tricia alexander

Happy New Ears!

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Wed, 30 May 2012 19:49:00 +0000

We adopted a basset hound this week.

After losing Sugar, our other basset, last summer I was unsure if we would ever find another dog or even want another dog. Having to let Sugar go was one of the hardest things I ever had to do.

We went to a lot of adoption events.

We met other dogs over the past several months.

But none of them ever felt right.

Or maybe we just weren't ready.

Then we met Phoebe. She is from a rescue. (more on her story later)

Her foster mom brought her to our house. She was SO sweet and polite. My husband liked her right away, so did our kids. But I have to admit I was a little hesitant. I wasn't even sure I was completely ready to adopt again, but the longer she stayed here, the more I began to like her.

Even love her.

Now after only a few days I can't imagine our home without her. It's good to have a dog in the house again.

I have a feeling I'll have more stories to share about Phoebe as time goes by. Doesn't she have the best ears ever?!
♥

Three Journals

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Tue, 29 May 2012 00:28:00 +0000

I had so much fun making these journals recently. To my surprise, they all sold the same day I listed them in my Etsy shop! How exciting!

I was also excited to learn a little about each journal's new home.

The yellow one will be used at an upcoming wedding as a guest book! I love this idea plus I love the fact that the bride, who is someone I know, will have something I made as a part of her wedding!

The one titled "January Thaw" was bought by a sweet soul who's birthday is in January!

And this one is going to a new home with a dear lady in California.

I love to hear where my journals find their new homes. I also love getting messages from people who have purchased a journal, telling me how they are using it. I enjoy making them but it makes it that much more special to know they are getting a new life telling someone else's story.

♥

In my studio

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:56:00 +0000

In my studio...

Five new journals full of paper, waiting to be sewn.

Three boxes filled with new paper to make even more journals. Happiness delivered to my door!

I love paper.

♥

Friday Favorites - Jennifer B.

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:14:00 +0000

This week's Friday Favorite is Jennifer Belthoff. Jennifer is a poet, writer, and artist. Her poetry is heartfelt and brave. She tells the truth and tells it in a way that will leave you thinking she is writing about YOU.

I've been privileged enough to spend time with Jennifer at two retreats and I just know our paths will cross again some day. The photo below is from our first meeting at the Be Present Retreat.

Go read her blog. I promise you will see her heart and soul.

♥

Spell it out

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:40:00 +0000

I am one who looks for signs for answers, but there are times when I have trouble seeing the signs and deciding what to do. So sometimes the universe gets tired of me and decides to just spell things out...

(this one even has an exclamation point!)

So, other than learning that I may be eating too much Chinese take-out, I think there's a lesson here.

♥

Scattered

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:26:00 +0000

I have been a little scattered so I'm going to do what I do best when scattered, I'm going to make a list of things that are going on this week.

This week I'm grateful for supportive people who listen to my dreams and don't look at me like I am nuts. And for those who inspire me.

I'm happy we are able to do some work on our house. A new roof is good. And so are new windows, paint, gutter, and landscaping.

I'm stressed with said remodeling. ^ Roofers, jack-hammers, and contractors are loud.

I'm excited about new journals in the works and new ideas coming to the shop soon.

New journals will be in the shop soon, in the meantime take a look at some favorites that are still available!

♥

Shootin' Straight

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:08:00 +0000

Very recently, my friend Kelly, described me as a "straight shooter", someone who speaks her mind and tells it like it is. When I first heard this I thought, "no, that's not me", but then as our conversation went on I realized she was right. (When I told my husband this story, he said "yes, that's you".)

If you had asked me to describe myself I probably would have said the following words, shy, quiet (until I get to know you), introverted, nice, compassionate, and emotional. I don't think I would have ever said I was out-spoken or a "straight shooter". I would have said "honest". But I guess straight shooters are honest and up front. Yes, once I think about it, that IS me. I don't like games. I don't like manipulation. I don't like being ignored. I don't like it when people I am close to can't/won't talk to me about something that I did that is bothering them. If I do or say something that hurts someone's feelings or makes them mad, I want to talk it out. I don't set out to hurt anyone and I certainly want the chance to explain what I said/meant or the chance to apologize and make it right. I don't run from conversation and I don't run from feelings. I like talking to people and if asked for my opinion I give it. Now I don't go around saying anything and everything that comes into my mind, I'm not crazy. But I will be honest with you and open with you and I'll be nice about it.

