O.O.P.S. was a word said more than once on this art journal page and near the end, that word was coming fast and furious. O.O.P.S. isn’t a mistake, quite the opposite, since it means an Outstanding Opportunity Presenting Suddenly.
In the video, you’ll see how I get myself into a quandary with the very first step and how that turns out to be an opportunity in the end. O.O.P.S!
Watch Journey of a 1,000 OOPSies in my art journal on YouTube.
The play started thanks to a gorgeous full moon where I could actually see the Man in the Moon while walking my dogs who were quite irritated that I kept stopping and just gazing upward.
This Stampa Rosa rubber stamp is proof that I can predict the future. Purchased around 1999, it hasn’t been used much at all but it is the absolutely perfect image for what I was capturing in my journal. I must have known 15 years ago that I would really need that today!
Staying with the theme of the round moon, like mini itty bitty moons, paint was added to the Circles Layer Me stencil with a regular flat paint brush creating a very loose and mixed media feel to the pattern. After all, nothing on this page was precise.
The smaller circles on the Circles Layer Me stencil became little polka dots of moons around another moon.
The phrase, Once in a Lifetime, which has been touted on the news describing this moon and quite a few others this year, was the title this page needed. But I am not a huge fan of my handwriting, so I used a stencil to help me out.
Even though life and time were 2 words on the Are We There Yet stencil, it didn’t take a Dr. Frankenstein to meld them into one word.
So how does O.O.P.S. help me play? It keeps me from taking myself too seriously. Every O.O.P.S. used to be considered a mistake, a blunder, and a failure which killed my creative spirit and put the brakes on any play I was having. I’m not performing brain surgery, I’m playing. Plus, it’s mixed media so if I don’t like it, I can say O.O.P.S. and just add another layer.
Now you’ve seen my play, let’s see yours! Share what you’re creating with us all in the Facebook group and be inspired by what others are creating! And be sure to leave a comment here to get entered in the monthly $50 gift certificate giveaway!
Here are the supplies I used. Some of these links are affiliate links which means I get a small percentage. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and you are helping me keep this blog and my videos ad free! Thank you- I don’t like ads any more than you do!
Want to see more Let’s Play videos? You can find all the weekly posts here.
What is Let’s Play? It’s all about rediscovering the ability to play and each month I share a specific strategy that helped me recapture the freedom and fun of play. You can see more of the Let’s Play series here. Be sure to get entered in the $50 Dick Blick giveaway by leaving a comment below.
Sharing your play: I, and a whole bunch of others, would love to see what you’re creating! We’re sharing it in the Facebook group called A Colorful Place to Play. Why Facebook? I’ve listened to your feedback about how and where you’d like to share your play instead of the link parties.
Monthly giveaways: Leave comment on any (and all for more chances) of the weekly Let’s Play blog posts to be entered and one winner each month will be chosen by random.org. Want more chances to win a $50 gift certificate to DickBlick.com? Pin any of the images from the page or share about it on Facebook- then come back and leave a comment telling me what you did and you can have more chances to win! Giveaway closes the Sunday, December 28th at 11 pm EST and the winner will announced on the blog.
Congrats to Jodi, last month’s winner!
I don’t know how it is that your OOPS always seem to turn out right in the end. Mine . . . not so much! thank you for your generosity. xoxoxo dottie lou
I like your OOPS!
I like Mr Oops & the man in the moon. It sounds like it would be a good kids story title. A book aboutv learning to deal with lifestyle oops! with skill…
You have such a great attitude… Love it!
Another wonderful video, Carolyn!
I love this jounal page! Watching you play always loosens me up and helps me not be so hard on myself. Thank you for always being such an inspiration!
Carolyn, thank you for continuing to remind us again and again that OOPS = opportunity!
I love astrology, so this page is extra awesome to me. 😀
Beautiful oops! Been having my own oops…accidentally tore a page in my journal and repaired wiyh catalog paper and matte gel.
I love this to the moon and back!!!!!
(I did not realize it was a rubber stamp when I first looked at this)
Love reading your posts and watching videos. Your enthusiasm is contagious! Have to get out my journal, paints and full moon stamp and play! Thanks, Carolyn.
As always, your free style is inspiring! I love to watch your videos.
Makes me want to wallow in paint and an empty canvas!!!!
Carolyn, I love and admire your determination !! I am learning that OOPS are ok and can be fun. Thanks for the inspiration!!
I’m learning to take my OOPSies in stride; it’s a slow process but you are inspiring me, laughing with the joy of exploration, so it’s getting easier. Thank you!
I’m learning to like my OOPSies more. Thanks for being with me each step of the journey!
You are a true inspiration! I will be more inspired by you in 2017 as I play with more color! : ) Thank you for releasing the gloom and bringing in the BOOM! : )
Carolyn, I loved your art journal page and the stencils you used!
Hi Carolyn, I was killing myself laughing at your amazing prediction in 1999. I’m the same! I have boxes and drawers filled with stamps that were bought for a single project and ones I may never use but they are there when (if) I need them and I know I have them! Mmmm possible hoarder???? lol. Thanks for the video, brilliant as always xx
I think I have that same stamp and I haven’t used it very much either. I’m inspired—I’m going to take it out and make a whole lot of mistakes with it! Thanks for helping me to see that mistakes are good!!
Carolyn, I think your writing is great, both script and print. I say embrace it.
Doreen
I would title this video “There’s no limit to layers.” I am sometimes tempted to walk away from the really bigs OOPS especially when they occur during a project. They are harder to overcome than OOPS when I am playing. That is one of the greatest lessons I have learned from you. Always try adding another layer. I am a recovering perfectionist.
Love the moon face and the knowledge that you make OOPS and don’t let them bother you! I’m working toward that goal!
Another brilliant video. I too have that stamp, and likewise haven’t used it but hoarded it still. You have inspired me to get it out and play. I’m sure there will be many oopsies along the way.
So the stabilo pencil works on top of wet paint? Cool look!
Thanks for giving me permission to play! I am new to this and my inner critic is going crazy!
Thanks for putting a positive slant on the OPPS in our work and …life. Just layer it with another try! Love your attitude. Hugs, Lynda
If I didn’t want a moon stamp, I do now. I think your page turned out great. Playing is half the fun anyways.
Ps I shared on Pinterest.
im dying over the closed captioning… its like auto-correct! Did you know that “today its all about the boobs?” LOL thx for the giggles! love your messiness and tenacity, it inspires me to let go.
While enjoying your “Oops! Messages, I was reminded of a wonderful children’s’ book called “Beautiful Oops!.” Can’t recall the author but you can easily find it by title on Amazon. You and I are kindred spirits. I’m a retired elementary school teacher who worked hard to help my children realize their “mistakes” can be tools for learning, opportunities to explore their creativity, or sometimes even little miracles that actually enhance their projects. Yea oops! Thanks for continuing to bear the torch!
Thanks for sharing the joy that OOPS brings you and gives us all permission and inspiration! And not take myself to seriously.