Mixed Media Monday - pages from my art journal

 

I really wanted to do a reflections post on 2021 because it was a really challenging year for me on all fronts. But I didn't know how to share my personal journey without sounding like a total baby. Because there was lots of crying and feeling sorry for myself involved. *sombre music plays in the background*

I decided that I could just "throw" them all in my art journal....so I scribbled my 2021's life lessons on my art journal pages, then went crazy with mixed media madness as a reflection of my chaotic year.

The many layers of paint, ink, oil soluble/water soluble crayons, stencilling and doodling reflect the multiple challenges I had to face. Added responsibilities at home because of my mum's health issues. Having very little me time. Being a "parent" to the teenage nephew who is experiencing the usual teenage angst. Being stuck at home nearly every single day because of COVID restrictions. Having to prepare and cook lunch and dinner (almost) every single day. 

The bright and vibrant colours on the page reflect the happy bits that shone through despite the difficulties.  Like better organization of my time and taking ONE day off a week when my kitchen is closed for the day.  Or switching up my exercise routine to keep it fun. Like having a morning routine of watercolour practice or journaling. Or just getting my makeup done even though I'm just going to be at home (when you look good, you feel good). ;)

On hindsight, 2021 was a great year for me. It was challenging no doubt. But it forced me to be stronger in both mind and spirit. I no longer get stressed up over cooking meals. Or get upset when I get complaints about the way I hang the laundry/clean the kitchen/organize the pantry etc. With the exception of that "time of the month" when I might cry a lot because of hormonal fluctuations (hey, I'm only human..*LOL*), I am pretty chill these days. 

Playing along with More Than Words. 

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Friday's painting practice - an abstract seascape

 

Happy Friday! How about an abstract seascape painting? I've been good this week and have been painting every day (yay me!). Hope you are getting into a lovely routine for yourself in 2022.

Enjoy your weekend friends! :)

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Fussy-cutting a paper bag for my layout

 

Even though I usually bring my own reusable bags when I go shopping, sometimes I do have to take a paperbag from the retailer if the item I buy doesn't fit into my reusable bag. If it's a really sturdy paper bag, I would decorate it as a gift bag. 

This one, from a Japanese retailer usually tears by the time I get it home. But the floral wreath design is really pretty....

So I fussy-cut the floral wreath and used it on my layout. :)

Perfect for a layout with 3 gals...just me and my cousins catching up last Christmas. 

Playing along with Stick It Down.

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Workspace Wednesday - watercolour abstract florals

 

I have been really good so far with the watercolour practice....3 days in a row! *high fives all around* This was this morning's 20 minute messy practice. :)

Just saw that this year's #the100dayproject will be staring on February 13. Not sure what I want to do this year though...should I do watercolour florals? Or portraits? So far, I've only successfully completed the challenge 2x and both times, I did mixed media eye paintings/drawings. 

Any suggestions for something fun that I could do for 100 days without getting bored (and losing momentum)?

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Making sugar cookies with the niece and nephew

 

So I made a batch of sugar cookie dough and brought it with me when I went to my cousin's for Christmas lunch...

As a fun activity for the niece (age 3) and the nephew (age 5). :)

Of course their mothers had to "help" the kids with the cookie cutters...and the kids had to wait for the cookies to be baked and cooled before they could decorate. 

Just look at their cute faces as they ate their cookies! :)

Still having fun with my fussy-cut banners from Christmas wrapping. :)

Happy Tuesday friends! 

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Make Stuff Monday - 3 items = coordinated gifting set

 

What do you do when you have 3 very different items to upcycle? 

Like a Kraft envelope, a white box and a black paper bag?

How about making a coordinated gifting set? Of course, they can also be utilised separately. :)

I did want the box to fit into the paper bag so I kept the embellishments on the flatter side. :)

I repeated some of the elements (patterned paper, ribbon, washi tape) across the 3 items to ensure cohesiveness as a coordinated gifting set.

What do you think?

