2024 Inchie Challenge Handmade Journal

I had a wonderful time participating in the 2024 Inchie Challenge hosted by Amy Maricle at Mindful Art Studio. The challenge featured 12 prompts, and I created a small 3.5×3.5 inch journal from watercolor paper to showcase each tile.

To add a final touch of whimsy, I finished it off with a bit of glitter and ribbon.

Check out this short video of my journal—I hope it inspires you to create something fun this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!!

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Inchie Challenge 2024 (Days 9-12)

Whoo hooo!! I’ve completed all 12 days of Amy Maricle’s Inchie Challenge at Mindful Art Studio, and it’s been an absolute delight every step of the way. Creating these tiny works of art has been a source of pure joy for me. Now, I’m excitedly planning to assemble them into a brand-new journal, giving each inchie its well-deserved place of honor.

I decided to add a touch of glitter onto the Day 11 tile (Expansive) for some extra sparkle. But as I attempted to move it aside to dry, I accidentally stuck my fingers right into the wet glitter! Well, I suppose that’s just how the cookie crumbles! 😂😂

Here are the prompts that inspired this final set of inchies:

  • Day 9 – Shell
  • Day 10 – Buds
  • Day 11 – Expansive
  • Day 12 – Landscape

Thanks for joining me on this artistic adventure! Have a wonderful weekend!!

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“Creativity is experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun.” ~Unknown

Inchie Challenge 2024 (Days 4 – 8)

I found myself busy working on multiple projects in the studio so I’ve been a little slow at finishing these inchies for the Challenge that was hosted by Amy Maricle at Mindful Art Studio.

The tile above was one of my favorites especially for the prompt involving circles on Day 6. It emerged beautifully on a watercolor tile I had tucked away, patiently awaiting a surge of creative inspiration. The way the colors blended together on this piece was truly captivating. Now, with new prompts in hand, I’m eager to dive into the next phase of creativity.

  • Day 4 – Mountain
  • Day 5 – Bristles
  • Day 6 – Circles
  • Day 7 – Stone
  • Day 8 – Inky

I mulled over several ideas for Day 8, ‘Inky,’ before deciding. I opted to dust off my calligraphy pen and sepia ink to craft an intriguing weave tile, adorned with a heart motif (as depicted below).”

I hope these inchies inspire you in some way, thanks for stopping by!!

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“Imagination is more important that knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” ~Albert Einstein

Inchie Challenge 2024

I’m so thrilled that Amy Maricle at Mindful Art Studio is hosting the 2024 Inchie Challenge. I’ve had the pleasure of participating in the past 2 years and it was always a blast! There’s something so special about creating these mini works of art.

So, naturally, I had to jump on board once again. It’s become a bit of a tradition for me now, and I just can’t resist the opportunity to focus my creativity in such small sizes. These were all created on 2 inch square watercolor tiles and Amy provides the prompts for 12 consecutive days.

I’m catching up but these are my creations for the first 3 days:

  • Day 1 – Leaves
  • Day 2 – Patience
  • Day 3 – Love

If you’re even the slightest bit curious about exploring your creative spark, I highly recommend joining in on the fun. Visit Amy’s website at Mindful Art Studio and click the link at the bottom of the screen to join the Inchie Challenge. Trust me, you won’t regret it! Who knows, maybe we’ll end up sharing some Inchie-inspired masterpieces together. 😊🎨✨

Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Imagination is the most marvelous, miraculous, inconceivably powerful force the world has ever known.” ~Napoleon Hill

Fun with Inchies

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

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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Shop Update

This weekend I will be taking an official break and enjoying the holidays with family and friends.

The Exclusive Sale just for my subscribers has been extended until this Friday, at midnight. So if you haven’t had the chance, make sure to hop over to my Etsy Shop and Give a Gift that Inspires!

Get 25% Off Original Paintings and Christmas Ornaments (Enter code MERRY25 at checkout!!)

Thanks for stopping by!

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Shop Update

This is the latest addition to my Etsy Shop, ‘Creating Memories’ (pictured above). This fun whimsical ornament is painted on a 3×4 inch canvas and is hung with silver ribbon. It’s a happy uplifting painting.

Just a reminder for all my subscribers, make sure to stop by my Etsy Shop and get 25% Off Original Paintings and Christmas Ornaments. Just enter code MERRY25 at checkout to receive 25% Off your Total Purchase!! Don’t Delay, Sale ends 12/7/2023!!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Studio Update

I’m working on finishing the last of the ornaments and getting them into my Etsy Shop. The latest addition is ‘Home Sweet Home’ (pictured above). This was painted on a 3×4 inch canvas and is hung with ribbon. It’s a very happy painting and is one of my favorites.

I also recently added ‘Baby it’s cold outside!’ shown in the video below. This ornament is painted on a 4×4 inch canvas with an adorable little snowman just outside the door⛄

I’ll let you know when I add more but these are included in the ongoing sale.

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

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Both ornaments, “Making Spirits Bright” and “The Wonder of Christmas” are now available in my Etsy Shop if you’re interested. Stay tuned for more details on an Exclusive Offer which will be announced here and available only to you!

Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a lovely weekend!

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Studio Update

I’ve been working on ornaments and I’m going to toot my horn here, because I think they’re turning out really cute😊 There are so many steps involved in creating just one ornament from the painting itself, to the photographs, to creating the video and getting it all up on Instagram and my Etsy Shop. But it’s wonderful when it all comes together!😅

This is the video for “the Wonder of Christmas” and I thought it turned out pretty nice, but what do you think?

Both ornaments, “Making Spirits Bright” and “The Wonder of Christmas” are now available in my Etsy Shop if you’re interested. Stay tuned for more details on an Exclusive Offer which will be announced here and available only to you!

Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a lovely weekend!

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