Friday, May 17, 2013

Art Journal

Art Journals

What is an art journal you ask, basically it is a diary. It can be a daily journal or just about everyday things each month or memorable moments that you wish to journal about. How you use it is entirely up to you :)

Art journals are fun and a great way to learn or share new techniques. I am going to share a quick step by step to creating your very own Art Journal page. I love the freedom of these journals, you can try new products or techniques and be as creative as you like, journals are awesome for using up all those little bits of left overs or your stash :). First you need a book, can be a cheap exercise book or a hardcover blank book in whatever size you like. Then you need to decide what you are going to put on your page. Journal about the things you love, what's on your mind, where you've travelled, things you are grateful for or inspire you, choose a song and add the lyrics or maybe what you want your future to hold. So lets get started...



Step One: Gesso is your friend and a great base, so apply some to your page and while that's drying you can use this time to go pick out some scrap papers, embellishments, inks, pens or markers from your stash or if like me you are a little impatient give it a blast with your heat gun. (No need for this step if your page is white, has no blemishes or bleeding from previous pages)


Step Two: Choose two or three distress inks and use your blending tool - I used Tattered Rose, Aged Mahogany and Scattered Straw. Mist lightly with water to help blend all the colours together. Gives a lovely soft look. Another idea for backgrounds is using an old giftcard or credit card and scrapping paint over the page for really cool effect!
 


Step Three: Pick out one of your favourite Glimmermists or Perfect Pearl Mists in coordinating colour and spray onto your page. I used Tattered Angels Vintage Pink, adds a really nice sheen! Watercolours are also great.

Step Four:  Choose some stencils, templates or punches and create your design, you might like to add some texture and depth. Ripped paper, drywall tape and other household items can add extra interest and texture. Using TH Distress PaintsTH Distress Inks, Donna Salazar mixed media Inx Choxtexture paste or any other medium you like just keep building layers.


Step Five:  Randomly add some stamped images, allowing some to hang off the page. Using a black (or a colour of your choice) sharpie pen start doodling on your page. Don't think to much about it, just have fun and let your imagination flow! Using black and white charcoal pencils are also fun. Add a quote or an inspiration thought!


Step six:  Ink around the edges with TH Walnut Ink or DS Inx Chox Sparrow to grunge up the pages a bit to finish off.


TIPS: Jar lids, bottle tops, sponges, kitchen spatula's, plastic doily's, steel wool and so much more can be used to create different textures on your backgrounds in your journal. Just think outside the square :)

 



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Friday, May 3, 2013

Altered Tea Light Candles

Last official day of school holidays, they have gone so quickly. I had so much I wanted to do but only achieved half and I am still making lots of Mother's Day gift for my youngest daughters school stall which is next week - eeek!!

Thought I would share here a really cute idea for altering Tea Light candles and when wrapped look really pretty and make an inexpensive gift! Who doesn't love candles!



I cut out 1 1/2in circles using my cricut of some scrap patterned cardstock from my stash, punched a small hole for the wick then placed on coordinating card stock. Finishing off with a thick ribbon for decoration.
(of course the paper disc will need to be removed before lighting!!)

 Now back to some more sewing and hopefully finish off a few potpourri sachets :)

Thanks for stopping by, hope you all have something wonderful planned for the weekend, May is our busiest month as a family! and it all starts tomorrow xx

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