Category: Inspiration

Art Journal, Darkroom Door, Darkroom Door Stamps, Ecoline inks, Gelatos, Quotes

Inspiration for Darkroom Door Number Medley Stamp Set

Robyn Wood

Hello!

I’m just popping in with a pair of projects featuring the recent Darkroom Door rubber stamp release, this time I’ve been creating with Number Medley stamp set. I love the variety in this set, from printed sections to little snippets of hand-lettered numbers there are lots of options. This set will likely slot in nicely with many of the Darkroom Door sets you already own so I’ve decided to showcase it using two older stamp sets – Steampunk and Venetian Vol 2.

First up, let’s go adventuring! I created the background for this one by spreading my page randomly with texture paste and allowing it to dry. Then I applied a few colours of Faber-Castell Gelatos and smooshed them together to cover the background. The Gelatos spread easily and pick up the beautiful texture from the initial layer. 

Next, I stamped over parts of the page using elements from the Darkroom Door Numbers Medley stamp set using Ranger Archival black ink. I also stamped a number of the elements from the Darkroom Door Steampunk and Number Medley stamp sets onto smooth white card. 

I added a touch of colour to the adventure word, gentleman and balloon then fussy cut the stamped elements before adding to my page. Edging around the page with black Archival ink finished it off nicely.

I enjoy layering different elements to create a journal page and creating unique options using rubber stamps helps my vision for a page come together in a cohesive manner. Limiting options to a few colours and stamps helps the page to work together to tell your story.

For this page, I began by randomly painting my page with colours that played happily together such as pink, orange, blue and purple. I was careful to add the blue/purple sections after the orange parts had dried so I didn’t create mud! 

Next, I went in search of some plain patterned paper that would match the colour palette and found some sheets of lovely old Basic Grey. I stamped the sheets randomly with images from the Darkroom Door Number Medley stamp set, then cut them into scalloped sections to use as a border.

A bit of watery ink gave them a lovely grungy look. 

To complete the page, I stamped and coloured some images and the quote from the Darkroom Door Venetian Vol 2 stamp set. The scalloped borders and stamped images were then layered onto my page along with Tim Holtz Idea-ology pieces and some ornate trim. The page came together very quickly once all of the separate parts were prepared.

Supplies used:

I hope you have enjoyed this little snippet of inspiration. Make sure you pop over to Darkroom Door to see the rest of the January 2020 release!

Art Journal, Card making, Cards & Tags, Darkroom Door, Darkroom Door Stamps, Distress Ink, Distress Oxide Ink, Quotes

Let’s get dotty …

Robyn Wood

Hello! 

I have another set of projects to share from the recent Darkroom Door rubber stamp release, this time I’ve been creating with Abstract 07 Stamp. I really like the format of these stamps as it allows you to use them as a long strip to cover the edge of a journal page or across a card front but you can also bend it up to use just parts of the image as you hand stamp with it. I’ve used it both ways to create a set of projects to share with you.

First up is a cute card where I’ve curled the Darkroom Door Abstract 07 Stamp up a bit and stamped all over a cardstock panel in different coloured inks. Then, I took one of the colours and sponged the background to help incorporate all the different hues. I thought the chaotic collection of dots needed a bit of extra, so I added a sprinkling of tiny buttons. The card was finished off with some layering, a ribbon and a sentiment from Darkroom Door Warm Wishes stamp set.

For the next pair of cards, I stamped Darkroom Door Abstract 07 Stamp across a card panel using two different coloured inks. 

I love the variety of Eclectic stamps created by Darkroom Door, they give so much scope for using them in different ways. For this card, I stamped the Darkroom Door Crayons Eclectic image a couple of times and cut the crayons apart to make colouring easier. Each was coloured separately and attached over the cardfront to create a fun, happy card. 

Swapping around the ink colours and using a flower image from Darkroom Door Fine Flowers Vol 2 stamp set gave this card a very different look.

A quote from Darkroom Door Botanical Script stamp set finishes the pair off nicely. 

A simple mix of complementary colours always brings a pop to a handmade card and I’ve used that technique to create the colour scheme for this card.

I often make a bunch of backgrounds ahead of time and used a Distress Ink one for the blue panel in this card. The dotty panel was created by stamping with a variety of blue inks using the Darkroom Door Abstract 07 stamp. I had curled it up with my hands so that only a small portion of the image was in contact with the card. A layered flower image from Darkroom Door Bright Blossoms 2 stamp set and sentiment from the Darkroom Door Word Block stamp completes the card.

I’ve discovered that I love to create simple, minimal pages sometimes in my art journals. I’ve found it quite a meditative process, especially as I keep the colour palettes and techniques really simple.

