Day 3 of NaNoJouMo: Memory Keeping Planner...

Hi friends!  Today's page was a more time-consuming one.  It is this week's page in my memory-keeping planner.  These take a full evening, but they are lots of fun - like putting together a puzzle.  I am currently using an Erin Condren Life Planner, but I am not happy with the paper quality, so I will be changing to an Inkwell Press Planner for next year.

Anyhoo, here's today's page. It incorporates elements of the No Excuses Journaling System, and this week, I included some prompts from the Fauxbonichi Journaler's Facebook Group too. 

DAY 3:
Last week in my Planner

For more info on National Nonstop Journaling Month (NaNoJouMo), click here.
For more info on Erin Condren planners, click here.
For more info on Inkwell Press Planners, click here. 
For more info on No Excuses Journaling, click here.
For more info on the Fauxbonichi Journalers Facebook Group, click here.

Thanks for visiting and I will see you tomorrow!  Have an awesome Tuesday, my friends!

Nonstop Journaling Month - Day Two... A Quick Page

Hi friends!  My journal page is done for day two.  This one is not for a workshop.  It's a quick one in my tiny journal.  I had started this one awhile ago, and just finished tonight. 

TRUST

Watercolor, acrylic and ink 

4" x 5"

Thanks for visiting!

It's National Nonstop Journaling Month - Wahoooo!!!

Hi friends! I recently found out that November is National Nonstop Journaling Month (also known as NaNoJouMo).  How fun is that?!!!

Dawn Devries Sokol hosts this annual challenge on her blog.  She explains more about it here; but basically it's about working in your art journal each day in November.

I think this is just the kick in the pants I need to get going again!

The official challenge is pretty open, but I am setting a few guidelines for myself.  Here they are:

1. I will finish a page each day.  If I have hours to put into it, great.  If I have only a few minutes, I can still finish a page.  I will just make it simpler.  

2. I am using this opportunity to catch up on the bazillion unfinished lessons from various workshops I am taking (or have taken).  That will be my focus, but it's not a rule.  

3. Any kind of journal page counts.  Painting, mixed media, collage, drawing, doodles, sketches and anything else that can fit on a page.

I will post each page here and in my instagram feed.

Let the Festivities Begin!

DAY ONE:

MAKE ART EVERYDAY (in honor of NaNoJouMo)

This is lesson three from the Book of Days Facing Forward Workshop.

Click here to find out more about the NaNoJouMo challenge.


Thanks so much for visiting!  I appreciate you!

Art Journal Every Day - Pages from Radiant II

Hey there friends!  One reason I'm excited to get back to blogging, is so I can join in on Julie Balzer's "Art Journal Every Day" project again.  This week, I have two pages to share with you - both inspired by lessons in Effy Wild's "Radiant II-Art Journaling" workshop. 

Each lesson in the Radiant II workshop is actually two lessons.  First there's the lesson provided by the guest instructor.  And then there is another lesson where Effy does her own take on the guest teacher's lesson.  I hope I explained that okay.  Anyhoo, for me that is so valuable, because it demonstrates how you can learn from another artist, and still come up with something that is entirely different and uniquely you.

Anyhoo, this first page is inspired by Effy's take on Dyan Reavelry's lesson on hidden journaling.  I'm really happy with how it turned out.  I used hidden journaling in two ways on this page.  One is the journaling on top in silver...

and the other one is hidden behind the silhouette...

This page is inspired by Felicia Borges' lesson.  It involves a background resist technique with acrylic paint and distress stain (you can see it in the background - it's the hot pink and dark blue.).  The lesson goes on to explore a unique take on portrait-making; but I got so enthralled with the resist idea, that I went off in a whole different direction, trying different resists and layers; and then I ended up with this...

 To find out more about the Radiant II - Art Journaling Workshop, click here.

To find out more about Julie's "Art Journal Every Day" series, click here.

I wish you are a super-duper Saturday my friends! 

It's Good To Be Back!!!

Hi everyone!  I've been missing this blog and all of you, and it's oh so good to be back!

I look back at the summer and how many projects I was trying to juggle and realize that it was a bit too much - I don't know what I was thinking!  I am prone to FOMO, and have a tendency to sign up for wayyyyy too much.  (anyone with me on that?) It was a good learning experience, and I'm trying to be better about it. Here's a quick update...

I finished the 100-day Project!  I got derailed a few times, so it took me a little longer than it should have; but I got back on track and I'm really proud of myself for that.  It was inspiring to create alongside so many other people, committed to this goal of doing something (anything they choose) for 100 days in a row.  I made some new friends, along the way, and I will definitely do it again next year!!! Here's a pic of my 100th Art Journal Page for the project...

You can see all 100 pages here, or by searching #100daysofjournalingforshelley on instagram.

I did not, on the other hand, finish the "Index-Card-A-Day" project.  It was going at the same time as the 100 day project, and I realized doing both was too difficult.

Mixed Emotions - (the online art journaling workshop that I teach with Marit Barentsen), finished up on October 8th.  It was an awesome group of students - enthusiastic and so supportive of one another; and I really feel good about how it went!  Lots of fun and lots of beautiful art was created!  Thank you so much to Marit and all of the students for making it so special!

So, what have you all been up to?  Let me know in the comments - I'd love to hear!

Hugs from chilly Minnesota!

MIXED EMOTIONS WORKSHOP GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED!!!

