posting yesterday didn't happen for me and i first took it as a sign that i wasn't up for the task of regular posting every week for another year! but - i'm going to do my best ;) i was touched by many of your words on what last years art journal challenge meant to you, and i want to continue to provide a place where we can share and uplift each other through art journalling!
the journal in the picture above is one i just completed - it was a really amazing opportunity i had to create 55 pages each based on one word - bringing everyday life and art together. the journal is going to be used in a university course - all semester the students will pass it around and journal in its pages (don't you wish you had a cool professor like they do? i would have loved this course!). it was hard to send it off but i'm excited for what lies ahead for this little book!
so - for the challenge this year - each week i will post a word as your prompt, sometimes i will share a page from this journal, other weeks a page from my own art journal. you can continue working on the playing cards if you enjoy the smaller/more manageable canvas, or you can use larger pages or a book, maybe you will create scrapbook pages - it's your art journal so whatever you feel comfortable with!
i'm working on getting a flickr group together for us to use...i haven't quite figured it out yet so please enlighten me if this is something you are experienced with!
i'm aiming at posting the word challenge each sunday/monday like before - but i won't be counting the weeks like last year. if i am unable to post one week, i don't want to be stressing over it! i'm trying to focus more on my home/family rhythm so please forgive me if i am unable to commit one week or post late (or don't get around to commenting on everyones beautiful work), as much as i want to...i also want to spend less time on the computer!
anyone can join, and join in anytime! i'm planning on sharing techniques and fun stuff with you some weeks, and hosting other random challenges and bits to add to your art journals as well, so stay tuned!
i love the zest and energy you guys have shared - those of you who joined in last year, and i'm excited to get to know you better this year and get to know those of you who decide to join!
why an art journal? for me, it's more real. it's for me - it's my opportunity to let go, think, express, learn, question, improve, connect, feel, explore. i love to 'scrapbook' and i kind of feel like all of my scrapbooks are journals in a way, but my art journals are messier, more thought provoking, and what i feel i need right now!
so now that i have committed to my art journal for the year, the first word to spark you off on your own creation is: commit! 
feel free to leave a link in the comments section to your blog or online gallery with a picture of your page until i figure out this flickr thing, and also if you have any questions i will try to answer in the comments section so look there if you're in need of help! i'm excited to see what this year brings us :)
Woohooo!
Can't wait to start this one again.
Just have to finish 2 more cards of last year's art journal first!
Happy New Year to you..and I am happy that you decided to host a new art journal challenge this year :-). Thanks :-)
Posted by: Daphne | January 08, 2008 at 12:22 AM
I am up for the challenge! I am behind on the playing cards from last year, but I will post them as I catch up along with this year's challenge. Thanks Em!
Posted by: Tristan Chabot | January 08, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Hi there!
I just wanted to drop by to tell you how much I adore your artistic creations as well as your refreshingly sunny disposition...i think you are awesome! I can't wait to see what the future holds for the art journal challenges. Keep up the good work! :)
Posted by: Ann-Marie | January 08, 2008 at 12:41 AM
I have been a fan of yours all last year but didn't begin the cards. I got your friend, and the amazing Vivian Bonder to make me an art journal for my birthday. I love it and have decided I am going to use your challenges to inspire me, and fill its pages with all that I love. Can't wait em. I don't have a blog but will work out a way of showing you the journal.
Posted by: coll | January 08, 2008 at 12:57 AM
I have been a fan of yours all last year but didn't begin the cards. I got your friend, and the amazing Vivian Bonder to make me an art journal for my birthday. I love it and have decided I am going to use your challenges to inspire me, and fill its pages with all that I love. Can't wait em. I don't have a blog but will work out a way of showing you the journal.
Posted by: coll | January 08, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Whoops!!!!
Posted by: coll | January 08, 2008 at 12:59 AM
oh wow thanks coll (above) :) i started the cards last year but only kept going for the first couple of months i think and then it kind of stopped. now of course i would love to join in again and hope i can get past those first couple and keep going right till the end... we'll see. looking great by the way.
Posted by: vivian | January 08, 2008 at 01:05 AM
Oh, your LO is so beautyful. I will LOVE to join your Art Journal project.
Last year I only managed to make 35 playingcards, but I feel happy about my cards anyway... and I know I will love all the inspiration and creative energy you are sharing on your blog, Em. I'll do my best to go all the way trough the artjournal-journey with you this year ;)
Love
g
Posted by: gudrun | January 08, 2008 at 01:19 AM
yay for home/family rhythms! i will join you, from the beginning this time :)
Posted by: Vicky | January 08, 2008 at 01:28 AM
Cool Em, will try to join it !!....said to myself this must be a creative year so create Dani ;)....made my own corner with my own things ( see weblog) so that cannot be an excuse, also bought acrylic paint tiny one to try out, it's difficult to choose which one i must buy...funny thing is that you wrote choose what you want...book, canvas etc....canvas was first in my mins before i had read the words...anyway......thanks for creating a new challange for us !! xx Dani
Posted by: Dani | January 08, 2008 at 01:37 AM
Oh I am so glad you're going to do this! I loved doing the cards last year - got me thinking a bit wider than I usually work, and I'm doing your got paint class just now so this is the best way to keep going! Thanks Em, and of course it's okay for you to just post when you can - family and home are important too! Looking forward to this.
