we all love you, too.
      Have a fantastic day.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  4. Dear Connie, you're absolutely right about being our own best friend and encouraging ourselves. I've never thought about it before. This is what blog land is all about. Motivation and inspiration from friends or should I say family from near and far. What a lovely community we belong to. Love the journal.
    Patricia x

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    1. Hi Patricia, It is morning here and I am typing this while enjoying a creamy cup of coffee. Reading these wonderful comments from my sisters in blog-land is a delightful way to start my morning. We are family . . . standing by each other, praying in times of need and sorrow, encouraging and support each other in our walks through life. When I started my blogging journey I had no way of knowing what rich friendships would be around every corner. I feel so very blessed . . . and I count you as a true and lovely blessing.
      Have a joy filled day, my sweet sister.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  5. Hi Connie,
    nice to hear from you. I have not done a lot of visiting either. Just so busy. But I do pop by to see what's going on.
    thanks for the visit and I LOVE your journal pages !
    Hugs

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    1. Hello Sweet Amy, it is wonderful to see you . . . life gets busy and family, home and work . . . all of these must come before the pleasures of blogging, but it is great to get a visit. I am delighted that you like my journal, I get a lot of pleasure doodling in it.
      Have a wonderful day.
      your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  6. You continue to amaze with your glorious artwork, and the stunning images and thoughts that you put into these books. There is so much to look at here. I think my favorite one if the orange flower one. I have absolutely no artistic ability and can barely draw a stick man. I wish I did, this must be very relaxing as well. But I do have all kinds of art markers and pencils and pens and even oil crayons, plus lots of papers and notebooks. I keep them for the girls, and now I just bought two big blank spiral sketch books. Whenever they come over, I ask them to draw at least one big page showing their day or their current thoughts. I also have a big pink flower dry erase board on the fridge for them to use. I think it is so important to encourage kids to express their feelings. And I treasure their art. Hey, that gives me an idea to post all the things they do. Maybe one a week or so.

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    1. Hi Ginny, I think that your idea of having a journal for your girls is wonderful. What a marvelous keepsake it will be and a sweet gift to give them when they are grown with babies of their own. I would love to see their art work.
      Have a glorious day.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  7. P.S. Forgot to tell you, since I have no artistic ability, but I can take a decent photo, my blog is my journal, I love capturing images and nature on my camera and putting my thoughts to them.

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    1. Hi Ginny, I think that your idea of having a journal for your girls is wonderful. What a marvelous keepsake it will be and a sweet gift to give them when they are grown with babies of their own. I would love to see their art work.
      Have a glorious day.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  8. Dear Connie,
    You truly are a natural artist. You have amazing talent.
    Your happiness shines through your journal and posts.
    I dont know if you read my post about my dairy..daily agenda post. I try to keep up as much as i can.
    I also have a sketch book and write special things in there and sometimes a water colour of what i see in front of me that day.
    I do believe that Our dear lord looks over us all. I could not go through my day's without giving thanks to him and the holy family.
    Thanks for leaving your kind comments on my posts.
    Its really great to be able to blog with such amazing people.. and you are one of them.
    happy days..
    val xxx

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    1. Hi Val, you have made my day . . . what a lovely visit. I am coming over to check out your journal pages.
      I count you a blessing in my life and appreciate your sweet friendship.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  9. What fun pages - I like art journaling too but it often gets pushed aside while I work on other things. One of my goals was to make it more of a priority this year but I'm not quite succeeding. I like that these are each so different depending on what you're feeling or what's on your mind...exactly as it should be. You left a comment on my PurkeyPages photo blog which has been inactive for several months. All my current activity is on Creative-Explorer if you visit again. Thanks for the nice comments on my mountain shot tho, much appreciated!

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    1. Hi Terrie, what a lovely visit, and I will be over to check out your newer posts. Thanks for the sweet comment on my journal pages, I do enjoy working on it. I'm one of those individuals that have got to have something for my hands to be doing, at all times. So journaling is my evening TV watching pleasure. My Mom was a crocheter, so I guess that I came by this busy hands thing from her:) I hope that you find more time to work in yours.
      This has been fun. I enjoy, so much, getting to know my blogging friends better with each visit.
      have a wonderful day.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  10. Thank you so much for sharing your journaling pages...they are so beautiful! You inspired me with your last post, so I tried some art journaling myself. But, ummm...frankly, it stunk! I can't draw worth a hoot and the couple of pages I tried turned out badly. Oh well, I simply put it aside and will try another day. I will not be defeated! :-)

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    1. Hi Melanie, it sounds like you are going for perfection . . . that's not going to happen for any of us. You have to just draw for enjoyment. If I waited for mine to be perfect, I would never have the nerve to hit the publish button. I do have a suggest for you. Pick up a book on Zen Tangle at the library and give it a try . . . you will be amazed at how much fun it is . . . be sure you get a beginners book, to start with. Then cut loose and free up the artist inside you.
      Have fun!
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  11. Lovely, Connie! I have brought some of my journalling supplies to New Zealand with us but haven't had chance to use them yet, we have been doing so much stuff! Lx

