JYC 2010: December 13

Music is the prompt so on the right I printed a Sinatra album cover, I chose this one because I really liked the desing. On the left I colored an image with my copics and the background with distress inks, I also printed a greek christmas song (I experienced some smudgiing though).

I also printed my favorite christmas song, Sinatra's White Christmas, I adhered it on a pp and folded it in too, when it's closed it's like a mini book. I used a Tattered Angels snowflake mask for coloring the white paper.

Can you believe it that I barely used the clear Sakura Stardust pen, just a little on the lamp!

I also remembered to find my cd with the christmas songs, it is currently in my car so I don't miss the christmas spirit even when I'm driving!

JYC 2010: December 12

Christmas Past is the prompt, so I dug out a photo from my childhood!
On the left page, I printed a text from Dickens's "The Cricket On The Hearth", I inked it with Distress Inks, crumbled it and inked it again because I wanted to achieve this look.
On top I fastened with ribbon a colored image so that it flips upwards and on the back side I adhered the journaling card.
On the right I added a photo but I wanted to do some more journaling, so I made a kind of card. I also added some ribbon because the card was not centered on the page and it lacked balance, the ribbon was just perfect!

I watercolored the image with Distress Inks but my brush was not thoroughly cleaned from yesterday, so when I touched the paper it became green! While lamenting on my recklessness, I discovered that a green hue was actually just right because it gave a mouldy effect, which is perfect for old Scrooge's office!
Of course I also added a dash of shine on the border with Perfect Pearls.

For the cover of the card on the right, I stamped on the paper with embossing clear ink and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder. Then I thought to color it with my copics but I wanted to continue the color scheme from the left page, so I watercolored it with Distress Inks too, I also added Perfect Pearls on the bell. Then I dabbed more distress ink all over the card, I used a piece of rough bath sponge and the result is really interesting.

Today was a hectic day with work and all the streets jammed with traffic because of the strikes, but this little trip down to memory lane was just what I needed to relax!

JYC 2010: December 11

Christmas tree is the prompt, so I took two night shots of our tree because I love the lights!

On the left I wanted to add a christmas tree, so I colored one with distress inks and Perfect Pearls, I also added some stickles.

 

I also colored an image, I had a water accident on the face, so I sketched one, it's sort of scary, LOL!

JYC 2010: December 10

Wrapping paper is the prompt. First thing, I printed an envelope template, cut it and then covered it with a paper napkin. Then, I added the "presents" on the right and made a pocket on the back for my journaling. Then I added photos of my favorite christmas items made of paper, that is an old paperback with Dickens's Christmas Books and the current issue of Magnolia Ink magazine.

I colored the image with my copics and then highlited some details with the clear Sakura Stardust pen, I also added a tiny bow on top.

I used a bow from the pattern of the napkin in order to make the closure.

Here's the envelope open, I wanted to put a photo inside but we haven't purchased gifts so far, so I put a photo of the christmas gift I purchased for myself, I'm still waiting for it to arrive!

I like very much wrapping gifts, and this is another reason why I love christmas!

JYC 2010: December 9

Traditions is the prompt and this time  did a double journaling, inside the "magazine" on the left and on the journaling card as well.
On the right page there is my mom baking "kourambiedes", a greek pastry that we usually make for christmas. I also took photos of my favorite movies that I love to watch during the christmas. The idea was to picure them on a shelf, well, sort of...LOL!
On the left, I used an image that looks like a magazine cover and it opens like a card. I also used another image that I had colored the other day for another page but it was a disaster because I used too much water and Perfect Pearls. I didn't want to throw it away, so I kept it and used it here.

At first I didn't color the image, I lightly touched it with Antique Linen distress ink. Then I thought that it was too flat for my liking, so I added color with my copics here and there and then highlighted some details with the clear Sakura Stardust pen.

 As for christmas traditions, my number one is red green and gold, I love my christmas tree and everything christmasy in these colors!

JYC 2010: December 8

Sights of the season is the prompt, so on the right I adherd photos I've been taking the previous days. On the left I started by watercoloring an image but when I positioned it on my page, I thought that it lacked something.
While I was thinking how to incorporate it in my layout, I had the idea to transform it to a view from a window so I positioned the image on a white paper and cut around it so as to make a kind of shutters. Then I colored them with my copics and distress inks. I adhered it on my page leaving the shutters free to move and then I thought that it needed something more, so I added the tiny curtain on top!
Behind it there is a pocket for my journaling card.

I also used Ranger's Perfect Pearls for some shine.

Can you believe that we're only 14 days away from christmas?

JYC 2010: December 7

To-do lists is the prompt, instead I did a layout about my wish-list! These are the items I 'm currently crazy about, I know that I 'm not actually going to buy anything (or maybe just the black handbag, I just love it!) bit I like to look at them.
On the left, I once more did a pocket for my journaling card. I colored an image with my copics, adhered it on a striped pp, I added some ribbon as well for some texture. If you 're familiar with my blog, the lady on the image probably reminds you of something!
The round embellishment is a colored image that I covered with UTEE, I had made a while ago a bunch of these but I totally forgot to use them until now!

