Words of Wisdom Art Journal Page

On this page, I used my oldest supplies (Opalescent Embossing Powder and Colorbox Frost White Pigment Ink).  I also used my Dylusions Spray Ink .  I thought it would be fun to dig out the old supplies that don't get so much love anymore and use them on an unfinished journal page.  It was a wonderful experience to combine the "unloved" with the "unfinished" to create something "loved" and "completed."

Other Supplies I Used:

• Sakura Souffle Pens
• Black Sakura Glaze Pen
• Black Fude Ball Pen
• Yellow Acrylic Paint

Art Journal Pages

I finally worked in my art journal today, after neglecting it for weeks.  After watching a video with Dyan Reaveley, I decided to cut out some stencils with my Silhouette and give some of her techniques a try.  I love the results!

Materials:

• Light-weight acetate
• Dylusions Inks
• Acrylic paint
• Rubber and clear stamps
• Permanent black ink
• Silhouette electronic cutter set on the highest settings, with Multi-Cut set to 3
• Hand-made stencils
• Dylusions stencils

My Journal Pages

Dyan Reaveley Video:

Watercolor Art Journaling Page

Would you believe that I used the Michael's brand Artist's Loft watercolor set for this page?  I also added some Twinkling H2Os to add some shimmer too.  I was really impressed with the intensity of the Artist's Loft paints.

Art Journal Page

I just thought I would share an art journal page that I made last night.  It was in response to a challenge on Two Peas in a Bucket, and it's also an expression of my gratitude for having come through Hurricane Sandy with only a 2-day power outage.  So many other folks didn't fare so well.

Materials:  Precious Metal Colours Turquoise and Golden Green(Viva), Palette Noir Black Ink (Stewart Superior), Sushine Yellow Paint Dabber (Ranger), White Souffle Pen (Sakura), black acrylic paint, More Between the Lines Dylusions Stamps (Ranger), alpahbet stamps (Stampin' Up).

Being a "Special" Mom

I've decided to keep an art journal.  That's where all the "stuff" that I don't want to include in my regular scrapbooks will be kept.  You know, the raw emotions and feelings that I don't necessarily care to share with everyone.  My first page is about being the mother of a special needs child:  our son, David.  This is what the journaling says:

What is it like to be the mother of a special needs child?  Well, for one thing, it's never boring.  It's unpredictable, to say the least.

When I wake up in the morning, I really don't know what to expect.  Will he have a tantrum today?  Or will it be a total meltdown?  Will he throw something, break something, scream and curse at me?  Will I get to the point where I just want to run away and never come back?

This might make me sound like a terrible mother, but there are days when I just don't want to be a Mom.  I just want to be Jeanette.  I want to do what I want to do, go where I want to go, be what I want to be.  Does that really make me a bad mother?  I don't know, but it's the best I can do some days.  Besides, I'm still here, right?  I can't be that bad.

There are other days, though.  Days when he remembers things that I had long forgotten, times we've spent together that were true happiness.  Or he tells a joke that has me shaking and crying with laughter instead of anger.  There are days when a simple "I love you, Mom" is all I need to make my day.

So, I'll tell you what it's like to be the mother of a special needs child.  It's like being on a roller coaster ride.  Sometimes you're speeding uphill, sometimes you're speeding downhill, and sometimes you're coasting along on level tracks.

I hope you decide to give art journaling a try.  It's very freeing and quite therapeutic.  And let's not forget how much fun it is to play with art supplies.