Art Journaling - a new calendar

It's the beginning of another month, and instead of making a grid calendar like I've made in the past, I decided to create a traditional calendar with boxes.  It's still early in the month, so there's not a lot I've added yet.

Here's how the first few days turned out.  I bought a cheap date stamp; it turned out to be a money stamp but I made it print as a date.  Thursday was AlphabeThursday, and Friday I went to a reception at the public library, where they opened an exhibit on Abraham Lincoln.  On Saturday, I went shopping and bought some new things to play with.  See that neat little airplane?  It's ribbon with an adhesive backing that I bought at JoAnns.  Never seen anything like that!  Just a $1.00 for a 3 foot roll.

Finding Treasuries - the Storybeader's Sunday game

Last week I skipped my Etsy Treasury Thanks - the end of the month is always way crazy for me.   Since I don't believe in leaving anyone out, I put  two weeks together.  Wow - there are eight Treasuries, plus one of my own (above).  I always like to make any blog post into a game, so I went in search for the perfect item to fit each individual Treasury.  See what I found!

Kym (FabricFascination), is a newer member to our BBArtisans and made a great team treasury.  It really feels like she's been with us from the start!  Her shop has fabric and kits, perfect for a beginning seamstress like myself.  I really liked her fabric squares by Malka Dubrawsky - they remind me of molas!

Linda (LindaB's Jewelry) had Oscar on her mind when she put together her treasury.  So I was thinking, what would I wear from her shop, if I was walking down the red carpet?  How about this matching set!

Judy (JN Originals) mixed seasons in her treasury of BBArtisans.  This headwarmer with a flower is a perfect combo of cold weather gear with a twist of spring!

What a beautiful water-themed treasury curated by Linda Johnson (Sew Upscale).  She must know I love the water.  And her fabulous fabric postcards and quilts!  Easy to find a perfect fit here!

Sharla (Beaded Tail) is reminding us of Easter and flowers - don't forget the bunnies!   Wouldn't you know it, I found some rabbits in her shop!

Linda Pruitt (Pruitt Creations) has a fun treasury with loads of animals.  I knew I spied some turtles in her shop!  This crayon roll is similar to the one she made for this month's BBArtisans team giveaway!

This next treasury is by a newbie to our BBArtisans team, Kaili (KAW! Studios).  How Beautiful!  And what a great opportunity to go peeking through her shop!

And I'm going to end with The Most Wonderful Springtime Items on Etsy, curated by Jamie (ForLoveofCupcakes).  Kinda says it all, eh? Along with hearts and bees!

Hope you have a chance to go by and visit the treasuries that caught your attention.  And tell us about your Etsy experience.  

Saturday Link List - Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month.  In the U.S., it began in 1978 as "Women's History Week" in Sonoma County, California.  It was proclaimed a national week celebration in 1981; then in 1987, Congress expanded it to a month.

From Annie Liebovitz's exhibition at the American Art Museum

The Smithsonian Institution is celebrating Women's History Month with a film series, lectures and performances.  I'm envious of anyone living in the DC area; to be surrounded by so many great FREE museums.  I think my favorite activity for the month would be to see the special exhibit at the American Art Museum  "Annie Liebovitz: Pilgrimage".  If you're in the DC area this spring, the exhibition is open through May 20th.  Here's a link to an interview she did with PBS Newshour on February 7th.  

In 1980, five women founded the National Women's History Project in Santa Rosa, California.  Their goal: "to broadcast women's historical achievements".  The group picks a different theme each year; this year it's "Women's Education - Women's Empowerment".  I encourage all  teachers to celebrate Women's History Month in their classrooms.

It's hard to talk about women's history in the U.S. without mentioning Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.  They met at Seneca Falls, N.Y. in 1848, and it is now known as the birthplace of the women's rights movement.  There is another early feminist from the 18th century (born in London) by the name of  Mary Wollstonecraft, who wrote a famous "treatise" called A Vindication of the Rights of Woman in 1792.  Does her name sound familiar?  It was her daughter, Mary Shelley, who wrote Frankenstein.  Learn more about Wollstonecraft in a HubPage by Danette Watt.

I belong to a women's book club, and we read only women authors.  This month we're reading The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht.  She is a young American writer, born in Yugoslavia.  So far, I'm totally enjoying the book, which is filled with tales of a woman doctor trying to unravel her grandfather's mysterious death in an unnamed Balkan country.  If you're interested in reading other books by women, link into to my book review tab for some titles I've critiqued.

Short Term Goals for March

This last month went by so quickly - nice to see it's almost spring again.  It begins this year on March 20 at 1:14 A.M. (E.D.T.)  I worked on all my goals last month.  Set up my personal exercise plan; it takes longer to complete than I thought.  I'm about 48% through.  I reinforced my art journal and painted in my calendar throughout the month.  I didn't draw as many faces as I planned, but did generate some portraits.  My new watercolor pencils came in the mail (they're lovely!) - I still need to go to the  recycling center and snag some more magazines.

This month, there are a lot of things happening online.  So I decided to pick three short term goals that I might need some help in completing:

parking lot next to the Museum and Lawton High School

1)  go outside and walk in the nice weather  
Going to the park and the pond down the street should be easy enough.  After work or on the weekend.  Spend some time with DH and the doggies.  And bring my camera too!
What To Do:  Buy Buster a new retractable leash for him to have more freedom on our walks.

2)  Participate in my art journaling Ning's new Challenge!

Leslie (Comfortable Shoes) is starting a new group on the Art Journaling Ning devoted to challenges.  They will begin March 4th.  There will be two Challenges! a month; each one consisting of  Image, Color, and Materials.  Should be fun.  I'm excited!  A lot of my favorite art journalers will be Hosts over the coming months.

What To Do:  Join the Challenge Group (Done!)  Wait to hear what the Challenges! are and complete them!  Share the results on my blog as well as with the group.

3) Try stamping on ribbon 
I remember seeing a tutorial about this some time ago.  Jana gave me a bunch of  ribbon (thanks Jana!) that she wasn't using.  So now I have seven large spools of pretty, monotone ribbon.  Let's try making something with it!
What To Do:  just do it, write about it, and use it!  One of them is turquoise (remember: the March BBArtisans Challenge includes turquoise!)