Making a new sketchbook - watercolor & pen & slow stitched journal cover

I have used up some fabric scrap and handstitched

a journal cover for my new sketchbook.

The plan is to do some watercolor flowers, birds and zentangle

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant." — Albert Einstein

I will try to draw flowers and fantasy flowers, try out some colors.

Practicing doodle flowers is a fun and relaxing way to enhance my drawing skills and add beautiful elements to my art projects. I do not plan, I work very

intuitive.

"Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do." — Benjamin Spock

"Intuition is seeing with the soul." — Dean Koontz

Birds with charachter, and I will use other medium as well

"Creativity takes courage." — Henri Matisse

"Every stitch tells a story."

I love slowstiching, it is so calming, its so meditative 

and peaceful. I am still wondereing about my

hacked instagram account, but have not heard

a single word from meta after I complained.

I really enjoyed being on Instagram, and I have so many

beautiIful friends there, so I wonder if I should make

a new instagram account?

 

Find ART inspiration in Everyday LIFE

I spoke in the phone with a lovely person, and drove this LOVE birds

I found this beautiful Owl in a shop, and love the colors.

Everyday Life: Inspiration can be found in the everyday moments and small details of life. Pay attention to the beauty, complexity, and diversity of the world around you, and find inspiration in the ordinary.

My bird sketch - its not easy to be a bird today. In dialect

I will say: Ikkje lett å ver fogl idag. 

On my friends wall 

I love this little book and are very

grateful for this loving present.

A drawing my son did when he was 6 years old. 

I love the expression.

Walking in the neightboerhood i saw this 

On my way to Stavanger, nearby town

I love birds, they are so fun to watch 

Found on the Wall in Stavanger

A cat I met, love the face 

Some words on the wall 

Beads, beads and more beads, wonderful

Sculpture, so cool

My grandchildren made me some paintings, I treasure them so much. 

Wolf in stone 

My  flower sketching

This was my very first painting i did 40 years ago

A rocky beach 

A giggle this candy i saw in a shop 

Expressive horse face

Reminds me of my own collagework 

My own potted floewer garden on the veranda. 

I am inspired today ❤

 

Handmade journal - for some moments in life there are no words

 “The best time to begin keeping a journal is whenever you decide to.” – Hannah Hinchman

Creating a handmade journal is a rewarding and creative endeavor that allows you to personalize every aspect of your journaling experience. Here are steps to make a basic handmade journal:

Materials Needed:

1. Paper: Choose your preferred type of paper for the pages. You can use blank, lined, or grid paper, or even mix different types for variety.
2. Cover Material: Select a sturdy material for the cover, such as cardstock, fabric, leather, or decorative paper.
3. Binding Material: You can use embroidery floss, waxed thread, ribbon, or elastic cord for binding.
4. Cutting Tools: Scissors, paper trimmer, or craft knife for cutting paper and cover materials.
5. Hole Punch or Awl: For creating holes in the paper and cover for binding.
6. Needle: Large-eyed needle for threading the binding material.
7. Ruler and Pencil: For measuring and marking dimensions.

Once your handmade journal is complete, you can use it for writing, sketching, planning, or any other creative purpose you desire. Enjoy the process of making and using your personalized journal!

So good fun, but very time consuming

I used a empty toilett roll as spine

“Journal writing gives us insights into who we are, who we were, and who we can become.” - Sandra Marinella

“You must remember that your story matters. What you write has the power to save a life, sometimes that life is your own.” -  Stalina Goodwin

Here's a list of prompts to spark your creativity when working on your junk journal:

1. Collect scraps: Gather old magazine clippings, ticket stubs, receipts, fabric scraps, postcards, and any other ephemera you find interesting.

2. Create a cover: Use an old book cover, cardboard, or fabric to create a cover for your junk journal. Decorate it with paint, collage, or embroidery.

3. Document a day: Fill a page with ephemera from a single day in your life—receipts, photos, notes, and mementos that capture the essence of that day.

4. Travel memories: Create a spread dedicated to a memorable trip or vacation. Include maps, brochures, tickets, and photos to document your adventures.

5. Found poetry: Use words and phrases cut from old books, magazines, or newspapers to create found poetry. Arrange the words on a page to create a unique poem or story.

6. Inspiration board: Create a collage of images, quotes, and symbols that inspire you. Use this as a visual representation of your goals, dreams, and aspirations.

