Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Mini Observation Journal Notebook~
(* am having trouble w/Blogger and can't change the font or size! : ( grrr

Hello dear friends~  I have been spending time around blog land and what do you suppose the "buzz word" is these days!?! lol - -
SPRING!
Well, I have mentioned to several of you that around here, (in CO - or at least in El Paso county where I live)  we don't get too hopeful or excited about spring just yet. : )  March and April can be our snowiest months. Not always, but often.  We have a rule in our house; no planting til after Mothers Day~

But still, the spring bug has bit - and my hopes are for some creativity real soon.
 
I'm hoping you've been able to take some time to create lately??
I've been seeing some beautiful things out there recently!
 I am still struggling in the 'creating' department  : J  (friends I'm  still really hurting. . .)
 - - So,  I'm sharing something I created two summers past. 
For Wen's   "Simply Neutrals Tuesday" link party!!!!
You will find beautiful photo's, creations and artistry - with a neutral color palate! every other Tuesday over at Wen's blog "AppleApricot."Weekly linky party
 
Please join in on the fun!
 
 
Well, about my book - -  It is a very 'organic-y' (I made that up - LOL : ) journal/observations book.
 (The book is about 8"X5" maybe)  For logging  observations, or,  just for journaling some thoughts while out in nature!
I tried to imagine what a girl (maybe 100 years ago)  might have put together for collecting bird and butterfly information~
Well, she probably would have found burlap sacks to cut up, scraps of twine and paper, lace or fabric,
tags, twigs and lots of textural elements!
Thus my book includes all that and a few extras~
 Mulberry paper, twill,  corrugated board,  canvas,  velum and such.
 A white twill bow ties the book together~ (I almost always 'gotta have a bow' : }

The book cover (above) is layered with Velum, a canvas flower under that, layers of dark brown and pale green Mulberry paper, and the burlap cover.  I bought a roll of  6?" wide burlap, which was conveniently finished on the edges~

If you'd care to, please keep scrolling down;   I have lots of pages to share : )


Ok - here is the inside front cover and page one  of my observations book.
The left side is a pretty tissue paper, decoupaged  on to the inside cover with Modge Podge.
On the right is a pocket for notes. 




Pages 3 & 4 have 'pull out tags' for photo's, sketches and journaling. The large pocket on the left (holding the tag) is made from Velum.



 
Pages 5 and 6~
On the left side I 'fussy-cut' a tree branch from some (click > )   Graphic 45 papers , The bird is a die cut piece pre-made, I think also from Graphic 45.  The fibrous paper I believe is called Mulberry paper and was gifted to me from a dear friend at Scrapbook.com; where I have a gallery.
 
 Page 7 & 8;   pg7 has a pocket, and the bird house on page 8  is a stamp - isn't it so cute!? Twigs are from my elm tree~
  
 Page 9 & 10 have a few (paper)  butterfly specimens : ) on white corrugated board,  - and room for notes.
 
Page 11 has lots of ephemera and papers for journaling, sketches or notes.  Page 12 has an envelope pocket attached to hold a few findings or treasures! Most of these papers are from Graphic 45. 
 
Just some fussy-cut stuff on pages 13 & 14~  The metal clip on the right will help hold some scattered ideas or little items.
 
 
Here is the back side of the Observation Notebook.  There's a pocket for a pencil and paper; and a paperclip for notecards; etc.  The paperclip is from Hobby Lobby ( > )copper bookmark clip   
  I cut an image of an egg and glued it on the paper clip; finishing it with Glossy Accents.http://rangerink.com/?product=inkssentials%e2%84%a2-glossy-accents%e2%84%a2
 
Thank you for looking in today!   I am so blessed by your visit.
Have a wonderful week and I hope it is filled with peace and love.
~Karen
 
 
 
 
 
 

38 comments:

