Seriously? ANOTHER Post?

Yes, well, I'm on a roll...
Thanks to Palma who has a list of places to find free tutorials, I discovered the amazing LK Ludwig, who has very generously posted a free tutorial on making "flip flap journals" right here .  I had so much fun making this and learned so much from her tutorial, that I hopped onto Amazon and bought three of her books.  Here are some pictures of my journal:

Yes, she shows you how to bind it together, too!

Know what it's made of?  Paint sample brochures that you get for free at Home Depot!

Above is the first spread that I've done.  Sorry that it's blurry -- I am not a very good photographer, and my phone probably isn't the best equipment for the job.  Are you intrigued?  Go check out LK's site!  You won't be sorry.

The Art of Food

I dug out my Laurel's Kitchen cookbook last night (the one I've had since college, that's falling apart and is filled with notes and memories, that I can't bring myself to replace) and made the most wonderful Fettuccine Florentine (Laurel calls it Vermicelli Florentine, but all I had was fettuccine).  We got fresh spinach, onions, and tomatoes from the co-op, which made the dish all the more marvelous.  Served with warm bread and some claret -- a veritable feast!

Upcycled Journal

Here is my first spread in my upcycled journal:

The "Top Secret" book is made from shipping tags glued to an accordion pleat.  This journal is made from an old National Geographic magazine, covered with a Trader Joe's paper bag and the endpapers are covered with newspaper.  I got the idea from Paula at Journal Artista who mentioned, in passing, the idea of making art journals from old magazines.  I loved the idea and just gave it a try because I couldn't find anything else about it online.  The fun thing about this spread is that it does indeed contain many secrets that I have written on the pages and under the embellishments, but they've been hidden by layers of paint!

With love, from Mother Earth

Look what I found while I was digging in my garden this weekend:

I gave it to my husband this morning.  Happy Valentines Day!

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

Well, not exactly pouring, but the sidewalks are wet and there is drizzliness outside.  I'm sure the beans I planted this weekend are loving it.  It will be an interesting day at school -- Valentines Day, everyone hopped up on sugar and no recess due to weather.  Mmm...those of you who teach or work with kids can just imagine how my day is going to be...

Here are a few pictures of recent postcards/bookmarks/magnets:

I came up with the magnet idea because I had little pieces of background paper left over after making the bookmarks and postcards.  I liked the paper so much I didn't want to waste it.  You'll notice that my pictures are beginning to bear watermarks.  Ever since I caught a young woman blatantly photographing my painted journals at First Friday, I've been pondering how to protect my work from thieves.  This is a start.  What a lot of work it is.  Why can't people just develop a sense of integrity?  Grrrr...

Lots of love to you all this Valentines Day!

Sick, sick, sick...

...for the past 8 days.  Grumpy, exhausted (unable to sleep), pitiful.  This morning I have glimmerings of the end (of the illness, not my life -- although that was up for grabs earlier in the week).  Wouldn't it be nice to feel good for the weekend so I can work in the yard?  That's what I'm hoping for...

New Stuff

Here's what I made from the background cardboard that I posted about the other day: