DLP Week#2

I struggled with this week's page. Sometimes I have an idea and it looks great in my head but I end up changing it up as I create and than...not so good. My philosophy has always been "Just keep swimming". I teach my students: just keep adding and working on it and all of a sudden bam it starts to look good or at least better. I think I salvaged this page but it is not one of my favorites and that is ok. Not all pages are going to be winners but you can learn from them. Come join the fun at The Documented Life Project.

  January 10
Art Challenge:  Gesso
Journal Prompt:  “The beginning is always today.” -Mary Shelley

This page started with a deli paper gelli print. I cut a snowflake with my cricut and used it as a  mask with a make up sponge and some dark purple metallic paint. I wanted the snowflake to pop more so I tried irRESISTIBLE embellisher. It has a fine tip designed to write with embossing ink in it. I embossed the edges using white. The embellisher worked fairly well but I can see it will take a little practice to make it perfect.I didn't want to put the whole quote, just for times sake so I kept it simple. At this point the page was blucky. Here came the add, add part. I added the tag with a stamped quote, dated with a batik ribbon and distressed the edges using the same purple paint. Next some small rub-ons were in order. Finally I added super heavy gesso as the challenge goes, around the edges to create snow like crevices. Once dry adding the same purple paint, scuffing it up to have the texture pop. At this point, called er done. 

As I write this and dissect the page I do like it more. The page is growing on me! Don't forget to make some time to create today!

Inspiration Wednesday #1

Hello!!! I have actually gotten quite a lot of art journal fun in the last couple of days. I find my goal of staying on top of 2 projects is really helping me make that happen. The first is Documented Life Project (see last post). The second is Donna Downey's Inspiration Wednesday class. I have been following this for years and every now & then would make a page, mainly doing my own thing. This is the first time I am working on following the prompts closely and there are a few reasons why I have decided to do this. The biggest is as a teacher and designer I am always creating my own pieces of art. It takes time and can be frustrating as I have to stay within certain parameters.  I realized sometimes I just need to be the student and follow so I can have brain free fun time. This new policy has worked for my first 2 weeks and has me invigorated to play more! Here is my week 1 layout.

I changed up the colors and used my word for the year which is "Energy". I have to say I love this page. Of course the photos don't do it justice. I used some Golden's Micaceous Iron Oxide which gave the page a gritty super fine glitter shimmer. This class has been great so far & I am loving just following along. You can check out info about the class here. There is a video if you scoll down the page. Donna has also set up a facebook page that has tons of inspiration.Come join us!

The Documented Life Project

More crafting is always good & in my quest to do some arting for my self I am participating in The Documented Life Project. A wonderful group of fab artists is running this free year long event. Every month there is a theme and every week a prompt. 

January is The Blank Page and How to Face It!  

Week 1: Art Challenge: Book Paper 

Journal Prompt: Be Your Own Goal Keeper. 

Go to the site and register if you haven't already. They will also be having classes both free and paid. 

 For my first page I followed the leaders and started with a back ground of papers- scrapbook. book, catalog. I put some decoupage glue over some of the papers that I wanted to highlight. This allows for easy wipe off of paint. A light layer of gesso was next followed by some Balzer stencil work with paint. I created shadows with a grey pastel pencil and ink. I wanted to keep my first layout simple and do some sewing. 3 Circles punched out of paper were sewn leaving some space between the circles. A project life card and ephemera finished off my page. The owl which I love is a free digital from Ephemera's Vintage Garden. I felt very accomplished, there is something about starting a new project that is just awesome!

SDC#177

Happy New Year!!! I am starting it off right with some much needed crafting. The holidays were crazy so no time to play with inks!!! Participating in the Stampotique challenge #177 which is to include something with your New Years Resolution. This is more of a goal and my one word for the year so that works for me. Energy is my word.

Lots of inky fun on this using stencils and Stampin Up ink. Love the vibrant colors. I figured Twinkie looks full of energy & would be a good ambassador for my goal. He is standing on France Papillon's bar code and has Mr.Stripes and relatives to keep him moving. Phew 2015 here we go!!!