Journals and Creativity

"Artists use sketchbooks to store ideas for future use. Bloggers have folders of bookmarks. And some authors keep notebooks or “commonplace” books."

I have been trying to expand my quilting into more art quilts. Someone suggested doing small postcard quilts. I have started two. One using fabric and stamping with paint. One using felted fabric and felting. They are still in process because I am so worried about being creative that I can't finish.

One other suggestion was to start an art journal. Which I am going to try. I love going to other blogs and seeing sketches with notations. However, I do not sketch. So I am going to have to try something different.

I made an art journal a few years ago but very little has gone in it. I plan on pulling it our and starting again. And since I can't sketch...I plan on making paper quilt ideas and taking photos. Wish me luck.

Here are some of my paper quilt ideas...many that will never go beyond this journal.








One well-known author recorded “ideas, images, quotations hastily jotted down for possible future use… for the most part they are merely suggestions or random impressions designed to set the memory or imagination working. Their sources are various—dreams, things read, casual incidents, idle conceptions, and so on…”

I have tried different forms of journals through out my life. I kept a journal faithfully on my mission and then as I was home getting my masters in library science. Once I got married, life became too busy. When I started as library director here in Brigham City, a dear older friend retired to Florida and I decided to mail her letters every week for several years. Then my life became email and computers and the world wide web. My blog is now my journal and Picasa Web Albums is where I store my photos. I figure that as long as Picasa and blogger let me store my information it safer online than in a cardboard box in my closet,
If any of you want to start a blog journal or want to be more creative with your journals...online or not. Check out this book from our library collection:

Blogging for bliss : crafting your own online journal : a guide for crafters, artists & creatives of all kinds .

Do you journal using a blog, letters, or a journal?

Do you have a current art journal?

Why do you journal?

Wordsalad?

What's A WORDSALAD?

A few years ago when we began this blog we held a contest to see what we should name it. The winner was "Wordsalad" and we have kept the name ever since then.

What is a Wordsalad? The Random House Dictionary has several definitions of "word". One that applies here is "a brief remark or statement". I also like "news or information", "assurance or promise" and "an argument or dispute". They all describe what we do here exceptionally well.

One definition of the word "salad" is, "a various mixture" which is perfect for describing the thoughts of the librarians and staff through our blog. Although our blog doesn't have a world wide following, I have had people mention that they read something here that I wrote. It can be challenging to write interesting things for people to read, but it often is more for the author to vent or to voice an opinion, than for the general audience at large. We do try and keep our readers informed about happenings at the library, new books, new services and author information (mostly in the form of death notices! from Susan).

So, if you are out there reading, let us know! We love to have comments, both verbal and online. It makes writing worth the effort if we know you are out there.

Thanks

Michele, Children's Librarian

Become a Follower

Google's had the option to follow blogs for a while, but we've recent added the 'Follow' gadget to our sidebar. What does it mean to become a follower? Simply this, by becoming a follower you'll be adding our blog to a list of blogs that you've chosen to follow. You won't have to come to our blog to see if there's a new post anymore - the title of the article will simply show up on your dashboard in the 'Reading List' area. If the title/start of the article looks like something you're interested in, then you can click on the link to read the article. It's a reminder and a time saver all-in-one.

We love to share library news, events, and issues with you through the blog and we love hearing from you when you have a comment too!

So if have an account with Google, AIM, Yahoo!, Netlog, or OpenID and want to stay up-to-date on programs, book reviews, new books, and all kinds of library news, just click on 'Follow' in the sidebar to get it set up.

Thanks! And Happy Reading!

Introducing the Brigham City Library Blog

Welcome to the new Brigham City Library Blog! We will be posting library news regularly, so check in with us from time to time. Also feel free to send us something you'd like us to consider adding to our blog!