Thursday, September 21, 2023

It’s Been a Long Time

 It has been a long time since I created a post on this blog (since 2016).  So much has changed in these seven years that it is hard to describe.  I have spent most of this time taking care of my husband who became disabled…unable to walk and a failing heart.  I could have written many insightful writings during that time, but it never occurred to me to do that, as I was ever so busy being on full alert for all those years.  I even slept with a baby monitor sometimes so that I wouldn’t miss him calling my name in the middle of the night.

Anyway, fast forward to today….I lost my husband due to heart failure at Christmas time 2021.  I have a whole story I can share later on about his time in Hospice and how thankful I was for that time together.  But since that time, I have gotten the most wonderful standard poodle, Biscuit, to keep me company (another blog idea).  I don’t know what I would be doing with my days if it weren’t for him.

I have been gardening with some successes and many failures - another blog to tell you all about that!

But today, I want to share my journey with making junk journals!  Many of you may not have even heard of such a thing, and to be honest, until the last year or so, I hadn’t either!  I started out, while my husband was so sick, making greeting cards from card kits.  During Covid I was able to send out dozens of those cards as we all isolated and waited for this terrible plague to subside.  One thing led to another, and I found a site about junk journals and was captivated by the many videos and tutorials out there.  Another great discovery was digital kits..oh my!  The ability to purchase these kits for a low price and then print and create journals of meaning and beauty just took over my life!  What I find interesting also is that in junk journals I also use old books to make altered books, and old book pages and sheet music, old pictures, antique doilies and laces and ruffles to embellish my journals…so it fits perfectly with my “What’s Old is New Again!”  Theme from when I named my blog long ago.

Please stay tuned as I get my bearings and begin to post again!  It will be fun to reconnect and share with you!  Meanwhile, here’s a link to my YouTube channel that you may enjoy.  You never know, it may ignite a spark in you!  https://youtube.com/@carolynspapertherapy?si=OAPdsm_mVTi12yOY

Also, just  few pictures to share: