Everything has to start somewhere & this not so little book is the first in a series of handmade journals on a journey!  ​
It was made for the #areyoubookenough monthly book arts challenge & in the process it has turned into a new adventure! 

I am sending handmade themed​ books out into the wild, inviting people to respond to the theme with a creative contribution, then reminiscent of pass the parcel, the books will move on to someone new.   As their pages are filled, they will slowly find their way back home and become part of an exhibition, which I envisage for late 2023.

Some time ago, a friend & I discovered that we were musing on a similar theme, the power of words, so we decided to work together. It is a long way off yet but I know it will be amazing.  We have exhibited together in the past and I feel our work and energies blend harmoniously. 

​The vessels project will be a part of that.  I have been wanting to do something more interactive with my book art and these travelling books decided now is the time! In saying that, there is so much inspiration behind this idea like @thesketchbookproject #1000journals by @someguy.is as well as a long list of books I've read and good old #bookcrossing.

Yesterday I handed the first book, black & white over to the first contributor!  How exciting, yet letting go is nerve racking!  It is part of the process that I have to trust will unfold organically and I can't wait to see the results when they begin to trickle in. 
I hope you will follow them with me on Instagram and Facebook  #vesselsofcreativeconnection maybe you will find one?!

If you would like to know more go to www.metissagesdecoeur.com or email me at vesselsofcreativeconnection@gmail.com

P.S #vessel2weathered is almost ready to go!  

​It seems the writing pace may have slowed for some of us, or the focus has changed, (I know mine does constantly!).
There is nothing predictable about living in the age of covid! 
We are one week into school holidays here and a spread of lock downs began at the same time.  Living in the country means fewer restrictions, however, my plans to catch up with family and friends on the coast are on hold, so the effects are far reaching as we all continue to adapt and navigate our way.
Fortunately, I have plenty of creative projects to help balance my disappointment.  I have been making the most of my studio spaces, sewing and bookbinding, as well as enjoying slow time, pots of tea, writing and good reads. 
Books are always a source of joy and inspiration for me.  I have just finished reading two great stories that scream creative writing prompts!

​100 REMARKABLE FEATS OF XANDER MAZE by Clayton Zane Comber 
I do love a list, even more with a touching story behind it. This story has the feel of real life about it, the kind of thing you can imagine happened.  So what are we waiting for? 

1. Read the back cover
2. Check out Xander’s list for inspiration
3. Start your own list of remarkable (yet achievable) feats

THE AUTHENTICITY PROJECT by Clare Pooley
 
This one is perhaps a little closer to the bone…
 
The story of a solitary green notebook that brings together six strangers and leads to unexpected friendship, and even love.
Julian Jessop, an eccentric, lonely artist and septuagenarian believes that most people aren't really honest with each other. But what if they were? And so he writes--in a plain, green journal--the truth about his own life and leaves it in his local café. 
 
I listened to the audio version of this story in one day!  What an incredible idea and a thought provoking read.
​
How authentic are you? How satisfied are you?  What are your truths?  Will you write them down and leave them somewhere or start your own travelling journal, or keep them for yourself?

BLACK & WHITE...
 
I am part of some incredible online bookbinding communities and participate in regular challenges that help me stretch my creative limits, leading me into tempting and unexpected territories!
In June, the #areyoubookenough theme was black & white.  My mind map took me in the direction of opposed forces, so I made a textured black book, wrote a poem in white and sewed in some opposites.
The exciting part is that this journal is one of the first in a series of themed #vesselsofcreativeconnection that I will soon be sending out into the wilderness for others to respond to with a contribution. 
I love making books, but I love it even more when they are filled up with the musings of life, be it writing, drawing or whatever takes your fancy.  Responding to themes is an easy way of collaborating, often with fruitful and fulfilling results, not to mention banishing great distances and bringing people together!
 
How will you interpret black & white?

50 WORD NOVEL
 
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Feast of Words at Coonabarabran High, so the theme is TIN or ALUMINIUM FOIL.
 
It took me a little while to find inspiration but I stuck with it and found what felt right.  I do love interpretations of a theme; you are only 50 words away!
 
