Captivated Visions - Negative Thoughts

Hello Everyone,

I hope the jolly season is finding you all merry and happy, and enjoying time with family.

Captivated Visions released this fabulous new collection a week or so before Christmas, and it is currently on sale over at Sweet Shoppe Designs. It's a great kit for affirming some positive thoughts to yourself, or silently calling out for a break from everything. A great addition to any art journal stash.

Available here:

http://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/sweetshoppe/product.php?productid=35592&cat=877&page=3

Let It Go

Captivated Visions | Negative Thoughts Bundle

http://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/sweetshoppe/product.php?productid=35592&cat=877&page=3

There is a lot in this kit, and I love that I can use most of it for other scrapbooking pages that aren't related to inner emotions and thoughts.  Right now, I am tending to over-think aspects of my life. I have had a lot of disappointment lately, and now I just need to let it go, find the positive, and trust that good will come. 

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season. 😊

Tangie Baxter & Co - Art Journal Caravan - January Challenges

Hello Everyone,

Over at Tangie Baxter & Co,, Tangie has resurrected her Art Journal Caravan program, which I am super happy about it. It's an art journal journey that you can use as digital, or traditionally. I followed it in 2011, 2012 and part of 2014. This month, I decided to enter 2 of the 4 challenges available. The theme is 'Uncaged' and Tangie has generously provided many goodies to play with as part of the membership. I just LOVE the colours and images she has created for this program.

Go HERE for more info

This layout is for Challenge #3, incorporating the colours from the tinted fragments part of the challenge:

Credits:

Tangie Baxter | AJE Bright Spots; Spinning Daydreams Digital Kit

Tangie Baxter & Rebecca McMeen | Uncaged Graffiti

My second layout is for the January Challenge for which I changed the colours of a brush, added the quote, and added something from the January Grab Bag:

Credits:

Tangie Baxter | Uncaged Kit (Grab Bag); Uncaged Collage Sheets; Uncaged Brushes & Stamps No.1

Tangie Baxter & Rebecca McMeen | Uncaged Graffiti

Over these past school holidays, I have been studying and I have lost motivation to keep going. I created these layouts to remind myself that I just need to push myself through this phase and the end will be here soon. When it's all done, I will be able to fly.

Thank you for coming past. Hope you are enjoying your day. :)

Digital Art

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year to all.

Wishing you an amazing 2016!

I am meant to be studying, but really, I am struggling to find the focus and motivation, so instead, I decided to play. Using kits by Jen Maddocks, Captivated Visions and Rebecca McMeen (mainly the art dolls), I started with this piece first:

The Eye

I wasn't so sure about it, so I played around some more and came up with this one:

The Tower

Still not sure, so made this one:

Believed

Quite like the one above, but decided to try it all again on a new piece:

Girl in Blue

My confused state of mind doesn't know what it likes any more. Do you have a favourite?

Thanks for coming by.

Scrapaneers - Digital Art Dolls

The other day I posted my first Art Doll I made digitally through the class:

over at Scrapaneers.

I made another Art Doll using different techniques, taking much less time and resulting in a different look. I then added it to an art journal page:

Credits:

Captivated Visions | Now The Story Ends Digital Kit

Captivated Visions | To The Moon & Back (gemstones - colour adjusted)

Kaye Fredrick | Splatterifics 14 (orange button splatter)

The Nifty Pixel | Cosmo Blooms (little flowers - colour adjusted)

Cryztal Rain - Brushed Wings

I also used an eyelash brush from Mallagueta that I downloaded free from Google as well as a free lip brush which I think was from Obsidian Dawn. I struggle with the hair and think it would be easier with a Wacom tablet and pen (hint, hint Father Christmas for next year), but I have to work with what I have, and I think it's still ok for a beginner.

Thank you for coming past. I hope this festive season allows an opportunity for you all to relax, spend time with your loved ones, and time to be creative. 

Scrapaneers - Digital Art Dolls

Hello all,

Over at Scrapaneers, there is a class titled, Digital Art Dolls:

I have been eyeing it off for a while and was so curious, I had to take it. I was up 'til 2am last night/this morning, working on a 'doll'.

Here is my first effort for which I have also made an art journal page:

Credits:

Cilenia Curtis | Don't Wait

Captivated Visions | Saffron

Captivated Visions | Creme Caramel

Although it took a while, I learnt a lot and enjoyed the process.

Scrapaneers is a great place to learn and grow your digital skills. pop over HERE to check out all their classes.

Wishing you all a safe, bright and Merry Christmas filled with love and joy.

Tangie Baxter & Co - Art Journal Pockets: Challenge No.3

Hello Everyone,

I am super happy to announce I am now a member of the Art Journal Pockets Creative Crew for Tangie Baxter & Co. Never heard of Art Journal Pockets (AJP)? This might explain....

Art Journal Pockets are created by using nine 2.5x3.5" cards (placed in a trading card sheet protector) to compose one larger art journal page. It's a fabulous, mixed-media mash up of art journaling, pocket letters & artist trading cards. You can create Art Journal Pockets for yourself or to trade with friends!
(taken from Tangie Baxter & Co website).

