Because I still am arm wrestling with a little lingering jet lag and a sinus infection, I just do not have all of the right words to share with you about the Art & Faith Retreat in Italy just yet so I thought that I would tell you about one of my workshops...
I toted 100 lbs of art supplies to Italy with me and here is a look the Travel Journal workshop that I taught. Note: if you have ever taken one of my Mixed Media classes in-store or online, the techniques are similar therefore you could easily create a Travel Journal of your very own using the supplies you probably already have on hand.
We started with a Tim Holtz Worn Cover and used Multi-matte Medium, old book paper, several pieces of Tim Holtz Expedition Ephemera and Distress paints to create a collage on the front, spine and back of the cover.
Each kit included a Binder mechanism to fit the cover, tags die cut from file folders using my Large Tag Die by Sizzix , vintage library card pockets and several Pocket Cards with two styles of clear pocket pages that fit perfectly into the binder. I provided coordinating Washi Tape, Rub-Ons and Big Chat stickers to embellish the pages, pockets and tags.
I adhered a library card pocket to the front inside cover, added a pocket card to the front of it, adhered words that I had already cut out and placed a heart shaped leaf into the pocket that I found along one of the long, steep, winding cobblestone paths we walked.
On the opposite side, I used the supplies that Laura provided during her canvas workshop. I decided not to use the canvas but to create on the tag so that I could keep it in my binder. The words "I am willing" indicate my prayer of staying "open" to whatever God has in store for me and thought that incorporating a globe, a heart and a shield were the perfect reminder that I was in ITALY, using my skills to share with others and that although I was a crying baby for the first day (or two) of the trip, the shield/armour is there to remind me that I am protected.
Moving on... The tag pictured below was used to hold a picture of the lake front of Bellagio and I had actually taken this off of Laura's blog prior to our trip so that I could create an example. Now that I have my own photos, I will print out lots of wallet sized photos to add them into my binder.
Washi tape and Big Chat word stickers finish up the tag. I may add more now that I have time to go back and reflect. That is the fun thing about Travel Journals. They are never really finished because as Jet Lag disappears, a clear mind reappears and memories start to pop up (at all hours of the night!)
I accidentally introduced peeling labels off of water bottles to all of the ladies at our tables in the afternoons and evening and before I knew it, everybody was stripping their bottles. It was kinda funny to see all of the bottles left behind without labels. I bet the waiters were confused. Crazy Americans.
I adhered labels to the outside and inside of my binder as you will see here:
Also pictured is one of the plastic pocket pages that I tucked in some information about The Basilica of Saint James that was right in the center of Bellagio. I continued to stuff my binder with receipts, a bag from Jeanne's class that I punched holes in and added and even coasters & drink stirrers from Jeanne & I's trips to the hotel bar for water, coffee, tea and ice.
When it was time to take Jeanne's Paper Mosaic class I again opted to do my project on one of the large tags so that I could also keep it in my binder. This is now one of my most favorite techniques to do and I am so lucky that I got to learn from Jeanne. She is an amazing teacher and now I am so giddy to call her friend.
I still have some journaling and a few more things to stuff into my book but I am so happy on how it came out. I keep looking through it. I especially loved watching all of the ladies create binders that with all of the same supplies came out so different and beautiful.
I have to tell you that this trip was amazing and I am not just saying this but should you be prompted/lead and given the chance to go, you should. Start saving now because it is not to be missed. Selfishly, I want to go back every year and teach but I know that each person and every teacher are there at a specific time for a specific reason. I don't have the right words to express it everything but I just read Laura's post about our trip and left this comment that might express how I am feeling:
"Oh Laura, thank you for listening and then doing what the Lord prompted you to do. Because you are putting your purpose, passion and dreams into action, you are blessing so many, myself included. Between the quiet,deep conversations, prayers, devotionals and GUT WRENCHING RIB CRACKING laughter, I am forever changed and will continue to thank you for including me in this adventure. My heart continually overflows with so many things that I just cant put it all into the right words. EVERYTHING was so amazing and we are now blessed with a whole tribe of new, wonderful, beautiful, creative and faith filled women. I look forward to watching how the Lord continues to use & bless you and your amazing family. Thank you again for more than I can express."
I am sure I will babble a ton more about this trip in the weeks to come but the meantime, pop over to Laura's Blog to read her post here Jeanne's blog here Valeri's blog here
