Joy to the World

This is my One Word card for December.

My word is
Joy.

My definition of Joy is the physical expression of delight,
an outward display of being glad.

In these current times, we sometimes forget to show happiness,
we almost feel embarrassed to exhibit such seemingly decadent emotions,
but it is so important for us to reinforce these feelings.

So this month, let us be joyous.

The One Word project was an idea by Kasia Avery,
during Week 33 of her Wanderlust 2017 online class.

Each month we choose our word for that month

& make a small card which goes into our One Word box.

The project is mainly about using up old scraps of paper

or recycling junk mail,
things that other people would consider to be trash.

I went for using up all those small scraps of paper
 that I have been hoarding over the years,
some pieces so small that most people
would have already discarded them.

I enjoy the process of paper collage,
combining different patterns & images together
to create a cohesive piece of art.

These two little girls are
Paper Dolls from Tim Holtz.

My previous One Word cards

Begin - August 2017
Change - September 2017
Inspire - October 2017
Believe - November 2017

The One Day Project: Sing me your Story

This is the final page in my vintage collage journal.

The journal was made from altered 3½ inch square drinks coasters.

Just using scraps of paper & a gluestick.

Scissors & a sanding block.

Blending colours,
following the movement of the images
& enjoying the pure essence of creativity.

You can read the story behind this project here
or
watch a flip-through of the complete set by clicking on the image below.

The One Day Project: Lock & Keys

Today I would like to share another page in my vintage collage journal.

The journal is made from altered 3½ inch square drinks coasters.

Just using scraps of paper & a gluestick.

Scissors & a sanding block.

Blending colours,
following the movement of the images
& enjoying the pure essence of creativity.

You can read the story behind this project here.

A pocket full of Soul

So I was sitting staring at the last few blank playing cards

from the #52CafeCards challenge

wondering how to finish the project

before the end of the year.

It was Week 46, but I had 14 cards left of my 52 card pack.

Then, I had an idea.

A pocket size version of my recently completed SoulBook.

I took photographs,

imported them into a Word document to resize & crop,

then printed them out.

Added some washi tape to the sides,

some Glossy Accents where the glitter gems were ...

... et voila.  

I have something to say ...

"Isn't the value of writing

in the very moment that something is written

&

thereafter in the rediscovery of that moment

when the words are found & read again,

revealing it's memories?"

These are the words that I found myself writing

in response to a question about whether there was a reason as to why

we keep notes, save quotations & record our thoughts.

This prompted me to think about whether I had a deep desire to write more.

I love words.

Words are so very powerful.

They can evoke memories,

trigger emotions,

prompt action.

They can soothe & calm

or enrage & anger.

Words have the power to change the way that we view our world.

2018

is going to be my year of writing

& finding ways to read between the lines of text.

All wrapped up

As promised, here are the photographs of my completed SoulBook,

which I made alongside more than 3000 others around the world for
the SoulBook Gathering event

held by Melody Ross, her sister Kathy Wilkins

& all the Brave Living team.

So let's unwrap this ...

 There is a hidden pocket on the last page, on the inside of the back cover.

You can see on this post, details of what the basic book was made from.

The background papers I have had for years,

from a K & Company project kit

I think originally from QVC,

as were the glitter gems.

The ribbons I dug out from the back of a cupboard

& again I have had those for ages, origins unknown.

The additional images were all from PDFs
from Melody's classes at Brave Girl University,

with one single exception.

The image of the little girl near the back of the book

is from my own resource (a thrift shop purchase).

All I needed was to restock my Matte Mod Podge,

add a little washi tape from Tim Holtz &

a piece of his kraft cardstock to make the pocket envelope

& my inkjet printer.

If you have made one too,
leave a link to yours in the comments below.

I look forward to seeing them.

10th Anniversary

Today marks the 10th anniversary of my first blog post.

I would encourage anyone who is creative to start a blog

( or continue to update their existing one )

as it is a fantastic way to reflect on your progress.

I use my blog to remind me of the different techniques learnt &/or used

& old supplies that I may have forgotten about.

When I need an idea, I look back to see which projects brought me the most pleasure

or which type of project I have not done for a while.

It is a wonderful resource & 

sometimes I surprise myself at what I find!

Although few people visit

& of those that do, even less leave me a comment,

I am so pleased that I continued to record my creativity here,
with the hope that maybe it inspires someone else
or at the very least, brightens their day.

I wonder if I will still be posting here
ten years from now.

Believe

This is my One Word card for November.

My word is
Believe.

It is important to believe in yourself,
your ability & your own creative ideas.

The One Word project was an idea by Kasia Avery,
during Week 33 of her Wanderlust 2017 online class.

Each month we choose our word for that month

& make a small card which goes into our One Word box.

The project is mainly about using up old scraps of paper

or recycling junk mail,
things that other people would consider to be trash.

I went for using up all those small scraps of paper
 that I have been hoarding over the years,
some pieces so small that most people
would have already discarded them.

I enjoy the process of paper collage,
combining different patterns & images together
to create a cohesive piece of art.

My previous One Word cards

Begin - August 2017
Change - September 2017
Inspire - October 2017

Wanderlust Mixed Media Art Journal Lesson

The Wanderlust class a few weeks ago

was with Marta Lapkowska.

We created a mixed media art journal page.
Marta used an old book for her lesson,

but I used a booklet that was recently put through my letterbox.

I tried to follow along with Marta,
being brave & copying her style.

It felt uncomfortable.

Not my normal style or method of working.

There is a long list of materials,
so I hope I have remembered everything.

Liquitex Clear Gesso

Golden White Gesso

Ranger Texture Paste
Dina Wakley Media Stencil (Cellular)

Matte Mod Podge

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

aged mahogany

antique linen

black soot

brushed corduroy

mustard seed

walnut stain

Lindy's Stamp Gang Moon Shadow Mist (Buccaneer Bronze)

Old pieces of lace, fabric & organza ribbon

wooden butterfly shapes
a white paper flower

white cotton thread
abaca ribbon
& white string

Ranger Liquid Pearls (White Opal)
Tim Holtz Distress Crayons

The butterfly image (from a collage sheet by Everything Art)
is one I had already printed off.
It is covered with Ranger's Glossy Accents.

I am not that happy with the final result,
but I enjoyed the process
& watching Marta's video lesson.

The One Day Project: A Blackbird's Song

Today I would like to share another page in my vintage collage journal.

The journal is made from altered 3½ inch square drinks coasters.

Just using scraps of paper & a gluestick.

Scissors & a sanding block.

Blending colours,
following the movement of the images
& enjoying the pure essence of creativity.

You can read the story behind this project here.