Wednesday, March 25, 2015

My Very First Art Journal Page!! - Crafty Gals Corner Anything Goes

Last month I attended a craft fair down in Fargo, ND, called Unglued. It's a juried fair, meaning you have to apply to be in the show. They receive over 200 applicants every year and only accept about 60. I went because I'm going to apply next year. Gulp!

Let me just say that there were some AMAZING crafters there. I stumbled across this one booth that was selling old books that had been rehabbed into art journals. I drooled, and I paused, and then I bought one!


I loved the retro design and the fact that it was taking old books and giving them new life. That book has been sitting on my shelf and I've been so intimidated to open it. I'm fairly comfortable with cardmaking, but I wasn't so sure how I would like art journaling. Or if I would be good at it. 

Since it is Anything Goes week over at Crafty Gals Corner, I decided to give it a whirl. I've always had this idea to give some of the poetry that I write imagery to go along with it, and I finally took the leap. 

Turns out, art journaling is a TON of fun and, to me at least, a little bit less pressure than making a perfect card. 

My poem is about winter and so I chose to work with this gorgeously wistful digital stamp from Stitchybear Digi Outlet called Poinsettia Fairy. 

I printed her really big and it took me about two hours to color the whole thing in with my Spectrum Noir Markers. Whew!


 

After I colored the image, I sprayed my pages with Distress Spray Stains (Evergreen Bough, Festive Berries, Peeled Paint). 


I swooshed the ink around with my paper towel to create some diagonal lines and then I added embossing paste through a Wendy Vecchi Polka Dotty stencil and some Swirly stamping. 


I wrote my poem on a piece of paper, 



I distressed the edges and sponged with Vintage photo before I adhered my fairy using gel medium. 


I really like how this turned out and I liked how freeing the whole process was. I'm definitely going to be doing this with my other poems and I can't wait! 

Again - you can link up ANY project using ANY type of stamp over at Crafty Gals Corner this week. And we have prizes to sweeten the deal! :) 


Prize: $20 Gift Certificate

AND
Prize: $10 Gift Certificate

 As for me, I'm going to link my very first art journal page up to the following awesome challenges: 
Addicted to Stamps and More - Make your Mark
Mixed Media World - Anything Goes Mixed Media
Inkspirational - She Art or Image of a Woman (sidebar - seriously go look at this link-up gallery! It's amazing!)
D.L. Art - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday -Anything Goes featuring Spectrum Noir



Thanks for popping by and a big welcome to my new bloggy followers! I look forward to getting to know you and your art better! 

 Leave me a comment or follow my blog and I'll definitely try to return the favor!
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49 comments:

  1. lostinpaperMarch 25, 2015 at 7:09 AM

    This is sooo way outta my league, so many wonderful techniques and textures, patterns and colours... no white space in sight! Honestly it looks like you had so much fun creating this, I'm sure you are already planning the next pages, and I for one can't wait to see them!

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  2. PamelliaMarch 25, 2015 at 7:30 AM

    Holy jumpins Becca, this is outstanding! Wowsers! Incredible job colouring those poinsettias and the background is fantabulous!! I love that you hand wrote the poem, it's such a wonderful page! hugs :)

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  3. Julie BMarch 25, 2015 at 7:34 AM

    Wow Becca that is fab, well done with the colouring, the head really frames the words. :)

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  4. KathykMarch 25, 2015 at 8:46 AM

    Splendid! Welcome to art journaling, looks like you are taking to it like a duck takes to water!

    Kathyk

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  5. CarolMarch 25, 2015 at 8:48 AM

    Wow Becca you sure as hell nailed this! Love what you've done, love your poetry too...and this is such a fabulous way to preserve it. Carol x

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  6. Mynn xxMarch 25, 2015 at 8:51 AM

    This is fabulous! LOVE the beautiful coloring and amazing texture you've created--a wonderful journal page! HUGS! :) Mynn xx

    PS: Did you receive my email? You're up at the Pony CASE-Press! :)

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  7. UnknownMarch 25, 2015 at 9:19 AM

    Wow!! This is seriously amazing! I'be never heard of art journaling but this is a wonderful outlet. I can't wait to see more of your ideas!

