Kate has arrived safely at her destination

She was met by her cousins who whisked her away to meet their friends, but she did manage to make some time to write to Lucinda.

I wonder where she is - look at that notepaper!

It's gilded!  Lucinda has never seen paper like that before and her eyes are wide with amazement and wonder

'Oh this is so exciting', she thinks,

and can't help but sit and try to imagine herself in Kate's place.

'Well well, her poor country cousins have friends in high places, and she has been whisked away to a Chateau just outside Paris!  I must arrange to see Mrs Ellingham and talk to her French maid to find out what it is like in France.  Perhaps she can teach me the language.' 

Lucinda muses, beginning to feel rather envious of her friend. 

Oh my goodness, the chateau looks rather grand, no wonder she gets gilded paper to write on!

I think that we are only going to get an edited version of her adventures as there are not enough pages in one book for her to write about them all!

I have got rid of my blockage!

/I had a mental blockage regarding how my journal would progress, and didn't really have a 'theme' - and did not know how on earth I was going to fill all the pages.

Mowing the lawns must have done something to me, because this afternoon, working in a very hot garden studio - I suddenly worked out what to do.

It will all take place in the 1800/1900's

It is going to be based on a story which I will write 'around' the pages as they unfold.

A story about two friends

A tragedy

And it features Kate - and a french man, and someone else!

So far that is!

Two more journal pages

These are taking me absolutely ages to make. 

Another sneak peek - page.2.

I am doing quite a bit of burning - I have a story in mind - well at least for a couple of pages!

It's all to do with a candle - and a fire!

I need to find some quotes

I have just been 'letting go' and experimenting!

Art Journal - first page.

At last I got to make a start on my journal.

 I can't go into explicit details as it would be unfair to Carol whose workshop it is, and the other ladies who all paid to go on the course.  The fee is very reasonable so if you fancy joining in, just click on her name above which will take you to  her blog.

I've made a start on colouring my paper - what'd you think Gozzie?

No - that's not how they showed us in the course work - I am just experimenting.

Oh I see - that bad huh?  It'll look better when it's dry - and don't keep walking off with a petal!

It's bright today so sadly the colours are looking washed out.

They turned out shades of pale green one side with a hint of purple and the other side turned out shades of vintage browns.

I was surprised - nay - amazed at how they dried and now they are ready to embellish

It's a shame I just couldn't capture the actual colours which are much richer and warmer. 

I think it's going to be a journal of techniques and favourite images etc

This page is dedicated to transfers

And burning stuff to fit cos scissors are banned!

I'll have to have another rummage tomorrow to find something for the next page.

I won't be showing every page I make - it takes too long, but will show snippets

Flower arranging with a breeze block!

I am certainly stretching myself these days aren't I.  And today was no exception - I went on a flower arranging workshop which involved making a modern arrangement with just the minimum of 'ingredients'.

Aren't these Cymbidium orchids just gorgeous.

They look like little creatures from a magical kingdom!

I can see a little nose on top of an open mouth with a tongue poking out.

I used green willow - cut from my willow arch.

I took loads and it was snapped up by lots of arrangers.

The design is for a minimalist modern home

which it totally the opposite of mine

I just had to add some leaves to soften the harshness of the breeze block

I have to say that it does not suit my home at all.

But I spent a great couple of hours, in good company, and learnt plant manipulation amongst other things.  It was such a change of style for me - plants suspended in tubes.

I can picture a Christmas arrangement like this - with painted red canes, entwined with ivy, and  perhaps the breeze block being covered with holly and baubles - ideal for my little cold porch.

A summer makeover

I decided that I would give my mobile phone a makeover for the summer.

The colour is deeper in real life

The colours match my summer frocks

Here we go!

It's very late, I should be in bed, I've a long day tomorrow, but I felt I just had to make a start on my journal journey. 

I have been plucking up courage to do this.

It's going to hurt - really hurt.

  I had to desconstruct an old book. 

What that really means is that I have to tear it's insides out.

It was as distasteful as gutting a rabbit.

Ouch - it's goes totally 'against the grain' as far as I am concerned.

Would it have been kinder to let it be cremated?

Would it have been less painful?

I have torn it's heart out!

 

I rescued it from a charity shop

(it was in the 'to be recycled bin' and going cheap)

It was never destined for this.

It's sacrilege of the highest order in my book! (Pardon the pun)

What have I done!

It goes against my upbringing to do this - wreck a book.

It doesn't feel good - it feels like a bad thing to do.

Can I go through with this course?

Am I up for the challenge?

Erm........