Journal Journey

I'm about to reveal a secret.

I haven't journaled in close to a year.  Once upon a time I was very good about sitting down anywhere just to jot down my adventures, cut and paste a few words and paint pages in vibrant colors.  Take the journal below for example.  I took it everywhere.  I painted several pages at a time.  The main color washes I used on these pages were done in hues of yellow/orange because it was a very, very hot summer.  And I have the words to prove it.  I used to collect words to use in my journals.  I still have envelopes full of them.  What happened to me?     

I seem to be drawn to smaller scales of art these days, including a 20 lb cutie-patooie.    

 When I'm ready to get back to recording my daily thoughts, I'll know.    

In the meantime I have some interesting reads from past journals and maybe they'll inspire me enough to splash some paint, use those eclectic phrases or words I've been saving and do some writing of my latest jaunts.  Lord knows I have a few journals just waiting to be used.  Yes, a few.    

Did you ever get in a journal rut and how did you get out?

Retro-Visionary Journal Artventures

Flower Power....The British Invasion....Groovy....Psychedelic...It's all part of the Retro-Visionary Journal theme.

But the retro era wasn't just about words or music.  It was also a simpler way of life.  We didn't have to go too far to have fun.  If we weren't at the park, we were in the backyard playing whatever we could think of.  It didn't cost money for us to have fun.  We got creative and used our imagination, if we didn't have the equipment.  We never thought to ask our parents for material things cause it wasn't important.
Well, actually there was something I never hesitated to ask for.  The Betsy McCall paper doll page from the McCall's magazine was always mine.  My love of paper dolls was re-ignited when I began to create altered tags featuring art dolls.
My mother's face below is featured on this tag which is a part of my Retro-Visionary Journal.  I wrote about her on the back side and I'll share it with you one day.   

Here is a sampling of the discarded books I salvaged which have several colorful pages with that vintage retro look.  You know the one - quirky designs with wild colors that POP.  All original and waiting for you! 

Please let Stampin' From the Heart know if you'd like to take this workshop.  There's a lot of prep work on my part in order to make this experience a smooth one for you.  You won't be disappointed and it's a journal that you can continue to add pages to in the future.
Art Dolls, and journaling, and retro-vintage pages.  OH MY!  

Earth to Linda

OOOO. Was Earth Day yesterday? I have a good reason for letting it slip by me. You see, I celebrate Earth Day quite regularly. Almost every day as a matter of fact.

Just today I brought home these cuttings from the overgrown geranium bush in the school garden. I consider it pruning and pruning promotes healthy growth. Plus, it'll make a great addition to my garden!

Wow, look at how pretty the cuttings look all ready! Don't they have an Asian flair about them? They remind me of cherry blossoms.

To prove I celebrate Earth Day on a regular basis, this journal page from Monday has a saved hand that I've been holding onto for a couple months. I knew I'd need it one day. My habit of saving really pays off in a pinch. You can click on the picture to read my entry. This journal page is for the round robin I'm in.

I decided to show a little "Earth Day Spirit" on this page by using scraps of saved paper and featuring inchies made from recycled items. Yes I'm still making inchies!

Today I found myself taking cuttings from the school garden. The pale pink geraniums yelled at me from the library window to come out and help myself. So I did. I noticed a few plumerias in need of water so I'll have to tend to them and get them in shape cause I'll probably be taking a cutting or two from them next.

Earth Day is a year-round celebration with me. Not only do I take cuttings and happily add them to my garden but I find myself searching through bags of paper scraps for art projects and I enjoy flipping through pages of saved magazines for the perfect phrase or words to use in my journal.

The next time you find yourself reaching for a scrap of paper from a former project or catch yourself taking cuttings for your garden, take that as a reminder that you also celebrate Earth Day on a regular basis.