52 Weeks of Art Journalling

Look what I'm doing!! I'm doing a 52 Weeks of Art Journalling course and I'm so excited. When I'm wrapped up doing art or craft, time flies fast and I look forward to finding time to do it. I've decided to base my art journal on my first year of marriage, showing all the adventures I am doing with my partner in crime. Sometimes I get stuck on ideas and new creative ways of displaying something but with this course, I think that may change. If you are interested in giving it a go too, go here. 

Have you started something new recently? 

Making a Wedding Album

Our wedding photos have arrived! Today I went to Kmart to print our memories. On the way out of the store, I spotted a 'do it yourself' photo album. This album is now in my home waiting to be filled. I decided to decorate the album using things from the day including the wedding invitation, service orders, bridesmaid fabric and burlap. I stuck all the bits and pieces down with a glue stick and double sided tape and secured it all a protective plastic sleeve over top. Looking forward to sharing these photos with you!

BEFORE 

 AFTER

How have you stored your wedding photos? In albums, on the computer or picture frames?

Creating a Positive Space

Before my wonderful husband moved into our little unit, there were times when I would be home by myself all day. With no one to talk to face to face, loneliness crept into my life. I had two things that helped me conquer this feeling. God and art. God as my friend, father, rock and security and art as my hobby. I could spend hours or days on various pieces of art which helped me keep my mind off of any down feelings that tried to take over. My aim was to make each piece of art positive, knowing that it would be displayed in our home, to reflect on and see each day. Creating a positive environment is so important. Here are a few examples of my work ...

What is something you do that lets you forget about reality for a while?

Cooking: Pear Tarts

Do you like pears? Do you like pastries? If your answer was yes and yes, then you should try this dessert! Pear tarts or what I like to call pears on a pillow. I made them last night for Mr J and I. They were yummy. 

Makes 8 serves

Ingredients

Half a cup of caster sugar

One lemon, juiced

One piece of lemon peel

One vanilla bean, split

Four pears, peeled

Two sheets of puff pastry

One egg, lightly beaten

Method

Half fill a medium saucepan with cold water and add the sugar, lemon juice, lemon peel and vanilla. 

Stir the water over low heat until the sugar has dissolved. 

Add the pears to the water and simmer until the pears are tender. Once tender, remove the pears and allow then to cool. 

Preheat the oven to 190 degrees celcius.

Cut your pears in half and your pastry into quarters. 

Place each pear half onto each quarter of pastry. 

Use a sharp knife to cut a small indent around each pear. 

Brush the exposed pastry with egg.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden. 

Enjoy hot with custard, cream or ice-cream. 

Recipe altered from here

Scrap Paper Quotes

For those of you that have more scrap paper that you know what to do with, this project could be perfect for you! Simply cut out some letters to form quotes that you love. Use these as posters for your home or even on homemade birthday cards. Something as simple as this could brighten someone's day.

 {This one lives in my kitchen) 

{This one lives above the toilet in our bathroom}

His & Her Mugs

I have seen these cute mugs all over pinterest and it has been on my 'must make' list for approximately one whole year. The day finally came when I bought the materials and created my own. Do they wash well? A tad of the texta faded on my mugs after I hand washed them, however nothing that can't be fixed. Defintley do not put them in the dishwasher and for a longer-lasting personalisation use a good quality texta (rather than the recommended 'sharpie'). Great gift idea.