Hi there lovelies! Are you used to January yet?
The New Year finally has settled in my mind – but I’m still a bit confused about the “3” in the number… it means I will turn 50 this year. Eeeckkk!

I suddenly got the jitters the other day to ‘clean up’ my blog but I guess that’s normal to want to start “clean” when a new year starts. For your information: If you look at the top menu (waaayyy on top) you will see I re-arranged my galleries and also added a new page. I’ll take you through it:

• Home = obvious, you all know “Home” don’t you?
• About = obvious too, learn more about me there.
• Resume = I may have to work on that page. I’m not really sure what to do with it, what info goes/stays in, what goes out… I will think about it some more. For now I leave it as it is.
• Blog series = a new page! This page will make it easy for you to find specific series of blogposts. I plan to do more ‘series’ on my blog in the future and if I do, I will add the links there.
• Art Journals = galleries showing my various art journals.
• Chronicles = special galleries for my Chronicles – I though I’d keep them together so you can find all the former “Chronicles” art journals there.
• Other = well… ‘other’, like mono-types, ATCs, mail art and so on.

Besides re-arranging the top menu, I also made similar looking buttons that link to my website and social media pages… you can find them in the side menu. Before it was a bit messy with a little ‘twitter bird’, a facebook badge et cetera.

So far for the household notes – let’s move on to something creative shall we?

I will not write too much text as there are lots of photos to show.
First – the last Chronicle pages from 2012 (click on the photos to enlarge)

The Chronicles of Marit – Week 51 (yep, that’s a monotype)

The Chronicles of Marit – Week 52

The Chronicles of Marit – Last page – 12/31

I always show a photo of myself, taken on the last day of the year,
on the last page of my Chronicles. This year, I included ‘the men.’

Old and New Chronicles

The finished journal from 2012 is on the left, the newly bound
journal for 2013 on the right – ready to start journaling.

The Chronicles of Marit 2013 – First page

On this first page I reflected on my OLW (One Little Word) that I chose for the coming year. My word for 2013 is PERSEVERE (see this post)

I made the first spread for week 1 in my new Chronicles art journal and I thought, since a lot of you asked before, I’d take photos of the process. I know a lot of you want to know how I work on these pages.

My way of working on these spreads changed over the years. I started with working on the spread during the week, adding something every day. Eventually, that didn’t work for me. The spreads looked disjointed when finished. Also, unexpected events could happen during the week and when it did, there was no room left on the pages to write about it or the ‘feel’ of the page was all wrong (for instance, I started with a bright background and then it turned out to be a grumpy week.)

Luckely, I found a routine that works for me. I have a piece of scrap paper laying in the book on which I jott down what happens during the day. Just short notes. At the end of the week (mostly on Sunday) I start with making the spread. I make it in one or sometimes two sessions.

Here’s how I build up my pages.
(Click on each photo to enlarge)

… and here’s the finished spread…

The Chronicles of Marit 2013 – Week 01

I hope you enjoyed this insight in how I make my pages.
Are YOU keeping a daily/weekly art journal?

One (or better: two) last comments before I go…

• FEATURING magazine, issue #3 is out!
  BUY YOUR COPY HERE

• FEATURING magazine is having a CALL for MAIL ART.
  Find all the info HERE

See you all back on Friday dear ones… and remember:
“Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World”  – Yeah!

Let’s start with a haiku then.
I dived into my book case and I found a nice “Holiday Haiku” for you!

I submit this last-haiku-of-the-year to Haiku my Heart Friday and to all
my wonderful friends in the Haiku circle: may your holidays be filled with
light, joy and laughter!

I promised you I would tell you about my ‘One Little Word’ and let me start by telling you about the word that accompanied me in 2012. I always make the first page in my ‘Chronicles’ about the word I chose for the year, and last year that word was ‘Core’.

I never showed you the page I made at the beginning of 2012 because I thought it might find its way into FEATURING – but it didn’t, so I can now show you the page. Here’s also the article I wrote.

One Little Word: CORE

A few years ago, Ali Edwards began a tradition of choosing one word for herself each beginning of a New Year. She inspired a lot of people who follow that ‘One Little Word’ tradition. The idea is to choose one word that sums up what you want for yourself in the New Year. A word that you can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon in your daily life. This is the story of my word for 2012.

The one little word that I choose to guide me this year is ‘Core’. It is a powerful word that should help me with all the changes and new endeavors that I am facing this year. In stormy times, it will help me stay focused and prevent feeling overwhelmed by too many commitments. I trust that my deepest core, my being, will always know what is good for me. I just have to make time to reflect and listen to it.

