Scrapbooking is Cheaper than Therapy...

Book of Days: January 31st

2012-01-31T08:51:00.000-08:00

Super happy with how today's lil bit of the book turned out...
*squee* Favorite day so far!

Used a 4X6" piece of art I made for the Try it on Tuesday Blog Challenge yesterday and made a flippy part in my Book of Days. Today I got Happy Mail from Debbie Prewitt... yummy Celtic card and envelope wrapped around some even yummier supplies. As anyone who 'knows' me knows I LOVE Celtic. In order to save the gorgeous envelope I used it today on the flip-side of the 4X6 Art. My main goal this year with my Art is to use what I have and what comes my way... Today is a great example!

Full Spread:

Flipped Full Spread:

Art Side:
Envelope Side:
Double Good News... Happy Mail AND I've been asked to write up a tutorial for Toucan Scraps Tutorial Blog on how I make *my style* of Journal Pages. Have 2 write-up for the March issue of Scrapbooking.com to get written in the next 2 days then I'm going to start working away on that ASAP!
It's a goooood week. :O) and a GREAT end to January.

Speaking of tutorials this is how today unfurled:
First I ran a strip of masking tape along the back of the 4X6" art...

Then I flipped it over and glued the envelope to the back,
trimmed the excess away... This way the tape was covered up.

Then I painted light green over my address, let it dry then a daub of white too.
Journaled and then taped it into my Book of Days.

DragonsDream Tag it On #108: The Beach

2012-01-30T13:34:00.000-08:00

TIO #108 - The Beach

Welcome back to the DragonsDream Challenge where we have had a short rest to re-charge the creative batteries. This week it's my turn to start the dream, where else, but "The Beach". Besides being the book I'm reading at the moment, I so need a holiday, and sitting under a palm tree with a pile of books would be bliss!! I hope you will join us in this first challenge of the year, just remember to use at least one real stamp on your tag!

So get inky and creative with this fab theme!

Love and light

Frankie

xx
**********
Bigger tag than the norm: 3 X 6"
Stamps and Inks are all Stampin'Up!
Handmade blue paper made by Me. :O)
Tag from a Happy Mail Package I received last week.
Love the quote:

The cure for anything is salt water –

Sweat, tears, or the sea.”
~Isak Dinesen ~

Try it on Tuesday: "In the mail"

2012-01-30T13:01:00.000-08:00

Hurrah its a wild card week

So with an extra Tuesday in January we have our first wild card of the year!

This week we would like you to interpret the theme

"In the mail"
************
Decided it's been a bit since I made a 4X6 Postcard size piece...
An almost quasi-mythical thing,
much like Miss. Unicorn herself.
Clip-Art from Dover and Flickr Collage Group.
Pattern paper from DCWV.

Book of Days: January 29th and 30th

2012-01-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

Going backwards... cause I can. ;O)

January 30th
Full Spread

January 3oth
Bit of Monday lovin' going on... my favorite day of the week!
Seems to be a 'Blue' theme going on with this 3rd spread, why fight it? Went blue again today.
Paint background, paint on the Heart stamp and paint texture to fill.
Sprinkle of glitter *happy Monday* and white-out pen trim.

Used a 'template' to decide on my spot for the day... the stamp worked.

January 29th:
Full Spread

January 29th:
Day of Doubt...
Background is strips of paper ruler rescued from the Children's Hospital. My eldest was there for his bi-yearly endocrine appointment... nurse dropped a strip of these (maybe 40 in all...) and then *had* to throw them in the recycle because they touched the floor (policy). She was thrilled to let me take them. Me too!
Journaled about how I need to remember my medical issues and not try to be Wonder Woman. After the long day Saturday I was in a *lot* of pain Sunday and not feeling up to snuff.

Book of Days: January 27th and 28th

2012-01-29T12:59:00.000-08:00

Couple more entries to my Book of Days...

January 28th:
The day of the Aftermath Vendors event I was attending... Used a print off of the event poster over Glimmer Misted and splattered base, bit of ink rubbing too while it was still damp. White washed a spot top journal and added an Ottawa Goth Syndicate sticker, grudged that up too. ;O)

January 27th:
CHAOS Day...
Getting the last things ready, making CD pins (stinky fumes), dying my hair...
and in the middle of all that there was Happy Mail from Denise Phillips!
Ripped into it right away and got my entry done. The envelope, tags, fibre and birdie stamp were all part of my goodies. :O)

Happy Mail Side:

BUSY Day Side:

Full Spread so far...

Art Calendar 2012 366 Challenge: March

2012-01-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

Met a goal! Woot!
Said I was going to get January, February and March done for the Art Calendar 2012 366 Challenge... and I did.
So now I can 'leisurely' work my way through 1 a month from here on out.
April in February, May in March... etc...
Just lurving how January is looking almost completely filled in.

Went oh-so girly for March, not much pink but still pretty frou-fy (for me).
Change is good.

Started by coating the Baby Book pages in a (horrible to me) pale lilac color.
This was my pallet for smearing:
White
Metallic Bright Purple
daub of Pink
Pale Lemon-y Yellow
Dry brushed only going up and down this time with the Pink, working into the Purple and then adding a touch of White here and there. One stray streak of Yellow jumped the page too. ;O)

This was the fun part!
Used one of my favorite 'stencils': The venting base off the bottom of an old VCR. I liked the 'hole-y' pattern, it struck my fancy, it's now very-very 'used'.
Sponged the pale yellow, watered down a fair bit... everywhere.

Kept the 'up & down motion' by going long on the page with the dots.
Sponged a bit more here and there so as not to waste the last dribs of the paint.

Then I reached for a Stampin'Up! stamp set that was kinda dusty, used the Batik Print flower with Green StazOn.

Finished it off with the Day Squares; used up more of that ooogly WalMart stack of papers I started using up on January's spread. They look good teeny-tiny and written on, better than gathering dust in the Studio!
Also used more Digital Stamps colored in with Pentel and Stampin' Up! Markers.
March title is cut out from a beautiful shimmering pattern paper I've been hoarding, figure it balances out the paper I don't like, lol. It's cut out with the SLICE which was acting a wee wonky when I started with the 'M', decided to leave it be so they're all a little 'different', happy accident.
All done and ready to get filled in!

Aftermath Bound!

2012-01-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

I'm all packed! ... I think... maybe... possibly...
Still need to pack nourishment, but all the art-sy sh-tuff is ready to go.

I'll be here tomorrow:
The Aftermath Vendors event
Hosted by Ottawa Goth Syndicate
Kent Street Legion - Garrison Sergeant Hall
330 Kent St, 2nd Floor, Ottawa
January 28 (1PM - 9 PM)
http://www.ottawagoth.ca/reddeathmasquerade
Only $2 to get-in!

Hence the 'special' store logo:

Today I spent much of the day getting high... on enamel fumes. ;OP
Made up a batch of CD Pins; the ones made from smashed up CD's and DVD's.
I do sooo love how they look but they are a stinky, burn your hands, phone on hold-need to work quickly or they spoil, holy-what-a-frakin'-mess! project.
Reserved for Special Occasions only. ;O)

These are the backs...
I always put the printed side out so peeps can see what they were.
Hard to find those AOL disks anymore, lol.
Shiny side forward, looks so perrrty coming through the enamel.

The finished batch waiting for the glue to finish drying on the pin-backs.
Shiny!

...and a step to the right...

...and then to the left.

All mounted on Tag-Backs and pinned to a mini-display board.

Spend yesterday... and a bit of this morning, pinning stuff to boards:
WITHOUT Pinterest!
Have the 2 boards going, a few other lil' projects and Portal #2: Welcome to Wonderland (not pictured).
Really looking forward to it!
If your in Ottawa, maybe I'll see you there?
:O)

Book of Days: January 25th & 26th

2012-01-26T16:36:00.000-08:00

Both el-quick-o days...

Full Page Spread:

January 25th:
What's on You Workdesk? Wednesday 'cheater' day.

January 26th:
Real Life Pinterest!
Spent the day pinning my art to boards for the event Saturday...
Quick paint background in the same color as my boards and used the same post-it notes I'm using on the back of my art for categorizing as journal blocks.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 138

2012-01-25T05:00:00.001-08:00

This week my space has been overrun with Art, but not much new...
Piles and Piles of sh-tuff I'm pulling, piling and preparing for the Ottawa Goth Syndicate Aftermath Vendors event. Saturday's the big day and...
I'm. not. ready.
*gulp*

But before the desk tour....
A reminder to go check out the other Spaces on Display this week at:
Stamping Ground

The only thing *new* 'on' my desk is top left:
February Calendar for the Art Calendar 2012 366 Challenge, it was out drying the last bit overnight.
The rest is all sh-tuff I need to categorize, price and pack for Saturday.
Mostly Creepy, some with more of a Classic Victorian feel and a few just 'fun' ones that I'm hoping are suitable for that crowd. :O) I'm still debating on the 2 larger Alice in Wonderland pieces I have... Not sure of the table size and I don't want it looking crowded.
Much pondering to do today... hence the X-tra big coffee. ;O)

BONUS!!!
Though I took the actual picture yesterday there is one VERY new thing this week...
Meet Ayva, our new foster puppy.
Come to us through Poet's Vision Aussie Rescue.
She's completely deaf, mostly visually impaired and 100% sweetie!
Doing wonderfully with our other dog Hero who has turned into a complete 'Nanny Dog' watching out for her, leading her around and playing oh so gently with this wee white ball of fluff.
In this picture she's where she's taken up regular day-time residence: the place my feet go under my desk.
They be all warm now. :O)
Nothing like a toasty warm puppy belly to help with the circulation! lol

Sooooooooooo???? What's on YOUR Workdesk???

