It’s not long since I completed the last Crusade and I was determined to get in early this month. The task for the month really appealed to me; basically, rip some paper or fabric into strips and stick it down. You can read all about it here. I have done two layouts in my newest journal already.
The first is about deforestation and the impact it has on the world. It’s a topic I studied when I did my Post Grad Diploma and something I have remained interested in. I found some pictures of trees being turned into wood chips, and tore some of the picture into strips like the wood chips they were making. Around the edge I have written down all the different paper I use or receive every day, and I am sure there is more to add yet – I used a green Sharpie for the text. The background is Twinkling H2Os over gesso.
The second page is a tribute to all the history we saw while in Italy, the illuminated manuscripts and the amazing buildings. I found photos of some illuminated texts I had saved from a library book that was being deleted. I tore them into strips and overlapped them in a semi-weaving pattern. I was thinking about the way the trip has woven so many of Tony and my different interests together; royalty, religion, history, architecture…
Thanks for the inspiration Michelle. It is always such fun doing a Crusade then checking all the other blogs to see what everyone else has come up with. 
Cath Sheard 
Wow you’re fast !! I love your pages, the first one because of the message, so meaningful, and the second one a great memory, and the colors are very appealing. Great job !
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Cath – I second what Brigitte says – you’re fast, the first is so meaningful in message, the second is also meaningful but in a much different way. Very handsome. Great examples of ripped strips for the crusade – thanks for getting us started with your fab pages! Bravo!!
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Great work! Love the deforestation message.
The Italy one is a great tribute to your memories of your trip.
Thanks for sharing!
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great collages! stripping is fun, isn’t it? 🙂
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I think it is cool that your journal pages tell a story! Glad you joined the crusades early to inspire us all. 🙂
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Cath, you always make me think when I come see what you’re up to… Love the first page – so powerful. The 2nd spread fascinates me. I love those mediaeval style strips. =D
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Love both of your pages but the first for it’s imagery and message!
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your meaningful pages are really wonderful, love the stories they tell.
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I like what you did! Très très intéressant 🙂
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hey, thanks for your comment on my blog!
i spent three months last year in italy and it was amazing. it looks like that book you used was really beautiful – i’m almost sad you tore it up! but the page looks great 🙂
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Cath, thanks for visiting my blog and commenting on my grid. It’s been so fun to see what all the crusaders make. And check you out — already finished with 42! Great job, you’ve got me motivated here… happy creations, tj
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One thing I do really enjoy is when the method & the reasoning behind the work is explained by the artist. I shudder everytime I see the earth ripped & scarred like that. I love Italy as it has a magical way of romancing you. So much beauty.
Thank you for sharing.
daisy
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Very cool! I will have to get cracking on this crusade…love how your page is about important issues in the world today and then beautiful Italy 🙂
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cath, thanks for visiting my blog to comment on my grid pages! i love what you’ve done with the strip crusade, especially the deforestation page. well done! i’ll be sharing my strip piece soon, i have just one little thing to finish.
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Cath, do you know LOVE how the strips form the overall image in your first one? I love that. And the other is mosaicky, which always floats my boat. Great work. And I appreciate the subject matter, as well.
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Hi first off thx for commenting on my blog.
I love the way you used an enviromental topic in your art. I mean i totally agree with people who say an art journal is all about your thoughts and feelings, but i also love your approach. Exploring a topic that interests you in your journal,amazing idea. Now im off to try exploring a topic myself& i cant wait to do this months crusade either
Xo makealife
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Hi Cath- I love the messages of your pages…and I really like the colors in your second page. I hope I can get to travel to Italy one day. xo
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Gorgeous pages, my fave is the second one!
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Hey Cath ! It has been quite a while since I particpated in the Crusades. Nice to know that many of the same wonderful people are still involved.
These are powerful and beautiful pages. Brava on the Strip Ease challenge.
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Your pages are beautiful. I love how you tied in the metaphor in the Deforestation piece. The reds and golds are stunning in the Italy one. Beautiful!
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They’re both great pages but the second one is my fav….love the colors.
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lovely! i really like the first one 🙂
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I am touched by your message stips. My crying is for the oil leak now but deforestation is just as worrying…And you really cath my attention visually with your medieval page. I love the art from thoses times.
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Really interesting to see how you used the technique for the first one. I wouldn’t have thought of doing it that way, so it’s great to keep learning.
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Two very different, but powerful pages. It is interesting to see such variety when using the same technique.
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Hello Cath,
thanks for sharing these two layouts !
I like the first one because of the meaning, but also because of the colors and the composition of the stripes of paper in the overall design.
greetings from belgium
Inge
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Great pages both of them, but the second is my favourite. Isn’t it great to take those books home that otherwise are thrown away. The pictures of the bikes on my pages are also from a library book!!
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The first one completely transfixes me. It goes so deep into “strip” and is so innocent in it’s presentation. And the second one seems connected to the first, because of the use of book pages. Letting them stay. Stay in art.
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Cath….both are fantastic! I like the message of the top one and the second one’s old texts add a lot to the spread…Great job!
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love that medieval manuscript – I havent seen that done in art before!
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I like everything that you do.
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Thanks for sharing your inspiration & what made these pages meaningful to you. They are attractive on their own, but your insites added more interest to me.
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Love both pieces, but esp. the one on deforestation. Great!!
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Two gorgeous and very different pages. I love the second one and especially the medieval text and layering. Thanks for sharing.
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Great take on this Crusade!
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