Love Life everyday using a second hand old book . . .

Hello sweet friends, Tracy here today and can I just tell you all how excited I am to be sharing my love for second hand books with you all . . . I loooove them!

Tatty, battered, rustly, pages missing, corners turned down, signatures inside . . .

 that`s what I call a book that`s lived and has character, my favourite,lol.

I have two to show you, inspired by Christy Tomlinsons She Art Workshop

and 

the ever so talented Karen who is hosting this months 

ePlay Challenge - Alter a book.

You can find all the details for this months challenge HERE

 This is going to be my new art journal book, I usually forget about the covers . . . but not this time!

I want something to inspire me to pick it up and play.

Apologies in advance to you all,  I seem to be doodling She Art girls at the mo, always with half a face, hahaha!

Anyhoo I applied Gesso first, the pigment in the old cover bled slightly but that`s okay I can go with the flow.

A quick doodle when it was dry and then out came some Dylusions Ink Sprays, a little scoosh onto my craft mat and then applied with a brush to give my girlie some hair, lovely loose strokes.

I just kept adding colour, drying with a heat tool, adding more and drying until I was happy.

I also used a touch of Dylusions Ink Spray in Pure Sunshine as well  . . .  

just typing that name makes me happeeeee . . . mad I know.

A few doodles doodle doo`s because I do love to doodle doo.

The background was created by first applying the green Pan Pastel from Mixed media Kit 1 and then fixing the color with cheap hairspray.

Now more scooshey fun with Dylusions Ink Sprays in a few green shades and then applying them with a brush.

A touch of Distress Stain in Vintage Photo around the sides to add a touch of age and shadow.

A few Idea Ology Chit Chat Stickers and then a light coat of Faber Castell Gel Medium all over to protect it and I was done.

Now I have had time to have a wee play inside . . . wanna see?

I used a mixture of Pan Pastels and Dylusions Ink Sprays to color me doodle doo.

 Guess who is going on holiday in a Gypsy Caraven in July?

Whoooo . . . Yes Me, Alex and the mad pooch Rosie!

I am getting sooooo excited, can you tell, hahahaha.

 Here`s my other altered journal.

This one is full of texture and I kinda love her blue colored hair, more pictures of this one and step by step on my blog HERE 

if you want to see more.

Well that`s about it from me today except to say

thank you for taking the time to look

and 

I hope I have inspired you to go grab a book and get altering!

Be sure and check out the challenge

 plus

 you will see some of the most

Inspirational Journals from the rest of the team right HERE

Till next time

XOXOXOX

List of materials and links -

Gesso

Faber Castell Gel Medium

Pan Pastels from Mixed media sets 1 & 2

Dylusions Ink Sprays

Idea Ology Chit Chat Stickers

 Tim Holtz Distress Stain - Vintage Photo

Peek into my 12 days before Christmas Journal . . .

Hello sweet friends, Tracy here today.

 I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and all looking forward to the New Year that is coming closer and closer!

Before I share a little peek into my journal, I would like to thank Kim and Bonnie for being so understanding after my op recently, as well as all the fabulous ladies on the team . . . I haven`t forgotten you all I promise and I have loved seeing what you have all been creating.

You may remember that I did a post a wee while back showing you the covers of my journal, well here is a peek into the first seven days . . .

 First Day of Christmas . . .

. . . pretty Graphic 45 Papers & Stickers, Gesso, Chipboard, Pan Pastels . . .

. . . along with Simple Stories bits and bobs and Tim Holtz yumminess to complete the inside front pages.

On the 14th December the mistletoe was hung ready to surprise the unsuspecting victims,lol!

Each book page was given a swipe of Gesso, followed by a quick pencil sketch, adding the colour with Tim Holtz Distress Stains and watercolours.

I love the way the products give the pages the feel of canvas . . . yumminess on a page!

I  received a beautiful stamped parcel that day from a lovely creative friend, who lives in Australia and I wanted to pop that memory into a page . . . sooooo out came the pencil to sketch the birds onto a page along with the recycled postage stamp, chopped up quote and some of the washi tape from the front of the parcel.

December 15th . . . still not feeling up to doing what I would usually be doing and feeling frustrated with myself when Alex to the rescue!!!

Besides our main tree I also have 3 small trees that I dot around the house and I really didn`t think I would have them out this year, when my lovely husband took it upon himself to decorate not one BUT all three trees.

He really enjoyed himself plus it was a pleasure to watch him at work!

What makes my heart sing?

Honestly . . . give me an old branch, hang it in my window, add a few baubles, hearts, a fairy and some homemade bunting along the window and I am in heaven!!

My branch looks oh so very pretty, simple and so quick to transform a room.

December 16th -

I wanted to record a little snowflake I made for Alex, it was the first thing I have made since my op and boy it felt good to be creating!

Gesso, sketching, stencil, Pan Pastel and a little German Glitter Glass . . .

. . . I wish you could see this page in real life the dazzle and twinkle from the Glitter Glass is so, so beautiful.

December 17th - I went back to work and was terrified of hurting myself, but fear not I have two guardian angels who made sure I didn`t do anything that would set me back.

Out came the yummy Graphic 45 papers to make the dresses, apron and legs . .  snip, snip, snip . . . before turning into . . .

. . .  this with a little doodle doodle dooing and some inky paintiness and I had managed to capture how I felt.

Sofa Snuggles . . . 

Okay, so I admit to having went back to work way too quick and finding it a daily struggle right now.

How have I been spending my nights?

 Yep, snuggling in my housecoat on the couch next to Alex watching . . . 

Dr. Who, lol!

Got to love Graphic 45 pretty papers!

December 19th -

Surprise picnic at work tonight . . .

Twas all quiet at the school that night . . . until I opened a door and stepped into a transformed room . . .

a beautifully set table all decked out for a Christmas feast by two beautiful elves called Janet & Alison.

I went with the picture on the crackers to journal . . . a little bit snipping of the pretty papers again and some doodle doodle doings to record such a beautful heartfelt surprise.

 Friday 20th December -

I fell by the wayside I`m afraid . . . last day at work in the school, not sure how I made it, but I did!

I managed to make a school from pretty papers, paint the background and add a few details but it`s not quite finished yet I`m afraid . . .

I have sketches in a notepad for the last of my days of Christmas and will be finishing it up over the next few days in my journal, along with pictures printed out and snuck away in hidden pockets along with a few recipes.

It`s amazing what you can achieve with an old raggedy unloved book, pretty papers, Distress Stains and imagination!

Have you journalled your Christmas memories?

If you have then please let us know in the comments, we would love to see them.

Till next time

Big hugs to you all

Tracy

xoxox

List of materials from the eP Store and links -

Graphic 45 - 12 Days of Christmas Patterned/ Solids 6x6 pad

           12 Days of Christmas Paper Pad Collection

        12 Days of Christmas Cardstock Sticker 

 Tim Holtz - Distress Stains Various colors

  Pan Pastel exploring mixed media set2

Claudine Hellmuth Studio Gesso