..cos it's in the details...


Hey journally friends!

Challenge yourself to do something different in your next journal entry... this one is so small but it's fun to make intentional accents on your page backgrounds.


Simple circular marks (profound huh? hehe)

All you need is:

• White or coloured acrylic paint or gesso. I used gesso in this example.
• Something circular with a hollow center. I suggest NOT an Easter egg :) - the lid of my glue bottle worked dandy.
• A sponge

Sponge paint directly onto the circular edge of your chosen item. I apply it fairly generously because I like the goopy look. Press onto your page background prior to writing and allow to dry. That's it!

Yes it's simple. Yes you know how to do it. But have you done it in your journal recently??

Tips

• Vary your circle sizes
• Vary your paint colours
• Test first on a scrap of paper if you like
• Wash your sponge straight away - acrylic and gesso once dry will ruin your sponge if not removed.

About this page

I was fortunate to go see my friend Monique Rhodes play at Artworks Theatre on Waiheke Island just recently. I hadn't seen her play live before and WOWS! I knew she was a talented singer but I was completely blown away. She recently produced the Merry Christmas Baby Plunket benefit album featuring the talent of Shona Lang, Opshop, Jordan Luck, Hollie Smith, Annie Crummer (and herself!)... and was nominated for the 2010 New Zealander of the Year Award - how cool is that.

The night was fantastic, clear evening, fitting venue, good chit chat and laughs (hi Lara!). More than once I was moved by Monique's strong yet soulful performance. I especially liked the inspiration for 'Blue Skies' where she spoke of how the sky is always blue above the clouds (stresses of life) ... an insightful reminder on rainy days. She was touring with Jane Siberry and I'm ashamed to say I wasn't familiar with well all I can say was I felt like I was part of something really special. Jane's narrative expression was intimate, intuitive and profound.

Monique:



and Jane:



I will let you know next time Monique is touring here!
~Kathleen... makin white circles :)

Labels: Great People, Great-Places-Auckland-Region, Journal Tips and Technique, Journal-Pages, Music

Hi friends!

I'm back in New Zealand actually I've been back two weeks already. Time goes so fast back at work and in every day routine!

I thought I would share with you what my journal pages look like post-trip. They aren't pretty but the bones are there...




I get a lot of questions about how my pages come together and there are some past blog posts that talk about a general page process. Here and here.

• I don't get my photos printed while I am away so I guesstimate space needed. This can be tricky. Sometimes I will look at my camera and see what photos I took and then space out exact spots, other times (especially if I took a lot of photos in one location) I will leave half or whole pages free. I like the challenge of working with the space I've got - sometimes I will not have allowed enough space so I have to get creative with foldout extra pages glued in, flaps and insertions. Other times I allow too much space and which is also fine because then I can add extra research, quotes or found images from books/internet and larger embellishments/designs such as rub-ons to add to the space.
  
• I like to write as much as I can at the time so it is fresh in my mind. Also a great way to spend my time waiting for transportation, on planes etc.
  
• Sticking cut up brochures, postcards and ticket stubs into your journal as you holiday/travel allows you to cull the memorabilia you collect. For example I was able to cut up the Mystery Spot brochure for the bits I wanted and then throw the rest away knowing it wasn't needed - less to carry!

Lessons for me (in regards to journaling!) from this latest trip:

• Next time I will leave the additional embellishments at home - I didn't have the time or inclination to do anything more than cut, stick, draw and write. On a more static holidays in the past I have used the embellishments/tapes/ribbons.
  
• On this trip where I made extra effort to stick items as I went I didn't need daily plastic bags for bits. One bag held the rest of the memorabilia and it wasn't that much as most was already included into my journal. Daily bags have come out though at home to sort that small additional items and my photos.

Now I am going through the process of going back and gluing/attaching in the photographs and adding additional journalling, information and items as needed. Also the fun part of prettying the pages up with items that make me happy!

So you don't all think I'm superwomen keeping up the whole time - there ARE some days that are just plain blank. Those dates I either didn't have items to stick in or I didn't have the time to work out space and write there and then. But there are not that many so playing catch up isn't too daunting. Just remember - work on today first, then go back and fill in the gaps.


Any tips that you have found work well for journalling while travelling? I would love to hear them!

Oh and here is a pic of that crazzzzy hotcake (pancake) mentioned in my last post - check out its size in relation to the coffee cup!!

tata for now!
~Kathleen

PS: Post for Kim :)

Labels: Great Places International, Journal Tips, Journal-Pages

Helloww from Kingsman Arizona (of Route 66 fame!)...
Google Arizona weather right now and you will see what I am in the thick of out here. A little hairy weather wise. In fact I'm holed up in a hotel hoping flooding will have cleared some for the trip to Phoenix tomorrow. Apparently 60-70% of the total YEAR'S average rainfall has fallen in the last two days. Today's trip we just took it easy, visibility was very poor, some side roads were unpassable, we saw a power transformer explode, a off road vehicle taken out by a flooded road, power cut while we took a starbucks break and apparently everything east of our immediate area is being hit by snow. So rather wild! Safe sound and warm so all good.

