I came across this over on Michelle Ward's GPP Street Team site where I lurk from time to time.
It's all about Pandora's Box.... well that caught my eye for a start. Don't want to be accused of spreading evil across the world as a result of my curiosity, as did Pandora. That whole story about Pandora opening the box despite dire warnings to the contrary..... gives me the shivers. Actually had I been in Pandora's shoes I would probably not have opened the box because my pathologial resistance to break any kind of rule would probably have outruled my curiosity. (It's something I'm learning to deal with, I now try and break one rule or do something 'naughty' every day...) But of course what was left with in the bottom of the box was hope, so there is reason enough for me to play along. Can't pass up the opportunity of a bit of hope.
Sorry, rambling.
Michelle's idea is to pull together some stash to make an art journal kit that can go along with you. In order to make you a more regular and efficient art journaller, you see. This appealed, as I can never decide what to use and what to take when I'm off somewhere. I have too much stuff of course, which means too much choice, which means too difficult, which means I don't start.... And then, when I'd been mulling it over for a while I saw this...
...gorgeous, teeny, leather suitcase for sale in the gift shop of a country house we visited a few weekends ago. And it was HALF PRICE! It spoke to me, nay, it sang to me... buy me, fill me with precious art supplies, take me with you wherever you go... so I did.
Nesting within....stamps, scissors, glue stick, inkpads, clippings, paint dabbers, watercolour crayons, pens...
And have I used it? Erm.... I'm kind of at the sitting looking at it stage. It's so beautiful, see?
I did do some journal pages but used almost everything BUT what was in the kit.
Which brings me to something else I've been thinking about. I tend to think of art journalling and scrapbooking as separate things, where what I'd really love to do is to combime the two so I don't have to think, when in creative mood... shall I do a scrapbook page or art journal page? I'd like it to be the same thing. I've only been scrapbooking for a year but I find it hard to follow the traditional scrapbooking path of making layouts of high days and happy days and holidays and find the 'warts and all' everyday stuff so much more compellling and interesting. I'm gradually finding others who do this successfully. It tends to involve using a lot of paint, and quite a 'grungy' look- right up my street.
This is the kind of thing I mean.
Am I a rebellious scrapboooker? Oooo no, like I say, I don't like to break the rules. But then again...
Any more of you out there?
hey maz! glad you unlurked and jumped in on our journal kit crusade. what a great box!!! and i'm swooning over your journal pages, and cracking up that you used everything BUT what was in your kit. i think it's fine to break the 'rules', who made them anyway? blurring between visual journal and scraooing is a good thing, IMO. i like your do-somtething-naughty-everyday motto. you can come sit by me :)
Posted by: michelle ward | February 24, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Oh I can so relate to everything you say! I live by the rules too, so much so that I find it hard to break out of my little box. I also find it hard to find common ground between scrapbooking and journalling but you have successfully combined the two imo. I love your little case full of goodies and your journal pages are brilliant...I think I should be brave and put paint and photo together too...what do you think?
Posted by: Julie | February 24, 2008 at 09:14 PM
OH MY GOSH! What I wouldn't give for a case like that! What a great find! Love what you did with it, and what you did "without" it too!
Sheila
Posted by: Sheila Earhart | February 24, 2008 at 11:22 PM
mmmm-love the turquoise and red layout! Really wonderful! I'm still trying to my get my pack together, checking everyone else out!
Posted by: Tally Oliveau | February 25, 2008 at 08:10 AM
Hi Maz,
I love your GREAT little box filled with stuff to journal. And I LOVE the journaling scrapbooking page you made. Hee, Shakespear already said: WHAT's in a name? If it suits you, DO IT! It is BEAUTIFULL, so go girl go and brake more RULES!
Hedwig
Posted by: hedwig | February 25, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Oh Maz, do keep pushing those borders! Mix and mess it all up! That makes the whole thing so much more interesting, don't you think?
Posted by: Maj | February 25, 2008 at 04:32 PM
I think like that too. I only do a journal page or a scrapbook page (which I haven't done in a long time!) and if I put as much effort into scrapbooking as I did other things I would be pretty happy I think. I love the size of your journal too!
Posted by: Amy | February 25, 2008 at 09:22 PM
What a cool case, I'd be doing some looking and admiring before I could use it too! I like your journal/scrapbook pages, I think it is all about doing what feels right for you. Ux
Posted by: Ursula Clamer | February 25, 2008 at 10:25 PM
your little travel case is adorable beyond words!! oh my i am green with envy. ADORABLE. I would take it everywhere too. Good on ya! And do your own thing with scrapbooking/journaling thing. push those boundaries. i love the raw look. i wish i could combine the two too but just never seem to be able to do it successfully. you certainly can. LOVE your pages.
Posted by: tina | February 25, 2008 at 10:36 PM
rules? what rules? That is indeed a darling case. The 'muddy childhood spread is outstanding. It speaks so well to the precious moments of daily life of kids.
Posted by: susan w | February 26, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Is this the most awesome little trunk? And I can't even say how much I love those pages. I know what you mean about rules and breaking them and someone always seems to have something to say about it, no matter how much they claim to be rule-breakers themselves, so you can't even listen, you GOTTA BE YOU! I love the style with which you break rules. Also, love the rambling. I'll be back for more.
Posted by: Chris | February 26, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Loved your pages and your box for your kit-- i'm so jealous. It IS the perfect size! I didn't read all thru the responses to your post but I HAVE to recommend a couple of books to you that sound right up your alley (if you haven't already read them). Journal Revolution and Visual Chronicles. Both books are by a pair of sisters, last names Woods and Dinino. I keep them on my art desk permanently. They go in depth describing how scrapbooking helps you save your memories but journaling helps you save your sanity. They combine the two in remarkable and inspiring ways. They rock!
-sondra
Posted by: sondra | February 28, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Oh your case is awesome and your journal pages are beeeyouteeful!
Posted by: Julie Molina | February 28, 2008 at 07:46 AM
Your journal is fantastic!!! Show me more!!!!
Posted by: forcryeye | March 01, 2008 at 04:52 PM
I'm just cruising to see what everyone came up with for their travelling kit. Your case is in a category of it's own! I LOVE it! It's BEAUTIFUL! Never mind taking it somewhere to make art, that case would *inspire* art! I would be making pages about that case - probably for days!
Posted by: Sue in western WA | March 02, 2008 at 09:54 PM
I know all about the too much stuff, too difficult, never start "thing"... big problem for me... gotta keep it simple and yeah, gotta learn to break the rules (I'm not great at that either!) Love the kit and the pages too!
Posted by: carin.c | March 03, 2008 at 12:48 PM