For the Love of Texture

I'm so sorry I've been quiet.  Sometimes life gets in the way.  But I'm trying to rework things so it should be better in the future.

You may recognize some of these ATCs from previous posts.  This is a photo I took after I was having more playtime with my supplies.

I had ATCs leftover from a piece of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper where I didn't like the pattern side of it.  I also have old tags in my stash.  Unfortunately, some of my paint supplies dried out.  No they weren't open.  I had Dina Wakley tubes and some Dylusions tubs, so bright and colorful.  Very disappointing.  I can imagine a lot of reasons.  Air could have possibly gotten in at some point.  Life events, moving, or somple mistakes that you're not expecting can cause it.  I remember using them, but I went through a big dry spell due to life, so it's possible that dry spell affected my supplies.  On the plus side, my mediums seem to be okay for now.  And while I love a good psychic, or medium, that's not the type of medium I'm talking about.

Now I have not gone to art school, nor have I taken any strict art classes.  I've taken in person and online classes from several artists (Dina Wakley, Dyan Reaveley, Joanne Sharpe, and Dawn DeVries Sokol come to mind).  In taking the classes, reading blogs, magazines, all of that, I've learned techniques and terms.  Mediums in art are things like gesso, texture paste, and gel medium.

I like using paint with stencils, but .  Also, different paints have different thicknesses.  Some are heavy body so they hold form very well, others are free flow, so they are good for gelli printing.  But for this experiment I wanted more depth without compromising the color.  Most colors I don't mind them being lighter.  However, I'm not the biggest fan of pink.  I can handle it in certain cases, but I was using red, and didn't want pink.  So I know I couldn't use gesso.  Enter texture paste.  I grabbed some red paint, mixed it with texture paste, and used it with a stencil to add the mixtures to some ATCs and tags.  The picture is the result.

I also had some green/blue watered down paint that I didn't want to let go to waste, so I had some play with both stencils and freehand brush strokes.

When you play, do you have a plan or do you just see where things go?  What was the result?  I'd love to hear more!  Come back soon!

Be Bold

Do you have a huge stash you have to bust and use more?  I've definitely got that and I've been trying hard to use items in my stash.  There's one product on this ATC that I had grabbed to use for another project and it didn't happen.  So I worked, and made other projects and finally found a great spot for it.  Which item am I talking about?

The white asterisk sticker, which I believe is from an American Crafts Thickers set.  My background is paint applied with a brayer and through stencils, with some polka dot tissue paper adhered with gel medium, as well as rub-ons, stamping, doodling, and a few items from my stash.

I'm entering my ATC into the following challenge:

Creative Fingers Challenge

I'd love to know what you're holding onto in your stash that you want to use more of!  Comment below!

Hello

As you've seen I like using lots of supplies.  Sometimes things come together quickly, sometimes not.  This one was a bit of a challenge, and it's a bit different, but that's a good thing!  Less doodling in my usual ways, but sometimes a little different can be good.

The background has a bunch of layers.  Some paint, stenciling, stamping, then I added some die-cuts, doodling, and paint splatter.  I also broke in a new stamp, a big wood-backed rubber stamp of small dots; you can see it in the bottom left corner.

I'm entering my ATC into the following challenge:

Crazy is Our Fame Challenge

Do you struggle when creating?  What roadblocks do you come across?  Tell me in the comments below!

Courage to Go For It ATC

I had an idea to try something new with this ATC and I really like how it turned out.

 

I used a lot of different supplies with this ATC.  Stamping, rub-ons, acrylic paint, die-cuts, adhesive enamel shapes, paint markers.  Did I mention I used a lot?

I'm entering my ATC into the following challenge:

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge

What supplies do you put together a lot?  Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

Hello Tag

I'm bringing another fun project today.  An old tag that I added to and really enjoyed it, although at first I wasn't sure what direction it was going to take.

This tag is one of those projects.   It's a tag I found and added to with paint pens, stamps, die-cuts, and some hardware.

 

I've include affiliated links for items I used for this project or similar products.  If you click the link I get a small commission and there's no price change .  The price does not change at all for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Balzer Bits Numbers in Arrow (last I checked unfortunately out of stock, but could have changed)
  
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Liquitex Phthalocyanine Blue Ink
• The Crafter's Workshop Well Rounded Stencil  
• Liquitex Gesso
  

What are some ways you use your mixed media?  Thanks for stopping by!

