Tuesday, May 29, 2012

evolves: verb

to develop something gradually

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Inspire Me Monday
where you can share anything you want that is inspiring you.

Ever since I had to downsize and moved into my apartment I have been inspired by my balcony. Even though I had been use to flower gardening on a much grander scale it has been an awesome experience to be tucked away up top among the trees. I have been enjoying the wild life that evolves around the creek and the woods. I have even grown to enjoy my container gardening.

Now I hope you don't mind my regressing a bit, but I have wanted to maintain a garden journal for years, but the massive work that went into the gardening itself somehow drained my desire to write about it. So I never got around to it.

Then I noticed with my blogging, that I was keeping a record of everyday happenings, a lot which pertained to my balcony life. These weren't things I was putting into my scrapbook either and it dawned on me that my blog had become a type of journal for my gardening and wildlife adventures.

So due to all the beautiful art journals I get to see through my blogging friends, I have decided to take posts from my blog and incorporate them into a journal of sorts, which I am calling:

What happens on the balcony goes on the blog

It's a little of this and a little of that. The only rule I am keeping is that the only parts that go into my journal had to have happened out on the balcony. Plus, I can only draw, doodle or use stamps on my pages, and no worrying if it's not perfect. Considering I don't draw, doodle or use stamps much makes that more challenging than it might sound to you. ;)

I was also inspired from watching Donna Downeys, Inspiration Wednesday video, which I am currently addicted to watching. I crumbled the background sheet like she did, I used butterflies to scatter across my page where she used numbers and I used my Dymo Label maker instead of masking tape. I just enjoyed getting all inky and creating the page.

 Currently I am trying to catch up, so here is an April page:

which I am also entering in The Artist Playroom on Just Add Water, Silly with the theme to magnify. I tried to draw a close up of the raccoons tails . It was easier to do than his face, lol

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Don't forget to link up:
In the hills of North Carolina

20 comments:

...the yorkshire fox... said...

...wow Sandee this is just AWESOME!! so so pretty with all the colours & details...& it's always loVely seeing the happenings on the balcony...fabby stuff...Mel :)

CraftygasheadZo said...

Such a great idea and lovely pages you've created already. Zo xx

Redanne said...

Hi Sandee, what a brilliant idea and your journal is beautiful, very Donna Downey-esque too. Her wonderful ideas have rubbed off on you very well! How nice too that you now have the time to do your journal, you do see some amazing things from your lovely balcony. We downsized too and now have a wonderful walled courtyard where DH spents lots of time, which gives me lots of time to craft. Result. Crafty hugs, Anne x

enthusiastically, dawn said...

I love yuyr creativity. I think it is wonderful that you are making time and stretching yourself with this journal! Please feel free to also link up your journal creations at our Random Journal Day Link Up every Thursday- I think it would bring inspiration to our community! Waving hello to YOU Sandee! Have a lovely week!

Mary Pat Siehl said...

oh sooo pretty! those flowers are beautiful~

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Sandee,

This is a great idea! Your little balcony is perfect -- enough to get your hands dirty and not enough to wear you out! More time to sit and enjoy. Especially the visitors you have!!!

The old barn was very interesting. There were lots of mines in that area so I think that's where all the rock came from. I love rock structures!

Hugs,
Kay

Dawn said...

Oooh Sandee, what a wonderful idea my lovely. I adore your cover, beautifully made and indicative of the crafty goodness that will be inside methinks.
Hugs x x x x

Terrie said...

Excellent idea for a journal and what a great memory keeper it will be. I saw Donna's video and meant to try the crumpled paper in my journal this weekend and totally forgot. I'm doing it as soon as I get home from work! I thought it was such a fun way to add texture - I've used tissue paper before, but this should be a little different.... Your cover is FAB and can't wait to see you start to build up the inside.

Terry said...

What a pretty journal page and very clever idea! Thanks for the inspiration!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Somehow I have missed Donna Downey. Never heard of her till I read your blog. But I really like that background, so I may have to do an internet search for her.

At first I thought you were going to put what happens on the balcony stays on the balcony, but I like that you have turned it into a blog post instead.

Thanks for the geography lesson. I don't take terrain into account, since I live in a State that is even flatter than my chest (grin).

minnemie said...

beautiful journal -and I love the tail too! waiving hi from the flat lands of SC;-)

Victoria said...

Yay..such a beautiful dazzling journal and such a fabulous idea..how inspiring and fun-spirited..what a nice way to share spots and moments of magic..all on the balcony..shine on!
Victoria

Rita said...

Love your journal spread! I am a novice with art journaling and love watching other people's videos and seeing their work for inspiration. Your raccoon tail is great for magnify and made me smile! So glad you stopped by. New follower! :)

Darla said...

Great journal page and the magnification is perfect for the APR challenge.

Darla

VonnyK said...

Your journal idea is fabulous, it is really lovely. The colours are gorgeous. I had a giggle at the racoons tail, I would have done that end too!! The perfect magnification!
Von.

Jennifer McLean said...

I'm thinking that both the cover and the raccoon tail count as magnified. I'm loving the raccoon tail, made me laugh!! BEAUTIFUL journal cover and wonderful work inside, thanks for your submission Sandee.
Best,
Jenn

carol l mckenna said...

lovely creation ~ love your artstyle and your balcony sounds like a delightful place ~ thanks, ^_^

Tracey FK said...

that journal is a great idea and the raccoon tail made me laugh out loud... I agree that would be easier than drawing his face... great take on the topic...xx

Create With Joy said...

This is beautiful Sandee! Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy!

Lynn Holland said...

Lovely to see so many of my blog friends here on your blog.
What a wonderful idea creating a journal from your blog. To me it's hard to beat the feel of a book and the expectation of what's to come on the next page. You've got me thinking now as I always loved doing sketchbooks at college.
Have you seen Frances Pickering's book PAGE AFTER PAGE. I think you would enjoy it and find it very useful. You can find it on Amazon.
Lynn x