Get Messy | October 30th

This month's prompt:

Journaling Challenge: Gratitude. What are you grateful for? What aspects of your life are you thankful for, that you might be overlooking while being busy?

Art Challenge: Use visual examples for at least three things you’re grateful for. Photos/doodles/magazine cut outs/stickers/anything. SHOW us your gratitude!

This was a tough prompt...mainly because it was hard to keep things simple. I'm grateful for so many things so I just ended up writing everything out on the last two pages. It ending up being one of my favorite prompts and I can see myself doing something like it every month.

Details: On the first page I actually cut out a piece of paper bag and ran it through my printer. That was a personal touch and takes me back to a childhood memory of gratitude and Thanksgiving. On the right side I used a large crosshatch rubberstamp and adhered three small B+W photos. One of Keith, one of me and one I took of the sunlight filtering through the trees during a walk. The "THIS" stamp was an obvious choice. Those three things are it for me right now. My fella, nature, and another year of life on this earth.  I filled up the following two pages with all the things for which I am grateful right now. Letting it flow out of me felt right. I might have even had a tiny happy weep as I reflected on the words and what they meant to me.

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Get Messy is an art journal challenge where a gang of crafty vixens are sharing art journal pages we have created to practice our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. We share our pages without restraint every week, and once a month we create around a prompt. Go check out these crazy talented ladies who are creating pages who each have a unique perspective and style. We will be sharing our work around social media so follow the hashtag #getmessyartjournal.

Get Messy | October 23rd

Hi all! Sometimes I can't believe that I have stuck with this project for so long. It has opened me up creatively and provided a welcome respite from the craziness going on in my life right now. Some big changes are coming for casa Wisniewski and I have been doing my best to process them. It's always crazy how life can change in a single moment.

This week's Get Messy entry was based on Essay 10 by Ralph Waldo Emerson entitled "Circles." I know I could have somehow used circle based imagery, but the essay is about how things are always changing and this is a lesson especially evident in nature. The passage I used reads as follows:

Life is a series of surprises. We do not guess to–day the mood, the pleasure, the power of to–morrow, when we are building up our being. Of lower states, — of acts of routine and sense, — we can tell somewhat; but the masterpieces of God, the total growths and universal movements of the soul, he hideth; they are incalculable. I can know that truth is divine and helpful; but how it shall help me I can have no guess, for so to be is the sole inlet of so to know. The new position of the advancing man has all the powers of the old, yet has them all new. It carries in its bosom all the energies of the past, yet is itself an exhalation of the morning. I cast away in this new moment all my once hoarded knowledge, as vacant and vain. Now, for the first time, seem I to know any thing rightly. The simplest words, — we do not know what they mean, except when we love and aspire. 

I love the idea that as much as the universe reveals to us we are still inherently unknowing. Life is truly a surprise. All we can do is love and aspire. 

Details: I found an old book filled with botanical illustrations. Instead of just tearing the sheet out and adding it to my book I snapped a photo with my phone and played with it a bit in Photoshop. I then printed it on a piece of distressed bluish/greenish paper. I like layering printed images on top of other printed images.  On the the left I just wrote a short quote. and included a strip of old paper that may or may not be be a piece of Scenic Route I've hoarded for years.

Before I go, I just wanted to thank you. If you left me a comment here, or on Facebook or Instagram. If you liked my work or decided to follow me. I have been inspired by the work of so many people so thanks. I deeply appreciate your time and kind words:)

Get Messy is an art journal challenge where a gang of crafty vixens are sharing art journal pages we have created to practise our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. We share our pages without restraint every week, and once a month we create around a prompt. Go check out these crazy talented ladies who are creating pages who each have a unique perspective and style. We will be sharing our work around social media so follow the hashtag #getmessyartjournal

shop update

It was my intention to have the Fall Little Bit Kit™ ready to go by the 15th, but no such luck. I had trouble photographing it due to the fickle light in my kitchen. I am happy to say that I managed to overcome that issue and will release it tomorrow, October 18th, but give you a look at the whole thing first. It includes some pretty fun items...super cute paper clips, the most adorable puffy apple stickers, plus a lot of exclusively designed product. The wood veneers kill me...that squirrel...eek! I love it all.