Book of Days: January 24th

2012-01-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

Used both Monday Prompts and made a Biggie Page.
I *should* be packing for the Ottawa Goth Syndicate's Aftermath Vendors event I'm at Saturday, but... my Muse was itchy. ;O)

This page started with a quote:
The creative process is a process of surrender, not control.
-Julia Cameron-
Which is written as the butterfly's trail...
Butterfly is a heat embossed Stamp (Stampin' Up!) and colored in with markers.
Title is partially painted (Prompt) and the rest is markers.

Art Calendar 2012 366 Challenge: February

2012-01-24T09:34:00.001-08:00

Got February done for the Art Calendar 2012 366 Challenge.
Still *planning* to get March done too before January slips away. :O)
So on with the next 'spread' in the re-furbed Baby Book!

Dug into my Digital Stamps for all the images I'm using for this project; this lil'guy is from Dawn Moore. Don't-cha just love him! The LOVE was saved in-puter from a free clip-art group on Flickr. All colored in with Stampin' Up! Markers.
Hearts are punched out of heavy red Mulberry Paper with a Stampin'Up! punch then traced and doodled on with a Pentel Correction Pen.

Started with a Bright Yellow base coat this time:

Then picked a few colors that would go well with it:
Lighter Lemon-y Yellow, Bright Orange, Dab of White and some Shimmery Metallic Red.

Then I just started playing...
'Glob & Brush' til I was dry-brushing large portions of it.

The painted on random Hearts with a Bright Red and a dab of White. Filled in using a Sea Sponge and more of the Bright Red.

The laid out the elements for spacing before attaching with Glue Stick.
Day Squares were cut from scraps by hand this time. I LOVE the randomness of imperfectness. :O)
Title was cut with a SLICE. Lots of added doodling and outlining with Sharpie and the Correction Pen.
All set for February!

Book of Days: January 18-23

2012-01-23T11:56:00.000-08:00

Got a little behind posting pictures, it's been a very, very busy week into week-end.
PD Days, Movies and Puppies... oh my!
Here's the pictorial Run-Down:

2nd Finished 2 page spread:

2nd Finished 2 page spread:

January 18th... (whoops!) photographed today:
What's on Your Workdesk? Wednesday 'cheater' day.

Full Spread, January 19th:

January 19th:
Errand Day...
Quickie doodle colored with markers.

Full Spread, January 20th:

January 20th:
PD Day and HUGO.

Over a page...
Full Day Spread, January 21st:
AYVA Arrives!
Our lil'foster Puppy.
This is my 'collage' page.

Full Spread, January 22nd:

January 22nd:
Happy Day... and busy so very quickly assembled.

January 23rd:
Chinese New Year...
Black Dragon stamps and some lovely oriental swap-paper.

Forever Night Challenges: #22 " A Little Strange "

2012-01-19T07:36:00.001-08:00

Challenge #22

" A Little Strange "

Your challenge this week is to create something a little strange.
Remember to keep to the "dark guidelines" and have fun.
******

...aaaand a little strange it is!

Rubber Stamp images are all from Kraftin' Kimmie.
Markers from Pentel.
Inks and Ribbon from Stampin' Up!.
Pattern Paper from BoBunny.
and Creepy Bar Sign was found in a Flickr Clip-Art group.

Haunted Design House Macabre Monday: HDH116 - Chic Freaks

2012-01-19T06:16:00.000-08:00

HDH116 - Chic Freaks

Ok, macabre fans... your challenge this week:

HDH116
"Chic Freaks"

You are to create a dark, Gothic, or Halloween-based art piece

that includes a chic freak or a freakishly chic theme.
Get your freak on... in a chic way.

********

Reached for the Digi-Stamps as I have for many projects this week...
'Sassy Ghost' is from Sassy Studio Designs.
Background is from Ceremony Share.
Image was tinted with Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencil crayons (Had to blow the dust off the tin... Forgot how fun they are!) and a wet blender pen.
Card Base is from The Paper Company.
Who says you can't still be Chic once your Dead?

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 137

2012-01-18T04:57:00.001-08:00

The usual... sh-tuff!
Likely it'll still look like this tomorrow morning though...
Today is an endocrinologist appointment at CHEO for Arthur. Doctor that's a specialist running on the 'I'm a Doctor AND a Specialists' timing. Bringing a long book for the wait. ;O)

If I had some means to do it I would be visiting the other blogs at:
Stamping Ground
Why don't you head on over and have a peek!

So other than the usual supplies I do have 2 projects on the go:
Top left is my Book of Days, slowly growing day-by-day. *info in side link-y*
In the middle the Art Calendar 366 Project *info also in a side link-y* is underway. Finished January yesterday and have the images colored for February (just to the left) on the pile of the images for the rest of the year. I'm planning to get February and March done before the end of January, then 1 month a month from there on out.
And 'the list' of challenges I'm hoping to take part in... though many are sliding right now with my health and everyone else's. In addition the Vendors event I'm attending on the 28th is sucking up time and mojo, need to prep! Stepping out and attending the Ottawa Goth Syndicate's Aftermath Vendor's Fair. My creepy-kooky projects will have a suitable venue! Nervous and stoked all at once.
So... that's my desk. Minus the usual coffee, which I'm off to remedy NOW.

Book of Days: January 16th and 17th

2012-01-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

Snowy... yucky... waiting for the freezing rain to start day... yuck!
But the mailman brought Sunshine int he form of Mail Art from my forward ahead on the Traveling Art Journal circle!!! *happy dance*
I decided to incorporate it into my Book of Days today. My pure circumstance the 'swoop' I drew in the book yesterday 'worked' with it. Gotta love Art-y-incidences! Masking taped it in and used the colors as today's inspiration: Pink sponged in white then stripes in teal.

Yesterday was a good day too, being a Monday.
I love Mondays! So I went bright and cheery.

Spread with the 2 days added.

Art Calendar 2012 366 Challenge

2012-01-17T09:23:00.000-08:00

Messy Studio Day!
Started the Art Calendar 2012 366 Challenge today... I love it!
*Link-up info on right sidebar!*

January is all done and the images I'll be using for the other 11 months are all printed and waiting. Decided to delve into my often ignored stash of Digital Stamps/Coloring Page images for this entire project. Still need to decorate my cover but I figure there's an entire year ahead to do it in, lol.
The *plan* is to get my blank calendar made each month for the *next-next* month ahead.
ie. I'm going to make February AND March this month.
Then in February I'll be making April (2 months ahead) etc...
Dat's the plan.

Little late starting this because I've been rummaging trying to find this book:
It's a Baby's 1st Year Calender was given when I had Arthur (who's turning 14 years old next month) and it only ever got the 1st month filled in.
Guiltily I kept it... NOW it's being put to good use!
Started by ripping out the 'non-month' pages.
It's a great size 12" high and 18" wide (pages are 9" each) and the pages are this super thick, heavy cardstock.
It's already set up for 12 monthly spreads which is awesome!

White Paint 'white wash' to start.

Got all the things that needed to attached ready to go for sizing, color etc...
Image is from Sassy Design Studio colored with Pentels and SU! Markers. Title Letters are Karen Foster paper cut out with the SLICE. Day squares are cut from a Wal-Mart Paper pack... wickedly ooooogly stuff, glad to see it used up!

Started with several paints Light Blue, Silver, Shimmery Blue and White... just started brushing it on. Mostly dry-brush so the white showed through. Layering, sprinkling some glitter on and drying with the heat gun in between.

Then stamped snowflakes eeeeverywhere.
Stampin up! set and Ink.

Then it was just a matter of laying everything out that needed to be attached, to see spacing... then gluing it in. I doodled over the title and Day squares, added the dates and a border with Sharpie.
lil' Miss's clothing is colored the same as my outdoor gear. :O) ...and of course she's a read head!

Since I started late-in I had some catching up to do on the day fill-ins.
So quick and easy!
This is going to be a lovely project to keep the *big* events in.
Going to have to start stalking the 2nd hand stored now for a Baby's 1st Calendar for 2013!

