Thursday, May 2, 2013

Journal Pages and a May Calendar Spread

   Hooray for May!! It is heavenly to be able to sit in the sun with a bite to eat, smell fresh cut grass, and wear flip flops. Of course, it does still get pretty cool at night and so it will be another week or so until I buy my annuals for planting. Still no sign of a hummingbird but I just know it won't be long. It was the 7th of May last yr. when we saw our first hummer arrive at the feeder.

  Of course, with the nice weather arriving I'll be spending less time in my art room. This week I managed to get my calendar spread done and I'm finishing up a project which I'm not able to talk about at this time-but fingers crossed I will have good news to share in the future :) So for now I will share some of my older journal spreads in yet another art journal.

  May's calendar spread for Kate Crane's 2013 Calendar Challenge:


  First I stamped a swirl design (DeNami) around the pages. I drew on leaves and sponged the pages lightly with green ink. The stencil letters were traced and made from cardstock. Days of the week are stamps by Magenta. I used images from Retro Café Art (Parisian Beauties collage sheet) along with a variety of stickers. The French quote on the lower left translates to "my soul lies in the sun".

  Here's a variety of journal pages:







    I used to use magazine clippings a lot but not so much anymore. On the clover page I actually used gel medium and glued/sealed fresh clovers to the page.The bottom two should be closer together but I have NO idea how this happened and couldn't figure out how to fix it (Todddddd I need you!!!) The first of the two is a scan of a poster I made. Both pages were done using watercolor crayons. I then vented with my words both horizontally and vertically on the pages. Can you tell it was a rough and stressful time?? Thankfully I haven't had to do a spread like this in a long time:)

   For this page I glued down paper scraps then used ink pads and crayons along with sequin waste for the background. I added a paper from a French cheese and used a real cupcake liner then painted my cupcakes. The French translates to "my little sin"- being a gourmand. How I adore French cuisine!



  These two pages also go side by side. How did I get the pages closer together this time?-oy vey! I love words and plays on words etc. I spotted the book "An Exaltation of Larks" by James Lipton at the library one day and got such a kick reading about the origins of sayings and plays on words. The torn paper on the top with the stamped image was a scrap I was going to toss. Thankfully I glued it on the page and painted the pages with colors to match it before writing.

 And this is one of my very favorite spreads:


  I gessoed the pages first and then used a pencil to make marks in it while still wet. Once dry I applied watercolor crayons. The stamp on the left is part of an UM set from Collage Stuff. The images are from ARTchix  Studio. Photo of Todd courtesy of hubby. This is so special because our son is the first in both our immediate families to have had the opportunity to go to college and graduate from DeSales University, formerly known as Allentown College of St. Francis DeSales. Years ago Bill and I used to go out there to the campus area often walking, biking and seeing some plays never EVER thinking one day that  this would be where a child of ours would go. I cried at HS graduation but this was SO much harder for me because I knew I really had to let him go. I think I've succeeded-somewhat. I mean, we are all very close and he lives nearby and now comes over most Sundays to have dinner with us since he broke up with his former girlfriend of 5 yrs. :) Nuff said.


"Dreams don't have to come true by age 20, 30, or 40: they often occur long past when you thought possible." Anonymous










42 comments:

  1. So much beauty to find her in your post! Especially I love *be heard* and *take a breath* and *an exaltation of larks*.... roots and wings.. and also the clover flover..
    you see.. much likes from me to you! :))

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  2. LOVE all of your journal pages you have shared, Linda! And, your May calendar is fresh and spring-y, just waiting for you to fill it in. Your son's page is so special - I wish all the best for him. Sometimes it takes some breaking up before the right one comes along. Enjoy having him on Sundays while you can! LOL

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  3. Wow ! Your journal pages are so creative, colorful and joyful! Beautiful ~ ^_^

    Thanks for your comments ~

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  4. Love the pages you shared today. Cupcake and Roots & Wings are favorites. Happy PPF!

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  5. Oh, what a pretty art calendar page for May! What a joy it will be to fill in each day's circle!

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  6. Your journal pages are so well designed. Love the calendar one...bright and happy.

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  7. You have been busy great pages happy ppf

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  8. lovely journal pages! The calendar is so cute! Makes me want to make all sorts of plans and write on all the flowers!

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  9. terrific collaged pages Linda and loving your calendar spread.
    Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  10. Wow, what a lot of gorgeous work you have produced! Valerie

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  11. Hi Friend, where do I start! Wow and wow and wow. The Todd page with the "holding like a little bird in the palm of your hand" is absolutely precious! not to mention gorgeous. The writing pages with free admission - wow Linda, the colors are just vivacious and the words,writing look adds so much. whatever venting you did....do it again! lol. Your writing really is wonderful on top of the color. And the Shamrock page - Very powerful. And how did you do the one with the woman - it is absolutely gorgeous. Is it digi? You have been SOOOOOO busy. It must have been a fantabulous week for you. How wonderful that you have created so much that is so diverse! Be well, lovies, samara

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  12. Yes, no doubt I love all his compositions, exquisite colors!

