Friday, 26 May 2017

Friday This and That

Hi Everybody!

Hello from sunny and warm Kaiserswerth, where we have
been enjoying blue skies and sunshine for almost a 
whole week - a wonder!

For Paint Party Friday, hosted by Eva and Kristin, I have a
journal I altered. The cover was plain craft paper, useful
but boring. I painted it with gesso, and then added the
robin image using a paper napkin from my lovely friend
Yvonne. I added some extra colour with gelatos, and stenciled
the diamond pattern using Archival forest green. The stamp used
is from TH. I rubbed some white chalk into some of the little
cracks and folds to give more texture. 
I am also linking to Art Journal Journey, Gill's theme
of elegance and grunge, to Simon Monday Challenge,
little critters, and to altered eclectics.

Before the alteration:





For Go Tag Thursday, where the theme is a country,
I chose France and landed in Paris. I made a digital tag
using elements from Serif, Mischief Circus, Astrid and me. 
Astrid often offers wonderful freebies on her blog, thanks!
I am also linking to Tag Tuesday, anything goes:



Some photos from my walks:




In the hospital gardens:



I love to see plants growing in the cracks and crevices
of walls:





The horses always look happy and relaxed:




The rusty arches sculpture in the castle ruins:


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

44 comments:

  1. wie goldig dein Heftumschlag so schön der Vogel auf dem Ast und dein Paristrip und wie der Franzose ausrufen würde le magnifique!!!!!
    Kaiserwerth o ja ich bin da so viel mit dem Fahrrad über den Rhein gefahren dort hin oder mit der S-bahn und dort spazieren gegangen wenn mein Schatz arbeiten musste. Ich liebte es diesen romantischen Ort, die Pferdefotos ach herrlich... ich liebe Pferde!
    Ich wünsche dir ein wunderschönes Wochenende!
    Lieben Gruss Elke

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  2. I love that little bird page in your journal. Lots of good texture on that page! I have a craft paper journal but so far not used. Lovely tag. I always enjoy your peaceful photos. That's a magnificent white horse!

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  3. Now this is one beautiful post, love that gorgeous napkin with the beautiful bird. Wonderful tag, I apologize for not entering the challenge at this stage my days are full of DT cards....xxHave a great Weekend.
    [aNNie]

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  4. Another wonderful post Val, you exceed yourself time and time again. Love the beautiful journal, and the tag in Paris brings back happy memories. Great photos, as always, you have an eye that always finds beauty. Have a great day, hugs, Sarah

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  5. Amazing art and photos - Thank you for supporting Gill's theme again!
    Happy Friday!
    Susi

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  6. What a wonderful transformation! The chalk really does show the texture! Of course your Paris tag has such a great combination of images and reminds me of my favourite city! The views around your area are fabulous and I too love seeing plants growing in walls! Have a great weekend! Hugs, Chrisx

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  7. Gorgeous spring page and a classic Paris tag! I enjoyed your walk today, I love the flowers coming out of the crevices.

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  8. I still can't believe how green and summery it is. We have gotten green but this rain and cold-it doesn't feel like summer. I love your symmetrical page and that adorable bird. And your tag is great too. I think a sunny day at a Paris cafe would be fantastic right now. Sipping a class of wine and eating some yummy French pastry. :) Happy Friday-hope its been a wonderful day so far! Hugs-Erika

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  9. Oh wow! I love this napkin collage - AMAZING! And those flowers are all stunning! Hugs, Autumn

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  10. I love to see plant coming out of crevices in walls too - or moss growing on old stone or brick.
    Love your journal over - that bird is so sweet. I love the use of napkins especially since I cannot draw or paint. But you my friend can do both.
    Your tag is lovely too!
    Sandy xx

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  11. Your art journal cover is beautiful! I love robins and the way you achieved the symmetry of the images is perfect. I enjoyed reading about how you created it too 😁. Your tag images are wonderful, such a lovely way to depict Paris! Great photos of your walk, wishing you more sunny days and a very Happy Weekend! J 😊

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  12. The color and texture of the bird is wonderful, very nice page!!
    I enjoyed seeing the horses on "my morning walk" with you!

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  13. Love the birdie journal pages. Nice job.

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  14. Love your journal cover! The bird is so pretty and realistic. And I LOVE the tag. Looks like a beautiful cafe that I want to visit.
    Kate

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  15. That journal cover made my heart skip a beat - WOW. Your tag is darling and what gorgeous photography. Do you mind if I try to paint a rose using your photo as a reference?
    hugs,
    Teresa

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    Replies
    1. You are welcome to use my photos any time!

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  16. The bird page is awesome but I love the horse photos.

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  17. What an amazing transformation of the journal cover and beautiful tag. I think the flowers growing up from the cracks are so pretty and the arches sculpture is lovely.

