Art Journal No. 07 | To My 8-Year-Old Self

Hi guys and happy Monday! To start our week off with some inspiration I am working on an art journal layout using some products I still had from my May Gossamer Blue kits! Have a look at my process!

I was totally inspired by the happy lady included in the ephemera pack from My Mind’s Eye Hello Gorgeous! collection. She became the basis for this entire layout.

Myprocess began with fabric washi tape and then layers of gesso, patterned papers, and tags on top.

I also used my modeling paste and this lovely stencil from Donna Downey to add some floral embellishments and texture to the page. My favorite part is always adding liquid pigment (whether distress inks or watercolors or gelatos – in this case distress inks) and watching these elements come to life.

I included some stamped images as well, as the stamp sets for May Gossamer Blue kits were fantastic. The hearts create adorable little punctuation marks around the page, drawing your eye to certain places. It is said that each creative piece needs a little black embellishment, and I would say these hearts are perfectly light-hearted and fun.

I added a tiny bit of journaling which is a note to my 8-year-old self. My own daughter is now 8 and many days I see little pieces of myself in her. Sometimes I wonder, though, if I was as happy-go-lucky as she is, and I don’t think I was!

It is ok to forgive ourselves, even today, for the things we carried as small children. And it is definitely ok to do so in a light-hearted way through self-expression and happy colors and fun embellishments. I am thankful for these mediums and for this little book, this messy little book, and I am thankful for you, dear reader, for being the kind of audience I can share this with. Have a great Monday and I will see you tomorrow!

~Theresa