So This is Christmas...

I have struggled this year not to give in to depression.  A rollercoaster of emotions, really.  Christmas is so different the older I get.  Our family is separated by many miles, and even continents.  It was a different kind of Christmas, but still JOYFUL!  We stayed home for Christmas.  It was the first time since Troy and I were married that we won't see my in-laws.  It's sad!  I miss them dearly.  I forced myself to get the house decorated, as it's just not Christmas without the decorations all up, inside and outside.

Outside Decorations



 It's been a restful week, and I have enjoyed a much needed vacation.  My mom came to celebrate with us.  She helped me get everything together, and even made her crescent rolls.  She hasn't made them since dad died almost 15 years ago.  It really meant alot to me.  She and Maisie had fun rolling out the dough and making them. 

We had some friends over for Christmas this year, since our family was unable to get together.  We went to church, and then enjoyed dinner and the traditional family Bingo.  We ate and laughed, and ate and laughed.  So fun! 

I have enjoyed trying to squeeze in some time to art journal.  I am taking Dawn DeVries Sokol's, Doodle 12.31, Holiday Art Journal workshop. http://www.dblogala.com/  I am really behind, but I am plugging away this week.  Here is a sample of a few pages:

So this is Christmas....A small taste of our wonderful Christmas celebrating together.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our house to yours! 

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year." -Charles Dickens

Art Room Mayhem

This is what happens to my art room during the creative process!  I sure had fun!  I got my Christmas journal pages ready to be bound today.  It will be cleaned up by night fall.

A Peek of my Christmas Art Journal

Here's what's on my desk today....

I'm in the process of getting my Christmas Art Journal together for Dawn Devries Sokol's Doodle 12.31 class.  http://www.dblogala.com/  I still need to bind it.  Here's a page I completed today.

Hope you are having a great day!

Blessings,
Michelle

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

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

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!

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!

Fall Art Journal Peek

Papersack Flowers and Recycled Paper Bows

Just having a little fun today making papersack flowers with left over sacks from the envelopes I created the other day.....These can be used as gift toppers, gift sack embellishments, cards, etc.  The skies the limit really!

Papersack Fringed Flower

Supplies:  Papersack, Costume Jewelry Earring for center of flower, FabriTac Glue

Fringed Flower with Rosette Center

Supplies:  Papersack and Security Envelopes, FabricTac Glue

Paper Shabby Flower

Supplies:  Papersack, misc. ribbon, paper and lace scraps, thread pieces left over from sewing projects, cheese cloth rosette and earring pearls

Recycled Bows

This past week I learned how to make paper bows.  I have always wanted to learn, but never took the time.  I don't think I will ever buy another bow!  You can use any paper you have around the house.  Check out the Spring 2011 issue of, Greencrafts.  Jennifer Jackson has a great article entitled, "Fun and Frilly Package Toppers".  Tracie Lampe (http://www.radicalrecycks.com/) and Maya Donenfeld (http://www.mayamade.com/) have great instructions on making paper flowers and bows.