The art class is in session...

So the two older nephews have started their own mixed media art journals! :)

The art class is in session....playing with Derwent Inktense Blocks...they love spritzing water and seeing the colours mix! [Can you spot the washi tape? *winks*]

The background was created with a ScrapFX stencil + Maya mists + some Ranger distress stain splats! :)

I was inspired by the sketch at Skissedilla.

P/s: Happy weekend friends! :) Come play along with my guest Anupama's banner challenge, LESSology Challenge #3: What's in your toolbox? and Zeus and Zoe's March challenge.

Is this too much washi?

So I went a little crazy over the washi tape on this layout...can you tell? *LOL*

Love these photos of my nephews and niece meeting their cousin Judah for the first time. Perfect for the challenge over at Zeus and Zoe...New Beginnings.

The background was created with a DecoArt stencil and Maya mists plus some Hambly rub-ons. Come play along for your chance to win this....

P/s: And don't forget to play along with my guest Anupama's banner challenge and LESSology Challenge #23: What's in your toolbox?.

Washi tape tag

Hello friends! I've been pretty enamoured with washi tape lately. The washi tape collection has grown exponentially. Would you like to see it? *LOL*

Love the look of washi tape on its own [the chevron washi...thanks Lizzy!] and layered over patterned paper  washed with a layer of Ranger stickles in rock candy for a sparkly finish! :)

Playing along with the washi challenges at Moxie Fab World and City Crafter.

1 stencil, 10 ways

It's no secret that I love my stencils. Sure you can use almost anything as a mask but these are designed to be used over and over again. So they are a great investment, especially when your LSS has them marked down...*High fives all around* Today I want to share with you the versatility of just 1 stencil...my fave chevron stencil by Crafter's Workshop Balzer Designs - 1 stencil, 10 ways. :)

1. Create your own patterned background with several colours of mist. Then run it through the Cameo for the negative text effect.

2. Use it with Golden fiber paste for a bold background on a tiny canvas [4x4].

3. Use it with Golden fiber paste for a subtle background on a canvas.

4. Mist with another stencil, then use overlay it with some Golden fiber paste.

5. Use  it for a fun background on journal pages.

6. Use the chevrons like arrows to guide the eye to the photo.



7. Use the chevrons like arrows to guide the eye to the title of the layout.



8. Create a neutral background and incorporating the residual mist left on the template too.



9.  Use it to create a subtle mat for your photos.



10. Vary the intensity of the colour to create more interest.

There you have it. 1 stencil, 10 ways. What do you think?

Are you a messy painter?

So the other day I was chatting with M, a friend who teaches at my LSS and she explained to me that she was not into the whole mixed media trend because it was too messy for her. I guess that's what people associate mixed media with when people share their dirty painted/inked hands on social media. *LOL*

I am a surprisingly neat painter. I don't even need to wear an apron and my hands and nails stay pretty clean. Even when using my fingers to paint this art journal cover. :)

My secret? A wet rag on hand. I just clean as I go along so my hands don't get stained and my things don't get dirty. :)

Still love the amazing textures one gets from wrapping tissue and paint.

And my current obsession with chipboard in my art journals. Love that they add so much visual interest without the bulk.

Supply list tutorial

Exploring my grungy side...

Littlest nephew J also has his own art journal book...so that I can explore my grungy side while playing with mediums. Oh well, I still might add flowers...let's see how it goes...*LOL*

I cut a long window because I so wanted to use this ScrapFX telegraph pole with the birds chipboard...The cloud was masked and misted....followed by a layer of Golden glass bead gel for a sparkly finish.

Love this Artscape stencil ...works really well with the random grid stamping and rub-ons.

Supply list tutorial

P/s: Happy weekend friends! :) Come play along with my guest Anupama's banner challenge, LESSology Challenge #3: What's in your toolbox? and Zeus and Zoe's March challenge.

The one where I ruined the cake and replaced it with a bouquet of flowers...

So, I'm not exactly Copic Certified. Actually, far from it...more like if I can colour an image without the use of the blender pen or a white pen to cover up mistakes, I "high five" myself and do a happy dance! *LOL* 

In this instance, Emily was holding a birthday cake which was obviously ruined by my "not-so-fine" overzealous colouring. And I had to replace the cake with a whole bouquet of flowers. Would you have know if I didn't "confess"? *winks*

Supply list tutorial

A travel tag! :)

Hello friends! Today I want to share my latest project for Faber Castell Design Memory Craft. Given my latest obsession with tags, you are not surprised that it's a travel tag, right? *LOL*

This time I played with some Aquarelles and Gelatos for my background. As always you can find a step-by-step tutorial over at Faber Castell Design Memory Craft.

Now I have a lovely travel tag to adorn my bag when I leave on a jet plane! :)

Photoshoot gone awry!

The goal: A decent photo of the nephews + niece + grandma.

Reality: Niece cranky because she just got up from her nap; nephews just want to make funny faces. 

Result: A series of hilarious photos to mark a photoshoot gone awry! *LOL*

This relatively decent photo was ill-gotten [the boys were bribed with chocolates!]...

Supply list tutorial

I had so much fun with the chipboard ScrapFX sent me as this month's guest designer :)