Scrap Our Stash Design Team: January NEW Challenge

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

New Year... New Word of the Year.
For the past 2 years I've not made New Years 'resolutions' but instead chosen a 'Word of the Year' to guide me through the 12 months ahead. Previously they've been 'Create' and last year was 'Home'... both helped me so much focusing my energies to reach toward multiple goals.
This year is: Space.

Started this layout with paper I've been hoarding... it's just so pretty. Lovely Kraft Cardstock paper from My Mind's Eye Life Stories Pad. Though I love how it looks I wasn't sure what to do with it (we all have *those* papers don't we?) it looked 'all done' already.

Across the bottom are a picture of me and some clip-art images representing just a few of the 'Space' things I want to work towards this year: Life, In Home, Freedom, Finding and Financial.
Almost everything on this LO was sized and printed to 'fit' inside the sections already laid out on the Pattern Paper.

Sized and Printed the 'official' dictionary definitions of Space to fit along the side. Listed under 'Supporting Material' (Photo, Memorabilia or Additional Documentation) on the Paper.

Wanted a real office-y, file feel so in addition to gluing it on I stapled it.
When everything was on I spattered some light brown glimmer mist on (coffee colored) and messed it all up with a kleenex rubbed on a light brown ink pad. Some finger prints too!

The middle section was made up suing 2 sheets I ripped out of a small art-pad and made to look like they were held in with paperclips.

The General Information section was filled in with printed papers to look like filing stickers.

Main image was played with on PikNik...
Vintage edge shading, some 'stickers and added journaling: Space: the Word of the Year. This is the artwork of the Artist Sarah Cooper. Her one-year mission: to explore this word, to seek out it’s meanings and build upon these things, to boldly go where no one has gone before…

The coffee ring is legit, it was made with the bottom of a mug 'painted' with the glimmer mist. An inked thumbprint for good measure, then the last thing added was some 'file notes' along the side.

Now it's your turn to take the January NEW Challenge. The January Challenge is anything doing with NEW - it could be a new tool, a new product, a new technique, or the project could have something to do with NEW - like New Years Eve - Our New Home, etc!. Anything goes! Have fun sharing something NEW with us.To participate in the January NEW Challenge - just email a picture of your project along with a description to Scrappinpsycho@live.com All submissions will be posted to The Scrap Our Stash blog and on January 31st a winner will be chosen, and given the opportunity to be a Guest Design Team Member for the month of March. This challenge ends at midnight central time January 31st.

Book of Days: January 14th & 15th

2012-01-15T13:05:00.001-08:00

2 more days done!

Today was a quickie using one of my faaaavorite clip-art images as a background. It just... suited.
The 4 boyz are going nutso today... 'nuff said!

Yesterday was a 'dream day'... quite different from today.
Maybe they burned out all the 'better' behavior yesterday? 'dunno.
This is a snippet of a flocked greeting card, colored in and journaled all up and around and over... Happy Day.

This is where it's at now...

The Shabby Tea Room: Week #96 - 'Vintage Boudoir'

2012-01-15T12:33:00.000-08:00

Week #96 - 'Vintage Boudoir'

Hello shabby friends and welcome to another fun week of inspiration and creativity here in the Tea Room! This week Cindy is our wonderful host and she has chosen the theme of 'Vintage Boudoir' along with this beautiful photo for inspiration ...

... and Cindy asks that you create a card or project inspired by THE COLORS IN THE PHOTO AND USE A SEWING THEMED EMBELLISHMENT! {Sewing embellishment could be something such as: lace, ribbon, pins, stamped image, seam binding, machine sewing, faux sewing, buttons, zipper, bobbin, spool, needle, etc.)

******
A good all-around general 'Hi' card...
Cardbase from The Paper Company.
Pattern Paper from Basic Grey.
Paper Buttons and birdie from K&Company.
Ribbon and inks from Stampin' Up!
Clipart from laptop stash.
Pearl Gems from the $ store.

Try it on Tuesday: Tag Week - Resistance

2012-01-15T09:02:00.000-08:00

Tag Week - Resistance

So the theme today is Resistance and we'd like you to make a tag using a resistance technique, it doesn't matter which you use, it could be faux batik, a gesso resistance, versamark or any other ideas you have.
*********
Arrrrg! Made a Pirate theme Tag.
Tag was rubbed with Red, Orange and Yellow inks...
Then stamped and embossed with clear embossing powder.
Lastly inked over again with Dark Grey and Black ink.
All stamps and inks are Stampin' Up!

lol... It looks very much like an Orange Peel up close!

Haunted Design House: Macabre Monday HDH115 - Metal Mania

2012-01-15T08:13:00.000-08:00

Okay Macabre fans,.... your challenge this week is:

HDH115
"Metal Mania"

You are to create a dark, Gothic, or Halloween-based art piece

that uses, includes, or depicts metal in some way.
You can go very literal with metal embellishments or metallic papers.
Or you can use the Metal music genre for your muse, or maybe some
industrial H.R. Giger type stuff.
Make it dark if you dare!!
We like things a bit more on the spooky side here in 'da house!
*******
Feeling card-y...
Plus I'm trying to make some more stuff to take to the:
Ottawa Goth Syndicate Aftermath.
Need. More. Creep!
Created this lil'cutie.

Drew the wee love-y in the carriage by hand.
Stamped image, papers, embossing powder and inks are Stampin' Up!
Pattern paper from K&Company.
Card base from The Paper Company
Metal Sign-age from Making Memories.

Gingersnap Creations: GC131: Random Redhead Challenge - Candelabras. Chandeliers and Candles

2012-01-15T07:37:00.000-08:00

GC131: Random Redhead Challenge -

Candelabras. Chandeliers and Candles

A sign of elegance and culture, we urge you to put some
Candelabras, Chandeliers and Candles

into your art!
You can go for quirky, stylish or original!
We just want to see those lovely holiday lights!
********
Feeling a little card-y this morning...

Chandelier 'paper' is a Teresa Collins envelope sliced down to fit the card front.
All other papers are Stampin' Up! as is the stamp and ink.
Quote is from the DCWV 'Friendship' Vellum Stack.

Scrapping the Music Challenge #185 "Who Says..."

2012-01-14T16:55:00.000-08:00

Scrapping the Music Challenge #185 "Who Says..."
This week we have an uplifting song for you that was chosen by our DT member Jennifer. It's "Who Says" by Selena Gomez!
We hope you find this song as inspiring as we did!
*********
*biiiiiig stretch*
This is my 1st challenge of the New Year... got a chance to sit down today for the 1st time in 2012 and actually *read* through my blog roll. This one popped out right away!
Page is not my usual styling: It's clean-crisp-simple and pink... but I like it. ;O)
Used a few lines of lyrics and pictures of myself from the past 4+ years. They are in order on the layout. There are 8 because it's lucky if there are even 2 a year I actually 'like'. Kinda the point, bit of a kick in the Can reminder to myself... as the song says.

Stickers are Sandy Lion
Rub-On Title by My Mind's Eye
Cardstock is unknown
Pearl Gems from the $ store

Book of Days: January 13th

2012-01-13T17:28:00.000-08:00

Snuck into the Studio for a few minutes to do today's BOD entry...
Decided that Friday the 13th was a biggie enough day, it gets a whole page. That... and it's opposite the Monday the 9th 'Creepy Doll' page so it just 'fits'. ;O)
Light layer of washed out paint then sponged and stenciled over. Some creepy stamps and white lumiere to highlight the skull and pretty owl, followed by a few hand touch-ups.
Finally Journaling.
Really pleased with the look of this page. No plan of what to do when I sat down and it was all done on 20 minutes. Hail the Heat Gun!

Book of Days: January 12th

2012-01-12T17:31:00.000-08:00

The weather outside is frightful... it's nasty out there!
Good day for Tea, Art and Hiding. ;O)
Major part of the de-Christmas-ifying done too. We're really late with this this year... started late too so it all balances out in the end.

Finished the 2 page spread in my BOD... by dreaming of a puppy.
We are going to be taking a puppy into Foster Care from:
Poet's Vision Aussie Rescue
She is both Deaf and Visually Impaired... and bloodly cute!
We have a week to get the family prepped and ready for the experience.
The boys took it well tonight when told... so mature they are, all solemn nods and some aaawesome questions, not all giddy and silly, which is good in this case.
It's been a busy day of applications, phone calls, cleaning and more phone calls...
I'm excited and really pleased we can do our bit to help out.

Book of Days: January 9th & 10th

2012-01-11T15:00:00.001-08:00

You'fer go fer a Tw'fer in my Book of Days...
Yesterday was nutso-stupid-busy so I did it along with Wednesday.

How the book looks after today:

January 9th:
Checklist stamped and cut out to add and minimal journaling. Did note the Dr. being and hour and 20 minutes late... threw the rest of the day off so not *all* the sh-tuff got done.

