A Happy Mistake

I'm putting a positive spin on the fact that I screwed up one of my books! At least it was one I was making for myself and not a customer's order.

I'm not sure how this happened, but the punching holes were off on one of my templates. I didn't discover this until I got ready to sew the book and the holes didn't line up.

I was able to fudge the center holes but the two outermost holes were significantly off and had to be re-punched, leaving me with an extra set of holes.

I sewed the book anyhow, trying to ignore the extra holes but when I was all finished they were screaming at me for attention. I decided to run a thread through them to make it look like I meant to do that! It adds a unique look to the book and you'd never know I screwed up except for the fact that I just told you!

One Unfinished Project Now Finished!

I have been cleaning out my "art attic" this weekend. It is astounding to see the amount of junk one can accumulate! After filling two trash bags I am down to just two storage tubs and am quite thrilled with myself!

I had four storage tubs of miscellaneous junk such as tins, gift boxes, plastic containers, a valentine chocolate box (empty, of course), cardboard spools, bottles, and so on. I had plans for all of these items but my original intentions are long lost. If I really was going to use it, I would have by now.

There is fifth tub which is full of projects I've been meaning to finish. Here is an example:

This odd little box was a clearance item at Hobby Lobby. I loved the box, but not the "design" on the front. What the heck is it anyhow?? A worm? A skull?? Any ideas?

To cover up the worm-skull-thingy, I pasted this card I made at my monthly stamp club over it and voila! A useful box, which is pretty to look at also.

Yay, I can check this unfinished project off my list! Now...what to put in the box...more junk??

Art Journal Page

"Even the saddest things can become, once we have made peace with them, a source of wisdom and strength for the journey that still lies ahead."
--Frederick Buechner

You've been warned...this one's a tearjerker, but it does have a happy ending!

I don't usually post many personal stories, but I'm long overdue for an art journal page and this is on my mind.

My little niece would have been nine years old this month. This is the only picture we have of her looking at the camera with her eyes open. Within a few hours she was unconscious, never to open her eyes again.

She was a perfectly healthy baby, full term, but due to a tragedy during delivery (and a good dose of medical negligence) we lost her. The placenta ruptured and the baby lost 75% of her blood volume during the birth.

It's been a long hard road since then, trying to understand why, then trying to understand that I'll never know why, and learning to accept it. Just this year, after nine years, I am finally making peace with it.

Which makes my newest little niece's birth so sweet! I would not have the deep joy of seeing her healthy and strong had I not experienced the bitter contrast of her sister's tragedy. Now I never take life for granted and realize what a miracle life is.

Exciting News

I have been busy with some behind the scenes work with my blogs. Yes, "blogs", plural! They're blossoming and multiplying!

semi relevant photo here...one of my hydrangeas blossoming last summer...

In truth, I'm just missing warm weather!

I am in the process of separating my blog--One half will be my Emerson Bindery guest books, and this half here will be for my UberArt journals. You'll be seeing some changes in the format here also. Good changes, I hope! ;)

There is some exciting news on my new blog, I'm getting my work published, so go take a peek!!

Books In the Works

Some of what I'm working on in between orders. I think gray is my new favorite color!

Moss and Porcelain Book on the Front Page!

...Third row, last item...

I hoped this book would eventually make it to the front page...it's in about a million treasuries. Wouldn't you know it though, the paper has been discontinued so I only have 2 books available! :P

Incidentally, I ordered some hair clips from HotPinkChick, featured just above my book. I'll have to show them to you!