Loot

Hampden is a magical place in Maryland that is made up of kitsch and glitter, and it is also the home of Hon Fest. Google it, seriously. It's amazing. It has an alternative, art district feel and has a ton of amazing shops you won't find anywhere else. Anyway, the girls and I went Saturday to see what we could find and I made out like a bandit.

It should be known that I am addicted to Mexican folk art and anything Day of the Dead or Virgin de Guadalupe related. When I found this Loteria set I knew it was destined for my stash. The hand and heart are almost Victorian looking but it will go with my scared heart collection. The postcards are from the early 1900's and feature different places in Baltimore. The more I think of leaving for Tennessee the more I want to collect from my home town. I plan to make photo copies to use in my journals and I will frame the originals.

Milagros are small metal charms thought to bring you good fortune and are often offered to saints. I chose a praying Virgin Mary and a scorpion since I'm a scorpio.

I love the tarnished finish on this piece.

Super yummy recycled silk yarn that will soon become my autumn scarf.

A magnetic double sided bracelet that is called the "Sweet Jesus!" bracelet. My sister got a matching one. I love this so much!

It's amazing the adventures you can have just a skip from your house! Go out and explore!

Me time

I recently had the house to myself for a week and it was glorious. My summers are usually spent traveling and couch crashing at different people's houses so the quiet time was a nice change.

I'm trying to get comfortable with layers on my pages but I always feel bad painting over the papers because I chose them because I already like the way they look and I'm worried I'll ruin them otherwise. Life is so hard. By the way, if you have never had a Hank's orange cream soda, please do. It's sooo good!

Journal Girl Swap

Sorry I've been gone all week! I've been babysitting a very hyper 7 year old over night since Monday. Now that it's over I feel like I don't know what to do with myself! So much free time!

Exciting cool stuff:

1. Samantha Kira from Journal Girl is hosting an international mini art swap. The idea is to spread the love around the craft community. When you sign up your information will be given to your partner, but you will not know who they are until the package arrives. Each package will include a flat piece of artwork about 6"x6" (about 15.2cm). You can choose to make something larger/bulkier but there isn't an option to send within your country only so that will cost more. Additionally, you'll also send your partner an encouraging, warm, fuzzy letter.

I've already signed up and I'm so excited! I don't know how I managed to go all summer without a single swap! So far 83 people have joined and Sam is still taking applications. I can't wait to get my partner's information.

2. You know how you can be in a rut for a while when all of a sudden you make a page you really, really like? Yay!

3. I quit my evil job! Yaaay!

4. I'm going to take a trip in October to see Dave and the kids! Aaand there is a zombie walk, craft show, and SCA event all that week. It's going to be EPIC! Muhahaha!

It has been such an awesome week!

Results of my break from the crafting world

A little while ago I took a mini vacation from the craftsphere for a week to avoid outside influence and comparing my work to others'. No craft blogs, craftster, or craft books/magazines for a week! It was (mostly) successful- I just couldn't give up my weekly devotion to Samantha Kira's vlog! But I crafted while I watched it so that made it ok in my eyes.

I instead ventured out into the world seeking inspiration, which of course led me to book stores... Can I just gush about Borders for 5 seconds? They are so freakin' amazing with the stationary section! (Let's not get into the fact they have coupons unlike other book stores *cough* BarnesandNoble) I found an awesome pack of stickers featuring large headed girls with wide, tiny eyes and I had to get them. This doodle is inspired by them but I like my girl more because she has glasses and a grin.

Shades of Gray

Do not attempt to adjust your screen, I actually did a muted spread. I've been doodling more lately- I like it because it makes my journal more personal. I really like the look of white on gray.

Pink, blue, and white whales

Dave is my white whale- I'm forever chasing him. Such is life.


I love this page though! Dandelion puffs are one of my favorite motifs and all of a sudden they're everywhere in craftland! Love love love Receipts in the background for texture, painted over with cheapo acrylics.

Summer fun

Just a fly by post today!

First pages of my summer '10 journal

I finally got to take some photos of my summer art journal using my Mcgyver-ed light box since the lighting sucks by the time I get home/it occurs to me to take photos.

All of my journals start with a contact page on the inside cover should I, craft gods forbid, I ever lose one. (I haven't yet!) The book Art Journal Junkies gave me the idea to use plastic canvas as a stencil to create texture. The girl is wearing a button that says "I am a wizard" because it's a clipping from an article about Wizard-rock. I am an all encompassing dork- it doesn't stop at the crafting and bibliophilia.


This summer's journal is a deviation from my normal journaling because it's not just collaged and written pages, but includes more notes and "just art" pages.

Some distant relatives from the infamous photograph-suitcase

Kira has been having back problems so I sent her some craft goodies in hopes of cheering her up. She was sweet enough to send me a thank you package! It really cheered up a crappy day of yelling kids and no running water.

Cute little doodahs including tiny yellow feathers, teal leaves, trim and sequin butterflies!

An amazing raven stamp for my craft name! I am in love with him!

A tiny inchie book with chipboard backed pages!

This amazing ATC (Artist Trading Card) titled "Imminent Nom" How awesome is this!


Sorry for the angle, the glossy paper was flirting with my camera flash. I love how defeated the cat looks. Now I just need to clean my bedroom craft space so I have somewhere to put all my new treasures!

Thank you so much Kira! You're too sweet!

My first hand bound journal

My first hand bound journal! I have the terrible habit of hoarding craft books and then never actually making the projects. So I decided to stop being intimidated about binding my first book and I just jumped in. The book is Re-bound by Jeannine Stein; all of the projects incorporate repurposed materials so it's eco friendly.

The book I chose to make is an accordion fold with signatures sewn into the valleys with a pamphlet stitch. The "green" part of the project is the use of old game boards for covers but I chose to cover mine with pretty paper instead. I also used my favorite mixed media paper by Canson from an old journal I didn't finish for my pages instead of drawing paper. I also used cotton cord meant for kids crafts to bind my pages and it works great. (It's also really pretty!)

One of the coolest things about this journal is the additional jewelry box adhered to the inside to hold your paints and pens when you're traveling. This puppy is reserved for my trip to Tennessee this fall.

Behold the slew of photos:

Pages pulled right

Pages pulled left

Envelope

Angled pocket

Slash pockets to hold goodies