January 10th:
Starting a Wednesday BOD routine: Easy BOD day.
I already participate in a What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday blog roll, take a picture of your work space and share with the class. ;O) Since my Word of the Year is SPACE this fits in poi-fect. 52 weeks -minus last week before I thought of it = 51 posts of my work SPACE! Which will be undergoing some maaajor changes this year, it'll be nice to be able to flip through my BOD and see it evolve week-by-week. To make it easy I'm going to print off a snippet of my Blog Post and the weekly picture to paste in. Wednesday will be like a day off, so I have at least 1 scheduled 'break day' to focus on other sh-tuff, or catch up.
Boo-ya!
...and yeah, I put the date stamp in upside down. Welcome to my week! lol

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #136

2012-01-11T06:37:00.001-08:00

*softly tip-toeing in & quietly sliding into the back row*
erm...uh... Hi?
Last posted a WOYWW November 30th... stunned it's been that long.
Shocked myself. :O(
Not once during the December Daily?! *blushing* Bad Sarah!
Go check out some of this week's more dedicated WOYWW peeps:
HERE

I will get better...
This year I've delved into a year long project:
'Book of Day' with Effy Wild
(see sidebar for link-y if your interested, it's FREE!)
I'm swearing publicly...
*raising my hand and placing the other over my heart*
To participate in WOYWW for the next year, solid.
Yes, PLEASE, do call me out if I miss!

Plan to use the weekly pictures of my desk in my Book of Days. My Word of the Year is SPACE and part of that will be *my* Space. Makes for an easy entry too so I know I have some 'time' to dedicate to other things 1 day a week, all scheduled like. :O)

Today I have cleaned up a bit... de-christmas-ified the Studio. The Stamps and other bits have all been packed up in the bin under my desk. Not out of reach, just outta sight.
In the center is my Book of Days, waiting for yesterday and today to get filled in. To the right of it: All my rings, it's a super-painful-swollen-joint kinda day, ugh.
Above them: The collection of pens I tend to favor for journaling. ie. I use them so much they never get back in the cup, so I gave up. ;O)
Across the top: The usual mess of sh-tuff (note to self: wash those durn brushes). Including the 'sign' I need to assemble for the newly re-done bathroom downstairs. It's now 'The Reading Room'... we fixed it up and added bookcases for all the reads that kept flocking there anyways. Another 'go-with-the-flow' instead of fighting-it decision.
I also redid the bins on my desk.
Top Left: The more-used punches topped presently by some of my Steampunk-ier and Spook-ier stamps for something I have coming up *tease-tease*.
Below that: The 'Bits-Bin' of smaller cut-offs, extra printed pictures and odd embellies. I want this close at hand now so I think to reach for these 1st while working in my Book of Days.
mmm... and coffee... of course.

Book of Days: January 9th (Biggie Page!)

2012-01-10T18:03:00.001-08:00

Well... this page just took on a whole life of it's own.
Quite the 'process'...

It's also my Week 2: Something that challenges you and Mosaic Page.
It's about stepping outside of my comfort zone and doing a vendors fair with my Art. I'm painfully shy in person and my creepy-art side can put some people off so I'm even shy-er about sharing it. On the 9th I 'sucked-it-up' and signed up! I had been asked to participate a month ago but 1st timing and 2nd my fears needed to be overcome.

Started by painting it Bright Blue,
the same color that's on the Display Boards for my Art.
Also printed off mini-pics of many (but not all)
of the Art I plan on bringing to the Event.

Then I journaled my Fears and Excuses...
and some git'er'done commentary.
Added my 'nice' Logo in the center.

Then I drizzled a Circle with a Slash through it in RED paint.

...and sponged that sucker on!
Made sure that every last bit of writing and the Logo were covered up.

Then started the Mosaic of mini-art.
However there was now TOO much... so I made a flap for the extra.

'Nuff Said!

Book of Days: January 8th

2012-01-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

Finished another portion of a page-in-progress...
About the MAJOR Retail Therapy run we took the 4 boyz on all day Sunday.
Pattern Paper background... used a scrap so that determined the size.

Book of Days... Week 1... all together now! January 2nd-7th

2012-01-10T09:15:00.001-08:00

Cannot express how much I'm loving the Book of Days!
(pppstttt... linked on my side-bar)
Love the re-use of the textbook I'm altering,
Love the recording of Days,
Love the freedom to do what I want in my book...
no plan or template you *must* follow.

Not sure how regularly I'll be posting my Days:
1 at a time, weekly, batches... meh.
I'm sure a rhythm will develop as the book does.
No stress. :O)

This time It's a FULL week since I had some catch-up to do.

Consider this post a 'walk-through' tour.

Right Now it looks like this:

Since the Textbook was a sexual education one I don't want aaaaall that in the background, all the time... This week I started off by white-washing the pages with Paint.

January 2nd: Full View

January 2nd: Close-Up
Today was Robert's Birthday party/dinner.
Quick pen sketch and coloring with new (not impressed) Poster Markers.

January 3rd: Full View

January 3rd: Close-Up
Robert's Birthday/Lazy Day, another Pen and (bleck) Poster Marker sketch.

January 4th, 5th and (start of) 6th: Full View
um... forgot to take in between pictures. *blushing*
Started in on the 6th and realized I boo-boo-ed.
My Muse was flying along!

January 4th: Close-Up
Today was about some hard questions I *needed* to ask myself, Regarding Art/Work related sh-tuff.
Wasn't feeling to artsy so it's simple, but done.

January 5th: Close-Up
*squeee!* Greg went and found me a copy of The Happiness Project Page-a-Day Calendar!
As well as reading Simple Abundance daily I'm hoping to incorporate some of the days off the calender into my Book of Days prompts.
Today the journaling is on a flip-down Transparency.
January 6th: In Progress
Attached Week 1's 'Use a Tag' with pattern masking tape.
Then added some perty Green Paint.
Scrap paper underneath to support and keep it clean!

January 6th: In Progress
Sponged on washed out pale yellow paint over a stencil.

January 6th: In Progress
Stamped on Family with Black StazOn. Grid work in Dark Brown

January 6th: Close-Up
After the stamping, messed around with Sharpies and Gel Ink.

January 7th: In Progress
*flip* goes the Tag!
Bright Sunny Yellow Paint.

January 7th: Full Page

January 7th: Close-Up
All about the day spent volunteering with Steampunk Canada/Ottawa at the Museum.
After the paint I stamped script on in Rust, Gears in Dark Grey and the Top Hat and Dress Form in Dark Blue. Then I started coloring t/blending the Hat and Dress Form. Stamped different Gears in Dark Brown and STEAMPUNK in Black StazOn. Journaled in Black and Silver Gel Pen.

January 7th: Super Close-Up

January 7th: Super Close-Up

December Daily: The Final Binding!

2012-01-09T12:01:00.001-08:00

IT'S DONE!!!!
So pleased to have completed my 1st eeeeentire December Daily!
WOOT!

Warning: Picture overload below... lol.
This poor little Reader's Digest Book got a whole make-over and fattening up since
HERE at the start. ;O)

Rebound the book and gave it a per-ty facelift too:

I looooove how all the little Day-Tabs look!

Inside cover and the spine are the same Pattern Paper:

Added another picture to the inside cover:

Table of Contents is now all-full-up and Tabbed too:

Reglued to THICK Cardstock before adding the Pattern Paper wrap to the spine:

Tabs!!! I love the Tabs... did I say that already?

December-ish Daily Day 39: Retail Therapy LAST DAY!

2012-01-09T11:54:00.001-08:00

LAST DAY for the December-ish Daily...
I will make 1 more post though with pictures of the final binding!

Day 39: Retail Therapy
Love the little flip cover for the journaling,
It's a Holiday Card from this year trimmed down.
Journaling:
Retail Therapy... for the boyz!
Today we did a MAJOR shopping
marathon. The boyz had ALL of
their birthday/holiday $ and Cards
saved up... Markdown Time.
Every purchase was carefully
gone over... a real teaching exercise.
Holy Loot Batman! ...& PIZZA.

December-ish Daily Day 38: Steampunks at the Museum Part II

2012-01-09T11:43:00.000-08:00

2nd last day of the December-ish Daily...

Day 38: Steampunks at the Museum Part II
BIG spread this time.
3 added flippy pages and LOTS of pictures!
Journaling:
Return to the Museum!
Another Fantastic day of
volunteer 'work' at the
Science & Tech Musum with
Steampunk Ottawa/Canada...
This time James joined us
after a sleepover at our home.
Busy day... lots to see this
time since we allowed some time
to wander. Favorite Part:
The FAB Magic Lantern Show!

December-ish Daily Day 37: De-Christmas-ification

2012-01-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

3 days left to go in December-ish Daily...

Day 37: De-Christmas-ification
A Fun page for a sad topic...
Card:
From here to there is only a wish away...
Journaling:
Good-Bye til Next Year...
Alas the time has come to start
"packing-it-in"... the linens are being
laundered the packed, stockings are on
the table, packaging and bins being
gathered for the final pack-up of
Christmas. Christmas will be in our
Hearts and minds. Til next time.

