Art Journal - Freestyle it - DIY

Hey co-creators!
Today I will be sharing with you my new Art Journalling fad for 2013, and how to get started yourself. I have shown my January book to all my friends and even some students and they all have very positive things to say...that means its time to share it with the rest of y'all cos you might like it too ( I know how creative you all are).

1. an inside page
2. inside front cover resolution - I intend to write monthly goals in mine
3. back cover
4. front cover with quote for the month

So...for this journal I actually intend to make a new one each month. I decided on this after sitting down with my usual notebook style Art Journal to write resolutions and felt really uninspired, and it just came to me: make your own! I decided to set some limits (well more like limit - as there is only one)

- choose 10 different pieces of paper plus a piece of stiffer card for the cover. (Pictures 2 +3)

I will show you how I am putting together my February book:

Once you have your book together, staple one side (picture 4) - put quite a few staples in there as you will need it to stay together.

I then cover the staples with tape (picture 1) as mine seem to be quite sharp but you could leave them showing if you like the look.

the other 'rule' I would say although it isn't really it's just nice and sets the mood/ intention for your book is:

- use a quote for the front cover from a song/ poem or book.

1. Travel Art Journal Kit - my journals are always made to fit inside
2. My favorite quote book
3. You can see al my junk in here
4. Quote I might use for February cover

And that's it....you're off!

Here are some pictures of my travel Art Journal kit which I take with me everywhere:

A. Clear plastic case - I bought this on Ebay for £2 it just pops closed and keeps everything in, it also slides in and out of my handbag easily
B. Watercolour pencils or a pencil tin - good to keep pencils in and to stick tape to for later use
C. Drink stirrers - I think I collect these and have no use for them as yet
D. Glue - got to be Pritt Stick, various pens and pencils (these change all the time but must include - at least 2b pencil, biro, felt tips, marker pen, paint brush)
E. Date stamp and ink pad - bought in Cambodia
F. Mini stapler - also from Cambodia
G. Tape - this is the matte type - from poundland
H. reliable scissors and I usually have a craft knife too.

I will be sharing more of thos project as the year progresses :)
Have fun peoples,
Love, me x

Starry Portait DIY

Hello Starshine!
I spend an unhealthy amount of time on Picnik, so I probably broke it and that is why they are closing it. Seriously, I am practially married to it, and am not going to take the  divorce and separation well! They are closing the doors in April but until then all premium content is freeeeeeeee.

So...get down there and solar system portrait yourself with gay abandon! I recently caught a DIY of this on a blog, and had a go. I have added a few more examples of the steps needed to make it happen.
Here's how:

1. Take a picture of yourself against a white or very light background, in good strong light.

2. Upload the picture to Picnik.

3. Go to basic edits and adjust the exposure and contrast until you get it nice and dark, crop it too if you need to (you want just the liht background showing).

4. Change it to B&W.

5. Go to the 'seasonal' tab at the top, and pick 'Final Shuttle Launch'

6. Have a play with the settings in 'Space Textures'.

Try some other pictures. A different pose creates a different narrative:

Fun fun fun!

Do you use Picnik?

Which programs do you use to play with photos, I love to discover new ones.

Love, me x

Broccoli and Cheese Soup Recipe

Hey! It is my 'day off' today so I am testing out my camera with a recipe post, something I've been wanting to do for ages but my old camera always misbehaved at indoor pictures!

This is a recipe I've been dying to try, I love broccoli and cheese so it makes sense. I got it from my Weight Watchers 'Your Week' booklet. From what I made today it has 3 servings in large bowls. The total points are 12, so each bowl for me has 4points.

Optional choice of soup-accompanying song....



Let me know if you give it a try.
Love, me x

DIY(ish) Travel Art Journal

Last week we went on a little trip to London, to visit the Tate gallery as well as my very good friend from college days.
Before leaving home I usually pack up my Art Journal and essential supplies for working in it, but this time I had to think of a new plan as my Journal is almost finished. I came up with a really exciting spark of late night genius at about 11pm the night before (why does my brain do this to me?)

I gathered up the following supplies:

Yes, I took all this with me in favour of an outfit change for day two (some things are worth the sacrifice). I made up two sets of papers all stuffed into the little envelope for myself and my daughter, to keep us occupied whilst on trains etc (she is 12 now, just so you know how age appropriate this activity is).
She was into it straight away (I did the big reveal on the train), and I am happy to say although she took her Nintendo DS for moments of boredom she never actually fired it up but kept working on her journal instead. Here are the results of mine, inspired by what we were doing at various times over the two days:

I absolutely loved making this work and freeing myself up to work on individual pieces that go together was liberating. Working to a time limit was great too and I really was determined to use all my original papers as well as others I added (like train tickets and receipts).

So if you feel like breaking out of sketchbooks or want a compact travel version, give it a go! I will definately do it again.
I have decided to work on individual papers for my next Art Journal and have just ordered some metal binder rings to hold them together. I will share more on this soon.

Love, me x