Friday, November 18, 2016
Time for love -an art journaling project with Gauche Alchemy
Happy November!! It's been a little while since I posted here on my blog...I hope to get back into a weekly routine or at least every other week. You can always follow me on fb and Instagram for the latest happenings with me:). But today, over at Gauche Alchemy, I have a mixed media project for your art journaling pages. I hope you'll take a look here for inspiration along with a few tips and techniques for mixed media.
Until next time, make time for love!!
Monday, September 5, 2016
Fall is when nature turns to Gold and Target has great $ bins for fall stamps
![]() |
| Changing Colors |
When the calendar flips over and September begins, it seems
as if everyone is wishing for cooler temperatures, crisp mornings and the smell
of apples and pumpkins lingering in the air.
For those of us in Texas, we still have a whole lot of summer left. But at least one can dream... in colors of
deep reds, subtle browns and harvest gold’s.
I have a stamp that reads as the title of this post… “Fall
is when nature to Gold”. I have
used this sentiment for the first project today. Along with an original stamp of mine (Jar seal) this note
card is filled with fall colors and fall (wood) leaves that have been inked,
embossed and an added touch of glitter.
I love to use the shimmer stamp pads such as the Delicata stamps in the
metallic shades. Not only on the
paper but this ink can be used on the leaves as well. Follow the ink with a sealer. Layering the paper gives is depth and stability. I like to display these cards so that
is important to me. Adding the
Ribbon and leaves finished the card with soft, subtle shades of fall.
And along with fall and the changing of the colors comes PSL
(pumpkin spice latte), Fall M&M’s and the $bins at target filled with
crafty goodness for just mere dollars…Of course by the time I buy every copper
tag, stamp set….the dollars could be a little bit more than just a few dollars
but it’s all worth it for the sake of fall. The $3 stamp sets are always in my cart. These little stamps are gems, tiny
treasures to add to our stamp collection…but if I put them in a drawer, I will
forget I have them until sometime mid April and I exclaim “Oh that’s where I
put them.” So for several years
now, I create holiday stamp or special collection stamp jars. Depending on the quantity and size of
the stamps will determine my container whether is should be a glass jar or a
flea market find coffee cup. Then
I begin to stamp small tags indicating what is in this special collection. When all has been stamped, I add
ribbon, the tag and a little embellishment. Sometimes it is a paper flower, metal charm or my favorite-
seashells!
I hope you
enjoy these little “fall” starters.
Below is a little more detail on each project. Until next time, this might be the inspiration you need to
move from the Summer Heat to the Freshness of Fall.
Gather- Fall Note card,
Manila Folder
Cardstock – choice of colors
Stamps – sentiment, fall theme
Inks – Delicata (metallic), other colors of choice
Ribbon
Wood leaves (Hobby Lobby)
Sealer – such as Mod Podge
Paper Adhesive, Glue Gun, glue sticks
*Cut manila folder to desired size. Stamp background image such as leaves
in a random fashion. Cut each
layer of cardstock a little smaller and layer in desired pattern.
*Stamp focal stamp on the top layer. Create a mask of this image so you can
add the leaves or desired image around the focal stamp.
*Stamp sentiment in the middle of focal image. Ink edges of card with a soft brown
such as Chestnut Roan by Color Box.
*Ink the leaves with various colors from the inkpads. Let dry or use a heat gun.
*On the leaves, brush on sealer. Let dry.
*Cut Ribbon and tie around card. Use a little adhesive to adhere the ribbon if needed.
*Using glue gun, adhere the leaves to the card.
It is now ready to be displayed on an easel, given as a card
or added to an art journal.
Holiday or Specialty
collection stamp Jars.
Gather
Small stamp set (mine were from Target, these can be from anywhere)
Jar, cup or container of choice
Tags – sized for your stamp collection
Ink – color of choice
Eyelets and Eyelet setter
Ribbon
Adhesive – I use the glue gun for attaching some of the
embellisments.
Embellishments
*Select desired container
* With the ink and tags, stamp desired number of images from
the stampset
* Using an eyelet setter, set eyelets in the tags.