What will it be…tin cans, tinny sounds or a cat on a hot tin roof? 

​As usual, I have been reading and listening to some wonderfully inspiring books.  I am a soft touch for stories written in verse, so I borrowed a handful in excited anticipation!  I’ve read a few books by David Levithan, and love how cleverly he captures the emotions of the moment. 
This month’s prompts have been collected from one book:

​The realm of possibility
Let’s start with this wonderful title.
What does it evoke for you?

‘We are so used to releasing words’
How are we doing this?  Releasing them from what?
Write about how you release words.

​…thoughts in the margins…marginal thoughts…
My thoughts stretch in every which direction and don’t hesitate wandering into the margins!
What thoughts have you found or written in the margins? 
Follow the formula:

1. Find an old book, magazine or piece of writing
2. Read it and begin to underline, highlight or circle what stands out for you
3. Let your thoughts loose in the margins

Graffiti/toilet wall philosophy
What is the most interesting piece of life advice you have seen or written, outside or on a toilet wall?

​This totally colourful book is a creation in itself!  
​For anyone with a curious mind and who loves exploring, it is a treasure trove.  Even better - it has list making activities.  My creative dabbling always has me honing in on the senses and wondering about things.  This book helps (re)connect your creativity and senses through daily practice activities and observations.  Chances are you may be doing these things already without really thinking about it.  Try out these questions from the first chapter and why not check out her inspiring website.
https://www.5ftinf.com/

​Get into the zone…
what are your favourite sensations?
Make a list.

​Describe what this image evokes for you.

Chose a book off your shelf that you have not read yet.
 
Let the pages fall open randomly and write down the first sentence you see.
Go to page 5 – write down the first sentence you see.
Go to your birthday page - write down the first sentence you see.
Find the page of your age - write down the first sentence you see.
Go to the last page - write down the first sentence you see.

​Apologies for being WAY behind schedule this month!
I’ve been road tripping, one year late I finally celebrated my 50th and 51st and it was fabulous!
The last week of March was a whirl, then I was off, which means we have less time for the writing ideas that have been swirling in my head, never mind, write as and when you will.
 
I listened to The Midnight Library by Matt Haig on the drive home and LOVED it!  The big question(s)…if I had made that choice, where would my life be today?  We’ve all played the ‘what if’ game, imagine some of them here, what do some of your infinite life paths look like?

Cycling… my treat was a 4 day self-guided cycling tour along the East Gippsland rail trails in Victoria.  It was certainly challenging though I loved it.  The trail, in nature, peaceful motion, movement and freedom.  Do you have a cycling story, poem, thoughts?

I recently came across this quote above by CONFUCIUS.  Find a Confucius quote that resonates with you and share it with us.  Check out The Temple of Literature in Vietnamhttp://vanmieu.gov.vn/en/

BIRTHDAYS… we have one every year, whether you love them or loathe them, we all experience them differently. Share a birthday story here.

A certain amount of busy-ness...spent my time preparing for the Baradine show, anxious in a relaxed way if that's possible!  Making books, sewing and absorbing tarot!
Plenty of magic in the process from dress-ups to make-up (what's that?!), setting up, everything dancing in the mischievous breeze!
Craft, colour and my first experiences in reading cards for strangers...how incredible!
​
I went with the day as it presented itself and trusted my intuition.  In all, I did nine 30 minute readings...a little intro, 3 cards past present future, finishing with an oracle card.
The response and feedback was positive. Some were very open and outspoken, others quiet and contemplative.  What an unusual and intimate exchange, powerfully humbling, exhilarating and exhausting!
I am still processing the wonder and enormity of it!

The day wrapped up with spontaneous rides on the cha cha and dodgem cars, crazy laughter and sharing a drink with friends.
Magical moments.
​

Just this week I had questions about reversed cards. It's not so surprising to learn that everyone has their own approach to reading tarot and this includes reversed cards. 
Some like to shuffle them any which way, I tend to shuffle and present them in such a way that a reversed card is kind of rare, as this is how I was taught and what feels right for me. 
In saying that, there are no hard and fast rules.  Cards are chosen and we read them in the way they reveal themselves to us, looking beyond the literal for meaning within and beyond the obvious.
​Often the first thought is the right one, sometimes the obvious one is too!

