It’s a while since I posted anything art journally, partly as I was doing the Wanderlust course last year. That is still waiting for me to finish! I have still been holding monthly art journal sessions in The Studio and some of the themes have been taken from what I have learnt over the year. This month’s theme was ‘start with the same quote’ and I chose a spring quote from Robin Williams (the quintessential American comedian).
I was asked to prep some templates and samples on an Easter theme during my regular Bible Journaling session last month. I did so yesterday and today, and we will be using mixed media techniques on Monday to create one or more of these illustrations in your journaling Bible. I’ve tried to choose verses that might not be immediately the first you’d go to, and that show the sadness and joy of the event. I hope my colour palettes reflect those emotions too. As always, the templates are freely available to download via the shop link in the menu bar above. Here are my new journaled illustrations:
‘Along the edge’ is one of the AAA Cards‘ regular clean and simple card challenges. This week, it has the optional extra bit of work to incorporate ink blending into your card design. Here’s my sample as part of the design team:
I‘m sad to report the demise of the quilted cover for the hall chair that has served well since January 2019. It was a comfy perch for the dogs and through repeated washings had deteriorated to the extent that the fabric tore several times and the binding was wearing out on the edges. It was no longer viable to repair and was sadly consigned to the bin.
But, hurrah! This meant I could justify making a new one! I raided my stash for a jelly roll, batting and backing and my trusty shelves for a pattern. I set to on Wednesday afternoon and by Friday lunchtime I had finished. Here it is, complete with Esther who jumped up and made herself comfy within seconds of it being put on the chair!
Check in at AAA Cards for their latest clean and simple card challenge: use circles in your design. The design team have interpreted this theme in numerous ways and it’s worth having a look for your inspiration. Here’s my take on the challenge:
I’ve spent quite a lot of time prepping this week for my Bible Journaling Session at The Studio on 13th February. I start by choosing the theme, researching the verses, checking the page in the Bible that is free of illustrations, and finally begin designing the five templates. After that, I trace into the Bible and colour each with different media. Then it’s time to photograph each sample, edit the pics, create a suitable size for Instagram, write a blog post, add the file to my shop and then publicise on Instagram and Pinterest. I forget how long it takes! I think this release also marks at least my 100th Bible journaling illustration. Anyhoo, here are the five samples we’ll be emulating in Monday’s session, all on the theme of salvation:
Over at AAA Cards, there’s another colour challenge for a clean and simple card design. This time it’s my choice of scheme: teal and gold. A classy and classic combination in my opinion, with lots of potential choices for metallics and media. Here’s my card design:
Single-colour cards can be really tricky on two levels: creating contrast to make elements stand out from the card blank and photographing that contrast effectively. The next AAA Cards’ clean and simple card challenge is to make a white-on-white design using no other colours. Here’s my design team sample:
Happy New Year from the AAA Cards Design Team! Our clean and simple 2023 challenge programme starts with a moodboard for your inspiration – take whatever elements you like from the featured photos to make your card. The moodboard pic is below. Here is my take on the challenge:
My Bible journaling group is meeting on Monday evening and, as usual, I have created five new templates and associated samples for their inspiration. After 6 years of journaling, my Bible is now filling with illustrations and it’s getting increasingly difficult to find new appropriate verses where the page hasn’t already been used. This week, I persevered and identified space for five verses that are loosely applicable for starting new year 2023:
