Gathering Up Bits of the World

Inspiration

2012-01-28T10:47:00.000-06:00

Daily scrap.

Just begin.

It does not

take much

for the magic

to happen.

Busy Saturday. Life rolls on, all I can do is try and keep up.

xxxoooxxxx

What Matters To You?

2012-01-27T14:01:00.000-06:00

This is not an easy question.

I live to

send my two

beautiful

daughters

out into the world,

so they can

embrace

their dreams fully.

I live to

dream out loud

and to live

in full color,

to make others lives

better and broader

with what I create.

I live with

every fiber

of my being,

inwardly

and

outwardly.

I live to

love

embrace

let go

and love

even more.

What matters to you?

What do you live for?

If you'd like to share your thoughts

please do. I will read each and everyone.

Breathe

2012-01-26T12:46:00.000-06:00

Daily scrap art journal page.

Don't

forget to

breathe.

Some days can be like that.

Today the sun is shining. What little snow is on the ground is melting and it's warm enough to believe it's really spring rather than nearing the end of January.

My mission for today is to finish up a tiny 'HuG' journal and get it into my Etsy shop. Then there is the stack of various wood pieces I want to paint and create with. I also have several new journals on the back burner that I have been neglecting and I really want to get going on those. And lastly I have dance studio projects needing my attention. I will get to those this weekend. So considering that list, my thought for today is;

don't forget to breathe.

xxxxooooxxxx

And Everything Fell Out

2012-01-25T13:22:00.001-06:00

Daily Scrap

Brave love.

Heart

opened wide

and

everything

fell out.

Life over the past couple of weeks has been full and hard. I'm working on release. Letting go and picking up the pieces. My heart feels like it's taken more blows than a heart ever should but that pain lets me know that I love BIG and HUGE, not halfway, not just a little but love so big that it has to spill out; I can't contain it all. Easier to just let the love go where ever it needs to and hang on for the ride so I am hanging on.

Yesterday I began a series of art journal pages I am calling my daily scrap. The pages are from one of my 'Infinity' style journals which has 160 pages.

The pages are 5" by 5" so they are perfect for capturing

those moments of self reflection, outward expression and spilling. I background painted and inked all the pages that I created in Roben-Marie Smith's Art Journal Conversion class which is hoot if you are looking for some seriously messy fun. I highly recommend it. It's also great way to reduce stress; throw some paint around. It's good for the soul.

I've always loved working with paint. I love it even more when I can bring it to my journals but I also want to be braver with paint on canvas. I am going to be taking Flora Bowley's, Bloom True e-course which begins in a few weeks and I am so looking forward to it and I am thinking I am going to use a little birthday money I received to take Mindy Lacefields on-line class Paint Your Story which begins in the spring. It feels very good to be excited.

And one last bit before I head down to the art cave. Right around the end of November I stumbled upon one of the most inspiring artists I've come to discover on the web. Her name is Mystele and her blog is loaded with free videos of her creative process. She sometimes dubs them with music and speeds up the process but other times she shares the step by step and takes you through the creation of an entire canvas. To say her site is loaded with video's is an understatement. Her archives are worth checking out. She is also fun just to watch even if you have no desire to pick up a paint brush. I've become quite smitten with her work and style find myself wishing I could paint that effortlessly. She is an angel of INSPIRATION!!!! You can follow her creative journey by taking a peek at her flickr site which shows, that if you have the desire to grow and nurture your skills, your creative dreams can come true. Seriously, don't wait, click on the link and head on over there.

xxxxxoooooxxxxx

Belonged To No-One

2012-01-24T15:26:00.000-06:00

Daily scrap art journal page.

Her heart

belonged to

no-one.

She kept

it well

hidden

and she

sometimes

forgot where

she put it.

Just an ordinary kind of day around here. Messing around with scraps and bits of paper, paint and anything else comes close enough to be captured on the page.

Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall

2012-01-20T02:31:00.001-06:00

Release.

Sometimes we have to say good-bye

to those we love.

It's not easy. It is hard.

It means letting go even when we don't want to.
It will hurt. Release can be painful.

It means we trust that no matter how much it hurts that in the end it will have been the right choice.

Sometimes it might mean that our hearts hurt so much we believe we can't take anymore but life happens. It just keeps going. We hang on, sometimes by only a thin, thread which could break at any time.

The sun rises, it sets and another day begins. I choose to begin over and over again, even when it hurts.

I am still hurting over the loss of Jazz. I still find myself getting up in the morning expecting her to be waiting for me. I still expect to her to be right here, her paw reaching for my arm, that little pulling thing she did when I sat here at the computer, imploring me to pick her and hold her, wanting to be petted, hugged, held, those small acts, it took her a good, 3 solid years to trust and to want those things, for her to know in her little pup heart that we loved her no matter what. When she learned that, she changed from a scared animal, into an amazing, sweet and loving member of the family. She let go of her distrust of us. She let us in. She set her fears aside. She loved. Some people believe that animals don't know emotion. I say BULL to that. Animals are smarter than we think. They feel sadness, hurt, pain, and happiness. They give unconditional love and companionship that knows no boundaries, animals tend to get it right when the rest of us are clueless. I know that this sadness will be with me for awhile. I know I must move forward and I am, little by little my heart is on the mend. I am trying to get back into the rhythm of my life and bit by bit I am pushing forward.

This song has been with me for awhile. The video really fits. I am working my way back, doing busy work to keep me focused. This weekend my goal is to spend some time creating props for the dance studio, it is not my artwork, but it is projects on a dead line and I am obligated to meet them and I will. Tonight I went shopping for all the stuff I need to get the job done. The spirit of this song, is enough for me right now. Brighter days are on the way. My heart is lifted just a wee bit higher. I am working my way back.

My Sweet Jazz

2012-01-12T14:30:00.000-06:00

This is my sweet Jazz, asleep on her favorite pillow in the corner of my art room. Our 10 year old Jack Russell who survived life in cage at a puppy mill for 5 years until we adopted her from the rescue organization. She's has been the best companion. She has been a member of our family the last 5 years. I am very heart broken to share that we had to have her put down today. It all happened very fast; last week her appetite began to wane, then came the constant thirst and then came the kidney failure. Today we said our good-byes. It was not an easy choice but there was nothing we could do for her. She was bright and sweet up until the end. That made it so much harder for us but so much better for her. She did not suffer.

She was such a sweet, sweet girl. Her behavior could light up a room, she was funny, and goofy and made us laugh and smile all of the time. She took to us and we took to her completely. Love at first sight. Caring for a rescued dog is not easy. Jazz required a great deal of extra tender care and attention the first few months we had her, dealing with her fears, her distrust that she would be hurt again. We just poured on the love. We made sure every moment of her life with us was filled with lots of gentle care, kindness, and love; every happiness a dog could ever hope for. She completely bonded with us and this past year especially, showing us just how cute and amazing she could be. She was a very calm and content Jack Russell and loved nothing more than to be lazy and pampered and so well behaved. Her manners were impeccable considering her early years. She rarely barked, was kind to our guinea pig Summer, waited patiently for her walks, greeted us with lots of love when we'd come home, bark when strangers knocked on the door and never jumped on friends or family when they visited, she'd wait to be invited to do so. Her personality; bright, happy and content. I thought we'd have many more years with her. She was healthy in every other way so her kidney failure caught us completely off guard. The cause might have been related to her having been over bred. It was not certain how many litters she had been forced to have before the rescue disbanded the puppy mill she was removed from. I know that we gave her the very best of the 5 years she had with us. Right now my heart can't wrap itself around not having her under foot, snuggled up close, leaning on my leg to let me know she's there, following me from room to room. We will miss watching her sleep so peacefully, head curled under her paws; one ear always cocked up at a crazy angle so as not to miss anything important. The first few months we had her, she'd sleep with her head up. She couldn't relax. She was afraid of so many things her first few months. We just loved her and loved her some more. We will miss her excitement when it was time to go for her daily walk, under any conditions. She loved her walks; just not during thunderstorms, nope, best to be safe indoors on someone's lap when it thundered. She was my sweet Jazz. My sweet, sweet girl. I miss her so much.

Asleep on my fabric on top of a bin.

"who me?" Busted.

Jazz. We will miss you.

XXXXXXXOOOOOOXXXXXX

Capture and Release

2012-01-05T14:32:00.001-06:00

Released.

Moving into another year. For the last few years I have been picking a word or a phrase to focus on through out the new year. I've been thinking what I'd like to see for myself in 2012 and a few words bobbed to the surface but they really didn't capture my heart or soul. For awhile I almost decided to skip it this year but last night the words presented themselves. I am going with 'capture' and 'release'. To attempt to capture those things that often present themselves to me in unconventional ways. Those things that I might not think are really important and those things that challenge me to catch them and hold on to them as long as it takes to learn from them. Those life lessons that are sometimes hard and difficult and not always fun but need to happen for growth to take place.

Release, I have a great deal of baggage in my life and I want to let it go. I'm tired of allowing it to drag me under. It's not something that happens all of the time but every so often; I will find myself in a bad patch and all that baggage comes crashing down on my head. I am going to work at the process of letting go. 'Release' what I don't need. 'Capture' what I do need. We will see how that goes.

And to start the new year off with a bang and really fully immerse myself in my chosen words, I made a decision that I've spent many nights, days and weekends thinking about for several months which was to move my art area from my corner of our living room, down to the family room in our basement.

I've slowly out grown the space I've been creating in for the last 12 years, so to say I felt comfortable in it is an understatement; it was my creative nest as well as the place I retreated to when life felt unbearable. I poured my heart and soul out in that little corner of my world through my artwork. Choosing to relocate was not easy for me. In the past few weeks, I kept thinking more and more about how much unused space was down in that room, how I could make use of the entire room rather than just a corner of it. I could have an area for painting, an area for sewing and a big table for journaling and another area for whatever it needed to be at any given time. And so MUCH MORE storage space. I could get everything off the floor that was always under my feet.

