Life As We Know It

A week in my {art} journal

 

Show and tell time again!

I haven't done much art journaling the last couple of weeks because there has been so much going on with Kirby teething (still) and Aoife starting school. I think I have about 5 pages near completion, but only one to show today...

 

 

first day

 

This page is chock full of symbols and meaning. I wanted the layers to help me express my feelings about Aoife going to school, because everything I said those first few days sounded so cliched.

I started by writing down the school mission statement and school prayers to give Aoife, and the page, a solid foundation. I then painted the background the school colours, using my fave water soluble crayons, and stamped stars to give voice to my hope the school will let the real Aoife shine, not try to mould her into something she's not. I added some more texture by stencilling through sequin waste, did some brayering, then covered the page in large interlocking hearts to show she is greatly loved and that we are behind her 100%. That love cannot be broken. To finish off the page I grounded a picture of Aoife on her first day of school on some coloured tissue paper, stamped the letters of the alphabet all over the page to encourage a love of learning, wrapped her up in the school mission statement, and added some XOs to send her off with lots of hugs and kisses.

 

Hopefully I'll have a few more to show next week. For now though, I'm off to my beddy byes. I'll visit you all tomorrow.

Night night.

 

Super Kirby to the rescue

 

 

 

So not only does this poor boy have to suffer through days and nights of painful teething, now his dear sister has started dressing him up as a super hero every chance she gets too! And super heroes always wear capes and a masks she tells me...

Poor fella!

Pretty cute though...

 

First day

 

First day, reception (like Kindergarten)

 

My baby girl.

Not such a baby anymore.

Yet when I looked in on her last night as she was sleeping, all I could see was that precious baby girl I gave birth to nearly 5 years ago.

It seems like yesterday.

And here she is going to school.

Way to blow your mind!

 

She is so ready for it though. And so excited about it.

She was buzzing coming home from her first half day today.

 

I'm so happy for her! And although I knew she'd be just fine, a little relieved too.

 

A week in my {art} journal

 

Oddly, and despite having noticed many of them in an otherwise totally crazy week (Kirby had three new teeth- "crazy" doesn't even begin to describe it), I don't fancy doing joy pockets today. I didn't even think I'd be blogging today (and said as much on twitter last night), but saw a late opportunity and took it.

If you want to do your own joy pockets, or want to visit the others who do, Mon has now moved them back to Holistic Mama.

I'll show you what I've done in my art journal over the last week instead. Yes, I have managed to squeeze in some art journaling (5 minutes here, 5 minutes there).

I'm still working from that shoe box I showed last week. The first two journal pages are in my spiral-bound A4 sketchbook, the third in my A5 Moleskine sketchbook.

 

 

"And...relax"

 

Yes, putting my feet up with a nice big cuppa would definitely go down well right about now...

I made this background using my favourite water-soluable crayons, adding a few water splats for extra texture. I stamped (using white acrylic and different coloured inks) with Scrolling Along (Penny Black), various bottle lids, and my border stamp from Tiger stores, before stenciling with some sequin waste (I LOVE that stuff) and splattering some more paint all over the page. I then added a somewhat altered image of legs from the Vintage Moth, which I later embellished with a gold pen. I also added the tea "label" (that I had made myself) with some insulation tape I nicked out of Alan's rugby bag (thanks hun!). I rubbed on dry letter transfers, did some journaling and doodling with a black pen and some more embellishing with the gold. And there we have it- page finished.

 

 

"Taming the wanderlust"

 

"Taming the wanderlust" detail

 

Taming the wanderlust was made using many of the same techniques and supplies, only hidden underneath all those layers of paint is a world map I once printed out from the net and some journaling. I also did a little bit of brayering, and added bits of a torn book page and some tissue paper. The main stamp used on the background is the PMA interlinked star, because it kind of reminds me of a compass. The image of the globe is from The Graphics Fairy (which I just aged a bit with some distress ink in antique linen), and the quote is from George Moore.

 

 

"Time"

 

"Time" detail

 

Here I also used an image from the Graphics Fairy along with a quote from Albert Einstein. Just visible in the background is a small paisley stamp by Penny Black.

 

I'm thinking of making this a regular feature, but on Wednesdays, not Fridays. Sometimes I may show my drawn sketchbook instead (I do drawn journaling in a separate book, but I'm still getting comfy with it, so I don't have much to show yet).

 

Also, I just had to show you this, because I was giddy with excitement when it arrived. Look how beautifully wrapped these art supplies are...

 

 

Isn't that just the cutest?! I love when shops make an effort! These pretty parcels are from Art From The Heart.

