Monday, July 7, 2025

Then and Now . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

 Hi everyone! Challenge YOUrself has a new challenge for July! 

Here's Challenge YOUrself #139!  It’ runs from July 7th to August 4th at midnight.



This month is a "Then and Now" challenge.  They'd love to see photos of you (or you with another person or in group of people) from a time in the past and now.

For this challenge, I created a 12 x 12 mixed media scrapbook page:



I recently came across the incredible “Starlight Dreamers” collection from 49 and Market, and I couldn’t resist using it for my latest project. I chose their wood grain paper for the background and added some fun rub-ons and embellishments. The photos you see are of my daughter, Anne, and me. The first one was taken back in 2015, and the second one is from this year after her college graduation. Time really does fly, doesn’t it? To make my page even more special, I added some moons and lots of beautiful flowers from the same collection.

I hope you’ll join in on the fun at Challenge YOUrself this month! We’d love to see your “Then and Now” projects.



I am also linking up my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's July challenge.


This month is being hosted by Halle (pronounced Holly) of Halle's Hobbies.

Her theme for July is "Botanicals."  She says "Since it's summertime in Minnesota, that means enjoying the great outdoors as much as possible . . . I'm especially fond of flowers, so I thought the perfect theme would be Botanicals.  The theme is pretty broad . . . from beautiful vintage images to wonky sketches, stamped images, to stickers . . . as long as it relates to plants, it's fair game.  Are you in?  Can't wait to see all the lovely florals."

I really enjoyed working on a page for Halle's botanical theme, and loved adding some beautiful flowers from the 49 and Market collection to my "then and now" page.

I also wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to everyone at AJJ. I’ve been inspired by so many talented artists from all over the world. Their artwork is truly breathtaking!

If you’re interested in creating a project for Halle’s Botanical theme, I highly recommend it. It’s a fun and creative way to show off your artistic skills while honoring Halle's theme.

I hope you’re having a wonderful and creative July! 

Take care and stay creative!


Monday, June 9, 2025

Shine Your Light . . . for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

 Hi everyone!  I am here today sharing a project that I created for the ArtStacks.

I've made a mixed media art journal spread using one of ArtStacks' newest 'Artist Series' releases by Tamara Laporte:




To see this and all of the beautiful packs that are available, head over to ArtStacks!


Here's my art journal spread:

Tam’s new packs are absolutely amazing! I couldn’t resist creating with them, and this is just one of the results.


I started by making my background using watercolors and the tissue paper grid pattern from the Tissue Backgrounds pack. Then, I added the turquoise and green leaves printed on deli paper, the star printed on tissue paper, and the gorgeous tree printed on cardstock. All of these images are from Tam’s new Wonderful World pack.


To add a touch of whimsy, I included the fun images of the woman and the girl from the All Dressed Up pack. I also used some doodled images at the top and bottom of the pages and added an affirmation from the Tam's first Artist Series pack entitled Fabulous Faces


Finally, I added the die cut grass and stitching.


That’s it! I loved creating this art journal spread.


I am also linking my page up to April's theme at  Art Journal Journey Monthly:


This month is being hosted by Matilde from Craftowanie.

Her theme for June is "People."  She says "You can interpret my theme in many ways!  You can show a single person or a group of people on your page.  I am looking forward to seeing all of your projects!"

The "people" on my page are the images of the woman and the girl standing in front of the tree - both are from ArtStacks All Dressed Up pack.

I highly recommend checking out Art Journal Journey this month. You'll find incredible artwork created by talented artists from all over the globe there.  Plus, the community is super friendly and welcoming.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.

Happy June!  Keep creating!




Saturday, June 7, 2025

Fun . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

 Hi everyone! Challenge YOUrself has a new challenge for June: 

Here's Challenge YOUrself #138! It’s open from June 7th to July 4th at midnight.


This month's challenge is to pick things from the mood board that inspire you, then create a page using them.  Here's a closer look:


For this challenge, I created a 12 x 12 mixed media scrapbook page:


I used an Echo Park collection for my background and embellishments. I also added white corrugated paper and a “Thickers” title. The photo, of John and me standing in front of the Korean War Memorial, was taken during a trip to Washington DC on Mother’s Day weekend this year when we went to visit our daughter Katie.

I hope you to join in on the fun at Challenge YOUrself this month! We’d love to see your mood board projects.



I am also linking up my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's June challenge.


This month is being hosted by Matilde from Craftowanie.

Her theme for June is "People."  She says "You can interpret my theme in many ways!  You can show a single person or a group of people on your page.  I am looking forward to seeing all of your projects!"

As you can see, the "people" on my page are me and my husband standing in front of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington DC.

I always enjoy joining in on the challenges at AJJ. It’s a great place to find inspiration and you won't want to miss out on creating a project for Matilde’s fun June theme. Plus, you’ll get to see amazing artwork created by incredible (and friendly!) artists from around the world!


Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today. I hope you have a wonderful and creative  June!



Thursday, May 8, 2025

Within You . . . for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly

 Hi everyone!  I am here today sharing a project that I created for ArtStacks.

I've made a mixed media art journal page using one of ArtStacks' newest 'Artist Series' releases by Tamara Laporte:




To see everything that is included in Tam's incredible packs, head over to ArtStacks!


Here is the art journal page that I made:



I couldn’t wait to get started once I received Tam’s packs. I eagerly started making an art journal page using a grid background.  The background squares were cut from Tam’s beautifully printed images in her "Magical Universe" pack. Next, I incorporated the images of the woman and child, also from the "Magical Universe" pack. I also added a tissue image of a butterfly taken from Tam's first pack entitled "Fabulous Faces." To enhance my project, I affixed what I believe is the perfect sentiment, also from the Magical Universe pack. Finally, I added ink splatters and paper swirls from my stash, and machine stitched the edges of my page.  


