Jeanne Selep's Selep Imaging Blog

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Spring Mini Album

Image 1: Page of Spring Mini-Album

I am in the process of making a mini album for displaying and storing sets of tags I have made. Today I am sharing two spreads I finished from the Spring Mini Album I am creating.

Spring mini album spread 1 by Jeanne Selep

Image 2: Spring Mini Album Spread 1: View 1 without tags

I designed the two page spread above to display and store three spring tags. This kind of album could also be used to store vintage postcards.

Spring mini album spread 1 with tags by Jeanne Selep

Image 3: Spring Mini Album Spread 1: View 2 with three Spring Tags

The spring green and pink color combo is one of my favorite color combinations. There are pockets sewn on the paper with translucent fabric, so you can see the bottoms of the tags peaking through the fabric.

Spring mini album spread 2 by Jeanne Selep

Image 4: Spring Mini Album Spread 2: View without tags

The second two page spread (above) also displays three spring tags. This spread started with the same background papers, but used a different color scheme and style. I love the using a mini-album like this to experiment with materials, color schemes and styles.

Spring mini album spread 2 with tags by Jeanne Selep

Image 5: Spring Mini Album Spread 2: View with tags

This project has been fun - a flurry of laying out and choosing papers, fabrics, laces and needlework. The mess has flooded the 1st floor, especially the dining room table that we eat on. The layouts are small but took me a large amount of time, spread out over multiple days.

1+ days: I found and picked papers, lace and fabric bits. (I don't rush picking paper, I look through stacks of paper I might never look at again, and couldn't possibly ever all use.)

1 day: I cut papers to size and assembled into a "signature". Then I collapsed exhausted because I actually had to make decisions.
(A signature is group of printed sheets that are folded and stitched together.)

1 day: I painted vintage music and other vintage papers with acrylic paint.

1 day: I experimented with coloring lace.

1 day: I made the hearts.

1 day: I reinforced the hearts so the paper doesn't crumble.

1 day: I stamped the pink ribbon and green paper (and a bunch of other stuff.)

1 day: I assembled layout 1.

1 day: I assembled layout 2.

As you might have guessed, I am not very efficient at the process. But I love the creativity involved and taking my time thinking about what I want to do next.

Image 6: Heart and Lace detail

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The story - Why did I create my album?

I enjoy making sets of tags to display seasonally in a framed display I have. (See this post here). In theory I change the tags displayed as the seasons change. Practice is more problematic.

Image 7: My Original Spring Tag Collection

Since I made my 1st set of tags in 2015, I have lost tags and sets of tags multiple times. I have issues keeping them together and finding them again. I've taken them down, put them in a plastic bag and lost the bag. I have worried the tags got tossed. Tags get bent. I take a tag out for some reason and the tags get separated.

In the meanwhile, Scrapbooking has been evolving, expanding, morphing and merging to include creating Art Journals, Altered books and Book Binding, Collages, Junk Journals (reusing ephemera and found materials), and more. Magazines and videos have been enticing me to try these techniques, and so I came up with the idea of storing the tags in a beautiful hand-created mini-albums or books, and this post is showing the start of that project.

(If this post is getting too long, skip the rest below - It is just tips for crafters.)

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Tips:

I'm not a tutorial wizard, there are many talented tutorial people on the internet, but I have tips I'm sharing that I want to remember for myself as well.

Tip 1: Vintage papers are fragile and crumbly, so I used the PH Neutral PVA glue I like to glue the heart (or other) shapes to index cards which I then cut out. A better order would be to glue the paper to the index card and then cut them out. (Sometimes I learn from doing it wrong!)

Image 8: Tip 1 and 2: Reinforce vintage paper

Tip 2: I put a coat of Liquitex Matte Varnish over the top of the painted cutout shapes.
These two steps make the most fragile papers fairly strong. The varnish in particular makes the paper almost waterproof. It leaves a bit of a texture (which I like) and using Varnish works best over water-proof paints or inks. Test on a sample piece if you are not sure if your paints or inks are waterproof. Many / most aren't waterproof (The pink color on the hearts above weren't waterproof, so the color smeared.)
The darker heart on the far right above isn't backed yet, and it wants to curl up. It is basically unusable without reinforcement.

Image 9: Hearts in process and in use - The extras for other projects!

Tip 3: I make bunches of shapes I like on the same day, (cutout; glue down to paper; paint/stamp/embellish; optionally varnish). This can increase options and productivity on other days.

Tip 4: I work on multiple projects at the same time - I also created other signatures (one for Autumn and one for Travel) at the same time. It keeps me engaged when I hit a drying spell (pun intended) or when I just want to use a different material, etc. This works for me but might not work for everyone.