  1. oh Karen.. I am swooning over your delightful Nature Observation Book! It is stunning and full of so many of the things that I hold dear. All of your lovely layers and textures just blend..and the colors.. sigh...what a wonderful wonderful idea! I am so inspired. Mulberry paper and burlap and a metal clip! Thank you for sharing your creative gift with us. I hope you're having a blessed week.
    Hugs and blessings, friend <3
    Tamara

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    1. Much thanks to you dear friend! I always appreciate your visits of kindness and encouragement! I had lots of fun making the Observation book : ) Have a great upcoming week-end Tamara~ Hugs, Karen

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  2. you make the most pretty books~this is gorgeous!! you have such style :)

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    1. Connie you are such a peach! thanks so much for the visit and comment~ I am forever inspired by you. Off to see your latest creation! ~Karen

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  3. Sorry to hear you are still hurting, I hope things have improved with your parents....
    So glad you shared your book, it is just totally amazing, I love that you made it in a way that you imagine it would have been done years ago and I feel you truly have achieved that, such amazing and Beautiful work you have done in this album! Your embellishments look a lot like K&co. items I have such pretty vintage feel to them and I love that you added twigs from your trees to it, Fantastic book!!

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    1. Thank you Connie! Always appreciate your visits~ Friends like you truly encourage me Connie; thanks for stopping in! ~Karen O

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  4. Dear Karen, such a joy seeing you here again, and watching your so beautiful nature observation book. It is the most lovely little, thing I could well imagine a woman long ago, holding it in her hands, dear. The front is gorgeous, and all your pages filled with nature love and sweet images, so amazing. I love all your pockets, the envelope one is lovely, and love all the beauty you chosed to put inside this wonderful creation.
    Sweet friend, I hope spring will not wait till late April, but that you will soon find it outside your doors , also for your spirit to become lighter .
    Sending you a warm hug, dear friend.

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    1. Hi there Dorthe! I am happy to see you stopped in to see my book. You are always so kind and gracious to me : ) and I appreciate your friendship so much~ I enjoyed creating this book and so glad you liked it! I too, am hoping for lighter spirits and Spring time to come soon~ Love to you dear friend~ Karen

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  5. It is absolutely gorgeous! There is so much to look at and admire in this mini book. Maybe mini in size, but huge in contents. Love it. xxx

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    1. Liz you are a peach~ Thanks for stopping in! Enjoy the week-end my friend. Let us know if you create something; we will all want to see : )! ~Karen

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  6. Wow. WOW!! Karen, I can't remember the last time that I saw such a beautiful book. The textures, colors, natural elements and papers are stunning. Spring may not have yet come to your neck of the woods, but looking at your book will no doubt bring spring to your heart. I hope that things start to go a little better for you soon. Hugs, Sue

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    1. Sue you are 100% peach! : ) Thanks for the visit and sweet comment my friend~ Karen PS Have a great week ahead!

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  7. Sweetie your book is soooooooo beautiful!!! Wow! Every page is filled with gorgeousness... I really need to take some time to pin your beautiful work to pinterest Karen! Big hugs xx

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    1. Oh wow Wen, you are too kind! You always encourage me and I appreciate that so much~ (feel free to pin-away anytime: ) I have been spending a bit more time on Pinterest than I used to. Trouble is, I am @ work! and just want to get lost there; it's easy to do~ Blessings for a good week ahead and strength and health to you~ Karen

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    2. Lol, yes very dangerous that is, Pinterest! :) I pinned this gorgeous album of yours and guess what? It's already been repinned! And now here comes my question to you.... could you PLEEEEAAAAASE share this album with the party of this week? Please? :) Blessings to you too sweetie!

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    3. It would be an honor to share this album for SNT Wen; though I did make it over 2 yrs. ago~ And, there is color in it! LOL : ) but lots of neutral too~ You are so sweet Wen, thanks for the love~ Karen

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    4. No worries about the age and the bits of colour, I'd love to share it next time! hugs xx

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  8. Oh goodness is this breath taking! what a gorgeous combination of paper, fabric and textures! I love it!!! Hope you are doing well. I have been busy with my Grandpup staying here the past week.