Fun with mixed media

Hey everyone!  I'm so sorry I've been quiet.  Life can sometimes get in the way for sure.  Have you eve gone through that?  You have a to do list, or something that you keep wanting to do, and then one thing comes up, then another, and then you realize your goof?  Yep, that's me.  But I missed all of you, and wanted to share some new projects.

This tag is one of them.  It combines stamps, die-cuts, stamping, paint splatters, and ink drips.  I really like it.

I'm entering my tag in the following challenges:

Crazy is Our Fame Challenge

Creative Fingers Challenge

 

I've include affiliated links for items I used for this project or similar products.  If you click the link I get a small commission and there's no price change .  The price does not change at all for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Balzer Bits Numbers in Arrow (last I checked unfortunately out of stock, but could have changed)
  
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Liquitex Phthalocyanine Blue Ink
• The Crafter's Workshop Well Rounded Stencil 
  

What are some ways you use your mixed media?  Thanks for stopping by!

Layer Fun

Another tag that has the beginnings of some fun.  I just added different paint and stamp layers over top of each other, so you can see some of the first marks peeking through the top layers.  Like the circles under the yellow and turquoise paint that mixed to create some nice green.  Green can be a challenging color to use, at least for me.  I like the neon shades, but the regular shades can stop me in my tracks at times.

I also added some purple paint through a stencil.  It's funny because from a distance, the stamped images remind me of ink drips.  Once you get closer you realize it's stamped images, but it's like an unintentional illusion.  I love those types of accidents.

 

I've include affiliated links for items I used for this project or similar products.  If you click the link I get a small commission.  The price does not change at all for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Blick Acrylic Paint
• Ranger Archival Black Ink 
  

 

What do you like about this tag so far?  What do you think I should add next?  It's so great that you visited!  Come back soon!

Duct Tape Solves Everything

Isn't that what they say?  Anything can be fixed with duct tape?  Duct tape has come a long way from the wide, super sticky, heavy duty tape that could be used to fix pretty much anything.  Attached anything.  Seal anything.  I'm not sure when, but it went from the simple gray to colors and patterns.  I've even seen plenty ofcraft projects using colorful and patterned duct tape.

I don't know if it's done yet, but as you can see I was playing around, heh.  It's been awhile, but I see paint colors of red, neon orange, some aqua green, and some purple through a Dylusions stencil.  A bunch of stamping, including Balzer Designs, are at play, and the interesting addition, patterned duct tape.  I was experimenting with have bits and bobs of the tape in different spots on different tags.

I've include d affiliate links for items I use a lot for my projects.  If you click the link I get a small commission, with no price increase for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Blick Acrylic Paint
  

 

What do you think of my tag?  Is it finished?  If not, what do you think I should add?  Thanks for coming by to visit!

Stash Away

I'm trying to use things in my stash in a fun way.  I've got lots in my stash, and some of it I wasn't really sure how to use it.  Maybe not a huge problem for some, but it can get overwhelming to have so many supplies, especially when you like to use a lot of stuff.  Trying to put the items together can sometimes be a challenge.

This ATC has a patterned paper base.  It's called WhiteOut, and I think I found it at the craft store.  The basic premise is it's colorful, but subdued.  Every color looks like it was lightened, or white was added to it, hence the name.  Even the red is lighter, but not pink, which I also like.  I like many things, but pink is not one of them.

I added some red paint through a small Balzer Designs stencil, and added some blue later.  That's how I found the ATC in my stash.  I added cros-stitch floss, a remainder of a die-cut I had, as well as a few other die-cuts, a paper clip, and some sticky punchinella type paper that I swiped some turquoise paint over to add interest.

I'm entering my ATC into the following challenges:

Creative Fingers Challenge

Crazy is our Fame Challenge

I've include affiliated links for items I used for this project or similar products.  If you click the link I get a small commission.  The price does not change at all for you.  Enjoy the links and thank you for your support!

• The Crafter's Workshop Chevron Stencil
• Balzer Bits Numbers in Arrow (last I checked unfortunately out of stock, but could have changed)
  
• Dina Wakley Chevron Stencil
• AlteNew Alphabet Die Set 
• Sizzix Framelits Circle Die Set
• Tim Holtz Mini Metal Gears 
• Tim Holtz Metal Sprocket Gears
• Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss 
• Blick Acrylic Paint
  

 

DO you have a stash of supplies you're working to get through?  What are some ways you use your stash?  Thanks for stopping by!