As you can see, I also accented the red stripes and some details with...the clear Sakura Stardust pen, what else!

 

At last today we saw some (speckles of) snow, the size of a pin head, but, better this than nothing!

JYC 2010: December 6

Tale of two christmases is the prompt. On the right is a photo of me and my closest co-workers decorating our tiny tree.
On the left, I adhered the colored image on a folded white paper so as to make a sort of card that I adhered on the page and I used the inside for my journaling. On the back of the "card" I left a pocket for the dated journaling spot.

I colored the image with my copics, I decided to color only the people and the rest is just touched with Antique Linen distress inks, I did it this way in cohesion with the journaling I did inside that is it doesn't mind where you are what you wear, etc, the only thing that matters is to be with your loved ones.
Of course I lightly added some shine with the clear Sakura Stardust!

The idea for this piece came from a Tim Holtz tutorial about making a flower with tissue tape, I used ribbon instead and on top I adhered a printed sentiment.

Now that I see it again it looks like an winner's award ribbon,  LOL!

JYC 2010: December 5

Advent calendars is the prompt but instead of making one, I had the idea to illustrate it with a "connect the dots" kind of way. On the right, I took some shots of the new decorations for our christmas tree also added a pocket for the journaling spot and a cute Tilda!

I remember that as a child I had lots of fun trying to reveal the hidden image by linking the numbered dots, so I sketched a tree and traced the outline, marked and numberd the dots and then colored it by stamping repeatedly with a small stamp and distress inks so as to make the folliage. Then I used stickles for some shine and ready!  

Last step, I watercolored the Tilda with distress inks, I also used the clear Sakura Startdust for some shine.

Tip: if you try watercoloring an image that's printed with an inkjet printer, make sure that you don't use too much water or else the black ink will bleed. I found that out the hard way!

JYC 2010: 4th December

Perfection is the prompt, so on the right there's one example of a very affordable perfection, a cute christmas sweater reasonably priced and on the left...well, I don't have to say anything, the image speaks for itself!

I once more watercolored the image with distress inks, I also added dashes of snow with a white pen.
I finally added some shine with a yellow Sakura Stardust pen, though I think I overdid it a bit while coloring the windows, I wanted to picture windows lighted from the inside, like from candles, fireplace, etc, instead what came out looks a little like a screenshot from Psycho!LOL!

I hear on the weather report that a tiny bit of snow is coming our way on Saturday, you can't see me but I'm doing the happy dance!

JYC 2010: 3rd December

Cards is the prompt, so I incorporated little partial photos of the actual ones I managed to make so far and I used them to create the tiny "cards" on the right page.

Then I made the little envy on the left page, just a square piece of white paper that I folded and stamped, quick and easy, I also cut out a "stamp" and adhered it on top.

Last step, I haphazardly colored an image with distress inks, I also used once more a white pen to doodle some snow, so easy and so effective!

The streets are gradually getiing decorated and festive, slowly but steadily christmas comes in town!

JYC 2010: 2nd December

Weather is the prompt, I dream of white christmas but it is sooo not happening, so as you can imagine I keep complaining about the insane weather, I start worrying that I'm in a Doctor Who episode and that I'm mysteriously transported (or should I say teleported?) to Australia! As you can see the flowers are blooming in my backyard, I won't be surprised if I see the Easter Bunny (ok, maybe it will be brain damage but I'm sure Dr House can find the cure!) see, I 'm already rambling!

My ideal christmas weather is illustrated on the left page, after I finished it I thought that it lacked something (snow, duh!) so I used a uni ball white pen and added snow on the branches and dots all over the images, it really made the difference! For coloring the Tilda I used my copics, I wanted an intense and vibrant result so as to contrast whith the backround.

The truth is that today it was a little chilly (11 *C in the morning, compared to the previous days you can call it chilly) so I think that maybe it will eventually get on track, I certainly hope so!

JYC 2010: 1st December

Humbug...NOT!
Journal Your Christmas year 2, I really would like to give many kisses to Irini for giving me the chance to get to know this awesome online class from Shimelle! Here you can see how it all started and here are all my JYC 2009 posts.

This year I'm going to keep it simple, quick and spontaneous, so that I will be able to incorporate this project into my daily routine without stress, after all it is about having fun!
With this in mind I had already assembled the album (4''x6'') together with covers (that I will reveal at the end!) and all, so all I have to do everyday is to put together the elements that I see fit for every prompt. I have also printed or stamped enough christmas images so that I can choose one, color it and add it to my page.
One more difference from last year's JYC is that I'll also keep a mini journal for every day's happenings, regardless if it is in the spirit of the daily prompt or not, it will be really funny to read it in the future!

As for coloring, you know how I love it,  and as it is expected you 'll see a lot of them! I 'll also do a lot of watercoloring with distress inks, it's really quicker than coloring with my copics and the result is more subtle and transparent.
So, dear friends, prepeare yourselves for my JYC 2010 posts, only 37 left!LOL