Mixing Naturals with Brights in Mixed Media Journaling

I am so excited about the new challenge at Anything But Cute because it really pushed me to question something I've always believed in.  When people talk about color and disliking certain colors, I always reply that I love all colors!  I feel my journal is a safe place to experiment with color combinations and test drive colors I don't normally use.

That is exactly what I've been doing in this cardboard junk journal.  But super bright colors are really hard for me, like I said when I did the red cards for IndigoBlu.

For these pages I wanted to pull out the super saturated colors in my go to combo: blue and green.  But I just had to balance the brightness with some natural elements.  I think the wooden buttons, the cardboard, and the use of whites gave me that balance.

I glued some hymnal pages to my cardboard pages, but did not seal them with Mod Podge this time, because I wanted the full saturation of color to soak into the paper.  Then I added the stencil paste after so I could get the white contrast.

This Tim Holtz found relatives image speaks to my heart so much.  You may not know, but I have four children and had three additional foster children for six months.  My grandmother was one of 13 children as well.  Big families are so amazing, but come photo time trying to get everyone to smile and look pretty is not an easy feat!

I decided to create a frame for these darling faces by cutting out the top layer to reveal the corrugated cardboard.  Then added the string to messy things up a bit.  Life is never perfect.

I decided to go for some more repetition of pattern on the other side as well, stamping and cutting more diamonds.  Part of me loves mirroring this way, but then I don't know.  What do you think?

The brown areas are actually gold.  I am loving using Glimmer Mists in my work these days.  I love the juxtaposition of my dull watercolor and the shiny patches.

The quote is sort of a pun, but also represents how as a mom you feel best when all the kiddos are at home or with someone you know will mother them as you would.

I'm surprised at how well the humble jute binding has worked in my journal.  I had planned to rebind the book when I was finished, but now think I will leave it be.  It really goes well.  Thanks for taking a look today and I do hope you were inspired in some way.  I love reading your thoughts and appreciate ever word.

I'm linking up to:

Our Creative Corner: Return of the Challenge (I chose Colour Your World)

SSS: Rain or Shine (because of the cardboard "sunshine" and watery colors)

Mixed Media World: Vintage

Anything But Cute: Crazy for Color

Craft Stamper: Anything Goes

Stamplorations: Anything MM w/a Stencil

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