This Memorial day marks one year since I lost my mom. She was on my mind all day. Half way through my first cup of coffee I made the decision not to be sad but to reflect and remember the good things, The funny memories. The things that make me smile.
As I walked around the yard watering before it got too hot, I thought about her green thumb. She had flowers galore and a big garden. Houseplants too. I guess I’ve taking after her in that way. I love spending time tending to the garden. Making it beautiful and productive,
My newly sewn and strung garden bunting made me smile. Mom was no seamstress. In fact she hated sewing. She was so happy when I learned how to sew in school and gladly passed all of her supplies on to 13 yr old me. I’ve never stopped sewing since!
After finishing the outdoor chores I headed inside to do a bit of art journaling. I was really feeling inspired by nature.
The background colors I laid down didn’t scream nature. They were the colors that spoke to me though. Sort of a hard edge along with nature.
Layers upon layers stacked. This fussy cut stamped birds nest was the perfect way to embrace nature. I used watercolor crayons to color the robin eggs then used diamond glaze over top to add dimension. The addition of the thread help sell the idea of the nest for me.
I added the skeleton leaf for balance. As soon as I added the leaf, the words “live gently upon the earth” jumped out at me. This page made me smile.
Linking up with Art Journal Journey for Flora and Fauna
I’m sure the day was a hard one, but I think you approached it the right way. Being in the garden is always a good way to lose one’s self, at least for me. Love your bunting. Very clever bird nest too Halle. Hope you have a great T day. Hugs-Erika
I’m sure that amid the tears, there were so many wonderful and joyous memories, that it overshadowed the day with happiness.
I really like your beautiful new bunting and it’s a great way to use up scraps of colorful fabric, too. Would you please come tend my garden this year? EVERY plant has died. All my roma, cherry, and sweet 100 tomatoes are dead, as are my squash, eggplants, cukes, and three types of bell peppers. The only things growing are my herbs.
I am truly impressed with your beautiful art journal pages. That bird’s nest is incredible, and the string (which I actually thought was rusty wire) was the icing on the cake. What is that product you used on both pages, that is directly under the bird’s nest on the right and on the right of the skeleton leaf in the left hand side of the spread? Curious minds want to know.
Thanks for sharing your lovely spread with us at Art Journal Journey, and thanks for sharing your coffee with us for T, too. Hope you had a fabulous Memorial Day with lots of great memories of both parents.
What a BEAUTIFUL spread you have made Halle!
I love the colour blue, the nest, the leaf, the composition, Great!!
I love your words today and your decision to remember your dear mum not through sadness but smiles ?. It was wonderful to reminisce with you and hear your fond memories and happy times! Your garden and bunting look amazing and oh, how I adore your art journal pages today ?. The background colours of the greens and coppers is stunning and wow, the nest that you created is spectacular! You balanced the pages perfectly with the skeleton leaf design too ?. Thanks so much for sharing your inspirational pages with us at Art Journal Journey! Wishing you well and sending you very Happy T Day wishes! J ? x
You made the best out of a difficult day by honoring your mother with the lovely memories. Your journal spread is so beautiful and I love the rustic and patina colors you chose along with all the varying textures.
Happy T day!
Beautiful thoughts of your mom Halle and your decision to remember the happy times. Thats really all we can do… that or be miserable for the rest of our lives and our loved ones wouldn’t want that. I remember my husbands father was buried on Valentines Day the year my daughter graduated high school.. And i just knew for sure that Valentine’s Day would be a terrible memory for the rest of our lives.. But time does heal dear Halle. .. And i think i ‘m the only one that remembers the day he was buried.. Hugs! Deb
I love your garden bunting and your art journal spread is stunning! You made the best of a sad day too, by remembering happy things about your mother Halle.
Happy T-Day,
Alison xx
What a wonderful post and memory post with thinking of your mom! I love your garden bunting and I am in awe of this absolutely amazing spread in your journal . It is utterly beautiful ! Perfectly balanced and layered! So happy you shared it with us at Art Journal Journey on this T-Day!
Happy T-Day and happy sewing and happy crafting and arting dear Halle!
Hugs, Susi
Your “live gently …” spread made me smile too, Halle. It’s gorgeous. The robin’s eggs and nest are charming. Very clever.
I also enjoyed reading your reminiscences of your mom.
Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen
It must have been a hard day for you, but I hope thinking about the happy memories helped you through the day.
The journal nature page looked beautiful and it was a lovely sentiment you added.
Happy T day wishes.
Yvonne xx
The best thing you can do for yourself is to remember the good times and memories with loved ones who have moved on. (Though if you feel like crying, take time to do that, too.) Being in your garden is a lovely way to remember your mom. Your garden bunting is so happy looking. I love the colors on your page. Reminds me of some of the brilliant pinks we’ve been getting lately when the sun goes down.
Very pretty bunting to show off in your garden. I absolutely LOVE your nature- inspired art journal page. The colors in your background are beautiful!
Happy Belated Tea Day,
Kate
It’s hard to lose someone close on a holiday, and I’m glad you found comfort in your memories.
I love your art journal page. A robins’ nest, the leaf… I think the colors are perfect!