AJC10 Week 48 preview - discovering quotes

This quote also came from the "Kind over Matter" blog and I wanted to journal it to remember it

http://www.kindovermatter.com/2010/11/dont-give-anyone-permission-to-snuff.html

Credits:
Background - Basic Grey, Color Me Silly Digital paper: Discovery
http://www.basicgrey.com/digital/shop/product/col-d343/collection:current
Floral texture (opacity reduced) - Basic Grey, Sublime Digital texture http://www.basicgrey.com/digital/shop/product/acs-d246/collection:current

AJC10 Week 48 preview - "Gaze on a Goal"

I came across the Gandhi quote yesterday morning from a blog I follow http://www.kindovermatter.com/2010/11/offering-peace.html The quote is how I try to live my life and how I aim to treat people I encounter as I go. It was such a beautiful quote I did to journal it to remember it and it went with "gazing on a goal" element of a quote included in the parcel.

Credits:
Background and elements from Studio Tangie Baxter @ Scrapbookgraphics, Art Journal Caravan, Week 48 parcel.

AJC10 Week 13 - "Where thou art, that is home"

This piece is based on a blog I wrote in Sept last year on my main blog - a jewel shining through: http://ajewelshiningthrough.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-am-what-i-am.html The paper just went so well with the journalling :) Wish I could draw like that really - perhaps one day :)

Credit:

Background paper - Tangie Baxter & Sherrie JD @ Scrapbookgraphics, Junque Journal collab set

AJC10 "Only as high as I reach can I grow"

Credits:
Paper and Elements: Holliewood Studios @ Deviant Scrap, The Collector
I can't remember where the quote came from

AJC10 Week 10 - To be free at Last - Scrap-inspired by Fran Horne

(Forgive the quality of the photo - the piece is red, white and black).

Last Saturday, I took the decision to go to Malvern, a place where I used to live when I was first married. My first marriage was short but was mentally abusive and whilst I love Malvern, there's still a small part of me that fears going there. Anyway, despite feeling nervous, I survived, and found that an art exhibition was on in one of the shops. The artist (Fran Horne) is a book artist and the exhibition was inspiring, as the artist's style could easily be adapted for art journalling. Her website shows some of the work that was on exhibition http://www.franhorne.co.uk/ and my page above is inspired by her work. The page is from "The Self-Esteem Companion" by McKay, Fanning, Honeychurch and Sutker, a book that I accidently ordered twice, but rather than send it back, I thought I would alter one copy and then I saw the Fran Horne Exhibition and it felt serendipendous to do that to a page. The page on "Freeing Your Body" appeared to be relevant for this week

Pens - Kuretake

AJC10: Week 10 - Life can be a bit of a Circus

This week's task was to "explore the idea of entertainment and how sometimes life really is like a circus!" At the beginning of the week I learnt that it's unlikely that I'm going to get any help from the Local Mental Health team after all now to help me address the mental issues behind my bingeing eating. I'm gathering my own strength to face this myself. The tightrope is actually from a washing-line digital kit so it set the tone of the piece, that sometimes there are just so many things that need to be done or need our attention all at once, hence the hulu ring and ring of flames behind the walker.

Credits:

"Wall" Background paper - Tangie Baxter @ SBG, Art Journal Caravan Week 10 Parcel

"Floor" and back border - Tangie Baxter @ SBG, Penelope & Priscilla kit

Curtains and Golden Lace - Tangie Baxter @ SBG, Centre Stage kit

Art Dolls - Tangie Baxter collab @ SBG, Hello Dollie

Rope, clothes pegs, and clothes - Laurie Ann, ScrapArtist, Fresh Laundry kit

AJC10: Week 9 - Peace

My second layout for last week incorporated the quote for the week from Margaret Fairless Barber. I wanted a pared-down layout with the zen garden background, but I added the orchids to give some colour to the piece. I slightly recoloured the "peace come from within" quote and split around the main quote, as otherwise it disappeared into the background.

