Tell Your Story - Journal Page - May 15, 2010 - Past Three Years

"Tell Your Story"

I will be posting a journal page a day! While I'm taking an online class, through Red Velvet Art (RVA), called Tell Your Story. (registration is closed) It is a 6 week class so, I'll be posting one page a day to my blog for the six weeks.

This will be a visual journey of self reflection via mixed media collage and a personal challenge...

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Past Three Years... can also be viewed on flickr, along with comments from other class members... 

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Says: The past three years have been difficult... the most challenging years of my life (our lives). I want to move forward. (I also drew an infinity symbol)

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Ingredients: dark purple tissue paper torn into strips; light, floral, purple tissue paper; wrapping paper; photograph of a leafy statue I took at the MN Renaissance Fest in 2000; painting by Jose Bedia 2010 called (Caminemos Juntos) Lets Walk Together; lined note paper, pen and glues.

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The past three years have been the most difficult. When I saw Jose Bedia's painting I knew it would help me express my emotions during this time. 

 

While the painting itself may have different meaning to Mr.Bedia, I chose to use it represent an emotional landscape. For me this time was filled with sadness, fear, doubt, worry, grief, sorrow, pain...

 

When I looked at the painting I saw this couple and they appeared so tiny compared to the landscape. It looks as if they may be leaving something negative behind and heading towards something positive. The wisp in the sky seems to be guiding them. In retrospect that is how it was. I added the leafy figure to reinforce this.

 

I'd rather not discuss what was actually going on, as it is too personal to discuss here in public forum. If you are concerned please, take comfort in knowing that that time has passed and life is much improved. We are stronger now and life, once again, is wonderful.

We can choose our path in life but we don't always get a choice in what happens along the way. What we can choose is our reactions to those happenings. Surrounding one's self with those you love & trust will be one more tool we can use to get us through life's up's and down's. Life always has ups and downs. Be prepared.

I want to thank everyone who was there for us during this time. You know who you are, so thanks. Your love and support was much needed and of great comfort to us both.

 

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Please look but don't copy.
All comments, thoughts and constructive criticisms welcome!

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xoxo,

Blueberry Blonde

Tell Your Story - Journal Page - May 14, 2010 - I Feel Safe

"Tell Your Story"

I will be posting a journal page a day! While I'm taking an online class, through Red Velvet Art (RVA), called Tell Your Story. (registration is closed) It is a 6 week class so, I'll be posting one page a day to my blog for the six weeks.

This will be a visual journey of self reflection via mixed media collage and a personal challenge...

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I Feel Safe... can also be viewed on flickr, along with comments from other class members... 

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This says: summer, winter, spring, fall, I feel safe

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The second image is a close up of a photo I took in Sunshine, ONT, CA. There is a loose puppy running in front of the team, that's Abe. Then leading the team is Acorn & Collie Boy. Behind them is Dan and Chuck. The wheel dogs are Veronica and Dove. Driving the team is my husband Bill.

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Ingredients: Vogue magazine page, my own photographs of various places - one was taken in Minnesota, the other two were taken in Sunshine ONT, CA. Mary Englebert Scottie dog ribbon, glow in the dark marker, glues.

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Please look but don't copy.
All comments, thoughts and constructive criticisms welcome!

xoxo, 

Blueberry

Tell Your Story - Journal Page - May 13, 2010 - Small Steps

"Tell Your Story"

I will be posting a journal page a day! While I'm taking an online class, through Red Velvet Art (RVA), called Tell Your Story. (registration is closed) It is a 6 week class so, I'll be posting one page a day to my blog for the six weeks.

This will be a visual journey of self reflection via mixed media collage and a personal challenge...

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Small Steps... can also be viewed on flickr, along with comments from other class members... 

 

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this says: Small Steps get it done a bit at a time... Bake more, sew, keep organized, connect, dress up! Journal, go garage sailing.

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ingredients: floral fabric, Elvis fabric, machine stitching, floppy drive sticker and torn white stickers and glues.

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 Please look but don't copy.
All comments, thoughts and constructive criticisms welcome!

xoxo,
Blueberry Blonde

Live Chat w/me in the Etsy Forums Today

Good Morning! 
Today I am a featured artistis in the Etsy forums.
It's a live interview with me all day (until 10 pm CST) 

Please come visit, read the Q&A and join in!