On this page, I glued multiple pictures that make up my inner being. The images on the bottom layer are not always visible anymore because of the paint. The layer consists of a picture of waves, which refers to the sea and how everything comes and goes and flows. The image of the woman, a sticker with the reproduction of a painting by Modigliani, symbolize the nudity and open-mindedness in my hidden ‘being’. An image of the painting ‘ Motherhood ‘ is no longer recognizable under the layers of paint. It is painted over on purpose and the image depicts that, despite the fact that my son moved out last year, motherhood is a big and important part of me. Of course, this artwork could not do without words – after all I am a writer! That part of me is symbolized by a shred of paper torn from a dictionary. An image of brains reminds me of the fact that I must remain attentive and studious. The Moon is a reference to the female and mystical element in myself and the heart symbolizes the love that surrounds me. Furthermore, I added a picture of my constellation, Libra. It points out to me how I must keep on ‘weighing’ mine and others’ words and actions fairly. In particular, I must stay fair and honest to myself; what may be the hardest. Finally, a number of stamps represent the contact with the outside world.  Whether it is through my blog and the Internet or in real life, contact with other people is important. This art journal page represents my being with which I confidently face a new year.

It turned out CORE was a well chosen word – I needed it quite often during the past year. As you all know, I started a new adventure (FEATURING magazine) that required getting a lot of new things done, decisions to make, people to write and so on… I held on to this word and my CORE every time I was in doubt and was glad that I choose this word in 2012 – it helped me through the year!

The word for 2013 came to me last Month. I did not even have to think much about it… it seemed such a logical word that I embraced it right away: PERSEVERE (in Dutch: doorzetten, volhouden)

The two words, CORE and PERSEVERE, came together the other day, when there were trouble with the last issue of FEATURING (see this post) and it felt like the ‘old word’ made place for the ‘new word’, strengthening me that I again choose a good word to accompany me in the next year. I will record the word on the first page of my new Chronicles journal soon.

And this was it, my friends. My last post in 2012.
I am looking forward to next Tuesday, when the Top 2000 festivities start on my blog. There will be music all around and an every day post with art, inspired by the music. The submissions are starting to come in already and I myself have finished the first ‘top 2000 pages’ . The radio will be playing 24/7 on my blog as of Christmas Day (noon) and  I hope you will stop by next week to say HI and admire everyone’s work.

I wish you a nice weekend and happy holidays!
Be nice to each other!

A publisher’s worst nightmares happened: when FEATURING was
delivered from the printing office, it turned out that one of the pages
in the issue showed a huge printing fault. Therefore, we decided we could
not send it off to the customers. FEATURING stands for a high quality
magazine, not only in content but also in how it looks – the finishing.
We refuse to send our customers a magazine that shows an artwork that
is mutilated because of wrong printing. So we demanded the printing office
to start over and print the magazine again. That means that there will be
a delay and, because of the holidays, it will take almost a Month before
issue 3 will (again) come out.

I’m sure you all will understand why I did not write a blogpost last Friday.
Beside the emotions I had to deal with, there were all kinds of things that
had to be taken care off… after the dust settled down a bit, I went to visit
my parents (it was my mom’s birthday) and it did me good.

breath in, breath out…

So now all customers are notified of what happened.
A huge THANK YOU goes out to all of you who send an email
with nice words and support. It is highly appreciated by me
and my beloved-partner-in-crime! We could use the support
and it strengthened us in the idea that we made the right decision!

I was not very creative either last week, but I can show you
the spread from the week before…

The Chronicles of Marit 2012 – Week 49

Last Sunday, the day when I usually start working on the Chronicles spread,
I used the journal to vent and put all my frustration on the page. Week 50 was
a week I hope not to experience ever again in my life!

The Chronicles of Marit 2012 – Week 50

I blurred a complete strip of angry words ’cause believe me, you don’t want
to read the words I jotted down there. I don’t want to disturb the image you
have of me being a nice and polite lady  😉

OK… now let’s put week 50 behind us… what’s new?

Well, there is the top 2000 blogparty starting a week from now!
Some of you are really on top of it and already submitted art pieces.
I finished the first piece myself too. I’m working on the next page/
song right now and as you know: this year I choose songs that
evoke fun memories. There will be stories to tell with my pages
but I will not do that during the top 2000 week. I plan to tell you
the ‘background story’ that goes with each piece in the first week
of January.

After we all have settled nicely into the New Year, the online
workshop Mixed Emotions will start in February.
There’s already a group of registered participants but since this
is an online workshop, there’s always room for YOU too! Click
the link to find out more about the workshop.

