The dolls above were sewn by my grandmother this Christmas past for my cousin's 4-year-old twins, Abby and Chloe, using a vintage pattern and mostly fabric scraps. The dolls are appropriately named Abby and Chloe as well. :) At 85, my grandmother has been stitching away for decades and is still kicking up dust at the sewing machine. I think she missed her calling in life. She made beautiful dresses for me when I was small... sewed wardrobes for my younger cousin, Pam... made dresses and nightgowns for my daughter and is now sewing for Pam's girls. She made my wedding dress, from which I, in turn, used the train to make a hand-smocked and beaded traditional christening gown that all of my children wore. What? you say – You cut up your wedding dress?? (Everyone says that.) Yeah... I did... I figured I have enough pictures of it, right?
My grandmother taught me that it's okay to think 'outside the pattern'... to deconstruct and reconstruct. She often remakes patterns or combines pieces from different patterns, or just improvises (a traced dinner plate makes a perfect scalloped hem on a flower girl's dress). Sometimes she enlists my help and I get to make satin rosettes or create pink-and-purple yarn hair for a rag doll (we ran out of orange).
Here's a picture of the real-life Abby and Chloe girls... or is that Chloe and Abby??
Precious.
Take a cue from my grandmother. If you've been thinking about trying something new, go ahead – mix it up a little. Color outside those lines. Personally, I think the pink-and-purple hair looks fab, don't you?
The photo above is of a journal in process.
The original post describing this project is here.
Here are some simple guidelines to observe if you are planning to make a journal to send along for Turning Point. Mostly, they're common sense but I just want to be sure we're on the same page.
1. If you are making a journal using a composition notebook, please use one that is stitched rather than perforated. Just my little quirk, as these are sturdier and won’t result in pages being accidentally torn out over time and use. Mine are standard sized, 200 pages (100 sheets). I believe they’re available in wide and college ruled. Wide might be good for children’s journals.
2. Uplifting quotes, song snippets, poetry, etc. are often used to complement and enhance artwork. Please, though, be mindful of the sensitive situations that journal recipients have left when choosing quotes.
3. The journals might be subjected to a lot of wear and tear, being tossed in tote bags, backpacks, etc. Keeping dimensional and dangly elements to a minimum will help ensure that a journal’s unique design stays intact. A good, sturdy (non-toxic) glue and also protective layers of clear acrylic placed over dimensional elements where possible will help.
4. Remember that kids use the journals, too! Kid-friendly designs will be welcomed, as well as stickers, special pens, pencils, etc., as per suggestions on the Turning Point wishlist.
5. I am reminded that some folks would like to contribute to the project without having to create a journal. Purchased journals can be sent, as well as any supplies or stickers, etc., as suggested above. If you’d like to simply send a blank composition book I will be happy to create a journal in your name or find another artist to do so.
6. Please contact me for a mailing address when you are ready to send. Whenever I have gathered 12 or so journals, I’ll deliver them to Turning Point. My hope is that this will be ongoing so feel free to work on these as you are inspired to do so. There are no time constraints.
IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE SENDING MORE THAN ONE JOURNAL PLEASE SEPARATE THEM WITH WAXED OR PARCHMENT PAPER TO KEEP THEM FROM STICKING TOGETHER DURING MAILING- THANK YOU!
I will be posting photos of your journals as they arrive. Stay tuned!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thanks to everyone who has expressed an interest in helping, and to those yet to come.
Peace!
Deb
=====UPDATE: Project Guidelines HERE=====
Above is a photo of a journal I created for my local women's shelter. This is something I have been intending to start on for the past couple of years. The shelter, Turning Point, uses over 500 journals a year, giving them to the women and children who come through their doors seeking refuge from domestic violence. I was surprised by this number. Journals are something I wouldn't have thought to donate had I not seen them on the list, but what a great idea.
Journaling is therapeutic, as it says on their wish list (where journals are actually listed in two places). As both writer and artist, it has been my thought to create journals that are a little bit special, something that might let one know that someone else was at least thinking of them... Something bright to perhaps offer a small measure of comfort in a difficult time.
The butterfly image is Mariposa Lily, #2. She represents the Goddess of Transformation and she carries 'Quan Yin light' – the energy of compassion.
I began with a basic black-and-white wireless (stitched) composition notebook (200 pages), painted it black, then 'aged' and distressed it with sandpaper. (If you have received almost anything from me in the past, oh, six or eight months – calendar pages, cards, ATCs, etc. – you might know that sandpaper is my new best friend. ;) Sandpaper really softens the finish and gives the book the feel of worn leather.
A bit of torn paper and a few coats of clear acrylic and gel medium for protection, more roughing up, a vintage metal button with a nice patina, a ribbon closure and she's done. I chose only to embellish the outside covers as there's a lot of info printed inside that may be helpful to someone who might possibly be heading to college or job searching.
I like the contrast of the butterfly emerging from the chaos and aged backdrop. The Goddess of Transformation holds the key, after all, to the ancient (inner) wisdom needed to become that which we already are.
On the back is a simple reminder to stop and breathe.....
I am not normally prone to New Year's resolutions... but the question was posed on the 14 Secrets group about our creative resolutions and I thought it would give me a kickstart to publicly acknowledge this endeavor. A few more little nudges, those friendly postcards from the Universe that won't be ignored, and hey! the first journal's done. Only 499 to go... :)
I will be working away at this project, at my own pace. Unless I can start kicking out 2 or more a day, though, it is highly doubtful that I will complete 500 journals by myself this year, so I welcome anyone who would like to contribute to join me. The more, the merrier. I promise I have your favorite tea (as long as it's green or Earl Grey... or maybe chai).
If you are interested, please either contact me or leave a comment with an email address BEFORE you start. There are some guidelines that need to be observed. If enough folks express an interest, I'll post the guidelines for easy reference on this blog.
Or, maybe you'll want to contact the women's shelter in your area and see if they are in need of journals...
Right-click on the images to enlarge and open in a new window.
It's a GORGEOUS day, today – so warm (66 – whoa...) and sunny. Just beautiful.
The March calendar page above was created by Pipp. It's a lovely and eclectic mix of lace, fabric, sheet metal (!), torn paper and vintage buttons. It even includes a quilt square. I enjoy the blending of torn brown craft paper and vintage lace and fabric. It's a nice visual contrast. I often use torn brown paper with shinier elements in my work just for that reason. Lots of great textural elements going on in this page. Sheet metal – who would have guessed?? (It's the reddish brown area speckled with silver.) There's a very nostalgic feel... which somehow seems to go with March...
In her beautiful handwriting, she has written at the bottom of the page:
"Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn."
Just perfect. Thanks, Pipp!
