Sunday Fun

 This is what I made in a journal class that I took today with my sister. It is made from a file folder. All the edges and binding are sewn. There are pocket pages and journal pages.

 I liked creating all the different pockets and pages. It was interesting how each piece was put together and sewn.

 Not only was there the pocket pages but we also sewed-in ledger paper to be used for pictures and/or journal.

 The back of the journal has an added sewn in piece.

The binding is sewn in to cover the back folds of the file folder. There are some embellishments but I would like to add more. There were some tricky parts but it is something I would like to try again. I think I would want to put more journal pages in.

This was a fun class and I love to spend time with my sister. My top 5 thankful things this week are:

1. Fun classes and learning new paper techniques
2. Spending time with my sister
3. Knowing that I can keep trying to improve and I will
4. Laughter
5. One day at a time

Tea time anyone..

A little creation for the challenge over at Inspiration Avenue. The theme this week is Tea. For this project, I got to play with my Cricut. The cups were cut using the machine. I learned how to flip an image and to reduce the size. So adjusted each cup to be able to pour into each from largest to smallest. For the top, the tea pot is a freehand cut out of a tea pot.  I inked the cardboard a darker brown to look like pouring tea. Then used rub-on letters for the "tea time". For the background, I chalked it with a light lavender and then inked the outside edge with a darker heather.

Walk this way

 So on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I go the other direction for my walk at work. I leave my office and head east. This is the direction into Midtown. The cool part of  this area is all the Victorian homes. Lots now have been converted into flats and are multi-family homes. I love the unique architecture of an era gone by of big front steps, a front porch for sitting on the ground and second story .

 This is another favorite midtown treat, the corner store. This is so cool with the bottom converted into a store and the home above.

Too close but another old Victorian. The beautiful front steps and the three story layered porches make this a tall home. Not quite able to see in the picture but the three sided corner of the house has a window on each side. 

And there are so many along this walk but this two layer Victorian has the stylish front and the fanned out window on the second floor with such character.

Then the icing on the cake. This wonderful old Queen Anne Victorian with a turret on the one side with the gabbled front porch and columns. It could use some TLC but it is a wonderful home that I would like to walk through. But then I turn back toward the office. Everyday that I walk through this area, I get to dream of what it would be like to live in one of these old beauties.

New weekday routine

I have begun a new work routine. Once I get to the office and before it gets too crazy and hot, I take a walk. So here is what I see. I leave from my office on G Street and head up to an area called Old Sac and is located next to the Sacramento River. I head up a street and overpass to the I Street Bridge. (Sorry the picture is fuzzy as I used my phone, I keep forgetting to bring my camera.)

This is a very cool bridge. It is 100 years old built in 1911.When a boat is too big to pass underneath, this whole piece turns to allow the boat to pass through.

Now looking across to the Tower Bridge. An icon of the State. When standing on this bridge facing east, you look down and see the Capitol. When a boat can not go under this bridge, the middle section raises up. This is even a more famous spot now because of a Television series called "The Mentalist" staring Simon Baker (Very Cute). The show is a police like series where Simon Baker plays a consultant the helps solve crimes using his Mental talents. The series is set in Sacramento, California. They use this bridge as a main point in their shots. I have to admit I would always look down to see if there is any filming going on as they do locally sometimes. But haven't caught anything yet.

Then this is my walk back down and back to work. I love the building skyline. There is the Federal building, the Library building and some of the newer skyscrapers. 

My new book..

My new toy has a new book. I ordered it and have been waiting for it to come. It finally came and I am so excited to see all the card creations. I have used my machine for a few projects but nothing too fancy. This book has some very good tips and knowledge about the Cricut. Fun, Fun!!

Playing with paper

It started as a simple request. My daughter needed a thank you card. This was the perfect excuse to use this fun double sided paper. I found that the paper goes well with my olive, wildflower, and indian corn blue cardstock. Therefore had to make a couple different ones... haha The first card has a stamped flower and Thank you note. And in my "scrap panda" way, I added layers of little scraps to give dimension.

Next card used the reverse side of the paper. The blue damask made the card have a different look. Then cut the flower with the Cricut. The little flowers are made when the flower is cut.

The third card uses the flowers again. This time used ribbon with the words "Thank You". Added the dots to the background for the flowers. Double sided paper is fun to play with!

