I am one of the lucky artists supported by the DecoArt Helping Artist Program. Unfortunately with work overwhelming and taking up most of my free time, I find lengthier craft projects are harder to get to so this art journal page was months in the making! I have had the Crosby, Stills and Nash song “Our House” in my head off and on for months. The lyrics to this simple song remind me of my life with Mr. CraftyPaws and our dogs, Biscuit and Bandito. I often find myself absent-mindedly singing it when I take Biscuit and Bandito out into our back yard.
I picked out these awesome building digis from The Stamping Boutique back in August and colored them up with a slew of Copic colors in shades that reminded me of 50’s small towns and malt shoppes (sorry I can’t remember the colors; it’s been so long since I colored them up).
I created the background base with some old papers from the Dear Lizzy Neopolitan collection, the Amy Tangerine Sketchbook collection, and the Heidi Grace Designs Daydream collection, using Mod Podge and DecoArt Americana Decoupage Matte glue sealer finisher as the adhesives (both worked well, but I found the DecoArt product was thinner and dried faster).
I used the DecoArt Dimensional Effects paintable texture paste with the Tim Holtz Bricked stencil to add texture to the sky background that reflected the brick of the buildings. The texture was really highlighted when I mixed up some DecoArt fluid acrylic paints in cobalt blue and titanium white, brushed it on and then wiped it off with a baby wipe.
To help pop out some book paper hearts that I had decoupaged on as well as the building digis that I had worked so hard to color, I used a black Faber-Castell PITT artist pen to outline the images and then softened the outline with a water-dampened Q-tip. I also used a white Faber-Castell PITT artist pen to further highlight the book paper hearts and the relief of the stenciled brick areas.
This art journal page was done in a dozen or more parts over several months, but I’ve edited it down to the following process video:
This art journal page is being entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Inspired By A Song Challenge – WINNER
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday Something New Challenge
MarkerPOP Anything Goes Challenge
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Anything Goes Challenge
Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge
Through The Craft Room Door Anything Goes Challenge
Craft Your Passion Anything Goes Challenge
Crafty Girls Creations Anything Goes Challenge
Not Just Cards Anything Goes Challenge
Paper Sweeties Inspiration #40 Color Challenge — pinks and purples of roof of house
So cute! Love all the colors and little dogs but…. I have a toy poodle, Scarlett. They do make everything lovely don’t they.
Yes, my mini poodle Biscuit and Havanese Bandito are the loves of my life (along with Mr CraftyPaws–LOL). They make everything lovely for sure. 🙂 TF stopping by! Hugs, Kristina
What a darling scene you have created – love the little poodle puppies in the yard! Thanks so much for sharing your work with us at Paper Sweeties this month 🙂
Everything is better with a poodle on it, right?! LOL 🙂 🙂 TF stopping by! Hugs, Kristina
I can’t think of a better song for you to do your art journal page on! I am singing along as I am reading through your post. Beautiful scene, colors and love how you added so much of the song! So glad you joined us in our Inspired by a Song challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge!
Thank you so much Maura! I was so happy to have the extra motivation to finally work on this art journal page with your challenge. I have had versions of this project bopping around in my head for months! I so enjoyed creating this and finally sharing this feeling of contentment that I have whenever I sing this tune and think of our simple lives with our dogs. 🙂
Glad we helped you get your mojo back!!
Yes, thanks so much Maura!
Very pretty. Thanks bunches for joining us over at Craft Your Passion. Look forward to seeing you again.
Hugs
Tammi
CYP, DT
Thank you so much Tammi! This truly was a passion project for me. 🙂 TF stopping by! Hugs, Kristina
What a fun creation! I adore the bright colors–and the use of the song lyrics is a perfect fit! Thank you SO MUCH for joining us at Paper Sweeties! Sending HUGS! 🙂 Mynn xx
So CUTE!
thanks so much Lagene!
Your art journal page is amazing…so colourful and with so much detail…thank you for sharing at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge…hugs kath xxx
Thank you so much Kath! I have been wanting to create this for so long. I thank you all at SSSMC for the extra motivation I needed! 🙂
Wow, this is an amazing journal page! Very pretty and colorful! Thanks for playing with us at Paper Sweeties’ February Challenge!
Thank you from the center of my heart Nance! It was so fun to create this art journal page (which I am a novice at but really enjoying). Thank you for your kind and encouraging words! Big hugs, Kristina
What a fun and colorful creations. Amazing! So blessed you joined our previous Challenge and hope you join us again in our current Challenge at Word Art Wednesday. Leaving you with the encouragement only the Word of God can provide in James 1:12 which tells us, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Have a blessed weekend.
JO ANN
http://jatterburycreations.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for the encouraging words, Jo Ann. Lovely scripture too. Thank you.
Oh my goodness, I am so so honored that this art journal page was picked as one of the spotlight winners. Thank you so much! It was made with lots of love and I am so tickled that it came through in the finished piece. 🙂 Big tight hugs, Kristina