Altered Book - Just One More Word

At the 6 month mark in our altered book quest - we each received our own books back home to work on for the month of July.  The intro to my book you can find HERE but explains the "theme" is to create a spread with just one word.  My first spread used a few different images from my favorite Anthro catalogs - a pretty butterfly strewn sweater, a bed of flowers, and a tropical bird wallpaper.  The aged wood at the bottom is scrapbook paper. The flowers cut from a magazine.  The word is Breathe.  As in, just keep living and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.

 My second spread gives you a bit of my frame of mind these days.  It has been about two months since my husband Jim passed away.  So yes - this is a sea of tears.  Cut from pictures in a Hawaiin tourist guide, the oceans and waves we experienced on our 25th anniversary trip in May.

 And for my third spread - this magnificent bird reminds us to look forward and Soar!  I covered the background with hand made paper and gave a little tent fold in the middle to cover the spiral holding the book together.  A couple of vintage air balloons cut from wrapping paper.  The die cut flower, cut from a sheet of lacey scrapbook paper with a bit of peach and grey oil pastel.  Sitting on top of vintage plaid wallpaper.  I might add a little bit of paint to soften the edges before i pack this up.

And finally here is one of the lovely birthday cards i recieved from my friend and play date partner Lucie.  A beautiful hand painted and collaged card with a touch of my favorite things - a bird, robin's egg blue, and vintage french text!  Please check out lucie's blog HERE to see more of her art!