Videos

Video: Drawing Faces-An Art Journaling Challenge

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I wasn’t sure if I was going to get today’s post and video up. I was experiencing some computer issues but thankfully I sorted that all out and am sharing with you my latest journal page.

I really enjoyed making today’s spread. Normally I start with the background but today I started with the focal image and then worked out. I have been wanting to draw more faces in an effort to not only better my skills but also to find my own style. I was very aware as I was drawing this lady about the thoughts in my head. I was trying so hard to make her look happy, then I was doubting my abilities at all, and finally I remembered some unicorns I drew when I was young.

I was so proud of them and immediately felt I had a talent for drawing. I don’t remember what happened but I let go of drawing then and when I tried to start up again, I just felt as if I wasn’t able to because I wasn’t an artist like other people.

It had me wondering how many things in life I stopped doing or kept doing because of what other people thought about it. I am always amazed at the revelations that can come about when we make a little space for our creative expression.

I hope you enjoy today’s video. What is something you love to do but never felt you could claim it for yourself? Maybe today you can.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Music by myk – Reflections – https://thmatc.co/?l=321D4BE6

Video: New DigiKit Reveal & Journal Play

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I have some really exciting news today. I have finally launched my first digital art journaling kit! I am so excited to share this kit with you in today’s video along with an entire process video to give you some ideas on how to use this kit.

If you aren’t familiar, digital kits are kits you purchase once and can then print out as many times as you would like to use in your projects. The kit I am sharing today is perfect for spring with butterflies, birds and lots of flowers. You receive 10 pages along with 3 pages of tags. I had so much fun creating this kit and I have 2 more that are almost ready to share-hopefully within in the next week. If you are interested you can watch the video to see all the kit has and visit my shop here to purchase.

I started out by making the tag. I printed the kit on regular weight copy paper and then backed the tags onto some chip board I had. Then I took different elements from the kit to collage on the tag finishing off with a ribbon and a handmade journal charm.

Starting in my journal I added some soft pink and blue gray acryllic paint and then tore up some more pages and glued them down. I added lace and a few more charms along with a pocket to hold my very thick journaling tag.

I am so happy with how the page turned out! If you have any questions about the kit please do comment below and if you happen to make a purchase let me know how you end up using the kit.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Video: Pretty Pink Journal Page

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(Please note this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using these links you don’t pay anything more but I earn a small commission)

I wanted to create something pretty, soft and pink today.

Originally I hadn’t planned on filming but decided to hit record just in case and I’m glad I did. I don’t often sit down to my art journal with an particular idea in mind. I hardly ever know what I am going to create before hand but today I had a theme in mind.

I wanted to create something to go on the flyer for my new in-person art journaling class. I wanted it to be bright and soft and really convey a feeling of peace and calm so I turned to my favorite color-soft pink.

I began by adding gesso to the pages and then dried it with my heat tool Once it was dry I added some old book pages I had in my scraps drawer with matte Mod Podge (affiliate link). I then wen through some old magazines and chose a pretty pink photo of some dahlias to add along the bottom. The rest of the images I struggled with but in the end I think it’s the addition of lace and pink sari silk that really pulled the page together.

I hope you enjoy the video and that you maybe even create alongside me. If you do be sure to comment below and let me know what you made!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

 

Music by Saint Stephen – 50’s Milkshake – https://thmatc.co/?l=352EAE2D
Music by Eli Lev – Dancin’ on the Lawn – https://thmatc.co/?l=9EA04504

Video: Interactive Journal Page: Create a Door with a Secret Message

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I thought it would be fun to break in my new handmade journal with an interactive page at the back. It’s really a simple process and you can place pretty much anything in your little secret door. I am thinking of writing an inspirational message on the back of my heart but you could put a photo, a focal image-anything!

I kept my image loose but you could glue it in if you want.

I began by cutting out my heart shape twice from a piece of chipboard and gluing them together. Then I began gluing several pages together. I added gesso to the heart since I wasn’t sure if I was going to paint and collage or just collage. Then I added gesso to the journal pages, some paint and some stamped images for a background. I also added a focal image from a book I have on birds and flowers. I glued all my images down with mod podge and then used mod podge to add some dictionary pages and tissue paper to the heart. I then used the heart to get an idea of how big to make the door and cut through all the layers on three sides. I put a cutting mat behind them to protect my journal cover.

I ended up adding a bit of ribbon to the door with a button for decoration. I am so happy with how it turned out and it was really fun to make! I can’t wait to get some more done in this journal.

You can watch the video below and maybe make an interactive page in your own journal.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Music by Julia Pauletti – You Are Mine – https://thmatc.co/?l=63BE6B37
Music by Eli Lev – Dancin’ on the Lawn – https://thmatc.co/?l=9EA04504
Music by Saint Stephen – 50’s Milkshake – https://thmatc.co/?l=352EAE2D

Making a Mini Journal

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I might be addicted to making mini journals. If you saw my post on teeny mini journals you may know what I am talking about. Today’s journal making fun is larger than the teeny journals but so much fun to make. I used Bristol paper and it only took 3 small sheets. You could use any paper really depending on how you want to create in your journal. I am thinking of using these to house some inspirational quotes but I might be adding some images to the pages as well.

I cut eat piece of Bristol paper to about 4″x6″ and then I added acrylic paint with my finger to create a natural background. I have some ideas for how I am going to add the quotes to the pages and I will add some embellishments but I liked the idea of having the pages prepped for when I have my quotes all gathered.

I am also planning on adding some beads or decorative elements to the strings which is why I bound it so that the strings where on the outside. This is such an easy and fun project and the idea of filling a journal in just one art journal session feels really satisfying.

I hope you enjoy the video and please let me know if you make some I would love to hear how you plan on filling your journal.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Video: Secret Door Jumbo Journal Tag

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It was a beautiful spring day yesterday. And today, in full spring fashion-it rained. Still, the beautiful weather yesterday, my daffodils and hyacinths being in bloom all inspired me to make some spring themed tags. Initially I was going to share how I made some of my small tags but I made them in a similar fashion to all my collage pieces. Then I had an idea of making a secret door in a tag. And not just any tag-a Jumbo Journal Tag.

The tags are so fun to make and you don’t need any special tools or punches. You can cut up paper to whatever size you want, cut an angle on one side and use that piece as a template to cut the other angle and then decorate however you like. My tag was traced from a tag I had printed from the Illustrated Faith Armor of God Mini Book Kit but it’s approximately 7.5″ x 4.5″ I am using items from my stash to decorate-namely my Lollipop Box Club kits which are always so bright and happy-perfect for spring!

The door can be any shape you like but I chose to add some of my smaller tags to make the door a bit more secret. I hope you enjoy this video and if you decide to make some Jumbo Journal Tags please let me know!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

 

Music by Little Boots – Silver Balloons – https://thmatc.co/?l=54B37541