Credits:

Zen background, "Peace" quote and orchid stem (multi-layered) - Orchid Dreams Awakening Kit, Studio Phlong @ SBG

Paint spot - Art Journal Caravan Week 9 parcel, Studio Tangie @ SBG

AJC10: Taking Chances

I love the TV show "Glee". I watch it, then my son and I watch it together later, and we love it. He loves drama and wants to be a singer or an actor. The top quote is from the pilot episode, from the founder of the high school's Glee club, and the quote on the gingham ribbon is from the Celine Dion song Taking Chances - written by David A. Stewart and Kara Dioguardi: "What do you say to taking chances, What do you say to jumping off the edge? Never knowing if there's solid ground below Or hand to hold, or hell to pay…". The photo is of my mum aged about 12 - I used it as I liked the pose. The "Remember that song" is there to remind me to take some chances.

Credits:

Backing paper, gingham ribbon, piano hand (rotated), marbled border - Studio Tangie @ SBG, Art Journal Caravan, Week 8 parcel
"Remember that song" - Gypsy Couture @ SBG, Journalling prompts
Red ribbon - Studio mgl @ SBG, Dreaming in Colours 2.0 - Red

AJC10: A Case of You

These are some of my favourite lyrics for they are so evocative and now with the Art Journal provisions plus a few more elements, the layout spoke to me through the lyrics. My favourite version is by my favourite singer Brian Kennedy as it's more within his range I feel, but I also like the Diana Krall version. I love the idea of living within a paintbox. To me this part of the song is uplifting for following those who aren't afraid surely gives courage to those who would fear otherwise.

Credits:
Background paper - Studio Tangie, Journal Anthology Papers
Paintbox, paintbrush and Blue stars - Studio Tangie, Art Journal Caravan, Steamer Trunk Elements
Boxes, Canvases, Light string, Easel and folder tag - Gypsy Couture @ Digichick, Artists Loft elements
Blue circle border - Studio Tangie, Art Journal Caravan, Week 4 Parcel

AJC10 Week 8 - You raise me up

This week's theme is to explore the idea of music and art journaling. "What music really inspires you?" Well, this song and its lyrics spring to my mind, particularly when sung a cappella by my favourite singer, the Irish singer-songwriter Brian Kennedy. There are times when he sings that song in concert when I can hear (not just feel, because the audience are so quiet) the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It is very special - if you want an idea of how special, there is a version on youtube of his performance a few years ago at the Burnavon Arts Centre in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, Ireland. The song has been covered by many different singers, but the words are extremely strong and uplifting - Brian calls it "a hug in a cd". I left my sketch in pencil to keep its ethereal feel. The lyrics are from the chorus "You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong when I am on your shoulders. You raise me up: To more than I can be". Brian was the original singer of the song on the composer's album - Secret Garden's "Once in a Red Moon".

Credits:

Backing paper - Lorie Davison, Flitting Fall Faeries, Light paper pack

Lettering from my stashs

My sketch is on watercolour paper

AJC10 Weeks 7 and 8 - What's new?

I had a week off as it was half-term so this week is my week 7 and 8 on the Art Journal Caravan. The itinerary was to explore a new art journal technique. I found spontaneity difficult so I thought I would try doodling. My first effort was to outline and highlight a cardboard flower I had made. The silver wording says "Just doodle it".

Credits:

Background paper - 7 gypsies, Morroco Journey Pack "Argan"

Paper with black diamonds on - 7 gypsies (a paper scrap from my stash)

Teal paper - K & Co (a paper scrap from my stash)

Flower elements from stash - details not known now

Black and silver alphabets - Making Memories

Pen - ZIG Dotta-riffic

AJC10 Week 6 - Seaside Bliss

This two page spread explores my love of the seaside. From most of my childhood, I lived near the seaside and there is something about the sights and sounds of the sea that I love, although I now live the furtherest you can get from the sea. The salty taste of the air, beachcombing, exploring and bracing walks on the beach or paddling... :) The photos are from two family holidays and the day on Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow is one of my favourite hours of my life. That day was our last full day in Ireland and it had been raining all day. We decided to go for a walk on the beach and the rain cleared up for our time there. I was sitting on the beach and my son came up for a cuddle and I asked my hubby to take a picture as I felt the happiest I had for a long time. I wanted a photo to remind me of that joy. The shells I've used to embellish the quick pages I cut out from a 3D scrapbooking border.