Join Me for Day 27

Hello everyone!  Thank you for joining me, I'm so happy to see you!  Life has been busy to say the least, but I'm working to share my last three pages of my Art Marks Challenge mini art journal, that was done back in September by Rae Missigman and Sandi Keene.

Day 27 - Rest

I'm also entering the following challenges:

A Place to Start Challenge

For some Art Marks Challenge history, you can click here.  And Rae's Instagram account here shows what she made for each prompt. I made a little art journal out of envelopes and baker's twine.  Simple but effective.  Though what Rae did with her pages was amazing, while also being simple.  She has this chunky journal with a fabric cover and she used tape to add her challenge pages to the existing journal.  Really amazing.  It reminds me to not stick to doing things only one way.  That there are always options when it comes to art.

How do you rest?  What does it mean to rest?  You can also be rest assured that you are doing the best that you can.  Sometimes that's not the usual path or sometimes some people are going to be completely against it, for any number of reasons.  However, self-confidence is important. 

The background is a gelli print that I just went to town on.  I added doodling with paint markers.  I added stamping.  I used a Sharpie to outline some of the stenciling.  I added some digi images from Oddball Art and Octopode Factory that I colored with Tombow markers and colored pencils.  I added digi images from Octopode Factory and Oddball Art and a sentiment from Dylusions.  I also used my a white paint marker for lots of splatter.  I pressed the tip against my work surface to get the paint to pool, then tapped the marker with the extra paint to get the splatters.  I also added a clear tag that I used a paint marker to cover the bottom design because it didn't work for me and then added a die-cut from my stash and outlined it with white paint marker.

Thank you so much for coming by and I hope you enjoyed this art journal page.  Bye for now

Mini Art Journal Day 22

Welcome back my friends!  I shared a sneak peek, and as promised, this post will have all the details and pictures!  I'm so glad you could join me today!

I'm sharing another page in my mini art journal for the Art Marks Challenge from Rae Missigman and Sandi Keene.

Day 22 - Less

 

I'm also entering my page into these challenges:

A Place to Start - October 2023

Creative Fingers #263

 

For some Art Marks Challenge history, you can click here.  And Rae's Instagram account here shows what's she's making for each prompt.  For those who haven't seen my previous posts yet, I'm working in a mini art journal I made out of envelopes, but you can use many different things, including scrap or underpaper, so some pages already had stuff on them.  A hole punch and some baker's twine later and a mini art journal for the challenge ready for art!

I've mostly posted individual pages.  This challenge has been very interesting thus far, because it makes you think.  Sometimes a good brain dump on your art journal page is just what you need.  Whether it's actual writing that you incorporate, writing that your art covers up, or the art itself represents the brain dump.

For this prompt, I had to really consider it, especially because I like putting more on my pages, not less.  However, there's more than one way to have less or be less.  I think it's more that some people need less self-doubt, less hurt, less being stuck.  So I think this page works well.

 

My page started as some mop up paint and and then I added part of a gelli print on deli paper to add more dimension.  One stencil I used on the gelli print is The Crafter's Workshop Pie Chart with green paint.  I added black paint from Artist's Loft through a Dylusions border stencil, and a eyeball flower digit stamp from Oddball Art.  

I also used the bigger plus signs/"X"'s from a Balzer Designs stamp set with Ranger Archival black ink, as well as a triangle stamp with ColorBox Blue Lagoon pigment ink.  You can also see where I added some doodles tracing the chevron part of the pie chart stencil with one of my favorite supplies, paint markers.  In this case, a Uni Posca paint marker in Emerald Green.  This paint marker is a weird one because the color doesn't look at all green, but it's still a wonderful color.

I also used my trusty Sharpie pen for some tracing and added my sentiment from a rubber stamp and the same Archival ink.  Here's a great place to get acrylic paint. There's several brands to choose from, the prices are reasonable, and they carry a huge number of colors and types of paint (like heavy body and free flow).

Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out my art journal page.  Bye for now!

Mini Art Journal Day 15

 Hi there my crafty friends!

I'm so glad you're visiting!  I have another page in my mini art journal for the Art Marks Challenge from Rae Missigman and Sandi Keene.

