#The100DayProject

Today is the start of the #The100DayProject, a creative challenge that lasts for 100 days starting today.

This is the third time that I am attempting this challenge, and I have decided to make things using the stuff that I already have rather than purchasing new materials for the next 100 days.

I started yesterday because I had a creative itch that I needed to scratch.

I made a summer-themed journal with some paper that I bought about a year ago. It is not finished, but I made a good start on it. The cover is done, except for the strings to keep the signatures secured. It is a frothy type of journal - lots of pastel colors. I will post pictures when it gets a bit more finished.

I will not be creating every day of the next 100 days, but I do strive to use what I have in my creative exploits. I have lots of materials to use and to use up. I have stamps and dies and paper and cardboard and all the stuff. I am allowed to buy double sided tape if I need it, but everything else is off the purchase list. This allows me to craft and create when I feel the urge without feeling like I have failed if I do not have 100 projects at the end of the time period.

My journals are something that I love making but don't use much for myself. I have three that I made and that I use, and the rest are either given away or on Etsy for sale. I enjoy making the books, and I love trying out different themes and styles. I have become interested in a form of junk journaling lately. My journals are made of used cardboard but have scrapbook paper throughout. The scrapbook paper is not new - I've had some of the paper for 20 years. I am trying to use it all up rather than going out and buying more.

The process of making a book is something that I find almost meditative. I start by deciding how big I want the book to be. I measure, I cut out the cardboard that I need for the covers and the spine, and then I start to decide on the papers to include. I like a variety of paper colors, so I go through my papers and pull out anything that strikes my fancy. Once I see a theme happening (color, subject, etc.), I decide about the cover papers and start covering things. The next step is to cut down the papers for the signatures and start to bind them together. I decide if the signatures will be permanent in the book or moveable (I prefer moveable for myself), and then I finish the entire book.

Once the book is finished, I get to decorate it. This tends to be my downfall when it comes to journals. I don't like a cluttered page personally, so making things that others seem to like is challenging. I make pockets and body bands. I glue in little envelopes to use for various things. At this point, that seems to be what sells in the Etsy community, so I am going to cram this current journal with all the stuff. Waterfall picture spots and pages that fold out and back in again.

Today, I am going to a Lego convention.

This opportunity came across my Instagram feed about a month ago, and I thought, "why not?" So, I will be heading out to the grocery store pretty soon, getting my food, coming back, cramming things into the freezer, and then heading back out into the cold to find the convention center and then get through the crowds to see different things. I am under commands to take pictures so my sister can see things as well. After some time there, I will head back here to fix a mistake I made on the OCMT certificates and then stay here at home for the rest of the day. I have a bunch of new books to read once I get finished with the one that I've started. I also need to make some new pictures for the blog and my social media posts for some new opportunities that I am going to be offering pretty soon.

Lots to do today, and it is time to get started. I have to figure out the freezer space that I need (even though I could probably just keep things in my car today - February is finally feeling like February).After that, it is time to head to a place that I cannot usually navigate well. We will see if I can get there and back again by trusting the GPS lady.

Time to work a little bit more on my summer journal for #The100DayProject as well as on the freezer situation. See you tomorrow.

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