Tag Archives: Gesso

Beautiful Day

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It’s time for a new challenge over at Try it on Tuesday, which for the next two weeks is Countdown 3-2-1.

My wild party page was created from recycled last year’s birthday paper and envelopes; it features 3 arrow stickers each pointing to black panel sentiments, 2 heart stickers and 1 fussy cut girl sticker – I hope you like it!

My background was created using recycled birthday paper and envelopes; collaging them over the page using Liquitex matte gel medium. Next I used a brayer to apply some Pébéo white gesso over the papers and then I arranged some stickers, cardboard panel sentiments and the girl which I fussy cut out; all are from a Complete Collection pad by Docrafts. The sentiments read “Never give up on things that make you smile”, “Be so happy when others look at you, they become happy too” and “There are so many beautiful reasons to be happy”. To finish, I added the “Beautiful Day” die cut topper.

For more inspiration, please pop over to Try it on Tuesday to see the wonderful creations from our Guest Designer and the rest of my Design Teamies.

I always love to recycle and reuse items on my pages and I had such fun collaging all these birthday bits together (smile!).

Take care and happy crafting! x

Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Beautiful

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It’s the first Friday of February and we are pleased to be back all refreshed after our annual break with our new challenge at the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog, which as always is Anything Mixed Media Goes.

The mixed media that I used for this page was: Driftwood DecoArt acrylic paint and Pébéo white gesso for the background; a crackle design using a Stamperia Create Happiness stamp set by Vicky Papaioannou and Vintage Photo Distress Archival Ink; splattered  watered down Pine Needles Distress Ink, black and white Liquitex acrylic ink; the burlap foreground was cut from a Stamperia Secret Diary Washi Pad by Vicky Papaioannou; the candles, flowers and vase were from Stamperia Fortune Die Cut set stuck into place using Stamperia matte glue .

For more inspiration please check out the amazing creations from our Guest Designer and my fellow Design Team members over at Creative Artiste too. All you need to do is to use three different mediums on your projects to join our mixed media challenge; I hope you are inspired to join us, it would be lovely to see you there!

Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Forest Whispers

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As it’s the first Friday of October, it’s time for a new challenge over at the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog, which is Anything Mixed Media Goes.

This whimsical autumn art journal page captures the essence of the autumn forest, with whispers of the wind and the gentle rustle of leaves (smile!).

The mixed media I used for this page were: Pébéo white gesso over the background as a base later, Distress Archival Inks and a Tim Holtz Falling Leaves Stamp Set to stamp the leaves, and when dry covering them with white gesso again using a brayer and then stamping more leaves on top; white Liquitex Acrylic Ink to splatter the page; two washi tapes to create the foreground and then smudging black Faber-Castell Big Brush marker over the top with my finger to give them definition; the bird and wording which I fussy cut from “Maremi’s Illustrationi Collage Ephemera for art journaling Autumn Stories & backgrounds book”, they were stuck in place using Liquitex Matte Gel Medium and when dry edged using a black Faber-Castell Big Brush marker.

For more inspiration please check out the amazing creations from our Guest Designers and my fellow Design Team members over at Creative Artiste too. All you need to do is to use three different mediums on your projects to join our mixed media challenge; I hope you are inspired to join us, it would be lovely to see you there!

Although you expect to see the leaves changing colour and falling leaves now that it’s October, this photo was actually taken at the end of August, while we were walking at Lytham Hall. It seems that leaves turning colour and falling in August, though unusual, is a sign of tree stress, caused by the dry conditions or excessive heat during this year’s summer months. It triggers a premature “false autumn” in the trees with trees shedding their leaves to survive.

Thanks so much for joining me today. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Happy and creative wishes! x

Spooky Treat

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I love autumn and have been enjoying creating a number of art journal pages (more to follow over the coming months) using my “Maremi’s Illustrationi Collage Ephemera for art journaling Autumn Stories & backgrounds book”; including this one featuring this Spooky Goose in a witches hat which seems to have taken over my art journal page (smile!).