Being a straight shooter does not mean I have no filter and I say mean or hurtful things. It just means that I say what I feel, from the heart.

I like hearing how others see me because it makes me think about who I am and I often learn new things about myself.

And I like being a "straight shooter".

Are you ever surprised by how people see you?
♥

Friday Favorites - Gloria

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:08:00 +0000

This week's Friday Favorite is Gloria. I met Gloria in 2009 at a Be Present Retreat and I immediately adored her. Gloria is talented, sweet, brave, and above all else, she's honest. You can't help but love her art and her stories on her blog.

Go check out her blog then hop on over to her Etsy shop and look at her bright and cheerful art!

I'm so glad I got to meet her. I'm surrounded by good souls!
♥

A new month of possibilities

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000

What happens when a girl can't sleep OR find the perfect planner...she makes one at midnight. This was me several weeks ago and this is my perfect planner...and this is a new blank month in that perfect planner.

There's something about a new month, a new page in the planner. It's a new beginning. It's a month of new possibilities.

This month I hope to focus more on my journals & Etsy shop, spend more time sharing on my blog, continue my healthy eating and walking, and spend more time with my friends and family.

It's a blank page...I can fill it any way my heart desires. I like that.
♥

March was good to me

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 03:57:00 +0000

March was good to me.

It gave me...

a new healthy way of eating

new walking shoes

energy to use those shoes on the treadmill

new "old" books that beg to be given another chance as a place for someone to tell their story

travel time to see a dear friend

...and so much more. I'm a lucky girl.

♥

Do you have a favorite book?

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:00:00 +0000

I have had the privilege to make several custom journals out of favorite books. Some people order them as gifts for others, some people ask me to create a custom journal for themselves. One person just wanted a yellow cover; bright and cheery yellow.

Another person had 2 books from her childhood that she wanted preserved and turned into journals, all the while keeping the original story in tact. These were a lot of fun!

One person wanted her daughter's favorite childhood book turned in to a place for her daughter to record the beginnings of her teaching career, keeping the original story right along side the new pages. What a sweet idea! This book started out as a paperback and I made it a hardback.

A favorite memory from reading a certain book as a child can last a lifetime. One customer requested a daily journal so I sent her a few pictures of some books I have to give her a few choices. In one photo she saw one of her favorites, "The Boxcar Children". She immediately knew which book to choose and soon had her own journal made from a beloved book.

I have also been able to help someone make their own journal. She started the process by creating the individual sets of pages but became overwhelmed at assembling them together so she contacted me and I was able to bind all of her pages for her so she could then add her own cover. I enjoyed this project so much because I was able to work with some beautiful page lay-outs. Her work inspired me to create my own pages so now I am creating a journal for myself similar to the one I worked on with her. She sent me a photo of the finished book after she added the cover and it is gorgeous!

These are just some of the fun custom journals I have created. It's been great seeing the different uses of the books and hearing how these books have influenced their owners so much that they have become a part of their lives.

So what's your favorite memory of reading or being read to as a child? Do you have an all time favorite book?

♥

Reaching for the Moon

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:30:00 +0000

reaching for the moon. photo taken in my back yard.

Today...

I am reaching. Reaching for answers and inspiration and direction.

I am loving a sweet message that arrived just when I needed it. (thank you, Marilyn)

I am finding inspiring souls who blog their truth.

I am trying to be patient about upcoming changes.

I am thankful for welcoming friends who say, "yes, come see me!"

I am thinking of a friend who is fighting one of the toughest battles possible.

I am feeling a little lost but very very blessed.

♥

How I Make Them

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:05:00 +0000

In the post "So, what are these books you make?", I talk about art journals; what they are and what you do with them. This time I am going to answer another question people ask me quite often, "How do you make them?"

I make several different kinds of journals. Most of them are bound one of two ways, either coptic stitched or wire-bound.

