The Lemon Tree I See Through My Window

Those of you who took my altered book classes (see my right sidebar) might remember my Houses altered book which I designated as a techniques book I used at various times in my class.

I've drug it out again and have created a page I call "The Lemon Tree I See Through My Window," which is the theme that Corrine has chosen for this month's Art Journal Journey.

I was looking through a few of the books I got from my friend Sally, and found this child's drawing of a house.  Of course, I had to smear the paint from the tree onto the house, but I was so impressed with this seven year old child's drawing, I had to use it.  I began by adding one of the file folders I had painted last week to my altered book, then added the tree, which was very similar to the background colors.  Then I cut the house from the book and measured where the windows should go, as well as how far over I should place the house.

I had these two pieces from a drink label that were clear, so decided they looked like windows.  I added tree limbs, then placed the "windows" over the limb, so it appeared I was looking out the window.

Granted, my tree is not as good as the child's house, but if I hadn't smeared paint from my arm on the house, it would have been marginally better.

Both windows show the lemons that are supposed to represent the lemons on the tree.  Talk about childish.  I swear it played out a whole lot better in my head than on paper.  The background is a bit eerie because it almost looks like a fire behind the house.

Some of you may have read my dear internet friend Darla's house in the mountains was destroyed by the fires that have ravaged northern California (in the US).  I almost decided not to post this after I saw how much the background reminded me of what so many in CA have lost this past week.  I know for a fact that the other Art Journal Journey entries are far more interesting than this, but it's all I have to offer since I'm so busy helping my friend Sally get her home in order. 

Materials include the used file folder I painted and stenciled previously, paint for the tree, the house I got from a book, and two clear labels from lemon water.

To update you with what I'm calling the "Sally saga," yesterday

I was in charge of loading the car, because Sally has no concept of how to load anything other than haphazardly.  It was important that we get it right, because we had three places to drop recyclables off.  Goodwill was the first place, and the helpers had already unloaded some of the bags before I thought to take a photo of the loaded car.
All Goodwill recyclables were packed in bags for once.  This was our smallest load ever, and was load 11 to Goodwill.  Yes, ELEVEN!!!  We normally put clean Goodwill donations in boxes, but I had to make sure the overzealous helpers didn't take something going elsewhere.

At least I didn't have to unload the bags, like I normally unload the boxes.  I am careful about her brand new car, so I always lay down sheets and plastic that will keep anything and everything off the seats.

Next stop was Catholic Charities, where I took four huge boxes of beauty and bath products inside.  It was lunch time, so instead of waiting for someone to help unload,  

I did it myself as Sally sat in air conditioned comfort.

Our final stop was Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), where I had boxed everything into huge boxes and bags.   HHW items were all placed in the back, and although you probably can't see it, there is a blue plastic tarp covering the back, and the items were wrapped in clear plastic in case some errant liquid or caustic product might spill. 

You can see how full the cart is that the guy is pushing out of the way, while another guy is wheeling an empty cart to the car.

Thankfully, the guys unloaded everything, and made it an easy trip.

Then it was back to Sally's where we started on another closet.  I'll be so glad when this project is finished OR when her friend shows up and I can stay home!

Thanks for looking, and thanks as always for your generous comments.  I'd love to spend more time on the computer, visiting others and commenting, but I have a couple of major problems at my own home right now, one of which includes cleaning my laundry room after I spilled a brand new bottle of Era all over the full shelves, the dryer, and Squiggles' litter box.  Thankfully, Bleubeard's "digs" are in the pantry along with the microwave, while Squiggles shares his with the washer and dryer.  And before you ask, they do NOT like choose to share anything except their communal water bowl.