For this final project using the Darkroom Door Abstract 07 stamp, I simply dripped runny paint across the top of a page in a Dylusions Dyalog Black Insert Journal and set it aside to dry. The colour needs to be quite opaque and pale for this to work. I stamped Darkroom Door Abstract 07 Stamp randomly over the top painted part of my page using an orange Distress Oxide ink. The Distress Oxide inks have a wonderful opacity that makes them visible over darker backgrounds.

A simple botanical shape sketched in white ink and quote from Darkroom Door Botanical Script stamp set finished the page. Nice and simple.

Supplies used:

  • Darkroom Door Abstract 07 Stamp
  • Darkroom Door Warm Wishes stamp set
  • Darkroom Door Bright Blossoms Vol 2 stamp set
  • Darkroom Door Fine Flowers Vol 2 stamp set
  • Darkroom Door Botanical Script stamp set
  • Darkroom Door Crayons Eclectic stamp
  • Darkroom Door Word Block stamp
  • Dylusions Dyalog Black Insert Journal
  • Ranger Distress & Distress Oxide Inks
  • Ranger Archival black ink

I hope you have enjoyed this little snippet of inspiration. Make sure you pop over to Darkroom Door to see the rest of the January 2020 release!

Art Journal, Bella Paperie, Quotes

Mixed Media Art Journaling – Listen to Silence

Robyn Wood

What happens when you create some space in your life?

Space to think … to dream … to create?

Why not join me this Sunday as we try to tap into that space to create an art journal page that is calm and meditative. I will share some simple techniques to get your creative juices flowing and you will learn a few creative techniques along the way to harness the power of Dylusions spray inks.

Bella Paperie is located at Shop 33, 302 South Pine Road, Brendale. Phone 3205 5911 to book. Class runs 10am – 2pm, October 7 and costs $30 with some supplies provided. You can find information on what to bring along to class on the store blog at http://www.bellapaperie.net.au

Acrylic inks, Art Journal, Bella Paperie, Darkroom Door, Quotes

Mixed Media Art Journaling – Find Your Happy

Robyn Wood

Join me to create a wonderfully drippy, textured mixed media art journal page featuring a hand lettered quote. You are welcome to customise your page by bringing along your favourite quote to letter, or use the one supplied.

I will be sharing some tips for creating texture in your art journal using masks for beautifully touch-worthy pages. The page background is created using acrylic inks so I’ll be sure to show you my favourite techniques using these vibrant inks.

Bella Paperie is located at Shop 33, 302 South Pine Road, Brendale. Phone 3205 5911 to book. Class runs 10.30am – 2.30pm, September 28 and costs $30 with some supplies provided. You can find information on what to bring along to class on the store blog at http://www.bellapaperie.net.au

Art Journal, Bella Paperie, Monoprinting, Quotes

Mixed Media Art Journaling Workshop – Fairy Whispers

Robyn Wood

I came across a quote recently, ‘raindrops are fairy whispers’ and I loved the imagery it conjured for a journal page so I changed it up a little for my upcoming class.

I’ll be teaching how to create at Bella Paperie this Friday and I’d love you to join me. We will start with a fun painty play session using our Gel Press plates and then I’ll guide you through calming the myriad of patterns into shapes, finishing with a little doodling.

I hope you will join me in this leap into pattern making without quite knowing how the end result will look – every page will be different. Come along and I’ll share my pattern taming techniques to help you create a page that you love. These techniques are ones you will return to many times.

Bella Paperie is located at Shop 33, 302 South Pine Road, Brendale. Phone 3205 5911 to book. Class runs 10.30am – 2.30pm, August 31 and costs $30 with some supplies provided. You can find information on what to bring along to class here on the store blog.

Acrylic inks, Art Journal, Bella Paperie, Dina Wakley Media, Quotes

Mixed Media Art Journaling Workshop – Wishes are the magic…

Robyn Wood

What will you wish for??

Do you wish to spend a glorious day painting and laughing while learning a few techniques for your art journal? Why not join me in class this weekend to create a colourful art journal page featuring a variety of techniques. This time we will be mostly using acrylic inks instead of paints and I will teach you how to create the beautifully layered backgrounds that come easily with these inks. You will also learn some easy ways to use rubber stamps in your journal and a quick and easy doodling technique.

