Reflecting on a Year of Lockdown

 

I was feeling creatively stuck this morning and spent way too long watching YouTube videos without my usual habit of making something along with. At one point I was looking for something in my photo gallery and found myself scrolling through photos of some of the junk journals I’ve made over the last year.

These photos represent a mash up of different books, in no particular order. I collect them here as a reminder to myself of what a creatively rich year I have had and when I’m feeling uninspired I can look to my own work and not feel like I have to reinvent the wheel with every make.

These are all journals that were sent off to an online consignment shop where someone who is not a friend or relative saw them and bought them.

I started making junk journals about 2 years ago when I made a book for my niece who was expecting her first baby.

Within the Junk Journal community and the various Facebook groups I follow, there is frequently the debate that using the term Junk Journal diminishes their artistry. 

I love the term because it allows me the freedom to play and create a hot mess if the journey takes me there.

I used to call my early books “Trainwreck Journals” and still try to go back and revisit the concept splashing ink and paint down throughout a freshly bound book. 

I’ve made over 200 journals in 2 years. That includes everything from mini notebooks to repurposed books to handmade hardcover, multi signature books.

I love collage and mixed media.

I learned how to do Eco-printing

I’m trying to use more fabrics and textiles within the books. What’s ironic here that after a career in costume design and a lifetime of sewing, I struggle with adding fibers and textiles. It feels like too much, too fussy, yet I’ve seen some real beauties out there in Facebook/YouTube land.

...and the most epic of all this past year was getting my iPad Pro and trying to learn Procreate. This crazy owl was a digital experiment resulting from a series of watercolors I created for my niece and baby great-nephews room.

All in all. It was a pretty good year.

Journals to the People: Marketplace 2021

 

This group was sent out to Lindsey's Marketplace last month.

Journals to the People: Daffodils

 

It's another repurposed readers digest book, collaged with decorative collage tissue and matte medium then sprayed with several coats of acrylic matte spray.

The interior uses up a bunch of Tim Holtz papers and a Stamperia paper pack I've been trying to use but a bit vexed by. The colors and textures are really cool but the images (large faces) and text (quotes about time) were weird. I covered 'em up.

I love the Tracie Fox digitals, something like Vintage Fabric Swatches.

Lotsa collage....

I lifted the "origami" folding of the signature covers from Jessica Rapp. It's brilliant.

Love the negative punches.

The belly band is a cut off from the Stamperia paper...who would use a face that big?

Outta My Comfort Zone in the Best Way Possible

 

This journal is the result of an online workshop I've been taking over the last two months. Wendy Solganik makes gorgeous journals she calls Willa's. She's Willa Wanders on Instagram. 

She incorporates gorgeous fabric mash ups in her sorta crazy quilt covers and a lovely variety of artistry and textures within.

I've been an avid follower of her Instagram for about a year and when she announced her first workshop late last year, I couldn't sign up fast enough. Worth. Every. Penny.

There's some original art in here...

I happily spent a whole day making a bunch of painty papers.

Included some old watercolor pages

...hand dyed papers using marigolds.

... wallpaper...

The signature cover papers were from a purchase I made at my local S.C.R.A.P. ( creative re-use center) years ago. It's a decorative paper fused onto a fabric so it's stiff. It's weird and cool at the same time.

I made pockets in each of the signature cover papers with lace and decorative paper.

My signature stamp

Love this book.