{Sheer Art Journal Challenge Finished}...

The Sheer Art Journal challenge I set for myself

came out really beautiful and so soft.

It's hard to capture the sheer layering in the photos

as they tend to blend together.

the pages

and the back cover

{destination... PSE}...

I was just playing around last night in PSE, with no outcome in mind,

and quite simply by accident I came up with these 2 little pics

The above photo had a background that just disappeared when I clicked

on a blending mode.  I think perhaps it was either multiply, or darken.  And it appeared to

have something to do with the color of the new layer and the color of the flower.

More experimenting is needed.

Anyway it was sure easier than trying to erase or blur out the background.

There is something I really love about paths.

And I will be spending sometime in my dreams exploring where this path may lead.

And I think both of these pics may end up in an Art Journal.

{Sheer Art Journal Challenge part 2}...

I wasn't able to finish all of the pages today.

But I thought I would share what I have done so far.

The fabrics are so sheer I am not sure how well

they look in photo format without being able to hold

them at the same time.

Well back to the day job tomorrow so it may be next weekend

before I complete any more.

{Sheer Fabric Art Journal Challenge}...

I have decided to give myself a little art journal challenge
by using only sheer fabrics for the covers and pages.
 So first I created the photos for the new journal.

I felt like I needed some new fresh photos for this Art Journal 

Some light colors.  To go with the sheer fabrics.

With just a hint of color to add to the whites of the sheer fabrics. 

 Then add just a hint of words to inspire thought

I also had a bit of fun playing with a portrait painting in PSE.

And the sheer fabrics for the covers and pages.

I hope to start assembling the pages tomorrow.

{#3 Art Journal ~ Believe}...

Journal #3 is an original painting I did awhile ago.  It was one of

my first.  I have always really like this one.  Which I guess is why

it has taken so long to get use to the idea of parting with it.

 Below is the outside back cover. 

 The inside front cover with a nuno felted pocket

for saving all your special treasures.

 And the inside back cover.  With a copy of the 2011 word Believe.

Which seems the perfect title for this portrait painting.  As I really needed to believe that

I could paint.

{2011 Word}...

My word for the New Year  is 

BELIEVE

 2010 was the first year I chose a word, as my resolution, for the year. 

As I looked back on 2010 and my word which was Expect. 

I was amazed and blown away by it. 

 My intention (see original post here) was of

expecting more,  

more good,

more blessings,

more happiness,

 to be able,

to Expect anything.

At the beginning of 2010 I would never have thought I would be able to

replace my old worn out carpet, or get a new tile kitchen counter top,

or have a lower house payment to boot,

but I did.

I didn't think I would be doing my own art show,

but I am, in May 2011 at the Tis Gallery.

I never expected to take a trip, but my Sister and I did,

to Colorado.

And that is just at the material level.

I have also experienced more, deeper and meaningful

levels of personal growth.

And at the same time I realized how surprised I was at my level of disbelief. 

So for 2011 it's BELIEVE.

Believe in Love of God,

Believe in Oneness,

Believe in the beauty of life,

Believe in still greater good,

Believe in the perfection of the world,

Believe that all things are possible with God,

Believe in happiness,

Believe in abundance,

Believe that everything will work out for the good,

Believe I can overcome any obstacle,

Believe in the abilities of my family,  

Believe in Myself,

Believe in...

Happy New Year to you All

{Art Journal #2 Let Your Beauty Sing}...

I've completed the covers of Let your Beauty Sing Art Journal.

This is the back cover.  I just love this new stamp I got.

I will be using it a lot.  It's a bit fussy though

not always coming out very clear on fabric.

 And the completed front cover.

 Below the inside front and back covers.

I still need to add  the signatures but will add them all

at the same time when all of the journal covers are completed.

      Another new stamp.  And still not happy with how they are stamping onto fabric.

Perhaps if I used paint rather than ink they may work better.  But that's for another time.

So, in the meantime I decided to stamp on paper and then using gel medium

turn it into a "leathery" type surface to stitch onto.

I like how it came out.

  Below yet another stamp which I colored in with colored pencils.

Then I quick stitched frame and Ta Da!   It's beautiful.

Ready to be completed by it's new owner.

{Let your Beauty Sing}...

Experimenting with some of my paintings and PSE for

Art Journal covers.

I thought I might give a go at collage layers as

covers for Art Journals rather than just using

a single print of the original painting.

It's a bit "blocky"  But all in all good

for a starter.