December-ish Daily Day 36: Gingerbread House

2012-01-06T15:51:00.000-08:00

4 more day to go in the December-ish Daily...

Day 36: Gingerbread House
Another mini-add-in flippy page!
Journaling:
The perfect time to do the house...
Holidays are almost over and the 'bored'
factor is kicking in... House
the the rescue... Arthur did
icing and everyone pitched
in to place the yummies.
Looks Sweet!

December-ish Daily Day 35: Counting Our Blessings

2012-01-06T15:43:00.000-08:00

Only 5 days left in the December-ish Daily...

Day 35: Counting Our Blessings
This was a group effort page, everyone got a slip of paper with a pull tab to write/draw etc... what THEY were thankful for or felt especially blessed about this year.
Greg's shy so his is behind mine. :O)

Journaling under the Pup:
Through much of the Holiday
we all looked or felt like
this guy --> and we survived!
Today I've asked everyone to
list some of the things they
were Thankful for and you
<-- can read them here.

Book of Days 2012: January 1st (Biggie Day)

2012-01-06T08:29:00.001-08:00

At my 1st *real* page... and luvin' the Altered Book method!

This page did not go as I pictured it would... why I even tried I have no idea. lol
*I* pictured the lovely quote standing alone, in a field of white... the other page blooming with color... it leaked! My Muse saw to that...
Managed to keep her reigned down to just the wee dot of red and some yellow but she's sneaky!

Won't quote all the Journaling here, it's all over both physically and figuratively...
It's about the clean blank pages needing to be filled, letting my Mused take the lead (good start!), SPACE being my Word of the Year and committing to follow along with Simple Abundance again this year (after a few years off and feeling a little lost).

Not my usual bunch of mess...
Super-high hand pain day and a heap of packing to do before we head back to the Ottawa Science & Tech Museum with Steampunk Ottawa.
KeepSake's Craft's Steampunk Artwork will there again.
As well as the whole Fam-Damily dressed as they were for the Victorian Photo Shoot used for the advertising.
If your in Ottawa come on out and join us!
Info HERE.

Book of Days 2012: Inside Cover Good-Bye/Welcome

2012-01-06T06:54:00.000-08:00

On to the next step in preparing the 2012 Book of Days .
See the right sidebar for a linky to information on this all year long project...
and JOIN!

Yesterday: Got the outside cover all done and started the inside cover...
Had to wait overnight for the super thick paint I daubed on to dry before doing much else.
I wanted color so I went for COLOR!
Was also feeling 'Quote-y' so I was liberal.

Quotes for 2011:

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past.
Let it go, for it was imperfect,
and thank God that it can go.
~Brooks Atkinson~

Year’s end is neither an end
nor a beginning but a going on,
with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.
~Hal Borland~

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
and next year’s words await another voice.
~T.S. Eliot~

Quotes for 2012:

“The object of a new year
is not that we should have a new year.
It is that we should have a new soul”
~G. K. Chesterton~

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”
~William Arthur Ward~

The Journaling will be completed later...
Over a nice cup of Vanilla Earl Grey and some of my Mum's Shortbread.

I squeezed 6 lines of paint down the pages then daubed them out with a sea sponge, blending them a wee bit as I went. It's thick and the texture is lovely.

Overnight I also let the envelopes dry. They are cream parchment envies, flaps undone then re-attached to become pockets. Then sprinkled/sprayed with Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mist (some of my bottle won't pump anymore... boo).
The dry envies/pockets were matted on Black Cardstock before putting them in the book.

The Journal Slips are also Black Cardstock.
Quotes printed on the 'puter, then cut out and edged with Black Ink.
The spots to journal on are edged in Ink colors to match the background:
One side in Red/Purple/Blue, the other in Green/Yellow/Orange.

Book of Days 2012: Let's get it started...

2012-01-05T13:07:00.001-08:00

I survived NaNoJouMo in November...
I'm mere days from completing the (we extended to Jan 8th) December Daily...
It's time for a new 'make-it-messy' record keeping endeavor.
Welcome to the beginning of my 2012 Book of Days!

This will be a 1 year long project *gulp*:
~Art Journal~Altered Book~Word of the Year~
...and where ever else my Muse takes this.
I'm just along for the ride. :O)

If you want to join up all the info can be found
HERE
(also linked on my sidebar)
Bestest of all... it's FREE!!!
No class fee
No must have supply list
Just come as you are and CREATE!
Awesomeness.

Today I got my cover completed:

I opted to do an Altered Book. I wanted BIG so Greg found me an outdated (early 90's) Textbook in the basement. err... made sure to cover that title well!

I ripped out about 1/3 of the pages as suggested.
This is the book post rip-out-diet.

The subject matter of the text made it actually quite easy to select the pages to pull... I um, removed most of the pictures and her, hum... more graphic diagrams. Nasty pictures of down-there diseases and the like... yuuuuuumy.

LOTS of paint... just plain ol'acrylic a la $ store.

I dabbed a kleenex over after painting to even out the tone and lessen the 'stripes' of paint.

Then I got into it to far and forgot to take any more 'in progress' pictures...
Bad Sarah!
Added layer of Mulberry paper in shades of blue and silver... Strips of 'Space' scene picture from magazines... A bit of stamping and heat embossing... and the Title Work.
Back is the dictionary definitions of my Word of the Year: Space.
Front has a picture of me I fiddle with on PikNik.
Reads:

Space: the Word of the Year.
This is the artwork of the Artist Sarah Cooper.
Her one-year mission: to explore this word,
to seek out it’s meanings and build upon these things,
to boldly go where no one has gone before…

So now it's ready for the year ahead and whatever that may bring!

December-ish Daily Day 34: Robert's Birthday!

2012-01-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

December-ish Daily...

Day 34: Robert's Birthday!
The BIG DAY.
Journaling:
Happy Birthday Robert!
11 years old TODAY... oh my!
Robert-pa-looza continues with a
special Birthday 'Cake' Breakfast...
1 last gift, then off
with Granny &
Grandpa for a
Sleepover/Spoiling.

December-ish Daily Day 33: Robert's Birthday Dinner

2012-01-04T16:57:00.000-08:00

On with the December-ish Daily...

Day 33: Robert's Birthday Dinner
Journaling:
Robert-Pa-Looza Begins! Family Dinner
with Atulit & Cupper in attendance...

December Daily Day 32: New Years Day

2012-01-04T16:49:00.000-08:00

aaaaand this is where I tip-toe past the deadline and my December Daily continues...
We are doing sh-tuff right up til the boyz head back to school and it only make sense to continue recording it. :O)

Day 32: New Years Day
Today has an inserted mini flippy page.
Journaling:
page 1
The 'Christmas'
Pickle was
missed this year
in all the last
minute chaos...
So this year it's
the 'New Years'
Pickle!
Robert found
it in the back
where Greg hid
it well. He got
1 Billion Chocolate
Dollars.

page2
The traditional Swiss Chalet
lunch with the New Jersey Coopers...
Gifts, Food and Final Farewells
before they hopped on the QW
to head back over the border to
the USA. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

December Daily Day 31: New Years Eve

2012-01-04T15:27:00.000-08:00

Last day of December in the December Daily...

Day 31: New Years Eve
The journaling is hidden behind a door... our front door!
Journaling:
Good-Byr 2011...
You can head out the
back. Been wonderful
to us but your time
is up... Open the
door to 2012
and all it brings!
------------
We 'rang' in the
Maritime New Year
with the NJ Coopers
and the younger boyz.
The stayed up with
Arthur & Robert for
'our' New Years...
Happy 2012!!!!

December Daily Day 30: COFFEE!

2012-01-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

Nearing the end of the December Daily...

Day 30: COFFEE!
I didn't take pictures of the coffee ornaments on the tree... maybe for next year. :O)
The signs are in the kitchen, the walls being the only uncluttered place this whole past month. lol
Journaling:
Starbuck's Christmas Blend
always a part of our Holidays...
Stocked up on BOGO... last a... bit.

December Daily Day 29: Geek Christmas!

2012-01-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

More December Daily...

Day 29: Geek Christmas!
Star Wars, Star Trek &
Steampunk on the tree!
Still looking for the perfect
Doctor Who ornament but I'm
sure we'll find it...
May the Cheer be with you!

December Daily Day 28: Snow & Play

2012-01-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

Another December Daily....

Day 28: Snow & Play
Easy, Lazy Day...
Journaling:
Pj's and Boardgames were the ONLY
plans today/ Then it snowed... a LOT...
The lure of fresh, white, fluffy flakes
piling up outside was too much. The younger
boyz went out to romp & frolic.

December Daily Day 27: Dear Santa...

2011-12-31T16:46:00.000-08:00

A real Keepsake for this December Daily...