In today’s tutorial, I’ll show you how to bring this spooky goose in a witches hat to life in your art journal.

https://youtube.com/shorts/sdoJ2_b3W6o

From inky backgrounds to whimsical jack-o-lantern illustrations, I’ll guide you through every step of this magical process. So grab your art supplies, don your witch’s hat, and let’s conjure up some creative magic together (smile!).

The mixed media that I used to create this A6 page includes Archival Ink, Stamperia Oh La La Stamp Set, Maremi’s Illustrationi Collage Ephemera for art journaling Autumn Stories & backgrounds book, Liquitex Matte Gel Medium, Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Dual Tip markers, Free Stamp Set from a Magazine, UHU Stic, Spectrum Noir TriBlend markers, Pébéo White Gesso, Faber-Castell Gelatos and a UniPin Fine Line Marker.

It’s the season for all things pumpkin, so here’s a piece of homemade pumpkin cake filled with cream cheese frosting and my decaf coffee; my drink qualifies me to join in the fun over at T Stands for Tuesday – Happy T Day everyone!

Thanks so much for joining me today. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Happy and creative wishes! Jo x

Challenges

The lovely Mia is hosting over at Art Journal Journey this month; she has chosen Make Your Own Background as her theme and so I wanted to join her my Spooky Treat page.

Italy-inspired Orchids

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Wow, it’s September already! As it’s the first Friday of month, it’s time for a new challenge over at the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog, which is Anything Mixed Media Goes.

Remembering the Garda Orchid show that we attended in Italy earlier this year, I unleashed my creativity with this mixed media orchid art journal page!

In the video below, I’ll take you on a magical journey to create a stunning mixed media art piece that captures the essence of the orchid festival in Peschiera del Garda, Italy.

https://youtube.com/shorts/l8PemscGweM

From vibrant colours to delicate flowers, I’ll show you how to bring this art journal page to life with easy to follow steps. Get ready to be inspired and create your own masterpiece (smile!).

The mixed media that I used are Pébéo white gesso, Distress Ink, Liquitex matte gel medium, Acrylic paints, Faber-Castell Gelatos, Crafter’s Companion stamp and template set, Stamperia Amazonian Paper Pad, Stamperia matte glue, Derwent Inktense pencil, Spectrum Noir TriBlend markers, Stamperia Washi Pad, and UniBall gel pen.

For more inspiration please check out the amazing creations from our Guest Designers and my fellow Design Team members over at Creative Artiste too. All you need to do is to use three different mediums on your projects to join our mixed media challenge; I hope you are inspired to join us, it would be lovely to see you there!

Here’s Verona Gate one, of only the two, entrances to Peschiera del Garda, which is a charming town located at the southern end of Lake Garda. It’s known for it’s UNESCO-listed Venetian walls and fortress, picturesque canals, and historical significance. The town offers a fabulous blend of history, natural beauty, and Italian charm, making it a popular destination for tourists. 

Garda Orchid show is held every year in order to exhibit, market and educate about orchids.

The displays and market stalls were amazing, I’ve never seen so many different types, they were so beautiful!

Thanks so much for joining me today. Here’s the link to my YouTube channel Let’s Art Journal so, if you wish, you can Like this video and Subscribe to my channel.

If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Happy and creative wishes! x

Sketch your life

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It’s time for a new challenge over at Try it on Tuesday, which for the next two weeks is Summer.

My art journal page captures the vibrant summer colours and scenes of artist Athos Faccincani; we went to his art exhibition in Lake Garda, Italy.

The mixed media that I used for this page was Pébéo white gesso that I applied using a brayer to my chipboard page; Distress Inks which I stencilled in a grid pattern over the dried gesso; the Art Exhibition leaflet featuring Athos Faccincani’s name and paintings; Stamperia Atelier des Art Chipboard pieces for the flower tiles and “sketch your life and put color on it” wording.

