Looking Back – Faves of 2012

 

Art Journal Pages & Christmas Cards

      Hello everyone!  I promised to share some of the art journal pages I did while in Jamaica.  I always find time to journal, no matter where I am.  Travelling is an ideal opportunity.  There is lots of idle time in airports, etc., and, of course, while basking in the sunshine.  I get some funny looks sometimes, with all my art supplies spread out on my beach chair lol.  For this trip, I did not bring much in the way of art supplies – my Moleskine watercolor journal, my Smash book, my small Strathmore visiual journal, some watercolor paints and pencils,a couple of woodless graphite pencils, and some of my markers.

I didn’t finish any of the pages in my Smash book – but, I did glue down some travel ephemera.  I usually add doodling, rubons, etc., after I get home, so I will share those pages when I finish them.  This is the only one that is close to finished.  I will probably add some details later, but maybe not!    I took some private coaching from one of the local pros in Jamaica, and wanted to remember some of the things that he told me, so I created this journal page for that purpose.

The next couple of pages were done in my small Strathmore Visual Journal (Bristol paper version):

The next few were done in my Moleskine watercolor journal.  I used lots of media – watercolor paint, watercolor pencils, markers (Sakura gelly roll, and Faber-Castell brush and fine tip pens). These are all definitely zentangle-inspired.

Lastly, I have been busy since I returned from vacation, trying to finish up my Christmas cards.  These are made with one of  the Basic Grey card kits (not my design):

This kit included all the supplies to make a total of 12 cards – 4 of each of these 3 designs.  A quick and easy way to get 12 cards done in a short period of time.

 

Oh My…I Have a Lot of Journals lol

So, just out of curiosity, I decided to see exactly how many journals I have on the go right now.  I like to work in several journals at one time, but I think I’ve gotten a little out of control as of late.  You be the judge:

I really do enjoy art journaling!    Taking these photos lead me to blog about the various journals that I enjoy working in.

First, my Smash journals.  I seem to fill these quickly, just because most of the work is already done for you.  All I generally do is slap in some ephemera, add a little washi tape, and I’m done!  I’m in the process of making a Youtube video flip of my beloved Smash journals.

As you can see, one of them is full, and the other two are move than half full. 

Next, premade journals.  There are so many options out there!  When I began art journaling, I was a little overwhelmed by all the options.  Over time, I have played with a number of different journals, and, depending on the type of journaling I do, they all seem to have their purpose.

For journaling using wet mediums (acrylic paint, sprays, watercolor crayons, inktense pencils, etc.), my absolute favourite is my watercolor Moleskines.  They come in several different sizes.  Of course, I have them all lol.  The biggest one is HUGE…12″ x 16″!  The smallest one isn’t in the photo…it’s about 3″ x 5″?  I also like the one with the purple label.  The paper is thick, but not watercolor.  It is a nice off-white color, and will hold up to a fair bit of wet mediums.

My next favorite pre-made journals are the Strathmore mixed media journals, and the Strathmore Visual Journals (140 lb watercolor).  Strathmore really has done a fabulous job…the paper is nice and thick, and holds a TON of watercolor-type mediums!  The only thing I am not crazy about is the spiral binding, but I’ve learned to work with it.  The Robert Bateman Sketchbook is good for dry medium, and will also hold up to a fair amount of wet stuff.

Next, handmade journals.  I should give a little shout-out to Julie Prichard.  She introduced me to journal making.  Her online courses, offered at The Land of Lost Luggage Ning site, are awesome.  I made three journals in one of her classes.  I also made Teesha Moore’s famous 16 page journal,(see her Youtube videos – the first one is below) and the fabric quilted one at the back is based on one of Teesha’s journals.

Last, but certainly not least, are my Letter Love journals, made while participating in Joanne Sharpe’s Letter Love classes.  She has a new class starting soon, and I can’t wait!

Sooooo…..there you have it.  (Almost) All of my current journals.  My name is Kim…lol

Thanks for stopping by!  If you have any questions about art journals, please feel free to ask.  If I don’t know the answer, I will find it for you!  Cuz that’s just how much of an enabler…er….friend I am!

