August Art Journal Pages

I suppose I don't need to tell you 

gentle reader..

that I am woefully late

on my Journal pages,

for August..

It is mid September after all..

but we have been dealing with a family issue

and it has taken

time and attention

as well as giving pause and consideration..

so I have not been in the studio as much as usual.

everyone deals with these things, 

and while I won't burden you with the situation..

I can at least let you know that it is at the root of my

August pages..

I recently wrote a little note to a friend who buried her husband 

a year ago... 

"without deep pain cutting a valley in the heart, 

true joy would simply wash and run off.

 The valley opens to receive a joyful soaking

 that is then transmuted into our being."

It doesn't matter what the situation

what the pain is like or about

situations do not matter

feelings 

matter

So I mindfully ripped old papers and painted

multiple layers..

this tree is something I look at 

daily 

I love the bony branches..

It seems to be an anchor for me.. 

slightly obscured 

by the other bigger and leafier trees

Ingredients: Acrylic paints, photo copies, old book pages, colored pencil, pencil,

but it stands like truth..

old and gnarled..

beautiful in age

and knowing it will not stand forever..

I appreciated it in

this

moment...

As you know, we are off again to travel

to far off places and visit dear

friends..

wherever you are and wherever you go

I wish you happy trails..

xox

Mini Lap Book Part 2

Happy Friday,

dear hearts!

So here is part two of my

Mini Lap Book 

I am so pleased with the way it turned out..

and cannot wait to use it on our travels..

we will be traveling for a few weeks and 

I am so thrilled to be able to spend some time 

in London again and

plan to shop in a few 

art supply stores again..

if you are on social media,

Instagram or Facebook,

friend me,

 so you can see the photos that we take

along the way..

I hope you enjoy the video and make your own

lap book ...

Ciao, Ciao!

Inspiration Kits

Well, dear readers..

I just wanted to let you

all know

that the 

SHOP

is now open

there are large and small packs

of lace and paper

I won't be making them again for a while..

since we are off to Europe shortly..

but I will be back on Friday

to finish my little 

lap book!

xox

Mini Lap Book Tutorial

Ciao, dear readers and viewers..

First...

thank you all 

for your concern, we so appreciated all 

of your kind remarks and we are fine as you can see...

and most grateful to you

for your care...

We have a couple of weeks

before we travel to 

Denmark and London..

But I knew that I wanted to take more time

with my travel journal 

for our new European adventure..

so I decided to create a small lap book

this is 4" x 5 1/2 "

and will be so tuckable into my

saddle bags

and luggage...

If you have never heard of a lap book..

I imagine you will want to make one now..

and next week, 

we will have the finished book..

I have so many decisions to make..

and that is part of the enjoyment of course..

so tune in next Friday..

and until then,

dear ones..

xox

Celebrating the Twig..

I know..

I know..

it isn't Tuesday..

and I always blog on Tuesday ..

when 

I am not posting a video..

But we have been swamped

at the Lily House..

We had a family issue to attend,

and I have been busy making scrap packs

for a special event..

Not to mention an intensifying weather event that looks as though

it has us in its target..

yikes..

so,  I am knowing that you will forgive me

gentle reader for 

being so tardy with this post..

I am still smitten with my tiny books and 

plan to make more of course..

But right now, methinks we shall work on 

hurricane preparedness..

so hold us in your kindest thoughts

dear ones..

and as always,

I am grateful for you..

Ciao, ciao!

Mixed Media-Mini Twig Book

I know....

I know...

 it's a day early..

but this way you get 

a jump on the weekend ...

I had a lot of fun dreaming this up and creating it

and I hope you enjoy playing with it as well..

Thanks always for watching and for reading ..

I so appreciate your most kind

attention..

one of the 

dearest forms of love..

xox

July Mixed Media Art Journal Pages

Well gentle reader..

I wrote a lot about our trip..

to the Caribbean ..

in July,

on the pages in my journal..

so it was not

Sorry for the inconvenience on the last post with my YT video.. simply click on 

the link to watch the video..

"WATCH THIS VIDEO ON YOU TUBE"

surprising to see the blue paint 

show up 

I have to admit though

it was a bit uncomfortable to film..

without a clear idea of where 

the work was taking me...

and I usually know what I am creating

when we film..

have made a prototype or I have worked out

a design plan..

I think that being an artist is a constant exercise in 

releasing control..

it is what separates us from 

Makers and Crafters..

The Artist must learn to surrender the outcome of

what is created and simply allow..

but the 

Maker... Crafter... Artisan

always has an outcome in mind...

Ingredients: Pencil, Gesso, Acrylic paint, fabric, lace, string, handmade papers, antique paper, paper ephemera, wrapping paper, hand dyed lace, fabric and crochet. 

so I was delighted to see

where we were going with

all the little stitches..

and

having a few clouds show up 

unexpectedly was really lovely..

my cloud interpretation

and it certainly recalls to mind

those beautiful serene days..

this week I managed to do a deep clean of the studio..

and got some things organized..

and I am at work

on the new YT video..

my little twig book is up

next

methinks..

Ok, off to do some painting..

Ciao, ciao!