Love Days Like This . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone!

This summer in eastern Pennsylvania has been quite the adventure! We started with rain and some seriously damaging thunderstorms. Then, we went through a dry spell and are now facing a severe drought. To top it off, we’ve been dealing with smoky, hazy skies from the wildfires in Canada, which have reached dangerous levels! Yikes!

Not being able to get outdoors has given me the perfect excuse to get back into crafting. Plus, this month’s Art Journal Journey theme really sparked my interest!

 

Halle from Halle’s Hobbies is hosting July, and I couldn’t resist joining in on her fun theme, “Fabric, Lace, and Trims, Oh My!”

But before I show you my project, I wanted to share a little about Art Journal Journey Monthly:

"Each month, there is a new challenge theme for you to take part in. Our participants are art-journalers, altered book artists, rubber stamp addicts, and mixed media artists from all over the world. You are invited to take part by linking via the Link tool on their site.  

Artwork created in an art journal, altered book, on canvas, or loose pages, as well as digital and fabric art of any size, is now acceptable."

Here is my project, a mixed-media art journal scrapbook page:

I had a blast creating this page! I began by giving a 12 x 12 sheet of white Bazzill cardstock some fun splatters and drips with spray inks. Next, I added an orange burlap circle that I cut from an old piece of burlap, torn patterned paper, and orange and lime-green ric-rac from my stash. I machine-stitched the orange ric-rac onto my page, along with some fibers that had come loose from the orange burlap. I also added some digital butterflies, leaves, and words from ArtStacks digital packs. Finally, I added my photo, title, and journaling. What a fun project!

Thank you so much, Halle, for hosting this month and coming up with such a fabulous theme.

Now it’s your turn! I hope you get a chance to check out Art Journal Journey this month! I know you’re going to love seeing all the beautiful entries from talented artists all over the world.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.

Wishing you a wonderful rest of July! ❤

Time to Say Goodbye to Challenge Yourself and ArtStacks!

Hi everyone! I’m sad to share some big changes happening in my crafting world.

Challenge YOUrself will be closing after this month's 150th challenge.  

Yes, it was a difficult and bittersweet decision, but it is time for Challenge YOUrself to close. 

Challenge YOUrself #150 runs from June 7, 2026, through July 4th, 2026, at midnight EST.

This month, Challenge YOUrself is focusing on saying goodbye.  As they close, they’d love to hear your thoughts on what saying goodbye means to you. Whether it’s a heartfelt emotional farewell, a funny or unique way to say goodbye, or anything related to saying goodbye and its significance, they’re all ears! PLEASE  DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE A PHOTO OF YOU IN YOUR PROJECT!   

I created a mixed media scrapbook page for their final challenge:

I used a combination of “49 and Market” papers with “Mintay” embellishments. I typed my journaling, and I believe that says it all! I will miss Challenge YOUrself, but I am certain that this is the appropriate moment to say goodbye.  

I hope you have the opportunity to join in on the fun at Challenge YOUrself this month.  They would be delighted to see your projects for their final challenge.

ArtStacks also has changes:

ArtStacks’ main hub will now be located at the offices of The Dusty Attic, a renowned Australian business that has been supplying chipboard and other crafting materials to the paper-crafting community for years.

However, you can still order ArtStacks’ papers through the ArtStacks website at www.artstacks.com.au/shop or Dusty Attic's website at https://dustyattic.com.au/

Also, new posts will appear on the Dusty Attic social media sites. You can find them at https://www.facebook.com/dustyattic and https://www.instagram.com/dusty_attic/

ArtStacks will no longer have a dedicated design team. I’ll miss being on their team, but I completely understand the need for change.

I am also linking up my project at Art Journal Journey Monthly's June theme:

Matilde from Craftowanie, is guest-hosting for June, and her theme is "Houses and Buildings."

As you can see, there are 2 birdhouses (from Mintay collection) on my page.  Thank you so much, Matilde, for hosting AJJ in June!  

And I hope you get a chance to play along at Art Journal Journey Monthly.  

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  Have a wonderful June!

Life is Too Short to Wear Boring Clothes . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly and ArtStacks!

 Hi everyone, today I’m sharing an art journal spread I created using ArtStacks packs.

I used the digital and printed versions of three of ArtStack's beautiful packs:

The first is the "Anemones and Friends" corestack:

The second is Lorraine Haight Moraine's "Altered Ancestors" Artist Series pack:

And the third is Shana Bebeklis' "Full Deck" Artist Series pack:

I loved creating this hybrid art journal spread using these packs: 

I put together my spread using papers—both printed and digital—and even some tissue paper, from the first two packs. The fun title comes from the Altered Ancestors pack. Plus, I printed the black bird from the digital version of the Full Deck pack for Mia's challenge at Art Journal Journey Monthly!

I am linking my project to Art Journal Journey Monthly's challenge for June:

This month is hosted by Mia from Craftartista, and her theme is "Birds."

