ABC-123 Journal Page

This art journal page is “Inspired By” Spring and the neighborhood kids once again walking to and from school.

The page started out like this.  It was way too bold to work with.

I already decided to pull the page out and toss it.  So what the heck, let’s try some white acrylic paint to tone it down.  It’s always a good time to try something when the page is headed to the trash.

I decided I was back in business with this page!  Now I’ll see how some stamping will look.

Then I’ll see about some white heavy body acrylic paint tinted with a purple acrylic paint scraped over a stencil.

I didn’t get the next photo, but the textured stencil design was too light.  Since the page was again headed to the trash, I tried using a graphite pencil around the stenciled design then smeared with a water brush so that it would stand out better.

It kind of went into a muddy mess. I thought while it was still basically wet I would see if I could wipe off some of the graphite over the letters and numbers toning down the pencil effect.  It again seemed saved.

Another punched butterfly from a reject page got a body with a keyhole brad.  It’s so fun giving my butterfly’s odd bodies.

The die cut bird is also cut from the reject page.  The math strips are from a paper purchased through Etsy outlined with the graphite pencil then wet and slightly smeared with a water brush.  The paper looked to clean and new so I put a little paint on them.  That was worse so I tried sanding the paint down which happily grunged everything.  The numbers began to disappear so I just traced over them with a marker and sanded them a bit more.

It’s almost easier to make an art journal page when I’ve already decided to trash it!



I definitely learned a lot while making this page.

The whole process was one happy accident after another.  This page appeals to my love of grunge.

The “Inspired By” theme at Art Journal Journey runs throughout the month of April.

All mediums are welcome.  Come join in!

Journaling Craze

My December 2015 Calendar Journal was a fun month to document and attempt some more creative looking day blocks.

A creative lettering style that always catches my attention is now being practiced by me ..... a lot.  Along with other styles.  Drawing letters/words is a painstakingly slow process ..... for me.  I bravely even practice it on mail art envelopes too.  I'm not so good at it.  I'm not even going to say 'yet'.  But if you view it from, say, ten feet away, not too shabby looking.  LoL

On Pinterest I see loads of something new to me.  Bullet Journals.  From what I can figure about them is that they are just lists.  Daily lists.  And people go to a lot of work making these daily lists.

My mind is not what it used to be and it never is spending much time thinking about what I 'should' be doing.  It's always thinking about PLAYING.  This means it's necessary that I make myself lists.  On-going lists.  But I just keep a spiral journal on my desk always with the on-going list of things I need to remember to do, and dates of events that I need to remember are approaching.

The pages get flipped back and forth until 'stuff' gets crossed off.  It also contains ideas and drawing illustrations of ideas for PLAYING.  I even tape things into it that I don't want to loose.  And bits of trimmed off Washi Tapes.  All kinds of stuff really.  It's just what comes to mind at the moment that I don't want to forget.  Or a lot of things that I keep forgetting until I get it written down.  It keeps me on track and on time.

My conclusion to Bullet Journals is that I already have one in a more relaxed format.

Make your day creative!

xxx

Annie

Some June Days

A few of my days in June went like this...

 

I could not be more pleased to have discovered printing on tracing paper.  I can add anything printed I want to this non-expanding journal without adding any measurable bulk.

 

I love the spray adhesive I use as well, because it leaves the pages flexible rather than stiff and warped.  That would be ... 3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive, High Coverage, High Tack, Multipurpose.  (The can I have is rather old, but I'm pretty sure I have still seen it on the craft store shelves...at least I dearly hope so for when I want more.)

 

Happy Days,

Annie



Envelope Art and Journaling

Another torn tracing paper envelope that I can't part with.  But I did make another one to send out into the world. (Sending photocopies has left me feeling like a cheesy schmuck.  No more photocopied mail art!)