Album pages with vintage Easter postcards

Tip 5: What size? I decided on sheets 11 inches wide x 8 inches high folded in half and sewn into signatures. 11 inches lets me use 8.5x11 inch paper folded in half and cut down. Also, many resale shop hard covered books would easily contain the signatures if I decide to bind them together. If creating a mini-album to display vintage postcards, I would recommend a wider size.

Album page with robin egg tag

I hope you have enjoyed this post

and the spring to come!

(unless you are south of the equator then enjoy fall!)

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

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I visit and linking up to lots of parties:

Create with Joy: Inspire me 477 Mon (m Entry 36 of 169.) I was featured here!
My Random: Anything Goes 276 (Entry 9 of 62.)
Texas Tanya: Hello Monday (s Entry 36 of 63.)
Love my little cottage: Cottage Mon 93 8a (Entry 7x of 78.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 19 of 41.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 3x of 59x.)
Anitaojeda: Inspire Me Mon 10a (s Entry 18 of 37.)
Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 2-4p (m Entry 2 of 91.)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Mon 582 3p (l Entry 8 of 118.)
Common Ground: All About Home 82 Mon 6p (l Entry 18 of 118.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous Party 362 Mon 3p (l Entry 26 of 136.)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home 205 Tue 9a (m Entry 10 of 59.)
Jesh studio: All Seasons Tues (Entry 19 of 22.)
Thistlekeylane: Tuesday Turn About 90 5p (s Entry 30 of 152.)
Also My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 30 of 152.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tue with a twist 411 (l Entry 24 of 36.)
Lets Add Sprinkles: Keep in Touch 190 Tue 4p (m Entry 4 of 51.)
Gingersnap crafts:Wow me Tue 495 7p (Entry 1x of 137x.)
Girlish Whims: Whims Tues 501 8:50p (Entry 2 of 89.)
Applestreetcottage: Party-in-your-pjs 349 (Entry 4 of 116.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 427 Wed (l Entry 15x of 114x.)
Raggedy Bits: Waste Not Wed 245 (Entry 34x of 80x.)
Creatively Beth: Creative Crafts 32 (m Entry 62 of 100.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas 234 Wed 4p (m Entry 56 of 92.)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun a (Entry 12 of **)
Marilyns treats: Over the Moon 269 (Entry 163 of **)
Oh my Heartsie Girl: Wonderful Wed 249 (Entry 39 of 123.)
My Thrift Addiction: Vintage Charm 275 Wed (m Entry 14 of 56.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 295 Wed 6p (Entry 2 of 54.)
Imparting grace: Grace at home 416 (Entry 34 of 130.)
Artsy mama: Artsy party 335 Th 7a (Entry 10 of 120.)
My Slices of Life: Hearts+Home Handmade Th 6a (Entry 25 of 136.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Thurs Favorite Things Th 7a (Entry 51 of 212.)
Also KatherinesCorner: Th 7a (Entry 51 of 212.)
Also Follow the yellow brick: Th 7a (Entry 51 of 212.)
Two Chicks and a Mom: Funtastic Fri 323 (m Entry 16 of 126.)
Life beyond Kitchen: Creatively Crafty 266 Th 10a (Entry 33 of 81.)
Kathleen: Bloggers Pit Stop 261 Th 8p (L Entry 10 of 92.)
Its a Small Town Life: Thankful Thur 8p (i Entry 9 of 22.)
Shelbeeontheedge: On the edge 213 (Entry 84 of 95.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 322 Th 9p (s Entry 2r of 73r.)
Answer is choco: Bff open house (Entry 24 of 87.)
The Painted Hinge: Farmhouse Friday 197 (L Entry 12 of 93.)
Magical Mystical Teacher: Ruby Tue (Entry 6 of 12.)
Ohmyheartsiegirl: Wed Party (s gone?)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe (L Entry 16 of 75.)
Shabby art boutique: Create-grow-gather 462 (L Entry x of 126x.)
Altered book lover: 2025 Second on 2nd Bliss (s Entry 5 of ***)
Busy Being Jennifer: Fri Favorites 125 (m Entry 39 of ??.)
Our mini family: Our mini party 323 (s Entry 35x of private.)
Funkyjunkinteriors: DIY Salvaged 568 Fri (Entry 25 of 32.)
** Eye Love Knots: Snicker Doodle 378 Sat 5pm (m Entry 11 of 173.)