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    1. Hi Lynne, I'm sure that one of these days real soon, you'll have a chance to get started again . . . I also know that once you get started, you'll be having so much fun, that you will not want to stop.
      Have a seriously fabulous day :)
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  12. Connie, I am grateful for you too. You are such an inspiration and your words of encouragement are so motivating. Thank you for sharing your journaling pages. I am more of a scrapper and rubber stamper than a journaler. I don't think that's even a word! I do have a question on your Paris journal....how did you get the photo of the Eiffel tower onto your journal page? See, I told you that I am a beginner ;o) xo Debbie

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    1. Hi Debbie, I know that everybody has a special technique and that they use many different products, but wait until you hear how complicated it was to get this photo onto my page. Are you ready for this.? It was a photo that I took in Las Vegas just outside the Paris casino, so I had it stored on my computer in my picture files. So, all I did was print in on regular computer paper, cut it out with scissors and glue it onto the page with a glue stick. I know you're thinking . . . what? . . . yep, that is all that I did,LOL.
      Now, I have heard of this method where you print your photo in mirror image onto regular printer paper and then use lemon Pine-soil cleaner to brush over it and transpose the image to the page. I haven't tried it , but I bought some Pine-soil the other day, to try. You turn the image upside down so that the ink side is down and brush the pine-soil over the back. Wait a minute or so and peel it away.
      Good luck . . . I'm curious now and off to give it a try.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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    2. Connie, I would have never guessed you cut out the picture with scissors and glued it onto the page with a glue stick! That I can do ;o)

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  13. Wow, Connie- If I could journal like you do I would never write another word of blog. Your images are just amazing. I am so grateful to have found you here in blogland, Connie. You are a wonderful friend and blessing to me-xo Diana

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    1. Hi Diana, I look at other bloggers journals and I don't see that mine is all that great . . . except that it brings me pleasure and it is a fun way to express myself. That does not mean that I do not appreciate the compliments, in fact they warm my heart and encourage me to keep journaling and sharing what is on my heart. Thank you for your kind and uplifting comments. You're a true friend to all that have the good fortune to know you.
      God Bless you.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  14. Wow..those are some beautiful pages :) What a sweet tribute since I love love love to journal these days..wish I had time to all day long!

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    1. Hi Jane, thanks for stopping by . . . it is nice to know that another friend loves journaling as much as I do.
      Have a glorious art-filled day.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  15. Connie, more inspiration? This is marvellous!! I really feel your creativity flowing, so much positive energy. I look forward to more!

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    1. Hi Melanie . . . you are a sweet inspiration for fun and positive energy.
      I should draw you as one of my fun little journal girls.
      Oh, why didn't I think of that before . . . how does that sound to you?
      Have a magnificent, fun filled day.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  16. Awesome pages Connie, beautiful and such wonderful colors.

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    1. Thank you so much :)
      You are a peach :)
      Your blogging sister, Connie :) . . . . wow, I sure do smile a lot :)

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  17. These are just so beautiful. Your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews will treasure them one day. I love your work, and still would like to see you publish your art journals!

    Kathy M.

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    1. Hi Kathy, I think you are so special, but I think that you have me up there a little to high. Publishing one of my art journals might sell about five copies . . . all to me, to give as gifts, LOL
      Then it might be one of those gifts, where they get it out and put it on the shelf when they see me pulling into the drive-way :) Have you ever received one of "THOSE GIFTS"?
      I'm laughing so hard . . . I might have to pee.
      Have a wonderful weekend.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  18. Wow, Connie, you have been busy! Great journaling!xx

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    1. Thank you so much . . . what a sweetie you are.
      Have a great weekend, your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  19. Such a beautiful inspiration. I love your thoughts and the pictures are perfect. You are such a delightful lady.
    I wrote in a journal when i had ovarian cancer. It is comforting.

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    1. Hello Linda, I just came from your blog and am excited that you are back clogging . . . what fun that must be. Good exercise, too! I'll have to visit some of my friends that you have re-designed their blogs . . . you are one very busy gal. Journaling can be a comfort and I'm sure that when you look over that journal you feel so blessed to be on the other side.
      Have a marvelously happy weekend.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  21. Connie, I adore your sweet journal! The art is so fun. My youngest is always doodling things in books like this. I am wanting to start a garden journal this Spring. I don't have your talent, but a doodle now and then will show up. Prayer gets me through each and every day. I find myself saying short prayers in my mind and heart all throughout the day. God is ever so good and patient to put up with me. lol!
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Hello Jann, it is wonderful hearing from you. If you look in my archives under Cards and Journals, and go back a ways, you will fine a few posts of my garden journal. You don't even have to doodle in it that much, decorate your pages with pictures you cut from your seed packages. Our dollar store has a scrapbook section and in the spring there are all things of stickers and rub on's with spring and garden themes. You will have so much fun making it, and it is a great tool to refer back to each year. I know what you are talking about with each day being filled with little prayers and thank you's to our Lord . . . that's what He wants . .at your children and how very much you love them, them multiply it by a million or so . . . He loves you more than you will ever know :)
      Have a joy filled day and thanks so much for stopping by and visiting.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  22. Connie -- you are really speaking to my thoughts today. I have always loved drawing and art -- but I wonder if I can devote enough time to art journaling to make it worthwhile.

