Journals to go...

I've been experimenting with other styles of journals - easier - faster versions.  One day, researching surfing the items on Pinterest, I came across this adorable journal.   Gold has been my mood lately or shall I say golden?  That does mean I painted it gold and "aged" it accordingly.  My scrapbooking stash came in handy.  Sweet, easy and so amusant!

Inspiration comes from many places...

This week has been a vacation from the full time job and I've spent it creating, doing paperwork, preparing for teaching a class this weekend and a bit of retail therapy.  I've thoroughly enjoyed it.

These three pieces are done on art board.  I used my romantic notions of Paris and some of the new notions I bought at the Cloth Paper Scissors Create Retreat.  The hand lettering turned out well even though I find it to be something I have to truly focus on when lettering.  The gold leafing adds some richness to it.  

The lovely image at the right is entitled "Sweet Girl."  Again I was looking for another outlet for using book pages, while incorporating my girlie love of dresses. 

This last image incorporates a technique that I'll be teaching locally to incorporate book pages again while highlighting a particular message of importance to me.  "...he proposed marriage to me..." 

I love them but today I purchased frames to showcase them and WOW is all I can say.  I actually did a little happy dance when I looked at them in the frames.   Right now, this week, these creations, have brought me so much joy and happiness.  May all of you see what I see.  If not, take a chance and create your own "petite" image. 

The Christmas season has begun at our house

Today, I realized I'm looking forward to the holidays.  It may be the holiday food shows and the commercials but the real spirit is here for us too.   While watching some of those shows this morning, I whipped up this little wreath and decorated it for the Christmas season!  Enjoy!



Book pages wreath (6" diameter)



Have you noticed I can't stop yet?

I can't stop with the book pages.  I just spent a little time this morning trying to make a star out of book pages.  While the instructions I had found (various ones) needed some tweaking, I think it turned out nicely. 

A smaller one -- from 8" x 5.5" book pages

Book pages continue to inspire me...

Book pages really do inspire me - to change my behavior, learn, love, dream, explore, ... and especially create. 

I had to explore more opportunities for art with words but more specifically pages from books. First cut the pages apart - line by line or two lines at at time.  Put them in a bag/box/pile and randomly pull one or two strips out.   

Words speak to us and on this project - I was reading each line to see what it said to me and how to highlight it in the art piece.

Then playing with color.... It overwhelms me and excites me all at the same time!  I know I cannot overthink it or I'll never put any color onto my art pieces. 

(You can see on the backside above how I tested the various colors on the paper to see what it would look like.)

but it results in a ..."proposal of marriage"...

Okay I'm a sucker for love and romance! 

SUCH Fun -- Holiday Wreath Class

Let's get started! 



Listening intently to the "how to"



Getting into the process!



Large group -- So much fun Ladies!



Last night the clocks changed back an hour here in the Chicagoland area where I live, giving me an extra hour of sleep before I headed out to the Algonquin Public Library to teach a class on wreath making using book pages.  I'm home and curled up (it's cold outside) and very happy.  The class of 17 ladies were so creative and enthusiastic.  Those ladies that said you don't do crafts...ever... well you can say that no more!  Everyone did a fabulous job and your wreaths looks fantastic.  While we took photos of the actual class time, I didn't get photos of your finished wreaths.  If anyone wants to send me a photo.... PLEASE do so!  I'll post it. 

In the meantime, Happy Holidays!