inspiration monday giveaway!

as much as i love to create in a blank journal,
i also really love to create the blank journal itself!
and i've especially loved creating this particular journal, because it's for a
reason that's very close to my heart.

because with each poke of the needle into the paper.....

and each stitch made with the waxed linen thread....

i was thinking about how much i appreciate each and every one of you bloggy sweeties!
and even though i don't say it nearly often enough, please know that all of you beautiful little rays of sunshine who so lovingly stop by here from time to time to leave a sweet smile, words of encouragement, and inspiration galore, are cherished more than i could ever say!  

so please leave just one comment on this post to enter my giveaway,
because i would love for you to have this blank watercolor journal!
and even though it's a very small token of my gratitude,
the thought comes from the top, middle, and bottom of my thankful heart
(and everywhere else in between!!).


thank you, little bloggy sweetheart!!  
i think you're awesome!!

{to enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment here on this post 
(just one per person, please!) by 10:00 p.m. EST on wednesday, april 4th. 
a name will be chosen using the random integer, 
and i'll announce it on thursday, april 5th. 
please make sure that your comment either links back to 

your blog, or you leave your e-mail so i can contact you if your name is chosen!

(this giveaway is open to all bloggy sweeties who are 18 years of age or older.)}

{this blank journal was created using davey board, arches text wove paper for the covers, PVA glue, strathmore 140 lb. CP watercolor paper, waxed linen thread, metal eyelets}


edited:  comments are now closed......thank you for participating!!

inspiration monday

several years ago i challenged myself to create a little heart every day using watercolor pencils.  each sketch was done on a scrap piece of watercolor paper, and then bound into an accordion spine journal structure.  i didn't keep up with the challenge for very long, but it was a fun experiment and now i have a little collection of watercolor hearts to look back on!

here's a little sneak peek into my journal!
{you can watch here in larger format}


watercolor hearts created using watercolor pencils on strathmore 400 series w/c paper

three stamps and a journal

i remember a very talented art instructor telling me long ago that "your artwork isn't finished until you've signed it".  so i've created this little doodle stamp to add to journal pages, tags, the back of a handmade card, or any other favorite project that might need "finishing".

and here's one to document all those hours spent working in your favorite journal.....and drinking all of those grande-choco-lattes.....while at your favorite coffee shop! 

 just to give notice to all of that important stuff in your life, this stamp can be used to make tags for a special gift, your own note pads, or to hi-light special days on your calendar.

and i can't think of a better creative playground than one of these blank watercolor journals......the arches textwove paper on the covers, and the 140 lb. strathmore paper inside make it the perfect surface for your favorite wet or dry medium!

whatever your art tools of choice are, i hope you find lots of creative time to play with them this weekend......enjoy!

you can read more information about any of these items in my etsy shop!

a little sewing

i'm going to spend this afternoon doing a little sewing. i've got some book boards covered with arches textwove paper, and some watercolor papers folded and all ready for their make-overs into blank journals. i really enjoy the cutting and folding of the papers, and the gluing of the covers, but i must admit that the sewing is my favorite part. that's the part when everything comes together and suddenly you have a journal.....and it truly fascinates me every time!

return of the blank slate

one of the best ways to find out if you really love doing something is to not do it for a while. with our recent move, it's been about 5 weeks since i've made a new journal....and i've really missed it. there's something about sloshing glue across paper that makes me feel like a kid in art class again (and something about the smell that can make me a little woozy after a while!).

the gathering of supplies, the poking of holes in paper, and the sewing it together with waxed linen thread immediately takes me to one of my all-time favorite places....my comfort zone!

and finally after a little glue and a little stitching....the return of the "blank slate" watercolor journal! it's been a while since my etsy shop has seen one of these....and i absolutely loved making it!

you can read more information about this journal here