Back in January, I went through over 1000 completed art journal pages, hoping to join Seth Apter's ARTifacts, but didn't have enough pages to share that I would use for my own journal. It sometimes takes me awhile to get "with the program," so I hope to make up for that this month. I love making these journals, but I'm not big on writing in them. So, when Seth offered this collaborative, I decided to join the project.
This is the front of the completed journal, with an embellishment that I attribute to Seth. You can see how I created a similar one (my KEY journal) here. I decorated it here. I show how I attached it to the journal cover here.
I realize I missed the January deadline, so I don't want to miss the February deadline. Although I have designated four pages for each month, this is the only one I will show for January.
I'm not really very good at creating journal pages for myself, so I know this looks wimpy. I'm hoping I get better over the next few months. Valentine's Day shares time with Mardi Gras, and the journaling is private, and written on the back of the Fleur de Lis. I tried several techniques I haven't used before, including gelly pen stenciling, Other elements include a gifted "M," a button, a feather (in Mardi Gras colors), and Valentine inspired stencils and stickers.
Now for some close ups. I love my tiny rocking horses I used to embellish the
piece that has a lot of symbolism to me, including the pencil from my city and the feather I found on my porch.
The closure also has a rocking horse sitting on top of a clear button.
Here are all the pages after they were 
I'm a tool geek, so this heart was right up my alley. I admit, I prefer my miter saw to hand saws, though.
My journaling is for my eyes only.
Somehow the color shift is horrible here.
Here is one final look at my Rocking Horse journal I intend to use throughout the year in collaboration with
Seth Apter and his ARTifacts project. Thank you for joining me today. I'm very, very grateful to you and your visits.
I am always amazed and fascinated with these handmade journals-they are so cool and I would have a hard time wanting to write in them too.
ReplyDeletea couple years ago I was inspired by a blog friend in the UK that no longer seems to be online that helped me make my first journal. I am using it to save samples for my hand dye pieces and was allot of fun. I am not an artist or painter though
Loving your journal pages
Thank you for sharing something so personal. I sometimes have trouble writing in a pre-made journal. I think I'd be hard pressed to work in a hand-made journal. I really love the rocking horse embellishments.
ReplyDeleteI am liking your page and I think it looks really good and the biggest thing is if you are happy with it because this is your own journal.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that you have taken on such a huge challenge, well done. The work you have done looks good, and I love your decorations with the rocking horses. Those little one are so cute. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteSuch a huge challenge to take on and the pages are very special that you have shown with lots of little extras that make it your own
ReplyDeleteLove Chrissie xx
I think you really made a personalized journal. Rocking horses. Of course! I think what you have done is great Sound like a big undertaking but it also sound like you'll have a great bunch of cool pages in the end. 🤓Hugs erika
ReplyDeleteThat is a gorgeous journal -- what a fantastic huge challenge! Great!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!
oxo Susi
Your handmade journal is awesome! The fabrics, sewing, beads and beautiful rocking horses make it look so tactile - perfect! I love the heart made up of tools, especially as it's so you :-). Happy Sunday, I hope you are having a lovely weekend! J :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, this is a huge challenge to take on. Your journal and pages you shared today all look awesome. The details and embellishments are beautiful and of course I really love how you added some of your rocking horses as details.
ReplyDeleteYvonne xx
Oh, Elizabeth, it's beautiful. And such a lot of work. I really admire your combination of skills -- the sewing, the embellishment creation, the fabric dyeing, and all the beautiful individual pages. It's so personal and so well done. Bravo.
ReplyDeleteHi there Elizabeth. I thought I would pop over and have a look at what you have been doing and I see this amazing journal. I am amazed at all the arty gorgeousness you produce. One day, I will be brave and start a journal but until then I will just enjoy looking at your work! Have a great Sunday. Julia
ReplyDeleteYou did such a good job on this. I especially like the closure. I'm not ambitious enough to start such a project, and I admire your work here :)
ReplyDeleteBravo E!! The cover is amazing, love the rockers on it.
ReplyDeleteYour pages are coming together nicely. I think we fall into the misconception that journal pages need to be packed with images and what not......like mine, I find your pages to be refreshing to my eyes......after looking at how cluttered mine become! I just really like how this is all coming together for you.
Wow! This is looking so good! Already inspiring Elizabeth and I just know that you will be adding so many pages that will set me thinking! Love the flap on the tools heart page - so tonight I shall be making flaps!! We have just got back from the caravan where we had one 'Perfect day' It was so nice to be up there but I do miss being connected!! Hugs, Chrisx
ReplyDeleteThat journal is so You! :) :)
ReplyDeleteI've never tried sewing with a machine in a journal or on a card. Was always afraid to mess up the sewing machine. Looks cool, though.
What a lovely handmade journal, Elizabeth :D The rocking horses are enchanting and I like the look of all the sewing and hanging threads. I just want to reach into the screen and touch everything.
ReplyDeleteLove that rock, rock, rocking horse cover. xox
ReplyDeleteWonderful - I love all of your colors!! Especially the cover!!
ReplyDeleteSandy xx
Very cool! Please send me your e-mail address, if you would. I need to talk to you privately, if possible. tatterednworn@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful...and I love the cover. Thanks for playing along.
ReplyDelete