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First Friday's Abstract Florals for 2022

 

First week of the new year and I'm trying to get back into a healthy routine of daily painting...never mind that it's only happened ONCE so far. *LOL* I will get there! Eventually. *triumphant music plays in the background*

Meet the first Friday's Abstract Florals for 2022. :)

Happy weekend friends!

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A typical day in my life

 

It's been a challenging journey since mum's stroke but we've settled into a somewhat workable routine. 

For the folks, they will get a home cooked lunch (pictured is homemade hand-torn noodles soup with pork, mushrooms, abalone and veggies) and then they will play 3 rounds of Rummicube. Sometimes if time permits, I might join them. But typically I will play in the after-dinner session at the end of a long day to unwind before bedtime.

Mum is doing better and last month, she started taking over laundry duties from me....which I appreciate because it means more time for me to do my own stuff. Cooking 2 meals a day every day (except Wednesday) is quite tiring...I don't get to try out too many new dishes as I did before when I was only cooking 1 meal a day (and mum was cooking the other) but I still try to attempt at least 2 new dishes a week because I enjoy being creative in the kitchen as well. :) 

Baking has taken a backseat for now because there are only that many hours in a day. But I am putting family faves on bi-monthly rotation to make life a little easier for me. 

How about you? What's your typical day like? 

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Workspace Wednesday - fussy-cutting my Christmas wrapping

 

If you received your Christmas pressie in some cute wrapping paper, consider fussy-cutting the elements to use on your Christmas layouts. Like I did on yesterday's layout....and 2 more upcoming layouts. :)

Happy Wednesday friends! :)

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Look who I got to meet at Christmas!

 

Look who I got to meet at Christmas! Meet my latest nephew Jon, my cousin F's second child. :)

Just look at this cutie flashing winning smiles at his fave aunt whom he met for the first time..hahaha. :)

I had so much fun putting this layout together. The banners were fussy-cut from Christmas wrapping paper  (because I hate to waste anything...hehe).

I finally laid my heart chipboard piece in its final resting place - on this layout. I had been using it as a "stencil" for misting backgrounds for a few years...last year I started cutting out pieces of it to put on my projects. And now it can finally "rest" on a layout in my scrapbook album. :)

Am I close to using up my Christmas stash? Nope. *LOL*

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Mixed Media Monday - hot cocoa in a mug

 

Happy 2022 friends! Can't believe it's been 2 weeks since my last post. And this was the only mixed media painting I did. I was clearly chillaxing a little too much. *LOL*

It has been raining quite a fair bit here so the weather's perfect for a hot cocoa with marshmallows. :)

Happy week ahead!

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Mixed Media Monday - a baby portrait and signing off for the year

 

Hello friends! I'm sharing mixed media baby portrait today....which I started painting in watercolour back in September but never completed because I was obsessed with watercolour florals. *winks*

It was bugging me so I decided to just finish off the piece with some coloured pencils (they have been neglected for months too).  I think he looks cute...a little startled but cute. *LOL*

A big "thank you" to you for supporting this little blog in 2021. I did try to post on all week days with a few missed days because I was just to tired to post at the end of a long day (yep all posts were in real-time this year instead of scheduling weeks ahead like I used to do..because I was mostly at home). This was a challenging year in terms of time management but I survived! :)

I'll be baking for the rest of the week till Christmas...and then just chillaxing till we bid adieu to 2021. Happy holidays friends! Stay safe! See you in 2022! :)

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This week's decorated Christmas paperbag project

 

Well it's the last weekend before Christmas friends! Are you ready?

I'm not. I haven't started baking yet. *dramatic music plays in the background* Yep. Not even a cookie. Seriously, I don't know how this week just flew by.

Did manage to whip up this decorated Christmas paperboy project to store my currently non-existent baked Christmas goodies though. I still have a couple of days left to bake...let's be hopeful. *LOL*

 Using patterned paper bits and stickers...:)

Happy weekend friends! :)

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