AED and Resolutions

The treadmill saga continues. Yesterday I decided to try the Aerobic section of the programs. I chose the first one. The main section of it was an incline of 4 and 5 alternating and a speed of 3.5 and 4 mph. I got about half way through and decided that I would like to lower the intensity just a bit. I touched the lower intensity button and the treadmill shot up to 10 mph. Luckily, I was able to jump up onto the edges without injury. That scared me; so I cancelled that program and tried the second of the Weight Loss programs. It was quite the workout, but I completed it. It was inclines of 3, 4 and 5 degrees alternating with 3 and 3.5 mph. As it turns out, the problem with the intensity button may have been a blessing in disguise. I actually worked out for 45 minutes instead of the usual 30 - BONUS!

In the art department, I completed two more pages in my journal. Before I started this journal, I pictured it as a chronological journal with pictures, but I find myself just going with the flow and these are not at all about everyday life, nor are they chronological. I've decided that is just fine and this is my play journal. I am not too concerned with documenting the everyday events (temp., happenings, etc); maybe I should be keeping a more traditional journal for those things.

For the first of the two pages, I found a phrase I had cut out of a magazine (What I Want) and decided to use that as my prompt. I used a credit card to put a couple of colors for the background and then doodled and cut out words that seemed to fit the theme.



For the second, I found a really cute elephant picture in a magazine and I love elephants, so I decided to use him as my beginning. I then stamped and traced more elephants and then just wrote what felt right.



It is freezing rain here today; it was so slick on the sidewalk and driveway that when I went out to retrieve the paper, I walked across the lawn. I couldn't stay on my feet otherwise.

Another work day (babysitting) for me, so I'd better get started. For now, don't forget to live in the moment!

AED and Exercise Update

I am so very happy Leah decided to do AED (Art Every Day) again in this new year. It is just the incentive I need. Also I have signed up for a watercolor journal workshop through the Yahoo! group A.R.T. (Artists of the Round Table) and a Chinese Brushwork workshop through the Yahoo! group Artistic Explorations. I am looking forward to some real personal, artistic growth.

And speaking of growth, I am still focused on my goal of a fitter new year. I walked 1.5 miles on the treadmill last evening at 0 incline and 3.3 miles per hour. I considered this to be one of my baseline days. I did the first programmed walk the day before and it was quite a challenge. I will either repeat that one or try the first one in the next set. I am looking forward to it and will probably do it while the baby naps. I will give the whole report tomorrow. So far I am thrilled with the treadmill, especially since I can walk and still be responsible as a babysitter.

This is the 2nd page in my art journal. Actually it is a two page spread. I don't know for sure if it is done yet or not and I don't know if I am happy with it. I began by mixing a bit of cerulean blue and lemon yellow into some white gesso and painting the pages with a very large brush. I then tried to just get into the zone by going through my basket of cuttings from magazines and scraps from other projects and this is what transpired.




I'd better get off the computer and have some breakfast and jump start my day. As for you, don't forget to live in the moment!

Kreativ Blogger Award

What a great way to start a new year. I've been given a Kreativ Blogger Award by Michi, who has a lovely blog. If you haven't seen her blog before, you should check it out.

Here are the rules: I am to name 7 things that I truly love and then pass the award on to 7 other deserving bloggers.

Seven things I love:

1. Early morning coffee on the screened porch in the Spring.

2. The New York Times daily crossword puzzle (especially Friday and Saturday).

3. The friendships I have made online - such warm, sharing people.

4. Walking in the woods.

5. Having chosen Mr. Right and finding out that he really is Mr. Right.

6. Living within 20 minutes of my children and their children.

7. Art - especially the few times I've met other artists and had a play day.

Now for the hard part; I subscribe to over 200 blogs; the seven bloggers I would like to pass this award to are:

1. Rachel at American Bibliophile
2. Suzanne at an open [sketch]book
3. Bridgette at Contemplating the Moon
4. Diane at Duda Daze
5. Roni at Ink Stains
6. Zorana at zorana
7. Taluula at Taluula's

Be sure to check out these blogs if you are not already subscribed to them.

I'm in Heaven

The postwoman came to the door today because the mail included a package that was too large for the confines of the mail box. My first thought was that my books I had ordered from an artist book club had arrived. But that wasn't it.

I received a wonderful surprise in the mail today. Some time around Christmas, I commented on the blog Contemplating the Moon about a memory from my childhood and I was chosen as the winner of the book "1000 Artist Journal Pages". I had just checked out a similar book from the library, "1000 ATCs" and was confused at the time thinking that was the book I had won. And the ATC book was a very nice book. But, the journal pages..........I am in heaven. I started my first artist journal yesterday and was feeling quite like I wasn't artist enough to do it. This book has reinforced for me that there is no "wrong" way and that I am free to create however I want. I am so fired up to do today's entry.



Bridgette not only sent me the book as the prize I had won, but included a beautiful 4 x 4 stretched canvas original work of art. I have read so many times in others blogs how sharing and generous this artist community is and had experienced it in so many comments on my blog and well wishes to my email, but this is the first time someone has sent me something so serendipitous - I am deep in my mid-winter grey period and really needed a pick-me-up and this was just the ticket.



Also included in the package was a card with her original artwork on it. Such a wonderful way to start this day - and such a thoughtful gift. Thank you, Bridgette.




I am going to start playing with a two page spread in my art journal and get some of the background started now before my daughter goes to work at noon. I will be in charge of two little girls until bedtime and will not have all the time I would like, so this will be a good jump start on these pages. I feel as though I am writing in run-on sentences this entire post, but I am so energized by this unexpected gift.

And so I am off; don't forget to live in the moment.

Happy New Year and AEDM 2009

So we begin anew; a new slate; an untouched page; so much potential; so much to aspire to.

Have you made your resolutions? Hope this is the beginning of a wonderful, healthy new year for you!

We spent a lovely evening waiting for the dropping of the ball with my son and his daughter and my daughter and her two girls and the hubster and I. The girls played with the Wii that the son brought with him. They bowled, played tennis, and boxed. I couldn't believe the two 5 year olds stayed up until midnight and then we made a bed for them on the living room floor and they fell asleep watching a movie.

I tried one of the preset programs on the treadmill today and it almost did me in. But boy did I feel wonderful when it was over. It was a 30 minute program with alternating incline (between 7 and 8 degrees) and alternating speeds (between 3.0 and 3.5 miles per hour). There was a short warm up at no incline and 2.5 miles per hour and the same at the end. WOW!

I didn't get any time to work on my art journal today until tonight. I am not totally pleased with it, but I have broken the "how do I mark up this empty and pristine paper" block.




I started by sitting on my bed and drawing the treadmill using a fine permanent Sharpie pen - my perspective is all wrong, but I think you would know what it was. I then wrote out my resolutions using the same pen. After that I came back to my art room and played with blue, yellow and green watercolors. I then went through my stash of cuttings from magazines and attached appropriate pix and text. As a last step, I outlined the pasted pix with a red neocolor II pencil.

That's all for now, don't forget to live in the moment!