Credits:

Pages - Studio Ztampf, Seashore Quick Pages kit

3D shell border stickers (dismantled) - Inspirations

"Pure Bliss" - Studio Ztampf, Seashore Kit, alphabet

AJC10 Week 5 - I am What I am

When I first thought of this concept I originally was going to use a different "I am what I am" quote which says "I am what I am. Not what you like to think I am. Not what you want me to be. I am me. - M. Pring (2009)" but as I constructed the art doll I felt a more showbizzy feel was needed. And then I found the George Bernard Shaw quote about creating yourself which took it towards the new "I am what I am" quote's direction which is a song lyric from the musical "La Cage aux Folles". My favourite version is that sung by John Barrowman, although sadly I wasn't able to see him sing it on stage in the West End of London at the tail-end of last year. I may not be as slim as the doll now but that's part of the creation ;) and I was definitely born with glitz, glitter and glam in my veins. I am loving "Glee" :) The first series is showing here at the moment - I loved being in the school choir in my teens although we only did musical plays, like Oliver! etc. As a child, I wanted to be a dancer but sadly I had two left feet when it came to co-ordination as I grew so much ;) I was nearly 5ft 10 by age 12! I ended up at 5ft 11 and love my height now.

Credits:

Background paper - Tangie Baxter, Field Notes papers

George Bernard Shaw quote - Studio Maya, Quirky Quotes - Existence

Art Doll's clothes - Tangie Baxter, Ultimate Doll Kit

Wings - Lorie Davison, Faerily Moonlit elements

Red flower and Golden starry Sprinkles - Tangie Baxter, Centre Stage, Opera House elements

Newspaper border - Glam Fairy Designs, Pimp My Art elements

Creativity quote and Queen of Glamour stamp - unknown designers, from internet

Hand - Tangie Baxter, Darkroom elements

AJC10 Week 5 - The 2 wolves (thanks Dixie for bringing this to my attention)

Thanks Dixie for posting this story a while back. I just wanted to scrapbook it this week

Credits:

Background paper (rotated) - Studio Manu, Mother Nature papers

Picture of wolf from the internet

AJC10: Not all doom and gloom

When I saw the blog for this week, I took away Ann Woods' use of boats and I've added two inspirational quotes that I keep with me: the top one is the one that gets me to do things when anxiety starts to hit me.

Credits: All paper and elements from Studio Baers Garten, Little Boat Blue kit

AJC10 Week 3 - Mend

As I said, mend is the verb of this week and the quote at the bottom of this page is the week's quotable inspiration. The Jewel here is the American singer/songwriter, not me ! Mending is an ongoing process for me, but this is to remind me that Life can't rewound.

Credits:

Background paper - Studio Manu, Seems like Yesterday Papers
Other papers: Studio Manu, Timeless Journey Papers; Tangie Baxter, Darkroom Decrow papers
Diamonds and Peeble Border Doodles Elements - Tangie Baxter, Darkroom Elements
Ball swirls - Studio Manu, Treasures of Yesterday Elements
"Mend", Facts Card (altered) and Tape Measure Elements - Tangie Baxter, Art Journal Caravan Week 3 Parcel
Arrow stamp and Remember Stamp - 7gypsies

This week's quote from the Art Journal Caravan 2010

Each week the journey project gives a task, a blog to look at for ideas, a verb of the week - this week's is accept, some questions to inspire a journal page, a "Poke, pick or prod" section for contemplation and a quote. This page includes this week's quote...



Credits:

Background paper, Rosalynn Carter quote, floral sparkles and the bird (reversed) - Tangie Baxter, Art Journal Caravan week 2 parcel
Ring stain - Studio Helene, Cocoa Bean elements

AJC10 Week 2 - Fears and wishes

This is my first all digital scrapbook page - so no dodgy photos this time. I came across the quote from a journal book and it led to my other recorded thoughts on the matter. Getting to know how to use my photoshop software a bit more today :)

Credits:

Background page - Tangie Baxter, Journal Anthology papers

Bird (reversed) - Tangie Baxter, Art Journal Caravan Week 2 parcel

Splat and Stars - Tangie Baxter, Journal Anthology elements
Label - Tangie Baxter, Art Journal Caravan Week 1 parcel