    I do love your journal pages -- you are so talented my friend. I mean sistah!

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    1. Hi Sistah, I want to encourage you to start an art journal. Just keep it stored by your favorite chair in your family-room, add a box of colored pencils or markers near by, and see what happens. It doesn't matter, a journal can take a couple months to fill or a few years . . .I think you will find that it is a very relaxing venture.
      Have fun.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  23. Hi Connie! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a message! Always love to get comments!
    I just wanted to add that I love art journaling as well! Both in sketchbooks and old books. Thanks for sharing some of your journal entries!
    ~Beth

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    1. Hi Beth, it is so very nice to see you . . . thanks for stopping by.
      I love getting to know my blogging friends better and with each post and comment that happens.
      Have a marvelous weekend.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  24. I love your journal pages- you really are so artistic. I journal, but only for my bible studies.

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    1. That is a great place to journal . . .
      Have a joy filled weekend.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  25. I'm a frustrated artist! haha I don't journal, but I have my kiddos do it.

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    1. How cool . . . journals that your children make will become family treasures as they grow into adults.
      Have a joy filled weekend.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  26. Your journal is wonderful! I really should start one.

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    1. Really you should . . . you will love it :)
      Have fun.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  27. Hey Connie, I love seeing your journal pages, they're so colourful and filled with creativity.
    I don't journal as such, but take a book and pencil with me when I' out and about and like to doodle, draw or sketch.
    Can't get through a day without prayer either......start and finish the day with prayer....it's the only way to go.

    Claire x

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    1. Hi Claire, Amen to prayer . . . praying throughout the day . . . keeps me grounded.
      As for journaling . . . it sounds to me like you are an art journalist and don't even know it:)
      Have an incredible week, and thanks so much for stopping by.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  28. Hello, Connie! I just found your blog from another blog that you visited. Your comment to the blogger made me think that you were a very friendly person, so I dropped by. I hope you will come visit my farm blog when you have some time. www.everydayruralty.com

    I like your idea of journaling. I think it would be good for me. I have always been creative, but this might be a good outlet for thoughts. Have a good Sunday and upcoming week! Patrice

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    1. Hi Patrice, I am excited to have you visit and I am coming right over :)
      Connie :)

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  29. Hey Connie,
    Love your journal book. You are such a creative and wonderful person, it sure shows in all that you do and say!

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    1. Oh Jana . . . you are so sweet . . . thank you.
      You should see me before my morning coffee, LOL
      Have a wonderful week.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  30. Your journal is lovely. I used to keep a gratitude journal - think I may start another this year, thanks to your inspiration!

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    1. Hi Lana, I am delighted if I can be an inspiration in any way at all.
      Thank you for your kind words.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  31. Hi Connie.....this Art Journal malarkey looks such good fun, and YOUR pages are amazing. I especially, seriously LOVE the big question mark, and all those leaves, it's an amazing and clever piece of art. The 'faith' page is looking pretty good too. Keep up the good work, I'll pop by on a more regular basis from now, to see what you've added xx
    Thank you so much for the wonderful comments you leave on MY creations.....the latest one made me smile.....Hallmark move over....hahaha.
    Your cyber-friend in UK,
    Barbara xx

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    1. Hi Barbara, well I truly meant what I said about Hallmark move over . . . your greeting cards are amazing.
      Have a great week.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  32. Connie I am returning the favour, you checked out my blog, so I thought I would check out yours. I just love your
    journaling, it is so sweet. I love the page about prayer, my friend was just diagnosed with ovarian cancer & has quite a road ahead of her, so that page hit me, how real & the power of prayer. You did a Great Job!!!
    I love your talent.
    Hugs, Sheila

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    1. Hi Sheila, thanks for the visit and keep tangling . . . you do a great job.
      Have a great weekend.
      Connie :)

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  33. Amen to that Sister!
    I've tried to journal...several times....but forget!!! LOL
    I love the colour in your journals....I can't seem to find a journal that the paper doesn't get all 'wonky' when wet...LOL

    blessings,
    Cynthia♥

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    1. Hi Cynthia, I know what you mean . . . I have been looking for one made from heavy watercolor paper. I'm sure that would help. I can not seem to find this in any stores, so if I happen on one through the internet, I'll pass the site on to you :)
      Have a marvelous art filled day.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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