I read this in a book recently ("Reprodepot Pattern Book: Flora" by Djerba Goldfinger) and just had to include it in my art journal. It spoke to me for those times when I question my work, my creativity and my abilities as an artist. Maybe it will speak to you, too!
Wow, been awhile since last post. Had a bit of a family medical emergency the last couple weeks, but things are much better now.
So I was watching a very interesting program last evening about cutting-edge "green" technologies. It was really quite fascinating. And when they got to the part about all the stuff that's tossed into a landfill, that got me thinking that in a very small way, we're doing our part to keep things out of those landfills. Some of the goodies we find are recognizable "treasures" by the average person. But a lot more of what we uncover is that stuff that is overlooked, bent, wrinkled, smudge, old, stained, probably headed for the trash ... and just plain wonderful in our eyes.
So we wanted to thank all of you for your appreciation of these rescued items and to thank you for doing your part to keep these wonderful treasures "alive".
In that spirit (wow, I'm rambling) I wanted to share this book I started a few weeks ago and just got around to binding yesterday. The idea for this was to create a journal using the flotsam and jetsam from a typical, average day. Included are envelopes from the mail, a cereal box, a pasta box, some pages from a local newspaper and a page from a magazine. All stuff that was headed for the recycling bin. The binding even includes a piece of nylon rope that was found during that day's dog walk. I love, love, love making little journals and books and this was a breeze and great fun.
This is a little plug for my sister's online store ... if you like vintage kitchen and home goods, check out http://www.classyjunque.com/
Historical cards from the 1880s
German lottery ephemera from 1888
As the Christmas season begins to wind down, I thought I'd share this altered creche I created. I got the idea over a year ago and found all the parts at a Catholic Church rummage sale this past summer (I thought that was appropriate). It took awhile to find the right elements; I wanted pieces that looked in need of some tender-loving-altered-care, yet would still retain a sense of reverence.
After I put the first coat of gesso on the figures, I asked my 8-year-old design barometer if he thought baby Jesus looked good or creepy. "Good, but a little creepy," came the reply. I love his honesty. And turns out he was right!
I decided to sand off some of the gesso so a few features and colors of the original painted plaster pieces would come through (note to self ... don't sand too hard or all the paint and features will come off!) So I just played til I ran out of time ... the hay was added on New Year's Eve (happily made by my little barometer: text pages run thru the pasta machine).
I'm not sure I'm 100% satifisfied with the finished piece, but that's the beauty of these things we make ... we can always do more when the muse strikes. 
I was thinking the other day that as of today, we probably won't say "Two Thousand" anymore ... it'll be Twenty-Ten, then Twenty-Eleven, etc. Hmm ... 
