Visual Journal Pages

This Journal Page was about the early departure of the hummingbirds this year.
I used fabric, paper cut out, and painted my little hummer friend.

It's been one of those periods in life when I feel like I am working more than ever but accomplishing far less then I would like to! I get really frustrated when I don't have time to FINISH something without a million interruptions. I also get edgy when I don't have time to just daydream and play. Hence, the recent funk I think! I am thoroughly enjoying my class, 'Studio Journals: A Designer's Workhorse' with Sharon Boggins (through Joggles). I am not following the lessons exactly but am using some of the techniques in a way that suits me. Sharon always comes up with fun ways to do things and she gives you so much wonderful information. It's takes some time to absorb it all and figure out how to make the techniques "your own". My friend, Lauren, is always telling me that I tend to read directions only as a last resort - and I tend to suspect that she's right - and also that this applies to artistic instruction as well! If you have ever thought about taking a class with Sharon - run, don't walk - to sign up for one! I can't wait for more!

This Page is because I have been enjoying watching so many butterflies this year....
and because I love the combination of pink and gray !

For this page I was just playing with bold color and cut outs.
Childish fun that I can't get enough of !

More paper cut out fun ... on a background that had been lingering, unused , for too long!

Visual Journaling : Week One: Page 1

Last week I began an online class with Sharon Boggins through my favorite craft class place, Joggles. The Class is called "Studio Journals; A Designer's Workhorse" . This is the first page. Although I am not sure that it is exactly what Sharon had in mind - it is what hit me when I thought about beginning, at last, a more visual way of charting my days. I have journaled for more than 20 years now - some years were spotty - but the more often I wrote ,the more I had the pleasure of reviewing in future years. It goes along with my belief that in order to really know (and appreciate) where you are, you need to know (and remember) where you've been! My closest friends have a way of being my alternate memory repository. Lauren , Maria , Sarah & Janet are always reminding of this or that that we did years ago. I love having this alternate source of memorabilia - to fill in the times that I had pushed aside from active memory. I think I will really enjoy being more visual in my jounrals. It was a change I had been contemplating for some time. There are times when just one visual "memory" can bring a flood of all of the tastes, smells and feelings of the time. I'm lovin' this class - so far !

Plums

Plums. I have plums on the brain. Who does not love plums?! Lauren, friend & recent provisioner, gave me a l a r g e bag of plums last week. I can't say that I had planned to spend as much of the weekend in the kitchen as I did, but I can't bear to see good fruit go to waste. We were in the midst of a heat streak so I had to have fans blaring away as I cooked. I made 18 pints of jam. Plum & plum/blueberry (I also had some blueberries that needed to be used). Next came the plum tart. I really was not sure how I would like the recipe - but it turned out very well ! Next, because I had be up to my elbows in plums I had to journal about them!

I just began a wonderful class with Sharon Boggin through Joggles called "Studio Journals: A Designer's Workhorse". I had wanted to add more visual elements to my journaling and thought that this class might inspire me. I'm not sure that this is what Sharon is talking about doing - but it worked me since plums were a definite part of my weekend ! If you have not made yourself acquainted with Sharon's work I would encourage you too.

Plum Tart Recipe from Food Network Courtesy of Ina Garten's "The Barefoot Contessa Parties"

2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts 3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), diced 1 egg yolk 2 pounds firm, ripe Italian prune plums, pitted and quartered lengthwise Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine the flour, walnuts, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the butter and the egg yolk. Mix, either by hand or with an electric mixer, until crumbly. Press 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture in an even layer into the bottom of a 9 1/2-inch springform or tart pan. Arrange the plums in the pan, skin-side down, to form a flower pattern; begin at the outside and work your way in. Sprinkle the rest of the crumb mixture evenly over the plums. Bake the tart for 40 to 50 minutes, or until it's lightly browned and the plum juices are bubbling. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and transfer the tart to a flat plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.