Moody Monday

Mr. Jonas has the perfect life for a Monday. I could just curl up and not do anything too ambitious. Today I am out of my routine as I am not heading out to work but taking care of some issues that need to be done during the week. But before that I am sneaking in some blog hopping. Well better get to some of my issues and wishing everyone a beautiful and creative week.

Sunday Sentiments



Here is another card I made for my daughter. She went to a bridal shower yesterday and asked me to make a card for her. I feel this one is a mix of the old and new me. I love traditional stamping and my favorite scrapbook paper. However, my new loves are gesso, torn cardboard, and adding elements I would not have before. I had fun creating the dress. I used netting for the skirt and added gesso to the bottom for a "lacy" look and then glued the pearls. I outlined the bodice using a glaze pen and then covered with micro fine glitter. (Fun technique learned at a stamp show). I did stamp a heart and some flowers inside, I just forgot to take a picture. I feel that my creativity is growing and I have learned so much from blog friends and my sister!

Here is my weekly thankful top 5 list:

1. GESSO
2. Learning to appreciate what I have done
3. Accepting that I have to try no matter how much my head tells me that I can't
4.Old scrapbook paper
5.Blog hopping and learning so much

Journal with wings

I posted earlier this week the start of this journal. I had a lot of ideas I wanted to try with this project. Some are good and some not so good but learned from all of it. Wanted to have dimension and words to invoke creative and fun.  My favorite parts are the zig-zag ribbon edges, the dangling jewels, and the flower. This project works for my entry into Inspiration Avenue challenge theme of "Wings". I love the winged heart symbol. I feel that my heart is flying when I get to create art. It feels like I am being my true self.

A close up of the flower and ribbon.

The inside front page. I made some of the pages for journal writing and some blank to create art.

 For the back page, I added a smashed bottle cap and may want to collage more later.

New concept

 I want to create some journal concepts. This is a prototype for a design. I am using (recycling) file folder pieces. Using the tab pieces. Added the paint and the bubble wrap design. Since file folders are not that thick, I decided to add a recycled picture mat for thickness. Still a work in progress.

Back side has the same design. I will be making my own binding. Not sure how this is going to turn out but just wanted to try something I been thinking of. Still have some ideas to work out. How much paper do you like in your journals??  Would you use a journal that only had 10 pages in it??  Need to take a survey of people thoughts on journal..

Color concepts

I am intrigued by color and more so with the way I paint with it. I like contrast. On this cup, I used blue with white. Hard to see but the paint ran and left swirls of various blues and the white shows up so strong.

Then I did this cup with blue and yellow. Again I really love the contrast. I feel it is Van Gogh like. The yellow spots stands out like the irises in Van Gogh's painting. I guess that is something I did not plan but really like how it turned out.

Then I painted this journal cover. I like contrasts in the colors of the blues, greens, and reds. This design gives me a feeling of motion. The swirls of color are like the breeze the butterflies are drifting on. How do you like to paint? Monochromatic, contrast, or blends??

Moody Monday

For me Mondays can be one of the toughest days of the week. I cope by having some items at work to remind me of the important aspects of life. I have pictures of my family on my desk. I have pictures of my peaceful place, the Carmel Mission. I decided to created one more item for my office. The jar is a recycled Starbuck's frappicino drink. I have put some shells and rocks from my collection and I will be filling the rest with the glass beach pieces that I have at work. I think this will be a good piece once it is full.

I had to make it a little less just a jar so first I colored the lid. Added some small shells and pieces to the top. 

Sunday cares

Some sundays no matter how I may try, I seem to not be able to stop thinking too much. I really wanted to finish some work on my calendar pages. So this is a page with too many thoughts. I am learning to use some tissue paper to get a design. I also used some stamps and created some flowers. I think that I just need to let it go and I am thankful and the top 5 are:

1. Cooler summer days

2. Open to new ideas

3. Spending time with family

4. Looking for options

5. Two weeks until journal making class

Have a wonderful week.





Inspiration_Avenue_Picasso

With my scraps of paper I just had to create an entry for the challenge at inspiration avenue this week. The theme is Picasso and I created a version of his Three Musicians. It was fun creating his painting with scraps of paper. For one of the musician clothes, I took an orange paper and drew lines and colored the triangles with yellow pen to get the look. The box shadow around the edge is paper too. But the dog under the table is inked in.

