December Journal page

Here's a new page inspired by Nancy's wrapping paper and our department's visit to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The Chihuly art is a color transfer on adhesive tape.

GPP - Girls on Film

Green Pepper Press, December challenge:

Michelle's challenge to get ourselves on film before the end of the year came at a great time. Here are some photos from a recent business trip to Southboro, Mass. I finally had the opportunity to meet my fellow co-workers who I've been working with since July. I enjoyed meeting them and seeing my old college stomping grounds -- Boston.

We took a trip to the Museum of Fine Arts -- another place I frequently visited in my 20s -- for a Degas collection and a Chihuly Christmas tree!

A perfect opportunity for me to get some photos! Enjoy! And Happy New Year!

Chihuly glass tree at MFA, Jacqui, Aaron and me.

The entire MarCom team: Aaron, Jacqui, Lorna, me, Nancy and Jacki, in front of the 80-foot Faneuil Hall tree.

The entire team at Mike's Pastry, North End, Boston. The best limoncello cannoli you ever tasted!

Jacqui and I work side-by-side everyday. It's truly a joy to work with her!!

I encourage you to get on film! Read about the challenge at Michelle's site.

Green Pepper Press Street Team - All The World's A Stage #57

This month Michelle challenged us to express the songs that make us Sing It Loud! I started creating a stage -- but switched gears to a disco theme since I am a girl of the 70's! I dedicated the page to all those songs that take me back to when I was singing and dancing in discos. I studied dance in college, and funny as it sounds, we all went out dancing to relax from all the ballet classes, choreography and rehearsals! I also remember going to some of my first discos with my older brother. You'll notice that I used the "Disappearing Act" page backgrounds. The swirls felt perfect for the expression of music and dance.

The second page represents a song that I sing constantly. As you can see, when I sing I dance - they are interrelated for me! Sway - by Dean Martin, Matthew Morrison or Michael Buble (I downloaded all three) - is one of my favorites right now. It plays in my head all day long!

I always play music when I am journaling, so just for fun, I opened my old journals and found this Disco page from 2003! I remember my daughter, much younger then, was watching a movie with a friend when she heard me blasting this song while journaling. She said, "Hey, that's a 70's disco song!" -- Yes, I answered, I used to be young!

I encourage you to try it yourself! Read about the challenge at Michelle's site.

Green Pepper Press Street Team - I'm a Believer #56

Michelle challenged us this month to journal what art and being creative means to us. I immediately created my believer page -- I'm a believer in art journaling, and those of you who know me, know this is very true. I inspire others to journal and can thank Michelle for introducing me to art journaling.

My second page is my creativity page which shows I've been expressing myself thru many types of art for many years. You may notice that I used the "disappearing act" pages from last month as the background for these pages. I wanted to include (but I ran out of room) that I only wish I had more time to be creative, but life's little necessities get in the way!

The page below was created on one of those days when I questioned who I was, and wondered if I was any good at what I do, and wondered if I was making a difference... (It's a watercolor crayon on gesso background)

I created this next page a few years ago -- but wanted to share: It was created to visualize all the compartments of my life during a time when I was feeling very overwhelmed. It symbolizes how therapeutic art journaling can be.

Thanks, Michelle, for all your talent and energy you put into the challenges. We love them!

Read more about the challenge at Michelle's site

Green Pepper Press Street Team - Crusade #55

Michelle's next challenge included background color and disappearing overstamping of bold stamps. I did some playing here. The second one was completed, but I felt compelled to cover with gesso and spray with more orange -- for more "disappearing"! I plan to play some more - this is very fun!

Stencils found

Due to the hurricane, storms and saturated ground, my dad's basement flooded. I visited in an attempt to help with some of the cleanup. In the process, I found an old box with my Mom's stencil lesson plans. In a way it was spooky, as I just put together a stencil class three months ago and it was almost identical to what I found in this box that is over 20 years old! Most of the papers were damaged, but I did save two hand-cut stencils and used them on a journal page. My dad and I took a stroll through the yard and went to my favorite apple tree because underneath it four-leaf clovers always grow. We found at least 10!! Even a five-leaf!

Green Pepper Press Street Team - Crusade #54

This month Michelle challenged us to think of words, phrases, song titles, etc., and then mix a color to match the name. This was an extension of last month, where we mixed colors and then named them. This was really hard for me, but I couldn't figure out why. Then it dawned on me! I never "think" when I journal, I just let my feelings flow onto the page.

Before I actually read the challenge, I felt the need to express "peace" in my journal. This is what happened:

After I read the challenge, I realized this was similar to what Michelle was asking us to do! Not quite the same -- but I was on the same wavelength!!

So, I got to work thinking about songs, words in songs, things around me and came up with this. The first page includes favorite words, phrases and Wind in Bamboo is the name of a song. I recently saw the Glee movie (yes, I'm a Gleek!) so page two features my favorite glee show-stoppers.

This was a fun challenge. Thanks, Michelle, for making me think!

Read more about the challenge at Michelle's site.