Flapsi x
Posted by: flapsi hapsi | January 08, 2008 at 01:46 AM
yes, another great challenge! Thanks for committing to us again! ;-) But off course your familie comes first, if there's no post some weeks we can use the time to catch up if we've fallen behind ;-)
I'll be joining in but I think I'm finishing up my last cards first!
Posted by: Thinkie | January 08, 2008 at 02:03 AM
Yeah!! This sound like something I could do, like the consept of making and posting pages when I am up to it, have the time and so on. One of my main goals for this year is to disipline myself into organazing my scrapbook/ working time, so it doens´t interfere with "family time". The first step has been taken...I am moving my desk, the computer, and all of my stuff out of the living room and into an "office" that can be used when the girls are in school, and late evenings etc. I so hope I can do it, maybe this journal should be about that ;o)
Lene :o)
Btw, your first page is beautiful!
Posted by: Lene S | January 08, 2008 at 03:03 AM
oh cool ... i love the idea! thanks so much for your commitment to us out here in blogland. its so good you are stepping back a bit ... i know what you mean, i have been doing the same thing too ... families take alot of time and energy, but they are the most important thing!
i look forward to this fun trip .... i will post back when my page is done~
luv chanel
Posted by: chanel | January 08, 2008 at 03:09 AM
This sounds too cool! Started the cards last year but have yet to finish, life and family come first around here, so I like the idea of it not being every week gives everyone a chance to play catch up :)
The flickr group thing is relative easy, if you would like help just drop me a line.
And as always, thanks Em for the constant inspiration, you are a real gem!
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 08, 2008 at 03:14 AM
Yes! Yes! Yes! What a great challenge! I love the Art Journals, and I'm SO glad you wanted to make one together with us this year as well. Thanks :) And challenges based on single words - suits me perfect!
I'm so in! And will be making my first entry as soon as my magazine is off for the print desk :)
And - almost forgotten: Happy new year, Em :) May it be filled with love, creativity and plenty of time!
Posted by: Åshild | January 08, 2008 at 03:35 AM
cool challenge, i think i'll do twice: the deck of me card and this one!!!!!!!!
take care of you and your family, i really like your blog and your way of living!!!!!
you rock!!!
Posted by: nessa | January 08, 2008 at 04:44 AM
Hey Em! Fun group for a fun project! If you need help on the flickr group let me know. Looks like you got it going.
Maybe on the weeks that you don't post a word, they can come up with their OWN word to journal about!! Self-expression!
Posted by: Tanya | January 08, 2008 at 04:48 AM
You are such an inspiration...your page is simply beautiful. I recently signed up for your class on big picture and am loving it. I too am trying to find more time for family but will be honoured to join in with the ones I complete. I have had a blog for a year now and have only managed four posts.....not sure how you do it weekly with TWO little ones. The fact that you keep up with all of this amazes me. Have a great day!
Posted by: Amy McClary | January 08, 2008 at 04:53 AM
Hey Em~ I am so psyched for this!!! I can't wait to start my art journal :) I am right there with you on the less computer more home & fam time! Like you I have two little kiddos & they are my everything. I imagine they will appear many times in my art journal ;)
Thanks for this... very much looking forward to starting!
Sam @ Loving Green
site: http://love2bgreen.blogspot.com/
Posted by: sam | January 08, 2008 at 06:54 AM
I'm lovin' it! The challenge is perfect for me...and you've hit the nail on the head with word #1 - commit!!! happy 2008!!!
Posted by: Roni | January 08, 2008 at 07:19 AM
thanks em for coming up with this idea I agree that family needs to come first and think tanyas idea of coming up with our own word when you can't is cool or maybe you could ask one of us to do it for you when you know oyu won't have time put us on the creative spot for a change
Val
Posted by: valerie | January 08, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Coming out of lurk-dom. Count me in for this years challenge. You are such an inspiration. Cant wait to get started!
Posted by: Jen | January 08, 2008 at 07:58 AM
Em...thanks for your comment on my blog...so funny that you are doing the art journal at a time when the 'True Colors' was calling me. Will try to do as much as I can. Still loving your stuff!!!!
Posted by: Julie | January 08, 2008 at 08:09 AM
YEAH!! I'm so excited for this! If you need any help with the group, let me know! I know what I'm doing on Flickr, and I love it there. I've got my hands in a few groups already! Plus I own a few myself. One of them being the group for the Deck of ME last year! Can't wait to see more!!
Posted by: Rachel Whetzel | January 08, 2008 at 08:18 AM