I have been thinking about a new ‘One Little Word’ for 2013
and I will reflect on the past year’s word and talk about the new one
in my next blogpost. That will also be the last ‘regular’ post of the
year, as on Christmasday the top 2000 party will start.

Hope to see you all on Friday ánd at the top 2000 party.
Have a nice week, go find a song on the list to create with!

Well… they are not revolting yet so I guess they were OK with it
and we are all so proud of this issue! Take alone the cover:

Yeah, right – and now you want to know what’s inside I guess…
well, here you go:

Read a brief summary of the content HERE
A Glimpse inside this issue can be seen in the PREVIEW

And, last but not least, FEATURING has a surprise for all readers
who live outside Europe. The magazine managed to lower the shipping
costs for customers who purchase from outside Europe. Now that is
an extra reason to want to order an issue right away, isn’t it?
Well, go ahead, PRE-ORDER/BUY your issue now (I will wait…)

Done? YAY! Thanks!
On to the haiku then.
I searched for a ‘book title haiku’ that would celebrate the release
of issue 3 and – oh miracle – I found one too!

As always, I submit this haiku to Haiku my Heart Friday

Last Tuesday I announced my annual “Top 2000 Creative and Musical
Blog Party” – (hm, that’s what you get when you try to fit it all into the title)
– you can find the post here  on my blog. There was no room left
to show you any pages I made, so I do it now…

The Chronicles of Marit 2012 – Week 48

Last but not least – I want to share the view from my office window
today. This is what I see when I look up from the computer: the first
snow of the year!

I’m almost getting into the Christmas spirit when I see this (I said ‘almost’…)

I wish you all a very nice weekend. Stay warm and safe and may your days
be filled with laughter and joy! (Oops, that sounds Christmassy…
Hmm, my mind must indeed be in a Christmas mode.)

For more Friday haiku my heart, visit Rebecca
and other poets at Recuerda Mi Corazon

Have you noticed that it is awfully quiet in blogland? I guess that has
to do with the holiday season – you all must be busy writing lists, going
shopping and putting up Christmas trees.

The Christmas spirit has not come to my house yet – but then again, I don’t
have much with that feeling. I might get in the mood when Riikka starts
opening the windows of her Creative Christmas Calendar though!

The Creative Christmas Calendar starts on Riikka’s blog on the 1st of December.

The Calendar is all about inspiration and ideas. There’s an amazing cast behind the windows (guess who belongs to that cast 😉 –  you will be amazed to find out who else collaborated with Riikka!)

There’s going to be tutorials, videos and articles that shall inspire you during Holiday season and beyond. There’s also going to be giveaways and little extra windows for kids.

I finished my art journal spread from last week. In the former post I explained about the painting of the face. Here’s a link to that post, in case you want to compare the faces…

The Chronicles of Marit 2012 – Week 47

(Size: 24,5 x 49 cm – 9.65 x 14.86 inch)

There are only 5 more spreads left to work on in this art journal. The year will be over then and my book filled with creativity and words up to the last page. I am already thinking about my next “Chronicles” journal… how I want it to look like, the size, the binding. Do I want to make a thick book (like this one) or maybe make two ‘half year’ books? It is getting pretty difficult to work on the last pages of a book when it is as thick as this one (approximately 6 cm – 2.5 inch) but I like how it looks.

And are you choosing a ‘one little word‘ for the next year? Have you found it already? I think I have found mine… but I keep it to myself for now. This year ain’t over yet and I might change my mind about it.

The last Month of the year will be an exiting one and my blogposts might look/read a bit different in the next weeks. I plan some ‘reflecting on the past year’ posts, there will be announcements (!!!) and the last week of the year, my blog will overflow with music and art. Right now is the calm before the storm for me…

You all must be busy too, so thank you for taking the time to visit my blog dear ones! I wish you all a lovely weekend, filled with (X-mas?) lights and joy!

The Chronicles of Marit 2012 – Week 46

I am getting a feeling for the Dylusions spray ink and all the ways it can
be used. This background is again made with the ink and some templates.
The circles were cut from a magazine and the month/date is written in
stamped frames. It looks like a simple page, but I assure you: it isn’t.
It took me quite some time to get it together and look like this.

I have not much time today – so no long blogpost – but I do have
something cute to show you .

(‘CUTE’ you say…? Marit?
Using the word ‘cute’??)
Oh yessss… read on and you’ll see!

Yesterday, I received this photo from my dad.

Yes, that’s me – on my scooter back in 1966
(or 1967 – the opinions differ)
Now ‘cute’ is the right word, isn’t it?

