art stuff: 15 minutes of mixed media

I started this a few weeks ago and it has really made a difference at how I look at a few minutes of art time.

Just choose a medium, set the timer and go to work!

I am more inspired than ever to take that time and make it mine! Today I am working in the small (5" x 8") Dylusions Creative Journal.

I created this page from start to finish with the timer set to 15 minutes. I had a few supplies laid out and ready to use, but nothing precut. I also used a heat embosser to help speed up the drying time in between layers.

Not only am I working on a journal layout, I am finishing it. This is the best idea I ever came up with! Enjoy!

15 minutes of mixed media: an exercise in art and time management

You might remember reading here that I have to sometimes give myself small amounts of time in the studio, as opposed to none. I'll take it.

Some days are great and I get in there for hours on end. Others, not so much. I have been debating on how I could make those few moments more productive. This is what I came up with. - set a timer. That's it. Nothing monumental, nothing life altering. Just simple time management.

It works for violin practice. It works for silent reading. It works for time out. Why couldn't it work for art journaling? painting? project planning?

And so I bought a cute timer and I set it. This is what I got on day one. A beautiful art journal page. I worked quickly and diligently, but with no pressure to finish. After all, I get to set the timer again tomorrow.

For those inquiring minds- I set the timer for 15 minutes for this layout and I completed it in that time frame. I worked on foundation page that already had a base print that I created using the gelli plate. (my favorite tool of all time) Sorta like beat the clock only better, and prettier.

art stuff: more fun with ART POPS

I continue to play with Roben-Marie Smith's new ART POPS! These pretty little cards are so inspiring and fun to create with...just look and see--->

ART POPS allowed me to journal over the fabric on my cover. I am in love. Here are a few more peeks at this yummy journal.

More of these recycled beauties coming to my ETSY SHOPPE soon! Just another way to make old junk pretty.

To read more about the new ART POPS and see my first project click here! Want to play with ART POPS in your next project? Get them HERE!

newsworthy: time to party with ART POPS

Today I am super excited to share my first project using the all new ART POPS by Roben-Marie Smith. These beautiful cards are perfect for all sorts of activities, including Project Life and all of your favorite mixed media and art journaling projects.

I am in LOVE with these ART POPS! Having a variety to choose from, including blank and lined ART POPS make journaling easy and pretty!

The ideas that come to me when I look at these are endless! I will be sharing more projects over the next few weeks so check back often!

Click here for more inspiration and to see what other talented artists are creating with ART POPS.

I promise you will have loads of fun playing with these! Enjoy!

art stuff: playing with these--->mixed media essentials

I confess. It has been a long time since I really USED rubber stamps.

That is not to say I don't have any - I do, but they never really jumped off the worktable and said "play with me please!" Recently a friend of mine, Roben-Marie Smith, asked me if I would be interested in working with her new line - MIXED MEDIA ESSENTIALS. Holy Moly is all I can say!

These stamps were calling my name! I knew the minute I laid my hands on these I would be stamping on more than just paper. I had to put these puppies to fabric. WOW! They rocked!

I absolutely fell in love with all of the combinations I could create with this set. I can't say whether it is the doodled nature of this line - I love to doodle, or the whimsical feel they lend to a piece of art that I love more.

It has been great to work with such a versatile set of stamps too - you can reach for anything from a funky alphabet to a scalloped edge to a doodled dot or circle!

I stamped on fabric, paper and board canvas- each and every project turned out so awesome!

I can't wait to experiment some more with these funky and modern, MIXED MEDIA ESSENTIALS stamps! Who knows what will come off the worktable next! Stay tuned! And don't forget to visit Roben-Marie Smith here for more inspiration and to see what other artists are creating with the great set of stamps!

art stuff: art journal collaboration

I experienced something new and fun at a recent art retreat. Art Journal Collaborations. Here is a peek at one of mine that I created with Sandi Keene, Lorraine Bell, Roben-Marie Smith and Barabara Moore - all talented ladies!

art stuff: art journal layers

Today is another layers day.

art stuff: revisiting a favorite

Is it weird that looking at favorite art journaling pages makes me happy?

art stuff: adding layers

Walking away from an art journal page is sometimes difficult, but coming back to it can be rewarding.

art stuff: gelli plate play

This makes me happy.