Dec 25, 2024

 

A Wish For You

 

Happy Holidays

 

Christmas Stew

 

Concertina Handmade Art Book - 'Abandoned Houses'

I crafted this Concertina /Accordion Art Book. I purchased the digitals from three different Etsy Shop sellers; 'CherylFrancisART', 'ArtHouseWhimsy' and 'BuyMyPrintz'. I selected the images I wanted to use and resized and printed on Natural Lokta Paper for laser & inkjet printers. The Pages were created using Handmade Lokta Watercolor paper and I used Hemp Cord for the binding.

The Poem is; (a favorite and also featured on my blog homepage) "The House By The Side Of The Road" by Sam Walter Foss. The Album /Journal has 20 pages and measures 4 x 6 inches. The Book is almost 8 feet long end to end when completely unfolded.

A little bit of page distressing and ink splatter were added for interest.

 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-barracuda/candlelight License code: 6C9UDIXDMSBBLVQT

‘Painted Girl With Bird’ Art Journal

I love these images from 'CherylFrancisART'-Etsy. I selected the images I wanted to use, resized them and printed onto Lokta handmade printable papers, distressed the edges and matted each on off-white handmade cardstock paper. Each was matted again onto handmade colored cardstock papers also distressing the edges. These became the pages of the album. Did a simple binding using hemp cord. The images are so sweet, just a lovely album to flip through. Measures 4.5" x 6"

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/prair... License code: GPGKERGBNJTB4AUB

 

Coffee Cafe Journal - Accordion Hinge Binding

Accordion Hinge Binding Mini Journal / Album. Great NO SEW, easy to make pocket size journal. Great Binding method allows you to remove or swap out pages easily!

Finished size measures 5 inches x 6.5 inches. Chipboard covers are digi printed cardstock papers. Journal has 4 signatures each with a cardstock cover and 10 beautiful pages from ''The Wild Poppy 123". Journal Cover and Signature Covers from "Callisto Designs 80". Mini Bookmarks for anchoring the hinges are digitals from "DigitalCosmos85" (all digitals purchased from Etsy sellers and I resized them for my journal) If interested 'Christine M Leung' on YT provides complete tutorial with cutting dimensions.
 

Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-barracuda/ve... License code: C73S8BQRPNS4SKME

Giving Thanks ...

 

      

     "Never has the earth been so lovely 

         nor the sun so bright, as today."   

                         - NIKINAPI

             from  "A CHEROKEE FEAST OF DAYS"

                                      JOYCE SEQUICHIE HIFLER

                            

'Oriental Garden' - Mini Envelope Journal

A 4 x 4.5 inch Mini Envelope Journal assembled using tab binding. Crafted 4 envelopes each containing a mini journal and each journal bound with a 3-hole pamphlet stitch. One mini notepad included in last envelope. Journal pages are purchased and printed from Etsy seller "DigitalScrapHelper" which I resized. The Journal envelopes, journal covers & tags were made using Stamperia 'Oriental Garden' 8x8 inch Scrapbook Pad Papers. Each journal has 10 pages. Used Tim Holtz linen tape for tab binding. ('ShabbySoul' on YT offers a tutorial on envelope tab binding.) I used a torn piece of black batik fabric with wood beads as tie closure.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/moo... License code: OBESRVII8ZNSEMNG

 

Out on the Porch

Wonderful little book to read
while sitting on the porch.
Fondly recalling pleasant days
 when life moved more slowly.

"It has become that time of evening

 when people sit on their porches, 

rocking gently and watching the 

street..."

   ..."Out on the Porch"

BOO!

When black cats prowl

  and pumpkins gleam,

May luck be yours 

    on Halloween!

  

Mini Wildflower Bouquet

                Last of the season's tiny flowers 

 "May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day."

        - Native American Proverb

Autumn Gold

Our Golden Ginkgo Tree - Spectacular when backlit by early morning or late afternoon sun. 

The leaves will soon drop, and will drop rapidly and form a golden carpet around the tree.

Golden Maple Leaves

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

            L.M. Montgomery

Leaves are falling ...

“The simple things of life are best. An hour of sweet solitude, a cluster of bright yellow mums, the call of quail in the meadow. It doesn’t take much to please us. Our elusive goal after another makes us hurry by some beautiful times. It seems autumn will stand still while we do other things. The trees lose their colorful leaves and they are no less pretty, but to see them in all their phases is even better.”

                           October 2nd,
                              'A Cherokee Feast of Days'

 

Autumn

 "Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love that makes life and nature harmonize."

          ~ George Eliot

Say It Well

 Extremely proud of my nephew Terry Szuplat !!

