Junk Journal

I made this junk journal for a swap in one of my art groups.  I spent about 3 months pulling it all together and really had a lot of fun with it.  The cover evolved as I worked on the project.  I added the cross stitched bluebird, and even a little face made from a piece of an aluminum can that I embossed.

I made several handmade charms to attach to the binding coils.  I have a closer view of the charms & how they were made posted on my hobby site, here:  http://www.hobbyloco.com/charms.html

You can see from the top view that I made the book really thick and chunky.  It is full of all types of papers, pockets, tags, postcards, and random bits of this and that.  There are easily over 100 pages, many are undecorated, but I did embellish a few to get the book started.

I have already posted several of the pages on my Journals & Sketchbooks blog here: http://cherylsjournals.blogspot.com/ - however the pages posted below weren't included in that post.

These pages all feature needlework - crochet or cross stitched motifs:

 

The beach scene on this page was cut from a piece of a junk mail ad.  This seashell is one of my original cross stitch patterns, and is available as a freebie here:  http://www.hobbyloco.com/XSpatterns2.html#seashell

This page has a watercolor painted background and features a cross stitched squirrel.  Also a freebie pattern of mine, available here: http://www.hobbyloco.com/XSpatterns1.html#squirrel

 I couldn't resist adding a small crocheted doily to the book.  I crocheted this doily from a free pattern found here: http://www.freevintagecrochet.com/free-doily-pattern/spool52/five-point-star-doily

If you are curious to see more pages from the junk journal, be sure to visit my other blog here: http://cherylsjournals.blogspot.com/

Have a fun & creative weekend!

Twelfth Full Moon of the WIPocalypse

Since this is my busy season ... and I stitch all day long for work, I tend to rest my hands at night.  So, I haven't accomplished much "pleasure stitching".

My only finish for this month is the Candy Land Gingerbread House, which I plan to finish into an ornament. 

The pattern may be found here:
http://www.thesilverneedle.co/freecountedcrossstitchpatterns.html

I also made a bit of progress on my linen bunny sampler ... but will photograph it next month.

On a craftier note ... I managed to finish a couple of handmade Christmas postcards for a swap.  I used printed scrapbook papers, a flower shaped punch, and glitter glue to make bright holiday trees.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and create lots of happy memories.

a Happy Day!

My happiest days are spent ripping and glue-ing, splattering paint, stamping and doodling, and making a BIG MESS! 

I made these crazy happy postcards to send out to a couple folks in the IUOMA (International Union of Mail Artists) group - who happen to be crazy happy people.