Focus on Joy!

In my quest to focus on the good things in life, came this page. When I am down & blue I try to just "be happy". Often a good kick in my attitude all it takes. I had taken a class with the awesome Dyan Reavely at the Queens Ink in Maryland, the perfect topic for joy. I love taking classes. It gives me something to look forward to-especially when it is with a teacher I admire. We had an inky good time. The photo in the corner is the owner Patti Euler with Dyan doing the royal wave with their fancy gloves. The cool aspect of this page is the photo. No, not my hair braids which are pretty cool but the photo Deb Mahnken took of me. The background was very busy & a best bud was out of focus behind my shoulder. I painted directly on the photo with acrylic paint & let it air dry completely. Next using a Crafters Workshop stencil I doodled with my Signo white gel pen. I put one flower rub on to add some focus. I love that technique!!!! What brings you joy? Journal it!

Day of Books

I am working in my daily art journal & am totally behind!!! This layout is one of my more recent ones. I was feeling very THoltz taggish. I had done the background in distress stains & they were very patchy so I covered the pages in gesso & that just blended everything down & created a nice soft tone. Lots of stamping which created some nice depth in the light background. The best part was using alphabet stickers from my stash!!! It's the little things in life.

1st off I had to show how chunky my book is getting~! I can hardly stand it. This picture was actually back in Nov. & we are even chunkier, but I wanted to post this now!!! I am getting closer & closer to it being done but haven't been working in it lately-sigh. I have 3 classes I am working on so I must be good!

Here is one of my latest completed pages. I was channeling Dyan Reavely for this one. I had done the background ions ago with modeling paste & paint. I added some stenciling & stamps & this luscious tag. The tag was made with the Dylusions spray of which I am holding my breath waiting for the last 4 weeks. I had gotten my grubby mitts on 3 colors but I NEED the others NOW!!!! Her colors are super vibrant and awesomely luscious. Ranger just announced they are finally shipping so hopefully... The stamps are also Dyan's with some My Minds Eye. I love this little set! Perfect for adding a touch of detail especially down the side of a tag. Nummy so many products so little time!!!