I’ve recently finished my 3rd 100 day project called 100 Days of Grace and Gratitude by Shanna Noel and Lisa Stilwell and am a 3rd of the way through my 4th. I’ve found some fantastic ways that helped me to complete a 100 days project and I wanted to share them with you. Also at the bottom of the page there’s a link to a Youtube video flip thru. 🙂 And if you want to try these projects, there are links down below to find them.
Consider the Ways in which you Complete a 100 Days Project…
Originally, I thought I had to complete my project in 100 days or I couldn’t really consider it successfully completed… I was beyond wrong. There were lot of fantastic ways to complete a 100 days project and I was only skimming the surface by going with the first idea that came to mind. After some thought and prayerful consideration, I realized I was limiting myself. The goal was never about the 100 days. The concept was just a tool. Upon further consideration my goals appeared.
My Goals were:
- Better my self, again not for better’s sake, but to learn a skill that would make my life more enjoyable, richer, help me be more creative, more confident, save me more money, time, etc.
- Be consistent and sustainable. I realized that consistency would help gather insight from each day’s work and progress.
- Fun. Not drudgery or something i resented or regretted. 100 days of my life needed to be worthy of my time and effort. To give back joy.
- Learn for the love of learning, expand my mind and creative muscles.
- Know myself better and what I was capable of.
- Learn the art and stories I wanted to tell. To make something I considered beautiful.
- Learn more about color and art techniques.
- This project involved learning about God through daily devotions, it was my primary goal. To meet with Him and learn about His character. Who He is as Himself and also as a Creator. I wanted to hear Him and converse on what He was teaching me.
- Emerge from the book and 100 days, different and healthier then when I dived headlong into them.
- Become better at finishing what I start and I enjoy a challenge.
- Relaxation.
- Camaraderie with my community working through this project. I hoped to learn / be inspired by their thoughts and art.
- Use my fun supplies in new and creative ways, vs buying more supplies.
Still Learning…
Even now, writing this post is helping me adjust my expectations. I wish I’d thought them through even sooner. It’s so important to understand why you do something in life.
I Did Finish 3-100 days projects. But it ended up being Seasonally…
Life’s been unpredictable recently. Beginning my first couple projects, it made sense and brought joy to complete those projects seasonally in manageable amounts of 33 days. Each season, I was motivated to approach them with fresh insight and renewed seasonal inspiration vs previous burnout due to other interests and hobbies. I’ve gained more maturity as a crafter. Now I know my style, time of day and what I value. How to find my groove in this season. There’s joy in comparing how my style has adjusted and changed. Originally, many details, later simplicity. One season, mixed media. Now collaging and imagery that I’ve been displaying that makes my soul come alive. This journaling project allowed me the gift of seeing where God has shown up in my life and others. What prayers He had answered. Perspective. I wouldn’t have had that gift otherwise. And I’m thankful.
Choosing Rhythms over Reinventing the Wheel
My top goal was to spend time with God. The rest came second. A huge help to me was hearing advice from others like Shanna Noel from Illustrated Faith, about finding what works and not needing to reinvent the wheel everyday. (Aka not feeling the need to come up with an entire new original work of art each day.) To share and borrow ideas. The problem with coming up with something entirely unique each day, is you don’t get the chance to improve upon the previous work. That’s part of the point. I found an exciting tip or technique and incorporate that for a few days, until I found new inspiration that I couldn’t wait to implement. While some days were mixed media projects with lots of layers, another day it would just be a sticker, some art marks and journaling would do the trick.
It took Me a few days to Find My Style and Make Art that I liked.
We always have great ideas about what we hope to make. In my case, the expectation doesn’t always line up with where my skills are currently. The beginning pages didn’t feel authentic. I was tempted to quit. That is part of doing these projects. To improve my skills. To get to know me. It took a few days as a newer artist /creator to realize what colors, materials (fun tissue paper with metallic stars, I can add those to every project for days lol. Thanks you Mary Wangerin for that inspiration. Also beloved Society Girls. All the time, thank you, Beth Castro. 🙂 Also yes to magazine bits collaged. These are some of my favorite items. I learned what my art tools did and how to fully use them. To find out what I liked and what I didn’t. From there as I became comfortable, trying other techniques.
Incorporate Flexibility
My project was a 100 days devotional. Some days one topic might not connect. Or sometimes I wasn’t feeling the preset colors. I gave myself the flexibility and freedom of being able to choose a different page than was the numerically next in line. I could always come back and do that page on a later day. It brought more joy and I would get more out of it. Also flexibility showing up, sometimes I might engage in deeper Bible study later. Somedays I would get into my groove making a ton of art and other days I didn’t have time or energy. So I made extra art ahead of schedule and just journaled later on those extra pages. This worked perfect for days when time or inspiration was lacking.
I recommend praying before you start. God doesn’t have a limit of great ideas and He’s kind…
I’m asking God to help me focus properly. To leave the results with Him. For inspiration and insight that . I didn’t know I needed. He’s encouraging whereas I’ve called myself a failure and admitted defeat for tiny mistakes. I would like to begin an expert but newbies take time to find their wings. I need grace, kindness, and a sense of humor. To trust God and the process of growing me and my art. Let go of perfection and aim for joy. My goal is meeting with Him. The art is frosting. There’s freedom in experimenting/ a safe space. God believes in and helps me. If He calls me a creator, I’m a creator. My identity is found in Him. The rest is the process of Becoming. Realizing this leads to a much more relaxing experience. 🙂
It wasn’t about Comparison. It is about a Relationship where we only grow closer, safer and more loved.
I enjoy searching online for other peoples’ same journals that they were working through for new inspiration and techniques. But I it’s easy feel the comparison trap opening before me. That’s why it so important to remember my goal. To grow closer to God. He’s not comparing Himself to me and I realize He’s the tip top to compare to. But He’s kind and likes to give me insight in how to reflect Him. I don’t have to stand back and be jealous. To feel like He’s withholding from me and blessing someone else instead. He’s generous and willing to bless anyone who shows up. We all are at different points in our journeys. He tells us to help one another and build each other up… (1st Thessalonians 5:11)
Check out My Youtube Flip thru HERE.
Have you come up with some revelations too? Please share them in the comments down below. 😉
*Affiliate Links
Grace and Gratitude a 100 days devotional journal – https://amzn.to/3zsQyAd
100 Days of Bible Promises a devotional journal – https://amzn.to/3BltiEO
Less Hustle, More Jesus a 100 days journal: A Devotional Journal – https://amzn.to/47TMc1K
100 Days of Prayer: A Devotional Journal – https://amzn.to/3TPRNjP
A Workbook Guide to Bible Journaling – https://amzn.to/3Y6j0jF
Illustrating Bible CSB Green (Spiral Bound) – https://amzn.to/3zGZQZf
STICKER PAPER MACO Full Sheet Clear Matte Printable Labels – https://amzn.to/3Y1sJZC
*This post contains affiliate links, from which I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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