And so over the weekend I committed myself to the move after discussing it with the girls and DH. They gained access to our entire living room which is now so roomy it almost looks barren. They had gotten used to being clumped into one side of the room, now they feel like they are watching tv in a room that feels like the size of a foot ball field. The family room has always been designated for the girls. It was the place they held parties, watched movies in, played video games and when they were little it was their play room. They are all grown up now. Britt is 18 and Meg is 16 edging ever closer to their own lives as adults, reminding me that they are growing too. DH would watch sports down there if the girls and I were watching a show he had no interest in. He still does. In the last few years it's been used less and less so in choosing to move downward I knew some stuff had to go. When I made the choice I knew it was going to take several days to make the transition. We moved out an old table we'd gotten for free and gave it away for free. One of our neighbors took that. A chair that we got from my brother was long over due on being tossed; was removed, along with an end table and very dated lamp which also found new homes. Once that was done; I began moving my stuff downward. It's been a group effort. The holidays meant I would have DH and the girls around to help me. They did. I love them for how readily they are willing to accept my need for change and their flexibility since it affects them too. In the last few days I've gotten rid of a lot of stuff. I found a few things I had forgotten I had and let go of some stuff that I know I won't ever use. There is still a great deal I will be letting go of. I may just have to do a few giveaways on my blog. In fact I am quite sure of it.

Fast forward to right now. I am simply giddy with excitement. I have my very own art studio. I've been wanting to say that for so long. I love my new space. It does lack natural light because there is only one tiny window down there that faces south, but I've made good use of the lamps that I was already using so it's very well lit. I have so much room and everything is off the floor and is now on shelves. Last night I even got to spend some time working down there. I LOVE IT!!!! I am still moving stuff around and figuring out exactly the best place for everything so that it works with my creative flow but I am looking forward to stretching myself artfully into the new year as well as expanding on some of the things I want to do more of which is paint; now I have room for the easel I was given as a gift so many years ago.

Before.

After

You can still see I saved a place for DH to watch tv when I am not down there and what you can't see in this photo and that is just to my right are two monstrous shelf units that are at the bottom of the steps leading into the room which are holding bins of fabric, papers and my supplies. I am looking forward to creating and making this my special place in 2012.

Little Bits Of Magic

2011-12-28T12:14:00.001-06:00

These are little scraps of magic and when you put them together you get a memory of something fine and strong.

Brian Andreas

www.storypeople.com

These are some of the pages in the Mysteries Under the Big Top Journal. Lots of pocket pages with bits, snippets and a couple of surprises too. I will have a few more pics to share of the completed journal so stay tuned.

Merry Christmas Where Ever You Happen To Be

2011-12-24T02:23:00.000-06:00

Wishing each and everyone of you who drops in from time to time a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. I've been truly touched by the kindness of strangers many times over this past year and I am grateful to each and every one of you. I am looking forward to many more adventures and hope you will come on in for a visit now and again.

May every blessing touch your heart and life and know that you make this time of year extra special with the gift of your kindness and friendship.

xx oo xx

Enter. The Mysteries Await.

2011-12-15T14:39:00.000-06:00

'Bedtime Stories

Eventide Rhapsodies

Anthologies of Memory

Please enter cautiously

and feel free to open what is closed.'

excerpt from The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern

Weaving magic, spinning tales, wishing on stars, dreaming of places that can exist only in our imaginations. I am working on pages that hold secrets and wishes held together with just a wee bit of magic and when they are put all together something special can happen. Enter. The mysteries await the curious.

Mysteries Under The Big Top Journal

2011-12-06T13:29:00.000-06:00

My newest journal extravaganza as inspired by

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

This journal is a WIP and still needs the pages that will reside in it's many 'tents'. I am excited to get going on them.

The journal at it's highest peak is 10.5" in height and tapers down to 6" at the cover. It is 4.5" wide and 6" long and will hold 6 signatures of pages for a total of 60. It is one of my 'HuG' style journals that holds 3 separate spines; the center spine being 'hugged' by the 2 outside spines. It has it's own wraparound cover with closure to hold it's many secrets and delights.

Here are a couple of more views.

Sneak Peek

2011-12-02T01:03:00.000-06:00

Excited to share that I'm in this issue. It's coming in January. What an awesome way to kick off the New Year. You can sneak a peek over on Stampington's site. I'm always honored to be included in their publications; Art Journaling is hands down my favorite among their many offerings. There is something for everyone no matter what your passion is.

Collage. Paint. Play.

2011-11-28T13:00:00.000-06:00

And she began this way....

Art inspired from the on-line class,

Faces In Collage by Sharon Tomlinson.

I hope everyone who finds their way here had a beautiful Thanksgiving with family, friends and all those you cherish. We had a quiet couple of days and I allowed myself a weekend of relaxation and art. I enjoyed every second I had.

This past weekend was the last peaceful one I will have till after the holidays. Today marks the start of holiday performances with DD's dance studio. Tonight is dress rehearsal. I handle the music and my co-partner sings. We both help keep track of all the kids/dancers and assist with costumes and pretty much anything else that comes up. I've been busy creating set pieces for our annual Toys For Tots performance which is this coming weekend; which includes a full size a manger, stable, (that could hold a real pony) gifts for the three wise men and a large lighted star. The star is the final element which will be delivered tomorrow.

So to say I value the few hours I have had to spend creating art and just relaxing and giving myself some down time is an understatement. I cherish that time so very much. I was given a chance to take Sharon Tomlinson's Faces In Collage which I began this past Friday and I am absorbing it all like a sponge. The class focuses on creating collage and then using that as an under-painting for whatever 'story' unfolds' from the collage. If you have always felt painting faces was something you simply didn't have the talent for, then this is the class for you. The above piece is my first experiment in class and shows the collage before paint.

And this is what I have done with it thus far.

This is a work in progress.

I have some ideas as to what I will do next and I still have details to add to her face. She is not quite there yet. Sharon's video's instill a great deal of quiet calmness that lends itself especially to those who need gentle prodding in order to pick up a paint brush and attempt this kind of painting. Painting is something I LOVE to do but I am so used to painting in an unrestrained and uncontrolled fashion, so this is very different for me and WAY out of my comfort zone and I am enjoying it so much.

I am also busy working on journals. Even with everything else that I have been doing, I always try and spend a few hours with journals which will be making their way to my Etsy shop. I am working on a new design layout based upon the novels in my last post. Stay Tuned.

P.S. Remember this time of year can be stressful, demanding, and just a little bit crazy. When you find yourself feeling, frustrated, tired, unhappy, take a deep breath and remember that you are valued and loved and that you deeply matter to those around you even though they sometimes forget. And if nothing else, if you've visited me here, then you matter to me.

xxxooooxxxx

The Night Circus Arrives.

2011-11-20T15:17:00.001-06:00

So today I was taking my morning walk around some of my favorite blogs. Little did I know I would discover a book I knew I simply have to read; The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and thus the hunt began. Now, about an hour later the book is sitting on the table next to my favorite chair and tonight I will wander into the tent. Watch the trailer and tell me this isn't a story that tempts you? And in finding this book I came upon yet another New York bestseller entitled Miss. Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. I give yet another trailer.

This one will be on my Christmas list. I can honestly say that new books never crept by without my noticing them as I had a Border's just down the street. My book list grew at an alarming rate. Even if I never purchased anything I could spend an hour checking out all the new publications. I miss doing that. Thank goodness for blogs. I might have missed these.

The trailers honestly sent my mind racing with ideas for journal creations and ideas, oh the ideas are spinning out of control at this very moment. Seriously.

I can't wait to begin.

Her Secret Life

2011-11-17T13:54:00.000-06:00

Her secret life.

Shake it out!

Learning to fly

No boundaries

Shining; a thousand tiny lights in that smile.

Oh the places she'll go.

Some of my favorite photos from Brittney's senior photo shoot. All photos by Jenny Rae

Bursting At The Seams

2011-11-14T15:48:00.000-06:00

A few pages peeks. Lots of layers, bits and pieces of fabric and lace, hand dyed paper, stitched elements all coming together; mingling just for the fun of it and bursting at the seams.

Music That Inspires

2011-11-08T19:09:00.000-06:00

Nothing like good tunes to create by. Love this new album by Florence and The Machine. I have been playing Ceremonials non-stop since I picked it up yesterday. I highly recommend this one.

Of Whispers and Wishes

2011-11-06T15:04:00.000-06:00

Of whispers and wishes,

the rustle of leaves

blown from the trees;

the chill breath

of November

creeps in through the cracks

thoughts turning inward

but not looking back

seeking the sun, the daylight,

the warmth

of whispers and wishes and

daydreams set free.

My newest portfolio style journal soon to be headed across 'the pond'. This is 6" tall by 4.5" wide, with 4 sets of 10 pages; 2 signatures each side. The colors inspired the title and my 'fallish' thoughts.

It's a sun dappled but chilly day here in Minnesota and the wind is blowing hearty and strong. Over the weekend, I finished a project and met a deadline on Friday. With Christmas fast approaching I have dance studio projects piling up that need tending to so they will soon be given my undivided attention in the coming days. I have journals in various stages of progress and more deadlines to meet so there has not been a dull moment around here in I don't know how long. It is that time of year and I really do enjoy it very much. And last but not least our oldest daughter is having surgery on her right wrist this Wednesday; hopefully to discover the source of pain she's had since last winter and since we've exhausted every other avenue and treatments, this seemed our next option. I am hoping it is nothing serious and that she can be on the mend soon. She is right handed and in her senior year so hoping she will heal quickly. Every day counts.

Smiling And Jumping Up And Down

2011-10-28T15:39:00.000-05:00

Smiling and jumping up and down. This is the newest book where my work is featured along side that of many amazing and talented artists. I am so pleased I was asked to be a part of this collaboration. My copy arrived a few days ago. Interweave Press did themselves proud with this one. It is an awesome collection of projects and techniques. Special thanks go out to Barbara Delaney for including me in the line-up.

xxxx ooooo xxxxxx

Carry Your Heart Home

2011-10-25T15:12:00.002-05:00

Art journal page and the beginnings of

a poem that is trying to come forth.

Life right now is

busy

art filled

full

crazy

chilly & LOVIN' IT

hopeful and

I am currently

surrounded

by many journals

all in various stages

of done-ness.

Van is fixed and

that makes me happy

a wee bit worried because

DD needs surgery on her wrist

and that leaves me concerned

but otherwise

all is well

today

in my world

for now.

xxxoooxxxx

A Beautiful Truth

2011-10-20T13:22:00.001-05:00

I stumbled upon this quote today and I feel this is the beautiful truth that l carry in my heart. It is a message I hope reaches far and wide. And to everyone who feels that what they create is not good enough just know that it is. That no matter what you choose to create that it will touch someone, change them, even if just for a single moment. Art has the power to speak to our hearts where often times words are not quite enough.

