Gettin' sketchy...

Testing out some new coloured pencils. Forcing myself to draw without a pencil, so I'm trying the next best thing.  Prismacolor's Col-Erase Pencils!  They were fun to use! 

Push yourself out of your comfort zone, think outside the box!  Always remember, It doesn't have to be perfect!

A little mish mash....

So I've been down and out in bed for the past week with a not-so-nice cold and flu....my friends on fb were probably wondering what got into me with the influx of activity that was going on as I'm not a huge 'facebooker', but the good thing about it is I've caught up with some unfinished business in my blog world so stay tuned for a blast of posts coming your way.... ;)

I'm sharing with you today a journal page I did way back in April and a few favourite finds from my past shopping adventures!

This is the first journal page I finished in my smaller art journal (my favourite journal to use - Dylusions Creative Journal by Dyan Reaveley 5x8 by Ranger).  I was simply just playing around with some new stencils, paint, and india ink.  I know it looks so "dark" and "meaninful" with the black drips of ink pouring from the heart and the word love.....but it was really just me playing around with my new dropper tool and trying to write with different types of india ink - which I love by the way!!!

I picked up these super cool block-printing stamps by Blockwallah on a trip we made to New York City with some good friends way back in June.  We were only there for an extended weekend but the crafty minority of the bunch had our sights set on making it to The Ink Pad.  As soon as I saw them I knew I had to have them!  Blockwallah Wooden Stamps are hand carved in India so each one is unique and speaks of the craftsmanship of its artist. Crafted in a range of contemporary and traditional designs these wooden stamps will give your art a truly unique quality. Blockwallah can be used on both fabric and paper. Blockwallah works closely with local artisans in India providing impoverished women with employment throughout the production process.

Stay tuned for upcoming projects featuring these stamps!

And lastly, my favourite thing that sits on my desk right now is this new pencil case by BlueQ.  I have a healthy collection of their tins, bags, zipper pouches and pencil cases that I keep my art supplies in and this one is by far my favourite!  It speaks for itself I think!  

Some of my favourite quotes:  (had to share today)

Spread love everywhere you go.  Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.  ~Mother Teresa

It's not our job to play judge and jury, to determine who is worthy of our kindness and who is not. We just need to be kind, unconditionally and without ulterior motive, even - or rather, especially - when we'd prefer not to be.  ~Josh Radnor

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.  ~Philo

Well there you have it!  A little catch up and a glimpse of what lies in my messy art space.  More coming your way!  Have a great weekend and as always thanks for stopping by my blog today!

#CanadaStrong

Dina is in da house!!!

Well, not the actual human version lol (how cool would that be?), but I finally have her amazing new stamps now so I'll settle with that!  I mentioned in an earlier post that I'd show you another one of my favourite moments from CHA, meeting Dina Wakley!  This amazingly talented and inspirational woman was one of my favourite peeps to meet walking around the floor!  Its so much fun meeting the people who's work you admire and inspires you!  I asked her if she wouldn't mind signing my art journal...She said 'absolutely', took my journal opened it to a blank page and LOOK WHAT SHE DID!  Omg I was thrilled, (and just may have gasped with excitement along with some of the other ladies at the table).  It was amazing how effortless she made it look, seriously people, she did this page in only a few minutes!  Now I have an original signed piece....wow!  Not only was she a doll to talk to she's also very down to earth, she's one cool chick!!!  Thanks Dina, you made my day!!!

So the Ranger order from CHA finally came in at The Scrapping Bug and I just couldn't wait to get my hands on them and play!  These stamps make me so happy!!!  For the giant tag below I used Dina's new Media stamp set 'Face in the Crowd'...and lots of Tim Holtz distress paint and Crafters Workshop stencils etc...

I was really just playing around with a bunch of new paints and stamps, no plan in mind, I just cut loose and had fun!  The tag below was made using a Unity Stamp, some TCW Balzer Bits and the same Face in the Crowd set by Dina and my new Silk Acrylic Glaze paints.....they are so dreamy!  I loooove them!  

The Scribbly Bird stamp set from Dina is probably one of my favourite sets....because you just have to 'put a bird on it'....lol!  

 I used some acrylic paints, glossy accents (for the branch) and just played around!  So much FUN!

Well there you have it, my Dina post!  lol...I'll post some other pics soon where I've coloured up some faces with the 'All the Gals' stamp set using copics!  These stamps are very versatile and can be used with any medium!

Thanks for stopping by today, have a great weekend!

Supplies used:

Whipped Spackle Jar 100 ml (#770318)	Gesso (#770302)	Heat it - Craft Tool	Claudine Hellmuth - Studio Paints - Modern Red
Craft Tags - Manilla Tag #5	Ranger Craft Tags #10 - Manila	Stamper's Big White Pen (#770013)	TH Layering Stencil Schoolhouse
Stamper's Big Brush Pen LIGHT BLUE (#770007)	Ranger Glossy Accents	Tim Holtz Broken China	Tim Holtz - Distress Paint Salty Ocean
Tim Holtz- Antique Linen

InLinkz.com

Watercolors...Love 'em!!!

Happy Saturday everybody!!!  I have a quick little post today showing you a fun watercolor piece I did in my watercolor journal a while ago.  The stamp is from Unity and I used my beloved Peerless watercolors!  