To find out more, please visit the site HERE.

Every month, they hold two challenges, as well as a gallery just to share your makes. You don't have to post your AJP's, but there is an option to send and receive if that is what you would like. You can check it out HERE.

This month, I'm working a little backwards and chose the second challenge to work on first, the theme being, 'A World of Octobers'. With each challenge comes a free pdf that holds all the 9 backgrounds that you can use (or not - it's not a stipulation). Here is what is on offer this month:

To download, please go to the site HERE.

And this is what I created:

Credits, mainly from:

Tangie Baxter | Bestiary of Beesies
Tangie Baxter | Melt Into Springs
Tangie Baxter | Abounding
Tangie Baxter | Abounding Splatters
Tangie Baxter | Oli and Phaunt
Tanige Baxter | Items from The Vault
The Nifty Pixel | Cadaverous Charm Digital Kit

My spread is digital, but it doesn't need to be. Print off the pdf and add your own bits and pieces, then enter the challenge. I hope you find you enjoy creating these little cards as much as I do and are able to join us. :) 

The Nifty Pixel - New Releases

Hi Everyone,

Em Stafrace from The Nifty Pixel has come up with some groovy new releases:

These silhouettes could easily be printed and added to any art journal page or layout:

The brushes are always different and unique and a 'must have' in any digi stash:

This alpha set is so incredibly versatile with 6 versions at the ready:

[click on the above images to be taken to the store]

The layouts I created:

Standing Tall

The Nifty Pixel |  Sketch'n Stack Alpha

The Nifty Pixel | In Silhouette Vol.1

The Nifty Pixel | Makin' Marks Vol.2 Brushes and Stamp Set

The Nifty Pixel | Cosmo Bloom Elements Pack

The Nifty Pixel | Core Radiance Paper Pack

The Nifty Pixel | Dreams Come True Elements Pack

Time to Dance

The Nifty Pixel |  Sketch'n Stack Alpha

The Nifty Pixel | In Silhouette Vol.1

The Nifty Pixel | Makin' Marks Vol.2 Brushes and Stamp Set

The Nifty Pixel | A Tad Torn Vol.2 Paper Clipping Masks

The Nifty Pixel | Pick Your Destiny Painted Paper

The Nifty Pixel | Cosmo Bloom Elements Pack

The Nifty Pixel | A Tad Torn Vol.1 Clipping Masks

The Nifty Pixel | Core Radiance Paper Pack

I just love the photo above of my grandparents and I feel very fortunate to have it. They were very musical, a talent that continues to live on in the future generations of their family, with violins, pianos, drums, guitars and one trumpet being played by various members of the family.

The new releases are, as always, 30% off for the next few days, available only at The DigiChick.

Hope you all find some time to create  today! :)

Art Journal Page - The Documented Life - Weeks 14, 15, 16 & 17

Hello Everyone,

Although I am still behind, I have managed to catch up on a few more weeks of The Documented Life Project, completing the month of April...although I just realised, we're almost into July!! Eek!

April Theme

Color Safari (Exploring Inks and Paints)

April 4

Art Challenge:  Watercolors

Journal Prompt:  It's Water Under the Bridge

This page was inspired by a class I did with Danielle Donaldson via Jeanne Oliver. The girl is the first I completed. I really enjoyed working with the watercolours and creating a character.

April 11

Art Challenge:  Acrylics

Journal Prompt:  Cry Me a River

The girl and extra collage bits are from Rebecca McMeen, 'Milla' digital kit.

The page started life like this:

And a close-up:

April 18

Art Challenge:  Gelli Plate

Journal Prompt:  A lot on my Plate

This one was inspired by the art work of the late Rex Ray, which I just LOVE! You can see more of his work HERE.

I went through my stash of Gelli painted paper, and decided to cut it up the papers of the same colours. It came together pretty quickly. Initially, I wasn't intending to add any marks, but thought it looked unfinished (as below), so went ahead and added some.

April 25

Art Challenge:  Inks

Journal Prompt:  Before the Ink is Dry

This is my least favourite page of all the ones I have done thus far. It also took me the longest. I have no idea what I was doing, or hoping to achieve. It started life like this:

I used a number of different inks and stencils. At this point, I wanted to add more, but didn't know what, so I went and did this, and then thought, 'what am I doing??'

Which is why I then tried to cover it up, resulting in the final page.

If you are interested in finding out more about The Documented Life Project, check it out HERE.

