Lower Gear - Journal Pages

Hi there my friends! I'm back!

Do you ever have these days when you feel you can't start creating? I do, especially if I had a longer break from my studio - traveling to teach for a long time or finally having my vacation time, when I can enjoy the company of my family and admire the most beautiful landscapes in the world (I mean Ireland of course!).

This Summer - all of the above happened and when I finally returned home and I started unpacking my things, I did not feel like creating at all...

So, what to do if you feel stuck?

One of the things I try is just looking at my art supplies. Whenever I try to figure out where on earth I put my paint, stamps, foils, mica powders... that's when, most of the times,  this searching makes me want to use them all again. :) Just touching them and looking at them makes me really happy and starts my creative process almost immediately.

And what if that doesn't work?

Believe me or not - I simply start making stuff. I put some simple elements together, throw some gesso on it, repeat the ideas I've done in the past... this is my way of creating on the lower gear, to make the machinery work again, make the juices flow and old wheels to turn - and yes, today I've got an example for you!

I was showing similar art journal pages in this post, sharing my progress in my "Book of Possibilities" online class Moodbook.

I liked the idea of creating simple, effortless pages which just make me happy - by adding colour, photos, stamps, pencil lines - I followed this idea yesterday and made 2 spreads - and believe me - maybe they are not impressive, but yes, it felt too good!

Here are the simple steps I took to create this journal spread.
I hope you will get a bit inspired too, enjoy!

I've started by simply gluing a few layers of old papers from old books. Art Basics Soft Gel will be a great choice for gluing your papers!

I added some washi tape, scraps of papers and trim and used Art Basics White Heavy Gesso to create a protective, white coat  on my page. I dried everything with my heat gun.

I've added some more paper scraps, elements, tape, then I've made a few really organic, rough and freehand marks with a soft pencil. Why not?

Later I took my super-duper black tea infusion in a sprayer bottle and added a vintage color tone to everything. I had to dry my pages again.

After the tea was dry, I added some more pencil marks and one more layer of gesso, just in selected places.

Using my Art Basics Soft Gel again I glued the vintage photo in.

Then it was high time to start playing with colour. My choice were Prima Water Soluble Oil Pastels which I was watering down with a Water Brush. On a coat of gesso this technique is very easy to do, the colors float and mix on dry gesso beautifully and if you have too much color you can simply pick it up with a wet wipe! I think you can't go wrong this way... (side note: you can get similar results with Distress Crayons and Gelatos too!)

When I was happy with may colors - in some places they were very delicate, in other quite intense - I started adding shades and lines with a soft pencil (in my signature, a bit crazy manner) and added a bit of simple background stamping to add contrast to the pages. I've used Ranger Archival Ink which is permanent after drying.

After adding hand-written journaling with the same soft pencil I wanted some bling on my page. Prima Adhesive Rub-ons a re great choice if you'd like to add some creative lettering or shiny background textures.

After applying the rub-on I used my Gold Mica Powder applied with a soft brush. The effect of delicate shine was just amazing! After that I splattered a bit of Art Alchemy Metallique Paint (Gold Rush) for a good measure. 

Here you can see the details of the finished spread! I LOVE the shine of mica here!

You can get even more shine on your project if you will use foils instead of mica powder. Sometimes an extra kick of metallic is just what you need - like on the pages below. I've made them with the same techniques as shown in the tutorial, just added Prima Rub-on Foils in the last step! 

I hope you enjoyed the post. 

Please remember creating on your lower gear is nothing to be ashamed of - it may be a warm-up step before making something something serious, or just simple, everyday happy creating for pleasure. 

Here is a short list of some items I've used for my creations - all linked to Mixed Media Place Store!

Wishing you a great, creative week!

Book Altering - Endless Possibilities

Hi again my dears!
Not long ago I was sharing the happy news about my brand new ONLINE CLASS - "Book of Possibilities". 
It was a very happy and very important moment for me - you can name it my next milestone in my career as a mixed-media teacher! Last year I was thinking creating online class in the shape and size I was thinking of will be simply impossible for me - but then my friends stepped up and all the impossible turned into possible!
You can read more about the class here - check it out  and learn more details!

