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!

Take Chances for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly

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

This time, I made a hybrid art journal spread using ArtStacks' new 'Artist Series' releases made by Birgit Koopsen.

Her first pack is titled Essential Elements:

And her second pack is called Forest Walk:

To see everything that is included in these incredible packs, head over to ArtStacks!

Here is the hybrid art journal spread that I made:

I began by using the printed version of Birgit’s background paper from her Essential Elements pack and adding it to my art journal. Next, I added some black and white paint splatter to the background. Then, I digitally added her black and white leaves to the outside edges of my pages. I love this look!!  The bird's leaves, quote and 2 feathers are from Birgit’s digital Forest Walk pack. Finally, I added the beautiful image of the woman, printed on acetate, from the Essential Elements pack. 

I definitely hope that I have inspired you to create.  I highly recommend Birgit's new releases!

I am also linking my page up to April's theme at  Art Journal Journey Monthly:

This month is (once again) 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 "Take Chances" spread and added 2 bird feathers to the bottom of my pages for Erika's challenge. 

I hope you are able join in on the fun for Spring at Art Journal Journey this month!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Happy April!

Happy Moments . . . for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

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

I used Claire Stead's Colourful World and Colourful Zine Kit Artist Series packs:

Head over to ArtStacks' Shop to see what's inside these amazing packs!

Here is my project:

I started by choosing photos that were taken at the Billie Eilish concert that my family and I saw last October - this is a memory that I will always treasure!  I picked the dark background paper in order to help all of the elements pop. I thought the bold design and colors of Claire Stead's Colourful World and  Colourful Zine Kit were a perfect way to add vividness to my page.  You can check out ArtStacks' Blog to learn more.

I am also linking my page up to Art Journal Journey Monthly for January:

This month is hosted by Mia of Crafftartista.  Mia's theme is Dots.

I added lots of paint splatted dots and some enamel dots of various sizes.  I love adding dots to my pages.  Thank you for the wonderful theme this month, Mia.

I hope you get a chance to join in on the fun at Art Journal Journey Monthly this month!

And thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  May new year is filled with lots of creativity!❤

Tea is a Hug in a Mug . . . for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

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

ArtStacks revealed their new MiniStacks on November 8th:

They have three new packs - Tea Break, Coffee Time and Happy Hour. They are all available in tissue, cardstock and digital formats. Head over to their shop to see what's inside the packs!

Here is my project:

I enjoyed making this 12 x 12 mixed media scrapbook page using ArtStacks new Tea Break MiniStack. I used elements from Claire Stead's Colourful Zine Kit as well.  Head over to ArtStacks' blog to see how I made my page.

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

I am very excited to have been asked to be the host of Art Journal Journey Monthly for the month of December:

It is my first time hosting and I have been having so much fun!

Here is a little bit 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.  

Please be considerate and remember that greeting cards, ATCs, and tags will not be accepted unless they are part of your journal page, and we will be forced to delete the link.  

However, as of November 1, 2021, we are no longer limiting the size of the journal or journal pages.  If you want to create a mini journal, it will be accepted.  However, it must look like a journal and not a card or tag.

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

I chose the theme of SNOW for this month.  As you can see on my scrapbook page, I used lots of examples of snow:  like the snow in the background of my picture, the snow on my tea cup, and the die cut snowflakes on my page.

I hope you get a chance to head over to Art Journal Journey Monthly, not only to participate in this month's challenge, but also to see all of the amazing entries by talented participants around the world. 

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  Happy December and Happy Holidays to one and all!❤

Let's Make a Splash . . . for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone!  It's nearly the end of November and the holiday season will officially be upon us!   This year has literally flown by! 

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

ArtStacks revealed their new MiniStacks on November 8th:

They have three new packs - Tea Break, Coffee Time and Happy Hour. They are all available in tissue, cardstock and digital formats. Head over to their shop to see what's inside the packs!

Here is my project made using their Happy Hour MiniStack:

I started by painting a watercolor background in green, yellow, and blue on 12″ x 12″ paper.  I made my background by using the Tissue Backgrounds pack, Tracy Verdugo's Under the Sea Artist Series pack, and Claire Stead's Colourful Zine Kit Artist Series pack. And the balloons are from the All Dressed Up pack.  I added 2 photos that I took during our "girls week at the beach" trip last summer.  And I had to add elements from the new release Happy Hour MiniStack to my page!  They were perfect here because we were celebrating happy hour at the beach in the photos!