Day 15 - Evolve

 

What does it mean to evolve?  Usually it means what you don't need anymore goes away and what results is something better.  For some reason, a butterfly immediately came to mind, or rather the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly.  My brain works kinda weird, because I was then thinking not caterpillar but work, and that led me to bookworm.  I love books.  My taste in books have definitely evolved.  Perhaps it's inevitable because some books you grow up with you also grow out of.  Or the books help you on our journey through life.  So I decided to make a book butterfly with lots of doodles.

I'm also entering my page into these challenges:

Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge

The Crafty Addicts Challenge 5

For some Art Marks Challenge history, you can click here.  And Rae's Instagram account here shows what's she's making for each prompt.  For those who haven't seen my previous posts yet, I'm working in a mini art journal I made out of envelopes, but you can use many different things, including scrap or underpaper, so some pages already had stuff on them.  A hole punch and some baker's twine later and a mini art journal for the challenge ready for art!

I've mostly posted individual pages, but I do plan to post them all.  I do hope you're enjoying the pages.  Sometimes it's super easy to make the art, sometimes it's a challenge, no pun intended.  Or maybe I did?  Some challenges are simply design concepts, like stripes or circles.  This challenge has been very interesting thus far, because it makes you think.  Not that I mind thinking.  Sometimes a good brain dump on your art journal page is just what you need.  Whether it's actual writing that you incorporate, writing and your art covers it up, or the art itself represents the brain dump.

 

I played around with a technique I've used before here.  I used a print from a gelli printing session, then used a Royal and Langnickel wash brush to cover the print with Liquitex titanium white and used the opposite end of the brush to make scribbles, allowing the pattern, color, or design to peek through.

 

The background has a lot going on, including lots of doodles.  However, I did use a background stamp of mini stars with Archival black ink in several places on the page.  I traced a Dylusions alpha stencil using a Sharpie pen. My Tombow markers got a workout with filling in the letters from the stencil, the red in the "tell your story" on the butterfly wings and the worm from my butterfly.  I also did a bunch of doodles using a Craftsmart purple paint marker (there's one in this set), a Molotow One4All shock blue paint marker, and the Sharpie pen.

 

The butterfly is a stamp I've used before from an old Balzer Designs stamp set through Impression Obsession.  The worm is a digital stamp from Oddball Art.  Confession: it's not actually a worm, though I thought it was originally.  I trimmed the "tail" to make it more worm-like.  I also added doodles that remind me of Teesha Moore using my Uni Posca water-based white paint marker

Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out my art journal page.  Bye for now!

Mini Art Journal Day 14

 

Hi there my crafty friends!

I'm so glad you're visiting!  I have another page in my mini art journal for the Art Marks Challenge from Rae Missigman and Sandi Keene.

Day 14 - Connect

 

How do you connect?  What do you want to connect to?  I think we all seek some sort of connection.  It can be a struggle for some.  I'm trying to reconnect.  And to deepen my connection to certain parts of my life.  One part that I think many of us adults neglect is our inner child.  I don't think it's planned, but we get caught up in life and lose track of having fun.  So my page for this prompt is about connecting with your inner child, and learning to love that part of yourself.

I'm also entering my page into this challenge:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Simply Create Too #194

For some Art Marks Challenge history, you can click here.  And Rae's Instagram account here shows what's she's making for each prompt.  For those who haven't seen my previous posts yet, I'm working in a mini art journal I made out of envelopes, but you can use many different things, including scrap or underpaper, so some pages already had stuff on them.  A hole punch and some baker's twine later and a mini art journal for the challenge ready for art!

I've posted either groups or individual.  We'll see how I'm feeling for the rest.

I really like blue, but I kinda wanted to be more subtle with using it on this spread.  I started with underpaper as a foundation.  I've come to love underpaper.  It's basically the paper your surface (desk, table, work surface of your choice) is covered with, and it gets covered with whatever you work with.  Ghost prints of stamps, paint swatches, swipes, test doodles, just about anything art wise.  Eventually it gets covered enough and can be used as collage paper, die-cutting, so many possibilities.  And I was able to incorporate things from the background into my page.

