ART JOURNAL PAGE# 5: Time

MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: Black and white photo, printed text, lace trimmings, Heidi Swapp Clear Stamps Mixed Media, Prima Marketing Clear Stamps Vintage Vanity,  Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black, Ranger Distress Ink Mini Squeezed Lemonade, Golden Molding Paste, The Crafter's Workshop Stencil Mini Bricks, 

ART JOURNAL PAGE #4: Escape

"Let the things you love be your escape."

"Think positive and positive things will happen."

"Don't let anyone ever dull your sparkle!"

Four years ago, I was accepted into graduate school. I didn't get enough sleep for the first two years trying to juggle work and school, but I persisted. I endured the agonizing commute and I tried my best not to doze off at work or in class (I think I have managed to sleep while my eyes are open. What a feat!) which was a total fail. Why did I put myself into such a situation? When I started working on my first job right after graduation, I felt like everything is routinary and that my mind is getting empty. I mean I felt like I'm getting dumb. I was getting nowhere doing the same things everyday. I thought I needed to study again. So I did. But after missing a semester which was totally not my fault (The only class that I could enroll in was not offered.), everything related to graduate studies had been cast aside, shoved somewhere it could never be seen again. I tried to return the following sem, but there were circumstances which did not allow me to go back. I did try, but it was just not meant to be. After two years of absence, I applied for re-admission once more, but then again, I had to withdraw. While the enrollment was drawing close, I felt uneasy, burdened if you may. I was hesitant to go back to the Graduate Studies Office and continue my re-admission application. I don't have the drive to finish it anymore. So many things happened during my two years of absence and so many realizations came to mind. Almost all  of them could be traced to my desire of following my passion. I talked about this with my friends and they asked me, "What will you do if you get your degree? Are you going to teach? Are you going to get a PhD? What happens next?" I had no answer to all of them. I had a change of heart. Well, if you look at it closely, I haven't changed my heart at all. It has always been my love for art. Now that I am slowly discovering myself and uncovering what I want in life, I only have the heart to pursue my dreams, of focusing on expressing myself through uniquely personal art. 

I want to go beyond trying to imitate the works of artists I admire and love and discover who I will become, know more about the reason of my existence, or rather the essence of my existence, my purpose in this world.

I don't think it would be the academe. It is something else entirely. So I have to let go of those years I spent in school. It would not be for nothing. I may not have finished it, but I have learned a lot from it. I'll move on and follow the path that my heart dictates and I won't let anyone stop me from doing it. I am who I am and more.


MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: Heidi Swapp Clear Stamps Mixed Media, Prima Marketing Clear Stamps Vintage Vanity, Inkadinkado Clear Stamps Inspirational Lift, Papermania Clear Stamps Bellissima Alphas, Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black, Ranger Distress Ink Mini Squeezed Lemonade, Crushed Olive and Peacock, Ranger Liuid Pearls Avocado

ART JOURNAL PAGE #3: Fly

"Take wing. Fly!"

MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: Kaisercraft , Eno Greeting 12"x12" paper pad Retro Series, Bevania Splendorgel Board Paper White, Eno Greeting Wooden Embellishments, Kaisercraft Clear Stamps Perfume, Butterflies, Grid and Boutique, Heidi Swapp Clear Stamps Mixed Media, Prima Marketing Clear Stamps Vintage Vanity, Inkadinkado Clear Stamps Inspirational Lift, Papermania Clear Stamps Bellissima Alphas, Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black, Ranger Distress Ink Mini Squeezed Lemonade, Crushed Olive and Peacock, Ranger Liuid Pearls Avocado

ART JOURNAL PAGE #2: Black

"Love your dream and wear your passion."

I started to wear all black this year and I don't think people understand. They would always feel the need to ask me why I choose to dress the way I do. They assume that I am gothic, dressing for a funeral, depressed or downright emo. (I like goth, but I'm not one. I don't want to offend a culture.)

I was incensed upon hearing what a friend's friend told him about me. I always go out on breakfasts and trips with my colleagues who have become my closest friends so we have so many photos together that are posted on our SNS especially on Facebook. One of his friends had asked him who was the person on the pictures that always wear black. "What an emo!"

