WELCOME TO BLOGABELLA

Ok so I hope you had a week to “marinate”.. thinking about all the art journaling possibilities… Maybe you have done some research?  bought some product?  or just stared at the journal you bought. LOL.

We need to discuss BACKGROUNDS for a second shall we?  Some people enjoy the white space in their journals and so they should!  Some people are intimidated by the white space… there are “remedies for this ailment ya know” 🙂

Here are some things that can get you going

wet a tooFbrush, dip it in water (or “WADOH” as my friend’s 3 year old says..LOL).. dip it in some watered down  paint, or liquid ink (LIQUITEX brand) and FLICK your brains out on the page.. Hey, you can even dip the TOOFBRUSH in the paint and paint with it.. you would get some neat textures

simply grab a paintbrush and use any medium you like… watercolor, acrylics, crayons, pastels and paint the background

spray and spread the spray like waterpaint (adirondack)

Spray through a stencil and see the amazing shapes that come from there!

stamp

write

take a pencil and journal all over the page

COLLAGE (stick down tissue paper/scrapbook paper scraps/ magazine clippings) and glue down randomly.. ahhh feels SO good to cut and glue (don’t laugh at me..i’m SERIOUS :))

Ok.. that should get you going.. now you have NO EXCUSE!

Ok, let’s discuss this week’s theme.  Now this is not a contest.  No one is gonna win.. I want this to be as free spirited as it can be.  You don’t have to send me your page, although I would be THRILLED to post it.. even if it is not on the correct day.. and you do it late, just email me and I will post on the correctly dated post 🙂

Ok enough babbling..

Here is my entry.. i used JULIE’S WORDS TO LIVE BY, used my FAVORITE CRAYOLA COLOUR SINCE BIRTH – CARNATION PINK (which Is now finished 🙁 )… I melted it on a little iron and drew with the hot wax to give texture.. framed the whole page with vintage children’s book text and stained it… also watercolored the whole background which is fun because it resists the crayon so you just wipe it off whatever got on the crayon portion

Rhian made a gorgeous grid and used our FLOWER GARDEN stamp

ISABELABELLA used a clear crayon resistl

take a looky at her blog for a tutorial!

Lindabella just colored and melted…. FANTASTIQUE!

Paulabella melted some crayons

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here is Jennifer B’s gorgeous page.. I love seeing so many layers!  I think I see my flower garden in there again!

Here is Corey’s DREAMY page.. I LOVE IT!

Here is Sheryl’s page.. I LOVE the script stems and the crayon petals!!

Here is our resident minibella’s  art journaling page!  Melissa is Isabellabella’s daughter! mwah!

Ok there are more coming!  just wanted to get this up since I was on a roll…LOL

Please don’t hesitate to send your entries in.. and if there is something you have a question about, just let us know!  you can write it in the comments and we can all respond to eachother!

mwah to da sistahs who lovey their CRAYOLAS!

NEXT MONDAY’S THEME IS USING TISSUE PAPER ON YOUR PAGE!  scrunch it.. flatten it.. glue it.. paint it.. it’s your choice!

hiya sistahs!!  I am SOOO sorry for the delay in my posts.. we had SUCH a great weekend here.. Lindabella, Paulabella, Laurabella and PINKYbella were all here for a visit.. we ate, we laughed, we giggled, we acted silly.. we were messy.. we mixed media’s (is that a verb?)..  So today is a new day… new DIET food (LOL)  and of course new posts!!

So let’s start with Bellarific Friday

and some winnahs from last week!

Our winnah for contributin’ goes to…. ($20 in bella bucks)

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

1- ANGELA! you win!  please email me and I will send you your vouchah!

Timestamp: 2011-07-25 13:36:57 UTC

Now for da CONTRIBUTIN’ WINNAH! ($10 in bella buckeroonis)

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

25-Leslie W you win!! please email me and I will put your buckeroonis in da store account!

Timestamp: 2011-07-25 13:38:57 UTC

Ok.. now let’s take a peek at what this week’s challenge was..

our favorite!  a SKETCH!

