• Art - Blog - Creativity

    AJJ: Transplanted Blossoms

    July 15, 2025 - By 

    This page was inspired by the colors of the 3 three project life cards I used. I picked up a large set that was new in box at the thrift store. I like using these as card backgrounds and collage fodder.

    The one with the tickets really set the palette for me. I began pulling pieces that I thought would work.

    I’ve really been in love with mixing styles. Bold prints and vintage images. Clean lines and torn fabrics.

    Finding a bit of text in my stash that blended my thoughts together….well…brought it all together.

    I hope you’ll stop by Art Journal Journey this month and check out others take on my theme of Botanicals. We’d love it if you’d join in!

  • 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!