Category Archives: Tutorial

Building Layers in My Art Journal – Part 2!

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There’s nothing quite like watching a page come to life, one layer at a time. In this week’s YouTube video, I continue working in my new handmade art journal—this time adding vibrant layers of paint to the textured background I created in Part 1!

I used some of my favorite colors to build depth and interest: DecoArt Baby Pink, Golden Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue, Golden Teal (Blue Lagoon), Lukas Titanium White, Liquitex Cadmium Orange, and a bit of Liquitex Glazing Medium to tie everything together. I also pulled out my trusty brushes, a silicone tool, and even a Catalyst for some expressive mark-making!

🎨 Haven’t seen Part 1 yet? I created the base using Tim Holtz collage sheets and vintage book pages. I’m also planning to incorporate some dreamy digital images from CherylFrancisArt on Etsy—stay tuned for those in upcoming pages 💕

🎥 Watch the new video here: Maria FlowingWatersArt

I’d love to know—what’s your favorite part of the process so far? Do you enjoy building up layers with color, or do you prefer collage and texture?

Let me know in the comments or over on YouTube—I always enjoy connecting with fellow creatives!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend!

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Fresh Start: Building Your First Journal Background

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There’s something so exciting about a fresh start—and this week, I’m starting on a brand-new journal from scratch! In my latest YouTube video, I’m building the very first background layer using some fun Tim Holtz collage sheets, torn bits from an old book, and Liquitex Matte Gel on thick 140lb watercolor paper.

I also share a peek at some stunning digital images I recently purchased from CherylFrancisArt on Etsy. I haven’t used them yet, but they’re definitely going to make an appearance in this journal soon—stay tuned!

🎥 Watch the video here: Maria FlowingWatersArt

I’d love to hear what you think! Do you enjoy these kinds of mixed media backgrounds? Is there something specific you’d like to see in future videos—like layering techniques, favorite supplies, or how I add focal points?

Drop a comment on the video or let me know right here—I’m always excited to hear your thoughts and ideas!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Maria

Abstract Art Journaling

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Excited to share my latest creation with you. This is a new organic abstract using watercolors and Saran Wrap. The colors were a little too soft for me, so I added more of the same watercolor to each individual shape.

Creating these organic abstracts in my Strathmore 8×5.5″ Watercolor Journal has been an absolute blast! I really love the vibrant rainbow of colors and intricate design on this one! What are your thoughts?

Wishing this brings a little inspiration your way today. Thanks for dropping by!

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“Remember, happiness doesn’t depend upon who you are or what you have, it depends solely upon what you think.” ~Dale Carnegie

Photo by Egor Kamelev on Pexels.com

Abstract Art Journaling

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As many of you know, I’ve been playing with Saran Wrap and watercolor paints creating some really cool organic abstract designs. Last Sunday, I spent a good part of my day working on this abstract in my Strathmore 8×5.5″ Watercolor Journal.

I love bright colors but the paints dried light so I used colored pencils that matched the paint underneath to make it pop. I also used a burnisher which softens your pencil lines and gives them a more fluid look. I found the burnisher also works on watercolor paints but the end result isn’t as bright. Overall I thought it turned out pretty cool 😎 What do you think?

Hope this inspires you, thanks for stopping by!!

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Deer Abstract Art Journaling

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I created a new abstract in my Strathmore 8.5 x 5.5″ watercolor art journal. I used yellow and magenta watercolor paints along with a small piece of Saran Wrap to create this design. The fun part of this technique is you’re never sure what will appear and in this one I found a beautiful deer.

Deers are said to symbolize gentleness, grace, freedom and strength. So I added a few words to the design: kindness, gentleness, open your 💖 Although, I’m not sure why this deer appeared in my art, I was very happy it did!

Hope this inspires you in some way today. Thanks for stopping by!!

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Mountains Abstract Art Journaling

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I wanted to have some fun creating watercolor abstracts in my Strathmore 8.5 x 5.5″ watercolor art journal. To create this fun design simply add your watercolor paints to the paper (leaving them fairly wet) and cover it using plastic wrap. Set it aside to completely dry. Then remove the plastic wrap and see what fun shapes you have.

For this design, I saw mountains emerge and went with that. Some areas turned out too light so I used colored pencils to give it more depth and to define the mountain tops a little more. It was still needed a pop of color so I added I added pink flowers and of course finished it off with a little bling.

Hope this inspires you in some way today. Have a fantastic weekend and thanks for stopping by!!

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Candy Corn Witch Hat

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When I was a kid, candy corns were one of my favorite Halloween treats. They made awesome vampire fangs 😂 So it’s no wonder I used them to make a witch’s hat.