​The imagery of the swords can feel dramatic and daunting.  This suit represents thought processes, intellect, reason, difficult or challenging situations or states of mind, stress, over analysing...and yet, all of this leads to growth and development of the conscious mind.  Things are rarely what they seem and if we tend to look on the dark side of things, there is always an equal and opposite light side in the balance.

Upright, the ten of swords is in turmoil, the pressure is on whether literally or figuratively, the energy is forceful.
​Reversed, the energy feels more grounded. The weighty hilts are poised as if in stand still or balanced negotiation, determining the clever way forward.  The tension is still there though there is room for thought and beneficial progression, which is promising with 10 representing the end of a cycle, completion and ending.

It's the tail end of romantic February, so I'm cutting it fine.  In saying that, we can always extend any celebration be it Valentines, kindness, gratitude, mothers and fathers, earth day, happiness, birthdays...let's keep the giving energies flowing to infinity!

As I drove home, listening to Kate Morton's The Clockmaker's Daughter, my gaze was drawn upwards to the sky, filled with masses of clouds catching the afternoon sunlight...spectacular!

​This is a region full of wide open spaces and breathtaking sky-scapes.
Nature always overflows my being with wonder, awe and gratitude.
​My week was a fulfilling mix of work and play, conversations with friends, little treats and quiet achievement.
​What more could I hope for?

I find Pentacles soothing, though they represent material aspects of life, their earthy grounded energy help keep us secure and upright. Circles are a symbol of beginnings and endings, of continuity and steady motion.  Enjoy the fruits of your labour, the harmony of success, you deserve it! Quite befitting as 9 is all about busi-ness and activity, leading to fruition and fulfilment.

Direction.  I have a penchant for maps and compass roses, I wonder where I am and ponder where I am going and how intrinsically intertwined everything is.  After listening to The Natural Navigator by Tristan Gooley, I knew it to be a subject worth exploring!
How is your sense of direction? Do you always know where you are? Have you ever been lost? How do you orientate yourself or find your bearings?  How do you navigate your way through life? 
https://www.naturalnavigator.com/

Inexhaustible.  As a creative being, I often find myself coming back to the same themes.  Strangely enough, the ideas keep coming and my curiosity or fascination with certain topics just keeps growing!  If anything, I am overwhelmed by inspiration!  It is inexhaustible!  Do you feel the same or is something else inexhaustible for you?
​

Romance.  Yep, it’s that time of year again. Let your inner gush loose, be as sappy, soppy and tragic as you like and tell us, what is romance?

Flicking back through these journal pages, they started in 2019, though my kind-of-regular blogging began in 2018 with 52 weeks of creative flow challenge.
​This has long since morphed into monthly mind maps & a creativity tick off list. I prefer goals & intentions rather than resolutions, focusing on what I can manage & avoiding guilt trips as much as possible!

​Lists & mind maps help me to keep track & gauge my patterns.  I mostly stay on track though often do it in a slow, wobbly & meandering fashion...which means that I don't always get as much done as I might like to (in my head), but I do a little or a lot of everything & that's OK. I see pretty quickly where my focus has been, sometimes I do lots of one thing & not much of the rest.  Having some kind of structure helps me stay accountable to myself.  Time management, self discipline, obligations & responsibilities can be overwhelming, they seem to help & hinder at the same time!

​At the end of the day, this is my thing, my space, my creativity
to enjoy.  That is what's important.  Sure I have moments when motivation escapes me, when life gets in the way or I'm distracted for whatever reason.  Humanness has it's flaws!
​So these words kept popping in my head, don't think about it, just do it. 

Summer holidays have been glorious!  Gifted with mild temperatures and regular rain, the landscapes are refreshed, alive and green. I roamed a little but mostly stayed home, making the most of time and space.
​
​These lovely ones turned 18! WOW! What an incredible journey, what adventures we've had! (May we play dress-ups forever!) They've spread their wings & are exploring life independently, so amazing & exciting.  Thank you for adding sugar & spice to my life, you incredibly gorgeous young beings!