​I had a ton of fun using Imagine InkBlushers and StazOn Inkpads with my StencilGirl designs to create
a Pocket Journal to use in Rae Missigman's Art Marks™ Summer Challenge!
This tiny handmade art journal measures approximately 4" x 4"!

Inspired by ​Rae Missigman's and Sandi Keene's Pocket Journals™ workshop,
​I gathered a variety of papers for my pages – old survey maps, vintage book pages and graph paper!

I cut my paper and sewed them together with a simple stitch, using canvas pad paper for the cover.
Next, I grabbed my Imagine InkBlushers and StazOn Inkpads with my StencilGirl designs to decorate
the cover and add some preliminary marks to the inside pages as well.

I embellished the cover by collaging on papers and adding Buff acrylic paint and graphite marks.
​I also used my Imagine InkBlushers and StazOn Inkpad in Jet Black to pounce through my Hemispheres stencil to unify all the elements together.

On the very left I used my Map Symbols stencil to add the north arrow.
On the far right, I used my Let's Go 2 stencil and Go Your Own Way Arrows Mini stencil as well!
Below is an image of the cover when the book is wide open!

After lightly gessoing the inside pages, I dripped bits of Liquitex acrylic inks in Muted Turquoise and Titanium White on the pages. Then I used my Imagine InkBlushers and StazOn Inkpads in ​Midnight Blue, Blue Hawaii, Ganache, Teal Blue, and Jet Black to pounce through more of my StencilGirl stencil designs.
This way, I don't have to face a blank page any day of the challenge!

Below are peeks at 4 of the 32 pages with their preliminary marks:

What do you have to do to enter?
Just leave a comment below by Sunday, July 24th at 11:59PM Central Time. 

​​Visit the fabulous designers from both teams and comment for your chance to win!
The more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to WIN!
(One comment per blog please.)
You have until Sunday, July 23rd at 11:59PM Central Time to leave your comments.
Winner will be announced on
StencilGirl's Facebook page and Imagine’s Facebook page
on Monday, July 24th.

This Friday’s featured artist is Swarup Murthy and her exquisite series of state maps: a series she started in 2016, featuring the state bird and state flower inside each state map. I love her combination of hand-lettering and watercolors!

She shares:
"A trained textile designer and a self taught watercolorist, I find painting extremely calming and meditative.
​I have been painting professionally for more than two decades now and immensely enjoy my work."

See more of Swarup Murthy's beautiful watercolor paintings on her website at www.sanketistudio.com and Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/sanketi.

Have a great weekend!

If you’ve been considering purchasing any of my stencil designs, now's the time!
I'm delighted to have 23 stencil designs available here!
Happy Birthday, Mary Beth!
And happy stencil shopping, everyone!

This Friday's featured artist is Niki Pilkington and her fabulous neon maps!
​I love their intensity and fluidity!

See all of Niki Pilkington's inspiring and energetic work on her website at www.nikipilkington.com and Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/NikiPilkington!
Have a great weekend!

I loved collaging in  this vintage postcard postmarked in 1905, too:

I'm linking up with this month's Surf & Turf challenge at Emerald Creek, Simon Says: Stencil It challenge, and The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

This Friday’s featured artist is Abigail Kramer and her unique freehand designs in the shapes of states, countries and continents! She’s created designs in all fifty shapes of the fifty United States! She also gets special requests for territories, islands and provinces!

See more of Abigail’s art in her Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/Twigglings and see progress videos on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/twiggyabi!

​Have a great weekend!

Today I'm sharing my newest art journal pages! This spread incorporates acrylics, inks, collage, and illegible handwriting in my 12" x 18" large Dylusions journal:

Thanks so much for visiting my blog!
​I hope you have a fun and creative summer so far!

This Friday's featured artist is Nicki Matthews and her vibrant watercolor maps!

She writes:
"Born in Hong Kong, raised in Spain and the UK, I became a fanatic of art at the age of nine when I was first introduced to architectural art through the medium of watercolour and sculpture. 

Having lived through various cultural changes and adapted to each of their settings, I have gained my own personal understanding and style to reflect this in my work through subjects such as flora and fauna, landscapes, portraits & architecture."

See more of Nicki Matthews' wonderful watercolor paintings at www.behance.net/nickimatthews and her Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/NickiMatthewsArt.

Have a great weekend!

One more week before we start Hacking The Color Wheel!
​Let's get rebellious!

What’s Unique About this Class:
​● 14 Teachers from various backgrounds 
● Learn to make two or more handmade journals
● Art journaling lessons
● LIVE virtual sessions (recordings made available to students after live session)
● Focus on learning to listen to your inner wisdom/guide/muse
● Yearlong access
● Private Facebook Community

I hope to see you there!