a little bit of book binding!

After my Inspiration Tuesday Post on hand bound journals, I got the itch...and itch to make my own! So I gathered up some supplies, started folding signatures filled with card stock, scrapbook papers, old papers I'd been hoarding of johns old engineering homework, and some mixed media paper to filled out the book. Some Canvas boards some bookbinding thread and some upholstery fabric for my tabs!

I did and exposed spine look for this art journal, and used lots of collage materials to make my covers, some of these are collage sheets from Mermaid Circus, some old wallpaper, scrapbook paper and some coloured copies of my art work, little washi tape and I'm done!

I even added one of my little Moo business cards to the front cover with my Details on the front! I loved making this so much, I bought the supplies to make a couple more! I also promised my sister a sketchbook before she arrives for my engagement party!

in my other art journal, one that Im reluctant to keep working in because I know I have this beauty ready to be used! I worked on some mermaid circus homework.

on Friday, I have a post about the evolution of my journals, to see where I came from...to where my journals are today...for people that get clouded vision about your journals having to look like master pieces! I assure you...you will be shocked at my first journals!

Hope you have a fantastic Thursday!
xx Courtney

Friday Pages - Bursting with colour!

welcome to another friday of Fridays Pages, a collection of stuff I've been working on, so you guys can keep up with my bits and bobs!

I've been trying to work on my homework for mermaid circus, so alot of it based around that, actually looking over my images, all of it is related to that course lol.

getting some face work back into my journals, I've spent so long living in my nookdweller world that I'd not given faces much of a look! so it was time to start sketching and getting out my pencils and markers to make some faces!

My darling man took me to officeworks the other day so I could photocopy up a storm! including collage sheets by the lovely Teesha that she designed just for the course, and pages of my own stuff to start using for collage work...I re sized an image I did during one of Janes courses, to turn into my next mermaid in my book!

Week one had me cutting up a storm, I had such a fun time making this collaged beauty, I've never really collaged in the traditional sense, but I really enjoyed the process, one I think I'll incorporate into my work more often! something I can do while watching tv with the Mr.

Playing with my creatures, and some more facework, I'm really liking the general size of this journal, its a nice holding size when I'm sitting and drawing.

That's all from me today!
if there is anything you'd like to know about these pages, just ask me in the comments and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!
xx Courtney

the dancers of the ocean - Inspiration Tuesday.

 

 image from Mermaid Circus

 I am very very lucky to have the opportunity to be able to take part in this art class. 

The lovely Teesha Moore, and Jane Davenport are teaming up to create a whimsy beautiful class called Mermaid Circus....so today I am being taken under the sea to to the underwater attraction of the Mermaids. I got lost in pintrest looking for images of mermaids...they really are magical beings...and I am falling in love with them..as I know many before me already have.

 image from Mermaid Circus

 

There is something about the flowing hair, and the colour palette of the mermaids that is just calming and beautiful. I am thinking I need some mermaid art in my house somewhere, maybe even in my bathroom...just to add some stillness and quiet beauty to my life.

I love this old fashioned almost botany sketch of the creature blow, she just seems so content.

 

 *sigh* they are majestic, and I'm totally smitten.

enjoy the loveliness that is the mermaids....they really make you feel...limitless.
xx Courtney

currently crafting.

Happy Thursday!
I am having such a great time exploring a new medium of fabric and thread. I can sew, I have made 2 quilts and many quilt squares...but this is a little different.

For my birthday I asked my girlfriends to get me started with a little embroidery love...and they did a great job! I have a couple of basic books, and I've been watching youtube videos, and immersing myself in blogs on the lovely thready subject...but while I sat in the drs office last week I thought I'll just jump in with both feet and try...no real stitches, just me trying to draw with thread. So when I'm stuck creativity in my art journal, I draw flowers...so what did I do...I stitched flowers, or the start of some!
I think I will fill the hoop with flowers, no real precise technique, just me making images with thread instead of art supplies....I must say, I am loving it!

Now! another thing that is inspiring me and making me pick up a needle and thread, is the lovely and so very talented Teesha Moore.  made these videos a while ago now, and I watched them then...and I've watched them about 10 times recently! take the time to watch all 4 vids, its such a simple technique but it creates some awesome looking journal covers!

 So I got my fabrics out, and my threads and before I knew it, I was making the little pillows to make a journal cover! they are nice and relaxing to just sit and stitch on the couch. Who doesn't love a good handmade journal! Lets hope mine is half as awesome and cool as the lovely Teesha.

what are you crafting today?
share your links in the comments! I love to find new blogs, and discover who my readers are.
xx Courtney