Paper Bag Journals ...

I love the idea of recycling brown paper bags from the grocery store. It seems so - green - and the price is right ! There are many tutorials on YouTube and you'll find many blogs with tutorials. I used this example from Judy Wise.

The pages have a unique texture and the end result does not need to be perfect. It's a great way to try out new techniques for very little investment and it really does not matter if you mess something up.

Here are a few of my pages - none are complete but it might give you an idea of the end result. I hope you try to make your own paper bag journal. I would love to see it if you do.

This is my messy work space. We have a screened porch so I often
work there when the weather is nice.

I used ink to add color to the scraps left over after
ripping the pages to size.                                                           

This cover is not finished. It is parchment paper
glued to the  brown paper and stamped /painted
I like the way this came out

I painted a base coat then added leaves on the left. I am
unsure how I will finish the right side. 

I love the soft colors on these pages

Trader Joe's bags are heavily printed. I either paint over
the design or incorporate it into what I am doing. 

Example of plain paper - love the texture 

Good To Be Back...

It has been a long time. I forgot my password and then we had connection issues, computer issues and the  usual 'life is just so busy'. There were many posts I wanted to add such as the Halloween snow storm.  After that storm we barely had any snow all winter.  Then there was the hurricane where one of my favorite maple trees lost a few large limbs that ended up very gracefully draped over my car. Missed opportunities for sharing.

But I am now back, my password is safely written down and the technical issues are resolved. I hope you are back with me too.

So, how are things with all of you? In the meantime I thought I would share my spring garden.