"I know that life is hard, and there there's a crushing pressure to just settle down and get a real job and khaki pants and a haircut. But don't. Please don't. Please keep believing that life can be better, brighter, broader, because of the art that you make. Please keep demonstrating the courage that it takes to swim upstream in a world that prefers putting away for retirement to putting pen to paper, that chooses practicality over poetry, that values you more for going to the gym than going to the deepest places in your soul. Please keep making art for people like me, people who need the magic and imagination and honesty of great art to make the day-to-day world a little more bearable. And if, for whatever reason, you've stopped- stopped believing in your voice, stopped fighting to find the time-start today."

-Shauna Niequist, Cold Tangerines.
I so needed to hear this today. I was feeling a little bit bereft and feeling that our life has been so up-ended and twisted beyond recognition by the economy, with things constantly going wrong; just at a point when things were getting closer to back on track but last night brought a phone call that DH's van had died leaving us with a repair bill that we now have to find a creative way to pay. And feeling like I am not doing enough to make it all work, not being able to find a 'real' job and pushing myself all the harder to make being an artist my 'real' job. But it's a slow process. It does not happen overnight and there are so many other forces working against me that make it even harder to justify sitting down to sew or to paint. So to find Shauna's words at the moment I needed to hear such a message today lifted my spirits and filled me with hope. I needed to hear that what I am doing is not a waste of time, especially on days like today.

A Beautiful Dream

2011-10-18T15:09:00.002-05:00

I woke up this morning from the sweetest dream that I have had in a long time. I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to move. In fact, I stayed quite still for the longest time so as not to disturb the memory. Even now, if I close my eyes I can take myself back to that moment. Sometimes dreams can feel ever so real.

The dream.

I was in the great room of a very large home. Huge. The floor was made of large wooden planks; a dark walnut color. It was smooth as velvet from years of wear. There was a beautiful, round oak table. It was the biggest table I had ever seen. There was a fireplace, on a wall of river rock with a mantel that was distressed with age but strong and wide. I remember thinking it would be a wonderful place to place my favorite art pieces. There was a small fire burning. It was warm and inviting. I moved around this room and came face to face with Bono. He was standing right in front me. He knew me. We were friends. I didn't seem the least bit surprised to find him there, in this magnificent home.

I remember looking into his eyes; oh my goodness they went on forever and smiling, he smiled back. I looked down at the floor and was surprised to see that it was littered with freshly fallen leaves in the brightest of reds and oranges. I bent down and picked up several and put them in the pocket of my jeans.They were not yet stiff and crackly. I looked at Bono and said. " I don't think this is real. And he said to me 'but this is' and he gave me the biggest hug. He was so strong. I could feel the pressure of his arms around me. His shirt was so soft and warm. I felt I had been there forever. He gently pulled away and let me go. He smiled. And so I showed him the leaves in my pocket. If I wake up and these leaves are gone I will know this didn't happen. He just smiled. And then we sat down at the table where a dinner had been prepared for us. I don't recall what was on the plates but I do remember Bono sitting to my right and as happens in dreams, one moment just melts into the next, a transition marked by nothing but a single breath and then we went for a walk. Hand in hand around the room which soon turned into a garden bridge across a small stream and I remember turning to look back at the house we'd just come out of and it was massive; a house like none other. I put my hand into my pocket and the leaves were still there. I felt happy and light as a feather. We walked some more, at one point I bent down and picked up a small stone and sent it skipping across the stream and then we were back in the great room, I looked up at Bono and put my hand in my pocket once again and the leaves were gone . I looked at him, squeezed his hand and then put my hand on his heart and said "the leaves are gone".

And then I woke up.

I've been listening to U2 the last few weeks. I get into 'listening' streaks and they can last as little as a few hours or go on for several weeks. My U2 collection has been getting a serious work out. Does that explain Bono showing up in my dreams and being so openly sweet and engaging? I don't know but whatever magic dreams can cast on any given day, I will accept this as a small, fragile, gift and hold the memory of that embrace as long as I possibly can.

When Did Love Become So Complicated

2011-10-16T19:35:00.000-05:00

If anyone out there has any insights into this please share them. You'd think I'd have this figured out by now but what love looks like and is seems to constantly change; day to day and sometimes even hour to hour. And once you put your love out into the world, it's out there, there is no turning back, no matter what happens, you can't take it back for good or bad. You can have regrets, you can be sorry, and at times maybe even angry, you can be overjoyed, overflowing and full with it but once you invest your love in someone or something all you can do is accept whatever comes from it. I think I believe that love sticks and any action in trying to unstick it results in nothing but

self-recrimination. So love with all your heart and hold nothing back and know it's going to get complicated.

Love True.

Live True.

Be True.

It is all

one can do

with the life

we are given.

The Colors of Autumn

2011-10-09T02:17:00.000-05:00

I could get lost in these colors, so rich and vibrant, lush and deep. I found these on a recent trip to a fabric shop that I don't get to very often, maybe once a year at best and when I saw this one (below)

I knew I had to bring some home. The photo does not do them justice. They are so much richer in person. I picked up these shared (below) to accent them

for a special journal of course.

This is one of my 'infinity' journals. It is 5" tall by 5" wide and about 12" in length when fully opened. It goes on forever; 8 spines that each hold 10 pages for a total of 80 watercolor paper which I have dyed and painted in similar colors to accent the cover. As the journal is opened, it naturally turns in your hands to reveal the next spine of pages and when the end is reached, there is a 53" wrap around to hold 'infinity' forever safe. It is still a work in progress. The pages will be further embellished and completed and then will be sent on a journey, another deadline met. Here are a few more peeks.

Wishing you all a week rich in the splendor of

Autumn's display of some of her most delightful colors.

Sharing The Love.

2011-10-05T12:29:00.003-05:00

If you have ever wanted to create your own hand bound journals the amazing Mary Ann Moss is having a sale on her Full Tilt Boogie class. I can't say enough good things about Mary Ann's on-line work shops. They are the bomb.

And while I am at it. I am taking Roben-Marie's new class; Art Journal Conversion where paint and ink hook up with plain white paper and amazing things happen. It's an explosion of color. I was up till about 4AM last night making a huge mess and lovin' every second of it.

Both these talented women share what they love doing and do so with a 'come on in, join the fun' style that is welcoming and they will have you creating in no time.

To Be Continued Revealed

2011-10-01T13:53:00.007-05:00

The secret is not

in your hand,

or your eye

or your voice,

she told me once.

The secret is in your heart.

www.storypeople.com

Journaling. This is the facing page in my journal as referred to from my last blog entry. There is much that is revealed if one reads between the lines in this journal spread.

More journal peeks, snippets from a page.

What is a home?

Hearts made of

timber and brick

and set in stone.

I've have many projects going on and exciting news to share but I must wait a few more weeks before I can let the proverbial 'cat' out of the bag. Deadlines are looming which is about as a good a hint as I dare share. VBG. So more shall be revealed soon.

About A Girl

2011-09-21T14:02:00.000-05:00

Hours flying by; journaling, painting, playing, not a care in the world. Oh how I wish that were my reality. It's about the girl I used to be. The one that flew in her dreams. (i really did, over the tops of trees, inside the most amazing structures one could ever imagine. I was never afraid of falling. Sigh.) I am not that girl anymore.

But, I am still that girl at heart.

To be continued.

Simply Divine

2011-09-13T13:07:00.000-05:00

Yummy journal goodness on every page. It is 'simply divine'.

My newest journal is looking for a good home. Let me tempt you with a few peeks.

This journal is 7" tall by 4 3/4 wide and when fully open measures to 23" long. It's a 'kiss' style journal; center spine supports 2 individual spines that hold 2 sets of pages which 'kiss' when it is closed and open outward.

The journal lays nice and flat making it easy to write and add to it's many pages. There are 16 fabric pages with pockets and hiding places that can hold photos, notes, anything you cherish.

Many of the pages have been lightly collaged.

Ready to be adopted in my Etsy shop.

I've also had some time to begin journaling in my newest journal creation. Here are some page peeks.

I Promise You This.

2011-09-11T00:43:00.001-05:00

In those days,

we finally chose

to walk like giants

and hold the world

in arms grown

strong with love

and there may be

many things we forget

in the days to come,

but this will not

be one of them.

Brian Andreas

http://www.storypeople.com/

To all those who lost their lives on this day,

to those that spent hours, days, weeks and many long months searching for victims,

to those whose loved ones never returned home to them,

to the rescue dogs who bravely and obediantly performed the tasks that were asked of them without question or pause and

to anyone whose lives changed or were altered

on this day 10 years ago.

I very humbly honor you.

You will always be in my prayers

and I promise you this, I will never forget.

xxxoooxxx

Journals Everywhere

2011-09-05T11:20:00.000-05:00

I like to write about the stuff

going on in my life as long as it's interesting,

but otherwise, I'd rather just read.

Brian Andreas

http://www.storypeople.com/

Wishing everyone a fine holiday Monday. I decided to start this post with a Brian Andreas Storypeople poem just because it fits with the journal I finished creating yesterday. It's interesting so I am gonna share.

The above vintage photo album found it's way to my hands several weeks ago and over the weekend I turned it into a journal like no other. The album itself was quite unusual as the front and back covers actually folded out to reveal 2 spines each holding 10 photo pages. It was a heavy beast of an album. I removed the two sets of photo pages which left me a cover and a back to work with and this is what I did.

Ta Da!

It's 15" tall and 7" wide. I created 3 individual sets of pages; 12 signatures of 3 pages each for a total of 216 pages. I background painted 140 watercolor for the bulk of the pages and then added vintage ledger and scrap book papers to add a little just a little bit of zing.

Inside cover showing the 3 sets of pages.

Another page view.

The tab sewn binding on the spine.

And an awesome metal latch to keep it closed.

I will be working in this journal for a very long time.

And even more journals....

This collaborative journal was sent to a special someone.

And this journal will be finished today.

Journals everywhere.

Stretching Within

2011-08-28T14:45:00.000-05:00

This past winter I had the pleasure of being a part of Misty Mawn's recent on-line workshop entitled Stretching Within. The class was wonderful; a virtual world of caring and supportive women just a few clicks away. Misty clearly put her heart into the creation of the class. As time passed, Misty offered to gather and share our artwork for a future article in Somerset and the article made it into the above issue. My artwork appears on page 96. I share this special honor

with the following artists:

Misty Mawn

Mariyln Rock

Jessica Herman Goodson

Kim Boehm

Roberta Schimdt

Patti Klausing

Kim Beller

Diane Ackers

Kim Henzkel

Deborah Everton

Paper Life

2011-08-22T15:21:00.000-05:00

Thoughts for today.

