ALIVE / 3

section I : freedom

 and other synonyms

using the lyrics to Shake It Out by Florence throughout the book / 1

floral dress I wore on a night that marked the beginning of The Journey

Florence  / 2

just for a moment

Florence / 3

xo

Christmas card DIY

Christmas is usually my busiest DIY time of the year, gift-wise, card-wise, wrapping-wise, everything. Do what you can with what you have, right? This year was rough though, and my creative energies having been tapped completely dry and time having completely eluded me, I devised a simple but fun personal touch to add to all of my gifts, both given in person and mailed off into the great unknown. Nothing a little cardstock, vintage book pages, and gold paint can't do! And I'm going through a postcard phase...so these were the absolute joy of my heart to put together these love notes for each and every special person. 

xo

Alive / 2

introduction, ish

in the moment

 the reality

 the truth

the agony, the irony

random findings

 personal page detail 

...

I've written about four posts in the past hour, attempting to contrive some sort of meaningful slew of words, but instead, I leave you with more pages of the art journal I probably could've shared last week, or something. Merry Christmas friends. My heart is heavy for those whose families are missing loved ones this year. Holidays are hard, and I'm no stranger to that. All I can say is cling to what you've got and try to find joy in the little things and fleeting moments. 

xo

ALIVE: art journal sneak peek

Hey remember that one time I started an experimental fall art journal using W magazine pages? And how that may've quite possibly been one of the worst ideas ever? Haha. I just couldn't keep up, and the format was annoying. And now I know what NOT to do. Which is actually kind of cool because for the first time, I was able to step back from a project and say "this isn't working; I'm not enjoying it, I'm getting nothing accomplished, and there are a million other ways this could be more efficient". And I was okay with that. Normally I'm wracked with guilt or obligation to a project because I don't want to be a "quitter"...but you can't force life into something that's dead. So I scrapped it. Sometimes it's good to walk away. 

Fastforward to last week when I was hit with some serious inspiration for a new journal; something to do with an extreme urge to chronicle this new chapter in my life and things that've been happening lately. So I've been doing just that! The pages are much smaller and easier to work with. I'm going with a horizontal-opening journal this time, so it's been fun filling wide space instead of working vertically (even though the above photo is vertical, meh). More importantly though, I feel like I'm actually creating something worthwhile, and I'm having a blast. Even though I should probably be working on Christmas gifts. Oops.

cover page / detail

I found the book Alive by Piers Paul Read at a local thrift store. I chose it because it chronicles the story of the Uruguayan rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes in the winter of 1972. Sixteen of the original 45 passengers were found and rescued after surviving over two months in the harshest conditions. I've been reading it as I use pages, and it's pretty incredible. What drew me initially was the book's title. Alive. But knowing that there's such a significant story behind the name makes it that much more powerful, I think. These people experienced one of the most extreme forms of physical survival in the worst conditions, and I don't wish it upon anyone, ever. And I'm not devaluing their horrific ordeal by any means, but I think there's a little bit of survivor in all of us. We struggle and strive in our own way, depending on the circumstances of our lives. No, I hope I never get stranded in the Andes or any extremely cold place because I will probably be one of the first to die (I may be fierce but I don't do cold, ha). But whatever life throws our way, we're left with this basic choice: to succumb or survive. 

That's what I believe anyway. And that's the premise of the journal. 

xo

Fall art journal / 1

I've been meaning to post these for awhile now...I actually have a few other pages done that I haven't photographed yet so they'll make their way here soon enough. I decided to deviate from any journaling method I've ever used  (composition notebook, small separate bound pages, vintage books) that also happens to clear out some resources on hand. In this case, my random collection of W magazines from 2009-2011? I have about eight of them. One night I was in the fall journal mood and decided to just start ripping pages. In hindsight, it might've been easier to use the actual magazine as the base and tape pages into that, BUT I'm really enjoying the free page form that I'm working on right now. How I'm going to bind the pages is another story...I'm thinking I'll sew a paper margin on either the left edge or even the top of the page and use binder rings depending on how many pages I create...but I'll cross that bridge when I get there! For now, massive pages with plenty of space for writing, drawing, and collaging. Perfect. 

journal intro / favorite "fall" colors

Because polka dots/plaid are colors to me. They just ARE. Also, 'oxblood' is the new burgundy, guys. The fashion world is just...haha. I can't even. 

brother's talent show...wanted a really zine feel / thinking out loud, like I do

 Lalalaaaaaaa...are any of you working an art journal of any kind?

Easy Art Journal Organizer.

My little sister likes to hang out in my room while I art journal, and as I got more into it (read: buried under paper scraps and general ephemera) she decided to start one of her own! I was SO thrilled. She's always running into my room with her journal like "BIRD LOOK AT THE PAGE I JUST FINISHED!" haha. I LOVE it.so.much. And when her birthday rolled around I wasn't quite sure what to give her...but then it hit me. She already has unlimited access to my supplies, but how cool would it be to have a stash of her own? (And also clear her desk of all the scrapbook paper and pages she's torn out of magazines). 

