You have to leave the city of your comfort
and go into the wilderness of your intuition.
----Alan Alda
February 29, 2012
February 15, 2012
2/15/12
Playing some more in the journal with found poetry...
They all started out together.
They were just too good for words
when they started out.
They suddenly changed;
no more nice, quiet, sedate.
They ran, they laughed,
they screamed, they hollered.
It was something awful,
and wonderful.
December 06, 2011
12/06/11
This morning I heard a phrase spoken by a talk show host that intrigued me: Times are Changing. It made me want to do a journal page.
I set out to play with only that phrase in mind, just wanting to put some paint on the page and see what would happen.
The page in the journal had been pre-painted with orange. I have now learned I do not like starting on pre-painted pages. It was too orange for today. So I tried to tone it down with some gesso and paint.
Ahh...that suits my mood today much better.
I liked the collaged text pages peeking through the paint; especially the piece from a Bible with the blue underlined sentences. It was like a message from God; couldn't cover up a message from God, now, could we?
How about some stenciling through punchinella?
Well, since that went pretty well, how about some more stenciling through that plastic place mat from GoodWill? But what color to use...
I chose a blackish color. Uh-oh. It has taken over the page. Now what? Even after blotting and adding white gesso on top it is still screaming on the page. Plus I have now lost some of that nice collage element.
Find a nice figural head in a fashion magazine. Combine it with some painted deli paper. How about some left over stars from another project found on the work table? Yes, I like that. Especially since one of them is blue. It compliments the blue underlining on the text.
Now, where to place the stars. There are only three.
Maybe that's a little better. Kind of makes a boomerang effect into the focal point of the text.
That black head on the page is screaming. Need to add more black somewhere else. Outline the stars...add some black text. Hmm...still not enough. Wish I hadn't added that last line.
Asphaltum to the rescue. It never disappoints. Hey, it even blurredf the line I don't like. Maybe it could use a bit more.
I'm liking this better. The head is integrated a bit more into the page, although it is still screaming at me. But at least it is muffled somewhat.
It is finished. I don't like it enough to keep going further. It is what it is..and that's okay. I had fun and I learned something. The main thing I learned is that a touch of black can totally take over and dominate a page. Note to self: be more cautious in using black. Experiment to see how you like it combined on a page.
But then...maybe I could paint over that head with Payne's Gray...tone it down...integrate it into the page more...
August 11, 2011
8/10/11 Journal Pages
Today's journal pages in FTB 1 journal.
Isn't this the sweetest picture of a dad and his son? When viewing vintage photos I often wonder about the story in them. This one speaks to me somehow.
I also love pictures of old ladies. Especially this one. No, she is not in my family. But I like her anyway.
Working intuitively like this in journaling is so interesting. And the best part is; there are no mistakes. You don't have to worry about getting things "right". It's all right.
July 27, 2011
7/27/11 Journal Pages
Today's pages in the Full Tilt Boogie journal number one.
July 15, 2011
FTB Journal 2
Journal number two in the Full Tilt Boogie class uses the book spine. I have been saving these book covers from a collection of love poems. I filled them with signatures made from watercolor paper.
The best part was adding embellishment to the outside of the spine. It was the perfect opportunity to use some vintage French ribbons and some hand died silk ribbons that I had been saving for something special. I love the way this turned out. The silk ribbon winds around the vintage button as a closure.
Hmmm...maybe I need to write some love poems.
July 12, 2011
7-12-11 Journal Pages
Today's journal pages. I needed something a bit lighter after all that deep thinking on the last pages.
Did your mother save green stamps? Mine did. With nearly religious fervor. But she did get some great stuff.
I love this way of journaling. It is so relaxing and so much fun.
June 27, 2011
Playing in Journal One
Today I played a bit in Journal One, the kettle-stitch journal that you saw a few days ago. It was even more fun than making the journal. I decided to leave the first few pages in their odd sizes instead of adding contrasting papers to the edges to make a full page. I like the way one small page shows against the next. I couldn't decided what to do with the inside cover so that will come later. Besides, it was nice to just stare at that gorgeous paper.
The metalic gold tape used at the bottom of this image is some sort of electrical tape. I found a huge roll of it at a thrift shop for 50 cents. It comes in silver also. Wish I had bought more of it.
The green tape on the bottom of this page is from Martha Stewart. I discovered it at JoAnn's Crafts last week and used a coupon on it. There were four tapes to the box. Decorative tape is so much fun to use. I may have found a new obsession.
June 22, 2011
First Kettle Stitch Journal
I just finished making my first journal using techniques from the Full Tilt Boogie class taught by Mary Ann Moss. I used the covers from an old college annual dated 1927. I loved the embossing on the cover so I knew it had to become a journal. The exposed binding is done with a kettle stitch. The papers inside are a combination of watercolor paper, hand painted papers, scrapbook paper, ledger paper, and vintage book pages. One thing I really love about this journal is that it lays flat when opened.
Here's a peek at the inside. I used some special paper on the inside of the covers that I had been "saving" for a long time. Mary Ann said it is better to use it than leave it in a drawer where no one can see it. She is so right. I love seeing it here.
Yep, I've already started another one.
June 17, 2011
Dance Album
While cleaning in the studio this week, I found two paper bag albums I had forgotten about. Since we haven't had a give away here in a long time, I thought I would offer this one to you. If you would like your name included in a drawing for this album, just leave a comment on this post. I will have DH draw a winning name on Saturday, June 25th.
This album is made from lunch bags which I have painted and collaged with vintage 1950's catalog images. In it you will find tags for journaling, vintage photos and other ephemera, and a poem written by me. There is lots of room to add your own goodies to this album.
