happy new year

here it is, new year's eve day. i can hardly believe that an entire year has unraveled right before my eyes. where has the year gone? the older i get the faster the time seems to go by.

as i look back over the year i have many memories, some great, some good, some not so good, and some truly stepping stones for personal growth. i am learning to move within all these moments better, learning to accept god's grace when i am inflexible and think i know best.

while it is so easy for the unpleasant memories to stay in the front of the line in my memory recall, i am reminding myself that god's plan for me is truly divine and i am exactly where i am suppose to be, not only in this moment, but in every given moment that i am alive. so as i look back over the year i smile as i recall all of my memorable experiences. each one has brought me closer to fulfilling another year in my life's journey of personal and spiritual growth. i give thanks for having so many moments to teach me how to be better a person.

as 2012 approaches, it's natural to start to feel anticipation for what is in store in the new year and to leave the unpleasantness of 2011 behind. i am gently reminded to not dwell in the past nor look forward, but rather, to live in the moment of the here and now which is the only moment where i can truly be all that i am meant to be.

i hope you have a wonderful day filled with many blessings.

god bless you all. enjoy your holiday.

my christmas video

my second video

my first video

another peek

here are a few more pages in my watercolor journal. can you tell i gravitate towards the same colors? it doesn't take much - just some pink and yellow to make me a very happy girl.

i just finished making another journal. this picture is of the front cover. i love making the journals as there is something about the creating of them that is so soothing to me. i filled this one with almost all watercolor paper since i've been in a watercolor and doodling spurt.

a quick peek

i made a journal out of an old book by gutting the pages and then filling it with pages with scraps of different sized watercolor paper that i had laying around. i drew images and designs in a black pitt pen and then used watercolors to create the pages. i'll be sharing some more of those pages with you in future posts.

grateful

i'm still writing in my gratitude journal. it's been a great gift to me to write down blessings every day. it helps keep my spirits lifted and my perspective more on target on what's right with my life. what are you grateful for?

december journal prompt

the journal prompt for december is: what three things have you learned about yourself this year?
if you want to join in on the ope flickr group ncome on over and post your journal page(s) - i'd love to have you play along!

happy thanksgiving

i hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed holiday. i had the gift of watching this video - Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2ofrX7jAk clip this morning and i thought i'd share it with you. happy thanksgiving. i'm grateful you stopped by to see
me today.

some exciting news

in the new year i'm going to be teaching several different journal classes at "she scrapbooks" in the villages, florida. stay tuned for more information!

stampotique's latest newsletter

here is a tidbit from stampotique's newsletter:

Psst! Stay tuned for a brand new artist coming soon to Stampotique in January! Not only are her images great for rubber stamping cards and goodies, but also for those of you who love to journal! Like most of our other artists, she is a little bit on the edgy side! Can you guess who the new artist will be??? See you in January!

november journal prompt

november's journal prompt: if you could be any creature what would it be? come follow along in the monthly journal prompt at the flickr group. we'd love to have you join in! http://www.flickr.com/groups/1570781@N20

stampotique poison bottle challenge

this week's challenge at stampotique was to do a poison bottle. i stamped the cream backgound with the spirit definition stamp. then i layered a rectangle piece of paper on top that i used the alphabitties stamp to stamp out the word poison. even the little "x's" on the side of the word is the letter "x" from that stamp. i used the skeleton head from the halloween cube 2 stamp to stamp on shrinky dink to use as a charm. check out the stampotique designer's blog to see more of the fabulous design teams' poison bottles.

EXCITING NEWS

in the beginning of the new year you will be able to find my name in the category of STAMPS BY ARTIST on the stampotique website. yup, that's right, i have signed on with this wonderful stamp company to design my own line of rubber stamps. i am so passionate about stamping so this couldn't be a more perfect fit for me. i feel so blessed and honored to be on this new journey. stay tuned for more information as the debut of my stamp line draws nearer.

journal page in progress

here is a journal page in progress - i still have some things to do on it but it's coming along. i like to save extra doodling for times when i can just sit and get lost in them. i know that "less is more" sometimes but for some reason i seem to find that i like to "busy up" my pages so there is always something new to see when you look at them.

shadow box for stampotique design team

as you might remember from a previous post, i mentioned that i am a guest designer for stampotique for the month of october. it has really been wonderful to design for them. for this week i made a shadowbox using their images exclusively.
to make this shadowbox i used some old bingo balls that i painted orange-red and used some brown ink to distress them. i used a black marker to color the debossed numbers. brads fasten a black metal drawer plate over some patterned paper on the bottom front of the box.

here is a close up of the inside of the shadowbox.

