The latest trend in adult coloring has to be water-soluble coloring tools. Gelatos, Distress Crayons, and Prima Marketing’s Oil Pastels all blend with water and promise smooth, creamy color — but which of these really deliver? Read the rest of this entry »

Artwork Credits (Top to Bottom, Left to Right): 1 – Christy Tomlinson, Artful Blogging Autumn 2011; 2 – Kathleen Barnes, Art Journaling Summer 2012; 3 – Kelly Rae Roberts, Somerset Studio March/April 2011; 4 – Caiti Santa Maria, Art Journaling Summer 2012; 5 – Patty Van Dorin, Somerset Apprentice Volume 1, 2009; 6 – Christy Tomlinson, Artful Blogging Autumn 2011; 7 – Christy Tomlinson, She Found Color in the Everyday; 8 – Cathy Nichols, Artful Blogging Summer 2010; 9 – Tamara Laporte, Somerset Studio Jan/Feb 2012; 10 – Donna Mulholland Art Journaling Winter 2012; 11 – Christy Tomlinson, Artful Blogging Autumn 2011; 12- Suzi Blu, Artists’ Café  Volume 5

One of my favorite art journaling motifs is a whimsical silhouetted woman. Rich in decadent color or dainty and sweet in design, it’s impossible not to be mesmerized by each artist’s take on the portrait of a lady. To explore the many imaginative ways women can be represented in art, we’ve compiled a collection of some of our most artistic and treasured  pieces, created with beautiful, independent flair.

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Create a pampering at-home spa experience with these projects for handmade soaps, bath salts, bathroom organization, and more. Whether you’re making them as a gift or for yourself, crafting your own bath and body products allows you to use all-natural ingredients that suit your needs. By making your own recipes, you’ll know exactly what goes into them, and you can also try substituting your favorite soap bases, scents, or herbs for a more personalized end result. Read the rest of this entry »

We’re getting down to the wire; Christmas is literally just around the corner! This is the time when people tend to get a little stressed out, but we’re here to offer a helping hand! Today we’re joined by the wonderful and talented Vanessa Spencer, who is going to show us a creative and artful way to wrap gifts — which is especially helpful for last-minute shoppers, like myself! This project is a great way to reuse old gift wrap, magazine pages, and even old newspapers. While getting ready for Christmas might be a little taxing, don’t forget to take some time to be creative.

Grab some twine, ribbon, and decorative washi tape, and join us for a crash-course in eco-friendly gift wrapping!

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This year, I decided not to set lofty, unattainable New Year’s Resolutions. I always vow to journal more, to record more of life’s little moments, and I expect to fill an entire journal by the end of the year. I’m good for the first week, and then my journal sits on the nightstand until the next year when I start over with another blank journal. I can’t tell you how many journals I have with only the first few pages filled in. So this year, I thought that I would set an achievable goal by jumping on-board with the current planner trend, and August is as good a month as any to check-in on my progress! Planners are a great way to record life without setting your expectations too high. You can create an artful planner with just a few must-have materials and then fill in each day with the moments you’d like to remember forever. Read the rest of this entry »