THE ELEMENTS OF SUMMER
BY MOLLY IRWIN
When it comes to summer I don’t want to spend time indoors on the computer, or make detailed layouts. My goal is to pay homage to the season in a meaningful way with less screen; more sun.
Part journal, part sketchbook, part photo essay, this 4”x 6” ring book came together quickly and effortlessly; possibly one of the most optimistic projects I’ve crafted in some time. It isn’t intended to be a comprehensive story, but an emotive, sensory piece designed to incorporate current interests and influences. All in good fun.
I was going for a certain texture and matt finish for the materials. There’s a simple, but not entirely inexpensive, bunch of supplies:
- A pack or two of Strathmore Blank Watercolor Postcards
- Photos are printed on Canson Infinity Arches Aquarelle Rag, 240 lb.
- Solid cardstock (I’ve chosen analogous colors that feel like summer to me)
- White Pen-Touch
pens (or similar) to sketch doodles over the colors - Watercolor paints. I used liquid tubes, by Speedball
- White cardstock to print journaling cards
- Two, 4×6 chipboard covers (to which you adhere paper)
- A couple of binder rings (office supply store)
My content is structured viewing summer primarily through three elements: sun, water and plants, with an introduction section for each. I’ll insert favorite photos and notes behind each section however they feel right to me. It won’t be chronological.
If you’d like to print the simple journaling cards, here is a link to a PDF file :
Download MollyIrwin_SummerSensesCards. You can print 3 cards per 8.5” x 11”sheet and cut them apart.
Tucked in my bag, with a sharpie and a set of watercolors, I can make notes and sketches along the way wherever this summer finds me.
I hope summer leads you somewhere exceptional, even if your own backyard.
If you’re interested, there’s a companion piece on my blog today on specific inspirations and how they influenced this project.
As always, Molly provides such wonderful and thoughtful inspiration. I am looking forward to incorporating some of these creative ideas in my album this summer! Thanks to you both
So beautiful, so Molly! I just love the colour combinations on the cover of the album, which are then repeated individually for each of the section dividers. I’m reaching for those watercolours now…
You knocked it out of the park, Molly. I first found your work through browsing Ali’s December Daily Flickr page and visit your blog often for your thought-provoking posts and amazing projects. I love that you combine your talent for art with the graphics of the computer kind. Whatever you do is always amazing!
i love this!!! simply beautiful.
but i’m curious about the font – is it avenir?
thank you, ali and molly!!!
=^ . ^=
Thank you, Ale. The font is Avenir.
I’m so happy to see this wonderful little book featured here Molly- it’s beautiful. I love how you keep it simple but at the same time fresh and interesting. Love it!!
This is truly wonderful. I visit your blog often too when I found you during Ali’s recent week in the life project. I love your blog and you are talented and have great ideas. Thanks for sharing with us.
I love this! I have never used watercolors before and I just might have to try….
This is absolutely gorgeous! I wonder if I could use my chalks and a watercolor pen/brush to create the same thing…….
Molly-this is a beautiful project-thanks so much for sharing it!
Molly, this is gorgeous!
printing these out and doing this now!
This is a really cool idea! I love to paint, so this would be a good excuse to break out my old supplies.
A quick tip: I’ve done a couple of 4×6 mini albums like this – I purchased a 2 hole punch from Office Depot to make the holes. It punches right through the thickest of papers + photos and all your punches will stay in register because of the pull out alignment bar. $9.99 totally worth it. Note: your hole punches would be closer together than how she did it (with I’m guessing a hand punch).
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/825307/Office-Depot-2-Hole-Paper-Punch/
This is just beautiful. Love the new take on a scrapbook. And the thought that goes into it.
I just LOOOOOVE it! What an inspiration, and I have everything on hand already. Thank you Molly. Thank you Ali!
<3
I love this project! Fantastic job!
This is the best mini-album I’ve ever seen. I am so into paint these days…and I am sooo inspired! Thank you.
So Inspiring Molly! (as always!) I need to break out my watercolors for my summer journal. Working on watercolor paper is always so lovely. Thanks for sharing.
What a great little book! I’m wanting to make a blank watercolor sketch book from papers I already have – think this might be what I try. I like the idea of having the papers together, but loose enough they can be folded back on themselves & the book can be opened all the way. Thank you for your clear & lovely design!
good idea! I actually used a heavy-duty 3-hole punch that went through the chipboard cover. This only reached/needed 2-holes.
yes, i too found molly’s blog thru the ali’s inspired daily december album. i love, love, love the summer watercolor album. you are really too creative molly
Gorgeous, thoughtful project, Molly. Such a big fan of the artful way you tell your stories.
What a beautiful book you’ve created. Love your watercolour drawings and words.
you are just amazing, molly.
what a wonderful tribute to summer in your beautiful, graphic style.
thanks for the inspiration!
you are just amazing, molly.
what a wonderful tribute to summer in your beautiful, graphic style.
thanks for the inspiration!
you are just amazing, molly.
what a wonderful tribute to summer in your beautiful, graphic style.
thanks for the inspiration!
you are just amazing, molly.
what a wonderful tribute to summer in your beautiful, graphic style.
thanks for the inspiration!
This is beautiful! I love it!
As always, Molly, you inspire. Thanks for sharing.
Molly I think you’ve outdone yourself yet again. I love the simplicity of it all and less screen more sun as sometimes we get caught up trying to document life we end up away from life at the computer screen. I love the book and your inspiration. Thanks for sharing. Australia
Love the use of watercolors!
Molly….what a great idea and love the “don’t blame yourself” and enjoy summer! We all need to be reminded. Thank you
I love the idea of making a mini album with watercolors, it screams summer!
This is amazing! Thanks for sharing it.
This is so very inspiring! I love the simplicity and the concept. We’ll hopefully I can also do something like this for our summer here though I’m still wondering what I can do with memory keeping as I only have weekends with our twins… :-/
Sorry for the follow-up but forgot to ask: Do you have a page a week or a page per event?
Love this! So doable.
Love, love, love, love this book! Thank you for sharing it. I’m doing my own this weekend!
Such a great project! I wish I had the artistic ability to use watercolor. My 3 year old does it better than me, hey there’s an idea, have him do it…
I just don’t seem to have that level of crafty DNA in me. But, you really inspired me, and now I want to add this to my list of things I want to make. Indeed, it is a piece of art in itself!
This is a great mini album! I especially love how easy and fast it is to do! I have tons of pictures of summer that all seem to blend together in larger albums. This would be a fabulous idea to keep the events seperate and special!
Oh I love this. My youngest son has to make a Scrapbook about his summer and the journal pages would be perfect for him to fill out (he’s going into 2nd) LOVE IT can’t wait to get started
Brenda, you would love it with his art work. My 4YO son does them regularly and I’m collecting quite the volume. Totally fun.
nothing structured whatsoever. If I like a photo it goes in. This is really a place to collect my favorite photos, with no set quota or time frame to meet.