Hope to see you there,

Blueberry

Tell Your Story - Journal Page - May 12, 2010 - Pretty Soon

"Tell Your Story"

I will be posting a journal page a day! While I'm taking an online class, through Red Velvet Art (RVA), called Tell Your Story. (registration is closed) It is a 6 week class so, I'll be posting one page a day to my blog for the six weeks.

This will be a visual journey of self reflection via mixed media collage and a personal challenge...

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Pretty Soon... can also be viewed on flickr, along with comments from other class members... 

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says: PRETTY SOON new job, birthday, sushi party, more hat making, enter juried art show, donate clothes, daily yoga, make a loaf of bread, enjoy more daily walks, pretty soon the spinach & lettuce I started will need transplanting, pretty soon I will be teaching my niece to sew, I will be driving to Mpls., a good friend will graduate! (Shelly), our anniversary!, garage sale season!, apples will grow!, rhubarb will be ready for harvest!, more inventory for Etsy shop!

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Ingredients: wrapping papers, ribbon, glues, felt, spotty cotton fabric, pink plaid, neon pink netting, pen.
 

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Please look but don't copy.
All comments, thoughts and constructive criticisms welcome!

xoxo,

Blueberry Blonde

PS: Today's my birthday! I went to down town Stevens Point to meet my friend Toni Starr, yesterday. I helped her dress two windows, at The Dive Shop, with her watercolors, paintings and a wall hanging. Which was a first for me & it was really easy and fun to do. It's for the art walk that's going on this week. Afterward we had pizza & beer. Good times.

Tell Your Story - Journal Page - May 11, 2010 - Dream Homes

"Tell Your Story"

I will be posting a journal page a day! While I'm taking an online class, through Red Velvet Art (RVA), called Tell Your Story. (registration is closed) It is a 6 week class so, I'll be posting one page a day to my blog for the six weeks.

This will be a visual journey of self reflection via mixed media collage and a personal challenge...

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Dream Homes... can also be viewed on flickr, along with comments from other class members...

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says: Dream Home(s)...
NOW: little red brick farmstead w/lots of animals & gardens.

FUTURE? The Fowlerton *open porch * cupola * lots of light * (spiral) stairwell *pass through in kitchen * fireplace. Level 1 1,100 square feet. Level 2 1,075 square feet. * needs a bsmt!

funky shape, apothecary storage, funky lamps, art studio w/360 degree view, also: sauna, bees, workshop for Bill, 3 babies, hearth, posh rugs, spiral staircase, grow fruit & veg, raise chickens, a bath is a must have! RELAX! novel bar (for fun). A place to put down roots and grow a family.

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Other thoughts:
I'm living in my dream home! It is a cute red brick farmstead.

When I was looking through my old journals I had many pages of home furnishings and blueprints cut out already...

The Fowlerton house is one I had really dreamed about before getting married and finding the wonderful red brick place we currently live in. Follow this link to check out my blog post all about my red brick house!

I just really liked the funky shape of the Fowlerton and in turn all the odd shaped rooms. The house has so many windows that it would be a bright space for living in. There's a fire place which I love.

I miss having a wood stove / fire place... when we did have one, one of my favorite chores was splitting fire wood =) I'm actually kind of good at wielding an axe! I'm pretty good at starting a fire too... that is a skill worth learning, especially if you're cold. One could say you learn faster when there is need.

The front porch, of the Fowlerton, looked nice and seemed, to me, like it has the possibility of wrapping all the way around. I imagined our kids practicing tricycle on it and chasing each other around and around...

The part I really liked and would claim as my own, would be the cupola. With its 360 degree view! I really wanted a bright art studio and with the added height I could really see a ways off for inspiration. 

From there I could star gaze or prolong sun sets...

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ingredients: variety of cut / torn magazine pages - some are over 10 years old, paper, pen, silver sharpie, staples, glue, ribbon.

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Please look but don't copy.
All comments, thoughts and constructive criticisms welcome!

xoxo, 

Blueberry Blonde

Tell Your Story - Journal Page - May 10, 2010 - My Thoughts Are Full

"Tell Your Story"

I will be posting a journal page a day! While I'm taking an online class, through Red Velvet Art (RVA), called Tell Your Story. (registration is closed) It is a 6 week class so, I'll be posting one page a day to my blog for the six weeks.

This will be a visual journey of self reflection via mixed media collage and a personal challenge...