Day 27: Dear Santa...
Made a pocket out of a parchment envelope for this one.
Journaling:
This year William left a note
for Santa on the Christmas Eve
Cookie Plate... it was answered!
*both letters are inside here*
on the 22nd they had all gone to see
Santa... I guess William had more
questions for the BIG GUY!

December Daily Day 26: Barbara's Birthday

2011-12-31T16:20:00.000-08:00

December Daily continues...

Day 26: Barbara's Birthday
We always make a Big to-do for my Mother's Birthday...
day after Christmas kinda-sucks. So we try to make it special. :O)
Journaling:
Happy Birthday Barbara!
or Grandma, Mom or Wife to others. :-)
Day full of Popcorn & Neverland on
the Big T.V. Followed by presents and
Pizza... Don't forget the Cake!

December Daily Day 25: Christmas!

2011-12-31T15:55:00.000-08:00

The *big* Day in December Daily...

Day 25: Christmas!
LOTS of flippy pages here... and tons of pictures.
Journaling:
Side 1:
Despite deep concerns
this year, Santa came
through! Movies, Candy, Art
Supplies and a UDraw
for everyone!
Side 2:
It WAS a White Christmas!
Snow at the last moment
it was beautiful, perfect.
The day was relaxed, the boys
are old enough now that there
was no rush to "be done".
Starbucks, Pina Colada Muffins,
Turkey Dinner and visits from
Cupper & Matthew. Even
stuffed stockings for
the Pets.
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

December Daily Day 24: Christmas Eve

2011-12-31T11:55:00.000-08:00

Getting there with the December Daily...

Day 24: Christmas Eve
Journaling:
Christmas Eve... 1st to
Church with Granny & Grandpa.
Then opening Christmas Pj's,
Supper and the Santa Key
story... Key on the door and
stockings on the table...

Around pictures:
...and the stockings were laid on the
table with care... side by side...
Opening the Christmas Eve Pj's...
Reading the Santa Key Story...
Santa Cloth 1st!
Santa is too busy to wrap, he uses the cloth.

December Daily Day 23: Handprint Banners

2011-12-31T11:51:00.000-08:00

Another day of December Daily...

Day 23: Handprint Banners
Journaling:
2011
Handprints on the
Christmas Banners...
Bittersweet for me this
year... No more room on
Arthur's Banner. :-( YES
I cried the whole time we
were printing.

December Daily Day 22: School Concert Assembly

2011-12-31T11:45:00.000-08:00

Still more catch-up December Daily...

Day 22: School Concert Assembly
Journaling:
Today was the
Younger Boyz School
Concert Assembly...
Dress-Up day too.. so
the Russett Boyz were
there dressed to the 9's!
So dashing in Suits and Ties.
Mr. Van Evry MADE
all the Parents take
part in an interactive
12 Days of Christmas...
Owe!

December Daily Day 21: Winter Solstice

2011-12-31T10:34:00.000-08:00

Always an extra special day for us December Daily...

Day 21: Winter Solstice
2 inserted flippy pages today...
sliced and glued right into the binding.
Divided the pictures into 'before light out' and 'after welcoming the Sun'.

Journaling:

Winter Solstice
A truly special night for us as
a family... lights out and reflect time.
Offering of fruit, nuts and grains to
the wild ones at the front door...
A Turkey Feast with friends and Family...
A time to sit in the dark and just BE,
then welcoming the Sun back with
fire and hopeful wishes. This our
night to just step away and BE.

Celtic blessings for the season

"Nollaig Faoi Shean Is Faoi Mhaise Dhuit"
Knoll-ig f'wee haan ss f'wee shun-ah g-with
(A Christmas of Happiness and Joy to you) (old Irish Saying)

"May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door, and
happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas."

"In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in
friendship and never in want."

The Magic of Christmas lingers on
Though childhood days have passed
Upon the common round of life
A Holy Spell is Cast

December Daily Day 20: Teacher's Gifts

2011-12-31T10:30:00.000-08:00

Some more December Daily...

Day 20: Teacher's Gifts
Made extra tags when I was assembling the gifts to add here...
Journaling:
2011 Teacher's Holiday Gifts
Over the Summer and Fall months we
canned Apple Chutney & 4 Fruit Marmalade
for gifts... work then, relax now!

December Daily Day 19: Dinner with Nancy & Len

2011-12-31T10:22:00.000-08:00

Catching up on some more December Daily...

Day 19: Dinner with Nancy & Len
Today there's a little inserted flippy page...
sliced the binding and glued it in like the others.
Journaling:
Tradition!
The pre-Christmas
get together with Nancy
& Len was last night...
Mmmm... Chocolate Mousse
and Lasagna... Yum!
Gift exchange and
nice chat...
Moose Poop!
(Yearly gag after a wee one said the Mousse looked like Moose Poop!)

December Daily Day 18: Victorian Holiday, Science of Yesteryear

2011-12-30T14:13:00.000-08:00

A very, very special December Daily today...
definitely a 'trash this book' date!

Day 18: Victorian Holiday, Science of Yesteryear
LOTS of pictures today so I cut an alcove 30 pages deep to accommodate the 'accordion' of pictures.
Bonus: An excuse to use the Steampunk Christmas Ornament stamp I won awhile back!
On the opposite side of our pictures are snips from the advertising for the event and the journaling.
Journaling:
Sunday the 18th we all volunteered at the
Science and Technology Museum... earlier we had
also volunteered as 'Models' for the Victorian
Photo Shoot used to advertise the events. It was a
fun day for all: prowling the Museum in full dress.

December Daily Day 17: The Story of Us

2011-12-30T14:07:00.000-08:00

December Daily about the ornaments for Greg & I:

Day 17: The Story of Us
Journaling:
Once upon a time... (sticker)
Just as the children
have their 1st ornaments
so do we... 1st year we
were 'together', the year
of the Betrothal Hand-
fasting and the year
we got married.
Just for Us...

December Daily Day 16: Memories of Christmas Past...

2011-12-30T13:49:00.000-08:00

A special one for me:

Day 16: Memories of Christmas Past...
Love how the picture in the book I'm 'trashing' just came-up 'right' for this day!
Today I had a rather important Dr's appointment that could have brought some un-good news. I spent the time before hand looking over pictures, post and scrapbook pages from Christmas Past... something I make time to do each year. Today seemed the right day for this. :O)

Journaling:
All I want for Christmas
are things money can't buy... (stamp)
This year
I am grateful
for a small
lull in the activities and preparations. Time
to look back over photos and journals from
Past Christmas Seasons. Some people and pets
are no longer with us... my heart hurts to
see their dear faces. There have been
years of turmoil and years of TRUE PEACE
both have their place in where we all are
this season. We have all come through so
much... The boys are growing and changing
so (too!) fast... Our family has changed too.
I am truly happy with where we are
right now and look forward to seeing this
years festivities recorded... for future years.

December Daily Day 15: Baby's 1st Christmas Ornaments

2011-12-30T13:37:00.000-08:00

Behind in posting again...
what a surprise! ;O)

Day 15: Baby's 1st Christmas Ornaments
Journaling:
It started with 12 blue
Holly Hobbie dolls on my
parent's tree in 1975... I moved out and my 1st
Christmas on my own 1 doll came to climb the tree.
As each boy was born an ornament was
added... Arthur 1998, Robert 2001, William 2002
and Thomas in 2004... each one as special as the boy.

December Daily Day 14: Living Room

2011-12-19T12:28:00.000-08:00

Last day on the December Daily Tour...
Day 14: Living Room
The last stop on the main floor tour (kitchen excluded
for baking!) The living room... hub of all Major
activity for entertaining. Pertied up the most: walls, tables,
shelves... all brimming with Holiday Cheer! Lights too.
So come on in... have a seat and join us to celebrate.

December Daily Day 13: Bathroom

2011-12-19T12:20:00.001-08:00

The December Daily Tour continues...
Journaling tucked away on a little pocket tag.

Day 13: Bathroom
The Tour of
the main floor continues in
the newly redecorated
bathroom. Now the Reading
Room... full of books and
------>
decorated with reading in mind.
Every nook & cranny has some
Holiday Magic in it. From the mirror, to the walls, to the
bookshelves. Lots to look at!

December Daily Day 12: Front Hallway

2011-12-19T11:08:00.000-08:00

Decided to make a wee tour in the December Daily this year...
the next few days will dedicated to that.
Things move and change some each and every year,
it'll be nice to have a record of how it was *this* year.

Day 12: Front Hallway
From Door-toDoor
the house is -FULL-
of Holiday Decor!
The Hallways this year is
home to several of the
count-down calendars, horn,
holly & ivy... even a candy
jar... Please come on in
and Share Our Joy!

December Daily Day 11: Penguins Vrs Bunnies!

2011-12-19T10:58:00.000-08:00

Still behind getting the December Daily posted...
Bit of a fun topic today.
The 'battle' we have of MY Bunnies Vrs Greg's Penguin tree ornaments.
Split into the book again today to insert the journaling.