More about Say It Well (September 17, 2024, HarperCollins)

Terry Szuplat tells his story "From Falmouth to the West Wing: A Speechwriter's Journey"

Mini Round Leather Journal In A Tin - Kodak Film Reel Canister

I created this Mini Round / Circular Soft Leather Journal with Stab Binding using hemp cord, storing it in a Vintage Kodak film reel canister. After selecting, resizing and printing images onto handmade printable Lokta papers they were cut using a Sizzix Framelits 3.5 inch Die Cut. I used the same Die Cut to cut the leather cover. Journal measures 3.5 inch diameter and 1 inch thick with 100 pages. I printed the variety of pages using digitals I purchased from an Etsy shop called "ArtHouseWhimsy" to create a movie, photo, film reel theme. Mini whimsical charms added.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-barracuda/lo... License code: 4I2AZA0JTKNCETOL

 

Machine Embroidered Line Art Note Cards

 

I used my Brother PE535 Embroidery Machine to create these Line Art Note Cards.
I downloaded my purchased embroidery design onto my computer and transferred onto a USB drive and inserted the USB into my embroidery machine. I embroidered my selected design onto a piece of 4x6 inch 140lb watercolor paper which has been adhered to my stabilizer with several dots of fabric glue. All this fits into my embroidery frame.

After embroidering my design I cutaway the excess stabilizer on the back. I used double sided tape to adhere the embroidered card onto the front of a blank note card (card is also 140 lb watercolor paper) that is slightly larger and create an envelope for my finished design. There are many video tutorials online detailing how to embroider greeting cards if you’re interested.

I purchased my designs from these shops on Etsy: CarrieEllenDesigns, EmbroDizz, Sketch2Stitch, VixStudio, MagicThreadsDesignGB, JuYaLoveDesign, ScotiEmbroidery, CBEmbroideryDesign.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hoffy-beats/purp... License code: JGH4RZRPLR6UKRJB

Solitary Cosmos

This sunshine yellow Cosmos sprouted up all by it's lonesome.  

I guess those seeds we spread last season are still germinating or we're getting help from our feathered friends who are helping us plant. 🙂

August Blooms

Our liriopes are once again blooming even though the wildlife had quite the feast last year and ate all our plants!

This tiny violet plant is often called wooly elephant's foot ( Elephantopus tomentosus L.) according to the plant.net identifier. 

A species of perennial flowering plant and blooms from July to September.

It's tiny and delicate and quite lovely!

 Another sweet tiny flower is this yellow flower which again, according to the plant.net identifier is commonly known as Goldenmane Tickseed (Coreopsis basalis). 

A North American plant species in the sunflower family.

Scallop Sea Shell Journals

 I made these 3 IRISH DEEP SCALLOP SEA SHELL Journals, each about 5.5 inch diameter.

PAPERS USED: Handmade printable ivory paper with aster petals, Handmade printable white silk papers with silver & silk threads, Parchment papers, Handmade Natural Lokta Printable paper.

COPTIC STITCH BINDING with waxed linen thread.

TWO SHELLS I distressed using crackle & texture paste over TH oxide sprays; rusty hinge, speckled egg, vintage photo distress spray stain & tarnished brass distress stain then sealed with clear acrylic spray.

DIGIS: CherylFrancisART: Abandoned Beach House, Ocean View, & Textured Color Wash.

SEA LEMON on YT offers a tutorial on making a seashell book if interested.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-barracuda/sp... License code: JDCS9RPALXIB6TQ7

more mushrooms ...

'shrooms in the forest

An abundance of rain has a variety of mushrooms sprouting all over the forest floor.

Botanical Theme Folio - Multi Foldout/Flip Flap Journal

I created this 5 x 7 inch Multi Foldout Folio Journal by following a tutorial for the basic structure on Liz The Paper Project (Jan 10, 2021) on YouTube. I altered mine slightly. I used solid color cardstock for my base. To decorate my journal and create Journaling Cards I used three Stamperia Scrapbook Pads; Hortensia, Shabby Rose & House of Roses Botanical.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/justin-lee/daybreak
License code: 4HF0VDGGEL8B1HXW

 

Butterfly Garden ...

 

Steampunk Notebook Folio

Steampunk Notebook Folio. A Folio within a Folio. Includes a variety of writing journals & note pads. Many pockets, tucks, tags & journals with interactive parts. Base is black cardstock and decorated with Stamperia Lady Vagabond & Sir Vagabond Scrapbook Pad Paper. (8x8 and 12x12) Distressed papers in notebooks are 'Textured Colorwash' digitals from "CherylFrancesArt". "Scrap and Coffee" on YT offers a project share and tutorial to construct folio, signature, base and includes cutting guides. I followed her basic structure but altered mine slightly.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/random-rab/the-w... License code: 3YABOWNUNXQFSINL
 

Wild Blackberries

 

The Bramble Bush ( Rubus Alleghaniensis) that bloomed in late spring is now producing blackberries. I'm sure they'll disappear once fully ripe. It's a source of food for the birds, deer and squirrels and the occasional black bear that saunters through our back yard.

