• Art - Blog - Creativity

    Texture rich journal page

    February 7, 2019 - By 

    Recently the cold weather had me reaching out for warmth anywhere I could think of…it really showed through in the warm colors of this journal page.

    Can’t you feel the warmth radiating off the page?? Come on now…use your imagination..ah isn’t that better. Toasty warm.

    The image I chose made me think not of a masquerade ball as intended but to something sneaky…not dark and sinister but sly and cunning. I had to find the right words to match my thoughts.

    Don’t you just love it when things work out like that!

    Did you check out the texture!?! My first layer on this page was tissue paper. Over top I blended several shades of yellow and orange with my fingers until the overall look pleased the senses. Seeking more texture I attempted to stamp with some nearly ancient pigment ink pads…alas they left very little mark. Then I had the idea to smudge them here and there then sprinkle clear embossing powder over top. I had hoped I’d get more color from the ink…it was not to be.  Then I decided to get even more aggressive with the ink pads and use some UTEE in copper. I really love the end result.

    I also added some bits of leftover rub-on quotes I had laying around. I think it adds to the mystery of the page and what the masked woman is planning to deny.


    My last step was to add a bit of India ink loosely around the edges to act as a frame.

    Linking up today with Art Journal Journey for Yellow.

    Art Journal Journey
  • Art - Blog - Creativity

    We flew

    November 25, 2018 - By 

    Lately most of my time has been spent creating journals, writing in them or thinking about them…but not art journals.

    I tend to do this…I get completely obsessed with one thing and virtually abandon the rest for a time. Art journals and mixed media always find there way back to me. They are my true calling.

    Today though I knew I wanted to art journal. I started out with some dress pattern paper and gelatos for that lovely aged yellow color. I added bits of torn fabric and papers in opposite corners of my spread. I then added some red and gold with a variety of sprays and golden paints.

    After that I wasn’t really sure other than I thought I needed another color…something contrasting. I came across a tattered book mark in my stash. The colors of the flowers matched perfectly and the blue gave that contrasting color I was looking for.

    After I decided on the wooden bird for the opposite page I dug out my sealing wax just for fun. I haven’t use it in ages. My cousin and I got little sets back in the early 1980’s when we were girls and wrote letters to each other. I still have my set and a few more seals that I’ve picked up over the years just because they are pretty and kind of a unique thing to come across at a rummage sale.

    I happened to find a journal tag that was the right color blue to act as a perch for my bird. The words we flew jumped out at me from my box of found text. I thought a bit of loopy thread gave some nice texture and was a bit reminiscent of a nest.

    The tag looked a little boring so I used a bit of distress ink on a script stamp for a little more vintage feel. I didn’t have a brad the right color so I dipped a white one in paint then sprinkled with baking soda. once it dried It had a nice muted appearance in just the right color.

    I’m super happy that I gave in to my impulse and got creative today.

    Linking up with Art Journal Journey for Vintage or Modern

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

    Vintage linen remake

    November 24, 2018 - By 

    I have so many vintage linens squirreled away in boxes. It’s really a shame. Lately I’ve been thinking about purging some things especially things that no longer bring me joy. My trouble is that I have a hard time parting with some of these vintage pieces. I’m beginning my journey of letting go by cutting up the stained and tattered ones first because in reality…who’s going to want them other than me for sentimental value.

    These pieces were just waiting for an opportunity to come together.

    I’ve added the completed piece to enhance my laundry room decor.

    I think perhaps this is a good first step in letting go by being able to hold onto a little piece…if that even makes sense.