Happy Graduation . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly and Challenge YOUrself!

 Hi everyone! It's time for the November challenge at Challenge YOUrself! 

Challenge YOUrself #143 runs from November 7th through December 4th at midnight:

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

I loved making this page! I used a lot of patterned papers from my stash, because I like to use up what I already have. The background paper is from 49 and Market’s ‘Starlight Dreams’ collection, and the graduation embellishments are from Echo Park’s ‘Happy Graduation’ collection. But the best part about making this page about a favorite family memory is remembering Anne’s college graduation that took place in May this year. I used a favorite photo of Anne, Katie, me, and Aunt Karen, taken on her special day.

I am linking up my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's challenge for November:

This month is being hosted by Wendy from Wendy's Art and Craft Journal.

Her theme is “A Moment in Time.” She says, “This can be interpreted in many ways, as long as it has something to do with time it will be fine.”

This scrapbook page holds a special place in my heart and AJJ’s theme inspired me to create it. I added a Kraft clock embellishment and the phrase “It’s time for a new adventure” to go along with Wendy's theme.

If you are interested in making a project for Wendy’s theme, visit Art Journal Journey Monthly to discover an exceptional group of friendly and accomplished artists from around the world.

I hope you have a creative November. I love that it’s the start of the holiday season. Enjoy every moment!

Thank you so much for your visit to my blog!

I am Happy . . . for More Than Words Challenges and Art Journal Journey Monthly

Hi everyone!  I am here today sharing a project that I made for the new More Than Words challenge.  

Did you know that More Than Words challenges re-opened April of 2025? I was excited to see that they have new challenges in September as well.

How do they work?

Here is more information about how you can participate in September's challenges . . .

Don't forget to use the proper hashtag on IG when you enter: #MTWChallengeSept2025

The September Week 3 challenge:

I decided to make a mixed media art journal page using Lisa Oxley's "Bright and Bold" Artist Series pack from ArtStacks' for week 3.

This pack is available in both digital and printed forms. Head over to www.artstacks.com.au/shop to see all of the beautiful papers inside this pack!

Here is the art journal page that I created for the third week of September’s MTW Challenge:

I truly enjoyed creating my art journal page. I have been interested in participating in the new MTW challenges since they re-opened, and finally found some time this week.

Their September Week 3 items are as follows:

Word: Happy - Happy was used as my title.

Technique: Paint - I used watercolor paints for my background.

Misc: Rainbow - The rainbow images and hearts are from ArtStacks' "Bright and Bold" Artist Series pack by Lisa Oxley.

For more information about MTW challenges, head over to MTW on IG .  And you can see what their talented design team members have created, too!

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

This month is hosted by Mia from Craftartista.

Her theme for September is ‘Make Your Own Background!' 

I loved making my own background for this art journal page.  I also want to take a moment to thank everyone at AJJ. I really love participating in their challenges every month.

That's it for today.  

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.  Your visits mean the world to me.  

Enjoy the rest of your September.  

I Love You to the Moon and Back . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

 Hi everyone! Challenge YOUrself's September challenge is now open! 

Challenge YOUrself #141 runs from September 7th through October 4th at midnight:

This month is a sketch challenge.  Here is a closer look at the PageMaps sketch:

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

I used patterned paper from 49 and Market's 'Starlight Dreams' collection as the basis of my page. I layered different sized paper and embellishments from the same collection to make my background. I also used 2 favorite photos of Katie and me, one taken in 2001 and one in 2019.

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

This month is being hosted by Mia from Craftartista.

Her theme for September is ‘Make Your Own Background!' 

I had so  much fun working on this project for Mia’ theme. The background that I created is made layering various patterned paper and embellishments from 49 and Maraket's Starlight Dreams collection.

If you’re interested in making a project for Mia’s September theme, head over to Art Journal Journey Monthly to find an incredible group of friendly and talented artists from around the world.

Here's wishing you a wonderful and creative September! 

There is a Galaxy . . . for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

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

I've made a mixed media scrapbook page using ArtStacks' Artist Series packs by Tamara Laporte. (@willowing)

Head over to the ArtStacks' shop to see everything that is included in these amazing packs!

Here is the art journal page that I made:

I’ve been loving Tam’s latest packs, and decided to create a sister page to my “Endless Potential” art journal page that I made back in June.

To begin, I created an off-white background and incorporated various sized rectangles, by utilizing Tam’s background images from her 'Mystical Universe' pack. Next, I added torn, corrugated white paper. Then I fussy-cut and adhered the gorgeous image of the woman (also from the 'Mystical Universe’ pack) to my page. Once more, I chose a sentiment from the same pack and made it the title of my page.  The turquoise stars are also from the same pack, while the doodles are from Tam’s original 'Fabulous Faces' pack. Finally, I enhanced the background by adding stenciling, black stars, ink splatters, and machine stitching around the border. The entire process was remarkably easy and fun!

For more information about ArtStacks, head over to their website - you can see what their talented design team has come up with at their blog!

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

This month's host is Chris from Pearshaped Crafting.

Her theme for August is ‘Hot Summer (Nights or Days).' She was inspired by Neil Diamond’s legendary concert in August 1972!

While creating this page, I was reminded of the warm summer evenings and all of stars that adorn the night sky and galaxy after the sun sets.  I hope this goes along with Chris' Hot Summer Nights theme!!!

If you’re in the mood to make a project for AJJ’s August theme, head over to Art Journal Journey Monthly.  I think you will have an amazing time meeting so many talented and friendly artists there.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today. Have a creative August!

Sacred Heart Hospital Reunion . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly

 Hi everyone! Challenge YOUrself's August challenge is now open! 

Challenge YOUrself #140 runs from August 7th through September 4th at midnight:

This month's theme is to use your stencils!

I used this color wheel stencil that I had in my stash:

and created this 12 x 12 mixed media scrapbook page:

I used an incredible sheet of patterned paper from the 49 and Market's Kaleidoscope collection as the basis of my page. I also used the color wheel stencil with embossing powder to add some raised textures and to go along with Challenge YOUrself's theme. The photo is from a recent Sacred Heart Hospital reunion. We all met at a casual outdoor restaurant on July 10th. It was super hot that day, but you can’t tell from the photo! This was just one of the photos taken - there were at least 30 people there, and it was so great to catch up with nurses, doctors, technologists, social workers, and so many more, from 30 years ago!  

I hope I have inspired you to join in on the fun at Challenge YOUrself this month! We’d love to see your projects with stencils!

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

This month is being hosted by Chris from Pearshaped Crafting.

Her theme for August is ‘Hot Summer (Nights or Days)!' She was inspired by Neil Diamond’s legendary concert in August 1972!

I had an absolute blast working on this project for Chris’ theme. The photo that I used is a perfect fit for the theme because it was taken outside this past July, and it was scorching hot that day!

I also wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone at AJJ. I’ve been blown away by the talent and creativity of artists from all over the world. Their artwork is truly amazing!

If you’re up for creating a project for AJJ’s August theme, head over to the link above at Art Journal Journey Monthly. You’ll have an amazing time meeting so many talented and friendly artists.

That’s all for today. I hope you’re having a fantastic and creative August!

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Cheers!  

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 Dreams” 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!

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!

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!