Joyful . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly and Challenge YOUrself!

Hey everyone! Guess what? Challenge YOUrself has a brand-new challenge for us! It’s their second challenge of the year, and I couldn’t wait to dive in.

Challenge YOUrself #134 opened on February 7th and closes on March 4th:

This month’s challenge is all about HEARTS! Feel free to use as many or as few hearts as you like on your page, but remember to include at least one photo of YOU!

Here is the mixed media scrapbook page that I created:

This photo of John and me from our wedding day is my absolute favorite! Our photographer even leaned into our car and snapped this photo after we got in. I can still feel the joy and happiness I felt like it was yesterday. We’re celebrating our 35th anniversary on March 3rd!

For the challenge, I used paper and embellishments from 49 and Market. I also added hearts and buttons from the same collection. The black and white heart paper and striped paper are both from ArtStacks. The music notes are stamped on my page with black ink. ‘With every beat of my heart’ was a song that played at our wedding and we’ll always remember it!

I hope you’ll take a moment to explore Challenge YOUrself this month!  We'd be thrilled to see YOUR  projects.

I am also linking up my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's challenge for February.

February is hosted by Vicki Parson from Stamped Smiles!  I was so happy to see that her theme is "MUSIC."   She says:  "You can add old sheet music, add a few musical notes, use some musical instruments, or even just use titles and/or lyrics from a song.  I hope you find the music in you and play along this month!"

I really enjoyed joining in on the fun at Art Journal Journey Monthly this month! Making my page brought back wonderful memories for me. Now I'm singing "With Every Beat of my Heart" by Taylor Dayne.  I  hope you get a chance to check out AJJ this month.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  Have a wonderful February! 

You Are 6 . . . For ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

 Hi everyone!  I am here today sharing my latest project that I made for ArtStacks!

I had so much fun using SEVEN different ArtStacks packs to make my page!

Head over to ArtStacks' Shop to see what's inside these amazing packs!

Here is my project:

The sweet photo was taken by my daughter Anne on our beloved dog Abbey's 6th birthday!

The scribble writing on the right side of my page is tissue paper from Shana Bebeklis' Happy Scraps pack.  The dictionary paper, the black and white leaves and the music tissue paper are from Shana Bebeklis' Full Deck pack.

The "bark bark bark" words are from Deb Weiers' Wonky Critters pack. The wonky black and white striped paper strips are from Deb Weiers' Wonky Backgrounds pack.

The black and white striped stars and hearts are from Claire Stead's Colourful World pack. The Doodled Crown on Abbey's head is from Tamara Laporte's Fabulous Facespack. 

And finally, the words (and number) "You are 6(six)" are from the Tissue Backgrounds pack.

I hope I have inspired you to make a page and get a chance to check out ArtStacks soon!

I am also linking my page up to February's theme at  Art Journal Journey Monthly:

The month of February is hosted by Vicki Parson from Stamped Smiles.  Her theme is "MUSIC."  She says:  "You can add old sheet music, add a few musical notes, use some musical instruments, or even just use titles and/or lyrics from a song.  I hope you find the music in you and play along this month!"

And I hope you get a chance to join in on the fun at Art Journal Journey Monthly this month, too!

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  Happy February!

Full Deck Challenge and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone! Have you heard about Shana Bebeklis' Full Deck Challenges?

Shana started her Full Deck Challenge Group on FB a few years ago for members to share their altered playing cards!  She has recently opened her new challenges for 2025 and is using color prompts.

Here is my first submission for 2025:     #FDC3 -  Week 2 -  ORANGE

All of the paper I used, including the distressed playing card, the sentiment, the bird house, and funky leaves are from Shana's "Full Deck" pack at ArtStacks. You can see Shana's packs in detail at www.artstacks.com.au/shop

The rick rack and orange flowers are from my stash. 

I loved participating in her little weekly challenge. My project was so fun and easy to make. If you are interested in entering these challenges, head over to FB at https://www.facebook.com/groups/466739141045977

I am also linking up my project to Art Journal Journey Monthly for January:

This month is hosted by Mia of Crafftartista and her theme for January is Dots.

I had fun adding lots of black polka dots to the background.  Thank you once again for the wonderful theme this month, Mia.

I hope you get a chance to join in on the fun at Art Journal Journey Monthly this month!  You will get to see all kinds of wonderful art work made my talented artists from around the world.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.  I really appreciate you taking the time to visit!!

Happy Moments . . . for ArtStacks and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

 Hi everyone!  I am here today sharing my latest project that I made for ArtStacks!

I used Claire Stead's Colourful World and Colourful Zine Kit Artist Series packs:

Head over to ArtStacks' Shop to see what's inside these amazing packs!