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  8. Karen PMarch 25, 2015 at 9:22 AM

    It's fabulous Becca!!! Well done on taking that final leap - yes it is terrifying as we try to create perfect masterpieces and they are small and structured. Now that you have done the scary bit it will be so much easier for you to do it again. I love your pages, they have so much lovely colour and texture and your fairy is beautifully coloured too. Relax and enjoy the ride hun because you will probably be obsessed by doing this for a few weeks. I can't believe how much I have learnt and progressed since January and it is fun and it is freeing so much easier than the way I contain myself when I make cards. Thank you so much for the lovely comments you have left on my blog hun - you are awesome and a faithful and inspiring friend Karen x

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  9. KT Fit KittyMarch 25, 2015 at 10:11 AM

    This looks awesome, Becca! Well done on starting an art journal! I have a desire to start one too and Brian has ordered a journal for me, nothing fancy like yours, just one from amazon. Can't wait to receive it and start my own - I love the pages I've been seeing and yours is no exception. So much texture and that background is fabulous! The poem is wonderful and you've coloured the image so beautifully! Well done for your first page! Looking forward to more! You are such an inspiration to me!

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  10. UnknownMarch 25, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    FAB FAB FAB, Becca!! Just think of art journaling as working on a great big card base, or two :) You'll notice that the size of the pages won't matter any more :) Your first pages here are stunning!! And you feel really good about them, too, right?! Way to go!! XOXO-Shari

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  11. wendipooh13March 25, 2015 at 10:56 AM

    wow that is amazing!!! LOVE LOVE your page and you rock at art journaling!!!!

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  12. conilMarch 25, 2015 at 11:11 AM

    Oh. Oh. Oh. Are you kidding me! Spectacular! Amazing! Brilliant! I could go on and on, but you'd get bored with how fabulous you were,..maybe. Honestly, this is your first journal page. Wow! you gotta keep doin' this, girl. You're really fantastic with it..

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  13. UnknownMarch 25, 2015 at 11:47 AM

    Great journal spread, love the colours xx

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  14. LisaMarch 25, 2015 at 12:44 PM

    Absolutely stunning, Becca!! Wow, you did an amazing job!! This is so gorgeous!! I love the face and the colors!! All of the details are perfect!! You need to do more because you rock at it!! Love, love this!! Have a great day :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  15. AnonymousMarch 25, 2015 at 2:16 PM

    Gorgeous Art journal page. It sure doesn't look like your first page. It's fab xx

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  16. Kara LynneMarch 25, 2015 at 2:39 PM

    This is amazing!! your fairy is so gorgeous and your art is the work of a pro! I knew you were a good writer, Becca, but honestly, that poem is like something I might read from the classics! I'm so glad you will be putting them into a book!

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  17. Lynette JacobsMarch 25, 2015 at 2:50 PM

    Stunning...I cannot believe it's your first art journal page. You are way talented with art and poetry.

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  18. Tracey McNeelyMarch 25, 2015 at 3:19 PM

    BECCA! Wow this is is so incredible, you are going to get in and rock that show next year! All of the messiness of this scares the poop out of me, but I can completely appreciate both the process and the results! A+

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  19. alexandra s.m.March 25, 2015 at 6:17 PM

    No way this is your first page!
    You are a NATURAL! Is there anything you don't do with brio and flair?
    I love your AJ pages! AMAZING!! Truly!!

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  20. Nora NollMarch 25, 2015 at 7:07 PM

    This came out fabulous!! I LOVE how you created the background and that image is STUNNING!! I have not ventured into one of these though I did create one when I was in college. One of my teacher's at the time said she kept in touch with a friend through art journaling. Her and a friend each bought one and then would send them back and forth, each creating a page in each other's journal's every month. Sometimes it would be about what was going on in their life, sometimes it would be a painting (she was a painter), or a poem. She brought it in to show us one day. It was really cool.

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  21. LizzycMarch 25, 2015 at 8:39 PM

    Wow this is stunning, really love the lady and the flowers around her neck are divine! really fabulous art journal page.. if this is your first page, then the sky is the limit for you.. this is amazing..

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  22. Jenelle March 25, 2015 at 9:00 PM

    Wow! Your page is amazing and so is your poem! I love all the colors and texture. You did a fabulous job coloring the poinsettias. I don't know if I would have had the patience for that.

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  23. Lisa EltonMarch 25, 2015 at 9:52 PM

    Oh my stars Becca...this is amazing!!!

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  24. LenaMarch 25, 2015 at 10:37 PM

    Wow Becca, can't believe this is your first art journal page. You did a fantastic job on it - looks like you're a pro at it :-) Love the poem and the beautiful image and how you coloured it. Beautiful and very creative project!
    ♥ Lena
    Lena’s Creations

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  25. Dawn TMarch 26, 2015 at 12:45 AM

    what an awesome page. love the way you printed the digi so big to make it the focal point.. And your poem is great.

