Sunday, July 23, 2017

Every Summer and Africa


Every summer there is one day that we vividly remember.  It's one we will talk about until winter sets in.

It's what we call a perfect summer day.

It might be one filled with fun and laughter, shared with friends and family,

or it might be one we chose to spend in solitude and reflection.

It might be one where ocean waves slapped against the shore,

or we stumbled on a starfish (sea star) drug up from the ocean bottom by the waves.

This perfect summer day

practically writes its own story.

It needs very little embellishing.

It is perfect just the way we remember it.

Materials for this page began with a used file folder I colored using pale pink acrylic paint.  While still wet, I laid a page from an old telephone book on top, then ripped it away, leaving bits and pieces of the thin page behind.  I backed the computer generated sentiment with more of the phone book page that picked up the same color.  The focal image came from a magazine.  I added white stickles to emphasize the waves, and a dimensional starfish.  Because I felt it needed something more, I used my hand made chevron stamp at the bottom of the page.

 


Thanks for joining Bleubeard and me today at Art Journal Journey as we share a perfect summer day that is loaded with summertime love.  It may even be a perfect summertime day for you, too.



Because time is quickly running out on Moo-Mania and More's Africa theme,

I created this entry that should meet the requirements.

I had printed this quote by the Dalai Lama for another (very different) AJJ entry, but I thought it would go well with an African spread.  I used a watercolor crayon to knock down the bright red paper I printed it on, but when I did, I got the orange crayon on the image of Africa.   I probably should have printed it on different paper, but I already had it glued to the page before I realized what a mess I had made.

I found this giraffe charm in my stash,

along with an iron-on patch in the shape of a giraffe. 

The word "Africa" in the second photo above was on the package of twisted wires that I used as embellishments.  The wires were made by African women who support themselves and their families by creating these embellishments and selling them under a licensed contract.  Since I am in favor of helping women from ANY country, this project appealed to me.

The above African inspired metal piece began as an earring.  Since I don't wear earrings, and would never wear anything that large anyway, this was a perfect embellishment.

I found this piece of handmade paper I had printed the words "Out of Africa" on for another project (specifically my 7-Continent altered book).  Even though the colors weren't especially right for this spread, I used it anyway.

The image of Africa came from a geography text book copyrighted 1965.  After I scanned the image, I lightened it in PhotoShop until it looked like a watermark.  I didn't want it to out shine the other elements on the page.

The materials I used for this spread include a used file folder I swiped with three colors of acrylic paint, two wire embellishments made in Africa, an earring, a charm, and an iron-on patch from my stash, two strips of wallpaper, handmade paper, a scanned image from a geography text book, watercolor crayon, and computer generated text.

Thanks for sticking around to see this summertime Africa spread I created for Moo-Mania and More.  Both Bleubeard and I appreciate it and your continued support of my art.

15 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Both pages are gorgeous Elizabeth. I think the summertime page is perhaps my favourite this month. Have a lovely day, hugs, Valerie

Rosie said...

I love both beautiful pages too, Elisabeth, and say thank you for linking to MOO MANIA & MORE.

Have a wonderful Sunday

chrissie said...

Both the pages are fantastic and bring out the meanings of the subject so well. The sparkle on the first one is an inspired idea and the wonderful giraffe emblie a really terrific addition

Love Chrissie xx

Anonymous said...

so wonderful this posting Elizabeth!!!!
Jede page are so beautiful and the Ideas are great and the words
Happy sunday
Elke

froebelsternchen said...

Oh wow - both pages are so beautiful! I love especially the use of telephone page on the first one -- looks so good how you did it!
I have to give back my thanks to you for supporting AJJ and even Moo Mania & More with such amazing entries all the time!
I much sppreciate that dear Elizabeth!
Have a great SUnday!
oxo Susi

CJ Kennedy said...

I love the way you highlighted the waves on the Summer page. The beach to yourself, shaded by a palm tree equals a perfect Summer day.

I like the way you used the earring on the African page. Reminds me of the sun. And the quote fits the page. I'll have to write that one in my quote books.

Dortesjs said...

Ohh this is beautiful pages, lovely theme

Cindy McMath said...

Lovely pages Elizabeth. The sparkle on the edge of the wave is a perfect touch and I'm amazed how well it shows up in your photo. For the Africa page, my favourite bit is the earring - such a great one of a kind embellishment! Also wonderful quote.

My name is Erika. said...

Both of your pages are great today. I think weatherwise today is going to be one of those perfect summer days. I like the glistening wave on your page. Not that I am a surfer. And cool embellishments on the Arica page. Nice giraffe too. I am a fan of giraffes, as you know.Happy Sunday. Hope your weekend has been fantastic. Hugs-Erika

jinxxxygirl said...

An awful lot of gorgeousness going on... LOVE that wave! Hugs! deb

Meggymay said...

I loved both these awesome pages Elizabeth.
It would be hard to pick out just one perfect day. Yes the sunshine does play its part, but, I do think its what we do and how we relate to the time and place that makes the memories last longer.
The Africa page was fabulous as well and I did love the iron on Giraffe you used.
Yvonne xx

Rita said...

Both are really great spreads.
Have a wonderful week, Elizabeth. :)

Jeannette said...

both pages are beautiful,and love your waves on the first page,really,really love this.
the africa page are so amazing,the giraff are so sweet.
wishing you a happy new week.


hugs jenny

pearshapedcrafting said...

I love your perfect Summers day page - it would suit me as there is a palm tree to get some shade! Your Out of Africa page has all the elements to make me feel as though I would like to go there and follow the Dalai Lama's advice! Hugs, Chrisx

Caty said...

Love both pages Elizabeth !! They are gorgeous, love the waves, wooooowwwwww amazing !! Fantastique both artworks, congratulations!!!
I wish you a very nice afternoon,
big hugs, Caty