keep calm and be challenged

i was playing with one of my new rubber stamps the other day,
and i decided to challenge myself to finish a journal page
without using my pitt or micron pens.

at first, i thought it wouldn't really be that hard to give up just one supply….
but as i got further along, i realized how much impact those black pens provide!

once i was finished, i decided it was a lot of fun doing something completely different, and i really like the way it turned out!  well, except that the stamp image isn't centered…..but that's an entirely different
trying-not-to-be-so-obsessive challenge that i'll deal with another day.  :))


{this was created in my moleskine journal using derwent watercolor pencils,
 "believe in miracles" stamp, and pigment stamp pad}

believe in yourself

                     

simply put, beautifully true.....

always believe in yourself.  always!  

xox

donna downey workshop

about a year ago, donna downey came to our local scrapbook store and offered several workshops.  i was crazy with excitement when i found out that she'd be in town because, i must admit, i'm a huge donna downey fan.  donna is a mixed media artist...she dabbles in paper, fabric, books, paint...well, you can see why i'm a fan!  here is a photo of one of the projects that i made that weekend (i took all of her workshops but one!).  this is one of my favorite pieces of art, not only because it showcases one of my favorite photos of our kids (uh, taken 12 years ago, but still my favorite!), but mainly because i didn't think i could do it.  remember, i'm "collage challenged", so i tend to run in the other direction when it comes time to making one!  but, i think that my success is a testimony to what a great teacher and motivator that donna is...let me put it this way, if i can do it, anyone can do it!