15 minutes of mixed media

New to the blog? This has turned my time in the studio around.

For this layout I started with a gelliprint background and had the following supplies at the ready before I started the timer---> *3 paint colors *black & white paint pens *permanent marker *a few scraps of painted deli paper *scissors *glue stick *number stamp set

Want to see some of my other creative exercises like this? Here you go! --->

 

Enjoy!

december daily: re-purposing & catching up

December Daily, with Ali Edwards. I decided to play along this year thanks to the friendly nudging of my pal Sandi. She has been playing for years and has the most awesome collection of memory books to prove it. There are a million different way artists, scrapbookers and journalers are interpreting this project. I chose to keep it real. No buying new pretty stuff. No staging photos. Just good ole' daily life in December and a whole lotta leftover papers and trims from projects past.

I didn't want anything too big either. In my mind I was thinking coffee table book. SMALL coffee table book. MINI coffee table book. Short, squat and chunky. I love the way this book feels so much I decided to create a quick mini workshop on how to make one. It will be available sometime after the New Year.

I stitched vintage style papers the base of each page of my book and added nature cut outs, stamped tags, fabric tabs and punched words. A little bit of doodling and paint plus some sparkle made it more "me" and less "scrapbooky."

I have to admit. I jumped on board for this project with more than a little skepticism. I just wasn't sure I would stick with it. What I should have been more worried about was actually STARTING the project. In all honesty I didn't start it on the 1st, but I DID start it and am now playing catch up.

I have enjoyed working in a small format, with everyday photos of "us" AND re-purposing the art supplies I had in the studio. As far as catching up- well I will be there soon! But the very best part of this project of all is the VIEW!

I will post more page peeks soon. Hopefully in December, wink wink! Have a very Happy Christmas and a Merry Merry New Year! Enjoy!

art stuff: 15 minutes of mixed media

Here we go again. 15 minutes of mixed media is the best thing to ever happen to my journal.

Same routine. Set the timer to 15 minutes. I had a few supplies out and ready, but tried to keep it simple today. A few paints, a permanent marker, some spray inks,  a few paint pens and a little washi tape.

I continue to work in my small Dyan Reavely Journal. I like the smaller page layouts when I am setting the timer.

This is a fantastic creative exercise. I encourage you to set the timer and try it yourself. I think you will be pleased with the results. Enjoy!

art stuff: 15 minutes of mixed media

- wait, make that 10. Ten minutes of mixed media. Today I chose to make the challenge a bit harder. I set the timer for ten minutes instead of 15. I am still working in my small Dylusion Creative Journal.

I began today on an un-prepped page. I did have a few supplies laid out.

My supplies for this shorter challenge included some paint, inks, pastels,  and a permanent pen. I dried layers with a heat embosser and finished the layout off with a sealer. Start to finish - ten minutes. This just keeps getting better and better!

This all started here! You can see a few other examples of 15 minutes of mixed media here.

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!

art stuff: teeny tiny painted notebooks

Who doesn't love teeny tiny things? These notebooks are my favorite lately. They feel so great when they are all finished and look so much cooler to pull out of your bag or backpack than a regular ole' notebook.

These notebooks are just the right size for those little lists and reminders along the way.

And since I can't remember anything these days, I always have a few of them tucked away here and there - my bag, backpack, the car and of course, one on my nightstand, for the middle of the night - because THAT is when I remember everything I forgot during the course of the day!

Oooh and these make the sweetest little stocking stuffers! Check them all out here! BIG ones coming next week! (you know- for all those BIG IDEAS and LONG LISTS!)

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: tag love

I love tags and I use them for everything. They are cheap and you can buy them in bulk. Most recently this is my favorite.

A little art paper, dylusions inks, some stitching and this stamp set (my favorite). Add a little ribbon and and you have a pretty card for that special someone.

art stuff: she loves pretty

My number one fan loves PRETTY and so I always find myself creating things for her.

This painted pouch found it's way to her most recently and she did what she does best - applaud and drool and make me feel really, really good.

She has a gift for making someone feel like they are worth what they are doing, giving, creating. She has a gift for making someone feel cherished and loved.

I trust her judgement and I value her friendship. She is a gem and she deserves all the pretty she can get. I love you SK.

art stuff: gift card pocket with ART POPS

So you know I love these ART POPS and have already created this sketchbook and this party invitation , but I wanted to share an idea with you on how you can use just one simple card to create a pretty gift card pocket.

I used one of the Lo's Serendipity Cards, painted and doodled the center, folded, stitched up the sides and added a smidge of sticky velcro.

 Super easy. Super cute. LOVE!