Art Journaling

I like to create and I like to journal. Now I'm not an artist but this "art journaling" intrigues me. I want to do it so bad but it is so out of my element! I don't like my workspace messy. I don't really even like to be messy and those two things seem to be at the heart of "art journaling"!

Some of my scrapbook buddies are very artistic and have mix media products. I did take a class back in the fall but felt like I was over my head. Anyway, one of these buddies (Shaunery) had posted a link from a blog about a free year long class creating an art journal (Journal52). Each week students will be given a prompt. Our first prompt was "Up, Up and Away". I wanted to make this a "scripture journal" of sorts or at least a "spiritual journal".

 I bought a spiral watercolor book to use. I began on the first page (the right side). I used Tim Holtz Distress inks putting the color on my non-stick craft mat adding water and applying with a paint brush onto the paper. Next I picked my image a Phyllis Harris Stamp by Unity. I stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored with Copic Markers. I then cut out the image and glued to the book. I then free handed with a pencil how I wanted the words on the page then went back over the pencil and filled in letters with my Faber-Castell Markers. I had a stamp with wings so I stamped it then added some stickles for a little sparkle and glued it to the page. The bird is also a stamp by Unity.





 Once I got through it just didn't seem right to not have something on the left side which is the inside cover. Because the inside cover is chipboard and not watercolor paper I used Gesso to cover so I

could paint it. The colors weren't quite the same but close enough for me except for the brown which didn't cover well at all. That's when I got the brilliant idea to try to simulate the beach. I had some Silver Crushed Glass Glitter and Aged Taupe Embossing Enamel to make the sand. I didn't intend for the area to be so big but oh well! I did like the effect!

The little girl is another Phyllis Harris Stamp by Unity that I colored with Copic Markers, cut and pasted to the page. I then took an old tool I bought several years ago from Creative Memories called Titletopia. It was designed as a letter and sticker placement aligner. I used it to make my wavy lines for my journaling. The scriptures I used had words like exalt, lift, soar, cast. I wasn't quite through adding scriptures when I took this picture but you get the idea. I also went back and erased the pencil lines.

I also altered the cover of my book. I used Gesso to prime it to take paint. Then used black acrylic paint to cover the entire front cover. I then added this little piece I had created a couple of months ago. I thought it fit perfectly. I did almost have a major blunder. I thought it would be a good idea to seal the front with Modge Podge. It would have been a good idea if all the colors I used on the words were water proof. However the red on the word "Truth" began to smear! Thankfully I caught it before I ruined my piece! I'm trying to decide if I want to do anymore to it or not. I may leave it as is. I did this much like I did the piece above. Painting the background with Distress ink like watercolor, using Faber-Castell pens for the words and another Phyllis Harris Stamp by Unity for the image.

This is fun but I find myself thinking "I should be scrapbooking"! I hope I can stay hooked up with the group. I am thankful that I have a week to do a page.

Hope you enjoyed my creative process. Hopefully I'll get better at it and learn to use some different products for different effects in the coming weeks.

Have a good one!

Out of My Element

I actually found a little time to craft although may I emphasis "little". Doyle and I have been working hard on preparing for the new horses that I've either not had time or was too tired when I did!

I don't take classes very often only because they usually fall on the Saturday's I don't work at the store and even though I really enjoy being at the store I do need some time at home. There was a class last Tuesday on Mixed Media with Jen Star. Three classes were offered that day. I really don't know anything about mixed media but the title and description of the class caught my attention. The class was "Memory Journaling". I like to journal and I like to craft so I thought "why not". I was soooo out of my element! I think I like it. It's just so different from anything I have ever done. It didn't help that I had been working at the barn all afternoon and had quit in time to come home to shower than dash off to class. I hadn't felt very good that day and I was physically tired. Not a good combination. I came home early and didn't finish the class. I worked on it some more today while working at the store. I have more to do but I'm liking it a bit better.

At first I wasn't sure what I would use it for then I thought I could use it as a book filled with "truths" that God reveals to me. The scripture from John 8:32 "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free" is on the purple corrugated paper.

This is the spine. I used a stencil and some paint for this textured look.

The I also designed to participate in the store's Designer of the Month Contest. I didn't participate at first because I didn't think I was eligible since I was an employee. Then I found out I could. I picked up my kit right before I learned that I was going to get three horses.

I was supposed to make a two page layout, card and another project with the contents in the kit. I managed to get a 2 page layout done but that was all before the deadline came and went!

Close up of the left page of the layout. My first outing in our boat with Doyle, Vanessa, Kashton, Kennedy and my dog Kaidence.

close up of right side of layout.

I am entering both projects in Cat's Creations WOW Wednesday. Leave me a comment for a chance to win a wonderful prize. A random commenter is chosen. Check of the other blogs who link up. I assure you that you will always find inspiration!

In my "spare time" (LOL!) Doyle and I kept Kashton Friday night. Vanessa had to coach the cheer squad at the football game and it had been raining all day. It was cool and damp and she didn't want him out in it. Doyle had him when I got home, feeding him. He slept long enough for me to cook dinner.

After he woke up he wanted to play. He was very intrigued by this puzzle.

He may not can put the pieces in the right place but he sure knows how to chew them!

I think someone is happy and spoiled!


Have a good one!