It is nine o’clock when the carillon of Tall Jan calls me to my atelier… during the evening and night-time Tall Jan only strikes the hours, at 9 a.m. the carillon starts to play its melody and will be ‘singing’ every quarter of the day.
At 9 a.m., the day starts ‘for real’…
… so, what did I find on my desk at nine this morning when I wandered into my atelier with my mug of coffee?
There’s my Chronicles. I finished another spread yesterday which I photographed and then I turned the page and smeared some paint on the new-to-start ‘week.’ I’ll probably work on this spread today.
I realize that I did not visit any of you ‘deskers’ last week, I appologize. My days were filled with all kinds of activities which left me with few time at the computer. One of those activities was, as I stated last week, to sort out my books and HELL, was that some job to do! I ended up with four boxes of books that didn’t make it onto the shelves and my beloved got rid of some/a lot of his books too. Yes, after 20 years of living together we somehow still have seperate shelves: ‘my books’ and ‘his books’… the case on the left is ‘mine’ and the one to the right is ‘his.’ The middle part is filled with art books and reference books (is that the right word? Like dictionaries and atlasses and such.)
See that? We even got space left to put file folders/administration or… well, whatever. I guess that space on the shelves will be filled in no-time.
The rest of the week flew by as I put all my time and concentration in creating a new “Chronicles” art journal for next year. I showed you the fabric cover I was working on last week and look what happened after that…
I finished the cover!
I finished the back!
… and I bound the book stringing beads to the binding thread.
Its a big journal (21 x 29,8 cm – 8.27 × 11.69 inch) and it will be lovely to work on another size and shape next year.
You must know last year I bound a square-shaped journal (which make the spreads to work on rectangle of course) and the moment I started working in it I realized I didn’t like this shape at all! I even considered binding another journal, but it was a matter of honour to not do that and work with it all year. Now that we’re in week 46, I am kinda used to its size and shape but to be honest, I still don’t like it and I never, ever will work in a square shaped journal again… uhrmmmm… probably!
Anyway, here’s two spreads of former (October) weeks.
The Chronicles of Marit 2018 – Week 42
The Chronicles of Marit 2018 – Week 43
Before I move on with my day, there’s this thing I want to point out to you, because you want to join Book of Days 2019, right?
Especially because I am a BONUS TEACHER next year and you know a YES to this e-course is a YES to inspiration, encouragement, artistic grow, creativity, tutorials and a whole lotta love!
If you are thinking about joining, you better register while the price is right: early bird pricing is $99 until December 31st ($120 thereafter.) I really look forward to present a tutorial in Book of Days and I really hope to see some familiar names and faces there!
Oh wow, Marit, I so love the cover of your new journal. The beads and the stitching is so so pretty. It’s just my style (too) and I bet you’ll have a great year in that journal. For me I love square anything, it’s kind of my format, so I think it’s pretty but I would still not have pursued like you did yours, I feel better working in a journal format I love. 😉
Take care, from a gray Sweden
Your new journal cover is gorgeous and the more I look at it the more I want to try something like this out but I know I won’t so I am thinking “paper” – kind of replicating the look. Watch my space.
When I saw you mention “Tall Jan” I remembered something called that in Amersfoort and then realised that there will be a Tall Jan in lots of places. There was I thinking you lived in that beautiful city.
I have been working in a square journal of late and realise it is limited in what I can use as some of my Dylusion figures are too tall for it. Still, I do like the shape and size for handling rather than my big big journals. Each to his own I guess.
Have a good week – and we too have sorted lots of books out for charity. Wonder if it was your influence?
hugs, Neet 11 xx
Hi Marit, like you, me & Hubby have slightly different book tastes. Some we share, others not so much.The journal is gorgeous, a total work of art. Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #9 X
Afternoon Marit. Goodness – you are going to be SO busy next year. Congratulations on being a guest presenter on the course. I hope it goes well for you and that you really enjoy it. Sorry – but you won’t see my name on the list – I have never journalled, can’t stand the thought of it, to be honest!
I wonder why you are not happy with square paged journals? You have put so much hard effort into it over the year.
Yes, Reference books is just the right description!
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #3
As you may have guessed from my comments on Facebook, I adore that book cover, the combination fo fabrics and stitches are just gorgeous. You have such style and will smile each time you open the journal. I’m a bit in love with your bookcases too 😀
Hugs LLJ 6 xxx
I am so inspired !! Now I want to make a fresh new journal ♥️
Ahhhhh zie nu de maten? Eerst lezen he!??