Pieces From My Heart

2011-08-19T14:28:00.000-05:00

Working on a couple of journals, trying to tie up loose ends on several on going projects, doing some early fall cleaning and watching summer slip away. Life is.....

A Heart Wide Open

2011-08-15T00:48:00.000-05:00

WIP

A journal page that is slowly coming together.

9" by 6" Journal

Under Construction.

More to come.

Life is good but busy. I am going in a dozen directions at once. Summer is slowly winding down. Fall is a just around the corner. I am looking forward to cooler nights and the rich, golden colors that come with the changing of the season's.

My heart is wide open. Ready for change.

Life Is Good

2011-08-02T15:42:00.000-05:00

Big, huge journal pages I have been working on.

Poem by Brian Andreas.

This is what happens when I mess around with paint; different versions of me come out to play. I don't trust my drawing skills enough to ever actually do this kind of thing on a bound journal page so I tend to stick with loose pages and then if I choose to, glue them into my journal.

On being Brave.

I think flowers are so brave. They push through the soil and reach for the sky. They only know to seek for the sun.

Sometimes the best things in this life remain hidden from our eyes and are rooted deeply in our hearts.

xxxxooooxxxxx

Artful Blogging, Summer Playtime.

2011-07-25T13:37:00.001-05:00

I am super excited and thrilled to share that my very humble blog banner is featured in newest issue of Artful Blogging on the 'Banners We Love' page at the back of the issue. The issue will hit stores August 1st. While my blog is not formally featured, I am simply pleased to have made the issue. I created my blog banner on a block of wood and then photographed it and kept resizing the image to get it to work as a blog banner. It's a no-techno-thrills, cut and paste creation.

The summer has been a busy one but I've been squeezing in as much art time as I can get. I decided it was time for a 'family photo' of my growing collection of art journals.

I blame the extremely talented Miss Mary Ann Moss for this proliferation of journals. This is what happens when a very gifted woman decides to share her knowledge of journal making with the masses. I am just one among many, who have found they are creating journals faster than they can work in them. It is just so much fun. I encourage you to spend some time over on Mary Ann's blog. You will leave feeling like you've just spent time in the sweetest spot on the planet. I just love her work and blog so much. It just fills me with so much happiness. I always leave smiling.

And then I have been messing around with paint. At least once a week I drag out all of my wet media and proceed to make a mess.

Here is a recent kind-of-sort-of-self-portrait. If I were a cartoon character. This is how I might look. I think she might just be my alter ego. I named her Tulla.

Materials; gesso, acrylics, casein, graphite, caran de ache crayons, and Pilot permaball pen on a large text page from an old atlas which I had gutted recently for the cover of the journal that is currently in my Etsy shop. I finished the page by stitching around all the outlines in black thread. I've also been trying to spend a little bit of time with each of the journals I've shared above. That is a challenge since I have so many. I just don't want any of them to feel neglected. VBG. So a few journal pages I have been working on.

I am also have several new journals in the works for my Etsy shop which I hope to finish soon.That's all I got for now, with a wave and wink.

xxxoooxxxx

Moment Of Surrender

2011-07-24T16:51:00.000-05:00

Everything and more.

The house is quiet this afternoon. Normally I have music blaring from my Ipod dock as I create. Not today. There is a lingering aura that comes from having attended a live performance that cannot be easily shaken, that I want to stay submersed in for as long as I can. I don't want that to be disturbed. I am staying in that moment; the moment of surrender.

Photo David Joles Star/Tribune

The concert was AMAZING, everything and more. Our concession stand was not that far from the stage on the first level of TCF Stadium. We had a bee line to some of the best seats around. We heard every song just as well as anyone who paid a lot of money to attend. All it cost us was 6.00 for parking and a little bit of patience getting out of traffic at the end of the night. A small price to pay is an understatement of epic proportion.

We had a blast and we worked our butts off. It was so hot and so sticky in the hallways and the stands from days and days of high temps and humidity and of a stadium that had not seen use since winter. Had we been food; we were all beyond well done within the first hour, but we all relished every second. We smiled, caught lots of energy from excited fans and felt honored just to be there. We were after all, raising money for our kids various activities and being a part of a once in a lifetime opportunity at the same time. It was a privledge. I'd do it all again in a heart beat if they would do just one more show.

It was insane those few hours before U2 took the stage. Everyone wanted/needed water or soft drinks. I don't think I will ever fill that many cups again in my lifetime. We couldn't keep the ice stocked fast enough, that part of the night is a blur to me.

And then they came.

We knew as soon as everyone in the halls started running for their seats that Bono, the Edge, Adam and Larry were coming out. The concourse became an instant ghost town. We went from the constant mind numbing buzz of excited people to silence in a matter of seconds. It was eerie. You could have heard a pin drop and then, the opening chords began to resonate through the stadium, I got shivers. Their opening number; David Bowie's Space Oddity. It was a surreal moment. We all took turns running out to grab a spot by open areas to get a look at what everyone had gathered to experience. INCREDIBLE!!! We all had chances to watch and to listen to our favorite songs. We took turns, cleaning, helping those few who wandered out from the concert in need of refreshments and then took more turns watching the show from between stairwells and open areas on the concourse. We had some seriously good places in which to watch from, far closer to the stage than we would have had ever been able to afford. I am grateful for having been given the chance to go and just be there and a part of it all. I am thankful that both my daughter and DH were there with me. It's a story that will be retold many times over in the coming weeks. My only regret is that our younger daughter could not join us as she is one year shy of being able to work at the stadium. We will have to find a way to make that up to her.

At then at the end of the night, after the stand had closed, was cleaned and we were released we were allowed to watch the last 3 songs they performed right along side everyone else. It had started to rain about half way into the concert and I do mean rain, pour, deluge, word had it that the main floor, inner circle was close to being a wading pool, though no one cared. We stood in the pouring rain as the night came to close and then it was over. We walked out, stunned, amazed, overcome. But it was not over. There was one final moment yet to be played out and experienced. We got a rare, as up close and as intimate a moment as one can get in a place where 60,000 people had gathered. As we made our way out of the stadium, back tracking our steps on the long half mile trek to our car, we were puzzled by a line of security guys, maintaining what looked no more than like an empty part of the parking lot. We thought what the heck were they doing. So here we are slowing walking where we were motioned to go, (not that many people were paying any attention) and without warning 2 motorcylce cops, 2 squad cars and a line of black SUVs came from seemingly out of no where and it took us no more than a second to understand it was Bono and band leaving the stadium. We all waved and sure enough we caught a glimpse of the man himself. We were so close, an arm's length away. Seriously. It was over in the wink of an eye. I couldn't think of a more amazing way to end the night. There were only a handful of us that witnessed the moment amidst all those 1000's of people; because by the time they figured out what was happening, it was already over. We had shared in one private moment. That was so utterly cool. I am 'stuck in that moment and I can't get out of it' and what a splendid moment it is.

Destination U2 & Bono

2011-07-23T02:05:00.002-05:00

This is a journal page in one of my first visual journals.

Love U2!

Anyway. This is my day.

Get up at 9am.

Coffee.

Noon. Lunch

1pm pick up kids.

Destination Dinkytown MN

East Bank University of MN Campus.

TCF Stadium

for

U2's 360 tour performance.

Leave home 3ish

Check in to work the concert 4pm

(Hoping we can snag a parking spot)

get cleared through security and sign in at stand 114.

Be Happy. I am in the same buidling as Bono and the Edge. Maybe they might need a hot dog before they hit the stage. Ha, I'll happliy deliver that hot dog. Oh well if nothing else I will be able to hear every song played. I am ready for Bono, and the Edge, Adam and Larry.

It's a beautiful Day, don't let it get away, beautiful day........

A HuG No Matter How You Look At It

2011-07-16T12:03:00.000-05:00

It's a HuG no matter how you look at it.

This is a magical HuG. It's on it's way to someone very special and who deserves a 'HuG'.

Do you know someone that deserves 'HuG'?

If you do, hold the thought and stay tuned in the next few weeks for details.

And The Winner IS......

2011-07-09T12:37:00.001-05:00

Happy to announce that I have a winner. Drum roll please. The random number generator http://www.random.org/ chose 6 and that makes Holly the winner

Holly said...

Susie, this little journal is beautiful. I would love to win it. It looks like you are having a lot of fun with FTB, I am too!

THANKS TONS for all of the sweet and kind words. You are all the best.

PS. For those of you who were not able to leave a comment due to technical difficulties and sent me an email instead, you were included in the drawing. I assigned them numbers as they arrived via email. Thanks again to everyone.

xxxxooooxxx

Tomorrow Is The Day

2011-07-08T12:13:00.000-05:00

There is still time to get in on the journal giveaway. I made this cute little tote for the journal's safe keeping and added a few suprise goodies too. To put your name in the virtual, go to this post and leave a comment. That is all you have to do for a chance to be the lucky winner. I'll be drawing tomorrow so be sure to check back to see if your name was drawn. Thanks for all the wonderful thoughts. You guys are the best!!!!!

xxxxooooxxxx

Home Sweet Tiny Home Journal

2011-07-05T19:27:00.000-05:00

I finished this little house shaped journal with it's own tag along tote today and it's looking for a new home. I have listed it in my Etsy shop. It is loaded with treasures. Take a peek.

Front door.

From the back side.

The back.

Front side view.

Opening to reveal it's pages.

Top open view.

Top view closed.

You can find additional photos of many of the pages in this journal in my photostream by clicking on the side bar links here on my blog.

Now off to create more journals.

And just want to give everyone a shout out for all the sweet comments on my giveaway journal. And if you have not added yourself to the draw, just leave a comment for that post and you will be entered for a chance to win

A Little Bit of Wonder Giveaway

2011-07-04T02:21:00.001-05:00

Little Bit Of Wonder Journal

Let's get the festivities underway. Happy 4th of July to one and all. I wish each of you a safe and enjoyable day spent with family and friends and taking a moment to remember what our freedom gives us and what it has cost others.

I just finished this little journal and decided that it was time for a giveaway here on my blog; just a small way of saying thanks to all of you who visit me from time to time, leave a sweet note or even those of you who just want to peek quietly from around the corner. I appreciate your kind words as well as those who grace me by taking the time to look.

