Saturday, November 26, 2011

Mixed Media Travel Art Journal

I went to Atlanta for a work conference and made this:



Enjoy!
Much Love

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Recent Art Journal Pages


Welcome back everyone!  So good to be here.  I have been overwhelmed with audits at the day job (including the one that I broke my ankle on last year) and haven't had much time to breathe.  Mix that with some personal stress, and it's made for a few not so fun weeks.

I have been able to create a bit of art, mostly due to my live shows over on Ustream.  Thank you so much to all of you that continue to support me and play along!






Please check out this quick video I made showing my ClothPaperScissors Workshop DVD.



You can order the DVD from Interweave HERE

See you soon, I have lots of completed pages from past Ustream classes to show you!
Much Love xo

Saturday, October 29, 2011

How to Dry Emboss with Stencils



Tonight is Stencil Saturday!!!  Hope to see you at 9:30pm EST on Ustream where I will be teaching live!

Much LOVE xo

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Magazine Art Journal


Welcome back!  I hope you are having a wonderful week! 

I have had a few questions about my magazine art journal the past few days, so here we go!  First of all, I cannot take any credit for this idea.  Over a year ago I saw someone use a magazine for an art journal so I bought a UK Glamour at the airport because it was a cute 6x8 size.  I left it on my shelf for awhile until my wonderful friend Joyce (you can see her work linked to that post) showed us her huge daily journal that was made out of two magazines and a bunch of regular lined paper.


I have always liked to write in a journal, but since Art Journaling I have been doing very little of it.  I could not get used to plain old writing, even in a fancy journal.  A litght bulb went off when I saw Joyce with hers.  I could combine the writing and some art!!


Joyce showed us how to incorporate lined paper as signatures into the journal using white glue and tape.  Yes, the binding of the magazine takes a beating, but I love the rough look!  As you can see from the first picture I used a pretty duct tape along the binding after covering with a cool faux snake skin paper, the duct tape really helps the spine expand.


I am having fun in this journal, creating a mess and trying new things, and writing a whole bunch in between!


Have a wonderful day!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Random Art Journal Pages


Welcome back! 

As you can see I finally got the Julie stencils from The Crafter's Workshop, and I had to start playing right away!  I absolutely love the versatility of Julie's new designs.




While I was testing out the designs I created this hot mess:


It was going alright until I got out the black paint!  But, I understand that not everything I create has to be wonderful, it's all about the process and how much fun I'm having!


I have also been working in my magazine journal which I am completely infatuated with.  It's so wonderful to have a place to write a lot as well as add some art.



Be back early tomorrow with more!  Thank you so much for being patient with me during my week of no internet.  We have a new modem box and all is well again!

Much Love xo

Friday, September 16, 2011

Art Journaling for Anxiety


Welcome back!

It's not a secret that I suffer from anxiety.  I share it openly in hopes to heal myself as well as inspire others, even though there is a stigma attached to it. Yes, it can be ugly, but it's me and what I have to deal with.

I turn to art as a way to help me cope, to help keep my mind quiet.  Even with art I still find myself battling illogical thought patterns.  My biggest issue seems to be procrastination.  I don't do something and therefore feel bad, because of that I still don't do it and feel worse.  The anxiety builds up more and more each time I think about it, which holds me back from completing it.  It's a vicious cycle that I have been struggling with for years and in many cases has paralyzed me.


I am beginning to use lists in my art journal, to make baby steps toward accomplishing things and removing the anxiety, but it's a daily struggle. I have committed myself to a cognitive thought based process to help alleviate the paralyzing fear.  I want to get better.

Welcome to my journey.

I appreciate each and every one of you that have continued to support me through the good and the bad, and regardless of whether I have a mask on or not. 

Much Love xo


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Crafter's Workshop Stencil Hop


Welcome friends!!

There are two things I absolutely love:  Crafter's Workshop, and Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.  When I heard a few months ago that they were teaming together I was ecstatic!!  Julie is one of my most favourite artists.  Her style and approach to art inspires me to no end, and I am ever grateful!

When I was asked to participate in the Stencil Hop, I actually jumped for joy!  Unfortunately, due to the wonderful mail system I have yet to receive this beautiful stencil:


It is called Triangle Plaid, and comes in both 6x6 and 12x12.  It is only one of the multiple fantastic stencil Julie has designed.  Click on the link and see all the other fantastic designs.  My favourite is the faux sequin waste, brilliant!

In honour of Julie I wanted to dedicate a page in my art journal to her, and how she's inspired me:



Collage image of Julies' stencil design is her copywrite and used with permission.  I love her logo!!

I created this background using gesso, a pallette knife, Crafter's Workshop stencil "Flower Frenzy" and multiple layers of acrylic paint.  This was part of my ongoing Ustream Stencil Saturday classes.  Unfortunately, I was (and still am!) having internet connectivity problems, and it didn't record.  I will be teaching this technique again this coming Saturday at 9:30pm EST with Julie's stencil!!


Can you believe all that texture is just from gesso?  I absolutely love adding a dimensional element to my backgrounds, mostly to have something fun to run my hands over when paging through my art journal.



Check out this older Youtube video tutorial using a technique inspired by Julie and another Crafter's Workshop stencil, simple and stunning!



Thank you for visiting my blog, please check out the other fabulous artists in this stencil hop!!




Paula Phillips - You are here!  :)

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer - our wonderful host!


Much Love xo

Monday, September 5, 2011

Recent Art Journal Pages


The pages speak for themselves.















I hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend!
Much Love xo

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Art Journaling on Staycation


Happy Thursday!  My vacation has just flown by, and I've loved it!  I have been creating every day, walking Asha lots and taking many naps.



Even though it's been a good week, I have had a few challenges.  The anxiety is getting to me, so I turned to my art journal today.  I created the above page in about 20 mins.  I was not worried about technique, or a zillion layers, I just needed to get it out, and get it out fast.

I do like how it turned out, and it helped me quite a bit.  It's important for me to step back every once in awhile and just let it all out.  Let go.



Really love how this simple page turned out so well!  I was given this postcard from a wonderful friend, and just love the message.  Thanks so much Sharon! 


****EDIT:  I was actually given this beautiful postcard from the lovely Joyce!  So sorry for the mistake, I LOVE you BOTH!!!  xo



These colours were so fun to work with.  I had written some notes on the right hand side of the journal that I didn't want to cover up, so I decided to create the spread to the left of it.   I really like the way it looks.



This last spread is still a work in process.  I am still deciding on a title for the left hand side.  I had fun using the Mademoiselle Stack from DCWV.

Sorry for having to cancel my Ustream show last night, major thunder storm was passing through.  Speaking of the weather, my thoughts and prayers are with those on the East Coast.  Stay safe my friends!

Much Love xox
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