Tag Archives: Journal

Fun with Inchies

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I’ve been enjoying exploring some new ideas and creating these 3×3 inch mini works of art also known as inchies. Each design uses the same color palette and features simple yet interesting artwork. These designs, or variations of them, will be incorporated into a larger piece I’m working on, so stay tuned for that.

Once my larger piece is done, I’ll add these inchies to my stash to use in my art journal at a later date. But the process of creating these mini works of art is simply calming and so fulfilling. They’re a joy to make! What do you do to create moments of joy in your day?

Hope this sparks your creativity for a weekend art project! Thanks for stopping by!!

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Simplest Things Journal

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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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Inchies

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  • 2.5″ Square Inchie
  • 2.5″ x 3.5″ Inchie
  • 2.5″ x 3.5″ Inchie
  • 2.5″ x 3.5″ Inchie

I needed to take a little break so I made a few inchies. Creating these mini pieces of art is the perfect way to destress and unwind. And for some unknown reason, I find drawing the tiny little circles very calming😊

I like to paint a handful of inchies in advance so they’re completely dry and ready to use when I feel the need. I store them on my desk in a handmade ceramic bowl. The designs were made using a Sakura Micron Pen and of course I couldn’t resist adding some glitter✨

How do you destress and unwind?

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

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Handmade Little Monsters Journal – Take 2

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  • 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!!

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

Painting the Light Watercolor Challenge

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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!!

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

Night Sky Watercolor

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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!!

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

Handmade Little Monsters Journal

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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!!

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“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

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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

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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

Simplest Things Journal

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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