 

 

 

I tried to make the layout exact, (so that I wouldn't have to admit that I couldn't part with this one) but if the first stamping doesn't land in the right place, exact can't happen.  So it turned out to be a slight variation of this original.

 

And here are my most recent journal pages with bits of stamping art added to break up the boringness of my life.

 

 

Creative time is at a minimum around here.  But that's better than nil and I will take what I can get.

 

xxx

Annie

 



Journaling 2014

My days of bits of pleasure and some rubber stamping art to decorate them.

And a little Washi Tape too.

 

 

Yep, I'm lovin' this journal.  I like the idea of keeping it all compact and tidy.  It's such a cool book design that is so easy and delightful to work in.

 

Have a happy day!

xx

Annie



Journaling 2014

So here is the rest of April and the beginning of May.  Time is just flying by!

 

 

I like to think that man might be my long lost rich uncle who thinks of me as his favorite niece.  Imagination is a wonderful thing.

 

This is my Journal closed.  I love the neat and tidy look of it and I didn't even have to gussy it up as it comes this way.  I found this style at Barnes and Noble.  It says StudioOh! on the back.

 

 

Wishing all a happy day!

Annie



Journaling

April 2014

I'm now journaling in this journal book.  I love how the pages lie flat together without spiral binding.  Very nice indeed.

 

 

The top of the page is not cut off.  I stamped April so that it would be partly off the edge.

 

I've started out ok and with some art...even though it isn't my own art, but then the next two pages turned out more like a diary look with smattering attempts to spruce it up for interest...which didn't work and is not what I'm after.

 

It seems that scanning these pages leaves them looking dark and blotchy...which they are not in real. 

I'm rectifying the "art" part of this journal beginning May 1st.  The struggle I have is with ink coming through to the opposite side.  The pages are not thin, but it still comes through. 

 

  So, while I finish filling in the next two-page spread, I'll leave you with most of April to snoop through.  It reads like a lullaby to put you to sleep.  I'm looking forward to doing some snooping myself with fellow bloggers who also play with an art calendar journal.

 

xoxoxo

 Annie



Art Journal 2014 - March

March 2014

Art Journal

 

 

I'm feeling incredibly flighty with this project.  Although I like best how March turned out, in April I am once again taking a new direction with this daily journaling thing.

 

Thank you Chris for another great art journal page!

An update on my Paint Tin envelope....I've added a paint brush.  It felt unfinished or incomplete to me and now it feels complete.

 

Now if only I could paint for real!... **sigh** ...oh well, I can do other things well instead.  Variety in people and talents is the spice of life.

 

xoxoxo

Annie



Art Journal 2014 - February

February 2014

Art Journal

 

February is already gone by the wayside and we're well into March.  I considered not posting these anymore, but I think posting them will help me find the creative direction I'm chasing with this project.  Hidden secrets always seem to show up in photos where we see them more clearly than we can in real.

 

 

As was the case previously in January, I started the month with an artfully created journal page by chrisg62.  To that side I added loads of little hearts in various sizes and styles and I created that cute little tracing paper house.  I'm very lacking so far with the pages I've done trying to compliment Chris' artwork. 

 

At the end of the month, I wanted to continue the page with March.  But nothing I could come up with seemed to fit.  So I really junked it up with a bunch of stamping at the bottom to fill in the space.

 

The only good thing about the bottom of that second page is that I get another chance at it with March.....AND every month following that.  LOL 

 

Eventually I will find my direction.  Trial and error always gets me where I'm going.

 

xoxoxo

Annie

 

Art Journal 2014 - January

January 2014

Art Journal

 

I didn't get to start off the year journaling as creatively as I had hoped.  But the important thing is that I did the journaling.  I'm taking a free form approach this year.  That way I can switch directions on any given day.

 

Wait a minute...don't ooh aah that second page design yet.  I did not make that wonderfully artistic looking page.

 

   chrisg62 created it.  NOW you may ooh and aah it.  By clicking on Chris' name, you'll go to her flickr photostream where you can gaze upon all her artistic creations.  She has so generously given me  permission to print and journal on her fun creations. 

