A Wonderful World . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone!

Autumn in eastern Pennsylvania has been quite the rollercoaster so far.  We kicked things off with rain, followed by a devastating Nor’easter. Thankfully, our town escaped the worst of it. Temperatures have been all over the place, hitting the 80s yesterday! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for cooler weather today. Plus, with all the rain we’ve had lately, I think we’re almost out of the severe drought. That’s definitely a relief.

Today I am sharing a project that I made for Mia's challenge at Art Journal Journey Monthly.

  

Mia from Craftartista is hosting October, and her theme is “Beautiful World.”

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 really enjoyed putting this page together! I started by giving a 12 x 12 sheet of Mintay cardstock some playful splatters and drips with spray inks. Then, I added pink burlap to both sides of the cardstock. I matted the photo that my friend snapped of me during our recent trip to the Finger Lakes on a torn piece of white, corrugated paper. Next, I fussy-cut and added some embellishments from the Mintay “Cottage Hearts” collection. Finally, I adhered my title. What a fun project!

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

I’ll wrap things up by sharing some photos of my twin sister and me celebrating our 70th birthdays at the Wilbur Mansion in Bethlehem, PA. It’s the first time either of us has been there, and I highly recommend it for its amazing food, wonderful service, and beautiful surroundings. It was a splurge, but you only turn 70 once, right!?  

Here's the beautiful exterior:

The dining room:

My twin sister and I are celebrating our special day:

It was wonderful!  (Oh, and we forgot to take a picture of us with our husbands! Haha!)

**I am also entering this post into Sunday Smiles hosted by Gillena Cox.  You can find her challenge here:  https://myblog-lunchbreak.blogspot.com/2026/10/4044.html

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.

Wishing you a wonderful October! ❤

Autumn Blessings . . . for AJJ Monthly

Hello everyone,

I am sharing my final project for Art Journal Journey Monthly with you today. I want to send a big thank you to Erika, Elizabeth, and all of you for your friendship and support.  

I snapped this photo by our pond, and I believe it sums it all up perfectly.  Every morning, I’m greeted by an incredible view that never fails to amaze me. As you can see, the clouds on this particular day reflected the morning sunrise beautifully.  

Here is my project:

I made the base of this page using a 12x12 piece of grid paper and matted my photo with two different orange tones to make it pop. Next, I tucked strips of different fall-themed patterned paper behind the photo. I also added yellow washi tape to two sides of my background paper.  I pulled out some fabric and die-cut autumn leaves from my supply stash to add some extra flair. I finished it off with the Echo Park “Autumn Blessings” title.  And that's it - it was easy to make!

Lastly, here are two photos I took at the pond by our home last fall that inspired this project! Looking at this incredible sunrise reminds me what autumn blessings are all about.

My time hosting at AJJ Monthly is nearing its end, and I want to express a big thank you to everyone for their support and contributions. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!💛

Wishing you all a wonderful and creative Autumn season!  

Halloween Party . . . for AJJ Monthly!

Hi everyone! Here is my next project for Art Journal Journey Monthly's September Hello Autumn theme. 

As promised in my previous post, I’m sharing another page with you today featuring photos of the same friends’ Halloween Party, but this time, it’s from five years later!

To make my page, I started with a 12 x 12 piece of striped orange paper that captures the Halloween and autumn vibe. After matting my favorite party photos in black for contrast, I added black die-cut scallops and a bit of real straw I had on hand to showcase the fun hayride.  Finally, I sprinkled some black paint splatter on my page.  The "Halloween Party" title was all it took to complete my layout.

In conclusion, here are some photos from my recent trip to the Finger Lakes in New York with my college friends.  We all got together last week to celebrate our 70th birthdays!

We stopped at the Visitor's Center, and I snapped this photo:

Exploring downtown Canandaigua with friends:

The view from one of the beautiful outlooks:

I took this during one of our walks on a hiking trail that was adjacent to the lake:

The Inspire Moore Winery. You can see some fall leaves around the driveway:

They had a beautiful vineyard:

I love how their wine bottles were decorated:

The amazing Sonnenberg Mansion:

And gardens:

One of our incredible sunsets:

We took a boat ride on The Lady Canandaigua:

Here's one of the incredible views from our boat ride:

In conclusion, I'm sharing a photo that one of my friends snapped of me.  I purchased this at one of the shops in Canandaigua:

Thank you so much for joining me this month!  I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone for your friendship and support.  I cannot wait to share my last project with you.

All That We Behold . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone!

I hope you’re all having a wonderful September! Here in eastern PA, the weather has been hot and humid lately. I’m really hoping for cooler temperatures and less humidity soon!

I'm also very excited to share another project I created for my September Hello Autumn theme at Art Journal Journey Monthly!

I decided to make a hybrid, double-page art journal spread:

I used a background I already had, and I mixed in some images from an old Mary Engelbreit calendar to create this hybrid spread. I digitally painted the blue sky and light green/yellow grass, and then I added another Mary Engelbreit image of the child in a pile of Autumn leaves. I remember jumping into leaf piles as a child, so this was very nostalgic for me! Finally, I digitally typed my sentiment, which I found in another old Mary Engelbreit calendar.  It was a lot of fun to make!

I’m so excited to see all of your Autumn-themed projects this month at Art Journal Journey Monthly!  I love getting the opportunity to connect with incredible artists from all over the world.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy September!

Before She Became a Mom . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly!

I’m so happy to be hosting Art Journal Journey Monthly for the third time! I’ve enjoyed seeing all your entries so far—they’re truly amazing!

Fall always makes me feel nostalgic, so today I'm sharing a scrapbook page I made in memory of my beautiful mom.  She passed away at the age of 89 during COVID on December 20, 2020. Luckily, we were able to see her after she entered hospice care.  I know that a lot of families were not allowed to see their loved ones during such a painful and restrictive time, and my sisters and I were very grateful that we could have a chance to be with her and say goodbye.

Here is my project:

I created a 12 x 12 mixed-media scrapbook page featuring a photo of my mom "before she became a mom." I think she looked so carefree, stylish, and beautiful here! The 12 x 12 background paper is from Bo Bunny, a brand I had in my stash for years. The rest was pretty simple and easy to put together.  I printed and cut the photo to fit into the background paper. I added the title, some chicken wire chipboard, and a typed label. For my September theme, I incorporated fall colors like dark and light browns, tan, and sepia.  Also, the photo was taken in the fall of 1949.

I'm finishing my post with a photo that I took during our morning walk.  I really felt my mom's presence that day!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today. I hope you’re enjoying AJJ’s theme this month as much as I am!

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!

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!