Friday 22 August 2014

Holiday journaling

Good morning peeps.
I trust that you are well. My wife and I are currently having a bit of a break up in the beautiful Lakes and Dales. Spending time meandering towns and hills alike and just re charging the batteries so to speak.
No, I'm not going to bore you with endless holiday snaps as I'm sure you will hate me if I show you all the stunningly gorgeous places like this.....
 But instead, I thought I would share some of the pages from my holiday journal. I decided to take a Smash Book with me this year. I'm enjoying working in it now that I've got over the initial "don't want to cover the pretty paper" stage.......
 I like this. I doodled around the bee. Top and bottom is stamped with my Fantasy Border 2 . Colour has been added with Distress Markers and the Spritzer too.
 The Stampotique image was stamped and cut out of white card and glued in place.
 I covered the existing writing on the page with some ribbon tape and a crackled heart. (It's the bees knees just didn't go with my words....)
 This page is perhaps more in keeping with the smash philosophy of just "smash" all the memories in; using bits and pieces picked up on your travels
 I've used postcards and a business card from Keswick on this side.
There are a couple of cards hinged together like this to open out.
 On this side, all the lovely vintage feel photos are from a brochure. I cut them out and taped down with washi tape. There's the ticket from the falls.
 Perfectly suited to the instant photo of me by said falls.....
 and of course, not forgetting the very rustic sheep made with wool and a twig picked up along the way to the falls.
 Then this page is fun. If you ever go to Grasmere and have time do go along to Allan Bank. It's a National Trust property but not as you think. It's a brilliant, fun and creative space. I've tried to reflect that on this page. On the left I made a pocket page using a bag from the National Trust shop which holds brochures etc. The "scarf" was knitted in one of the rooms by my wife
 The heart was done there too in the art room (All kitted out by Derwent of course)
 The little flower was crocheted there by my cousin and the typing was done on a VERY vintage typewriter in the Wordsworth room.......There was live music being played which was so lovely. It's a fab place for adults and children alike.
It's a place where you definitely make memories. We love it. I used Distress inks and markers to add colour to the page and my Alphabet Soup stamp to fill in the gaps.

I hope you enjoyed this peek into my holiday creativity; now as the sun is shining I think a lovely long walk is in order today so I'll catch you all later.....

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You look like you're having an amazing time. The pages are fabulous, but my favourite is the bee one. That National Trust property sounds fantastic...might just put it on the list! ;)

Anonymous said...

You look like you're having an amazing time. The pages are fabulous, but my favourite is the bee one. That National Trust property sounds fantastic...might just put it on the list! ;)

Karin said...

Gorgeous journalling pages Neil. Looks like you had an amazing time.

Francesca said...

Beautiful pages you have created. The holiday must be doing you good. Love Francesca

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you're having a great time. Your journal pages are wonderful, especially the one with the bee & that fab crackled heart.

~*~Patty S said...

Visiting you for the first time from The Craft Barn challenge blog.
Your bee journal pages are fabulous...so much to enjoy in your creativity.
My husband and I got to visit the UK last year and had a memorable tea in Grasmere with some of the gorgeous gingerbread on a warm slate slab...we did not want to leave.
I enjoy travel photos very much...it is the next best thing to visiting myself!

Sandie said...

I love journals and smash books the idea of adding to what is already on the page is fun but also daunting! The bee is beautiful! Love what you did with your pages and glad you both had fun and a well deserved rest.