Simply ME | Believe Art Canvas

Hello!!!

Today I wanted to share one of my mixed media art canvases that I recently worked on. It wasn't at all what I thought it would turn out to be. I seriously just took a leap of faith and experimented with it. After watching a few video tutorials that I searched on You Tube, I knew that I wanted to dig deeper into my creativity and let whatever I had inside, flow. If you read my post about my very first art canvas--My Creative Voice, taking a blank canvas to make something out of it can be very intimidating and scary. This being my second project, I had a little bit more confidence than before and learned to not fear mistakes. We all want to be perfect, but it's just not possible when we are all imperfect one way or another and that is perfectly normal because we are human. Right? Every little details, strengths and weaknesses, are what makes life beautiful as a whole....

The process that this took for me to create this, was really liberating. In the end, I felt like I had discovered a hidden part of me that I never knew existed. It was such an awakening for me since I struggled at times with my insecurities that I am not good enough or not as artistic like some of the most admirable artists that I have come to respect and love. Deep down, I crave to be different and to be able to achieve my own individual style.  Often at times, I think about whether or not I'm being who I'm supposed to be and not trying to be like everyone else. Part of me wants to be just like those who have inspired me, but then I also don't want to get too caught up in trying to be like others, that I end up failing to be true to me, which is why I tend to feel lost and frustrated at times when I create. I want to be original, real, and authentic, someone who is comfortable in her own skin without the need to be exactly like others in order to be satisfied and content with who I am.  Simply put, I don't want to be molded into someone else's shoes. Easier said than done, but I know I have to choose to look beyond my imperfections in order to embrace my uniqueness and stick to my own personal style. Like I mentioned above, our mistakes and flaws that we see in ourselves, all plays a part in becoming that unique and special person that we are.  All those little bits and pieces of good and bad, are what develops our character and qualities that set us apart from everyone else.  So, that is what I have learned so far in my journey in becoming a true artist, but simply being ME and who I truly am as a person...

 After applying gesso to the canvas, I randomly squeezed out acrylic and craft paint all over

 I used a old plastic card to spread the paint, mixing some of the colors up.

 While paint is still slightly damp, I splattered water on it and dabbed it dry with paper towel. I also used bubble wrap to add more texture and dimension.

 Once the paint was dry. I tore out hearts out of text book paper and planned where I was going to place them onto the canvas.

 I crumpled the hearts up for that aged and worn feel.

 I adhered the hearts using gel medium then, gave it some color using alcohol inks. I also added other stenciled shapes using paint.

Throughout the next few days, I added finishing touches with doodles, journaling, stamps, and paint splatters before I sealed it all with Mod Podge.

Title is BELIEVE | MATHEW 6:21 

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Journaling: "Living your best life takes passion to see your dreams come true. It takes passion to LIVE, to LOVE, and to CREATE the person you are meant to be. God destined you for an AMAZING purpose... Be true to yourself"

Thank you so much for reading through and hope you were inspired! I also have an upcoming post of some of my first Art Journal pages that I am creating for Christy Tomlinson's workshop--She Has Three Hearts. So don't forget to come back and visit!

xo,

Josiah's First {Shutterfly} Photo Book :)

This finally arrived on my doorstep... :) And once I opened it, I could not help but get all teary eyed. Something about seeing your work and designs printed and reading the heartfelt words that I poured out on these pages, really resonates this sweet, fulfilling joy deep within... Especially when you see your son reading them with such enthusiasm and happiness that I created them about him and for him... Shutterfly does such a great job with these and I loved the look and feel of the photo pages overall. I also plan to make one for my youngest soon because I know he is anxious to have one of his own. Anyways, here's a few photos to share....

Front Cover

Some of my very first layouts dating back in 2007

Some of my recent layouts using my own ORIGINAL designs...

Josiah so happy with his first photo book

His eyes just melts my heart... I know he is thankful for it...

Josiah pointing at his favorite photo of him and one of his buddies at school....

*Sigh*.... I can't even express how much I love my boys and how much I cherish every single day with them. In just a few weeks, Josiah will be graduating from Kindergarten and going into the 1st grade while Lucas will be starting Kindergarten as well. Such an exciting and fun age they are in and I love, love, love being a part of their lives. So many memories and stories to share with them when their older, but photo books are so wonderful to have because I never know whether or not I'll be able to, just keeping it real... 

xoxo.

