Best Friends . . . for Challenge YOUrself!

Hi everyone! March is here, and it’s time for a new challenge at Challenge YOUrself!

Challenge YOUrself #147 opened today,  March 7th, 2026, and closes on April 4th, 2026.

The theme for March's challenge is "Celebrating Friendship!"

Here is my take on this challenge:

I started my page using a sheet of lovely 12 x 12 wood-grain background paper from 49 and Market’s "Mistletoe & Memories" collection. Yes, it’s a Christmas collection, but it was perfect for my fall-themed layout! I incorporated some playful orange, yellow, white, and black spray-ink splatters. I picked photos I absolutely adore of me with my friends from a party Barbarann hosted at her place last October. My sister, Karen, took the photos! I had such a blast creating this page, and I absolutely love how it turned out!  I hope you like it, too.

You can check out Challenge YOUrself #147 on Facebook and find out more information about the challenge at their blog.  And the fun part is that this month, you have a random chance to win a 12 x 12 "49 and Market" collection kit.

I hope I have inspired you to play along with us at Challenge YOUrself this month!

Thank YOU so much for stopping by my blog today.  Have a wonderful March and enjoy Spring, which is right around the corner!

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

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all having a great February so far.

If you’re on the East Coast of the USA like me, I hope you’re staying safe and warm. We’re in the middle of a deep freeze, with lots of snow on the ground. According to the weather forecasters, we have another week before our temperatures go above freezing. I, for one, cannot wait!

And it's time to reveal Challenge YOUrself's February challenge.

Challenge YOUrself #146 opens today and closes on March 4th at midnight:

This month’s challenge is LOVE, in honor of Heart Month and Valentine's Day. You can interpret the theme any way you like, as long as it depicts love and you remember to include a photo of YOU!

I decided to create a mixed media scrapbook page about my sisters:

When I think about love, I immediately think of them!  My sisters have been by my side through thick and thin, and nothing can ever break our bond.  After all, they have been with me my whole life! Even after my oldest sister, Cathy, passed away, my love for her only grew stronger. I’ve picked two photos that I think best capture the special bond we share.

I enjoyed creating this page for Challenge YOUrself!  I hope I have inspired YOU to join in on the fun this month.  (Don't forget, this is the first of their 5 final challenges.  It will close after June of this year.)

I’m also linking my page up at Art Journal Journey Monthly for February:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth from Altered Book Lover are hosting this month, and their theme is "Anywhere, Anytime, Any Place, with Anyone."

Elizabeth says:  "I have never read any Shakespeare, nor seen any of his plays, but I once heard someone say the reason his plays were so long was because he chose to use 10 words when one would have sufficed.  Therefore, in that same vein, Bleubeard and I give you this month's theme: Anywhere, Anytime, Any Place, with Anyone." 

Thanks so much for hosting this month, Bleubeard and Elizabeth! I absolutely love your theme.

Now, I’d love for you to visit Art Journal Journey Monthly’s blog and see all the stunning artwork made by so many talented artists. You won’t be disappointed!

And thank you for stopping by my blog today!

Together for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone, I’m so excited to share something new I created for the ArtStacks design team! 

First of all, I used three of ArtStacks' beautiful Artist Series packs!

The first is by Tamara Laporte (@willowing):

And the next 2 are by Shana Bebelkis (@shanoukiart):

I loved creating this mixed media art journal page using these packs. 

To learn more about how I made my page, head over to the ArtStacks blog!

I hope this has sparked some ideas for you to start your own project!

I am also very excited to link up my project at Art Journal Journey Monthly for February.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth from Altered Book Lover are hosting this month, and their theme is "Anywhere, Anytime, Any Place, with Anyone."

Elizabeth says:  "I have never read any Shakespeare, nor seen any of his plays, but I once heard someone say the reason his plays were so long was because he chose to use 10 words when one would have sufficed.  Therefore, in that same vein, Bleubeard and I give you this month's theme: Anywhere, Anytime, Any Place, with Anyone."

I absolutely love this month's theme!  Thank you, Bleubeard and Elizabeth! 

I hope I have inspired you to check out Art Journal Journey Monthly. It’s not just a chance to contribute to this month’s challenge, but it’s also a great way to discover the incredible artwork submitted by talented artists from around the world. 

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

Winter . . . for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone. Guess what? My latest project is ready! I made it for ArtStacks, and I’m excited to share it with all of you.  

First of all, I used one of their newest Seasonal Celebrations pack:

Check out this amazing 'White Christmas' pack created by the talented illustrator Maja Lindberg! It’s available in both printed and digital formats. To learn more about what’s included, you can head over to the ArtStacks shop.