i used patterned paper to line the back and sides of the inside of the box. i tore some green patterned paper to use as gross knolls in the background. i also created a lip with the green paper which would sit at the very edge of box. i used a one inch circle punch and punched out a yellow circle which i used distress inks on and glued it in the upper corner for a moon. i added a few star stickers in the sky.
i stamped the tree on the background and then on paper which i cut out by hand and used pop dots to give it dimension. i stamped the picket fence on white card stock, used markers to add shadowing and hand cut it out. i double my pop dots to bring it out even further from the background.
after i had the picket fence in place i hand drew some grass blades on patterned paper and hand cut it out. i used that grass in front of the picket fencing.
i stamped the skull on white card stock and used markers for shadowing. i also stamped mary on white card stock and used markers to color the body in. i cut off the head and replaced it with the skull, as well as shortened her legs so she could stand inside the box. i hand cut out a crown to fit and glued it on top of the skull. i used pop dots for the image once again.
i stamped the pumpkins on various orange card stock, added some shadows with markers and tripled the use of pop dot thickness to give them even more dimension.

more gratitude

here is another page from my gratitude journal.

gratitude journal

i'm still grateful and i'm still working in my gratitude journal.

another journal cover

here is another journal cover from a journal i just completed in that non-traditional binding method i've been experimenting with the past month. i am compiling a little mound of these journals in all sorts of sizes. i am thinking about listing some of them on etsy. stay tuned.

another journal cover

here is another journal cover for this kind of journal i'm working on that is bound by a non-traditional method - no sewing required. i've been making a bunch of these gathering my learning curve.

stampotique challenge

there is a stampotique designer's challenge going on and the call is for tags. You are allowed to use stamps from any company for this challenge, but i recommend you grab your favorite stampotique stamps and get stamping.
to make this tag i used a manilla tag and used distress inks to color the background. i stiched a circle on the tag and then cut it out and pushed the edges up and out. i stamped three in a round on white cardstock and used a gray marker to create some shadows. i stamped the image on black cardstock and then mounted the white images on top of the black cardstock and glued it to the back of the tag so it showed through the opening i created in the tag. i stamped the word boo using the alphabitties stamp . then i used the spirit definition stamp on orange cardstock and restamped it and cut out some words i wanted to highlight and glued those blocks on top to create dimension. i sewed a piece of green silk ribbon across the bottom and added a piece of spider halloween ribbon trim.

making some journals

i've been working on some new ideas for making and binding journals. here is one of the journal covers i made. i've been on a roll and have made quite a few in various sizes. so i'm sure i'll be sharing some more of the different covers in future posts.

the big journal

i'm continuing to work in that REALLY big journal i shared with you on a previous blog post. i cannot tell you how much i love working in it. so i'm happy to share another peek into it. here is one part of one the pages in it.

journal pages

on sept. 29th's blog post i posted this page as i was just starting it. here is what the completed journal spread looks like. i am thankful that my friend, terri, started this journal idea. i had started a gratitude journal a few years ago and i might have used it a couple days and then it just got pushed to the wayside. this has been a very good reminder to be grateful for all our blessings, no matter how big or how small.

another sneak peek

here is a journal i made that is being featured in the cloth paper scissors gifts issue for 2011/12. i gutted the book and hand stitched the inside pages. when that was finished i constructed a cover to fit out of the contact collage paper. i added some lace trim, jewelry pieces and edging for some textural elements.

gratitude journal

my friend, terri, had a great idea to start a gratitude journal. i am not sure why it took me so long to actually start it, but i finally did a couple of days ago, because i have SO many things to be grateful for. now that i started i sit down every night at the end of my day and think about all the positive things that happened to me. what a terrific way to end a day!

contact paper collage

as promised in an earlier blog posts i am going to share a sneak peek of one of the projects that made it into publication in the 2011 cloth paper scissors gift issue. it is a tote bag that i made with the contact paper collage. gosh i love using that material to make things. it is super sturdy and has endless possibilities.
i will give you a look at another piece that will be featured, too, in a later post.

altered envelope for stampotique

there is something about making altered envelopes that i love, so i decided to make one as a project for the stampotique guest designer spot for october.

i used distress inks and acrylic paints to create the background. i used spirit definition and stamped it in the lower left hand corner of the envelope. i stamped the tree on a hand drawn knoll, and also stamped 2 pumpkins over the spirit definition to create some visual interest in the background. i stamped another pumpkin on white cardstock, used markers to color it and then cut it out and glued it to the envelope. i stamped relaxin, once on the envelope where i wanted the image to be (omitting ink from the umbrella), and then once on white cardstock. i used watercolors and markers to color the image in and then cut it out. instead of using the umbrella i made a happy halloween sign and glued it down and used a marker to make a stick coming from her hand. i then used markers to do other decorative marks and make the address label.

stampotique

i was selected to be a guest designer for stampotique for the month of october. i love their stamps! i really enjoyed making my projects for the upcoming challenges. you can check out the design team blog here to read more about the stampotique designers challenges. i encourage you to join in on the fun.

cloth paper scissors gift issue 2011

i am honored to announce that i have an article on contact paper collage on page 68. there are so many great gift ideas so if you have a chance to pick up a copy i recommend it highly. i will post some other photos of my projects included in future posts.