*Add Ribbon to the container
* String the tag onto the ribbon and knot the ribbon.
*Add desired embellishments with glue if needed.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Reflections from my soul to yours..an original writing by Chantal Johnson
| His Love is as vast at the ocean |
Reflections from my
soul to yours…
Normally, I share a
new art project, a trip or a family event. Today, I am sharing what is on my heart. I wrote this reflection in June as I
was in the midst of healing from surgery.
I thought of who I am (good and no so good), what I have done (good and
not so good) and my thoughts brought me to the One who makes all that I am and
all that I have, his and he redeems me and sets me on his path…which is way
better that mine! I hope this resonates with you…I put a few scriptures to help
us learn to rest in his peace and see his goodness towards us… And for my friends who find their paths on a
different road than mine, I hope, this too will resonate with you as we travel
this daily living together…
I am …
A gatherer
A doer
A dreamer
A believer
A try-er
A wish-er
A writer
A reader
A listener
A talker
A giver
A teacher
A traveler
A painter
When I
make it hard to see him, he gives me eyes to see his goodness. When I can’t
hear his voice, he whispers. He asks me to lean in and rest, be still and know
that he has it altogether and I don't have to. Whew!! What a relief he brings.
Relief-
yes, the breathing deep, shoulders down, defenses down kind of relief. When I
give my life's brokenness, my worries, my tired self, to the One who brings
rest to the weary, wholeness to the broken, and assurance to the worrier-I can
truly breathe in his rest, his wholeness and his assurance and feel relieved.
What do
I do with this new rest, this new assurance-I must pass it on to others, to
help their brokenness, their worries, their tired selves, and what exactly is
"it"-it isn't an it. It is he. It is Jesus, the author and finisher
the beginning and the end, the giver of good gifts, the one who delights in me
and in you. The gentle whisperer, the ever present help in times of trouble,
the ever encourager in our day to day world and the One who will meet me where
I am and love me for who I am but will challenge me. To love and give as he has, to be authentic and genuine, to
live a life of love, to speak with grace, to have a pure heart, to offer
friendship as it has been offered to me.
And
sweet friends, that is what makes
the experience worthwhile- that no matter the road, be it smoothly paved or
cobblestone, you and I are not alone!!
- I am© Chantal Johnson, June 2016
Until
next time, I am here for you but better still He is here with you!!!
Ps
130:7
Eph 1:7
James 1:17
2
Samuel 22:37
Psalm 17:15,
66:9
Psalm
62:1,5
1 Peter
5:7
Psalm
55:22
Psalm
34:18
Proverbs
22:11
Hebrews
12:2
Reflections from my soul to yours..an original writing by Chantal Johnson
| His Love is as vast at the ocean |
Reflections from my
soul to yours…
Normally, I share a
new art project, a trip or a family event. Today, I am sharing what is on my heart. I wrote this reflection in June as I
was in the midst of healing from surgery.
I thought of who I am (good and no so good), what I have done (good and
not so good) and my thoughts brought me to the One who makes all that I am and
all that I have, his and he redeems me and sets me on his path…which is way
better that mine! I hope this resonates with you…I put a few scriptures to help
us learn to rest in his peace and see his goodness towards us… And for my friends who find their paths on a
different road than mine, I hope, this too will resonate with you as we travel
this daily living together…
I am …
A gatherer
A doer
A dreamer
A believer
A try-er
A wish-er
A writer
A reader
A listener
A talker
A giver
A teacher
A traveler
A painter
When I
make it hard to see him, he gives me eyes to see his goodness. When I can’t
hear his voice, he whispers. He asks me to lean in and rest, be still and know
that he has it altogether and I don't have to. Whew!! What a relief he brings.
Relief-
yes, the breathing deep, shoulders down, defenses down kind of relief. When I
give my life's brokenness, my worries, my tired self, to the One who brings
rest to the weary, wholeness to the broken, and assurance to the worrier-I can
truly breathe in his rest, his wholeness and his assurance and feel relieved.
