This art journal page had me seeing circles!  The mixed media watercolor paper was a sturdy base to support brushing on a layer plain water and adding drops of Liquitex Acrylic Inks randomly around the page.  When the ink hit the water it dispersed and made beautiful ripples of color.  The pink spiral shape was hand cut from scrap paper and adhered to the page using gel medium.  I mixed a little pink Liquitex Acrylic Ink with modeling paste on a side palette and spread it around the paper spiral with a palette knife.  The texture of modeling paste makes any surface come alive.  Some random paper arrows, doodling, magazine words, and vintage labels completed the circular motion while adding text.

And what’s not to love about this little guy?  A perfect digital image from Deviant Scrap.

Sharing My Art:

http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/challenge-82-anything-goes-dt-call-and.html

http://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2013/06/color-throwdown-246.html

http://cachallenge.blogspot.com/2013/06/rounds-circles-and-dots.html

http://www.craftdoormagazine.com/2013/06/ttcrd-challenge-june-11-june-17.html

http://www.ladyanneschallenges.com/4/post/2013/06/a-fond-farewell-to-nana-vics-challenge.html

http://sassycheryls.blogspot.com/2013/06/show-me-thursday-123.html

http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2013/06/chall-187-lets-go-pink.html

http://digihaven.blogspot.ca/2013/06/anything-goes-challenge-for-our-one.html

http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/2013/06/inspire-me-fridays-107-anything-goes.html

This art journal page incorporates several of my favorite Eat Cake Graphics images.  You can browse all the adorable, charming and of course whimsical images here: www.eatcakegraphics.com.

As a mixed media artist, creating the perfect art journal layout includes layers of color, loads of supplies, and very messy fingers.  I go through times where I feel “lost” in the midst of so many jars of Gesso, bottles of inks and tubes of paint to the point where creating becomes laborious. For a nice change of pace, I have prioritized the simplicity of creating an art journal page with fewer supplies selected from my large stash.  Several of my simple favorite go to items are packed into a canvas Thirty-One tote and placed beside my favorite chair near a large window.  This page is an example of finding simple joy in a few rubber stamps, some ink and my well-loved sharpies.  It was refreshing to be so carefree with simple coloring and mindless doodling.  This funky modern theme is perfect to show a little love for the over indulgence of social media in our everyday lives.

Sharing My Art:

http://craftingmusketeers.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/welcome-to-our-2nd-challenge.html

http://houseofgilli.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/your-favorite-color-combo.html

http://kreativeinkauf-challenge.blogspot.de/2013/05/kreativeinkauf-challenge-3-1505-1406.html

http://seemacrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/junes-challenge-mixed-media.html

http://bunnyzoescrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/june-challenge-wings.html

http://createdwithlovechallenges.blogspot.com/2013/06/cwlc-45-anything-goes.html

http://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/challenge-7-rockin-rubbah.html

http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/2013/06/mim-144b-with-nicecrane-designs-b.html

http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/?p=867

http://avenue613.blogspot.com/2013/06/challenge-23-anything-goes-optional.html

http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/challenge-22-anything-goes.html

http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/2013/06/june-challenge.html

http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/2013/06/challenge-10.html

http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/anything-goes-and-dt-call.html

http://sassycheryls.blogspot.com/2013/05/show-me-thursday-122.html

 In Other News:

My “Nice Threads” creation was selected as……

                    A WINNER!!!

The Boys (stick robots) image from Eat Cake Graphics,www.eatcakegraphics.com, was the perfect image for a twist on the sentiment “Nice Threads”.  All well made robots are held together with handfuls of screws, right?  The thread of the screws keep these guys from falling apart.  The image was colored with Tombow Watercolor Markers and blended together with a water brush.  Layered paper, a cool sentiment, and a silver screw brought together the perfect card.  This is a great image to use for the upcoming Father’s Day celebration.

My art was shared with:

http://www.abcchallenges.blogspot.com/2013/06/abc31-masculine-cards.html

http://createdwithlovechallenges.blogspot.com/2013/06/cwlc-44-anything-goes.html

http://pinkbydesignstamps.com/2013/06/03/boys-boys-boys/#.Ua0tAt_D-M8

http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.com/2013/06/challenge-68-fathers-day-or-special-guy.html

http://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/challenge-7-rockin-rubbah.html

http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/2013/06/mim-143-with-kennyk.html

http://melonheadzfriends.blogspot.com/2013/05/fathers-day-andor-male-inspired.html

http://craftspotbykimberly.blogspot.com/2013/06/monday-challenge-100-dad.html

http://pinandtack.blogspot.com/2013/06/spark-your-creativity-now-challenge-10.html

http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/simon-saysanything-goes_29.html

