Junk Journals are a new passion

and a way to sort my photography

Coffee dyed papers, cut card stock placement holder sewn for shabby distressed look 
and my photos. One page from a signature representing "Wicked Plants" exhibit.

One of four signatures from a trip to Jamestown Settlement. I used one photo as a tuck spot 
with paper cut greenery and a placement holder for three other
 photos and included an envelope with a dried leaf.

Photos from one signature of an exhibition of Amy Howard's "Wicked Plants" at the local
 science center fit nicely in the placement holder. I can fit five photos 
per holder with plenty of room for journaling and tabs to separate subject 
 rooms of exhibit. The photos give the paper booklet a nice substantial feel.

As much as I love creating digital photography there is something missing when you can't hold an item in your hand. I miss real photographs:) I have years of images that sit patiently in file folders in my computer waiting for me to view them, reminisce with them, create with them. But out of site does perpetuate out of mind.

With apps like Snapfish and others offering 100 free photos each month I decided to give it a try.  Snailmail delivers and  the simple pleasure derived from holding these glossy paper images is hard to describe. On the first day of each month I look forward to selecting my 100 photos to bring to life. 

Six months and 600 photos later, now they as well sit stored in a paper folder in a cardboard box...out of site, out of mind. Problem not solved!

I liked the look of junk journals and tomes I was seeing on Youtube by artists like Nik the Booksmith in particular. So I plunged into coffee dying plain papers and designing the photo or ephemera holders, based on a Tim Holtz's design, that easily accepted  the 4 x 6 photos I was storing.

Not to be overwhelmed by creating an actual book I started with a single signature. I gathered six sheets of printer paper, dyed and dried them. They were folded in half and sewn down the center.  Giving me twelve pages in a signature. The coffee dying process created texture and continuity to the pages and the holders. Sewing around the edges of the holders gives more texture. I love all the strings hanging off the holders. That may change over time but right now I love the feel and authenticity they give.

Each signature can easily hold twenty five photos and give plenty of room for journaling and adding ephemera in the 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 booklet. I have started keep blank signatures and parchment envelopes ready that I can take with me on trips to write thoughts in the moment and collect and will add my photos when snailmail delivers the next month.

I think you could say I have this "out of  site, out of mind" issue finally sorted out:) I love holding the signatures, flipping through the pages adding notes as I remember experiences and thoughts.

I am close to having six signatures finished now and it's time for a mindset to bind these memories into a book that will live on my coffee table to enjoy with family and friends. 

A new adventure, a new learning curve, bringing life and texture to digital images..."ain't life grand"?

Sunshine and Navels....What do these have in common?

This treasury I called "Thank You For All Your Support" cause all these lovely artists have bought from me the past month. Just a small way to say Thanks Bunches!! The silk sari ribbon reminds me of rays of sunshine...

This is titled " What is Black and White...and Gift Worthy" The majority of these shops I found in the Pounce Undiscovered section. Why? Is there a single gift you would not love to own:)

RGMPHotography wrote in his comment..."So glad to see I'm not the only one who feels my work is gift worthy! Fans of this particular piece have often called it "The Navel." Why, you ask? Well, because it does, in fact resemble a person's navel!

Although this was purely unintentional when I took the photo I now find myself in awe of how we can sometimes discover aspects of the human form reflected in nature. "

If you have time...go visit each of the shops. I would love it if you could comment and visit each shop so we can get all these artists noticed and on the Front Page of Etsy...and their inventories depleted for the holiday season!! Just click on the title to go to Treasury Lists curated by me...Wondrousstrange :)

Happy Holidays everyone!

Black Friday Sale...20 Percent Off Code...For This Weekend Too!

Thanks to all of you for following my little world of creating. Looking at not only my little treasures...but especially those creations made by other artists that favor me with including my work in their wonderful pieces.

Until Sunday at midnight, I am offering a 20% discount on all items in my Etsy shop. Just enter the code BLOGREADER20 at checkout and I will send your new treasures right along to you:) I'll make every effort to get everything mailed out next week so you will have time to be inspired by what you receive:) This includes photography, finished jewelry, supplies and ACEO's. The photography takes a little longer, but usually in your hands within two weeks...I am at the mercy of the printer for this:)

Hope you will take time to visit the shop. I truly want you to be delighted and inspired...even if you don't choose to purchase a single item!! Have fun out there in cyperworld with the Black Friday Sales!! Happy Holidays!!

Having Fun With Digital Alterations Again:)

ACEO...Inner Space Dreams of Perfection

This is an art card using digital collage. Original base photo was taken this year at the Pine Knoll Shore Aquarium at the North Carolina coast.

Inside low light shots are tough. I thought this one was a throw away, it is not in focus, the coloring to bright. But I rarely get rid of any photo...have found through experience that I can find a use for it somewhere down the line. I love a challenge:)

With some digital slight of hand this became a wonderful bright light sepia. Using an altered vintage image of an octopus, one of my vintage clock face images and digital copy of a page from a precious little book called Dreams that I bought recently from www.jmozart.etsy.com ... it came together.

I am pleased with the salvage of the photo. It is a Dream-scape with a real life creature. There is still so much to explore on our own little world:)


Size is 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

Life Sat Waiting....

Click title above to visit these extraordinary shops!!

Visit if you dare...Wondrous Strange Designs

This is an experiment...I love trying new things! This is my first post to Youtube...very easy to do. And now that I have this basically figured out...I may try a video tutorial. Are there any suggestions for my first tutorial??

This montage was created at One True Media. It is a free service and there is an option to buy a premium account that does more and stores your work. One True Media guides you through what you need to do to add to Youtube. It was fun playing around with this! Hope you will try as well! Let me know if you do and I'll add a link to your Youtube video! So much fun!!!