Let’s see how da BABEROONIS interpreted the sketch

Cathabella used ADDYTUDE LOVES TO SPARKLE

Tammybella used CURLY SILHOUETTE and ECLECTIC BUTTERFLY ON PRINT

Ebrubella used one of da PIXIES from PIXIES SET A

Paulineabella used STELLA HAS HER FIX

Paulabella used CATCHING UP

Danabella used MINTY COFFEE

Jessabella used “SMILE IT’S CONTAGIOUS” sentiment from this set

Robinabella used PERK ME UP PEEPS

Jeaniebella used KNITTING PEEP

Lindabella used a PIXIE from PIXIE SET A

Now is that not BELLARIFIC BABEROONI AMAZINGNESS?

let’s take a lookie at our AMAZING sistahood!

How’s DAT for EYE CANDEEE???

now don’t forget to post a comment to be eligible to win $10 in bella bucks.. and don’t forget to send in your card for next week’s challenge to be eligible to win $20 in bella buckeroonis

Next week’s challenge is….CHRISTMAS IN JULY!  use any stamping bella stamp and make it into a Christmas themed card!

Art Journaling MONDAY post up next!

Sorry sistahs.. I thought I could post it from home and I can’t log into my work computer. So I am writing this from my iPad. Will post tomorrow I promise!!
Mwah

Hiya sistahs,

Today I wanted to talk a little about ART JOURNALING and how it has changed my life.  Honestly, it really has.  I want to show you that it is not something to be scared of, intimidated by, nor is it something you should avoid.  I am going to talk to you about how I started, what triggered it, what keeps me going, who inspires me etc.  So grab your Starbucks, have a seat and enjoy the journey.  ok? OK!

Approximately 2 years ago, we had an event in Bellaland and one of our friends/customers Anna W. (I will always “blame”/”hug” you for this obssession sistah!) showed Dena and I a VERY empty journal of hers that she brought with her.  The pages were sporadically done (you don’t have to start at the first page.. I just open my journal and start from wherever I open it), different mediums used and at the same time, quite impressive.  Dena and I immediately ran to the book store to get some books that Anna suggested we start off with.  My first reaction was.. “ARE WE CRAZY??”… what are we getting ourselves into???  I am the FURTHEST thing from an artist… let alone a writer (although I do enjoy writing :)).

Well, of COURSE, since I immediately became obssessed, I immediately began doing some research.  Some MAJOR research.  One thing I do love to do is learn everything i can about the subject I am interested in.  I swear I am a walking encyclopedia at times.. (do Encyclopedias still exist?)…  The great thing about art journaling is the inspiration you can find everywhere.. artists who have different styles who can teach you different techniques.

First and foremost I have to thank KELLY KILMER as she was my first and continuous stop on this journey.  Her journals are BEEYOOTIFUL.. and she expresses herself via collage which is so LIBERATING.. finding images that pertain to you.. using your embellishments.. YUMMMM.. she teaches amazing online classes too which I have taken 🙂  I recommend Kelly HIGHLY!

I am also inspired by one of the pioneers in art journaling- TEESHA MOORE.. you can detect her style from a mile away!  Also involving collage, paper piecing of sorts, image altering.. so colourful.. so amazing!

Julie Balzer is a WEALTH of information and so talented and the fact that we have her designed stamps makes me so proud.  Her use of color, her boldness, fearlessness, her product knowledge is incredible!

Christy Tomlinson– has just hosted 2 online classes which are life changing as well.. playing with product, color, stamping, paper piecing  .. you name it!  Take a look and see! you will not be sorry! and she has a 3d class on the way!

Daisy Yellow – lots of fun and also extremely inspiring..

Ihanna– is so much fun!! so full of information

Now please forgive my definitions, opinions etc.. they are VERY subjective.. I am speaking from my perspective only so I am not sure whether I am right or wrong in describing what art journaling is but I am definitely going to tell you what it means to me and what it has done for me.

Some people are not comfortable with writing/journaling yet they still feel like they need to express themselves somehow.  Enter VISUAL journaling or ART journaling where you can express yourself via an artistic process..  The greatest thing about art journaling is that it is YOUR place to dive into.  You are not being judged for your work, you are simply enjoying the process and MORE IMPORTANTLY, ALLOWING yourself to enjoy the process.  Accompanying your art, you can write as well.. whether it be a word, a quote.. something to symbolize your feelings and mood but there is no necessity for prose.  no pressure at all.