Craft Specific and Challenges
Art-journal-journey: Something New (t Entry na)
Love to Craft: Love to Craft March (s Entry 101 of ??.)
Love to Scrap: Love to Scrap 143 March (s Entry 122 of ??.)
Mixitupchallenge: Mix it up Anything Goes (s Entry 19 of ??.)
Movingalong: Challenge 128 March (t Entry 34 of 141.)
* Avenue613: Challenge 3 Anything Goes (m Entry 10 of 38??.)
Crafters castle: Challenge 39 March (m Entry 51 of 153.)
Dragonfly Dreams: March Challenge (m Entry 5 of 111.)
*** Creative fingers: Challenge 203 (s Entry 58 of 192.)
Craft rocket: Challenge 70 Spring (m Entry 16 of 152.)
*** Perfect time: Open Challenge (Entry 142 of 423.)
A Pinch of Joy: Busy 459 Mon 8a (s Entry x of 123x.)
More Mixed Media: Mixed Media Challenge (s Entry 7 of 24??.)
Shopping our Stash: Shop our Stash 440 (Entry 9 of 16.)
Keeping it Real: Really Crafty 257 (s Entry 8 of 59.)
Sew Can Do: Craftastic Mon 8a (Entry 49 of 95.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire Me Mon 314 (Entry 7 of 100.)
* We love 2 Create: Challenge 3 (Entry 71 of 77.)
Stitchin Mommy: Wed Party 389 (Entry 15 of 25)
Petals to Picots: Loop Scoop 9 (Entry 65 x)

430117

2026 art journal

Monday, March 1, 2021

A Winter's Tale - More Winter Birds

Junco in Winter near Rhododendron

When I saw this Junco sitting on a branch in front of my Rhododendron it was like seeing a living Chinese pen and ink drawing. This color was photo taken late in the afternoon on a gray winter day. I snapped a couple of shots before the tiny bird flew off. It was sub zero out (Fahrenheit) so I think that's why he gave me a couple of extra seconds. (So much time!)

Junco in Winter

Thinking "Chinese pen and ink", I intentionally tried to frame the photo to look like an artwork. I cropped the photos to include lots of negative space. (Something I frequently don't remember to think about.) There is a term chiaroscuro that I think might also apply to the effect I was trying to get.

Junco in Winter Artwork by Jeanne Selep

Then I spent hours in photoshop creating the image above - where the background foliage is gray compared to the Junco. (I'm going to guess most people wouldn't have noticed the difference.) Note: It shouldn't take hours, if you know what your doing, but I was dodging individual pixels, it seems. In real life, the eye saw the bird very distinct from the background, but the camera metered and exposed the background and bird to even tones. The bird did not blend in with the background foliage like in the first un-altered photo.

Yellow Throated Vireo or Pine Warbler?

But back now to real birds. This Warbler or Yellow Throated Vireo above was taken at the bird bath before I had my camera on a tripod. The focus is sketchy, but I love the way the background is so unexpected for a natural bird subject (It's a mosaic bird bath base).

Redbird at my birdbath

These birds have red on them! One thing nice about the photos is that you can really study the birds to figure out what the bird is. When they are darting about, you can't figure out if the beak is small, long, etc. You can take your time with an identification book. I will leave it as an exercise for the reader... (professors some times say that) - have fun! Let me know what you find.

Downy Woodpecker at feeder

Above a Downy Woodpecker visits with some Warblers/Vireos. See the seed falling from the feeder? As the snow retreated about 20 pounds of birdseed appeared piled up under the feeders, and even the fat squirrels aren't interested in cleaning it up. Anyone else have this problem? I actually think that as the snow melts the birds go to newly uncovered food sources in areas where tons of birds haven't used the area above as a bathroom.

I have no idea what kind of bird this little one is.
(Here's to posting without research!)

(Please let me know in the comments if you know unidentified birds or if I have misidentified any birds.)

Bluebird Drinking #1

I have a couple of leftover bluebird photos that I didn't use in my bluebird post (here) that I decided were too cute to pass up.

Bluebird Drinking #2

I'm super happy that my "bluebirds of happiness" post and my "winter garden post" both got lots of comments - each of them are over 50 comments and that is a new record for me! Thank you! I try to visit each site that comments.

Junco in Winter Artwork by Jeanne Selep

A fun gardening note for gardeners: Identifying birds isn't that hard with a good photo. But how many of you gardening types would ever identify the plant in the background as a rhododendron? It's part of a winter tale here in Wisconsin. I've always wanted a winter garden, the type you see in Washington DC and other warmer places, with green leaves - holly and ivy and more - frosted with snow. So when I was in Minnesota decades ago, I bought (4?) hollys and a 'hardy' rhododendron that I figured would survive and thrive in my zone 5(ish) area.

Detailed Gardening Zone Map Poster

The holly plants didn't make it (rabbits and more), but this rhododendron has survived and died (and reappeared) multiple times. Every winter the "green" leaves turn brownish and curl into (effectively) needles like on a pine tree.

Junco in Winter

Can you see the 7-8 (tiny) buds where the flowers will be in the photo above? They will bloom for less that a week, and then the plant will flail about awkwardly for the rest of the summer. I consider it my "Seussical" plant. Others have said to remove it, and it was once cut down as a weed, but I like my Seussical plant. My family insisted it never bloomed, (observant people they are) until I produced photos as proof of the plant's short and unimpressive blooming week(end). I have pursued a Winter Garden in my front yard you can see here with more success.

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

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