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...

Saturday 22 December 2018

Winter Journal XII

Hello all, and welcome to what is almost certainly the last winter journal page before Christmas.  There may be more afterwards, but I can't realistically see me making and/or blogging much before the 25th December!  So here's something bright with festive greenery to take us into the heart of the festive season.


This spread uses up the last of the page of design paper which has been hanging around for months.  Some of it already appeared on the wedding page.  But mainly this page is a partner piece to the happy woman from Winter Journal VIII.








Again, we have a confident, independent woman captured in a photobooth moment (and again, I think it's a Darkroom Door one, rather than Idea-ology, but I'm not sure).
















The delicate fir fronds and branches surround her - echoing the fresh life and vigour which is clear in her expression.
















The inks are the same as before (in fact, it's the same piece of card that I cut them from as before)... Peeled Paint, Evergreen Bough and Iced Spruce Distress Sprays.













The usual suspects from these pages are all in place... the torn washi tape, the acetate film strip...













... and the Tim Holtz Paper Snowflakes Mini Thinlits.

And of course there's lots of white spatter, and extra texture from those torn paper edges.














There's a double helping of Idea-ology metal on this page, celebrating the freedom to wander wherever you need to...















... in the pursuit of knowledge.  Life-long learning is an important thing for me.  I'm never happier than when I'm on a steep learning curve in pursuit of something that inspires me.












I hope I'll stay curious my whole life.  When you stop growing, seeking, learning, you're done, as far as I'm concerned.













New horizons are always out there... and sometimes out there means inside yourself too.  And the pursuit of those as-yet-undiscovered depths and possibilities is both a delight and a necessity for me.








It's one of the reasons I value quiet contemplation at this time of year - a retreat from the outside world which allows for reflection and a recruitment of energies for the journeys ahead.   I know that for many the festive season is a time for socialising and for big family occasions - and I'll have some of that too, but I also look forward to the hibernation.

I hope you find whatever time you need this Christmas to be with others and to be by yourself.  I hope your days will be merry and your nights peaceful, and I wish you all the joys of the season, however you choose to celebrate it.

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
Norman Vincent Peale
... we can only hope he's right...

I'm playing along again at Art Journal Journey for Bleubeard and Elizabeth's themes of My Favourite Season/Tis the Season
And I'm hoping that at Stamps and Stencils they will find this festive enough for their last challenge It's Got to be Christmas

25 comments:

Mac Mable said...

I so love your usual suspects and such a wonderful layout and so uplifting. The independent woman is sparkling and yes knowledge is wonderful and never stop learning. We too love our peaceful time at home and looking forward to the festive period X.
Here's to a healthy and crafty 2019 and to our continued blog friendship X

Amanda said...

What a beautiful, signing off for Christmas, page. Those sprigs of pine highlight the subtly of their surroundings and who doesn’t admire a strong, independent woman. Enjoy the festivities Alison and see you on the other side
Love
Amanda x

My name is Erika. said...

That is a really festive page and I think the pop of green really makes the page. Wishing you the happiest of holidays! Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What a way to welcome both winter and Christmas. This page makes me smile. Your use of the greenery is superb. Of particular note are the ideas that both you and that strong, independent woman seek knowledge and to further your desire for it. I have to agree, and try to never stop learning, whether it's about art or it's about some scientific study.

Your use of splatters is something I really must start using. You inspire me so much. I love, love, love your art, your journal pages, and your pursuit of new things. You are a truly great artist and I am so glad we have met this December. Thank you, too, for joining my theme at Art Journal Journey.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays. I hope to see more of your fabulous art after Christmas and also into the new year.

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful journal page, as always. Happy Christmas to ou and yours, hugs, Valerie

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

I seem to have problems commenting today Alison and I've missed so much so three comments will become one. First I must say I'm sorry to hear you have had the misfortune to catch that horrid bug, I hope you are recovering well now? It's not an early gift we wish to receive any time of the year.
Your Kraft Winter journal is so full of the Season, it's the sort of thing I would love to take time over, flick through and create stories from the pictures. The combination of blue and white against the Kraft card always leaves a lasting impression just as your projects always do.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas Alison, however you choose to spend it and I hope you get a little time for yourself amongst it all.
Thank you for your caring support throughout the year, you know it means a lot to me.
Big Hugs & Seasons Greetings Tracey x

Brenda Brown said...