For this project I recommend getting clay candy corns. You can use real ones and coat them in Mod Podge, but they won’t last whereas the clay ones will. If you want to get even more creative you could make them yourself 😊

This is a fun and easy Halloween Decoration to make for your home and is great for kids too.

For this Project you will need:

  • Large Paper Mache Witch Hat (about 12 inches tall)
  • Acrylic Paints: Folk Art School Bus Yellow and Black
  • Clay Candy Corns
  • 18″ white netting
  • Black Pom-poms: 1 large and 1 small
  • 2 small wiggle eyes
  • 2 Yellow/Orange Chenille Stems Pipe Cleaners 
  • Letter Rubber Stamps
  • Staz On Stone Gray Ink
  • Small Orange Boa, 18-24 inches long depending on your hat
  • Sponge brushes (makes painting big sections faster)
  • Aleene’s Tacky Glue
  • Glue Gun
  • Scissors
  • Wire cutters
  • 1/2″ flat brush
  • Clean water, paper towels, wax-coated paper plates for paint palette
  • Mod Podge: Matte for sealing (optional)

Instructions

  1. Basecoat the top of your witch hat in black paint using the 1/2″ brush. Apply 2-3 coats and let dry in between coats.
  2. Basecoat the bottom and inside of the hat with 1 coat of the black paint using the 1/2″ brush. Let dry.
  3. Basecoat the rim of the hat, on top in yellow paint using the 1/2″ brush. Apply 2-3 coats and let dry in between coats.
  4. Using the glue gun, randomly glue candy corns around the top of the hat.
  5. Stamp you letters around onto the rim of the hat. If you’re not going to seal your hat with Mod Podge go to Step 8.
  6. (Optional) Using your sponge brush apply a coat of Matte Mod Podge to the entire hat to seal it. Let dry. Once dry you can apply a second coat of Mod Podge if you so desire.
  7. (Optional) Apply 1 coat of Mod Podge to the bottom and inside of the hat. Let dry      
  8. For the spider, glue the small pom-pom to the large pom-pom using tacky glue.
  9. Using wire cutters, cut five 2″ pieces of the yellow/orange pipe stem. Bundle 4 of the pieces and twist the 5th piece around the center of the bundle to hold in place. Spread out the pieces and shape your spider legs. Cut off any excess.
  10. Glue your spider body to the legs with tacky glue. Next glue the wiggle eyes to the front of the small pom-pom. Let dry.
  11. Apply a generous amount of tacky glue to the inner seam of the hat where it meets the rim. Wrap your boa around the hat and cut off any excess. Let dry.
  12. Cut a 12″ piece of netting and tie the center into a knot. Apply tacky glue to the tip of the hat and place the center of the knot over the hat. Let dry.
  13. Gently insert the spider fee into the netting holes and you’re done!

Hope you enjoy making this fun Candy Corn Witch Hat🎃 Thanks for stopping by!!

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Candy Corn Witch Hat

Custom Keepsake Ornament

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With the loss of my little Cocoa this past summer and being stuck in bed this entire holiday season, my thoughts were on her a lot. She was quite a character and loved to rip our presents open. You can see her ears flying madly as she shredded the paper on this gift. This was serious business for Cocoa, she made us all laugh 😂

So to keep a reminder of Cocoa at Christmas, I made this ornament. It’s a beautiful way to remember those we’ve lost whether our furry kids or family and friends. It’s also a great way to create a custom keepsake for special moments. This started as a simple paper mache circle ornament, but wood would work just as well.

Round Paper Mache Ornament - Christmas Ornaments ...
Paper Mache Ornament

Supplies

  • 3.75″ Paper Mache Circle Ornament or Wood Ornament
  • Gesso
  • Acrylic paint in coordinating color to match photos
  • 3.5″ circle photograph of your loved one
  • 3.25″ x 2.5″ rectangular/freeform photograph of your love one
  • Golden Matte Medium
  • Posca Paint Marker .7mm
  • Sakura Pen .005 or other Waterproof Fine Tip Marker
  • 14″ Trim of your choice
  • Stickles – Star Dust
  • Aleene’s Tacky Glue

Instructions

  1. Paint your paper mache ornament with gesso and let dry.
  2. Paint your entire ornament, including the edges with the acrylic paint using a 3/4″ flat brush. Let dry. Give it a second coat if needed.
  3. Print and cut your photographs to fit the ornament. The approximate sizes are listed above.
  4. Using the matte medium, adhere your photograph to one side of the ornament. Apply a coat of matte medium over your photograph to seal and protect it. Let dry. {Note: depending on the ink you use to print your photo, you may want to test the matte medium on a sample photo to make sure the ink doesn’t bleed.}
  5. Follow step 4 with the 2nd photo on the other side. Let dry.
  6. Add any names, dates or sentiments with your Sakura pen.
  7. Using the your Posca pen, add little stars and doodles. Let dry.
  8. Accent one side of your ornament with Stickles and let dry. Then repeat on the other side if desired. Let dry.
  9. Last, using Aleene’s Tacky Glue, adhere your trim to the edge of the ornament and cut off any excess. Now you have a beautiful keepsake of your loved one or that special moment.