Day 11: Penguins Vrs Bunnies...
Battle for the Tree -2011-
Sorry Penguins...
better luck next
year. The Battle of
#'s has been Taken! again
this year by the
Bunnies... who have
had several years
head start.

December Daily Day 10: Drop-In Party!

2011-12-15T11:58:00.000-08:00

The Highlight of our Holiday Hoopla...
Our Annual Drop-In Party!

Day 10: Drop-In Party!
The Journaling is on a Tag on the left side. I folded some of the same paper as I used for the background to make an envelope to 'hide' it in.
Beautiful Chaos, much like the event. :O)

Journaling:
Busiest Holiday Drop-In
party E-Vah! Head
count of just over 70
peeps... in 5 hours. The
house was busting at the
seams, but never 'too'
crowded... perfect balance.
The boys had MANY of
their friends over this
year. They are growing
up too fast... No big
issues even with so many
'little people'. New freinds
seen for the 1st time
made this year EXTRA
special! New foods... yum!
School visitors: teacher and
principal and of course
the Steampunk Crowd.
...and a long-lost friend
from the East! :O)
Perhaps the best
party we've hosted...
to date. *wink*

December Daily Day 9: Thimbles, Pepper and Holiday Cookies

2011-12-15T11:08:00.000-08:00

Baking-pa-looza continues...

Day 9: Thimbles, Pepper and Holiday Cookies
Not so much journaling and record/recipe keeping. ;O)
Thimbles to the left, Pepper and Holiday Cookies to the right.

December Daily Day 8: Oh Christmas Tree!

2011-12-15T10:57:00.000-08:00

Little picture in picture here... lol.

Day 8: Oh Christmas Tree!
Another split the book, add a tab for journaling.
The picture of the boyz decorating the tree *TOGETHER* though fuzzy was to good to not add this year so I placed it as background behind the clearer picture of the family with the tree before we cut it down. Picture in Picture!
Then the finished tree is on the left.

Journaling:
Ian's Tree Plantation...
Return trip this year
Didn't take long
to find the *perfect* tree.
Reindeer visits, hot cocoa by
the bonfires "Just like on TV"
says Thomas. Home for lunch
with Granny & Grandpa, then
decorating the tree...
Great 'Hooky' Day from school!

December Daily Day 7: Inflatables and Shortbread

2011-12-15T09:18:00.000-08:00

You-fer go fer a Two-fer Day!

Day 7: Inflatables and Shortbread
I split the book open again today, and glued in a trimmed down recipe card.
Recipe on one side, Journaling on the other.
These are Greg's Job... his
holiday 'thing'. Despite the
lack of lawn space to get them all in!
If/When we move somewhere
with more space the collection
will likely grow. For now
these 4 are cozy together.
Best part is seeing the toddler
crowd go by on walks and stop to
gawk in total awe... Such a
Delight! and so, so cute.

December Daily Day 6: NEW

2011-12-15T09:06:00.000-08:00

'I couldn't post Day 6 until my Scrap Our Stash Design team project was up on the SOS Blog... Spoilers!
So I fell behind in taking pictures and posting.
Over the day I'm gonna get caught up...
*knock on wood*
That's the plan. :O)

Day 6: *NEW*
Journaling:
Two-fold! Yesterday Sarah attended a Cookie Exchange Party with New Friends...
Lovely evening out. Conversations and Cookies!
New Recipes to try... Wonderful evening.
Today was the creation of this year's *new* decoration. Every year a new one is made to reflect the family.
This year everyone is old enough to 'help' Santa keep an eye out...
Rule: You can flip anyone ELSE from Nice-Naughty or back...
but NOT Yourself! It's been a Huge Hit!

Scrap Our Stash December Design Team Project: Anything Goes Challenge!

2011-12-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Every year I make *something* to decorate around the house...
Figure with 4 kids leaving home at some point (no rush... yet!) they will be taking some of it with them.
For now, the more the Merrier!
This year it's this 'Santa's Little List Helper' Sign.
It's been a HUGE hit so far.

We had to make 1 rule though:
You can flip anyone else from Nice/Naughty or back,
BUT not yourself.

It started off as this $2 sign from Dollar-Rama:

I peeled the 'Family' Letters off, easily done with an exacto knife. They're just so pretty, so I'm saving them for another project.
Waste not, Want not!
The sign was then spray painted in a glossy white, 3 coats to get over the pink flowers that kept popping through.
The 'frame' was made using Making Memories Masking Tape laid over the edges of the cut pattern paper I added with a glue stick.

The Dangling Flippers are 2 1/2" disks punched out of heavy cardstock. Ran the black ribbon down in between and then stapled and glue gunned them to the back of the sign. I know they're going to get flipped a *lot* in this house so I wanted to make durn' tootin' sure they wouldn't come off the back.
Printed the Nice and Naught out on the printer using perty fonts and punched them out with fancy frame punch.
Inked the edges with Stampin' Up! Stampin' Spots.

The Title was done mostly with a Sticker Set I've been hoarding for a few years. The 'List' is Thickers the rest was that set by Recollections.

Our names were also done on the printer then cut out free-hand and matted, again free hand.

So that's my Project for Christmas 2011!
~Sarah~

Now it's your turn to take the December Anything Goes Challenge. The challenge is to do just that - Anything! To participate in the challenge just complete a project and email a picture of your project along with a description to Scrappinpsycho@live.com

All submissions will be posted to The Scrap Our Stash blog and on December 31st a winner will be chosen, and given the opportunity to be a Guest Design Team Member for the month of February. This challenge ends at midnight central time on December 31st.

Time Travel Orb

2011-12-12T08:44:00.000-08:00

Stepped away from the Holiday Craft-ies this morning...
and made a tiny Time Machine!
Too bad it's only a prop... could've proved most useful this time of year. ;O)This is for our Steampunk adventures as B.B.L.A.D.E
(Black Bunny League of Acclaimed Demon Exterminators):
Time Traveling Family set to find the vampire that attacked the eldest son (who is now a partially changed vampire) and any other unholy baddies we see along the way...
and Exterrrrminate!
Made a 12 X 12" Page about us, you can read back:
HERE

Yesterday while out at Value Village I found this interesting 'electronic ball' for 99 cents.
Noooo idea what it was, let alone if it worked... just looked neat-o.
Got it home, tried it with batteries...
It's an alarm clock that can wake you up with sound:
Water in several forms, with/without Birds, Falling Rain and Farm Animals (why?!)
Also softly changing glow-y colored lights.
Score!
I took it apart to paint and um, oooops *accidentally* knocked the sound out.
Extra awesome! Far less annoying now. lol
The inside of the clear orb was coated with Mod Podge and swirled with my finger to get a 'homespun' glass look.
The outer parts were spray painted either Silver or Gold, then brush painted Gold or Copper and finished by dry brushing/finger rubbing with Black paint.
Clear coat spray to keep any further Time Travel damage at bay.
There is also a (sowy, fuzzy: hands are shaky today) Video so you can see the lights working away.
Now this is added to our Demon Hunting Kit!
Took several pictures and will shush up now so you can have a look-see. :O)

December Daily Day 5: Home Work

2011-12-05T12:20:00.000-08:00

Today was definitely a 'trash the book' day, though it's hard to see why...
I ripped 8 pages out in between,
then sliced into the glue to attach the 'journal booklet' along the binding.
Today I finished the painting, well... anything that I *plan* to do on the main floor for the rest of 2011. Hanging up my roller and brushes for the year! lol

December Daily Day 4: Everyday Angels

2011-12-05T11:20:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was one of *those* days...
kids wired, every plan unraveled almost as soon as it was made,
dropping things, pain etc...
Just plain ol'frustrating, until:

Day 4: Everyday Angels
Today our thanks and blessings go out
to an Everyday Angel... we had a
rather hurried, busy and not
entirely pleasant day... topped by
the battery in the van dying while
stopped at the last stop on the way
home, running 2 hrs behind...
4 hungry kids, stuck in the cold and
frustrated. A man stopped to ask if we needed a
boost... AMEN and Thank-You to our
Personal Angel. Perfect Divine Timing.

Cut down 8 pages deep on both sides to allow for the pewter snowflakes,
was saving them for a 'special' page. :O)

December Daily Day 3: Naughty or Nice

2011-12-03T10:43:00.000-08:00

Best laid plans of Mice & Mum...
Today's Topic Plan:
The Cookie Exchange I'm attending this evening...
Today's Topic Result:
A 'timely' Topic instead...

THIS is down the side of the 'Santa's List' Page:
The parents were nestled all snug in our beds,
While visions of sleeping in danced in our heads;
When down in the living room there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from our bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the main floor we flew like a flash,
To see what had made the big splash.
Paint on the furniture, paint on the floor...
A puddle was spreading everywhere, in the can was no more.
When inquiries where made as to who was to blame...
The reply was 'Nobody' it was simply a game.
Needless to say we parents were pissed...
Perhaps, where 'Nobody' is concerned... Santa should re-check his List!