Another beautiful page full of winter vigour and vitality with such gorgeous layers, embellishments and photo. This lady is dressed perfectly for the cold and seasonal surroundings she finds herself in and I’m sure is looking to keep building her personal self esteem and life. It’s lovey to see the reference to life long learning as these were three key words throughout my teaching career, words that I lived by for my pupils, my staff and for myself. For many education is a short journey in their life and just a means to an end which is so sad.
Wishing you and yours a very happy and joyous festive season and like you I am looking forward to some hibernation and creative time after the new year. Huge hugs xxx

froebelsternchen said...

I adore the page with all it's amazing detail and depth and I LOVE your thoughts ! Such wise words and so true dear Alison!
Thank you very much for supporting AJJ with this wonderful entry! Much appreciated!


• ★ ¸☆´.•´MERRY ¸☆´.•´
★* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ ••。★ CHRISTMAS。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚| 田田 |門| ˚Peace. Love. Joy.


Hugs, Susi

Astrid Maclean said...

A super final pre-Christmas page Alison, it generates both happiness and peace with the fabulous combination of the background colours with those bright green branches. The lady fits it all just perfectly! Have a fantastic Christmas, hope you can get some peace and relaxation thrown in with the mix and I look forward to further wintry pages in this journal! xxx

Helen said...

What a glorious final pre-Christmas page! As always, your construction of the page is superb.
I hope you enjoy your mix of festivities and contemplation, and I certainly look forward to hearing about your new challenges ahead.
Happy Christmas!

Pamellia said...

Hi Alison. Just wanted to drop in and wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Have a wonderful holiday and I'll see you in 2019! hugs

Julia Aston said...

What a wonderful winter's page Alison - I just love all the snowy splatter with the touch of greenery color! Have a wonderful Christmas and crafty New Year! Julia xx

Meggymay said...

A stunning page and beautiful detail. I really liked your wise words, it is always a good time to learn something new, that way we evolve and learn for the future.
If I don't get to call in again before the 25th I hope you have a very Happy Christmas.
Yvonne xx

Redanne said...

Another beautiful pre Christmas treat for us Alison. The lady has such a happy/optimistic look in her eyes, so I am hoping her future is is a good one. You really did line up the 'usual suspects' beautifully, so much lovely detail and lots of wonderful texture.

I am with you on having time to yourself. Thankfully I have some this holiday and am really looking forward to it. I hope you enjoy yours too. Merry Christmas. Anne xx

Lenie said...

Such a wonderful page. Thank you for all the great ideas and thank you too for the pictures to show us how you did it all. I learned so much! I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy 2019! Lots of love, Lenie

Roosterhead Designs said...

Lovely lovely lovely! So beautifully done Alison; this is a special page with it's 'fresh greens' in the mix! And a perfect amount of snowy goodness and texture too~ She invites a smile from us and she is indeed confident, yes! and stylish too ; ) and that spells FUN to me sometimes~
It's been a great journey; this Winter Journal you have so graciously shared with us : ) Thanks and blessings for the New Year ahead~ Hugs to you, karen o

Patty O'Malley said...

Awesome page!

craftytrog said...

It's been a joy to see your beautiful festive pages over the past month Alison.
Wishing you a joyful Christmas and new year.
Alison xox

Sue said...

This is another beautiful page Alison. A fabulous combination of elements and the words are just perfect! I hope you have a magical Christmas and a very happy 2019, Sue xx

Jackie PN said...

Again you make me giggle,"the usual suspects"!
Your posts,here at Words and Pictures delight me every-time dear Alison!
Another beauty of a spread added to this journal!
Jackie xo

Rike said...

A wonderful mixed media page with stunning details, I like it!
Wishing you a happy and creative New Year!
Rike x

Dorthe said...

Dear Alison, I`m sorry to be so late but my little family arrived already on the 21 ´th , so have been busy ever since, and till now , when they traveled to Copenhagen again . I hope you are much better, and that it was possible for you to celebrate a beautiful Christmas.
I`m sure you know I LOVE this creation, with the beauty of bright green popping up from the lovely white background ,- a stunning page !!
All the best of wishes and hugs, Dorthe

WendyK said...

Another fabulous page, love the bright greenery and image. Have a great New Year.

Mrs.B said...

I'm very late in catching up here, but I've loved seeing your Winter journal with each page telling it's own story brought to life with all the details you add.
I hope you had a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and all my best Wishes for a Happy and Creative 2019.
Avril xx

A Pink said...

Ashamedly I have failed to keep up with each of your journal entries as you have posted , Alison but I have just spent some time catching up with them all and each and every page is fantastic and as a whole they make for an amazing volume of Wintery/ christmas creativity .
I feel well n truly treated and indulged - thank you.

Hugs x