Tracy Weinzapfel Studios

I am on a Journey...Inspiration Page

Aren't we all on a journey?  Sometimes the journey feels rawer and scarier than other parts of the journey but finding what speaks to you is part of it.  I love how the pages in my journal are speaking to me.  I love how a blank watercolor page can come to life with just a splash of color, a sketch, a bit of glue and a charcoal pencil.

That is what happened on this page....

 
This was a rather simple page and I looked for more "things" to put on it but it just did not need it. I just wanted to be plain and simple.  That is what spoke to me.

MATERIALS LIST:

• Helmar Adhesive - Premium Craft Glue & Liquid Scrap Dots
• Acrylic Paint - Decoart (Spa Blue, Poodleskirt Pink, White Wash)
• Charoal Pencil
• Stamp Pad - Colorbox
• Stamp - Stampendous
• Butterflies - Jenni Bowlin

 
I also want to share some more pages from those who have emailed me!  Here is Leanne Garner's Album and her first pages!

"I wanted to make this inspiration journal for several reasons! One being that I've never made anything like this and always love to try new things! The other reason I feel like I wanted to make this is because I feel like I'm on a new journey in life! Not a bad journey, just a new chapter opening up and needs to be explored! I love all the inspirational quotes you can find (you can look for days!) and love to pick out the ones that I either need reminding myself of or ones that keep me motivated! This is something I know I can cherish when it's completed!" ~ Leanne

 
 

Thank you Leanne for joining me!  Keep sharing your pages: [email protected].  We never know where the journey will take us. My page spoke to me on my journey and I hope you find what speaks to you on yours.

 

"All of life is a journey which paths we take, what we look back on, and what we look forward to is up to us.  We determine our destination, what kind of road we will take to get there, and how happy we are when we get there." ~Unknown.

CK Guest Blogger!

What a busy week it has been and one to be thankful for!  I had the honor of being Creating Keepsakes Guest Blogger Friday. I have had a Life List since way before "The Bucket List" (one of my favorite movies!) came out.  I have had this list since high school and try to keep it up-dated.  For the longest time "Being Published in Creating Keepsakes Magazine" has been on that list!  I have been blessed to have been published is a lot of magazines which I am ever-so thankful for but Creating Keepsakes just has eluded me. 

So when they asked me to be a Guest Blogger on their website for the second time I was thrilled! (First time is HERE).  Yesterday was the big day!

I had to go back to my roots and create a scrapbook layout which I have not done in some time. But it was just like riding a bike and I fell right into this layout........

 
You can see my Creating Keepsakes Guest Blogging spot HERE............

 
AND there is a Helmar Giveaway so make sure to check it out for a chance to win!

Thank You Creating Keepsakes Magazine and I am keeping that goal on my Life List!  You have not heard the last from me........Lots of Dreams to keep on working on! 

Have a Great Weekend and Dream on.......

 

The future belongs to those who Believe in the Beauty of their Dreams ~Unknown 

The Gratitude Continues.......

There are days when email and mail are so much fun!  I will admit that I love mail/email in May.  My in-box abounds with nice messages.  I wanted to share one more email from someone regarding my Gratitude Journal.  I inspired her to create her own and she emailed me images of what she created:

Tracy,

Thank you for the inspiration you have provided with your gratitude journal.  As I was working on mine last night and began to review the pages I realized mine became a love letter to my husband.  We only see him every two week because of his job and I found that my pages center on him and our relationship ups and downs but always end with love.  Sappy, right?  :)

Cindy

I asked her into sharing some pages with me and made sure it was ok that I share with you!

 
 

Thank you Cindy for sharing with me and all of us!  Through my Gratitude Journal I had so much fun and I feel so thankful for all the emails I continue to get from people who are experiencing the same! 

So back to mail time.  With that said I want to thank everyone for the birthday cards that I am getting!  I just love to check the mailbox.  Celebrating this week and loving all the pretty mail!  Someone asked where they can send cards and I have no issue soliciting for them to see the endless creativity!

Helmar USA, Inc.
Attn:  Tracy Weinzapfel
PO Box 3405
Ramona, CA  92065

You get bonus points if you use Helmar products!  (of course you know I check LOL!). 

It is almost time for me to embrace 41! But look how excited everyone is.....

 
                                                                      (Photo courtesty of http://www.lotofoto.com/)

  Have a great week everyone! 

 

 "Start Every Day with a Grateful Heart" ~Unknown

Grateful for Gratitude

Back in March I embarked on my Gratitude Journal project and I started it on Helmar's Ustream: 

Page after page I could feel the effect of gratitude fill me.  There were simple things that I was grateful for...my journal, a cup of tea to the big things...my kids, perspective, being a Mom.  I let it go art wise and just let the process take me.  I forgot about my OCD and left the perfection behind.  I put my heart into it and left my cares behind on each page and love the final project!

 
So here I will give you a re-cap of each page...

 

In the process of all this I had many great comments and many who shared the journey with me.  I loved it!  This comment from Doris will cap off this journey for me.....

