Misc October Scrapbook Pages

   credits: at scrapbookgraphics.com: by Maya- Blue Moon, Niche Market Book Nooks Vol. 5, Sweetums, Steampunk 6th Anniversary Collection, Painterly Art Journal Backgrounds; by Lorie Davison: Flying Dreams Elements Collection; by Wendyzine: Action: Strip Maker
font: CK Carbon Copy, CK Dandy, CK Cosmopolitan, CK Script, CK June Bug Louise, CK Pirate Hand, CK Handprint, CK Thick Brush

 
credits: Treasure Collection by Lorilei Murphy at scrapbookgraphics.com
font: Clarissa

  journaling: Elizabeth and Carissa had asked a long time ago to be taught how to sew, and like many things it kept getting pushed to the end of the list. I came across a sale on American Girl craft kits along with a bonus coupon at Michaels craft store and thought that they would be a good starting point. With the felt pieces already cut and illustrated instructions, the girls tackled the projects right away and before too long had their own hand-crafted creatures.
July 24, 2011
credits: at scrapbookgraphics.com: Studio Mix 10: October Potpourri and SM10 October Potpourri B-sides Overlays by Berna Datema, Em-ka, and Manuella Zimmermann; Page Templates Vol. 3 by Thaty Borges; font: CK Becky

 
journaling: The girls auditioned for roles in the Springs Philharmonic Nutcracker ballet with Ballet Idaho back in August, and now rehearsals are finally in full swing for this Thanksgiving weekend tradition. Brenna is thrilled to be participating in this professional show, and Beth and Carissa are getting into their Big Mice characters which are just a little wild and crazy. Having their tap friend Iyanno in the same cast with them adds even more fun to being in the show. It’s a lot of work for two shows, but lots of fun too.
credits: By Baers Garten at scrapbookgraphics: Heart Song Mini, Magic of Christmas Kit, Layered Vintage Alpha Set 1, Everyday 365 Cardstock; Project 7 templates by JennV; font: CK Tea Party

I saw these vintage Christmas images from SherrieJD and had an instant flashback to my own childhood. I’m pretty sure that a few of the images in these kits showed up in our mailbox over the years. I have a distinct memory of a year that I had one of those advent calendars with the little numbered windows and doors you got to open each day, and it was a Christmas collage that looked a little something like this. credits: everything at scrapbookgraphics.com:
by Sherrie JD: Countdown 2 Christmas 2010, Countdown to Christmas 2011, Rudolf Jive, Santa Cutie, Joy & Glee
Christina Renee: Windows to Our Life Frames
Wendyzine: Snow Brushes
Lorie Davison: Greymouse Manor Masquerade Ball (bushes), Baby Bee Garden (tall bush), IO Festivities (falling snow)
Flergs: Fairytale (pink curtain)
Berna Datema: Impressions of Romance (pink curtain)
Tangie: Mansion Masquerade collab (iron fence)
Alana McCarthy: Carousel (red curtain, retired)
Birgit Kerr: December Morning (icicles, retired)
font: Clarissa

and while I was working on the Christmas collage I ended up making some cards too.  credits: everything at scrapbookgraphics.com:
by SherrieJD: Countdown to Christmas 2011, Rudolf Jive, Santa Cutie, Joy & Glee
by Bethany Harty: Christmas Wordart 2

 
journaling: Elizabeth and Carissa’s friend Tricia LOVES frogs. She has a huge collection of them and is adding to it all of the time. Any time we see a frog, Beth and Carissa have to mention how much Tricia would love that. Tricia had a scavenger hunt party at the mall for her birthday and the girls had a great time hunting for the things on the list and buying something they loved. Of course Tricia got a few more froggy things with her gift money. ~May 28, 2011
credits: Studio Mix 11- November Rain by Charlize, Flergs, Redju, and Bethany, Studio Mix 11- November Rain B-Sides Paper Pack, Studio Mix 11- November Rain B-Sides Scatterz, and at scrapbookgraphics; Stuffy Collection Templates 4-7 by Tiffany Tillman; font: Old Press, P22 Garamouche