I hope you enjoy creating your custom keepsake. Keep in mind, these would also make great gifts too 😊

Thanks for stopping by!!

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Thoughtful Thursday Halloween Decor

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I wanted to share with you some fun Halloween decorations that you can easily make. I love vintage images and had purchased these at a show I was at, but you can find tons online. Please read the instructions first before beginning so you have an idea of what you will be doing. The supply list is at the bottom of this post.

Instructions

  1. Decide how you want to hang your plaques. Based on the type of plaque you have you may want to attach a picture hook to the back or you can drill 2 small holes in the top corners and sand them if needed.
  2. Apply a good coat of gesso to each plaque, front and back.
  3. Find images online and print them on cardstock. Cut them out and set aside.
  4. Paint each plaque in a coordinating color. Let dry overnight. Sand edges for a worn look and wipe off dust.
  5. Steps 6, 7 and 8 are the instructions for hanging with wire. If you used a picture hook in the back of your plaque, skip steps 6, 7 and 8. Another alternative to the wire is to use a piece of fabric or yarn which you would also skip these 3 next steps.
  6. Cut 11 inches of the jewelry wire. From the back of the plaque, put one end through the hole, coming out of the front of the plaque and coil the end with the pliers to knot it.
  7. Slightly off center at the top of the wire, wrap the wire around a pencil, 3 times and slide the pencil out.
  8. Feed the other end of the wire through the second hole from the back of the plaque, coming out in the front. Cut off any excess wire and coil the end as in step 6.
  9. Glue your images on to the plaque with Aleene’s Tacky Glue.
  10. Add a piece of torn autumn fabric to the top of the wire and that’s it!

Supplies:

  • 3 Vintage Halloween Images
  • 3 Wood Plaques fitting your images
  • Gesso
  • Acrylic Paint: Black, Orange, Red or any of your choice
  • Black Copper Jewelry Wire
  • Drill for hanging
  • Picture hanging hook/bracket (optional)
  • Needle nose jewelry pliers
  • Harvest Fabric scraps
  • Aleene’s Tacky Glue

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

Thanks for stopping by!!

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Save Our Oceans and Turtles Journal Pages (Part 2)

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The other week I posted Page 1 of this journal spread. For my focal point on the second page I used a tag that I made a while ago and stashed away for later use. I love this tag because it was embossed with a stamp that reads “My heart is at home by the Sea” which really resonates with me.

I made the little turtles using the same stamp as in the tag, colored them, cut them out and glued them into the journal. I wanted a little texture for the turtle shells so I used Inkssentials Glossy Accents.

I had a lot of fun creating this journal layout and hope you will too!

Supplies

  • 9″ x 12″ Journal
  • Torn pieces of tissue paper or pages from a book
  • Gesso
  • Mod Podge or Gel Matte Medium
  • Acrylic Paint: Aqua and Royal Blue
  • Fiber Paste
  • Wave Stencil
  • Palette Knife
  • Assorted ocean themed stamps
  • Staz On Black Ink
  • Inkssentials Glossy Accents
  • Assorted ephemera and embellishments
  • Ranger Distress Ink – Black Soot
  • Glue
  • Scissors

Instructions

  1. Paint your pages with gesso. Let dry.
  2. Tear small pieces of paper and glue them to the journal pages with Mod Podge or Gel Matte Medium. Let dry.
  3. Paint your background in your favorite acrylic paint. Allow the torn pieces of paper to show through the paint a little. Let dry.
  4. Mix fiber paste with a darker contrasting acrylic paint and apply using a palette knife and wave stencil. Let dry.
  5. Stamp sea life images to the pages with the Staz On Ink and add ephemera you have that will go with the ocean theme. You can also stamp or draw images, color them with paint, cut them out and glue them to the pages like I did with the little turtles. I also added a little Glossy Accents for more texture.
  6. Distress the edges with Ranger Black Soot.
  7. Add your quote.
  8. Add any shading and highlights where needed. Add a little sparkly glitter and that’s it!

Thanks for stopping by!

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