"Fantastic page! I'm so sad that your journal is nearly complete! .....I think I'd like to create pages, then bind them into books, but see how long I could keep coming up with new things to be grateful for. :-D My first gratitude journal is not quite going to be a mixed media journal like yours, but you certainly have inspired me to journal all the little things that make life great that I am thankful for. :-D I am so blessed and love the opportunity to put to pen, ink, paper and embellies all my counted blessings. Thanks for continuing to inspire me every day! Love the idea for the new journal btw. LOVE affirmations and quotes"

But the Gratitude Journey is never complete!  I have my next project in the works and it will be a Helmar LIVE Ustream project so we can take this journey together!  Get your Helmar glue ready and also gather your favorite quotes and daily affirmations!  We are going to dig deep on this one!

Thank you all who shared this with me!

 

"Visualize your goals.  Trust yourself. And never, ever,be afraid to fail" ~Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Art (4/17/11 Entry)...Last Page of my Gratitude Journal

This weekend my goal was to finish my gratitude journal and I did!  The last page........

 MATERIALS LIST:

• Helmar:  Crackle Medium (Step 1 & 2) and 450 Quick Dry
• Acrylic Paints - DecoArt & Making Memories
• Indian Ink:  Daler Rowney
• Ink:  Marvy Distress Inks

 
My inspiration for this page came from the fun I had playing with Helmar Crackle Medium this past week for LIVE UStream Product Spotlight with Tracy Weinzapfel.....

 
Wow, my Gratitude Journal is done........but it certainly does not end here.  I will give a recap of the entire album on my blog this week as this has been one of the most fun, creative and meaningful projects I have worked on.  I just let it go artistically and let myself play. 

 
I now have plans to kit this project up and thanks for the emails asking about that.  I will let you know.  I cannot wait to teach this at Inspired in less than one MONTH!  I also am in the process of planning some Helmar LIVE Ustream classes to share another mixed medium journal journey!  So stay tuned!

 

“To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.” — Joseph Chilton Pierce Quotes

The Smallet Things...(4/16/11 Entry)

Second to last page in my Gratitude Journal and then I will recap the entire journey!  It has been so gratifying to sit down and journal my gratitude this past month or so in this mini album.  I cannot to teach this at Inspired and will be putting together kits soon.  Think we will do another LIVE Ustream class with Helmar LIVE to make another one too!  I will make a few kits for my class if anyone is interested in joining me! 

So the second to last page........

 

MATERIALS LIST:

• Adhesives:  Helmar 450 Quick Dry
• Flowers:  Prima
• Butterfly Punch:  Marvy
• Acrylic Paint - DecoArt & Golden
• Stamp - Unity
• Embossing Powder
• Black Journaling Pen
• Watercolor crayons

 
Sometimes it is just the smallest things...........that is enough! 

AND.........I want to share that my next mixed media journal is going to be one of Daily Affirmations/Favorite Quotes.  I know you Pinterest fans will love this idea!

 

“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” — Henry Ward Beecher

My Journal (4/10/11 Entry)

Wow, I have enjoyed the past months journey in this Gratitude Journal!  I have loved the emails...the projects you all shared and especially just freely creating in this journal I created.  Today's entry is all about journaling.  I love to journal.  I started a few years back and freely just write when the need arises.  I don't worry about staying in the lines, making it neat and pretty, or letting my need for perfection interfer.  It is a free place...so today I am grateful for:

MATERIALS LIST:

• Helmar:  450 Quick Dry
• Indian Ink:  Winsor Newton
• Buttons
• Charcoal Pencil
• Watercolor Crayons
• Pens:  Copiz, Sakura Glaze

So two more pages to go and this Gratitude Journal is being taken on the road to Inspired in May!  I will be putting together those class kits this week!

I was thinking about my next mixed media album and I think I got it....An Affirmations Journal!  Last week on Helmar's QOTD on Facebook many fans shared their favorite quotes and affirmations and I think it is time to get those down on paper.  Come on all you Pinterest pinners!  I am working out plans now and think a LIVE Helmar Ustream class is due in the near future to start this new project!  Details to come and I hope you all join me!

Have a good week and start gathering your favorite quotes/affirmations!

 

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you imagined." ~ Thoreau 

Giving It All...Determination (4/08/11 Entry)

Wow, I realized how easy it is to get away from blogging for a few days.  Been really busy with work, kids, etc. but here I am!

So I am nearing the end of my first gratitude journal and am loving the whole process.  One thing about me is no matter what I put my heart to I give it all...whether it is with work, art, my life...I am one determined person.  I love my job.  I love that I get to be creative for a living and be in an industry full of some of the most creative people. I love that I get to promote & market awesome products I love.  I have never felt more at home. 

I always say that "I used to have all the time to glue and had no glue and now I have all the glue in the world and no time to glue".  So not fair.  So finding that happy medium to bring the two worlds I love so much together and balance them has been a focus of mine.  Learning what each of the products I sell is the part of the job that I just love.  Going LIVE on Helmar's Ustream, teaching workshops at CHA are other great ways I get to share my passion and also push myself to work outside the box. 