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  26. wienerhoneymoonersMarch 26, 2015 at 1:03 AM

    IMPRESSED and blown away, AMAZING!!!!!

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  27. SD poojaMarch 26, 2015 at 2:30 AM

    Ohh Wow ,Looks very Artistic !

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  28. My Paper EpiphanyMarch 26, 2015 at 5:53 AM

    So many wonderful elements! I love the background, the image is amazing and I am very impressed by your poem!!!

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  29. BirgitMarch 26, 2015 at 11:12 AM

    This is an amazing page! It is so wonderful and the vibrant colours are great. It goes wonderfully with your poem! I read it and it is great. I see no reason why you would not be accepted. You can walk proudly with your artistic ways

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  30. LinMarch 26, 2015 at 11:47 AM

    WOW, Becca, I am so impressed with your journal! Good for you to jump in with both feet - look at this fantastic result! We're so glad you shared it with us at the SImon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!

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  31. DeeptiMarch 26, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    Becca!! This is jaw dropping beauty, lovely details and design, everything from colors to torn edges fits perfectly and your hand writing is wow! You amaze me...

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  32. Happy DanceMarch 26, 2015 at 8:26 PM

    Oh I am so glad you shared this stunningly amazing art journal page. Your poetry and your images are incredible. It's wonderful when we find courage and go outside our comfort zone. You did it marvelously. I can't wait to read your next poem and see your next art journal page. Bev

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  33. Karen MMarch 26, 2015 at 9:46 PM

    Your pages look amazing! Thanks for joining us at ATSM this week xx

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  34. GretaMarch 26, 2015 at 10:57 PM

    Great work, Becca!

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  35. Carole ZMarch 27, 2015 at 3:24 AM

    What a stunning page Becca...fabulous! Hugs Carole Z X

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  36. Denise van DeventerMarch 27, 2015 at 6:45 AM

    Oh my....this is stunning! You are a natural at art journalling! I am amazed Becca!!!! Your poetry is such a treat too....so gorgeous....wow...simply gobsmacked!!!!!

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  37. RahmatMarch 27, 2015 at 7:51 AM

    This is absolutely gorgeous! thanks for sharing with us at ATSM.

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  38. VanessaBMarch 27, 2015 at 11:02 AM

    wowweee! amazing!

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  39. Cornelia (fun stamping)March 27, 2015 at 2:49 PM

    Amazing - you'll be in the show next year, without a doubt!

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  40. *Vicki*March 27, 2015 at 3:04 PM

    Really stunning art work here missy!! You've rocked this for sure!!

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  41. *Vicki*March 27, 2015 at 3:04 PM

    And for my DT bit...thanks for joining us at ATSM!! :)

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  42. Lizzy HillMarch 28, 2015 at 4:44 AM

    Oh my! This is DELISH... & your retro gal sort of fits your retro cover. Looove that you took pics as you went.... Can't wait to see more:):)

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  43. cmMarch 28, 2015 at 8:51 AM

    Your creativity is unlimited, my friend! This art journal page IS a work of art with your poetry and visual pairing. Truly in awe! Guaranteed you'll be selected for Unglued...you're a natural talent, whose work more than warrants as wide an audience as possible. Impressive...absolutely impressive! Thrilled that you shared this over at Ink! Thank you!
    Hugs~c

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  44. Lee-AnneMarch 28, 2015 at 12:03 PM

    Very impressive for your first art journal page! I think you're a natural! This is absolutely gorgeous...from the colors to your image choices to the hand written poem...all very well designed! So happy you could join us at ATSM!

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  45. DanaMarch 29, 2015 at 7:49 AM

    Fabulous art journal page!! Great coloring!! Thanks for playing along with us at Addicted to Stamps and More!

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  46. Taunya ButlerMarch 30, 2015 at 3:06 PM

    So incredible and cool!! That image is simply beautiful and what an awesome way to showcase your poetry!! This is very well done and I am pleased as punch for you!! Have a happy day!!

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  47. Holly AKA KopyKatMarch 31, 2015 at 4:35 PM

    Oh this is so fabulous! I love it.

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  48. Deborah WainwrightApril 2, 2015 at 2:49 AM

    Stunning pages. Love the hand written poem idea might have to borrow that :). Thanks for playing along at MMW hugs Debs xx

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  49. Jessi FoganApril 12, 2015 at 4:22 AM

    The lack of pressure makes it freeing, doesn't it?? I absolutely adore this!

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