So a few more peeks

This journal was inspired by the techniques I learned from the ever amazing Mary Ann Moss in her Full Tilt Boogie class. This amazing sewn triple chain stitch creates a beautiful and elegant binding.

Cover with button and elastic closure.

A peek at the pages.

The journal is 3.5" tall by 3 3/4" and has 3 signatures of 7 pages; 21 total. The pages are created from scrapbook cardstock and vary in length thoughout the journal.

The base for the fabric cover is 300 pound watercolor paper and is very sturdy and durable; as solid as any hardcover book. It's bound with hand dyed waxed linen thread. I combined the journal cover style learned in Mary Ann's Remains of the Day class with the binding style learned in Full Tilt Boogie and intend to bring them together in many more journals.

So if you would like to give this journal a good home, just drop in and say hi; leave me a comment and that is all there is to it. I will use the random number generator to pick a winner. Please make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you should win. Winner will be announced on 7/9. In the next few days I will gather a few other items to include with the journal and may even have to sew a little tote for it's safe keeping.

xxxxooooxxxxx

Live True

2011-06-29T18:37:00.000-05:00

Live True

A truly large journal.

18" tall by 13.5" wide

This book in it's original form, started out as a 1966 atlas of Finland. I decided to give it a new life as a journal. I removed the pages, prepped and painted the cover and then gave it a new heart; it's pages.

Here are a few peeks.

File folder page.

This journal is up for adoption and you can see more photos in my Flickr album. Link in my side bar.

Art and LIfe And Wisdom Underfoot

2011-06-25T21:40:00.000-05:00

Bits of wisdom. 6.24.11

Courtesy sidewalk in front of Minnesota Center For Book Arts

Art and Life.

Our main job in life is to try to find out what we're good for. Life is a school. We keep taking tests. If we pass a test, we move on. If we fail a test, sooner or later we are given the test again. Failing or succeeding, wise artists know themselves and quickly move through the tests. In art, it takes a lifetime of moving through the tests. Fact is, they never stop coming.

Robert Genn

xxxxxxooooxxxxx

Home Sweet LIttle Home

2011-06-23T13:20:00.000-05:00

Home Sweet Little Home

Journal and Tag Along Tote

I am having a love affair with making these totes for my journals. This journal has been a work in progress for awhile and I am just putting the finishing touches on it and hope to have it completed sometime this afternoon. Originally I had been working on a paper mache house for the journal to reside in, however the house broke apart when I was collaging it and had to be scrapped since it was no longer up to my standards of quality. It was beyond repair. I was sad about that because the house was pretty darn cute, however yesterday I created this tote for it's safe keeping which I actually like just as much and I know it won't fall apart. VBG.

Front of tote.

Back of tote.

The inside of the tote is lined with some matching fabric that is also used on the journal. The journal and tote will be available for adoption very soon.

And if anyone needs a fun way to get creative over the summer months, I highly recommend taking a ride with the amazing Mary Ann Moss. Full Tilt Boogie is in full swing.

I've been learning new ways to bind journals and even finding time to create a few art journal pages, which is something I always put on the back burner.

I created this page on Monday and was working on it when our tornado sirens went off.

As it turned out, a tornado actually hit just a few blocks away from us, thankfully it was a wee EF0; in weather speak that is the weakest, reaching speeds between 65-85mph. But still, a very close call. It was on the ground for 5.5 miles. The girls and 4 legged family members went down to the basement and me, I just kept working away. From the view out my windows, the weather looked anything but threatening, just rainy and a little bit dark for 4pm in the afternoon. This is the 2nd time this year that a tornado has hit this close to us. I sort of think the next time our sirens go off I should take the warning a little more seriously. Tornadoes don't really care about the lives they leave behind. It's been such a rough summer for so many families here, as well as across the country.

I keep them in my prayers each night.

I had to smile as the girls headed downstairs, taking note as to what they took with them from their rooms. Brittney grabbed her favorite fleece blanket and a stuffed horse she's has had since she was born, along with Summer; her guinea pig. And Meg chose a really sweet, stuffed dog I got her a few weeks back when she was going through a rough time emotionally; (life with teenage daughter's under the roof is not easy these days) and a fleece blanket she was given as a gift many years ago and she also had a book tucked under her arm. I don't know what I would grab if I had to really think about it. My purse and wallet I suppose, but everything else I guess I would have to let go of because there is just so many things I use every day that taking only one or 2 things would be pointless. In the face of danger the only thing that really matters to me are my daughters, DH and our furry family members. As long as they are safe and sound; stuff is just stuff no matter how precious I might *believe* it all is.

xxxxx ooooo xxxxx

Lazy Days Of Summer

2011-06-20T13:29:00.001-05:00

Burst of Sunshine by Brittney LaFond

Summer is officially here and my days have been anything but lazy. My art area is in chaos; paint, papers and fabrics are on every available surface, evidence that I have been busy. I just finished my newest journal which is now up for adoption in my Etsy shop.

Here are a few page peeks.

Lots of pockets waiting for treasures.

Flip flops and time on the front porch.

Flip flop page is created from sheer vellum and 'flips up' to allow photos or writing underneath.

Kool-aid colors and stitching grace hand painted pages.

Playful pockets.

Hide and seek.

Time for a tall, frosty glass of lemonade.

Enjoy.

xxxoooxxx.

The Art of Waiting

2011-06-17T00:49:00.000-05:00

I am waiting. It's hard. I am trying to be patient. The anticipation and the excitement are starting to become almost unbearable, but in a good way; a sweet way. Kind of like looking forward to Christmas morning or the first day of a vacation. That kind of feeling. So what am I waiting for? I am so pleased you asked. The amazing Miss Mary Ann Moss over at Moss Cottage is throwing open wide the doors, of her on-line class room tomorrow, where she will be offering up an art journaling exploration entitled 'Full Tilt Boogie'. It is sure to be a wild ride. I highly suggest joining in on the fun that is sure to be had.

And in trying to make time fly, I've been working on journals that I will be listing in my Etsy shop very soon. Here are a few peeks.

Tag Along Journal and Spiffy Matching Tote.

Journal is 6" Tall by 5.5 wide and the tote is 9" by 10" with handles and a draw string closure. Tote is roomy enough for a few supplies and just the right size to 'tag along' for the ride.

Fabric pages with pockets.

Lightly collaged.

Lightly painted and stitched.

And just a sprinkling of scrappy whimsy.

More peeks coming soon. Now back to finding ways to consume more of my time till tomorrow.

xxxxoooxxxx.

Purple Passion

2011-06-13T12:09:00.000-05:00

Flowers by my aspiring photographer DD Brittney.

I don't know what these flowers are but I think the photos are awesome and the color totally fits with the journal and coordinating tote I created this past weekend as a graduation gift for one of Brittney's dance buddies. When she downloaded the photos to her pc I knew I had to include them here with this journal.

The journal fits perfectly inside with enough room for a few supplies. I am quite pleased with how it came together. The tote is lined with the same fabrics and there is also a small pocket, perfect for a cell phone or Ipod. I think I have found a new passion.

This Is Me Now And Later

2011-06-07T16:20:00.000-05:00

This is me, at least the me I was at about midnight last night. Can't say I set out to paint, nor to capture my essence at the time but that is what happend. It all began as an experiment of sketching with my non-dominant hand. I've done this before but never tried my 'hand' at a face. I ended up with 3 different rough sketches and I was suprised that I actually liked them. They are rough and ragged, not technically correct by any stretch of the imagination but they captured how I felt right then. I drew them on a loose journal page which had been background painted with acrylics and spray ink. This is what they looked like.

And

I had intended on calling it a night at that point. However I really wanted to see what would happen if I used a wet brush and ran it over the previous layer of spary ink and see what might happen; as I did on the one shared above that I ended up painting and I really liked the effect. At that point, I filled a jar with water, grabbed a few brushes, the 3 paints I used and spent 2 hours messing around; just playing with it. I like how the original background colors of the page added a blue cast to the face. It's Me.

And this is the me I will be in a handful of years.

No. 1 Grandma as created by Brittney LaFond.

Brittney created this amazing creature in her ceramics class and brought her home today. I just had to share her with you. I think she is brilliant, saggy boobs and all. Brittney is 17 and will be a senior next year. (sniff sniff) Mind you I am no where near being a Grandma and won't have to think about that for many years to come tho I do bear a striking resemblance, I must admit. LOL!

xxxx oooo xxxx

P.S. just for the record it is a scorching hot day here, currently topping out at 102!!!!! So hot that I am heating up some ready to bake buns in the car parked in the driveway and am cooking dinner out on the BQ grill. You will find me sipping on a frosty drink, planted in front of the fan.

This And That And Desultory Journaling

2011-06-06T15:53:00.000-05:00

A Sister's 'HuG' custom journal

Recently I was surprised to learn there is a term for how I work and create. I always thought I just liked to keep several projects going at once to keep me on my toes and to always have something to do if paint needs to dry or glue to set. Who knew there is a 'real' term describing this process. Well I sure didn't.

Desultory.

Am I the only one who has never heard this term or heard it and thought it meant something else?

The Oxford Dictionary defines "desultory" as "skipping from one subject to another, disconnected, unmethodical."

The following is a snippet from The Painter's Keys newsletter.

It may be an unmethodical method, but it's a useful one. Here's why: Our minds are capable of far more multi-tasking and multi-tracking than we think. The critical sense that goes with the processes of art-making moves forward on both prior experience and intuition. Quick looks and automatic decisions, devoid of long-term contemplation and recrimination, often produce decent results. Going from one project to another heightens the faculty.

Over time, an artist builds a repertoire of creative moves, motifs and techniques--there to be released or withheld as the artist sees fit. Desultory it may be, but it's a valuable ploy in an artist's ongoing obligation to play.

As I read this I felt an instant connection because it describes exactly how I tend to create. But yet, when it comes to how I art journal, just the opposite is true as I want to capture as much meaning as I can and end up thinking too much. Thus I tend to stall.

I am happy to write that since I began working in my big over sized journal,

I've been able to add to it at a much more relaxed and consistent manner. I don't really think about it too much. As soon as an element presents itself, I stop whatever I am doing and attach it to whatever page happens to be open. Desultory journaling. Might also explain why I have several journals going at once. LOL.

A few parting shots.

