Category : Blog

1716 posts

201901/07

T Tuesday: ski trip edition

Today I went on a ski trip with the 7th graders. I’m not a skier but I was there to support and encourage the kiddos. I tried skiing over 20 years ago and was pretty sure I was going to get hurt if I kept at it and I needed to drive the bus home so figured I better quit. This time I wasn’t needed to drive the bus but there was no way I was putting on skis.

I may not have skied but I became very proficient at helping with boots, bindings and picking kids up off the ground. It was so fun seeing the kids go from hardly able to stand to going down the slope.

I stood outside at the bottom of one hill or another for about 5 hours today. So happy it was hovering around the freezing point instead of way below like is typical this time of year.

A day filled with exercise and fresh air needs a hearty breakfast…like this one. Wish this would have been from this morning. This breakfast was during winter break while planning some of the flurry of blog posts that made it to the site. It was really great to be so prolific in posting.

I’ve been working on getting caught up with my journals…not the art kind. I’m planning to do a flip through video eventually. I’ve also been thinking about doing flip through videos of some of my completed journals and altered books if there is enough interest. What do you think?

What are you doing today?

Blog

not art at all, T Tuesday

16 Comments

halleday

201901/02

A second look: Vintage book journal prep

Welcome to the first edition of Second on the 2nd of 2019. It’s fun to look back and re-share posts from the past. Since my focus lately has been journals I thought I’d re-post a tutorial I wrote about one of the ways I prep a vintage book for altering. The altering after this point is completely up to you.

Take a look…

2/8/2015

Since I was starting a new journal I thought I’d share with you my process for prepping the book. First find yourself an old book that appeals to you. For me it was the size of this book. Not too small or too big… Just call me Goldilocks. journal prep5

Look inside to see what kind of binding you have.

This inside cover gave me a really good indication that I had a sewn binding but I had to make sure.

Yep…sewn binding. Perfect! Now we’re ready for the thinning of pages without leaving chunks of torn pages along the inner spine. Removing pages reduces bulk since the altering of a book whether journal style or a themed altered book adds lots of bulk!

I find the center of each signature (as seen in the above photo) and remove the page from each side.Like this. I go back and carefully pick out all of the torn fragments. It will appear as if nothing has changed until you look at the page numbers. You’ll have a definite gap which would make reading the story a real challenge at this point.

I remove at least one page from each signature, sometimes more. You can always go back and remove more. journal prep7

Here you can see the gaps along the spine and how the book is more narrow going toward the outer edge. This is exactly what you want.

You have a nice stack of pages for your altering pleasure when you are done.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So here’s an after photo of the completed Gypsy journal.

Thanks for stopping by for Second on the 2nd.

Art | Blog | Creativity

Gypsy journal, Second on the 2nd, tutorial

6 Comments

halleday

201901/01

T Tuesday: New Year edition

Happy New Year!

Here we are beginning 2019 with T stands for Tuesday. Perhaps since its a new year there are new people stopping by for our weekly gathering hosted by Elizabeth of Altered Book Lover. Each week we share something whether it be travel, the latest art project, a challenge, gardening, fabric arts, trip to the zoo..you name it, you share it..it’s all good. The only thing to keep in mind it is a social gathering so you must have a beverage of choice in your post. That’s it…easy peasy.

Just so I don’t forget…here’s my beverage to start things out.

Mini-me and I picked up some bulk tea at the grocery store the other day. We decided to actually use our fancy smancy teapot for a change. The tea was good but a little pricey. It will be our special tea.

I’ve been working on some embellishments for my December Daily journal. Yes I know December is over. You can read about my dilemma with journal space here.

The tassel was the first addition I made. Then I got to looking at my scraps and decided some little collage pieces would look great in the journal as well.

I really like the little star charm I stitched to this one. Adds a little bling and movement in a really simple way.

The polka dots are my favorite. There is just something about polka dots that just makes me happy.

