Stamps Ahead

My swap partners "blind date with a book" package arrived today, from Adelaide SA. Here are some photos: Brown paper packaging with stamped images, and pockets full of embellishments.                                The book was a 1978 edition of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. These books are rare to find and so much loved by junk journalers around the world.  Also shown some of the embellishments from the pocket on the wrapping. My swap partner also included a little extra folio of goodness. The photo below shows the inside with lots of tags and pockets. I was overwhelmed to receive all these goodies and have sent thanks to her.  I will spend many an hour going through these looking more closely at each and every page.   Thank you for looking, Margaret

Here is what was in my package to my blind date with a book partner, a long post follows: Book packed in pretty brown paper from my stash.  I have used Tim Holtz Thinlets 662697 die to create the pocks on the front of the package.  Also shown are instructions to book partner and a small bag of additional bits and pieces for her to use. There is a small journal card, a small book, a bookmark (that could be used as a belly band or to create clusters and tucks.  There is also a selection of ribbons and lace I decorated some of the pages in the small book. Stencils had a great highlight to plain pages. Great pianola paper with words and numbers on it. A tuck with a couple of small cards that can be added to the journal. Another stencil to fill a plain page. Front and back pages of book.  This is a great way to use sentiment sheets that often come with paper packs. Folded it is 3" x 4" approx.  Here is the blind date book I sent: Full of quotes - one per page.  ...

I am participating in a "blind date with a book" challenge over at  Junk Journal Fix with SunflowersAndDors!   It is like a regular blind date where you don't know what you're getting until you get there - but with books!! And to make it even more interesting, someone else make the choice for you! Here is my book packaged ready for postage tomorrow to my swap partner in Adelaide, SA. Some hints as to the book I have sent: Inspired by a movie you may have seen and loved. Draw inspiration Words to live by Principles to live by A year-long adventure I will post what is inside when my blind date with a book partner has received her package. Thank you for looking, Margaret

Back in Australia from my UK holiday and jet lag is “the pits” up early early this morning so why not start Day 1 of #jjiioutwithabang with Junk Journal Ideas and Inspiration over on Facebook. Here is what I created. Inspired by You Tube video by Junk Journal Joy I have made a small and quick accordion fold journal. The joys for me are incorporating fabric and paper into my projects and that I can add extra pages as I record some of my travel happiness this year. Opened showing front and back pages. Opened showing centre pages. Thank you for looking and thank you to Junk Journal Joy for inspiring me.  Margaret "A joy that's shared is a joy made double" Unknown.

 Day 3 and the prompt was "Back to the drawing board." For the Day 2 prompt I started a embellishment for my junk journal and I did not like what I was making, I was not feeling 'the vibe' and I was very close to tossing it in the bin. It was very thin and I had planned to make a pocket for my journal. So 'back to the drawing board" today - I turned the envelope flap to the back and glued it down The front I covered with a scrunched up napkin and trimmed I then decorated the front - and remember at this stage it was still looking like a possible pocket assembly.  I decided to fold it over my journal page, a little trimming at bottom of envelope was needed, and this created a flap I could place over my journal page.  To this flap I glued another napkin piece as well as a flower to bottom.  See the two photos at start of this entry.  I found this online "Back to the drawing board means that an effort has failed, and it is time to start over from the beginn...

Day 2 of the challenge over at Junk Journal Ideas and Inspiration - the prompt "Actions speak louder than words". I have taken leftover strips of paper (all sorts) and vintaged them with Vintage Photo distress oxide ink, a very old bottle of Walnut Ink (nearing vintage age itself it was one of the very first things I bought when I started scrapbooking) and water spray. Strips are one of my favourite techniques when making quilts/scrapbook layouts/cards and now junk journalling and art journalling. I have made a pocket and a tag for this challenge. These challenges are really making me think and looking at ways to interpret them. On to Day 3 with the prompt "Back to the Drawing Board" and I wonder where my inspiration when I find it will take me. Thank you for looking, Margaret

No, I am not doing any fitness or diet challenge! I am participating in a 20 day challenge over at Junk Journal Ides and Inspiration Facebook page. Day 1 - the prompt 'A penny for your thoughts. I was recently given a 20th January,1951 English magazine called Home Chat and it was this image introducing a story and 'thought for every day' was a regular feature apparently. What was she thinking of in 1951? I have included some thoughts in the pock I made on the page for a new junk journal I am creating for this challenge. What thought would you put into the pocket? For the challenge we can make anything - clusters, pockets, belly bands so really anything goes so long as it is appropriate for the prompt each day which has a nostalgia feel.  So, let's see what I can create - next prompt is 'actions speak louder than words'. Until then, happy thoughts. Margaret