HTT: Inspiration Calendar

My new calendar in my journal with spots for notes.

I use Stumble Upon pretty much everyday and recently found this article on ivillage. Now, more confidence is something I could use and I loved that there were 30 exercises, so I made myself a little December homework project and came out with my Inspiration Calendar. Here's how I made it:

You will also need something to glue the pieces onto. I used my journal.

1. Select your magazine pages that you like. You could also use scrapbook paper for a more uniform look or newspaper. Choose at least two pages for a variety. I used some pages out of fashion catalog, but for the tutorial I used pages from a cooking mag.

2. Next fold the magazine in halves until you get a size that you like. And tear or cut them into their pieces. Don't worry about measuring them. We will need to trim later.

3. Next glue all of your squares onto a sheet of white paper, or you could use a nice piece of lightly patterned cardstock for a more decorative look. If there is a square that you don't like (for instance has too much text or an obvious logo) try flipping it over to see what the other side looks like. This will also give you a bit more variety. Cut out all of those pieces.

4. Now we get to trim. How much you trim depends on how big your journal/support is. If you are making a 30 day month, you will want either 5 pieces across and 3 down per page or vice versa. I set each piece out onto my journal and saw I only had 4 rows of three, so I trimmed them until I had 5 rows. I also don't care if my measurements aren't exact. I like that each rectangle is a little different. If you want uniformity, break out the ruler and paper cutter.

5. Now that we are all trimmed, time to get gluing! First fold up a little tab, then apply glue and stick to page. Pretty easy, right? 

6. And finally....

Write all those little steps you will be doing on the front of each square and don't forget to add the day. Doodle to your heart's content. Slop some paint over things. Glue some tinsel. Whatever, just make it you.I really like how mine came out. My only regret is that my ribbon tape is packed up. I would have liked to put some of it vertically on the tabs. it would have added some extra support and also tied things together nicely. Oh well, maybe next time right? Send me a pic if you make one, and let me know how you like the tutorial.

Listing GotB

I found inspiration in one of my favorite blogs the other day. Elise over at A Beautiful Mess posted about a list she makes every year of things she wants to accomplish. Sounds pretty ordinary. I mean, I think everyone has to do lists and bigger life goals lists ect. But I liked this one because it starts on your birthday and you make a new one every year. It's a great way to inspire yourself and I love that you can look back through the years and see how much your needs and wants have changed. I'm making my own 24 Before 25 list and it's going to be awesome. Of course, I am usually a little too optimistic when I make lists like these and add too many big projects. However, no one ever said you had to accomplish everything on the list! And roll over is totally allowed. Let me know if you make a list and feel like sharing.

Donating GotB

Godspeed my good friend.

So after all the posts I have written about changing peoples' lives, I realized I haven't done much to try and change the world. Sure I have sung a lot. Even at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. And while it is a unyielding belief of mine that music changes the world, I get just as much out of it as the person listening. I sing because I love it. So yesterday I "donated" something that for the past year has been very dear to me: my poetry journal. I was switching journals, and instead of throwing the journal away or tearing the pages out for a later use, I decided to brighten someone's day with it. I love things like Found Magazine (link) and often dreamed of finding a treasure left behind by someone; something that would give me a clue as to what their life was like. I also dreamed of leaving behind a piece of myself somewhere for someone else to find. It's kind of like the butterfly effect. So that's what I did. I hope that my journal finds someone who needed cheering. And I included a bookmark and note that asked them to add some poems and one day pass it on to someone else. If you feel like changing someone's day for the better, let me know know how you did i, and I'll post. We're all in this world together, might as well make it as wonderful as possible.

Inspired GotB

A few quotes caught my eye the other day:

Every new day is another chance to change your life - anon

He is able who thinks he is able - Buddha

No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again - Buddha

I found a tremendous amount of wisdom and solace in these few sentences. Times are hard for most people today, particularly in this economy. And sometimes that can lead to a feeling of hopelessness. I know I experience that feeling often. I think that we often forget that each day is an opportunity and is precious. We DO have the power to actually change things in our lives; we have the power to change other's lives. Today I started trying to change little things in myself for the better. I forgot that it was my job to do this and I have missed so many chances to change simply because I felt I was at the whim of circumstances. Do you forget that you have the power to change things? Do you forget that new beginnings can start anytime? I hope these quotes inspired you. Let me know what you think.

Journalin' GotB

When I was younger I decided to start a journal which I filled with photos of friends, poetry, and pre-pubescent angst. Now twelve years later I still keep a journal, but instead of filling it with all my angsty ramblings, I fill it with art and inspiration. The art helps me look back through the journal and remember my life as beautiful. And it helps me see that I am always growing as a person, artist, and musician. It's my art journal. I thought I would share some pics, and I hope to inspire someone to keep their own art journal; whether you fill it with pictures, poetry, doodles, paintings, quotes, scrap book elements, ticket stubs, or some smears of coffee grounds from breakfast. Times become hard and you fall down. I empathize with this presently. It helps to look back on better days. And know better days are still coming.

A one page spread. I usually cut them in half.

New GotB

(We Could All Use a Little)

It's funny how often I find myself putting things off because I am waiting for the perfect time. We invent so many excuses to put off the things we really want or need. I am again the new girl, having recently moved. I moved for several reasons; two big reasons were to pursue a musical and artistic career. Maybe start putting some paintings up in local shops, teach voice lessons. But I always have excuses not to start these projects. I didn't even want to start my blog until it was perfect; the background was perfect, I learned more HTML, ect. However, is life ever "perfect"? Should we just stand around waiting for the right time to pursue our dreams or start on our projects? Maybe the right time doesn't simply "come". Maybe we need to take a leap, make it happen, and hope it will work itself out. I'm going to be editing photos until I have a set I want to display. What projects have you been putting off?

Some good artist inspiration