I've been working on making these polymer clay mosaic tiles the past few days. It's kind of addictive and I am really having fun with these. They are a little time consuming but that's okay. Here I've laid them out around a mirror to see how they might look as a frame. It's impossible to photograph a mirror without being in the picture so I laid a piece of wax paper over it.

You can use all sorts of things to imprint the clay before baking. I used a lot of the rubber stamps I have but you can also use old jewelry, tools, leaves and sticks and just about anything that comes to mind. You can use a wooden toothpick to write or draw into the clay if you don't have the right word stamp. It certainly sparks the creative juices.

After the clay has baked you can get really creative with paint. I like to use my Perfect Pearls paint powder to give them a metallic sheen. The good part about this project is that if I have a space that needs a certain size tile I can simply cut one to fit. I have also incorporated some of the beach glass chips I bought, but in the future I plan on using lots of fused glass tiles, scrabble tiles, and glass and handmade paper beads.

The weather gods are blessing us with some very rare sunshine today so I may have to get out of the house and get some.

Carpe Diem!

Lolo's Book is home!

My beautiful journal has finally made it back full circle and I couldn't be more pleased with the results!

What a bunch of talented ladies you are. I adore every spread!

I didn't see a couple of them before they arrived here so they were a total surprise to me. They look so wonderful all together!

I won't describe each one as I feel they describe themselves.

Please click to enlarge each one to savor the amazing work that went into each page.

Here they are in no particular order because I forget the path they went on :)

My own page showing my journey, both physical and spiritual, from California to Rhode Island.

Katie Jane's lovely page with a quote by Lao Tzu...

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Lynn's page showing the places she's been, complete with her smiling face in a current photo and one of her younger self.

Marianne's pages with landmarks of many of the places she's been. She included the Golden Gate Bridge in California, close to the starting point of my journey and ended up with Emma, Bliss and Sjimmie at our house in Rhode Island!

On the back of this page is this striking photo of an Egyptian woman along with a stunning piece of gold leafed papyrus from Cairo. This is also where Marianne made my pages!

Staying with an Egyptian theme, this stunning page was painted by Soulbrush.

No one does patterns like our girl!

This lovely textural page was done by Suki with a quote by John Muir.

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out until sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in."

Definately a spiritual journey page.

Mim made a really fun travel collage! I think she soon found out I'm an armchair traveler :)

I live vicariously through a few of you who are always off to exotic places!

Caroline's page is a beautiful watercolor of the woods accompanied by one of my favorite poems by Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken."

Please enlarge it to read it. What a lovely spread!

Finally, Lisa's page is watercolor and collage depicting a  well-traveled suitcase and great words of wisdom throughout. Please click to read it all!

Ta-Daaaaaa!!

The stunning result of 9 talents from around the world, all friends connected through art.

Thank you so much ladies. I'll treasure this forever!

xoxo

Caroline's page for Laurel's book

At last I've completed the page for your book Laurel! Boy, has this book been taking its time to travel around the world - it must be something to do with your 'journey' theme! I know how much you're into trees Laurel (and now me too, by the way) so I decided to take the lovely poem 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost, with its path in a yellow wood, as my starting point. I've used my favourite technique again - watercolours on gessoed mountboard. I'm quite obsessed by this method at the moment!! Hope you like it Laurel. It will be on its way to Lisa tomorrow.

Kate's Page For Lolo

Last week I recieved Lolo's book. Her theme is "Journeys" and since I love to travel this was an easy subject for me. Every day is a new beginning in this journey we call life. Whenever I see a magnificent sunrise I feel full of the possibilities that await. Lolo, I hope all your jounrneys are safe and your steps, exciting!

suki completes Lolo's page

The page came out sort of dark, but anyway..... The quote is from John Muir: "I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." Lolo's theme is journeys and so I wanted to reflect the outer journey of crossing over the bridge pictured here and the inner journey as reflected in the Buddha.

I mistakenly said in a previous post that I received these pages from Joss. It was Lynn who mailed them to me. I had seen a sticker on the back of the envelope with Joss's name and thought it came from her even though I didnt understand why she was mailing to me.

I will send on to Kate soon.

Lolo's traveling sketchbook received by Suki

Just wanted to let y'all know I received Lolo's book from Joss. Oh gosh, it is soooo beautiful!! I will soon begin my page. This must be one of the last ones for this traveling journal project, no?

Lynn's Page For Lolo's Book: Journeys

I really enjoyed making my page for Lolo's book as it took me back in time when my journeys began. The year 1964: The photo of me in the upper left hand corner is from my immigration to Israel papers. I am pregnant in this photo with my first child, who was indeed born in Israel.

The ship: The Olympia was taken by my first husband (Israeli) and me in 1963 to Europe on the first leg of an Odyssey to visit my parents in California. On the way we stopped in many European countries and here you see signs of Paris ( Eiffel Tower, Paris) and London (Tower Bridge in London far left lower corner).