<3 My Smash Books!

My second Youtube video.  Just a flip through three of my (almost full) Smash books.  If you enjoy, please “like” my video! 

Giveaway Time!

I have not offered up any blog candy in a long time!  Back when I was on several design teams, I used to give away stuff on a pretty regular basis.  Should I give away a handmade Smash-style journal?  I love love love my Smash books.  I have filled one, and have 2 more on the go right now.  One is for travel (I smashed about my September, 2011 trip to NYC, but only used about half the book).  The red one (used for random stuff) is almost full.  I was planning to purchase another one, and may still do that.  Michael’s is carrying them now, so I thought I’d check my local Michael’s and see if I can use a coupon to get a good deal on one.  But, Michael’s usually seems to inflate their prices, in general, so we’ll see.  Alternatively, I may make myself one.  I just finished making a couple for two special little girls, and they love them!  I forgot to photograph them, though. 

Back to my blog candy.  I thought I’d share some of my creative goals for 2012 here, and give you a chance to do the same on your blog, as a way of inspiring others.  So, for those of you who have blogs, if you blog about your goals (or may have already blogged about them), add a comment to this post, with a link to your post (not your blog, but the actual post, please, so I can take a peek), then you will be entered into my draw for your very own hand made Smash-style book!  I’ll leave this open for a week.  I’ll draw one random name on Saturday, January 14.

So, here are some of my artsy/creative goals for 2012:

1. Create daily.
2. Blog at least 3 times per week.
3. Pick a word for the year.
4. Take at least 5 online art courses.
5. Take one in-person art course.
6. Learn to create digitally.
7. Do more painting on canvas.
8. Learn to paint BIG!

I think that’s all for my goals.  What about you?  Do you have some creative goals for 2012?  Do you want to win a hand made Smash-style journal?  If  so,(for those of you who have blogs), if you blog about your goals (or may have already blogged about them), add a comment to this post, with a link to your post (not your blog, but the actual post, please, so I can take a peek), then you will be entered into my draw for your very own hand made Smash-style book!  If you don’t have a blog, please add your 2012 creative goals to your comment.  I’ll leave this open for a week.  I’ll draw one random name on Saturday, January 14.  Check back regularly this week, because I will be posting a picture of the journal that you could win! 

Red Smash Book

This is the first Smash book I purchased – some time around the beginning of 2011.  There are a few pages that actually ended up worthy of blogging about.  Most of them, not so much.  But, that’s okay.  I don’t journal to make pretty pages.  2011 was a tough year, for many reasons, and my journal pages reveal that.  I was just so NOT inspired, or feeling creative for about the first half of the year.  I kept trying to get inspired, but it just didn’t happen. Such is life.  I continued to push myself, and eventually, my mojo came back.  That makes me happy.  So, here are a few pages that make me happy.  I hope you enjoy taking a peek into my Smash world, 2011.

Smash International

I’m continuing today with some more photos from my Bali/Hong Kong International Smash book.

Products used: Post cards, PoGo Photos, freebee flyers and maps, misc ephemera, washi tape, Tim Holtz Tissue Tape, various markers.

Smashing Again!

I’m continuing today with some more photos from my Bali/Hong Kong travel Smash book.

Products used: Post cards, PoGo Photos, freebee flyers and maps, misc ephemera, washi tape, Tim Holtz Tissue Tape, various markers.

Smash Book Pages

I’m continuing today with some more photos from my Bali/Hong Kong travel Smash book.  Today’s pages are (probably) unfinished.

Products used: Post cards, PoGo Photos, freebee flyers and maps, misc ephemera, washi tape, Tim Holtz Tissue Tape, various markers.

More Smash Book Love

I’m continuing today with some more photos from my Bali/Hong Kong travel Smash book.

Products used: Post cards, PoGo Photos, freebee flyers and maps, misc ephemera, washi tape, Tim Holtz Tissue Tape, various markers.