simple things

sometimes i think journal pages are a lot like ice cream sundaes.

the simpler they are, the better.  

a little (or a lot) ice cream, and a lot (or a little) of chocolate sauce......

and when you realize that the journal page you've just created
coordinates beautifully with your glasses,
well, i'd say that's the cherry on top!!

i hope your weekend includes a perfectly
 coordinated ice cream sundae!!

{this journal page was created in my pocket watercolor moleskine using
pitt artist pens and a 3B graphite pencil.}

stencil hop 2011!

i've been a huge fan of julie fei-fan balzer since for-ev-er!   not only is she extremely talented, but she's also an awesome teacher, and she has a very generous heart when it comes to sharing her art know-how with us!   so when she invited me to participate in stencil hop 2011, i was absolutely thrilled!!

julie has designed a fabulous line of stencils that are featured over at the crafter's workshop......i think these little cloud and raindrop stencils are really sweet, and i just love the whimsical feel of them!

so how about we use that playfulness to change things up a bit......let's use these clouds and raindrops in our journal to create something a little different.......something a little more "frosty".  

starting with your pencil,  follow the inside edge of one of the small cloud shapes in the middle of your journal page (i'm using a strathmore visual journal for mixed media).

now, stack some more cloud shapes on top of each other by outlining with your pencil, except this time,  only draw the top of the cloud.

now using the large elongated raindrop stencil, place it under your bottom cloud at a slant, and run your pencil along the left side of the raindrop.

move your same elongated raindrop stencil over to the other side of the cloud, and slant it a bit to the right while matching up the point at the bottom with your first line.  trace only the right side of the raindrop.

now using the small raindrop stencil, place it at the very top of your stacked clouds and trace around only the top part of the raindrop......draw a little stem, and you have a cherry!

using your favorite waterproof marker (i'm using a micron), trace all of your pencil lines......

and you've gone from clouds and raindrops to a frosty treat!!

fill in all of the scoops of ice cream however you like......draw sprinkles, polka dots, lines, zentangles, fill them with stamped images, or write words inside!

then, have some fun using your favorite medium to add some color, along with all your favorite finishing touches!  and when you're done, you've got a super-happy version of frost-bite.....and this kind won't turn your fingers blue!  :))


{you can find these stencils and julie's other fabulous designs here at the crafter's workshop!!}


*now let's hop on over and see what these other artists are doing!*

Lori Vliegen: http://elviestudio.blogspot.com/ (you are here!)
Bianca Mandity: http://biancandm.blogspot.com/
Claudine Hellmuth: http://claudinehellmuth.blogspot.com/
Kerry Lynn Yeary: http://blog.kennerroad.com/
Samantha Kira Harding: http://www.journalgirl.com/
Diana Trout: http://dianatrout.typepad.com/blog/
Mou Saha: http://collagecollagecollage.blogspot.com/
Julie Fei-Fan Balzer:
http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2011/10/clouds-tcw230.html

{this journal page was created using a strathmore visual journal for mixed media,
cloud and raindrop stencils by julie fei-fan balzer, micron pens, pencil, koi watercolor, and a waterbrush}

inspiration monday

i'm a true believer that when you're looking for inspiration, look no further than your very own artwork!  there are lots and lots of ideas hibernating in your art journals, and they're just waiting to be turned into something brand new!   for example, you might find a little sketch that you did a long time ago and wonder, "how can i use this?".

one idea is to take your design and carve a stamp!
(i carved this stamp from a piece of speedy carve.....)

 then stamp it all over a blank page in your journal. 

 add some journaling and other doodles using your favorite pen, 

and finish it off with pan pastels or watercolors.
now you've gone from old design.....to  new inspiration!

but don't stop there!  change up the colors on your stamp......

and you never know...... a fun little rainbow garden might sprout up!  

(when an opportunity to draw cute little flowers with smiley faces comes your way, you've gotta take it!)

and after all that gardening,  treat yourself to some frozen happiness.....
all you need to do is change the direction of your stamp!

when you're looking for some new ideas, think of your art journals as little treasure chests......there's lots of inspiration bounty in there, i promise!


{all journal pages were completed using a hand-carved stamp, colorbox stamp pads,
micron pens, pan pastel, and a 4B pencil}

no bowl required

my hips will confirm the fact that i've had a true love affair with ice cream this summer. and this is my all-time favorite way to eat it...... :))

have a great weekend!