I feel blessed, determined and passionate every day about what I do.

 
 MATERIALS LIST:

• Helmar:  Crackle Medium Step 1 & 2
• Acrylic Paint - Decoart
• Inks:  Marvy
• Stamps - Stampin Up
• Charcoal Pencil
• Watercolor Crayon
• Rubons - Creative Imaginations

 
Thank you Me Rah Koh, an artist I admire greatly for these words as I move forward:

Remember that…

• Becoming a successful and confident artist is not about having it all together, but the strength to allow things to be messy enough to discover something new.
• Becoming a successful and confident artist is not about mastering the art, but serving the art and those who encounter it.
• Becoming a successful and confident artist is not about accolades and awards but witnessing your creations bring healing to you and then to others.
• Becoming a successful and confident artist is not about living in security and familiarity, but growing accustomed to living in the dark–surrounded by mystery.
• Becoming a successful and confident artist does not keep you safe from doubt, fear and criticism, but rather gives you the opportunity to face doubt, fear and criticism so that you can be strengthened–so that you can practice forgiveness–and in the end, be transformed.
• Becoming a successful and confident artist is not about beating yourself up because of how far you still need to go.  It’s about pausing, looking back and celebrating how far you’ve come.  Becoming a successful and confident artist is about setting sail, even when the journey itself is unclear.
• Becoming a successful and confident artist is about answering the door when the Creation comes knocking.

Speaking of taking the Helmar show on the road...I will be teaching at Donna Downey's Inspired Artist Workshop in North Caroline in May!  Click HERE for details on my workshop:

 
so not only do I get to use products I believe in but they make me stretch as an artist.  Thank you to all those Helmar Facebook Fans out there who push me to be a better artist every day!

 

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong."  ~ Joseph Chilton Pearce

Spring is in the Air...

Spring is here in San Diego.  Things are blooming, grass is growing, breezes are blowing.  After a fairly wet winter I am thankful to see that gold dome in the sky.  That is what I am grateful for today...

 MATERIALS LIST:

• Helmar - 450 Quick Dry & Liquid Scrap Dots
• Acrylic Paint - Decoart
• Inks:  Marvy
• Stamps - Unity & unknown
• Charcoal Pencil
• Button
• Indian Ink - Daler Rowney

 I am also thankful for the comments & emails that come in:

Thanks for sharing it and all your other journal pages with us all and inspiring us so much! ~ Nicole Mullen

and thank you to Moe M. for shaing her Gratitude Journal with me and allowing me to share with all of you!

"I think this is a very creative thought, lol!  I enjoyed your class! And yes you can post on your blog,
that you and I are so grateful" ~ Moe M.

I so love all the sweet emails that humble me every day and make my little idea that much more gratifying!  If you are journaling your Gratitude please drop me an EMAIL!

Gratefully Yours,

“The world is but a canvas to the imagination.”  — Henry David Thoreau

What Sparks Creativity?

Lately I feel a loss of my creative mojo, that spark.  With soccer games, track meets, work, the house it just seems that takes a back seat.  But there is something about spring that just I love.  I am not sure if it is the disappearance of the rain, opening up the windows and feeling the breeze, or just that warm sun.  This past weekend I even returned to the mountain (slowly as my ankles just aren't what they used to be)....to find that spark again and clear the noggin'.

 

I also picked up a new book called "Kick-Ass Creativity" by Mary Beth Maziarz which is good so far. I have a nightstand full of books and am making the time to read more. Forgot how much I missed it.  Even debated getting a Kindle but there is something about the feel of a real book (of course still yearning for an iPad).

and I decided it was time to get back to my Gratitude Journal as I am nearly done with it.  The journey with this has been so great and the response and feedback has humbled me.  Just what I needed.  I completed this page working with my most favorite flower, the daisy:

 
I had so much fun with Helmar Decoupage!  That sparked my creativity big time!

 
 

MATERIALS LIST:

• Helmar:  Decoupage, 450 Quick Dry, Liquid Scrap Dots
• Waterolor Crayon
• Acrylic Paint - Golden
• Inks - Marvy
• Indian Ink: Winsor Newton & Daler Rowney
• Leaf Stamp
• Flower - Michael's

 and I saw this posted the other day:

"The Dalai Lama's Instructions for life"

• Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk. 
• When you lose, don't lose the lesson. 
• Follow the three R's: - Respect for self. - Respect for others. - Responsibility for all your actions. 
• Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. 
• Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly. 
• Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship. 
• When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. 
• Spend some time alone every day. 
• Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values. 
• Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. 
• Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time. 
• A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life. 
• In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past. 
• Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality. 
• Be gentle with the earth. 
• Once a year, go someplace you've never been before. 
• Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other. 
• Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it. 
• Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon." 

What sparks your creativity when you have lost your mojo?  For me it is being outdoors, a book, daisies, a saying.  Let spring begin.....gotta go pick up some daisy's soon.