Journal Pages Published

An honor for me is that some of my art journal pages have been published on the site called Faithfully Yours. Just click on the title to go to the site. Then you can click on the pictures as she featured several. I am blessed that she has chosen my work to show.

Faith Art Journaling

Here is a good site that will tell you about art journaling, expressing your faith. Just click on the title to go there. You'll like what you see. This is one example of a faith journal page that I did.

COLEEN'S STUDIO, A LIFELONG DREAM

Many years ago after completing the remodel of our home we decided to tackle the attic. It had a high pitched roof with lots of room. We created a guest room and bath plus a big room with alcove and a kitchen. Then we also built a small loft area because it was that high. I love working in there, but I must admit, organizing the "stuff" is always a challenge for me. I gave up on waiting for it to get all neat and orderly to do this shoot. It is always a work in progress.

Alcove on a pretty sunny day.

This is my kitchen which is a room off the main hall of my studio. Of course, it serves as lots of storage and a sink in a studio is invaluable in saving steps.

Kitchen counter with storage underneath is opposite side of cabinets.

Studio from back looking towards the front of the house.

Overall picture looking from front of house to back. I have great windows a couple skylights. It's all knotty pine including the floors.

My writing/journaling station with stairway to the loft where I have some storage.

That's me in my main work area with two work stations opposite each other and of course the computer and printer near by.

Hubby was helping me shoot so I thought I might as well put him in there too. He is the one who wanted to proceed with this project and for that I am ever grateful and feel so blessed to have this place to create. It is here where I prepare many of the things I do with kids in camps, Sunday school and the ladies classes I do.

Free E-Book

Hey Folks, Check this out. The terrific magazine, "Cloth Paper Scissors" is offering a free E-Book of journaling techniques. Add these tools to your art journaling tool box and you'll be ready for some more fun and creativity. Just click on the title to go to the spot. Oh, and yes, that is one of my journal pages. I grow those ferns in my yard.

We Put Birds On It!

ART JOURNAL PAGES

This is a page(s) in progress. I love the old vintage pictures worked into it. What do you think?

Art Journal, The Love Verses

This art journal page was made using "The Love Verses" from the Bible which start from 1 Corinthians 13. Since love seems to often be of more interest during the month of February I thought I would put it in perspective with what the Bible says about it. Romantic love is what most associate with love, but it is far deeper than that as demonstrated in these verses. Click on the page to make it bigger so you can read it. The heart in the lower right hand side actually is gold, but because it's shiny it photographed as black. Just wanted you to know. Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day. May it and every day be filled with joy and love as only He can give.

Winter in Ukraine

This is what winter looked like on the day we left (Jan.4th) for America. I'm sure it still looks much like that, but maybe more snow. Makes me very grateful to be enjoying 60's and 70's in California for another few weeks before returning to the colder mid-west.

ART JOURNAL PAGES

On January 4th we arrived in the U.S. for missionary furlough. I took that as a good time to start a new art journal. So here are some of my first pages. The one with roses is done on foreign text which I love to use for backgrounds as it adds rather an air of mystery to a piece.

Handmade Flower Broaches

I had to show off these beautiful broaches (also spelled brooches) that my friend Sally in England sent me. They matched so beautifully with two coats that I have so I wanted to show you. Thank you Sally for your kindness and generosity. I love them.

Spray Ink Video Tutorial By Dina Wakley

You'll love the ideas she share with using spray inks. If you are a mixed-media person or art journaler this tut is for you. Check it out, just click on the title.

AMOKArts What Is A Dot? Part 2

Painting using only dots.

Altering Fabrics with Ink

http://www.scrapscene.com/2010/02/tutorial-by-tania-willis-altering-fabrics-with-ink.html

Just click on the title to go to this very interesting tutorial on altering fabric. You'll enjoy the possibilities.

Memories of Spring

Since so many of us are in the "dead of winter," as they say, I thought you might enjoy some reminders of spring. It really isn't that far away and will be here in a flash. This is crocus, one of the first flowers that pops it's head up in our garden each spring. I love that time of year. It is a reminder that God gives new chances for all of us. We may make mistakes, we may really mess up, but he is ever forgiving if we seek him and ask for forgiveness. He makes us new everyday for his love is like the white of these flowers....it is pure and it is always there for us to turn to.

