Today I sewed a strip of trim inside my Bavaria journal and called it done.
Here it is. The good, the bad, the ugly, the hilarious, and the unforgettable. A real time capsule of our time in Germany.
My sister made the journal for herself, and then (lucky for me!!!!!) decided she wanted a different format and gifted it to me. Oh happy day.
It may be my favorite of all my travel journals to date. To work in on the trip, I mean. I love them all equally once they are completed.
The size was perfect.
Small and uncomplicated.
With pages for sketching and painting.
Sister had done some collage work in advance. Which was so nice.
And, plenty of room for recording all the important events.
The accordion shape was great to work with.
I could lay it out flat and also work on several pages at a time if I wanted to.
I have said this before, but it bears repeating... if you don't have someone you can travel with that likes to draw blind and semi-blind contour drawings, you are missing out.
It also helps if they say, "I think I'll paint a mountain scene" and you can say "oh me too". Your two drawings will not look alike. That's ok.
If you go to Wallgau, I hope you attempt to draw the church, as well as the mountains. It imprinted them in my brain in a way the camera never could.
We went to the Franz Marc museum one day, and promptly came home and applied all that we had seen there. Each to the best of our abilities. You can't ask for more than that.
This teeny yellow car really had 2 tail lights, but I only had room for one, you understand how that can happen I am sure.
My map of Germany. Not accurate. Extremely fun to draw and paint all the same.
Sister and I in our "house-dresses" on the balcony in Wallgau.
The end. Thank you sister for making this journal for me. I will take one just like it for our trip next summer.
Simply outstanding in every way!!! All your paintings I mean!! I think you’ll need to draw us in our house dresses!!
Posted by: Sister! | 07/28/2018 at 10:43 PM
Your sketches and paintings are amazing! Do you paint and sketch at home as much as your sister? You seem to like decorating more but with that being said you can hold your own very nicely against your sister! I am sure you make her VV proud!
Posted by: Kathy | 07/29/2018 at 06:39 AM
Kathy: I wish I did more sketching at home. I go through phases. I love doing it, but the garden and knitting and sewing and baking and walking and sitting on the porch are also always calling my name. Carol
Posted by: carol | 07/29/2018 at 07:13 AM
This may be your best travel journal so far! That Bavarian trim you sewed inside the cover is perfection! Love the Frank Marc flowers and all your sketches. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Diana | 07/29/2018 at 09:47 AM
Thanks you Diana! I love that trim, we bought it at a little store that had curtains and fabrics in Mittenwald.
Posted by: carol | 07/29/2018 at 12:24 PM
Pure delight! Love that photo of you two gad abouts in your "house dresses."
I'm curious how the sketchbook could lay flat with the double thickness of the pages? Please show or splain.
Posted by: Joan | 07/29/2018 at 01:25 PM
Your whole post is so wonderful! The writing, the paintings, all the feelings it evokes. Beautiful!! Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Maureen | 07/29/2018 at 01:26 PM
I hope in 100 years someone worthy is reading all of your journals and Mams , too.
Posted by: karen | 07/29/2018 at 03:58 PM
Joan: I added one more photo at the end so you could see how it laid flat!
Posted by: carol | 07/29/2018 at 04:02 PM
Karen: isn't that interesting to think what will happen to all this "stuff" that will likely not be of interest to most in 100 years :-) but hopefully they will fall into the hands of a like-minded adventurer.
Posted by: carol | 07/29/2018 at 04:04 PM
Thank you Maureen!
Posted by: carol | 07/29/2018 at 04:05 PM
OK, well, a class cocktail is a very fine thing indeed, but--stop press--THE HOUSECOATS are THE BEST. I am making notes on such essentials! Love the gifted journal!
Posted by: Faith McLellan | 07/29/2018 at 05:10 PM
Fabulous Carol! A++ full of the beauty, joy and fun of your trip, really outstanding.
btw: spent the last 2 days with your friend Pam G, I can see why you three have so much fun together. She's great!
Posted by: jacki long | 07/29/2018 at 08:02 PM
Faith: Angie was a housedress wearer. The older I get the wiser I see she was!
Posted by: carol | 07/29/2018 at 08:23 PM
Jacki: Pam is the BEST to make art with! I am so glad you got to spend time together.
Posted by: carol | 07/29/2018 at 08:24 PM
How lovely Carol! Your travel journal is gorgeous and a beautiful record of very special memories. You are very blessed to have such a special relationship with your sister - that's rather uncommon. With love from South Africa
Posted by: Alison | 08/02/2018 at 02:05 AM
Your watercolours are so GOOD! I love the addition of dark lines, That's what makes them uniquely yours. Did you know you were such a talented painter before you started painting along with Mary Ann?
Posted by: Chrissy | 08/02/2018 at 03:45 PM
I just love your journal, your paintings, your sister, and your trip - and you! None of my sisters like to play with me, can you guys adopt me?
Posted by: Loretta Marvel | 08/02/2018 at 06:33 PM
Thanks Chrissy! I am very lucky to have a sister who turned me on to art and showed me it was FUN. I am so looking forward to meeting YOU!
Posted by: carol | 08/02/2018 at 09:40 PM
Loretta: all the Moss sisters have agreed and drawn up the papers. Welcome to the family!
Posted by: carol | 08/02/2018 at 09:41 PM