Coptic stitch is a form of bookbinding that attaches groups of pages, called signatures, to a front and back cover using waxed linen thread. Coptic stitch binding allows a book to lie open flat so you can create/write on each page with ease. It's a pretty binding technique and gives the book a real handmade look. Below is a close-up look at a coptic stitched journal.

coptic stitched journal

A wire-bound journal is made when several pages, along with a front and back cover, have holes punched uniformly along the edge and then a wire binding is inserted. Below is a picture of a wire-bound journal. (this Nancy Drew journal is available for purchase in my Etsy shop.)

wire-bound Nancy Drew journal

Inside the journals are blank pages I have added. These pages can be made from drawing paper, sketch paper, card stock, colored or patterned paper, canvas paper, water color paper, and ledger paper. Sometimes I will even include old paper and ephemera.

Most of the journals I make have covers from vintage novels or children's books. The children's books are probably my favorites to work with. Most of them are worn around the edges which to me shows how much they were read and loved. Imagine a book that's been around for 40+ years, telling stories, at bedtime by a parent or being read under the covers with a flashlight (I used to do that). I buy most of the books from used book sales or estate sales. Many are destined to wind up in the garbage because they are old or torn or written in or falling apart, I don't shy away from the extremely "used" books. I've used many that are falling apart when touched. I remove the covers, save the old pages for other projects, and insert the new blank pages. Sometimes I leave some or all of the original story pages in the book.

I like to think that I am giving the book a new life, a new purpose. I hope someone takes this new book and creates or writes all their dreams and thoughts in it...and maybe it will last another 40+ years to tell their story.
♥

So, what are these books you make?

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:32:00 +0000

I make handmade journals from old books, you can see some of them here. I sell them in my shop on Etsy. I like to call them "art journals" but really they are blank books, not just for art or journaling. I get a lot of questions about my handmade books. The most common question is "what do you do with an art journal?".

I like to explain it this way, an art journal is a blank book where you can write, draw, doodle, sketch, paint, or glue things on the pages. You can use it as a writing journal, a sketch book, a scrapbook, a travel journal; pretty much anything your heart desires. You can even add photos. It's your place to create. It's your place to record your thoughts, your dreams, your daily lists, your life.

While the journals I make mostly have drawing paper, there is also sketch paper, canvas paper, water color paper, acrylic paper, card stock, and patterned/colored paper; depending on the particular journal. I've even made some with grid paper, ledger paper, and old ephemera.

The journal I am using now is one I made from a book called "Chocolate Days, Popsicle Weeks". I just love the title and it's my favorite journal I have made so far. Below are some photos of my journal to give you an idea of the different things you can do with your journal.

the front cover

inside the front. all of my handmade journals have a new library card pocket, they do NOT all have a photo of me. :)

a view of the pages.

some days I write more than other days. the photos were added in between pages with washi tape.

the pages can get a little wavy when paint is added, but I like the texture and the not-so-flat pages.

some days are documented with photos and simple doodles.

more pages, some with lots of writing, some without.

You can also do a Google image search on "art journal" and see lots of different, creative ideas. Some are very elaborate and look like individual works of art. Don't get intimidated, this book is for YOU to express yourself. Not to do what everyone else is doing.

I have a lot of fun with my art journal. I don't have any rules. I pretty much keep it in chronological order, but if I feel like painting I may skip forward to canvas paper or watercolor paper. Some days I don't have much to write so I may spend some time just coloring pages for backgrounds, either with paint or colored pencils. Other days I write 2 or 3 pages full of words with no art at all. The point is to be creative, be carefree, be yourself, and have fun.

I hope you will start a journal, art or writing, with one of my books or someone else's. It's a great way to document your life and also spend some time on yourself.

I'd love to hear from you about your journaling. Do you have an art journal, a daily writing journal, or some other way to document your days?

♥

Tricia's Book of Scraps

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:14:00 +0000

Scrapbooking. When my son was in junior high he had to do a scrapbook project about his life and he titled it "Brandon's Book of Scraps". I love that title. :)

When I was a kid I used to make scrapbooks. Not the kind that most people make now, but the kind where I'd take an album and just glue stuff in. Ticket stubs, photos, notes, funny drawings, and pressed flowers from cute boys.

Then scrapbooking became a phenomenon. There are whole stores just for scrapbooking. Honestly, it was a little overwhelming to me so I never really joined in.

Lately I have been wanting to scrapbook. I have TONS of photos from my whole life that I want to organize. I also have containers for each of my kids with old school work, awards, cards, and other memorabilia. My kids are 25 and almost 17, mind you, so I have A LOT. I really want to make scrapbooks for each of them but man, that can be a big job.