Here is my project, a mixed media 'Wintry' Home Decor Frame:

I used a wood frame I already had and made a winter-themed collage using Maja Lindberg’s pack. I painted each square white with acrylic paint. Then, I cut the images to the right size and adhered them to the backing. To make it look more interesting, I added some white cheesecloth and thread. Finally, I sprinkled black and white paint on top to give it some extra depth.  

As you can see, the beautiful “White Christmas” pack is not exclusive to the Christmas season – it can be used for Winter-themed projects, too!”

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

I am also very excited to link up my project at Art Journal Journey Monthly for January.

Erika from BioArtGal is hosting this month, and her theme is "What's Up?"

Erika said that you have options for her theme. You can select a theme centered around UP things,  such as airplanes or balloons. Or,  you can interpret the phrase more casually, asking, “What have you been up to?” or “What’s new with you?”    

Once again, I took her theme at face value, using an image of the red bird on top of a moose, and a girl with her dog on top of a mountain!  

I highly recommend checking out Art Journal Journey Monthly. It’s not just a chance to contribute to this month’s challenge, but it’s also a great way to discover the incredible artwork submitted by talented artists from all walks of life. 

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

Family (through thick and thin) . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone. Challenge YOUrself's January challenge is now open.

Challenge YOUrself #145 runs through February 4th at midnight:

This month’s challenge is all about celebrating a single One Little Word for 2026.

If you’re new to Ali Edwards’ One Little Word concept, you can learn more about it here.

I decided to create a mixed media scrapbook page for this theme:

I’ve chosen FAMILY as my One Little Word for 2026! I’m excited to make some changes in my life and spend more time with my husband, daughters, sisters, and extended family. I’m envisioning reducing my computer work and prioritizing quality time with them.  

This photo was taken at Princeton University during the Christmas holidays last year! We all went to see ‘The Nutcracker’ that day and had an amazing time. We’re already planning to see it again next year in Philadelphia.

I enjoyed creating this page for Challenge YOUrself! It’s a fun challenge where you get to scrap photos with YOU in the frame.

I’m also linking my page up at Art Journal Journey Monthly for January:

Erika from BioArtGal is hosting this month, and her theme is "What's Up?"

Erika mentioned that there are a few options for her theme. You can choose a theme centered around things that are UP,  like planes or clouds. Or,  you can interpret the phrase more casually, like asking, “What have you been up to?” or “What’s new with you?”    

I went for the classic route with Erika’s theme, using a window and a balloon. 

Erika, thanks for hosting this month. I love your theme.

And thank YOU for stopping by my blog today.  Have a wonderful January!

Christmas Joy . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly

Hi everyone! I have loved hosting at Art Journal Journey Monthly for the month of December! Can you believe it’s already December 31st? Time flies, doesn’t it? We’re all set to ring in 2026.

Today, I am pleased to present my final project for my December Art Journal Journey, which was themed “Winter.”

I would like to share the handmade wall hanging that I created for my Secret Santa Swap "Elf" this year.

I enjoyed creating this, and I hope my Elf will love it for years to come.

And I'd love to share some fireworks photos that were taken in the Lehigh Valley, PA.  These photos are from their website!

Allentown, PA:

Steelstacks in Bethlehem, PA:

And the “Peep” drop that occurs in Bethlehem for all the children, and of course, the children at heart:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Now, it’s time to bid you all farewell. I can’t thank you enough for supporting me and my Winter theme for the month of December. 

I wish you all a very Happy New Year and a blessed 2026, filled with lots of creativity!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all!

Sending hugs.

We Love Abbey . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone!  I am having a wonderful time guest hosting at Art Journal Journey Monthly for the month of December!  

Today is Christmas Eve and I think it's the perfect time to share another art journal page for my AJJ "Winter" theme! 

I present my hybrid art journal page: 

I took this photo of Abbey in the snow a few years ago. I love it so much that I decided to use as the focal point on my page.  I started with a digital snowy background, then added a watercolor turquoise heart and dark blue stripes using a stencil.  I added a brass key, and several digital snowflakes, hearts and poinsettias.  The arrow pointing to Abbey is chipboard.  The grid background and "Love" word are from ArtStacks designs digital version of their "Tissue Backgrounds" pack. It was kind of a mish-mash of a lot of different mediums, but it came together pretty nicely, I think!

Thank you, Art Journal Journey Monthly for asking me to host again this year!  

There's still time for YOU to join in on the fun!!  You have until the last day of December.  Just head over to their site at the highlighted link above and take a look. 

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  

Merry, Merry Christmas everyone!

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