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........

American Independance Day

From the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln's forbears

Wishing you all a great day of celebrations.

Journalling Course

I have signed up for an online journalling course - been plucking up courage for ages - and have now taken the plunge.

I am a bit late joining in - but as the notes and videos will be on line until September I'll be able to catch up. Some have almost finished their first journal - and a bit of blog hopping has revealed some very talented ladies especially in the 'sewing' department - which I have found rather daunting - but hey, I am up for a challenge.

Here is a sneak peek of  the one the tutor is demonstrating.

It is what I consider a 'real proper' journal where to create a book from scratch.  The pages, signatures, layering, assembling, binding - the lot!

One of the things that did shock me, was the fact that there is no cutting - NO scissors - honestly! I kid your not and I am seriously afraid. No straight cuts - no straight cuts - no scissors - no 'neat and tidy' - now that will be difficult.

I'll be starting on Tuesday so watch this space if you want to see how I get on. I have a list of things I need to collect..............

Paper, materials, lace, inks, paints, buttons, emphemera, stamps, quotes, shiny stuff, images, ribbons, sheets of watercolour paper - which I am having trouble tracking down - they need to be the 90lb weight and approx 22"x 32" ish.

I have already made a start on rummaging around in my remnant box for bits of material etc.  I have glues, image transfer paper, inks, paints, tea bags, coffee, and can improvise on most things as I don't want to do a 'big spend' but try and use 'stuff' I have around and about.

I'll be painting, sewing, gluing, transferring, tearing, ripping, and so much more! I don't expect my first journal to be very good as it will be all new to me - but using that as an exercise I hope to go forward in leaps and bounds after that.  My head is already buzzing with ideas - whether I have all the 'necessaries' to pull it off I don't know, but it will certainly stretch me.

Night night

Freebie music mag pages- and blog candy!

Inky Fingers Cath found a great Music magazine at a car boot sale in York, and is so generously sharing the pages each day on her blog.   They'll be great for so many projects.  If you are not following her blog already, then I suggest you do so,  as she also is a prolific 'poster' of great art work.

She also has some blog candy to give away later this month - so pop over and see what she has to offer.