These are all photos of a custom journal that will be making it's way abroad.

Having wrapped this one up, I have about 6 different projects going and awaiting my attention. Desultory. Yup. That's me.

xxxoooxxx

Unfurling

2011-05-30T18:05:00.001-05:00

Unfurling.

Thinking of those who serve our country; their families, loved ones and friends.

Thank you!

And then there is this.

I was so excited to find Misty Mawn's new book out at my local BN on Friday.

I have been absorbing it all weekend. This is the kind of book that makes you want to drag out all of your 'art' toys and dig in. The book is loaded with Misty's artwork, which is generously placed through out the entire book; end to end making it a visual feast that feeds the desire to not just look, but to engage in artistic activity. 'Unfurl'.

This is a new page in my 'informal gathering' journal.

I have been keeping the journal open when I work on other projects and then when I find an element I like I add it to a page. Today I was working on a custom journal and several of these pieces came out to play. I've got pages with snippets of paper on it, another has a feather I found in the yard a few days ago. I am keeping at it, just working in the moment and being spontaneous.

'A visual journey of ordinary objects,

of stuff I love and things that inspire;

to be inspired

to reach beyond

to search within

and to know

where to look

to emerge from

what is left behind.

An Informal Gathering

2011-05-25T12:57:00.007-05:00

An Informal Gathering

of Oddments,

Castoffs,

Fragments
And

Scraps

A Visual Journal

by Susie LaFond

14" tall by 17" long

(it's a huge journal)

This is one of my current projects and I can't share too much about it because it is going on a journey soon. There is a story behind this journal. One afternoon I was hopping around the web and I came across some pics of 'inspiration boards' basically a collection of images tacked up on a wall or on a board, or even hung from a wire or string as a way to keep the creative fires stoked. I actually have an inspiration board hung on my wall which I change around every few months to reflect my current passions and to display art objects that have come to me through swaps. I love looking at it every day. It makes me happy. It reminds me to be creative every day, no matter what else is going on, to keep going even when other aspects of my life are in 'the rough'.

What I really wanted at that moment was one entire wall to use as an inspiration board and since I don't have a free wall at the moment I got to thinking why not just make a giant journal with big, sturdy, white pages to capture it all in. A place where I could tape in whatever stuff comes to me and that make my creative heart go pitter patter with excitement.

And the above journal is what I came up with.

I always have tablets of big sheets of watercolor paper on hand that serve as the base for my many Etsy journals so I ripped off the back chip boards of 2 pads and they became the back and front of the journal. The paper in those pads became my pages. (Some might wonder why bother re-binding the pages and just use the pad of paper as is, well I did think of that. In fact I went to my nearest

Blick to check out their pads of papers; some quite a bit bigger than what I went with, money was the deciding factor, I already had lots of pads I could use at home, the number of pages in a really big pad is not many and I wanted lots of pages, the paper itself; why use really good watercolor paper when I don't intend to use wet medium, when bristol would be just fine and the main reason ended up being storage and ease of use, too big and working in it would become an issue and once it's full where would I put it? Re-binding the paper was about adding sturdiness and made a huge difference in how it handles. Had I worked in the pads as is, the end result would have been a floppy, pages falling out creation. Using heavy chipboard for both cover and back added heft and much needed support for pages that will end becoming full and heavy given their length. I am pretty rough with my journals. Re-binding this journal was a smart move on my part.)

I trimmed off any roughage on the edges of the chipboard and then primed them with 2 coats of gesso on both sides as a way to seal the chipboard. At the time I thought I might want to paint the covers but after messing around with it, I went with creating a fabric cover for it instead. I removed the paper from the 2 pads and punched them with my 'bind it all' and wire bound them. The fabric cover hides the wire coil. I wondered how sturdy it would actually be once I bound the pages in but this is one hefty and sturdy journal.

I began filling the pages around 2AM, in the wee hours of the morning.

Because I want this journal to remain an open place for whatever strikes my interest, I am going to try and maintain a few rules as I work in it because I want to be able to open it up and glue or tape down whatever it is I want to capture in that moment. I want these pages to 'inspire' me to create beyond it's boundaries; on canvas, wood,paper and in the creation of other journals. There are going to be times when I might feature a collection of images from all those art mags sitting in bins to remind of the work of some of my most adored artists, a poem, lyric or found poetry may make an appearance in these pages from time to time. This journal's only purpose is to 'catch' and 'gather' the stuff and give it a resting place. The pages are not meant to be finished or complete. And that is what inspired the title I came up with; 'an informal gathering' of whatever I am drawn to. If a page happens to become cohesive and holds deeper meaning then I will embrace those pages as special 'gatherings' And because this journal will hold 'bits' and 'scraps' the pages might never, ever be complete because if I see an image that happens to make it's way to an already full page, that will be ok.

My Rules

Play.

Collect, cut, tear out, rip, without fear.

No thinking. No pondering. No worrying about composition.

Play.

Keep it loose.

Play.

Glue sticks, masking and painters tape are all welcome here. Use them liberally.

The use of decorative washi tape is VERY welcome.

Avoid wet medium but if I must, oh well.

Let the words find the page if they desire a place to rest, but don't loose it if a page seems pointless, vague or unclear.

And if all else fails break all of the above rules and do whatever feels right at the time.

PLAY.

Let 'em Grow and Doin The Full Tilt Boogie

2011-05-18T18:14:00.000-05:00

My thoughts on weeds.

Call me crazy but I think this little weed is gorgeous. I say let 'em grow. And if you are one who carefully tends your lawn and garden then I will respectfully applaud your efforts and stand back in appropriate awe and wonder as I walk past your yard. Seriously, I don't have enough hours in the day to do yard work. I am always impressed when I see gorgeous carpets of green and gardens that make my jaw drop because I know how many hours of love and care that go into tending them. We do keep our lawn tidy but I don't put any effort into weed or pest control.

These guys are constant visitors and they like to munch on the dandy-lion blossoms. I fondly refer to them as our organic weed control system. Not to mention they do it for free.

If I were to describe myself as a botanical being I would no doubt, be a weed. I've thrived under conditions that were not always ideal or fertile. I blossomed in a dark place with very little light and almost no tending. I continued to bloom time and time again no matter how often I was yanked up by the roots and tossed aside. I feel a kindred bond to most things that go unwanted because it was my 'normal' day to day existence. Nothing wrong with weeds, let 'em grow.

Cover

And I continue to sprout journals about as quickly as the weeds are growing. This beauty is the collective efforts of some amazing art pals from Mary Ann's Remains of the Day class. The cover was created by Stephan Du Toit, Susan Wachob, Maria Moesch, Jan Brown and Kristi Wilson-Bovee.

Back

The pages are all from various page swaps hosted by class members.

All wrapped up snug. And if you think this is pretty cool then just consider this your personal invite to what is sure to be the biggest summer create-a-journal party you are going to find anywhere else on the web. We are all going to be doing the Full Tilt Boogie.

The View From Here

2011-05-14T15:20:00.000-05:00

The view from my place in the world as I look out my kitchen window,it's raining. It's chilly and a cold, damp wind is blowing. It's a good day to be inside. It would be an awesome day to bake cookies. I will have to think about that. For now I am happily creating. My DD's are at an end-of-the season dance party. Our final recital is tomorrow and so this afternoon is pretty much mine.

I've been working on the little house journal I will be putting in my Etsy shop once it's done. I soldered a little window and added a tiny glass bead bird to the corner and decided it would be the perfect addition for the cover of the journal.

The little house this journal will reside in, is also coming along, pics coming soon. I've also been engaged in quite a bit of paint play and will share my results when those projects get farther along.

Wishing one and all a pleasant view from wherever you are.

xxx000xxx

Mail Order Catalog As Visual Journal

2011-05-07T01:27:00.000-05:00

Like many mixed media artists, I see endless possibilities in the most insignifcant items. Yesterday I received an Anthropolgie catalog in the mail. I looked through it and found that almost every page held an image that would be great used in collage. I swooned over things I wish I could afford to purchase and smiled that if nothing else, I would rip out the pages to hang on the fridge as part of my ever growing, 'wish' list of things I would like to have someday. That is what I thought I would do.

So today, my art table was covered with collage fodder I had pulled out. I had several projects I had intended to work on; the catalog had since been covered with stuff, so I unearthed it from the pile, it was already opened to a page and in the process of moving it, several images fell onto the opened page. I was about to move them when I noticed that one of the photos I had cut, had landed on the catalog page in such a way as to make me stop. I liked the way it looked. And in that moment I was struck with the idea;

instead of using the catalog to harvest images from, why not repurpose the catalog and use it as a journal instead? Well why not? Look.

Anthropologie catalog page.

Look at all the great white space to journal in. The background imagery is rich with possibility.

I used one of my favorite 'girls' and some vintage ledger paper which I added some stitching to and glued them down. I couldn't resist doing another page in the same manner.

Nothing I have done to these pages is all that noteworthy. I will continue to add to them and eventually will add my thoughts to the pages. At first I wondered at the folly of spending time working in something that would hardly stand up well over time. After all, what can I expect from something that came to me free of charge?

I continued to play. I've been playing in it all afternoon with nothing more than the scraps that were on my art table.

And then I thought, I wonder what would happen if I gessoed the cover. And so I did, keeping in mind that the paper might not hold up well to wet media. I figured if I ruined it so what. I just wanted to see what would happen. I applied the gesso with a small foam roller so I could easily control how much gesso I was putting down. It took 3 thin layers to block out the cover image. I was impressed. The paper warped slightly but that is ok. I didn't even wait for the gesso to completely dry. I slopped on some watered down acrylics, wiped away the excess, sprayed on some glimmer mist and barely stopped to take a breath. Play.

And the text in the corner says,

I keep a small jar of found text on my art table which I dumped out and these were the words that stood out. Perfect. Indeed, I will flood the surfaces will all manner of insignificant fragments and in so doing, disclose at times, very significant parts of myself. Flooding. Spilling. Creative release.

This isn't really earth shattering news to anyone who loves to collage, write, and play with glue and paint. It's all part of keeping a visual journal, in this case, a catalog of great images that I can manipulate. The catalog as journal.
As I played and time slipped by I was reminded that keeping a journal should be in part, spontaneous and that having to think too much can get in the way of the creative process. This happens to me every so often when I work in what I consider my 'real' journals; working in something so completely non-precious proved to be an excellent place to just let go for a few hours; no constraints, no boundaries. I didn't think twice about what I was grabbing and gluing down, other than what appealed to me right then. Bliss.

