Thursday 23 April 2015

A Warm Reminder - Journal Page

Hey you and happy Thursday!

Today I took the bull by the proverbial horns and took on some house clearance at my mum's. I've been terrified by the prospect for so long, having only just moved house for myself, packing, clearing, sorting and moving - downsizing and letting go of so much. It was so completely exhausting and to even THINK of doing that again with my mum's well-loved possessions - so VERY few I actually have room for - just seemed impossible.

BUT - a family friend was there to help. I've not seen her for a few weeks and she's THE busiest person on the planet, but today she was there to keep me company and give me support. I've not been able to face the house since Christmas, but as the bank will be taking it over soon I need to get shifting. The BEST part of the day was finding some precious things my mum had made for me that I feared very much had been lost. It's a bit late to scan and photograph right now but I'll share some of the wonderfulness with you tomorrow, I promise!

I guess the thing about today was realising - or more accurately reminding myself - that the support of good people is so vital....like glowing fairy lights in the darkest night. With that in mind I'm sharing a journal page with a few process pics - hope it sparks good feelings and helps you remember the love that's there in your life, even if it seems hidden sometimes.

 Journal pageyness - First I gave the paper a quick coat of white gesso, then roughly coated the gessoed surface with some warm acrylic paint colours.


I blended the colours a little more, allowing the page edges to be a little darker then took a yummy deep red paint (actually a paint tester from the local hardware store) and painted a big fab red heart shape.


I wanted to add a bit more texture - some 'oomph' to the page so I scraped on some some dark warm colour and some awesomely contrasting turquoise. Yellow, red, turquoise - a favourite combination! I picked out some background stamps and a couple of inks and added another layer of interest -





I used a black Gelato crayon to border the page like a frame. I was especially chuffed with the gold pattern on the heart - VERY scrumptious!  All that remained was to add text and say what was in my heart -


Et voila! A bright and warm journal page to serve as a reminder of good feelings. That's it for today...I'm shattered and suspect that I might actually SLEEP tonight! Sending hugs from me to you...see you tomorrow! Love from Shroo :) xxx

19 comments:

  1. Wonderful page, love the colours, just fantastic! You would be welcome to link to Art Journal Journey again! Hugs, Valerie

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    1. Ooooh thank you!! I had a look - well several looks - through the links....my there's some GORGEOUS work on display!!! I'm honoured to join in xxx Sending big hugs from Shroo:)xxx

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    1. Thank you squillions! Big hugs from Shroo:)xxx

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  3. Amazing page Shroo, i love it. It is so full of colours and warmth.

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    1. Thank you lovely lady of beady-bead awesomeness! Big hugs from me! xxxx

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  4. Fabulous page. The repeating diamonds make me think of harlequins and carnival

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    1. Yep - me too! I LOVE carnivals - although harlequin patterns always make me think of old theatres and ballet as well - I blame my dancer mother! Big hugs from me xxxx

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  5. What a wonderful page! And I'm so happy you had some loving support as you took on the tender house clearing project. Sending much love and wishes for continued ease and grace.

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    1. You're gorgeously lovely - thank you so much! I really appreciate your words and send you big squooshy hugs in return xxxx

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  6. wow wondeful, so vibrant, using tester pots from the hardware store is a good idea. And how very brave of you to tackle your mums stuff, that must have been hard :-)

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    1. Thank you lovely! It was rough to go through mum's stuff - I have no choice but to part with almost everything. Finding her art supplies was a blessing. I can justify keeping them, and when I use them it feels like she's there with me somehow. Sounds weird I know! I've just started the process of house clearance (it's only 9 months since I did my own!) but it helps to make sure things go to good homes. Sending you hugs from me xxxx

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  7. I feel for you. We had to do Mums in the immediate week following losing her, we felt like such vultures and could see the twitching curtains but as she was council, that's how long they gave us before we would have to start paying rent. Compassion? Huh. But at least we could do it together. I'm glad you had your friend there to help. We actually found ourselves, by the end of it having a little giggle at some of the things she hoarded. I remember climbing down from the loft, carefully holding this newspaper wrapped parcel. Carefully, carefully undoing it to find... A plastic cheese grater! What? Mum!

    I hope you manage a few more smiles and happy memories as you go on.

    Love the page and the sentiment too :-)

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    1. Hey you ! We've crossed-blog-comments! just left one for you on your mega post :) Jeez it sucks that you had to clear your mum's stuff so soon. I found it hard to pack and move my own stuff after mum died - I did make a START on her place, but just lost momentum in November and went downhill. This is the first time I've felt up to it and only because I had company.

      I know what you mean about the mad stuff they keep. Mum hoarded the weirdest shit....seriously. I found a carefully stored matchbox of USED matches. USED. ......??? I dread to think what's upstairs. I'll have to dig through the shelves of Mickey Mouse statues though! Not that I can point a finger there, really, given my action figure fetish ! hee hee.

      Sending big hugs! xxxxx

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    2. Oh wouldn't you just love to know what they were thinking when they hoarded this stuff?? Mind you - my kids will be the same. I have a dead butterfly in my shed that I carried home oh so carefully a little while ago - am just waiting till I can find it a suitable little box to live in ;)

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  8. Thanks for joining us at AJJ with your wonderful hearty page! Hugs, Valerie

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  9. This is such a beautiful spread! Love the white handwriting - your handwriting is fabulous!
    I worked on a spread with a similar concept lately....
    love hearts!

    So glad that you are with us again at Art Journal Joureny Rachael!
    ♥♥♥
    Susi

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  10. Wonderful heARTful pages you created.
    Fun to see what all went into them too!
    oxo

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  11. I understand how difficult it is to go through someone's life and make decisions about what to keep, especially when she's your beloved mum. I wish I was there to help! I love your inspiring page and am going to take it to heart-no pun intended. Thank you for being the wonderful Shroo!

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