Art Journal page inspired by Dina wakely

Hello all, I hope this post finds you all happy and well. Ive been rather chipper myself lately and I'm chalking it down to sunshine. I feel so much happier when able to spend some long hours out in the garden getting my hands dirty. June is the time of year when things really start to bloom and take over in the garden. It's gorgeous but it is high maintenance.

 But that's not what I'm here to talk about today. I'm here to talk about a fun, flowey, art journal page I created. This week I was stoked to receive my squiggly birds stamp set by Dina Wakely, in the mail. I immediately had to get to work with them. I grabbed my favourite bird and decided to create an art journal page. This project was inspired by the artist Dina Wakely. I'm very inspired by her recently. I love her style so much. Bold contrasts, painterly brush strokes, and a "no fear" attitude when it comes to white space. To check out more of her work , click here

So here's my go at a flowy back round mixed media art journal page:

 The Materials I used on this project:

Fresco chalk acrylics- chalk, dolly mix, orange

 Daler rowley Hard bodied acrylics- magenta, turquoise, yellow

Black gesso or paint

Silver metallic acrylic paint

Large, hard bristled paint brush

Copic fineliner pen 1.0

Scissors

Washi tape- pink/white stripe, music notes

Stencils- Chevron stripes, small squares, some bottles or glasses (you can use the bottom for different size circle stamps)

Magazine clippings and/or printouts of words you can make a sentiment from

Dina Wakely Squiggly birds stamp set, and her textures stamp set

Archival ink-jet black

1. Create a flowey back round by adding water to your hard bodied acrylics and "swoosh" different colours to your liking. I like the contrast from light white to dark black and everything in between.

2.Use your stencils. First with the chalk fresco colour through the chevron stencil then stamp Dinas grunge circles with the dolly mix fresco colour. Then run your orange colour through the stencil with the tiny squares. Try and put these in compositionally  pleasing places. A rule I always go by is placing things in odd numbers. For example,  the dolly mix grunge circles I have stamped in groups of three on adjacent corners.

3.Then grab the silver metallic paint and stamp it around using the bottoms of some glass jars you have handy. (dylusions sprays work, lid from gesso pots, also glass jar lids).

4. Stamp the bird with black archival ink. Preferably in some white space so you can see it clearly.

5. Rip off 2 bits of washi tape and position them so the bird is standing on them.

6. When the page is completely dry take your fineliner pen and draw squiggles and lines randomly throughout the journal page.

7. Cut out a word or quote from your magazine clippings and paste them on how you like. I went for a quote from my favourite book The catcher in the rye by J.D. Salinger. :

"she wasn't doing a thing that I could see, except standing there,leaning on the balcony railing,holding the universe together."

8. That's it , your done. Stand back and admire your artwork.

Hope you guys liked this page. Don't forget to follow me on here and on instagram.  the link can be found here: Her altered heart instagram page,

most of the materials you see on the list can be found online at some of the following shops:

Art from the heart     a sprinkle of imagination  The craft barn  (these are UK based shops)

For some more of my projects like this one click on the following links:

Vera Lane Seaside Tag

Stampotique art journal page

All about the journey card (suzi blu inspired)

Thanks, thats it for today! Check back soon .x

                                       Always, -Kass

Low cost creative ideas for kids: Featuring: Sarah from "Kippers and Curtains" blog

Hi guys,I hope your all well.  Today I'm talking about small, inexpensive ways to bring more creativity into your child's life. I really cannot go on enough about the importance of nurturing a child's creativity.. It could be as full on as a big art project with paints and glues to a simple rhyming poem, or song. There are opportunities to be creative all around us if you think about it.

 Now, what if you have a large family , are on a tight budget , or both?

Enter Kippers and Curtains, , a lifestyle blog about raising a family on a shoestring budget. There you will find all kinds of fun ideas for projects, days out, decor and fashion. Its written by the lovely Sarah, who I got the chance to sit down with and ask a few questions. I asked her how she felt creativity plays a role in parenthood, and got to pick her brain on some ideas on fun without breaking the bank.

(all the following images are taken from the Kippers and Curtains blog and Anarchy Photography)

So go grab a cuppa, sit down and read on:

Q: Sarah, if you had to give your life a job title what would it be?
A: Okay this is a bit whimsical but I would be "Sarah the bringer of joy" I just try and make people happy. I am usually a "yes" person and am usually doing something for someone. I'm a wife to be, and a mum of three, a part time editorial assistant to the local newspaper, and a hobby blogger!

Q: How do you feel creativity plays a role in parenting?
A: I think its great to be a creative parent. Before the kids came along our flat was immaculate. I soon realised to keep the kids entertained, it usually involves some sort of mess. They are definitely happiest when drawing, making and building things. And I have learnt to except the mess that comes along with it!

Q: What kinds of ways to you inject creativity into play?
A: Well, I have a cupboard full of goodies ready for the kids to use as they please. They love building dens indoors, like most kids. They have even been know to empty the cupboard under the stairs so they can pretend to be Harry Potter. I love pintrest and get lots of creative ideas from there. We have recently tried two techniques for marbling with household goods. The one was using nail varnish and water, the other using shaving cream and acrylic paints. We also tried a few experiments using food colouring, oil and water in a jar-which creates a really cool effect.

Q:What kinds of places do you look for on a days out?
A:We are a family of five so don't usually have a lot of money to spend on days out. That's why we tend to go to the woods. There are plenty local to enjoy. Most have rope swings, and big climbing trees. We look for mushrooms, we call it "shrooming", We all enjoy it and it gives the kids a chance to get some fresh air. We love Groombridge place in Tunbridge wells. They have great themed days with loads of kiddie activities, old gypsy waggons, and a giant tree swing in the woods. We also love the beach , picking up rocks and shells and looking for sea creatures.

Q:What materials do you look for most often ?
A: Whilst I'm out walking I always pick up bits of wood, and feathers, and sticks as they come in useful for projects. I love chalk paints, acrylic paints, and gold wax. At the moment I really enjoy using my chalk pens. Ive also just ordered some sari ribbon and sari yarn.We have a drawer full of pencils, glitter, and crayons too!

Q:Where do you source your materials?
A: If its woods I walk around local parks to see what I can find. Ive also spoken to the local timber yard who have allowed me to take any scrap wood.  I buy a lot of acrylic paints from the works, they have inexpensive paint that is good quality. They also have good selection of pastels and embellishments. I buy chalk pens off ebay and I like to look in the store Tiger for pens, ribbons, and glue. For my wooden signs I prefer to use chalk paint. I get it at a local store called Smile at home. I'm planning to make my own soon though as it can be quite expensive.

Q: Are you working on anything at the moment?
A: I'm always working on something.I have just learnt how to make honeycomb balls out of tissue paper.  I'm also making wooden signs for my upcoming wedding, and am going to make some bunting out of burlap and lace. I'm hoping to learn this week, with a little help, to make a flower crown. Most of our recent activities have to do with wedding prep. I still have loads of ideas to keep the kids entertained though. I recently saw a tutorial on making a kaleidoscope using household junk which I'm planning on making soon.

That idea sounds great! I cant wait to see it finished. Thanks so much Sarah for taking the time to answer some questions.I love catching up with great , quick, inexpensive ideas on sarahs blog. You should definitely follow her at Kippers and Curtains I hope readers can see how easy and affordable creativity can be.  So what are you waiting for? Get out there and forage some art materials! speak soon.x

                                                                           Always -Kass