Seek, See, Go - Mixed Media Art Journal Page

Holy Smokes! It's been awhile. I guess I took a mini blog vacation. I have been creating...just not posting. I think we all need that from time to time. You know - just some "unplugged" time. :) I have been working on my Project Life album which I am LOVING you guys. I mean - LOV-ing. I am not a scrapbooker (although I have always had a love affair with all the little scrapbook goodies. They have so many uses really). But, this way of documenting life is really working for me. I am going to be putting together a PL post very soon so I can show you! Also, I went nuts the other day and cleaned out my pantry. I threw away all kinds of things...expired dates we won't mention. Lol. PLUS, I have to share these divine little goodies we baked the other day. So yummers!

Pictured above: my pantry stuff, messy Project Life table, DIY title cards for my album, and delicious "healthy" cookies. 

Recipe at the end of this post!

Enough of all the blog writing procrastination business! Let's get on with the journal page shall we? I was inspired by a picture that my Hubby had shown me of a desert. It was a beautiful sandy dune with the richest color of sand against a turquoise sky. SO pretty. Then...enter a sale on Americana paint at Michaels. The paint was on sale for 50 cents a bottle, so I grabbed a few and found the color Terra Coral. A perfect partner for my collection of aquas and the desert colors I had in my mind.

I created the background, which you see above under those goodies, by layering some paper, acrylic paint, stamps, Caran D'ache watercolor crayons, and pen. It had been awhile since I worked in my 9x12 art journal. So, it felt fabulous to get my hands all mixed media messy. After working on the background, it sat on my studio table for a few days. I left my journal open to this page on my table. I do that quite a bit. My studio space is in an open loft area upstairs. There are no doors to shut. I pass this space it seems a zillion times a day. I leave my projects sitting there on purpose. After passing by them so many times...I finally get a burst of creative mojo and finish them. :) 

In this case, I spotted a portrait. Once my family was tucked in for the night , I got to painting. I didn't initially like the quick pencil sketch I did. But, I decided to keep going and not worry much about it. I really like the colors, her quirky hair, and the small butterfly stamps.

There was a textured piece of layered paper right above her eye, perfect for a stamped word. I stamped see with my tiny dollar alphabet stamps. Then I completed the little saying with stamping seek above and go under. I also wrote the words, "I can only be me" near a stamped butterfly. I think I am trying to remind myself that I am unique. We all are. We all have a different story. We all have something different to say. It's no fun when we all try to be like each other. Right!? I just want to be true to who I am. :)

NOW, I did not forget about the cookies. If you like bananas - these are definitely for you! Even if you don't, you have to try them anyways. I am always trying to find "healthy" alternatives for my family. I think I originally found these on Pinterest. No shock there. :) I put healthy in quotations because they still have chocolate chips or non-dairy chips in them. But, they are WAY better than the standard cookie. Are you ready?? OK. Two bananas (ripe and speckled are good), 1 cup oats, and chocolate chips (or vegan chips). The measurement can vary on the chips depending on how chocolatey you want them. Mix that all together and bake them in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes. That's it!!

Now, go! Go! Bake!

Little Snippets of Life - Instagram

Having my iPhone (which has become my go to camera) with me all the time has really taught me to focus on the little things. I love capturing the little snippets in life that happen day to day. I am so happy that things like Instagram, various different apps, and my iPhone help me grab these moments so easily. Now, I look for the details that I may have overlooked in the past and that tickles my heart. Here are some little pieces of my life lately...

A wood palette shelf to be stained, an Easter dress detail, yummy cookies baked by hubby with the kids, a basket of washi, the GOR-geous sky as we left Easter dinner, spring break play, one of the VERY loud frogs in our garden, decorated eggs, and a bike ride in the park - all the sweet, blessed moments granted to this very lucky lady.

All this good stuff helps me to remain present. 

To BE here. 

Right now. 

Ever thankful that God has given me another day. 

From Cardstock to Journaling Cards - Project Life, Smashing or Anything!