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway for the Mixed Emotions Workshop Seat; whether thru this blog, Facebook or Instagram.  I appreciate you spreading the word and showing interest in the class!

The winner of the giveaway is.....

RACHEL HOLDGRAFER

Congratulations Rachel!!!

If you didn't win, there's still time to register and join us anyway!!!  Class starts on August 31st, so don't delay!  Click here for more info and to register - we'd love to see you there!

MIXED EMOTIONS ART JOURNALING WORKSHOP GIVEAWAY!!!

Mixed Emotions is a six-week online Art Journaling Workshop taught by Marit Barentsen and me! Lessons start on August 31 and I HAVE ONE SPOT TO GIVE AWAY!
What do you have to do to win a spot in this workshop?

• Well… for one, leave a comment at this post. But you were already going to, so that is easy, right?

BUT THERE A FEW MORE WAYS TO SHARE THE BUZZ AND INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING…

• Share the announcement with a link to the Mixed Emotions workshop info: www.maritspaperworld.com/shop/product/mixed-emotions/
  and/or our video trailer

• Share about this new course and giveaway on your blog
• Share the message on your Facebook page.
• Share on Twitter – with @MaritPaperWorld
• Pin the video trailer to Pinterest
• Share on Instagram
• any other way you wish to share

When you share announcement of this online workshop, just come back and let me know in comments below how and where you shared.
ONE WINNER will be selected on Friday, August 21 and announced on my blog (I will notify the winner via email)
If you already registered for this workshop, you can still join the giveaway. If you win, we will refund your money.

Want to go on an Art Journaling Adventure? Mixed Emotions is coming back!!!

Mixed Emotions – Online Art Journaling Workshop

A Six-Week online Art Journaling Workshop taught by Marit Barentsen and Michelle LaPoint-Rydell August 31 – October 8, 2015

Now open for registration!

Art journaling focuses on putting your personal thoughts and emotions on paper – and you don’t always have to use words to do that! Even if you’re not a writer you can create meaningful art journal pages; because an emotion can be expressed through a photograph, a color, a material or a particular technique.
In this workshop we will explore one specific emotion each lesson; and take that emotion as the basis to create a personal art journal page. (…) You are encouraged to explore your inner world, your perception of your emotions, and turn them into art journal pages. Each lesson also explains a different technique, step-by-step, through photos or an instructional video.
“Mixed Emotions” includes:

• 12 lessons with assignments in pdf format. Techniques will be clearly shown through photos or demonstrated on video. Both beginners and advanced art journalers will find pleasure in working with the lessons.
• Access to inspirational videos to inspire you and help your creative juices flow.
• Extra printable collage sheets with photos, illustrations and quotes to use in your work.
• Access to a private group discussion forum where you may share, ask questions and interact with the teacher and other class participants.
• Access to group albums for posting your completed assignments and seeing what others have done.

Mixed Emotions is taught by Marit Barentsen and Michelle LaPoint-Rydell

Price is:  € 40.00  (translates to approx $43.87 US)

For more information and/or to register, click here.

Taking a little Blog Break...

As you may have noticed - I seem to be having a tough time keeping this blog up to date lately.  Aargh!  I love this little blog, but right now I am in over my head with projects, so until I can get back to a regular schedule I'm taking a little break. 

Until I return, you can still catch me on facebook as Shelley Rydellie (link in the sidebar), and on instagram, also as shelleyrydellie.

Have a great summer and see you soon!

Index-Card-a-day: The first week...

Hi friends!  I'm still working on the 100-day Project; but today I wanted to introduce you to a new project I am working on also, called "ICAD 2015."  ICAD stands for Index-card-a-day, and what you do to participate is simply create one index card art piece each day for June and July!  I wasn't going to join in, but I was hearing such good things about it that I didn't want to miss out!  So here I am, in over my head again (HA), but having a blast!

The annual ICAD challenge is run by the talented Tammy Garcia of Daisy Yellow.  The idea behind it is not to create masterpieces, but to get you creating regularly. She provides optional weekly and daily prompts throughout the challenge.  I decided it would be fun to follow the prompts.  Here is how my first week turned out...

Weekly prompt:  Doodling and drawing.
I mainly used tombow markers and my pitt pens for all the cards.  Additional supplies are noted below each card.


Day one: Chevron...

(used pan pastels to shade around the outside of the sheep)

#2: Carnival...

#3: Draw a map... (I went for a mindmap of the challenge itself)

#4: Mailbox...

#5: Owl...

#6: Taxi...

(added a promo image from the internet, and some typed words)

#7: Periodic Table...

 If you want to check out the ICAD challenge - click here for all the info!

Thanks so much for visiting!  I appreciate you!

Interview for "My Life, My Story..."

I'm excited and honored to be the guest artist at the "My Life, My Story" Facebook Group this month!  "My Life My Story" (or MLMS for short), is a fun and relaxed group for people who share an interest in art and other creative endeavors.  It's run by my sweet and talented friend Leike Michelow. 

Anyhoo, the first thing they do each month is an interview with the artist of the month.  I'm excited to share my interview with you today!

Here it is:

If you are on Facebook, come on over and check out the MLMS group!  Here's a link to get you there...   My Life My Story. 

Thanks so much for visiting today!  I appreciate you!

I've got No Excuses!

I'm super excited and honored to be a guest blogger over at the No Excuses Art blog today!  Come on over and say hi!  I'd love to see you there!!!

Click here to see the post!