Category Archives: Journaling

Simple Art Journaling

Posted on by
2

Just wanted to show you how easy journaling can be. I made these fun doodles in my Strathmore 5.5″ x 8″ Mixed Media Journal using nothing more than a ball point pen.

Most of you know I’m a bit of a color nut, so I prep pages in advance with splashes of watercolor paint and let them dry. Normally I’ll prep a handful of pages at a time so I have them ready to go.

Then when I’m on a trip or waiting for an appointment I just pull out my small journal and pen from my bag and let the fun begin. It’s easy, relaxing and calms the mind plus the supplies are minimal. Journaling doesn’t have to be complicated to make it enjoyable. Simple art is extremely fun and satisfying to create.

There are a lot of holiday sales coming up so make sure to buy a small journal and create some art!

Hope this inspires you in some way today!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

Handmade Little Monsters Journal – Take 2

Posted on by
2
  • Pearl and her entourage
  • Fluffy Muffins and her BFF, Jams
  • Agnus and her eclectic brood

Not sure if you saw my earlier post where I started creating a handmade little monsters journal inspired by  Margaret Peot’s book, “Inkblot”.

The idea is to create ink blots on your paper and then turn them into some type of image using your imagination. My inkblots are all weird but somewhat cute little monsters and these are my new pages. I don’t know what’s more fun, creating these little monsters or coming up with the fun names for them 😂🤣

  • Pearl and her entourage
  • Fluffy Muffins and her BFF, Jams
  • Agnus and her eclectic brood

Hope you’re enjoying these, thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

“You have the greatest magical power within you, it’s called imagination.” ~Nitin Namdeo

Painting the Light Watercolor Challenge

Posted on by
6
Day 5 – Golden Wood

Kolbie Blume’s new book “Mastering Light in Watercolor” was released last week. As a celebration for her new book she hosted a 5 day watercolor challenge that made a good companion to the book.

It was an interesting challenge that I enjoyed immensely. I learned a lot to say the least and it was lots of fun! I got a late start but finally finished my last painting so I’m sharing them with you:

  • Day 1 – Night Falls
  • Day 2 – Sunny Skies
  • Day 3 – Dusky Skyline
  • Day 4 – Beach Bonfire
  • Day 5 – Golden Wood
  • Day 1 – Night Falls
  • Day 2 – Sunny Skies
  • Day 3 – Dusky Skyline
  • Day 4 – Beach Bonfire
  • Day 5 – Golden Wood

Hope this inspires you to create today, thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

“In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.” ~Aaron Rose

Night Sky Watercolor

Posted on by
2

Kolbie Blume at This Writing Desk, is a talented watercolor artist who has written several books and teaches online. I came across her YouTube Channel and found a tutorial she made for this painting called “Night Sky.”

I have to say she did an excellent job teaching how to create it using minimal supplies. It was easy to understand and follow along. I love how it turned out especially the light in the sky. What do you think?

Hope this inspires you to create today, thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

“The stars are olden love stories in a sky spun of soul.” ~ Angie Wyland-Crosby

Handmade Little Monsters Journal

Posted on by
3

I’m starting a new handmade journal inspired by Margaret Peot’s book, “Inkblot.” The book is suitable for all ages and it brings out the kid in all of us.

Remember when you were a kid and you used your imagination to create images in clouds that floated by in the sky? The premise behind this book is basically the same. You create ink blots on your paper and then turn them into some type of image using your imagination.

I haven’t designed covers for it or even sewn the pages together yet because I’m changing the orientation of the pages as I go. So the layout isn’t quite final. But one thing’s for sure, I can’t stop laughing at these little monsters as they come to life. When you view the pages below you’ll understand why. Hope this inspires the kid in you to be a little silly today and create some art. If you’re interested in Margaret Peot’s book, “Inkblot” it’s available on amazon. I highly recommend it!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

“The imagination is the pathway to everywhere.” ~Terence McKenna

PS – each one has a cute and fitting name 😂🤣😂

  1. Miss Bubbles
  2. Sarge
  3. Twinkle Toes
  4. Myrtle
  • Miss Bubbles
  • Sarge
  • Twinkle Toes
  • Myrtle

Simplest Things Journal

Posted on by
4

Before getting back to business in the studio (and there’s lots to do), I had a bit more fun creating in my Simplest Things Journal. I’m finally getting that fall vibe going on and made this new page with splashes of fall colors. I don’t know why, but I really love the messiness of this design. It’s a bit chaotic but also calming.

I also used a few of the wildflower inchies from my stash to create several more pages. For the most part even though they don’t have a fall vibe going on, they’re dreaming they do😊 🍂🍁 My favorite flower inchie is the red one, it really pops!

Which is your favorite page?

Hope this inspires you to create art today, thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy💖

“I can smell the autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin and crisp sunburnt leaves.” ~Unknown

Simplest Things Journal

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve been busy with so many things that I’ve been neglecting my Simplest Things Journal. So I thought it would be a good idea to create something new and give my mind a break. The original inspiration for creating these journal pages came from Amy Maricle’s Simplest Things Challenge at Mindful Art Studios.

What I love most in creating these designs is it’s a great way to unwind and destress. You create interesting art, in a short amount of time with simple elements like lines, circles, droplets or anything else you can think of. There are no rules, just create and have fun!

I’m a huge fan of color, the more, the merrier! So for me to leave a design mostly black and white or with minimal color takes great restraint on my part. Sometimes my inner muse, you know the one who’s color crazy, wins the fight 😂

These are a few new pages in my journal. They’re similar but different.

Hope they inspire you to create art today, thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy💖

“Color is a super power that directly influences the soul.” ~Wassily Kandinsky

Mountains Art Journal

Posted on by
2

I was clipping images and words from a magazine to add to my journaling stash and came across an image with a lady in a black dress and large hat. I really liked it and thought it would make a nice journal layout.

I needed her to be looking at something beautiful, something that could take your breath away. What kept coming to mind was my dad’s love for the mountains. I remember gazing at them on our trips in awe, they were absolutely serene and majestic. So that’s what I went with. It’s a simple journal layout but I love the color combination on this one.

I finished it off with a quote by Helen Keller that reads:

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”

I hope this inspires you to create, thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

Botanicals Handmade Art Journal

Posted on by
Reply

I created a few more pages in my handmade botanicals journal and thought I’d share them with you. These latest ones are flowers. I’ve been practicing painting loosely which can be quite a challenge for me at times. But I must say it’s been pretty fun!

What do you do to loosen up so you can create?

Have a wonderful weekend, thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.” ~Carl Sagan

Botanicals Handmade Art Journal

Posted on by
2

I’ve been having some fun creating loose paintings in my handmade botanicals journal. I love being able to create in this journal when I need a break or if I don’t have a lot of time.

The pages are fairly small (4.5 x 5 inches) and fill up pretty quickly. So you don’t have to overthink anything, it’s pretty intuitive and spontaneous. Just go with whatever comes to mind. Plus it’s satisfying to be able to finish something in a small amount of time.

There’s quite a few slides but my favorite is #10 with the blue and green leaves and red berries. My next favorite is #13 which is the one above and then of course all the flower ones. Some I’m not that crazy about but it was a learning experience trying new brushes and paints. Which one is your favorite?

✨Also, don’t forget the 50% Off, Christmas in July Sale going on in my Etsy Shop ends Sunday night at midnight. So make sure you don’t miss out✨

Hope you have a wonderful weekend planned, thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will.” ~George Bernard Shaw