He{ART} JOURNAL | CHERISH

Hi everyone! Hope you had a fabulous Easter weekend :) It's such a great time for our family to remember what we believe and no, not just in the Easter bunny, lol, although we love candy and egg hunts.  Our faith is such an important part of our heritage and I love how my children have really come to understand so much about the love of God. Because of it, they have a strong sense of what it means to love and respect others, not out of fear, but out of their own desires to make this world a better place and to bless others...

I created another page for my art journal over the weekend and this time experimented with dry watercolor paint. Michaels has a really inexpensive art brand, Artist's Loft, and found this assorted palette of dry watercolor paint for only $5.

I found them really nice to work with and just love all the colors! The first layer of course was Gesso and then I experimented with the colors which at first, I wasn't too happy with. But, the wonderful thing about the art process, is I can always paint it over and that is exactly what I did. Later on, I used a standard sand paper to scrap the top layer which allowed for some of the interesting color to peek through and give it a really nice texture and depth of color. 

He{ART} Journal | Cherish

This page is simply about the things that I do CHERISH at the moment and what I take time to appreciate as much as I can... Not only are some of them the big things, but most are the little things that really matter to me...

xoxo

HE{ART} JOURNAL | The Beginning of a New Journey

"I think that once you are completely aware of your true identity, only then can you really begin your journey towards your destiny of who you are meant or called to be as an artist, otherwise you will always be trying to be like others or something other than your TRUE self." ~ By Dahlia Co

Happy Wednesday!!

Just wanted to share a little bit of what I have done lately. I'm actually really thrilled about it and really happy that it's opened a whole new chapter in my creative journey. It's called ART JOURNALING, which I'm sure many of you have heard of or maybe have tried. In a sense, it's like scrapbooking or memory keeping, but using entirely different methods, tools, and mediums. The common purpose for both is that it allows you to capture those special moments and enables you to reflect on the details of your life, in hopes that it will inspire others and leave a legacy for your loved ones.

Recently, I created a digital kit called, Journal My He{ART}, which I had no idea that it would leave such a big impression within me, especially because it allowed me to step out of the box to create something new and completely different. For some reason, it just felt like I had discovered a new part of me and my affinity for this type of art/design style. I really felt like I was in my own element, something I haven't felt before. Since I started designing, I have not been able to define a specific style for my designs that I know other designers have. When asked what my design style is, I simply called it 'eclectic' because I still had yet to figure it out. Although I'm attracted to clean and modern, shabby chic, whimsical, or vintage art styles, I just can't say that those styles resound in me or give me that fulfilling sense of it reflecting my true identity, which I truly believe is important. I think that once you are completely aware of your true identity, only then can you really begin your journey towards your destiny of who you are meant or called to be as an artist, otherwise you will always be trying to be like others or something other than your TRUE self. This is my deepest desire, that each day will lead me to discover who I really am as an artist and be confident in my work and who I am, otherwise I don't know if I could ever reach my full potential without having that one simple revelation.

So, yesterday out of a spontaneous desire to express some of my inner feelings, I decided to take out my acrylic paint set, brushes, and canvas paper that I've had for quite a long time and has been collecting dust. I purchased them several years ago from my local craft store where I once worked. I had made an attempt to teach myself to paint using instructional books and created a few pieces that I ended up giving away as gifts, but that was it. Now many years later, they are finding its way back into my life and I hope that it will stick around from this point on... Who knows where this will lead to, but I'm hoping and praying for much greater and better things, so we'll just have to see what happens...

{04.05.11 | HE CATCHES ME}

The actual process of creating an art journal is so INTRIGUING. It dawned on me that my journals in the past, filled with drawings and bits and pieces of memorabilia, were never considered as 'art journals' to me. The pages of my past, were very dark and emotional, so I wrote a lot to release all the pent up thoughts and feelings that would have otherwise deterred my faith, my dreams, my hope, my entire well-being from thriving. It was a way to cope with my struggles, fears, and challenges as I was growing up from a adolescent to an adult. Looking back at them, I feel empowered to see how much I've matured and grew in wisdom, strength, and love. I now realize how those journals impacted my life and really gave me the chance to bring healing and restoration to my soul. Life is always changing and I am facing a whole new set of challenges within myself. Growing older, my perspectives about a lot of things that I once believed, have evolved or should I say it has gotten so much deeper than before.

Like I said, I am on a creative journey and I hope you will come along with me as I take each step in creating this art journal. There's so much I want to learn and so far I have found several great, inspirational and educational sites about Art Journaling, that I will collaborate a list and share them with you as soon as I can!