What are you doing today?

Blog | Creativity

December Daily, embellishments, fabric, journal, T Tuesday

18 Comments

halleday

201901/01

2019 Word of the Year

Trust the process.

Trust yourself.

Trust in God.

Trust your choices.

Trust your ideas.

Trust your intuition.

Trust that things will work out in the end.

This art journal page cemented my Word of the Year. I was wavering between a couple of words but when this page came together I knew trust was it.

I love all the texture fabric provides. The stitching and frayed edges. I also love the handmade paper a lovely gift from Elizabeth. She knows how much I love her HMP. Thank you, dear!

I trust that you will have a wonderful 2019…I plan to.

Art | Blog | Creativity

art journal, WOTY, WOTY 2019

2 Comments

halleday

201812/31

2018 Recap

Here we are at the end of 2018. Time to take a look back at the year and discover the highlights.

Such as my word of the year…Discover

Looking back I’d have to say that I made some discoveries along the way.

I discovered a new type of journal keeping that gives me the freedom to do what I want. Not a rigid everyday, writing only journal.

I discovered that I like like making videos of my creations. Not sure where this will go but it’s fun nonetheless.

I discovered how much I love my job now in year 2 back to work. Developing relationships with those crazy kiddos whether they are “mine” or not has been amazing.

Another big discovery was learning to let go of the things I can’t control. This is a work in progress…

I discovered… I am strong, I’m funny, I am clever & creative and I am uniquely me.

I am also a Norwegian from the Mid-west and those statements are as close to boasting about oneself as I dare tread.

I thought I’d share a couple of collages of the important things of my year….from both my personal and artsy/crafsy sides.

Events, travels, triumphs and good clean fun.

So many crafts…so little time.

Now I look forward to what 2019 has in store for me. Stay tuned tomorrow for the reveal of my 2019 Word of the Year.

Art | Blog | Crafts | Creativity

art journal, crafts, lefse, loom knitting, nature's art, travels

4 Comments

halleday

201812/30

Christmas wrap up

Christmas has come and gone but we still have our decorations up. It seemed like such a short time that I can’t bear to take them down yet. I love the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights…they feel somewhat magical.

The only thing that has come down are the Christmas cards and photos. We received so many photo cards this year that I had to start a second row around the kitchen/living room archway.

I always enjoy handmade cards and was lucky enough to get two in the mail this year. The first was from Rita of SoulComfort’s Corner. We’ve been pen pals for a couple years now…although, truth be told, I’m a really crappy pen pal.

Next I got a special envelope from Elizabeth of Altered Book Lover. Each year she makes a tip-in. This year I was also lucky enough to also get a lovely quiltlet or wall hanging…whatever you prefer. I love fabric and mixed media so this is right up my alley.

I think perhaps I’ll include the quiltlet into my December Daily. I think it would be a nice and unexpected addition to the journal.

Speaking of December Daily…I’m woefully behind. I didn’t really think through the fact that my new “journal station” happens to be the desk in J’s room. This is fine when he’s not home but…he is…and will be for another 2 weeks. Not that I’m complaining at all but I just haven’t figured out a good alternative space to spread out but not have it be in the way. In the meantime I’ve been creating some embellishments to add to my journal when I get a chance. You can read more about those in another post.

Back to fun Christmas gifts and memories. First I had to show this gingerbread house I bought for the kids, especially J. J has always been a huge fan of Mario. The kit cracked me up when I saw it at Michael’s so of course I had to get it for them to create.

I received some really fun gifts from co-workers at school such as this t-shirt.

And this……the BEST GIFT EVER.

Those of you who follow me on Instagram have already seen it but I don’t care…it bears showing again.

It was a really good Christmas. Friends, family and fun.

Today is Mini-me’s sweet sixteen! She is spending time with a friend…bowling, snacking and laughing just to name a few. I’m in awe of the fact my children are growing up so quickly.