It’s A Women’s World

There is just something about writing down your feelings that can help you see things more clearly. Sometimes, just hashing things out on paper can help you sort through things that seem entirely too complicated in your mind. Once you have them written down, they seem to have less of a hold on your mind. Journal writing has always been something I have done to keep my thoughts straight and to make scary situations seem a little easier to deal with. In fact, journal writing was one thing I did almost every day when I was a teenager and it ended up leading me to a career in writing.

Today, journal writing can be done in one of two ways. Thanks to the Internet, your journal writing can be public if you wish it to be. Online journals are referred to as blogs, and many people find this a refreshing way to keep up with themselves, and to share their lives with friends, families, and strangers alike. This type of journal writing is great and serves a good purpose, but when writing publicly, there are still things that you hold back.

No matter what you put in your blog, there are things you need to keep to yourself. This applies to everyone. Even if your life seems to be an open book, you have to maintain some privacy or you will feel completely vulnerable to the world. This is why you should go out and find a book for private journal writing. Keep this book in a special place, and use it for your innermost thoughts. If you have family around, make sure you find a spot where it can be kept secret. You can’t truly open up if you think someone may read it.

You can find great places for journal writing online and if you want to write anonymously, you can do so. You can find journal writing books in almost any bookstore both online, and locally, and you should find something you love. The more your journal seems to match who you are, the more apt you are to keep up with it. I’m not really sure why this is true, it just is. It’s not really important, to find the perfect book, or to find the perfect online layout. The most important part of journal writing is to just do it. Make time each day, or pick a few days each week that you will write. Start and don’t stop. You may find journal writing wipes away your stress in ways nothing else can.

A combination of artistic ability and business know how is a powerful mix and Mary Engelbreit has achieved success, using both those talents. Born in 1952 in St. Louis, Missouri, she was passionate about drawing from an early age. Her career progression was steady after she left high school. Her first job was as an assistant in an art supply shop. She then worked at an advertising agency and as an editorial cartoonist for a local newspaper.

The big turning point came when she got a job as an illustrator for greeting cards. She had a natural aptitude for this and it led to her forming her own company, producing her own cards in 1983. The company was a big success and she expanded into other areas. She launched her own magazine with national circulation in 1996, called The Mary Engelbreit Home Companion. This became the home owner’s bible and had articles on décor, cookery, crafts and collectibles.

In addition to a popular magazine, the artist went on to produce a vast range of licensed products and to own several shops. The products include calendars, t-shirts and puzzles. There is also a range of glassware with dinner plates, goblets, vases and cake plates. In 2001, Mary Engelbreit achieved a lifelong ambition when her first illustrated children’s book was published. This had been her dream from being a child and she has now illustrated many books, in her hand drawn style. Her drawings evoke a nostalgic past and are rich in warm color.

The many books on various themes include the children’s book, “A Merry Little Christmas”. This features Gregory Mouse and tells a story of sleigh rides and gingerbread houses. There is a book of quotes, arranged under different categories called “Artful Words”. Nature lovers will appreciate “Words for Gardeners to Live By”. There are lifestyle and hobby books too, with subjects such as cross stitch, quilting, decorating and fabric crafts. Cookery books are also available for every occasion, including the Sweet Treats Dessert Cookbook, For Special Occasions Cookbook and the Let’s Party Cookbook.

Her contribution to children’s literature and other achievements were honored when she was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 2001. A love of the written word, alongside pictures, inspires Mary Engelbreit to support a charity campaigning for increased literacy. She has turned her passions and hobbies into a lucrative business empire and fulfilled all the hopes she treasured as a child with her crayons.