Journaling:
The Boyz need to be
warned... lots if time for Santa
to double check that list.
This morning we woke to 1/2 a can of
paint across the floor and *nobody* to
blame... "Nobody" better be careful or "he'll"
be getting COAL this year! Overall
we've had a vastly improved year, but
as always life... and Kids get a
little 'chaotic' closer to the
holidays... Keeps the Ol'
Adults on our toes!

A Year in the Life of an Art Journal: Musical Musing Nov 30th

2011-12-02T17:44:00.000-08:00

Musical Musings Nov 30th

THE PROMPT: Open up
THE SONG: Roll away your stone - Mumford & Sons
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE: texture photo/image
************

8 1/2 X 11"
Pattern Paper background,
Image of myself with a hole ripped in it,
Edges sanded and curled a bit...
and doodling. ;O)

Journaling:

Cause you told me that I would find a hole,
Within the fragile substance of my soul
And I have filled this void with things unreal...

and I have no Plans

to -STOP- anytime

soon. ART has filled

all the holes in my

"Soul"... now you

can work on the

holes in your Soul.

I'm good, Thanks.

December Daily Day 2: Cinnamon Biscotti

2011-12-02T11:53:00.000-08:00

Glad I got a few minutes to sneak Day 2 in today, tomorrow is going to be buuuuuusy.
Today was the start of the Annual Holiday Baking-Extravaganza...
I bake 8 kinds of cookies and never less than 4 dozen of any kind.
...over several day, mind you! ;O)

Today was the Cinnamon Biscotti, takes the longest, most steps/time...
Best to get them done early while the 'force' is till strong. lol
Glued the pages 3 deep on both sides this time, no cut-outs.

Scrapbooking.com Pages Published/Video

2011-12-02T07:45:00.000-08:00

Got the email...
My pages are now up in the December issue of Scrapbooking.com
Article:
HERE

Video:

December Daily: Day 1, Content and Intro Page

2011-12-02T06:23:00.000-08:00

Started slicing and dicing the book I'm 'trashing' this month...
Best part (as always) is the boyz coming in to have a look.
They find it fascinating that the book is actually getting 'trashed'
& it's the book *they* brought home.
Lovin' it so far!

Day 1: "Christmas-ification
The Journaling is on a pull-out Tag.
The opposite 'page' is sliced in 8 pages deep,
3 more intact to make the 'back'.
Wa-Mart Kit Stickers and K&Company Paper.

Intro Page: Before

Intro Page: After

Table of Contents: Before

Table of Contents: After
...and The Christmas Pledge

The Table of Contents is 3 pages deep, using Mod Podge to paste everything up.

Sugar and Dots Card Swap and Blog Hop

2011-12-01T12:41:00.000-08:00

This sounds like fun so I decided to join up...

Card Swap and Blog Hop - Join the fun!
Hello lovelies!
I mentioned earlier this week that my BFF and I are teaming up to spread some fun holiday cheer.Rachelle came up with a fun idea to do a card swap with another blogger.
And swapping cards means you'd have to link up- hooray for a fun way to follow some new blogs!
You'll link up your blog name below so that we know you are participating, and we encourage you to browse each link and follow as many blogs that you'd like.Linking up gives over 4,000 readers access to your link.
By joining the party, you agree to be paired up with another blogger for a card swap.
We'll take care of the pairing up for you!
You can send your card swap partner any kind of card you'd like (holiday, Christmas, friendship, etc)- getting a handmade card is likely to cheer up anyone's mailbox!
The card swap will be open from now until December 7th.
On or around December 7th, you will get your card swap partner's information.
You then have until December 20th to mail out your handmade card.
Easy peasy.
I love me some handmade HOLLA days!
Be sure to post all about your card swap experience with some linky love for your partner!
Rachelle and I will be hosting another linky in January for all of you to read through the card swap posts.Mark your calendars!
Rachelle and I are joining the party- I know we both can't wait to see who we will be paired up with!
And I can't wait to click through your blogs- blog hops are my favorite way to gain traffic and make a new friend!
Ready...set...go!

December Daily 2011... it's a start....

2011-12-01T04:41:00.000-08:00

It's the 1st day of December... time to start the December Daily!
Spent 1/2 the day yesterday cleaning, clearing and gathering in the Studio to get ready for this... and the other Holiday Hoop-la that'll need to be created over the next few weeks.
The other 1/2 was spent painting the living room, parts of me ache I didn't know I had...
Blessings for Aleve! ;O)

Decided that I just *can't* do pre-done pages this year
Tried that last year and it's just.not.me... I need to let my Muse take the lead each day and I can't predict what kinda mood she's gunna be in!
I think clean and put on a good shirt, sure enough... it'll be a messy day.
I say 'Whooo-Hooo... I'm ripping to go!" She says "meh, maybe later...".
I say "s**t to much on the To-Do list today" she whispers in my ear... ideas, ideas, ideas... and sure enough the To-Do list stays undone.
This year I'm planning to do it TRASH-THE-BOOK style. I'm going to alter a Reader's Digest Book my 3 youngest kids brought home. They were coming home from school on recycle day and someone had put 6 books out in the recycle, worn, torn and shabby... my kids 'rescued' them, sure I could 'use them for my art'. I Love my Kids! They are lovely...
I selected this one for the cover paper... wintery and lovely texture.
I'll keep posting as I do each day and you can watch it 'grow & change' through December.
You can join the fun on Flickr following December Daily 2011.

Also spent a gooooood amount of time going through my stamp bins and embellishments yanking anything I thought might be extra useful this month.
If I can see it I'm more likely to use it.

Bin of SU! Stamps, all Winter/Holiday/Word-y Themed:

Bin of Misc. Stamps again all Winter/Holiday/Word-y...
and punches:

Small Basket of sh-tuff...
Things that are 'newer', loose stamps and rollers.

*THE* Bin of Christmas Sh-tuff
Usually lives under my desk for the inevitable 'Christmas in July' project stash grab.
Papers, Stickers, Brads and other Crafty-Cr@p, lol:

The Newest Addition...
2nd hand store finds, 2 garbage bags of donations form friends...
All Winter/Holiday themed. Finally gathered in 1 spot.
The Studio has been cleansed into the 1 Tub:

The problem with cleaning up people gravitate to the cleaner areas and start making a mess... lol
William decided Stamps make good Building Blocks.
Plus he *had* to stamp some stuff to color in...
Yup, he's Mine!:

NaNoJouMo Day 30: Happiness is Within (LAST DAY!)

2011-11-30T05:46:00.000-08:00

For NaNoJouMo
Day 30: Happiness is Within
8 1/2 X 11"

It's the LAST DAY...
I made it!
30 days... 30 pages!!!
Wooooooooot!

Finishing off on a colorful note...
Stenciled image and then colorful doodling.

Quote:
Realize that true happiness lies within you.
Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside.
Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving.
Reach out.
Share.
Smile.
Hug.
Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.
Og Mandino
(1923 - 1996)

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday # 130

2011-11-30T05:18:00.001-08:00

Stop in and check everyone else out at Stamping Ground WOYWW... maybe add your own!

My desk: Messy... the usual. lol
Today is the last day of NaNoJouMo 2011, so I got up a little early to work on that.
My finished page is open.
Need to clear the decks,erm, desk... to make way for December Daily 2011,
which I'm reeeeally looking forward to starting tomorrow.

The rest of the mess, Clockwise starting on the left of my book:
Template I cut out for the NaNoJouMo page...
Dissection Kit and Microscope I'm still figuring what I want to do with in regards to my character Dr.Cooper's medical kit... they need a bit of Steampunk'in! ;O)
My poor lil' Polka Dot plant that keeps trying it's best-est to survive the avalanche of sh-tuff on my desk. Think that fighter plant needs a Mech to fight back with!
Above that... an avalanche waiting to happen. All the paper and sh-tuff from hurriedly assembling pages this past week. That will be gone within the hour! promise.
Topped by the dreaded 'list' book and my Tree Magik cards.
COFFEE!!! of course...
....aaaand the usual pens, blades and sticky stuff of creation.
And my very last dose of Tylenol Sinus. It's been a squishy face week so far and this cold should know it can feel *more* than free to bugger off at any point. please!
well, that's my Mess this week.

NaNoJouMo Day 29: How can I be my best Me?

2011-11-29T11:13:00.001-08:00

For NaNoJouMo
Day 29: How can I be my best Me?
8 1/2 X 11"

Pages from several 'donated to art' books (mostly bunny chewed)
& scraps from DCWV scrapbook paper.

How can I be my best *Me*?
Realize that my story is still going...
Chapters close and pages turn but it's still going...
on & on...
The end is still unwritten too, even if 'they' tell me the book is closing soon.
I can enjoy each and every page NOW as I come to it...
Savor each word...
before I turn the page and not worry about what's next...
Live in the now... Now.