Working on my journal


DSC05197, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.



One of my goals this year, is to use all the wonderful craft supplies that I have collected over the years. Rather than take new classes to learn new mediums, I have decided to work at what I really love and try to improve my designs. I have always loved hand-painting pages in a journal.

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I have so many beautiful stamps, and this year I am going to find new ways to use them.

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Creating this journal as a give-away was a perfect opportunity to use some of my stamps with lovely images to include on the journal pages.



I also added some wonderful Vintage cards on some of the pages. Since this is a gift for you, I can use all kinds of things to create.

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I started with choosing stamps that went with the theme of this lovely journal.

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Then I stamped each page with a different image. A trick I learned from my friend Karen is to take an old telephone book and use these pages to place in-between each page until the ink is dry. She also recommends when you use a glue stick to do the same thing.

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Just glue whatever you are gluing on top of a blank page in your old telephone book and then rip it out when you are done and throw away the sticky page.

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Once I had all my pages stamped and the ink was dry,

DSC05217I started to hand-paint the details and added a few elements of my own to the designs.

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In the front of the book I created a pocket for a Vintage greeting card.

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I thought it would be a nice touch if someone wanted to give this journal as a gift.

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Here are some of the pages that are in the journal so far...



My creation

This journal is going to be a "one-of-a-kind" journal,

My creation

for the One World One Heart giveaway on January 19th.

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I did find some really lovely new journals that I am also hand-painting for my Etsy shop.

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Those will only hold my original designs because stamp images are copyrighted.

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Well I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday filled with sunshine and creativity.

The song for this post is Wish I Could Forget.

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Our Hands For Hope said...

Can I sing up now????I know it hasn't started yet...I'll be back. What is up with you being ready already though! I thought all artists were to procratinate! Your makin us look bad!~
Hugs,
Terisa

Kathleen said...

Whoever wins the journal will be one lucky lady! It is just beautiful. Hugs......

Kathleen Grace said...

Oh, oh, oh Karen! I am in love with this journal! What a beautiful idea to paint the stamped images and I love the paper you used for the pocket. I love it all! Someone will get such a treasure!

Sharon's Cottage Quilts said...

Another masterpiece in the making! It's just beautiful Karen. Thank you so much for sharing with us. This journal will be a great blessing to the lucky winner!
Sharon

Anonymous said...

Hello Karen,

Love how this journal is progressing! It's going to be fantastic!

~ Gabriela ~

Kathy said...

Hi Karen~
Found your blog thru Lollishops. My goodness, your work is amazing, I am new (very) to journaling, infact I am taking my 1st online class right now, and it is for art journals. I am amazed by this work, stunning!!!
Kathy

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I am totally amazed looking at the pages you've done already. This is something I need to do for myself. Beautiful....thanks for the inspiration!

Rhondi said...

Hi Karen
The journal is wonderful!! I can tell you put your heart and soul in it. I would LOVE to win it in your giveaway, so I'll be sure to come back and sign up when it's time.
Once again I am touched by the beauty I find when I come here.
Hugs, Rhondi

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I didn't mean to leave a deleted comment post but I had some questions about the giveaway and I think I found the answers! lol Just consider that I had a blond moment! heehee!

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

That journal is going to be a most wonderful treasure and of course my fingers will be tightly crossed to win it!! I love how you've added your own splendid touches to the stamped images. Just beautiful!
I only decided last night what my own giveaway will be.....
Can't wait for the festivities to begin!!!!
I can feel the love that you are putting in to this...as always!
XOXOXOXO

LiLi M. said...

Lucky person who wins this journal! Whow, unbelievable what you already have accomplished, you are so talented. I cannot get enough of this art journal so I really appreciate to see this many pages!

Anonymous said...

Karen, this is exquisite. It will be a very lucky person who is the recipient of this journal.

Vee said...

What a beautiful creation this is! Someone's going to be so blessed.

Unknown said...

Your journal is coming out beautifully! Do the giveaway prizes have to be hand made for OWOH? I was going to give books that take place in different cities around the world.

Anonymous said...

Soooooo special!!!
I love the journal Karen!!
xo,
Kim

Unknown said...

Karen, you are one very talented person. It's so beautiful to make own journal and I am so inspired by you, I'll try to do it for myself..though I doubt I'll have the same magic touch like yours. Happy week ahead :D

Anonymous said...

Karen-- what a stunning project. Any scribbler would be thrilled to have it. Thank you for sharing your beautiful creativity. I so enjoy seeing what you come up with.

Mimi Sue said...

Just beautiful. You are so talented. I love watercolors so much. Mimi

Schotzy said...

You never cease to amaze me. How absolutely beautiful! What a treasure!
Blessings! Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Your journal is beautiful, Karen! Using old pages from the phone book is a wonderful idea ... I usually have messy paper around that I can use but always seem to run out.
xo,
Lynda

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