It's been a long time since I've joined a collaborative project. I used to join lots of round robins, circle journals, fat books, swaps, etc. For several years it seemed like I always had some kind of deadline looming. I totally got burnt out on all that, as you can imagine. I needed to take some time and not book all my time so I could focus on making things that I could give as gifts or just keep for myself. :-)
I guess I was satisfied with the amount of time I've taken "off" from collaborative projects because when my sweety friend Gina invited me to fill in a spot for a brand new round robin that Julie was hosting, I didn't hesitate for a moment. I'm so glad I'm jumped in!
This round robin, as in the case with most of them, you get to choose your own theme. For this project, I chose the theme "Vintage Ephemera." It's something I've been living and breathing lately with my personal journaling so it just seemed to fit. In my journals, I create page backgrounds by using any kind of reclaimed paper, preferable vintage. Ledger paper, sheet music, text books, tickets, labels, receipts, etc. I love the neutralness (is that a word?) of these papers and then having the lettering and a few other select embellishments be the color. To me, that's happy on a page.
For this journal, I used the covers from an old vintage ledger. This ledger was on the small size measuring approximately 10" x 6". I bound in the pages using a Coptic stitch. The paper is some lovely bond paper cut on the grain I had on hand from when I used to make journals for an art gallery. That was actually years ago before I started blogging. :-)
Here are a few pics ...
The inside...title page...
The sign in pages...my obsession with Dennison labels is coming through loud and strong on this lay out!
Journal introduction pages...And then my lay out for the theme...
I really wanted to do more pages but I decided I'd better leave room for the others! I hope they have fun playing in this! As always, I can't wait to get it back all stuffed and chunked up!
So I'm not supposed to share too much of any lay out from the other journals I get to work in but....I had so much fun in one that I recently worked in ...
I don't think I'm giving too much away but this is just seriously blissing me out right now and I needed to share!
I made an enlarged photocopy of a blank Paint by Number painting. I then colored it in using Copic markers, changing up the color scheme to fit the journal. I am so in love with this and will be making about a million more of these. I even took a picture of it with my phone so I could make it my wallpaper!
Can't wait to get my hands on your journal! So glad your a part of the RR! K
Posted by: creativechaos | February 15, 2012 at 07:48 PM
what a fun journal Michelle ! i love your theme too :) a girl after my own heart.
Posted by: jill | February 15, 2012 at 08:46 PM
I am swooning over the paint by number painting! Where do you find the blank ones?
Posted by: Nikki Gamon | February 18, 2012 at 08:21 AM
I love it Michelle! I would love to do something like this some day! Can't wait to see you in April.
XOXO~Hope
Posted by: Hope Ellington | February 19, 2012 at 04:08 AM
michelle,
i just found you through art journaling!
LOVE your work!!! your pages are INSPIRING.
+ your truth, is beautiful...
love your supersensitiveness + tenderness...ALL just right.
xo
Posted by: rachel awes | February 19, 2012 at 04:05 PM
Oh my... such a beautiful journal. :]
The paint by numbers painting, what a wonderful idea.
Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: April Cole | February 21, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Ohmygoodness. I'm so happy just looking at your journal! I love that that you created goody bags for each participant.
Hope all is well, Michelle!
Posted by: Jessica at Kids Napping? I'm Scrapping! | February 23, 2012 at 04:26 PM
Michelle, I adore this, the colors are amazing! I've been thinking about getting some copic markers, now I know I definitely need them.
I'm looking forward to getting your book to work on!
Posted by: Artandlovealchemy.blogspot.com | February 23, 2012 at 05:28 PM
Great book. I just love all this "stuff."
Posted by: Sharon, Morrison Mercantile | February 29, 2012 at 08:39 AM
SO BeauTeeFul!!!
Posted by: Renee | March 11, 2012 at 04:05 PM
I can't believe it took me over a month to come over to read this post. I love, love, love this journal, it looks fabulous!! A blank paint by numbers painting? How clever are you??! And the little envelopes for signing in? Sister, you rock! xo
Posted by: Cynthia | March 23, 2012 at 06:37 PM
you always rock the round robins!
Posted by: andrea | March 28, 2012 at 04:31 PM