These kits are in limited supply and when they're gone...sadly, they are gone. I hope you like them, I put a ton of love into each and every one:) You can purchase them here at 11am PST on October 18th:)

Get Messy | October 16th

I was out of town until Monday night and feel like I lost a day. I guess I kinda did. It's crazy the difference one day makes. I am behind with everything...including my art journal pages. Although it would be smart to create a few pages in advance, I have not done this. I had an idea for what I wanted to do...but no real time in which to do it. A few months ago I would have blown it off...telling myself that making art journal pages was not high on the priority list, but that's the funny thing about committing to something. You get better and better with the follow-through and that sort of creeps into other parts of your life.

sorry for the weird looking pics. As a west coaster I have to get pages done a day in advance and usually that's fine, but losing time this week put a definite crimp in my plans, hence, dark ass pics. I tweaked these within an inch of their lives and they still look...off. But if you squint, they look kinda good, right? Ima try to take better ones tomorrow because I'm not sure I can live with these.
edited to add: pics have been fixed. hooray!

Details: I wanted to keep the focus on Fall and nature but create something a bit more abstract on the right. I used pieces of paper and basically created haphazard swatches. It was neat working with color using paper rather than paint. I love the way the little strips work together. I added the machine stitching for a texture. The left is a picture of pretty gold leaves but from a distance it just looks like a burst of yellow. 

Get Messy is an art journal challenge where a gang of crafty vixens are sharing art journal pages we have created to practise our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. We share our pages without restraint every week, and once a month we create around a prompt. Go check out these crazy talented ladies who are creating pages who each have a unique perspective and style. We will be sharing our work around social media so follow the hashtag #getmessyartjournal

Get Messy | October 9th

So far this October is shaping up to be one for the books. New projects, new opportunities mean little time for extracurriculars. It's times like this where my commitment to this Get Messy group has proved to be so important. I truly believe creativity breeds creativity. Whether it's big or small, making time to be crafty feeds my soul and makes me happy...this week was no exception.

I decided to take a page out of Maria's book (see what i did there:) and make a new journal each month. I chose to create a small volume of simple handmade books with an elastic band to keep them closed. I could have started in January, but starting now, right after my birthday feels right. I titled it "no.41" to represent my 41st year. The first entry is devoted to the Fall...my favorite season. I am a big big nature lover. Every Fall I pull out a ratty copy of Walden by Henry David Thoreau and revisit some of my favorite parts. Not being a particularly religious person, I feel most connected to the universe through nature. It is where I go to pray and express gratitude, to think and work through my problems...to cry to celebrate and just be. In the spirit of Thoreau's love of simplicity, I used few supplies.

Details: on the right side I printed a picture I recently took directly onto some book text scrapbook paper by Mustard Moon. It is several years old and I'm not certain the company even exists anymore. I adjusted the opacity a bit so the picture would not look too harsh. I used some old Cosmo Cricket alphabet stickers for the "Fall" at the bottom. On the left I kept everything to one corner. All the stamps are super old wood block stamps by Stampin' Up and the little bird is by Inkadinkado. I used a stamp for the paint splatter and a label die cut from an old Studio Calico kit. 

Sometimes digging through old supplies is like finding treasure. It's so easy to forget that much like in life...I already have everything I need to be happy right at this very moment.

Get Messy is an art journal challenge where a gang of crafty vixens are sharing art journal pages we have created to practise our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. We share our pages without restraint every week, and once a month we create around a prompt. Go check out these crazy talented ladies who are creating pages who each have a unique perspective and style. We will be sharing our work around social media so follow the hashtag #getmessyartjournal

Get Messy | October 2nd

So today is my birthday. A year ago I was traipsing around Paris and this year finds me home with nothing much planned. I know some people are freaked out by their 40's, but it really is pretty great. I'm thankful I was taught to truly treasure age and the aging process. I'm glad I lived with a grandfather who told stories and a grandmother who showed me that there is so much beauty in age (even if it includes hair dye and red lipstick). I'm also lucky to have pretty good genes. The only thing I really want for my life as I inch toward my golden years is adventure. I find that I am more fearless than I have ever been. I don't know how that happened but age has a funny way changing you in ways you never expected. Here's to another year of being 40 something.

