Art Journal

At an antique store I discovered a leather bound book with a very unique binding system and instantly knew that I could make it into the perfect Art Journal. The book was a cheap looking brown leather painted with gold flecks and the string that held the binding together was a garish yellow cord. But, the bones were good and the idea was strong so I brought it home.
First I removed the cording and made myself a diagram of how exactly it was strung so I could replace it with a choice of my own. I then sanded the book and applied Gesso. Then the fun began. Layers of paint, lots of sanding, a crackle finish, more sanding, more paint. Finally I had a look I was happy with. Then it was on to finding the perfect images. The bird images were applied with Modge Podge.
Next the sheet music strips and more paint and more sanding. Then the rubon words and aged heart. I liked it and applied a good coat of Modge Podge over everything.

Next I decided on the paper and bought 2 pads. One Acrylic Paper and one Watercolor Paper. I removed 10 sheets from each pad and cut them to size. Then punched the holes into each page and applied circle strenghtening stickers around the holes on both front and back. Staggering Acrylic page and Watercolor page I stacked the pages and began the process of binding. For this I chose I lovely blue and white fabric trim I had in my stash. Lastly, I added a little bling in the form of an antique clover shaped rhinestone and pearl pin that I had purchased at an antique show. I love my journal and can't wait to get work inside.

The Book

I woke up this morning and just knew what I had to do. Start an Art Journal. Today would be the day I started my quest to find the perfect book. I have pondered this idea before and knew that I wanted an old book. Something with a leather cover, loved and worn. A book of good size and shape. Thick, but not to thick. Slightly aged pages very little or no pictures. But, most importantly the book needed to speak to me. It had to say.. I am the one.
I browsed through antique mall after antique mall until I say it. Right size, right shape, lovely leather cover, perfectly aged binding and the title Quests and Conquests was perfect. I had to have it! But, there wasn't a price on my treasure. I literally held my breath as I took it to the counter to inquire about it's cost.
$5.00 was verdict which I gleefully paid and hurried home. I love the feel of the book. I love it's weight. And then I really looked inside. I will not alter this book. It's AMAZING. Full of daily inspirations and bits and pieces of wisdom. Parts of famous speeches and things to ponder, day after day. I love this book all the more for what is inside and the quest for the perfect journal continues. Quests and Conquests will now be the inspiration for the pages of the Art Journal as each page is a wealth of knowledge. This is the book I was truly meant to find.

Who Says?

I've been thinking a bunch lately about scrapping style. What is mine?
It didn't take long before I realized to the answer that question I needed to determine what my goal was when it came to scrapping. What started out as a hobby, something for fun, quickly turned into having to use the latest products and having to scrap in the latest style. Books, magazines, countless hours researching. For what? Who says what is right and what is wrong in scrapping? Afterall, isn't it a personal expression? Aren't they your memories with your feelings and experiences attached? So I say- go for it, use what you want, scrap how you feel. Let your memories and emotion dictate the page and not something you saw somewhere else. Have fun and scrap from the heart!

My friend Stacie scrapped an album about a trip she took to see a concert..her book inspired me to scrap about a trip we took to Kennedy Space Center...it's not your typical scrapping style and when I posted it online it was met with a very dismal response. So you know what? I'm embarassed to admit, I stopped making the book.
In my quest for organization I came across it, along with all things gathered to complete it. As I looked at the abandoned little album I realized that I really like it. It's fun, it tells the story of our adventure. I like this style of scrapping. I like this book and I don't care if it isn't the latest style or if it uses the latest products. And you know what? I'm going to finish it... just how it is. I think it's out of this world.

Organization

What is it about January that makes you want to get organized? Maybe it has something to do with all those new presents needing a place to go. Maybe it's a New Year's Resolution that we automatically and silently make to ourselves or maybe it's as simple as New Year equals fresh start?

Whatever it is... I'm obsessed. Somewhere deep in my being I crave a perfectly organized home. Reality is there isn't a single aspect of my life that is properly organized.