Okay. I was upset when I heard that. I told him to ask his friend what an emo means and wearing all black does not totally equate to being one. People tend to overgeneralize and of course they make you into a stereotype. I wanted to yell at that person to stop and dig deeper, to go beyond what she's seeing. She had programmed her mind into thinking that those who wear all black are emos. She does not know a thing! Each one has his or her reason to wear what he or she wants. Whatever reason that may be, it is a representation of the type of person he or she is. 

This is who I am right now! This is how I want to express myself. I don't dress for anyone but myself! 

So there. I told you I was quite incensed when someone attributed my wearing black to being an emo. I just hate it when people try to get me to wear pink. I don't necessarily have a dislike for colors which is evidenced by my works. On the contrary, my wearing all black is a manifestation of my creative self. Just please stop insisting that I wear a different color! I will do so when I want to and if there really is a need to. Sorry for the outburst. This just gets into me at times. 

MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: Eno Greeting 12"x12 paper pad Retro Series, Rosie's Studio Sticker Book of Phrases, Ranger Distress Ink Mini Black Soot, Golden Molding Paste, Prima Marketing Stencil Harlequin, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Cinder, Bo Bunny Clear Stamps Dreamer, Prima Marketing Clear Stamps Vintage Vanity #1 and #2, Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black 

ART JOURNAL PAGE #1: Dreamer

I have kept journals for years--until college that is. I would write anything under the sun. Even on an ordinary day, I would still have something to write about. It may be a little thing I did or how boring and routinary the day was. Sometimes I would rant how unfair the universe is or how difficult a person is. I go on and on until I get to go past some baggage. 

Another thing I love (which I have abandoned for over a year now or is it more than two years already?) is reading books especially classic novels. I would take note of quotes that have caught my eye as I read through the pages and write what I feel and think about them on my journal. I would include a character map of the story and while I'm at it, I would also make a list of the characters with a short description of each. Man, how I miss doing this. 

I remember reading Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre twice and associating myself with the heroine. I had that special connection with the lead character in that I, too, am plain and vain at times. We share similarities in perspectives and complaints about life in general. Through her eyes, I get to see myself more.

I start several journals but I could never stick with one for long ever since I became a slave of the corporate world. I would discontinue after a few entries. I would miss a day, a day would turn into a week and then a month and that would be the end of it. I just put my pretty notebooks into waste because of slacking. 

It is almost the end of the year, but I thought it is not yet too late to begin an art journal. I need to express myself more and get rid of the stress of daily life. I'll try hard to commit myself to finish at least a page each week and at the same time write something or anything everyday. I must get back to journaling! It feels like I haven't looked at myself deeper in the past few months (and years!)--who am I at this moment, who was I yesterday, who will I be tomorrow. The long absence of journaling feels like I abandoned a way of finding and revealing my true self. It is time to continue the discovery, of recovering pieces of myself.

I have made five pages so far since the other week. I'll be posting them one by one. Here's the first page.

IMAGINE. ESCAPE. DISCOVER.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: Black and white photo, Rosie's Studio Sticker Book of Phrases, paper tape, Graphic 45 Staples Flowers, Eno Greeting 3D Stickers, metal charms, buttons, diecuts, lace trimmings, cotton tapes, Kaisercraft Clear Stamps Wanderlust, Film Edges, Edges and Boutique, Prima Marketing Clear Stamps Vintage Vanity and Checkered, Bo Bunny Clear Stamps Dreamer, MultiCraft Clear Stamps Let's Travel, Heidi Swapp Clear Stamps Mixed Media, rubber stamps, Golden Molding Paste, The Crafter's Workshop Stencil Mini Brocade and Tile Texture,  Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black, Ranger Distress Ink Mini Dried Marigold and Spiced Marmalade, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Jack O'Lantern and Butterscotch

CARD# HPJ-2016-18: Happy Birthday

Hello! Here's a trishutter card that I made for Sam's best friend. If you're wondering who Sam is, she's my colleague's daughter. She asked her mom to find a gift for her best friend's birthday (which was last Friday) and her mom thought of me. She told Sam that I make pretty cards and I can definitely make one for her. She showed her some of my work (I don't know which ones) and she said she liked them. When she asked me about it, I obliged of course. It feels great to find that people appreciate what I do and it's exhilarating to know that they think of me on this type of occasion. I'm so thankful for having such supportive friends! 

Anyway, enough of the background story. Let's look at the card. It rained on the day that I finished the card so I was not able to take photos of it outdoors. I took snaps of it at work before handing it over to Ate Liz. So, excuse the poor quality of the photos.

