Book of Days~ Week One

This year, I did not make any New Year's Resolutions. Instead, I am choosing a word to focus on. I have come across this idea before and found it interesting, but never really gave it much thought. Because 2011 was so rough (health, finances, jobs, marital strife, emotional issues) and resolutions went to hell in a handbasket, I wanted to do something for ME this year that would help me focus, and let all the details slide on by.

The word I chose is

ABUNDANCE

I had a list scribbled mass of words that resonated with me:

and thought about it for a week or so. I chose Abundance, simply because it covers what I need in my life. Abundance is not all about material wealth, although I am trying to improve that too! I would like to see more of quite a few things: love, peace, creativity, time, generosity, freedom.....well, the list goes on and on. And it ties into the book, Simple Abundance, which I will be reading daily this year. That might be a resolution, but it goes hand in hand with my Book of Days project, so just going with the flow.

Book of Days

I stumbled across this and it sparked so much creativity, I am on overload. This is a project by Effy Wild of Wild Precious Studio. It is a commitment to develop your art journal practice, which I sadly neglected last year. I missed it, but I got to the point that I would just sit and stare at the page and then get up and go do other things. Very sad, it was. But I just couldn't seem to generate any energy or enthusiasm.

I am hoping that I will have an ABUNDANCE of energy and enthusiasm for this the entire year.

I started gathering a few things last week, and started the book on Friday night. And yet again, I am kicking myself for giving away all my art supplies a few years ago. This definitely stretched my resources and creativity, because I really don't have anything. I will have to buy paint in a week or so, if I want to continue the book the way I started it. And not sure how that will work, as I still have no job.

And I am not focusing on that for this post. I am trusting the universe to provide me with a job, as I am doing my part in actively looking. 

Anyways. I sat and stared at my book for a long time. I couldn't decide between an altered book, a scrapbook, or a composition book. I was afraid I would just end up journaling, with no art aspect, if I chose the comp book, so I quickly put that away. I ultimately decided on an altered book, as I used to love that, and I am hoping it will spark some really great creativity.

I am altering a book called "Those Who Love," which is about John and Abigail Adams. It is old, and the pages are chewed and coming out. It is a nice big book, so should last at least 1/2 the year.

Here is the cover:

Book of Days Altered Book

This has about a gazillion layers, because I kept changing my mind. I decided on the blues and greens because they are my favorites, and added an image of the Wheel of the Year that I love. Hard to see in the picture, but the moon phases are going around the tree and the outer circle.






The butterflies are for transformation. And just because I like them!

The first spread we did was letters to 2011 and 2012. I just did little notes, as I have my own private ritual for that. I kept this spread intentionally simple.

Book of Days Altered Book

The rainy picture sums up pretty much what I felt about 2011. I felt like I was hunched over and just trying to make it through the bad weather all year long. I used pockets in the middle to tuck in tags, which have my notes to the years on them.

Book of Days Altered Book

The 2012 page is the very first thing I painted in 2012, and represents a hope that I spend more time with nature this year. Camping, maybe. Definitely more star gazing.













The second spread is about the word I chose for the year. I was ridiculously pleased with the way it turned out:

Book of Days Altered Book

I wanted a sunny yellow, just to express hope, happiness, and light. I drew the picture on sketch paper, using koh-i-noor colored pencils. She is joyfully catching all the abundance being sent to her.











On the right is an old ATC I made to represent myself, which has the coffee cup overflowing. The white strips are affirmations that I am using to reinforce my word for the year. They are also being used on my visualization board.

Here are the affirmations:

Book of Days Altered Book-Affirmations

The last spread of the week was journaling. I am going to keep writing in my regular journal, plus I blog and update on Facebook, so not going to focus a lot on this aspect of the journal. I used snippets and highlights, just brief reminders of the week. I also added my daily walking mileage. I track this on MapMyWalk, but wanted a reminder here. I am not sure if it will go on every week, but we'll see.....

 I started the year with a migraine, which started on New Year's Eve. It seemed a fitting way to end the year, but I was not thrilled to start the new year that way.

Book of Days Altered Book

I am really excited to start this project and I am enjoying the community on Facebook as well. There is so much love and support, so definitely a positive thing to have in my life.

Thanks for spending time with me today. It's always a pleasure to have you as a guest! Love to you and yours, Angie