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

 Hi everyone.  It's October and time for a new challenge at Challenge YOUrself:

Challenge YOUrself #130 opened on Octoberber 7th and closes on November 4th:

This month's challenge is to create a project using circles.  They can be cut out circles, drawn on circles, die cut circles, stamped circles, brads, enamel dots, etc.  And as always, include at least one photo of YOU!

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

I always try to create my projects based on a photo or group of photos that mean something to me.  I have always loved this photo taken during a pre-school field trip (to the pumpkin patch) in 2008. My mom was able to go with us, which made the day even more special!   For the challenge, I made a number of different die cut circles using coordinating colors to go with the background paper, which is from the 49 and Market "Rusty Autumn" collection.  It was simple and easy to make.

I hope you get a chance to check out  Challenge YOUrself this month!  We would love to see YOUR circle inspired projects.

I am also linking my page up to Art Journal Journey's October challenge:

This month is hosted by Alison from Craftytrog.  Her theme for October is “Autumn Colors and Inspiration.”   She says:  "We're well into Autumn here in England and have beautiful red and gold leaves falling from our trees.  Toadstools are popping up everywhere and the ground is littered with acorns, conkers, and chestnuts.  I'm asking you to use Autumn inspiration and colours in your pages.  I look forward to seeing what you make."

As you can see, my page is all about Autumn.  It is my favorite time of the year!

I hope you get a chance to head over to Art Journal Journey Monthly and to see all of the amazing entries this month.  I am always in awe of the talented artists that participate in these challenges!

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  Happy October!

A Collection of Memories . . . for ArtStacks!

Hi everyone!  I am here today sharing my latest project made for ArtStacks!

I made a 'zine' using one of Claire Stead's new Artist Series releases, her Colourful Zine Kit:

I confess that I actually never heard of a zine before I saw Claire's new packs.  I was totally intrigued and couldn't wait to make mine.  I followed Claire's video (the link is included in her pack) and found that it was simple and fun to make.  I printed out my own photos as I wanted to make is a collection of memories about me, but you can use Claire's amazing pictures that are included in her kit, too!

Here is my project:

The front cover:

Page 1 and 2:

Page 3 and 4:

Page 5 and 6:

Back Cover:

My tags - front:

My tags - back:

I cannot tell you just how much I enjoyed creating my very first zine.  I especially liked personalizing it and making it about me.  I added some of my own handwriting, type-written words, washi tape, twine, and photos.  The rest was made using Claire Stead's Colourful Zine Kit and following her video!

And what's fun is that you can make YOURS about anything you like!

Thank you, Claire, for the inspiration. 

I hope I have inspired you to create a zine of your own!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!

Live Life in Colour for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly

Hi everyone!  Today I'm sharing a project that I made for the ArtStacks Artist Team.  

 

Here is my 12x12 mixed media art journal/scrapbook page using ArtStacks' new release packs, Claire Stead's Artist Series Colourful World and Colourful Zine Kit packs.

I absolutely love this photo of my daughter, Anne that I took back in 2014. (I have scrapped it before, but I just had to scrap it again!)  Next, I picked paper with a pre-printed watercolored background from the 49 and Market Vintage Artistry Sunburst Collection. I added tissue paper script from the Colourful Zine Kit pack and tissue butterflies from ArtStacks' Tissue Backgrounds pack.  I also added images and words from the Colourful World pack.  I can honestly say that my page was very fun and easy to make using ArtStacks supplies!  You can see all of the packs in detail at www.artstacks.com.au/shop and you can read more about how I made my project at www.artstacks.com.au/blog.

 

And once again, I am to linking my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's theme for September:

This month is hosted by Aimeslee from Paper Paisleys Art Adventure. Her theme for September is “Anything Goes!” She says:  "This is my favorite theme of all times because it probably speaks to the eclectic, nonconformist in me!"

YES! It's so much fun!

I hope you get a chance to check out the all of the Anything Goes entries this month!  All of the artists that take part in this challenge every month are so talented and friendly.  

And I would like to thank Aimeslee and Art Journal Journey, too!

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.   Enjoy the rest of September! 

Joyful Christmas . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly

 Hi everyone.  It's September and time for a new challenge at Challenge YOUrself:

Challenge YOUrself #129 opened on September 7th and closes on October 4th:

This month's challenge is to create a project using lots of patterned paper.  (And as always, to include at least one photo of YOU!)

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

I came across an old photo of  my daughter, Anne, and me taken at my mom's house on Christmas Day, 2006!  I just love this happy photo!! For the challenge, I used five different patterned papers, including my background paper,  and they are all from Cocoa Vanilla Studio's Christmas papers, their "Merry & Bright" and "Joyful" collections.  I had so much fun tearing and layering paper.

I hope you get a chance to check out  Challenge YOUrself this month!  We would love to see YOUR patterned paper projects.

I am also linking my page up to Art Journal Journey's September challenge:

This month is hosted by Aimeslee from Paper Paisleys Art Adventure. Her theme for September is “Anything Goes!” 

