Thursday, June 28, 2007

My First Art Journal Attempt--GPP#9

I am not a journal/diary type. This blog has been a challenge for me. I trying to keep at it and not completely bore the socks off you guys! Like most little girls, I had received a diary as a gift (more than one over the years). I remember the clean pages and the cute little lock. I vowed that I would write in it everyday! But, after a few days...nada. I started this cycle many times over.
I always have a lined college ruled notebook around that I use for lists and notes. I also use a sketchbook, but they aren't the same as a journal.
I'm fascinated by the beautiful art journal pages I see in books, magazines, and on blogs. So when I stumbled upon Michelle Ward's GPP Street Team Crusades, I thought I'd give it another try.

I save envelopes and bags in a not too small stack in my studio. I stitched a few together to make my journal. The front and back cover is a bubble envelope split open and wrapped around my recycled paper insides (signature?) I painted the cover with one of my birds then started in.
The first page is for GPPST "scent bank" crusade, it's a small black paper bag. I made a small illustration with strips of aluminum tape to help describe how my summer started. My first "scent" of summer is the fiberglass cast on my little guys arm. (I stapled a bit of extra fiberglass to it)



I continued on page 2 with an illustration of one of my favorite garden flowers.



Not a bad start...will see how long it lasts!

9 comments:

ZenithJade said...

X, that is one lovely book! =*^.^*= Like we need more hobbies, (or business proposals), but I seriously think you could sell those! *grins*

carlene federer said...

what a great way to recycle! love your journal! my son has had more than his fair share of casts...I recall that smell very well, lol!

Anonymous said...

xanthe - this is terrific! love your little clip of fiberglass right on the page. so sorry about your son. bravo to you for starting a journal, KEEP IT UP! thanks for joining the crusade!

Penny Rabbit said...

Xanthe, Your new journal is just "too die for"! I love, love, love it! Your bird is too cute! Sorry about your son's break, I remember that smell! Congrats on beginning a journal! Have fun and show us more! Love the use of the envelopes!

Crafty Green Poet said...

I love recycled art and your idea of the recycled bubblewrap envelope as the cover for your journal is brilliant! (Why didn't I think of that!). I love your bird on the cover too, it has a lot of character!

Kim Tedrow said...

Thanks for the idea about bubblewrap envelopes, it's a lovely book. Hope your little guy is healing fast!

Anonymous said...

Great book! I've been saving envelopes forever to do just that, and still haven't-maybe you'll be my inspiration to finally do it!

Anonymous said...

amazing work! i love it!

Anonymous said...

Hi Xanthe,
I stopped by to thank you for the doodle ATC. It is such a neat idea for a background. Then I saw your art journal and had to tell you I absolutely love your blanket flower page!