I am quite sure remembering that I loved ‘to scooter’
(oops – what is the English word for ‘riding a scooter’?)
but my dad says no… “You always sat on the thing.
You were not that athletic back then either…” 😉

Well… thanks dad.

Anyway, I leave you with this cute photo and hope you have
a lovely, or shall I say ‘cute’, week!

I had not seen this spread myself for a while (the page is from April 2010)
and looking at it with fresh eyes made me see how joyful and whimsical it
is. Here’s that old spread:

The Chronicles of Marit 2010 – Week 17

I also remembered how fun it was to work with all kinds of small images,
journal pads, stamps and doodles. I did that a lot on those first pages…

Later, I changed my ways and all kinds of spreads were made since then,
but this week I decided to go back to my ‘old ways’ and make a week-spread
similar to this one.

… and did I had fun making this page!
I combined lots of things here…

The Chronicles of Marit 2012 – Week 45

So – let us see what is on this spread.

• The drawing: I had a disturbing dream in which I was a ‘detective’
  (yep, too much CSI, Criminal Minds and NCIS on TV) looking for
  a lost teenager. I searched a house and when I pulled back a curtain,
  I found her in the book case that was behind it – bonded and scared.
  This image stayed with me for almost three days – until I sketched it
  in my art journal. An art journal is such a nice thing to  get rid of
  feelings or, like here, scary images. Bring them out in the open (that
  is: on to the page) and your mind is free again!

• The background is coloured with Caran d’Ache watersoluble crayons,
  water and a brush… I love those crayons and the effect they give!

• Cut out images: eyes, bird, hearts, collaged figure with fish-head, legs.

• Photo of Autumn landscape – transferred with mod podge

• Left over paper I experimented on with spray ink (bottom left page)

• Cut out text: on the paper scrap – bottom left page

• Washi tape (top and bottom)

• Sticker (accolade) from my stash

• Stamps: corner stamp, lace stamp and clock (I received the latter,
  along with more stamps and a Tim Holtz flourish mask in a package
  from Glenda. Thank you so much dear!)

• Last but not least: writing and doodling with all kinds of pens/markers.

I’m already looking forward to the next spread – I think I will work in a
similar way as I created this one – I had so much fun with it! It felt like
I found back a lost item that completely disappeared out of my mind.

Do you ever re-discover an old way of working or a technique that you
almost forgot or put aside, and get enthusiastic about it all over again?
What was it? Let me know in a comment!

Oh – and don’t forget about MIXED EMOTIONS
ONLINE ART JOURNALING WORKSHOP!
I am teaching it with Michelle LaPoint – Rydell.
Classes start on February 4, 2013 and we are going to have
tons of FUN!!  Click on the badge in the sidebar, or click here
to find out more. We’d LOVE to have you join us!

Visiting such a big supply fair means that it is impractible to keep
your money in your pocket. I did not really need supplies so I’m
proud to say that I managed to keep my findings to a minimum –
but still there can be done a lot with those ‘minimums’ – take a look.

These cards arose from experimenting with my new material:
4 bottles of Dylusian spray ink, 4 templates and a few new washi tapes.

I had fun trying the ghosting technique using the templates and ink.
I worked on a large sheet of paper and used every ink colour and template.
Later, I cut the sheet to make cards. I added some pieces of washi tape to each
card and stamped white acrylic paint – using bubble wrap plastic – for texture
and contrast. The circles are stamped with Versamark ink and embossed with
black embossing powder. The black has a shine to it and I love the result!

I also used my new ‘toys’ for my weekly art journal spread.

The Chronicles of Marit 2012 – Week 44

This spread has that typical ‘Julie Balzer-look’ to it. That will not come
as a surprise when you know two of the templates I bought are designed
by Julie. To ‘get to know the stuff’ I experimented with the usual
techniques that are used with templates and ink.
The figure with the circles is inspired by a Dina Wakely stamp
I sketched the figure onto dictionary paper and cut the silhouette.
The circles are stamped and embossed like on the cards.

So, this is not a real ‘Marit Page’, but I had fun making it and getting the
feel of what is possible with this ink and templates. I hope to use the ink
in a more ‘me-way’ eventually.

Before I leave you to your own business, there’s one more thing I want
to point out to you.

As you all know, one week ago hurricane Sandy battered New York City.
Seth Apter – a friend and artist living in New York – decided to auction off
a copy of his book (signed by 30 of the artists in it) along with original art
to benefit the victims of Sandy.

100% of the proceeds will benefit The Mayors Fund to Advance
New York City. Visit The Altered Page to learn more about the auction.

..

