3-to-Inspire with Patricia

 

Happy weekend, Citrus Twist Kits Friends!  I have a project to share with you that has been on my to-do list of things I have wanted to get back into doing...art journaling.  I had the perfect sized book in mind to start altering!  

This book was shiny, so I did use a regular fingernail file to rough it up as much as I could to help the paint stick.  I altered the cover using about 2 layers of white gesso and paint, mixing in old and new stickers in between those layers, and then the final layer was adding stamps and more stickers.  Here is a quick video with music to show you step by step how I altered the cover and a few of the inside pages.  You'll see in the video, I did remove some of the inside pages, thanks to looking at other art journalers.  The reason for this is to not have the book so full.  I will be adding paints and other media to the pages on the inside, so removing some pages helps that.   I did add the gesso to the sides of the pages and let it dry, but then as soon as it dried, I fanned out the pages a bit to separate since the gesso can act as a glue.  With some of the pages being removed, I wasn't looking for perfection.  Just know if you paint your edges like I did, you will want to do the same.  And be sure to use just a little paint.

Here are a few more photos of how the first few pages of the inside are coming together.  The new June paper pack was so perfect for the look I wanted.  I used double-sided tape to adhere these pattern papers.

My problem with art journaling is making the journaling part too tedious, not knowing what to write, or just not knowing where to start.  These first two pages came together I think because I had these beautiful papers and the trimmings all on my desk, so I grabbed what I loved, and knew the words I wanted to put down using the stickers and stamps.  With everything on my desk, I just reached for the gesso and a small paint brush to act as my 'glue' for my pattern papers on the left.

I used the Narrows Alphabet stamp set for the word 'Breathe.'  All the papers and die cuts are from the June release.

The journal couldn't be more timely as I find myself needing a brain dump these days!  So how about you?  Any interest in art journaling or at least incorporating mixed media and altering into your projects.

Here's 3-to-Inspire:

- Change or alter an embellishment by adding paint over it and maybe adding stamping, or go big like I did and alter a book!

- Doodle!  I forget how fun this is.  I did it around the circles on the cover...grab a pen and just create messy doodles.  

- If you don't go the art journal route, I challenge you to at least create a layout or spread using no photos as I did!

Have fun and please share in our Facebook group!

GraceBox Kit with Dedra

Happy Friday Eve lovely friends!

The GraceBox Kit this month came with a double sided journaling card that really resonated with me. The front of the card says "Your praise will ever be on my lips." I immediately recognized it as one of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs.

On the back of the card is a verse from Psalms 100:2
Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him with joyful songs.

The song "Ever Be" is one I sing at church and often in the car. It is one of those songs that you can get stuck singing after the song is over. It was a wonderful to document and reflect on the verses of the song as well. When my daughters look through my journaling bible they will definitely know the power this song has over me and my relationship with the Lord.

I really loved the floral die cut cardstock piece that came in the kit but as the page came together I felt like I needed two floral pieces to make it feel cohesive. So, I cut the floral piece in half and that did the trick. It was a great way to stretch the embellishments.

Another piece of the kit that I really LOVED was the stamp set. It was SO fun to work with and will be one that I use over and over again. Finally, I used the stamp set to blend the journaling card into the page.

Thanks SO much for stopping by and I wish you a blessed weekend ahead! 

xoxoxo

Dedra

3 to Inspire

Hi friends, Tara here with another "3 to Inspire" challenge for you. You can find this challenge here every Saturday for those who need a little extra creative push to get scrapbooking, keep scrapbooking or for those who just like a challenge! Don't forget to read through the end to see how you can enter to win some Happy Mail.


My prompts for you today are:

1. stamping a patterned background 
2. adding color with mixed media
3. long journaling/story telling

Here is my finished layout in my traveler's notebook for this challenge:

I recently celebrated my birthday last month. I had some goals I wanted to achieve before this birthday and I realized I haven't reached any of them!!! Instead of beating myself up and feeling sorry for myself, I took this birthday as an opportunity to start fresh. We are always so hard on ourselves and this year I am practicing more self-love. I took this as a great opportunity to share that in my spread here.

I really wanted to work more with some mixed media and decided to break out my acrylic paints that have been sitting barely used. I started with a layer of white Gesso smeared on the page. Then I alternated using blue, coral, and yellow paints on a gift card to get the little smears. I went vertical and horizontal for a more messy, but colorful look. I wanted to tone it down a bit so I added a light layer of Gesso again. Then one more layer in a few places of the three paints. I made sure to use my heat tool (you can use a hair dryer too) to dry each layer. at first I wasn't sure if I would love it but in the end it was just perfect!!

I then added my stamping background using the "XOXO" sentiment from the June GraceBox kit. I wanted to make sure it had the stamp throughout so I stamped around my photo that I already glued down.

I love all the little sentiments in the kit. I added some of the die cuts and a sticker from the kit, as well as an old wood chip piece I had from a previous kit. 

Here is a closer look at my journaling.

I used the washi sample included in the GraceBox kit and the scallop stamp from the Scripture Doodles stamp set. I also drew a box around my journaling. I really love how well the Illustrated Faith pens work on top of mixed media. They are truly the best ever.


I'm completely smitten with the gold and cork hearts in the Sprinkles kit this month - I wish I had a lot of extras for my stash! I used one of the heart leatherette stickers I had left over from a kit and added a homemade enamel dot. There is a little bit of light layering with vellum and a bit of the Elle's Studio paper from the June 'Boardwalk' PL kit.

I also used the fun "On Record" stamp from the Boardwalk kit. I know I"ll be using that stamp a lot. I love the font so much!

Now it's your turn! To play along, simply create a project (scrapbooking, pocket life, bible journaling, etc) using this week's prompts. Upload it to the Gallery with today's date (6/3) in the title, and you will be eligible to win some Happy Mail from the CTK store. I can't wait to see what you create.

Have a lovely weekend! Xxo, Tara