Showing posts with label collage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label collage. Show all posts

Nature Journal

Ellie's Homemade Nature Journal
Ellie and I took an afternoon last week, hiked and searched for treasure, and glued our finds in our nature journals! She loved this activity, especially since there were no "rules." Gluing flowers right on the paper was fine.

We brought along a mason jar with water for paints, watercolors, crayons, and glue. I brought a black, waterproof pen to write in our journals and document our finds.

I had my own spiral-bound watercolor journal, but I didn't have one for Ellie. I made her one by doing a basic bookbinding. I stacked three 9"x12" pieces of watercolor paper on top of each other, then folded them in half. Using the fold as the "spine," I used a tack (though a nail would work better) to make holes in the spine and tie yarn through the holes to hold the "book" together.

Including the cover, there are 12 pages, which ended up being plenty, as Ellie only really finished 2 pages on this one trip. We could make more books for each outing if needed, but this should get us through at least a few more hikes! It was also so nice to just sit in the grass and paint. So relaxing! Therapeutic time for Mommy too!

Journal Jam!

I have two words that will entirely sum up why it's been sooo quiet over here at Art Source VT: Journal Jam!

ABOUT
For more information about what it is and what we do, check out our Journal Jam section (here).

SAVE THESE DATES!
  • Sat., April 11th, 10am-1pm
    Journal Jam will have a table at the BVT Moms Blog Swap and Shop event (event's Facebook page, here). Stop by and create a journal page by yourself or with your kiddos! We'll provide paper, (washable) watercolor paints, simple writing prompts, and doodle ideas/instruction!
    Where: The Schoolhouse; 8 Catkin Drive, South Burlington, VT
    Cost: FREE
  • Sat., May 2nd, 11am-2pm
    Journal Jam is leading a complete art-journaling workshop with art and writing prompts! You'll work with two instructors for the price of one! At this event, you can begin your art journaling journey! Need help finding your own creative voice? Learn basic techniques for artistic expression, document life moments, and celebrate all the beauty that is you! We'll create pages by blocking out text areas, splashing paint, and adding our own doodles and handwriting.
    Age: No experience required, geared toward teens and adults, appropriate for ages 10+.
    Where: Artists' Mediums; 300 Cornerstone Dr., Williston, VT
    Cost: $75, and check out our short supply list.

Easy DIY Newsletter!

Lately, I've been trying to think up some ways to share our family photos with my grandmothers who aren't on social media! I came up with a few different options, but this one is definitely the easiest!

PicMonkey (link here) is a free photo editing site that lets you quickly drop your digital photos into a pre-designed template. You can get super creative with this, but my tutorial below offers a quick solution!

Three things to remember:
  1. If you want to maximize your printable space, set the document dimensions to 1275 x 1650. These numbers are the pixel (or computer-screen) equivalent of 8.5 x 11 inches, so it'll print well to a standard-sized piece of paper.
  2. Choose the highest quality option when you save ("Sean" -- a silly name that PicMonkey gives to their highest quality setting). This will mean clearer pics in your print!
  3. Once you save your collage or go into Edit mode, you can't go back!
Here are some other ways you can get creative with PicMonkey:
  • Experiment with color!
  • Try different layouts with more or fewer photos.
  • Leave some boxes blank to add more interesting journaling spaces.
  • Print your collage without adding text in the blank spaces, and hand-write your notes!
  • Let your little ones color in some of the blank squares
  • Add stickers and stamps, doodles, a hand-lettered header, etc.!
PicMonkey Newsletter - Video Tutorial!

Free Art Books!

So, though I've had a Kindle forever, I just learned about Kindle Unlimited, and I'm hooked! I've basically promised my husband anything to keep this monthly service, as you can "check out" 10 free books at a time from the Kindle Unlimited library. The first 30 days are free (then $9.99/mo after).

In doing so, you have access to MANY great, free books! But, my favorites are, of course, the doodle and drawing ones! I then can reference them on my PC Kindle program, my real Kindle, or the Kindle app on my phone! I can carry them with me anywhere! Some of these books were on my Christmas wishlist, and they're great for reference! I think I'll keep the Whimsical Lettering book forever! So much inspiration in that book!

If you're NOT into signing up for Kindle Unlimited, most of these books will be an inexpensive addition to your digital library anyway!

Art Journaling
The Art of Whimsical Lettering
Art Journal Freedom
No Excuses Art Journaling
Raw Art Journaling
Inner Hero Creative Art Journal
Artist's Journal Workshop
Journal Spilling
The Journal Junkies Workshop
Art Journal Prompts & Points to Ponder
Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts
Dreaming from the Journal Page 

Doodling
Doodles of Life
Doodles Unleashed
Doodling in French
Doodleology
Draw What We Love 

Drawing
Drawing for the Absolute Beginner
Drawing Nature for the Absolute Beginner
Drawing Portraits for the Absolute Beginner
Drawing for Beginners
Making Faces
Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces
How to Draw Cool Stuff
Sketchbook Confidential
Creative Thursday: Everyday Inspiration 

Zentangle
Zen Doodle: Tons of Tangles
Zentangle Art for Beginners
How to Draw Zendoodle Art
The Zentangle Untangled Workbook
Zentangle for Beginners: Ultimate Guide
Learn Zentangle FAST
Zentangle Basics
Zentangle for Beginners: Relaxing with Zentangle 

Mixed Media
Artist Trading Card Workshop
The Mixed Media Artist: Tips, Tricks
Mixed Media Self Portraits
Mixed Media Revolution
Acrylic Techniques in Mixed Media
Creating Art at the Speed of Life: 30 Days of Exploration
Art at the Speed of Life: Motivation and Inspiration 

Other searches to try:
acrylics, collage, stamping, design, creative, crafts, paper crafts, painting, kids art, journaling, etc.!

Local Artist - Kim J. Gifford

Yes, she's my sister-in-law, and yes, I'm absolutely partial to her work... as it often features my daughter or her beautiful pug puppies!

But I also know that she's a great artist, and I love her collages! You can check out her work in her website gallery and at different locations in and around Burlington! She has many talents, including being a wonderful writer and teacher! Check out the rest of her site for more!

This print of our niece is still my all-time favorite of hers!