 

Right, I'm going to go and put my feet up and enjoy that cup of tea now.  Have a good weekend everyone! See you on the other side.

 

Kate Crane's art journaling dvds {a review}

 

When I first started art journaling and was pretty down about not getting the whole layering thing, I did a Flickr search for art journals and a whole new world opened up to me. One of the first journal pages I came across that really spoke to me was "I want to get off" by British art journaler Kate Crane at the Kathryn Wheel. I immediately clicked over to her blog and have been an avid follower ever since. As you can see below her style is bright, layered and fun.

 

"I want to get off" by Kate Crane

 

"Work Work Work " by Kate Crane

 
  "Wings" by Kate Crane

 

"set me free" by Kate Crane

Kate is a school teacher who is passionate about art. Apart from all the wonderful journal pages (and occasional ATCs, bookmarks and other mixed media projects) she shows on her blog, Kate regularly writes for Craft Stamper magazine here in the UK and has been featured in Somerset Art Journaling, Somerset Apprentice, and Artful Blogging in the US, and is on the design team for Dylusions (UK) and Stampotique (USA).

Busy woman, huh?

Well it doesn't stop there! She also recently made two instructional dvds on art journaling for Traplet Publications!

 

Kate Crane's art journaling dvds (the boxset)

 

And guess what?! I was the lucky winner of a boxset when she hosted a give-away to celebrate their release!

I was so excited!

 

This is what Kate herself has to say about the dvds (taken from this post, which also contains a couple of previews);

"In DVD 1 - 'Art Journaling - Right from a blank page' - you see me discussing colour theory, demonstrating equipment, and then preparing several backgrounds in my journal in real time. Because this is in real time it means that you can play along at home, and then rewind and play along as many times as you want to! I show you several different ways to make backgrounds including finger painting (my fave!), blending colours with a brush, scraping colour with a credit card,  and spraying with ink sprays. You know how much I love colour and layers? Well, it's all here in this DVD.

In DVD 2 - 'Art Journaling - There are no mistakes in Art' -  I complete the pages that I prepared in DVD 1, again all in real time. I show you how to look for images on the internet, ideas for placing them on the page, how to use stamped images on your pages, and lots more!! I feature lots of fabulous collage artists and stamp manufacturers including Stampotique, Tumblefish Studios, Crowabout Studio B, Itkupilli, Rian Designs, Lisa's Altered Arts amongst others (links to all of these can be found in my sidebar). You see me painting with Dylusions, Golden Fluid Acrylics, and spraying with Dylusions ink sprays and Adirondack colorwash. You even see me journaling on the pages :-) Lots of ideas for journaling and all my background secrets revealed!!"

 

Not surprisingly, since I love Kate's style, I really enjoyed these dvds.

I think it's fair to say they are mainly aimed at beginners, but there's still plenty for the more experienced art journaler to enjoy. I certainly picked up a good few ideas, especially on layering, which Kate is great at. I applied some of those in the pages I posted last week and absolutely love the result.

I love that the dvds are shot in real time. It gives the viewer a real sense of how much you can accomplish in a short space of time. I also love that the dvds for the most part are shot over Kate's shoulder since that makes it so much more interactive. You really feel like you are a part of making the pages and take onboard the techniques a lot quicker.

Knowing colour theory already, I didn't think I'd get much out of that section. Colour theory is colour theory, right?! Wrong! Kate shows it from the perspective of getting the most out of YOUR paints (whatever type and brand that is), so they blend well and work well for you. I for one think my pages are better for it.

(Don't be surprised if you run out and order a whole host of dylusions products after seeing them in action though...)

The DVD showing how Kate integrates collage materials, stamps and ephemera onto her pages so they really blend in and look like they belong there was also very inspiring.

The only real downside to the dvds is the sound- it's very low, so you have to really jack up the volume.

 But all in all, they are both great dvds.

 

Don't forget to visit Kate at the Kathryn Wheel, or at Flickr. And if you like Kate's style and would like to get your hands on a copy of her dvds, they can be purchased through Traplet, The Stamp Attic, and Art From The Heart.

All images posted with permission. Thanks Kate!

 

Joy Pockets

 

I'm so glad it's Friday. It's been a long week with a sick and teething boy, virtually no sleep  and even less me-time (so not much posting, or blog hopping). But the joy pockets are always there. And I'm glad I notice them.

 

Art journaling in progress, with Aoife arting by my side

 

Sunday rituals: watching (old) Tom & Jerry

 

Getting our new (to us) car

A new sharp baby tooth (his third)

Catching up with old friends and their baby son (hi Ruth!)

Arriving home after getting soaked through in a heavy rain shower

Alan taking a day off to take Aoife on a daddy date to the science museum

Getting a phonecall from Aoife on said date to say "I miss you mummy" (aww!)

