Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Fall Art Journal Continued

I started adding pictures to my fall art journal this week



 I am really not thinking about it too much.  I'm just grabbing what is within my reach at my desk.  It's coming together. 


I still have a lot to add to it.  I just thought I'd share a little bit with you.  Hope you are having a great week.

Michelle

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Random Fall Journal Pages


Just a couple of random fall journal pages.









Freedom isn't Free

Dear Veterans,

Thank you for defending my freedom.  Thank you for the tireless hours you spend in grueling weather.  Thank you for the sacrifice that you give in putting yourself in harms way.    For those who have been wounded as a result of service, I am truly in awe of your courage and devotion.   Thank you for the time you spend away from your families to fight for me.  At times, those of you who miss the birth of your children because you are fighting abroad.  The many holidays that you spend separated from the ones you love.   And to those who have lost their lives for the cause of freedom words can not describe my humble gratitude.  Thank you American Armed Forces past, present and future.  I am eternally grateful for your sacrifice and recognize that my freedom isn't free!



With Love,
Michelle

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Christmas Art Journal Peek

Last year I took Dawn DeVries Sokol's, Doodle: 12.31, Christmas Art Journal Workshop.  I just signed up again yesterday.  I had so much fun reminiscing old memories and documenting new ones.  She is still taking registrations.  http://www.dblogala.com/blog/2011/11/4/early-bird-pricing-extended.html.  She taught us how to put a book together last year.  This year you have to supply a prepared book ready to go.   I am diligently working on mine.  Last month, I went to an estate garage sale and found an old Bozo the Clown children's record album that was falling apart.  I decided to use it as my book.  So far, I only have the cover done.  I am still in the process of picking out the pages of my journal.  I will be painting some Fabriano papers to stick in here and there amongst the scrapbook and vintage papers.



  I found a worn out Twas the Night Before Christmas Pop Up Book last year at a local antique store for a $1.00.  I couldn't resist it.  I will be incorporating the pages of the book randomly throughout my journal.   I first gessoed the cover, then collaged a vintage piece of  Twas the Night Before Christmas sheet music to it.  I also used a snowflake stencil and added modeling paste to give the page some texture.  I then covered the raised snowflakes with Modge Podge and sprinkled them with glitter for texture.  I removed the backs of some snowflake brads and glued them randomly over the page for added bling.  I then began creating the "window"   I glued the page of the children's book to a transparency and allowed it to dry.  Once dry I placed another transparency over it and zigzaged three sides.  I added the fake snow, stars, and sequence inside.  I then sewed the top of the "pocket".  You can shake it around inside the pocket.  It reminds me of the snowglobes I had as a kid.  I took red ribbon to create a "window" around the transparency.  I added Snowtex to the outside of the window.  I embellished the front with a bargain bin snowflake, and gessoed, painted and added some glitter to some chipboard letters I already had.  I collaged the backside of the cover with Christmas papers that are a variety of vintage and scrapbook papers.  I am still trying to decide how to bind the book.  I was thinking about tackling the kettle stitch, but not sure I am brave enough.  We'll see... 

Happy Creating to All!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

I'm still here....

I apologize for neglecting my blog this past month.  Life has just been too busy.  I literally had no time!  I have managed to do a few crafty things.  I started my fall art journal book.  You might remember my art journal peek I posted back in September. http://daisymaisiejournalingmomma.blogspot.com/2011/09/fall-art-journal-peek.html   I had no goal in mind, but to use what I had lying around.  I still need to add the pictures yet.  I like the rawness of the book.  It's simple.



I covered the cardboard cover in gesso and scraped various fall colors with my credit card on it.  I then added a bit more gesso for texture and stamped brown leaves on it. 

I created a hidden pocket using an old photo envelope that was Grandma Gilmore's. 



She had written "Keep" on the envelope under the flap.


I sewed some strips of paper to tuck special things into the book.  I stuck the brochure to the Great Pumpkin Patch here.  I also taped the purchasing card to the left that one uses to check out at the Great Patch.






I have some great papertowels from wiping up ink and paint while creating other pages.  I thought this one was cool and turned it into it's own page. 




It has a long way to go, but I lack time.  I will get it done eventually.  If not, oh well. :)  I am also in the process of making my Christmas Art Journal.  I love to document the holidays.  Stay tuned!  Happy Fall Y'all!