Tag : art journal

267 posts

T Tuesday: flora and fauna edition

This Memorial day marks one year since I lost my mom. She was on my mind all day. Half way through my first cup of coffee I made the decision not to be sad but to reflect and remember the good things, The funny memories. The things that make me smile.

As I walked around the yard watering before it got too hot, I thought about her green thumb. She had flowers galore and a big garden. Houseplants too. I guess I’ve taking after her in that way. I love spending time tending to the garden. Making it beautiful and productive,

My newly sewn and strung garden bunting made me smile. Mom was no seamstress. In fact she hated sewing. She was so happy when I learned how to sew in school and gladly passed all of her supplies on to 13 yr old me.  I’ve never stopped sewing since!

After finishing the outdoor chores I headed inside to do a bit of art journaling. I was really feeling inspired by nature.

The background colors I laid down didn’t scream nature. They were the colors that spoke to me though. Sort of a hard edge along with nature.

Layers upon layers stacked. This fussy cut stamped birds nest was the perfect way to embrace nature. I used watercolor crayons to color the robin eggs then used diamond glaze over top to add dimension. The addition of the thread help sell the idea of the nest for me.

I added the skeleton leaf for balance.  As soon as I added the leaf, the words “live gently upon the earth” jumped out at me.  This page made me smile.

Linking up with Art Journal Journey for Flora and Fauna

Art Journal Journey
as well as T stands for Tuesday today.
T stands for Tuesday
Eight days of school left. Whoop, whoop!
What are you doing today?

 

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Secrets and Treasures

Today, for my birthday, I took some time out to create. With the school year winding down and everything that entails this year, I’ve been finding it harder and harder to carve out creative time.

I glued some random papers to parts of my book then used thick white craft paint to give a bit of texture with a palette knife. I was planning molding paste but my jar was dried up…hard as a rock.

Next I used my fingers to spread two shades of teal then a light touch of plum purple on the very edge. I blended everything with a slightly damp babywipe. I continued to wipe away at the areas with the white paint to bring the lightness back for interest on the pages.

I used Staz-on to stamp gears and clock numbers on the background.

Washi tape was used to adhere a glassine envelope holding a tag to the page.  I added some stacked paper and button embellishments I created from my stash. The colors meshed well with the overall look.

More washi was added for balance on this side along with a snippet of music. I added a bottle cap I picked up on a walk since it reminded me of the treasures I bring home.   

As I looked through one of my favorite books to cut words and phrases from I saw this in a line.  Perfect.

Secret notes and treasures.

 

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Life is an adventure

Life. Family. Memories. Adventure.

The journey.

I was inspired to sit down to create this morning. I didn’t have a specific theme in mind but as I began to pull interesting pieces together I realized that I did have something in mind. Life is an adventure

Over the last two days I’ve exchange emails with cousins from both sides of my dad’s family. A genealogy message board connected them even though they aren’t related, but I am to both of them. My “new” cousin was looking for photos and info on her Grandpa…who was my Grandpa’s brother. I was able to provide her with a photo she’d never seen of 4 of the brothers.  As it turns out we live within 10 minutes of each other and plan to meet sometime after school is done. So cool!

Anyway…all this digging into the past. Thinking of stories told to me by my parents. Old photos. Genealogy. Family. Memories. All came together to inspire the page you see. Life is an adventure

vintage stamps and lace

Life is an adventure

Blue chip stamps and vintage trim

Life is an adventure

B&W photo and flower embellishmentLife is an adventure

All of these pieces coming together as a vintage inspired tribute to my ancestors. Their life was a great adventure. Life is an adventure

Ours is too. This is something I think we often forget through the drudgery of everyday life. Live your life…make it an adventure.

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I’m linking up with Art Journal Journey for Recycle and Collage.

Art Journal Journey

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T Tuesday: Spring snow day? edition

We all have our fingers crossed for tomorrow. We are getting snow and seemingly lots of it so we might as well have the day off if we have to have snow after Easter. The weather reports are saying 6-9 inches.

❄ UPDATE: Snow day!!! ❄ 

Enough about the crummy weather and on to the art journal.
collect beautiful memories

I created this page with a layer of randomly cut squares and rectangles using both heavy card stock and a textured chocolate box.

collect beautiful memoriesI used a combination of stains, distress paint, gelatos and charcoal sticks to create the variation of color.

collect beautiful memories

I layered my “found relative” image over a fussy cut flower photo, paint stained baby wipe and frayed fabric. The paper clip had just the right patina so it found its way on the page as well.collect beautiful memories

I adding some distressing to the photo which started as a printed image. I used gel medium to adhere it to card stock to give it the weight and stability of a photo of that age. I scuffed up the edges then wet misted them before dragging across a distress ink pad. I ended up accidentally creasing the image in a couple of places with added authenticity in my opinion.

