Learn Something New Every Day - Day 3

Day 3 arrives and I decided to begin creating before I knew what the prompt was - so determined am I not to fall behind - I want to get to the end of September and still be up to date and not rushing to finish or playing catch ups well into October.

Prompt 3: What can you learn from your own two feet?

One step at a time.... stay grounded....

These 2 thoughts immediately came to me when I considered this prompt and the follow up idea of what is your own personal 'moving forward?'

I tend to rush movement wise, doing lots of tasks in a somewhat disjointed fashion, flitting from one to the other..... usually via my feet... I live and work in the same space and so from bedroom to kitchen to office to kitchen to garage to laundry to office to outside back inside - these cycles repeat many many times throughout my normal day....

I have begun a very much beginners exercise regime - it's been almost one week now of exercise biking and treadmilling for 30-40mins each day - not a very lengthy or difficult regime but one that is necessary as I continue to recover from 2 major surgeries - one planned in April earlier this year and another, emergency this time as a complication of the first, in June. Extensive abdominal surgerys so I have very little core strength but am determined to return to some level of fitness in a medically approved manner.... once stronger I can move onto a more demanding exercise program.

I am very interested in reflexology, I do not have attractive feet size 10.5 with a wide fitting to boot (pun intended lol) and I very rarely go barefoot even indoors.

So my thoughts translate into slowing down, one step at a time.... and to stay grounded by not allowing my tendencies to flit everywhere be the undoing of my concentration and completing tasks. And to be sensible and not be too impatient with improving fitness and stamina.

Here is the layout I 90% completed before knowing what the days prompt was -

and a close up  of the right page

Funnily enough these pages had many 'steps' to them papers going down first, then paint daubers, then paint via a brush followed by labels and washi tape and more paint, buttons, letters more paint daubers and even after I took these photos I added a few more 'steps' with more washi tape and label stickers.

Learn Something New Every Day - Day 2

Day 2 arrived ever so fast - I am in a different time zone to where the class teacher Shimelle is based - Shimelle is in the UK and I am in Australia.

Day 2 Prompt - Inspirational Teachers - who and why?

This took me ages to narrow down the most worthy of individual mention - almost everyday someone somewhere teaches me something - from the person who wrote the recipe book I am using, my children who teach me far too many things that could be listed here, the writers of the courses I am currently attending online, the man who teaches me First Aid every year for my 'other job' etc etc.
Travelling further back in time there were bosses and mentors in various places of employment, the teachers from secondary and primary school, and as far back as my memory can take me to my parents, relatives, neighbours and last but not least my valued friends - this group of people span my lifetime.
The most inspirational teachers in my life were my father who taught me many a practical skill - how to wash a car 'properly', how to mow the lawn, how to use a whole shed of tools and how to stand on my own two feet. Sadly he passed away 14 years ago at the age of 60 but he continues to remind me of those life lessons often - the biggest one that rings in my ears every now and then - "Michelle, you make your bed, you lie in it" and many a time it has stopped me in my tracks before making a not so great decision.
My mother rates a mention but not for her positive input into my life but quite the opposite, unsupportive, uncommunicative, martyrdom. Her style of parenting ensured I raised my older children very differently and continues to determine how I raise my youngest child (12yrs).
Thankfully I have a wonderful Aunt who fills that motherly role for me, who is always there at the end of the phoneline, who doesn't sugarcoat anything, just simply tells it like it is. Forgiving, generous of herself and a very talented crafter to boot.
Here is the layout from my SMASH book that I created following from my thoughts and notes of Day 2.
My journaling is in the envelope under the big purple flower, the quilt on the left page is a tribute to my special Aunt - boy does she know how to make a patchwork quilt!

The title reads

I am.

all that I can be right now.

Learn Something New Every Day - Day 1

I signed up a little over a week ago to join this years Learn Something New Every Day with Shimelle Laine - Shimelle runs it every September every year and has done since 2006. You can go here and read in depth what, when, why and how to join me - its not too late.

Every day for all of September we are given a prompt.

Day 1 Prompt: - What was your last big adventure?

Immediately my response was the purchase of my online store

The Stamp Spot.

An adventure from the beginning, and even today some 18 months from my very first day it is still an adventure. I love what I do and do what I love.... lucky I know and not one day goes by that I don't count my blessings and appreciate and value being part of the Crafting World.

You can find my last big and ongoing adventure here.

And now for my 'layout' following on from todays Prompt -

I am using a Red SMASH book as both record keeping of  my notes for the days prompt and also for the creative step that culminates in a layout, page, or whatever you would like. Lots of 'spots' on my page and my logo colours of pink, green and brown.

Learn Something New Every Day is the 3rd online course I am undertaking during September and my choice of a ready to use, portable book like SMASH reflects my fear of falling behind in all those classes.

PS Did you know my online store The Stamp Spot sells some of the SMASH range - you can find them here.