• Art - Blog - Creativity

    I didn’t dream it

    August 5, 2020 - By 

    I’ve started working in a new journal.  So far this one is focused on texture. Not a conscious choice but I see the pattern developing.

    The sky was the limit on what I used on this page, which may seem odd since there isn’t that much color going on.

    I started out by taping down the center of the binding with masking tape. I added some ripped pieces along an imaginary horizon line to start my texture process. Next I added ripped pieces of drywall tape. The texture wasn’t feeling right to me so I grabbed some light texture paste. I’m not sure what has happened to the jar but it was weird…I used it anyway but it got my pages really wet.

    After drying them with a heat gun, I grabbed a jar of white house paint I’d been using for paint pouring a couple years ago. It has really thickened over time in the old peanut butter jar. Perfect!

    I walked away for a while as I often do. Do you complete a page in one sitting? Doesn’t happen much for me…always seem to be waiting for something to dry. When I came back some of the white paint was STILL wet…I decided to sprinkle some baking soda over the wet areas. I rubbed some of it in…other areas I continued to let dry.

    I knew that I wanted to make all the texture pop so I used sage green distress paint and sprayed water to make it flow. While it was still wet I dripped some brown and gold glimmer mists as well. I used a paper towel to mop up excess moisture in places. Used the heat gun to partially dry…and start the process all over again.

    It wasn’t quite blue enough for me so I used a watercolor crayon to make the blues pop since I had already picked out the teal textured card stock and tiny piece of vintage wallpaper.

    Since I’ll never be accused of less is more…I grabbed some pigment powders and knocked some powder off a fluffy brush onto the wet page. Now I was really loving where this was headed.  I took it outside and sprayed satin  clear coat to set the powders.

    I used the same products to color a small piece of plaster casting to add yet another layer. The tag is punched from Tim Holtz packaging. It was too pretty to toss.

    I didn’t lie when I said I used a little bit of everything on this page!

    Linking up with Art Journal Journey for Alison’s theme of Pockets and Tags.

    Art Journal Journey
  • Art - Blog - Creativity

    For a minute

    June 11, 2020 - By 

    I wanted to share my latest art journal page for A Stitch in Time on Art Journal Journey.

    I decided to go with an asymmetrical page again…I like how the edges add interest to the page. The patterned paper with the clock face is from a 12×12 piece of scrapbook paper from my stash. I have no recollection of when or where I got it. I have picked up box lots of craft supplies/scrapbook supplies etc. Unless I purchased something myself, I really stink at remembering a source…and even then its a little iffy.

    The tag is an offcut of a masterboard I created. I love how much interest is created in a simple tag creating them in this fashion.  The stitching is both decorative and utilitarian. it holds down any bits that were not properly glued.

    I added a beautiful dyed skeleton leaf as a dramatic backdrop for my found text.

    Won’t you join in the fun for A Stitch in Time?

    Art Journal Journey
  • Around home - Art - Blog - Creativity

    Where I’ve been….

    December 27, 2019 - By 

    Hello!! I bet you thought I forgot all about blogging. December has been full of highs and lows….none of which had me racing to the keyboard to share. Since my last completed post was December 3rd, we have a great deal of catching up to do.

    December 10th I actually had a partial post written for T Tuesday wrapping up November.

    T Tuesday: November wrap-up edition

    I’m a little slow on the draw lately. I’m finally wrapping up November. Technically, I’m not fully wrapped up since I haven’t completed the #junkjournalnov19 prompts. But just go with me on this.

    11/30 Zodiac sign

    12/30 Autumn evening

    14/30 Dress

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

    As you can see I never finished the post including missing one of the days. That’s ok…I’m learning to embrace imperfection.

    December really was a whirlwind. Lots of activities, snowstorms, J coming home for winter break, shopping, cooking, sewing, shoveling, cleaning, decorating and a little bit of creating.

    Everything came to a screeching halt when I threw my back out on December 12th….the morning of Mini-me’s holiday choir concert…also a Thursday. This was really unfortunate because my chiropractor doesn’t work on Thursday! I always seem to break on a Thursday!

    The last 2 weeks have been painful and scary at times. I’ve had an urgent care visit, 2 ER visits, 2 injections, 5 medications, an MRI, 7 days of missed work and numerous chiropractor visits…including one today.

    In the end, I’m doing much better. Diagnostic tests came back good, the healing process is moving forward. My back still is easily fatigued and a bit fragile but something really positive came out of this. I’m learning to ask for help, let others do, letting go of things I can’t change and embrace the chaos.