Sweet Little Surprise from Leah

Several weeks ago, I received a surprise package in the mail from Leah, the sweet friend I made at Artful Journey. It was decorated on the outside and included a little tag that read “Let people bask in your radiance and sunshine.” Before I even opened the package, that made me giggle because I have a friend who refers to me as a “ray of eternal sunshine.” Sometimes the reference is heartfelt; sometimes it is dripping with sarcasm. :-) Anywho, when I opened the package, inside I found this absolutely delightful little book Leah made. Leah makes all sorts of delightful books, and she is such an inspiration to me. Shortly after I received Leah’s book, I ordered some bookmaking supplies…papers, book board, linen thread, that awesome Japanese screw punch, all kinds of fun bookmaking goodies...and between studying Leah’s work and taking online bookmaking and art journaling classes from Roben-Marie Smith, Julie Pritchard, Connie Hozvicka and Kelly Kilmer, I’m definitely catching the bookmaking bug (and finally starting to accept the fact that I’m easily seduced by fun online classes and need to learn to control myself). I don’t have any completed books to share with you just yet, but I’m working on it!

Leah also makes wonderful mixed media postcards, and that is the inspiration I’ve been putting to good use lately. Leah’s currently working on creating a large postcard installation, and I’m so excited for her. I think it will be so cool to see all her postcards hanging up together. I wish I could travel to California to see them in person! I’ve actually made quite a few postcards lately and I’ll start sharing them with you this weekend! And Leah, just so you know, I have completely bogged down my sewing machine like we did yours in DJ’s class. Must figure out how to adjust that tension!