Hold Dear

baltimore journal playtime...

So I mentioned in my last blog post that I had a few journals in progress. Unfortunately, I have several journals in progress that are, shall we say, not from this year? One of the journals that needed some catch up (ketchup?) is a souvenir journal I started for a trip to Baltimore, MD to visit a friend. I have these three very, very sweet friends and a few years ago we decided to get together at least once a year. We'd known each other for several years and got to see each other here and there at art retreats but in 2010, Hope, Kari and Cassondra all came to Portland and stayed with me. We had such a memorable and amazing time that we decided to do it every year and the annual Peepsters get togethers were born! Hope hosted our Peepster visit In 2011 and so Cassondra, Kari and I traveled to Baltimore to visit and stay with her. 

In anticipation of this trip, Kari sent each of us a journal, knowing what journaling friendlies we all are. Here is the front of mine decorated. The four little girlies (which represents the four of us) was already on the cover. So cute! 

Here are a few pages...

There was lots of visiting, shopping and eating. And one of us even got a tattoo!!!

As I've been working in this journal, I am still in awe as to how much we did during the short visit! One of the days we drove to Washington, D.C.

It was PHENOMENAL and I have been wanting to go back ever since. And even before we made it to the main mall area of DC, we went to the Eastern Market flea market. Again, phenomenal!

Lots more to do in this journal but at this point, pictures are printed and I've organized all the memorabillia.

I'm motivated to finish this journal up so I can take it with me on the Peepsters 2012 trip. Hope is one of the teachers (Liesel Lund is the other teacher!) at Rachel's Handmade U event in September in Omaha, NE. Since I was already planning on going, we wrangled Kari and Cassondra into joining us so we could turn this in to our annual Peepster trip. It's gonna be fun fun fun...and there are still a few spots left if you want to join us!

I'm almost finished with the journal I'm making for my friend, Heidi. When I'm finished, I'm going to try to make a video of the pages and share it. Wish me luck!!!

can't-make-up-my-mind journaler...

Oh man when it rains it pours. ALL OF A SUDDEN I have three journals I am currently working on with all kinds of other stuff rumbling around in my head!

One of the journals I'm working on is a gift for a bestie friend of mine, Heidi.

At the end of this month, Heidi is retiring from our mutual employer. I've known her pretty much the whole time I've worked at my company...18 years! When she retires, Heidi will be moving (oh there will be so many tears!) to the bay area to be a full-time grandma. Heidi has always has been a huge source of encouragement with my art. When I finish a journal, she is often one of the first people I can't wait to share it with.

I decided that as a retirement gift, I wanted to make Heidi a journal to document her new grandma adventures. She doesn't frequent my blog often (at least I don't think!) so I'm okay showing a few pics here. I just have a few pages done but this will give you the flavor of the journal...pink!!! Is that a flavor?

This journal really should be my priority since I want to present it Heidi in just a few weeks. However, I will be torn because I am full on loving and hip deep working on my souvenir journal from my trip to Baltimore in April 2011 (can you say behind?) when a couple of friends and I traveled to visit our buddy, Hope. 

And then if that wasn't enough, I just realized I will NEED a journal to capture the memories that my sister, Renee, and I are going to make when she comes to visit me and the fam in early July! I started working on that one but then had a little talk with myself and pushed the Baltimore and Renee journals aside. I have to be disciplined and keep sitting myself down and work on that big pile of pink! :-)