Skip ahead to 1979. See passport photo in upper right hand corner. I am now divorced from my first husband, and am traveling to Israel again to visit my children, who were living with their father and step mother there. (Daughter was there from age 9-10, I arrived in time for her tenth birthday party; and my son, age 13-16).
My daughter stayed one year; my son went back and forth for three years.

Jump ahead to 1982. See my visa to China on middle left side and photo taken in China next to it.
I went there with a small group of health professionals for three weeks.

I backed the piece with a map of the world, and trimmed it with gold glue.


I believe the airplane was the one I took to China.

I've taken several more trips but this is all that would fit comfortably on a 6" X 12" page!

Thanks Lolo for the opportunity to revisit this time in my life.

I took photos of my photos so I could collage this again for myself.

Lynn's Book Comes Full Circle

My book came to me in the mail after leaving my house in September of 2009. A mere six months time for nine of us to add our art and create an awesome travelling art book.

Today, March 5th, I have posted each page in detail on my blog here.
Please go there to see it LARGE! (I do not have the energy to post it in the same way again here, thanks for understanding)

Again, thanks to Soul for heading this book project. And to each of you who participated to give me the thrill of owning your art in my wonderful book. I love each and every page, front and back, and appreciate more than you can ever know the time, effort, caring, thoughtfulness, and artistic endeavor that you put into making my book the wondrous thing that it is.

Hugs from me!

Caroline's book has arrived!

Hi girls!

I know this is a little late, but as many of you know I have had an enforced blogging leave due to internet and computer troubles at home! Anyway, just wanted to let you know that my book made it home safely and I am thrilled with all the wonderful art you've been making for me. My colour and shape theme has really been a success - all your paintings, collages, textiles and foldings are a delight to view and handle! I now just have to find a way of binding it all together with my cover and first page and then it will be a delight to dip into from time to time. Thank you everyone! Joss it was a brilliant idea to gather us all together - thank you!

P.S. I still have Lolo's page to complete - does anyone know where her book is right now????

Last page for Marianne (my last page too)

When Sjimmie arrived here in London a few days ago, all the cats in the neighbourhood came over to play. They loved my wool (of course) and had such fun together.
I hope I send the right cat back to Marianne! (You are gonna love your book Marianne, it sings with fun, colour and joy.)
This is my last page of my last book.
It's been an absolute 'Blast' sisters.
Thanks you all so much for coming along with me on my journey. My book is here on my window sill where I can admire it each and every day.
Big hugs and kisses to you all.

KATE'S PAGE FOR CAROLINE

This is my page for Caroline's traveling sketchbook. I wanted to try an Origami Envelope Fold for this page. I have never done much paper folding but I've always been intrigued by it. It actually was pretty easy.

I liked this particular fold because it allowed for a lot of little extras, like attaching more paper for secret compartments and more folds. Carolines theme was color and I think I have some here. I used a lot of materials for this collage. Paper party napkins, tissue, magazine cut-outs, paint and rubber stamps went into the making of this. So much fun.

I wish I could take credit for this beautiful design but it is really scrapbook paper. It does give me ideas for some new paintings, though. My page is the last to be done for Caroline so her book will be flying home to her this week.

Katie Jane's Book Is Compete With Lynn's Page

I stamped bark and leaf pictures to card stock and then sewed patchwork quilted leaves on top to add to Katie's nature theme for her book, which is now complete and will be mailed to her tomorrow.

It was Kathy who first introduced me to traveling sketchbooks, this SoulSisters Book following on the pages of her Girlfriends traveling sketchbook & blog, both which led me to start the next traveling art book at Artshine! Thank you Kathy, what a joy this all has been and continues to be.

TA DA! MY BOOK ARRIVED

I was so excited when my book arrived yesterday, wrapped up beautifully by Lolo with a golden ribbon, just like a present, which it is: a present from 9 very talented, gifted and loving artysoulsisters.
I have scanned it very big, so hopefully you can enlarge it and see each page.
Marianne, Mim, Lynn, Suki, Kate, Caroline, Lisa and Lolo, you are all such good 'team' players, such warm and caring women, such great artists, who have each created something so very personal for me, and it all fits together in this amazingly perfect little book, which I will treasure forever.
I am so glad that I started this project, (thanks Lisa, you were the first person to show a huge response and excitement when I first suggested it, and this spurred me on to make it happen).
Here it is on my window sill, where I can see it every day and think about a special cover I want to make for it. I do so wish we could display our books in some sort of arty magazine, as they are all wonderful achievements, and now Lynn has started a second round with more wonderful artists from round the World.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart one and all, you make my heart sing and my cup runneth over.

Marianne's back pages by Lolo

What I love about this patterned paper is often times it can be as it is. For instance, this little bluebird is sitting in the middle of a mandala shaped design. All I did was write this in the middle..."This little birdie brings a message of love from lolo in Rhode Island to Marianne in the Netherlands."

