Fall Fun . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone! I’ve been out of the loop this past week because I was on vacation with my college friends in the Finger Lakes, NY. It was absolutely beautiful, and it was so much fun to be with them again. It was amazing to catch up with everyone and to celebrate our birthdays. I cannot believe that we have been friends for so many years.

I’m thrilled to be guest-hosting Art Journal Journey Monthly for September and embracing the Hello Autumn theme. Your projects this month are truly remarkable!

I’m excited to share two Halloween-themed posts (this one and my next post!) about a Halloween party tradition that I loved when our daughters were growing up.  One of our travel group moms would host an amazing (and I mean really amazing!!) Halloween party every year. 

Today, I'm sharing a scrapbook page I created to commemorate Anne’s first Halloween party in 2005.  It was fun to take her to this incredible Halloween party when she was just 3. It was an outstanding experience, complete with outdoor pumpkin decorating stations, a spooky piñata, and a horse-drawn hay ride! Wow!

Here is my mixed media scrapbook page:

I put together my page using photos from Anne’s first Halloween party. I used two coordinating patterned papers I had on hand, a "fall fun" die-cut title, some fall leaves, and a die-cut scarecrow I purchased on eBay years ago.  I finished it off with a blue striped ribbon. I enjoyed making this page for Anne so she can look back and remember her first Halloween party. To me, this is what scrapbooking is all about!

I hope you’re enjoying AJJ’s theme this month.  Stay tuned! My next project is about a Halloween party we attended a few years later at the same home.

I am looking forward to seeing what YOU create!

I’m also sharing two photos from a morning walk around the pond. The signs of fall are definitely starting to pop up!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today.  Happy September!

All That We Behold . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone!

I hope you’re all having a wonderful September! Here in eastern PA, the weather has been hot and humid lately. I’m really hoping for cooler temperatures and less humidity soon!

I'm also very excited to share another project I created for my September Hello Autumn theme at Art Journal Journey Monthly!

I decided to make a hybrid, double-page art journal spread:

I used a background I already had, and I mixed in some images from an old Mary Engelbreit calendar to create this hybrid spread. I digitally painted the blue sky and light green/yellow grass, and then I added another Mary Engelbreit image of the child in a pile of Autumn leaves. I remember jumping into leaf piles as a child, so this was very nostalgic for me! Finally, I digitally typed my sentiment, which I found in another old Mary Engelbreit calendar.  It was a lot of fun to make!

I’m so excited to see all of your Autumn-themed projects this month at Art Journal Journey Monthly!  I love getting the opportunity to connect with incredible artists from all over the world.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy September!

Before She Became a Mom . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly!

I’m so happy to be hosting Art Journal Journey Monthly for the third time! I’ve enjoyed seeing all your entries so far—they’re truly amazing!

Fall always makes me feel nostalgic, so today I'm sharing a scrapbook page I made in memory of my beautiful mom.  She passed away at the age of 89 during COVID on December 20, 2020. Luckily, we were able to see her after she entered hospice care.  I know that a lot of families were not allowed to see their loved ones during such a painful and restrictive time, and my sisters and I were very grateful that we could have a chance to be with her and say goodbye.

Here is my project:

I created a 12 x 12 mixed-media scrapbook page featuring a photo of my mom "before she became a mom." I think she looked so carefree, stylish, and beautiful here! The 12 x 12 background paper is from Bo Bunny, a brand I had in my stash for years. The rest was pretty simple and easy to put together.  I printed and cut the photo to fit into the background paper. I added the title, some chicken wire chipboard, and a typed label. For my September theme, I incorporated fall colors like dark and light browns, tan, and sepia.  Also, the photo was taken in the fall of 1949.

I'm finishing my post with a photo that I took during our morning walk.  I really felt my mom's presence that day!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today. I hope you’re enjoying AJJ’s theme this month as much as I am!

Good Vibes Only . . . For Art Journal Journey Monthy!

Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to host Art Journal Journey Monthly again this year.  Thank you, Erika and Elizabeth, for asking me!

For September, I chose the theme Hello Autumn. I love Fall and how versatile this theme is, and I hope YOU will love it, too!  You can create pages about Autumn activities, holidays, weather, parties, or anything else that inspires you about Fall.  Whatever you come up with, I’m sure it’ll perfectly capture the essence of Autumn.

If you’re new to Art Journal Journey Monthly, it’s a fun challenge site where a different artist takes the spotlight each month and chooses a theme for everyone to explore. The community is super diverse, with amazing art journalers, altered book artists, rubber-stamp fans, digital artists, and mixed-media creators from all over the world. Each month, you can join in by sharing your projects on their site.

Here’s my first project, a mixed media scrapbook page:

I was inspired by this adorable photo of Anne that I took in the Fall of 2012! Playing in the leaves and hiking with us were two of her favorite things to do! The moment I saw this adorable photo, I knew it was perfect for my first project with AJJ this month! I matted it and added it to my page, using fall colored patterned paper, fall burlap leaves, yellow washi tape, a fun tag with orange rickrack, and a little messy thread to make it all look complete. 

I’m so honored to be asked to host again at Art Journal Journey Monthly! Please visit their site (at the highlighted link) and join in on the fun! I know you will love it!

And I am also sharing some photos that I took at the farm by our home.  The wheat fields looked so colorful.

The deer created pathways through the wheat fields:

The trees are still green, but the grass is turning yellow, signifying the beginning of fall:

And here's Abbey enjoying a little rest during our walk:

That’s me snapping the photo! We rescued her 7 years ago, and now she’s my morning companion!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today! Wishing you a very Happy September. I hope you can find some time to join me at AJJ this month.  Also, take time to relax and truly enjoy the beautiful season of Autumn, my absolute favorite time of year.