Today was one of those days where I needed to stop, take a deep breath, and have a little art therapy session. Every time I pull out the art journal, after I'm done I think, "Why don't I do this more often?" It feels so refreshing and rejuvenating to break out the colored pencils and acrylic paints to create something pretty to me.
I hope you all get out your art journals and have an artful day filled with love and peace.
I was totally in love with 7 Gypsies' Conservatory collection since I saw it at CHA. I loved the natural earthy feel of it, and butterflies are one of my favorite things to see on paper. I had a million ideas racing through my head of what I could do with it. I found this jewelry box, and immediately thought of Conservatory. So, of course, I had to make my own little mini conservatory. Fitting, right?! I hope you like it!
xoxo ~Melissa
Here's my Saturday card made from Life's Portrait by Webster's Pages. It has one of my favorite sentiments on it, "Live the Life You Have Imagined." I try to do that everyday.
I was very pleased with the color palette and composition, so I entered it in the Inspire Me August Challenge. I don't believe it stands much of a chance against some of the gorgeous layouts there, but I had a darn good time making it!
Those of you who know me well know I'm frugal and hate to waste anything. Okay, so maybe the truth is I'm a bit of a hoarder and can't part with anything. At any rate, I was cleaning off my desk this morning and couldn't bare to throw this Memory Glass container for Memory Frames away. I thought I could certainly make something out of it.
Here's what I did:
I started with my trusty Un-du to remove the stickers and create a nice smooth surface to work with.
I painted the bottom and lid with two coats of gesso. This primes the plastic and prepares it to take the acrylic paint. Try not to glob gesso and paint in the closure because it will make it difficult to close.
I applied two coats of acrylic paint. I used a heat gun between coats to dry the paint, because I'm just impatient that way. If you use a heat gun be careful not to get too close with it because it can melt the plastic and bubble the paint.
Embellish! I added Magic Mesh, Prima flowers, lace, and pearls.
I think it would make the perfect gift box for jewelry, or a travel jewelry box for short trips out of town. Also, you could store buttons, brads, charms, or small hardware in it.
It's therapeutic to express your emotions, mood, feelings, and thoughts through drawings and journaling. I'm not sure why it's so freeing and makes me feel so happy, but it does. I love to draw girl faces, I guess because I have 3 beautiful girls that inspire me. Sometimes I break out the acrylic paints, colored pencils, watercolors, and scrapbooking embellishments, but sometimes I just make pencil sketches. Regardless, I always find it relaxing and a great way to renew my spirit.
I love keeping an art journal because it can be anything I want. It's a reflection of me on any given day.
