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Step by step art journal page by Carolyn Dube using Julie Balzer's Cityscape stencil

This started as a way to loosen up and get the gremlins out of my head.  It wasn’t until I was sewing on the quote that realized how true it was…I just wanted that cranky gremlin in my head to shut up.  I started doing something, anything, to get that gremlin to go away.  By the time I finished this art journal page the gremlin had vacated my mind!

 

Step by step art journal page by Carolyn Dube using Julie Balzer's Cityscape stencil

 

I had extra paint on my palette so I used it up randomly on an art journal page.

 

 

 

 

 

Step by step art journal page by Carolyn Dube using Julie Balzer's Cityscape stencil

 

Writing my “morning pages” with pencil and colored pencils in my art journal to get some crazy thoughts out of my head.  Once I wrote them down I had released them and they began to lose their power over me!

 

 

 

 

Step by step art journal page by Carolyn Dube using Julie Balzer's Cityscape stencil

 

Cityscape by Julie Balzer was just what I wanted for this background.  I covered it in Dylusions black spray ink and plopped the stencil down, using it almost like a rubber stamp.  I love the uneven-ness of the ink coverage.

 

 

 

Step by step art journal page by Carolyn Dube using Julie Balzer's Cityscape stencil I try to keep on hand a stash of solid colored papers printed on my Gelli Plate. Even though it’s a solid color it has a different look than if I had painted it with a brush. Subtle and imperfect, which was perfect for this page!

Don’t you love my handwriting! Okay, it’s not my handwriting.  I ran my Gelli printed paper through my ink jet printer.  Just had to heat set the ink to prevent smudging…

Step by step art journal page by Carolyn Dube using Julie Balzer's Cityscape stencil

Linking up with Mandarin Orange Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Monday Mantras, Simon Says Stamp, Make It Monday, Create Daily and Creative Every Day.

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  • Erin April 21, 2013, 6:10 am

    This is beautiful … and thank you for the instructions on your process. It’s extremely helpful and inspiring.

  • Julie G. April 21, 2013, 8:52 am

    Cool page. The writing reminds me of tree branches adding to the look of the city on a sunny fall day (that’s what it looks like to me) 🙂

  • Bev April 21, 2013, 11:08 am

    Love it and the message! Thanks for sharing how you created it.

  • Clare April 21, 2013, 12:01 pm

    I love your page, such vibrant colours. X

  • Sue Roddis April 21, 2013, 1:21 pm

    Fab page…I love the writing in the background and the sloppy stencil…..both work so well.

  • Valerie-Jael April 21, 2013, 3:30 pm

    Great way to get rid of those gremlins! Valerie

  • Rita McGregor April 21, 2013, 3:44 pm

    What a bright and happy page.
    Love the quote. So true. 🙂

  • Paulette April 21, 2013, 4:45 pm

    Very cool, Carolyn…love the bright colors and stencil!

  • Kay Wallace April 21, 2013, 5:07 pm

    What an absolutely great page, Carolyn! First, that color palette just cheers me! Then come those “scribbles” for which you are famous! I have found that this “invisible” ranting to be so releasing and have come to practice it! I also love how you used the stencil as a stamp…initially, intentionally! All this adds up to a great finished piece. OK, my favorite element? Stitching! I am such a fan!

  • Carol Mc April 21, 2013, 5:28 pm

    I love this page. The stencil and quote are
    fabulous.

  • Janette April 21, 2013, 5:33 pm

    Wow! I love this, great colours and message. Big love AJ 🙂

  • Judy Shea April 21, 2013, 6:12 pm

    Wowie Powie.. right off the page. Fantastic colors, my friend. Love the stitch and stencil. That could be a workshop title.

