Hello Maja Design fans and friends!  Nancy Hanttula here again.  Today I am going to share another creation with you use using the fresh new “Coffee in the Arbour” paper collection.

I really felt it was time to create something new in my art journal.

So I pulled out a journal that I have been steadily creating for my children in which I call my “Book of Truths.”

It is a collection of quotes and sayings that I find to be “true” to life or have a message or teaching that I find important to share.  AND, this way I can pass on to them, and perhaps future generations, things that ring true to my heart and life experiences, and share some of my art at the same time: a perfect combination, wouldn’t you say?!

I chose the front side of the “Let’s Share a Cookie” paper, cut it to size, and glued it down with Decoupage to the art journal page already in my book.

I inked the edges of the paper with “Old Rose” chalk ink from Ingvild/Prima’s chalk ink, and then I did random stamping onto the background.

I added a rub-on from Tim Holtz’s Remnant Rub-ons – the “noteworthy”.

Then, I got out my sketch pencils and started sketching some details and images.

I sketched the butterfly and the journaling lettering.

Using my Caran D’Ache Watercolor Crayons, I colored in my butterfly and flowers…and later some red areas on the background of the page.

You can use these crayons wet or dry.  When activated with water, they give the most amazing vibrant color to your creations.  *Maja Design papers take watercolor techniques beautifully!

You can use any watercolor brush to activate the color in these watercolor crayons, but I LOVE these watercolor brushes (I call them pens) that you fill with water and they dispense water automatically.  *They are awesome for traveling!

You can get them at most craft stores.  The one shown above is from Kuretake Co.

You just fill them up with water from your sink…..squeeze them a little to activate (I squeeze them into the palm of my hand) and they are ready to go.  I have 3 of them….One for my red paint hues, one for my greens/blues, and one for my light colors such as yellows. When I need to clean them, I just squeeze a lot of water through them to rinse out the color.

Once you color you image with the Neocolor II watercolor crayons, you go back in with a watercolor brush a water and activate the color.  Below is an image of the butterfly after I have gone back using my watercolor brush.

You can repeat this process several times until you are satisfied with the result, just be sure and either dry the paper or let the paper dry naturally in between the layers.

After I achieved the look I wanted, I went back with a black Permaball permanent pen and black Sharpie marker to add some finishing details.

I also added some ephemera (some numbered tags from my husbands dry-cleaning) and outlined my sketched titling and journaling with permanent pens.

If you haven’t tried Art Journaling, I highly encourage it.  It is an amazing way to ground your soul, try out new techniques, & grow creatively.  There isn’t a right or wrong way to art journal.  It can be as personal as you need or want it to be.  It can be as “pretty” or as “messy” as it turns out to be.  But a lot of people tell me how “freeing” it feels…and honestly, I couldn’t agree more.  Give it a try.  You will love it, I can almost guarantee it. 🙂

Supplies used here and not already mentioned included:  Prima/Ingvlid chalk ink in the following colors:  Blossom Bud, Farmer Jeans, Old Road, Raspberry Pie, & Old Rose; Stamsp from Stampabilitiles; Hampton Arts, Stampendous, & CTMH; Bazzill Basics Template used as a stencil; wood embellishment from Michaels.

I hope you have a positively wonderful day!