Recently, on one of my many trips to Michaels (Seriously. I know. It's like I go every week. I don't. Usually.) I spotted a "last chance" bin of some scrapbook papers. At 14 cents a sheet, I couldn't help but rummage through it. I grabbed some great patterned paper, but also spotted some plain white card stock. Ahhhh! So perfect for making some of my own Project Life journaling cards. SO fun! The cards could also be easily used for other journaling, stuck down in a Smash Book, used for cards, or attached to gifts as a tag. If you are not familiar with Project Life, check it out right here on Becky Higgins site. I am joining the PL tribe this year, and look forward to writing more about it here on my blog!

So I took this plain white paper...

Used my good ol' Fiskars paper cutter (I think I have had this longer than I have been a mom - so like, 8 years! Love it!) and cut down the 12 x 12 pages. The Project Life system (which is SO easy for the non-scrapbooker, total newbie - ME!) uses sheet protectors with little pockets that are about 3x4 inches. I cut the cards a little smaller than 3x4 so they slide easily into the pockets. I used a card from one of Becky's kits as a guide.

After I cut a bunch of 3x4s, the mixed media artist in me needed some larger pieces for a few messy spring canvases. :) So I also cut a 5x5 and a 5x7. I thought it would be fun to paint a few spring themed pieces to frame, then add to my house. I know I am ready for some spring around here! How about you???

I keep a little journal to jot down ideas for Project Life cards. There are SO many wonderful card designers out there. I love looking around Instagram and Pinterest. I can not believe the creativity out there. Seriously! Amazing!! Here are a few of my sketches..

So referring to my sketches, going with the flow, using my creative mojo, and grabbing some of my favorite washi tapes...I started to make my cards. I can see how this could be very addicting! I do LOVE all the different things that the various paper companies have out on the market right now for journaling and Project Life. But, it is super exciting to make some things on my own. I know I will continue to do both - buy some pre-made cutie stuff and make my own.

Look at this beautiful tape. Be still my heart. Washi = Love. 

Lol. Please, tell me I am not alone in the love of washi? :) The mustard yellow chevron washi and aqua stripe came from Michaels (no big surprise there). The yellow stripe was a gift from my uber creative friend Toni from Five. The yellow polka dot washi came from a package of four tapes that I scored from Target on clearance! I sure do love a crafty deal!! Washi tape is perfect for smashing and Project Life too. 

See, just a little hint of aqua and white polka tape peeking out from that "right now" sticker looks great. I stamped the zig zag with a $1 stamp. Then added that adorable Heidi Swapp striped butterfly. (She is another favorite of mine!) Now all I have to do is journal a bit in the white place or add a little picture. Then slide it into my PL binder. Easy Peasy. :)

I need to go get busy on making more cards!! It was so relaxing to just sit and create these little beauties. I have tons of ideas swirling around in my head. Of course I am going to spend time painting too.  I have the 5x5 started...and will hopefully find some time at my studio table this weekend.

WIP 5x5 Mixed Media

Background - washi tape, book pages, Basic Grey paper

I'll come back and show you my little spring 5x5 and more Project Life journaling cards as I make them. I am looking forward to sharing all this creative goodness right here on Sadie Inspired. Yiippee! :)

How do you share all the pictures you take?

I'd LOVE to know!!

New Orignal Art and Happy Friday

Happy Friday! I am always happy to greet Friday morning, aren't you? It may be cold, dreary, and rainy outside - BUT, it is Friday - so it is alllllll good. :) Rain is perfect for a cozy, relaxing day inside anyways. That is exactly what me and my little guy are doing today. Yesterday we celebrated my daughter's 8th (what!?) birthday, but came home from our dinner out to my son getting sick. Boo! So my daughter ended her celebration in tears because she was worried about her brother (super sweet). He is feeling MUCH better now thank goodness, but the slow morning has finally allowed me to get some computer work done - MY word! 

