Art journals big or small

I have only recently discovered the joy of art journaling and I've almost completed one art journal book, that you can put together yourself with not too many pages, which is great for a beginner not to overwhelming. I can't wait to get another and I'm already thinking of some ideas! Here are just a few photos of my playtime, I'm hooked!

 

Looking To The Future.

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Just thought I would share one of my favourite items at the moment. Its a dyary /art journal. Its by a lady called Dyan Reaveley who  has a huge range of paints,inks, stamps and stencils. I really like her stuff. You can start the dyary any time of the year, decorate it how you want and do some art journaling on the opposite page. This week has been very emotional as my youngest child finished primary school. We've been very fortunate that our children went to a great primary school, where they had lots of lovely teachers and great friends. The parents have also become good friends. You go through a lot together from mum and baby groups to the end of primary school, often relying on each other to help with childcare.  We will really miss everyone but we will see them around. Onwards and upwards for new adventures and fun times ahead, as the children go into their new surroundings, want to grow up too quickly and turn our hair grey with worry! For the record though, I will miss all those little magic moments where even a walk to the shop can be an adventure! Or to blow a dandelion on the way up to playgroup and they'd be absolutely fascinated. Wishing you lots of luck and joy to all those facing new challenges x

Angel windchime

Hi here is an Angel Wind chime that I've made getting ideas from a fabulous mixed media book from the library, then turned it into my own.

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I've started off with an old CD, and some Tim Holtz paper from the idea-ology range. Then decoupaged it on onto the CD.

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Once dry I've gone over it with some black ink, oops too dark so I've lightened it a little by brushing over some Indigo Blue Luscious powder in bronze.

 

Next I've found bits and bobs from around my craft room to make it look beautiful also adding on some wording from the Tim holtz quotes.

 

The Angels themselves are beautiful and are made of thin wood with a material (like cotton?) Over the top. I used Dyan Reaveley's Dylusions Ink sprays in London blue, turquoise and bubble gum pink.

 

Made some very thin holes in the CD for the Angels to hang from. Also added on some lovely wording, and bells onto some of the Angels, sounds great! I also think photos would be a nice touch here as well. 

 

There we are finished, hope you like it and thanks for looking!

One of my first watercolour cards

Purple Tree Paints

Hi my name is Annie and I've very recently got into Arts and Crafts. I say recently as its now something that I would really like to  keep moving forward in and develop all these new skills that I'm learning. Ever since I can remember I've always enjoyed being creative. For example as a teenager my mum let me draw and paint  a dolphin and sunset scene on my bedroom wall! Brave mum! Then I entered a Christmas card competition at 14 and won, and was lucky enough to be in the paper and have 70 of my cards printed. Anyway life threw some other things my way and like you do I just got on with it. Life until now was meant for me to be doing other things. A few years ago I cared for a family friend who was a very artistic and won many awards for his beautiful water colours. I loved looking at them, flowers, gardens, birds and buildings. Sadly he developed vascular dementia and went down hill very quickly. He sat for many hours over time showing me how to paint and all my love for painting, drawing and creating came flooding back.

Life is sometimes very difficult, and these past few years my crafting has really given me personally something to do when I've felt down or anxious, there is something very rewarding and satisfying about creating something, especially if other people like it too!
Anyway ever since then I've been learning and really enjoying having a go at new techniques. I don't have any firm favourites, but I do love watercolours, art journaling, stamping, and beautiful colours, oh yes and sparkle!