  • Corrine April 21, 2013, 6:39 pm

    Marvelous. The gremlins must have been contagious because I had them all this weekend and finally loosed them onto the world and got rid of them. I love your stitched quote and all the layers you have offered in these smokin hot colors….xox

  • Dara Lynn April 21, 2013, 6:39 pm

    After a phone call today, I have a few gremlins in my head …..time to take after you my dear….beautiful colors…can’t help but make you happy seeing the bright pinks, yellows and oranges! Always enjoy visiting your blog!! 🙂

  • Rinda April 21, 2013, 6:50 pm

    I hear you! I worked in four different journals yesterday. One journal page I really don’t like, but it was necessary to work things out of my head, and I ended up really liking two of my other creations.
    Rinda

  • Jessica Sporn April 21, 2013, 7:37 pm

    Your page exudes freedom, play, movement and passion. I love it and the process you took to make it. xo

  • Marjie Kemper April 21, 2013, 9:01 pm

    Oh my… this is one of my faves ever of yours! Sometimes those gremlins need time to get the hell out of Dodge. Love what you did with the skyline!

  • Lynn Noyes April 21, 2013, 9:48 pm

    I love your page! I love how you write your rambling thoughts on the page and then kind of cover it up. What a great way to get them out of your head! 🙂

  • Lorinda @ Everyday Endeavours April 21, 2013, 10:13 pm

    Something therapeutic never looked so good! Hope it kicked those gremlins to the curb! xx

  • chris and angela April 21, 2013, 11:27 pm

    gremlins seem to work for you!

  • Tanya April 22, 2013, 7:00 am

    i really like the way all those colors work together!

  • Claudette April 22, 2013, 7:55 am

    Lovely page! Well done! But I love Gremlins, I used to drive one! 😉

  • Marja April 22, 2013, 8:57 am

    What a vibrant colors Carolyn, beautiful work.
    lovely greet
    Marja

  • Loz April 22, 2013, 9:38 am

    Fantastic Journal Carolyn. I saw this on MIM..Loz

  • Gillian Pearce April 22, 2013, 12:08 pm

    Hi Carolyn.
    I particularly like your idea of printing on a gelli print but how do you heat set the ink? My ink always smudges. Is it a special ink or is it another of you neat little tricks? 🙂
    Thanks
    Gillian

  • Sarah April 22, 2013, 1:36 pm

    I love that quote – we sometimes need to let go of the long term and focus on the small and the now in order to head towards our future. Whatever that may be 🙂

    Thanks for linking up!

    Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

  • KT April 22, 2013, 3:35 pm

    Beautiful! I saw your creation at Make it Monday MIM 137 and had to get a closer look. I love the colours! KT

  • diane April 22, 2013, 4:33 pm

    Beautiful work, love the inspiration and the images of how you put it all together! THanks for sharing on IMM hop.
    Diane
    http://treasuringgrace.blogspot.com/2013/04/making-whole-healing-through-art-nature.html

  • Debby April 23, 2013, 2:28 am

    Fabulous journalling page, love it design and colours.
    Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp challenge.
    luv
    Debby

  • Liz April 23, 2013, 6:00 am

    It’s beautiful. Love the blending of colors.

    Liz (yacb)

  • Vicki Romaine April 23, 2013, 11:51 am

    Do you paint on both sides of your journal pages? I saw someone put tape on a page and then use acrylic paint over that. What do you do?

  • Lori April 24, 2013, 12:45 am

    Great progression and I love the combination of pinks and oranges and layers of patterns. Thank you for being part of Mandarin Orange Monday:)

  • Jan Hoefler April 24, 2013, 8:31 am

    Now this is an exercise even I would do!!!! Love it!

  • Carol Wheeler April 24, 2013, 8:37 am

    love this!

  • Faith April 24, 2013, 9:12 am

    Wonderful art therapy! 🙂

  • Win Dinn April 24, 2013, 9:41 am

    A wonderful quote to cap an extraordinary piece – love it!

  • Ronda Palazzari April 24, 2013, 11:16 am

    I just so adore your colorful style! Love that quote!

  • Stamping Shanni April 26, 2013, 5:41 pm

    Love this Carolyn – the colours and the skyscape work perfectly and I love the texture around the sentiment – a wonderful journal that will be cherished for years to come. Popped by from MIM.
    Stamping Shanni

  • Sandy How April 28, 2013, 1:19 am

    Fab art journal page, great colours, love the cityscape and the quote. Glad the gremlins are gone, LOL.
    Thanks for linking up with Make It Monday this week.
    Remember, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!
    Hugs,
    Sandy

  • Maria McGuire May 2, 2013, 12:23 am

    I love the stamped look the stencil gave–loose and free! Goodbye gremlins!!!