Ohhh, I had lots of fun today! I had a box to recycle and finally took off all the tape and my address label before putting it out in the bin. Tore off the top flaps so I could have some cardboard to work with, and decided to use up some more scraps from my endless stash!

The first collage is made with some lavender papers left from a journal I made, and incorporates lace, flat-back pearls, a paper flower and a snippet of purple velvet in the top right corner (lace on top). So pretty!

Next I covered the closure that I removed from a packet of baby wipes to make a handy little storage pocket for Q-tips or pins or something. Covered with lilac papers and flat back pearls, plus a lovely butterfly that I fussy cut and raised up with thin foam.

The last is a large collage I made using scraps of Old Lace papers, tiny and large flat back pearls, a snippet of lace trim and a gorgeous butterfly cut from the paper collection. I glued te collage to the front of a small paper bag, added lace to the top of the bag, and an oragami dress made from a tea dyed book page and embellished with trims. This dress-paperclip was in my stash and goes well with the bag. EnJoy them all!

Lavender Collage

Lilac and Butterfly Hinged Pocket

Lilac and Butterfly Hinged Pocket 2

Old Lace Collage Bag

Old Lace Collage Bag

Old Lace Collage Bag 3

I made two little journals from a folded section of a tissue box, cut in half crosswise. For the first one, I left the pattern on the box visible for the front, and covered the back and inside covers. I used some heavy, lined papers torn from a guest book and cut to size for the pages. A lovely yellow paper flower decorates the front cover; inside it’s plain.

The second journal has a Christmas theme, as you can see! I had fun creating pockets and tuck spots with cards or tags in those for writing or drawing. Again, the pages are from the heavy paper as in the first journal. I closed the journal with a paperclip shaped like a bicycle; very cute! We shall see what tomorrow’s creation will be. EnJoy!

Yellow Flower Journal

Yellow Flower Journal 2

Noel Journal

Noel Journal 2

Noel Journal 3

Today I decided to start using up some of the empty tissue boxes that I save for art projects. My artist colleague Natasa of Treasure Books has a video with a slew of things one can make out of tissue boxes, so I used the first example as my project for today. I had thought I might make a few different projects, but this one took longer than anticipated.

So the box was cut open to lie flat, end flaps cut away, and I left the opening intact to make a window pocket that holds a bookmark. The widest section inside the two side doors had a fold, so I added another layer of card cut from a frozen pizza box to the inside, to cover up the seam and prevent it from bending.

Several pockets and tuck spots provide space to hold two booklets and some little folded tags to write or draw on. The doors did not lie flat with just the ties in the middle, so I decided to tie it closed top and bottom, as well. I am quite delighted with this little folio! EnJoy!

Butterflies and Roses Folio

Butterflies and Roses Folio 1

Butterflies and Roses Folio 2

Butterflies and Roses Folio 3

Butterflies and Roses Folio 4

Butterflies and Roses Folio 5

Today I had the pleasure of talking on the phone with a friend I met several years ago, when we were both at a dental clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, getting treatments. He is a magician and I’m a Laughter Yoga leader, so we went out for dinner that evening to share our views and practices for encouraging people to laugh! We had not spoken for a long time, so it was fun to catch up today.

This evening I went to town on another fun little collage, incorporating scraps of corrugated card, paper, lace trims, a doily, a music paper cone with flowers, and a charm built on a paperclip, all of it backed by a torn piece of manila file folder.  I love this one! EnJoy!

Love Collage

Love Collage 2

Today I went to have a stress-test; my heart is sound and in beautiful shape, I’m happy to report! I even got to see pictures of and hear her beating! Hurray! I expected no less.

This evening I gave a speech for my Artists of Toastmasters club, on the subject of this art challenge. I encourage everyone to be gentle with themselves if they can’t produce something on a given day, or if feeling blocked. Our Inner Artists thrive with love, encouragement and praise, so if all you can do is paint one inch on your canvas, or write three sentences of your novel, that counts! That is praise-worthy and deserves applause! I have experienced several days along my journey so far when I simply could not come up with something new, so I wrote about that and shared a photo of something I created in the past. That counts, too. Be kind and loving to yourself and your artist will thrive!

This evening’s creation is another mini file folder, inspired by Pam of the Paper Outpost. EnJoy!

Dream Big Mini Folder

Dream Big Mini Folder 2

Do you ever have days when you wonder, what did I do today? That’s me today! OK, I washed 2 more loads of laundry and hung things outside to dry in the sun; I trimmed and washed my hair; I took a walk, ate my meals and talked to a friend on the phone and read some posts and comments on Facebook. But how come that took All.day.long? 

This evening I made a little Super Cluster card, inspired once again by Pam of the Paper Outpost. Oh, and I joined her Facebook group yesterday so I get to show off my creations there, too! I’m not sure I like this card; the elements are rather random and may or may not make sense together. However it’s done, and I used up some scraps. Now I can make a better one tomorrow. EnJoy!

Super Cluster Card

Another gorgeous day in Paradise! Perfect weather; I wish it would stay like this for the whole summer, no hotter. Ah, well, I can dream! Took a nice fast walk to get my blood pumping; not too much huffing and puffing! I’m in wonderful shape, I’m happy to say.

I made one last brown paper bag today; now I’ll move onto something else! For the moment, anyway. I was planning to put some hearts cut from music paper on this, but just could not find the right elements to complete the design. Finally hit on using this image from a Victorian ephemera calendar, with silver and blue bling top and bottom to spice it up. Enjoy!

“Baby” Brown Bag

It’s finally here! The Dream Album is complete and I got the video made today. EnJoy watching it here!

I also decorated yet another small, brown paper bag with some scraps from my stash.
To purchase this album or any of my other art, go to this link: 

Dream Album Go here to order

Elegance Brown Bag

I was all set to film my Dream Album this afternoon–the sun was coming in the window just right and I was all set up to film–when I realized that I had not finished embellishing to my heart’s content! SO, one more day must you wait for the video. The embellishing is done now and I can film tomorrow, if all goes as planned and there are no more interruptions.

So this evening I decorated another little paper bag I’d made; I think I’m addicted to these! They are quick and fun. The image on this bag is the front of a greeting card I received some time ago, and was keeping for the perfect project. The trim and the leaf from my stash give it just the right touches. What do you think? EnJoy!

Princess Bag

Today I learned that an local acquaintance of mine, whom I’ve not seen in over two years, has fairly advanced Alzheimer’s, and does not have the financial resources for long-term assisted living in a memory-care facility. Another friend has taken on overseeing his care and making what arrangements she can; the man has no family and is on Medical, so the options are limited. Very sad! If you’re able, make sure you set aside funds for your own elder care when the time comes, and if you have family, be sure to enlist them for help if they can. Sending love to all who have health challenges of any sort!

Today I added a word to the front of my Dream Album and finished embellishing the spine. Getting closer to the end now, and can hardly wait to show off the whole album! This is the first time I’ve ever shared the progress of making a journal. I hope you’ve enjoyed the pages.

Dream Album Front Cover

Dream Album Spine