Before I left Germany, I packed a box and marked it "open first" so when it arrived in Minnesota, I'd at least know where to begin.
Inside this box are my journals, supplies and the boards I've been using for Michelle Ward's Street Team Crusades. And strangely enough I realized that my boards are very similar to a coveted mail art postcard I have from Michelle Ward herself! (Thanks to a previous iHanna postcard swap)!
So I gingerly punched a hole in Michelle's card to align with mine, and now hers is the official cover of my 'Ward Board Book.' I love pulling it out and looking at earlier Crusades!
I haven't had a chance to adjust to life back in the US, nor have I had much time to blog or do any creative work. But when I saw that Crusade 56 revolves around beliefs, I thought it was time to get cracking.
So here's my quick attempt, using a famous German saying and drama: Glaube (believe), Liebe (love) and Hoffnung (hope).
Behind the large words I wrote text in yellow that isn't legible so I'll share it with you here:
I believe in hard work, but not necessarily suffering. I believe in good fortune, but also generosity. I believe in kindness and empowerment. I believe we can bring out the best in each other. I believe being yourself is brave. I believe what's right for you isn't necessarily what's right for me. I believe that I don't have to like everybody, and everybody doesn't have to like me. I believe that the people whose words are moving in the same direction as their actions, are the people who are most respected in life.
*I was going to add that I believe the price of pine nuts and laundry detergent in the United States is unreasonable but I ran out of room! (Or maybe I believe in random blasts of humor to shake stuff up and keep people on their toes!)
Wondering more about the Crusades? I'm a huge fan and wrote about it here.
And isn't it ironic that the one I missed in the middle of my move was called Disappearing Act?
great response to the crusade! I found your blog through the street team a few months back and have been following ever since (but not commenting - shame on me!). just wanted to say how much enjoy it!
Posted by: iamrushmore | October 28, 2011 at 08:24 PM
TJ - yay! You're back! I love this post. It is so you. Sharing and motivating and honest. Love that you found a place for my little card and that it matched yours. LOVE reading your view on things. I'm sure many of us are clapping along as we agree with the things you articulated here. Love your sense of humor...detergent is that much more expensive? Happy to see you are beginning to find your art legs. I'm cracking up that it turned out you missed Disappearing Act because of your move - silly coincidence. Glad you reappeared :) Thanks for coming back to play.
Posted by: michelle ward | October 28, 2011 at 11:35 PM
I agree what a great response to the crusade. I to happen to love your sense of humor, been missing your regular posts. I also want to thank you for your nice comments on my art. I am blushing
Posted by: lee | October 29, 2011 at 04:57 AM
Those 3 words sum it up in so many ways!!! My daughter loves Germany & was thrilled to see the German in your wonderful art!
Posted by: Carolyn Dube | October 29, 2011 at 05:45 PM
Lovely response to this crusade!
Posted by: Bev | October 30, 2011 at 02:30 AM
Love the cards and love the words you've chosen, I believe in lot of the things you wrote too :)
Posted by: Veronika | October 30, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Hi TJ, yep you said it...I am on that same track! And it was a hell of ride so far!!! LOL!!!! Life is a challenge to get the best ouf of yourself and tickle it out of everybody around you, you care for!
SMiles, Anke :)
PS: Hope you can squezze some art time in between the unpacking!
Posted by: Anke | October 30, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Wow just got back in the house after a weekend away... thank you all for the kind comments!! Hope you've all been busy creating...??
Posted by: TJ | October 31, 2011 at 12:30 AM
TJ, I loved your post, your humorous side notes, and your beliefs! What a treasure your book must be for you.
Posted by: Barbara Marie Steele | October 31, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Ich liebe your post! My pathetic attempt at German... My mother-in-law is from Germany so I love that you used a German saying as your jumping off point. The simplest things can be the greatest inspirations. I believe you've ended up with a beautiful work here. Welcome back to the States! Pine nuts and detergent might be expensive, but I hear clothes are much cheaper here ;)
Posted by: Carrie | November 01, 2011 at 08:59 PM
Oh, this made me laugh! GREAT pages. You are so lucky to have a Ward postcard!
All the best to you in your adjustment period. And I really enjoyed reading about your beliefs. We share them.
Posted by: Chris | November 06, 2011 at 03:27 AM
What a fantastic book, such a good idea. But laundry powder? Seriously?
Posted by: Cath S | November 12, 2011 at 12:28 AM
Thank you for sharing your Beliefs. Inspiring!
Posted by: MitziZohar | November 12, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Thanks for all the kind words!
Just popped in to say that YES I think there is a problem with the price of laundry detergent in the US and we should lead a revolt.
Or maybe just clean up less... LOL
Posted by: TJ | November 15, 2011 at 11:28 PM