A Forest Frolic

Art Journal Fail

Art Journal & Fail - Usually I wouldn't use these words together, because I feel like your art journal, is YOUR art journal, and you can't mess it up.  If you do something you don't like, just do something else over it, turn it into something else, or whatever.

I had no idea where I was going with this (which is usually how I roll), except I knew I wanted to use this 'Birds of a Feather' template from The Crafter's Workshop.  I started thowing distress stain and paint around and then scraped gesso over the template.  I've never done that before and I liked the textured effect...I was rollin' with it.

If I have an idea in my head, sometimes I become very impatient (as far as letting things dry) because if I step away, I might lose my momentum.  Proven fact ;)  Sooo, in comes the heat tool...

I'm drying...my wheels are turning...what to do next?  Oh, I know...I'll spritz some 'True Blood'  glimmer mist on it and...BLAM!!...

What the...

I'm staring in disbelief!  And then I start laughing histerically.

Really!?!  Out of all the places the big splats could have gone, they hit the bird!?  And all the little splatters all around it!?  And out of all the colors, it was 'True Blood!'

This was just too funny to even try to cover up!  So I got out my india ink and calligraphy pen and wrote...

...Poor Birdy ;)

Jamie :)

Ink Splats make me Happy

I bought some 'plain-Jane' page dividers to help organize my binder that holds all of the course materials for my Photoshop classes.  Came home, got it all organized...tabs, page dividers and such.  It should have made me happy, right? 

Nope...I wasn't feelin' it!  It needed something!  Then I remembered those Adirondack alcohol inks I got a few weeks ago and voila'...

I used Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Splatter technique (Video Tutorial Here).  All you need to try this yourself is a somewhat glossy cardstock, alcohol ink, and compresssed air (I used our computer dust bunny cleaner).

I put down some fun strips of tape and a big funky sticker before adding ink to this one, and I used some metallic alcohol ink too.  Just look at that shimmer...

Speaking of fun things, Vanessa from A Fanciful Twist, just posted some free printable Valentine's day cards on her blog...always a treat, and they are super cute!

Now, off you go to make ink splatters and print cute cards ;) ;)

Jamie :)

 

Home - Digital Art Journal

The lesson 2 prompt for Digital Art Journaling class was 'Home,' (that's right folks, I'm still behind, but chugging along at my pace and learning a lot anyway ;)  This is what I created...

I used mostly the course materials, except for the house, which is from one of Nancie Rowe Janitz new kits.  You can snag it Right Here, and it's 25% off!

Hope you are having a fun filled family weekend too...gotta run to another basketball game, yay.

Hugs,

Jamie :)

Digital ART Journaling: Heart

I started taking a new class last week and I am loving every minute of it!  Digital Art Journaling over at Jessica Sprague has taught me so much already and I'm only on lesson 2 (yes, I'm behind ;).  Jessica partnered with Nancie Rowe Janitz, on this class and I love her designs and mad digi skills.

The prompt for lesson 1 was Heart, and this is what I came up with...

Isn't that fun!?!  Oh I just love the lessons and all the goodies that came in the kit too.  And something that I am still in awe over is that I got to make MY OWN HANDWRITING FONT!  I think it's the coolest thing since sliced bread.  I hand-wrote the alphabet and doodled some funky dinkbats for symbols that I know I'll never use, then I scanned it and e-mailed it to the team...next thing ya know, I had my own font sent back to me to upload.  I just love it!  I'll have to share it with you soon :)

Another awesome thing about digi-scrapping/journaling, or Photoshop in general...is that I get to make pages like this, but not actually make any mess, or have to wash any brushes or clean up splattered paint.  Now, don't get me wrong...I do love to make a mess in the studio on an almost daily basis, but when there is that rare occasion where I just don't feel like cleaning up (ya know, because I spend all day cleaning up after my 3 crazy children and my lovely husband ;), this is a nice change!  Or if I'm traveling...I can still feel like I'm getting my creative fix but just get to grab the computer and go.  Sweeeet!

Are you/have you taken any art or creative courses that you loved?  Tell me, don't be shy.

Jamie :)

p.s. I threw my back out Monday morning while I was lifting weights (oh the irony ;) and have been laid up on a heating pad, barely able to walk ever since...so it's been nice for me to be able to still be creative and not have to bare the pain of sitting upright in a hard chair.  See...so many uses for learning to be creative digitally too.

Be Amazing. Art Journal

This week, I'm loving the Clouds template from Balzer Designs for The Crafter's Workshop and Distress crackle paint in clear rock candy!  I spritzed the clouds with a new limited edition Glimmer mist - bahama blue.

(click on the pictures for a bigger and better view)

I used my trusty ol' gelatos for the flowers and I mixed white with the red and the blue for a pastel effect.  I got the 'be amazing' saying and the hot air balloon from the Daily Junque ephemera pack.

This week, we are also getting a lot done around the house...yard work, organizing, little projects that have been waiting for us and I'm killing it at the gym. 

That's what inspired me...to be amazing ;)  If you've got to do it, you may as well push your hardest, get it done, and get it done while (at least trying to) be amazing!  And who cares what anyone else thinks.  As long as you think you are amazing, that's really what matters ;)  That's my motto...for this week anyway. 

Next week, well, I may just be too tired to be amazing.  But this week...

...be amazing...I like it...and I'll live it (until I crash)!

Jamie :)