Art Journaling: Lessons from Dina Wakley

I've fallen in love with art journaling. When I don't have the words to express my feelings, bringing them to life through sketching, painting, and collage in my art journal is very satisfying. I try to keep at it regularly, making it a practice.

I also like learning new techniques from experts like Dina Wakley, a mixed media artist and teacher, who has her own product line and she's also an author.  

One of her books that I found at the library is Art Journal Courage. I like that the subtitle is "Fearless mixed media techniques for journaling bravely." Fear and self doubt are real and in many instances, they get in the way for us to even try.  

This is Dina's pep talk for us. Here's to overcoming all our fears!

Now, let me show you an art journal page that I made based on one of the projects in the book ("Painting the portrait" on pages 42 to 45). 

I'm using an old book as my art journal. The printed page and pictures add character but I wanted the words on this page to be less visible. I covered it with two coats of acrylic paint using a paintbrush. Then I let the page dry. 

I'm still in the stage of experimenting with gesso and I applied a small amount on top of my page. Notice that I decanted my gesso in a squeeze bottle (empty bottle of glue) so that I can easily control the amount. 

I used an expired gift card/rewards card to help spread the gesso on the page. I find this better than using a paintbrush because it covers a bigger surface and allows for an even layer. I let this dry for a few minutes.

Then I brushed on some paint. The under layers of white paint and gesso gave the paint some texture...TADA!

I sketched a self-portrait and added paint to enhance the hair and skin tone. She doesn't look anything like me but I keep reminding myself that with practice, I'll eventually get a closer resemblance. Practice over perfection.

Then I included some collage at the bottom left of the page. I also added some journaling: "I am grateful for my body's ability to heal from infection and disease. Thank you body!"

I made this at a time I had COVID-19. The red side symbolizes the infection and the green side represented healing. I wanted to honor my body for its strength and resilience, and that I should never take good health and wellness for granted.

On this page, I was able to express feelings of vulnerability, the lack of control, also relief and appreciation. 

This is how I turned a journal page from blah to TADA!

*****

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A New Look for an Old Tin Container

In previous blog posts, I have shown you different ways to repurpose tin containers. I've made them into  a recipe box, gift box, twine canister, recycling bin, and travel tin for watercolor paints. 

I'm constantly challenging myself to turn tin containers from blah to TADA!

A friend living in Hong Kong gave these to me a few years back to celebrate the autumn equinox. They are two small square tins.

Inside is a personal portion of Mooncake. Mooncakes are traditionally exchanged among family, friends, or co-workers to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, a season of harvest and moon watching. 

The Cantonese Mooncake is a popular variety. It's a round pastry, with the symbols for "longevity" or "harmony" embossed on top, and the filling is either made of lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or yolks from salted duck eggs. It tastes very rich and even if it's a cake, it's not sweet at all.  

Once the tasty Mooncakes were eaten, I had empty tin containers on hand.

After cleaning them, a few coats of paint "erases" any branding on the square tin containers. It took me about 5 coats of paint for each tin for an even finish. Make sure to leave drying time in between each coat of paint.

Here are the painted tin containers...TADA! 

They already look cute as is, but adding some designs will make them even more special.

Today, let's decorate the yellow tin container.

Let's experiment with cling stamps, an acrylic stamp block, and an ink pad with washable ink. 

If you've never used cling stamps, take the design you want to use. One side will be sticky -- attach this side on the acrylic stamp block. It makes for a sturdy base, easier to hold, and because it's clear, it's more convenient to center on the item you are stamping. 

Ink up the stamp by tapping it on the ink pad, making sure to cover the entire design with ink. 

Test it out on scrap paper. The design should be evenly inked. 

Apply more ink by tapping the stamp on the ink pad before stamping again. 

Here is my first try stamping the design on the lid of the tin container. It's NOT evenly stamped. Good thing the ink is washable. I was able to erase it with a damp towel. Let the tin container dry quickly (to avoid rust) and completely (no traces of water) before stamping again (using a freshly inked stamp).

Success on my fourth attempt...TADA! Allow this to dry or apply heat from a heat gun for a smudge-free finish.

This is what the tin container looks like...TADA! I can use it as storage for small craft items.

And that is how I turned an empty Mooncake tin container from blah to TADA!

*****

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Pop-up Envelope with a Paper Heart

February is always associated with Valentine's Day. While some think it's just a commercial holiday and others don't celebrate it at all, I have always believed in expressing your love, even in non-romantic ways.  

I got this rubber stamp from the craft store at a deeply discounted price (last year's end-of-Valentine's Day sale...TADA!). I love all the angles, a heart that's not typical.  

via Terrain

Inspired by this photo, I'll attempt to make a pop-up envelope, too.

I dabbed the rubber stamp on my ink pad (I've had this for years and I revive it using this ink applicator) and stamped it on a piece of white cardstock. 