Details: I am pretty much obsessed with gold splatters much like the rest of the world:) But I wanted a no fuss approach. My favorite go to craft hack is a splatter rubberstamp and some gold embossing powder. This way I manage to get that molten look I want without having to wait for anything to dry. The photo of myself is layered and topped with some polka dotted vellum. You can't really tell but i tucked a small coin envelope under the picture and put a tag in it with some private journaling. 

Get Messy is an art journal challenge where a gang of crafty vixens are sharing art journal pages we have created to practise our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. We share our pages without restraint every week, and once a month we create around a prompt. Go check out these crazy talented ladies who are creating pages who each have a unique perspective and style. We will be sharing our work around social media so follow the hashtag #getmessyartjournal

the little bit kit

I love this time of year. In addition to celebrating my birthday, Keith just brought home a bag of honeycrisp apples...our first bag of the season. I have enthusiastically switched from iced drinks to hot. I made a fabulous beef stew the other night and the crock pot will soon be making an appearance. I happily look forward to more time in the kitchen now that it no longer feels like a sweat lodge. The one thing I don't like is that time moves FAST and I feel an urgency to see and smell and taste everything the season has to offer.

This also tends to be my favorite time of year for stuff. I seriously have a weakness for Fall and Winter paper collections, and even though September is not even completely finished, it seems everyone's ready for December Daily and gathering bits for that oh so special project that we scrapbookers just adore.

Forgive me if I attempt to put it off for just a tad longer...

I have decided to release a new product which isn't so much new as it is slightly different. I have had great success pulling together my favorite items into "mini mixes," "studio samplers," and my beloved accessories kit. It's no surprise that I like a bit of this and that and I've tried to bring that to my shop. A few months ago I chose to end all of my kit club subscriptions because honestly...at the rate I create, one box can last me several months. But, seriously, I miss it. I still buy a bit of paper and the occasional embellishment, and that feels like enough for me. I really love getting a few extra bits to make my projects feel special. I was telling my husband about this...about just needing a little bit and he said.."you just need to find a little bit kit." Uhm, YES...but I don't need to find it when I can make it, right?

So that's it guys. The first Fall Little Bit Kit (TM) will be available in the shop October 15th. I am currently working on a winter one as well. There's no subscription...it won't be monthly...more like seasonally and it will include just a small mix of my favorite items. It will be similar to my Everyday Accessories Kit...but a little different too.

I plan to share the whole kit on the blog a few days before I release it.

Btw...i am not actually trademarking the name...that was just a joke:)

Get Messy | September 25th

 This week's journal entry was inspired by the following prompt:

Journaling Challenge: Live your adventurous dreams on paper. What would you love to do, or at least try, if you had the courage to live more adventurously? I would, for example, like to live on a houseboat or a train wagon.
Art Challenge: Try a method or material you’ve never worked with before. Be adventurous!

I approached the challenge pretty literally.  Interestingly enough, I've explored this topic before in other journals, but I decided to create something new. My fantasy adventure is kinda funny but I would love to mine for gold. My husband and I watch all the Discovery shows, we've watched documentaries...we're both super fascinated by the whole thing. Lacking all experience and knowledge I don't intend to actually pursue this line of work, but I do like daydreaming about it.

On the left side I chose to just do a bit of abstract embroidery. This is something I've wanted to try for a while. I've sewn on layouts and such but never embroidered. For a while I hunted for a pattern, but eventually gave up and created a freestyle design of my own. I wanted to recreate the look of little gold nuggets below ground. I really loved it and can't wait to do it again.

The right side is just a line from one of my favorite songs by the amazing Jill Scott. This song came out about 10 years ago and I still listen to it all the time. It's all about freedom and whenever I listen to it I can't help but feel...golden.

Details: The background is by Crate Paper...I think it's a little bit on the older side. The right side was written by me, but I based my type style on the Emmascript font.  I used a fine tip gold Sharpie paint pen so it would show up on the dark paper. The bits and pieces at the bottom is a tiny strip of kraft/shiny gold paper for which I do not know the source, a tiny piece of gold polka dot washi and a small gold banner tab that I got in a Studio Calico kit a few months ago.

 

Get Messy is an art journal challenge where a gang of crafty vixens are sharing art journal pages we have created to practise our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire. We share our pages without restraint every week, and once a month we create around a prompt. Go check out these crazy talented ladies who are creating pages who each have a unique perspective and style. We will be sharing our work around social media so follow the hashtag #getmessyartjournal