One Step at a Time...

In order to give myself a little kick start back into blogging, I joined this Blogalong with Effy.  I've only missed one day so far.  Yippee!!

Check it out and join in

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.

Friday Night Out ...

and worth every penny. It is a wonderful feeling to sit in a auditorium full of people that are all laughing at the same time. I enjoyed hearing everyone's laughter as much as I enjoyed hearing Sedaris reading excerpts from new stories.

 

A Day in New Hampshire ...

We have been in our home for 7 years and in all that time we rarely venture out to just explore our surroundings. On weekends we always have a destination and a tight time frame. So this weekend we decided to take time and explore New Hampshire.  We just 'followed our noses' and I am so glad we did. This whole area, Northern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire is very beautiful; horse and apple farms, pumpkins and mountain views. 

We found this beautiful lake just 20 minutes from home. The water was amazingly clear and reflective and with the leaves beginning their change, it held us captive.

Do you see the little fish in this picture?  Look in the upper left hand corner.

 The water was chilly but very comfy after a minute or so.

Then we stopped for a late lunch/early dinner - Parker's is a Sugar House, Restaurant and Gift Shop all in one. My kind of place ! and it has the very best homemade turkey dinners.

See you all later.

Hypertufa Planter ...

Has anyone tried making a hypertufa planter or trough? I just unmolded my first attempt and frankly I feel a bit proud. Mixing the cement, peat moss and perlite is a bit tiring but it was fun too.  I especially like the cost compared with buying something manufactured for retail sale. I'll also wait for warmer weather as playing with water in the fall is chilly.

On my 'To Do' list for the winter will be finding more items to use as molds. In the pictures below I used a plastic desk bin about 8' X 12' and 6 inches deep.  I love the way the mixture poked through the holes in the basket.

If you 've made something from hypertufa I'd love to see it. If you want to try it for yourself just google hypertufa to find many great resources.

Ch Ch Ch Changes ...

It is cold, 34 F ... oh wait, that was yesterday. Today it is close to 80 F.  Did anyone else feel that the summer just flew by.  Here are a few pictures of the action around here.