Before I get to the new paintings, I wanted to show you my daughter's decorated birthday seat. This is one of our family traditions. Each year for the kid's birthdays I decorate their seat for their birthday morning. The excitement they get from running downstairs to see their special space warms my heart and make is SO worth it! This year I decided on hearts (let's be honest - because it was easy!) and had fun laying out a bunch of pictures (old and new) too. I had to hold back Mama tears seeing my baby girl...as a baby! I know we say it all the time but, it all goes WAY too fast. Sigh...

On with the art... I finally listed this angel I painted with textured wings. I just LOVE using modeling paste on angel wings. It has sparkle too!! Gotta love the sparkle. :)

I wrote about this beautiful color combo back here and now she is in the shop. I am slightly obsessed about this color combo. Throw in some aqua and I am weak in the knees. ;) I am loving her trendy feather too.

AND, a bright - oh so happy - abstract 6x6 that I created on cradled wood. Ready to hang cradled wood = my absolute FAVORITE - hands down. Big, gushy love.

It's funny. I love painting whimsical girls, sweet girls for room decor, inspirational girls with positive messages... but, I would be more likely to hang abstract art in my own home. Well...or flowers maybe. But, not really girls. Funny how that works. Look at this fun circular wood panel (about 7 inches across) that is heading into the shop. Isn't the shape fun!? This wood panel is too thin to attach a sawtooth hanger, so I am selling it as is. BUT, it looks wonderful in a stand. So it is perfect for a shelf or top of a dresser. I am definitely going to try and find more of these wood circles!

That's it for now. But I feel a creative burst coming on so I am hoping my creative mojo explodes. :) I hope you are having a wonderful week full of joy, smiles, and artsy goodness. Are you planning any projects this weekend? We are planning a Dr. Seuss themed birthday party for the following weekend, so I will probably be somewhere between Whoville and the land of Truffula Trees. :)

Come share your creative happiness with us at Studio JRU's Sneak Peek Friday!

Neon Journal Page & My Jennibellie Journal

Happy Weekend! I hope you are enjoying a wonderful day. It is absolutely beautiful here, and I am itching to get outside when I get all my computer work done. Yikes! Look at this stack of paintings with photos to edit and listings to make. That's just one pile. :) I love the creating...but, it takes awhile for all the other stuff. I DO LOVE all the different elements in the beginnings of a new creative business. I get so excited about the possibilities, the goals, and all the many ideas that come into my head. SO, I happily work through the long list of "to dos." ;)

How was your week? It was a busy one at our house. Doctors appointments, my son's birthday, character dress up day at school, preparing for my daughter's birthday next week, painting, journaling, and starting Project Life (OH, yes it has begun!). So many things happening, but I did get a chance to play a bit in my art journal. I found some Americana paint in bright neon that I was dying to try. The colors I used were Torrid Orange and Sizzling Pink. SUPER fun!

I am still working on this page. I am feeling some words, more neon, and Inktense watercolor pencils are in order. I can tell you that I will be going back to find some more neon colors. I think they will be perfect to play with this spring. AND I do have to admit that these colors did bring me back a bit to the 80s neon. (If you are my age, you will know EXACTLY what I mean.) I honestly had a pair of ginormous earrings and matching belt in Torrid Orange. Anyone else? :)

Instagram @sadieinspired

Besides my little LoveBug turning 4 this last week, the highlight was getting my Jennibellie journal in the mail all the way from England. I was fortunate enough to win a giveaway on her blog a couple of weeks ago. I adore her, her amazing creativity, and artistic generosity - so it was a pleasure to receive something from her.  I couldn't wait to open it up! It is so full of little goodies. I am so looking forward to adding all kinds of things into it.

It is made with all kinds of pretty patterned paper, vintage book pages, and original painted paper. Not to mention all the little embellishments inside as well. If you haven't checked out her blog or YouTube channel - you must! She makes all kinds of amazing things from stuff you have lying around or in your artsy stash...maybe even your trash bin! Thank you oodles and bunches lovely Jennibellie!! I will treasure it. :)

Yummy painted pages!