 

We will be working in an A4 sized journal and you will need to have the following on hand –

  • Acrylic inks in a variety of colours for background. We will have a limited number on hand for use. Bella Paperie stocks the beautiful Amsterdam acrylic inks but other brands will be suitable.
  • A variety of acrylic paints in colours to complement your inks
  • Dina Wakley Scribble sticks will be handy for exta colour – Gelatos, Tim Holtz
  • Distress Crayons, NeoColours or similar will also be suitable and I will have some to share.
  • A variety of stencils with open patterns and one with a small pattern
  • Rubber stamps suitable for adding a scroll/flourish type patterns. I will bring some to share.
  • Quote stamp if you wish to use something different to the one I have used.
  • Neutral toned printed paper for collage. I have used paper from a Prima paper pad but a few sheets of scrapbook paper will be suitable.
  • A variety of paint brushes including a wide one suitable for gel medium
  • Black Stabilo or black watercolour pencil/charcoal pencil – Bella Paperie now has these in stock
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Grey permanent stamping ink if you have it (Ranger Archival brand preferred, not Stazon)
  • White gesso
  • Matt medium
  • Texture paste
  • Liquitex matt gel medium (available from Bella Paperie, usual matt medium will not be strong enough)
  • Paint palette – one with separate wells will be very useful
  • Paint spatula
  • Sponge for stencilling
  • Non–stick craft mat
  • Spray bottle for water
  • Baby wipes
  • Paper towel
  • Container for water
  • Heat tool

 

Bella Paperie is located at Shop 33, 302 South Pine Road, Brendale. Phone 3205 5911 to book. Class runs 10am – 2pm, June 17 and costs $30 with some supplies provided.

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Art Journal, Bella Paperie, Quotes

Join me for some creative play

Robyn Wood

Looking for something creative to do this week?

On Thursday, I’m running another Learn for Free session at Bella Paperie about using the Gel Press plates. Pop in any time between 10am – noon and get ready to soak up some knowledge, no need to book.

You are invited to bring your questions as you will have a chance to pick my brain about monoprinting! If you happen to miss it, I’ll also be demoing with the Gel Press at our Paper Craft Trail on May 5.

 

 

On Friday, I’ll be teaching an art journal class centred around the beauty of abstract flowers. After all,

The Earth laughs in flowers…

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

it’s one of my favourite quotes and one that springs to mind whenever I see beautiful bunches of flowers or joyfully planted gardens. Why not put some happiness into your art journal with this abstract floral page?

This class will start with a textured page based on printed paper napkins and then we will build a beautiful bunch of flowers on top that will be wonderfully touchable. If you did a similar class with me previously, the techniques used for this one are quite different.

If you already art journal – bring along your usual kit, if not check the requirements list for a guide on what to bring. You will need an approx. A4 sized journal to begin with – please check in store for details. We would love to know where you are at with mixed media so let Deb know when you book in – absolute beginners are very welcome but the more experienced will find something to challenge them in each class.

We will be working in an A4 sized journal and please have on hand –

  • Paper napkins with all over types of designs. Abstract flowers and subtle pattern collages will work best and I will have some to share.
  • A variety of acrylic paints, particularly in flower colours plus some suitable for the background
  • A variety of paint brushes including a wide one suitable for matt medium
  • Black Stabilo or black watercolour pencil – Bella Paperie now has these in stock
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • White gesso
  • Liquitex Matt medium
  • Paint palette – one with separate wells will be very useful
  • Paint spatula
  • Non–stick craft mat
  • Spray bottle for water
  • Baby wipes
  • Paper towel
  • Container for water
  • Heat tool
  • I will provide the cheesecloth, book paper & tissue paper

Bella Paperie is located at Shop 33, 302 South Pine Road, Brendale. Phone 3205 5911 to book. Class runs 10am – 2pm, April 27 and costs $30 with some supplies provided.

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Art Journal, Bella Paperie, Darkroom Door, Darkroom Door Stencils, Monoprinting, Quotes, Stencils

Mixed Media Art Journaling Workshop – Courage is…

Robyn Wood

Do you have the courage to leap into pattern making without the end result in sight?

Why not join me this Sunday at Bella Paperie as I share my favourite pattern taming techniques to help you create a page that you love. They are sure to become techniques that you will return to many times in your mixed media journey.

We will start the class with a play session using our Gel Press plates and then I’ll guide you through calming the myriad of patterns into wonderfully, drippy shapes. To finish we will have fun doodling and adding yet more patterns and complete the page with a quote.

If you already art journal – bring along your usual kit, if not check the requirements list for a guide on what to bring. You will need an approx. A4 sized journal to begin with – please check in store for details. We would love to know where you are at with mixed media so let us know when you book in – absolute beginners are very welcome but the more experienced will find something to challenge them in each class.

Robyn Wood - Courage is... - mixed media art journal workshop

We will be working in an A4 sized journal and please have on hand –

    • Gel Press monoprinting plate (I will have some to share but your own will save waiting time)
    • A variety of acrylic paints including some dark colours and black
    • A variety of stencils with different sizes of patterns for printing & stencilling
    • A variety of paint brushes
    • Pencil
    • Scissors
    • Black Stabilo pencil
    • Sponges for stencilling
    • White gesso or paint
    • Gold acrylic ink or paint
    • Black paint pen of medium nib size
    • White gel pen or fine white paint pen
    • Paint palette – one with separate wells will be very useful
    • Paint spatula
    • Non–stick craft mat
    • Spray bottle for water
    • Baby wipes
    • Paper towel
    • Container for water
    • Heat tool

Bella Paperie is located at Shop 33, 302 South Pine Road, Brendale. Phone 3205 5911 to book. Class runs 10am – 2pm, April 8 and costs $30 with some supplies provided.

