Love Grows Here- A Simple Step by Step

Howdy bloggers, Lisa here with a quick Friday mixed media update.

This weekend I am lucky to be creating here in the Hunter Valley

with some happy, creative, like minded folk.

Today I am sharing with you a layout I threw together this evening,

 because I had a simple malfunction with my journal page, and that is another story.

I have these beautiful photos of my youngest daughter with her BF.

Which I just adore, and although I don't scrapbook much anymore, 

I really couldn't wait to put this onto a page

To paint the backgrounds I started with a green paint and a Donna Downey stencil then, using a wet wipe,

I worked the image into the paint by removing excess.

Next I reapplied the stencil off center and added 2 extra colours, using DWM acrylic paint,

 to bring out the stencil image and to add depth to the page.

 I created 2 different coloured backgrounds to have another option. I chose the green.

I added a piece of pattern paper (similar to this one) which I tore to fit across the page,

then I drew flourishes using a Fude Ball black pen. I also attached muslin using a long armed stapler.
I topped the elements with a Kinder Kreations valentines day frame and the wood veneer

LOVE GROWS HERE title

Lastly I added a strip or 2 of washi tape, a piece of Hambly transparency,
and a few flairs to support the circles within the Hambly image.

Simple journaling finishes this cute layout of my sweet girl.

Thanks so much for dropping by the blog, 

I'll be back next week with a new mixed media update.

Have a super creative weekend and a 

wonderful Valentines Day with your Loves.

Lisa xx

Cathartic Art - An Art Journal step by step.

Howdy Bloggers, Lisa here with a Friday Mixed Media update.

I've had some me time this week, unfortunately due to a shoulder issue, and so I've been taking it easy.

On top of a little home therapy and physio, I allowed myself time to create.

This piece is a dedicated HeART piece that goes out to my dad.

Taken from our family in 1972, in the prime of his life, 29 years old,

 the youngest Head Lighthouse keeper in Australia.

When I started this piece, I didn't really know where it was heading, 

it just evolved into the work below.

I started with a smear of DWM Black Gesso across a double page using a palette knife,

 inside a Ranger Dylusions Square Journal.

Using a DWM Bee Hive honeycomb stencil and a babywipe, I wiped off some paint

while also imprinting the stencil image across the page. Drying time,

then a few pieces of ripped gelli plate tissue paper in tangerine and lemon was adhered with matt medium.

After more drying time, I took to the page with my thin black pen and drew a few branches and leaves

and filled them in with Inktense water colour pencils

(inspired by the incredibly beautiful details in Del Kathryn Bartons work).

 Then I needed to add some colour. I started with a little Golden Neon Pink, some DWM magenta, and some DWM turquoise, again using a spatula and the beehive stencil to reinforce the pattern. Next a little DWM Gesso, to tone it all down a little (yes, very unlike me). 

Then a few marks onto the page.

1. Red dashes in Prismacolour pencils.

2. Inked circles in black using a Darkroom Door background stamp.

3. Random lines right across the page, from one side to the other using a fudeball black pen.

4. A few random mini flowers among the leaves with inktense pencils and graphic pen.

5. DWM "Stop Thinking, Just Create " from the splatter girl stamp set.

 At this point, I felt I needed to pump up the contrasting black element,

to reinforce the honeycomb pattern and provide a journal spot opportunity.

The "LEFT" letters I cut from a random magazine clipping.

I also felt that the lighthouse needed a lift so, after detailing it with my fudeball black pen,

I added radiant beams with an old circular stencil from Studio Calico (*i think) and Colourblast Sunshine texture paste. 

*****COLOURBLAST PASTES when used in your journal,

 MUST be covered with Dorlands wax medium to avoid the pages sticking together. Unfortunately I closed this book before sealing (with 2 days drying time open) and have returned to a torn page , which I now have to fix and seal. 

"Since your life was stolen from you and you left.

I know that you didn't want to leave. 

But the reality of life took over.

I am forever missing you."

 Thanks for dropping by the blog today.

I hope I have inspired you to bust open your art journal and
 create something Cathartic or possibly something starting with a black base.
 Have a super creative weekend,
 I'll be back next week with a new Scrapping Clearly Mixed Media blog update.

Lisa xx

How I Layered Up this Art Journal Page - A quick Step by Step.

 Howdy Bloggers, Lisa here with a quick Friday mixed media update.

 I love, when I'm creating, to add different layers to art journal pages.

It creates interest within the details and adds depth to every piece.

Today I'm sharing with you a fun step by step Art Journal page

 that I completed yesterday, during a much needed down day. 

Here is the piece.

Titled - I can't help it.

Here is what I did to create this page.

Using a small Dylusions Journal,

two hand carved stamps images applied using StazOn black ink  

and a soft red Prismacolour pencil, I created a simple starting point.

"it's more about doing, rather than the end result, just play and float into your mojo"

Next a layer of paint.

Dina Wakley Media Sky and Lime .

A few scraps of off cut Atlas papers and Jane Davenport paint swatch paper. 

