Monday, January 9, 2017

Taking On Some Challenges

the art kind of course! It has been bitter cold and windy with some bouts of snow so it's a perfect time to stay in, continue on my "cleansing" path, and make more art too. Oh, and make some get away plans. I already have 3 beach trips lined up and a visit to the Adirondacks in NY to spend time with my dear friend LuAnn in her new home! Always good to have something to look forward to.
 What do you ( in the Northern hemisphere) do to wile away the winter?

 I decided I wanted to make a new journal dedicated to calendar pages so I began with a 7" x 10" Strathmore watercolor journal. I covered the front with Victorian tissue paper and edged it with washi tape:

 Linking to Try It On Tuesday for the theme to use tissue.

 Here are my spreads for January:

 They will all be done in a similar format. Similar to the DLP Project I had seen people doing the last few years. Watercolors to separate the days on the left and art to coordinate on the right. The new year piece is a napkin to which I added glitter(doesn't show), cardboard numbers painted black and doodles all about.

On the right- printed deli paper background, collage elements from Oprah magazine. A reminder to self:):)

 I decided I needed to do some type of calendar/documentation as I missed not doing any the last two years. It's such a great way to tell the story of one's year by writing daily snippets. And this segs into linking to Art Journal Journey hosted by Erika this month with the theme of  " every journal page tells a story".

 Speaking of calendars I was gifted a Paris/ French themed calendar for Christmas and today I am sharing the January art with my friends at T Stands For Tuesday:


Lastly I have a journal page that celebrates the Chinese New Year (January 28) along with the theme of "Asia" over at Moo Mania and More.


The good luck image and rooster are rubber stamps and a combination of Asian themed papers and tissue were used for the collage.

 Also linking up later this week to Paint Party Friday. Have a super week everyone-see you soon!

" Act as if you are worthy of what you want, and the universe will demonstrate that your faith is justified."    Alan Cohen

52 comments:

  1. Oh my, you have made such a lot of wonderful art this week. Have fun in your new journal. Glad to hear you have nice trips planned. I like visiting museums in winter when the weather is bad. Thanks for joining us at MM&M, TIOT and AJJ with your various projects. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

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  2. A wonderful post to read and so many awesome detailed.journal pages to see.
    Your new cover with the Victorian tissue looks fantastic.
    Thank you for joining us over at TioT's.
    Have a Happy T day.
    Yvonne xx

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  3. WOW!! You took on a TON of challenges this week. Very impressive, I might add. I am delighted to see your journal calendar. You put mine to shame. It's hard to write much in one square inch, so you have chosen to use four pages for yours. I love it.

    I adore your Asian page. It is fantastic, and you actually have a rooster, too. I love it, and of course, the joss paper adds to it, doesn't it?

    But of course, most of all, I love your new French calendar with the incredible tea pots and cups. They are fantastic.

    Thanks for sharing all your wonderful art, your daily calendar, and your French calendar with the tea par-tea with us for T this week.

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  4. You have been BUSY! And I love everything you've been up to. Nice idea making a calendar journal. That a great project. I am loving your story and glad you could join us at AJJ. Happy T day too. Hugs-Erika

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  5. Linda, would you like me to add you to the link T party?

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  6. i never succeed in writing a constant diary. but i think it is a good idea to do so. i also thought about the "life Project" scrapping idea, but actually it takes too much time away from my other Project. i´m afraid i´m not a "constant" worker. - i should investigate, what the chinese zodiac is saying about this, because actually i´m a rooster! love this page!
    happy t-day, linda!

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  7. Oh wow Linda! You made me more than happy !
    A wonderful piece for Moo Mania & More - Thank you!
    Your calendar project is wonderful - love the pages and great to link them to AJJ - Erika will love them!
    You do right to make art and cleansing while it is that cold weather! Great plans for 2017 - always good to have nice things on the agenda -- and the inspiration that goes with all that happy events will fill your calender pages beautiful I guess!
    Happy T-Day dear friend!
    oxo Susi

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  8. LOVE your calendar idea!!! I've thought of doing something along those lines but know it would end up being neglected along the way so never start one. Sounds like you have a great year planned out already ♥

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  9. My Journal has turned into just writing little snippets with the occassional long entry when i seriously have something to say or work thru..But there is no art in there... only the ocassional little photo or movie tickets etc... At times i think i would like an ArtJournal like when i see your beautiful ones... but then at other times i think no i just want to write... Happy happy T day! Hus! deb

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  10. You are making brilliant use of the cold winter weather Linda with all of your wonderful creations!
    Your getaways sound fun and we too feel like January is a nice time to make travel plans.
    Turns out Trafalgar has some savings incentives by booking early :-)

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  11. also wanted to say
    Happy T Day my friend
    Oxo
    P.S. trying to get used to using my iPad

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  12. A wonderful and amazingly productive start to the new year!

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  13. Love the new calendar journal. I started last October to see if I would stay with it, I made it through the holidays and now I'm in a new one.......it is one I made and have yet to put a cover on it...LOL!

    Your year of the rooster collage is fantastic.

    Happy T-day my friend

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  14. Wow, you are off to a wonderful start to the year with your travel plans and artwork! You really taken advantage of staying inside and getting creative away from the cold winter weather! I love your journal cover, the images and washi tape give it a lovely vintage feel which I love! The pages you have created are gorgeous and so inspirational with the lovely images and wording :-). And what a lovely calender you were gifted with all those beautiful images and the Tea-Par-Tea made me smile :-). Your Chinese New Year page collage is gorgeous too, the papers and sentiments work beautifully together. Thanks for sharing your fabulous post, Happy T Day! J :-)

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  15. You calendar journal is awesome.Was thinking a photocopy of the teacups and teapots would be gorgeous transfer images. Lucky you! One can get lost in your Year of the Rooster page. So many wonderful images to look at. Happy T Day

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  16. so many lovely art projects to enjoy here! good for you doing the daily calendar/journal! I love it, but have to admit on the days I couldn't think of anything to write, sometimes i just doodled a picture. it's all good! Love your French calendar with tea things, and Chinese New Year too!