 

I know not why artistic-paged journals like Chris' pages are not sold retail!  I don't want to create the pages.  I just want to journal them.  I would so buy a ready-made journal if one had these kind of pages in it.....hint hint to all you talented journal page makers!

 

If you don't read what I wrote, you won't know how boring my life is.  But if you just glance at my journal pages, it looks like I have a really fun life, doesn't it!  hahaha

 

Moving along with February now........

xxx

Annie

 



Note to Marsha...you are a noreply blogger.  I can't mail you a postcard if I can't contact you for your mailing info.

Art Journal Calendar 2013

December is complete.

 

I'm keeping the pages in a scrapbook album that is expandable.

As the album gets fuller, the page spreads will come together.

This is the cover page I've been working on.  Plenty of room to add years, but I'll see how many when the album won't hold any more pages.

I'm continuing this project into 2014, but with a different layout style.  With this change, it's more of a journal as you go, so the month layouts are not made ahead.  Much of the way through 2013, there were days when I felt like I wanted to be a bit more chatty sometimes, but the daily blocks limited that.  When a new page spread is complete, I'll show my progress.

 

"This moment is the most important thing happening right now."  Rodney White (?)

 

xoxo

Annie



Art Journal Calenar - December

Here we are in

December

 

 

I think I'm back to enjoying filling in the blocks this month, because November turned into such a mess.  I couldn't wait to be done with it!

 

 

I so wanted to just toss it out.  But, it's done and I've happily moved on.

 

So now let's be merry and bright!

xxx

Annie

 

 



Art Calendar Journal - November

Now, here's November.  I really have lost steam for creating these calendars by this time and sadly, it shows.  **sigh**  What a turkey I am.

 

 

 I'll have to brighten it up with some colorful markers for the journaling.  It's hard to believe the holidays are upon us once again .....already.  Time passes so slowly as a child and waaay too quickly as an adult.  Where is the fairness I ask you?! 

 

 

October really was trying to fly by as fast as it could.  I struggled to keep up with my daily blocks. 

 

 

That would be why the lack of some creative journaling that could have been really fun being Halloween month.

 

xxx

Annie



Art Calendar Journal - October

I finally brought myself to try a month of non-regimented days and weeks.  It only took me until

October

to brave this change.

 

 

It will be interesting to see how these blocks look filled in.

 

Here is how September has come out.

 



May October be filled with wonderfully wicked fun!

xxx

Annie



Art Calendar Journal - August

May August be a month full of pleasant moments!

 

 

The flower petals and leaves are made from those little savings cards sent out by Kohl's Department Store.

 

 

A little more detail.

 

I'm really happy that some extra effort with journaling changed July from ho hum to fun to look at. 

 

 

Now I'm off to do what I can to fill my August days with bits of pleasant moments. 

 

I hope your days are full of pleasant moments as well.

xxx

Annie



Art Calendar Journal - July

July

has arrived here with a sweltering bang of heat!  Two more days of 100+ temps before we get some relief.  The worse part is the rare added humidity.  I don't like to wish my life away, but I DO wish the next two days go by quickly!

 



I said I was done with traditional themes for these calendars, but I already bought the stars paper and just wanted to use it and be done with it.  A while back Carol drew some birds for me to make postcards with (which I still have not done yet).  I decided to give one a try for my July calendar in hopes of adding some whimsy to the spread.  July doesn't turn out to be one of my favorite month creations, but I'm not totally disappointed, so I will journal it and move on.



On the other hand, I quite enjoyed working on June.  June had an over abundance of high temps.  Some I didn't even note, but wish I had now.  We don't usually get so many 100+ days.  Obviously I thought the 8th was going to be one of those really unusual hot days.  Oh, little did I know...!

 

Wishing everyone a safe, sparkly and happy 4th of July!