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Art Journal, Bella Paperie, Darkroom Door, Darkroom Door Stamps, Darkroom Door Stencils, Quotes, Stencils

Mixed Media Art Journaling Workshop – Dreams Have Wings

Robyn Wood

Do your dreams have wings?

Perhaps your dreams are full of colour and texture and you would love to capture that feeling in your art journal? This might be the class where you learn to delve into another world and play with collage and paint for the pure fun of it!

Why not join me this Friday as we jump into the wonderful world of mixed media and art journaling. This will be the first of regular Friday classes featuring mixed media and art journaling at Bella Paperie. Although aimed as a ‘beginner class’, my regular students and ones familiar with mixed media will still find lots to learn and challenge them.

If you already art journal – bring along your usual kit, if not come along to this weekday class to learn what you might need to purchase as the materials list is a brief guide. You will need an approx. A4 sized journal to begin with – please check in store for details or we can provide a sheet of heavy watercolour paper to get you started.

For this first weekday class, I will bring along most of the supplies to share but please bring what you have from the materials listed to save time waiting. I have listed a kit of ‘basics’ that you will need to bring to every class. As always, the listed supplies are available to purchase from Bella Paperie before class.

We will be working in an A4 sized journal and please have on hand –

  • 2-3 acrylic paints for background – I have used shades of pink
  • 2-3 stencils with small patterns for background
  • Dye based markers for colouring butterflies, Ecoline, Tombow or Distress markers are perfect. We will have some on hand to share.
  • Chalk inks in pale flower & leaf colours (if you have them)
  • Fine scissors for fussy cutting butterflies
  • White gesso
  • Liquid glue for adhering butterflies

Basics – required for each class

  • A sense of fun and the will to get painty;)
  • Pencil, rubber
  • A variety of paint brushes in different sizes. Bella Paperie sells great starter packs of brushes.
  • Aquash brush is handy to have on hand
  • Sponge for stencilling
  • Paint palette – one with separate wells will be very useful or a small plastic plate
  • Paint spatula
  • Non–stick craft mat
  • Spray bottle for water
  • Baby wipes
  • Paper towel
  • Container for water
  • Heat tool (only if you have one)
  • Apron

Bella Paperie is located at Shop 33, 302 South Pine Road, Brendale. Phone 3205 5911 to book. Class runs 10am – 2pm, March 23 and costs $30 with some supplies provided.

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Art Journal, Bella Paperie, Quotes, Stencils

Mixed Media Art Journaling Workshop – Live in the Moment

Robyn Wood

Live in the moment…take time to notice the small details of life

Creating multi-layered, textured backgrounds can become quite an enjoyable, calming exercise in play. Why not join me this Sunday and I’ll show you how to easily create beautiful backgrounds in your art journal and then we will paint a pretty butterfly in an impressionistic style.

This workshop will focus on creating background textures with a variety of materials and using clear crackle medium for a subtle effect.

We will be working in an A4 sized journal and please have on hand –

  • White tissue paper for background texture, approx. half the page is covered. I use tissue recycled from packaging
  • Stickers for a word/quote if you wish to add something to the page at the end
  • 2-3 acrylic paints for background – I have used a mix of blues, green and an earthy colour (see note below)
  • Acrylic paints in butterfly colours for main image
  • DecoArt Media Crackle Medium or other clear crackle medium (see note below)
  • 2-3 stencils with open patterns for background
  • A variety of paint brushes
  • Wide paint brush for use with matt medium
  • Pencil, rubber
  • Black Stabilo pencil – now available from Bella Paperie
  • Liquitex Matt medium
  • Sponge for stencilling
  • White gesso or paint
  • Paint palette – one with separate wells will be very useful
  • Paint spatula
  • Non–stick craft mat
  • Spray bottle for water
  • Baby wipes
  • Paper towel
  • Container for water
  • Heat tool

N.B. For this workshop, we will be using DecoArt Media Crackle Medium & Fluid Acrylics and some paints will be available for use in class. If you have your own, please bring them along to save waiting. I will also provide the cheesecloth which forms part of the textural element on the page. A butterfly image will be provided for use in workshop, you may wish to bring your own to trace if you would like something a little different.

Bella Paperie is located at Shop 33, 302 South Pine Road, Brendale. Phone 3205 5911 to book. Workshop runs 10am – 2pm, March 4 and costs $30 with some supplies provided.

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