ART & SOUL JOURNAL - It's finished!! WOOHOO!!

Good morning everyone! It's a glorious morning here in the Hill Country - I wish all y'all could experience this fabulous weather with me!
This post is all about a surprise I have made for my dear friend, Keesha. I made this book for her as a surprise that I will give to her next week at ART AND SOUL ! (I've told her to stay away from my flickr and my blog until after the retreat - I wonder if she's the type that peeks at Christmas???) This journal is for photos from the retreat and for journaling of all of the fun she's experienced at ART & SOUL. I even made an INCHIES page for little photos of old and new friends! There are also tags in pocket pages for journaling.
I hope she likes it. I love it!

The outside of the journal is covered in a really pretty blue and red patterned vintage print. On the spine I have tied fiber for added texture and color. The best part about the front (and the BIGGEST part!) is the silver glittered Twinkle Type letters from K & Company. Notice that instead of an "&" sign between "ART" and "SOUL" I used a bird design - Keesha loves birds and nature so I know she'll love that sign!
The inside of the front cover is covered with ledger paper and the first page incorporates this year's Art & Soul themed logo, "At Home with Art and Soul". That's the Keesh there waving the beater over her head because she's so stinkin' excited to be there!
This next spread below has Keesha so excited that she just had to throw on a tutu and do a little jig! Her nickname, Little Ninjja (Ninjja with two "j"s!) is written above her crown which I know will make her happy.
Both sides of this spread leave plenty of room for journaling or photos!

Ahhh, a page for notes and a page for a photo or two pages for notes. She'll be the judge of that! She's an amazing photographer so I'll just bet you she'll put a photo or two on the right side. Oh, and check out the sequin trims I added - aren't they so sweet??
Below you can see on the left side that I made INCHIES for her to use to cram a bunch of pictures on this page of friends, new and old, and there's also room for a picture on the right side!
Another simple layout so that Keesha will have lots of room for photos. She's going to want to remember classes, projects, OPA's (Other People's Art), teachers, classmates, ME......!
Journaling tags and a page for photos. Look at that sweet pink and white garland on the right side! I just love that! And I used the bird theme on the tags - K. can journal right over the stamping. The tags slide down into the pocket page on the left.
Well, look-ie here! A page all about Keesha and ME! And check out that fabulous little pink and black stone earring that I used for the "and"! And there's plenty of room on the right side for a big ol' picture of us while we're lovin' Art and Soul!
More room for photos and journaling!
The last page in the journal has a library envelope with a note from me (I love getting in the last word!) Oh, and one thing that I think is really neat is that I was able to use this "people" paper that I have been hording for years to cover the inside back cover - these people represent everyone at Art and Soul. Cool, huh!
The back of the journal has a clock surrounded by wee bitty rhinestones and pearls just to give it a little personality - you can guess what the clock stands for!

I want to tell you the best part of attending Art and Soul next week - I will MEET Keesha for the first time! How about that! We are what I call "art friends" - we have become friends through our blogs. And hugging her neck at the retreat can only be described as a highlight for me! Oh, I just can't wait to see her!!