{How to use PSE Photos}...

OK, so what can you do with all those photos you alter in PSE?

Yes, I love to put them in art journals. And I could frame them and hang them on my walls. 

But I do have a few art quilts already on the walls so that doesn't leave

a lot of wall space for other art.

So I made a pillow.

I enlarged and printed the photo of the hydrangea from the last post onto fabric.

Leaving the edges loose I messy stitched around the photos to secure

it to the pillowcase and tacked the corners with knotted pieces of scrap fabric.

Now I can see my art and remember the poem.

{enjoy me}...

a poem and a flower

Laughter Came From Every Brick

Just these two words He spoke

changed my life,

"Enjoy Me."

What a burden I thought I was to carry ~

a crucifix, as did He.

Love once said to me, "I know a song,

would you like to hear it?"

And laughter came from every brick in the street

and from every pore in the sky,

After a night of prayer, He changed my life when

                                  He sang,

"Enjoy Me"

                                              ~ Teresa of Avila

{one thousand gifts}...

I just finished reading one thousand gifts by

Ann Voskamp.

And it sounds so cliche ~ but this book can change your life.

It is one of the most heartfelt, soulful books

 I have, or perhaps, ever will read.

I read a fair amount and I will count this book as a keeper.

I have empty my large book shelve 3 times, keeping only the best

though each recycle.  This book will remain always.

I have a long way to go.  But I am thankful for each one.

{are you having a hard time posting comments?}...

I have been having a hard to impossible time leaving comments on blogger

and I know some of you have too.  So I looked it up.

And yep, there is a "known" problem.  Here's a work around  fix.   

When you are directed to your account's Google page connection, do NOT check the box "stay connected"
I tried it
and it worked for me!
Thanks for trying. I really do enjoy getting and reading your comments.

{ok, so I was just wanting to relax}...

and feeling like trying something new in PSE.  So a bit of

layering on the painting from the previous post.

It's not exactly what I set out to try. But I just went with it.  (I'm a bit sleepy too}.

 And while I was playing around I started doing a little what ifing and thought I might try using

just the eyes, nose or mouth on some project.  So these might be showing

up on some art doll or maybe even on a small quilt.

{be...dream...play...}

Just being ~ playing around with a bit of face painting.

This time using watercolor pencils and acrylics.  I used acrylics mostly because I got impatient with the watercolor.  But will continue to practice with them. Maybe with flowers

or animals as I would not need to be so concerned with flesh colors.

{how do you define beautiful}...

The new art journal is done.  Well, done in the sense that's it assembled.  Are they ever really done.

The cover photo of course was my inspiration.

I just love this dress.  Makes me wish I had somewhere to wear such a beautiful dress.

And 30 years younger.  Or maybe 30 years older.

This dress and many others was made by Nattyboho at http://www.etsy.com/shop/nattyboho .

This particular dress has been sold.  But Nattyboho was so generous to allow me to use her photo.

Which is almost as wonderful as being able to wear the dress. 

 Above ~ the covers opened out showing the binding.

 And the complete book page by page

 including six blank pages.  That's a blank paper page on the right. 

Ready to add additional thoughts to or whatever.

 I must say I have gotten over my, shall I say phobia, of loose threads.

Loose threads were always a big no no when I was taught to sew.

Not any more.  I've been allowing more and more frayed and loose

threads in all my journals.  But this one is over the top with them.

And I am loving it.  Although I must admit I still trimmed the thread after sewing

with the machine.  Oh well.  Maybe next time I can leave them long too. 

It's size it really fun to hold.

{the pages}...

In no particular order.

I've used a bit of the erosion bundle fabric on the edge.

 I think these little wires make for some

really cool hair

I really like these little wires.  I could have used them on every page.

 The cover

 and the back of the book.

I'm almost ready to finishing binding the journal.   I just want to add a few blank

pages for personal journaling and a few surprise pages.  All in all I think there should be about 19 pages including the front and back covers.

{in the studio}...

I've been  inspired.  So into the studio I went to begin

a small art journal.  More on the inspiration with the completed journal.

For now a sneak peek and a look into

my creative process.

This is where I am at now.

 The book is only 6" x 3.5"

and 10 pages in length ~ counting the covers.

The layers are building and the pages are nearing their final appearance.

I still want to make a few more edits and additions before assembling the book.

But hope to have it completed soon.

The following 3 photos show the earlier beginnings.

 It can be really hard for me to cover up the lower layers as

I tend to like a simple look.

 But all the layers add a greater mysterious beauty that draws you

even deeper into the pages, so cover them up I do.  Perhaps that's why I

photograph them now so I can enjoy them too.

Except for the inspiration photo I am using only what I have on hand.

And because of  it's small size I can use up lots of remnants.

Can you see my little helpers paw?

{morning latte and PSE}...

Just relaxing with a latte and playing with a bit of PSE.

I can remember when working in PSE was anything but relaxing.

 But it has become so.

One more hydrangea :-)

So if your new to the whole Photoshop process don't give up.

Keep on keeping on.