My niece gave me a notebook that said "Crafting Keeps You Sane" and after a hectic January at work, I agree more than ever. I've been working long hours and by the time I get home it's either too dark to take pictures for a blog post, or I'm just too tired. Doing a little bit of cutting and pasting, coloring, knitting or stitching has given me something fun to look forward to during the long dark evenings of January.
And I've looked forward to getting back to my blog. I've missed you, my blog friends!
But, not surprisingly, I haven't really finished anything- except I've filled a journal. A year ago I posted about a beautiful journal that Karla gave me last year for Christmas. When I first opened it, I thought- it's too pretty to use, but Karla said "journals are to use"- so I did.
I've noticed a lot of journalers number and date their journals, so I thought I'd do that too- this is No. #1. I have a lot of little journals, and special "themed" journals- but this worked as my "main" journal.
I tried to add a little variety by adding some non-paper items like a piece of beaded dress trim.
A two page spread with some of my favorite pretties.
These two pages are opposite each other, but they don't really go together... but sometimes that's just how it goes.
Probably my favorite pages because of the "low color" and mix of designs and patterns, and a card made by a friend.
Two page spread made after I fell in love with Tim Holtz Distress Markers.
The purple, green, silver and orange paper behind the Pennsylvania railroad ad was an insert from a 1930's greeting card envelope. That is the kind of ephemera I just have to save! The whole spread started with that piece of paper that I had to use.
A mish mash of greens and more work with distress markers.
Karla's Snow White coloring page with fabric roses at the top of the page.
The image on the left is one I've had forever from a 1900s magazine- another one of those things that needed to be saved. The page on the right is just playing with color- green and orange are a challenge. Thank goodness for S&H trading stamps.
That's about half of the pages in my journal. I'll show more in my next post---unless of course, I finish something else, or have some GREAT estate sale find!