Since visiting mum the little guy has been inundated with toys from all over the place. My brothers, mum’s friends, neighbours, whoever; everyone seems to have a toy or a book or something for the little guy to play with. One conversation held here recently had to do with favourite toys, in particular our favourites when we were little kids. I still have a little soft toy fox, Foxy; and my koala bear, Karla.

What was your favourite toy from childhood? Do you still own this/these toy/s? What condition is this toy in? Does it hold pride of place somewhere or is it stashed safely away somewhere? Write about some of the memories you have of this toy? Why does it mean so much to you? Try to describe how important this toy was when you were a child. If you like, write an unsent letter to this toy, especially if you no longer own it.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please share any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Morguefile

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Most of you know I’m visiting my mother on the Gold Coast. Recently we watched the film The Bucket List together. It generated some very good, important discussion about the things we need to take care of before we die. Without spoiling the film I can safely tell you it’s about two guys, Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, with only months to live who feel a strong need to fulfill the dreams on their ‘bucket list.’ You know, the list you make of things to do before you kick the bucket.

So, what’s on your list? Spend some time creating your bucket list. Share your list or a link to your blog with the list if you like. Use the comments section for this or any other comments you might have about journal writing.

Heather
Image used with permission from Newscom

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I took a walk with the little guy down to the park this afternoon. We saw several beautiful black butterflies fluttering about in the trees and near where we played. Butterflies are always inspiring to me. So, here’s a visual journal prompt for you.

Create a butterfly in your journal. Either paint, draw, copy & colour, or collage your butterfly. Make it fill the page. Allot a good 30 minutes to one hour for this project. Use colours that mean something to you. Immerse yourself in the process and think of nothing but your creation. Once you’ve created a beautiful butterfly write or create another visual journal entry on what butterflies mean to you, or any other issues or thoughts that came to light while creating your art.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing challenge. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Image used with permission from Newscom

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In case you missed it, please be sure to take a look at the final round-up for the fabric covered journal tutorial on Tangled Thread. This is one way to make your journal unique and original and something you will be sure to use. I hope you use this idea. Feel free to share your finished journal in the comments section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Stock.xchng

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Here are some more artsy blogging links to keep you creating this week; sorry it’s a little later than usual.

Emergency Response Studio from Junk Creation.

Book review and GIVEAWAY: Altered You! from Layers Upon Layers.

Matchbook Favors are Hot, Hot, Hot! from The Artful Crafter.

The completed covered notebook tutorial from Tangled Thread.

Tottie Tomato is back from Hankering for Yarn.

Victory Gardens & Victory Garden Quilts from Quilting & Patchwork.

I’ve been a bit too busy to add a link, so sorry about that for this week.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Pixelperfectdigital

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I’ve yet to see the film Into the Wild, but it comes recommended to me by my brother and sister-in-law. They both saw the film recently and were impressed by the sad tale. The true story is based on the short life of Chris McCandless. Apparently he kept a diary of his travels, which included photos, in particular of his time in the wilderness. Later he gave this journal away.

My reason for mentioning this film is because it fits into the movies about journal writing or that include journal writing, but also because the film sounds like one not to miss. Please leave any thoughts or comments on this film or any other journal writing related topic in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Newscom

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I spent the best part of this afternoon meeting up with family members I haven’t seen in about 17 and a half years. It’s a long time in anyone’s language. We chatted, caught up and laughed, a lot. I really had a good time. I suppose I didn’t realise just how much I’ve really needed those people, my family, in my life. While I’ve been super busy and not really writing much in my journal, I know I will spend a lot of time writing about things when I return home and life is back to normal.

Who are the family members you haven’t seen in a long time? Is it only distance that keeps you apart? Do you have any unresolved issues between you and the members of your family? If so, what are they? What’s stopping you from resolving these issues?

Heather
Photo is my own

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Since arriving here at my old home on the Gold Coast I’ve discovered a man I used to know well was murdered about a week before I showed up. It was sad to learn the way he spent his final hours. I simply had to make time, even though it’s difficult as I’m talking with mum almost every moment on the day and night, to write about this in my journal. I had forgiven this man for things he’d done to me a long, long time ago, but was still disturbed to hear how he’s died.

Do you have any friends, family or people you’ve known who have died in similarly terrible ways? I also have a cousin who was murdered, in fact shot several times. Violence leaves a mark on all of us when people we know suffer because of it. Spend some time writing in your journal about this topic, but only if you feel ready to do so. If the subject upsets you too much write instead about the moments you shared in life with these people that were moments only the two of you would ever have known about.

I hope you can use this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Morguefile

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I’ve spent the last few days recovering from my trip on the two planes I had to catch, first from Perth to Melbourne, then from Melbourne to the Gold Coast. Also, I’ve been trying to log back into my blog. I couldn’t find the info I thought I had stored. So, now I should be back into the normal routine, even though I am staying with mum for just a little while.

The trip wasn’t too bad. I did manage to write in my journal on both flights, but it wasn’t the easiest thing I’ve ever had to manage. Does anyone have any good tips on how to write comfortably on a plane? Other than that I made the most of the time to catch up on a little reading. Perhaps on the return trip it will be a little easier to spend some time writing in my journal.

Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Morguefile

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I’ve been preparing to catch a plane to visit my mother, who lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland. I leave early tomorrow morning. There’s all the planning, shopping and cooking for the family I’m leaving behind, but also the packing and planning for myself and the little guy, as we’re the only ones going on this trip. I’ve managed to keep my luggage down to the barest minimum. I’m also trying not to carry too much hand luggage.

I thought hard about bringing my usual journal, but eventually figured the small purple one I purchased recently at Borders would be lighter and easier to travel with. I probably won’t spend as much time writing in my journal while I’m away for the two weeks, so taking a big thick journal is probably silly, anyway. The smaller journal will be easier to pull out and stash away when needed, but mostly while I’m on the plane.

So, do you write in your journal while travelling? What kind of journal works best for you? Please share your stories about travelling and writing in your journal in the comments section below. Or leave a link to your blog if you prefer.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Pixelperfectdigital

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