Simplest Things Journal

I added a few new pages to my Simplest Things Journal before taking my break. I had 4 similar tiles and wanted to make them a home in my journal. These first two were quite interesting. I kept waffling the idea of merging the two designs, I twirled and flipped and flipped and twirled the tiles until I came up with this layout.

I ended up extending the patterns from the tiles into the journal to make them look like they merged into one. I thought it turned out pretty cool looking. So I did a similar design with the next two tiles shown below. Although these two weren’t merging I extended the design from the tiles into the journal. Plus I didn’t want to cover up all the sparkly glitter ✨

Well I’m off taking and taking a much needed break but I’ll be back after the holidays.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all the Best for the coming New Year!!! Thank you so much for your love support, it means the world to me!!!

Lots of hugs,

Maria

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Simplest Things Journal

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!!!

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

Simplest Things Journal

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!!!

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

Botanicals Handmade Art Journal

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!!

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

Botanicals Handmade Art Journal

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!!

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“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

Simplest Things Journal

Creating simple pages in a journal can bring so much joy. I’m still working in my Simplest Things Journal which I started as part of Amy Maricle’s Challenge at Mindful Art Studios. I find I’m taking notice more of the wonderful patterns that surround me in my environment that I never saw before.

As most of you know, I’m a huge fan of color, lots and lots of colors. I love playing with paints and creating new colors when they mix. Some don’t go as expected and others are a wonderful surprise. But for me, the color mixing is one of the most fun parts of this art journaling process.

Another great aspect of art journaling is it’s a great way to unwind and destress yourself. You only need a few minutes of time a day to work on the creation of a new page and minimal supplies. So it’s a win win!

Hope this inspires you to create some art!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

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

Weaving Magic Art Journal

With summer fast approaching I thought it would be nice to squeeze in at least 1 more spring art journal layout. I love bunnies and trees and wanted to create something magical with the two.

I started creating lots of layers and used paper doilies for the top of the tree. I found the words “Weaving Magic” that I had cut out from a magazine and saved in my stash and thought it would be perfect for this layout.

I was originally going to add more critters to these pages but I liked the idea of keeping it simple and focusing on the bunny’s wonder of all things magical. What do you think?

I hope this inspires you to create some magic this weekend✨

Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Everything is magical when you see it with your heart.” ~Unknown

Simplest Things Journal

Sometimes the greatest joy comes from the smallest and simplest of things. In filling my Simplest Things Journal which I started as part of Amy Maricle’s Challenge at Mindful Art Studios I’m finding so much joy and freedom as I create different designs with simple marks.

There are different steps in my process. For some of these I’ll start by creating small tiles, in varying sizes that I stash away until I’m ready to use them. Other pages will begin with a watercolor wash in the journal and then I go from. Really it comes down to doing what makes you happy at that moment and I honor that.

If you’re going through any kind of stress or you just need a break this is ideal and so beneficial for your heart and soul. You can check out online classes, YouTube videos or simply pick up a pen and get some paper and start playing. You’ll be amazed at how good it feels. The best part is you don’t need a big block of time, a few minutes a day is all you need!

Hope this inspires you to create some art!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Color is the place where our brain and the universe meet.” ~Paul Klee

Art Journal Dreams Workshop with Laly Mille

This past week I joined Laly Mille a very talented artist from France for a free online workshop. It was absolutely wonderful as we created this journal spread together. I find Laly’s art mesmerizing with the lovely colors and dreamy romantic layers that pull you into each painting.

This butterfly spread took several layers but it was worth the wait. Originally I wanted the angels to be fully visible but then I thought angels are rarely seen but you know that they’re there. So I covered them a little, making them much softer and I liked how they turned out. I love pretty much the entire spread but my favorite part I think is the twinkling fairy lights, they look magical ✨ What’s your favorite part?

I highly recommend you hop over to Laly Mille’s site and revel in the beauty of her art at LalyMille.com. She also offers online courses which are available on her site.

Hope this inspires you to create some art!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“I dream of the painting and then I paint my dream.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

Simplest Things Journal

I’m really enjoying filling the pages of my Simplest Things Journal which I started as part of Amy Maricle’s Simplest Things Challenge at Mindful Art Studios.

I made the 3 inch square flower painting last week and wanted to find it a home. I was drawing a blank on what to do next in the journal and then I read a comment on Instagram by an admirer about the flower and butterfly:

“The little butterfly with the trail just makes it, I love how the daisy is reaching out for it.”

So I thought lots of swirly, crisscrossing butterfly trails would make the perfect background, and there simple too which fits with the theme of this journal. It was pure luck that the trail of the butterfly on the painting lined up with the trail in the background. I mean honestly, what are the odds? 😂

But it’s a happy colorful creation. What do you think?

Hope this inspires you to create some art!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Color is the place where our brain and the universe meet.” ~Paul Klee