Hi Guys! Sorry for the radio silence. We spent most of July having house guests and traveling – plus it was my birthday, so I was happy to celebrate turning 42! If you know me personally, you may remember that I celebrated my 40th birthday by being discharged from the hospital after having my right cancerous breast removed. Woohoo! So although I turned 42 years old, I celebrated this as my 2nd birthday without cancer in my life. I took a month away from social media in August, and I just didn’t feel like writing a blog post.
So here we are – September! I was somewhat productive in the time I was offline. I have started making journals, in addition to painting with watercolors and soft pastels. Let’s see if I have any good pictures to share.
These are a couple watercolor greeting cards I painted the other day. I will be making more, I’ve just fallen down the rabbit hole of journal-making currently (reference photos: Photo on pmp-art.com and Photo by Breno Machado on Unsplash)
This was one of my first hand-stitched journals that is not just a simple pamphlet stitch. It contains four signatures that are bound together, and they are then attached to the cover, which I painted with watercolor crayons, by a ribbon. I think it turned out quite pretty. Reference photo – Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
Then I made some personal size traveler’s journals using Kraft-tex, hemp cord, and vintage buttons. I also found some really pretty patterned cardstock in my stash from a decade ago as well as my local Michael’s. I used that, as well as some vintage typewriter paper that was my grandmom’s, to make the inserts and coordinating folder.
Then I modified a tutorial that I saw on Youtube by Lyriclover810 to make another variety of journal. I used some of that patterned cardstock that I bought at Michaels’ to make the cover and the journal inserts and folder. It is about 5×7.
Let me know if I should record a video with flip-through of the different journals. Leave a comment with your opinion.
Lastly, I also started gelli printing with my homemade gelli plate. I made a journal out of the print on the left side above. It has four signatures sewn into it. The prints on the right side are on canvas sheets from the pad. I am still thinking about how I want to make those journals.
I have quite a collection growing, so have decided to set up a table at the craft show at the church we attend. I might also start up an Etsy shop or something similar. Watch this space…
So what do I have planned for the rest of the month? Probably make another journal or two and paint a few more watercolor cards. I hope to sell enough to at least pay for my table fee – if I can sell more than that, that would help offset the cost of my art supplies. Wish me luck!
Brandi Made It! 