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My Thoughts Are Full... can also be viewed on flickr, along with comments from other class members...

 

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says:
My thoughts are full of right now

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When I saw the title for today's theme, My Thoughts Are Full, I instantly thought of meditation.

Being present in the NOW.

Also keeping my AJ pages simple & uncluttered is a goal of mine. I feel I've succeeded in integrating form and reducing complexity to achieve minimalism for this page.

I was really lucky to find the meditating woman and blending her with an active woman helps to convey the idea of fleeting moments.  

Happiness comes from within. It's a state you can live in from moment to brief moment. Build meaningful social relationships to sustain you. Change is the only constant in this crazy world. Meditating can help focus you.

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ingredients: pen, random bits of paper, magazine pages, tissue papers, purple tulle, green lace, silver trim, heart shaped brad, mirror.

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Please look but don't copy.
All comments, thoughts and constructive criticisms welcome!

xoxo,
Blueberry Blonde

Tell Your Story - Journal Page - May 9, 2010 - I Adore Animals

"Tell Your Story"

I will be posting a journal page a day! While I'm taking an online class, through Red Velvet Art (RVA), called Tell Your Story. (registration is closed) It is a 6 week class so, I'll be posting one page a day to my blog for the six weeks.

This will be a visual journey of self reflection via mixed media collage and a personal challenge...

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I Adore Animals... can also be viewed on flickr, along with comments from other class members...

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It says: I adore animals! Dogs especially. Here are some random bits of dyed paper towel. I thought they kind of resembled a cat & two dogs. So, instead of making a journal from an existing book I did this... when I find the right book I will make one...

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You're probably wondering what I mean by that odd journal entry....

I'm talking about this day's assignment, of making a journal from an existing book.

In all honesty I'm not that crazy about the idea.

I guess I just do not feel the need to destroy a book just to make a journal out of it.

I get it that the page is already 'started' for me and all I'd have to do is doodle and add thoughts. I even went to the good will looking for a book to destroy, as it were. I came close to getting one, but I just couldn't do it.

A magazine or catalog fine, but not a picture book. I think it may have something to do with the established brand or identity that already exists with the book. I even opened a few books and tried to imagine drawing on their pages...

Don't get me wrong, I do write in my text books and make little notes or even doodles. I've even gutted a book just for it's hard shell to make purses from... so I know I can do it. I choose not to.

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If you're interested. 

Click this link for my tutorial demonstrating how to make art from paper toweling - technique.

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Ingredients: acrylic paint, paper towel, netting, random bits of paper, pen & glue.

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Please look but don't copy.
All comments, thoughts and constructive criticisms welcome!

xoxo,

Blueberry Blonde

Tell Your Story - Journal Page - May 8, 2010 - Summer

"Tell Your Story"

I will be posting a journal page a day! While I'm taking an online class, through Red Velvet Art (RVA), called Tell Your Story. (registration is closed) It is a 6 week class so, I'll be posting one page a day to my blog for the six weeks.

This will be a visual journey of self reflection via mixed media collage and a personal challenge...

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Summer... can also be viewed on flickr, along with comments from other class members...

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yellow and doodles and tape! oh, my!

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I love color, don't get me wrong, but I hardly ever use or wear yellow... but it really works for a summer themed page. Plus I'm learning to get out of my comfort zone and expand my artistic horizions...


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I had to resist the urge to continue adding elements until the page was full... (I'm learning...)
I think I was successful in keeping elements and text to minimalism.

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Ingredients: Pens, papers, glue, star shaped hole punch.

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How I made this:

First I doodled, then I irregularly tore and glued a piece of plain, yellow, paper near the bottom, then glued tissue paper over the whole page.

I added another piece of torn, yellow paper, this time legal pad paper over the previous torn page, slightly askew from the first.

I tore the face from a Dr.Pepper ad in Vogue. The girl in the swimsuit is from an Alloy catalog.

I hand made an envelope from gold gift wrapping paper and glued a map inside for the lining which also helps with stability/strength of wrapping paper. I have glued it open & in place, so the envelope does not close.

I used purple masking tape for the lettering and the stripes.

I used the same yellow, legal pad paper to write a two sided list of things to do this summer...

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Please look but don't copy.
All comments, thoughts and constructive criticisms welcome!

xoxo,
Blueberry Blonde