My Own Smash Journal

Front Cover

Inside front cover

I just got a new Cinch binding machine yesterday and couldn’t wait to see if I could actually figure out how to use it. I put together a book that I will use for a Smash Journal (as I’ve gotten quite “into” making Smash books). I had some beautiful double-sided scrapbooking cardstock from Graphic 45 and pulled out a couple of 8x8 packs. So that I could wrap the paper around the sides of the cover and back (chip board), I made the book at 7x7.

I like it! I’ll have to talk myself into covering the pages with “smash” stuff.

Art Journal Craziness

One of my crazy, messy art journal pages, it began with some second and third generation prints from a Gelli Plate, several months ago. I added some Distress Paint, some pieces from a water color page I painted, a magazine title, and lots of stamps.

Bright Colors to Brighten My Mood: Art Journal

For those in my “real, not-art” world who wonder why I write blog posts about such, I like to share my work sometimes on various sites, and the only way I can do that is to link to a blog post. So there you have it. My excuse.

With hubby out of town on business for a few days, I have been unstoppable with my projects, and believe it or not, have NOT posted pictures of all of them: scrapbook layouts, Smash Journal pages, art journal pages, mixed media canvas, as well as learning from online tutorials about my new cutting machine (Silhouette Cameo), organizing my craft room, etc.

One of the things I enjoy just for fun is this style of art journaling where I just lay down lots of layers of color, with paints and inks, doodling, and a little journaling. For this one, I even used the little sewing machine I have for just such a purpose.

Mixed Media Camera Canvas

Inspired by my favorite teacher, *Junelle Jacobsen, this is a 6x6 canvas that features a camera that I sketched and then used as a template to cut patterned papers to collage in layers. There is lots of paint on the canvas, so it was lots of fun. I first painted the canvas with a coat of light aqua. After the camera was all done, I went over the canvas with black, leaving some of the aqua peeking out here and there.

*Somerset Workshop, Junelle’s “Whimsical Mixings of All Mediums, p 62.”

2014 Smash Journal Started

In addition to traditional scrapbooking (which I keep current) and art journal projects, another fun thing that I do is to keep a Smash Journal. It is the place where I go to be random, and where I use photos, memorabilia and embellishments that I am not using in my traditional scrapbooks.

I typically use most of the background page that is already there in the Smash Journal. This particular album is the light teal one, called Retro. This page had some elements that I did not want to use, so I simply covered them with some card stock that I had on hand that coordinated with the colors on this page, which I did like. I added a couple of Cameo cutouts (the number stack and the “before” and “after” words).

“Smash*ing” is fun and another one of those “areas” where I can enjoy both the process and the product (both are necessary for me).

Darkness into Light Art Journal {Gelatos}

A couple of days ago, I read this Scripture verse, and I pictured exactly what I created here, using Gelatos. Since the picture that came to mind was very simple, I decided to leave it exactly like that—crazy simple.

Scrapbook Page and {Stronger} Art Journal Layout

I scrapbook multiple layouts weekly but rarely post them. This one was really fun!

This art journal spread is for my sweet and beautiful daughter.

Mixed Media Class Continues: “She loved deeply” Canvas

I took a break from my Creatively Made mixed media class to work on holiday projects. I like to finish what I start (okay, so I MUST finish what I start), so I picked back up on the class a couple of days ago. This is an 8x8 canvas that I created as a project in the class.

I am not an artist and am especially bad when it comes to drawing/painting people. I decided to go for it on this vintage girl, and she turned out okay I think.

Yes, she does remind me of me. Believe it or not, this is the way my hair was styled at a brief time in my life, around the time my husband came home from Viet Nam, as one of my goals while he was gone was to let my hair grow, and it was fairly long by the time our son was born in June 1970. The style back then was somewhat poofy. During that time, it was common to wear a dress, and for afternoon events as a Marine Officer’s wife, gloves were required.

You will usually find one of my calling cards (required of all officer’s wives) in most of my mixed media canvases/boards.

I always enjoy using some of the vintage papers we found during our treks through antique stores.