I found myself thinking that if I continue to add to this catalog/journal and I will, the fragile, glued binding might never hold up, the pages may eventually all fall out, the ink used in printing might fade and there is nothing archival about the quality of the paper. It's thin and rips easily. These are all qualities I would never accept in any journal I have made or have purchased so allowing myself to let my 'creative' gaurd down and simply embrace whatever happens on the pages was rather like being allowed to go out and play in the rain, splash in puddles, make a mess. It was a simple moment of creativity. Nothing more. Nothing less. I encourage everyone, go out and find a puddle and play in it for a little bit. It's good for the soul.

xxxoooxxx

Blooming

2011-05-04T13:12:00.000-05:00

Everything is blooming. I look outside and the grass is once again green. Meanwhile inside, I sit and create; lots of projects in the works. I am working on a custom 'HuG' style journal; pictured above and am making progess on this sweet little house shaped journal which will be tucked away in it's own little house.

This is still under construction.

This time of year we are busy with dance recitals. This past weekend was our rehearsal. On Sunday, our day began at 2:30am and ended at 10pm; rehearsal began at 6am and ended around 9pm, mind you that is running through 3 different entire shows, with each show taking about 4 hours of rehearsal time and there is plenty of down time, but it's still a long day. Most of us bring coolers of food and beverage and make it a fun experience; better known as 'picnic at the performing arts center'. It was a cold, windy, and wet day so no one really minded being cooped up inside. The actual length of each show is just a little over an hour and half. So for the next 2 weekends it's all about dance at our house.

Stay tuned for updates on journals, artwork, and other projects that I will be sharing soon.

xxxoooxxxooo

The Comfort of Ordinary Objects

2011-04-28T12:29:00.000-05:00

There is something to be said for all the small things in our lives that we use everyday, that bring us comfort, offer order to our lives, that we rarely consider as being meaningful; the comfy chair we sink into after a long day at work, the plates we pull out of the cupboards as we prepare a meal, the stuff of our lives that serves us day in day out but that we don't ever consider as having any significant meaning, that is until it is gone, taken away. And what of those we share our lives with, our families, friends and neighbors? The mailman who delivers the mail, the friend down the street who always waves a hello, the person we don't even know who smiles as they wait in line at the bank and is humming a tune we quietly think we know. Insignificant moments that rarely cross our personal radar. Every life matters to someone, somewhere.

My heart goes out to all of those who have had thier lives shaken and destroyed by the storms that have ravaged Alabama and other neighboring states. Many, many special prayers to those who lost loved ones who can never be replaced. My heart goes out to all.

Happy Easter Happy Day

2011-04-24T15:00:00.001-05:00

Wishing all of you a joyous Easter and/or just a sweet day in general, if Easter really isn't your thing. Either way, it's a day to be celebrated just because you are here in the world and because you are valued. You matter. Remember that.

It is in that spirit that I am happily posting a shameful plug for some of my favorite art friends. This is the cover of the new, not even on the shelves yet, issue of Somerset Studio May/June issue. I am so super lucky that a small local stamp store always, always puts out the new issues whether or not it's time. I have been hanging by the ends of my toes waiting for this issue to be released and when I saw it, as I walked in the shop door yesterday afternoon, I made a bee line for it. The gal at the counter said 'wow, you knew just what you wanted' I replied, with a huge grin on my face, 'YUP'. I paid for it and tucked it under my arm. When I got home, I set it on my art table and walked away. It was my intention to save it to read with my morning coffee and that is just what I did. A HAPPY way to begin my day.

Oh my goodness this is such an amazing issue. It's kinda of like opening up a gift and you keep finding more and more the farther you get in to it. There is an awesome interview with Sabrina Ward Harrison, not to be missed and written by Christine Mason Miller. Then there is a beautiful interview with Erin Kenepp whose own work was influenced and inspired by Sabrina's work. Go a little deeper into the issue and you will find an awesome tutorial by Roben-Marie Smith, where she takes you on a walk through the creation of a bright and zippy art journal page. And that is just the tip of the paint brush; seriously, Another of my all time favorite artist's and one of the few I have actually had a chance to meet, you will find Brandie Butcher-Isley sharing her techniques. I've aleardy read much of this issue and keep wandering back to it just because it is so inspiring, because there is so much between the pages. Kudos to everyone in this issue and many high fives all around.

And I totally love these. Can you see the heart? Not planned, it baked that way. This is what we decided to make instead of coloring Easter eggs this year. I found these on Pinterest, which you can locate through my side bar link. Yummy!

Just looking at them makes me feel good.

Hello cupcake, you can't hide from me for very long!!!!!

Leftovers

2011-04-18T13:20:00.000-05:00

Welcome House Garland

There is always a certain level of surprise that comes from working with leftovers. You know when you cook a casserole and you save the leftovers and they always seems to taste better the next day. Art leftovers hold the same quality. They always produce their own little bit of magic when they are used. That is how this 'welcome' garland came to be. I had leftover scraps from some muslin I had painted and have been cutting apart and using for pages in my journals. I had a stack of end cuts in a pile; a corner piece and a square were lying on my art table side by side; the perfect components for a tiny house. I sewed the pieces together and ta da, a string of them side by side, created the perfect little 'welcome' garland. I sewed the little houses on to a piece of scrappy ribbon created from all those tiny scraps of fabric, to hang them from. I added the letters with a fine point sharpie, added some detail with graphite; done.

I've also been working on 'the daily grind' journal which is getting very close to finished.

And a few of my favorite pages.

Fabric page with 'coffee cup' pocket created from a vintage doily.

Another 'coffee cup' pocket page from a vintage lace table runner.

This journal will be available for adoption in my Etsy shop very soon.

xxooxxoo

Wonderland Garland and The Art of Zen Sewing

2011-04-14T14:54:00.001-05:00

Wonderland Garland

Yesterday afternoon I found myself a bit listless. I had lots of hours ahead of me which I could fill with creative play but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do; lots of stuff to work on but everything I tried to sink myself into, fought me. I felt completely uninspired. I was unsettled, unfocused and at odds with myself. Time for a little bit of what I like to call 'zen' sewing.

The definition of 'zen'

as found on answers.com is:A school of Mahayana Buddhism that asserts that enlightenment can be attained through meditation, self-contemplation, and intuition.

I have never been able to meditate in the traditional fashion. I am just too easily distracted. I've tried it at home, in quiet places, outside but I am far too curious. Does not matter if I try to close my eyes; focus on my breathing, take a quiet journey inward. Ha! My mind wanders to all the things I want to do, all the things I should be doing, I hear the twitter of a bird, a car rolling by and I want to go look. I am too much like a little kid in the world. I gotta see, hear, watch, listen. So for me trying to meditate is like me trying to 'not' breathe. I just can't do it.

I have found a way I can meditate, slow my breathing, drift, follow my intution and free my mind by sitting down at the sewing machine and just stitching. Of course, the whole point of mediation is to quiet the mind, so obviously sewing a complex pattern or working on a sewing project that requires my real attention won't work, however simple sewing, small repeated motions is very much like a person who sits or kneels and takes that deep breath in and out and going inward. I do the same thing while sewing, by simply grabbing up my bin of scraps, sitting down at my machine, I sew scraps of fabric together; pick up a scrap, lay it down, stitch, and repeat for as long as I wish. I've found I can do this for hours and can close out the world. Everything falls away. I am sure there are those creative souls who find the same experience while knitting, crocheting, doing embroidery and other pursuits that is attained through the calmness that can be found in the repetition of small movements.

The other ephinany I've had, is that while I sit and 'zen' sew it often leads me to ponder life, how the scraps of my own life have been sewn together, moments, events, challenges, what I wish for my life to be and to evolve into, how they are all connected by a thin and fragile tendril of 'thread' all those parts of me that allow me to continue to put one foot in front of the other and move forward, rather than backwards, all these thoughts ebb and flow and I drift to the calmness that lives in my 'center'. How many times in my life have events pulled that thread so tight; almost to the point of breaking but does not. And of course, sometimes the thread does break and then I have to sew my life back together again, hopefully with a few extra stitches just to make sure it all stays together.

So that is how I spent a few hours yesterday afternoon and what came out of that time was what I am calling 'wonderland garland'. Strips of fabric sewn to cotton twill. It just looks fun and magical when it hangs; an afternoon spent in the 'wonderland' that lives in my head. I could have created dozens of these, but eventually the kids came home from school and my 'mediation' time had come to a close. One of the simple gifts that 'sewing' allows, is that regardless if I sit down at my sewing machine to sew just because I want to, or because I need to calm myself and take a 'zen' moment is that it is all completely guilt free. I'm being creative and giving myself time to breathe and exhale to.

What do you do to bring calmness to your day?

xxooxx!

Sun Sand Sea Journal

2011-04-11T17:32:00.000-05:00

Custom Journal for Melanie

I finished this journal today. It's all wrapped up and ready to head back to the U.K.

A few more page peeks before I pack it up for mailing.

Fabric page with hand dyed canvas heart which provides a place to tuck something special.

A blank primed muslin page; stitching provides a unique surface and space to add written thoughts.

Close up. I used a bit of hand dyed fabric for added texture on this page.

Fabric photo transfer pocket page.

Tweets 'Fresh Cut' Journal

2011-04-09T17:14:00.000-05:00

Ready for adoption in my Etsy shop.

I had so much fun creating this today, gathering stuff for the pail, lightly collaging some of the pages, binding it all together and then sewing the cover.

Easter is fast approaching wouldn't this make just the sweetest treat for yourself or for that person who wants to begin to journal but just does not know where to begin. Here are more page peeks.

6" tall by 4.5 wide wire bound journal with removable fabric cover. 24 pages

Tin pail filled with goodies including 2 plus yards scrappy sewn fabric garland; use as ribbon, adorn something special in your home, or cut it apart for use in your journal or other art. There are papers, buttons, flowers, tags and more suprises.

