Junk Journal July Day 29 - Geometric

 Coffee/Tea of the Day - Melted Marshmallow coffee

it's time for another day of Junk Journal July, and the prompt is 'Geometric'. for more information about the challenge, see this post.

My project for today is inspired by an amazing crafty creator I follow on YouTube - Margreth from Seven Plaza. it's because of her that I am playing along in the challenge. :) in this video, she made an ephemera wallet. on one page inside was this fun pocket element. I have the Tim Holtz die that cuts something similar, but I can't seem to find it. it's off on vacation with my tiny attacher stapler. ;) ugh. the downside of trying to create while having a craft room in boxes and disarray. someday I will finish organizing it....

anyhow, I used this great geometric paper from the Carta Bella Family Night collection. (here is a link to the digital format. I have used both digital and printed items in the journal for Ryan and Elizabeth.) Margreth's tutorial makes creating one of these pockets super simple. 

the pockets are filled with vintage cigarette and game cards as well as pieces from the Carta Bella collection and Simple Stories Family Fun collection. I know I have said it before, but I really am impressed that these collections work so well together. 

thank you so much for stopping by today! :)

Junk Journal July Day 2 - Reinvent

 Coffee/Tea of the Day - Maple Nut coffee

Hello and welcome to day 2 of Junk Journal July! 

You can learn more about Junk Journal July in this post.

Today's prompt is 're-invent'. It took me a bit to come up with a project for this one, but thankfully one of the people I follow on YouTube recently had the perfect solution! Margreth of  SevenPlaza shared a video in which she creates a faux envelope pocket.  I adapted this idea to the family fun journal I am working on for Ryan and Elizabeth. 

I used papers from the Carta Bella Family Night collection as well as paper from the Simple Stories Family Fun collection. I am so impressed with how well these 2 collections blend. an old game marker was added for a touch of whimsy. The 2nd photo shows the back pocket, which I adhered to the journal page. also shown is the journal card I made using a digital of an old map cover as well as a car clip art piece. the other side of the tag is more map paper.

and here is the pocket on the actual journal page. I added a vintage Coca Cola receipt along with the map tag.

I hope some of you have a chance to play along in the challenge, or even adapt it to whatever crafting you are currently doing.

have a great weekend! :)

Junk Journal July Day 1 - Begin

 Coffee/Tea of the Day - Spiced Hazelnut coffee

Hello! 

Sorry I have been away for a bit. life got crazy, as happens to all of us from time to time. I have been sick, kids and grandkids have been sick, you know the fun stuff that keeps life interesting. ;)

anyhow, today is the start of Junk Journal July, a challenge event started by Meg's Junk Journals. I am not on most social media, so the link is for her YouTube channel. there you can find more information about her and her other social media links.  Here is the link to subscribe to her newsletter.

Today's prompt is 'begin'. This is perfect since one of the journals I am working on is the Family Fun journal I gave Ryan and Elizabeth for Christmas a few years ago. I am re-doing the journals that I gave to everyone that year. not only was I unable to include all of the signatures, but the spines were too small. it's been bugging me since then, so I asked for the journals back so that I could fix them. I love how crafting, or anything really, is a process in which we learn from our mistakes, understanding that each of us has a beginning. :)

'Begin' to me, in the context of this journal, brought to mind the start of a game - picking your game piece, learning the rules, etc. So I made a tag using the game board image from Carta Bella's Family Night collection. I have this in both the printed and digital forms. the checkerboard paper (digital) is from the same collection, as is the game piece sticker (sticker sheet). I can't remember if the little sentiment piece is from this collection or Simple Stories Family Fun collection, as I am using both. I have all of my cut out pieces in one container, so didn't get them labeled as to which collection each item is from. (I tend to lump like items together so they are easier for me to use. ) the game instructions are vintage ephemera. I like combining the old and the new. :)

I don't know that I will get to upload a project every day of the challenge, but I will do my best. I hope some of you play along! there are some fun prompts that are helping me think outside of my comfort zone.

all of you have a wonderful weekend! :)

Jennifer

Happy Easter! :)

Coffee/Tea of the Day - Amaretto coffee

Good morning and Happy Easter! :) hoping that each of you is having a most amazing weekend so far and enjoying the blessings that surround you!

I have several photos to share with all of you, to hopefully brighten your day with a bit of spring.

To begin, I was recently inspired by a post by Sandy Allnock in which she drew a hopscotch game on the sidewalk in front of her home. I thought that was such a fun idea! We live on one of the main streets in our town, so our sidewalk is always filled with joggers, dog walkers, and people just celebrating being outside. So on one of our sunny days, I did the same thing, although not even close artistically to what she created! The neighbor girls came over several times to play hopscotch, which they had never played before. it was fun for their mom to teach them. :)

On another sunny day this past week, Dave and Palmer were in the front yard and took a photo of the precious spring flowers growing around one of our trees. I so love this one! I keep emphasizing 'sunny' days, because we have also had several days of snow and rain this week, with more on the way.

Lastly, I was able to get some cards made to send out to family, friends, and even our fabulous mail carrier. it took me several days to make them, even though they are simple. but I was so happy to craft! :)

One of the amazing artists that I follow on YouTube is Shawn Petite. both Dave and I love to watch her create. it's not only inspiring, but she has such a gentle way about her. She kindly shared the images from several Easter and Spring cards she recently made. I used those images, adding my own bit of shabbiness to each. The crochet trim is avocado dyed. and yes, I am adding avocado dyeing to my repertoire of  coffee and tea staining! :)

Shawn shares free downloads to those who subscribe to her newsletter. no cost to sign up, but be prepared to be inspired! Check out her store and blog, as well as her YouTube channel.

Thank you for your kind and encouraging comments, as well as stopping by for a cup of coffee!
Have a most beautiful day! remember that you are so deeply loved!
Jennifer

If you enjoy music and singing....

Coffee of the Day - Chocolate Peppermint

Hello! I have several little things to share today. if you are a fan of fabulous music, then this is the post for you.

Today here in the States, a wonderful t.v. show starts back up for the holiday season. It is called 'The Sing Off' and features only a capella music groups. it is absolutely amazing the talent this program showcases! sadly, it wasn't on last year, but enough fans helped bring it back again. I hope you will pop in for a peek!

next, you know what LOTR fans we are in my family. well Tyler hooked my on this GORGEOUS song that is in the upcoming 'Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug' movie that premiers on Friday. every time I hear it my soul just cries at the beauty of it. I'm sharing the youtube video with all of you here. enjoy! :)