I am also linking my page up to April's theme at  Art Journal Journey Monthly:


This month is being hosted by Neet (short for Anita) from Hickydorums.

Her theme for May is "It Must Have Wings."  She says . . . "this covers my love of Lavinia stamps and the fairies that the owner draws herself.  But the theme doesn't have to stop at fairies.  If you think about it, lots of things have wings - butterflies, dragonflies, ladybirds, and other insects.  Don't forget about birds and angels.  And what about building? - The White House has the West Wing, hospitals have wings, there are lots of wings when you think of it!"

As you can see, my art journal page has a butterfly, which is perfect for Neet's theme!

I highly recommend you check out AJJ this month. You won’t want to miss out on all the amazing artwork created by talented artists from all over the world!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.

Happy May!

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Happiest Memory . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone! Challenge YOUrself’s new May challenge is open. (It’s their 5th challenge of the year.)

Challenge YOUrself #137 opened on May7th and closes on June 4th at midnight:


This month's theme is all about using BUTTERFLIES on your projects.  Don't forget to include a with YOU on your project.

Here is the mixed media scrapbook page that I created for this challenge:

I found this super cute photo of Katie and me from 1995. We were visiting my in-laws and had just finished church. The background paper and all the pretty stuff (like the butterflies) are from the 49 & Market Kaleidoscope collection. The black butterflies are from ArtStacks’ “Tissue Backgrounds” pack, and the chipboard butterfly is from my stash.

I hope this inspires you to join in on the fun at Challenge YOUrself this month! We’d love to see your butterfly projects.


I am also linking up my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's challenge for May.


This month is being hosted byNeet (short for Anita) from Hickydorums.

Her theme for May is "It Must Have Wings."  She says . . . "this covers my love of Lavinia stamps and the fairies that the owner draws herself.  But the theme doesn't have to stop at fairies.  If you think about it, lots of things have wings - butterflies, dragonflies, ladybirds, and other insects.  Don't forget about birds and angels.  And what about buildings - the White House has the West Wing, hospitals have wings, there are lots of wings when you think of it!"

Guess what? Challenge YOUrself the AJJ Monthly has coinciding themes this month! Isn’t that exciting?

I highly recommend you check out AJJ. You won’t want to miss out on all the stunning artwork created by incredible and friendly artists from all over the world!

Thanks a bunch for stopping by my blog today.

Have a wonderful May!



Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Love This Life . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly

Hi everyone! Challenge YOUrself’s new April challenge is open. (It’s their fourth challenge of the year.)

Challenge YOUrself #136 opened on April 7th and closes on May 4th at midnight:



This month's theme is all about using SCALLOPS on your projects.  Feel free to use a many or as few scallops as you like, just remember to include at least one photo with YOU in the frame.

Here is the mixed media scrapbook page that I created:

I used photos taken at my sister, Cathy's home way back in December of 1984. We were celebrating my mom and dad's anniversary. My background paper and embellishments are from 49 and Market's "Kaleidoscope " collection. I used black, die cut scallops with netting behind them. I added a cardinal and some red paint splatter to go along with my Christmas theme.

I hope you can join in on the fun at Challenge YOUrself this month!  We'd be thrilled to see YOUR projects.



I am also linking up my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's challenge for April.


This month is being hosted by Erika from BioArtGal.  Her theme for April is "Spring Birds."  She says . . . "Think about spring and think about birds.  Your projects can be bird related, spring related, or spring AND bird related.  That's up to you."

I've added a red cardinal to my page, which goes with Erika's Bird theme.  But not the Spring part!(LOL!)

I hope you get a chance to check out AJJ.  You don't want to miss all of the beautiful artwork made by friendly and talented artists from around the world!

And thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  

Enjoy the rest of April!


Sunday, April 6, 2025

I am What I am . . . for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly

 Hi everyone!  I am here today sharing another project that I made for ArtStacks!

I've made a hybrid, mixed media scrapbook page using ArtStacks' new 'Artist Series' releases made by Birgit Koopsen.


To see everything that is included in Birgit's incredible packs, head over to ArtStacks!


Here is the page that I made:



I started my page with a watercolour background and added some stencilling. Next, I picked photos of me with my dog, Abbey to use on my page.  I matted them with B&W paper from Birgit's pack. The small leaves at the bottom of my photo are from Lisa Oxley’s “Floral Fetish” pack and the dictionary print is from their “Tissue Backgrounds” pack. Both of these are printed on tissue, making it look like I stamped or drew them directly onto my page.  I LOVE working ArtStacks' amazing tissue!!

Next, I cut lines of black and white leaves from the “Essential Elements” pack. I ran these down the centre of my page to create a unique effect. The stunning butterflies are also from the same pack.  And finally, I digitally added the beautiful bird, which is from Brigit's "Forrest Walk" pack.

As I have said before, I highly recommend both of Birgit Koopsen's new packs - in digital and/or printed form!


I am also linking my page up to April's theme at  Art Journal Journey Monthly:

This month is being hosted by Erika from BioArtGal.  Her theme for April is "Spring Birds."  She says . . . "Think about spring and think about birds.  Your art journaling can be bird related, spring related, or spring AND bird related.  That's up to you."

I enjoyed making my mixed media scrapbook page and added a beautiful bird to my page to go along with Erika's challenge. 

I hope you get a chance to check out Art Journal Journey this month.  There are talented artists from all over the world that take part in these challenges and are always wonderful to see.

Thank you, AJJ and Erika for the wonderful challenge this month.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. 

Happy April!