An art journal can also be a place where you test out product.. you know those bags you have brought home full of product that you have yet to touch because you don’t know what the results will be?  Well, you can test it out in your journal!  colour, splotch, spray, scribble, dab, wipe, color, stamp, paint, glitter.. you name it.. again, it is YOUR own place to hang out in… it doesn’t have to be perfect.. it doesn’t have to be a “layout”.. the process of  “designing” your page should not be stressful.. should be fun , exploratory, and exciting!

Ok so how does one get started in this mysterious Art Journaling bidniss?

Well, the first thing you need is an Art Journal, of course! A journal is a very subjective thing.. you need to love it when you look at it.. when you hold it.. when you hug it.. so the only thing I recommend for one is that it has heavy pages in it so that it can take the “abuse” of mixed media….  you will see if you like a spiral, if you like “connecting” pages like in a moleskine.. or simply loose water color pages you can bind later on!

The STRATHMORE VISUAL journal is one option.. they have different types of papers for different things you want to play with!  Not only that, but if you explore the website, there are amazing art journalers on there giving FREE classes for inspiration!  Take a looky! Explore! have fun!

As I mentioned, you can also use an old book, a MOLESKINE journal (my FAVORITE in SKETCH and in WATERCOLOR), a leather bound journal etc.

I don’t have my journal here.. but take a look at DENA’s SCRUMMY YUMMY DEELISH moleskine (this picture does not give it justice).. OMG I want to marry it..(see I am already going back to my baby roots…LOL)

Now if the pages are thin, you can always coat them with a coat of GESSO.   Gesso is a primer for your page.. makes the page stronger and thicker while creating a white background with ‘tooth’ to grab on to whatever media you decided to layer on top of it!

Now I don’t want to give EVERYTHING away, as I am going to make this a regular post.. every monday we will discuss… now not only will we discuss, we will be INSPIRED.  And what I mean by that is that I would like an excuse to play more often in my journals, rather than thinking about what medium to buy next (I can’t help it!!). and in order to do that, I need to CHALLENGE MYSELF.. and along with CHALLENGING MYSELF, I was thinking of challenging da sistahs as well.  So, every monday I will post an art journaling challenge and the following week, if anyone wants to share their work (no pressure at all as this exercise is meant not to stress you) I will post on my blog with PLEASURE.. and I will post my work as well.

The first challenge will be to use children’s CRAYONS on your journal page.  Now I am not going to limit you.. you can use paint as well, cut out words, scribble etc.. but I want at least one element of your page to have crayon on it.  Think about what you can do with crayons besides scribble?  Sharpen them and take the shavings and glue on your page randomly or in the shape of something?  Sharpen, place on your journal page, lay a piece of wax paper over it and iron and see the results! play play play!

The reason why I want to start this with crayons is because I want us all to go back to our childhood.  How happy were we when we opened a brand new box of crayons.. the smell, the colours etc..Some artists actually keep a box open next to them to inspire them..

The most amazing thing about children is that they are not intimidated by colour, paint, paint brushes.. they hold the brushes as they wish to, they dip in any colour that they feel like at the moment.. and I want YOU to become like that as well!

So that is this week’s challenge.  I don’t want you to be scared.  I want you to enjoy.. relax and take this journey with me.  I am here for all questions as well.  Now you may feel *ahem* weird scribbling with crayons or doing any of the prompts I will ask you to do.. but I want you to get all of that out of your minds.. forget it.. just DO.. I promise you will feel SOOOO GOOOD… PLOMISE!!!

So who’s in?

MWAH!!

Em

How ya dooeenk?

Let’s discuss some winnahs from last week’s entries!

Winnah for CONTRIBUTIN’ ($20 in BELLA BUCKEROONIS) goes to

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

3- KERRI BOUCHER! you win!!!! email me and I will send you your VOUCHAH!

Timestamp: 2011-07-15 17:08:14 UTC

Now for a COMMENTAYTIN’ winnah! ($10 in BELLA BUCKEROONIS)

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

29-LINDA SEELEY!!! YOU WIN SISTAH!! email me and will send your vouchah, or put it in the til for ya!