Then I tinted the different triangles within the heart using colored pencils. With a pair of scissors, I cut off the excess paper surrounding the heart.  

I found a readymade envelope but we can also make our own using this tutorial or this tutorial. I marked the center of the envelope with a ruler and a pencil. This is where the pop-up element will go.

I cut a small piece of cardstock. This one measures 2.8 inches long and 3/4 inches tall. I folded the cardstock in the center, and then folded both ends, about 1/2 inch.    

I attached one end of the cardstock to the center of the envelope. I applied glue to one of the folded ends.

I took the other end of the cardstock and glued it on the opposite side of the envelope. The cardstock should look like this, the folded center facing you. When the flap of the envelope is closed, this part should not be sticking out. Once attached securely, erase any visible pencil marks.

Then I took my paper heart and glued it to the bottom part of the cardstock.

I also added a few hearts using my colored pencils, transforming the background from blah to TADA!

See how it now resembles a pop-up card?

Here's another angle...TADA!

You can put these little love notes inside. Words of encouragement never go out of style.

You can put whatever your heart desires inside the envelope: a handmade card, a gift card, or a small gift...TADA!

This is what the envelope looks like when it's closed (and sealed with washi tape). The surprise is just waiting to be revealed.

And that is how I turned plain cardstock and a regular envelope from blah to TADA!

*****

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Three Thoughts for February

We can't help but associate the month of February to Valentine's Day. There are reminders everywhere! Here are some of my thoughts about this red-letter day:  

1. Valentine's isn't just about Romantic Love  

I'm an active participant of More Love Letters, a community of letter writers empowering people in need all over the world. Every month, they put out a list of individuals facing tough times and all we have to do is mail them a letter of support. Hundreds of letters arrive at their doorstep and just imagine how this can instantly brighten their day and turn it from blah to TADA! You can read some of the inspiring stories here and if you want to participate, there is more information here. 

Here is one of the cards I made. 

A teacher sent out a request for Valentine Cards for her classroom. She was hoping to get a card from every State (and even other parts of the world). I'm pretty sure the kids feel excited when a card arrives in the mail and they look at the map to find out where the card was mailed from. A lesson in kindness and geography!

Why not write a letter or do an act of generosity? The world is filled with loneliness and small gesture can turn their day from blah to TADA! 

2. Show Yourself some Self Love

I came across this quote and I just had to share it with you. Let's all live it!

3. Lean-in to all things Heart-shaped and Love-themed 

They're in the shops, why not get yourself a little treat:

Heart-shaped Cheese

Heart-shaped sugar cookies

Heart-shaped sugar cookies

Iced sugar cookies 

May we all feel love and give love this February!

*****

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A Butterfly Keychain

At the end of every January, I create a butterfly-themed craft. You see, I lost my Mom on January 31, 2017. 

While I no longer have her, my Mom appears to me as a monarch butterfly. Whenever I see one, I know she's checking to see how I'm doing. Crafting with butterflies is my way to honor her memory, a little mother-daughter time together.

Here are some of the butterfly crafts I've made: 

A butterfly watercolor sketch

A butterfly wall hanging 

An embroidered butterfly 

So today, I'll be making something simple but one that I can carry with me on a daily basis. 

This is a keychain that was advertising a service (one side was printed with all the details). I didn't need the service but I wanted to turn this keychain from blah to TADA! So I "erased" the printed details by covering it with black paint. Then I left it alone to dry. 

 

I found this set of rubber stamps with an insect theme. We're using the butterfly design. 

Here are the materials we'll need: keychain, butterfly rubber stamp, white paint (I'm using watercolor or gouache), a brayer, a plastic placemat/flexible cutting mat (use this exclusively for crafting), and black scrap paper.

Squeeze some white paint onto the plastic placemat/flexible cutting mat (don't use this for food prep).

Roll the brayer to spread the paint upwards, downwards, and sideways until you have a square-shape of paint. 

This paint square will serve as our ink pad (this is a nifty trick of you have different colored paints but no ink pad; just make sure the paint can be washed off so you can keep reusing the mat and the brayer).  

Do a test print: dab the butterfly rubber stamp on the paint square and stamp an image on the black scrap paper. Keep testing until the design is evenly covered and the details are clear. 

Roll the brayer between stamping to even out the paint (add more paint if necessary). When done, wash the brayer and the mat immediately to get off the paint. Let these dry, and again, use the mat exclusively for crafting. 

Once you are confident, stamp directly on the keychain. Press slowly, apply pressure so that the butterfly design transfers well, and let it sit on the keychain for a few seconds before removing it. 

In case you aren't happy with the result, let the butterfly design dry then cover it up with black paint. Let the keychain dry before starting over. 

I like that the butterfly is off center. I can add my name or a quote with a white pen and brush lettering later on. This will be the keychain for my everyday keys...a reminder that my Mom is always watching over me.

That is how I turned a plain keychain from blah to TADA!

*****

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