THE journal

There are some people who like to look in mirrors.  me?  Not so much.  So doing a journal titled 'All About...  me'   is a little freaky!!!   But shoot!  I'm going to be clickety click- 66 this year.  It is a transitional year.  If I haven't figured out who I am by now,  well, when will I?

I do like journaling.  I even like making journals.  So when I first crossed paths with this concept something inside me straightened right up and said, YES!

I immediately sent for the book post haste and awaited it impatiently.  I did the quiz and actually had a surprise or two but I feel very accepting of the results.

 In some ways I feel like I have been preparing for this very thing!   I did these mixed media art canvases a couple several years ago.  :O

I grabbed the journal I'd made last year for the Wanderlust journey.  I'll ignore the one page I'd managed to do.  There is always gesso but somehow I feel this is another preparation page.  But I am not wundering/wandering nor lust/lost so this will repurpose nicely.

After doing the quiz and identifying my own archetypes I felt empowered to let me come into the light and be fully revealed.  Hello, elle!  I counted up the important traits and added two more signatures which the wide spine easily accommodated.  Another 'meant to be'!   The intro of who, what, when, where, why, how and even therefore,  kinda just fell into place.  And now it is , next...

I am ready to leap into my documentary.  Maybe with only a little hesitation.  lol

no surprise ending

Therefore

The only shorthand symbol I remember and actually use is the three dots for therefore.

 I had laid out the materials and general plan for the last of my who, what, when, where, why and how pages.  And of course the final page sorta followed the plan.

I do believe I am beginning to get a glimpse of how I like to do and layout my pages.

I did have to fix one oops because I was impatient and I shoulda left the butterfly lost under some papers. The surprise is that in spite of everything I am happy to call it done and move on to the next section of 'who am I?'.

I see!!!

The best investment in on line classes for 2016 has been Wanderlust 2016 from Everything Art.  I quickly realized I am not interested in the all the extras but I await with bated breath the weekly post and Friday morning I was hardly into the first 10 minutes of the video when I realized I needed to look at the orientation of my journal/planner pages differently.  And that wasn't even what the focus of week 28!  lol

I did know to limit my 'stuff' but somehow when things are as messy as they are at this moment...

While I am naturally inclined to asymmetrical and diagonal orientations, I have been fixated on the double page grid and its left to right linear orientation and grid.  I see that a bit of fixing is necessary.

Cute flower gone

Break up all that stenciling

Get the theme paper on all pages- somehow

The photo sleeve page breaks up things

Much better.  July is done.  Still too busy but my teeth are no longer clenched!

August is next

First page is setting the forward motion.  Here's hoping we don't have another run away cart!

It might not be pretty

 

I did start with getting my planner up to date.   I got a good start.

The thumbnail or tiny wallet sized prints on my computer work well to give the reminder and a feeling of what was happening.  I have too many per page but we were making memories and that couldn't be helped.  But I figure three shots per week in the future.  They fill and add something nice. Adding photos, bits and bobs, etc.  to the penciled activities jotted down as the week progresses makes this an effective diary.  When I forget to pencil I just add more art!  Works for me.

The little school/blog planner isn't terribly detailed but is great for cleaning stamps, brushes, and trying new things!

Obviously it wasn't too hard because my mind began to wander.  I got to thinking about my blog and the changes I'd like to make as I head into the future.  A future I see as a time of transition. (says she as she tries to make sense of photos in realty ads)   I want seasonal blog headers.  I have always intended to do that but...

If I do them all at once they will be ready at the click of a finger depending on my memory of how to make the changes.  lol
 
In the middle of the repetition of print and glue I let my mind wander.  ;^)   And before I knew it I was experimenting.

Here's a hint but it didn't feel right.  Darn, I don't have a bare wall even after simplifying!  This was my third seasonal try and I guess you try with what ya got until the AHA! moment comes. 

So I shoved some more furniture around.  Then I started all over again to gather accessories.  Loads of fun but gosh, what a mess.  Then I double, tripled and I am on my way to quadrupling the mess.  

But revealing that bright idea will have to wait for another day because I gotta get back to TNTF

Planning

I think my sister needs a planner!  :-)

I understand that the adult colouring craze is very beneficial to one's well being.  So I began to collect some coloring pages that she might like and some colouring materials.

I thought loose pages in a nice binder might be good.   And who can resist some cute accessories.

I am not sure that she would delve deeply into planning but a bit of a diary might add something to her life as well as add some clues as to just how she spends her time.

