Catalyst One Hundred and Thirty-Four is: Tell us about a friendship you currently have .
My journaling:
I have many good friends and I know I will have more in my lifetime but none of them will ever measure up to you. you have always been and will always be my very best friend in the whole world. The only person who’s seen me in my ups and downs and still loves me with all of his heart and accepts me for who I am. I am so very grateful that we have found each other. I love you madly.
This is the end of creative therapy. I have created 135 pieces of art for this wonderful project and I am very proud of it.
Catalyst One Hundred and Thirty-Four is: What’s a cause you believe in (or a charity you support)? Why?
My journaling:
There are many causes I feel passionate about but at the very top of the list is education. I believe a high quality education can make all the difference in a person’s life. I think that all kids should have access to and deserve a good education. With that, one can achieve a lot in life and go farther than many others. There is a gap and we need to fix it.
Details:
Catalyst One Hundred and Thirty-Three is: Do you have a favorite or important family recipe?
My thoughts:
I thought a lot about this catalyst. My first hunch was to make it on mousse chocolat or gateaux salami, both of which my grandmother made for me each time I came to visit. It was her way of showing me how much she loved me and how much she missed me. But as the weeks passed, I decided I wanted to make this one about my family and the recipe of laughter and joy that these family photos have brought to me. I don’t cook so I will not be leaving my two sons any recipes for them to continue to pass down. But if I can pass down the power of laughter and joy as my recipe for a fulfilled and happy life and family, I will consider it a success..
This layout uses the new Vintage Vogue line from Pink Paislee. Since it’s a brand new line, I thought it might be fun to show more details than usual.
Details:
Catalyst One Hundred and Thirty-Three is: What’s one lesson you would give a married couple?
Journaling Reads:
Many people I’ve met over the years have given me relationship and marriage advice but I think it too often depends on the dynamics of each couple. The one thing I’ve learned from my personal experience is that it’s never about 50/50. Sometimes one person needs more help or attention and sometimes it’s the other. you go with the flow and always give 100% without keeping score. If each of you do that, it’s a good path for happiness.
Details:
Catalyst One Hundred and Thirty-One is: Describe (or show) yourself at this point in your life.
Journaling Reads:
It might not be sexy but what I feel more than anything at this moment is so very content. I feel like I am full of peace and joy but I also feel calm. I feel my career, my family, my art, and life in general are exactly where I wish them to be at this moment. And I do not take that for granted for a second. I work out daily. I spend time with my kids. I do all my work and fulfill my obligations. But I also know I am so lucky. And things will change. Tougher times will come. So I celebrate this moment of contentment.
Details:
Catalyst One Hundred and Thirty is: Tell us about a Favorite/special piece of clothing.
Journaling Reads:
I have saved this pair of jeans for 21 years. They traveled with me from Turkey to Pittsburgh to New York to San Diego and to the Bay Area. People told me to throw them out several times. “You can never fit the jeans you wore at 17.” I heard again and again. But I couldn’t bear to give up. And now that I am finally losing all this weight, I can finally fit into them once again (they don’t close just yet but still.) miracles do happen.
Details:
Catalyst One Hundred and Twenty-Nine is: Describe a family keepsake you have or hope to have?
Journaling Reads:
I am not one of those people who collects things to leave to my kids. I have the scrap albums which they may or may not want one day. The only thing I hope they will cherish and want to keep are the gratitude journals we’re keeping. I already cherish them deeply. Even keeping the practice of gratitude will be enough for me. I am so thankful we have these to look back upon.
Catalyst One Hundred and Twenty-Eight is: What are you (or would you be) giving your children that you wish you’d had?
Journaling Reads:
When I was a little girl, my mom always worked. When I got home from school, she wasn’t there and it made me sad. I vowed back then that I would always be home for my kids when they came home and wanted to talk about their day. My mom was wonderful but I did wish she was around more.
Catalyst One Hundred and Twenty-Seven is: What’s your word/focus for 2011?
Thoughts:
“Let go of the past, be free to do anything you desire. Anything.” My word for 2011 is free. I plan to let go of all of what holds me down from my past and also let go of all the ideas I have in my head of what I can and cannot be in the future. My plan is to work on whatever I need to work on so I can clean the slate. Be free of any burden. Free to do anything. Truly.
Details:
Catalyst One Hundred and Twenty-Six is: Tell us about a time someone hurt your feelings.
Thoughts:
There are many moments from my past that I can dredge up with sadness or hurt but I decided from now on the path is about looking forward and freeing myself of the idea that things can happen to me. I control my emotions and my life. People cannot hurt me if I don’t let them and I choose joy and not hurt. So here’s to being free and letting go of the past and embracing joy.
This was made with the December A Million Memories Kit.
Catalyst One Hundred and Twenty-Five is: Write a love letter.
Thoughts:
My love letter went to my husband for father’s day. It was long and deep and I worked hard to express the depth of my love and gratitude for him. I love and adore my husband and the life we’ve created together. I consider myself very very lucky. And I wanted him to know this. I made this little card and put my letter inside the card. On the back, I stamped “love.”
Catalyst One Hundred and Twenty-Four is: What makes you happy?
Thoughts:
I made this layout back in May but it’s a perfect example of what makes me happiest in my life. Seeing my kids and my husband and my parents and sister laugh. Seeing the people I love happy is the biggest source of joy in my life.
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projects for twenty twenty-four
projects for twenty twenty-three
projects for twenty twenty-two
projects for twenty twenty-one
projects for twenty nineteen
projects for twenty eighteen
projects from twenty seventeen
monthly projects from previous years
some of my previous projects
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