Hi sweeties, how are you? I hope you are all right and stay home during this weird time that Corona spreads around the world… and aren’t we the lucky ones, to have our art keep us occupied. That is, when we are able to put our minds on creating. I, for instance, have my days… days that I get into the flow creating up a storm, but also days that nothing comes out of my hands and feel like wading through mud. I also notice that I have little words to say these days. So much is said and written, it makes me more silence up and I prefer to show you pictures instead of writing a long blogpost.
First, there’s a photo of my workdesk
The spread is not finished by all means… I don’t even know if I like the portrait but it’s done now, so I probably leave it there. The spread needs journaling and I hope that will lift up the image.
DUTCH DARES
As you may have seen in former months, I make scrapbook layouts every now and then and I usually join in on a challenge because those challenges inspire me to get started. Last month I was asked if I would like to join the Design Team of one of those challenge groups: Dutch Dares. I felt honoured but didn’t want to say yes to the full DT-task. I may be out of a job right now, but when this whole Corona-isolation period is over, I will start at the Zeeuws Archief again which will leave me with less time to create. But right now I have time on my hands… so “Dutch Dares” and I agreed that I step in as a guest-designer for as long as I have the time. I am happy with this agreement.
Today the first DARE was published which I join as a guest designer. The challenge is to create with ‘SPORTS’.
I am not the sporty type but people who know me (or follow my blog) know that I LOVE to watch bicycling races. I looked forward to the new cycling season and even bought a magazine that has all the World teams, races and dates in it…. as you will understand: all races got cancelled now. For the challenge, I used that fact to create an art journal spread.
“… I looked forward to the cycling season…”
MAIL ART
In ‘normal times’ I see my mum and dad quite often and after two weeks of isolation I really miss hugging them. We do call more often of course but I thought it would be nice to create something to send to them. Especially after my mum said she would love to smoke a cigarette… (she quit smoking years ago but whenever she sees me, she smokes one or two of my cigarettes.)
Now that I cannot ‘use’ that cycling magazine to check the racing dates and all, it’s allowed for me to cut it up and use it for collage. So I created a postcard for my parents (and put some cigarettes for my mum in the envelope as well 😉 ) and at the same time I made a postcard for my son and his girl too.
The journaling on the card for mum and dad says something like: “There are many ways to lose ones breath. Smoking is the most pleasant way” and the card for son + girlfriend says “do not mind the time, it does what it does. Carry on.”
Sorry for not presenting you a lovely story or uplifting words or something… my brain is all hazy these days, but I hope you liked my art pieces. Thanks for stopping by, take care and stay safe!
Thanks for sharing the art Marit. A picture is worth a thousand words. I am lucky that my dad is tech savvy enough to be able to Face time with him and my mum regularly. It’s not the same as seeing them in person but.needs must. Our youngest son is still at home but I get regular calls from the two older ones who are isolating in their own homes with their girlfriends and furry friends. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #4
Hi Marit, lovely post- showing the real human side of our relationships. If nothing else, this virus has made us appreciate things we always took for granted. Stay safe and have a good week,Hugs, Shaz #7 X
Dear Marit, I feel such the same… those words have all been said there seems little more for us to say. So lovely to see your art and nice that you have taken up the GD post for the moment, I too do not like to commit to anything I can not give my full attention to, well you know that already 🙂
Be strong & keep creating when the time feels right, our passion doesn’t like rules it comes out to play when we least expect it.
Keep safe, we will get through these hard times & be bolder than ever.
Happy WoywW Tracey xxx
Hi Marit. You are not alone – some days I go to bed thinking and feeling I have really achieved – others… nothing. I might have managed to watch some mindless tv, but that is about all! Well done on part joining the design team. All the best!!
Take care. Stay safe. God bless.
Margaret #8
Congratulations on being a guest member of the DT – your pages are great , no wonder they want you! I am not a smoker but my mum was and she used to hide them up for hubby ( they thought i didn’t know ha ha)
Take care and Keep safe Soojay#21
A heartfelt post Marit, these times are strange and unsettling. I like the cards you made, and I hope you enjoy working on the design team as a guest designer – a good solution so you don’t have to commit fully to it.
Have a good week and stay safe and well,
Diana xx #13
Thank goodness for the Interwebs keeping us sane in these crazy times we’re going through – between crafting buddies, classes and tutorials as well as the crazy videos and memes, it’s all helping us get through. Love your artwork as always, it’s so inventive!
Hugs LLJ 4 xxx
I love your postcards – such fun, and your layout page is nice. Happy WOYWW. Take care and stay well, With love & God Bless, Caro x (#17)
Funny what we learn about people… I never imagined you smoking… not sure why. I agree, a hug would make us all feel better. The virtual ones just aren’t the same! Loving your journal pages – like you I am missing sport – football for me – the weekends seem very long without matches to watch! Take care and stay safe. Helen #3
Pictures are good for me and loving the journal pages and desk in waiting. Take care and have a lovely woyww and a happy creative week, Angela x18x
Hi Marit. Its lovely to see all that you are up too. Congrats on the guest spot on the design team, well deserved. We are not sporty people either but love to watch the cycling so will miss it very much this year, along with Wimbledon. Still we will appreciate it all the more when they return won’t we.
Love your pages, they are really clever.
It must be so hard not seeing your parents at them moment. Sadly I lost my Mum just before Christmas but oddly I’m glad she’s not around to see all this, she would hate having to be isolated. We are keeping in touch with other family members as best we can.
Take care end enjoy your week
Hugs Lisax #19
Congratulations for being on the design team, Marit – you are so talented and really deserve it! Your lovely bright desk looks busy and productive as usual. I wish I had the energy at the moment to tackle all my UFOs but the trouble is the lockdown hasn’t made too much difference to my days, as I’m always here anyway! It is lovely having my hubby around all the time, though – usually he’s out and about a lot and I don’t see so much of him.
Keep well and safe, and happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #26
Ah MArit, sorry I’m late. I understand about the words…but your post was as interesting as ever. I am in total agreement about missing hugs from your parents, and it’s o sweet of you to make that fab postcard and tuck away some cigarettes for your Mum….every little treat helps! Great DT work for Dutch Dares, and a great way to interpret the challenge. It would certainly have been a challenge for me that’s for sure! I expect you’ve finished it by now, but I just know that you’re right – the journaling on the pages will ‘lift’ the portrait image and of course, it will look just great! Take care of yourselves, are you missing work or the routine – I found that it was the routine that made me feel much less creative. But I have forced my days onto some sort of shape now. Hope your mojo overtakes you very soon! Xxx
Loved you photos and the colors. Bright and cheery. I understand about visits to see your family. I am coping well so far.Both sons live far so not a regular thing. My mother passed in Feb. and we cannot have a funeral until June and now if this doesn’t end we can only have 8 members in a spot. No music/food at church. ALL grandkids have plans to come home for summer from 1500 miles 4 of them and their families and now they might all have to cancel. Mother’s death was a blessing 91 and Alzheimer s, strokes took her good living away , but the habit of spending time has to be broken, I will still visit but I am thinking it will be hard for me. I am thankful for my hobbies and time with DH. Stay Safe and Best Wishes for keeping you healthy and happy.