Stamps Ahead

I wanted to share with you something I have been working on. One of the artists I follow on-line recently had a quote "Your art does not need a purpose." I loved that saying so decided to finish this portrait style accordion journal that I started at beginning of the year and then put aside as I was stuck by my inner artist and began to doubt where I was going with it. This little journal started out as 3 pieces - I decided to join together. Lots of bits and pieces that were laying on my table with mark making, rustic stitching and more. Unfortunately, the white paint pen I used on the black ink shapes did not come out in the photography - trust me there is doodling there! Thank you looking, Margaret

I recently purchased from Scrappingclearly a June kit for a Junque Art Book. Yes, that is the spelling of the kit - great name don't you think: Not quite a bound journal that it was supposed to be but more a tag book - why? A couple of happy mistakes! First, I suppose I can own up to not reading the guide all the way through before starting!!! I get to the end of creating each page - why do I still have blank white cards? Reading how to use the binding fabrics - oops that won't work - you may have guessed that I glued front and back pages onto one card and not one card/one page that would be bound together with fabric bindings at end! What to do and then I remember I had a round "thingy" in my stash, so I used hole punch and more of the ring reinforcements for stabilisation, I love how it turned out and the good thing is I now have more pages I can make with leftovers and add to the ring later. A project that combines fabrics, papers and ephemera so beautifully, ju...

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.

 After a long time away from this blog I have decided to revive it to show some of my latest and upcoming projects.  Here is what I have just created. Yesterday, I found a YouTube video from Twisted Paper Studio (thank you) that really inspired me to create dangles for junk journals, using scraps of paper, lace, string - really anything you have close at hand.  I really like that you can also use embossing folders to add extra texture to the dangles. I look forward to creating more in the future.   Thank you for looking, Margaret.

It has been awhile since I last posted - where does time go?  I recently developed and run an introduction to junk journals and embellishments.  I donated part of the small cost to the Community group where I lead classes for their mission efforts. Here are some photos of what I prepared for the participants.  The journal cover was constructed from one 12" x 12" (30cm x 30cm) folded into a smaller size.  My sample shows cotton fabric I coloured with distress and alcohol inks.  Students received tea dyed ribbon. Cover plate features cheesecloth and lace behind the main image - bird from a magazine. The journal on the right was completed by one of the participants in the workshop. We started with a simple tag seen on the bottom.  Next was a simple to construct belly band.  Clusters can also be made along the band and then cut off later for clusters to be used in the journal.  I love the simplicity of these bands that are great for decorating book pa...

 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

I recently viewed a video by  Shanouki Art  that she had posted in Junk Journal Ideas and Inspiration. I was instantly inspired by the video that I decided to 'have a go' as we say here in Australia. This is a long post, so please enjoy my creations. I did not have a large ice-cream container so started with this container - I would say medium sized.  I then took the bits and pieces of paper (including coffee filter paper and old sales tags) and bits of lace that were on or near to my table.   I then went out with brown paper to cover the outside table. Here I am ready to start - notice the small pair of tongs I have put to good use.  The next step was to spray inks of all sorts into the container and 'smoosh' around, adding drops of ink as I went.  I used old sprays I purchased years and years ago and some alcohol inks.  Continue to mix together and used heat gun, to dry, when it became soggy and then continued to add inks.  Now by this time...