http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/challenge-82-anything-goes-sponsored-by.html

http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/2013/05/sister-act-card-challenge-9.html

http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/june-anything-goes-at-bugaboo.html

http://www.pumpkinspiceblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/sps-blog-hop-winner-announcements.html

http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/2013/05/challenge-11-dad.html

http://creativecraftchallenges2.blogspot.com/2013/05/challenge-11-for-fellas.html

http://carabbiemomentsofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/masculine-cards.html

http://ablognamedhero.blogspot.com/2013/06/challenge-25-its-mans-mans-mans-world.html

http://www.cardztv.blogspot.com/2013/05/fathers-day-ctv-challenge-30.html

http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/2013/05/challenge-105-fathers-day.html

http://thescrapbookingqueen-challenge.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-queens-royal-digi-challenge-22.html

http://ladybugcrafts.blogspot.com/2013/06/june-challenge-for-men-in-your-life.html

An art journal page showing the gateway to understanding a person happens from the inside out.  I believe when a person decides to change a habit, lifestyle, routine, or perspective it must begin on the inside; behind the eyes. More importantly I believe the key to successful personal relationships is to stop long enough to look into their eyes.  It’s amazing how something so simple can make such a big difference.  May this art journal page serve as a visual reminder to do something for someone you love that’s budget friendly and yet incredibly thoughtful; Look deep into their eyes.  Trust me, you’ll gain a new perspective.

The butterfly hair accessory was created by mixing gel medium, glass bead medium, and liquid acylic color.  Once mixed; lay a stencil atop a piece of wax paper and using a pallette knife thickly spread the mixture over the shape.  Pull off stencil and allow to dry over night.  Once dry, peel shape off wax paper and adhere to any project.  The head was created with a hoarded old stash of pages from a discarded book.

All stamped images (window & quote) are from Eat Cake Graphics.

It’s time you take a look!

 Sharing my work:

http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com/2013/04/challenge-109.html

http://craft-roomchallenge.blogspot.com/2013/04/challenge-so-sentimental.html

http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/challenge-50-favourite-colour-combo.html

http://oldiebutagoodiechallenge.blogspot.com/2013/04/make-it-girly.html

http://www.craftdoormagazine.com/2013/04/ttcrd-april-23-april-29.html

http://www.craftybloggersnetwork.blogspot.com/2013/04/challenge-10-sponsored-by-rick-st-dennis.html

http://craftybootschallenges.blogspot.com/2013/04/recycle.html

http://cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/challenge-42-clean-and-simple.html

http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/2013/04/mim-137-with-pink-paper-paradise.html

http://sparklingblackrose-craftmylife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/my-all-crafts-challenge-5.html

http://memascrafts.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-anything-goes-challenge.html

http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/2013/04/challenge-color.html

http://avenue613.blogspot.com/2013/04/challenge-16-anything-goescolor-twist.html

http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/challenge-18-anything-goes.html

http://crafty-emblies.blogspot.co.uk/p/challenge.html

http://joannasheenchallenge.blogspot.ca/2013/04/recycle.html

http://kennykskraftykrew.blogspot.com/2013/04/challenge-140-anything-goes.html

http://sassycheryls.blogspot.com/2013/04/show-me-119.html

This midnight hour art journal page is based on the saying: “Don’t believe anything your mind tells you after 10 o’clock at night?”  Makes total sense to me!  After all, the monster under your bed only lives there after dark and the closet is only spooky when the sun sets.  This silly analogy can be applied seriously to difficult moments in life where the clock seems to be stuck on the midnight hour.

During the midnight hour it’s easy to listen to your mind and believe that nothing good will exist in the darkness nor will anything beautiful survive until the morning.  I’m suggesting that even in the darkness there is something beautiful taking place.

This art journal page using mixed media was created to train my perspective during the midnight hour experience.  Even if I have to squint I want to see the beautiful colors of fragrant flowers.  The flowers were hand painted on a black acrylic painted background, the words were cut from an old magazine, and the fairy image was embossed with white powder.  The adorable fairy image can be found at Eat Cake Graphics.

May you be encouraged to find the beauty in the midst of the midnight hour.

Sharing My Art:

http://www.craftdoormagazine.com/2013/02/ttcrd-challenge-feb-5-feb-11.html

http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2013/02/anything-goes.html

http://paperminutes.blogspot.com/2013/02/paperminutes-255-zitate-quotes.html

http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/2013/02/challenge-38-anything-goes.html

http://lejdesignschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/lej-designs-challenge-no-39-anything.html

http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/2013/02/anything-goes.html

http://artisticinspirationscrafts.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.craftybloggersnetwork.blogspot.com/2013/02/challenge-8-sponsored-by-elizabeth-bell.html

http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/2013/02/mim-126-with-kenny-k.html

http://sassycheryls.blogspot.com/2013/01/show-me-110.html

This vintage love artist trading card completes the alphabet swap with my local art clubbers.  My final contribution was letter “x”.  This letter of the alphabet usually shines the most in February appearing as code love messages understood by folks even at a young age.  The popular X suggests ((hugs)) and paired with an “o” makes a complete loving gesture of hugs and kisses.  So to celebrate the letter “x” I created my version of a vintage valentine.

