A stack of journals

I decided to have a quick count of how many journals I’m using at the moment. It was more than I expected! I’ve got 10 journals on the go, but each one serves a specific purpose.

I’ve got a weekly diary journal. A small journal we’re recording Tony’s journey in. A 6×6 heavy Kraft journal I’m using to explore colour combinations; there’s something lovely happens to colours when you leave some Kraft showing.

A huge Dina Wakley journal that has 3 different types of paper – I bought that size by accident. A small Dylusions one I’m doing this year’s Creative Jump Start in; CJS2021 was in January and February but with Tony’s health I’m doing it slowly this year.

I’ve always got a basic Dylusions and Dina Wakley journal on the go because they are where I play just for the fun of it, but also where I “download my head”.

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My current stash of journals

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Some of what I’m using my journals for at the moment.

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This is what I’ve been playing with today.

Art videos

While I’ve been off work recuperating, I’ve watched hours and hours of art tutorial videos by Dyan Reaveley, Dina Wakley, Niamh Baly and Tim Holtz. Sometimes I learn new techniques, or new ways to use existing products, other times I’m reminded of things I used to do. It’s always good to find new ways to use existing products. And, yes, I’ve bought quite a lot of new stuff too 😉

I’d had one of Dina Wakley’s small white journals before and loved it, so bought another one recently so I could practice what I was seeing in her art videos in an accessible format. I’ve been playing with creating abstract figures using her acrylic gloss spray, different ways of creating backgrounds including using her black gesso, and experimenting with colour combinations. I’ve found the wee abstract figures are great for playing with colour combinations and think this journal is going to be quite full of these quirky characters!

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Busy hands

When I feel well (enough) I like to keep my hands busy. While I’ve been recovering from major surgery I’ve spent a lot of time idly watching art videos, but have also sat quietly at my desk playing with paint, collage and glue. Here’s some of the pages I’ve done in my small Dylusions journal.

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Playing with windows

I’ve been playing with making windows after doing some Dyan Reaveley online classes – which I highly recommend – and watching Niamh Baly on YouTube. I didn’t mean to cut the same window in two pages, they were stuck together and I didn’t realise! Still, it doesn’t matter.

I put a stamped figure on the final, single, page (shown below) and backed it with some Dylusions collage papers, then added a quote. There’s journaling in white gel pen on the black hearts; the inks are water reactive so pick up the red and pink from underneath, which I love. I used Shimmer spray inks on all 3 pages and like the added sparkle.

Dylusions online classes

During lockdown in England Dyan Reaveley started offering online classes, and they’ve been fantastic! These 3 pages are based on some of the classes I’ve done, combining techniques and just having a play. Here’s what I used:

Dylusions: 8×8 journal. Paint: Desert sand, Squeezed orange & Tropical sangria. Stencils: Retro, Stars, Circles. The page had a little leftover Angles in the background from another page. Other: Collage papers, Bigger Back Chat 2. Other products: Archival ink, White gel pen, black Fude ball pen.

Dylusions: 8×8 journal. Paint: Crushed grapes, Rose quartz & Cherry pie. Stencils: Fancy floor, Grid. Stamps: Dy’s alphabet. Other: Collage papers. Other products: Archival ink, White gel pen, black Fude ball pen.

Dylusions: 8×8 journal. Paint: Mushy peas, After midnight & Polished jade. Stencils: Court jester, Teardrops, Spring flowers. Stamps: Dy’s alphabet. Other: Collage papers. Other products: Archival ink, White gel pen, black Fude ball pen.

Colour my world

Today’s journal page is in my Dina Wakley mixed media journal; there’s only a few pages left it in, and I can’t get a new one till lockdown finishes. This was done on a canvas page that I put a good coat of gesso on, then scraped on paints, and layered on mark making with my fav Tim Holtz stencils. I used a Dyan Reaveley mask for the person, then wrote round the edges with a Uniball white gel pen. The page was inspired by Niamh Baly, who I follow on YouTube.

 

 

 

Star Struck!

This week’s quote speaks to me – I’m a firm believer in the power of gratitude, and this is a timely reminder not to whine! I’ve got a friend who is struggling to make the changes they say they want. I’ve suggested more than once their lack of clarity, and gratitude, is getting in the way of the Universe providing for them.

The challenge was to use acrylic paint, and stars. I have plenty of star stencils from Tim Holtz & Dyan Reaveley, so used dark blue paint, silver and copper Nuvo mousse and Golden Fibre paste for the stars. The background is Dylusions paints because I love their intense colours.

Crafty housework

I don’t treat my art supplies like precious items – for me, they’re tools. My favourite brushes sit in a container of water on my desk 90% of the time. I don’t clean my stamps except for a quick swipe with a baby wipe (sometimes…). Sometimes I wipe my stencils as I use them, sometimes I don’t clean them until the finer details start to get lost. They’re tools so use ’em.

Today I decided to clean my fav Dyan Reaveley red rubber alphabet because I felt I was losing some details. Might also be just my imagination! Anyway, I used StazOn cleaner, then wiped them with a baby wipe. They’re not spotless, but way better. And that’s enough crafty housework for one day…

Art is good for me

Spending time creating is good for me. Sure, I can go for weeks without creating, but I’ll get a bit ‘down’ and restless. The solution, especially if I feel tired and like it’s all too hard, is to create regardless. Pretty soon I’m sparking again!

This weekend I have spent a lot of time at my art desk and it’s perked me up. I was feeling ok, but now I feel rested even though I’ve had no actual rest…

I won’t describe products, journal etc – it’s my usual mix of Dina Wakley, Tim Holtz, Dyan Reaveley and Ranger.

 

More card making

I’m still not painting, but I am crafting more, so the signs are good… Today I have made four more cards using my new Dyan Reaveley stamps, Copics, Glossy Accents, patterned papers from the latest Simon Says Stamp card kit, some older Bazzill cardstock and the Simon Says Stamp Uplifting Thoughts stamp set.