2011 Create with K8

Many of you know that I'm addicted to art retreats.  I love participating in art activities, exploring photography, and being surrounded by other creative souls.  But one thing I always find myself saying when I'm at these retreats is, "I wish the ladies back home were here"...or "so and so would love this"...or "why don't I do this more often?"

So in 2011 I decided to bring the art retreat to me!  One Sunday afternoon out of each month, "the girls" gathered at my house for a creative adventure.  People came when they could make it; it was a no pressure, no experience needed kind of thing.  We did everything from rock painting to xmas tree decorations...but the end result wasn't the important thing.  It was about creating, it was about community...and turning a dream of mine into reality!

In honour of each and every one that joined me along the way - and to all those that really wanted to come but just couldn't get the stars to aline - I put together this little video of the monthly projects.  I hope the rest of you will enjoy it as well!

And now, on to 2012 dreams.  What are you dreaming about?

Create with K8 - February

Mission 2 accomplished!  February’s activity was decorating/creating Gratitude Journals.  I’ve always considered myself a pretty grateful person – I mean, we have SO MUCH to be grateful for!  But sometimes I still find myself getting lost in those thoughts of “life will be better when…” or “I will be REALLY happy/satisfied if I can just…”  Anyone with me?  So I’m curious to see if a daily practice (of writing down 3 things that I’m grateful for) might allow me to settle into the perfection of today. 

A friend of mine that couldn’t make the journal-making day wanted some instructions…so I figured I would share with all of you as well!  Here’s a really simple and economical (less than $5/journal!) way to make your gratitude journal.  (Sorry the pictures are so small…just playing around with Picnik after being inspired by Lisa’s recent post.) 

1.     Choose your favorite fabric!  (100% cotton works best)

2.     Cut the fabric so that it just covers both sides of a journal – you don’t want too much hanging off the edges otherwise it will be too bulky when you go to glue it.  (Journal purchased at Michaels for $1.50.)

3.     Glue the edges and center of one side (I used Arlene’s craft glue) and then fold the fabric over it & press firmly into glue.

4.     Make a couple snips at the top and bottom centre edges so that the fabric will lie nicely.

5.     Wrap the edges of your fabric in (much like wrapping a present) and glue.

6.     You’ll likely need to trim the centre (snipped) piece so that it sits nicely.

7.     Cut out a piece of card stock big enough to cover the inside of your journal (front & back) and glue down (covering up edges of fabric).

8.     Using Rubber Cement, glue your favorite gratitude quotes onto the card stock.  

Et voila!

Meet my headless friends and their creations!  

(I didn’t ask permission to post their photo so figured I’d better chop their heads off – haha!)  

Here are the quotes that I used for inspiration:

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."
-Melody Beattie

As the months pass and you fill your journal with blessings, an inner shift in your reality will occur. Soon you will be delighted to discover how content and hopeful you are feeling. As you focus on the abundance rather than on the lack in your life, you will be designing a wonderful new blueprint for the future. This sense of fulfillment is gratitude at work, transforming your dreams into reality.

- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Create with K8

I have recently discovered that I love creative retreats.  I love participating in art activities, doing photography, and being surrounded by other creative souls. 

But one thing I always find myself saying when I’m at these retreats is, “I wish the women back home were here"...or "so and so would love this"...or "why don’t I do this more often?” 

So my plan for 2011 is to bring the retreat to me – and the local ladies.  One Sunday per month, I will invite women to gather at my place for an afternoon of creation.  It’s meant to be a no pressure, no experience necessary, organic & of course fun experience!

Well, I’m happy to announce that the first “Create with K8” date was a smashing success!  Got an opportunity to hang out with some awesome chicks & set some intentions for 2011 at the same time.  Creating Vision Boards was our activity for January.  Can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will bring!