Notebook Journals

What does a book maker do with all of the papers left over from her projects?

Make Notebook Journals, of course!

I had a huge collection of paper accumulating by my cutting board and now most of it has been put to good use in these fun little books. 

They measure 4 x 6 and have a variety of papers for the pages. 

   

Tag, You're IT !

Journals with tags and hand painted covers have been the trend in my studio work lately.   I recently purchased a set of metal tags with words stamped onto them and at the time, didn't have a clue how they would be used.   One day after making a journal, I set the tag on the cover and thought it worked pretty well.  Thus began the series.  When the tags run out, I'll have to move on to the next adventure, but for now, it's all about the word:  Inspire, Wander, Journey, Imagine, etc.   

Hand painting and collaging the covers involves a variety of stenciling and stamping techniques.  Anything within reach becomes fair game to be covered with paint and pressed into the surface:  corrugated cardboard, sequin waste, rollers, bubble wrap, plastic cups, etc.   I try not to over think the process and allow it to be intuitive.   

The words on the tags seem ambiguous enough to take on a variety of meanings, and yet just right for establishing a theme for the book.
The "Philosophy Tags" are by Tim Holtz and available on his website. You will find a bunch of other cool stuff there too, and most of it is also available at larger art supply stores.
The hand painted, hand bound journals are available in my Etsy Store.

Number Please....

  I've been recalling the days when you picked up the telephone to hear an operator politely say "Number Please."  A real person on the other end, instant gratification and no waiting... someone just sitting there ready to help.  Simply speak a 4 digit number and the operator would connect you.  That's right, 4 digits.

   The telephone I grew up with as a child was an instrument of wonder, massive and imposing with a table of it's own.  When it rang, the whole house shook and everyone fell silent with anticipation to see who could be calling.  

  Party lines were shared among neighbors and on occasion you would pick up the phone to unexpectedly hear someone else's conversation and listen for a moment before carefully, guiltily returning the heavy receiver to it's cradle.  There was always a loud audible click in hanging up.

  When the rotary dial was put into use, the phone company gave out instructions advising folks how to use the thing.  You can see one of those public service messages (here).  Somewhere, an operator was displaced and "Number Please" became obsolete.   

  I can clearly recall the sound of the telephone of my childhood, and the one at my grandparent's house that had a different, more baritone ring.   Who knew this would be a sound I would someday miss?  

  I wonder what will the children of the present recall about the telephone?   

  These were the thoughts that inspired my visual journal pages for the month.  Above is my first version, and below is it's evil twin.  

And now, if you will excuse me, the phone is ringing.........