Alan taking over the night shift a couple of times so I could get an hour of sleep

The creativity that springs from art journaling with limited materials

(using only whatever supplies fit in that shoe box above)

A whole lot more clutter clearing

A new friend on goodreads

 

Joining in with Mon at Bohemian Twilights for joy pocket #14

 

 

A peek into my {art} journal

 

Just a quick one today because I'm looking after a sickly little boy who wants his mama round the clock...

 

"cos journaling rocks" journal cover

 

"baby days"

 

"strong women"

 

"tickled pink"

 

"tickled pink" detail

 

All backgrounds made using Caran D'ache Neocolor II, with a touch of ink and acrylics here and there.

The button flower stamp in the background of the first three is the "floribunda" by the Artistic Stamper (a freebie with the Craft Stamper mag,  March 2011). The "new mum" stamp in "baby days" is by Paper Nation. The Chinese flower stamp from "Tickled Pink" is part of a set of clear stamps from Design Objectives. The border stamp used in most of the pages is a kids multi purpose one from Tiger stores. And the alphabet stamps are from Melissa & Doug.

 

Got to run. Back tomorrow for joy pockets. Can't wait. I need them this week.

 

LCHF: chicken chorizo casserole

 

I was experimenting in the kitchen this evening and just had to share this recipe straight away because it's a keeper. In fact, it's possibly a new favourite.

 

 

Ingredients:

 

knob of butter

750 g chicken fillets, chopped

200 g (good) chorizo, chopped

125 g stuffed green olives, drained (optional)

300 ml double (heavy) cream

200 ml chopped tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato puree (paste to the Americans)

1 tbsp paprika

seasoning to taste

 

How to make:

 

1. Preheat oven to 220C/ 425F/ Gas mark 7. Melt the butter in a pan, and brown the chicken for a few minutes until cooked through. Tip into a casserole dish and set aside for a minute.

2. Fry the chorizo for a few minutes until the yummy juices start coming out. Tip into the casserole dish.

3. Mix in the green olives, if using.

4. In a separate bowl mix together the cream, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, and paprika. Pour over the chicken, chorizo and olives and mix well.

5. Heat through in the oven for about 20 minutes.

 

Enjoy!

 

Joy Pockets

 

chilled peanut butter balls in sesame seeds and shredded coconut (adapted ever so slightly from a recipe in the LCHF-kokbok by Doktor Dahlqvist and Airam)

 

A gift from our neighbours for Eid

 

Peanut butter treats

A bank holiday BBQ with friends

Clutter clearing like a crazy woman

Putting down the deposit on a new (to us) car

Making some very good decisions for us as a family

Waking up to Kirby giggling at his own reflection in the mirror

Starting a new cross-stitch AND a new sketchbook

Living in a multi-cultural community

A Greta Garbo box-set in the post

Neighbours bringing food for Eid

 

What was joyful about your week?

 

Joining in with Mon at Bohemian Twilight for joy pockets #13

 

 

Felt activity die

 

 

Aoife is really into games this summer, which is so much fun. We spend much of our days playing hide and seek, I spy with my little eye, board games galore, and whatever running/ jumping/ dancing game she's just made up.

So I was trying to think of a game to make Aoife to keep her moving indoors even on the wettest of days (it is raining a lot  this summer and she's a real bundle of energy), and which preferably only used scraps from my stash.

I thought she'd like this felt activity die.

It was inspired by something similar seen on Cbeebies this spring (which is kind of funny since it was made to keep her away from the telly), which I thought Aoife would like.

And she does. She absolutely loves it.

 

Do you want to make one too?

 

You'll need:

 

Paper and pencil, or letter templates

Scissors

Felt scraps for 6 squares

Felt (or fabric) scraps for letters

Embroidery floss

Stuffing

Buttons (optional)

 

How to make them:

 

1.  Cut out 6 felt squares of equal size.

(I had some some A4ish sheets of felt in my stash so I just folded them over like a triangle so the edges met, then cut off the excess to give me a square. That also left enough scrap felt for letters)

2. Make letter templates on your piece of paper, then cut out. Or use ready made.

3. Pin letter templates to scrap pieces of felt or fabric and cut out. Sew on buttons, if using.

 

 

4. Centre the words on your felt squares and sew on.

(I hand-stitched mine)

 

5. Arrange your squares like a cross (4 squares high, with a square either side of the second or third one up) in the order you'd like them to be, then join all sides bar one.

(I used blanket stitch)

6. Stuff the cube tightly.

7. Finish off the last edge the same way as the others.

 

Enjoy!