I hope I have inspired you to make a project of your own using ArtStacks' beautiful products!

 

I am also linking my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's theme for November:

This month is hosted by Wendy K from wendysartandcraftjournal. Her theme for November is “About the Sea.” She says:  This can be anything that is on, in or by the sea. Have fun with it!

My page contains photos taken by the sea, and has tissue paper fish and a starfish.

I would like to thank Wendy and Art Journal Journey for helping to inspire me to create my page!

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

We Love Coffee . . . for ArtStacks!

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

ArtStacks was so excited to reveal their brand new MiniStacks on November 8th:

They have three new packs - Tea Break, Coffee Time and Happy Hour. They are all available in tissue, cardstock and digital formats. Head over to their shop to see what's inside the packs!

Here is my project:

I had so much fun making this 12 x 12 mixed media scrapbook page using ArtStacks new Coffee Time MiniStack. And I also used their Tissue Backgrounds pack as well.  Head over to ArtStacks' blog to see a step-by-step tutorial as to how I made my page.

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

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!

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

Hi everyone.  It's hard to believe that it's June 7th already, but here it is.  Time seems to be flying by faster than ever this year! 

 It's time for a new challenge at Challenge YOUrself:

Challenge YOUrself #126 opened today and closes on July 4th:

This month's challenge is a sketch challenge.  The theme is to create a project using this PageMaps sketch:

You can use the sketch in any way that you like, and combine it with any other challenge, just not another sketch challenge, for obvious reasons.  And please remember to include at least one photo with YOU in the frame.

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

As you can see, I followed the sketch pretty closely.  I just love PageMaps sketches and really get inspired to create when I see them.  The background cloud paper is from Vicki Boutin's "Where to Next?" collection entitled "Window Seat."  

The photos are of my hubby and me . . . the first is on our wedding day and the second was taken 30 years later.  Being married to him has made be so happy over the years.  Don't get me wrong, we have had our ups and downs (like most marriages) but we have worked hard to get to where we are today!  

I also want to mention that the rainbow and heart are from ArtStacks . . . Lisa Oxley's Artist Series "Bright and Bold" pack.   

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

I am also linking my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's theme for June:

This month is hosted by Matilde at 100% Handmade/Craftowanie. Her theme for June is What Makes You Happy?  

Madilde says "Please show us everything that makes you happy.  I'm looking forward to seeing your ideas for this theme.  I hope you will enjoy it and join is this month."

As you can see, I made a page about me and my husband, John.  We have been married for 34 years and I couldn't be happier!  

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

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

Love this Photo . . . for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

 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:

Their Doors & Windows 2 pack

and their Weathered Walls pack

Head over to www.artstacks.com/au for all of the details and to see each these beautiful packs in detail!

Here is my page using the ArtStacks new releases:

I decided to make a mixed media scrapbook page using a photo of my twin sister and me at CamelBeach in June of 2009.  Camel Beach's deck vibe is vintage, so I thought this would be the perfect photo for these packs.  I LOVED using the new releases as the background, page topper, photo frame, and short verse/quote.

I enjoyed making this project using Artstacks' new releases and hope that I have inspired you to create one, too!

 

I am also linking my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's theme for May:

This month is co-hosted by Valerie at Baastelmania and Erika from BioArtGal.  Their theme for May is Poems. 

Valerie says "Don't be scared by the theme of poems.  It doesn't have to be anything special or super complicated.  You can choose a poem or short verse, or limerick or whatever poems you like.  You can compose your own or choose works from famous people.  The main thing is to have fun."  

Erika says "I'm excited to be working with Valerie.  She said it perfectly.  Have fun and let's rock some poetry this month."

I used a quote/short verse by Joseph Campbell as my poem.  (This is also part of the Doors & Windows 2 pack!)

I hope you get a chance to check out all the entries from the talented artists that take part in this challenge every month.  And I want to thank Valerie, Erika, and Art Journal Journey for creating this fabulous and fun challenge. 

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