I didn't get a photo of the pretty blooms this year, but if interested you can see them in my post from last spring here.

Accordion Hinge Journal - 'Imagine'

This is a chunky little 8 Hinge Album that measures 4 x 6 inches and 1.5 in thick. To create this album I followed the tutorial on 'Scrap and Coffee' (Accordion Binding Mini Album) to build the basic structure. I used black cardstock for the pages and brown file folders for the hinges and tabs. To decorate I used asst'd 'Recollections' colored textured cardstock papers from a 12 x 12 pad. The decorative papers I used were from 'Stamperia-Imagine' 8x8 scrapbook pad and 'Stamperia-Spring Botanic' 12 x 12 scrapbook pad. An easy no sew hinge binding album, allows you to re-arrange and swap out pages.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/light-patterns/tethers
License code: MDBOIVHWLBGVDQSV

 

Whimsical Garden Vignettes

 Each spring I look forward to visiting the garden center for new flowers and plants. This year I decided to get creative and opted instead to shop for a variety of fun and whimsical ‘garden art’ along with some faux plants. I grew tired of the wildlife around here making a smorgasbord of my plantings especially when they have the whole forest to forage on! I’ve scattered these among the plants that amazingly made a resurgence. At the end of last summer, the liriopes appeared to have been shirred off completely. I know it was the deer because I caught them in the act! Although, I’ve read bears like to chomp on grasses too. Among foxes and deer our wildlife cam also captured bears on our property.  Maybe they did us a favor by cutting them back 😉 and that's why they're growing back strong. Anyway, such is life in the forest!

Tiny Wildflowers

We threw a bag of wildflower seeds in the backyard last season not sure what would bloom. This is a tiny bouquet I picked. They are VERY small, but very lovely. Not too many bloomed...I think the birds may have picked at the seeds. 😉

Chanterelle Mushrooms Abound!

Lots of wild chanterelle mushrooms growing this time of year. I believe they are safe to eat and are great dried, but I'll leave them to the wildlife. Deer forage on mushrooms and can tell the difference between edible and poisonous. Won't be gathering any mushrooms in my basket for now and I'll leave them for our friends in the forest including the squirrels and wild turkey. 😎
 

Bambi - Day Visitor

With the help of our Golden Retriever who sniffed out this sweet little fawn under our back deck we discovered Bambi! Our first thought was "Oh Deer", it's abandoned! With a bit of research we learned that there was a strong probability the fawn wasn't abandoned and we should leave it right where it was. Female deer hide their newborn and move some distance away to feed to avoid drawing predators to their offspring. So grateful we didn't need to intervene...no 'rescuing' necessary...hours later she was gone. Information at National Wildlife Federation

 

Leaves of Oaks

“Only now the air has warmed to the sun  
and the plants and leaves of oaks grow so
much overnight that the sky closes in like a cocoon”.

'A Cherokee Feast of Days'

DONATED TO 'dAFi' FOR AUCTION on 5/11/24***SOLD***

I've donated three of my handmade journals to dAFi for their upcoming Auction on 5/11/24  Auction Begins at 12 NOON EST ***SOLD***

dAFi  - Disabled Artist Foundation, Inc. Is a great non-profit organization run by a wonderful group of folks. They energize through the arts and give free art packages to financially qualified disabled artists.

LINK to UPCOMING PREVIEW AIRED ON 5/9/24

LINK TO AUCTION ON 5/11/24

The journals I've donated with original POST Dates on my BLOG :

Envelope Steampunk Travel Junk Journal ~ FEB 16, 2024

AUCTION LOT # 42

One Sheet Wonder Mini Album-Stamperia, 'Mechanical Sea World' ~ FEB 7, 2024

AUCTION LOT # 41

Envelope Junk Journal Tab Binding Stamperia, 'Lady Vagabond' ~ NOV 8, 2023

AUCTION LOT # 43

Meander Accordion Mini Art Journal

 I created this Mini Meander Accordion Art Journal that measures approximately 3.25 x 2.25 inches. I used 140 lb watercolor paper that measured 9 x 12 inches. For the front and back of the journal I used 2 pcs of chipboard covered with silkscreened lokta paper. I Used Stamperia and 49 and Market rub-ons. It stores nicely in a mini vintage tin. If interested in the technique to craft and assemble the journal, checkout 'Sea Lemon' on YouTube, she provides an easy to follow tutorial for this style journal.

