Taking My Own Advice

I know I haven't been here very often. I've been quite ill, so that's my main excuse. Time gets away from me most days. I have yet to settle down to a regular routine now my little boy is in full-time school. But, one of the major things I have to share is that I've been using the keeping a food journal idea with much success.

Since reading stories claiming this makes all the difference with trying to lose weight I've intended to carry through and keep a journal. Most of the time I just didn't go more than a day or two. Since the end of January I've managed to carry through this idea and it is making all the difference. I have lost weight. The exact amount is beyond me, as I don't have scales, but I do now fit several sizes less than I did at the beginning of the year.

I suppose it helps that I feel somewhat accountable to my daughter, who is also keeping a food journal. She's having real success with the food journal idea, too. I hope this encourages you to give it a try yourself.

Photo used with permission from stock.xchng
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Fun Contest

There's a fun contest right now that will encourage your creativity and give you a chance to use your journal writing skills. Check out Chris Dunmire's Amazing Creativity Tool Writing Contest. This is an instructional humour writing contest and giveaway, but it sounds like something fun and a good reason to go and reread some of your old journals just to find what your unique knowledge to share with the world.

"Submit your unpublished family-friendly (and tasteful — please no bathroom humor) How-to Instructional Humor Essay, Lesson Plan, Project, etc. (min. 250 words/max. 500 words) on any topic related to creativity..." See, it's really easy. I hope you join the fun and enter, too.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng
Click here to visit Planet SARK.

Keep on Journal Writing

I haven't been around much, I know and I'm sorry. I have been writing a lot in my journal, though. I hope you are writing in your journal, too. Whle blogging is good, I do think writing in your journal is about the best thing you can do for yourself as well as your family or those you share your lives with. I find myself telling people this advice when I hear they're going through something particularly stressful.

The best way to relieve stress and feel you're actually sharing your story with an impartial friend is to write in your journal. You can always write from your side of the story and then later from whatever other sides are involved in the situation. Even from the side of sickness or debt. Give it a voice and let it speak in your journal. You might learn something you didn't expect.

I think keeping a journal is a constant journey of discovery. Just when I think I might be getting a bit bored with what I'm writing I stumble on some aspect of my thoughts or life that surprises me. I hope you continue to write in your journals, too.

Heather
Photo thanks to stockx.chng
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My Necklace Revealed

This is for all those who were keen to see the entire piece I created for the Use the Muse 3 contest, as recently revealed on Scarlet Lanson's blog The Beader's Muse. So, here's a close up of the part you couldn't see before with the muse revealed. I hope you enjoy:



Heather
Photo is my own
Click here to visit Planet SARK.

What is it about a Challenge?

I'm not sure if you're a creative type, other than using your journal, but I have always been into some kind of creative expression. Be it painting, drawing, making stuff or jewellery. Over the last few years creating jewellery has been the most satisfying expression of my creativity yet.

I have found, though, that I respond really well to a challenge. I'm not sure what it is. Something about a deadline, a theme, or limited choice of materials, just gets my brain churning over and my fingers working. I love it. There's always a new skill to acquire, a way of looking at something from a fresh point of view, or just the joy of creating something I will wear, no matter how it might place in any contest.

Recently I entered the Use the Muse 3 contest sponsored by Artbeads.com and TierraCast. Scarlet Lanson created the idea on her Beader's Muse blog, and it's been a hit with beaders and creative types the world over. I've only managed to participate in the last contest, but check out her blog for the other two.

Right now we're waiting for the Big Reveal, where we finally get to see what the 'muse' was and all the entries in the competition.

In reply to the question on Scarlet's blog today: "What is your favorite part about the USE THE MUSE Contest experience?" I would have to say, the challenge, reasons given above. There's just something about a challenge that brings out the best in even the very new beader. Challenges push you out of the excuses, the doldrums and the can't dos. You create because you must. Someone is waiting to see your piece. You've spent money and time thinking and working this piece. You can't back out.

Challenges always inspire me. I enter them, but win very few. And that really doesn't bother me. I am always a winner because I have a beautiful piece of jewellery to wear, sell or give away. What else could I want?

How do you feel about challenges? Do you join in to further your own creativity, skills or simply to take part? Do you set journal writing challenges for yourself? We could discuss such a challenge in the comments section if you're interested. Leave a comment and let me know.

Anyway, to inspire you, I hope, here's a sneak peak of my entry into the Use the Muse 3 contest:



Heather
Photo is my own

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Don't Forget the Christmas Download Countdown

Don't forget about the fab free Christmas downloads you can print off from Ten Two Studios. All you need to do is link to your blog or website so you can download the art journal goodies for free. Of course, you can use them for almost anything. Spread the word.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng
Click here to visit Planet SARK.

SARK Getting into the Holiday Spirit

If you're a fan of SARK you may already know about her fun holiday offer, but just in case you don't go check it out here:



Sounds like a fun way to greet your friends over the holiday period. Make sure you check out the other cool things SARK has on offer, which are bound to make great gifts for your journal loving friends, or just for yourself. I hope you enjoy learning more about this wonderfully creative woman.

Heather
Click here to visit Planet SARK.