Monday, April 22, 2013

Gotta get me some colour...

Hello again. Well, the title says it all... This week at Simon Says Stamp & Show we are in full blown colour and are having fun with all they have to offer. So if you have had a rather dull or unexciting weekend, spice up your week with a blast of feel good, colourful creativity.
 There are just so many wonderful products, mediums and shades to play around with so where better to try them all out that in my Art Journal. The poor thing. It is a bit dusty at the moment - and so am I! So I decided it was time for some creative therapy for both of us.
Except for my stamped words on the second page, I didn't use a single ink pad. I pulled out my Distress Paints and Stains, Gesso, Color Washes, Dylusions Ink Sprays and pens. Lots of layers, texture, contrast and free-styling! Some of my outlining went a bit wild but I left it as an "of the moment thing"...
I just kept playing with layers of shapes, colours and effects, seeing what happened each time. There is no right or wrong... only exploration and discovery. I used stencils (bought and home-made) for sharper shapes or patterns and combined them with splats, dribbles and squiggles.
I also used oodles of gesso - big swooshes as well as lines created with a credit card edge... I added some paper scraps and a heart from an old book page. I even jumped over to the sewing machine for some stitched fun too.
 The thoughts are a mix of newspaper cuttings and stamping... My little gal, Ruby, is now 10 months old and she is on the go ALL day long. Nothing is safe any more and domestic life is very full on here in Chez Engels. But I want to embrace the everyday busyness and be thankful for all that each day has in store for us. This is real life, not a rehearsal, so grab it with both hands.
And indeed, learn to love it! I am sure everyone could do with some colour in their life, not just their craft room! Check out the really wonderful colourful ideas from the rest of the Design Team here! We are on the hunt for our top three artists and there is this very generous $50 voucher to be won too. Back to the real world I must go...With that, she was away.
Enjoy your week and thanks for calling by. Sarah.

19 comments:

Helen said...

What a great journal page, Sarah!

Juls said...

Fab journaling page!! Hugs Juls xxx

Redanne said...

Wonderful colours Sarah, just what we need to remind us that Spring has finally arrived. The circles look fabulous and really loving the wording. Wonderful pages...... Hugs, Anne x

Words and Pictures said...

I love how you use such bright colours with all the white spaces in between - which means they stay so fresh and pretty without getting overwhelming - just gorgeous!
Alison x

Peggy Parker said...

Facts and the uplifting color - motivational!

Suzanne C said...

Cool effect with the journalling. Love the layers of text, images and words.

Candy C said...

Sarah...your art journal pages are wonderful! I really love the white background and then the burst of color and pattern. All the circles really drew my attention. I think I have a thing for circles. haha Even the pink polka dots jumped off the page at me! Very cool pages! <3 Candy

fairyrocks said...

Nicely done Ms Sarah.
I finally started a journal project, but tend to get things just a little too dark. This is perfect !!
Keep smiling and creating

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Fabulous journal pages Sarah, wonderful mix of layers and colouring mediums. Great use of Gesso too. Love the touch of text and outlining. Tracy x

Sandra said...

Stunning pages, Sarah! Love your use of colors! Hugs, Sandra

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

I just love seeing art journaling in action! These are gorgeous and super colorful pages, Sarah! Job well done :)

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

Debora said...

Superb journal page!Great colors.

Kate Yetter said...

I love the color!! Awesome journal pages full of pattern and texture.
Kate

nathwest said...

like, like, like !

Janny Jager said...

Great art journal page Sarah.
Greetings Janny

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

10 months old already...wow! Time does fly! What gorgeously colorful pages and I love what they say...too true! Love it!

Unknown said...

Wonderful layers, love this.

Julie Lee said...

Love the colours and the sentiment! Thought-provoking and original. Thanks for sharing. xxx Julie Ann

Spyder said...

Love it all, my eyes are always drawn to your side bar pictures...Fabulous,
((Lyn))