 A little liquitex white gesso and a few lined details, with a black Fudeball pen,

to bring focus to the stamped leaf image and create focal points within the page.

I wanted to introduce a few colourful marks,

so I added a few dashes randomly with an orange Tim Hotlz Distress marker. 

Now adding some Dina Wakley black paint to bring contrast and drama to the piece.

With a DWM stencil rubbed back, to take off the black paint from the page to reveal the pattern.

 A this point I added colour to the leaves with a little Dylusions bubble gum pink acrylic paint,

a few leaves cut from an old piece of Basic Grey pattern paper, and

 little detailing on the leaves with a white Posca pen.

To finish off, some some journaling with my trusty Fudeball,

 a complete edging of black ink to the page and a flick of white paint

 applied using a flooded white Posca.

 Thanks for dropping by the blog, I'll be back next week with a fun update.

After a few days of recharge, visiting Galleries and 

cafes in Sydney with my partner in Epic Adventures Peg.

Have a fun creative week artisans.

Lisa xx 

Carving Out a New Path in My Art Journal.

Howdy Bloggers,

Lisa here with the 1st of Scrapping Clearly's 2018's Mixed Media updates.

Welcome to a fresh new year with fun new crafty arty goodness.

Lets start this year with some fun playful techniques, to enhance your art journal 

and scrappy pages and create unique one off pieces to play with.

Lets start 2018 by carving it up, dig into it and create your own mark.

If you haven't created your own unique stamps before,

definitely do yourself a favor, grab some rubber and

find some carving tools and enjoy the process. 

1.Draw

2.Carve

3.Stamp

how easy is that ??

I have created my own stamps before (ages ago) but am always inspired by Lousie,

who has been creating for the FI FI Balzer 'Carve It Up Dec.' challenge.

So I decided to take a new path and carve my own stamps. 

It's a seriously fun art, especially if you just relax and forget perfect.

Here are a few I have created in a reasonably short period of time.

Nothing special, just playing with rubber and simple images.

Today's rubber carve session produced this below. 

The hand is my personal fave.

Now to incorporate these beauties into an Art Journal page.

I started with a Dylusions journal, using a brayer and 2 DWM Paints in Lapis and Sky, I covered the page and then rubbed off paint, through a Kinder Kreations brick stencil, using a wet wipe.

This adds detail and interest with out adding texture.

Next process, using black Stazon ink,

stamping randomly over the page with a few of the carved stamps.

I painted the leaves with Dylusions Crushed Grape and Bubblegum pink.

I detailed the eyes with a white out correction pen. 

I added hand written music sheet paper from a collection I obtained from a German woman,

who was a victim of the Hitler youth and would play for him as a child.

I added more stencilled brick work over the paper in DWM Ruby and Fuchsia

using a Dina stencil, then I softened the page by brayering a light coat of DWM gesso over the piece.

I also required a focal point, which is my being here.

A few coats of DWM gesso, a stabilo, DWM gilt paint, and my angsty form came to shape.

I wanted to show a little of the darkness of being in torment, and to add to the drama, so I added black DWM paint around the focal point figure.

Using the Letter It perfect pearls from Ranger, in combination with the

hand carved eye stamp, I subtly added more of the eye image.

I also embossed the hand carved hand stamp using the 

Rangerink Letter It embossing power in tinsel and drew around the image

with a white sharpie, which I also used to add journaling to the page.

Because it's an art Journal.

My Quote -

Do Not Fear

Be number One.

Hey babe, 

Don't let the haters or prying eyes get you down.

Shake it off,

you are N*1

Take that energy into the year ahead and carve it up people.

Everything is possible.

Thanks for coming over to see what's happening on the SC blog.

I'll be back next week with a Friday MM update.

Have a crafty arty weekend of fun.

Lisa xx

Incorporating Photos into my Art Journal

Good Morning Sunshine

Ahhhhhh It's crazy week in my life...

Two Christmas parties at work to cater for, photo shoots for friends, and no time to create anything.

So I asked the amazing girls on the DT team to help me out today and find someone to share something fun and mixed media to add to the joy that is Fridays.

Big thanks to our amazing Boss for stepping up and

 sharing her beautiful piece of scrapping arty goodness. I love those Dylusions sprays .

But to be honest with you, my Fridays just are not the same without loading a blog post.

Today I'm sharing a piece I bashed out late last week.

Just a little Art Journal/Life Journal/Scrap Journal

 entry incorporating a photo into my journal page.

My current full 12"x 12"album count is sitting at 64 and that's a bit of an issue regarding storage.

Sometimes I feel I need to swap up the way I create with regards to scrapbooking,

so now I am more selective about what goes on a 12"x 12" page. 

But I have all these cool photos that I really want to create with, 

yet the space issue still has me in conflict.

Downsizing and introducing my photos into random journal pages instead,

 allows me the freedom to play with my photos and 

not worry about finding a home for another layout.

This is one of those journal entries.

 I started with a journal page smeared with some old clean up brushes and added some Dina Wakley acrylic paint in Turquoise to add a base colour. This page was going to be quick and playful.

