Showing posts with label journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journal. Show all posts
February 20, 2016
Invisible...
Being a woman of a certain age, somewhere along the line I became invisible. At least it often seems that way. Sometimes I look in the mirror and I don't recognize myself - I see my mother - the years are creeping up I guess...or maybe I'm just having a bad day.
February 9, 2016
Doing the Zentangle...
No, Zentangle is NOT a Argentine tango... If you want to know what Zentangle is, go here. I'm quite new to the art. My first steps are not very sophisticated. (This art form takes a lot more time than one would think. People always tell me I must have a lot of patience to quilt - zentangle takes a lot more patience IMO.)
January 24, 2016
mixed media still life...
A couple of quick sketches in my latest journal - two still life drawings using mixed media.
I know, I know, perspective a bit off, shadows questionable, but I love the painterliness (is that even a word?) of what I created here...
I know, I know, perspective a bit off, shadows questionable, but I love the painterliness (is that even a word?) of what I created here...
Linking to:
January 11, 2016
Background check...
having fun with acrylic paint, inks, pencils...creating backgrounds for a small journal.
Linking to:
December 25, 2015
Woman Unleashed - Day 6
Christmas Day - We had a wonderful day. Early morning walk, Mass, breakfast, phone conversations with our family, a movie (Trumbo), relaxing dinner of turkey sandwiches. I'm ready for a nap!
I did find time to work on my WU journal during our busy day. Day 6 guide was Giovanna Silvestre. Giovanna spoke of yoga and creating a gratitude journal.
I did find time to work on my WU journal during our busy day. Day 6 guide was Giovanna Silvestre. Giovanna spoke of yoga and creating a gratitude journal.
December 24, 2015
Woman Unleashed - Day 5
It's Christmas Eve. Day 5 guide is Chris Zydel - her theme is "Sacred Power of Self Forgiveness." I needed to hear Chris' message. I'm giving myself the gift of Self Forgiveness for Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!
December 17, 2015
Woman Unleashed
I was invited to participate in an on-line retreat workshop. You can join in on the fun too. Go here http://theradiantmama.com/OP/optin-2016/ for more details. The price is right - FREE!
My supplies were simple to create an art journal for the retreat.
Cereal box (front and back journal cover) covered with brown paper bag. Water color paper cut to size (6x9). I made a relatively small journal - I've got a lot going on in my life right now...keeping things small is the right choice for me. The Cinch machine made binding a breeze.
Mixed media was used to create my cover. (Acrylic paints, water soluble crayons, white paint pens, gel pens, acrylic ink.)
My supplies were simple to create an art journal for the retreat.
Cereal box (front and back journal cover) covered with brown paper bag. Water color paper cut to size (6x9). I made a relatively small journal - I've got a lot going on in my life right now...keeping things small is the right choice for me. The Cinch machine made binding a breeze.
Mixed media was used to create my cover. (Acrylic paints, water soluble crayons, white paint pens, gel pens, acrylic ink.)
I'm ready to play - first day of retreat is December 20 - what are you waiting for?!
Linking to:
September 28, 2015
another travel journal...
My husband and I plan to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary a little early. Our anniversary is actually in January 2016, but we chose to celebrate in October because we're going Banff and Lake Louise in Canada. It would be way too cold for our FL bones to go to Canada in January!
I always make a journal for any trips we/I take. Here's what I made for this trip.
I always make a journal for any trips we/I take. Here's what I made for this trip.
journal pages made of water color paper, assorted books pages, gesso
I created some "brushes" in Photoshop Elements (dates, ourselves as hikers, mountains), print on deli paper, adhere to cover and journal pages
hand draw lines on pages, paint with water colors
finished journal
Linking to:
December 13, 2014
2014 Journal
I'm so pleased with my Life Book 2014 Journal. I finished the cover for it today. Working on putting the pages together brought back memories of the days when I created each. It's hard to believe a year has gone by already.
It's easier to sew with a large needle (topstitch 100/16), wide zigzag stitch (5.0) and sew SLOWLY. I found binder clips really helped to keep the pages together while sewing.
Cover and spine made from back pages of water color paper tablet - nice and sturdy. Front and back covers each measure 12-1/2 x 10; spine measures 12-1/2 x 2-1/2. Holes punched on each side of spine lining up with the holes punched in each journal page. (Holes punched using Cinch machine.)
I used wallpaper (found it for $8 in bargain bin!) to cover the journal. It's pretty and quite heavy. My adhesive of choice is a mixture of 3 parts methyl cellulose and 5 parts white glue. It lasts a long time in a tightly sealed container. (It doesn't dry right away so it's easy to move the paper around). Once the paper was on and smoothed into place, I used a Japanese hole punch in the existing holes in the spine to cut through the cover paper to make sure I could easily find them later! (Note the space of approximately 3/8" between the spine and each cover.)
Stacking heavy books weighted down by plastic containers and bricks keeps the cover nice and flat to dry.
Paper cut to size for inside cover; adhered with glue mixture, covered and weighted down to dry. I find it better to adhere the papers in two steps - outside cover first then inside. It takes longer this way, but the results are much better. (Once inside paper is dry, I used Japanese hole punch again.)
Pages lined up; rattail strung through each hole.
Decorate outside cover.
Insert rattails through cover and tie.
Each page measures 9x12. These were sewn together in pairs. A 2" wide by 12" long strip of water color paper, folded in half - holes punched - sandwiched between the left side of the pairs to enable the pages to be inserted into the journal cover. (Holes punched using Cinch machine.)
It's easier to sew with a large needle (topstitch 100/16), wide zigzag stitch (5.0) and sew SLOWLY. I found binder clips really helped to keep the pages together while sewing.
