Tuscan Rose

there's been some paint too

it may seem that this blog has been all about fabric and sewing but
there's been some journal painting also

This is the book I am currently working in.
It is a vintage ledger book.

it is mostly paint but that may change before it becomes full
this page is spray paint

it seems like circles are something that is going on right now on the pages of this journal

messy circles

I like this page which brings me back to thinking about fabric.
This would be fun in fabric....
which takes me back to sewing...

Love making these quilted lunch bags but just how many do I need. Evidently quite a few since I have made several now.


They are perfect for practicing machine quilting, a bit of embroidery and getting familiar with the new sewing machine

next project - Jeans using this pattern - Vogue 8774


and then I MUST finish the Channel style jacket.
The plan had been to construct it entirely by hand but that isn't happening with all the projects that I want to do. I am thinking that I am just going to finish it by machine. It would be a nice accomplishment but there is only so much time in the day.

Last week, I did complete my task of trying every single item on the menu at my favorite Vietnamese resturant. There is no American food on the menu, only Vietnamese. I love this kind of place to eat, authentic, consistent and affordable.

I have now had every item on the menu. Mind you, not in one attempt but rather over the past couple of years. It is my go to place to eat and pretty much the only place I want to go to, it's that good.

This place is incredible. Every dish is unique and I swear better than the last one tried. 120 items on the menu and all of them so very tasty, truly and incredible place to eat. (the number 120 item is the crepes but they aren't on the menu and only a special. I have had them three times...yummy)

Above is item number 119 - Com Bi Ca Nuong Cha Hot Ga
grilled chicken, shredded pork, steamed egg loaf, egg on rice
(oops, I nibbled on the point of the egg loaf before I thought to take a picture)

Now it's back to the beginning of the menu and start all over again.
Maybe I will start with the crepes, picture below



Maybe, I need to stop making quilted lunch bags.

purple dog running

 today's journal page
No particular reason why Ralph the Dog is purple other than I love cheap paint.
This page is just a silly play, where I swish on some paint with a palette knife and pick out a shape, just like picking out shapes in clouds.
I always find Ralph the Dog in the shapes.
This page may not be finished.
I may add a little UPS truck in the upper left corner.
Ralph the Dog's arch nemesis is the UPS man, he hates that brown truck with a passion.
I have been told that this is common with dogs, it's something about the engine in the truck and the sound it makes.

I use all types of paint in my journals and I love discounted paint samples at the hardware stores.
Every so often, I stop at the Habitat Re-Store and my local recycle center where most of the time these little containers of paint are free.

2.25.13

decided to use the small journal
today's page

all the bells and whistles

A huge thanks to everyone who left comments and sent emails wanting more pictures of the Guadalupe Boho Bag.
Here is a before picture.
The orginal bag is a military rucksack.

In it's original state it served well as my college backpack.
Over the years, this bag has evolved into my journal supply bag.
The bag also serves as the holder of my vintage whistle collection, charms and kuchi.
Some collected, some found and some given to me.

So without further words, here are some pictures.

The bag is never finished as I am always adding bits and sewing on it.
This is how it looks today but it may look completly different in a week.

This bag hold an incredible amount of stuff. 
I can get all my journal supplies in it along with a big journal and even lunch.
In another blog post, I will show the supplies and there containers.

Journal Bag

The old military back pack that I had in my college days is one of those things that I just can't toss out.
It's ones of those forever items that others see little value in.
It has served many uses over the years but the last 10 years, it has been where I keep my journal supplies.

Tucked inside was this blank journal that I had made and forgotten about.

Maybe it will be the journal that I start working in but the size is not feeling right.
It's a small 5 by 7 and I think that right now I might like to work in something just a bit bigger.
But I love the cover that I used from an old Victorian book to make this blank journal.

And in another blog post, I will show more of my vintage repurposed journal bag.
Loaded up with supplies it is a monster to carry but it holds everything I could possibly use.
An added bonus it hangs over the back of my work chair nicely which is perfect because living in a tiny house, storage is always an issue.

at the end a mermaid appeared

 

The journal that defied completed is officially done.

 

stubborn projects that defy completion

We all have them don't we, those projects that just don't get any closer to being finished.
 
This journal is one of those projects. I didn't like the size of this book, I didn't like the paper and it is very heavy.
 
Did I really start this in 2009? and I am still working in it.
 
 
Last night I pulled this book down and worked on a couple of pages. It only have three more left to finish, so I see an end to this project. Maybe this weekend, I will complete it.
 
Last night's page.

what to do on a rainy day

 
Updating the rose garden journal is a good project for a rainy day.
When all I want to do is get outside and work in the gardens, the journal is a good distraction.

As this journal grows in size, the binding is no longer working for this book.
This will give me something to think about (a better more functional binding) while I am out in the garden.
 
 
 
 
 

field notes

What is your favorite hobby or activity? Do you journal about it?
How about having a journal that is only about this activity.
 
I love roses but it's not just about the gorgeous blooms. I love everything about roses and I am especially crazy for old garden roses. My library has found and loaned to me just about every book on antique and old garden roses that can be found. I devour every bit of information I can find.
 
Learning about old garden roses, I mastered taking cutting and starting roses from these cuttings. Soon I wanted to expand this passion. While walking and traveling, I keep a watch for roses growing on abandoned lots and old cemeteries. (always obeying polite rose etiquette, ask first and only take a small cutting, never doing harm to the original plant)

Part of the fun is keeping detailed "field notes".  I will take a picture of the found rose in it's location, note the location and take notes of about the "mother plant". Notes are taken as the cutting progress and then when it blooms, I will try and identify the rose.

Yes, I am a rose geek. 
 
Currently, I am between houses and I didn't bring all my journals with me. Several boxes are in storage and my rose journal is one of them.
Before I moved I boxed up several loose pages so I could continue making notes which I will add to the rose journal when I am finally in my house and able to unpack.

I will be moving this week to my new home and my blog posts will probably be on hold due for a week or two. 

When I sold my last house, the gardens were filled with roses and I will miss them.  Knowing the sale of the house and move ahead of time, I was able to get cutting started of my favorite and rare roses. This past year, I have been holding about 25 roses in pots and I will be glad to get them in the ground. In a couple of days,Since I will have iffy internet connection, I will post once I get settled in my new home. 

Also, I will be making many of my etsy items inactive during this time as things are packed.

Cheers, everyone!!
I will be back soon.

radiant

 
The spray paint journal is coming to an end with a couple of pages left in this book.

Love the silver spray paint but nearly impossible to photograph.