• Art - Blog - Creativity

    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.

     

  • Art - Blog - Creativity

    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.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

    Art Journal Journey
  • Art - Blog - Creativity

    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.

    What are you doing today?