The larger piece of paper (because it overlaps the first) is filled with these wonderful organic shapes like flowering branches. I wanted to put a raven in there but I think a Red-Winged Blackbird is quite a better choice this time. Besides, he's such a hopeful sign of Spring!
I colored in some shapes here and there to give this side more color.
There you have it. Now tomorrow it will go to Joss!

suki makes a page for Caroline

I was a little stymied at first by the theme of "color" and "shapes" but eventually made this collage using self-painted tissue paper, purchased handmade paper, acrylic paint, stensils, faux jewel.
The back has another bit of self-painted tissue paper and a list of the materials. I will now send it to Katie Jane and then she sends to Caroline I think!! I have received books from all except Lolo.

Marianne's front pages ala Lolo

Well I can tell you we've all been waiting for Sjimmie to show up from The Netherlands!

Bliss has been waiting by the big studio window for weeks now.

Wait!! What's that shadow behind the stained glass window? Poor kitty is cold and wet from the snow. Oh my goodness, it's Sjimmie!! He's finally here! Let's let him in and make him warm and cozy. Bliss, will you share your food? Emma, will you be nice??

After a nice meal and a little grooming, Sjimmie, Bliss and even Emma became fast friends.

I gave Sjimmie a tour of the studio and he cuddled up next to Bliss, taking in all there was to see.

He kept being distracted by my beautiful birth mandala that his mom Marianne painted for me. We all knew he missed her. The three new friends spent a wonderful few days together before we sent Sjimmie on his way to London where Jossie would see to it he gets home safe and sound.

We're going to send him first class with a special blanket in case he gets caught in more snow!

Bye-bye Sjimmie! We loved having you here! Next time bring your mom!

The back pages will be worked on today as well. I'll post them asap ;)

Back page for SoulyB by Lolo

Did you really think I'd forget to do the back? No...but I did forget to post it!

The paper I used is so gorgeous by itself that all I had to do is add one more photo of the birthday girl herself! I put a beanie on her head over her striped hat and I added a "1" design to her shirt to show what a big girl she is today!

Now completing its circle, this journal will be flying from Rhode Island to London on Tuesday

to be back in the hands of its rightful owner ;)

P.S. Its not blurry in person!

Soulbrush's Pages by Lolo

Well first let me say how seridipitous this day is because I knew I wanted to do my pages about Maggie Rae, but I had no idea today was her first birthday! I changed my initial ideas and made it into a birthday celebration with Grandie and her friend, Riff Raffie the giraffe!

What fun the three of them are having, and look at that bejeweled tiara on Maggie Rae, Princess of the day! Happy Birthday sweet little girl!

The book is all done now and on its way back to Jossie!! I'm honored to be a part of this journey ;) xoxoxoxo

Lynn's Page for Caroline's Book

I had fun this Sunday morning playing with beeswax!

Something new for me.

I used a photo of our local owl on card stock background

fabrics from my stash in earthy colors

and handmade beads

and then I poured the melted beeswax over it all.

Did I ruin it or create something of interest. I have no idea!

This is the back of the page.This book has two more stops and then it will be in Caroline's hands.

I hope you like wax!

LOL

suki's page for katie jane's artsy book

Watercolor, glitter, glue. I painted the trees and houses on little pieces of watercolor paper cutouts and glued them onto the larger paper.

on the back part of a poem called "Cold Watercolor" by Wyatt Prunty. Now I mail on to Lynn and Lynn will mail to Katie Jane!!

Lolo's Backside (oh la la)

This is the back of Lolo's page.

Egyptian treasures. A papyrus mandala calender I found in a giftshop.

(couldn't help to see a mandala in it...;))

The zodiac is a planisphere or map of the stars on a plane projection, showing the 12 constellations of the zodiacal band forming 36 decans of ten days each, and the planets. These decans are groups of first-magnitude stars. These were used in the ancient Egyptian calendar, which was based on lunar cycles of around 30 days and on the heliacal rising of the star Sothis (Sirius).
Its representation of the zodiac in circular form is unique in ancient Egyptian art.[citation needed] More typical are the rectangular zodiacs which decorate the same temple's pronaos.
The celestial arch is represented by a disc held up by four pillars of the sky in the form of women, between which are inserted falcon-headed spirits. On the first ring, 36 spirits symbolize the 360 days of the Egyptian year.
On an inner circle, one finds constellations, showing the signs of the zodiac. Some of these are represented in the same forms as their familiar names (e.g. the Ram, Taurus, Scorpio, and Capricorn, albeit most in odd orientations in comparison to the conventions of ancient Greece and later Arabic-Western developments), whilst others are shown in a more Egyptian form: Aquarius is represented as the flood god Hapy, holding two vases which gush water[citation needed].

The calendar is in an envelop , so you can decide what to do with it.

I mailed the 3 books (also Mim's own and Lynn's) to Mim today.