The main image was cut from a gift bag I had on hand from years prior.  A little altering on the size and color brightness this little fisher boy became an easy focal point.  The perfect cardstock altered with oil pastels, metallic rub-ons, and a pretty circle boarder started to make this love message fit for the perfect catch.  The designer cardstock also was adorned with just the right amount of glitter.  The gold edging was applied and added to the vintage appeal. The metal fish brad was sprayed with R29 using the Copic Airbrush System.

 Some whimsical doodling proved to be the best solution to make all the elements fuse together.  Can’t wait to swap these with my fellow art lovers next weekend because this is one adorable vintage valentine artist trading card.

Submitted:

http://avadareschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/avadares-challenge-3-make-it-sparkle.html

http://cardmakinmamas.blogspot.com/2012/08/goodbyes-and-hearts.html

http://deliciousdoodleschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/09/we-are-back-challenge-1.html

http://fairytale-challengeblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/challenge-49-etwas-aus-metall-anything.html

http://jellyparkchallenges.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-new-challenge-for-you-all-about.html

http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.com/2012/08/challenge-21-so-old-or-vintage.html

http://inthepinkchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/challenge-3-pink-and-anything-but-square.html

http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/2012/08/anything-goes-challenge.html

http://www.retrodolly.net/archives/1030

http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.com/2012/09/challenge-106-metal-and-blog-hop-gdt.html

http://sassycheryls.blogspot.com/2012/09/show-me-90.html

Before I reveal a new creation……

I’m elated to announce my “No Joke: I’m Queen” ATC was chosen as a favorite

over on the Stampotique Challenge Site by Maria.

 You can follow the link below to see for yourself!

Thanks Maria for including my art in your top picks.

http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/05/sdc54-family.html

 Now Showing: {Nine} Lives

The alphabet themed Artist Trading Card Swap continues in my local art club with the letter “N” as my assignment.  This letter made with 3 straight lines gave me a rough time.  My brainstorming began with making a list of “N” things until something caught my fancy.  Whew!  After quite a long list and a few false starts, I finally gave the stamp of approval to the cat with {Nine} lives.

The rubber stamps used for this ATC are from Stamps by Judith & Heather.  All images were colored with Copic Markers.

Choosing {Nine} lives as my letter “N” representative was a great way to use this Halloween Cat image and give her a whole new life wearing a very fancy hat.  Her hat is adorned with a #9 using a retro label maker, a flower, (colored with the same Copic red as the hat), a tiny yellow brad for the flower middle and some shimmery green ribbon.  Now this cat regardless of how many lives she has left will be in style for more than just Halloween.  So tell me, it makes you want to buy a red hat, doesn’t it?

All stamped images were cut out using fine detail scissors.  The sentiment was created by stringing beads on silver wire and wrapping the ends to secure the beads in position.  Even though I had a rough start with this task, I am thrilled at the result.  It was also fun to create something in a little more “clean” style as opposed to my traditional “messy grunge” style.  Hooray for letter “N”.

Playing Along:

http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/05/winners-of-sweet-tooth-challenge.html

http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-flowers.html

http://trulyscrumptiouschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/05/challenge-80anything-goes.html

http://wishcraftcards.blogspot.com/2012/05/waste-not-wednesdays-wk19.html

http://craftyourdaysaway.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/challenge-45-all-creatures-great-and.html

http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/2012/05/challenge-39-anything-goes.html

http://www.ibrakeforchallenges.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-brake-for-florals.html

http://blog.oozak.com/2012/04/challenge-2-spring-colors.html

http://www.scrapitgirl.net/index.php/2012/05/01/april-showers-bring-the-may-flowers-challenge/

http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/

http://funwithatcs.blogspot.com/2012/05/challenge-61-huthute.html

An Artist Trading Card created to celebrate Moth Fab becoming Queen.  People thought she was wasting her time pursuing royalty, but it appears she is getting the last laugh!  Never give up on your dreams regardless of how absurd they appear to other people.

The background of laughing people was collaged and sprayed with Copic color, using the Copic Airbrushing System.  The spraying of color allows for a beautiful transition from one color hue to another, making this Artist Trading Card pleasing to the eye.