As mentioned earlier, I have a beautiful black bird perched on the teal chair!

Thank you so much to Mia for hosting AJJ this month! It has been a pleasure joining her challenge.

I hope you'll head over to explore Art Journal Journey Monthly. Every month, a diverse group of talented and friendly artists share their creations!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.  June and summer will be here before we know it!

I Said Yes . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

 Hi everyone! It's time for a new challenge at Challenge YOUrself! 

Challenge YOUrself #149 runs from May 7, 2026, through June 4th, 2026, at midnight EST.

This month, Challenge YOUrself is focusing on using a black-and-white photo on your pages. 

I created a mixed media scrapbook page for this challenge:

I've been feeling very nostalgic lately, so I chose a black-and-white photo taken back in March of 1990 as the basis for my page!  After a whirlwind engagement, John and I had just gotten married and had moved into our new apartment in California.  (We moved there from Pennsylvania!) My mom and dad were visiting us on Easter Sunday, and one of them snapped this photo!  I used a combination of Mintay, along with 49 and Market papers and embellishments to create my page.

I hope you have the opportunity to participate in Challenge YOUrself this month. They will be closing their challenge blog after their 150th challenge in June.

I am also linking up my project at Art Journal Journey Monthly:

This month is hosted by Mia from Craftartista, and her theme is "Birds."

As you can see, there is a beautiful hummingbird (from 49 and Market) on my page.

Thank you so much, Mia, for hosting AJJ this month!  Hugs!  

And I hope YOU have a creative month and that you get a chance to play along at Art Journal Journey Monthly.  If you do, you will have a chance to meet talented and friendly artists from around the world!

Although the weather has been fluctuating pretty much, I have really been enjoying spring this year.  I hope you have, too!!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.  Happy May!

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

Hi everyone, I’m excited to share something new I created for ArtStacks! 

I used three of ArtStack's beautiful packs to make an art journal page that is close to my heart.

The first is "The Homemaker Limited Edition" pack:

The second is Deb Weiers' "Wonky Backgrounds" pack:

And the third is their "Tissue Backgrounds" pack:

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

I used papers from the first 2 packs to make my page, and I also used the Tissue Backgrounds pack to add interest with the grid and newspaper-print backgrounds.  The sepia photo is an absolute favorite of mine.  It's of my mom and dad, taken in 1945!  I also added lots of extra leaves (from trees!) just because I love them so much and am ready for Spring! 

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

I am also linking my project to Art Journal Journey Monthly's April challenge:

This month is hosted by Gillena Cox at Lunch Break, and her theme is "Trees are awesome, aren't they?"

As you can see, I've used lots of leaves from beautiful trees!!!

Thank you, Gillena, for hosting AJJ this month.  

My hope is that I’ve inspired you to explore Art Journal Journey Monthly. It’s an incredible platform where you can discover remarkable artwork created by talented and friendly artists from all over the world. 

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today. Happy April!

Exploring Ireland . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly

 Hi everyone! It's time for a new challenge at Challenge YOUrself! 

Challenge YOUrself #148 runs from April 7, 2026, through May 4th, 2026, at midnight EST.

This month, Challenge YOUrself is focusing on utilizing a Design Seeds spring color palette. For a more detailed look, you can refer to their color scheme here: Color Nature

I created a mixed media scrapbook page for this challenge:

I absolutely love the colors in this palette because they bring back memories of our recent trip to Ireland. My entire page was dedicated to that theme, utilizing 49 & Market and Mintay papers, along with pink rick-rack and a blue embossed chipboard piece that I had saved in my stash.

I hope you have the opportunity to participate in Challenge YOUrself this month. It’s the fourth of their final six challenges! They will be closing their challenge blog after their 150th challenge, which will take place in June of this year.

I am also linking up my project at Art Journal Journey Monthly:

This month is hosted by Gillena Cox at Lunch Break, and her theme is "Trees are awesome, aren't they?"

As you can see, my photo taken in Ireland is filled with beautiful trees!!!

Thank you, Gillena, for hosting AJJ this month.  

I hope you have a creative month of April and that you get a chance to play along at Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Enjoy the arrival of April and the new spring season.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

Architecture is Art We Live In . . . for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

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

First of all, I LOVE their newest "The Architect" pack!

I enjoyed making this art journal page using the digital version of the pack:

To learn more about this pack and 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 March.

Chris from pearshapedcrafting is their host this month, and her theme is "Spring forward."

Chris says:  Meteorological Spring starts March 1st, although I still prefer the traditional 21st of March, as that was my Mum's birthday. Lots of events take place in Spring - Easter, May Day, Mother's Day, and of course, the changing of the clocks, which means more time to enjoy spring flowers and bird songs. 

My page is about Spring because the photos of the Metropolitan Museum of Art were taken in Spring!

I hope I have inspired you to check out Art Journal Journey Monthly. It gives you a chance to contribute artwork to this month’s challenge, and it’s a great way to discover incredibly talented and friendly artists from around the world. 

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