Art Journal Spread - The Documented Life Project Wk. 14

I decided to jump in and participate in The Documented Life Project weekly challenges after looking at all the wonderful art going on in the group. I needed to just jump in at the current challenge and take if from there.

We were on vacation this week at our new Lake House up north and so I did this piece on a page from an old calendar. I love the paper.

I gessoed the paper and then used a tutorial from Betty Franks Krause at  Mystic Tulip Mixed Media , using the supplies I had with me. I had to improvise, of course, but her tutorials are so well written and easy to follow, that I had no problem creating this beautiful background. Then I just used a stencil I had on hand for my name letters and doodled them in, using inspiration from Joanne Sharp's lettering which I found on Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's blog. Isn't the internet wonderful for learning and aren't artists such a wonderful, giving bunch of lovelies!

"Happiness" Altered Book Spread

I am linking up with Julie at Balzer Designs for Art Journal Every Day. It's been a while since I've linked up anywhere, but I absolutely love what Julie does with her art and you get a chance to visit lots of fun artist blogs, as well. So be sure to check it out.

Priceless Possibilities - Altered Book Journal Page

This is a page I just made last week. Sometimes the page just seems to come together and that was what happened with this one.  The small quote within the circle says, "Every day we live is a priceless gift of God, loaded with possibilities to learn something new, to gain fresh insights."

I have had several things that have happened over the last little while that have brought home to me the idea that each day is a gift. A good friend of mine has been been battling breast cancer. She is on the upswing and I am continually praying that she has defeated this thing for good. Another friend and neighbor of ours who is only 49 has just been diagnosed with stage four sarcoma. He is just recovering from surgery and soon will be starting chemo. He has a young son who is only 6. Wow - praying hard for his complete healing, too.

Our church has just gone through a major upheaval. It is hard when people you love and care about are torn asunder by difficult things. Just one more thing to point out that we can take nothing for granted.

We can all use a reminder to treasure each day and its possibilities for the gift it is and thank God for it. I'm taking time this weekend to reflect on all of my blessings.

I'm linking up with Art Journal Every DayArt Journal Every Day  over at Balzer Designs with Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. Lots of yummy pages linked up there, so take some time to check it out.

Spread Your Wings and Fly

This is a art journal piece that I just finished. I can't say that I am really happy with it. I kept working on it trying to improve it, and I have decided that it is done.

 Spread Your Wings and Fly

 It actually started out as a mock-up for a round robin I was doing, but I didn't really like how it turned out so I ended up doing something completely different for that one. But here it is - and maybe I'll have a fabulous idea at some point to make it better. But for now, it stays like this.

I am going to link up with Julie at Balzer Designs: Art Journal Every Day: September. You can visit her and see lots of wonderful art journal pages. Her own pages are just phenomenal! Great inspiration!

I am also going to link up with Beverly over at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday! She always has such wonderful bloggers posting every imaginable type of pink. Go visit - I know you will love it!