Friday, November 13, 2009

A Place To Write

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This is where I am sitting this morning as I write to you. I am sitting at the table in my studio cutting and pasting pictures from magazines. There is a tiny bit of sun trying to come through the clouds and streaming down on the table. Oh it is so nice to see the sun! It's been so dull and dreary this week.
Do you write in a journal? I do, and have for a long time. It's just a plain composition book, with lined pages. I've often seen these wonderful creative journals where they have interesting things on every page. They always intrigued me and I was always going to do that one day. Well recently I was reading Holy Experience, and Ann had a post on how she made a visual journal by just cutting out photos or words from magazines and gluing them on the pages. I could do that!
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So I began to cut and paste and have the beginnings of a wonderful visually inspiring journal, a "visual journal":
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All you have to do is cut out a whole bunch of pictures . Then spread them out somewhere and begin to pick out ones that would look good together on the pages. Cut them to fit and glue them down. I use a repositionable glue stick, so if I change my mind I can rearrrange or remove them. There is something very therapeutic about cutting pictures out of magaines isn't there?
Now as I record my thoughts or events of the day, I write the words between beautiful pictures of things that please my eye or my soul. It is a delight to the senses!
I have another journal in the works. I'll tell you about that on Monday.
Hope you have a great weekend!
Rhondi xo

34 comments:

  1. So glad you've connected with Ann. What an inspiring blog she writes. Rhonda the beginnings of your journal is beautiful! Maybe that is where I should put the images I cut out and want to keep! Thanks for YOUR inspiration! Soon it will be dry enough (with this stiff breeze) to go out and start to clean up all those leaves that have fallen. Have a good weekend! (what is a repositional glue stick? Do you really have a certain amount of time to move things around?)

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  2. Rhondi, you have inspired me! I have always wanted to start a journal, this is such a great idea, and the visual is a big help. I have a small handmade journal I'm going to start with...

    Beautiful setting for writing too!

    Chris

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  3. I can see you have the beginnings of a great treasure there Rhondi! What a great idea. I love your work space as well. It looks so welcoming, especially with the sunshine! xxoo

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  4. Rhondi, what a neat idea and so much better than buying a premade journal. I do cut pictures out all the time and keep them in a notebook. I like what you've done.

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  5. Hi Rhondi....That sounds like a good idea!~Patti

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  6. Thank you for sharing. If it is okay with you, I would very much like to link my students to this post. It may inspire them. I keep my journal online - a blog for teaching and one for me. I have a handwritten knitting and crochet journal which could use some pictures. Thank you for the idea! ~Kelly

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  7. Hi Rhondi! Oh, I love your spot to write and play! What lovely sunshine coming through. Now I like the look of your visual journal!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  8. Hi Rhodi,

    I have never heard of that. I love the idea and will start that in my journal.

    Thank you.

    Willow

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  9. You're so good. I've always said I was going to do this, but I never seen to get around to it.

    It must be so good for your soul.

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  10. Love love love this post Rhondi!!

    I too have kept a visual scrapbook, I made about 5 huge ones years ago, I put pictures of the kids in it too and the house etc, along with magazine clippings. I haven't done one in while but you just inspired me to!!!

    Yours looks beautiful! but then again, everything you do is beautiful always!

    Hugs, Cynthia

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  11. How beautiful and relaxing it looks, sugar. I really love that little space.
    xoxo,
    Connie

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  12. What a wonderful idea. I have always thought about keeping a journal, but everytime I start and stare at those blank pages I freeze up. Maybe adding some pictures would help the throught process flow onto the paper.
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  13. I do have a journal, although I am not good at writing in it. Maybe pictures would help! I love your writing table! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful idea!

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  14. What a wonderful idea and how beautifully done. I've always wanted to do a journal as well, but I never seem to have the time to write. This has inspired me to start one of my own and make the time each day to just write some little something at least. I'm sure some of those will turn into big somethings. Great job!