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    1. Thanks ever so much for the visit Nancy; I am blessed by friends like you! Your encouragement and support mean the world to me~ Glad you have the 'grandpup!" : ) How cute! enjoy all that...exuberance!
      Blessings, Karen

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  9. Hi Karen, Oh how I love your nature journal book. What a beautiful use of natural elements. You are so very talented and this is perfect for spring and beyond. Each page is a masterpiece of artwork to enjoy.
    I know you are counting the days to plant after Mother's Day. It hit 91 degrees today and I got out in the garden to finish some planting. Allergy season is really in full swing and I'm feeling the effect!! haha!!
    Have a great week my talented friend. xo

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    1. Hi Celeste! Thank you for the visit and support! You are one busy gal, and I wholly appreciate you taking time to encourage me : ) Good grief Celeste, 91 degrees!?! Wowzer . . . we barely hit that in August! ; )
      Yes, it is not real safe to plant until after Mother Day as frost (or even snow) will steal your hard work!
      Have a blessed day~ Karen

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  10. Waw so amazing project, love it

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    1. Much thanks to you for the visit Pia!! I appreciate you friend. You are an inspiration and so creative! Hope all is well for you~ Karen

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  11. Wauw ... it's simply stunning!
    Love it!!

    Happy to have found your blog :)

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    1. Thank you Jytte! I was happy to have you visit! and glad to have a chance to see your blog~ hopes to visit you again soon!! Karen

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  12. Wow! Karen, I absolutely adore your beautiful album! So inspirational!

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    1. Hey there Kelly! Thanks so much for stopping in! Glad you liked my 'observations' album : ) It was fun to make~ Have a great rest of the week & I wish you many blessings~ Karen

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  13. Come to say hallo! P.

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  14. Hello Karen,
    Your book is simply gorgeous! I love the papers and elements you've chosen, and you've put it all together so perfectly. It's a delight to behold. I hope it makes you feel happier to be immersing yourself in the present moment of creating... that's so healing.
    Hugs,
    Jesse

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    1. Hi there Jesse~ Thanks much much! for the visit and encouraging comment. I really enjoyed making this book (2 summers past) and am still trying to create and express my self~ It doesn't always happen; but I still try : ) and when it does work; well, I'm thankful. Have a great 'winter' week-end where you are friend! ~Karen

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  15. Hi Karen! I absolutely LOVE your wonderful blog and this amazing post! Your mini book is so beautiful and full of amazing little details that I love! I have gotten so much inspiration from this visit - Thank YOU!!! HUGS!!

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    1. Hey there Sharon! I'm overjoyed to see you visited! I am slow in responding since I don't have a PC @ home anymore (only @ wk) but please know I appreciate your visit so much~! and thank you for the comment dear friend. You are an inspiration to me as well. Have a great week! Karen

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  16. Hello Dear Karen
    This little Nature INSPIRATION book is pure delight using all the wonderful natural elements and materials that we all love to work with. I do hope the coming spring fills your heart with hope and more joy in your heart for much to look forward to. Continue creating such beauty and time will heal the hole you feel.
    Spring hugs as I frantically pack with a week to go.
    Suzy

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  17. Hallo Karen, dieses Buch ist wirklich wundervoll, sehr sehr schöne Arbeit hast Du da gemacht. Ich musste es gleich auf meine Pinnwand pinnen, ich hoffe, es macht Dir nichts aus, wenn es die ganze Welt sieht ;-) Alles Gute für Dich und GLG Sylvia

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    1. Ich bin so glücklich, Sie mag meine Arbeit Sylvia! Vielen Dank für den Austausch es. : ) (so glad you like my work Sylvia, thank you for sharing : ) Karen

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  18. Where did you get the graphic you used for your cover? http://roosterheaddesigns.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/mini-observation-journal-notebook-hello.html

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  19. Thank you for the visit : ) The graphics on the front are discontinued; but are velum embellishments from K & Company - a scrapbook company. You may find them on Ebay. K & Co "Flora & Fauna" I believe is the name. They are old! : ) Best wishes, Karen

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