'What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say.'
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tuesday 1 January 2019

2018 was a year of intensely emotional events for me and for one of my brothers… there are times when things you believed were written in stone crumble before your eyes and it can feel as if the ground beneath you is disappearing...and sometimes the consequences of decisions made change the landscape of our life (or someone else’s) forever.

I’m VERY happy to leave it ALL behind and to embrace a new year and a new start – which means letting go of the past and accepting the changes.

With that in mind – and Alison’s chosen challenge theme for January 2019 at Art Journal Journey – Geometric Shapes – this is the result of my reflection on both years in an 8x8 Kraft journal…

(Edited… this page started life as a crossroads, which is why there’s a white ‘path’ of China marker, lol (which resists the inks over the top AND most pens!)  and my aim was to use the signpost. But it wasn’t the right size for that. Smaller numbers may have made that a bit clearer. (The black handwriting is my evaluation of 2018, the white writing is about 2019.)

I must point out that there were also some absolutely brilliant times and some wonderful events in 2018 – I’m truly very thankful and incredibly blessed! 

HELLO 2019

JAN1ST2019

The (stencilled) swirls represent emotions and the way they sometimes make decisions difficult… sometimes we can’t see the way ahead because we focus on the past or even on the future, instead of on the present!

There’s an Anything Goes challenge for the New Year on the Artistic Stamper’s Blog, too.

A page from a couple of days ago… for That’s Crafty Anything Goes challenge…

SHINE 8X8 20189

Another card for Allsorts’ Thanks a Bunch challenge and for SSS Wednesday’s Anything Goes challenge… I enjoyed colouring this…

THANKS A BUNCH 2

…and a black and white ‘Celebrate’ card for Time Out’s Inspired by Words Challenge.

BW PASSIONATE DREAM 1

I wish you all a very happy, healthy, creative and colourful new year!

Thank you for visiting

Back soon

Cath

xxx

20 very kind comments from lovely people:

Joan said...

Lovely pages and cards Cath


Happy New Year to you

Joan

froebelsternchen said...

Your pages in the kraft journal are simply fantastic!
You are such a versatile artist and Mixed Media pro!
Thank you so much for being with us for the new theme at AJJ! Much appreciated !
The cards are so beautiful as well- your designs are always eyecatchers!

Big hugs,

Susi

My name is Erika. said...

Happy New Year Cath. I hope 2019 is a better year for you and is full of joy, happiness and all other kinds of good things. hugs-Erika (oh yes, I love the art today too.)

Kathleen said...

As super set of creations and a really lovely card for our challenge. Thank you for joining our 'Thanks a Bunch' challenge at Allsorts.

Kath x

Shona Chambers said...

I love black and white cards and this one totally caught my eye in the Gallery!! Love the 'wordy' background and the details along the sides add so much interest and texture too. I really hope this year is much better for you and I'm so glad you shared this with us at TIME OUT!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I was saddened to read you had a tough 2018, but you have a very healthy attitude for 2019. This was an absolutely stunning first entry this month for Alison's theme at Art Journal Journey. I was impressed with the entire piece and love to see you went from old to new.

You make fabulous cards, too. They always make me realize why I don't make cards. Your thank you card with the flowers is simply beautiful, and the celebrate is incredible.

Happy new year, dear Cath and have a fabulous, healthy, stress free and art filled 2019.

Let's Art Journal said...

Such fabulous New Year pages and cards! The colours and designs are wonderful, I love the sign post, little bird and how you depicted the swirl of emotions - very clever 😁. Wishing you all the best for 2019, may your New Year be filled with peace, love and happiness! J 😊 x

Ellibelle said...

So beautifully done with all the creative makes and designs! Many thanks for sharing your floral thank you card with us at Allsorts challenge this week! Good luck and please do join us again soon!

Neet said...

Happy New Year Hun! (Not a fan of that word but it felt right, sorry)
Yes, life has been a tumbling one for 2018 and I know where you are coming from. Love how you have portrayed it in both journal pages. I love the swirling white one - very evocative and gorgeous colours.
The next one is lovely too, that little character looks to be deep in thought.
Great cards - the black and white one is so you.
Will be in touch - sending love for now
Neet xx

craftytrog said...

Simply wonderful artwork Cath, and thanks for joining my challenge at AJJ!
Alison xox

Mervi said...

Gorgeous Thank you card, pretty flowers.
Thank you for sharing at Allsorts.
Happy New Year;-))m

Meggymay said...

A lovely post Cath and I do hope that 2019 will be a good one for you. It seemed a very emotional journal page. Art I think helps us without our realising it at the time, we can escape the day and get some time to relax and reflect.
The art you shared totday looks fantastic.
Happy New Year wishes Cath.
Yvonne xx

Little Artbee said...

Wonderful pages and cards, made with lot of fantasy. Nice to meet you at AJJ.
Happy New Year
Dear greetings
Sabine

Mrs.B said...

Great journal pages Cath and gorgeous colours on the floral card. It's a great image for the B/w one.
Wishing You a Very Happy New Year,
Avril xx

Sue said...

What fabulous pieces Kath, and all so different! I hope you have a very happy and healthy year, may 2019 be kind to you, Sue xx

Nonni said...

Such fun and creative projects in this post! Love your black and white celebration-card. The style of the stamp is so cool, I love the many sentiments! Thanks for taking TIME OUT and joining us!

Tracy said...

Thanks for joining Allsorts challenge with this great entry, good luck.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Craftyfield said...

Let's hope 2019 brings you better things… and lots of crafting time! You've made a great start on your journal, keep it up!

crafty-stamper said...

Beautiful journal pages and love all the representations here's hoping 2019 is a better year
Carol x

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

Wonderful creation :) Thank you for joinig in The Artistic Stamper Creative Challenge