Mini Collage Art Journal in a Vintage Tin

Enjoyed making this Mini 3 Ring Collage Art Journal. Measures 2.25 x 3.25. Cover is '49 and Market Cardstock Sherbet-Tidal Wave Collection'. Pages are handmade Lokta Paper. Used asst'd die cuts, mini ephemera, stickers, rub-ons, words & quotes. Tim Holtz 3/4 inch binder rings.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-valley License code: S3GLKG1TZPLNZFPO 

Japanese Stab Binding Journals

Three journals bound using a 3-Hole Japanese Stab Binding / Bookbinding Method and all bound with handmade papers; Lokta Cardstock, Lokta Printer Paper and Natural Mulberry Paper. Bound with hemp cord and each adorned with a bead. Used Cork Fabric by adhering two pieces back to back to create front & inside covers. Journals measure 5.5 inches square and fit nicely into 'Penn's Spells Quality' Vintage Tobacco Tin. Great method for binding single pages. If interested 'Fineberg Art Studio' on YouTube has an easy to follow tutorial for this book binding technique.

Scrappy Scrap Box Scraps Junk Journal

Created this from practice bits & discards in my scrap box. End result was a fun, chunky art junk journal. Canvas for the spine and an attempt at Slot and Tab Binding Method with a variety of washi tapes to save the day! Using a hodgepodge of my scraps made for a fun challenge with an interesting result!

 

Slip Knot Stitch Binding Collage Book

I used a Slip Knot Stitch Binding and an old Tab File Folder to create this collage book. I adorned the binding with natural irregular stone beads. The Collage Book measures 4 x 6 inches. Includes quotes and Tim Holtz Eccentric Remnant Rubs and Stamperia rub-on transfers. I also used a variety of Background Collage Papers, Washi Stickers, Frames & Die Cuts. Inspired by 'Made By Martha' on YouTube.
 

Accordion Envelope Mini Book

I constructed this accordion envelope mini book with a handmade decoupage box using Tim Holtz collage Entomology Paper. It measures 3.25" x3.5". Kit Davey on YouTube has an easy to follow tutorial to make this book from envelopes. Make your own or use envelopes you have. I used The Paper Studio 'Ephemera' Scrapbook Paper Pad to create 12 envelopes and folded tag inserts plus the chipboard cover. Used hemp cord with rolled paper beads as tie closure.

Mushroom Obsessed!

 

More Mushrooms! I made more mushrooms using Air Dry Clay. I used twigs for the stems on the larger mushrooms and hot-glued the tops before painting. The two smaller ones were completely made from the clay. Painted with folkArt Acrylic Paint and then sealed with Modge Podge Gloss. Arrangement is sitting on a piece of bark with some moss interspersed. Fun Project!

Making Mushrooms

Made these fun, cute little mushrooms from air dry clay and potted them in my vintage planter. What's not to love!

I did say I was mushroom obsessed!
 

Mini Junk Journal in a Tin

 Mini Chunky Junk Journal in a Tim Holtz Metal Trinket Tin. Measures 2"W x 3"Tall x 1.25" Thick. I mostly used Tim Holtz Paper & Ephemera. Constructed with a Tab Binding using TH Linen Tape and a Jute Twine Cord for a wrap closure.

Below are identical videos but the second one is at a slower flip thru speed.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/movediz/young-energy License code: T7IOYYDYCI4KK0W5

Music from #Uppbeat : https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/brighter-days License code: F0YWLLHGUU3HWUVG

Botanical File Folder Journal

 Base Structure of this MINI Journal (4 x 6 in approx) constructed using file folders inspired by 'Jogglesdotcom'. In addition I created a removable book dust jacket cover. Lots of Mini Folders, Journaling Cards, Tags, Mini Notepads, Floral Quotes and Phrases. Variety of Images; asst'd digitals, The NY Botanical Garden Postcards & images from vintage book 'Flowering Bulbs'. Just lovely to flip through :)

Two videos below. Top video is a slower video flip thru:

https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-sto... License code: BRTWNGUOZKP39BLC

Early Morning Winter Sky

...as though the colors have been painted across the sky with an artist's brush.

Curious about Red Skies? Nature Science explains why Sunrises and Sunsets are more beautiful in winter now.

Envelope Steampunk Travel Junk Journal

A 4 x 6 inch Chunky Steampunk Travel Envelope Junk Journal, 3 signatures, lots of journaling cards, embellishments. Tim Holtz Linen Tape used for Tab Binding with a leather belt/band closure with extra notches for expansion :) Used two 8x8 inch Stamperia Scrapbook Pads; 'Voyages Fantastiques & Around The World'.

 

Diagonal Pocket Fold

Diagonal Pocket Fold Notepads. Multi pocket structure Inspired by Hedi Kyle from her book, "The Art of The Fold". Complete folding instructions in her book. Uses Origami techniques - no gluing! Folded from a 9x12 in paper. I used 'Peaceful Meadows' Scrapbook Cardstock from "The Paper Studio". I added notepapers...some with a pamphlet stitch & some with a small colorful elastic to create a 'midori' style notepad.

Here is a previous posting on my blog with photos.