It's What You See

I am undecided at this point, as to whether audio books are a good thing or not. I find that when we are listening to them while crafting, we have a tendency to miss meals.

But, we get a lot of crafting done!

See

Doily Background

Layers!

We did finally stop for a snack, but we really want to get back to our "39 Clues". 

A Few New Pages

Now that I have a craft table...

How about we start there. Since moving here, my crafty mojo has been a bit off. I blame it on the fact that I didn't have a table to craft at.

For a while this is what I had to work with (and this is after moving it around a time or two).

The table was really low and I had to sit on Emma's step stool to work at the table. Not so cozy. 

I had thoughts that a round table would be nice, but I was too cheap to buy one. Even a used one. So, I looked around and decided I could make one using most of what I already had. So, a quick trip to home depot, about $5 in lumber and hardware later, and I have this:

Now, I can get my craft on. 

I made this journal from cardboard and pages from old books. I like to glue the old pages together to make them stronger, then paint over them. 

Anyway, here are some photos. 

Cover

Blank Pages

A mishmash of pages from all the books I have altered- dictionary, old novels, the kiddo's completed work books, etc. 

First Pages- To Do-

 -Be-

A Story

It feels so good to be creating again. I think it might become a daily habit. 

Altered Journal, Oh How I Miss You!

With the move recently, I haven't found much time to work in my altered journal(s). Things are still a bit unorganized in The Nest (our creative/play room).

I would love to be able to say that my goal for this year is to do something creative everyday. In reality, where I try to spend at least 1/2 my time, I figure until we really get settled, I will have to survive with getting crafty/creative at least once a week. Some weeks it will be more, but as long as I can make a creative mess at least once a week, I think I will make it.

So, the other day, the kiddo and hubby were wanting some father/daughter time and I was too lazy to go anywhere (outside of the apartment) so I closed myself in The Nest and finally got some work done in my altered journal. The two of them played Disney Universe on the X-Box.

Nothing super involved or too spectacular, but it felt good to get some work done in there.

Here is what I created.

Beauty of Spring

With view of my temporary work station

Musical Flower

Ribbon Flower

Doily Flower

I know that Spring is a long ways off, but I really don't care for the winter, and I am really looking forward to being able to walk all over this town with the kiddo once the weather warms up. 

What sort of crafty and creative endeavors have you been up too?

Want an Altered Journal? (Giveaway)

A while back I was teaching altered journal classes in Iowa. I only did a few, but people seemed to really like them and I had quite a few people sign up for the classes despite the fact that we were in a pretty small town.

The owners of the shop convinced me I needed to make some blank/starter altered journals for people to buy. Apparently some customers had showed interested in the altered journals but didn't have time for the class.

Awesome. I got to work and made some, sold one or two, then made a bunch more.

And then the "demand" for the journals seemed to die. They sat for a while, got roughed up a bit, lost some of their bits of whatnot, then I pulled them from the store to take with us to Montana.

And now I find myself with 7 blank/starter altered journals and not enough space to store them. I am currently working in 2 (possible 3, but it's been a while so I can't be sure) altered journals so I really don't need any more.

Besides, I find that for my altered journals, they need to jump out at me and beg to be altered. While I love these altered journals that I started, none of them really call out to me.

So, I am offering a giveaway and a special deal.

First, the deal- I am going to offer the journals for sale here, for 50% or more off what I was asking for them in the store. I will also cover shipping. All of the journals include a little key chain and an envelope full of bits of whatnot to use as you see fit, pass on, or toss (just don't tell me if you do that).

Would you like to see what I have?
*clicking on the pictures will bring you to my flicker site for a larger view*

   

Create Altered Journal- 16 pages,  4" x 4" - $15 $6

This journal was created while Jared and I were on vacation. I crafted, he rode his bike. It was a wonderful vacation. It is made from a mini cocktail book and pages from an old novel. The pages are painted a washed out orange, and ribbon is used to create tabs for each page.

   

Red and Blue Altered Journal- 40 pages 5 x 7 1/2- $30 $15

This altered journal is a book from the early 1900's. I rescued it from a thrift store, took it home, pulled out the pages (as most of them were falling out anyway), glued pages together to make them stronger, then hand stitched them back into the book. The pages are pretty sturdy, but still need to be handled with a bit of care. Adding layers of paint, glue, collage, etc. will help make them nice and sturdy. (For the key chain, my brain was tired and I couldn't think of a word/phrase for this journal so I asked the hubby. His immediate response was "Bazinga." And so it was.)

    

Make Mistakes Altered Journal- 24 Pages 5 x 5 3/4- $12 $6

I like this journal. Made from corrugated cardboard, neglected paper, and my work surface. Throw them all together and what do you get? Mistakes, trial and error, and... ART! If I have learned only one thing over the last few years of being creative is that mistakes, like beauty, are in the eye of the beholder. So, take this journal, make some mistakes, and call it art :0)

   

Create Joy Altered Journal- 40 Pages 5 x 7 1/2- $25 $12

This is another book that I found in a thrift store with the pages falling out. Published in the late 1800's or early 1900's, I felt it needed another chance. Out came all the pages, a bunch got glued back together for more strength, then hand stitched back in. The spine of the book was also falling off, so I turned it into a bookmark. I know, smart thinking.

    

Inspired Scribbles Altered Journal- 16 pages 4 x 6 1/4- $15 $7

What do you do with a really old address book? Turn it into an altered journal of course. Add some paint, some random quotes, and, well, scribbles, and call it good.

   

Love the Journey Altered Journal- 18 pages 7 1/2 x 9 3/4- $10 $5

So this is just a "simple" composition book. In fact, it belonged to a 3rd grader that my MIL taught about 9 or so years ago. I have no idea why she held onto it for so long, but she did. I decided she didn't really need to hold onto it anymore, so I made a quick altered journal. 

      

Cookbook Altered Journal- 20 pages 6 x 8- $30 $15

So, if I were to keep one, it would be this one. I might even fill it with our favorite tired-and-true recipes. I removed some pages, glued some pages together, then took some interior primer to the pages. I love how the pages still show through a bit. I have included some of the removed pages.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these journals, send me an e-mail (kaotickrafter@hotmail.com) letting me know which one. 

Now, for the give away. Just leave a comment between now and January 5th, 2013 telling me which altered journal you like best and why. I will pick from the remaining altered journals and send it your way. If all of the journals sell before the 5th, I will make you your own personal altered journal (so spread the word!). 

Good luck, and have a great New Year!