 There's plenty of stamped images, including a border stamp set from Dylusions rubber stamp set, a large mini star stamp and a bigger stars acrylic stamp from my stash.  I chose balloons to represent my inner child.  What child doesn't love balloons?  Thinking about it, what adult doesn't love balloons?  Balloons are fantastic in their simplicity.  I used a chipboard heart, a die-cut from my stash, and two digital images from Oddball Art.

I swiped the bottom of my page with my purple Sakura solid paint marker.  My chipboard heart is covered in gesso and some ink and paint splatters.  I used colored pencils and Tombow markers to color in the blue and green heart.

 

I also used my Uni Posca white, orange, and black paint markers for filling in the stars, x's, and adding my doodles.  I filled in a couple corners with The Crafter's Workshop Well Rounded stencil and Artist Loft red paint.  I used a Moodclue blue chalk marker to make the balloon strings and a Balzer Designs rubber stamp set for the x's on the balloon strings.

 

I also added some ink drips with Liquitex Phthalocyanine Blue Green ink.  Lastly I added a sentiment from my stash.

Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out my art journal page.  Bye for now!

Mini Art Journal Day 12

Hello there, everyone!  I seriously cannot believe it's already halfway through September.  How did that even happen?  I'm sharing Day 12 in my mini art journal for the Art Marks Challenge from Rae Missigman and Sandi Keene.

Day 12 - Unfold

For some Art Marks Challenge history, you can click here.  And Rae's Instagram account here shows what's she's making for each prompt.  For those just tuning in, I'm working in a mini art journal I made out of envelopes, but you can use many different things, including scrap or underpaper, so some pages already had stuff on them.  A hole punch and some baker's twine later and a mini art journal for the challenge is born!

I'm planning to post all of my pages, though some may be individual pages and some may be in group.

This art journal page is actually on the simpler side and that's no necessarily a bad thing.  I went with a more literal interpretation of unfold, to essentially reveal. 

 

I used more gelli print paper to start my background.  I used Artist Loft Acrylic paint in red, neon green, and Liquitex Basics ultramarine blue.  Then added some stamping with my Balzer Designs stamp set called Really Useful Stamps.  That's for the triangles.  I'll go into the tag next, and then whats under the tag.  And yes, I said under.  All in due time.

 

The tag is from an old vintage set that I decided I wanted to resurface.  So I adhered some old patterned paper and cut around the edge of the tag.  Then I traced a compass mask I have and added the green with a Craftsmart paint marker, part of this set.  I added some washi tape to allow the tag to swing.

What gets revealed is a Dylusions stamp with a lovely head!  Now the heart is actually chipboard and it's from a set.  I got a set of gold foil heart chipboard at some point.  I didn't like the gold, so I covered the whole thing with gesso and then splattered purple and blue ink all over it.  I grabbed one of those and added some doodles with a Uni Posca Ultra Fine Point Red Paint Marker.  The body with wings is from the Dylusions Dependable Dotty stamp set.  I stamped the image using my Ranger archival black ink and colored it with my Tombow markers.  There is a head and legs, which I had cut off at some point and I used the legs on an earlier page in this little journal.

I'm also entering this into Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge.

I am an Amazon affiliate, which just means I get to share links to products I love and get a commission when you make a purchase.  Thank you so much for your support!

And thank you for joining me!  Bye for now!

Art Journal Mini Adventure - Day 9

Hello there, my friends!  I'm so glad you could join me today.  It's been pretty busy around here, lots of things to do.  I'm glad I have my little art journal to help me get that little bit of creativity in during the day.

I'm sharing Day 9 today in my little journal of the Art Marks Challenge from Rae Missigman and Sandi Keene.

Day 9 -Invest

For some Art Marks Challenge history, you can click here.  And Rae's Instagram account here shows Rae's interpretation of the prompts.  Rae made tiny cards and put them into this gorgeous little pocket journal, which is super thick.  I'm pretty jealous.

It also got me thinking about rules.  Art has some rules.  Mix certain colors of paint, like red and green, you'll get mud.  Bookbinding has certain rules and tools to make those gorgeous journals I've seen.  However, the idea of making little cards and then adding those cards to an already existing journal, as Rae did, never occurred to me.  And I love the chunky books, so it makes great sense.  And gives me permission to do the same, which I intend to do at some point.  For now, I'm still working in the journal I made, though I pulled it apart to help with photographing.  I'll share a picture of it once it's actually done and put together again.