Today I'd like to show you some shots of the book covers which are done during the online class - yes, you will get detailed instruction how to create altered book covers in 2 ways - not bad, huh?

This cover was created using Art Extravagance Crackle Texture Paste, Art Basics Black Gesso and Heavy Body Gel, Art Alchemy Waxes and more! I absolutely love the effect...

Don't you just love the colours and textures on this book? I was so inspired by natural colours of the vintage book cover I was trying to find the closest possible colours of Art Alchemy Metallique Paints to match it!

I didn't use so many elements to decorate it  - but the rich colours, pretty textures and lovely stencil details are doing the trick here! And can you see  these cool crackle effects? Or the beauty of the original title of the book, revealed by Art Alchemy Metallique Paints and Waxes?
It is rich, detailed, it is beautifully shiny and it really catches the eye - I hope you like it too!

You can have a look at what happened inside of the book in a separate post here - I'm sharing some of these techniques during the online class, some of the pages were done once the book was finished, just for my own pleasure! Enjoy!

If you'd like to take the class - don't wait and register now, the course is already open and running! You will find all the details and information you need here, in the link below!

I can't wait to see your beautiful creations - I hope to see you in the virtual classroom!
huge hugs

Book of Possibilities * Brand New Online Class!

My dear Friends...

Perhaps some of you have already seen the news that Everything Art and I shared yesterday but... let's go back to the past for a moment, shall we...? ;)

Releasing my first online class - Imagine Collage - I had my hands shaking, but heart full of hope.

It was a real milestone in my artistic life.

And oh my... the response we got - all the enthusiastic reviews, heartwarming messages and tons of beautiful artworks made by the students - it made me feel proud and humbled at the same time.

I don't want to miss another opportunity to thank you so much for your support, encouragement and all the beautiful words I heard from you. I can't express how much it means to me!

I'm so grateful my friends Kasia nad Jamie who came up with this beautiful cooperation - they helped me so much to make this dream of mine come true...

And now - get ready! - we are giving our second online class in your hands and it's called

Book of Possibilities!

It's sparkling new, never taught before, created especially for Everything Art and for you all out there! :)

In this class I'm trying to share with you all my love for collecting, creating and tranforming.

It is a unique mix that I hope you will really enjoy - inspirations, techniques, practical tips and a lot of creative freedom!

My plan was to invite you to my creative world, try to explain my ways of looking at things, help you discover their potential and give you tools to give these bits and pieces a chance to really shine...

Think of books, old paper, images, photos, scraps of paper and fabric - all these elements + art mediums are something that makes the Art Transformation possible. They are all waiting for you here!

You have to admit that vintage books have a special kind of magic feel and in this class we'll make them even more exeptional - we'll make them yours, playing with all kinds of inspiring mixed media techniques and creating your unique, very personal mood book.

I explain where to find and how to choose an old book to work in, how to prepare it, embellish the covers (two ways!) and I share many ideas what to create inside.

This class is something brand new and never seen before and also longer than my other mixed media collage Imagine class that perhaps some of you have already taken.

And as always and with each of my classes - my whole heart is there and I can't wait to share my passion for this type of book art with you!

If you're still hesitating, you need to know that my Book of Possibilites comes with very detailed instructions, I take you through every step and you can also chat with Everything Art Community (with me and other class members) if you need more guidance or any kind of help.

The class is downloadable from the Everything Art, so once you purchase, you can do watch it whenever you want, in the pace that suits you and as many times as you like!

Registration for my brand new Book of Possibilites online class is open so head right ahead to Everything Art shop!

If you're still hesitating (I hope not! ;), please read the detailed description and join me in the clasroom soon!

Let's get our fingers dirty and make some gorgeous book art together!

Hugs

xx