getting past the blank journal page...

I've had several requests for info on how to get started with 

art journaling...

specifically...

where EXACTLY to start on the page...

here's a little something that helps me get past all that white space

if I'm stuck...

I've heard friends say...

just start...

put something down...

anything...

I'm OK with that, to a point...

but I need some general idea of where I'm headed...

even if the finished piece does not look anything like my initial vision...

which happens 99% of the time...

it doesn't matter...

this is a very simple way to start a page...

cut your journal page to fit your journal...

hmm..that's pretty obvious...probably didn't need to say that...

DUH...

I used Ranger's specialty stamping paper...

use it once & you'll be hooked!

I scribbled these distress stains right on my craft sheet...

rusty hinge, weathered wood & faded jeans next to each other...

then misted my page with water & 

used tim's wrinkle free distress technique...

 lay the page over the inks...

I run my hand over the back of the page to pick up the ink...

then dry...

lay the page over the remaining ink to add more layers...

make sure to dry between layers...

next, I traced my grid block with a waterproof pen...

then doodled an irregular line over the traced frame...

the frame really gave me an idea of where this was headed...

and created the focal point...

I stamped the saying with jet black archival & dried it...

the page looked like this...

next I used french ultramarine to ink my unmounted 

NEW favorite...honeycomb background...

YES...NEW STAMPS HAVE ARRIVED!

and stamped it randomly in 3 spots...

then I used venetian orange archival on the unmounted 

floral background stamp 

and stamped it randomly in 3 areas...

the page looked like this...

using faded jeans on the blending tool, 

I added the striped borders, with my stencil, 

to the top & bottom...

you can create any border width you need, by changing the placement of the stencil...

now it looks like this...

I painted my Blossom Bucket star with the black paint dabber, then used the sanding grip to take the paint off the raised spots...

once I test drove the placement of the star, I could see it needed more of the venetian orange stamping...

so I added more in the naked areas...

the tiny dots in the background are easy to add,

 with the detail water brush...

just pick up some of the faded jeans distress stain & tap the brush against your finger over the page...

this creates very tiny dots of ink...

& sometimes it just what's needed...

***if you don't have the detail water brush, you WILL want it***

I had a wonderful discovery over the weekend & there will be a special tutorial coming soon...

this made me say OMG out loud!

seriously simple with a WOW factor...

to finish it off...

I used the waterproof pen to add some lines to accent the striped borders & then some glaze pen dots...

 

here's another example...

I used the same technique here...

but different distress colors...

faded jeans, mustard seed & peeled paint stains...

I was brave & journaled around the frame...

this is a page I did on Saturday...

so that's my tip of the day, 

if you're stuck for a starting point...

trace a frame...

and go from there...

several people asked about the art parts mega shipment I showed the other day...

they are for upcoming workshops...

and these fun brand new classes...

the funky art angel...

the crayon box...

and the stained, stamped & stenciled art journal...

the next stops on the art adventure are listed on the right sidebar...

I'm headed to both

THE SCRAPBOOKING STUDIO locations...

one is in Bloomington, Illinois & 

the other is Moline, Illinois...

both are an all day art parts extravaganga...

the links will show you all the info...

Amy includes lunch & a 25% off shopping spree for students...

she knows that everyone LOVES A SALE!

after that, I'm off to see THE QUEEN 

and her loyal royal subjects again

@ The Queen's Ink, in Savage Maryland...

for 3 FULL days of fun...

I CAN NOT WAIT!

the last store visit for the year is back to Florida...

for the third time this year...

this time I'm headed to

 Pictures in Time, in Fleming Island...

details will be coming soon...

if you're in any of these areas, I hope you can join the fun...

and MAKE ART!

 the winner of book #7 is...

congrats to...

 Jane said...

I wish wish wish you would teach a class in Arizona. I love your art parts! and Stamps!, books, all of it.

August 25, 2012 2:24 PM

 

please send me an email with your address & we'll get this off to you...

that's it for today...

I hope you enjoyed the tip...

give it a try...

let me know how you do...

now it's time for me to...

make art!

wendy

ps...in addition to the upcoming workshops...

I'm so looking forward to this...

it's 30 special days of stamping...