I had talked to my friend Kirsten about scrapbooking and she told me about the method she uses. I like that it seemed focused on the photos and not so much on the bling. Then I heard about Project Life and I was hooked. (it's a lot like the method Kirsten told me about) I ordered the Project Life kit and two of the We R Memory Keepers albums and it's been SO much fun to make my scrapbooks.

I layed out a scrapbook for my son, the 16 year old. I got this much done in just 2 evenings while watching TV. I'm so proud of myself! I have all the pages layed out for each of his 16 years, some are completely done and on some all I have to do is go back and add some photos and write in some memories. I kept several pieces of art or school work from each year.

I also started my 2012 Project Life scrapbook. Here are a couple of pages I'm working on.

I'm really enjoying these projects. Also, I got an app for my iPhone called Project365. You take a photo each day and place the photo on a calendar in the app. You can also write in captions for the photos. I usually makes little notes of what I did that day. It has really helped me with the scrapbook project because I don't feel so pressured to work on the scrapbook every day if I don't have time. If I miss a few days I can go back to the Project365 app and look to see what happened each day. Plus I can print out any photos I have taken on my iPhone! Love it!

I have trouble with not finishing projects that I start and both of these things, Project Life and Project365 have helped me. So far I am sticking with both AND enjoying them. That's the important part, right? Enjoying it and not feeling like it's a chore.

So, tell me, do you scrapbook? Do you have any favorite tricks or ideas you'd like to share? I'd love to hear them!
♥

Ok, I'm Listening

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:43:00 +0000

In December I started trying to decide what my word for 2012 would be. In 2011 my word was "share" and I think I did a pretty good job at sharing more of myself last year.

So, the first word that came to mind for 2012 was Balance. As in, I need more balance in my life. I tend to focus too much on one thing and I ignore other things that are important. For example, I focus on other people and I don't spend enough time taking care of ME. Learning to balance family, health, creativity, friends, free time, etc. as exactly what I need. Then I thought, no, I can think of a better word. Thinking...thinking...thinking... nothing coming to mind so I figured I'd let it go and something better would come to me. Later on, Balance popped back into my head. Surely I could think of a better word, so I mulled over several alternatives but nothing seemed right. So I'll let it go again and come back to it later...

Then Christmas rolls around and I get a bracelet as a gift. No one knew what word I was considering. Inside the box is this card...

Ok, I get it. I'm listening. Finally.

My word for 2012 is Balance.

I hope to live a more balanced life in 2012. I hope to find ways to nurture all parts of me so I can feel more harmony and peace.

♥

Back to warm & fuzzy

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:54:00 +0000

It's December already. I don't know about you, but this time of year is always emotional for me. Good emotional and bad emotional. It's a month filled with excitement as all of our four children make plans to be home. It's the month with my birthday. And it's a month filled with sad memories.

In 2007 we lost my father-in-law just a few days after Christmas. I wrote about it here and here. One post is before he passed away and one is after. Needless to say, every year since then it's been very hard to celebrate to the level that we used to celebrate when he was with us. Finally, after four years, it's getting easier. I guess it just took some time. Dad would be happy for me, he loved Christmas.

SO, I'm feeling warm and fuzzy about Christmas again. And it feels good.

I love when all the kids come home. Our house becomes more alive with energy and sound, with lights, Christmas decor, holiday music, laughter, and voices from having all six of us under one roof. I absolutely love it. It feels good to be excited about the holidays again. This used to always be my favorite time of year and I'm glad the warm fuzzies are back.

♥

Friday Favorites - Kelly Barton

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

This week's Friday Favorite is Kelly Barton. Kelly is a super-talented artist with a wicked sense of humor and oodles of style.

I met Kelly in 2009 at a Be Present Retreat and I also got to spend time with her in 2010 at Squam By The Sea. We became fast friends and she is very special to me. Kelly cheers me on when I have doubts and is always there when I need a friend. Her heart is as big as her talent.

One of my favorite pieces hanging in my studio is an original by Kelly. Isn't this just gorgeous?!

Go check out her website then hop on over to her Etsy shop and I promise you will drool over all the goodies!

♥

Where's that girl?