I hope you have a fabulous rest of the weekend and upcoming week. I am looking so forward to celebrating my daughter's 8th birthday this week. It makes me all kinds of emotional. I do not know where the time has gone. She is growing faster that I can handle. Lol. BUT, I will set my mama tears aside and celebrate the lovely, sparkling girl she is becoming!

Detail of abstract canvas headed into the shop!

Happy Creating!

Come visit Paint Party Friday & Studio JRU

10,000 Hours & A Journal Page

My daughter is a dancer. She has been dancing since she was four...just an itty bitty thing then. Now, she tells me that her dancing will help her when she is an actress and singer. She is 7. Watch out Hollywood! ;) It is an amazing thing to witness the seed of a dream. You know what I mean? The first time someone starts to really speak of what they want. Of course over time things can change - but, the beginning is truly breathtaking. 

We recently switched to a new dance studio, and my little performer is having to work her little tail off to "catch up" and train differently.  We have had many talks about dedication, time, and effort. I think the key to it all is finding what makes your heart soar... your passion. Then it doesn't all seem like a chore. You should have seen her little determined face as she practiced turning over and over again last night down our hall. As she worked and worked, I could slowly begin to see her face fill with joy. Not because she was doing the turn "right" or "perfectly", but because she was trying her hardest and getting better. It was joy sprinkled with pride and accomplishment. 

 Recently my hubby said that in the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, he states that is takes 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill. 10,000 hours! Seems like a ton of time and it is. That's a lot of dancing or painting, gardening, singing, cooking, snowboarding...or whatever it may be. It reminded me that I need to show up at my studio table. Just get there and paint. I need to make time...every day. If I am going to get those 10,000 hours in I need to get busy. Lol. I surely don't want to become a master of blog surfing or pinning. Ha! I am not really serious about that, but you get what I mean. Time management! :)

With all this dance on the brain, I painted this sweet little dancer last week. Obviously inspired by my very own darling twirler made it very fun for me. Just a quick sketch, a layer of gesso, and some acrylic paint. I used watercolor crayons too as usual.

 I found these word/phrase stickers that I thought would be fun for my journal. They have a very artsy, creative theme. Super fun! The company that made them is Cosmo Cricket and I spotted them in the scrapbook section at Joanns.

I added the words, "follow your heart" along the side of her dress. 

That's what I want for my little Sugarbean - you and me too...

No matter what it is or where it may take you...follow.

AND dream...dream BIG! 

The journey will be worth it! :) 

Artsy Insta Friday

Even when I can't write a full blog post (where does my time go?), it is always fun to capture little bits of creativity with Instagram. Are you on Instagram? (If you are, let me know in the comments so I can come find you!) Not only do I love sharing what I am up to, but I LOVE seeing all the artsy goodness from the wonderful people I follow. So much loveliness - crafters, scrapbookers, artists, Project Lifers, home bloggers, mommies, and friends. It is a super fun and shall I say a wee bit addicting. :) I guess there are things more terrible than Instagram to be addicted to! Here are a few "artsy Instas" from my world lately ...

Playing with the idea of feathers and little whimsy characters. She says, "being brave is not always easy."

Portrait on a wood block. Inspired by yellow and gray. Post coming soon.

LOVING my new Faber-Castell Gelatos. I only have 4 colors and want more!

Working on a journal page

Creating little goodies at a Stampin' Up! party.  SO fun!

A bright journal page WIP

I had to throw this one in of my dog. We joke that she is a chihuahua trapped in a Golden Retriever's body. She does not realize how big she is! She wants to be a lap dog. :)

I hope you have a wonderful, love filled weekend!

(Find me on Instagram @sadieinspired)

Also, come visit the artists at Sneak Peek Friday and Paint Party Friday too!