This panel is about 6x6 and was done by stamping the adorable image using Archival Black Ink.  Then I just had some fun with all the beautiful colours in my Peerless pack!  I drew in a little border and filled it in with some black and white acrylic paint pens.  After I trimmed it down I used the leftovers and cut out some hearts and added them to the top of the tree.  This was a fun piece to make, it can be put on a card, or in an art journal or right now its just sitting on a little easel on my desk!  Love it!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Supplies Used:

Playing along with:

Virginia's View - Watercolors

Paint Party Friday

'Favourite Things' - Art Journal Page

Hi Everyone!  Today is my first post designing for Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft®!  I'm so super excited and thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful team and can't wait to show you all the awesome things you can create using some of these products!  

Today I've posted an Art Journal page titled 'Favourite Things':

For a full tutorial on how I made this layout please visit the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft® Blog for all the details!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Enjoy the rest of your week!

Give hope a chance to float up.....

Hello folks!  Back again to share another art journal page.  

My inspiration today started with a quote from the movie Hope Floats.  

"Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, 

But its the middle that counts the most.  

Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning.

Just give hope a chance to float up, 

and it will..."

Supplies used in this page:  Acrylic paint, book paper, gelatos, gesso, buttons, designer paper, unity stamp by Christy Tomlinson, Faber Castell Pitt pens, Caran D'ache Neocolors, mod podge.

I was finally able to play with my Unity stamp designed by Christy Tomlinson.  I love her She Art and thought this would be a fast and easy way to add a girl to a journal page.  I stamped her on multiple pieces of designer paper to get different colours for the skin (book paper), wings, shirt and dress.  Then I added some paint, Neocolors, doodles and Faber Castell Pitt pens. 

Here is a little list of where you can find some amazing artsy crafty inspiration!  They sure keep me motivated and inspired! 

ARTISTS IN BLOGLAND

BALZER DESIGNS

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY

CREATIVE EVERYDAY

Do more of what makes you HAPPY!!!!

Hi crafty peeps!  I had a small window of opportunity to pop on and post a new journal page I recently finished.  Have I told you how much I love the Art Journal?  Its such a stress reliever to just play around and finally get to use all the art supplies I have been hoarding over the years!  

This page started by simply ripping some dp (Pink Paislee by Christy Tomlinson) into grass blades and flower petals.  I created my background using Gesso, Golden Acrylic Paint (teal), Tim Holtz Distress Paint Daubers, The Crafters Workshop stencils, Faber Castell Pitt Pens, Glitter, Tim Holtz alphabet stamps, black marker, old book paper, & Mod Podge to name a few supplies ;)  I wanted to keep with the dp theme and I ripped some letters for my quote!!!  

Here is a close up of the flower!

If you are into Art Journaling, or have even just thought about it, you must check out the following blogs:  Julie Balzer's Blog, BALZER DESIGN,  There's a section called ART JOURNAL EVERY DAY, with a big linky list full of great inspiration!!!  ALSO,  ARTISTS IN BLOGLAND, you MUST check it out and play along!  Artsyville Blog is so much fun I played along for the GLUE IT TUESDAY challenge!!!  There definately was alot of glue used on this page!  Another fun and full of inspiration artsy blog is CREATIVE EVERY DAY! May's theme is flowers!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a HAPPY week!!!

More mixed media goodness!!! Art Journal cover part 1...

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Well I know its been a while since I've posted some mixed media art but its never too late right?  Now that I've unpacked ALL of my art supplies etc...I've been able to begin where I left off, playing with the endless amount art supplies that fill my craft room/office.  I've also frequented a few 'new to me' local crafty/art stores and have had a good dose of retail therapy.  Picked up a 'few' (ahem) supplies and I've been on my way!  I scooped up a new Art Journal at The Scrapping Bug and have been busy over the last few months 'playing'.

Anyway, today I'm showing you the work-in-progress cover of my art journal.  Since I don't really know exactly what I want to do with it I just dabble here and there.  I did know I wanted to use that totally awesome Suzi Blu stamp I got at The Art House Studio.  See the little painter/artist girl?  I loooove Suzi Blu and her funky fun style.  She's such an inspiration!

Here's a close up of the artist stamp.  I've added a smile to her face and some long flowing locks as well.  You can see what the original stamp looks like in the watermarked image below.  I've altered it a bit to suit my style.  She was coloured with a few copics and mostly my prismacolor pencils and gamsol. 

 

For the wall, I used the mini brick stencil from The Crafters Workshop and went over it with some molding paste adding a few wood stars into it.  I went over the bricks with some pan pastels but not overly happy with that so still working on that area.

I'm planning on adding a quote or verse to the front, just haven't found 'the one' yet.  Here's a list of some other supplies I've used on the cover:  Faber Castell Pitt Pens, Golden Acrylic Paint, Washi Tape, Dylusions Ink Sprays, Stencils, bubble wrap and Pan Pastels. 

Art journaling is a fabulous way to get lost from everyday stressors, be free and creative and to just play and have fun.  Try it, you'll like love it!  Oh and also a little 'shout out' to my new awesome crafty friends who may help me along with the inspiration ;) !!!

Thanks for stopping by!