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:14:00 +0000

(fyi...i don't take photos while driving...i was a passenger)

Just the other day I was driving alone in my car and a specific memory popped in my head. It was something that happened over 10 years ago and I was in a situation where I had to be spunky and daring and brave. I had not thought of that particular memory in so long and when it popped in my mind it made me smile, even giggle a little. Then it caused me to pause and think...where was THAT girl? Where was the person who was so brave and daring and fearless? Why am I now filled with doubt and unsure about everything I am doing most of the time? I never used to second-guess myself so much...why do I now?

What is it about time and getting a little older that has made me not sure of who I am and what I want to do? I have done some pretty gutsy things in my life, and now I seem to stop before I even take a chance. Why is that?

This is something I am going to have to work on. I need to keep asking myself, "Where is that girl"? and I need to keep asking until I find her.

♥

Friday Favorites - Mindy Lacefield

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:50:00 +0000

This week's Friday Favorite is Mindy Lacefield at Tim's Sally.

I met Mindy in 2009 at a Be Present Retreat and instantly fell in love with her accent as well as her sweet, sweet spirit. Mindy is an incredible artist and I have enjoyed watching her spread her wings over the past two years. I have several pieces of Mindy's work hanging in my studio...she completely inspires me.

So hop on over to Mindy's website and check out her wonderful art! You won't be sorry you did.

♥

Friday Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I am starting a new series of blog posts featuring some of my favorite bloggers.

Today's favorite is...

Kolleen and her Heartwing Sisters blog.

I met Kolleen at a "Be Present Retreat" in 2009 and I have to say, she is simply beautiful...inside and out. Kolleen is witty and soulful AND she's a talented artist!, Go check out her blog, she always has insightful questions and she has the best taste in music! I can always count on Kolleen for a smile and terrific new song to add to my music list!

♥

Gratitude Day 15

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:19:00 +0000

Today I am grateful for warm veggie soup on a cloudy, damp day.

I love cooking soup. There is something so satisfying about putting a few ingredients in a pot and simmering the flavors together until they become a wonderful melody of warmth for your tummy. Soup is very comforting to me. Maybe I'll put together a soup recipe book. :)

♥

2-5 of 30 Days of Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:24:00 +0000

For the past few days I have been spending time with my family so I did not post each day. I think that's ok. :)

What I am grateful for...

Day 2, Wednesday...Today I am grateful for sweet messages from friends.

Day 3, Thursday...Today I am grateful for some time to just veg-out and watch Project Runway.

Day 4, Friday...Today I am grateful for chilly Friday nights so I can sit in the bleachers of the high school football game, snuggled under my stadium blanket. I love cheering on the football team of my son's high school and watching him perform at half time with the marching band.

Day 5, Saturday...Today I am grateful for my migraine medicine. I woke up with a terrible migraine this morning and the medicine allowed me to get rid of it early so I could spend the day with my hubby.

♥

Day 1 of 30 Days of Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:41:00 +0000

I'm doing the 30 Days of Gratitude for the month of November.

Today is day 1 and I am grateful for my studio space. I am lucky to have one room all to myself so I can be creative and not have to worry about cleaning up every day...I can just shut my door if I have works in progress. I'm surrounded by artwork from some of my favorite artists. I'm planning a blog post where I feature the artists I love an admire. I'll show you their work up close when I post that one.

My favorite piece by the fabulous Kelly Barton hangs near my desk.

These cubbies hold a lot of my art supplies.

I get tons of light from just the one window!

My desk is hardly ever this clean!

That's the first art journal I ever made, the one in the middle of the desk.

I adore the paper mache figure on top of my shelf.

My son made that in art class a few years ago.

I love my space.

♥

A New Story to Tell

noreply@blogger.com (tricia) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:27:00 +0000

This is one of my new journals in my shop.

It is made from a collection of old children's books that were published in 1928. They are well-loved books...you can tell by how worn the edges are. I like to think of all the bedtime stories that were told using these books over the past 83 years. (yes, i had to use a calculator for that one...math...not my thing.) But imagine a book that has been around for 83 years, telling stories. Some people might say I should not have taken the book apart, but honestly, the pages were falling out and the binding had disintegrated. It was on it's way to the trash (along with several others) when my brother-in-law rescued it for me. I like to think that I am giving the book a new life, a new purpose. I hope someone takes this new book and creates or writes all their dreams and thoughts in it...and maybe it will last another 80+ years to tell someone else's story.

♥