My background does not match the painting but I wanted to be a little different. Used alcohol inks and then chalk ink on top. Then to get the layer of color used a blending solution.

Busy birthday month

 

July seems to be a busy birthday month for me and my family. I love to create cards. This one is for one of my staff. 

Made this card for my daughter's friend. I like the layout and making the little cupcake on the tag. 

My unbirthday present!

WOW it is not my birthday until November. However, I am so lucky that I have a sister who listens to my crazy dreams and we are having fun meeting up after I get off work and exploring some downtown galleries and boutiques. Last night we went to a new store called "Bows and Arrows". It is a vintage clothing, art, and cafe. We looked around had a few glasses of wine and then she got me this cool vintage suitcase. I love the size, I can even fit my 12x12 paper. I want to use it for my art supplies. Any ideas how to alter it??? 

Then I want to add to the inside too. Want to create a way to hold my pencils, paper and other supplies..  Any ideas??

Overload of thoughts

A few weekends ago we went up to Lake Tahoe, North Shore for a one night trip. It was a beautiful, simple trip and we did a little hiking too. The first night we were able to just get over to the lake before the sun set. I started to draw with my graphite pencils and then later added in the watercolor pencils. I am having fun drawing perspectives. The other thing is that I used my Maui journal. So I think I need to rename the journal as it is now has lots of areas. Oh well.. How do you keep your journals?? I think I would like to make more journals!

 

Now here is a camera view of the lake. Before we left, I took a picture at the same spot. The camera catches alot of shading. This is fun to see from the camera veiw compared to my drawing. So much to learn...

Moody Monday

My Mondays are moody for many reasons. It comes from wanting to cram so much into a two day weekend. Started the weekend going to a funny movie. My take on the humor was from being a boss and laughing to think about my staff and wonder what they daydream about when I am being edgy haha..  Also completed some good projects this weekend. The patio one is pretty much a honey-do project but I did help some. We've wanted to make some changes to our backyard patio. The brick boarder was not working. The ants loved the sand between the bricks and it was a mess! So we took the bricks out and put an aggregate boarder in. Not finish all the way but it is coming out nicely. It is adding so much more dimension and color with the pebbles.

Also I finished my first mail art postcard and worked on the second one. Still thinking about the third one. I will post all three when they are all done but here is a peak at the start of number 2.

Summer Sunday thoughts

Summer for me is busy. Well maybe not as busy as during school year but that is even changing. To start my baby is a Senior and a DRIVER.. yep she has an official driver licence as of Friday. So now she will be more independent. And this summer, I have more "me time" but I am filling that quickly. Last weekend I did a big jump. I joined an art swap (creative lenna swaps). For this swap, you must create 3 mail art postcards and the theme is "A summer's day..." My take will be water related for sure. Here is a peak at my first one. Created this palm tree from a stamp but made it with scrap paper. Sewed on the palm leaves and colored the coconuts. Well got to go and work on the backyard before it gets hot. Lots to be thankful for.. top 5

1. Creative thoughts happen everywhere

2. Daughter doing some of my errands

3. Learning to take simple approaches to life moments

4. Slow success on weight loss making big impacts

5. Fun with my family

Monday was One Year Anniversary

Hard to believe that as of Monday, July 4th, I have completed my first year blogging. I enjoyed creating art and making posts. A real favorite of this year is all the blogs I have visited and the wonderful blog friends I have made. I am learning so much and barely touched the surface of what I want to learn.

Some highlights this year...

 My first collage page.. from a class I took.

One collage I created myself.

 Moved into my craft room when older daughter came home from college and then moved out.

 My Editor and Chief.. he still lays on my desk when he thinks it is time to go to bed or he is hungry.. And will hit the delete button if I do not comply soon enough.

 My small book for younger daughter's 16 birthday.

 My 2010 collage book cover

 My first challenge entry at Inspiration Avenue

 My crazy scrap paper pumpkin.

 Retirement book for coworker.

 Open Spine Book made in a class and still working on filling up.

 Pen cup created from a sour cream container and runny paint.

 Older daughter's Christmas present.

 One hundred post give-away.

 2011 Collage book

 Fancy Cigar book I received from a coworker.

 My pay-it-forward art piece.

I look forward to more fun this coming year and continued friendship in blogland. Thanks for all those who come visit me and I appreciate all the wonderful comments and support.

Blessing...