The upcoming weeks are going to be busy so I don’t know if I will have
much time to play in my journals. The team and I are working real hard
on the next issue of FEATURING (#1 and #2 can still be purchased here)
and I can hardly keep my mouth shut about some things that will be
in there… I better go now before I spoil the surprise!
I wish you all a beautiful week.
Go spray some ink and love around!

Remember the book-title haiku from last week?
Remember I stated that there was more haiku on the shelves?
Here’s the second one I found.

(I found a lot more, so the ‘book-title-haiku’ is turning into a series
and will go on for quite a while. I’ll post the photos/haiku every Friday
on my blog and facebook)

OK, the English version is sort of a free translation to make it a haiku.

• The original English title of the first book, by Naomi Wolf,
  is Misconceptions.
• The second title is translated more or less correct, because
  the name of the town in the title is non-existing (the translator
  programme gave ‘Anycity’ but I made ‘Nowherecity’ out of it.
  That’s about the same isn’t it?)
• The third title should be picked up at the seaside but that doesn’t
  sound as poetic as the Dutch sentence.. and by translating it more
  freely I got it fitting!

If Rebecca is back this week, she will post the list of participants here

My Muse returned.
I don’t know where she’s been and what she did,
but she does need a lot of sleep since she returned.
What do you make of that?
Did she go on a survival trip?
Did she run the marathon?

Anyway, she woke up to help me create the next art journal spread.

The Chronicles of Marit 2012 – Week 43
(click on the image to enlarge)

And – last but not least – I have an exciting announcement to make.

Mixed Emotions Art Journaling Workshop is coming!

A Six-Week online Art Journaling Workshop
taught by Marit Barentsen and Michelle Rydell
Feb. 4 – March 14, 2013

Mixed Emotions is a class that I developed together with Michelle LaPoint
Rydell. We taught it in 2010 and were really happy with the reviews we got
that first time around. Participants in my last weeks’ workshops asked about
it because they were dying to take this online workshop too, so I contacted
Michelle and she was excited to teach this workshop for a second time.
We’ve decided to run it live again in February. I hope you will join us!

You can find all the info on the website here but I’ll tell you some basics
to start the (your) drooling 😉

Art journaling focuses on putting your personal thoughts and emotions
on paper – and you don’t always have to use words to do that! Even if
you’re not a writer you can create meaningful art journal pages; because
an emotion can be expressed through a photograph, a color, a material
or a particular technique.

In this workshop we will explore one specific emotion each lesson;
and take that emotion as the basis to create a personal art journal page.
(…) You are encouraged to explore your inner world, your perception
of your emotions, and turn them into art journal pages.
Each lesson also explains a different technique, step-by-step, through
photos or an instructional video.

“Mixed Emotions” includes:

• 12 lessons with assignments in pdf format. Techniques will be
  clearly shown through photos or demonstrated on video.
  Both beginners and advanced art journalers will find pleasure
  in working with the lessons.
• Access to inspirational videos to inspire you and help your
  creative juices flow.
• Extra printable collage sheets with photos, illustrations and
  quotes to use in your work.
• Access to a private group discussion forum where you may
  share, ask questions and interact with the teacher and other
  class participants.
• Access to group albums for posting your completed assignments
  and seeing what others have done.
  

Price is:  € 35.00  (translates to approx $45.28 US)
For more info or to register click here.

Last week, I bought some new material to play with and I hope to be
able to wake up The Muse and get her excited… I’ll be back on Tuesday
to report… enjoy your weekend dear ones!

Even haiku!

I did not get the right number of syllables when I translated the titles
to English, but it is a real haiku in Dutch. I discovered even more haiku
on the shelves, so this ‘book-haiku’ is to be continued. Let’s see how far
I can come with it…

‘Written’ (uhmmm, I mean found) for Haiku my Heart Friday
Rebecca publishes the list of participants on Recuerda Mi Corazon)

I had a bit of a lack of Mojo last week. It seems like my Muse went
on vacation or maybe she’s fast asleep… nothing good came out of my hand.
I tried to force it, but even my weekly Chronicles page came out bad.
Not the journaling itself, mind you, but I just don’t like how this spread looks.
Ah well… let it be. I hope my Muse knocks on the door when I start working
on the next page.

The Chronicles of Marit – Week 42

Sooo… instead of whining over lost creativity, I turned to the computer
and put my mind on something else…

THIS:

Yep, I set up my own Facebook page.
Pfew – finally.
I’m ‘one of the gals’ now.

And do you see that?
I got one (1) like!
I know who that is.
My son is my biggest fan!

Feel free to give that number a boost and make it 2, 3, 4, if you LIKE.

Now have a nice weekend y’all… with lots of likes and love!