I'm going to be posting all my pages.  For the most part it's been individual pages, but a couple have been groups and I may do a few more posts like that.  I also took apart my journal to make it easier to photograph, so you may see peeks from other pages.

For Day 9, the prompt is Invest.  

What do you invest in?  What's important to you to invest time, money, your attention into?  Usually an investment means you want to focus on something.  Invest in more time with family, investing in learning a new skill or taking the time to pursue a new hobby.  In a general sense, I think investing in being happy is also important.  And investing usually involves a plan or agenda, it doesn't just happen.  So I'm investing in a happy life for myself and adding it to my agenda or to-do list to give it the priority it needs.

I used underpaper for the background.  For those who are new to that concept, you're gonna love it.  Basically, it's the paper you use as a work surface.  I got a big pack, but I want to make sure I send you to the right one, so if you can be patient, I am going to work on that.

Most everything in the background is my underpaper.  Different paints, stamps, and stencils from other projects I worked on.  You can see one section of orange chevron made using the Crafter's Workshop Chevron stencil.  I have to say that's one of my favorites.  There's also some Balzer Designs and Dylusions stamps, and different paints.  All yummy goodness.

On top of that I have some die-cuts from my stash.  The star and heart are from an old stamp set from Studio Calico, I think.  The star was colored with my Tombow markers.  The heart was stamped with light purple dye ink.

The repeating x's and the "Boom Shakalaka" sentiment are from an acrylic stamp set by a Polish company called Badass Art.  Very interesting art style and lots of nice attitude.  I will warn you that some of the stamps have curse words, in case that's not your thing.

I also used my Sharpie pen to do some doodles.  I also made some doodles with a purple paint marker from Craftsmart for some added fun.  This set from Craftsmart gives you plenty of colors to experiment with.  As you can see from my marks, it's a broader, round tip.  I've used several colors in the past and loved the results.

I have a quick question for you, switching gears a little bit.  You could use some extra money, right?  Who couldn't, of course.  I'm certainly no different.

To help me continue my crafting, I have some side hustles going.  One is a very simple, no tech skills required, and takes about 10 minutes a day.  It's an e-mail marketing system called Cliqly and it's a great system.  You can do it when you have the time, and it's got click and referral commissions, so the potential is there to grow.  I wouldn't waste another second if you're interested.  I've also included affiliate links for the products I've used.  I earn a commission for any purchases you make, with no price increase for you.  I truly appreciate the support! 

I'm also entering this in Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge.

Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out my art journal page.  Bye for now!

 

Mini Art Journal Day 8

Hi there, friends!

I'm working to catch up with posting the pages from my mini art journal for the Art Marks Challenge from Rae Missigman and Sandi Keene.

Day 8 - Attention

For some Art Marks Challenge history, you can click here.  And Rae's Instagram account here shows Rae's interpretation of the prompts.  For those joining us, I'm working in a mini art journal I made out of envelopes, a hole punch, and some baker's twine.

I'm going to be posting all my pages.  Some may be in groups, or individual pages, but I will post them all.  I also took apart my journal to make it easier to photograph, so you may see peeks from other pages.

For Day 8, the prompt is Attention.  All of these prompts have been giving me a pause to think.  Attention is certainly one that calls to one, right?  What gets your attention?  What needs your attention?  Is there something in life you've been neglecting?  Your art, your health, your peace of mind?  I want to make sure I do things.  Not just give them attention in my mind, but actually do them.  Whether it's getting out more, giving attention to my art, my family, all the things that are important to me.

I made the background in several layers.  There was already some paint on it, so I used blue paint with a stencil from The Crafter's Workshop for the honeycomb pattern.  The stencil is 6x6 and has three side-by-side sections: stars, circles, and hexagons (honeycomb).  Then I grabbed a stencil I used on a previous page.  It's an alphabet stencil that reminds me of school art supplies.  It's made of that thick, transparent plastic that many school supplies seem to be made of so they can handle a lot of wear and tear.

  

First I used black paint, then offset the stencil a little and added white.  I adhered the large journal card and used some orange paint through the same pattern stencil and used little x or plus sign stamps from a Balzer Designs stamp set with some orange dye ink. 

 

The paint drips were made using a Moodclue chalk marker.  Here is a basic set.  Since these are chalk markers they have a matte finish, as opposed to glossy.  I pressed the tip to the spot I wanted until the paint pooled, then helped the paint drip down.