Feeling Patriotic

It’s July and that tends to bring out the patriotic feelings in full force. Of course maybe a certain set of dance photos might have had a bit to do with it as well ;)

credits: at scrapbookgraphics: Buttercup Designs: Vogue Templates, Microferk: My Country and My Country Glass Alpha, Manuella Zimmerman: Only You (white feather), SussieM: Secret Garden (colored feathers); bronze stars made by me
font: TXT Brush Script

credits: at scrapbookgraphics: Lorelei Murphy: Blended Templates 6, Microferk: My Country and My Country Glass Alpha, Manuella Zimmerman: Only You (white feather), SussieM: Secret Garden (colored feathers); bronze stars made by me
font: TXT Brush Script

credits: at scrapbookgraphics: Buttercup Designs: Vogue Templates, Microferk: My Country and My Country Glass Alpha, Manuella Zimmerman: Only You (white feather), SussieM: Secret Garden (colored feathers); bronze stars made by me
font: TXT Brush Script

 
credits: at scrapbookgraphics-
by Rebecca McMeen: Evangeline and Ismene Bundle
by Tangie Baxter: Tiger-Lily font, Five, Seven and Two font, Mad Hatter font, Mock Turtle font, AJC Journal Lines, Paperworn Art Styles
By Microferk: My Country elements (flag)

and a little flashback to a year ago, last July ;) The girls are in the midst of the party plans for this year now.

 
credits: by Kim Jensen at scrapdish.com: Tiki Beach, Jumbo Postcard Titles, Ring Around the Rosie, Srsly Stoked with Kate Hadfield (frame), Random Moments Elements; font: Baby Boston

Art Journal Caravan 2011

So, I joined Tangie Baxter’s AJC for 2011. I kind of fell off the wagon toward the end of last year, at least as far as doing the directed prompts each week. But, I still got inspiration and found myself thinking about recording different things about myself, and that is what I thought as important to get out of the experience.  I still haven’t done much quantity-wise this year, but I have done a few things. I’ve got a big project for February “in the works”, doing a little bit at a time. Maybe I’ll have it done by the end of the month, but maybe not ;)

My one word this year is 'explore', as I want to enjoy the time I take to learn new things like sewing dance costumes that I have to do for my daughters' dance company and hopefully find the time to just try some new things as well as return to some older craft pastimes.

credits: by Tangie Baxter at scrapbookgraphics.com: Journey '11, AJC '11 Parcel 01, AJC'11 Parcel 02; Desk Mess (hole punches) by Holliewood Studios at DeviantScrap.com
font: Impact

I had the urge to scrap this visual of what I feel like my life is like these days, in part because today was a milestone birthday for me (40)- different pieces held together, sometimes messily, but hopefully creating a larger picture that over time will come together as a beautiful whole.
journaling: I feel like a juggler most days now that the kids are older and involved in so many activities. I wake up making lists in my head of everything that needs to happen on a given day and what time it has to be accomplished by. It’s a challenge for sure, but one I’m glad to be able to take on- being there for my children, cheering them on & helping them grow on their path to independence.
credits: at scrapbookgraphics.com: by Dawn Inskip- Sew Special, Above & Beyond Layered Template 13, Stick People, More Stick People, Skinny Minnie Alpha,and Everyday Titles, by Berna Datema- Logbook Papers Vol. 2
font: CK Becky, LD Letterpress

journaling: It’s the big 4-0 milestone this year for me. Where did the years go? It hardly seems possible that I’m now one of the adults in the midst of middle-age. Some things tell me that I’m not as young as I used to be- my knees give me warning that a storm is coming our way when they start aching, I’ve usually got a bruise or two from stumbling over something, I find myself peering over my glasses when working on small projects, and it just seems to take longer to get over small illnesses, among other things. Overall though, things are good. I’m thankful for a wonderful family, good health overall, and the energy to keep up with everything that the kids are doing as they get older. I wish there was a bit more time for ‘me’ occasionally, but I’m so glad that I have the time and ability to be there for others. This birthday only marks the beginning of the second part of my life, and I’m determined that it will be better than the first! ~Melinda January 27, 2011
credits: Queen For a Day and Big Stampy Alpha by Pixel Works at The-LilyPad, tape from Random Moments by Kim Jensen at scrapdish.com
font: CK Becky

AJC Week 23: A Good Read

Week 23’s topic was an easy one: what do you read? I’ve always got something to read with me, wherever I go. It might be a book or a magazine, something I own or something from the library. I need to be prepared in case there are a few minutes that need filling while waiting somewhere! I photographed a stack of books that are old and current favorites, and then filled in the rest of the page with a montage representing some of my favorite genres.

