moleskin journal: 7-second crab

I did not really have any ideas on what to do, I just wanted to work/create. I think in the back of my mind I knew that I really needed/wanted to work in the larger moleskin journal for the Sketchbook 2011 Project, but was not quite ready to dive in and start the project yet. It is the starting of making art that I always procrastinate about! Once I start, I would say creating comes fairly easily. One thing will suggest another and before you know it, I'm done.

I began by rummaging through a large flat cardboard box where I had gathered and saved a lot of vintage materials when I was taking Mary's class. The background paper of bugs that you see above comes from a download of Illustration Pages- from an Antique French Dictionary. That page was in the box as well as a page of mushrooms from the same download. There is something about these illustrations that I just love, so I decided to cover my blank spread of pages (2 1/2" x 3 1/2" each side) with these illustrated designs.

These colorful papers got me started, and here is what happened . . . .

I added a handmade transparency from an old advertisement over top of the card and placed a celestial image from ARTchix Studio over the top of it. I placed of bit of handmade paper in the left corner first. 

I also added an appealing (to me!) scrap of fabric from a recent ATC project down the middle of my spread. I did not want to obscure my bugs and crustacean background too much and deliberated what to do . . . then I remembered the scrap of paper my husband Steven drew on the day before. He called it a "7-second" crab because he told me that is how long it would take him to draw it! He was right. I grabbed the quick sketch off my desk, ripped the paper to a workable size, loaded the back of it with glue from my trusty glue stick, and voila'!

I giggled with delight upon placing this in my moleskin because I had wanted to do something with his cute cartoon, but had not decided what yet. When Steven came home from the boat shop, I didn't tell him what I had done. I simply handed him the notebook to show him my art, as I often do . . . 

He was happy and surprised, but not really… I often take his art and incorporate it! lenna young