Plate Glass Flowers

Use up that plastic packaging and make something beautiful. From Laura of Following the Paper Trail. These are so pretty and you could do it with any shape.

Shaped Hinge Envelope Mini Album

You'll love this idea. It is so simple and a great way to repurpose envelopes, new or used. It's from Laura at The Paper Trail. Enjoy.

This and the following two pictures are pretties I received in a bird swap. Thought you'd enjoy seeing them.

Nostalgia

Just wanted to share with you these lovely bits of long ago. I think they came from my grandmother's home. She's been gone many years now, since I'm a grandmother as well. As a child we had the best holidays at her house which leaves for such fond memories. I only pray that I might create the same fond memories for my grandchildren as well.

If you'd like to see another lovely blog with some beautiful "nostalgia" just click on the title above to go to Faith, Grace and Crafts.

2010 Life Path Challenge

Wow, Life Path Challenge, week 52. It just struck me this morning that this is our last challenge week. I must admit it has had pluses and minuses for me. While I've loved hearing about what you all have done, it sometimes was a bit demanding for me to get this up every single week. Therefore, I"m sorry to say that I will not be continuing it into 2011 as some of you have asked. Nonetheless, my prayer and hope is that this year has presented some questions and thoughts that may have made a difference in your life. Everything we do has impact so it's important to remember we make a difference in our lives to those all around us. Thus, let us get on with our last question of the year:

WHAT ONE THING WILL YOU DO IN 2011 THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE AND/OR THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND YOU?

It had been my joy to hear from you all. I would love to hear any parting comments or advise for improvement if I ever do this again. You may contact me by a comment here or by my email: coleenfranks@gmail.com

Happy New Year to you all, May 2011 be blessed for you, Coleen

The Gift You've Already Been Given

Simplicity

Simplicity was the prompt word for a new challenge for those who like to do tangles or zentangles. Just click on the title above if you'd like to check it out. This is one I did. Fun to do while watching TV or sitting in a coffee house.

Van Gogh and The Church

Paper Flowers: Poinsettas by June Campbell

2010 Life Path Challenge

Counting down the days to the end of the year now. 2010 is drawing to a close very rapidly. So, given the holiday season, it is a time when we usually focus on those we love so here's your assignment for this week:

It's always nice to share with someone why you love them. Today, I want you to draw a picture, doodle, sketch, of a person who you love, or admire. Then, write that person a letter telling them why they mean so much to you! If you are intimidated at the idea of drawing a portrait of someone, draw objects that represent that person or draw their name in a creative way. Enjoy and Merry Christmas to you all.

Artist Georges Seurat

European Book Art Project Call for Entries

I received the following call from a (professional) bookbinders'/book
artists' list thru another friend. The information may be of
interest to those who live in Europe. (At last! At last! A "serious"
European book arts project!) Full details are available on the
www.abot.mak.at website.

Check it out, Coleen

I would like to let you know that the MAK Vienna, in cooperation with
>the MGLC Ljubljana and the UPM Prague, has recently launched the
>EU-funded project "Artists' Books on Tour - Artist Competition and
>Mobile Museum". In this project we offer artists a platform to share
>their work in the field of artists' books within a unique pan-European
>competition.
>
>The submission period started December 1st, the application deadline is
>May 2nd 2011. Please note that the competition is open to anyone living
>and working in Europe.
>
>We would very much appreciate the announcement and distribution of our
>competition to anybody interested in the topic and eligible for the
>contest.
>
>For further information please visit our website www.abot.mak.at or our
>Facebook page www.facebook.com/artistsbooksontour.
>
>Thank you very much for your support!
>
>Best,
>Katharina Diewald
>Project assistant
>
>____________________________________
>
>ABoT | Artists' Books on Tour
>
>MAK - Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art
>Library and Works on Paper Collection
>Stubenring 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria
>abot@mak.at
>www.abot.mak.at
>www.mak.at

Merry Christmas from North Point's iBand

Now this is taking technology to new levels of creativity. I love it.

