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!

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

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

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!!

Ronda Palazzari 

Nathalie Kalbach 

Paula Phillips - You are here!  :)

Doris Sander 

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer - our wonderful host!

Much Love xo

Recent Art Journal Pages

The pages speak for themselves.

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