My favorite thing about this little organized starter kit is the fact that it's quick and cheap to assemble, as well as easy cleanup for the person using it (that's probably my mom's favorite part). Another cool thing is the adaptability of the concept for all ages and interests. Of course, if I were to make this for one of my friends, I might upgrade to a plastic storage container, etc etc. ANYWAY. Here's what's inside!  

 The Basics

-Folder for scrapbook and other paper (which, like I said, my sister already has plenty of)

-What art journaling experience is complete without a great playlist?! I compiled a mix of our favorite 'sister songs'

-Stamp and stamp pads ($1 each at Michael's)

-Neon rainbow gel pens (88cents)

-Gluesticks (from my own massive stash)

-Stickers! She's really into mustaches right now so I HAD to get some of those, along with the Phineas & Ferb ones (confession: I bought the P&F ones for myself too; at $1 each? HAD TO)

-Decorative tape: I have a really limited supply of washi tape/can't really afford to buy it regularly, so I started printing patterns on label paper and cutting it into strips to use. Not exactly the same thing, but just as cute! I gave her some of my favorites. 

-Large ziploc bag for paper scraps: I have all of my scrapbook/art journaling paper organized in a plastic bin with hanging file folders, but I still use this method for my small scraps. As of right now it's busting at the seams so I need to do something about that, ha.

-Odds & ends: I have a box of random found objects I like to use in my journaling, so I put together a little bag of miscellaneous notecards, envelopes, pictures, photo corners...anything that could possibly be used to add interest to a page. My hope is that she adds her own little elements as she journals. 

Last but not least...

-Prompt cards! The baby bird has a beautiful creative spirit but we all have those days when we're just stumped and need a little nudge of inspiration. I wrote out different ideas for art journaling pages on notecards and put them in an envelope. 

The final product! Again, nothing but the basics. Shoebox storage and mini organizer tray I found around the house. There's even room for her to store her journal in the box too! Everything stays neat and tidy. If only MY craft supplies were this organized! 

She really loved her gift, and literally ran upstairs with it the minute she'd looked through everything. I can't wait to see what she comes up with! 

Hope you had a fabulous Labor Day weekend! Did you do anything exciting? Have you ever made a kit like this (or in general) for someone before? 

Play that song / 2

For one of my art journaling pages, I had to draw inspiration from a music video, and either use that song for the actual journaling or a different one. Here's the video I chose: 

And the song I used: 

At the end of the day, I reallyREALLY loved this prompt and will probably use it a few more times. So much creative potential. It was actually a little difficult in the beginning to look at the video and decide which elements I wanted to put on paper (I'm a perfectionist, but there's no right/wrong way to work on an art journal, so onetwothreepeaceful), but the party theme was a no-brainer and the masks. Of course, the masks. After watching the video a few times I realized I had my work cut out for me- my very own three minute inspiration board. How cool is that? Um, very. 

I hope you're gearin' up for a fun weekend! The Boyfriend and I are taking a mini roadtrip to Galveston for some much needed maxin' and relaxin'. Yep, you heard me right. Ladies and gentlemen, I will FINALLY be getting some serious facetime with the salty spray and sand between my toes. Beach better be ready, I'm comin' for ya! 

Products used: recycled envelope paper, vintage recipe book, paper bag, typewriter, thrifted vintage postcard, sequins, tracing paper, thread, glitter scrapbook paper, washi tape, gesso, nailpolish

Hers.

It's your party, you can watch season two of Downton Abbey if you want to, watch if you want to, waaatch if you want to! Happy birthday mommabear, I love you! 

Play that song / 1

Because obviously my life isn't busy enough with working full time, art projects (including my Summer Of Love art journal), learning about photography, reading, getting ready for fall semester, spending some quality facetime with people I love...I signed up for yet another art journaling class taught by, once again, the eversolovely Miss Kara Haupt. I mentioned it two weeks ago in a B&P post. Yeah. That one. Art journaling about music is taking me to some really exciting, weird, deep, and semi-scary places. 

You guys, even though I turn a twitching, wary eye/fullbodycringe at the thought of marriage, it's a little too late for me. I'm married to music, and always have been. More on this later, because I never personally weighed in during the Record Store Day series, but I wanted to share some of the pages I've done in this book so far. I included one or two lyrics pages in my Summer of Love journal, but this is a whole other beast. A composition book turned awesome. And in true Loverboy style, I'm lovin' every minute of it. 

front&back cover, unfinished / button detail (gold dipped in neon pink...it was a good idea at the time...)

inside cover / intro page / detail

genre page / other side of the spread is blank right now (why I listen to what I do..hmm)

random journaling / music from my past page / detail