Cover and spine made from back pages of water color paper tablet - nice and sturdy. Front and back covers each measure 12-1/2 x 10; spine measures 12-1/2 x 2-1/2. Holes punched on each side of spine lining up with the holes punched in each journal page. (Holes punched using Cinch machine.)
I used wallpaper (found it for $8 in bargain bin!) to cover the journal. It's pretty and quite heavy. My adhesive of choice is a mixture of 3 parts methyl cellulose and 5 parts white glue. It lasts a long time in a tightly sealed container. (It doesn't dry right away so it's easy to move the paper around). Once the paper was on and smoothed into place, I used a Japanese hole punch in the existing holes in the spine to cut through the cover paper to make sure I could easily find them later! (Note the space of approximately 3/8" between the spine and each cover.)
Stacking heavy books weighted down by plastic containers and bricks keeps the cover nice and flat to dry.
Paper cut to size for inside cover; adhered with glue mixture, covered and weighted down to dry. I find it better to adhere the papers in two steps - outside cover first then inside. It takes longer this way, but the results are much better. (Once inside paper is dry, I used Japanese hole punch again.)
Pages lined up; rattail strung through each hole.
Decorate outside cover.
Insert rattails through cover and tie.
Finished Journal
Linking to:
September 29, 2014
Little Drawings
I made this journal a few months ago. The pages were painted and waiting to be filled with drawings. I've been creating little sketches and drawings for it. Only 4 more pages to go.
Linking to:
Inspire Me Monday
Linking to:
Inspire Me Monday
August 20, 2014
Dollar Store Art Journal...
Week 34 Life Book 2014 led by Catt Geller. We are to create an art journal book cover incorporating our own artwork. Catt is the originator of something called "Cosmic Smash" books. Her journals are lovely, but I chose to take my own road.
I created a cover using card stock, added copies of my drawings; sanded, gessoed and painted a dollar story children's book and viola - a simple art journal!
front and back cover
inside pages
how I did it
December 10, 2013
Life Book 2013
At last my journal is complete. I enjoyed the process of making the journal covers. It was a challenge - Life Book 2013 was all about challenge!
Washi tape adhered to the left edge of the front and back cover. Decorative scrapbook papers were adhered to the cardboard. (Not pictured here.) I used a mixture of 50% PVA glue and 50% methyl cellolose. This is a very strong glue used by book makers. One must work fairly quickly as it sets up fast. After both covers were covered with the scrapbook papers, they were set to dry overnight - with books on top to keep them lying flat when dry.
Four strips of twill tape (5/8" wide) cut - long enough to easily thread through button holes. (A few drops of FrayCheck on each end.) I used a safety pin as a needle.
I found it easiest to pile up the complete journal and thread all the holes at one time.
I had to fiddle with the twill tape a bit to get everything even. Before knotting and cutting, I opened the journal to make sure the pages could easily be turned - tied square knot - trimmed twill tape and added more FrayCheck
My journal includes all of the project pages I made this year. I solved the problem of the smaller pages by inserting them into a clear plastic page protector.
Even the huge piece found its way into the journal. It folds up nicely and sits on the last page. I was so pleased that worked out since it's one of my favorites!
Completed journal
Linking to:
Here is how I completed the journal covers and put the whole thing together.
Fedex large box cut to 10 wide by 12-1/2 high. Slots cut to match the button holes on journal pages. (I thought it prudent to line the slots with masking tape to make the holes stronger.)
Washi tape adhered to the left edge of the front and back cover. Decorative scrapbook papers were adhered to the cardboard. (Not pictured here.) I used a mixture of 50% PVA glue and 50% methyl cellolose. This is a very strong glue used by book makers. One must work fairly quickly as it sets up fast. After both covers were covered with the scrapbook papers, they were set to dry overnight - with books on top to keep them lying flat when dry.
Four strips of twill tape (5/8" wide) cut - long enough to easily thread through button holes. (A few drops of FrayCheck on each end.) I used a safety pin as a needle.
Thread twill tape through button holes.
I found it easiest to pile up the complete journal and thread all the holes at one time.
I had to fiddle with the twill tape a bit to get everything even. Before knotting and cutting, I opened the journal to make sure the pages could easily be turned - tied square knot - trimmed twill tape and added more FrayCheck
My journal includes all of the project pages I made this year. I solved the problem of the smaller pages by inserting them into a clear plastic page protector.
Even the huge piece found its way into the journal. It folds up nicely and sits on the last page. I was so pleased that worked out since it's one of my favorites!
Completed journal
Linking to:
September 13, 2013
Road Trip
My husband and I had been thinking about taking a trip to Europe this fall...then the AC went out...big bucks spent! We're planning a road trip instead.
We'll visit Amelia Island FL, Beaufort SC, Savannah GA and Charleston SC. I always make a journal for my trips.
Several canvas/cardboard journals found in Michael's bargain bins - $1 each. Gesso applied to each side - you get what you pay for - the canvas started peeling away from the cardboard! Basting stitch using leather needle keeps all layers together. Water soluble crayons add background color to each page. Page edges painted with Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold. Dates added to each page; heavy yarn threaded through holes (I punched an extra hole in the middle of the page.)
We'll visit Amelia Island FL, Beaufort SC, Savannah GA and Charleston SC. I always make a journal for my trips.
Several canvas/cardboard journals found in Michael's bargain bins - $1 each. Gesso applied to each side - you get what you pay for - the canvas started peeling away from the cardboard! Basting stitch using leather needle keeps all layers together. Water soluble crayons add background color to each page. Page edges painted with Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold. Dates added to each page; heavy yarn threaded through holes (I punched an extra hole in the middle of the page.)
We're ready to hit the road!
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