Just love that book cover, it’s a work of art in itself.
thank you for sharing the Chronicles pages, I love how you’ve created them.
Take care
Christine #28
All i can say about that journal cover is Wow! It is so beautiful and the beading finishes the spine so well. Glad you managed to finish the book sorting. I’m glad you persevered with the square journal this year Marit as I love your layouts and am looking forward to your lesson on the Book of Days course. Thanks for visiting. Sarah #4
I’m in love with this cover!!!
Hi Marit – can you help me please? My son has brought me some “Oud Hollandsche Stokken” back from “De Zaansche Molen” . it looks like two brown sticks – I presume it is to eat but is it sweet or savoury and what would you eat it with please? Hope you don’t mind me asking.
Hugs, Neet x
I think I know what you mean Neet, I’ll send you an email…
That is some organised book shelves… I couldn’t imagine only have room for 2 bookcases though…. if you could see the number of books I have….. Your fabric covered journal looks super-fabulous! Hope you have a good week Helen #1
Ohhhh Marit, wat is dát boek prachtig geworden!!! In zo’n boek kun je zeker wel een jaar journalen…dat gaat niet vervelen. Ontzettend mooi! ♥♥♥
Happy WOYWW & great work space xx Jan (32)
Your new journal is fabulous. As always your organized and tidy desk is impressive. It is so great to see that you are recognized for your skills and teaching a class next years. A fun time lies ahead filling up the bookshelf spaces. Have a a fun and fulfilling week
Monica #24
Journaling is not something I have ever got involved in but yours is seriously impressive and you have put so much work into it. Thank you for your visit today. I tried the e-card idea last year, but so many people seemed to mis them and, after Christmas, I spent hours reassuring several people that because I had not sent actual cards did not mean that I had “popped my clogs”. Have good week. xxx Maggie #8
Hi Marit, happy WOYWW. I did smile at you and your beloved having separate book cases even after 20 years. Mr M and I have separate offices/hobby rooms – we do share one book case, but that’s cookbooks, gardening books, travel guides and storybooks for our grandchildren. The journal cover is gorgeous, I’m sure to you will have lits of fun with that journal. Have a lovely week Heather x #13
Hi Marit. Sometimes stuff just gets in the way of visiting, it can’t be helped. think we all realise this and you’ll be back on track when you can. Have a great woyww, Angela x16x
Wat is je journal mooi geworden! Hier zul je vast met plezier in ‘werken’.
Hi Marit, Loving your Chronicles and the book cover is fabby.
That was a good job getting your books done.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Happy WOYWW
Sue #19
What an absolutely beautiful journal, Marit… The new one looks very interesting, too. Your book cases look so neat and organised, and always nice to have space for more! Thank you for your visit, and I’m glad you haven’t had the opportunity to study scan results – long may it stay that way! I’m afraid I’ve had so many that I should be glowing in the dark by now. I’m sorry that you are no longer able to have a cat. When we were without one last summer after our 2 old ones died only 3 weeks apart, the house felt so empty. Our little pair of sisters fill the place all right now, though! They are adorable. Glad you like the look of my sourdough – I love all home made bread too and don’t buy it any longer, especially since I discovered how many chemicals they add to what is such a basic food at the end of the day. I think sourdough is a miracle – to produce something from just flour, water and salt is amazing! It tastes fantastic.
Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #14
Marit! I love how the new cover came out. Lovely! As to the books, I’d be heartbroken to part with any. I have some research books still in a tub downstairs I have no room for. But I know what is in there should I need that period to research. Some may wind up on ebay for art journaling folks. Congratulations on being part in a new course! I know you love sharing your talents with others. Thanks for letting me stop in. Always enjoy visiting with you. Creative Blessings! Kelly #27
Your journal is AMAZING! So much work and detail.
How wonderful to wake and see a black page prepped and ready to start a new art day Marit.
You stitched book cover is fabulous. I’m sure your book cases will soon be full to the brim. I have had to downsize my books as there seemed to be more books than I could ever house.
I’m very tempted to join Book of days this year as I have a laptop that can actually allow me to watch the tutorials now but as I do not use Facebook anymore i’m worried I would miss out on so much as I am always getting emails regarding Facebook Live events. So sadly it may not be worth the investment to me.
Happy Sunday & belated woyww Tracey #10
Oh, wat ziet je boek er voor komend jaar FANTASTISCH uit!!
Heerlijk om er straks in te gaan werken.