I then added a Kinder Kreations Mandala stencil image onto the page, 

in black Ranger Dina Wakley gesso using a sponge for application.

Next a few brush strokes of Liquitex gesso over the center and a little Dina magenta acrylic and back on with the KK stencil to rub back a little of the wet colour to reveal more pattern and detail.

.

Then its about adding a few more layers to the piece starting with

a few pink acrylic smears and a harlequin stencil rub back, 

a piece of book sheet paper behind the focal point and photo,

a little pen work, journaling and doodling to introduce marks & highlight the focal points on the page,

that cool pointed finger stencil from Tim Holtz with Dina Wakley Lapis acrylic,

a shot of sunshine acrylic paint from Art Alchemy over the whole piece,

and then the final piece was adding the fussy cut photo, and finishing up with a scribbled title.

This ones not about perfection, but celebrating that fun photo of Jo flicking me the bird. Hahaaa 

Big thanks for dropping by the SC blog,

 I'll be back next Friday with a new mixed media update, 

after some much needed creative time at my art table.

Lisa xx

The Universe within my Art Journal

Morning Bloggers, Lisa here with my weekly SC mixed media update.

You may ask,"what's happening in my creative universe?"

Ruby is here and that makes me happy and all fired up to create for fun and for myself, nothing really that different, except I have a gorgeous face and creative heart to interact with across the table.

I met Ruby online when she was a fresh-faced, super inspiring creative 14-year-old, through a scrapbooking forum. Ten years on and we still have creative weekends shared together.

Today's piece has a little bit of random fun involved.

For a warm-up I started with my small Dylusions art journal.

I created a background coat of colour using random smears of Dina Wakley Media Paint in Sky, Turquoise and Magenta acrylic paint.

Out comes Ruby's iPhone at this time, and on 

with a small time lapse to show you how I build up my layers...  check it here. 

I have incorporated tissue paper pages made using a gelli plate 

and lots of other random arty elements to keep the flow and energy of the piece.

Stencils 

Impasto

Poscas

Stamps

 Then it's all about doodling and adding more marks and random layers.....

It's not rocket science, it's not fine art, it's arty, messy, enjoyable fun.

To me, it's kinda like a galaxy, a colourful universe.

 I finished off with a white sharpie and my quote

 "When you're inside the adventures and colours within my universe,
it's a fun place to be"

Thanks for dropping by the SC Blog HQ.

I'll be back next week with another fun mixed media update.

Lisa xx

Grateful for my Journey- An art Journal Page.

Good Morning Bloggers,

 Lisa here with a Mixed media update.

I am Blessed.

 In so many ways, an amazing family, incredible friends,

 a job that keeps me on my game and a craft that allows me

 creative freedom and is a perfect stress reliever.

I am a creative who loves to give and share their art wholy,

so today I am sharing with you a piece of art the I have created, 

that reflects the pure gratitude I have, for those who assist my life journey.

Being a creative giver has its perks.

Recently the amazingly generous folks at Ranger Ink,

gifted me a few select items to play with, 

today I am sharing with you what I have created using the new Letter It range

and a few of my fave Ranger products.

Letter It

Is a carefully curated collection of stamps, pens, embossing powders,

 pearl powders, mediums, tools, and surfaces designed to work together

 so you can create beautifully personalized cards, tags, gifts and

 more for all of life's occasions!

I am not really a card maker, even though I do make cards,

 and tags, yeah, I may make a handful per year, if that.

So playing with this new cool new product, I took out my small Ranger Dylusions journal,

because for me, my art journal is definitely the place to play, and experiment with new mediums. 

I started with a light coat of Bubblegum pink Dylusions paint using a baby wipe

(yep the colour is off in the pic above,

 because I needed to capture the beauty of the perfect pearls).

Perfect pearl powder; not something I have ever played with before.

I just YouTubed a video or 2 and I have to say, I love the shimmering subtle results - if you know me, you would know that subtle is not really my thing, but this is beautiful for a background element.

 Next, I added a strip of paper from the drop sheet on my art table..... don't underestimate this jewel in your creative arsenal of supplies. One's drop sheet will give your art a beautiful mixture of colour, texture, and random elements that one would find hard to actually create on its own.

I always add a little paint around the paper I have added, to work the piece together.

I have used Dina Wakley Magenta and Dina white Gesso.

 A little stamping with a Dina Wakley Background stamp using archival Ink in black and plum.

Then a Dina Medieval Cross stencil which I embossed with Ranger Bridal Tinsel embossing powder.

I cut a few leaves from my drop sheet and added them to each side

 for extra elements and to create a balance across the page.

Back to the Letter It stamp set where I selected a few stamps,

 to create a title and emboss the words with Ranger Gun Metal Embossing Powder.

 And a few more letter stamps to emboss

I added a little extra detail using the Letter It metalic markers and a Stabilo black magic pencil.

Happy with the result, I really enjoyed playing with these fun items,

definitely not just for the card/tag enthusiast.

Thanks for dropping by the SC blog headquarters,

I'll be back next week with a new mixed media update.

Lisa xx