credits: by Lorie Davison at scrapbookgraphics: Before the First Snow, Don't Eat Worms World, Flitting Fall Faeries, A Pioneer Story, Ticket To Dragon's End, Blooming Sweethearts In the Garden Elements (alpha); skeleton from Fright Delight by Holly Griego at ShabbyPickle; headstone from Googly Moogly by Saxon Holt and Tracy Monette at scrapbook-elements; apple from Love Bites by Dani Mogstad, Traci Reed, and Shawna Clingerman at SweetShoppeDesigns
fonts: TXT Romanesque

AJC Weeks 17 and 21

Week 17’s topic was to listen to your heart and scrap about what you heard. Some things have been making me sad and out of sorts and so this is what came out.

credits: at scrapbookgraphics: Tangie Baxter- Collage Fodder Silhouettes, Gypsy- In a Daze Papers & Handiworks Papers, Maya- Painterly Papers Art Journal Backgrounds, Mask It by Wendyzine, Heavenly by Ztampf! (dewdrops, rainbow, clouds); Panos Fx Rainy Day action

Week 21’s topic was to explore your Inner Rebel.

 
journaling: She lurks in the background, hidden beneath the surface- my inner rebel. She doesn’t show her face very often, but sometimes she gets tired of being quiet and some sharp retort or mean action will pop out when I don’t expect it. I’m usually sorry for her actions and wish I had been able to keep better control. If she does find a way out into the open, then that is usually a sign to me that there is some hidden issue that needs to be dealt with before she gets out of control again.
credits: at scrapbookgraphics: Tangie Baxter: Impossible Things, Esperia with Rebecca McMeen, Splatter Graffiti Rebel, Week 21 Bonus Collage Fodder; Jen Caputo: bracket shape from Sketch Collection 26;  font: TXT Tough Love

AJC Weeks 15 and 16

Still trying to catch up. I think I’m down to only 3 weeks I’ve not done yet. Not too bad considering how busy things have been lately- and it won’t be slowing down until after school gets out and recital is over. Such is life- busy, but good most of the time.

Week 15- Nature
The main prompt for this week was to scrap something about nature- what you are inspired by, how it makes you feel, etc.

journaling:“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities— his eternal power and divine nature— have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
I see the hand of God when I see the wonders of nature. Surely the complexities of life didn’t just evolve from nothing. The more I studied science the more it convinced me that anything is possible with God. His work all around us is wondrous and amazing. The
world itself and the plants and creatures in it testify to the awesome power of God.
credits: at scrapbookgraphics: Field Notes and Wonderland (rock) by Tangie Baxter, Listen To Your Heart (fern leaf) and Along the Beach (shells) by Manuella Zimmerman, Blue Agate from Prehistoric by Phuong (retired), white rocks from Gumnut Gully by Flergs, scattered flowers from The Big Balloon by Lorie Davison
font: Baby Boston

Week 16- Character

The prompt this week was to scrap using a word you would use to describe your character. I knew almost right away that I was going to use the word ‘wallflower’- it suits me, and I accept it as part of who I am at this point in life.

 
journaling: Can you see me standing back here, blending into the background? Yep, it’s me- Ms. Wallflower herself. I’m happiest back here helping out where you don’t notice me most of the time. A little public recognition once in a while isn’t bad, but I don’t need it to enjoy the jobs I do while helping others. Really, it’s OK. I don’t mind no one noticing me. I think I actually like it better that way.
credits: Ultimate Art Doll by Tangie Baxter and SherrieJD at scrapbookgraphics; Bloomin' Eclectic by Jessica Bolton (flower paper); I Can See Clearly style by Misty Cato
font: Mistral, Arial

AJC Quarterly Party Campfire and Week 13- Home

Who invited the party camels to the quarterly campfire gathering?? They must have snuck over after Brenna’s birthday party was done earlier this month….

The first campfire gathering challenge at the beginning of April was to decorate the camel Tangie gave us somehow. There are some beautiful, creative, thought-provoking, and even hilarious ones in the campfire gallery. I’m always amazed at the different things that the AJC participants think up!

 
credits: Birthday Wishes by Glam Fairy, camel shape and banner from AJC Provisions Parcel 2 by Tangie Baxter

and another page in the list of itineraries I am trying to catch up on. The week 13 prompt was to tell something about what ‘home’ means to you.

