Gentle heart Mixed Media project

Hi there lovelies,

Sharing another mixed media art project in my Creative Journal. I love using stencils and creating backgrounds. I also love using magazine cuts and paper to add to my art. These images show a bit of my process.

I hope you enjoy it.

Products used: Paper and stencils in the Finesse Collection from Ivytree Studio

Mixed Media Paper Pad available from most art stores. 

Dala Texture Paste

Variety of pigment inks and water colours

Vegas gold All Purpose ink

Mixed Media Cardmaking

Hi there lovelies,


When it comes to cardmaking, I like to play around and use a variety of techniques.

Have you tried making these:

1. Digistamp cards - using images or drawings or digital stamps as a focal point on your cards. 
2. Die cut cards - using dies to cut elements and use as a focal point on your cards.
3. Mixed Media Cards - using a variety of art product and techniques on your cards.
4. Layered Cards - using a variety of elements and layering on your cards
5. Box cards - exploding box cards where you open the box and all the layered elements are revealed.

Can you think off more types of cards? Leave a comment to this post. 

Here is an example of a card I worked on recently. I don't have the final image availalbe but I thought to share the close-ups to show you the results of mixing mediums. 

Products used:

Paper from my stash and white cardstock

A variety of inks including my favourite Vegas Gold All Purpose Ink

Gold acrylic paint from our local brand Dala

Flower elements cut with Silhouette Cameo

Stitching pattern: Basic flower design

'Till next time!

Restoring an old family Bible

Hi there lovelies, 

Today I am sharing with you a little restoration project. My dad gave me this old Bible that belonged to my grandmother on my mother's side. It is over 100 years old. 

I really loved this project. I used elements from my stash that I have saved for a long time. Sometimes it is time to just use it up and give it a permanent home. 

Decorating this Bible, instead of just letting it gather dust on a bookshelf, was such a labour of love for me. I carry both my grandmothers' names and so honouring the faith they proclaimed and the love they had for God's Word, is important to me. 

I used a variety of items. Some chipboard pieces I decorated with gold ink and glitter. I used paper to cover the front cover. I added a ribbon between the two layers of paper so I can keep everything together with a little bow. 

This Bible now has a place of honour in my little display cupboard safely tucked behind glass with all my other treasures like the communion glasses we used at our wedding ceremony. 

'Till next time

Friendship begins in the Heart Mixed Media Art Retreat

Hi there lovelies,

As promised, a little post on the winter Art Retreat we are hosting in July 2014.

The venue that we chose is situated just outside Pretoria at the Farm Inn Country Hotel & Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a lovely place that we visit frequently. Quiet atmosphere in nature but still close enough to the city so we do not have to drive too far to reach it. The animals are a lovely treat for city girls like us who didn’t grow up in the great outdoors.

We had a lovely birthday celebration there the other day with some friends and decided to organise an art retreat there. The first of many I hope.

We will be spending the day relaxing together as friends, new and old, young and not so young. In the company of each other, we will be inspired to create something that will release even more creativity. The idea is to de-stress from the noise of everyday life in surroundings that will help accomplish this.

What are we going to create, you may ask? My partner in art, Surita Brink, has designed a special artwork just for this event, that we will duplicate each in our own style.

We are also designing our own paper for this event to be used in the artwork. Using a few mixed media techniques, this artwork is also a must for any scrapbooker. We are keeping the process simple to keep the focus on engaging with each other, our surroundings and to relax.

The theme of this event is Friendship, the meaning of it in our lives and where it begins. I believe it starts in the heart.

I know of many of my friends who have been going through some heavy stress, worries, challenges and even health issues. Life takes its toll. I also have my own story to tell, but I have discovered that through the love of the people closest to me, I have been able to survive and begin to thrive again. It is love that gets you through and we want to encourage friendship among fellow Christian women and artists. We want to share the inspiration that we find from fellow Christian artists and writers and encourage you to be part of a circle of friends that you can love and support.

A song by Jars of Clay, lyrics by Brandon Heath, touched me this week. It just stressed upon my heart how important friendship is, that it is God’s idea, His way of looking out for us. We are sheltered in each other when we realize that our strength is in unity, in loving each other honestly without fear or doubt. When we realize our personal role and responsibility and take it seriously, we will be strong in our relationships. When we do not act out of fear or hide in fear from each other, purposefully cherish the gift of each other and not selfishly looking out just for ourselves, we will grow and we will find a place of rest and hope within our relationships.

Please contact us to book your seats. Invite a friend if you know of someone that needs your love, support and care and would also benefit from such a lovely experience.



Hope to see you all there!

Our first Happy Go Artsy workshop

Hi there lovelies,

Finally, we decided to do our first mixed media and portrait study workshop. We have learned a lot from the process. What to do and what not to do when organizing something like this. We compromised a little and instead of cancelling the workshop for not reaching the minimum number of participants we wanted, we did it anyway with just two attendees. I am glad we did. Sometimes you just need to push through to see if it is something you are able to do or even want to do. So, again...we learned so much.

The students finished their artworks: So proud of their efforts!

 The two art teachers side by side. Loving every moment!

 So if this looks fun to you, let us know and we will bring the mixed media workshops, art parties and creative retreats to your doorstep.

Have a great April 2014!!

Hello February! New artwork in the making again.

Hi there lovelies,

Just thought I would quickly show you what I'm working on this week: She is not finished but will be for the workshop next week.

Busy week ahead as I am preparing for the first workshop of the year and we are going away this weekend. We were invited to a family reunion... the family I don't yet know on husband's side. Then I also got myself into helping hubby plan his semester...so typing away the last couple of days. It seems the busier you are the more you get done. Also went to see a  new doctor to help sort out hormone issues...starting a new lifestyle plan...a lot to take in all at once. I am just going to take it one day at a time. 

Have a blessed week. I will keep you posted on how the workshop went.  

HSP quote for the week: