I took some quiet time yesterday to work in my kira-kira journal. It’s nearly full. Then I’ll just need to figure out what to do with the cover.
The page came together with elements from my desk. I only had to go hunt for the vintage slide. As the page was coming together I just had to include a slide. I was lucky enough to find one in my stash that matched so very well.
I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to create in the next week. My clothes dryer broke so Mr. G will be taking it apart today. Since I share my art space with the laundry…my space will be severely limited. Not that I don’t have tons of other things that I could be doing.
Category : Art
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I’ve been drinking WAY to much coffee lately. Not that I make a second pot at home for myself but I’ve been out and about and the coffee seems to be free-flowing. Jitters…shakes…good thing I wasn’t doing any fine motor things because I would have gotten a big old F in any of those.
The bonus to my coffee excess is that it got me thinking about an altered book I started many years ago. Seriously…years…ago….
This is by far my favorite page in this AB so far. The others all seem forced in comparison. I likely shouldn’t compare since I’ve really grown as an artist in the years since I started this project but it’s hard not to self-criticize.
The ad is from an old cookbook I tore apart. I love that it’s a little piece of history.
I had so much fun making the first journal spread yesterday, I went back for another.
Once again I worked in my white journal. Boy, I just realized that I have 4 journals going at once. And I have an idea for yet another. I should probably wait on that idea at least until I fill one of the currents to capacity.
Tissue paper was used as a start for this page as well. It had been crumpled over and over again. Lots of tiny little creases. It started out very purple…or maybe violet. The color was a little too “in your face” for my taste. I used a couple of mists around the edges to tone it down to a dull roar.. The aqua washi tape begged me to use it with the new deeper shade of purple. The black and white just helped everything else pop on the page. I have this thing about circles…I use them all the time. They just make me happy I guess.
So last evening I still hadn’t had enough creativity for the day. My sewing machine was still calling me. I grabbed bits and pieces of fabric, paper, fiber and trims to sew together for collage cards. I didn’t give it much thought…just went for it.
I made 21 mini collages that will eventually become greeting cards. Some will be left blank…others will have sentiments…some collages may not make the cut. Who cares…it was all scraps and bits laying around.
Our dreary day of April showers inspired me to create something full of color. At least April showers bring on the green grass, tree buds and flowers.
I used tissue paper from an Easter gift bag to start my background. I added spots of color with punchinella as a stencil. Scraps and bits made up the rest of the page. 
It was great to work in a journal again. I’ve found that I have to mix things up a bit to keep the creativity flowing. I almost ended up at the sewing machine instead of doing the journal page. I guess I have to be thankful for laundry today…got me down to my artspace.
A couple days ago I had something that was eating me up…interfering with my entire day. Someone that I care about…not living in my house…but that I care about…had hurt me once again. After supper, I decided to do what always helps me…WRITE. Just get it out. A simple rant. An unloading of all the bottled up ick. Spill it out on the page…and so I did.
It’s funny because as I write I see myself working through it in my mind. Of course…you…cannot see it since I blurred it. Sorry…personal stuff…no peeking.
So today…feeling much better I painted over my rant. I still know its there. I know what it says. It helped, so it can now become something positive.
These words of wisdom come from the recent Disney movie “Frozen“. If you’re not familiar with it here’s the song that inspired the end product of this page. Both the song and movie are a new favorite in our house.
I went the whimsical way today…I was attempting to lift my mood a bit. The weather is darn cold again and it’s got me a little down.
This also reminds me that I better get my seeds started. I usually start what I can indoors right about St. Patrick’s Day and I haven’t gotten it done yet…I’m falling behind!
I started this journal page before working yesterday…I’ve been at the schools a lot this week between working and volunteering…so my creative time has been pretty much nil.
I put on my apron and was very careful with my paint so I wouldn’t mess up my nice clothes. I completed the background before leaving for work. Whew…no splatters on me.
Later in the afternoon I had some down time and I started thinking about my day. Actually my week…and the kids I’ve come into contact with at school. The reason for the position is for extra support for those who need it. Some of them can be very angry and resentful towards you…but today it just all clicked for me. I didn’t take it personally at all…getting yelled at by a teen boy the same size as you isn’t all that fun. This hasn’t always been the easiest thing for me which is why I prefer to not work in EBD classes. However, amidst the yelling, I had a moment of clarity and saw that the yelling wasn’t about me even though it was directed solely towards me. It was pure frustration that had been building all week…not that it was the proper way for him to handle it….but this moment was a great learning experience for me as well. I received the gift of understanding.
I didn’t think of it in those words but they fell into my lap when I sat down to finish my page. Love it when that happens!