october's journal prompt: what is one important thing you've learned in your life so far? as you may already know, this year i started a personal journal for myself and decided to start a group on flickr for anyone who would like to join along. if you want to join along, please join the flickr 2011 journal prompt group at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1570781@N20/

journal work

i have quite a few journals started that i work in at one time, although lately i find myself being consumed by that really BIG journal, but here is a page i'm working on in one of my smaller journals. the background is far from finished because i really got hung up on painting all the details on the paint supplies i had on my art table. what kind of art have you been working on lately?

a really large journal

a while back i mentioned that i found this really large journal at hobby lobby. i swear i couldn't stop smiling when i saw it on the shelf. i felt like i found gold in "dem dare shelves". when the journal is open it is about 16" x 20". i want to use it as a daily journal of sorts and i'm prepping all the pages. here is a little piece of one the pages i'm currently working on. i'm adding all vintage family photos through out the journal. this particular photo is of my brother and me. my mom use to put us in that large metal tub of water in the summer to cool off in the back yard at my gram's house. even though i am tiny i really do remember sitting in that make shift swimming pool. this journal is going to bringing me many smiles i think.

september journal prompt

so sorry i'm late with september's journal prompt. we ran into some problems with hurricane irene and she won. we were without power for over a week. i finally have it restored and i'm truly thankful. i really took things for granted and then as i found myself displaced from home i understood the meaning of being more thankful every day with all the modern conveniences i'm accustomed to.
so the journal prompt for september is: what quote moves you in your everyday life? my quote is from buddah - what we think, we become.
as you may already know, this year i started a personal journal for myself and decided to start a group on flickr for anyone who would like to join along. if you want to join along, please join the flickr 2011 journal prompt group at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1570781@N20/

altered envelope

most of the images used are courtesy of terri at pringle hill studios

envlope front


envelope back

another finished journal page

you can see the blank page version on my post dated friday, july 8, 2011.
the little pretzel sticker was from the package of pretzels we received on one of the flights home in the afternoon.
i am still waiting for just the right thing to add to the inside of her dress and around the nest. i just don't know what that is as of this moment. and honestly, if it stays as it is i'm ok with that too.

a finished journal page

i thought you might like to see one of my finished journal pages. to see the blank copy you can look at my posting dated wednesday, july 6, 2011.

commissioned journal

i was recently commissioned to create an art journal for someone. i was given some ideas of what the person receiving the journal might like. it really enjoyed myself when i made this journal over the last few days. i find preparing the pages to receive the art is the most fun for me. i love to paint with my hands. that's right - no brushes were used in making these backgrounds. it's so freeing to me to smear the gesso and paint around with my fingers. i love how un-technical that is.

the cover












the first of the inside pages


more inside pages


a few more inside pages


and more


and the back cover

august journal prompt

i know this prompt is a few weeks early, but since i won't be able to upload it on august 1st i'm giving it to you a little early. the journal prompt for august is: what three words best describe you?

as you may already know, this year i started a personal journal for myself and decided to start a group on flickr for anyone who would like to join along. if you want to join along, please join the flickr 2011 journal prompt group at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1570781@N20/

and another.....

travel journal - continued

more travel journal pages

as promised here are two more pages from my travel journal.

travel journal

i've been working on a travel journal for an upcoming trip i am taking. i have spent about a month trying to finish up all the pages with images and some words. there are a few pages that could use a little more work but my time is running out. i will doodle and add things when i'm actually on vacation, but i thought you might like to see a sneak peek at it. here are the first couple of pages.

july journal prompt

here is my july journal page for the monthly journal prompt: if you could have 3 wishes what would they be? as you may already know, this year i started a personal journal for myself and decided to start a group on flickr for anyone who would like to join along. if you want to join along, please join the flickr 2011 journal prompt group at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1570781@N20/

i'm so proud of you kate!

check out my friend, kate's just released art journaling videos. hop on over to her blog at www.thekathrynwheel.blogspot.com to see some video sneek peaks and see more of her work up close and personal.

another blue finger production video

june's monthly journal prompt

here is my may journal page for the monthly journal prompt: if you could have a super power what would it be? as you may already know, this year i started a personal journal for myself and decided to start a group on flickr for anyone who would like to join along. if you want to join along, please join the flickr 2011 journal prompt group at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1570781@N20/

blue finger production video

may journal prompt

here is my may journal page for the monthly journal prompt: name something you would do if you weren't afraid to do it. as you may already know, this year i started a personal journal for myself and decided to start a group on flickr for anyone who would like to join along. if you want to join along, please join the flickr 2011 journal prompt group at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1570781@N20/

another blue finger production

april journal prompt

here is my april journal page for the prompt: if you could live someplace besides the place you live now - where would that be? and send someone a postcard from there. as you may already know, this year i started a personal journal for myself and decided to start a group on flickr for anyone who would like to join along. if you want to join along, please join the flickr 2011 journal prompt group at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1570781@N20/

AND THE WINNER OF THE GRAB BAG IS....

Netty said...

Oh wow a Grab bag, this is so very kind of you. Thank you for the chance of winning. Annette x

congratulations netty!

you have 48 hours to contact me at rocnic23@gmail.com with your mailing information or i will pick another winner.