inspiration monday

when i go to the bookstore, i make a beeline for the children's section......i always find the most wonderful little books there......

with the most fabulous illustrations.....and this little board book is no exception! how could i possibly resist this sweet little makes-me-happy-pastel-doodle-elephant?!

so when i got home, i decided to try that same "elephant technique" in my journal.  i took a piece of paper and randomly stamped some images using some hand-carved stamps.  then i put some splotches of pastel here and there......and cut out three free-form heart shapes.  next i added some doodles to the hearts.......

and glued them onto a journal page that had been previously watercolored.  add some flower petals, some stems and a few leaves.......and voila, those seeds of inspiration have grown their very own garden!

materials used:  watercolor, uniball signo white gel pen, charcoal white pencil, watersoluble pencil 8B, hand-carved stamps, chalk pastel

click on image for larger view

window shopping

still having a ball playing with my pottery barn catalog!  so many fabulous things in there that are on my wish list......but right now, this is the next best thing!

i'll be away from blogland for the next few days.....going to take some time away with my little dutch sweetie and  do some "real life" window shopping (but i'll have my credit card with me just in case of emergency!! heehee).  see you on monday!

journal page finished using watercolor, micron pen, and a 4B pencil.

click on image for better view

inspiration monday

it's true what they say:  inspiration really will strike when you least expect it.  the other day i was surfing through my new pottery barn catalog, and when i saw these fabulous birdcages.....

this image popped into my brain and i had to doodle it onto some paper right away!  i'm not sure why the birdcage is sitting on top of a box, but inspiration is a little kooky that way sometimes!

{i'm also not sure why the birdcage doesn't have a door.....maybe that's why the little birdie is so happy?!}

doodle finished onto a separate piece of paper and added to my journal......

watercolor, watercolor pencil, micron pens, 4B pencil

click on image for better view

three stamps and a journal

i remember a very talented art instructor telling me long ago that "your artwork isn't finished until you've signed it".  so i've created this little doodle stamp to add to journal pages, tags, the back of a handmade card, or any other favorite project that might need "finishing".

and here's one to document all those hours spent working in your favorite journal.....and drinking all of those grande-choco-lattes.....while at your favorite coffee shop! 

 just to give notice to all of that important stuff in your life, this stamp can be used to make tags for a special gift, your own note pads, or to hi-light special days on your calendar.

and i can't think of a better creative playground than one of these blank watercolor journals......the arches textwove paper on the covers, and the 140 lb. strathmore paper inside make it the perfect surface for your favorite wet or dry medium!

whatever your art tools of choice are, i hope you find lots of creative time to play with them this weekend......enjoy!

you can read more information about any of these items in my etsy shop!

"keep a green tree in your heart

and perhaps a singing bird will come."

more blue and green......with just a hint of hot pink and yellow-orange (my vacation from using orange didn't last too long, did it.....!).

journal page finished using watercolor, watercolor pencil, micron pen,  and graphite pencil