More Pretty Pages

I have totally been enjoying my new art journals. That's right, "journals"! I liked the new one I just picked up so much that I went right back to the store and picked up a second one! Working in more than one journal at the same time is fantastic! While I'm waiting for something to dry or set in one journal, I can go crazy on a separate journal never losing my flowing ideas.

The journals I am using are Cachet by Daler Rowney. The weight of the paper is 75lb and the size is approximately 7x10. The only issue I've been having lately, other than writer's block, is that sometimes the dry paint sticks to the opposite page when I close the journal and causes some tearing. I don't mind it so much right now, but when it tears off a few words after I finally get out of this writer's block hell, I think I'm going to freak out.

Here's some new work and progress pages...

I added some black copic outlining and the center tears occurred on this one... still a work in progress and untitled.

"Emerge" - Journaling added... "Wanting to shine she muffled a pathetic residue of herself, emerging alive and new at midnight, beams aglow in secret joy." I have to confess... I found a new app on my iPhone that is helping me with my writer's block. Similar to magnetic poetry, Poetry Creator is fun and gives my brain a jump start.

I have found a huge source of inspiration and tutorials on fun techniques to try on Pinterest! I'm hopelessly addicted. Check the upper right area on my blog for the button to follow me on Pinterest!

This untitled work in progress was done using rubber cement and acrylic.

"Pop"... as in I really want my pages to pop and stand out! Rubber cement, alcohol ink, acrylic and copic marker.

Untitled work in progress - Caran D'Ache Neocolor II (probably one of my favorite products) and alcohol ink

Untitled wax relief - crayon and watered down acrylic.

"Blossom" - "Rich dreams play in my intensified darkness. Friendly habitual amnesia echoes clearly. The heart blossoms." Thank you again Poetry Creator... Acrylic, spray ink and copic markers.

Untitled work in progress - Watercolor saran wrap technique, alcohol ink and copic marker.

Untitled work in progress - Watercolor and copic marker... some tearing occurred here.

Untitled work in progress - Oil pastel, black gesso, white Galaxy marker.

Untitled work in progress - Shaving cream and acrylic... I kid you not, that's how this happened! I'm telling you, follow me on Pinterest!

Untitled work in progress - Acrylic

Untitled work in progress - Neocolor relief - Caran D' Ache Neocolor II and black gesso.

Untitled work in progress - Black gesso, acrylic, gel medium, copic marker, watercolor and alcohol ink.

That's all for now... I hope to post more often in smaller segments but sometimes my creative mind gets the best of me and I end up creating more and blogging less.

Fresh Journal

It's been a bit since I posted some art, things have been quite hectic here at home. My family blog is suffering too... I'm sorry! Here's the start of my fresh new journal! I'm in a huge creative whirl right now, I even have paint in my hair to prove it! Enjoy!

New pages to fill!

"Free Your Mind"

Untitled... work in progress, although I like it as is too.

Untitled.

"Inspired"

"Expand Your Horizons"

Untitled... work in progress. Sometimes it's fun to see the beginning of a piece and compare it later to it's finished state. This reminds me... I want to make one of those time lapse videos while I work. Should be interesting. note to self : must Google the how to process on time lapse...

Untitled... still feel like it's missing something (other than the journaling that I have to script in there). I can create just fine, but I have writer's block at the moment.

Well, that's all for now... Until next time!

DIY iPhone 4 Case Design

I saw this idea on Pinterest (my new obsession) and I tried to find the original link but it was a dead end. No fear, I figured this was really simple and dug right into it! Of course, I had to share!

First gather your materials. You'll need a transparent iPhone 4 case and the little insert card it comes with, a pencil, an exacto knife and cutting board, scissors and something you'd like for your design! You can use scrapbooking paper, your kids artwork, a print out from your computer, a magazine page, a label from a product... the possibilities are endless! I chose to make one from my blog header for this tutorial and for shameless advertising.

Size up your image. Be sure that the image you want to be seen is the right size for the case. Maybe you just want part of the image? Check your camera location. We are going to cut out that little hole. Is there some font there or part of the image that you don't want to lose? Better work on resizing or positioning. Next, take your card insert that came with the clear case and use it as a template. Position it over the part of the image you want to use.

Once you have it lined up right, hold it in place with one hand while tracing the edges with your pencil. The insert might be a little bumpy along the folded part. No worries though, we'll be trimming this!

Take your scissors and carefully cut out your image along the traced line.

Place your cut out image into the back plate of your case. Does it fit? Trim if necessary to get the right fit. I had to trim those bumps from the folded insert and a little along the bottom to get it just right.

Check out your camera location. We are going to cut this piece out.

Take your image out of the case and slip it under it. Make sure your non-image side is facing up to you (image against the table) and that it is going the right direction so that the hole you cut is where you want it. Line it up as best as you can and trace the hole for the camera.

Take your case off the image and place your cutting board underneath. Take your exacto knife and carefully cut out the hole.

Place your new case design inside the back plate of your transparent case, lining up the hole with the camera and place your phone in gently.

Click the top part of the case on and there you have it!

Enjoy the new look!

Changes

Hi everyone!

You are not mistaken, "Testing 123" has been changed to "MIZAS GIRL". I'm going to be taking some time to clean up this blog and add a few new things, so I hope you can all hang in there with me. Hopefully there will be a much more organized result in the end!

Art Journal Pages 2