Fresh Cuts

2011-04-09T01:01:00.000-05:00

Sun Sand Sea

Custom journal for Melanie

Cover

The birds brought seed and

flowers and bits of brightly

colored string and placed them

in her hair while she slept

so that she would remember

the wild joy of spring

when she finally awoke.

http://www.storypeople.com/

Spring has arrived in Minnesota. Most of our snow is gone, leaving behind a layer of 'grunge' in it's place. It really isn't very pretty and I have to admit I will miss seeing all that white when I look out the windows. I am a winter gal through and through. Sigh. I noticed that one of our trees has started to bud. The birds were out in abundance this afternoon, moving around all the old leaves and debris searching for food. It's been warm enough to open doors and windows. I like this time of year. It's warm but chilly at the same time. No need for the furnace or the AC. Perfect.

So while everything is starting to grow, I've been busy cultivating more journals. There is the custom journal I am working on; shown above. Melanie sent me several family photos to incorperate into her journal pages. They are the actual photos rather than photo copies. Here are a few page peeks.

I scanned her photos and then printed some of them onto fabric. This photo became a pocket for treasures.

I used scraps of terry cloth to add texture to fabric pages as well to it's general theme.

Another page using a fabric photo transfer with a hiding place holding a bit of quilted paper.

Fabric pocket page holding an abundance of goodies.

This page was created with cotton muslin which I primed with gesso. Because gesso gives a surface 'tooth' it allows the fabric to be written or painted on just as if it were paper and gives it the feel of a much heavier canvas even though it's not. I used one of her photos on this page which was embellished with scraps of fabric. I love the stability of the gessoed muslin which can easily be sewn to or worked with like paper. Gessoed muslin offers endless possibilities.

Another gessoed muslin page.

And coming soon, 'Fresh Cut' journals.

Spring always makes me think of gardens being tended to, flowers blooming and then cut so there splendor can be taken indoors. Because of all the journals I create, I invariably end up with lots of scraps of paper and end cuts from the larger pieces of paper I tend to work with and because I have a wire binding machine, I got to thinking that I it would be fun to create some smaller wire bound journals, not as elaborate as my fabric journals but still be able to give them personality beyond a basic, wire-bound journal. And as I was contemplating the different ways I could go about this, what came to my mind was a bound journal infused with both plain pages as well as decorated cardstock; some pages all cut to the same size but others being slightly smaller hiding among the pages; 'fresh cuts' from many different sources, some being embellished while others left alone, wire bound, with a removable fabric cover.

My idea didn't stop there. I happened to find some adorable little, tin buckets in with all the Easter gear and thought it would be fun to pair up a journal with a bucket, load the bucket with goodies which could be used in the journal if desired. The bucket can be used to hold pens, paint brushes, markers or anything else needing a home

Here is a sneak peek.

(these are all still bare naked and are simply 'fresh cut' pages. I have not completed the covers or added anything to their buckets but I will be doing so this weekend) These 2 journals are 6" tall by 4.5" wide. The 'white' pages are Fabriano Uno cold press 140 pound paper, infused with several decorated cardstock pages of the same size as well as snippet pages of various sizes. Each journal has 20 full size pages plus the cut scrap pages. The covers of both journals is 400 pound watercolor paper.

I will have a blast filling the buckets. I hope to have these listed in my Etsy sometime this weekend.

April Happiness

2011-04-04T11:39:00.003-05:00

April Happiness. Journal madness. Inspiration. Hours upon hours of fun.

I am pleased to share that one of my Remains of the Day journals is featured in the new issue of Somerset Memories. My journal was submitted along with several others in a combined effort lead by Heather Simpson-Bluhm. All of the journals featured, were inspired by the class being offered by Mary Ann Moss. If you want to learn how to create unique journals, love to play with paper and fabric; you will adore the class.

Here are a few page peeks from the article.

My journal is the tiny one on top of the pile.

My spread. Some of my journal pages feature art elements by Robin-Marie Smith.

Removable Fabric Journal Cover Tutorial

2011-03-30T11:41:00.002-05:00

So here is the tutorial, as promised.

My design for this process is pretty much based on the way a cover is created out of a paper bag for a school text book but is excuted by sewing it together rather than by folding. This will work with any size spiral bound journal.

This is what you will need.

Sewing machine or hand sewing kit.

Fabric and fabric scraps. (how much you need will depend on the size of your journal.

ruler.

Cutting mat and rotary cutter. (optional)

Measuring

1. Measure your journal opened, end to end ( this journal is 8" tall and opens to 11")

2. Measure the width of the binding coil. To do this just stand the journal up on end placing the coil over a ruler or cutting mat. Most coils on purchased journals are going to be 1/2" or 1" unless it is a really fat journal. Mine is 1/2".

3. You will add 1 1/4" all the way around your journal plus an additional 1 inch onto the 'length' of the journal. ( that 1" allows room for the coil when the journal is closed.)

As an example; as shared, my journal is 8" tall by 11" long with a 1/2" coil so the journal cover fabric I will need is going to be 10 1/4" tall by 14.1/4" in length.

This piece of fabric is going to become the part of the cover that will grace the front and the back of the journal when it is closed. You will be cutting 2 more pieces of fabric to create the pockets in which the paper covers of the journal will be put into. (The pockets created will allow this cover to be removed as desired as you work in your journal)

4. Now you will need to take measurements for the pockets your journal cover will slide into. (This is easy.) You will be creating 2 pockets; so you will be using 2 pieces of fabric for the pockets; one for each end. The measurement for the height is going to be the same as the measurement as just taken in the above step. In my case it's going to be 10 1/4" tall. To get the measurement for the length of fabric you will need is done by measuring the length of the front cover of the journal ( it will be the same for both front and back) On my journal they are 5.5"
You need to create a 4" gap between the inner pockets you are creating to allow you to slide the covers of your journal into them.
It will look like this when you are done.

To get the size you need subtract 1" from that measurement.

so I will have a 2 pieces of fabric that are 10 1/4" tall by 4.5" in length. I allow a 1/2" to create a sewn hem on each end of the pockets.

Fabric and Cutting Prep.

1. Choose the fabric you want to use for the cover portion. I chose plain muslin for my own so I could layer and topstitch fabric scraps on to the front of it but it can be any fabric you want to use.

2. Cut the fabric for the cover. Set aside.

3. Cut 2 pieces of fabric for the pocket flaps. Set aside.

4. Take the fabric that will become the main panel of the cover. (the big piece). Iron it if needed. Flip it so the wrong side is facing you. Take your journal, open it and center it on to this piece of fabric. you should have one 1 1/4" around the top and bottom and an 1 1/4" at each end of the length.
Take a light pencil and carefully trace around the open journal. Add an 1" pencil line to each end of the length from those lines and mark them.
This will become your sewing guide.

At this point you can choose to add to what will be the front of the cover. You can topstitch layers of fabric which will be sewn onto the right side of the cover, when the cover is sewn and turned, any additional fabric emebellshiments you added will now be on the cover.

I sewed on strips of scrap.

Then I added doodle like stitched lines.

Once you are done topstitching your cover set it aside.
Now you will be creating the pockets. You can choose to topstitch those if you wish. I did on mine.

Take your side pocket fabric with the wrong side facing you and fold over a 1/2" hem. Pin and sew them down.

Once they are sewn, take your cover piece and lay it down with the right side facing you. Lay each pocket onto the top with the right sides facing down so that the ends all meet up and leaves you the gap in the center. It will look like the photo below.

Pin them in place. Now carefully turn your cover over so you can see your sewing guide lines. Sew just around the outside of the lines, not directly on the line. I tend to allow about an 1/8" inch when I sew around a trace line just because I know in the end I will probably be glad I did. You want your cover to be snug but not so snug as to bind up the journal once the cover has been put on, a little wiggle room is good. Don't worry about being super exact. It will be fine.
Start sewing from the gap opening around the outside of the pocket. Stop sewing when you've reached around the top at the gap. Remember NOT to sew over the hemmed edge or you will have sewn your pocket closed. You've just completed one side. Repeat on the other side pocket.
You will see that there is a rough edge on the gap in your cover piece. You can leave this as a raw edge or I chose to use a zig zag stitch as a satin stitch and stitched that gap. I cut a tiny slit at each end of the gap and folded over a tiny tab of fabric and sewed over it.

Once you've done that, trim off any excess fabric all the way around and ta do, you are done. Turn the cover inside out, poke out the corner points with a bone folder or end of a pencil and put it on your journal.

Enjoy the process. If you have any questions do feel free to shoot me an email and I will be happy to help.

If you think others would enjoy this tutorial feel free to pass it along as a link to this post.

Removable Fabric Journal Cover Tutorial Coming Soon!!!!!

2011-03-29T16:34:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I picked up a spiral bound journal. I tend to make all of my own journals but time is not on my side right now so I decided to settle for a purchased journal. It was a fast solution and has nice, heavy pages and I got it with a coupon. Score! At first I was going to simply collage or paint the cover. It's not very pretty.

However, the cover is glossy; really glossy which does not show up in the pic. It needed to be lightly sanded if I wanted anything to stick to it. I am not sure even a coat of gesso would work with out sanding it a bit. I don't have the time or the inclination to make a mess at this point in time. So I scrapped all of those thoughts and came up with a fun, super easy, and quick fabric cover for it instead. It took me about and hour and a half start to finish. I will be sharing a tutorial for the cover and this can be created for any spiral bound journal or notebook and in any size and it's even removable, so when you are working with wet media and don't want to get paint or mediums all over the fabric cover, you can just take it off and put it back on when you are ready to.

Here are a couple of shots of the finished cover front and back.

Front

Back

Stay tuned for the tutorial. I am working out the step by step instructions/pics and

will post them as soon as I am done. Trust me when I say, this is so easy anyone can do it and even if you don't have a sewing machine. It can be hand sewn just as easily, just going to take a wee bit longer to do.

Sugar And Spice Itty Bitty Journal

2011-03-26T13:33:00.000-05:00

Sugar And Spice Itty Bitty 'HuG' Style Journal.

This teeny, tiny journal is ready to be adopted and looking for a new home. It is availabe in my Etsy shop.

The journal is a wee one but was created with a big heart, ready to capture all those sweet, tiny moments and those things we cherish. It has 60 pages, many pockets and hiding places and plenty of empty pages waiting to be filled. It is 2.5" tall by 2.5" wide and is 4" long with a warp around enclosure that is 30" in length. There are lots of little bits and treasures included inside.

Here are a few page peeks.

You can see even more peeks in my Flickr album.

The Artist's Creed

2011-03-26T00:42:00.000-05:00

This is worth watching but more importantly listen to the words, take them to heart, embrace them and share them. I was buzzing around my favorite on-line, late night hang outs when I found this on Ihanna's blog. I am so glad I did.