• Blog

    T Tuesday: BFF trip edition

    July 14, 2025 - By 

    My best friend, Sandy and I began planning a trip back in the late spring.  Since we live over 800 miles(~1300km) apart, planning is a must. Originally she was going to make the 13hr (one way) drive but I convinced her to just find a flight.  We picked dates then began the search for a getaway place. We were fortunate to find a great place to stay in a town that Mini-me and I fell in love with a coupe years ago.

    This cute little town is Ely, MN. It sits on the edge of the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area) It’s protected waters. No motorized vehicles allowed including boat motors. I’m not really a “camper” or canoe person but I love that we have this area in the state for those adventure types.  I do love hiking though.

    We hiked the same trail Mini-me and I did two years ago. I love how the trees have wrapped their roots around the bedrock.

    The reward at the far end of the loop is a beautiful water fall. We did much more climbing around than I did on the previous adventure.

    I’m hopeful this video will work for most people.

    After our hike we explored in town…a little shopping and a fantastic burger.

    I had to take a picture of this store front…and, of course, go in. My first job was at a Ben Franklin store. I thought they had been sold or went bankrupt. The nostalgia has great. I even bought some yarn…just what I need…more craft supplies. HA!

    We laughed and talked and hung out until all hours of the night the first night. The moon was lovely across the water.

    The mosquitos were fierce though…

    Luck for us we had the cutest screen porch that was separate from the cabin which overlooked the lake.

    We had some rain and Canadian wildfire smoke but we made the best of it sitting and enjoying the lake and each others company.

    T stands for Tuesday
  • Art - Blog - Creativity

    AJJ: Lilac

    July 9, 2025 - By 

    Today’s journal page for my theme of Botanicals was inspired by the Tim Holtz lilac card. I’m a huge fan of lilacs. They have a very old fashioned feel to me.  I have to admit though that purple is kind of out of my comfort zone when it comes to creating.

    I cut a piece of scrapbook paper to my desired size of 7×10 inches to fit the converted planner journal I’m using. Next I pulled pieces that I felt would coordinate well in my collage. The scrapbook paper ended up being more of a frame for the main collage.

    Layers and more layers is the name of the game lately. Keeping them all straight and adhered in the right order is the tricky part.

    It seems no collage is done without a bit of extra texture from a fabric, lace or trims me me as of late.

    I Hope you’ll play along and create a journal page for my theme of Botanicals and link up over at Art Journal Journey this month!

  • Art - Blog - Creativity

    AJJ: Teal and Yellow

    July 4, 2025 - By 

    Todays page was inspired by the central “postcard” size image. I had the bit of leaves running up one side and the teal color. It got my mind working. As usual I began pulling out pieces that I thought might work on a page.

    I happened to have some cutoffs of scrapbook paper that I felt would coordinate really well. I cut a piece of scrap paper the appropriate size for the journal I am using to hold all of my loose leaf style journal pages. It happens to be the same one I used last year.

    I love working loose leaf style because then I am not limited by the book I am creating within. However, that can create a whole different challenge and spark more creative energy.

    I’ve always loved teal and yellow together so this Tim Holtz rose fit the bill. At this point, I added the lace down the edge and felt as if I was done. I even started taking photos for this post. Then as I looked at it more…something was missing.

    I brought the page to my sewing machine to add a bit more texture which I loved…and that inspired me to add the bit of fabric salvage and buttons. Finally, I was happy with my page.

    I hope you stop by Art Journal Journey and check out the other participants pages for my theme of Botanicals this month.