7. Gratitude list: Dedicate a page to listing things you're grateful for. Use colorful markers, stickers, or washi tape to make it visually appealing.

8. Nature walk: Take a nature walk and collect leaves, flowers, and other natural treasures. Press them in your journal or use them to create a nature-inspired spread.

9. Dream journal: Use your junk journal as a place to record your dreams and aspirations. Write down your goals, dreams, and hopes for the future.

10. Recipe collection: Create a spread dedicated to your favorite recipes. Include handwritten recipes, cooking tips, and photos of delicious dishes.

11. Doodle page: Let your creativity flow with a page dedicated to doodling. Use markers, pens, and colored pencils to create patterns, shapes, and designs.

12. Memory lane: Fill a page with nostalgic items from your childhood—old toys, school photos, report cards, and other memorabilia.

13. Self-reflection: Take some time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings. Write a letter to your past or future self, or create a spread exploring your hopes, fears, and dreams.

14. Bucket list: Create a bucket list of things you want to do, see, and experience in your lifetime. Use images, words, and symbols to bring your dreams to life.

15. Random acts of kindness: Dedicate a page to documenting random acts of kindness you've witnessed or experienced. Use this as a reminder of the goodness in the world.

Feel free to mix and match these prompts or come up with your own ideas to make your junk journal truly unique and personal!

 

“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”
― Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

Collage and mixed media collage

 

Collage art

• “Every cat is my best friend.” – Unknown

Collage and mixed media art are versatile and expressive forms of artistic expression that involve combining various materials and techniques to create unique and visually compelling artworks. Here's an overview of collage and mixed media art:

Collage Art:

Collage art involves assembling and layering different materials, such as paper, fabric, photographs, found objects, and text, onto a surface to create a cohesive composition. The materials are often adhered to a backing such as canvas, wood panel, or paper using adhesive, glue, or other bonding agents.

Techniques in Collage Art:Tearing and Cutting: Artists can tear or cut paper, fabric, or other materials into desired shapes and sizes to create interesting textures and patterns.

Layering: Collage art often involves layering materials on top of each other to create depth and dimension in the artwork.

Collage Papers: Artists may use a variety of papers, including vintage book pages, magazines, newspapers, handmade papers, and specialty papers, to add visual interest and texture to their collages.

Found Objects: Found objects such as buttons, beads, ribbons, keys, and natural materials can be incorporated into collage artworks to add texture and symbolism.

Collage art

Mixed media Collage

Mixed Media Art:

Mixed media art expands upon the principles of collage by incorporating additional mediums and techniques into the artwork. In addition to paper and fabric, mixed media artists may use paint, ink, pastels, charcoal, markers, pencils, and other drawing materials to create layers of color, texture, and visual interest.

“Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.”

 – Leonardo da Vinci

Techniques in Mixed Media Art:

• Painting and Drawing: Mixed media artists often combine painting and drawing techniques with collage elements to create dynamic and expressive artworks.
• Texture Mediums: Artists may use texture mediums such as gesso, modeling paste, gel medium, or texture paste to create raised surfaces and texture in their artwork.
• Layering: Like collage art, mixed media art involves layering different materials and mediums to create depth, dimension, and visual complexity.
• Image Transfer: Artists may incorporate image transfer techniques, such as gel medium transfer or solvent transfer, to transfer images onto the surface of their artwork.

Mixed media, partly sketch in my art journal 

Themes and Styles: Collage and mixed media art can encompass a wide range of themes, styles, and subject matter, from abstract and experimental to figurative and narrative. Artists may draw inspiration from personal experiences, emotions, nature, politics, social issues, or cultural influences in their work.

Go wild in your art journal and do some crazy sketches.

Benefits of Collage and Mixed Media Art:

• Creativity: Collage and mixed media art offer endless possibilities for creative expression and experimentation.
• Versatility: Artists can combine a variety of materials and techniques to achieve their desired aesthetic and convey their artistic vision.
• Accessibility: Collage and mixed media art are accessible to artists of all skill levels and can be created with minimal art supplies.
• Self-Expression: Collage and mixed media art provide a platform for artists to explore their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a visual format.

Overall, collage and mixed media art are dynamic and versatile forms of artistic expression that encourage creativity, experimentation, and self-expression. Whether creating abstract compositions, figurative narratives, or mixed media sculptures, artists can use collage and mixed media techniques to push the boundaries of traditional art forms and create truly original and captivating artworks.

“Art should be something that liberates your soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further.”

 – Keith Haring