Sunday Weekly Wrap-up + August Challenges

This past week was a busy one. I loved the art course I took and learned a few new techniques. I ended up creating a mixed media collage of memories - of my Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma. I met some lovely women and had fun being immersed in creating all week.

Using photo transfer onto a canvas and using many different mediums on one canvas was new. Also using a large canvas was quite different as well. lately I have been working small - on ATCs.



I finished my July collage-a-day cards, using mostly collage techniques. I enjoyed those very much. Here are a few of the last ones I did:










I also completed a couple more ATC swaps. I have a few to do this week as well.

Here is one that was interesting - "Forms of Beauty"





Another was one word collages:













Connie of Dirty Footprints Studio posted a journal a day for 30 days. On the 31st, she encouraged anyone to post their own interview about their own art journalling life. My interview is here.







August has begun and we are half way through the summer! Still so much to do!

There are a number of challenges being offered this month. One that I am really looking forward to is taking a photo a day - "The August Break" being offered through Susannah Conway's blog .



I am going to take the challenge but alter it a little. There are 2 projects I want to undertake through photography:



1. Ever since reading about Lis' project of self-portraits, I have wanted to try something similar. So for this month, I want to present aspects of myself through photography.

Aug. 1





I decided to start with my hand. As I look at it I see my mom in many aspects of it. I also see my married life. I use this hand a lot but take it for granted.



2. In the "101 in 1001 days" Challenge (which I am continuing with somewhat slowly!) one item was to list 5o things I love (which I have done) and take a photo of each of those things. So for August I want to start taking pix of those 50 things.

Here are the first two:



* Flowers





*Skies:











The second month-long challenge is being offered by Louise Gale. Each week she will post a different colour and that is all you can use, plus black and white.


This week's colour is YELLOW!

As she says:

"So this weeks color is inspired by those pretty petals of sunshine. Brighten up your week by creating in all those shades of yellow under the sun. (Remember you can only use shades and add black and white to your creations if you wish)"



I am looking forward to this colour challenge. Watch for my entry next Sunday!

I will continue with my usual challenges but try to add a couple more this week!

Have a great week!

30 Journals in 30 Days + Mine!

Connie of Dirty Footprints Studio has been holding the " 30 JOURNALS 30 DAYS " project all month and today, thye last day of July, is a special celebration of journals at Dirty Footprints Studio!!

As Connie says: "It doesn't matter if you're an Art Journal virgin, vixen, or veteran--your experience with Art Journaling is valid" and she asks everyone to share their journaling experience. To be part of the project, post your interview on your blog and post it here.

Here is my interview:

How long have you been Art Journaling?

I really only began art journaling a little over a year ago, about the same time I started my blog. I had kept diaries and journals as a teen, but did not add artwork. I was more focused on the words.

How has Art Journaling impacted, changed, or enhanced your life?

Art journaling has opened up a completely different way to look at things. Taking part in full moon dreamboards

or in response to challenges, has enabled me to use pictures to respond to questions or prompts. The saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" is so true. Adding art and collage has really made journaling more fun as well.

What are a few of your favorite Art Journaling materials?

I use a lot of found materials for collage; magazines, sharpie markers, watercolour pencils, acrylic paints, hand -made painted papers.


Who are some of your favorite Art Journalers?

My first experience with an art journaler was with Leah of "Creative Every Day". Since then I have come across so many wonderful journalers.

Leah Piken Kolidas of "Creative Every Day"

Jamie Ridler of "Jamie Ridler Studios"

Kathryn Antyr of "TrueNorth/Collage Diva"

Elizabeth Golden of "The Last Door Down the Hall "

Lis of "Dandelion Seeds and Dreams"

and of course:
Connie of "Dirty Footprints Studio"!
There are so many awesome journalers and artists that it would be impossible to include everyone. Connie will be listing many other journalers and it will be wonderful to have that resource on her blog.

What kind words of encouragement would you say to an Art Journal newbie?

Just do it!

Have fun with it!

There is no right or wrong to journaling - it is all your own thing!

There are videos to watch on youtube and books to read and blogs to visit - there is no end to the resources available.

Where can we contact you...give us some link LOVE!!

Here on my blog: http://bunnysgirl.blogspot.com/

Email me at: arlie707@hotmail.com

Short Bio.

I have been teaching elementary school for 30 years. I love teaching, especially art. I will be returning to Grade 3 next year and could retire in a year or two. What's next? Hopefully, teaching art to children!

In the past 2 years, since my mother died, I have really tried to add as much art and creativity to my life. It has been quite a learning curve! I have taken many art courses over the years, but I've not taken any formal training. Taking online courses has been new and I've now done several - ones with Connie and CollageDiva for example.

Taking part in challenges and working on my own art projects has been fun as well. The whole blogging community is a very supportive one.