The tab at the top, two sparkly x's, and the heart are from my stash.  It's some packaging I had lying around that I cut a heart out of, and then did the same to some punchinella.

 

To help me continue my crafting, I have side hustles going.  One is a very simple, no tech skills required, and takes about 10 minutes a day.  It's an e-mail marketing system called Cliqly.  It's set up for you so all you have to do is send e-mail and watch the click and referral commissions come in.  It does take time, but you get your own referral link to use with all your e-mails.  You can also post it on social media.  As I said, very simple and takes very little time.  We could all use a little more of that.  I wouldn't waste another second if you're interested.  I've also included affiliate links for the products I've used.  I earn a commission for any purchases you make, with no price increase for you.  I truly appreciate the support! 

Thank you so much for coming and checking out my art journal page.  Bye for now!

 

Mini Art Journal Day 6

Hey there my crafty friends!  Thanks for coming to see me today!

I have yet another page in my mini art journal for the Art Marks Challenge from Rae Missigman and Sandi Keene.

Day 6 - Envision

Crazy is Our Fame August Challenge

For some Art Marks Challenge history, you can click here.  And Rae's Instagram account here shows what's she's making for each prompt.  For those just tuning in, I'm working in a mini art journal I made out of envelopes, a hole punch and some baker's twine.

I'm planning to post all of my pages.  Some will be individual, some may be in groups of two or more.

Today's prompt was Envision, which is an strong concept.  How do you envision yourself?  What do you envision for yourself?  Perhaps being with family, maybe exploring a new hobby, could also be a focus on your health.  Envisioning yourself, regardless of what it is, should be positive.  Even if you want to, say, lose some weight or work on a better diet, it's still seeing yourself as being healthier.  I envision a transformation of sorts for myself.  Transforming into my improved self.  Healthier, happier, around family, and contributing to a better world.

Seeing yourself as happier can take many forms.  Happiness itself can take many forms, but it can include not struggling as much.  I imagine all of you struggle in one way or another.  Do you struggle financially?  I'm thinking for many of you that's a resounding yes.

For those it does resonate with, I want to share something with you.  It's a great way to earn some extra cash, though it does take time.  It's not a get rich quick scheme, which usually end up with you losing the money just as fast as you made it or faster.  No thank you.  This is a super simple, no tech skills needed, e-mail system that's already set up for you.  It's so easy; it's called Cliqly.  When you sign up, you get a referral link.  With the system, you earn money two ways: clicks and referrals.  You take 10 minutes, and send e-mails.  You can include your referral link in the e-mails.  And you're automatically given a list of subscribers.  The hard work is done for you.  It can grow slow or fast, depending on how much you do it and other factors.  I wouldn't waste another second if you're interested.  I'm not messing around, at least not when it comes to this.  I mess around with art, not making money.

I also share links as an Amazon Affiliate to products I like and want you to be able to get to make the fabulous artwork I know is in you to create.  Just follow the links, make a purchase, I get a commission, your price stays the same.

For this spread, I already had some green paint on it, so I worked around it.  The background is two of my Sakura solid paint markers, in yellow and neon orange.  These come in many different colors, including black and white.  I discovered them years ago and love them for adding paint fast that dries fast too.

 

Then I added black paint through a stencil from The Crafter's Workshop called Stripes Explosion.  The butterfly is from a stamp set called Butterflies.  It was designed by Balzer Designs and released by the company Impressions Obsession.  I stamped the butterfly onto smooth white cardstock, cut it out and glued it so it could fold over and the journal  can still close.  I also added an image in two parts.  Part magazine cutout, part digi image.

 

The purple panda face is a digi image from Oddball Art that I colored with colored pencils and Tombow markers.  I really love Oddball Art for its quirky, and sometimes sarcastic, images.  Definitely weird, sometimes sweet, sometimes edgy, but always enjoyable.  The Tombow markers are such a delight to use.  They're watercolor, dual-tip, and have a variety of rich colors.  Since they're watercolor, you can add water and spread the color around.  It's lovely!  And the fine point and brush tip works no matter what you're doing.

 

I then grabbed a face from a magazine and used a paint marker to add color to her hair.  I also used one of my Studio G mini alphabet stamp sets for the word "envision."  Then I had some doodle fun with my Uni Posca white paint marker and my Sharpie pen.

Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out my art journal page.  Bye for now.