The white binders are great for personalizing by slipping in a decorative sheet for the front cover.  I think I will get a bigger size as the one inch is already full!

Scattered Squirrel offers free printables.  I found the best results for clear, clean pages without too much thickness to be with coloured paper that have a white back.  It IS necessary to know how to position the paper for copying.  lol  Ask me how I know!

Now I really need to apply the KISS principle.   This needs to be cheery and easy to use.  So I really tried not to clutter it up with cuteness.

Now, where was I.  oh yah;  scraping the oopses off the floor!

Getting to the church on time!

The recipient of my journal gift was going to be at church on Sunday.  I wouldn't have to mail it nor give any lame excuses for not having anything to celebrate his graduation.

Nothing like a deadline!

hmm.  I wish I knew what is wrong with my camera.  And this was my favourite picture, too.  :(  Anywhoo, the recipient is in the centre and his brother and friend are graduating next year.  :O  A wise woman would begin now!!!

A little inspiration and accountability.  And hopefully a little incentive to get a head start.  But then who said I was wise!   ;^)

A place to remember

The Rooster has a little black book.  He has had one for a long time.  It held important information concerning breeding dates, which ram went where,  ewes and their lambs, and successful pairings, etc.  Spare pages began to hold other info such as serial and parts  numbers.  The flock is gone.  The black book remains because the memory wanders off just like the odd sheep who tries slipping under a fence.

I am Queen of the Slips.  Slips of paper that is.  :(  I have tried day timers and annual journals but my attention span seems to last six months and then I'm back to scribbling on slips of paper.  :(   Now the slips piles of paper are threatening the kingdom.  :(  Time to abdicate! 

I don't have a small shirt pocket so my book must be bigger.  Perhaps if I incorporate various kinds of slips I won't wander off looking for options.  I luv themes.  I can do a book of the month and play at the same time.

So:

My fall scarf is the theme.

I coloured the cover and began to add layers. 

 

I gathered an assortment of papers from my stash.  Before stitching the papers in I added some details with stencils.

I added layers of text and texture to the pages.   Lots of fun!

 Some pages turned out good, I thought.  I even left space for documentation. :)

Some pages turned out bad but I think I can help them with some journaling additions and there is always gesso! :(

Some are ugly from when a thought was acted on too impetuously.   :O This was a image transfer whose black background proved troublesome.  The solution was evn moreso!  :( But its never a mistake and there are always creative opportunities to pull out of the bag of tricks. Or so I want to believe.   I debated moving into my default setting which is to start all over.  But November is marching along and this is a journey!  Hopefully I'll remember where my luggage claim tickets are soon.  ;^)

I also need to remember that my style is unfolding. I'm reminded of the slogan Calm Down and Carry on!   I get that less is more when it comes to the variety and number of options.  I had way too much fun trying too may things.  I am recognizing continuity.  Now I need to learn subtlety!  :O

I don't imagine this particular journal will slip anywhere.  It is pretty busy which pretty much guarantees visibility.  Perhaps I should jot down some restraints for next month on the last page as a reminder of what not to do.   you know, the what ifs...

Oh!  And I may need a reminder to post the rest of the story when this month slips from the calender. 

Stepping Things UP!

I have been following a new to me blog and I quite like it!  france papillon  She hosts Journal on Monday.

Here is my try at making a journal page spread.

I opened my DYLP journal to a blank part and spread gesso with a plastic card which I like!

Next are sprays  which I also swiped with the card. 

I added printed tissue paper and dulled things a bit with some more gesso spread lightly.

Texture was made by spreading molding paste thru a stencil and then I flipped the stencil over onto the other page for a reverse effect.

I added more colour meaning to kinda hit the tops of the dried molding paste but...

More interest was added by stamping.

I really am on a mission to add fibre to my mixed media work.  I chose a complimentary colour  and sewed the fabric onto some coloured paper.

As seen, the dropper on the acrylic ink kinda exploded but I did like it.  I did spray some water to get some more drips on the left.

I wanted to get the various elements more integrated so I reached for more stamps.

To get some harmony with the fibre I added washi tape, some smudges with the ink pad, and some lines with that nice card again.

 I wasn't thrilled with the bottom left page and tried stencilling some copper.

I also tried a marker.  A water soluble pencil helped bring out the raised hand.

I positioned the stamped fabric with brads and balanced it with the key.  Good enough for a first stepping out!  lol

I'm going to link up with france's 100th JOM and hope that you will check out this great resource!