She says:  "This is my favorite theme of al times because it probably speaks to the eclectic, nonconformist in me!"

I love this theme, too! 

I hope you get a chance to check out the Anything Goes entries from all of the talented artists that take part in AJJ challenges every month.  And I would like to thank Aimeslee and Art Journal Journey for having this fun challenge. 

And thank YOU so much for stopping by my blog today.   Enjoy your September! 

Say Cheese for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

 Hi everyone.  It's August and time for a new challenge at Challenge YOUrself:

Challenge YOUrself #128 opened on August 7th,  and closes on September 4th:

This month's challenge is to be inspired by a rainbow.  (And as always, to include at least one photo of YOU!)

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

I used a favorite photo of friends of mine (and me!) taken at my friend's fall gathering last year. I especially like that I am holding one of my friend's seeing eye dog puppies that she helps to raise.  I started with a white piece of 12 x 12 Bazzill cardstock.  Next, I layered some patterned paper that I had in my stash, then used 2 different ArtStacks packs to make my page.  The rainbow and the colorful hearts from Lisa Oxley's "Bright and Bold" pack and the black butterflies from ArtStacks' "Tissue Backgrounds" pack.  You can head over to www.artstacks.com.au/shop to see these amazing packs in detail!

I hope you get a chance to check out  Challenge YOUrself this month!  We would love to see YOUR rainbow inspired projects.

I am also linking my page up to Art Journal Journey's August challenge:

This month is hosted by Jo from Let’s Art Journal. Her theme for August is “Wonderfully Wild.” 

She says:  "This could be about a wild animal, a wildly colored background, or even a wild quote, or maybe wild flowers or you could go wild with your design!"

 

As you can see, I added the wildly beautiful rainbow and butterflies to my page!

I hope you get a chance to check out the all wildly gorgeous entries from the talented artists that take part in this challenge every month.  And once again, I want to thank Jo and Art Journal Journey for having this amazing challenge. 

And thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.   Enjoy the rest of August! 

Seek Magic Every Day for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthy!

Hi everyone!  Today I'm sharing a project that I made for the ArtStacks Artist Team.  

 

Here is my 12x12 mixed media art journal/scrapbook page using several different ArtStacks packs:

I featured a photo of John and me taken in New York City on our 30th anniversary in 2020.  I started my page by using Vicki Boutin background paper from her Print Shop collection.  I stenciled the bottom with a Martha Stewart stencil and some teal acrylic paint.  Next, I layered images from several different ArtStacks packs including coloring and adhering the 3-D shutters from their "Doors and Windows 2" pack.  Head over to www.artstacks.com.au/blog to see my step by step tutorial and also to see all of the packs that I used in detail!

 

And once again, I am so happy to link my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's theme for August:

This month is host is Jo from Let's Art Journal..Her theme for August is “Wonderfully Wild.” 

Jo says:  "This could be about a wild animal, a wildly colored background, or even a wild quote, or maybe wild flowers or you could go wild with your design!." 

I decided to "go wild" with my layers and my design.  And I did add some wild things including flowers, a butterfly and 2 dragonflies!

I hope you get a chance to see the all entries from the amazing artists that take part in this challenge every month.  I am always blown away by their talent.  And I want to thank Jo (and Art Journal Journey) for hosting this fun challenge. 

And thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  Have a wonderful August! 

Don't Waste a Minute . . . for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Month;y!

Hi everyone!  Today I'm sharing a project that I made for the ArtStacks Artist Team.  I am up on their blog today!

 

I created a mixed media scrapbook page using their newest releases:

The Doors & Windows 2 pack:

and Weathered Walls pack:

You can head to ArtStacks to see these beautiful packs in detail.

Here is my mixed media art journal/scrapbook page using these 2 packs:

I found this photo of  my daughter, Anne and me taken at the beach in 2017.  I remember that sunset vividly - it was so beautiful.  I started my page by using a 12 x 12 Vicki Boutin paper from her Print Shop collection.  Next I added images from the ArtStacks Doors & Windows 2 and Weathered Walls packs. My favorite part was making the 3-D awning (from the Doors & Windows 2 pack) and attaching it above my photo. My page also contains threads and lots of stitching!  I had lots of fun to creating this one.

 

And once again, I am happy to link my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's theme for July:

This month is host is Halle at Halle's Hobbies..Her theme for July “I’ve Got a Notion.” 

She says:  "My theme is a bit tongue in cheek and has a wide variety of interpretations.

I LOVE sewing and incorporating stitching and other traditional supplies into my artwork. You can add any sort of stitching (real or faux), buttons, lace, fabric, yo-yos, sewing pattern paper, snaps, hooks, measuring tape…you get the picture. Anything you might find in a sewing room." 

I hope you get a chance to see the all entries from the amazing artists that take part in this challenge every month.  I am always blown away by their talent.  And I want to thank Halle (and Art Journal Journey) for hosting this fun challenge. 

And thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.   Enjoy the rest of your July!