Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

The sun was part of a tag I got from StampDiva
(stampdiva.com).  I cut the front part off.   Above the sun is a phrase....one in English and one in French (from French General).   ("Mon ame se situe au soleil."  "My soul lies in the sun.)


I just realized that this is the last photo I took of the album.........I forgot to photograph the back and it is beautiful!   Mary Mata has some collage sheets.   I cut a large picture to cover the middle of the back cover.....it was of an Italian goddess overlaid at the bottom with a piece of a lire and
up the side with a postage stamp.  Also at top was a beautiful sunflower.  The colors were cantelope, aqua, sepia and just a touch of pale sage.   Stunning!  (Maybe I can see Sandy when they get back and I can photograph it.)

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I love these papers from Scenic Route (no longer in business, but Sarah Milne, the designer has an
online shop....just Google her name).  The Paris faux postage is from Mary Mata.   The sentiments on the left paper were so appropriate.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I loved using the Mona Lisa in this pocket!  Sandy will be in Italy on her tour.........I'm hoping for a postcard from there.  ")   I thought the library card might come in hand for jotting down a schedule, or places seen, etc.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

This is another Paris tag from Cavalini.   I need to do my own journal with those in it!  LOL

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

The little butterfly marks the opening to the envelope.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

The white page is a large envelope I added to the book.   I added two of these......more storage for Sandy to put keepsake papers and items.  I added a faux postage stamp.....my friend Judi gave me a booklet full of these little beauties (and a box full of other things!  ").

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I love these pages!   These are the map pockets sewn into place.  I added the Milano postcard and the Paris tag.............they just made the pages!

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

Added a beaded flower to this page.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

Here the deeper pockets are sewn on and I have added a vintage Christmas postcard to the pocket for Sandy.   On her trip, she is going to buy a Christmas ornament from every country that they visit. 

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I used a map tag from Graphic45 and slid brown ribbon stitched in aqua though it.   I felt like it really added a lot to this page and the color was perfect.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I love seeing the threads on the spine crossing over the brown ribbon!  One more signature to go!

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

Another page of water themed papers!  :)  I used deeper pockets for these pages as Sandy and I had a long conversation about postcards.........namely her buying me some (I sent some money!) and sending a couple of them from one or two ports of call.  ")   I'm sure she will have some long folded pamphlets, too, that will need deeper pockets.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

Here you see the map pockets with the brown pages before the pockets are sewn on.  Just couldn't resist using the map paper for her journal.  ")

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I really like the seashell papers with the luggage labels for pockets.  I also like seeing the brown waxed linen thread in the seam on this paper.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I decided early on that each signature would have pockets in the middle.   I also decided that they would sewn in.....to withstand many items being tucked into them.  I used many different colorful papers for the pages......I wanted this to be a fun journal for Sandy to have with her.  (This paper is from Scenic Route.....no long a company, but Sarah Milne is the designer and has an online shop.....just Google her name.  ").

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

I added three ribbons completely across the covers and spine od the journal.  I pulled the top and bottom ribbon inside the covers and glued them down.   I left the center ribbon ends free to use a tie for the journal.  When I began to sew the signatures in, I crossed over the middle ribbon and really liked the look of it.  I love this vintage French taffeta ribbon!   I have bought it several times (stampdiva.com) in a couple of the colors, but always come back to this lovely chocolate.

Sandy's Journal (cont'd)

This is a view from the spine of the book.  I used the gold filigree paper trim to cover the middle section of the front of the book.  (shown in an earlier photo)

The Making of Sandy's Journal

I have taken two journal classes:  my first one at WaterWorks in Tulsa many years ago; and, one with Sara Hanlon in April 2010.  I first made my covers and spine and covered them as one unit in some very fibrous handmade papers.  I decided how many signatures I would have and proceeded to punch the holes through which I would sew them to the spine. 

Dedication

On July 13, my cousin lost his only son in a car wreck.  His son was a US Marshall and a County Deputy Sheriff.  Tom & Sandy had already booked a European cruise and tour and I'm glad they did not cancel it..............I feel like this will be a healing process for them.   In light of the cruise, I made a journal for them to take to write in, stick pamphlets, postcards, etc into pockets.  They are taking the cruise with some very close friends who have always been there for them.  I dedicate this journal to their son, Jeff and his remaining wife and two little sons.

Card published in RubberStampMadness 2010

I love Catherine Moore Character Constructions rubber stamps.  So many art dolls to make!  ")   This little jewel is from her Bird and Paperie collection.  I think this little doll has the prettiest face.  I stamped her head and cape on grey paper and cut out and laid aside.  I stamped the arms and top of her costume with black ink onto light orange paper and cut out.  I next attached the arms to her body and then the top of the costume to the cape/head.  I used a petal from a discarded artificial poppy for her skirt; I attached the skirt to the back of the costume.  Next I cut two 1/4" strips of black/white striped paper about 2 1/2" long and folded accordian style for the legs.  I free-hand cut the boots from black cardstock and attached them to the ends of the legs.  For the card, I used a grey with white swirls to give the illusion of the wind blowing.  (That seems to be one of my childhood memories of Halloween!  LOL)  I attached a paper spider web with spider in the center to the upper left-hand corner of the card.  I cut the top row from a Bingo card and attached it to the lower left side of the card and added an orange, decorative brad to the upper corner of the Bingo strip.  Then I attached the doll to the card slightly over the spider web and with her feet on the Bingo strip.  I hand drew a scroll and wrote the message on it with a black Micro pen.  I edged the card, the message and a paper Bingo button with orange ink.  I attached the message to her outstretched hand and tucked the button under her other arm.
I was thrilled when Roberta Sperling called to tell me that the card had been chosen for the Fall 2010 issue............I felt it was a very good submission after having my cover art chosen for the Summer 2010 issue.

Just a Peek!

Just a peek at one of our houses in the Haunted House Halloween Banner Class that will be taking place Saturday, September 26 at 10:30AM...........cost of class is $25....call to reserve your place today:  246-9674.

New Class

Haunted Halloween House Banner                     This is the class that I will be teaching at Croppertunities on Saturday, September 25 at 10:30AM                                                          Come on out and have some fun with us!   The cost of the class is $25............which will include 9 houses, all papers and embellishments and the coils to hook the banner together with the Zutter Cutter......a great bookmaker, too!   Call today to reserve your place:  246-9674  !!!