Anyone Looking? - NSC22 Challenge

A new Negative Space Sketch Challenge is up over at Soul Scrappers.  Here's the sketch.  I decided to change it up a bit this time around.  You can find all the details for the challenge here.

And here's my sample page...who says you can't use blue on a girl page? Not I and certainly not Miss Ashley you looks pretty on a background of pale blue.  Digi supplies used were Bluebird on My Shoulder by Chelle's Creations a kit that was part of the Digi Files this month.

I hope you'll join us for NSC22 or perhaps one of the other many fun challenges we have going right now.

And don't forget SSAJ4 is going on for the whole month of April.

Until next time...Happy Creating!

Wonder and Truth Sketch

This afternoon when I took a small break I felt the need to sketch.  Naturally, I didn't have my sketchbook or art journal since I was at work.  So I grabbed a steno pad and pencil.  It was so much fun and so relaxing to immerse myself in sketching even if it was just for 15 minutes.

I really like how she turned out <inner critic is screaming "Let me out!, but I say "No!!">.   I even tried to draw some flowers which is something I've not been keen to try.  For now, I'll tape her into my sketchbook for future reference.  And I'm going to start taking my sketchbook to work :-)

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have time to create today, even if it's just for 15 minutes.

Dreams Are Coming True!

I often reference Studio Tangie, Tangie Baxter and the Art Journal Caravan.  Well I am thrilled to share with you that Tangie is planning on opening a brick & mortar studio!  With the studio she will teach art journaling to kids and adults alike.  She will also have the space she needs to record more online workshops...yay!

She has opened a kickstarter campaign.  Details can be found here.  Here's a little blurb from Tangie, herself:

"This is one of those days that I will FOREVER look back on as one of the most amazing, incredible, memorable ever. This is the day that dreams are coming true. I am so beyond ecstatic to let you know that I'm opening a STUDIO here in Mesa, Arizona! A real classroom and workshop destination location! The really exciting part is that everyone can be a part of it! I'm launching a KICKSTARTER campaign today with some AMAZING AWARDS including a backer's only blog where you will get to be part of the Studio progress every step of the way! How cool is that? There are also collage sheets, workshops, online classes, original paintings, journals and so much more!"

Joy here again.  The kickstarter concept is that many hands make light work.  For as little as a $2 pledge you can help Tangie's start her studio.  Imagine the people she'll inspire to create!  But the pledge is not a donation, you will receive something in return.  She has really cool rewards set up to send all her backers.  Some levels even include orginal artwork!

Tangie is a wonderful and giving artist and I hope you will visit her kickstarter page and consider helping.  Thanks!

Rejuvenate Your Creative Self with SSAJ4

It's the first Saturday in April and that means it's time for our next art journaling challenge over at Soul Scrappers.

This month SSAJ4 is about renewal.  Here is one of the inspirational quotes highlighted this month-

"But what I knew was that the earth underneath was alive and that by tomorrow, certainly the day after, it would be green again."
Norman Maclean


Our featured technique is Lettering and we'd love to have you join in the discussion; share a favorite lettering style or pen that you use.  And while you're there why not share a project with us too :-)

This month's album cover credits: Studio Tangie/Studio Sherri Collab-Fashion Bee, Studio Tangie-AJF Rocking Horse Fly, Graffiti Papers, Studio Rebbecca-Pribble, Captivated Visions-Mish Mash Stamps 01, Sissy Sparrows-Project 19 Room1.  All these designers can be found at Scrapbookgraphics.com. "April" was created with a free font from DaFont.com called Orial.

Until next time...Happy Creating!

Gesso Preparation Has Begun!

I'm part of a Mixed Media swap with the Art Journal Caravan this year.  Each person is doing 21 pages.  The only criteria is that at least 50% has to be mixed media (paint, watercolor, collage fodder, etc).

I found a wonderful quote I want to use (sorry can't share until after the swap...stayed tuned).  I've already sketched 7 different ideas and still more ideas are making their presence known.  So who knows where it will all lead.  I do know that I usually use acrylic paints so I decided to go ahead and prep the pages with gesso so they are ready and waiting.


Here's what my work surface looked like after I was done.  Doesn't it look awesome :-)

Hope you get some creative time this weekend.  Until next time...

Beyonce and Klimt - What a combination!

It's been a while since I did the Song Lyric Challenge over at Soul Scrappers.  And what a time I picked to get going again!  The song this month is Beyonce's "Single Ladies".  There is a line "I need no permission" which struck a chord with me right away.  ViVa Artistry has a kit called "Quirky Originals" with images of Klimt paintings.  I chose this wonderful woman, she seemed to say "I'm me, deal with it or not."

Using a wet brush from PSE's brush sets  I erased the background around her to get those wispy edges.  The word art and frame were from that same kit.  The rest of the background elements came from that kit and some wonderful kits from Sissy Sparrows now over at Scrapbook Graphics.

I hope you'll join us for the challenge and don't forget the Art Journaling Challenge is going on for the whole month.  Until next time.....

March Art Journaling Challenge Is Here!

Hi, Everyone! It's the first Saturday in March and that means I've posted the newest Art Journaling Challenge over at Soul Scrappers. 

The Soul Team had a great time doing inspiration pieces based on some Irish Blessings and Toasts that are part of the prompts this month.

Here's the page I did using part of this Irish Blessing-

May the friendships you make be those which endure and all of your Grey clouds be small ones for sure. And trusting in Him to Whom we all pray, may a song fill your heart every step of the way.

When I read it I had this vision of a girl walking down the road with a singing heart in her hands...which eventually transitioned into this. It was my first time drawing a person in my journal.  I was nervous about it but then I reminded myself that my art journal is the place to try new things.  And then I went for it :-)


I hope you will be able to join us this month.  Until next time...Happy Craftin'!