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  13. Real, beautiful and creative pages. I am hard put to sday what I like best. They are all wonderful in their differengt ways.

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  14. Golly, Linda. I came to admire your calendar pages and got an eye candy treat. You have some gorgeous and extremely colorful journal pages. Of course, I'm really impressed with all the work you put into your calendar pages, including all those leaves you drew for the May calendar. Simply beautiful art.

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  15. Hi Linda, I ADORE your journal pages this week! HPPF!

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  16. Hi Linda,

    These are very lovely journal pages and I also favour the Roots and Wings.
    I found it hard when my daughter left last summer to work out west and even harder when my son went out west to work full time but it's just simply part of everyone's journey.Enjoy your Sunday dinners and precious moments together and I wish him all the best.

    Take care,
    Annabelle O,O

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  17. wow, you have been so busy making such beautiful journal pages! Your calender is awesome too. Happy PPF!

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  18. such a great week full of pages and colour.. I particularly like those cupcakes... great colours over all though... lots of energy...xx

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  19. Now you're making me curious about your project... ;-)
    Love the variety of journalpages, great idea to put fresh clover in your journal. And your May-calendar has such a spring-feeling to it with all the playful leaves ...

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  20. Such interesting journal pages Linda, using photographs as a starting point is such a good idea, I like the cup cake one 'my little sin' but then I'm a sucker for temptation. ;)

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  21. Very nice Linda, lots accomplished!! Great pages!! I love the nice weather too, sounds just like ours. A bit to cool at night for bedding plants yet it's suppose to be in the mid 70's to high 70's this weekend. Today I was almost tempted to grabs some plants at costco...Beardo had some in the buggy but I decided to leave them behind...we need another week. Whenever I jump the gun the slugs get the best of them!!

    Have a great weekend!
    Hugs Giggles

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  22. Your journal pages are all beautiful. I love your quote!

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  23. Hello Linda, your art journal pages are so lovely, you are full of inspiration! I also love your May calendar pages, good for you for doing these lovely art creations, there is so much to see here!

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  24. Incredible page, I like the clubs. is very original. Saludos

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  25. Lovely journal pages! I am impressed about the calendar pages -- I only lasted 2 months this year! LOL Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier!

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  26. You were busy this week, Linda. I love the way you incorporate all the magazine clippings into your journal. Blessings!

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  27. Fabulous journal pages. Full of bright colors and detail. You have been very busy!

    Have a great day!
    Nora

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  28. Wonderful journal pages. I Especially love the "cutting through the mental clutter" one:-)

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  29. Hi Linda
    Thank you for your kind visit firstly. I can tell how excited you are with the coming of your Spring, the hummingbird and all the planting ahead of you!
    Love your journal pages - especially "Be Heard" and "Take a Breath" and, of course, that is such a special page of your son's graduation!
    How your heart must be overjoyed!
    Love and hugs from Autumnal days here,
    Suzy

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  30. These are wonderful pages.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  31. It's so great that you have all beautiful these pages to look back on and remember all the events that inspired you.

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  32. What great journal pages. I really like the colors you use. I especially like the yellow and pink pages! Thanks for sharing your work. Happy Paint Party Friday!

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  33. Lovely calendar pages and love your journal pages! the last spread with your son's graduation photo is so sweet...you will cherish that. happy PPF!

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  34. 'to be able to sit in the sun with a bite to eat, smell fresh cut grass, and wear flip flops' Linda that sounds so, so nice!!! Great journal and calendar pages. Full of colours and very creative. Have a lovely week. Big, big hugs

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  35. Your journal pages are delightful with lovely spring color and lots of creativity ~ So inspirational! ^_^

    Thanks for visiting.

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  36. Love Todd's page. Just love it.

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  37. so many gorgeous pages and my favorite is the first one with its watercolory style ♥ Conny
    http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de

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  38. Fabulous calendar pages - just right for May!! Love your journal pages! Chrisx

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  39. Gorgeous pages Linda! And the colors are all perfect for the month of May!

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  40. Such a lovely post full of life, creativity, ups and downs and the promise of special things to come!
    Letting go of our children is a process ... you are lucky to have your son so close by.
    Your journal pages are wonderful, I am just now playing with a magazine image in one of my visual journals ... I find I am often drawn to images in newspapers and magazines...

    Enjoy this lovely month of May ... I think it may be one of the nicest springs I can remember with a little cooler temperatures the blossoms are all staying so long which is wonderful!

    (((Hugs))) to you dear one!
    oxo

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  41. From the moment I set eyes on this post I knew it was Spring - beautiful!
    Congratulations on your son's graduation - I remember that feeling as a mother - such a proud day!
    Todd now has his wings and the world is his oyster!
    Your nurturing has paid off Linda!
    Shane ♥

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  42. good luck with your 'secret' project :)

    i enjoyed this lovely post very much.... great photo of your son. I love those heartfelt journaling pages.

    Karen x

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