Think about it. Organized living would be more peaceful. Organized living means being about to invite people over at a moments notice. It means guilt free, "me time"
It means a bunch. Less stress, less chaos, a sense of pride.

I get all that but, here's where I struggle. I don't want to give up other things to make the time to stay organized. Oh, if only once I did it and it would effortlessly stay that way.

I think that is the hardest aspect of homekeeping. Nobody notices what you do, but boy do they notice what doesn't get done. Heavens forbid you don't make dinner or don't put sheets on the bed. That and the fact nothing is ever really finished. You can't stand back and look at it, like a fine piece of art in a museum and say, "Well Done"!

You do the laundry- but, everyone is wearing clothes that will need to be done the next day. You buy groceries and they have the nerve to eat them. You wash the dishes just as someone grabs a bowl of cereal. It's a never ending circle.

There's a tiny voice inside of me that is relentless in it's nagging. "The boys are older now... if you do it, it can stay that way.... do it, do it, do it!

So I decided to start with they Scraproom. Why? because it seems like all the clutter around here somehow revolves around that room. Ticket stubs on the counter in the kitchen. Bits and pieces of things that are to precious to throw away.
Conatiners begging to be altered. Magazines full of amazing ideas.

So- the organization has begun. Starting with my massive hoard of ribbon. I thought I would share my idea. It starts with cutting boards that I found at Dollar Tree.
Each package comes with 2 Mats. These mats are thin enough to be cut with your trimmer. I cut each mat into rectangles that measure 2 1/2" by 2 1/4". Then using my Crop-a-dile I easily punched a hanging hole in each rectangle. Easy so far and quick! Then I drew on 2 lines, each 1 3/4" long. Next using my slot punch I started punching out the lines.
This part isn't as easy or a quick as I would have liked. If anyone has an idea of how this step could be improved..please post it. Anyway, while watching football I was able to amass quite a few finished rectangles. Then the fun part began! removing ribbons (I started with pink) from spools and jars and various failed storage attempts and adding them to my rectangles. If the amount of a particular ribbon is more than 1 yard, I cut it into 1 yard pieces. It's pretty to look at, it will be easy to see exactly what I have in all colors and a real space saver. Best of all my total cost for making 96 rectangles is $2.14! Be sure to save your scraps- these will work great for making your own letters and embellishments! Heck, buy more cutting mats and cut out your own funky shaped album.

Bert

Earlier this week I returned from PA where we were for the holidays. It took us 10 1/2 hours to get home. I have never been good at sitting still- so for me a drive like that is particularly uncomfortable.
We had just finished unpacking the car when my son's friend arrived and they decided to go get something to eat.
Somehow in all the confusion of packages in and suitcases and laundry piles, our dog Bert managed to get outside and my son's friend drove over his foot! Good thing we got the van unloaded because the boys stuck Bert into the back and off we headed to the emergency vet.

What an ordeal that was...as soon as we got there they made me fill out forms- Then they wanted to make a copy of my drivers license. Crap! I had been using 2 purses on the trip to PA and the license was in my other purse. Luckily my son had his permit with him and they copied that...finally we head to the exam room.
They look Bert over and then head off to type me an estimate. When presented it had they best case scenario price and the worst case scenario price, which were vastly different. I also had to decide then and there if I wanted him to have lifesaving measures in case of heart failure (extra charge $300.00).
I look at Bert all pitiful and agree to treatment even though I still don't know what is wrong!
Then the unreal part.
I have to pay in cash.
Yep, you heard me ..cash. Since I don't have my drivers license they won't treat him until I give them cash.
My debit card isn't good enough, my credit card isn't good enough, forget about a check- Bert is going to suffer and receive no attention until I provide $$$$'s.
I have to leave the vet's office and find an ATM.
Luckily it turned out that there were no broken bones. $400.00 later all they did was shave his leg, clean his wounds and apply gauze. They did however provide me with a lovely CD of xrays of his foot. So it's only fitting that today's layout is about Bert.