Bagging Anxiety

Another page for my journal.

Not my typical page, but I'm not even sure I have a "typical".

I folded strips of  paper and tucked them into a small paper bag.

The idea is to write all the things causing me anxiety on the strips of paper, stuff them into the bag and clip it shut with the tiny clothespin.

Although I really haven't used it for it's intended purpose, just the making of it worked for bagging my anxiety.

I think it might be something useful for children who have issues with anxiety.

For me keeping busy and finding creative distractions works best.

Have a stress free day!

Karen

Old and Tattered

I'm not sure why, but I like the look of tattered old papers and textiles.

I use these for my journal pages.

Some of this stuff is in pretty bad condition, but that's partly what I like about them.

Books and woven fabric pieces all tied up with twine.

Greeting cards and letters from the early 1900's  in an old wire basket.

Feels good to have some things sorted and organized. Maybe tomorrow will be a day for creating.

We'll see.

Have a nice day!

Karen

Art Journal Page 2

The Language Of Disease Is Pain

I found this phrase in an ad from the 1870's. I can totally relate to this and I know many of you can as well, so it inspired me to create another journal page.

Made of old cardboard, antique papers, tissue paper, paint, ink, stamp, modpodge, vintage torn lace, magazine scraps and scrap book paper.

I don't follow any sort of rules or learned techniques while creating these pages and I use whatever I have on hand in my studio which is a hodge podge of junk that I've accumulated over the years.

These pages are a meditative type of thing where I just get lost in what I'm doing.

It's more feeling than thinking which is what I need. I have a tendency to over think everything and this is a way of letting that go.

A temporary distraction.

Hope your day is painless!

Karen

Journal Page 1

I have absolutely no idea what I am doing here.

This is the beginning of what I'm calling…Journal Page 1.

I think it needs more layers.

 And some ink washed over the lighter parts.

 
I'll post photos again when I feel like it's finished.

Good wishes to you!

Karen

A Bouquet Of Paper Tubes

It's just too cold to be outdoors much lately.

It makes my bones hurt and it sure didn't help when I fell on the ice while shoveling a path to the garage last week.  So, I look for things to keep me busy indoors.
I made a pretty bouquet of paper tubes last week.

I'm not quite sure what I'll use these for, but it was fun and relaxing to make them.

To make these, wrap 4 inch wide strips of paper (junk mail, old magazine pages, etc.) around a wooden skewer and glue the end with a dab of elmers glue.

I like them just the way they are without a purpose, but I've seen some pretty cool things made from these, like containers and picture frames.  Thinking about flattening them and weaving them or rolling them into shapes.

I like the ones with lots of color best.

Karen

Crewel Folder

So, I decided to go ahead and use those crewel samples this morning rather than hoarding them away.

In my last post I mentioned that they were very dusty, so after I laundered them and they were dry, I cut out my favorite parts and pieces and machine stitched them in a random pattern onto some reclaimed muslin. (2 rectangles of the same size)

I added some machine stitched text, 

 and some vintage buttons.

After I had all the crewel and embellishments stitched onto the muslin, I then stitched the crewel covered muslin panels to a larger piece of purple linen from my fabric stash. One to the left and the other to the right on the purple linen, creating a front and a back to the folder.( so the panels are side by side on the purple linen)

 I made a little flap and added a super sized snap.

 Next I cut a piece of quilt batting and another piece of muslin the same size as the purple linen. I sandwiched the batting between the linen and the muslin and layered on a smaller piece of muslin for pockets before stitching them all together.

There it is. A completed folder.

 It's just right for holding my reclaimed packing paper that I've been using for my doodles.

Here it is all loaded with paper and snapped shut.

All finished and no hoarding of materials.

karen

Brown Wrinkled Paper

Sometimes when I receive a package in the mail from Amazon, it is stuffed with brown paper instead of the usual bubble wrap.

It seems like such a waste to throw it away.

 

 This time I smoothed it out a little,

 cut it into uniform pieces,

and tied it up with some jute.

It's perfect for doodling or for using in my art journal.

I think it will make cool wrapping paper for small gifts as well.

karen

Gifts From My Friend

Last week was a week filled with emotions, both good and bad.

Since this is my HAPPY go to place, I'm going to share the good.

I received two wonderful packages from my dear friend Marcie, filled with the most wonderful folk art ever and I just had to share some photos. 

This is one of the dolls. I just love her.

 And this sweet dog, looks like my Jack.

 A tiny plush pony in a special pouch.

All stitched up by hand with pattern included.

 And these crows are just two of the amazing handmade birds.

I love them all, but these are my favorite!

 Did I mention how much I love the crows?

They are painted fabric that feel and look like leather.

 Such sweet horses.

A mama and a baby.

 Great big fruit.

How fun!!!

 A stack of special papers for framing and for crafting.

These are but a few of the wonderful handmade goodies that I received from Marcie.

It was the best part of my week.

Thank you Marcie!

karen

Chalkboard Cabinet

What could be better than a chalkboard that houses it's own chalk?

How lucky was I that I just happened to come across this battered old cabinet all decked out in 80's country blue and 80's country flowered wallpaper.

I saw potential in this ugly little box.

Dry brushing some white paint over all but the papered areas, gave it a much cleaner look.

 Chalkboard paint on the door made it fun.

 I modpodged some interesting paper to the inside back wall.

The little bucket holds the chalk and the old felt eraser fits nicely beside it on the shelf.

 My favorite part is the old hardware.

 It's the perfect place for a ribbon tassel.

 Painted a few tags with chalkboard paint as well.

They wipe clean with a damp paper towel .

Fun and functional, they can be used over and over again.

Thanks for coming by!

Stop back tomorrow for another adventure in craftiness.

karen

THOUGHTS the final pages

I've been working on my art journal a little last week and a lot over the weekend.

I've found that my style changes each day depending on how I am feeling that particular day.

This tells me that journaling is very therapeutic for my well being.

That being said...here are the final pages to my journal.

HOME

No place like it.

BEAUTIFUL

YOU are beautiful!

There is beauty in all of us.

CREATE

Use your hands and make something.

WORTH IT

Buy yourself flowers.  You're worth it.

THINK

REFLECT

Photo by June Cochlin

FIND

 Look around and see the beauty.

ALL

 All the pages of my journal.

THE BACK

Not the end, just the back.

I'll have one more post of my THOUGHTS journal.

Till then...hope I made you think good thoughts : )

Karen