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  15. Hi Rhondi,

    Very inspiring.
    Indeed,I have added more pictures to my
    journal, at least the current journal
    I am writing in. Lovely writing area.
    Look up Small Meadow Press for lovely
    journals and cards. ( Leslie in VA)

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  16. Your new journal is lovely, Rhondi. The pictures can certainly inspire us to write about our feelings or plans or dreams. Or the opposite may be true. We write and then we need an illustration. I draw sometimes in my journals, just little doodles, but I consider it high art!! ;-)


    Keep up the good work!

    xoxo
    Jane

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  17. Hi, Rhondi -
    What an inspiration for me today! I have a basket FULL of pictures, quotes, words and things to put into my visual journal. And I have the journal, pens, scissors - everything needed, but I never started. Think I'll begin this weekend and use this wonderful tool to take time out of my busy days to think and write and share my days in such a beautiful way. Thank you again for the encouragement to get going - and for the links that led me back to some of the original things I read to initiate the process long ago. I'm ready - now I'll do it! ~Adrienne~

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  18. What a wonderful idea. I used to have a prayer journal for years, but it just went by the wayside. I would love to incorporate your idea.

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  19. Hi Rhondi! I just saw where you commented on my blog the other day. I just sent you an e-mail! I love your blog! I used to journal every day but I've gotten away from it. I really need to start journalling again! Take care and have a great weekend!

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  20. Your journal looks fantastic. What an inspiring idea. Looking forward to seeing what you other journal is about. Yes, cutting beautiful pictures from magazines is soothing.
    What a lovely area you have to work in!

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  21. What a beautiful spot to work! I like the idea of a visual journal because I am such a visual person. Great idea:>)

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  22. Rhondi, I am such a journal drop out! I have started them over and over. It finally dawned on me that my blog is a journal of sorts. I do love the idea of the visual journal and keep hoping to begin one of those. Also, I write down favorite quotes on scraps of paper that end up getting tossed out. I should keep a journal on my desk and write them there, and then add a complimentary photo or magazine picture. Maybe I could do that! Thank you for the inspiration.

    I enjoyed seeing your blog luncheon--wish I could have come. We are coming to NC for Thanksgiving to visit our son. I hope there will be a few lingering leaves, but I'm doubting it. Being together will be treat enough though.

    Hugs,
    Lallee

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  23. Cool idea--time consuming...but therapeutic

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  24. Hi Rhondi,

    this is such a great idea. Thanks for the inspiration. I will have to check out her blog.
    Have a great weekend.

    Debbie

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  25. I think blogging is as close to journaling as I get! I think adding your own pictures make your journal uniquely yours. I am sure someone is going to treasure it one day. We have had all the rain here too. Was glad to ride back home today in the sunshine. I drove most of the same trip today as last Saturday!

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  26. I do that sometimes! Keep my magazines and then one day I get inspired and yank out the pages I like. Cut them out real nice, and paste them into a notebook. Something truly therapeutic about it.
    Brenda

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  27. This reminds me of childhood scrap books when we were given magazines and papers and told to sit at the table with 'paste' and stick the pictures in books - I think the Victorians started it!! Not that I'm quite THAT old, lol!!

    Rhondi your journal is beautiful.....and of course having that spacious, colorful studio to work in makes it a pleasure I know.

    Hope you are having a restful weekend this time around. Thanks for the recipe dear.
    Hugs - Mary

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  28. I love to journal too. I was reading one a couple of weeks ago from 1980 when my kids were little. So priceless. Love the idea of cutting out pictures, very therapeutic. Mimi

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  29. What a great idea - thanks for sharing! love your blog.

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  30. Hi Rhondi,
    You have a lovely place to write. I am sure your journal is very comforting for you.
    I do not have a journal, but when I was a young girl I used to write poetry.
    Adding photo's to your journal is a wonderful idea.
    Take care and enjoy your day,
    Hugs,
    Elizabeth

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  31. What a wonderful way of keeping a journal. I have bought several. I want to do my memories to give to my children and grand daughters. Hope I get with it. I have so far only made a very small start. I am writing in a notebook so I can then arrange the order to make sense.
    I love the bright spot you have to work in.
    Nancy

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  32. Rhondi, this is a neat idea. Love this!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  33. Rhondi, I recently read a post about using magazine photos in one's journal. Not sure where it was now. I like the idea. I think I'm going to try doing some of this myself. I love to write, and have always wanted to add illustrations to my journal writings. This is a good way. Thanks for sharing. ~ Sarah

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  34. I don't keep a journal but I think this is a terrific idea and so visually inspiring. Great for the creative juices to get flowing.

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Hi
Thanks so very much for taking the time to leave a comment. I always read every one. I am glad you stopped by for a visit. Hope you'll come again!
Rhondi