For more inspiration, please pop over to Try it on Tuesday to see the wonderful creations from our Guest Designer and the rest of my Design Teamies.

The art exhibition was held in this grand building in Peschiera del Garda.

Athos Faccincani is actually a local artist and was born in Peschiera del Garda, Italy in 1951.  He is best known for his colourful scenes of Italy.

His artworks are so beautiful that you couldn’t help but smile whilst looking at the colourful and detailed paintings – stunning!

As T Stands for Tuesday and we are in Italy, here’s a hot chocolate and my coffee with a mini lemon tart and dark chocolate cup filled with white chocolate mousse and mango that we enjoyed whilst in Lake Garda – yummy (smile!). Happy T Day everyone!

Thanks so much for joining me today. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Happy and creative wishes! x

Challenges

The lovely Chris from Pearshaped Crafting is hosting over at Art Journal Journey this month; she has chosen Hot Summer (Nights and Days) as her theme and so I’m joining in the summer fun with my summer page.

Sunflower

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As it’s the first Friday of August, it’s time for a new challenge over at the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog, which is Anything Mixed Media Goes.

Sunflowers always remind me of summer and make me smile, so as today’s mixed media page showcases them.

Check out how this mesmerising sunflower art journal page came together in the video below. Here’s the link to my YouTube channel Let’s Art Journal so, if you wish, you can Like this video and Subscribe to my channel.

https://youtube.com/shorts/ijoD7EYaEac

Follow along as we explore the world of mixed media with collage, stamping and inky watercolour to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art that’s sure to brighten your day (smile!).

The mixed media I used to create this page includes Design Pad Papers, Liquitex Matte gel medium, Pébéo White Gesso, Crafter’s Companion Stamp and Template set, Archival Ink, Distress Inks, UHU Stic, Stamperia Matt Glue and rounds gems.

For more inspiration please check out the amazing creations from our Guest Designers and my fellow Design Team members over at Creative Artiste too. All you need to do is to use three different mediums on your projects to join our mixed media challenge; I hope you are inspired to join us, it would be lovely to see you there!

My lonely sunflower was inspired by this one that we discovered whilst we were walking on holiday in Tenerife, it looked like it was enjoying the sunshine – so pretty!

Thanks so much for joining me today. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Happy and creative wishes! x

Challenges

The lovely Chris from Pearshaped Crafting is hosting over at Art Journal Journey this month; she has chosen Hot Summer (Nights and Days) as her theme and so I’m joining in the summer fun with my sunflower page.

Let’s Celebrate

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To celebrate last week’s 12th Anniversary of T Stands for Tuesday challenge, Bleubeard and Elizabeth arranged an Artist Trading Card (ATC) swap, which I happily took part in (smile!).

I swapped with the lovely Erika (sending her the ATC on the left), but to show my appreciation for all her hard work I also sent an ATC to dearest Bleubeard and Elizabeth too (the ATC on the right).

My ATC designs were inspired by this art journal page that I created, which I thought Bleubeard, Elizabeth and Squiggles would find purr-fectly enchanting (smile!).

Join me and watch the video below, as I create this magical Stamperia Cat ATC showing you the same process that I used to create my page.

https://youtube.com/shorts/jQg1Hw7ZmXo

From selecting the most mystical pieces to adding a dash of feline flair, I’ll take you through every step of my artistic process. I had so much fun and was mesmerised by the transformation of a simple card and watching the magic unfold (smile!).

The mixed media that I used for this ATC (and page) included Tim Holtz Pocket Card, mixed media paper, UHU Stic, Pébéo white gesso, Stamperia Alchemy Rub-on Transfers, Stamperia Fortuna Paper Pad, Tim Holtz Metallic Sticker Book, Liquitex acrylic ink and Stamperia Fortuna Die Cuts.

Here are the beautiful ATCs that Erika sent me; they are all so vibrant and colourful, with lots of awesome T Day references and the details are amazing – did you notice the silver glitter steaming up from the teacups, the dotty paper in the champagne flute and dots of glossy accents to mimic the champagne bubbles and Erika definitely created a hug in a mug with that big dollop of cream on top of the hot chocolate – yum!

