New Years’ Reflections

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I love spending a few days either side of the New Year contemplating the year that was and the year ahead. The triumphs of the last year can easily be forgotten amongst the sad times so we need to spend time documenting the good and the bad, and use that to help set our course. An art journal is a perfect place to reflect and document these contemplations.

mixed media art journalling technique

To help with your New Years’ reflections, I have put together an ephemera sheet with prompts to help you get started. It can be downloaded over on the Mixed Media Ephemera page [Sheet #9].

Materials and Tools:

  • Pre-painted Art Journal layout
  • New Years’ Reflections Ephemera sheet
  • Lined paper or scrapbooking paper suitable for writing on
  • Ruler, craft knife and cutting mat
  • Glue stick
  • Inks to match your color scheme
  • Journalling pens

1. Gather up your materials and tools. Clear your workspace.

New Years reflections mixed media art journal tutorial

2. Using the ruler, tear up the ephemera sheet to quickly separate each prompt, giving each one a nice torn edge.

New Years reflections mixed media art journal

use a ruler to tear out the art journal promtps

New Years reflections mixed media art journal

3. Sort through the prompts and decide which ones you want to use; for me it was a combination of which ones appealed to me and how many would fit in the layout space.

4. Edge the prompts with ink by running the ink pad along the edge of the paper. This helps to frame each statement.

use direct to paper method

5. Using the lined paper, write out your reflections for each prompt and cut them out. I used angled lines for interest.

reflect on new year for your art journal

you can use any shapes for your art journal

6. When you have finished your writing, do a rough layout to check all of your pieces fits and you are happy with the arrangement. Here I wanted lots of space between the panels so the painted background would show through.

rough layout for your mixed media art journal

mixed media art journals

7. Using the glue stick, stick the pieces into your art journal. Add embellishments if you wish.

8. Don’t forget to sign and date your work.

mixed media art journal signed and dated

9. The finished layout

using prompts to reflect on your new years thoughts

We would LOVE you to share your New Years’ Reflections – just leave a comment below or even a link to your blog, showing off your artwork and reflections.

Happy creating!

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Have you got your copy of Cloth Paper Scissors yet?!?

Stop putting off your mixed-media wish list! Today is the day to check off essential to-do’s from your bucket list and Cloth Paper Scissors magazine is here to help!

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“Truth” and “Time”: A Mixed Media Art Journal

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This article is written by Cecilia Sanchez

I had many things to tell, but are all negative thoughts and makes me sad. I decided to hide those negative thoughts and only save two words of optimism. “Truth” and “Time”is my latest art journal page.

Materials:

  • Gesso
  • Color wash
  • Waterproof ZIG writer
  • Stencils
  • Acrylic paint
  • Distress ink
  • Metalic Zig writer
  • White uniball Signo
  • Masking tape
  • Stickers of letters
  • Wooden hearts
Art Journal Instructional Video

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"Truth" and "Time by Cecilia SanchezMy name is Cecilia Sanchez and I live in Málaga, Spain. I am married and we have three gorgeous sons: Javi (9), Antonio (6) and Jorge (6). They inspire me every day with their crazy ideas.

Since my childhood I liked photography, drawing, collage and make photo albums with cuts and travel souvenirs. I also love crafts in general. In 2006, a few months after birth of my twins, I discovered scrapbooking, digital first and then the traditional. I love to do 30X30 pages, cards and mini albums, and for over a year I am fascinated with the Art Journal and Mixed Media.

I am inspired by everyday things, feelings … The art journal is a real diary for me, because sometimes I need to express my feelings with colors and shapes

I love learning and discovering new techniques and materials. For a couple of years I began to take courses online and in person to learn new techniques and to incorporate them into my work. Since September 2010, I am part of the design team of Sweet Card Club, a monthly challenge blog cards.

From May 2011 also became part of the European team KURETAKE design, manufacturers of markers and pens Zig Memory System.

Since October 2011 I organize workshops Scrapbooking on “My Pink Scrapbook” unique physical scrapbooking store in Malaga.

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Crafting time and still no ideas?

By 3 Comments

Do you find that on occasions you have time for crafting and no ideas or inspiration? Here are a few ideas to get you going:

– Pull out that sketch book or art journal and revisit your previous sketches and ideas

– Pull out a coloured box of small pieces of paper and sort through them – bringing different colours together will grab our attention and spark our creativity

– Start on a small project – like greeting cards or ATCs

– Choose a drawer or box you haven’t looked in for a while and look through it; you may find something found or bought long ago that you had forgotten

– Pull out your UFO box (UnFinished Objects) and see what can be finished or transformed into something new.

We would love to hear how you spark your creativity ~ leave us a comment!

mixed media gothic arch art

Happy creating!
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