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  17. Oh my! What a wonderful collection of art! Thanks for joining Try It On Tuesday with the beautiful tissue cover! I love the pages you have made,especially the Asian one - I failed to join Moo Mania this time! As for plans to travel - oh yes! .....and lots of journal pages made!Belated Happy T day! Chrisx

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  18. You have been buys while cooped up in this wonderful winter we are having. It's darn cold here and snowing everyday. It's enough to drive me batty! I've been sewing like crazy and trying not to break my healthy eating.
    Happy T day!
    Happy T day!

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  19. Wow, you've been making the most of the cold weather by creating some lovely art! I like how you set up your journal with the watercolor stripes. Those colors must call to you each day, "Fill me. Fill me." lol. The French calendar art is really neat and just perfect for T day.

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  20. You have been a busy girl! Putting into practice your new year's resolutions. lol.
    Great idea to make your calender. I like it.
    The French image for T-day is lovely. So appropriate for today.
    The Chines new Year's page is great.
    Sorry I'm so late in commenting, I've been away from my desk.
    Belated happy T-Day,
    Lisca

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  21. I love your calendar pages Linda..... I really like the format you are using. I honestly think my calendar pages were my favourite art projects for last year :)

    Karenx

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  22. Beautiful collection. Thank you for joining us at TioT

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  23. Wow - so many works for different challenges! I like your calender journal - this is a good way to escort you through the year, and to make different things like watercolor or collage or doodles and so on.
    Happy T Day!

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  24. Happy New Year Linda and thank you for your lovely comment on my blog - I do remember your passion for all things Irish!! I'm very envious of your beach trips lined up already - it's so cold here and I am dreaming of a warm holiday somewhere!
    It looks like you're as busy as always with your wonderful creative challenges - the calendar journal is a lovely idea.

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  25. lovely colours and tea pot

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  26. It's always enjoyable to pop in here. Lovely post, Linda ♥

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  27. Happy new year! Always enjoy seeing what you are up to! Looks like you and I are enjoying journaling!
    Happy ppf

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  28. You started the new year on a roll it seems ;-) Great idea to make a calendar journal. I love how the days are each a different colour. Beautiful cover too!

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  29. Hi Linda, you've been busy all right. They all look fabulous. Love the "Don't Stress It" - a pretty reminder ;D)
    Enjoy your trip, cheers!

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  30. A lot of art and a lot of sharing. You have started off a good busy boost for this year. Keep at it.
    HAPPY PPF

    Thanks for dropping by my blog today

    Much love...

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  31. My favorite piece of yours this week is that Chinese New Year collage. You have such a variety of interesting elements, and the composition is superb. Blessings, my friend!

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  32. Lovely calendar pages, Linda! Enjoy more purging. I find it very freeing. :)

    P.S. - re. your comment on my blog - I think if I lived in the Northern Hemisphere that I would look forward to summers too. I experienced a Wyoming winter once and it lasted forever. Air-conditioning or central heating can definitely make life easier in extreme conditions.

    Cheers,
    Serena

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  33. Lovely spreads. It's great to get out of your comfort zone. :)

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  34. Ohhh a very nice collection of art this week. It is cold and staying in and creating is what I will do during this winter. We don't normally have these freezing temps. I do love that calendar.

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  35. All your art is really great. I especially love the Year of the Rooster piece. They calendar is a wonderful project.

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  36. Brilliant collection Linda, the calendar pages are great.
    I'm a big tea fanatic and the teacup and pot are gorgeous!
    Happy PPF to you

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  37. Oh I remember your Calendar pages!! Great variety! Seems this year has you so full of hope!! Wonderful on all your goals and plans. Very inspiring for a us slow starters!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  38. you are busy with all sorts of pages! looks as though you are having good fun. they are lovely.

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  39. Good luck with your calendar journal. It looks great

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  40. Gorgeous pages, a very inspiring post Linda.

    Love and hugs
    Maarit

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  41. Loads of wonderful pages here...loved the Asian one the most! Love the quotes...The calendar pages are great too.

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  42. Fantastic pages Linda! So fun and creative! Happy PPF :)

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  43. What a fun idea! The pages are wonderful.

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  44. I've had a calendar always. I can't remember when, where, what from my memory :) Right now I follow temperatures, last year today it much colder than today. At xmas time I mostly stay inside doing nothing important, now my energy level is good, we have already more light jeeeeee!
    Have a creative week!

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  45. So many challenges...so little time. Your pages are thrilling and I don't see how you have the mind for so many ideas and wonderful creations.

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  46. Love the cover of your journal Linda, such fabulous images. Love the pages, you're going to have fun filling this.
    Thanks for sharing with us at TioT.
    Avril x

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  47. I agree, it's so good to have something to look forward to, a few trips to get away. I still have to plan mine, and in the meantime, I enjoy winter, walking through winter wonderland, or just looking outside on a world in white. I love it.
    Your artwork is gorgeous. So many beautiful pages you created! I love your calendar with the watercolour days!

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  48. Lovely collection of art! Super inspiring! You must be so excited with those travel plans. Enjoy!

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  49. Wow...I love this!!! I have to see about trying to make one of these for myself. I like the idea of using watercolor paper as a journal! The wheels are turning...thank you Linda :)

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!