In brief, I've been keeping up with my journal - will have lots to show when I get home! So far done SanFrancisco including Alcatraz, caught up with sis and BIL, then here in Arizona been to a couple of concerts and yesterday Las Vegas!

Must go, just thought I would check in and say hi. Fingers crossed for me that the airport is open again and on schedule for my trip to LA.

ttfn!
Kathleen
PS: Today I had served to me a 'hotcake' that was so big it hung over the edges of the large dinner plate and was at least an inch (yes you read right) thick... and it was a half serve! Apparently I ordered not realising it was a kinda speciality - a full serve, if you eat it all you get it free. I made it not quite through half (of the half serve) ..lolol

Labels: Great Places International, Updates

oooh I must be organized if I have time for a quick blog post before running off to the airport!

I know I'm always interested in peoples art materials and kits. So I thought I would show you what I'm taking with me on my trip.

From left - down then right down:

• Selection of journalling pens. I prob should streamline more but what if I need a particular colour? hehe
• 3 Sharpie Markers. Mainly for the edges of cut items. Black, Maroon, Turquiose.
• Small portable watercolour set. I love the antique tin its in.
• Eraser. I never use it but I like having it
• A small bulldog clip or two
• Tiny scissors. Not in carryon luggage... I forgot one time..
• Thin tape. Handy if I journal on the plane.
• Scotch Quick Dry Tacky adhesive. My fav.
• Pitt Brush markers. For sketching in 3 shades of grey.
• 3 Sketching pens Black. In case 2 (!) die.
• 2 sketching pens red and sepia and two sketching brush markers also in red and sepia.
• Regular pencil H. Would normally have a mechanical pencil but they appear to have walked.
• Funny cutting tool. For carry on purposes.

• Plastic Bags. Enough for one a day.
• Dates. Ready for journal entries.
• Tape reappeared in this photo.
• Post it notes. Why? cos they're cool.
• Journalling notebook. Handy for quick notes.
• A sampler pack of cardstock from a older product release.
• My current journal/s
• A few prepared cut out images I think I may use.
• Printed gaffer tape. To tape hinges and extentions.
• A few pieces of black ribbon and twine.
• A rubber band
• Small selection of appropriate rub-ons and stickers.

All fits in a plastic bag and pencil case!

Oh and of course my camera, awareness and sense of adventure :)

Now I really must fly... for reals!
ttfn!
Kathleen

Labels: Art, Journal Tips, Materials, organization, Product-favs

There is so much to love about 7Gypsies products. From the subtle colours to their original products. 7Gypsies love to do something different. So it makes sense for this Product Preview event that we do something different too.

Introducing the 7Gypsies printers tray. With 12 ATC sized compartments it makes the perfect, wall hangable Birthday Reminder board.

At this Product Preview event you will be making this useful and lovely project, get to see the new 7Gypsies Venice collection, enjoy a light supper and be in to win some 7Gypsies prizes!

Cost to attend this event is the special price of $49 (kits may be available after the event for $59) which includes the materials/project pack to make this special keepsake.

Product Preview: 7Gypsies Venice Collection
Date: Wednesday 20th January
Time: 7pm
Event fee: $49
Please Bring:

• Basic kit (Paper trimmer, pencil, fine tip scissors, ruler)
• Adhesives (I used Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive and Selley's Glue dots)
• Tiny photos of friends and family members.
• Brown stamping ink and sponge.
• Black felt tip pen.

Phone 09 912 0665 to book. Limited spaces available so book in quick!

~Kathleen, Linda and the team at NZ Scrapbook

Labels: Art, Classes-and-Workshops, Inspiration, NZ-Scrapbook

Three sleeps till trip... want to do blog posts! Starting the day with a theme song. By the way, I'm not familiar with snowboarding as such but check out the air that dude gets!!




ttfn!
~Kathleen

Labels: Music

Had a good night at Altered Book Club last night. Pretty much no topic of conversation is safe and once we get talking journals there is no stopping! Tidbits that came out of it:

• The question of what wordy content to include in your journal. Obviously a journal can be a thought dumping ground however from the group last night it seems many of us like to avoid to much of the 'woe is me' entries (unless you really need it!). Looking back on pages show growth, challenges, illness, frustration but also equally or overly balanced by achievements, productivity, outings, people we love (including ourselves) and experiences.
• How the journal pages and entries evolve. This is where journals easily fall into the Unique As Your Personality category. Preferences included planning pages, a page a day style or what I like to call an organic development of a page. Main thing to remember is there is no right or wrong way - just what works for you.

We also discussed how we decide when a page is finished, sketching in our journals and covering text.

If you don't have an Altered Book Club, Journal Club or something similar in your area grab a friend, and start working on your projects on a regular basis. Talking and sharing your art with people (who become friends!) is very enriching.

Thanks girls!!

EDIT: Oh I meant to add - Next Altered Book Club at NZ Scrapbook is Thursday 11th February at 6.30pm. All welcome, FREE, bring something crafty to work on - I bring cake! :)

Labels: Altered-Book-Club, Journal-Notes