Merry Christmas from North Point

2010 Life Path Challenge

Gratitude is one of the keys to happiness. It is like a muscle...not used it is weak, but the more we exercise gratitude the stronger it becomes in our lives. And the result is more joy and passion for life, more love for those around us. And those things are infectious creating the kind of people we want to be around. As we approach the end of one year and the beginning of another it is often a time of reflection for people. So let's look at that idea this week.

AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, WHAT ARE YOU SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT IT SWELLS YOUR HEART?

Tutorial - Fusing Plastic Bags

This is just a sample of what you can do with fused plastic...my mini-book. The pages themselves are the fused plastic. It's fun, give it a try.

Check This Out for Some Great Crafting

Just click on the title to see some beautiful Christmas crafts.

Ever Wonder About These?

Matroyshka Dolls are all the rage now in a lot of places. Those above are 5 sets that we have that were gifts given to us early in our ministry here in Ukraine. When tourists or short term missionaries come the one thing you can be sure they will buy is a set of these. If you'd like to read a short history on matroyshka dolls just click on the title above and it will take you to "Above the Clouds." Another spot that simply displays a whole lot of different kinds of dolls is this: http://ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com/2008/04/matryoshka-madness-russian-nesting.html
Enjoy, Coleen

Christmas Fun, Not Holiday Fun!

Two visitors enjoying my old platform rocker given to me by my sweet long gone mother-in-law. This is a reminder that we are seeing so much issue about Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. Let us not forget "The Reason for the Season," that of Jesus Christ who came to earth that we might be saved. All of man's history is dated by his birth as before and after (B.C./A.D.). What else in life has so impacted history?

This picture is a link up for White Wednesday featured on Faded Charm Cottage. You can visit them and see lots of other pretty vintage Christmas pix by clicking on the title above. Merry Christmas all. Coleen

Winter

Winter finally arrived in Ukraine. I'm not complaining mind you. I loved the long drawn out fall weather we had. I still had rose buds near the house in November. This is a tag I did in honor of winter. Hope you like it.

Vintage, Vintage and More Vintage

I know that many of you like to do vintage arts and crafts. I do too, but often I've found that along with that goes a general love for all things vintage. Things that speak to us about the past, about a gentler time and place in our lives and sometimes about actual happenings in our past. So I found a site with a wacky name that I think they suggest that vintage is better than anything. So don't let the name put you off. Just check it out and you'll see some lovely stuff just like the pictures above. And when you get there, if you want to explore further, check out her Etsy shop. The link is on her blog. Just click on the title above to go to her blog. Cheers, Coleen

SO FUN!

TRAVELING ARTIST'S GUILD

I am participating in a year-long art project called the Traveling Artists Guild. One of the projects for this is to do some sort of traveling container. Some used boxes, some bags and most used some sort of suitcase. I happened to have this old, very vintage leather suitcase that I thought would be perfect. Back in October I posted the plain suitcase so you could see what I'm working with. This is what I've done so far and I have one more side to do. Some of the vintage photos are those actually given to me of relatives and ancestors of friends. If you'd like to see more of the artists who are doing this just click on the title to go to the blog where our work and stories will be posted.

2010 Life Path Challenge

MESSAGE FROM THE HEART

PEACE, COURAGE, ABUNDANCE, LAUGHTER, REST, CHOICE, POWER, WISDOM, FORGIVENESS, INTEGRITY, DECISION, FREEDOM, CONFIDENCE, WONDER, BEAUTY, COMPASSION, HUMOR, ACCEPTANCE, CALM, HEALING, COMFORT, UNDERSTANDING, LOVE, BLESSING, HARMONY, PLAYFULNESS, AWAKEN, TENDER-HEARTED, GRACE, HOPE, CARING, HONESTY, TRUST, GOODNESS, CLARITY, FAITHFULNESS, WONDER, LIGHT, FAITH, THANKFUL

Pick a word from above that has meaning to you. My word is _______________.

My initial reaction to my word ______________________

Reflect on your word this week, write or art about how its meaning is part of your life. Enjoy.

