In 2006, on the eve of our one year wedding anniversary, we hopped on a plane bound for Italy. And thus began our whirlwind-once-in-a-lifetime adventure to experience as much of Italy (+ Paris) as we could in the span of 10 days.
I just completed a mini travel album documenting the trip. I have another album in the works that is more comprehensive. This mini album is sort of like the cliff’s notes version of our trip, highlighting our favorite moments and silly series of self portraits.
The album cover.
A quote by T.S. Eliot for the opening page.
The first photo (taken at Jardin des Tuileres) is my favorite from the trip. On the left side, is a simple “when and where” of our trip.
Followed a simple scheme for most of the pages: a scenic/landscape/landmark photo paired with a self portrait taken at the same location.
I love how the pages in this album are designed. The individual matted window frames makes each page an instant work of art and pages are designed for ease of use – a regular 4×6 photo fits perfectly in the slots.
I originally set out to create more of a art journaled look – with little notes, random thoughts, dates, location info, scrawled all over the pages. I attempted this on one page (with a pencil) but the results were disastrous so I ended up going really simple and straightforward.
Deviated from the landscape+self portrait scheme here. Didn’t have a self portrait of this moment. We were too busy devouring our crepes to remember to take a selfie. But this was a favorite moment (most of our food moments were, ha!) so this series was included.
I was extremely nervous about writing directly on the album pages. (I’m so used to convenience of command+z in photoshop and illustrator.) I took a tip from my good friend Jefra, and wnet about it the good old fashioned way: wrote with a pencil first then went over it with a pen once I was satisfied with the results.
This was a fun project and now more than ever, I am convinced that I need to take an art journaling class. If you’ve taken one, I’d love to hear your recommendations and experiences.
…..
supplies used for this project:
Kolo Riva Album
photos processed using Totally Rad Actions + LR Presets
archival pen (Sakura Pigma Micron Pen 05)
That is so perfect! You've inspired me to put the photos from the trip we got engaged into an album now 🙂
Beautiful! About art journaling: it depends on what you want out of it, but if you want to get really artsy, Dina Wakleys classes are the best!
And Julie Fei-Fan Balzer hosted an art journal week last week: http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/art-journaling-week.html She also listed a few of her favorite art journalers (and some of them teach too).
Hi Reba – I'd love to see your album when you're done with it.
Marshavalk – Thank you for the links, much appreciated! Off to check them out.
thanks for the inspirations! i am sooo going to get this! i also use totally rad actions..and loving it!
Very beautiful! I need to do something for all of our travels, and you've inspired me 🙂
This is beautiful! Can't wait to finish my travel book. Thank you. You always inspire me!
Love your album Liz!
I am currently working through a Digital Art Journaling self paced class with Pattie Knox … http://debbiehodge.com/store/dt4aj/
It is absolutely awesome and I am learning so much.
There are other Art Journaling classes with Dina Wakely at the same store.
Wow, Liz! Simply amazing!
This album look so beautifle..simple ..minimalist..classy … well..it's all YOU 😉
and next time you go to france ..have a trip in burgundi, I'll be more thant please to show you another beautiful part of france 😉
This is stunning! Im making an album of a europe holiday and cramped in as many photos as possible. This looks so simple and elegant! I love the album too!
Love your ablum – the view and people/view on each page is brilliant! I always have to nag and nag to get anyone to pose in my photos but a view without people is just a postcard.
Absolutely love the simplicity of it…
Love, love this album! What a fabulous memory!
Tracy – thanks for the link, will be checking them out!
Zizazzi – I would LOVE to see more of France, thank you for the offer. One day hopefully!
Rach – the "comprehensive" version of our europe album sounds like yours – lots of photos.
Thank you all for the lovely comments!
I found a great book on art journaling called "Journal Spilling" by Diana Trout. It has a lot of great techniques, prompts and projects.
This just about the prettiest thing I have seen in a long time!!!! Wow. What riva colored album did you use? Lake?
Hi Liz, i loved your simply elegant album. the next time the mate and i travel, i will remember to take self-portraits at the landmarks we visit too…just like you did! thanks for the inspiration!
[…] photobook from a few places. I love reading Paislee Press, and her photobooks Happiness Is and A Mini Travel Album are beautiful, and really inspired me to finally put this book together. I also took a lot of […]
I just got married last November and my husband and I went off to Paris & Rome for our honeymoon. Been meaning to come up with some way to journal our trip when I stumbled upon your page and found your perfect idea of a mini travel album! Thanks so much for being an inspiration. 🙂