1st page in Ocean Art Journal

The 1st page of my Ocean Art Journal is coming along. I used lots of paint for the background. I added strips of book pages to give some layers. I kept adding gesso to blend the colors. To create the shore I used sea shell and starfish stamp, and added some real shells I have collected over the years.  Also used a wave stamp to add dimension for the ocean. I still want to create better edging but this is a good 1st page.

This quote came to me while I was working on the page and right now a process I am using a lot to get through work.

Lots to be thankful for this week and the top 5:

1. Even when I may feel that life is complicated, Art can soothe it all
2. My favorite hymn"The Summons" was the gathering song at Mass today
3. Stencils
4. Still working and know that each day I will do what I can
5. Everyday a new chance to try again

Have a wonderful week, Amanda

Another Art Page

 

I was behind getting my page done this month for the Word Prompt Journal. Check out the sidebar link to see all the great pages created by members and others who have joined in.

I did want to try some new techniques for this page, so used a dollie and gesso for the first layer of my page.

 This is the dollie. It had four corners so I decided to use each one on each corner of my page. I see that this technique is tricky to know how much gesso to use. It is a fun surprise each time to see what would show up.

Next I blended some alcohol ink on the page to add more color. The theme for the page was to use some symbols of time. I used my stamps with clock faces and clock hands.

I am trying to practice my art lettering. It is a work in progress. I stamped letters and then tried to add to it. I need to let it be.. I will keep trying.

Then I wanted to add this little bird. I created a nest using strips of paper and layered to create the effect.

Here is the final page.

Learn and grow

 

I had fun creating this page for a swap on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Paper_Traders. The theme for Connie was Steampunk so I had to do some research to know what to do. There is a lot of cool sites and information on this genre.  This is my interpretation of it. I LOVE now  steampunk.

For this page, the background is torn paper and alcohol ink. I found the Victorian women image on Graphics Fairy. Added the top hat and the metal brads. Used lots of layers on the pages and image.

Have you every been looking for something and found out you really like it? This was a fun project.

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!

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?

Spring Sunday

This time of year is beautiful here. Today is a sunny day after a few windy rainy days. Spring is also a time of new beginnings and freshness. And who can not miss all the beautiful new flowers. Here is a flower we made at a demo meeting I had last week. It is made of ribbon that you cut and place on sticky paper in a spiral pattern. Then you use a heat gun and the ribbon melts and curls to make the ruffled petals. After it is cooled, we added some layers of leaves and a large brad for the center. 

The flower can be added to many things, a gift package, a card, or as I am doing this week at my open house, a bookmark. So simple yet very pretty. Such beauty does remind me of my thankfulness. My top 5 this week are:

1. Sharing art with friends

2. To always be open to learning

3. Changing weather and the beauty of spring

4. Prayers and thoughts for those affect by the tornadoes and bad weather

5. Though tough sometimes, to find a good balance in life

Flower layers

Having fun with punches and die cuts. I like the layers that can be created. For the flowers on the bottom of the photo, I used glitter paper and get this.. tin foil. My sister gave the link to the site at http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/ I Gotta Create!. Just look on her sidebar, it is Tinfoil rickrack tutorial. SO COOL. The flowers were created with a flower die cut for the Big Shot.

These beauties were created with a fun punch. One punch creates all three layers. I could not help but add in these cut little butterflies; another punch. Used the butterflies on a card for my sister, but forgot to take a picture.. UGH... 

But here is a card I made for a friend at work using the flowers. I really like the layers; it adds color and dimension. Next project is to create a spring card. Now just have to choose which one to use! Fun ideas.. 

A little funny piece

I love the creative mind. You can't force it and if you let it run free you never know where it may take you. These little pieces of paper were just circles and scallops of left over cuts. I was using colored pencils to see what type of shading I could come up with. No purpose just playing and then I started to visualize a flower and leaves. Then had to add the circles for the center pieces. The final addition was some glitter for the center. Silly little piece, but I like it for some reason. Funny.