Trip Inspiration Part 1

You know me..

 gentle reader..

a glutton for beauty..

and I found it on our adventure ...

at the home of our friends

Kirsten and Bjarne

in Arhus..

Denmark

 I so admire a fine garden

 and they have a gorgeous

piece of property 

with a 100 year old farmhouse 

and all the animals you can imagine..

chickens, horses, ducks, rescue dogs, and a sweet rescue kitty..

Kirsten and I have been social media friends for many years and 

so it was lovely to finally meet her in person..

Autumn was a great time to visit..

the garden is just shutting down, but still dripping with color..

and fragrance..

Bjarne got us tickets to Aros, and we immersed ourselves in art

and the Rainbow Experience..

which is incredible and allows you to view the the cityscape

through a rainbow lens ...

Don contemplating the Rainbow Experience in Arhus.

We looked forward to London..

in spite of the rain..

well it ALWAYS rains in London..

and seriously

nothing would get done there if people let that stop them..

We stayed at an Airbnb with a view 

of Battersea Park 

and rain or shine the park was busy with runners,

and soccer players.. and people walking dogs ...

So out we went into the pouring rain..

Oyster card in hand and braved the weather to hop 

over to 

Shepherds

and I know I took you there last year...

but try to suffer through the awesomeness ..

ok?

and what did I buy?

Paper of course... 

Khadi, scrap paper, envelopes and book clips

and a 

New Bone Folder..

yippee..

and a few presents that I cannot share...

and 

cards for a little granddaughter 

who is not on 

social media..

Large Khadi rounds, scraps, envelopes, black wing erasers, and book clips..

and she certainly doesn't read blogs!!

so my dear ones, 

stay tuned and I will have part two of this post

for all of you not on social media..

and my visit to

L. Cornelissens

Which is a magical shop

for Artists...

Ciao, ciao!

Mini Antique Lap Book Flip Through

Ciao, dear ones..

I am back.. 

and settling in after an amazing trip

to 

Copenhagen, Arhus and London..

I simply loved working in my journal

and I hope you will make one too..

As you might imagine, 

I am behind in my studio work and will

be working long hours 

in order to 

try to catch up

but next Tuesday, 

I will have photos from my trip and 

pics of all the supplies I purchased..

C4N!

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!