Saturday, 12 April 2014

Mixed bag for the weekend.

Hi everybody!
I am sitting here trying to write my blog and getting very frustrated because either my ancient lap-top or Blogger or both are on a go-slow, and everything is taking ages to load. Well, I just hope it doesn't get worse!

This altered journal is another of my Gecko Galz DT projects. I used a ready made journal  (6x4"), painted the edges with bronze metallic structure paste, and then covered the front and back covers with some scrunched up bronze metallic paper from my stash. The beautiful image is from the musical jewel it sheet. I matted the image onto some bronze mirr-card and blue card-stock. I love the combination of browns and blues. I embellished the spiral with some ribbons in brown and blue.



Material list: Journal, paper for matting, image, structure paste and bronze paper.

Today started out cool and misty, and the sun chased the mist away bit by bit. This was the view from my window when I got up.


On my walk today I took some photos of the old tombstones, which are set into the wall around the church of Saint Swidbert.






And inside the church I saw the pattern of light from the stained-glass windows falling onto the stone floor.

I met this little beetle as I left the church, it's about an inch long and was so sparkly with its striped suit in metallic optic. Not a good photo, it didn't want to stand still for me!

Have a great day, take care, and thanks a lot for coming by!

28 comments:

  1. Love your punch of blue. What will you put in such a pretty book. x

    ReplyDelete
  2. As always I read your descriptive description, then saw the result. You're right, the image is lovely and goes so well with your bronze metallic and the kingfisher blue.
    Oh, tombstones today, that's something new.
    What a beautiful insect, he looks as if he is moving fast, maybe he didn't want the publicity.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely cover and looking forward to seeing what goes inside :)
    Von ♥

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful journal cover Val. I love all the discoveries you make on your walks too. Always interesting. Hugs Rita xxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Super journal cover, it is a beautiful image. Love the photos, but would have passed the shiny beetle by.
    Yvonne x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Copper and blue are always a gorgeous combination.
    So pretty.
    Wishes
    Lynne

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful job on the journal! I like blue and brown together, too. Old tombstones are always so interesting to see. The beetle would have scared me, but it sure is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful journal Valerie, the vibrant blue is fabulous against the bronze. Great pics too - I do love wandering around a graveyard! xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. beautiful work on the journal. Interesting colours on that beetle!

    ReplyDelete
  10. That is a gorgeous image. You colored it so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  11. ugh. Nothing worse than a non-responding computer! So glad that you got it to work though, so I can see your beautiful art and pictures. You are always an inspiration, thank you! xo

    ReplyDelete
  12. Fabulous textures and image on your journal cover and you live in such an interesting part of the world. The colours on the beetle are very majestic xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love how you put the cover of this journal together, such wonderful texture and a great backdrop to that gorgeous image! Your photos are always a treat, you have such an eye for capturing the beauty of your surroundings!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fantastic altered journal Valerie--the turquoise is stunning against the copper.

    Wonderful photographs again--great idea to have the headstones built into a wall I think. Not sure what the beetle is but bright colours in insects usually spell trouble.:(

    Have a good day

    Love Chrissie x

    ReplyDelete
  15. wunderschönes cover hast du gezaubert,und tolle bilder wider,besonders das mit den lichtstrahlen der fenster gefällt mir seehr.
    hab einen schönen sonntag,liebe valerie.

    Knuddel Jeannette

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love copper and just that blue together. Your journal page is so beautiful with all the lovely embellishments.
    Old stones are always interesting and the little beetle suits so well on your theme.
    Hope your PS problems are over. Sometimes to clear the browser helps.
    Have a great next week, Valerie xxx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wunderschönes Cover für das Journal. Der kupferfarbene hintergrund harmoniert wunderbar mit dem Blau! Schöne Sruktur! Schöne und sehr interessante Fotoserie! Danke fürs Zeigen!
    Einen schönen Sonntag!
    LG, LonettA

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lovely cover for the book, and I agree that brown and blue do look fabulous together. I am having the same problem with my computer, on a dreadful go-slow all the time, unless I am up in the night. They say is it the number of people using the broadband. If so I can't imagine what it would be like if we didn't have broadband and live not too far from the telephone exchange.
    Your photos are gorgeous, you live in such a historic place, a photographer's dream.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My broadband is okay, I think it's just the computer being old and weak!

      Delete
  19. Valerie, you grew up in Spitalfields? That's why I see these red phone boxes. I live in Harrow which is the other side of London, but I love Spits.xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. Quickly, quickly - your journal cover is gorgeous!
    Now on to that wall - I would truly love to see it. Are you allowed to take rubbings? Would make wonderful art work!!
    Sandy xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. PS - did you get my e-mail today and were you able to respond?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sent a reply to the second addy you gave me, the one to yours bounces. Look and see if my mail arrived!

      Delete
    2. I did get an e-mail from you at the second address on Sunday - is that the one you re referring to. I am going to do my best to solve this Valerie.
      Sandy xx

      Delete
  22. The journal cover is gorgeous und Deine Bilder sind auch wieder fantastisch schön!

    Knuddel!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Valerie, Your journal is beautiful. I love the color and it is a bit like the little beetle you saw leaving the church. Gorgeous pics with such history. You are surrounded by culture and beauty. It must just feed your artistic soul!!
    Have a great week.
    hugs

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your journal is fabulous Valerie, don't those colours glow! Brilliant photographs as always too. I hope your computer keeps going, can you imagine life without the internet lol xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sorry I missed this with the internet down and no power dear. Lovely journal, perfect combination of image and backgrounds. What a cool little beetle! Big hugs, ~Diane

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. All your comments are much appreciated! Please be aware that by leaving a comment you are voluntarily sharing your name and / or the details of your blog.