Moving Forward

 

This is my first page in my new Art Journal. It comes from the Word Prompt Challenge at Paper Traders for January; Live Simply. I see that I like strong distraction. There are several layers with this page. First the water colored background, then gesso bubble wrap, then scraps of paper, stamped boarder and bees. Added the stamped butterfly with the wire antenna. I cheated on my lettering as the LIVE is cutouts and Simply is stamped. I need to practice more so that I get comfortable with my own. Also need to keep it more simple, funny that is the concept of this page. Well moving forward, no mistakes just opportunities to grow. Have a great week!

Sunday Journal

 

Finally got this together. This is my new Art Journal for a challenge at Paper Traders, 2013 Word Prompt, Life Mantras. They have a great link for the making of this from Teesha Moore's website. This journal was created using one 140lb watercolor paper 30x24 sheet. She has great video instructions on her site. The final size of this journal is 8x10.

 

 

I remembered to take some pictures as I was painting it. Forgot to when I was making it but it is a start. I made some of the mistakes she talks about but it is my first one of many more. It is really easy to make and I love the way it comes out.  

Some pages are fold-ins. Love the size and creative options this makes. I do like adding the paint and with a wet brush spreading the color and then taking a paper towel and removing some and adding swirls of dimension. (Another video on Teesha's site)

 

I made my brush too wet and colors bled through to the other pages. (She warns in her video)  I will do better next time. The varying color shading is so fun. I do need to get back to the journal though. ,In this challenge, each month we are to follow a word prompt and January is Live Simple and must include stamping. As it is the 27th, I better get to getting.... 

I am very thankful for so much but my top 5 are:

1. Sunday morning of beautiful winter sun

2. Watercolors that are never the same twice

3. Catholic Schools Sunday and little ones in uniforms, first time in 20 years it is not my girls (A little feeling old... haha)

4. Remembering that no mistakes just options

5. Fresh pages for creating

Working out the bugs

 

 

I am going to remember one day to take step pictures. These are ATCs for a SWAP at Paper Traders. The guidelines were to use the colors pink, brown, and white. I wanted to have layers for the background so I started with ink various shades of pink.  Then stamped the script writing with brown ink. Used some gesso to get a more aged look. The flowers are from a old napkin and I decoupaged them on. The bottom is an embossed brown paper with pink ribbon and an old button. I did want to add some letters but ended up with a small pink tag and stamped love on it. Still looking for a better way to ink backgrounds. Any ideas?

January Sunday

 

Whenever there are times I do not know what would be the right thing to do, I have learned to seek guidance from nature and God. From nature, I see such beauty. Though the branches are bare, inside growth is starting again. I am learning to do this myself. I am trying to get back to blogging and connecting with my art. Writing and blogging is a personal growth that makes me feel good and the art I find is amazing Looking forward to a new journey this year, hope you come along with me. If you have any thoughts on how to begin again without feeling overwhelmed I would love to hear from you. One item I do want to begin again is my Top 5 list.

Today I am truly thankful for

1. Crisp beauty in the morning
2. Family and daughters
3. Simple prayers
4. Embossing
5. Ink on my fingers again

Have a beauty and peaceful day, Amanda