Thursday, August 22, 2013

On putting it all together...

Hi friends! The page I have to share with you today is a great example of how you can take the things you learn in various workshops and combine them to work for you!  This is a page in my "Book of Days" journal...

The journal is a 9x12" graph paper journal.  I just love making these grids!
Here is a list of the workshops that I have learned from

Book of Days:  Title and concept of doing "multi-day spreads" in your journal.
Moonshine: The idea of making a daily "Hurrah" list.
Lollapalooza 3:  The actual journal itself, and the grid-making technique.
Life Book 2013: The tulips were a practice sketch for my pink tulip Life Book page.

I put them all together and add my own style, colors and life experience to the pages, and I have a journal that is both a nod to all those workshops, and unique to me at the same time.  I love working in this book so much! I get to use stamps that I love, record the weather and my daily happenings, paste in art that inspires me (I always add the artist's name if I know it, for future reference); and play with tons of CoLOR!  I've mentioned it before, but the backgrounds are almost all panpastel.  The exception on this page is the background of the square that says "celebrate."  I used a tombow marker for that one.

I want to answer a question posted by Dawn in an earlier post.  She asked...

"Oh, I know a question for you. Do you put a time limit on each page you make so you don't keep reworking it or rethinking your ideas?"

I don't put a time limit on my pages per se, but for the most part I like to finish them in one sitting. That is mainly due to my short attention span; but also because I don't want perfectionism to creep in.
Years ago, it literally took me weeks to finish drawing a face, because I kept erasing and fixing endlessly.  After awhile, it made art no fun for me, and ended in burnout.  Since then, I have really learned to let go and accept - no CELEBRATE imperfection!  I rarely go back and rework a page.  Usually if I get an idea of how it would have been better, I will just apply that knowledge to the next page I make.

I hope that answers your question Dawn!  Thanks so much for asking!

10 comments:

Raine said...

Wow! Michelle, you never cease to blow me away with your journals! I love how you've taken the Gridded Journal and made it your own. Great job!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

Loveeeeee how you blended this page together!! LOVING that "celebrate" down the middle!!

Jessica Ann Lane said...

So pretty! You know you've learned something if you can take it and apply it somewhere else...great job!

Emie58 said...

What a colorful page. I really like the idea of MDS... they're fun for me b/c not a lot happens for me every day. Been thinking about Life Book 3013... funds are short for me so I'm wondering if it's worth the investment? Keep an eye out for your mail box.....
Hugs, Emie

Jane Wetzel said...

first, thank you Michele for the great posts..love your blog. Love the idea of the grid journal..is this just plain grid paper? Do you need to glue pages together? or..do you just keep it simple in this journal.. :)

Pilgrim said...

Your post is simply beautiful. I love your blog and how you have learned to incorporated into own unique style. You inspire me.

Unknown said...

beautiful! I love how you referenced the different workshops. You inspire me all the time!

dawn said...

Michelle, this is BEAUTIFUL AND WHAT I WOULD WANT MY PAGE TO LOOK LIKE. WOW, you are amazing my friend. Both pages flow together so nicely, LOVE LOVE IT!!

Funny you have the word celebrate there, I just wrote about it on my birthday blog post, come by and see that and the amazing bday banner my daughter made me, you will love it!
Hope your birthday was AWESOME JUST LIKE YOU!! HUGS!!
Happy Day 22, your on a roll now my friend and can't be stopped!

p.s. thanks so much for answering the question, it helps knowing you struggled with this and know just go for it!!

Sharon Fritchman said...

Hi again Michelle! Thanks so much for telling us how you make your beautiful pages and how you use your workshops to inspire you! I love these amazing and creative pages!

Deanna Hogan said...

Amazing journal spread. I love how you've incorporated all you've been working on.