It measures 4 1/4" x 6" when closed.

Just as I always say when I post a trishutter card, I just love this special fold card! I don't get tired of it. It displays the pretty designer papers well and I can make a lot of stuff on the different panels. Well, I only made the decorations minimal on this card. I focused the embellishments on the front of the card. The inside (center part) would be for Sam's message. I wanted to make it easier for her to write on it. Besides, the papers are all so pretty already they don't need that much embellishing.

So that was that. Thanks for looking today! Have a great week!


MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: Bevania Splendorgel Board Paper White, Amy Tangerine 6"x6" paper pad Stitched, American Crafts 6"x6" paper pad Dear Lizzy, Heidi Swapp 6"x6" paper pad Mixed Media, chipboard embellishments, tag, paper doily, paper flowers, pearls, string, metal charms, Golden Molding Paste, The Crafter's Workship Stencils Mini Tile Texture, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Olive Green and Bahama Blue, Kaisercraft Clear Stamps True Friend, Bo Bunny Clear Stamps Sentiments, Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black, FolkArt Metallic Acrylic Paint Pearl White

CARD# HPJ-2016-17: Sorry Kely

Hi again! This will be my last post for today. If I will finish the card and a journal page later today, you might see them posted tomorrow (if the internet connection allows. Hmf.)

A friend asked me to make an apology card. I am so curious as to what she did to ask for something like this. Up until now, I still haven't heard the story behind. Anyway, she doesn't need to tell me. I'm just so curious I am turning nosy. Hah.

What she wanted for the look was not something like this. She actually wanted something similar with one of the cards I made in the past which was a Christmas card. Hmn. I told her I am going to make something else. Something with a white base. Something clean and simple. It was for a guy and it was to say sorry for whatever she did to the person. My mind just could not let go of the idea of this card so I insisted. Here is what I came up with.

I cut out a thought bubble and wrote the sentiment on it and added a tiny wooden heart which I painted with metallic acrylic paint.

I stamped an owl onto a white board paper and adhered it on the card with a piece of chipboard at the back. I put two strips of decorative tape at the bottom of the card.

I made a pocket inside the card to hold the cardstocks for the message. My friend said she needs a lot of space to write on. The top of the pocket was punched using a Martha Stewart Edge Punch. I stamped a sentiment on the pocket as well.

Here is what the inside looks like without the loose cardstock.

I stamped on the cardstocks so they would not look too plain.

That was the apology card that I made last week. I hope I don't make something grave that would make me feel sorry towards someone in the next few days, months or even years to come. I just feel so awkward and withdrawn when I do something wrong. Anyway, I'll be cleaning up my side of the room today and work on my pending projects. I hope it won't rain today. I mean it can rain, but not during the day, pretty please. The sky can pour it's heart out in the evening. I have to do a lot of things today. Till next time!


MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: Bevania Splendorgel Board Paper White 160 gsm and 270 gsm, Best of Studio Calico 12"x12 paper pad, Amy Tangerine 6"x6" paper pad Stitched, Multicrafts Clear Stamps Owl Medley, Bo Bunny Clear Stamps Sentiments, Rosie's Studio Clear Stamps Daydreamer and Into the Woods, Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black and Aquamarine, Faber-Castell Multimark Permanent Pen F, Rosie's Studio Wood Veneer, FolkArt Metallic Acrylic Paint Blue Topaz, decorative tape, Martha Stewart Edge Punch Doily Lace

CANVAS# HPJ-2016-01: Happiness

Hello! I am so sorry I am bombarding my blog with late posts. Heh. Now is the right time to post them since my internet connection had been steady for two hours now. Woohoo! I am just so frustrated every time I try to update my SNS. It takes forever to upload anything. Ugh.

So, how are you? I haven't made anything much for the past few weeks and I don't feel good about it. I need to get my artsy fartsy groove back on and work on something, a canvas, before I get mad thinking of layouts and color schemes and what not but not actually applying them in real life. Ach. 

Two weeks ago, I couldn't let go of this thought, of using purple and blue and green for a mixed media project. I still have one canvas left but I wanted something rectangular, not a square. I went to Deovir to buy two 8"x10" canvases and a purple acrylic paint. I started on the canvas in the wee hours of the morning. Since I don't have any photos of myself or of recent group shots printed, I used one of the post cards that I bought at Landmark in one of my shopping sprees ages ago. It might not have turned out to be what I originally pictured out, but I'm happy with it just the same. I want to work on the other canvas soon. Without further ado, here is what it looks like.