Glitzy Double Loop Bow

You gifts will be big hits this Christmas with this technique by Tammy Malone of Not Just Paper and Glue. Find more from Tammy at her place here: http://www.notjustpaperandglue.com/

Stools in the Netherlands

I fell in love with these stools the moment I saw them. I'm sure this is a European thing because I've never seen stools like that in the states, but I have some just like them in my house. Now my imagination is turning on stool ideas, what fun. Just go here: http://bobbeez-8r1id.blogspot.com/ and you can go and see many cute crafts Susan does.

2010 Life Path Challenge

Sometimes life has a way of throwing things out of whack. That is how it has been for me in the last few months with having done a trip in each month of this fall season. Yesterday we returned from a 2600 kilometer (1600 miles) trip to south Ukraine and then onto Moldova to the west and back. Therefore I am late in getting this posted, but the good news is there are no planned trips in December.

THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF MY CHILDHOOD

Now this should bring up some thoughts. Enjoy.

SCRAPPERS TAKE A LOOK

For those of you who like to scrap, this is a blog that you will find colorful and encouraging. Jessica scraps for her family and she is one to share her ideas. There are also some very nice "sketches" for you to try in your layouts. If you visit her site be sure and tell her I sent you. You won't be disappointed. Just click on the title and you'll go right to it. And don't forget to check out her Blogaversary to win a beautiful prize.

Every now and then I write about another blog I've come across. This time I'm writing about one I've reviewed as part of a swap on Swap-bot.com. This lady Helen is a knitter. Now I know that may not sound real exciting to some of you, but she is so funny. And this is the most gorgeous set of mittens she did. I would just like to see more of what she does. Anyway, get your cup of coffee or tea and check her out. I guarantee she'll make you laugh. Just click on the title and it will take you right to the spot. Enjoy.

2010 Life Path Challenge

The above picture is a box I collaged. If you were to do one, I know it would turn out quite differently. We all do things differently so today we have the chance to document that in our own individual way.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOU...WHAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD?

For those of you in the states I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving Day.

Almost Winter

It is hard to imagine that this is growing in my garden in November. It is close to the house on the south side so I would imagine that those factors help it. We have been blessed by having a very mild fall. Global warming? Well, some call it that, but in an area where we usually have snow by now it does cause one to wonder. Just wanted to share God's beauty with you.

2010 Life Path Challenge

I know you've probably all heard of the idea of the bucket list. If you haven't, it's a list of things you'd do before you kick the bucket. So here's an idea that might incorporate your bucket list.

LIST THREE THINGS YOU'D DO IF YOU WEREN'T SO AFRAID.

The year is quickly drawing to an end. For those who have followed along, you will have a fun book of stories and/or art that will be a great keepsake in the future. By now you are seeing that so be sure and bind it in some way to keep it safe. Enjoy

Zentangle's Betweed

A Message for New Visitors

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY TO VISIT. I WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU FOLLOWED. IF YOU ARE CRAFTY I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE A FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK FILLED WITH ALL KINDS OF TUTORIALS AND INSTRUCTIONS. YOU ARE SURE TO FIND SOMETHING FUN THERE. JUST ENTER vintageterrace2 IN THE SEARCH BOX. YOU CAN FRIEND ME ON FB: COLEEN FRANKS. HOPE YOU COME AGAIN.

Fun Felt Purse

Fronts side with pocket

In October we made a trip from Ukraine to Poland to renew my husband's visa. As Americans we must leave the country to do that. So that means a lot of driving for which I always bring along projects to work on in the car. This is a Christmas present for my younger granddaughter Jordan (age 5). It is all hand done with a necklace as the shoulder strap. Being an absent grand mother I'm learning how to do the grandmother bit from far a way. It is a challenge at times, but I think she'll like it. You can page down a bit to see the one I made for Julia (Julia, age 7).

2010 Life Path Challenge

This is the eleventh month of the year. Isn't it amazing how fast it has gone? Such is life which is why it is so valuable to preserve our thoughts and values as an encouragement for future generations.

We've all heard the story of the genie in a bottle. So today is a time of fantasy.

WHAT WOULD YOU ASK FOR IF A GENIE GRANTED YOU THREE WISHES?

This can cover a whole range of ideas that have to do not just with riches, but maybe with family, with relations, so what is it for you? Time to dream.