journaling: Before we moved to Colorado Springs, we moved quite regularly- every year or two. One of the things that struck me over time was how adding our belongings to a new house could make it feel like home right away. We spent almost 4 years fixing up the old house in Bellefonte, gutting the house and rebuilding it from the inside out. I remember taking one last look around the empty rooms before we signed the papers to sell it and move to New Jersey. It didn’t matter that it was empty now- those rooms held precious memories for me. Working side by side with my Dad and husband to make it a better place to live, bringing home our first child, working on our graduate degrees. Yes, my furniture and knick-knacks are important to me, but it is not the things in themselves. It is the memories that they bring to mind when I see them that makes them so precious. I feel the love of my friends and family in just about everything in my home.
credits: at scrapbookgraphics: AJC Provisions Parcel 13 by Tangie Baxter, Home 2 Wordart by Bethany Harty, Self Indulgence by Veronica Spriggs (jar with roses), Watering Can Vase and outside paper from The Big Balloon by Lorie Davison, door hanger and blue wood frame from Rusty Sweetness by Lorie Davison, Mediterranean Muse by Phuong and Microferk (flower bunch and gold vertical frame, retired), white wood frame from Tree Hugger by Anna Benjamin (retired), gold horizontal and wood frames and screw from My Family Tree by Line Designs (retired); white paper from Thrifty Solids No 3 by Jessica Bolton (retired)
font: TXT Abrasive

AJC Week 8 - Music

Back-tracking a bit to pick up one of the weeks I had skipped earlier.

journaling: Listening to music is one of the quickest ways to change my mood. There is nothing else like actually playing my oboe in an orchestra though- helping to create the wonderful dance of notes weaving together is like working a bit of magic.
credits: at scrapbookgraphics: by JenU- Vintage Painted Papers, Old Window Frames, Natural Wonders Collection- Dried Fall Florals & Wild Long Stems, Vintage Antiquities- Rustic Elements (Rustic Sheet Music), and Victorian Vases, Inspirational 4 Wordart by Bethany Harty, Flying Dreams Sky Papers Collection by Lorie Davison (sky paper), Worn Overlays by Manuela Zimmerman, Soaring by Ztampf! (wings, strokes, red & blue papers), Mediterranean Muse by Phuong and Microferk (mantle, retired), Melody of Your Heart by Bluebell (music staff, retired), Angelic by SussieM (red heart and red paper), Everyday Essentials: Trims by Traci Sims (retired), Into the Twilight by Flergs (Clair de Lune sheet music), The Whisper About Fall by Natali (stitches); oboe pin photographed and extracted by me

AJC Week 10

The inspiration that I chose this week was the theme of the week- "Life's a Circus...". yeah, it seems like that most of the time these days!

 
Journaling: My life feels like a circus a lot of the time- multiple rings with very different performances all going on at the same time with me as the ringmaster trying to keep it all straight and give each the attention it deserves. How am I supposed to keep up with it all? How can I give 100% to everything I think each family member needs and still have something left for myself at the end of the day? I don’t know, so for now the juggling & balancing act is just going to have to continue on as it is- loosely controlled chaos at it’s best.
credits: by Tanige Baxter at scrapbookgraphics: AJC Provisions Parcel 10, Penelope and Priscilla {a Rebecca McMeen Collection}
fonts: Ticket Capitals Impressed, SP Wonderful Wendy

Art Journal – Week 9

The inspiration for this week was the collage style art of Sara Hearn, and our topic was ‘the power of imagery.’ Pick an image that you find inspiring and tell about it.

 
Journaling: History has always fascinated me whether it be in books, taking care of family heirlooms, or exploring some local or distant site in person. What was it really like to live in that time? would I have liked to live back then without all of today’s modern conveniences? I suppose scrapbooking is my little way of preserving my bit of history for the future generations of family yet to come.
Photo taken at the Rourke Ranch in Picketwire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Colorado. The Ranch was established in 1871 and was a working ranch until the early 1980s. What started out as a 40 acre holding grew to over 50,000 acres under the care of three generations of the Rourke family.
credits: everything available at scrapbookgraphics:
by Tangie Baxter: Impossible Things (green star paper), Junque Journal, Splatter Grafitti- Junque Journal, Steamer Trunk (collage sheet), Studio Remnants Yellow Ochre (round clip, recolored)
by Maya: book paper from Book Nooks 1, Painterly Papers- Art Journal Backgrounds
Miss Vivi: Project 52 Dates
font: Jayne Print, Ticket Capitals Impressed

Last week was one of those weeks that you are grateful is over. Cramps of several kinds, not sleeping well, Beth not being able to dance because she hurt her foot somehow, the oven heating element burning out, etc. just left me in a cranky mood most of the time. I have always loved the book "My Many Colored Days" by Dr. Seuss, where each of the colors is associated with a mood that kids have to learn to deal with. This week was definitely a black week for me.

 
credits: Impossible Things by Tangie Baxter at scrapbookgraphics
fonts: TXT Abrasive, Horse Puke, Jayne Print

Weeks 7 and 8 aren’t done yet as I was really busy with costume alterations and sewing for the Dance Quest production. Performances are next weekend, so we are in the very busy homestretch for that now. DEA is only 3 weeks away too.

