Well I'm back after a much needed break. Even though I haven't posted in a while, I have been busy painting and doing lots of book binding.
My trip to Italy was interesting. Took lots of photo's and finally created my first travel journal. I've traveled a lot in my life and usually have good intentions to create a travel journal; this time I put one together before I left and just added postcards, tickets, receipts, photo's and any other item that would bring back the memory of the trip.
The journey to Fabriano was rather long. Had to change planes 3 times before I arrived in Rome. From Rome took a train to Fabriano, which took another 3 hours.
There were total of 7 of us in the workshop including the teacher. For seven women together, we surprisingly all got along. We were all in the same age group which probably helped. Each day we would do something different. I learned how paper was made and had the opportunity to actually go through the process of making paper. Also learned how to bind books using the long stitch and dos-a-dos. Went to a local art store which carried a lot of the products we can find in the states, but had brands that can only be found in Europe. Spent the day at the beach sketching and painting. Went to the local caves and spent one lovely afternoon at Maggie's bed and breakfast, which over looked the town of Fabriano.
From Fabriano I went to Florence for 2 days. Lots of shops, outdoor vendors, and historical sites to see.
After two weeks of living out of a suitcase it was time to go home. Getting home seemed to be a problem. I was so tired by the time I got onto the plane that I put my head back and fell asleep, only to be woke up by some announcement. The plane had taxi down the runway only to stop. Apparently the air condition for the plane engines was broke. US Air attempted to repair the plane as we sat on the run way. After 3 hours US Air canceled the flight. That is when the night mere began. US Air's ground crew was disorganized that it was total chaos. By the time we got to the hotel that US Air put us up for the night, another 3 hours had gone by. In all the years I've traveled I've never been with such a rowdy and rude group of travelers. The next morning getting onto the bus to take us back to the airport was awful. People pushing their way onto the bus was rather disturbing. Once on the plane we had to wait another 2 hours for a flight plan. Boy were people angry...shouting and screaming demanding to know what the delay was now. We finally got our flight plan approved and we off. I was never so happy when I finally went through customs in the US.
I can really relate to the old saying "there is no place like home". I told my husband to remind me the next time I want to go to Europe.
A maze journal can be created with one sheet of 18" x 24" watercolor paper folded, creating a accordion type of book with 8 pages and a pocket to hold notes or reference photos. 
I seem to be my most creative at 9pm. Last night I cut down some 140lb watercolor paper and made a watercolor journal using my rubicoil that measures 7" x 10". I used illustration board for the covers that I covered with decorative paper from Dick Blick.
Today I was in Michael's and found a larger version of a smash book. So with my 50% coupon from Joann's I bought my self one. It's called "Pretty Pocket". It measures 13.5 " high and 11" wide, and comes with 42 pages and 6 pockets. I also bought these page hinges that allow you add more pages to the book. 
Page hinges. 
And of course I had to have these stickers too.