Be back with some updates and guess what?? Another giveaway is on the horizon! Stay tuned.....

XOXO

Let's Get Crafty With It | Valentine's Day Inspiration

Valentine's Day is only several days away and I've been finding so many fabulous ideas around the web from some of my most favorite blogs and craft sites! There are so many talented crafters out there that it blows my mind away. Just about every time I see something so clever and interesting, I think to myself, "Now I why didn't I think of that!" But, that is why the internet can be so wonderful in bringing all these amazingly talented people from all corners of the world, to share their creativity with others. I never can get enough of it and no matter how old I get, from as long as I can remember since I was a little girl, I absolutely get tickled with enthusiasm about anything crafty. There's this little girl inside of me that never grows old! Now that I am a parent with small children, their curiosity and playful spirit just ignites that creative passion even more...

Okay, so let me just keep this sweet and short! Here are some of my favorite Valentine's craft ideas, but let me tell you, there are tons of places I've found so far that have some great ideas. So although I can't list them all in this post, there will always be more for me to share. But for now, these are some really awesome places on the web for inspiration specifically for Valentine's Day :)

Chocolate Ravioli Hearts [www.HungryHappenings.com]

Valentine's Be Mine Banner [www.howdoesshe.com]

Valentine's Day Matchbook Cards [by eighteen25]

Photo Strip Hearts [by eighteen25]

Valentine's Fabric Heart Garland [by how about orange]

Valentine's Gum Ball Necklaces [by one charming party]

Other awesome craft sites:

www.ishareprintables.com

www.isharecrafts.com

www.isharefunfood.com

www.livinglocurto.com

www.creativejewishmom.com

www.bethproudfoot.blogspot.com

www.hostessblog.com

[DIY Paper Craft Decor] Accordion Paper Flowers

I know that the holidays have come and gone and decorations have already been stored away, but you know what? These paper accordion flowers that I made to decorate my walls for Christmas, have not been taken down just yet... I love how pretty they look and think they're great whether or not the seasons change. Besides, I don't mind having to look at them all year round because I love that they are handmade and think it adds a creative touch to my home. This post will show you how I made these accordion flowers. They can be made in so many different sizes, but this project is going to include instructions on how to make a pretty large sized flower that can be used to hang from a ceiling or pinned up to a wall like I have done.

This step by step tutorial is pretty simple and you may use any type of 12x12 paper for this project. I used thick patterned card stock by My Mind's Eye because it continues the theme of my Paper Tree and Paper Wreath that I also created. One thing I do recommend although it is not necessary, is a scoring board. I recently purchased Martha Stewart's Scoring Board and love it because it has the grooves and measuring guides that allow perfect lines and increments. Super convenient. But, if you don't have this tool, no worries. A ruler and a scoring tool will work just fine.

DIY TUTORIAL: ACCORDION FLOWERS [Large Sized]

What you will need:

• 12x12 Solid or Patterned Card Stock - TWO STRIPS CUT OF EITHER ONE OF THESE SIZES: 4'X12', 6'X12', OR 8'X12' INCHES.
• 1 Coordinating card stock with a different color or pattern
• 2 in or bigger round circle or scallop punch
• Scoring Board or Ruler w/Scoring Tool
• Glue Gun
• Stapler or Adhesive strips

1. First step is to score 1 inch increments on each strip of card stock. I decided to use 6 x 12 inch strips for my project, but for different sizes you may try this with 4' x 12' or 8' x 12' inch strips as well.

2. After scoring both strips of 6 inch pieces of paper and folding them accordion style, line up and staple ends together to form one long 24 inch strip.

3. Then take both ends around to form a circle.

4. Staple it together.

5. Push towards the center.

6. It should lay flat and from this circle.

7. Now we need to add a punched circle to the center.

8. Turn accordion flower over and lay it face down on the backside of the punched circle paper. Center it so that the inside circle of the accordion flower is not hanging over the edges of the punched circle. You will need to hold the accordion flower in place to keep its form while the hot glue dries. Be careful, it is hot!

9. Once you know that the hot glue is dry, turn it over and go ahead and add any other embellishments if you'd like. To attach a ribbon or string, I simply stapled it onto the back, close to the edge.

Here is my wall display with the rest of the accordion flowers I created in different sizes. I found that the smaller you create the flowers, the smaller the paper strips and the increment measurements that you'll need to score decreases. These smaller sizes are great for paper crafts such as cards, scrapbook pages, favors, etc.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ask!! 

Enjoy!