What do
I do with this new rest, this new assurance-I must pass it on to others, to
help their brokenness, their worries, their tired selves, and what exactly is
"it"-it isn't an it. It is he. It is Jesus, the author and finisher
the beginning and the end, the giver of good gifts, the one who delights in me
and in you. The gentle whisperer, the ever present help in times of trouble,
the ever encourager in our day to day world and the One who will meet me where
I am and love me for who I am but will challenge me. To love and give as he has, to be authentic and genuine, to
live a life of love, to speak with grace, to have a pure heart, to offer
friendship as it has been offered to me.
And
sweet friends, that is what makes
the experience worthwhile- that no matter the road, be it smoothly paved or
cobblestone, you and I are not alone!!
- I am© Chantal Johnson, June 2016
Until
next time, I am here for you but better still He is here with you!!!
Ps
130:7
Eph 1:7
James 1:17
2
Samuel 22:37
Psalm 17:15,
66:9
Psalm
62:1,5
1 Peter
5:7
Psalm
55:22
Psalm
34:18
Proverbs
22:11
Hebrews
12:2
Sunday, July 31, 2016
![]() |
| This is part of an art journaling project for Gauche Alchemy.. stay tuned for the complete tutorial in August |
Travel is where I am today. We are getting ready for our trip to Europe..It's definitely exciting much like Christmas...We anticipate the day, the presents, the feast, the family, the memories and then it goes too quickly. Of our trip to Europe, my youngest said "We plan this for months and then it's goes so fast and then it's over!" Time does fly when you are having fun. This is so true of all the things we love...whether it is a day in the studio, a day at the park, a great movie, a vacation or Christmas Day.
When we see the Christmas aisles in July, what we are really saying is {perhaps}we want to live in this moment not 5 months from now. Retail has a calendar, what to sell and when. To them it makes sense, to us it seems to rush us into the future. So for now, I'll put Christmas in December, embrace it when it arrives..and yes, plan ahead (perhaps, I'll start in August) just as we did for this European vacation..Today, I will keep my thoughts in the present, my heart in the cities we visit, embrace the moments...and create lasting memories.
Until next time, Embrace the moments here and now, I hope that your days are filled with those you love, doing the things you love and watch time fly and then when the days are long, we can look back at these moments that have become cherished memories.
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
-Dr. Seuss
By the way, there are only 147 days until Christmas...we have plenty of time!
Labels:
Christmas,
memories,
moments,
reflection,
travel
Christmas in July....not this year.
![]() |
| This is part of an art journaling project for Gauche Alchemy.. stay tuned for the complete tutorial in August |
Travel is where I am today. We are getting ready for our trip to Europe..It's definitely exciting much like Christmas...We anticipate the day, the presents, the feast, the family, the memories and then it goes too quickly. Of our trip to Europe, my youngest said "We plan this for months and then it's goes so fast and then it's over!" Time does fly when you are having fun. This is so true of all the things we love...whether it is a day in the studio, a day at the park, a great movie, a vacation or Christmas Day.
When we see the Christmas aisles in July, what we are really saying is {perhaps}we want to live in this moment not 5 months from now. Retail has a calendar, what to sell and when. To them it makes sense, to us it seems to rush us into the future. So for now, I'll put Christmas in December, embrace it when it arrives..and yes, plan ahead (perhaps, I'll start in August) just as we did for this European vacation..Today, I will keep my thoughts in the present, my heart in the cities we visit, embrace the moments...and create lasting memories.
Until next time, Embrace the moments here and now, I hope that your days are filled with those you love, doing the things you love and watch time fly and then when the days are long, we can look back at these moments that have become cherished memories.
"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
-Dr. Seuss
By the way, there are only 147 days until Christmas...we have plenty of time!
Labels:
Christmas,
memories,
moments,
reflection,
travel
Friday, July 15, 2016
Gold Ribbon Moments Journal - for Gauche Alchemy Studio
![]() |
| Gold Ribbon Journal |
Until next time,...hoping you Go for the Gold each and every day!!!
![]() |
| Write each day what matters most.... |
Labels:
art,
Design team,
gauche alchemy,
handmade papers,
journals,
punchinella
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)