"Be True" Art Journal Portrait

Hi! Happy Tuesday. How is your week going? I think I am ready to get it started now after the post Superbowl bloat caused by too much food! I needed Monday to re-coop. :) I did find time to work on a two page spread in my art journal yesterday. My little man was a busy bee taking apart some toys with a screwdriver. Lol. I think I have a future engineer on my hands. He LOVES taking things apart and putting them together. Anything that occupies an almost 4 year old is a little slice of heaven!

So on with the pages!! I already had these two pages splashed with some color in my journal. Like many of you, I use pages in my journal for excess paint or to clean off brushes. So these pages had smeared paint and some extra book pages glued down. Doing this allows for a great jumping off point. Plus it is a little less intimidating than a blank page. I really liked the purple and blue that was already down on the page, so decided to go with that color palette. I don't use a lot of purple, but have some really pretty Americana colors I wanted to use. 

I sketched a face that I saw in the background and decided to add some very basic shaped flowers. Loose and fast is my painting mantra lately, so I kept repeating that in my head. :) Since both pages had the blues and purples I decided pretty early on that I would use both pages together. Let me just say a little something about the Strathmore Visual Journal...I am in big, fat juicy love with it. No holding back. They need to hire me and let me swoon about it for hours. Ha! I know some people may not like the fact that if you are doing a 2 page spread like this, that the coil can be seen. Do you know what I mean? When you make your own journal, alter a book, or purchase some like this - the pages are continuous. No coil ring thing...just a crease. I don't mind it at all. I love that the paper can handle just about anything. What about you? What is your favorite journal??

My goodness, I can get sidetracked! OK. Journal. Focus. :) I added acrylic paint, various stamps, and stencils to add texture. Another great find for me were these chipboard letters by Tim Holtz. The chipboard is pretty thin and bends a bit which is different from other chipboard letters I find. I picked them up awhile ago on sale at Joanns. The great thing about these letters is that I can alter them and make them any color I need.

You can see in the bottom left that I was trying out some larger, thicker white letters. They are really sparkly - so that almost got me (who's with me!? Sparkly loving girls please raise your hand). But, I stuck with my initial idea to alter the Tim Holtz letters. I used gesso to make them white. Added some purple Stickles to give them just a little glimmer. Then added some darker purple acrylic paint around the letters to give them some contrast. In the picture it is hard to see the letters, because I made them close to the background color. I really like the way they look though.

I wrote, "Be true to who you are."

So true.

Don't change for anyone you lovely person you.

Be your gorgeous self - AND shine! :)

Alice Journal Page

I love Alice in Wonderland. Don't you? I  have always loved the Disney version and the book. When my daughter was younger with her long blonde hair...I always thought she looked like Alice. Plus, with a total obsession with all things Disney as a little girl, she had the CUTEST Alice costume. The other night Alice in Wonderland was on TV, so I snuggled up with my kiddies and watched it. So much color and interesting shapes in that movie!

So feeling very Alice inspired, I painted this journal page. I thought it would be super fun to paint one of my girlies like Alice. I wanted it very whimsical and sweet. I started with a pencil sketch...very loose and quick. I work best that way. Quick, so I don't get carried away thinking too much. If only I could expend that thinking energy towards finding a way to make laundry disappear in this house. Ha!

After a thin layer of gesso, I worked on the background with watered down acrylic and inexpensive Artist Loft watercolors. I used more acrylic for her body and the groovy purple shape going vertically up the page. I used watercolor crayons and more gesso for her face. As usual I added detail with pen and my Faber Castell PITT pens. Finally the stamped words and some purple sparkle.

The rabbit makes me laugh. His expression is too funny. He is like, "Um, WHAT do you think you are doing?" I am hoping to find a little metal clock to glue to his belly. Don't think that would be cute? I think it would be a fun addition. I guess I will have to go hunt in the scrapbook aisles of Michaels. Oh Darn! :)

 

 Well, that's it. That is my whimsical, little page. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you enjoy the coming weekend (TGIF!!). 

But, before I go... my heart is melting...

Happy Creating! :)