PROJECT LIFE: 2014 Title Pages

a NEW year....and a NEW .....

PROJECT LIFE ALBUM!!!!! YAY!!!!

This year I am using the SUNSHINE collection created by A Beautiful Mess designers. I just love the fun colors and truly love everything Elsie does.  Here are a few preview pictures of the kit, dividers, and album.
 

I wanted to use a different style and try to simplify the process + use my supplies. The one way to do this is to use smaller photos in a week's layout so I could incorporate more of my embellishments and stickers, etc.  While searching various artist's galleries, I adore how both Ali Edwards Elise Blaha and Leena Loh complete a weekly layout and inserts.  So I am following their lead.

My intro page was inspired by Elise. Love her concept, so I designed a similar page.  I included photos of persons and places in my current life plus various embellishments and overlays.  (And of course some of the picture taking occurred on a rainy day or at night)

This intro was inspired by Loh. 

I took these words from Elise. Short and to the point. Not a huge fan of the final result on this card but I'll live with it. 

I then decided to take the smaller page protector and do an intro into every month.  Since January has a few starter pages, I kept the front simple. I plan on adding a religious aspect in my journal in various ways.

This guy is my favorite. I believe it is a SMASH product. 

 On the back side, I used Ali Edwards circle design to include the ages of me, my boyfriend, and our dogs.  Just something fun to add since neither of us have children. I embossed the state adding the city to a wooden tag. The SHE, HE, LOVE are fabric elements glued on. And the "&" is from a vintage store. 

The geotag heart is my own stamp creation.

The opposing page starts January with symbols representing: HOME, LOVE, ART, LIFE.

Extra Bonus....here is a sneak peak at my art room ---Project Life area.  I purchased another one of the fabulous IKEA kitchen carts to hold most of my stickers and extra pages.  (the original one I have holds all my stamps, and inks, etc.)  It is working great so far.

I ended up replacing the black seat with a green bar stool I acquired at Target.  The Ikea chair was just not comfortable nor the best quality; hence I invested in something I love. Plus it is extra motivation to get in the room and GITT' ER DONE!

(The other one is waiting to be used outdoors while doing artwork on my Pallet Table.)
 Enjoy!

DIY: Valentine's Day Gift

A simple and easy gift to make using paint, paper, gelli plate, and a Silhouette. 

I wanted to make some art for a Valentines Day gift. No hearts or mushy stuff. Just a sweet gesture. 

Using a Silhouette, I cut out the military men. Then I played around with my gelli plate and paints in Army colors. I was able to pull 2 prints on white cardstock. First a dark and then the lighter one. 

Each one has a different feel and look but I think paired together, they will look great!!

Enjoy the day and embrace the love!!

OLW: Wall Display Concept

I had a late night creative thought. I want to create a wall with my One Little Word. I plan on getting a huge number "1" for the wall from Crate & Barrel.  With hopes of stamping "little word" underneath the number. Then each year I will add a creative display of the word I have chosen.  

Last year I chose HEART. I love Kelly Barton's handwriting and birch pieces. So I found some birch pieces at Michaels and thought I'd give it a shot myself. 

Sketching in pencil. Using Neocolor II. Outlining in Scarlet Lime pen. 

Not sure how I will hang. Maybe ribbon..or maybe just put a mount on the back. But I love how it turned out. 

This year my word is HELLO. I purchased a fabulous feather from Rachael Rice which will be here sometime this month. Here are some she has already made:

The following links are where you can find the artists that inspired me with links to their Etsy shops. 

Kelly Barton. www.kellybarton.com

Rachael Rice. www.rachaelrice.com

STUDYING UNDER THE MASTERS:Matisse Part 1

Started a new online course "Studying Under the Masters" and am slowly getting through week one. The first artist to explore is Henri Matisse. And the first lesson involved creating patterns. 

A majority of the designs I created were taken from his artwork but there are a few random ones of my own. 

After sketching, I used Neocolors II for watercoloring. 

Each are different but give me a direction on which colors and designs I want to use for the next challenge.