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  18. Well, that cover certainly looks a whole lot better now! And I love your Paris tag, so cute ... Fits perfectly with the great weather we're having :-) Happy PPF!

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  19. Your journal cover is so creative and beautiful ~ love the bird! ~ Photography of nature is great and favorite are those gorgeous horses ~ thanks,

    Happy weekend to you ~ ^_^

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  20. I really really love the journal layout ♥ Pat yourself on the back for that one :) Your tag is great too and I LOVE all of the photos of your part of the world. Have a grand week end ♥

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  21. The horses' coats just shine. They do look happy and content;)
    Your pieces are, as always, wondrous.
    Happy weekend.

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  22. I love horses and flowers. Such beautiful pictures!

    The robin on your TAG looks fantastic. The robin is awesome! Your work is lovely, as usual. :)
    ~Jess

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  23. I was here much earlier today and was just ready to leave a comment when I got a phone call from a neighbor. I just got home a few minutes ago.

    I have trouble believing that tag is all digital. It's a real beauty. I wish I had a small part of your incredible talent.

    The way you decorated that cover is wonderful. Your use of napkins never disappoints me. I really need to go through my napkins and see what I can use. You always come up with the best ways of using them, too.

    Your walk was awesome, but you know I would have had to stop at the rusty arches sculpture. It always draws me in.

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  24. Thanks Valerie. I added my Asian Girl to Tag Tuesday.

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  25. I love your Parisian tag Valerie but my favourite piece today has to be with that lovely Robin of course. What a transformation from just plain to your beautiful journal cover and that's such a nice quote too.
    Enjoyed a walk with your photos and the beautiful flowers (was that blue flower a Campanula in the wall) the horses coats look very glossy - they are gorgeous :)
    Have a great weekend... Gill xx

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  26. Its a gorgeous journal cover, so pleased you liked the little surprise. I will catch up and have a good read of the posts I missed when we get home.
    Yvonne xx

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  27. What a lovely journal confer! I'm in process with one now as well, you ha Anne me some lovely ideas! Your garden is looking so lovely, glad dinner is getting here!!
    Thanks for stopping by my Creation-station, I got a chuckle at your comment around art/biz planning, "I just like to create when, where and what I like, and as a pensioner this is now possible!"
    That is awesome!! Xxx

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  28. Great artwork and photographs. I especially like the piece with the birds. And the tag is wonderful.

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  29. Gorgeous journal! Love the large birds on it and all the detail and texture you worked into it. Your photos are amazing - looks like a wonderful place to live!! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! xx Maura

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  30. your altered journal cover is beyond gorgeous! wow! loving that 3D tags as well. and the sweet horse and all photos! love it all. xo

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  31. Love how you share the beauty of each day...gorgeous photos and LOVE your birdy cover pages...gorgeous work.. love the adorable french piece too!! Wonderful work..thanks for sharing!

    Hugs Giggles

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  32. Another simply wonderful post.
    Your journal looks beautiful, and I do like the France/Paris theme on your tag.
    Brilliant photo's again, a lovely mix.

    All the best Jan

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  33. Such a sweet little bird, and I love your Paris piece too! I think I'm going to have to start playing around with my gelatos more!

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  34. Beautiful artwork Valerie. The sweet birds with that lovely quote ... very inspiring and very true.
    Such gorgeous flowers in the hospital grounds would give delight to everyone - uplift spirits where needed.
    Have a joy-filled week :D)

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  35. Valerie I just adore the cover (front and back) with the bird mixed media feel. And of course I love your French creation too.
    Hugs
    Desíre
    {Doing Life – my personal blog}

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  36. Your journal cover is so lovely - what a joy it will be to journal in that book! I also love your digital tag, with the bright colors and sweet images!!

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  37. An awesome Tag..really love how you have put this together.
    Thank you so much for joining in with this weeks challenge at Go Tag Thursday..xx
    Loved looking through your blog post..the sheen on the horses coats is gorgeous.

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  38. How gorgeous is that Robin..just 10 minutes ago I was watching one out of my window, he was perched on the guttering on the lower roof...
    A great journal cover, love the textures too...
    Thank you for sharing in teh challenge at Altered Eclectics..x

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  39. Ooooh, so beautiful and looks warm.
    We have spring but no sign of summer yet. Today it's +16 but wind feels cool.

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  40. A beautiful journal, who doesn't love a Robin. Thank you for sharing your work with us at Altered Eclectics.

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  41. Absolutely love how you reversed the image to create this spread- excellent journaling Valerie!
    Such beautiful roses in bloom- mine have yet to do so!
    hugs,Jackie

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  42. Hi My friend! I am a week behind in blogging! Ugg! LOL! I love your robin journal book! How precious! And, your tag is wonderful! Love your photos!! Beautiful! Breath taking!!! Big Hugs!

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