Art Journal- Week 6

The main theme of week 6 is ‘what is your bliss’. We had a couple of blogs to look at where the ladies posted things that they found inspiring. There were lots of magazine pictures with plenty of beautifully decorated spaces all perfectly clutter and excess free. So, here is my take on the topics of ‘bliss’ and how it pertains to my living space.

journaling: I’ll admit to being fascinated by the thought of what it would be like to have a minimalistic design to my house decor. All of the clean, white walls with spots of carefully arranged color. Would I find it relaxing to have no clutter in my life? or would it just be a cold, sterile living space that would become a chore to keep up?
credits, pg 1:  everything at scrapbookgraphics: Book Nooks #1, Music Box and Sweetums by Maya, Art Journal Caravan Provisions {Parcel #6}, Glitter Foliage and Wizard School (blue bottle) by Tangie Baxter, Junque Journal by Tangie Baxter and Sherrie JD, heather sprig from Provance by Natali, pussy willow branch from Kit No 14 by ON Designs,  paint strokes from Impressions of Imagination and Impressions of Romance; font: FO Journal Away

  journaling, pg 2: Let’s face it, clean and sleek is just not my style. I’d much rather be surrounded with all of the items that remind me of my family and things I’ve done & created than have a perfectly neat living space.
credits, pg 2: everything at scrapbookgraphics: Book Nooks #1, Music Box, Bottle It Up and Sweetums by Maya, Junque Journal by Tangie Baxter and Sherrie JD, Wizard School (green bottle) and Splatter Graffiti- Junque Journal by Tangie Baxter, Vintage Antiquities Collection by Jen U, handpainted heart from Angelic by SussieM, paint strokes from Impressions of Imagination and Impressions of Romance, Fantasy by Peta Boardman (retired); font: FO Journal Away

Art Journal- Weeks 3 and 5

I have been working diligently on my piece for week 3 during the last week- taking it to TDC instead of my computer- and I finally finished it up at home this evening after several hours of working on it at while sitting at dance rehearsals. Week 3’s inspiration was the art of Ann Wood. One of her specialties is taking vintage clothing and making original bird sculptures from them. I fell in love with her cute little birdies and the owls that have so much individual character. My favorite owl from her store was Pecksniff. So I made myself an owl template based on him and set out to make a little scene stitched together from felt. I could have just made it all digitally- it would have been much faster- but oh no, that is just not the way I do things a lot of the time LOL That’s OK, I went into this Art Journal project with the point of taking some time just for me and it was fun to feel the felt as I cut it out and stitched it all together to make the scene. I had so many people ask me what I was working on this last week at the dance place. It’s not easy to explain an art journal to someone though! Here’s my “Nightowl” page for week 3.

 

The background is made from a muslin sheet 8.5x11 inches that I painted with navy blue and black acrylic paints, and then I added a glitter paint (Roseart) that gives it a starry shine. The felt pieces were hand-stitched with a basic blanket stitch to the muslin- no glue whatsoever was used to put this piece together. The tree shape I used as a template was from Flergs and Kaye Winieki’s Fright Night kit at scrapbookgraphics. All other pieces of the project are my design.

Week 5’s inspiration is the art of Cori Dantini, and given the complexity of my page for week 3 I also chose to focus on the verb of the week: simplify. It seemed fitting LOL! So, I stuck to a digital page  that I dressed up quickly by adding a few self-stick rhinestones, Glimmer Mist (I can see I’m going to be going through lots and lots of it as it is just so pretty and easy!), and  punching a quick border with a new punch I bought with birthday money. I had to tell myself to leave it be a few times after that though ;)

 
journaling: Why do I make everything so darn complicated? Even the simplest of tasks can take on a whole new dimension for me if I haven’t done them before because I want to get them right, without mistakes, the first time around. Sometimes mistakes are good- you learn from them in some way. Just go for it and quit over analyzing everything already!
credits: at scrapbookgraphics.com: Art Journal Caravan Provisions {Parcel #5} and aqua background paper (recolored) from Field Guide by Tangie Baxter, Ultimate Staple Stash by Maya; doll and flowers from Reflections of Me by Christine Honsinger at scrapartist
fonts: CK Becky
paper credits: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Pearl, rhinestones by Darice, paper lace edge punch by Fiskars