Thank you for popping in.:)

The Nifty Pixel - Tool Kit Goodies

Hello Everyone,

Right now in the ScrapStacks store are two new products from the amazing Em Stafrace of The Nifty Pixel, and all weekend you can get 20% off! Perfect time to purchase.

click on image to be taken to store

&

click on image to be taken to store

My layouts, which are really different for me, but thought I'd try something new:

Photo credit: 'Zebra Botswana' taken by Paul Maritz

The Nifty Pixel | Contact Sheets V.1

The Nifty Pixel | CU Spritz Fusions V.1

The Nifty Pixel | The Plus Side Freebie

The Nifty Pixel | Girl Friday Painted Papers

The Nifty Pixel | Girl Friday Digital Kit

The Nifty Pixel | Hugs & Kisses Mini Kit

The Nifty Pixel | Pick Your Destiny Digital Kit

The Nifty Pixel | A Little Shabby Brush & Stamps

The Nifty Pixel | Make It Stay Fasteners Pack

The Nifty Pixel | Makin' Marks Vol.1

The Nifty Pixel | Sweet Thing Elements Pack

The Nifty Pixel | Contact Sheets V.1

The Nifty Pixel | Stamped Letter Mash Up

The Nifty Pixel | CU Spritz Fusions V.1

The Nifty Pixel | Pick Your Destiny Digital Kit

The Nifty Pixel | Wanderlust Elements Pack

The Nifty Pixel | Pick Your Destiny Painted Paper Pack

The Nifty Pixel | Feelin' Chipper Paper Pack

The Nifty Pixel | Feelin' Chipper Freebie Pack

Please head over HERE to the blog. I just LOVE what Em and the rest of the crew have created.

Thanks for coming by.:)

Art Journal Page - The Documented Life - Weeks 10, 11, 12 & 13

Hello Everyone,

I am way behind with my Documented Life Project, but I have a uni break at the moment, so am able to play a little catch-up. Today I would like to share the month of March, weeks 10 through to 13.

March Theme

Making Your Mark (Doodles & Mark Making)

March 7

Art Challenge:  As A Layer Element

Journal Prompt:  Surviving the Elements

The rhinoceros is by the artist, Durer. I added some extra markings and colour to it. The paper with banners is from Tangie Baxter and the flowers are Kaiser.

March 14
Art Challenge:  Borders
Journal Prompt:  "Borderline feels like I'm going to lose my mind."

After painting the background, I added some die0cut borders and Gelli painted paper I had made. The circles are from Tangie Baxter paper and the butterfly is Sissy Sparrows, all of which I added markings to.

March 21
Art Challenge:  As a Focal Point
Journal Prompt:  Coming into Focus

Background is newsprint tissue paper with a piece of Gelli painted paper on the side.  For the giraffe, I used an image from the internet as a template

March 28
Art Challenge:  Make a Custom Element
Journal Prompt: "Ride the energy of your own unique spirit." - Gabrielle Roth

For the background, I used digital stamps and papers (and the girl)  from Rebecca McMeen's 'Carson'. I then printed it, added some extra paper and made more markings before adding my clusters.

To read more about The Documented Life Project go HERE.

Thanks for coming by. :)

Art Journal Page - The Documented Life - Weeks 7, 8 & 9

Hello all,

It's catch up time for me. I have been really busy of late so am now behind with my Documented Life, but I do have 3 weeks to share. I couldn't share earlier because I had trouble downloading the photos from my phone.

Anyhow, Week 7:

Art Challenge | Cover Up Good Stuff

Journal Prompt | Going Undercover

It started like this:

 Not sure why I spent so much time doing the doodles above, when I was just going to cover it up - but at the time of doing them, I didn't know I was going to do that.

Then it went through this awful stage, and I'm thinking, 'what in the world have I done?'

It ended up okay, but not my favourite bit of work.

And a couple of close-ups:

Week 8:

Art Challenge | Repeating Elements

Journal Prompt | It's Worth Repeating

I decided to do a really simple and quick page, and use a repeating element that I always like to use - circles:

I also used paper from a Tangie Baxter collage sheet.

Week 9:

Art Challenge | Using at Least Five Layers

Journal Prompt | Give Me A High Five

(apologies for the poor quality photo)

The layers: paint, gesso, stamping, pan pastels, paint markers, collage (using mainly Rebecca McMeen digital kits with some Kaiser paper), inktense pencils, paint markers.

It also has 5 butterflies.

Although I have really enjoyed working in the Dylusions Journal (loving the size, paper and mix of paper) I do find working in a journal rather difficult. I always want to add more dimensional layers. Layering and keeping it flat for a journal is a real challenge in itself for me. 

Week 13 has just been posted this weekend. You can find it HERE along with all previous challenges for 2015.

Thank you for popping in. I hope you are enjoying/have enjoyed a great weekend.

Art Journal Page - The Documented Life - Wk6

The Week 6 challenge for The Documented Life was:

Art Challenge | When Not To Stop

Journal Prompt | Don't Stop Til You Get Enough

The theme for February is 'layers', so I tried to incorporate a few.

My page:

which started life like this:

Step 1: gesso, Tim Holtz tissue paper, scribbles, rub-ons

Step 2: wash of colour all over, then pan pastels through a stencil:

Step 3: some texture paste through a stencil:

Step 4: Glimmer Mist and Alcohol Inks:

Final: splattering of purple and white paint, some thread, Tim Holtz owl stamp on watercolour paper (coloured with Twinklink H2O's and Distress Ink) and a few little sequins. Voila.

A few close-ups:

The next challenge is up already and can be found HERE.

Thank you for coming by. 

I hope you are all enjoying a creative and wonderful weekend. :)