 I employed the techniques I learned from Elena Morgun. The process is similar with my Remember canvas from last August. 

I coated the canvas with gesso first (even though it is already primed). I mixed a part of Liquid Pearls (Peacock) with gesso and applied the mixture on the canvas. I did the same with the purple metallic acrylic paint.  I then sponged some distress ink all over the canvas and inked the edges with Black Soot. I did some stenciling with molding paste for the bricks.

I adhered the post card into the canvas and added the embellishments one after the other. I stamped on the canvas and brushed micro pearls in some areas. I glazed the paper flowers with acrylic paint and affixed the crystals for the final touch.

I wanted to add bigger metal charms, but realized that I was only able to buy small ones from my last trip to Villalobos St. [Sigh.] I wish I went to the other shops and looked for them. Well, next time I'll definitely get a horde of them!

 The picture on the post card included several delicious colors. Aside from purple, blue and green, I also made use of orange and pink elements to make the canvas more interesting.

So how did you find this project? I hope you liked it as much as I do. It screams 'HAPPINESS', like when I craft and make pretty little things. I always lose myself into my work. The fulfillment I get during the process and after is just overwhelming. I just want to soar up high and share what I have made. I wish to make more soon. Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great weekend!

MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: Conda Stretched Canvas 8"x10", Postcard, Rosie's Studio Sticker Quotes, Eno Greeting Wooden and Resin Embellishments, paper flowers, metal charms, self-adhesive crystals, Prima Marketing Clear Stamps Vintage Vanity, Heidi Swapp Mixed Media Clear Stamps Script, Ranger Archival Ink, The Crafter's Workshop Stencil Mini Bricks, Golden Molding Paste, Pebeo Gesso, FolkArt Metallic Paint Amthyst, Pearl White and Blue Topaz, Ranger Distress Ink Black Soot and Bundled Sage, Ranger Liquid Pearls Peacock, Mod Podge Matte, micro pearls

CARD# HPJ-2016-16: Live Laugh Love

Hello there! Here is the third box card in the set. This was for Ate Jolly. She loves orange so I made something with elements of orange and of course some black and gold.

This is the most embellished of the three. Since I used black for the main die cut, I added a patterned paper for the background. I used bits of scrap from previous projects to build the background. Also, I added a resin embellishment. I adhered a couple of paper and silk flowers. I put in several metal charms and stamped on the paper. I then brushed some micro pearls over the embellishments. After drying, I adhered the sentiment and added the crystals as a final touch.

Since the die cut for the belly band is already ornate, I did not bother to add a punched border on the flaps of the box.

So that was that. I am so glad how the cards turned out. I was totally in the zone when I made them. Heh. My creative juices oozed out freely after weeks of not making anything. Watch out for my next post-it's a mixed media canvas. Thanks for looking!

MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: Rives Board Paper Tradition Black, Best of Studio Calico 12"x12" paper pad, Eno Greeting 8"x8" paper pad Romantic, printed text, Eno Greeting Resin Embellishments, paper flowers, metal charms, lace trimming, self-adhesive crystals, micro pearls, Mod Podge Matte, Prima Marketing Clear Stamps Vintage Vanity, Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black, Spellbinders Nestabilities Captivating Squares, Cuttlebug Machine V2

CARD# HPJ-2016-15: Pink Birthday

Hi again! Here's the second card I've mentioned in the previous post. I hope you like it.

For the belly band, I just stamped on the diecut and adhered the embellishments. Afterwards, I glazed the flowers with metallic acrylic paint.

I punched a strip of white board paper with one of  my Martha Stewart Edge Punches and adhered it to the flaps at the opening of the box.

As was with the other box cards, I cut several die cuts from pink patterned papers for the messages. The finished project is also so cute I love it!


MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: Bevania Splendorgel Board Paper Ivory and White, Best of Studio Calico 12"x12" paper pad, Rosie's Studio Sticker Quotes, Eno Greeting Wooden Embellishment, paper flowers, beads, pearls, Heidi Swapp Mixed Media Clear Stamps Script, FolkArt Metallic Acrylic Paint Pearl White, Martha Stewart Edge Punch Doily Lace, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 34 , Cuttlebug Machine V2