and here is one more piece not specifically related to the weekly AJC Itineraries. It’s another lyric-based piece from the Glee album. I think I’m going to end up with a whole series of pages based on the songs that I’m loving at the moment. This one is based on the song ‘Defying Gravity’ from the musical Wicked, which I haven’t seen yet but would love to. It came to Denver last October but it just didn’t end up working out for Mark and I to get away to see it. I’ve read the book now, and found it thought-provoking even though it wasn’t an engrossing read for me. I love the song’s soaring melody and the words that encourage you to give your dreams a try even when no one else believes in them.

credits: Soaring by Ztampf! at scrapbookgraphics; vintage lady from FairyDavis.com
fonts: Cezanne, CK Heritage

Art Journal LOs – Week 4

One of the assignments in an art journaling book that I bought for inspiration (so this particular page is not related specifically to the AJC) is to scrap your inner critic and then tell him off! LOL Some of my favorite scrapping music lately are the soundtracks to Glee, and when I heard the song "Don’t Rain on My Parade" one night and saw the whimsical animals in Tangie's Journal Anthology kit I knew just what I was going to do to tell my inner critic to quit being so judgmental about my artistic abilities. I can scrap what and however I want as long as it makes me happy, and if it is singing, dancing and juggling farm animals, so be it!
 
credits: at scrapbookgraphics: Painted Art Journal Backgrounds, Big Top, and Ultimate Staple Collection by Maya, Journal Anthology, Ultimate Art Doll kit, and Marker Doodle Doo by Tangie Baxter, Clouds and rain from Heavenly by Ztampf!, Golden Accents by Veronica Spriggs ; Fishbowl by Scrappin' Cop; Water splash from Sea Oh Sea by Jofia; umbrellas: orange from Summer Solstice by New Life Dreams & Edeline Marta at shabbypickledesigns, black from Scaredeedoo by Irene Alexeeva at scraporchard, red/white tiny umbrellas from The Big Balloon and blue/yellow from Rough to the Touch by Lorie Davison at scrapbookgraphics; Wood and wood stars from Ragtag Cowboy by Dani Mogstad at SweetShoppeDesigns; Wood Cirlces from Amy by Tania Shaw at FunkyPlaygroundDesigns; Wood button from Outnumbered Girl by Jessica Bolton; Ol' MacDoodles Farm by Patricia Christensen at WeedsandWildflowers; font: Horse Puke

This next one just came about because the digital designers are starting to put out the Valentine/lovey-dovey type kits and that got me to thinking about DH and I’s courtship and how much I loved playing in the orchestra and singing with him at church while we dated. During the months of our engagement when he was in Germany and I was still in Pullman, one of the things he did was record a tape of himself playing and singing his favorite songs and then he sent it to me in the mail. I still have that tape tucked away in a safe place ;) 
credits: Altered 365 by Something Blue Studios; at scrapartist: Reflections of Me by Christine Honsinger, Set My Soul on Fire and Autumn Dreamscape by Pixelworks, Stamped Hearts 2 by Amber Clegg ; fonts: MA Sexy

and the week 4 art inspiration for the AJC is the art of Traci Bautista, and her wonderful use of color. A couple of the pieces shown on her blog that I loved on first sight were pages with brightly colored and stitched hearts, so I had fun duplicating the essence of them in my main piece for the week. Sarah shorten the phrase ‘I love you’ to just ‘love you’ these days, so that is where the wording came from.
  digital supply credits: Art Journal Caravan Provisions {Parcel #4} and Scratchy Paint by Tangie Baxter at scrapbookgraphics.com; at scrapartist: Stamped Hearts by Amber Clegg and Fraying Fabric Templates by Rachel Young;     
paper supply credits: Ranger Distress Ink in Dusty Concord, Glimmer Mist in Pearl, Moon Glow's Starburst Stains in Black Orchid Silver, muslin, thread, Marvy Silver Glitter Decofabric pen

I designed the main background on the computer and then had fun embellishing it with real stitching, ink and glitter mist sprays, paint, and glittery silver pen doodles. I was reorganizing the hybrid supplies on my scrap table Friday and came across an empty Pepperidge Farm Pirouette cookie tin that I had saved- probably for use on a Prima project at some point. I decided to use it for a pen tin and opened it up to find that the corrugated paper they use as packing material was still inside. On a whim I decided to keep it and put in the box of goodies I’m saving for possible use in my art journal. I was happy to get to making use of it right away today and had fun dressing it up for my heart. I was hoping for it to be a bit more purple on the muslin fabric and corrugated heart, but oh well, that’s the way it goes since the shimmer mist stuff I bought a while back and finally got out to use wasn’t the color I was expecting. I also used a bit of Tattered Angels Pearl Glitter Mist on the background paper and oh boy, is that stuff pretty! It doesn’t take but a squirt or two to give everything a nice shimmer.