 The Stampotique image “Moth Fab,” found here:  http://www.stampotique.com/stamp/penney-torrente/6048.html, was stamped and cut out using fine detail scissors.  Her dress and a portion of her hair was also detail cut and paper pieced using designer pattern paper.  Moth Fab’s skin tone was applied with a paint brush using sparkling watercolors.

The Queen was completed with the perfect crown adorned with yellow stickles and pink rhinestones.  The rhinestones were colored with Copic Marker R85.  The crown was enhanced by popping it off the card using foam squares.  The sentiment was cut from various children’s books collected from a thrift store, and sprayed with Copic color.

I am thrilled with the Goth-Like royalty displayed on this ATC.  I was going to give it away to someone who left a comment……but instead it will be used quite possible in my art journal! 

Playing Along:

http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/04/sdc53-atc-artist-trading-cards.html

http://poisonedpeas.blogspot.com/

http://www.scrapbooksisters.blogspot.com/2012/05/card-challenge-82.html

http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-130-anything-goes.html

http://wishcraftcards.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/waste-not-wednesdays-wk17.html

http://creativecraftchallenges2.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/anything-goes-may-1st.html

http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/2012/05/challenge-82-favourite-colour-combo.html

http://funwithatcs.blogspot.com/2012/04/challenge-60-diva.html

http://lejdesignschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/challenge-1-anything-goes.html

http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2012/05/anything-goes.html

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/2012/05/shopping-our-stash-challenge-50-mothers.html

http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/2012/04/challenge-75-anything-but-card.html

http://sassycheryls.blogspot.com/2012/05/show-me-74.html

Creating a mixed media art journal is rewarding because it allows your spirit to be completely set free to try new techniques, your mind to include those beloved hoarded embellishments (because you get to keep them forever in your journal), and your mind continues to art journal, even if your hands aren’t working, because your eyes see everything in a new light, sources of great texture, inspiring quotes, or that must do color combination.

Art journaling requires no special supplies or expensive equipment.  It can begin with just a hardcover book purchased from the thrift store.  Paint the pages with White Gesso.  White Gesso works like a primer and creates a smooth base for any type of art medium.  Once your page is primed it’s ready to roll.

This week I enjoyed using stamped images which include the hanging lanterns and bicycle.  You can purchase these images from Stamping Bella.

The images were painted with watercolor crayons and a water brush.  Stickles added a subtle touch of sparkle to the lanterns.

Can you spot one of my favorite embellishments on the bike?  So happy that I can use it in a project, and yet it’s still mine.  (I know, I have issues)  The chipboard arrows were painted with acrylic paint.

The acrylic painted flowers were done free hand and texture was added by swirling the wrong end of the paint brush around in the freshly painted color.  The color of these flowers just snap on that green background and certainly are a roadside attraction to all who pass by.

The sayings “ride into the sunset” and “roadside attraction” were cut out of the new and improved JC Penny Catalog.  If you still have one of those lying around or receive one in the mail soon, read through the sayings in there!  They are delish!  I never mind sharing my stash with others…..but now that I have fallen in love with this catalog, I have a hard time letting this one go!  Right, Sue?    This baby is ALL MINE!!!

 Hope you are able to get a bike ride in today…

And don’t forget to notice the lovely roadside attractions…

Playing Along:

http://artwithnoboundaries.blogspot.com/2012/04/challenge-6-anything-goes.html

http://www.houseofgilli.blogspot.com/

http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/2012/04/make-it-monday-85-with-meljens-designs.html

http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.com/2012/04/challenge-103.html

http://stampwithfun.blogspot.com/2012/04/challenge157-lieblingsfarben.html

http://trulymadlycraftychallenges.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-challenge.html

http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/2012/04/lets-make-it-free-and-easy.html

http://www.creativeinspirationspaint.blogspot.com/2012/04/ci-paints-inspired-by-spring.html

http://letsinkitup.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/challenge-22.html

http://papersundaes.blogspot.com/2012/04/paper-sundaes-challenge-116-anything.html

http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/2012/04/challenge-159-freebie-week.html

http://www.thehybridchick.com/2012/04/card-caravan-challenge-17-spring/

http://sassycheryls.blogspot.com/2012/04/show-me-71.html

http://www.doodleartifacts.blogspot.com/

The winner of the handmade pink paper is:

 Comment #3:  Holly Young.

Holly’s Comment:  These are so cute!  I absolutely love the background you created for your cute pigs!  Thanks for playing in Squigglefly’s challenge!

Congrats, Holly!  Please use the contact form on this blog to send me your address and these beautiful papers will arrive quickly in your mailbox.  Thanks for leaving a comment and I hope you enjoy using these papers for a special project!