 

Annie



Art Calendar Journal - Jan/Feb

January

is complete!

 

I so cannot believe how this project slowed time for me.  Someone commented that it was because I was being more in the moment.  I know for sure I was present each and every day, all day long.

 

 

You won't find too much in the way of real life in my journaling.  I am attempting to make note of some real life, but mostly it will be the thing I found most pleasant during that day.  And some days were a struggle what part to use. Like the 14th and 15th then the 16th.  I haven't sent in the PCH thing in years and years!  Some days I had nothing and found that was a good day to call a friend to chat.  One day I needed something so decided to make an inchie art.  That was kind of a struggle.  I hope I don't have to do that too often because it's not at all easy to make art in a 1" square.

 

But this was total fun!  So on to February I go!

 

 

Hoping there's some fun in every day!

Annie



The passing of

...... Time ......

no longer flies by

... ______________________ ...

 

A strange revelation it is, but just at an age where time more than ever seems to fly by, I've managed to slow it down.  And I've done it by simply starting this art calendar journal. 

 

 

I really look forward to filling in the little blocks with word bits that tell something about that day.  My current life includes no resemblance to anything by way of the definition of the word "exciting".  But I am excited each day to find something to write about in the day's block.  This is the very thing that has now made each and every day count for something.  Even in the simplest way.  And it feels like time has slowed down.

 

 I have enough space to add that the 49ers beat the Packers yesterday.  (I was rooting for the Packers)

 

Every single day now there are several minutes of pure happiness while I fill in those blocks.  Plus the many minutes here and there throughout the day while I ponder on the so far today possibilities to document.

Thank you Kate Crane!

 

Have a great day,

Annie



Art Calendar - February

...and now

February 2013

is ready...

 

I punished myself with the idea of the b&w between the journaling blocks.

 



 

But I really like how it turned out.  This month, like January, is a mix of fabric and scrapbook papers as well as stickers.  The hearts are from Lisa's Altered Art , the envelope and rose are Internet downloads.

 

 

I'm quite pleased with the end result of this month.  I am having the best time mixing medias to create this journal.

 

  I have been missing doing some scrapbooking.  My scrapbooking supplies are not in the same place that I am.  Creating this journal is much like scrapbooking for me, so I'm thoroughly enjoying this process...at the moment.

Happy day to you!
Annie

Art Calendar - January

Art Calendar Journal  
Project
----------------------------------------------

2013

January

 

 

 

 

This is an ongoing project of Kate Crane's,   the kathryn wheel. It's a year of journaling your life, and Kate invites all interested to join her annual journey.

 

I'm definitely not looking at this as a "challenge", although the flickr group is titled Art Calendar 2013 365 Challenge  That terrible word!..."challenge".  No, for me it will be a project.

 

 

 

I really like the idea of this project, because I think I will enjoy filling in the squares.  The part that scares me is the designing of monthly pages.  I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up with that.  But I'm sure gonna try.

 

I don't do artsy with paints and inks, but I love fabric and scrapbook papers.  This January spread has lots of sewing, but with the freedom of personal choice, I don't feel I need to stick to one specific spread design theme.  So, when it gets "hairy", I think I can cut and paste a paper month quickly enough to keep up with this.  We'll see.

 

 

 

I'm making double page spreads using two 8.5" X 11" pages.  I will keep them in a scrapbook album.  I'll show that when I show the completed month (and after I purchase the album).

 

I notice that here I am stuck in the standard January box.  Blue and white, cold and blustery looking.  That must be why I really wanted to start with February...LOVE red!

 

 

My biggest fear is that my personal time is so limited, that this project might consume all of it.  Again, we'll see.



 

I also fear that many of the highlights of my day will just be work, cooking, cleaning or laundry.  So I have a plan for alternative entries when those days become monotonous.  But, for the most part, I'm going to look for the positive moments of my days to journal.

 

Have a great day!

Annie