Timestamp: 2011-07-15 17:10:31 UTC

Ok now down to BIDNISS..

This week’s challenge was to use a BELLA and/or a STELLA in your work… READY? SET?  LETSSSS GOOOOOO!

Let’s see what da BABEROONIS came up with!

Cathabella used SNEAKY SNEAKY BIRTHDAY BELLA

Ebrubella USED ELIZABELLA

Lindabella used COSMOBELLA

Danabella used GOSSIPABELLA

Robinabella used GIFTABELLA WITH HAT

Paulabella used PEEKABOO STELLA

Jeaniebella used STELLA’S MESSAGE TO YOU

Paulineabella used STELLA DIGS IT

Tammybella used STELLA THINKS SHE CAN COOK

Jessabella used I-WISH-I-LOOKED-SO-GOOD-ON-A-BIKE-A-BELLA

Is that EYE CANDEE or what????????

Let’s see what the SISTAHOOD came up with

How’s DAT for da EYE CANDEEEE????

Next week’s theme is a SKETCHY POO by EBRU!  (that rhymes no?)

Don’t forget Monday’s ART JOURNALING POST… STAY TOOOOONED..

Mwah to da sistahs who wanna paint

Em

I went to Starbucks this morning and as I loaded (lol) myself back into the car, I got this VISION.  I don’t know how it came to me but I had to play around and make this card.. I got to the store and I had to go immediately to our back table (do NOT pass go, do NOT collect $200).. and I had to “get this out”…LOL.  Honestly, have you ever driven somewhere and you were so focused on something that you don’t know how you got there?  Well that was me today…

Since having begun art journaling, I have become much “braver”.. braver in colour choices, braver in composition.. braver in expectations etc.  and honestly, it has been liberating.  and no matter how much you are shaking your heads (LOL).. I am going to somehow convince you that you must join this journal journey with me.  Stay tuned for Monday’s post which will explain to you HOW you will be joining this journey with me….(you really have no choice sistahs)

Ok back to my playing.  I decided I wanted to make myself a “pallette”.. so I took my bella’s bestest paper  and I took some removable tape or artist tape and i made myself a rectangle with the tape on the paper.  Once that was done I took a few stamps in front of me and decided which ones inspired me at the moment… and the winners were… ECLECTIC #8 TICKET FULL BACKGROUND,  JULIE’S SPRING BUTTERFLIES, and I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE.  Initially I wanted to use my  I AM SCRIPT stamp as the background but it was sold out.. and I am so happy it was, because I was able to really play with the ECLECTIC #8 stamp.. I am IN LOVE with this stamp.. it is the perfect perfect background.  Not offensive, not in your face.. just PERFECT.. I cannot wait for the I AM script to come back in so I can play with that!!

I love looking at a stamp for it’s different attributes.  Is there a stem that I love?  a basket?  A petal?  Is there a beautiful face, gorgeous hair I would like to highlight?  How about just a shingled roof, or a pair of shoes?  Once you open your mind and look at this  house stamp (as an example)  and see it as “MORE” than just a house.. a whole new world will open up to you.  The house can be just a beautiful front door, a funky lopsided roof, a window etc…  You will see what I mean in a second :)..  When you stamp on a piece of paper smaller than an image you will be surprised at what new elements you see!

So having said that (aside from the yucky iphone shot), I want you to see what I came up with.  I had a BLAST making it.. no worries at all.. just pure, blissful  stamping.

I also wanted it to be a kind of vintage-y feel in terms of colors.. (kinda like the 70’s avocado and brown) colors that I grew up in :). so I WHIPPED out my PRISMACOLOR pencils and mineral spirits and blended away :).. and the RED that I layered the pumpkiny colour with?  I would have NEVER mixed those colours together in the past.. but I became BRAVE.  and I LOVEY da results!

I love seeing the front of the bicycle with the basket only.. I love the portion of the butterfly.. and of course I love the GOLD dots and RED POPPY dots I used on the bicycle tire and the body of the butterfly

So that’s the SCOOP.  The evolution of my COLLAGE-Y (is that a word?) card. 

Hope you love it.  Hope you are inspired.

Now go take out a stamp.. and look at it in a different way… and show me the results.. I am RIGHT HERE!  see me?  Waiting.

Mwah

Em