Yes, I know I skipped posting about the week 3 assignment… I was very busy last week sewing a hippie dance costume for Brenna and while I got it started, it isn’t finished quite yet. I will post it later when I’m done with it!

Art Journal Caravan Week 2

Oh, I just loved the inspiration this week! I did two 'projects’ based on the images found at Geninne’s blog, and more specifically the January pages of her 2010 journal that she showed in this post.

Inspired both by Geninne's lovely 2010 journal and this week's word, accept. I liked the long, 2 pg spread look, blocks with journaling (which are various phrases/statements about things I need to accept), and of course all of the birds. The pages are about 4x10 and double-sided. Thank goodness for inking to hide the edges where the printer didn't feed the second side quite straight! I imagine that some bits of ribbon and buttons and such will eventually end up on the pages, but nothing I could get my hands on easily this week coordinated. I'm sure something will turn up as I rummage around in my stash in future weeks;) On 2 of the pages I used a few bits and pieces I’ve collected from an artist I discovered a little while ago, Valentina Ramos. Her art really appeals to me right now and I was happy to find a use for a couple of the digital pieces she has freely shared on her blog.

  credits: Art Journal Caravan Provisions {Parcel #2} by Tangie Baxter at scrapbookgraphics.com; Super Klean Krafts by Pixel Works at scrapartist.com; Doodled Calendar by Pamela Donnis at TheDigiChick.com; Woodland Whimsy by Kate Hadfield at The-LilyPad; by Valentina Ramos: flower from "Be Good to Yourself" list, and Fall picture
fonts: Vaguely Repulsive
paper credits: Ranger Distress Inks in Weathered Wood and Tattered Rose

Geninne’s diary pages also inspired me in another way. I loved her icy doodles, especially the polar bear with his scarf flapping in the wind I could most certainly feel blowing at our house for several days last week when we had some extremely cold temperatures. So, I made some cold weather inspired projects too. Alana McCarthy at scrapbookgraphics has a new kit out this week called Frosty Wings that was fun to play with. I looked up the temperatures for last week on the web and used those as my main focal point of the page since I really didn’t have any photos that depicted how cold it felt (I stay bundled up inside whenever I can when it is freezing cold like that! LOL).

I wanted to do a page for my art journal too, so I got a little more creative and hybrid with the elements and personal with the journaling for this one. there are quite a few layers of glitter and fuzzy things on this page, so I was working on it over about 3 days once I got the digital base printed. Sarah and Brenna were often hanging about watching me as I worked. I had to endure the never-ending "why are you doing that, Mama?" questions from Brenna and Sarah. "It's my paper, and I want it that way." was finally the answer that got them to be quiet one evening when Sarah didn’t like the colors I had chosen to glitter the felt scarf with LOL

 
journaling: I’m not a fan of hot weather, in fact I’d much rather just put on an extra layer if it is a bit chilly than have to deal with cooling off because it is too hot.On the other hand, I don’t like to be cold all of the time either, feeling like I can never quite get warm. Give me a happy medium, please! A nice change of seasons, but not have temperatures too extreme in any direction.
credits: Frosty Wings by Alana McCarthy at scrapbookgraphics; notebook paper from Hello School by Baers Garten at scrapbookgraphics
fonts: CK Crazy Cakes, CK Chocolate Sundae
paper credits: glitter pompom, white pipe cleaner, glitter glue by Sulyn, Liquid Applique by Marvy, metallic rub-ons by Craf-T Products, Inc., cellophane glitter I got years and years ago from a company called Magic Scraps- I don't believe they are around any longer

 
and in true artist fashion, Brenna decided that she wanted a girl to color too, so I told her she could draw one and color it the way she wanted to since she kept telling me what colors she thought things should be. She said OK and got right to work, even going so far as to cut it out just like mine. I’m not sure where the party hat comes in with the ice skates she added back since she didn’t like that fact that I had taken the skate blades off of my girl, but it’s her drawing and that’s the way she wanted it LOL! Sarah informed me this morning when I was taking a picture of it to share that she was the one who colored the dress purple and gave her ears, earrings and eyelashes- also in purple, of course! LOL

The Art Journal Caravan

With the end of 2009 come and gone, so had the P365 project I worked on all year. In 2010 I’m going to try something a bit different (I haven’t decided whether I will try and do another P365 project too). Tangie Baxter at scrapbookgraphics has a year long journey into the craft of art journaling planned and she has invited everyone who wants to come too to join her. It is called the Art Journal Caravan.

