When Hope and Kari came to visit me recently, it was a reunion of sorts. Cassondra, who just lives about two hours from me came to visit also. Several years ago, the four of us got to spend a lot of time together when we attended the Art in Ashland retreat in August 2008. That was SUCH a fabulous trip!
For this Portland event, Hope made each of us a little souvenir journal (she's so talented and prolific!), using a sweet, sweet picture that was taken of us at Art in Ashland.
I probably should have taken some before pictures of the journal when Hope first gave it to me, but I started working on it right away while the girls were still here. Hope is VERY good about journaling in the moment and so I was thoroughly inspired to do the same and just got right to it! :-)
This little gem of a journal is finally completed...I call it my Portland Buddy Trip 2010 journal. There are still a few blank spots so I'll be going through it again and adding some more thoughts but for the most part, she's done!
Here it is...please click on any picture to make it bigger. Click twice to supersize!
Hope created these sweet little books using odd bits of papers, MT tape (is that redundant?) and other sweet embellishments to create signatures and then she handbound the pages into a vintage photograph cover.
I have to totally give Hope credit for spying the "point of view" on the pay telescope that was at the Women's Forum scenic viewpoint.
Love it!
First layout...
With all the flaps opened up...
Next page...
Some flaps opened up...
As you may have guessed, I really utilized my latest passion, MT tape, to create lots more surface for pictures and cards. I collected so many little fun bits during the long weekend so this little journal ended up being very interactive.
More...
A little sweet spot...
I recently picked up a Fuji Instax and remembered to take a few pictures of my girlies!
Another sweet spot...
And then my favorite thing...how the hodge podge, mismatched, chunky book looks when all is said and done...
As you can tell, this was a fabulous and memorable event for me. I am so thankful to have this fabulous book as a memento I'll have forever to look through again and again! Thanks again to Hope for creating this very special journal and to my fabulous pals for coming to Portland and sparking all the creative inspiration that I needed to fill it with awesome, happy memories!
Love love love your journal with all the photos and memories of you with your fabulous girlfriends!!!!
Posted by: Maija Lepore | May 16, 2010 at 07:51 PM
LOOOOOOOVE it! Oh I wish I was there and could page through it in person!
I am going to do a follow up post on my blog showing what you did - hope that is okay.
Missing people IS sad!
Posted by: hope | paper relics | May 16, 2010 at 07:58 PM
I am back to tell you again how much I love it. And I love that you started it WIHT ME while I was there - how cool is that?! I miss you!
Posted by: hope | paper relics | May 16, 2010 at 08:19 PM
love your journal, i love the creamy tones and then splashes of subtle color. Just beautiful!
Posted by: denise hahn | May 17, 2010 at 06:11 AM
Wow! This journal is incredible!! I love your artwork, and what a great memory of your fabulous weekend! I love making travel journals, I feel so much more connected to my trips when I look through them!
Soo glad to see some of your wonderful artwork again! And I second Hope, I wish I could page through it in person!
Posted by: Gwen | May 17, 2010 at 07:58 AM
Michelle,
Your journal looks amazing. Now we all have to get together again just to show off our finished journals! Yours is so personal and wonderful.
Miss you!!!
Kari
Posted by: ArtsyMama | May 17, 2010 at 04:01 PM
That journal is absolutely awesome! Anyone who sees it can tell not only what an amazing time you all had, but how close and connected you are. Having friends who truly get you is such a blessing! Thanks for sharing.
Sue
Posted by: Sue | May 17, 2010 at 05:14 PM
Your journal is absolutely lovely. What a beautiful vessel for beautiful memories.
Posted by: Kelly in Canada | May 17, 2010 at 07:13 PM
Thanks, MIchelle,
That is a wonderful journal...what a great gift! You did a super-duper job of making it your own. i see you friend, Jill, who is coming to SB with you. It will be fun to meet her!
Posted by: Suz Reaney | May 17, 2010 at 11:45 PM
That was so fun to look at every photo of your journal BIG so I could see all the fun details (I right clicked & opened the individual pics in a new tab :)) What a fun group of friends & terrific record of your visit together! How cool to work on it while the adventure is occurring too and finishing it up so soon... truly a treasure :)
Posted by: Jana | May 18, 2010 at 08:54 AM