I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Wednesday 5 December 2018

Winter Journal III

Hello all!  It's almost like the good old days here at Words and Pictures, with posts popping up daily.  (In fact, back in the early days, there were sometimes multiple posts in one day!)  It's been considerably quieter in the last year or so, but I'm determined to keep December creative, rather than let it get lost in a rush of preparations, baking and shopping and decorating.  So I'm back with page 3... (Winter Journal I and Winter Journal II if you missed them.)


This Winter Journal is not the only thing happening here.  There was my Matchbox Poetry at PaperArtsy a couple of days ago, and there's a Vintage Journey project due any day now, but both of those projects were made a while back.  So the journal is really the only active thing on the craft table, and I'm having a wonderful time playing in it.




A reminder - it's a kraft journal, 8x8 inches square... from Paperchase, if I remember rightly.

I accidentally put the staple through two pages when I was making Winter Journal I so, since then, I've been gluing two pages together as I go, to create a sturdier substrate, but they're perfectly fine as individual pages.













This page is full of the hustle and bustle of December.  These two friends are hurtling from shopping expeditions to exhibitions...














... to theatre trips.















They have invitations to respond to...














... and in between all of that, they are busy wrapping and sending all their Christmas parcels through the post.














There's some Tim Holtz tissue wrap way in the background, behind all the ephemera, but it's almost entirely vanished.
















You'll see there are common elements appearing here... the snowflakes...

















... the film strip ribbon, the metal embellishment...













... and of course the Paper Dolls themselves.

So although there are slight variations in ingredients from page to page, so far it's really nice not to have to make too many decisions about what I'm using.  Instead, I'm letting the stories take shape, led by the characters who are centre stage, and just enjoying the journey.











The words on each page so far are certainly deeply connected with the behind the scenes activity going on in my life at the moment, so there is clearly something bubbling up from underneath as I go without me really noticing.






Thanks so much for stopping by today.  As I say, it's A Vintage Journey up next, so there'll be a slight hiatus in the journal posts, though I'm happy to say the next couple of pages are already done... I'm definitely inspired by this self-imposed challenge and since, so far, each page spread has taken well under an hour, there's still time in the day for all the hustle and bustle too.

I hope you're finding time for some creativity in these busy December days, and I'll see you again soon.

You will never find time for anything.  If you want time, you must make it.
Charles Buxton

I'd like to play along again at Art Journal Journey for the double theme of My Favourite Season/Tis the Season
And it's another Winter Wonderland to share at Try It On Tuesday, though a more urban wonderland this time

24 comments:

Helen said...

just refreshed before heading to bed - love the latest page in your winter journal! I really must spend some time doing something creative after work again!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Once again a beautiful version of Winter! I love your busy ladies having a rest here although with those big snowflakes they had better not rest too long!!! ! Thanks for joining us again at Try It On Tuesday! Hugs, Chrisx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Their day may be full of hustle and bustle but they must be enjoying it as they still have a smile on their faces. Your winter themed journal is coming along magnificently, i'm missing my creative time so much.
Thank you for sharing another beauty Alison.
Hugs Tracey x

My name is Erika. said...

I love these ladies waiting in the snow. Maybe they are waiting for the bus, or maybe they were walking and just need a rest. Another great page ALison Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Once again, I am in total AWE of this latest winter journal page you created. I can't believe you created this in under an hour. It's nice to have a plan, a design, lots of ephemera, and wonderful background pieces at your disposal, but that doesn't include the talent and wizardry of YOU. You putting all these pieces together, that is. This is stunning, and amazing. The TH dolls do have a story to tell, don't they? Again, thank you so much for sharing this with us at Art Journal Journey. I'm a HUGE fan of your art!

Lenie said...

Wow Alison! Another great page. I just made the second one. Ofcourse with the ephemera I have. Different but the same wintry sfere.I don't have the papers from this one so I have to make something and as you know, I already used the ladies 😀.
But I love your ideas and it makes me creative again! Hugs, Lenie

Valerie-Jael said...

Fantastic page, love the wintry look. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Amazing page, I love the vintage wintry look.
Hugs Anja

froebelsternchen said...

You have such a fantastic background created for the lovely ladies who enjoy their events obviously very much! This is such a wonderful depth on this page again and this vintage wintry touch looks very artsy! You know how much I love your style Alison! I say THANK YOU VERY MUCH for yet another fantastic entry linked to Art Journal Journey and Try It On Tuesday! We appreciate your wonderful support so much! Great to have you with us! I am already totally in LOVE with this kraft journal and think it will be a fantastic december journal in the end! So happy to be able to see your pages here : It's like I open an advent calendar window every day ! Very exciting!
Big hugs, Susi

Astrid Maclean said...

Think this one is my favourite so far and the story is fab too, I can totally relate :o)

Super use of those ephemera and a great background. The snowflakes tie it all together beautifully.

Fingers crossed this will actually post...

craftytrog said...

So many wonderful details, and I love those vintage ladies Alison!

Roosterhead Designs said...

Hello Alison, This is a beautiful page! I am so happy to see it~
Your work is inspiring and encouraging me. I love these ladies! There is a sparkle in their eyes* as they take a short rest from all the 'scurrying about' : ) Great lay out and I like the way you are carrying the theme thru this journal. Frosty and fun with so many beautiful vintage layers adding texture and interest. I like the way my eye moves; from the metal to the snowflakes, then the words and tickets . . . There are great hits of the muted cranberry color that I really love. Thanks for sharing! Hugs, karen o

Meggymay said...

Another very beautiful page Alison, it is great seeing more your wonderful art, on a regular basis again. Of course I am thrilled you added this to our TioT's theme as well.
Yvonne xx

Redanne said...

You really have created a wonderful wintry scene. I love your collaged elements and the ladies look so very content - as if they have done all their Christmas prep, unlike some of us!! Hugs, Anne xx

Paper Profusion said...

LOVE this Alison! Brilliantly designed with the pair perched on your lovely layers. Wonderfully done. Nicola x

Mac Mable said...

Such a treat today with your wonderful tags and your journal. The colours, the layers the texture are all marvellous and so very beautiful. Stunning inspiration and so very unique x

Rike said...

A wonderful mixed media page, the colors and all details are beautiful!
Rike x

A Pink said...

Such a fabulous page telling a wonderful story , Alison . Love the idea of a winter journal - such a pleasurable way to escape the hustle and bustle of Christmas prep .
Hugs x

Jeannette said...

amazing pages,love the vintage wintery look,and the old fashion ladys.
the first wintery pages its stunning too, i love the winter and snow.
happy weekend,dear alison.

hugs jenny

Amanda said...

Another one I have missed! I love the idea of your winter journal and another page of story, fabulous.
Love
Amanda X

Sue said...

This is wonderful, so much to see and all beautifully done. These paper dolls make such a fun element. Enjoy your run up to Christmas, Sue x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

LOVE these two propped up so perfectly! Such a great journal and a great spread.

Dorthe said...

So much to see here, -after having been away with my family :-)
I love your page, the two friends sitting together ,the weather , everything looking so beautifully, and vintage, the pink adds are giving a lovely warmth to the snowy weather, Alison.
Hugs, Dorthe

Jackie PN said...

I just love the story you have churned to go with this page! Something right out of a book or an old movie- So delightful Alison!
This is another,blow me over WOW page! I just love every element and color you put together!Beautiful dear Alison!
Jackie xx