Art Journal for me

I have been wanting to make an art journal forever.  Frankly, too many other hobbies have taken over.  Well Donna Downey's Inspiration Wednesday's have inspired me.  Her work is amazing and I don't have a pinkie's worth of her talent but I figured that I might as well go for it. 

This journal is for my kids.  I always wanted to really know who my mom was when I was kid.  What did she do during the day?  What did she like?  Well, I want my kids to know me.  All of the stuff you assume they know and so much more. I can't even explain the joy this has brought me and I am only two pages into it.  I am leaving something behind for my children and the freedom I feel of just letting go and not worrying if everything matches is very therapeutic.   Thank you for letting me share.

 I gessoed (not even sure that's a word!) over the pages from this old book.  Used cheap acrylic paint that I've had for years.  Pulled some off with packing tape to make it look a little weathered.  Watered down some white watercolor paint.  Painted a thin line on top and let the drips wash down the page.  Doodled.  Painted some flowers.  I can't paint worth beans but it sure if fun.  The journaled using a black sharpie.  That's all there was to it.

I forgot to gesso so I decided to let some of the words peek through because they made me laugh.  I used watercolors this time.  Joy was stamped onto some old sheet music.  The flower is from fabric from my wedding party 16 years ago.  They were cut with the Sizzix to make the circles.  I took a lighter and burnt the edges.  They curled up really nice.  There are many more of these flowers in my future for sure.

Mini album

I had fun making my baby sister's birthday present.  Ok.  She's 23 and not a baby but she always will be to me!  She's going to Hawaii so I made this mini album out of super clearanced coasters from Michael's.  The paper pack was on sale for $3.  The charm came from a charm swap I did with Northcoastartswaps and it was just perfect.

Those are just a few pages but you get the idea!