instagram: a look at april

tiny worries. first blooms. on my desk. carline. in the middle. go green. doodle your way. sketching. funny. waiting. busy. glasses. my view. on the go. new journals. blue. reading. button. a place. my girl.

on the worktable: art journal peek

The story continues in this art journal peek. Incorporating more words with meaning and lots of color.

on the worktable: art journal page

Art journal peek - finally I am getting my story down. Words in art - powerful and healing.

when your heart swells to bursting

Today I woke with a happy heart. I am just home from a quaint art retreat with a small number of friends. I am a not a person that shares their feelings outloud easily, and while I am not entirely "there" yet on that front, I can tell you this - I left that retreat a better, stronger, happier woman than I arrived. The simple acts of kindness and friendship that presented themselves in those few days were so very important to me. I left knowing it is okay to want to slow down. It is okay to be disappointed. It is okay to dream big. It is okay to want and need help to succeed in those dreams. I embraced my disappointments, reveled in kindness and gathered my refreshed strength to come home and try again. No wonder I woke with a full heart. I am so appreciative of the friendships in my life. The ones that are both near and far. The ones that are both new and old. They make me a better, stronger, healthier person. Thank you, friends, for that.

on the worktable: art journal

I had some fun recently experimenting with Gelli Arts, gel printing plates. This thing is SO cool! Once you get started you can't stop - it is totally addicting and super fun! Just squeeze some acrylic paints on the plate, roll with a brayer like this one, lay your paper over the top and press. Don't make the mistake I did in thinking you could only use the gelli plate a handful of times- you can use it forever! Silly me!

My favorite part of this was experimenting with all of the colors. Acrylic paints work best and that means getting to use budget friendly supplies, a bonus in my book. I experimented with book paper, deli paper, journal paper and even tissue paper. Each sheet turned out beautifully. I can't wait to journal on some of these papers. Thank you to my great teacher and friend, Roben-Marie for the tips and mini lesson.

my style: art and a little R & R

I love all of my readers and am so grateful for the time that they give to my little corner of the web each day. With that said, I am overdue for a little art time and R & R, so I am headed to a little retreat for a few days. Nothing but art and laughter and rest....a perfect way to rejuvinate! See you in a few days!