Since the Journey didn’t officially start until 1/1/10, our first assignment was to think about what we were going to do for a journal and design a cover of some sort. I’m not really sure what I will do for a journal, but I’m leaning towards a ‘do it yourself’ sort with office rings, kind of like the Halloween album I did a few months ago, so that I can mix different sizes and play with hybrid when something strikes me. A LO I did before Christmas with Sarah peeking through a door into Wonderland sparked an idea for me and here is where it led. It ended up in my typical crafty, messy style. The doors open to a new world where I can explore my inner self. I used a second copy of the door to make an elevated door frame and I also elevated the topiaries above the door frame with more foam mounting tape.

  digital credits: by Tangie Baxter at scrapbookgraphics: Steamer Trunk (Art Journal Caravan 2010 exclusive kit), Ultimate Art Doll kit, Hollie Day Dollie, Studio Remnants Collection, Wonderland Collection; Doors by Jen Ulasiewicz at scrapbookgraphics; Topiaries from Steampunk by Maya at scrapbookgraphics; scissors by Adrons Catherine from Once Upon a Sewing Room (Teacher's Pet competition at FPD)
paper credits: Scotch Foam Mounting Tape used to elevate the door frame and topiaries. Distress ink and Zig markers.

If this does end up on the cover of the album it might just end up with a few real odds and ends stuck on it as well. Then again, it might just end up somewhere inside the album if I come up with another idea for the cover- time will tell. I’m just collecting my pages in a box for now until it is a bit more obvious what the format of the actual album will be.

Week #1’s assignment was to choose a word for 2010, ala Ali Edwards, and to make a page for it. Here is what I came up with last night. Like the cover page above, this one is a hybrid page too. I needed somewhere to put my journaling, so I turned the large frame into a flap with the journaling hidden on the underside. I toyed with the idea of actually using a transparency inside the frame and really stamping my word on that, but then there wouldn’t have been anywhere to put my journaling still :P Digiscrapping to the rescue- I ‘faked’ the transparency part on the computer and still had room for my journaling! Digiscrapping is awesome ;)

 
I've chosen the word enjoy for 2010. I spent almost 2 hours on Jan 1 putting together the family calendar for the next 6 months. It is amazing how incredibly busy the kids are, and my personal schedule revolves around it all. I want to try and remember that these days with the kids are precious. It won't be long before they don't need me to taxi them to and from their activities, they won't want mom hanging around all of the time, and they will start leaving home. It gets incredibly noisy and chaotic at times, but these are times to enjoy and savor- the fleeting moments of my children's lives as they grow up. I also need to remember to make time myself to do the things that I like to do, just for me. Making time for myself helps me keep a better attitude during those periods where I don’t get to do the things that I want to.
credits: at scrapbookgraphics: Art Journal Caravan Provisions Parcel 1 by Tangie Baxter and Amanda Sexton, Palais Royal by Ztampf, The Inner Path by Wendyzine; Handstamped alpha by Michelle Coleman at LittleDreamerDesigns
font: CK Becky, Ticket Capitals Impressed, Myriad Pro
paper credits: Vintage Photo Ranger Distress Ink, blue dotted ribbon by Michaels, Red Felt Ricrac by Offray

and as we were putting up the Christmas decorations and cleaning up the house this weekend, this page just had to come out. It was better at yelling at my family to “TURN THE VOLUME DOWN!!!!!” and some other less polite phrases like I really wanted to. Between the talking, TV and Wii, computer, vacuum, and who knows what else I was getting a serious headache. It’s no wonder I stay up so late- it’s the only time the house is quiet and I can hear myself think!

 
credits: by Pixel Works at scrapartist: Jan 10 Artist 2 Artist- A Beautiful Mess Papers, Watercolor Solids, Elements, Crayon Scribbles, Finishing Touches, and Leather Lovelies; Ultimate Art Doll kit by Tangie Baxter and Sherrie JD at scrapartist and scrapbookgraphics
font: LD Letterpress