Here is my project:

I started by choosing photos that were taken at the Billie Eilish concert that my family and I saw last October - this is a memory that I will always treasure!  I picked the dark background paper in order to help all of the elements pop. I thought the bold design and colors of Claire Stead's Colourful World and  Colourful Zine Kit were a perfect way to add vividness to my page.  You can check out ArtStacks' Blog to learn more.

I am also linking my page up to Art Journal Journey Monthly for January:

This month is hosted by Mia of Crafftartista.  Mia's theme is Dots.

I added lots of paint splatted dots and some enamel dots of various sizes.  I love adding dots to my pages.  Thank you for the wonderful theme this month, Mia.

I hope you get a chance to join in on the fun at Art Journal Journey Monthly this month!

And thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  May new year is filled with lots of creativity!❤

I am Sharon . . . for Challenge YOUrself and Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone.  It's January and time for a new challenge at Challenge YOUrself.  It's their first challenge of 2025:

Challenge YOUrself #133 opened on January 7th and closes on February 4th, 2025:

This month's challenge is Create a page about YOU.  You can share as much or as little about you as you like on your page, but as always, please remember to include at least one photo of YOU!

Here is my mixed media scrapbook page:

This photo of Abbey and me is a favorite of mine and is my profile photo on FB and IG.

For the challenge, I used background paper and embellishments from the 49 and Market Wherever Collection Page Kit.

I hope you get a chance to check out  Challenge YOUrself this month!  We would love to see YOUR  projects as we begin a new year of challenges.

I am also linking up my page to Art Journal Journey Monthly's challenge for January.

This month is hosted by Mia of Crafftartista.  Mia's theme for January is Dots.

As you can see, I added tiny dots to my trees.  And I splattered ink dots onto the background of my page, too.

I hope you get a chance to head over to Art Journal Journey Monthly, not only to participate in this month's challenge, but also to see all of the amazing entries from talented artists all over the world. 

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  Happy New Year! 

A Mini-Album . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly!

 Hi everyone! It has been a pleasure hosting Art Journal Journey Monthly for the month of December!  I cannot believe that it is December 29th already.  We are getting ready to ring in 2025 here.

I guess you all know by now that my theme for December  was Snow:

And just in case you don't know, here is a little bit about Art Journal Journey Monthly:

"Each month there is a new challenge theme for you to take part in. Our participants are art-journalers, altered book artists, rubber stamp addicts, and mixed media artists from all over the world. You are invited to take part by linking via the Link tool on their site.  

Artwork created in an art journal, altered book, on canvas, or loose pages as well as digital and fabric art of any size are now acceptable."

I'd like to present my last project made for my December "SNOW" challenge.  I made an album and gave it as a Secret Santa gift this year!

My cover:

Inside pages:

Last page:

My album cover was made using Doodlebug Design's heavyweight snowflake acetate. The grommets and white yarn are from my stash.  Everything else was made using Alexandra Renke products, including the ring binder mechanism.  I have never made an album like this before and enjoyed the process!

I was inspired by an album that I saw on IG made by Nuria @nuriasolete.  You can find her here:  https://www.instagram.com/nuriasolete/

It has been an honor and my pleasure to host at Art Journal Journey for the month of December.  

I hope you get a chance to check out their blog and challenges.  I

I want to thank everyone at Art Journal Journey for asking me to host and for supporting me! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.❤

And thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  Happy New Year everyone! 

Charting Your Own Course . . . for Art Journal Journey Monthly!

Hi everyone! 

I am loving being the host at Art Journal Journey Monthly for the month of December:

My theme for December is "Snow."  You can interpret it in many ways - snowfall, snow storms, snow flakes, etc.  You can have photos of snow, "snow is in the air"or "snowy days" themes on your projects. Or you can use your imagination, for instance "the snowball effect!"

Here is a little bit about Art Journal Journey Monthly:

"Each month there is a new challenge theme for you to take part in. Our participants are art-journalers, altered book artists, rubber stamp addicts, and mixed media artists from all over the world. You are invited to take part by linking via the Link tool on their site.  

Artwork created in an art journal, altered book, on canvas, or loose pages as well as digital and fabric art of any size are now acceptable."

Here is my next project, a12 x 12 mixed media scrapbook page:

My background paper is from 49 and Market Wherever Page Kit.  I used a photo that I took during a morning walk last year.  The snow had lightly fallen and the geese were making their way to the pond.  I added embellishments from the kit and the die cut wreath that I had in my stash.  Finally, I adhered die cut snowflakes to finish off my page.

I am very honored to be hosting Art Journal Journey for the month of December.  This project has many snow-themed items including my photo and the die cut snow flakes!

I hope you get a chance to check out their blog and to participate in this month's challenge.  I have loved seeing all of the beautiful entries from talented artists so far.  Thank you all!!

And thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  Happy December! ❤