5 Ways to Complete Your Art Journal

Do you have unfinished art journals hanging around?  I often get comments from readers that they are unable to finish their journals.  Today, I want to share five things I like to do to keep my journal active.

1.  Paint in your background with one color and a few stencils.  I'm less likely to stare at a page when it's got some color and texture down.  Now you are ready for stamps, tapes, sprays, and journaling.

Here is the finished page.  You can't really see the background anymore but when I filled in my background it allowed me to get my creative wheels turning.  My idea was to create 

a clothes line of words I want to identify myself with. 

2.  Write a short, uplifting message to yourself.  I like to write things that make me happy and breathe hope.

3.  Keep it simple.  Your journal pages don't have to be complex.  Relax and pick one idea or emotion to focus on.  I created this page about moving to a new city and starting over.

4.  Travel with your journal.  Get up and take your journal outside or to the coffee shop.  You will be surprised at how quickly a page comes together when you are in a different environment.

5.  Leave it open.  I kept my journal open on a page I needed to fix and I finally couldn't look at it anymore!  So, I was forced to fix it.

I hope some of these tips help you complete your art journal.  Crack them open and create!

If you are working in your journal I'd love to see it - leave your link in the comments below.

Don't forget to share this post and visit my Facebook page.  See more of my art journal.

Linking to Paint Party Friday - Creative Every Day - Art Journal Every Day - Inspire Me Monday

Sunday Tea Time - Layout

I love the smell of tea bags.  You could find me in the tea aisle looking through the boxes for longer than normal.  I don't drink it as much now but I remember how comforting it was.  It was the first thing I reached for when I had a cold.

This week my color inspiration comes from Color Me Scrappy.  I don't think I would have used these colors together on my own.  I didn't realize how much of my stash fit the color profile.  The twist was to incorporate the work NEW - N for new scrapbooking supplies (I used Basic Gray papers) E- the number eight stamp I used in my layout background (to the far left of the photo).  W - for wood veneer shapes I don't get to use very often.

My sketch came from Sketchabilities.

I am also linking to Lasting Moments challenge #186 "it's the little things that matter most."  In my case it's true.  I always look forward to having quiet time to reflect.

Supplies: Papers: Basic Gray Party Day & Maggie Holmes - Recollections Wood Veneer Pieces & Rhinestones - The Paper Studio Stickers - We R Memory Keepers Journaling Cards -

Moleskine Monday - Patience

I'm always learning.

Photo transfer from a book I'm reading called Playing With Image Transfers.  

The Crafters Workshop tree stencil, Tim Holtz Dot Fade stencil, and watercolors.

What are you always learning?  Do you have patience? 

See other Moleskine entries here.

Sharing with Paint Party Friday, Creative Every Day, Art Journal Everyday 

Early Spring Sunset - Scrapbook Page

I rarely get a chance to see the sun setting.  I'm always rushing around.  Today I created a layout about this sunset.  I kept the embellishments simple because I didn't want to take away from the photo.  I have a hard time putting the tags in my typewriter so I typed my journaling on vellum and layered it on top of my tag.  I really like the soft effect it has.

8 1/2 x 11 Papers: Maggie Holmes-Leaves & Rhinestones: Recollections-Badges: Studio Calico

I followed this sketch from Skissedilla:

This is my first time participating and I really liked the sketch.

Thank you for stopping by and Happy Easter!

Visual Journal Process - Friday Morning

I picked up a canvas paper pad from Jo-Ann's a few weeks back and was inspired to paint a tree.  The trails where I live seem to be waking up and there is so much to see.  Here was how I spent my morning last week.  Breakfast and a walk.

I get overwhelmed when it comes to painting sometimes.  Lately I've been telling myself that whatever happens....it's just paint :)

I've already started on my 2nd page.  I give myself two days and move on.  

Sharing with Creative Every Day & Dion's Friday Sketch Challenge

Click here to see more paintings from me.

Have a great Thursday!

Visual Journal Sneak Peek - Friday Morning

Here is a sneak peek of my first visual journal entry.  I'm trying to paint a bit everyday.  

Visit my Facebook page to see my process photos and full page.

In Flight

Bird watching never gets old.

Source

I simplified the shapes and colors for these quick paintings.

I created a Facebook page for my artwork please come over and like!  I post extra projects daily!

Sharing with Paint Party Friday - Creative Every Day - Paper Saturdays - Art Journal Every Day

Inspired Vintage

I made this tiny shadow box a while ago.  I love how toile fabric tells a story.

I used postcard craft paper and lots of crackle paint around the edges.  

The dress and birds are cut from the fabric.  I kept the project fairly simple.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharing with ShowandTellFriday - Friendship Friday - Wow Us Wednesday

Tim's 12 Tags of 2014 - April

I hardly ever get a chance to join in on Tim Holt's 12 tags so I jumped in for April.  

I don't have any dies or die cutting machines so I pulled out my Heidi Swapp stencil which looks a lot like the Trellis Sizzix die.  After I covered my tags with Tim's French Industrial paper and tissue/washi tape I used antique linen distress ink to distress my tags.  I wasn't able to get the mottled effect when I sprayed the water on.  Maybe I didn't use enough ink?

I used a palette knife to spread my Liquitex gloss gel through the stencil.  You will know the gel is dry when it becomes clear.

Next I spread my acrylic paint in between the raised areas and used a wet paper towel to wipe the excess (a baby wipe probably works better).  I did this a few times to build up the paint.

Here is what I was left with.

Thank you for stopping by!

Click here to see more of my tags!