Linking up with Art Journal Journey for the theme: Recycle and Collage

Art Journal Journey
I also need to share my photo challenge recap. 

16. Money …..accidental collection of money I’ll never spend

17. Green

18. Bread ….lunch

19. Season ….it’s supposed to be Spring…right?

20. A note

21. Oh No! …someone is disturbing Marvin’s peace

22. Last thing I bought …arrows

23. Candy

24. Perspective ….grilling with snow on the ground  (imagine that I’m having a nice glass of wine with this…photo not included) 

I’ve officially abandoned the rest of the month. This month was difficult and not very inspiring. I’m taking April off from the photo challenge scene.

So Tomorrow…Tuesday…I’ll either be shoveling the going to work or just shoveling. I’m hoping for the latter.

T stands for Tuesday

What are you doing today?

 

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T Tuesday: spring break edition

The calendar says its Spring but I think Mother Nature needs her head examined. It’s cold and snowy. So since the weather isn’t cooperating I figured I’d create something that would brighten the gloomy day.imagine spring

I pulled bits together from my scrap bucket.

imagine spring

I even briefly set up my sewing machine on my workspace to get some stitching onto the page. I sewed this scrap directly into the book.

imagine spring

This piece was stitched together before gluing into place. Gosh I’ve missed using my machine! For some reason it inspires me.imagine spring

Lastly I added the word imagine. I was trying to imagine what Spring should feel like. I’m linking up with AJJ for Spring.

Art Journal Journey
With it being spring break so many people are traveling. Mini-me and I did as well. It wasn’t a tropical destination. It was 4 hours NORTH of here for the state archery tournament. caribou
We drove up on Friday and spent the night in a hotel since she didn’t shoot until Saturday. A snow storm was expected anyway so might as well go early. Thankfully we never did get any snow…just a cold wind.paul bunyan
We had to do the usual tourist things…amazingly enough there was others venturing into the frigid wind off the lake for a photo op that were nice enough to take a picture of us. That may look like standing water under Babe the Blue Ox but its solid ice.
After the tournament (at which she beat her personal best score by 24 points!) we headed for home but took a slight detour since we were that far north to visit Itasca State Park. Itasca state park
As we turned in we quickly realized that we probably wouldn’t get to see the headwaters of the Mississippi as we had wanted. Some of the roads weren’t even plowed. Instead we just took a photo of the map on went on our merry way.Itasca state park
I really wanted her to be able to jump across the Mississippi as I had when I was a kid…heck, I wanted to do it again now! Oh well…maybe another trip.
This is typically when I share my photo challenge but I’m woefully behind. I will get caught up though and share them next week as well as the next months challenge.

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T Tuesday: short month edition

I’m always shocked at how quickly February rockets through and suddenly it’s March. This year is no exception. I haven’t even posted anything…ANYTHING…for two weeks. Geesh…talk about blog neglect. Thanks for coming back…truly!!

I did get a little creative a week or so ago. This journal page came from that little burst of creativity.

After applying some base colors I used a palette knife to scrape thick white paint across the top muting the colors somewhat. Next I tore tiny bits of washi tape and placed them in coordinating areas.  The black washi provided some interest and acted as a bit of a border. Finally I drew my signature flower in India ink.

As always here are my photo a day challenge results….

11. Begins with T …tailoring (fixed a broken zipper on choir dress)

12. My inspiration ….inspiration is everywhere! Colors and texture speak volumes

13. Bright 

14. I love …this goofy beast

15. Black & White

16. Travel 

17. In the details

18. Stripes

19. Beneath my feet ….icy parking lot…MN Winter

20. Time ….feeding time

21. Twirl

22. Little …that bullseye looks very little

I also had to share my custom laser engraved pencil made at school.

Mine!! :)

And of course it wouldn’t be T Tuesday without my beverage….

I drink about 3 of these 24oz bottles a day at school. I’m well hydrated.

T stands for Tuesday

Work and archery are on the docket for me.

What are you doing today?

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T Tuesday: early Valentine edition

Happy Valentine’s day! We are very low key around here with holiday much like the others. Must be more of that Mid-west mentality I so often spoken about.

I was inspired to create a journal page though.

It has hidden journaling under the greeting card I recycled. I like to disguise my journal thoughts when they are more personal and private. My journals sit out where anyone can pick them up and look through.

I added our initials to the heart. Sappy, I know.

Linking up with Art Journal Journey since I just noticed the current months theme is Animals A to Z.

Art Journal Journey

As always here’s a little update on the current photo a day challenge.

5.  Three ….salmon patties

6. Skyline

7. Doorway ….kid toys are the best

8, Beautiful

9. Pink …my favorite color

10. On the table …small burst of creativity

Happy Tuesday!

T stands for Tuesday
What re you doing today?

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