Happy New Year!

Back in October of 2024 I got an idea: 
What if, once a week, I gather items and arrange them in a square flat layout, and take a photo? Then I write down the thoughts, memories, goals emotions etc. that the images invoke. I must’ve picked those things for a reason, right?

This ‘back to the future’ type of activity of gathering, arranging, photographing and writing about the chosen items helps brings clarity and inspires thankfulness in this season of life. In a small way, for me, it also brings the past, present, and hope for the future together, like a time capsule that extends into the future. I called them ‘vignettes of beauty’ in that October post, but now that seems too fancy. Maybe I should call them ‘visual blessings,’ the name of my blog that was started in 2010. I think I’ve come full circle - but hopefully ‘further up and further in’ as C.S Lewis said.

I appreciate the encouraging comments left on that blog post. Here is a link to the post: https://www.valeriesjodin.com/blog/newjournalingideafor2025 

The story behind the art

We all have an ongoing story. Putting some of it down in this format and photographing it is helping me appreciate my story and make sense of it. Putting some old things alongside new things helps too. It may be even more true as we age, connecting good things of the past with the meaning of the present, and hope for the future.

In this gathering of things, I chose to place them on old sheet music. Not only do we each have a story, but I believe we each have a unique song. I like to think of the song as giving voice to the desire and calling to be who we each are made to be. 

You may notice on the open journal page is the definition and synonyms of my word for the new year, Sanctuary, the theme of my last blog post: https://www.valeriesjodin.com/blog/word-of-the-year-2025-journal 

The definition and synonyms brought me to another word and symbol that is deeply meaningful to me right now: HOME. I’ve always loved setting up a home, even when I was little I was always making some little habitat. Each Christmas I get out the little wood block houses I made for family members about 30 years ago, so I included them. All those years ago, I hand cut stencils of little windows and doors to paint on the wood houses. Then I outlined them using a permanent pen. 

Over seven years ago, I visited Amsterdam and took photos of those iconic houses. I came home and designed  a Fancy Houses Mixie stencil featuring a row of six small fancy houses and three medium size. The six, small partially painted row houses, shown above are a result of the stencil painted in acrylics and outlined in pen. The medium size stenciled house to the left of those is one of three  on the same stencil, and is done in pen and water-soluble color wax pastels.

I will definitely be using the stencil, and making more little houses of one kind or another this year.

Home - Sanctuary - Heart

Home and Sanctuary led to another word and symbol that is now being included as a personal symbol for the year: HEART. Recently, I found the stones in the photo above and doodled hearts and patterns on them with Acrylograph paint pens from Archer & Olive. 

The condition of my heart is key to being a sanctuary and finding sanctuary. I included the carved wooden statue of the seated person and put a heart in the cavity. Ironically the statue is called ‘Man without heart/liver/chest.’ The stone heart on the book came from a beautiful place where we vacationed years ago. 

The Sacred Romance book by John Eldredge and Brent Curtis is perfect for my heart right now. I’m listening to it my second time through (John’s voice is very comforting) and I have begun the workbook. The tagline says it all:

“Coming home to the God who pursues your heart.” - John Eldredge

The doodled and colored ‘faith’ artist trading card, shown below, was given to me by my good friend Sarah Jose. We’ve never met in person, but have had sweet interaction talking about life, art, our books, pain, healing etc. You can find out more about her on her website and blog: https://www.sarahpjose.com/ 

I intentionally put her ‘faith’ blessing above what I wrote: “You matter & your life has value.” The reason is I’ve been struggling with depression and having faith is one of the only ways I can move forward. Putting faith above my feelings is priority for me right now. 

The other main items shown in the photo are the two journal notebooks From Archer & Olive’s Attic Treasure collection. I’ve had the larger, beautiful deep berry and gold vegan leather one for months. It is so pretty, I was hesitant to use it. But it is now started with the theme of an illustration sketchbook where I can draw my little characters, record some coursework I’m taking, and maybe even explore some story telling. The pages are like the dotted 160 gsm pages, except they are blank.

The smaller Attic Collection journal by Archer & Olive is my commonplace journal. I’ve already put notes, quotes, and made it messy inside. This is where I write things I want to remember and revisit.

I didn’t plan the journals to match, but they do look great together, and it makes me happy to see them - and even happier that I am using them for journaling this year.

If you decide to order journals like these use this link:  https://www.archerandolive.com?aff=816  and code Valerie10 to get 10% off your purchase

Here is little video of the journals I’m starting the year with:

Gathering - Arranging - Photographing - Writing

I kind of amazed at the benefit of this activity of gathering, arranging, photographing, and writing about these things. It has lifted my spirit and I am counting my blessings with thankfulness in my heart. I hope you are encouraged too.

If you try this gathering, arranging, photographing, and writing exercise it would be great to hear about your experience.

Happy New Year 2025!

I’d love to know your thoughts, suggestions, and questions in the comments section below.

Be blessed!
Valerie

Explore Your Word for the Year with ‘A Beautiful Word’ E-course

If you want to dig deeper into your word and expand your creative techniques, check out my online course ‘A Beautiful Word.’

Affiliates & Royalties

Amazon: Sometimes I post links to Amazon products on my site. I receive a small commission if you click on the product and purchase it. I only recommend products I use, am happy with. It costs you nothing, but does help me cover some of my costs to host the site etc.

The Sacred Romance book

Archer & Olive: I am an Archer & Olive affiliate Here is the link: https://www.archerandolive.com?aff=816. Receive a discount of 10% on purchases when you use the code Valerie10. You get the savings and I receive a commission to help cover my online and tech costs.

StencilGirl Products: I receive royalties from stencils I’ve designed from StencilGirl Products. I hope you enjoy creating with them.

https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencil-mask-Fancy-Houses-Mixie-Valerie-Sjodin-p/l728.htm 

More inspiration

Visit my blog post at Archer & Olive about making a commonplace book and get a FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD and watch the accompanying how-to video. Use code ‘Valerie10’ to receive 10% off

Set up for my 2025 journals post: https://www.valeriesjodin.com/blog/journals-set-up-2025-washi-tape