"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

7.06.2010

Planner - Journal

I got tired of carrying around a calendar/planner and my journal.  Plus I don't like most day planners you can buy.  Not visual or funky enough for me. I decided to make my own.  I have done this in the past with a three ring binder, but it was too bulky and I did not use it for long.  I will give this a try and see how it works.  The monthly pages are in the front, which leaves many pages for notes, journaling, doodling, whatever I want. I have painted and sprayed several backgrounds ready to use.  Here are just a couple of months - my favorites so far.




I wanted to tell you about this page.  I saw a this on Less Herger's site comfortableshoesstudio.com
You fill the page with writing, across, then sideways, repeat several times and use a different color each time.  Then cover with gesso.  Makes for a cool background.  I decided to put color over mine.  I was in the process of using a stencil and some previous dried black paint came off.  I tried scraping - obviously a bit too hard and the top layer of paper started coming off.  So I decided to pull away the loose paper. 

I DID NOT GUIDE IT!!

This is what it did on it 's own. I was blown away!!!  I was kind of having a blue/sad day.  Don't know why, they just happen sometimes.  This made me sit up a bit and think about all the good things I have in my life that I take for granted.  And even though some things are not as I would have them in my life I do not see the entire picture.  I used the verse on the page earlier in the evening to encourage a friend.  It also spoke to me. 

This idea of not seeing clearly has been a theme of late with me.  Guess I should pay attention. 


34 comments:

rachel awes said...

this turned out beautifully!
glory glory!! xo

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

Wow.
I think I am speechless.
Thank you for sharing this, Mary.
K

Buffy said...

I just got done watching that video on writing with the gesso. It is a cool technique. I just love your planner,thats a great idea!!! I usually just scribble on a receipt hanging out in my purse.LOL

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

okay I don't know where to begin. Love, love, love the calendar pages and the whole concept, how fun to have yourself imbedded in every date.
I am so moved by your final page and what you wrote, to see how the image of such praise comes from our deepest places of shadow is just stunning...once again God meets us in our art..

Emeila said...

I love what you did to the calender.

DJ said...

Mary, He has you in His hands. That's all you need to know, sweetheart.
Love & Laughter,
DJ

Mechelle said...

Mary it looks you had a great time making these colorful funky pages. Great job!

jgr said...

Hi Mary,
I love your planner/journal pages! So cool-my favorite is the "No street performers" notice. ALso I love the last one-WOW!

Unknown said...

Wow Mar I love this...I know how big and heavy your daily planner was...this will be so much fun to work with...now I think I need to do something like it...love you sis!!!

Unknown said...

As usual, simply incredible! I love what you have done and think your work is always incredible.

Anonymous said...

so cool, mary!!!

Denise said...

I love this.

Jo Reimer said...

All I can say is WOW. If I had a planner like this I'd probably USE it.
And the appearance of an angel is truly a gift from God. It's like he's telling you, "right on, Mary, keep going this way".

Lily said...

Every time I come here I am always in awe of your talent! The colors and images are always so uplifting to me. Thank you for sharing your gift! :)

lori vliegen said...

oh my goodness....mary!!!! your planner pages rock!!!! i wish i had half of your color sense.....you are so gifted that way!! and that last page gives me goosebumps.....wow!!

and can i just tell you how much i LOVE your cigar boxes?!! wow, wow!!! are you selling them?!!! xox, :))

Janet said...

Wow, Mary....that is such a cool idea for the planner. I might actually use one if it looked like that! And I love the page where you tore off the layer and revealed the up-stretched arms. Isn't art fun?

Pamela Holderman said...

Love, love, love this idea and how you did it - especially the I Corinthians page - I need to remember that right now - thanks for sharing it!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary,
Just love everything you did from the calender to the journal page!!
Your drawings feel so Christ like and loving.
So pure and down to raw life.
I love them all.
I promise I will visit more, I just need to hook up with a blog thingy where I can read more at one time and respond.
Hugs, Love, ya.. Darlene xo

thekathrynwheel said...

Such fantastic art Mary - I just LOVE everything you do - you are a real inspiration :-)

Montgomery Family said...

I LOVE that calendar. I want to make one for me!! The way you pick colors and combine them is amazing.

Thank you for all your sweet comments and for staying connected to us! It means so much to me!

Unknown said...

These are wonderful Mary! Been busy here with family in town and getting ready for my first show. Hope your summer is going well...Thanks for stopping by : )

Hugs

Butterfly Works said...

What a gret idea to combine them all in one...you know we talked about this one time and you have done it....think I will too....your pages are awesome.....and what do I say about the angel...but girlfriend, He came right where you were and gave you a big old hug....I think I will too....hugs hugs hugs

Mollye said...

Oh my gosh Mary, You are a genius. The journal is just the best I've seen anywhere. Thank you for visiting me today. I love you too sweet friend, Mollye

And don't you just get an overwhelming feeling of blessedness when you just KNOW you're seeing clearly? awesome indeed

Martha Lever said...

Oh my goodness, Mary!!! How amazing He is to give us little proofs that He is right with us--even in our creating and when we are creating and feeling blue. WOW!!!! These pages are fabulous, Mary. You are doing so great stuff, gal!!!!

I think I put up the peace journal page by mistake because it wasn't quite right so I took it down. I will put it up soon!

Dena E's Blog said...

Goodness me Mary,,,You got a gift Sweetie,,,You Go Girlfriend!!!
Miss ya and sooo happy your creating such GORGEOUS pieces!!!
Blessings and Hugs Dena

Erin Butson said...

Love this so much. Love that you shared the technique and love how you got your heart. I thought it was stenciled at first. This is the coolest calendar I've ever seen. so creative. how do you come up with this stuff?!? XOXO

Just Be Real said...

Mary this latest creation is simply wonderfully beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.

Art by Darla Kay said...

Hi Mary!
Your journal/planner pages are amazing! You have such a gift for this stuff! I'm in awe!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Jennifer Richardson said...

I LOVE the way you live life....even the runoff is juicy and beautiful! -Jennifer

lori vliegen said...

hi mary! it's me again! i just wanted to thank you for your sweet, sweet comment over at my blog!! i'm SO glad that your journal arrived safely, and i'm thrilled and honored that you'll be giving it to your daughter! and what a beautiful sentiment that you'll be adding to the inside. thank you SO much for sharing this with me....i love hearing the stories of my journal's journeys! xox, :)))

S. Etole said...

so many creative ideas ... thank you for sharing them with us

Brian K said...

Wow your definatly on a creative wonderful streak! Very inspiring! Keep on creating! Love these so much!

Teri Leigh said...

I love all the backgrounds. You always do such pretty bright colors and the writing technique sounds fun. I will have to try it too.

laurel said...

That is so cool! Makes for a much more memorable calendar.