Hi there! It’s been three months since I joined the deskers… it’s about time I show my face, ermmm, desk again! Ever since I have a job (working three days a week) I find less time to blog or even craft, but I do fill my free days with creativeness as much as possible. Lately, I’ve been bookbinding with some collegues and on my deks today is a little test-book to try and stitch a nice headband. It took a few tries and I learned also that not all threads/materials show a nice effect. I’m glad I tried it on a little book first so I know what thread to look for when I start binding a new Chronicles journal with a headband like this.
Here’s a picture up close… the cardboard that I used for the cover turned out not to be thick enough to make this stitch stand out nicely, so I stuck an extra piece of cardboard on it. That’s another lesson learned: the thickness of the cover is also something I have to take into account.
People who follow my blog/me a bit longer will know that I keep a weekly art journal for many years now. I call this my “Chronicles” and in december I will bind my 14th “Chronicles” journal to fill in 2023…! The 2022 journal is still going ofcourse, and here’s the latest spreads I created.
Chronicles, week 37
Chronicles, week 38
The spread for this week shows more photos because I created pockets and flaps on the pages. There was a lot to tell and show that week…. here’s the story:
My beloved likes art. His preference is for painters such as de Chirico and Delvaux. Years ago he told me about a “Paul Delvaux museum” that was situated “somewhere in Belgium on the French border”, and that he would like to visit that museum one day. We didn’t have a chance to do that back then, but I remembered the fact…
More than ten years later – settled in a nice apartment in Middelburg, having a job and experiencing more ‘light in our lives’ – the idea came back to me. I googled the museum and guess what: it is located in Koksijde on the Belgian coast! Gosh… that’s not that far away from where we live! The idea was born: I kept my mouth shut and decided to make it a surprise trip. The plan was delayed due to Covid and my mom’s illness, but at the beginning of August it was finally time to take action. My dad offered to loan me the car, I studied the route and I secretly booked a hotel.
I marked three days on the calendar saying “these days have to stay open”. I didn’t say more than that I’d planned a surprise trip. Oo-o-o… with all kinds of questions he tried to figure out where we were going but I kept my jaws tight! I managed to make ‘hint cards’ in my atelier without him seeing it and once on our way he was allowed to open an envelope and get another hint every now and then.
Just a few kilometers before arriving at our destination, he was allowed to open the last envelope and when it became clear that we would visit “the Paul Delvaux museum” my beloved was just perplexed… and that was exactly the reaction I had in mind!
Of course I saved those cards and put them in a little pocket on the page.
The day after our arrival we walked to the museum and spent two special hours between the paintings. Trip successful!
Chronicles, week 39
… was my birthday week. The card to the right was made by my best friend.
Pfew, that’s quite a heavy post, thanks for visiting and reading! I hope to find some time to visit you back, it may take a few days but I’ll try to squeeze in a few hours of ‘desk-visiting’ as I’m curious to find out what you are up to! Have a nice week, see ya!
Morning Marit. It is always a good week when we see your link. What a great surprise you gave your beloved! Good to see the results in your Chronicles pages, too. Happy WOYWW – I hope it’s not another 3 months before we see you again x Helen #1
I loved the story of your beloved’s surprise trip. I did something similar before the pandemic but it was just to a hotel featured in a favourite film of his. As we got closer I told him we were stopping off there for coffee. Isn’t it lovely to see the look on their faces.
Love your birthday card how clever and belated birthday greetings.
Hugs, Neet 2 xx
Hi, Marit, great to see you back again. It doesn’t matter how long you’re away your work is so refreshing. Wishing you a very happy and creative woyww, Angela x13x
Hey Marit, glad to see you! Marvellous way to surprise your beloved, Iovely memories and a super treat to have a stay in a hotel and enough art to fill your head! Three cheers for a brilliant idea! I love the little hint cards! And very belatedly, I wish you many happy returns for your birthday!
How inspirational as allways!
Reading your blog with pleasure and learning something new every time.
So good to see you Marit. Glad you had such a rewarding visit. Your chronicles are as fabulous as ever. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #11
Gosh, your posts are always so rich in detail,they are a lovely read. And your Chronicles always make me wish I could commit to my Art Journal more and not get sidetracked by other arty pursuits. Oh well, that;s how it goes. Lovely to see you for your occasional pop-ins! Hope to see you next week for the 700th week milestone but no pressure… 😀
Happy WOYWW Day!
Mary Anne (6)
What a brilliant thing to organise for your beloved, I’m so glad you had a wonderful couple of days!! Great idea xx
Hugs LLJ 7 xx
That was a wonderful surprise and exciting to organize it! Great to see the memories of it in your book. Happy WOYWW.n9#5
Good to see you back on WOYWW Marit! Happy birthday for last week. I loved reading about the special trip you organised, with hint cards along the way m! Brilliant!
Your bookbinding experiment was really interesting and your journal pages are beautiful.
Take care and happy WOYWW
Hugs
Lynnecrafts 15
Hi Marit! Long time no see! I love your little perfectly crafted book and your WONDERFUL arty journal pages. Your had on the yoga body is so funny! Best wishes xx zsuzsa #18
Your desk – and your face! Happy belated birthday and beautiful book!
Morning Marit. Brilliant! Well done on all the surprises. I used to do those sort of things for John. SO exciting!!! Learning book binding. Wow! Good for you.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #4
Hi Marit, so happy to see your link! I’m sure you’ll have that bookbinding cracked very soon, it looks great to me. What a super trip you organised for your husband – and some great pages from it too! Have a great week, love n hugs Cindy xx#14
Hello Marit, we’ve both been absent fro WOYWW for a few months and it’s nice to be back and to see you back too. I loved the story of your surprise trip you arranged for your beloved. Such a really fabulous thing to do and the chronicles will be a lovely reminder. Hopevyour having a great weekend. Elizabeth x #21