Thank you so much, Erika and Happy T Day everyone!

Not only did I receive, not one but three ATCs, Erika was also thoughtful enough to send me this fabulous card too; she knew that moose are a favourite of mine – perfect! Thanks so much my friend xox

Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Happy and Creative wishes! x

Greetings from Lake Garda

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Can you believe it’s June already? My art journal page captures Lake Garda, and features a postcard that I brought back from our recent trip; the wording translates “Greetings from Lake Garda”, and shows all the towns around the lake where we stayed (smile!).

Here’s how I created this art journal page inspired by this Italian Lake! in this video, I used a pre-made background for this page (one that I made for another page and didn’t use), so I’ve you can also find my full process below:

I started by covering the chipboard page with Pébéo white gesso and left it to dry. I then applied Stormy Sky Distress Paint over the top. When dry, I added some Stamperia Volume Paste, to the top left and bottom right corners of the page, using a Stamperia compass stencil. Next I distressed the page using some sandpaper, scratching the background surface and exposing the chipboard in places to give a grungy look. The postcard paper pieces were torn by applying some water with a paintbrush and then tearing, and I also fussy cut the compass from the postcard. All the paper pieces are edged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and layered together onto the page using a glue stick. To finish, I splattered the page with white and also black Liquitex acrylic ink.

https://youtube.com/shorts/TZyp-692tUM

In this video, I’ll take you on a creative journey, as I transform a postcard into a beautiful art journal page and combine textures and share techniques to bring this destination to life on my page (smile!).

Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) is the largest lake in Italy and a popular holiday destination; we have been many times as it’s such a lovely place and I love, love, love boat trips! Here’s the view looking back at Desenzano, where we stayed (which you’ll find at the bottom of the lake) from one of boat trips.

This is the beautiful castle in Sirmione, which is a short boat trip from Desenzano. The town and shops are such fun to explore, or you can sit by the lake front and watch the boats, or you can explore the gardens, or even walk along the lakefront to enjoy the stunning views.

We always took the early boat to Sirmione so we could go directly to a fabulous café for a coffee and hot chocolate accompanied by a very yummy (milk or white) chocolate muffin – yay! As T Stands for Tuesday, I’m sharing our drinks and wishing you all a very Happy T Day (sorry I’ve been absent the last few weeks, we’ve been away celebrating a friend’s BIG birthday – smile!).

Thanks so much for joining me today. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Happy and creative wishes! x

Grow Wild & Free

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It’s May and the first Friday of the month, so it’s time for a new challenge over at the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog, which as always is Anything Mixed Media Goes.

Today I’m sharing springtime art journal page adventure inspired by woodland blossom and flowers, that were growing wild and free, on some recent walks with family and friends (smile).

In this springtime themed art journaling video, we’ll be embracing the beauty of the Spring season with soft colours, whimsical patterns and textures.

https://youtube.com/shorts/m6xy6V_yYPk

Join me as we dive into the world of mixed media, with a mix of crackle paste, inks, papers and more, we’ll create this one-of-a-kind journal page.

For more inspiration please check out the amazing creations from our Guest Designers and my fellow Design Team members over at Creative Artiste too. All you need to do is to use three different mediums on your projects to join our mixed media challenge; I hope you are inspired to join us, it would be lovely to see you there!

The pretty florals from our spring walks inspired my page; this is white Hawthorn tree blossom which, here in the UK, is a sign of spring and synonymous with May Day celebrations.

Also these tiny Sweet Violas with their heart-shaped leaves added magical colour to the shady woodland floor and hedgerows on our walks.

Thanks so much for joining me today. If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Happy and creative wishes! x

Challenges

The lovely Neet from blog Hickydorums is hosting over at Art Journal Journey this month; she has chosen It Must Have Wings as her theme and so I’m joining her with the little bird on my page.