First Journal Page

It is so nice to be back from the vacation to the beach. While there, I spent some time on the beach soaking up the sun and listening to the surf, all the while sketching and thinking about journal pages in my mind. It was great! I really do have a whole new perspective to the things that I have been creating lately and what mediums I have been using. I finally feel that my art is starting to reveal who I am. I wanted to create a journal page with these thoughts and so what better way than to use a desk shot with some of these things in use.

Below is the first journal page I ever made. I gessoed my page, then used a credit card to add three colors of paint. Once dried, I added the photo and drew in my journal lines. The title, new artitude, just felt right. When dried, I stamped over with some white paint and bubble wrap, making sure to stamp over the photo. And I must admit, that for my first shot at this, I really love this page.

Thanks for visiting me today!

Dani

WOYWW 161

Just dropping by for a quick view of my desk. It is my birthday today and I am off with my Mom, sister, daughter, and niece to the beach. My first vacation in over a decade!

Last night, my hubby treated me to a wonderful night out with my sister's family. It was so nice since they just moved about an hour and a half closer to me. Now I have easier access to that lovely little girl of theirs. Only one hour away. Yeah!!!

On my desk this morning is a gessoed journal page waiting for me when I get back. I plan on stenciling in with the half moon shaped stencil when I get home from the beach. Not sure what it will become yet.

Below is my cover from my first art journal. I was afraid to start, so I started with the cover. I really like how it turned out. Stayed tuned next week for my first ever journal page.

I hope you all have a blessed week and weekend! See you next week!

Dani

Captured

The layout "captured" does not contain any moldeling paste in case you were getting tired of that. It does however have a lightly stamped background that was misted over. I love the paper collection that I used, but my old mind can't remember what it was. haha! And that was just last week.

The journaling was typed on scrap paper then ran through the printer with a journal block attached over it. I left enough space to pop dot the camera slightly over the photo. The letters are scripted foam Thicker's. And a little tag was added to the side of the photo. And lastly, so stitching was added to a couple of the paper strips. It is not a colorful layout, but it has quickly become one of my favorites.

Thanks for visiting - Enjoy your weekend!

Dani

WOYWW 160

Another week, another Wednesday, okay, Tuesday night in my case. Another peek, thanks to our hostess Julia, into the work desks of fellow crafters from around the world.

On my desk this evening is a lot that needs to be picked up. The new October Afternoon that came in a few days ago. My Thickers and easel from my shopping trip on Monday. And a new mixed media art journal and art journaling book. I know with the light it is hard to see, but the first page has been stencil with modeling paste through a heart stencil that I created on my Silhouette. I am hoping to add some color to it today. This will be my first attempt at an art journal and it is part of my trying new things attitude.

And finally, the layout that I finished tonight. I used the starting points from Shimelle's challenge last week.

Thanks for visiting today! Hope you are having a great week!

Dani

Create Art

Over the weeks of being out with my back, I have had to learn to be patient when it came to my crafting. Since I couldn't sit for more than 15 minutes at once, I had the time to allow things to dry, something I didn't have the patience for before. Now, I had the perfect excuse to try some things that I have always wanted to do. The modeling paste techniques from last week were on that list.

Below, is a small canvas that I made one afternoon, during my early weeks of physical therapy. Since it was a small project, it was very manageable for me to do standing at my kitchen counter. I now have it hanging in my playroom to remind me that I need to "create art" even on my darkest days. It is the thing that helps me get through a lot in my life. And all of the "playing" has made me look at my art in a different light. Some things I have really enjoyed more than I ever thought I would. You will see more of these things reflected in my work in the future.

While I am not happy that I had to suffer back issues to make me slow down and enjoy the process, I am glad that I had the time to try. Now that my hubby has made me a standing desk, I am back to being able to craft for longer periods of time. So while I am back to finishing a card or layout in one session, I also promised myself that I will still take the time to just sit stand and play. I hope that you will grant yourself the same.

Have a blessed day!

Dani

Senior Prom

Today's layout was a challenge from Camp Scrap, with May Flaum. This week, she issued a no pattern paper challenge. Wow! A whole page without any pattern paper? Since I was already on a modeling paste kick, I figured it could be done.

I only used part of the stencil with the paste. When dry, I misted it with Glimmer mist and wiped off the excess. As you can see, the paste only slightly takes the color. I then removed the sprayer off of the bottle and tapped bigger drops on to the page.  I added some strands of bling for some additional sparkle. I know you can't see it in the photo, but the tree branches are draped with the same kind of bling.

So, what do you think? Might you give it a try?

Have a great weekend!!!

Dani

WOYWW 159 on Tuesday

Since the post is already up at the Stamping Ground, I have decided to add mine early. I have so missed playing along each week. It is great to be back!

As you can tell, my pretty yellow work desk has been pushed to the back wall, so that my hubby could make me a standing height table. Due to my back issues, standing is the way I have to craft for now. My dh took down my stacked cubbies and made a mock up of that famous Pottery Barn table. Since I had to push it against a wall, he turn one of the cubbies to the inside of the desk. This is where I store rarely used materials. I still use the yellow desk for sewing, since this is something that I can do rather quickly and not have to sit for a long time. And let me clarify, it is sewing on paper that I mostly do, not fabric.

Tonight, I am working on a layout from my daughter's homecoming, but below are two cards that I made earlier today. Both cards are quick ones, of course, with machine stitching.

Have a happy humpday!

Dani